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European green industries look to China fo... 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. Value Centre Dundalk was celebrated at the recent 2024 ShelfLife Grocery Management Awards, which recognises both individual management excellence in the sector and outstanding teamwork. Fintan Smyth, who has been manager of Value Centre Dundalk since 2004, was named Cash and Carry Manager of the Year for the third time, his first award coming in 2007, while the whole Value Centre Dundalk team was named Retail Team of the Year at the prestigious ceremony, which was held at Dublins Royal Marine Hotel. One of the most eagerly anticipated events in the Irish retail and wholesale calendar, the National Grocery Management Awards is Irelands premier scheme for recognising and honouring management excellence. Commenting, Cash & Carry Director, BWG Foods, Vincent Brown said, I would like to extend my congratulations to Fintan, and indeed all the team in Value Centre Dundalk, on winning these prestigious national awards. Fintan and the team are very deserving of these industry accolades, and they demonstrate the core of what our business is about; our People. To win a Shelflife Management award is a high point in the career of many of Irelands best performing managers from across a variety of categories and at various levels of career progression and the event is also the principal networking event for managers from across the industry to gather with colleagues, business partners, suppliers and friends. Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said he will raise the issue of Dundalk soldier Private Sean Rooney's murder trial with the Lebanese authorities when he travels to the country this weekend. Speaking at the PDFORRA Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association Annual Delegate Conference the Tanaiste said he will be asking the relevant authorities to progress the case, saying: I know that Private Sean Rooney remains at the forefront of all our minds, and I will also be using this visit to underline, again, directly with the Lebanese Authorities, the need to actively progress the court case regarding the murder of Pte. Rooney. I would like to take this opportunity today to again remember and acknowledge Seans exceptional service, and his ultimate sacrifice for peace. An initial indictment hearing of persons charged in connection with the incident of 14 December 2022, took place on 14 July 2023 with a further hearing taking place on 30 August. Speaking in January, the Tanaiste stated that: "On 15 November last, my Department became aware that one of the individuals accused of the murder of Private Sean Rooney, and who had been in Lebanese custody, had been released on bail. "Following enquiries, it was confirmed that he had been released on bail with the payment of a financial bond and that the release was granted for medical reasons." The most recent hearing of the court case took place on 15 December last where the Department of Defence was represented by its Beirut-based lawyer while the Irish Ambassador was also in attendance. Speaking in January the Tanaiste further stated that he was disappointed to learn that none of those indicted for Private Sean Rooneys killing, including the individual recently released from custody on bail, appeared in court at the 15 December hearing, and that the case has been further adjourned to 7 June 2024. Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) 3rd year Science students recently visit WuXi Biologics and WuXi Vaccines state of the art facility. Recently DkITs School of Health and Science launched a new bursary programme in conjunction with WuXi Vaccines and Wu-xi Biologics WiSTEM initiative which saw two female 3rd year science students at DkIT being awarded 1,500 financial support as they progress through their degree. A spokesperson for the college said: "DkIT is the leading higher education provider in the region and are completely committed to STEM, one of the fastest growing industry sectors both locally and nationally. DkITs recent opening of the New Jocelyn Bell Burnell Building cemented the Institutes investment to increase capacity on Life Science, Health Science and Agri-Food programmes, helping DkIT to meet the growing demand from employers in the region for high-quality graduates in these specialised areas." Dr Gillian Lambe, Head of Department of Life & Health Sciences, DkIT said: Wed like to thank Wu-Xi Biologics and Wu-Xi Vaccines for the warm welcome the students received in their facility. Laboratory tours of this ilk are a superb way for students to see science in action in industry and the group learned so much. "On the day the team in Wu-Xi facilitated an extremely informative questions and answers session for our students. It was also great to see so many DkIT graduates working in situ in Wu-Xi Biologics, Wu-Xi Vaccines and utilising their learnings from DkIT in the real world. IRELANDS largest celebration of maritime culture, heritage and family fun activities is set to return to Cork from June 1 to June 10. Cork Harbour Festival will highlight Corks greatest natural amenities Cork Harbour and the River Lee with a festival programme of events throughout the city and county. This years festival offers events in locations including Myrtleville, Cobh, Crosshaven, Whitegate, Ringaskiddy, Fountainstown, Spike Island, East Ferry, Monkstown, and city locations such as Marina Park, Cork City Marina, Lee Fields, Blackrock, Crawford Art Gallery, Lapps Quay and Nano Nagle Place. The festival highlights Corks maritime history, cultural experiences and heritage. The event includes water sports, talks, walks, storytelling, exhibitions, orienteering, family activities, theatre experiences, and poetry. The flagship event Ocean to City An Ras Mor Irelands very own long-distance rowing race attracting hundreds of participants from all over the world, will take place on Saturday, June 8. Meitheal Mara are delighted to bring you yet another amazing fun-filled programme of events for this years Cork Harbour Festival, now in its 10th year, festival manager, Geri Murphy, said. With over 50 event partners in Cork City and County, that never fails to deliver an impressive array of over 80 interactive, educational and enjoyable events and activities on both land and water. We cant wait to welcome thousands of visitors from local, national and international destinations to come and delve into all the maritime fun that this festival has to offer, and explore the awe and beauty of Cork this June. Bain taitneamh as. Lord Mayor of Cork City Councillor Kieran McCarthy and Mayor of the County of Cork Councillor Frank OFlynn said they are delighted that Cork City Council and Cork County Council are major sponsors of the festival. To everyone with an interest in all things riverine and maritime, go and engage whether as a participant or a spectator with the amazing Cork Harbour Festival, Mr McCarthy said. Mr OFlynn described the festival as one which celebrates our rich maritime heritage and offers unforgettable experiences for all involved. A FORMER Lord Mayor, working as a youthwork services development manager at Cork Education and Training Board (CETB), has welcomed what he says is a revival in the volunteer-led club sector in Cork. Cork ETB has reported a 10% increase in the number of youth clubs applying for the 2024 Local Youth Club Grant Scheme (LYCGS) that has resulted in the payment of approximately 270,000 in grant funding to groups throughout Cork. From a baseline of 200, the number of voluntary youth clubs in Cork operated by various bodies and independent committees fell below 100 in the two years during Covid-19 but has rebounded for 2024. We are delighted that 165 clubs, in all corners of Cork, have applied for the grant scheme this year which is up 15 since 2023 and represents a welcome return to the kind of club numbers we had pre Covid, explained Cork ETB youthwork services development manager, Mick Finn. This has not happened by accident. A lot of work has been put in to reviving and rejuvenating the volunteer-club sector in Cork, more so than in most other counties, and our team in Cork ETB especially Abina Curtin and Gillian Beasley has worked closely with clubs to support them and get dormant units back up and running and new clubs operating, Mr Finn, who is also an Independent councillor, said. A CETB ReVive event was created two years ago to stoke up interest in the sector. Cork ETB received an allocation of 272,400 from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) for 2024 which has been allocated to groups under the umbrella of Scouts, Guides, Foroige, Cloyne Diocesan Youth Services, Macra na Feirme and independents. This grant scheme has traditionally been the lifeblood of these clubs, helping to pay fees, rents, utilities and to fund activity programmes so we are thrilled that the allocations have been made earlier this year, so the clubs have the comfort of funds in hand for their operations, Mr Finn explained. The Cork ETB youthwork service department initiated a new online application system this year, with over 100 clubs coming together in January for an application workshop and a motivational session. New clubs will be welcome to apply for the 2025 LYCGS. For more information email youthclub@corketb.ie. CORK Chamber has outlined what it sees as the priorities for Cork and the region in its newly launched Local and European Election Manifesto. The chamber has identified eight priority areas in the manifesto: housing, urban evolution, talent and skills, renewables and energy system integration, sustainability and climate-neutral city, infrastructure and connectivity, supporting local business, and planning reform and speed of delivery. In 2024, running for election requires candidates that are ambitious for the region, said Cork Chamber CEO Conor Healy. We need representatives who have a very clear understanding of the pressing policy issues that are impacting Cork, Ireland South, and Ireland. Representatives with a true commitment to improving local communities, the economy, and the environment will deliver the best outcomes. The chamber said that a 50% growth in population in Cork, which is a target set by the Government through Ireland 2040, will require a concerted effort to build houses; create around 75,000 jobs; deliver an enhanced public transport system; and provide a range of health, social, community, and cultural services. Ahead of the local elections in June, Cork Chamber is calling for candidates to: Support urban evolution and increase housing-unit supply by forming a taskforce to explore solutions to the current barriers that prevent the conversion of vacant and derelict buildings into housing units; Formulate a coherent plan for Cork to capture the full value of offshore renewables; Support Cork as a sustainable city by securing funding to deliver on its Climate Neutral 2030 plan; Work to accelerate the delivery of all key projects including housing, public transport infrastructure, and key road projects; Support a pro-business environment by being conscious of the impact that policy decisions have on SMEs. Mr Healy emphasised the importance of Cork Chambers 1,200 members, who between them employ around 120,000 people. We want our local and European candidates to be as ambitious for Cork as we are, and are calling for them to step up and match the ambition, drive, and determination of our member businesses, he said. Through our constant engagement with our members, we have a unique understanding of the economic and social needs of business in Cork. This manifesto reflects their key priorities for the five years ahead. We are publishing our manifesto to help voters clarify the issues facing the businesses they work for and represent. A strong and balanced economy supports a balanced society. A STUDENT, aged 19, accused of harassing a 17-year-old girl, was arrested and brought before Cork District Court yesterday. Sergeant John Dineen arrested the teenager and brought three separate charges against him arising out of the alleged offences. Firstly, he was charged that between January 1 and May 15 in Cork city, he harassed the named girl, contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. Secondly, he was charged that between January 1 and April 21, he did send threatening or grossly offensive communication to the teenager with intent to cause harm, contrary to the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act. The third charge under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act refers to allegedly engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour on May 14 in Cork city centre. Judge Mary Dorgan asked if there was an objection to bail being granted to the young man. Sgt Dineen said there was no such objection but that strict conditions were required. Solicitor Shane Collins-Daly said the defence was in agreement with those conditions. He is to have no communication either in person, directly or indirectly, on social media platforms with the teenage girl, or by any electronic devices. He is to have no contact directly or indirectly with her friends, family, and associates. He is not to harass, follow, watch, pester, or beset the 17-year-old. The defendant is not to come within 200m of her, he is to stay away from her school or surrounding areas, and to stay away from her family home. On the application of Sergeant Gearoid Davis, Judge Dorgan adjourned the case until September 18 to allow time for directions to be obtained from the DPP. The complainant cannot be identified under the Childrens Act and it is understood that naming the accused would lead to identification of the 17-year-old girl A seminar addressing dereliction and vacancy, which aims to give practical advice to owners of vacant and derelict properties, is set to take place next week. Kieran McCarthy of RTEs Cheap Irish Homes, Rosemarie Webb of Technological University Dublin and author and former Irish Times Environment Editor Frank McDonald are just some of the speakers at the Cork City Council event. Now in its second year, the event entitled Urban Fabric: Addressing Dereliction & Vacancy provides practical advice from industry experts on everything from available grants to planning concerns to carbon footprint and SEAI options. The event will take place in Saint Peters Church on North Main Street on Friday, May 24 from 10am to 1.30pm, following last years successful event at Nano Nagle Place. In addition to external speakers and industry experts, Cork City Council staff will speak on issues that can affect a propertys return to use. The event will include talks directly aimed at homeowners, as well as some wider industry advice for builders and developers. Cork City Council has said it saw a major uptick in activity in dereliction last year, with the number of sites on the Derelict Sites Register increasing by 45%. According to Cork City Council, there was a similar increase in the number of sites under investigation for dereliction. As of March 2024, over 700 properties are being investigated for dereliction, potential placement on the register, or are on the citys vacancy register. In addition, over 250 applicants have now applied for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant which allocates up to 50,000 for vacant homes, and up to 70,000 for derelict homes. Over 12.5 million in grants is being progressed to bring these 250 long-term vacant and derelict properties back into use. Cork City Council has been holding a series of informal public drop-in vacancy and dereliction sessions across the city, with Blackpool and Bishopstown complete, and future events upcoming in other electoral wards. The sessions provide information to members of the public on the supports available to refurbish vacant and derelict properties. Attendees can reserve a space by visiting Eventbrite.ie and searching for urban fabric cork. Walk-ups will be accepted on the day if space is available. A FAMILY-run store in Cobh has been named as the store that sold the winning ticket in Friday nights EuroMillions Ireland Only Raffle draw. In every EuroMillions draw, the Ireland Only Raffle sees 10 raffle codes generated with each winning 5,000. Pictured here celebrating the win are: Sarah Ruane, National Lottery; Kieran Touhy, National Lottery; Eamon Miskella (Rosemary's Dad), Alan Corcoran, Rosemary Corcoran, Liam Corcoran, Penny Meade, Alan Dorczynski, Noreen Donnachie, Sylvia Mielczarek, Edyta Brothers. Pic: Michael OSullivan / Mac Innes Photography All 10 winning raffle codes drawn in Friday nights draw were put into an additional draw to see which one of the 10 codes would win the Must Be Won 1 million amount, on top of the usual 5,000 prize for the category. Corcorans Centra in Rushbrooke Centre, Cobh, Co. Cork sold the winning ticket, worth 1,005,000. The Ireland Only Raffle winning raffle code in Friday nights (17th May) EuroMillions draw, which is worth 1,005,000 million to one Cork player is: I-QQN-12284. 'Our first big win' Owner of the store Alan Corcoran said he was over the moon to get the call, as this is the biggest win his store has had to date. Im absolutely delighted, I cannot put into words what this means for us! "Its our first big win in the store and we just hope it's one of our loyal regular customers." He said they are looking forward to celebrating the win with staff. "Were definitely going to share this joy with our hardworking staff and give them a little treat. "Theyre honestly such a mighty bunch, and were looking forward to celebrating with them. "Were also looking forward to the buzz this will create over the next couple of days, and we wish the winner every best with their prize. 'Check your tickets carefully' The National Lottery has urged all players in the Rebel County to check their tickets very carefully, and if they are the winner, they are advised to sign the back of their ticket and keep it safe. They should contact the prize claims team on 1800 666 222 or email claims@lottery.ie and arrangements will be made for them to collect their prize at Lotto HQ. Sarah Ruane, Spokesperson from the National Lottery said: Friday nights draw saw over 45,000 players in Ireland win prizes across the EuroMillions and EuroMillions Plus draws with a Cork player officially becoming the biggest winner of the night after scooping 1,005,000 in the special Ireland Only Raffle. "We are appealing to all of our players in the Cork area to make sure to check their tickets carefully, especially the raffle codes, as one player has a life-changing prize waiting to be claimed. "The first thing the winner should do is sign the back of their ticket and keep it safe. They should then make contact with our prize claims team who will make arrangements for them to visit Lotto HQ to collect their incredible prize. By Jonathan McCambridge, PA The Government is determined that those responsible for the death of a UN peacekeeper in Lebanon are brought to justice, Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said. The Minister for Defence is visiting Beirut to meet Irish troops serving with the United Nations Interim Force Lebanon (Unifil). Mr Martin will travel to Camp Shamrock to greet the members of the 124th Infantry Battalion in Unifil, Irelands largest overseas deployment. In 2022, Irish peacekeeper Private Sean Rooney (24), from Co Donegal, was killed while serving in Lebanon when his convoy was attacked. Mr Martin said: A central focus of my visit will be meeting with Lebanese ministers to communicate the absolute determination of the Irish Government to ensure those responsible for Private Rooneys death are brought to justice. The Tanaiste recently approved deployment of an additional platoon of 33 troops to serve with the Irish Battalion in Unifil. He said: I am very much looking forward to meeting our peacekeepers who serve with such distinction in Unifil, and in a very challenging environment amid escalating tensions due to the war in Gaza. We recently reaffirmed our continuing support to Unifil and the important role it plays in de-escalation in the south of Lebanon, through an increased force protection element to the battalion. The dedication of Defence Force personnel and their families is a vital part of Irelands commitment to global peace and security. Nowhere is this engagement more evident, than in South Lebanon. Today, at a somber ceremony at Beirut airport, UNIFIL, @LebarmyOfficial and Ambassador of Ireland paid their respects to Irish peacekeeper Private Sean Rooney, killed late Wednesday night. Our hearts go out to his family, friends and colleagues. pic.twitter.com/dpsexIKOt6 UNIFIL (@UNIFIL_) December 18, 2022 Upon arrival at Camp Shamrock, Mr Martin will receive an Honour Guard from Defence Forces personnel, meet UN and Irish military leaders, and address the troops. His itinerary also includes meetings with the Lebanese minister for defence Maurice Sleem, and minister of foreign affairs Abdallah Bou Habib. It is his second visit to Beirut after the death of Private Rooney. Mr Martin is accompanied by the Secretary General of the Department of Defence, Jacqui McCrum, and Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sean Clancy. IN the annals of the War of Independence, special hostility is reserved for traitors who betrayed the Irish cause. For a century, my grandfather, Jeremiah Scully, has been tarred with this stigma. Many modern accounts still attest that he was the postman who turned informer when he stumbled upon General Tom Barry and his IRA Flying Squad hiding in a house in Rosscarbery in 1921. Jeremiah must have been terrified as he was questioned and held for two hours. After swearing he would not rat on Barry and his comrades, he was sent on his way. However, the British did find out the IRA were hiding out in Burgatia House, ahead of a planned attack on the towns RIC Barracks. In their subsequent raid, Barry was lucky to escape with his life. Someone betrayed the IRA that day, and Barry believed it was my grandfather - but it wasnt. However, Jeremiah knew he was in peril, and the blame could be pinned on him. In a split second decision that changed his life forever, he fled his native town and young family and was forced to start a new life under a new name in England; he never again returned to his native Cork. This is his remarkable story. ****** In his book, Guerilla Days In Ireland, Tom Barry is in no doubt about the guilty party whose betrayal led to the Battle of Burgatia House. He relates how Jeremiah, after swearing he would keep the secret, went straight to the Barracks and alerted the RIC, then vanished, never to be seen again. Only the last part of that is true. Life changed forever on that fateful morning of Thursday, February 3, 1921, for postman Jeremiah. Having collected the days delivery at Rosscarbery Post Office, the widowed father-of-five, aged 41, made his way on his postal route to Burgatia House at 10.30am. Unbeknownst to him, its owner Tom Kingston and his wife had been placed under house arrest at 3am the previous day, and held hostage by Barry and his men of the IRA West Cork Brigades 3rd Flying Column. Comdt. General Tom Barry speaking at Kilmichael ambush ceremony in 1969 Jeremiah was seized and only released by the IRA at 12.30pm, having solemnly sworn on the Bible not to divulge or inform to anyone for 24 hours of their presence at Burgatia House. He continued on his rounds and arrived at a loyalist house, where he was challenged by the occupier as to why he was so late, and told a complaint would be lodged with the Post Office that evening. At that point, with the authorities about to be alerted, my grandfather, already shaken by his experience, realised his fate had been sealed... one way or the other. He was in a bind; either Tom Barry and his squad would be found, in which case he would be executed as an informer; or his prior knowledge of the raid would be discovered by the Black and Tans, owing to the postal complaint, which meant a similar fate at their hands. Jeremiah was a dead man walking. He had to act quickly. On arriving back at the post office, next door to the RIC barracks, he handed in his bag and went to the childminder next door in the tailors shop. He asked her to look after his five children as he had no option but to leave the country, stating: One way or the other, I could be shot tonight. This must have been the hardest decision of his life. He had been a single parent since his wife Annie died of complications following childbirth, aged 34, in 1916, and now he was leaving behind their children, Mary, 12, Jeremiah Jnr, 10, Katherine, 8, Hester, 6, and John, 4. Jeremiah left on foot, using his knowledge of the locality gained in his job. He walked up Caim Hill and across country to Cahermore Cross. Eventually, he boarded a boat to Liverpool, and settled in Alderley Edge, a village in Cheshire, north-west England. He changed his name to James Collins and became a postman there, married again, and had two children, including my father. Meanwhile, back in Cork, the British did get wind of the IRAs presence in Burgatia House, a mile from Ross, on the Clonakilty road, and a battle took place that afternoon, from which Barry and the IRA managed to flee to fight another day. ****** Growing up in England, I had always been told that on my fathers side we had very few relatives, and there was a hint of some sort of incident in my paternal grandfathers past. My father was told James was from Ireland, and that he must never travel there as his father had been branded a double agent and was wanted by the IRA. James Collins was a man of mystery. Finally, in 2008, a breakthrough: we were aware of my grandfathers stint with the Royal Munster Fusiliers 2nd Battalion in World War I, and we discovered his Great War medal contained the name J Scully. A check of his service number threw up the full name, Jeremiah Scully. In the photo of James in his post uniform on the right, you can see the same medal hanging from his waistcoat. Jeremiahs son, Michael Collins at the entrance to Burgatia House in August, 2022, where his father entered 99 years earlier to deliver mail - the actual entrance has since been closed I also investigated my grandfathers pension via The British Postal Museum in London, and there was a 1922 ledger which game his name as James Collins with J. Scully in brackets. As we already knew he was born in Cork, and his birth date from the war records, it was then easy for me to get hold of more information about this Jeremiah Scully. We found that he, like his father, had been a tailor, a regular soldier in the British Army and, on discharge, become a postman. I was finally able to pinpoint his family and their home locations from Census records. My father and I decided it was time to pay a visit to Rosscarbery. I contacted B&Bs there, and the owner of one, Mrs Hubbert, asked the reason for our visit. She knew her villages history, and when she heard of our connection to Jeremiah Scully, she said we would find something of interest there - intriguing! We arrived in 2010 and stayed at an apartment on the footprint of the old RIC barracks, behind Nolans pub. Armed with only a birth certificate and a set of Irish Census records, we were delighted to be able to walk the streets where the Scully family had lived. Mrs Hubbert directed us to local historian Tom Hayes, who provided an account of the incident at Burgatia House in February, 1921, where my grandfather had been branded a traitor. Tom told us Jeremiah had been wronged. This all came as a complete surprise to us, as did the news that dad had many cousins from the offspring of his fathers first marriage. Despite the narrative from Tom Barry and in some historical records, there was a strong belief in Rosscarbery that Jeremiah was an innocent man. Bridie Goggin, whose family go back generations in Ross, has done a lot of research which discounts the original story of betrayal, backed up by eyewitnesses who indicated to her that others played their part in creating the assumption of a betrayal. Her excellent research on the events of February 3, 1921, unearthed a look-out, Sonny Maloney, who was in Barrys Flying Squad. He had shadowed the postman after he left Burgatia House, and told his neighbour years later that Jeremiah had been wronged. Meanwhile, a statement to the Bureau of Military History said a Miss Whitley had her house burned down because she had informed the British about the IRAs presence in Burgatia House. Another account stated a local man had been murdered around that time as the informer. They were darkly suspicious times, but naturally, as Jeremiahs descendants, we believe he was an innocent party. As an ironic footnote to the saga, the resident who had threatened to report Jeremiahs lateness on his round to the Post Office never did lodge a complaint. ****** Six weeks after fleeing Cork, Jeremiah Scully secured work as a postman in Alderley Edge, on March 24, 1921. By then, he had already travelled to Liverpool and changed his name to James Collins by Deed Poll. By all accounts, he was a very social and presentable man - as one might expect from a former tailor - with excellent manners; as one local remarked to my dad some years ago, a real gentleman. James lodged in the village for a while, and met my grandmother, Mary Jane Doherty, possibly while on his rounds. Both were Catholic from Irish families. Mary Jane was born in Enniskillen and moved to England when her family opted to get away from the Troubles, specifically the Black and Tans. They married in 1924 and moved into a local cottage. A daughter, Kathleen, was born in 1925 followed in 1931 by my father Michael. Happily, James did have some contact with his five children in Cork in those years. Some of the older ones visited, but it was all kept very low key and secretive. All five ended up leaving Rosscarbery and moving to the north-west of England. Sadly, ill health forced James to retire early from the Post Office in August, 1938, leaving him with a reduced pension supplemented by an even smaller war pension. He died five months later, aged 59, on January 4, 1939. The children from his first marriage attended the funeral. Anther tragedy followed, when his wife Mary Jane fell ill and died 16 months after her husband, aged just 41. Again, some of the children from Jamess first marriage were present at her funeral. Kathleen was 15 and Michael just nine when they were orphaned, and they lived with their grandparents, the Dohertys. Kathleen had already started work, but his grandmother had set her sights on the priesthood for Michael. He left home as soon as possible, but the priest was a frequent visitor, begging him to return home, but it was not to be. Michael married a local girl, Ruth Holland, and they had three children, including me. Michael Collins, front, third from left, at Burgatia House in 2022 with, front, Bridie Goggin, his daughter Jane Oakes, author of this article, and Mike Kirwan. Back, Catherine Maguire, owner of Burgatia House, Colin Oakes, Margaret Bolsover, and Elaine Kirwan ****** My father Michael Collins is now a very spritely 92-year-old and keen to visit Rosscarbery whenever he can. In August last year, we paid a visit to tie in with the centenary of the death of patriot Michael Collins - my fathers namesake. With the discovery that we had many cousins descended from Jeremiah Scullys first marriage, including Bridie, we arranged a reunion with Jeremiahs grandson Mike Kirwan and his family. They were also over on holiday, and we all had our photo taken at the place where Collins was shot dead at Beal na Blath. My cousin Bridie had by chance previously met up with the owner of Burgatia House, Catherine Maguire, who was delighted to hear our story. We met her, joined by local schoolteacher Norma Maguire, who was able to provide more important facts surrounding the story and a tour of the location so central to my grandfathers life story. From this unique perspective, we were able to get a much clearer picture of the events that took place in February, 1921. Although the old house was burnt down on the night of the Battle of Burgatia ,the historical outbuildings that Tom Barrys men had used were still standing, as indeed is the original courtyard entrance which my grandfather would have walked through on that February day in 1921. My father posed for a photo here, at the spot where his fathers life had changed forever 101 years earlier. ****** A few weeks after the aborted attack on Rosscarbery Barracks, Tom Barry enjoyed his finest hour. In the Battle of Crossbarry on March 19, 1921, his 103 men defeated 1,200 British soldiers under Major Percival. Buoyed by this success, he moved his men west and decided to try again to capture Rosscarbery RIC Barracks. This time, on March 30, 1921, he was successful, in an attack that marked the first time the IRA successfully exploded a mine. The removal of this fortress meant the countryside from Clonakilty to Skibbereen was now free of enemy forces. The author would like to thank her cousin Bridie Goggin for her invaluable help in putting together this story. Cynthia Nixon and the Sex and the City cast were bombarded with hate when the show first aired. Cynthia Nixon and the Sex and the City cast were bombarded with hate when the show first aired The actress, 58, played Miranda Hobbes in the HBO show from 1998 and 2004 and has revived the role in its spin-off And Just Like That alongside her original co-stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis and Kim Cattrall. Cynthia whose character has come out as gay in And Just Like That told Page Six about being trolled over the show: People have always been very passionate about Sex and the City and now And Just Like That. I feel like Sex and the City is now so enshrined in memory and sentimentality but people hated us at first. They kept saying over and over, These arent really women, these are gay men in disguise. Women dont talk like this. Women dont talk about sex like this. Cynthia said she thinks it is great the creators of And Just Like That have continued to produce edgy material despite critics. She added: I think thats whats so great about And Just Like That. We keep pushing the boundaries. Were not going to do the same old stuff that was once shocking that youve now got used to. Shooting recently started on the third series of And Just Like That, after it came under fire in the first season over the non-binary character Che Diaz, played by Sara Ramirez. Fans were upset Miranda was seen splitting from her husband on the show, Steve Brady, to follow Che to California though the couple split in the second series of the show and the actor wont be in the third season. Actor Che, 48, who identifies as non-binary, told The New York Times about the storm: Im very aware of the hate that exists online. But I have to protect my own mental health and my own artistry. And thats way more important to me because Im a real human being. Im really proud of the representation that weve created. We have built a character who is a human being, who is imperfect, whos complex, who is not here to be liked, whos not here for anybodys approval. Theyre here to be themselves. Prince Edward has admitted Queen Elizabeth's death was "far more emotional" because it came so soon after Prince Philip's passing. Prince Edward's parents died within 17 months of one another The Duke of Edinburgh lost his mother in September 2022, just 17 months after his father had passed away and he admitted going through the monarch's passing was made more difficult because he and his family were still grieving for her husband. Edward made his remarks as he deputised for his brother, King Charles, as Lord High Commissioner at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday (18.05.24), where he welcomed Reverend Dr. Shaw James Paterson as the newly-elected moderator. Addressing the group, Edward paid a "personal tribute" to the faith leaders for the support they offered to the royal family following the death of the queen. He said: For my own part, I just want to pay personal tribute to the chaplains of the Chapels Royal and especially those here in Scotland. There have been moments recently where I have been lucky to have sensed Gods care and love. And who could forget the scenes that followed the passing of my mother? The outpouring of emotions, the demonstration of respect, love and grief was overwhelming and a privilege to experience and behold. I think I can speak for my whole family when I say we will remain forever grateful for that support. Edward, 60, said he was really touched and comforted by how the chaplains had helped his family behind closed doors and away from the public gaze and the scrutiny. He added: I know its part of the job description, so perhaps I shouldnt have been surprised, yet it is not necessarily what they did, its how they did it. Here were centuries of tradition, of rituals long practised, of prayer, of care and of comfort. Congratulating the new moderator, Edward drew similarities between the life of a minister's child and of growing up in the royal family. He said: "Growing up in the family of a minister is never easy; having to come to terms with sharing one or both of your parents with the wider parish family. And believe me, I can empathise. A man has been arrested for allegedly punching Steve Buscemi in the face. Steve Buscemi was assaulted earlier this month The 'Reservoir Dogs' actor was wandering through the East Side of Manhattan last Wednesday (08.05.24) when he was "assaulted" and left with a swollen face in a random attack, and now the New York Police Department (NYPD) have confirmed they have taken 50-year-old Clifton Williams into custody. The homeless man was arrested on Friday (17.05.24) and charged with second-degree assault - which is punishable by up to seven years in prison - and a police spokesperson told the New York Times newspaper the charge was elevated to a felony because of the 66-year-old actor's age. He is also accused of having punched a 22-year-old man around 15 minutes before the 'Boardwalk Empire' actor was attacked, and has been charged with third-degree assault, a misdemeanour, in that case. Police had identified Williams as a suspect earlier in the week after releasing surveillance photos of him, and when they were called to a dispute between him and another man on Friday, they recognised him and arrested him. Following the attack on Steve, the 'Fargo' star was taken to hospital for bleeding, bruising and swelling to his left eye. His publicist said in a statement at the time: Steve Buscemi was assaulted in Midtown Manhattan, another victim of a random act of violence in the city. He is OK and appreciates everyones well wishes, though incredibly sad for everyone that this has happened to while also walking the streets of N.Y. The incident came just two months after Steve's 'Boardwalk Empire' co-star Michael Stuhlbarg, 55, was attacked by a homeless man who lobbed a rock at him in Central Park in March. Xavier Israel, 27, was taken into custody after he caused injury to the back of his neck. The same month, Bethenny Frankel was punched in the face in a separate incident. The 53-year-old reality star noticed a video posted onto social media by fashion design student Mikayla Toninato about her experience of being assaulted in the Big Apple and took to the comments to reveal that the same thing had happened to her. She wrote on TikTok: "This is insane bc this happened to me a few months ago but I was embarrassed to say I was on the UWS [Upper West Side]. Insane. I was taking video of a bakery. (sic) Critic's rating 3.0 /5 Kartam Bhugtam, which roughly translates as what goes around comes around, is a blend of psychological thriller and revenge drama that tackles the dark underbelly of superstition and fake godmen. The film is set against the contrasting backdrops of Bhopal and Bangkok, with the latter providing a more engaging and visually appealing setting. Dev Joshi (Shreyas Talpade) is an auckland based NRI who returns to his hometown of Bhopal after ten years due to the unexpected demise of his father. His life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Anna (Vijay Raaz), an astrologer whose predictions always come true. Devs primary goal is to consolidate his deceased fathers assets and cash. However, things dont go as planned. Hes stymied by circumstances all the way. Tired of it all, he starts taking Annas advice and his fortunes start to turn. But he finds himself caught in a web of superstition and starts losing his mind. How he gets out of it all and regains his sanity and wealth forms the crux of the story. The narrative unfolds slowly in the first half, which may test the patience of some viewers. However, once it gains momentum, the story becomes gripping, maintaining tension and intrigue till the end. The plot effectively utilises the dual settings to enhance the narrative, with the Bangkok sequences standing out for their execution and impact. The film's sound design and background score, however, leave much to be desired. A more polished and evocative auditory experience could have significantly elevated the overall atmosphere and emotional depth of the movie. Vijay Raaz excels as the sinister antagonist, bringing a chilling intensity to his role. Shreyas Talpade, as the determined protagonist, delivers a commendable performance, effectively portraying a man driven by revenge and justice. Madhoo, who is seen in a Hindi film after a while is effective in her limited role, that of a conniving wife to the fake godman. The same can be said of Aksha Pardasany, who plays Shreyas supportive girlfriend in the film. Kartam Bhugtam deserves praise for its social commentary, as it boldly addresses the issues of blind faith and the exploitation by fraudulent godmen. This underlying message adds a layer of relevance and thought-provoking content to the film, making it more than just a standard thriller. Soham P Shah has made a comeback of sorts to Hindi films after Luck (2009) with Kartam Bhugtam. He has also written the film and while his idea was spot on, the execution is wobbly in parts. In summary, while Kartam Bhugtam has its flaws, particularly in pacing and sound design, it ultimately succeeds due to its strong performances, engaging second half, and poignant social message. It is a worthwhile watch for those who enjoy thrillers with a deeper, reflective narrative. TRAILER : Kartam Bhugtam CHENZHOU, China, May 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On the morning of May 17th, the 12th China (Hunan) International Mineral & Gem Expo (hereinafter referred to as the Mineral Expo) opened at the Chenzhou International Convention and Exhibition Center in Hunan. Mineral and gemstone enthusiasts from around the world have once again gathered in Chenzhou. The theme of this year's Mineral Expo is "The Past and Present of Gems", and the exhibition will run from May 17th to 21st. The event adopts a dual format of both online and offline exhibitions, fostering interactive integration. The offline exhibition covers an area of approximately 60,000 square meters and features 1,200 international standard booths. The online expo, showcased through the Mineral Expo Cloud, includes 30 VR panoramic special booths and 500 standard booths. This year's Mineral Expo has attracted over 600 exhibitors, a 7% increase from last year. Among them, more than 530 are domestic exhibitors, and over 70 international exhibitors from more than 20 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Morocco, South Africa, and Zambia, have brought numerous high-quality mineral and gemstone products. According to the Publicity Department of Chenzhou City, Chenzhou is the earliest city in Hunan to open up to the south and serves as the "bridgehead" for the central region's integration with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Since the Mineral Expo settled in Chenzhou in 2015, it has become a window for Chenzhou to establish a new development pattern, a platform for high-level openness, and a channel for international integration. Over the years, the Mineral Expo has attracted a total of 2.337 million visitors and achieved a total transaction amount of 14.3 billion yuan. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8365605a-8fa6-4950-8279-9a4be570cfad Source: Organizing Committee of the 12th China (Hunan) International Mineral & Gem Expo CANNES, France, May 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The iconic red bitter brand hosted The Campari Cinematheque at Hyde Beach by Campari, on Boulevard de Croisette. This red-carpet party celebrated Campari's third consecutive year as Official Partner to the Festival de Cannes, and marked the launch of its global campaign, We Are Cinema. The event was inspired by the brand's new campaign, which turns the lens on the real-life moments that become remarkable stories. On this unforgettable evening, Campari took on the role as curator, Hyde Beach became the set, with guests and famous faces taking centre stage and becoming the protagonists of their own story. Hosted at Hyde Beach by Campari - located on the famous stretch of beach, and in the heart of the iconic film festival - a show-stopping event space was custom-built for the 77th Festival and designed in Campari's signature style. The star-studded guestlist celebrating with Campari included Adrien Brody, Victoria Justice, Marina Barbosa, Paz Vega, Cole Walliser, Ellen von Unwerth, Caro Daur, Rafa Kalimann, Jessica Wang, Nataly Osmann, Lady Victoria Harvey, Pierfrancesco Favino, Claudia Gerini, Saul Nanni, Malika Ayane and many more. Also on hand was Cole Walliser, who captured guests on his famous GLAMbot, and renowned photographer German Larkin. The Campari Cinematheque event was structured as a series of takes - special shots, photo opportunities and activities - designed to immerse guests in a true-to-life movie experience. The journey from take-to-take took guests through the entire space, from the ground-floor Campari Bar with its mirrored ceiling and movie-set lights to the Pier - an overwater jetty with loungers and parasols. Take 1 recreated a red-carpet walk at a movie premiere. A light installation mimicked the flash photography of a crowd of paparazzi, and surround-sound audio replicated the cacophony of camera clicks and calls to pose. Guests were filmed by a real cameraman, with images live-streamed onto plasma screens throughout the space. Take 2 revealed a photocall in the Campari Bar - for an iconic Negroni or Campari Spritz. Take 3 placed guests in a real-life set, replicating the experience of starring in a Campari campaign. Take 4 immersed guests in the unique sensory world of the Campari Room. Here, the human bartender blended with Artificial Intelligence, as guests were served a freshly made Negroni whilst they created their own remarkable Campari & Cinema story. For Take 5, guests stepped into the role of director, checking out livestreamed Cannes action on a dazzling bank of plasma screens on the Director's Wall. Take 6 became the Campari Cinema. Guests took to the stage on a 360-degree terrace, where they were precision-filmed by a robotic Bolt camera against the stunning backdrops of the Croisette and Mediterranean Sea. In Take 7, bartenders from four of the world's best bars created signature Campari cocktails in mixology moments that were sure to be pure theatre. Guest bars were Camparino in Galleria from Milan, Bar Nouveau in Paris, Salmon Guru from Madrid, and Donovan from London. The Camparino team served a selection of iconic Campari cocktails to guests, including the Negroni, Campari Spritz and the Negroni Sbagliato. Alongside these classic cocktails, the Camparino team served the Red Carpet - Cannes Edition: a fresh tasting and salty cocktail inspired by the Cannes Riviera. The final take, the moment that started the party. The lights dropped, the cameras started to roll, and the music began making it a night to remember. Campari Group's Head of Global Marketing, Julka Villa comments: "Unveiling our passion for brilliant film storytellers at the iconic Festival de Cannes is a privilege. The uniting message behind We Are Cinema is one that is shared across the cinema industry and Festival de Cannes - to celebrate creativity, innovation, and passion in film. It has been incredible to see it come to life, giving guests the opportunity to become the protagonist of their own story, over a perfectly crafted Campari cocktail." Please follow Campari's social media channels for further information @campariofficial. CampariCinema WeAreCinema Cannes2024 FestivalDeCannes DrinkResponsibly www.campari.com https://www.youtube.com/EnjoyCampari https://www.facebook.com/Campari https://instagram.com/campariofficial ABOUT CAMPARI Campari, the iconic, Italian red spirit sitting at the heart of some of the world's most famous cocktails. Campari was founded in Milan in 1860 by Gaspare Campari, and pioneered by his son, Davide, who created something so distinctive and revolutionary that its secret recipe has not been altered since. Vibrant red in colour, Campari's unique and multi-layered taste is the result of the infusion of herbs, aromatic plants and fruit in alcohol and water. As well as being unique and distinctive, Campari is extremely versatile, offering boundless and unexpected possibilities. As a source of this passionate inspiration since its creation seen through its founders' creative genius, artists in different fields and the world's best bartenders, Campari stimulates your instincts to unlock your passions, inspiring limitless creations.? ABOUT CAMPARI GROUP?? Campari Group is a major player in the global spirits industry, with a portfolio of over 50 premium and super premium brands, spreading across Global, Regional, and Local priorities. Global Priorities, the Group's key focus, include Aperol, Campari, SKYY, Grand Marnier, Espolon, Courvoisier, Wild Turkey, and Appleton Estate. The Group was founded in 1860 and today is the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry. It has a global distribution reach, trading in over 190 nations around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas. Campari Group's growth strategy aims to combine organic growth through strong brand building and external growth via selective acquisitions of brands and businesses. Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Campari Group operates in 23 production sites worldwide and has its own distribution network in 26 countries. Campari Group employs approximately 4,900 people. The shares of the parent company Davide Campari-Milano N.V. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM) have been listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001. For more information: http://www.camparigroup.com/en. Please enjoy our brands responsibly. ABOUT FESTIVAL DE CANNES The Festival de Cannes is an event that brings together the world's film professionals around an official competition and an International Film Market, whose highly media-oriented aspect makes it one of the first annual international events, contributing to the world cinematic influence. ABOUT CAMPARINO Camparino in Galleria is the legendary bar opened by Davide Campari in Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in 1915. The bar was opened opposite to Caffe Campari, the establishment opened by Gaspare Campari - Davide's father and the creator of the bitter liqueur - in 1867. An instant hit with the people of Milan, the bar became synonymous with the city's aperitivo tradition and in 2015 marked its 100th anniversary. Following a renovation project, the bar reopens to the public in autumn 2019 with a refreshed identity and food and drink offering designed to consolidate its status as one of the most influential establishments in the world for lovers of mixology and gastronomic innovation. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2416421/Campari_1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2416422/Campari_2.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2416420/Campari_3.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2416423/Campari_4.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2416424/Campari_5.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/campari-curates-an-unforgettable-launch-party-at-festival-de-cannes-the-campari-cinematheque-at-hyde-beach-by-campari-302149552.html RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- eWTP Arabia Capital Technology Fund I ("Techology Fund I"), managed by eWTP Arabia Capital ("eWTPA"), one of the leading private equity firms in the Middle East, was listed in the Preqin League Tables as the the fifth top-performing VC funds in the US$250 Million to US$499 Million category by net Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for vintages between 2015-2020. "We're delighted by the recognition of our Technology Fund I as a top-performing VC fund in our sector," expressed Jessica Wong, Founder and Managing Partner of eWTPA. "This milestone underscores the commitment of our team and the robustness of our investment strategy. It also underscores the significant growth potential of the Middle East and North Africa market, particularly in Saudi Arabia, warranting attention. As a pivotal driver of technological advancement in the region, we're steadfast in our mission to empower entrepreneurs and deliver value to our investors." "Being recognized by Preqin validates our hard work and dedication to supporting and actively contributing towards building the Saudi digital ecosystem," said Jerry Li, Founder and Managing Partner of eWTPA. "As eWTPA continues to grow and expand its investment portfolio, it remains committed to fostering innovation and driving positive change in Saudi, the GCC and the global emerging markets ecosystem." eWTPA has demonstrated exceptional performance, solidifying its position among industry leaders. This recognition underscores eWTPA's commitment to identifying high-potential market opportunities and generating returns for its investors. The Preqin League Tables are regarded as a comprehensive and authoritative ranking system for private equity and venture capital performance. Preqin, a leading data provider in the alternative assets industry, compiles these league tables based on various performance metrics, including net Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and other key indicators. eWTPA's success reflects its strategic approach to investing high-growth sectors in the MENA region. The firm's portfolio includes a diverse range of companies poised to make a significant impact on their respective industries. Acting as a bridge between Asia and the Middle East, eWTPA's Technology Fund I has achieved significant success since its inception in 2019. The Fund has invested in over 18 companies, several of which have successfully established themselves in KSA, like J&T Express, Raha, Sahm and COFE. About eWTPA: Founded in 2019, eWTP Arabia Capital is an investment firm based in Saudi Arabia and China. Backed by marquee regional and international Sovereign Wealth Funds, Institutional investors, and family offices, eWTPA helps create robust local digital ecosystems in the MENA region by partnering with market-leading international businesses and providing a gateway for these companies to establish a strong and sustainable presence in the region. To date, eWTPA has invested in over 18 companies, 13 of which have already established themselves successfully in KSA. Media contact: Haile Liao +966 0530868568 haile@ewtparabia.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2416426/eWTP_Preqin.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ewtp-arabia-capitals-technology-fund-i-recognized-as-top-performing-vc-fund-in-the-preqin-league-tables-302149554.html The company has been able to get recognition for providing innovative cleaning services to clients across KSA. RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2024 / Established 15 years back with the notion of delivering peerless cleaning services, Crystal Facilities Management brings innovative solutions to help drive customer-centric, integrated facilities management services and consultancy to the KSA. With years of experience in providing commercial cleaning , contractor cleaning , office cleaning, security, pest control, waste management, and janitorial services, the company has established itself as one of the most trusted Facility Management and Commercial Cleaning Services companies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. As a difference maker from its competitors, the company offers groundbreaking services to customers, stakeholders, partners, and suppliers on time, helping them achieve their objectives. Furthermore, the company's proficient team is eager to leverage its experience in the industry to deliver high-quality IFM solutions that will drive positive change through consultation, design, and delivery of services to make it a unique model that contributes to sustainability, innovation, and technology. CEO Yasir Zahoor states, "As a total facilities service provider, we strive hard to offer scalable and powerful solutions for your business. Working within different industries during the past years has helped us understand and deliver a true value solution for our customers. For all their needs. Our robust and hard-working teams aim to deliver a project within a short time scale. We will help your company attain its objectives." Apart from providing HVAC system maintenance, civil works, fire systems management, plumbing, and car park management, the company also offers strategic planning, asset management, FM outsourcing, and sustainability for Facilities Management Consulting. Moreover, as part of its mission to support the country's economic diversification and growth, Crystal Facilities Management is committed to aligning its services with the goals of the Saudi 2030 Vision. In order to contribute to the development of Saudi Arabia's infrastructure and services, the company's comprehensive facilities management solutions are designed to support this transformation by providing world-class facilities management solutions to Saudi Arabian companies and organizations. As a customer-focused company, Crystal Facilities Management is dedicated to delivering services that are sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective, while also meeting the highest standards of quality and safety. The CEO further states, "With over 15 years of experience providing Soft FM services in the UK , Crystal Facilities Management is excited to expand our services to Saudi Arabia. Our expertise in Soft and Hard FM services uniquely positions us to provide facilities management solutions to meet the needs of our clients. We are pleased to offer a wide range of services to our clients in KSA. We provide a range of comprehensive facilities management services tailored to suit your needs." Media Contact Organization: Crystal Facilities Management Contact Person: Yasir Zahoor Website: https://cfmsaudi.com/ Email: info@cfmsaudi.com Contact Number: +966112427440 Address: Office No. 23, Prince Abdulaziz Bin Musaad Al Jalawi Road, 12621 Riyadh Sulaimaniya Dist, Saudi Arabia City: Riyadh State: Sulaimaniya Dist Country: Saudi Arabia SOURCE: Crystal Facilities Management View the original press release on accesswire.com The outfit boasted a sweeping trail and bold, dramatic shoulders, featuring metallic fringe. The actor had a cast on her right hand that she has been wearing for an unspecified injury read more In her second appearance at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan once again opted for a gown by designer duo Falguni Shane Peacock. Aishwarya wore a shimmery blue and silver gown as she walked the red carpet on Friday for the screening of acclaimed filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos latest feature Kinds of Kindness, starring two-time Oscar winner Emma Stone. Advertisement The outfit boasted a sweeping trail and bold, dramatic shoulders, featuring metallic fringe. The actor had a cast on her right hand that she has been wearing for an unspecified injury. A regular at the Cannes Film Festival for the past two decades, Aishwarya debuted at the 2024 edition on Thursday with a gown by Falguni Shane Peacock, who are also attending the film gala. The actor struck a pose in the monochrome gown adorned with 3D metallic elements and golden accents while walking the red carpet. She was attending the premiere of Hollywood legend Francis Ford Coppolas latest movie Megalopolis, starring Adam Driver. Besides Aishwarya, actor Kiara Advani made her first appearance at the French Riviera in a draped ivory crepe back satin dress from designer Prabal Gurung. The 31-year-old actor was representing India at the Red Sea Film Foundations Women in Cinema Gala dinner. Rendezvous at the Riviera, Kiara posted on Instagram along with a video from Cannes. At the internationally recognized festival, several Indian movies and productions will be showcased. The highlight will be filmmaker Payal Kapadias All We Imagine As Light, which has been selected in the Competition section, where it will vie for the top prize, Palme dOr. British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suris Santosh will be showcased at the 77th edition under the Un Certain Regard section, while Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know, a short film by Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) students, has been shortlisted in the La Cinef Competitive section. Advertisement Karan Kandharis Sister Midnight will be screened in Directors Fortnight and Maisam Alis compelling In Retreat in LAcid. A restored version of veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegals 1976 film Manthan was screened on Friday under Cannes Classics, a section created 20 years ago that features celebrations, restored prints, and documentaries. As Pakistan struggles, its rich and affluent continue to live luxurious lives. Dubai is a haven for Pakistani leaders and their families they own properties worth billions there. We talk about this and more in our weekly wrap read more Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his sister Aseefa Bhutto Zardari wave during a election campaign rally in Lahore. Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardaris children are all listed as owners of Dubai properties. File photo/AFP The world saw many shocking developments this past week. Slovakias prime minister Robert Fico was hospitalised this week after being shot in an assassination attempt. An investigative report revealed how the rich and famous of Pakistan, which is strapped for cash, owned properties worth billions in Dubai. In the Netherlands, a 29-year-old woman has been granted the right to take her own life. Thailand may be forced to move its capital amid rising sea levels. And a Swiss company has announced that their new weight loss wonder drug has even outperformed Ozempic. Advertisement All this and more in our weekly roundup of explainers from the world. 1. The shooting of Fico in Handlova left many shaken. The 59-year-old was hospitalised with life-threatening injuries after being shot. The assassination attempt on Fico put many in mind of the last time such an incident occurred when Serbian prime minister Zoran Djindjic was killed in 2003. Fico, thankfully, is out of danger after spending several hours in surgery. But who is Fico? What happened? And what do we know about the assailant? This piece gives you the low down. 2. Pakistan is drowning in debt and red ink. But rich Pakistanis such as president Asif Ali Zardaris three children and the son of former Pakistani army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa are decidedly not. A new report entitled Dubai Unlocked shows that the ultra-rich of Pakistan have between 17,000 and 22,000 properties worth a whopping $12.5 billion in Dubai. But how many Pakistani citizens have stashed their wealth in Dubai? Which bigwigs have been named? And how have they reacted to the report? 3. News out of the Netherlands that a woman has been granted permission to end her own life has sparked much debate. Zoraya ter Beek, 29, is said to be suffering from chronic depression, anxiety, trauma and an unspecified personality disorder. She was given the go-ahead by authorities on grounds of mental suffering. Advertisement Beek said she has tried many treatments but to no avail. Zoraya ter Beeks request for assisted dying has been approved. Image Courtesy: X/@Zoraya_ter_beek In therapy, I learned a lot about myself and coping mechanisms, but it didnt fix the main issues. At the beginning of treatment, you start out hopeful. I thought Id get better. But the longer the treatment goes on, you start losing hope, Zoraya told The Guardian. But what do we know about Beek? And what does the Dutch law say about euthanasia? What do experts think about her case? 4. Scientists have been warning humans about climate change for decades. Now, the day of reckoning for many is drawing nearer and nearer. Advertisement Officials in Thailand have admitted that the country may have to consider moving its capital Bangkok due to rising sea levels. Pavich Kesavawong, deputy director-general of the governments department of climate change and environment, told AFP, I think we are beyond the 1.5 (degrees Celsius) already. Now we have to come back and think about adaptation. I imagine Bangkok will be under water already, if we stay in our (current) circumstance. But how serious is it really? How is Thailand being affected by climate change? And what is it doing to solve the problem? 5. Paris is known as the city of love. The Olympic village comprising young athletes at the very peak of their physical prowess too has garnered a reputation as being a hotbed of sexual activity over the years. Advertisement One can only imagine what you get when you combine the two. As Paris prepares to host the 2024 Olympics, a number of anti-sex beds have arrived. Anti-sex beds have arrived in Frances Paris ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games. Image Courtesy: @Paulchelimo/X Made of cardboard, some have speculated that these beds have been specifically built to deter athletes from having sex. But is that really true? What do we know about the beds? Who made them? And what do the competitors say about them? 6. Ozempic has become known as the magic weight loss drug. From movie stars to politicians and business leaders, many in the public eye are thought to be on it. But now a new anti-obesity medication may leave Ozempic in the dust. Advertisement Swiss pharma giant Roche has said that its drug CT-388 is displaying some remarkable results in a recent clinical trial. The medication is said to be outdoing current weight loss champions Wegovy and Ozempic. So, how does CT-388 work? What do the results show? How soon will it be available. 7. Looks like hes going straight to hell. That was one of the many dark reactions on social media to the King Charles new portrait. King Charles new official portrait has created a stir online. Image Courtesy: X/@RoyalFamily 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 background of the painting that took many aback. Yeo in a statement released by the royal family said, Much like the butterfly Ive painted hovering over his shoulder, this portrait has evolved as the subjects role in our public life has transformed. 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. You are all caught up on world affairs for this week. If you want to read and support more of our work, you can bookmark this page . Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) would march to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in Delhi in protest against the arrest of party leaders read more Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has filed fake cases to arrest Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders. Kejriwal made the allegation as AAP marched to the BJPs headquarters in Delhi in protest against the arrest of its party leaders. He further said that even though cases have been filed against them, no money trail has been found. #WATCH | Delhi CM and AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal says, " Since I came to power in 2015, how many allegations did they (BJP) raise?...now they say that liquor policy scam has happened, people are asking them if the scam happened, where is the money?...in other places pic.twitter.com/tK172Zmmq7 ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2024 Advertisement Even as Kejriwal and AAP went ahead with their protest, the Delhi Police said they would not be allowed to reach the BJPs headquarters as no permission was sought for the protest. Kejriwal on Saturday had announced that he and other top leaders of AAP would march to the BJP headquarters on Sunday at 12 pm. No permission has been sought and they will not be allowed to march (towards BJP headquarters): Delhi Police on AAP's call for protest outside BJP headquarters today https://t.co/hQ9frdt7Z8 ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2024 The Delhi Police stopped AAP leaders and workers as Section 144 of the CrPC was imposed to disallow large gatherings. #WATCH | Delhi Police make announcements outside the AAP party office. The police say that section 144 has been imposed in the area and there is no permission for protest as AAP leaders and workers march towards the BJP HQ against the arrest of its party leaders. pic.twitter.com/fGGlhJFBgH ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2024 Ahead of the march that Kejriwal had announced, the police put up barricades near the BJPs headquarters at Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg in Delhi to stop the march. #WATCH | Barricading underway & police deployed outside the BJP headquarters in Delhi Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to hold a protest outside BJP HQ against the arrest of its party leaders. pic.twitter.com/gxqfnNe1pm ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2024 Separately, the entry and exit at ITO Metro Station has been shut indefinitely, said Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The metro station is in the vicinity of the BJPs headquarters. BJP has started Operation Jhaadu: Kejriwal Ahead of the planned march to the BJPs headquarters, Kejriwal said the BJP has started Operation Jhaadu. Kejriwal further said that bank accounts of AAP will be frozen after the Lok Sabha elections. He said the accounts are not being frozen right now just because the support for AAP may in case the accounts are frozen in the middle of elections. Advertisement #WATCH | Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal says, " BJP has started 'Operation Jhaadu' so that we don't grow big and become a challenge to them. Through 'Operation Jhaadu', AAP's big leaders will be arrested, they are being arrested and in the coming days, AAP's bank accounts will be pic.twitter.com/ysoh0gocjG ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2024 Put in jail whoever you want to: Kejriwals dare to PM Modi While announcing the Sundays protest in an online broadcast, Kejriwal had dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to put in jail whoever you want to. Tomorrow, at 12 pm, I am coming to BJP headquarters with all of my top leaders including MPs and MLAs. Put in jail whoever you want to arrest. Put all of them in jail at once, said Kejriwal in Hindi on Saturday in a dare to Modi. Kejriwals statement came on the day his personal assistant (PA) Bibhav Kumar was arrested by Delhi Police in the case of alleged assault of AAP MP Swati Maliwal at Kejriwals residence while he was in the house. While Kejriwal did not refer to the case, he included him while listing the party leaders that he said have been unfairly jailed by the BJP. Advertisement Kejriwal said, One after another, they are putting our leaders in jail. They put me in jail. They put Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain, and Sanjay Singh in jail. Today, they put my PA in jail. Now, they are saying theyd put Ragha Chaddha in jail now that he is back from London. In some days, they are saying theyd jail Saurabh Bhardwaj Atishi. The AAP and its leaders, including convenor Kejriwal, have been embroiled in legal troubles. While Kejriwal, Sisodia, and Singh have been arrested and jailed in the alleged Delhi Excise Policy scam case, Jain was arrested and jailed for a series of corruption and money laundering cases. The AAP and a number of party leaders, including party convenor Kejriwal, are being investigated by central agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Kejriwal, Sisodia, and Singh have been arrested and imprisoned in the alleged Delhi Excise Policy scam case whereas Jain was arrested and jailed for corruption and money laundering cases. Amid the escalating blame game, the focus abruptly moved from Arvind Kejriwal to Swati Maliwal and the internal feud between Maliwal and other AAP members overshadowed Kejriwals continuous attacks on the prime minister and the BJP read more When the Supreme Court granted interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on 10 May until 2 June, the AAP leader had a clear agenda ahead. Arrested on 21 March by the Enforcement Directorate in the liquor policy case, Kejriwal now had 21 days to capitalise on his temporary release. His primary focus would have been to generate publicity for himself and the AAP by intensifying his criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. Advertisement The Maliwal incident: A shift in focus This situation progressed smoothly until the Swati Maliwal incident on 13 May. On that day, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal accused Bibhav Kumar, a member of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwals personal staff of misconduct. Following her allegations, the Delhi Police arrested Kejriwals private assistant Bibhav Kumar, igniting a dual conflict: AAP versus BJP and Swati Maliwal versus the rest of AAP. Amid the escalating blame game, two significant shifts occurred. First, the focus abruptly moved from Arvind Kejriwal to Swati Maliwal. Second, the internal feud between Maliwal and other AAP members overshadowed Kejriwals continuous attacks on the prime minister and the BJP. Significantly, this incident consumed a crucial portion of Kejriwals 21 days of freedom with an entire week diverted to the Maliwal controversy. Strategic reorientation Regardless of whether AAP inadvertently fell into a trap or recognised the situation belatedly, Kejriwal understood the pressing need to redirect attention back to himself. He needed to refocus the battle onto BJP territory and distance the party from the Maliwal incident. Whether it was genuine support for his long-time aide Kumar or a strategy to revitalise AAP, the Delhi chief minister knew that a significant move was necessary to reclaim the spotlight. What better way to do it than challenge Prime Minister Modi to arrest all AAP leaders as he announced on Saturday that he would march to BJP headquarters in Delhi on Sunday at noon accompanied by all the prominent leaders of his party. More the chaos better the publicity. Advertisement Kejriwal alleged that the BJP was trying to completely destroy AAP through Operation Jhadu. He shared that people who were familiar with both the BJP and him had informed him that Prime Minister Modi acknowledged AAPs growing influence and the global discussion around their work. Kejriwal said that the BJP saw AAP as a potential tough challenger in several states and wanted to eliminate them. He made these statements while addressing the press at the party office on Sunday. Importance of Delhi for AAP Voting for all seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi is scheduled for 25 May as part of Phase 6 of the polling. Advertisement Delhi is of paramount importance to the AAP for several reasons. It is the partys primary base and stronghold where it was founded and first achieved significant political success by winning the Delhi Legislative Assembly elections in 2013. Maintaining control over Delhi is essential for AAPs political legitimacy and influence. Furthermore, Delhi serves as a showcase for AAPs governance model and policies. AAP finds itself grappling with the challenge of maintaining a focussed engagement with its diverse electorate in Delhi, which encompasses various socioeconomic groups. Amid its efforts to highlight flagship programmes such as mohalla clinics, subsidised electricity and its work in government schools, the controversy surrounding Maliwal has diverted public attention from these areas which AAP would have wanted to bring in front of the voters. Advertisement Whether the Maliwal incident is indeed a premeditated attack on AAP as the party alleges or simply a coincidence only time will reveal. However, there is no doubt that it has placed AAP in a defensive position precisely when it was gearing up for a strong offensive. Whether its a calculated move by a political mastermind or just an unfortunate stroke of fate remains uncertain for now. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi said that the Delhi Police was working at the directions of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Swati Maliwal case read more Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi has alleged that the Swati Maliwal case is a conspiracy by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and that Maliwal is being used by the BJP as a pawn. Maliwal, a Rajya Sabha MP of AAP, has alleged that she was assaulted by Bibhav Kumar, the personal assistant (PA) of Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal at the CMs residence while he was present in the house. Kumar has been arrested in the case. Advertisement Atishi further claimed that the BJP is used the corruption case against Maliwal to turn her into a pawn. Maliwan, a former Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), is accused of irregularities in the recruitment of staffers at DCW. She is being investigated by Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB). This whole incident of Swati Maliwal is a conspiracy hatched by BJP. Swati Maliwal is being used as a pawn in this conspiracy as there is a case against her in ACB (Anti-Corruption Branch). The chargesheet has been filed in the illegal recruitment case against her and she is near to getting convicted. This is BJPs standard operating procedure, said Atishi to ANI. #WATCH | Delhi Minister & AAP leader Atishi says, " This whole incident of Swati Maliwal is a conspiracy hatched by BJP. Swati Maliwal is being used as a pawn in this conspiracy as there is a case against her in ACB (Anti-Corruption Bureau). Chargesheet has been made in the pic.twitter.com/yafcfJBYbj ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2024 Drawing a parallel with the case of BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in which women wrestlers had accused him of sexual harassment, Atishi said, This is the same Delhi Police who did not file an FIR on Brij Bhushan Singh until court intervened even though women wrestlers sit on the streets. In this Maliwal case as well, Atishi said that the Delhi Police has not acted upon the complaint of Kumar of alleged security breach and trespassing by Maliwal at Kejriwals residence. The Delhi Police is working as per the direction of BJP, said Atishi. Rightly termed the ghost of the mountains, as they are very hard to spot and find, snow leopards have been photographed in Gangotri in a different mood read more The snow leopard is considered the flagship species for the high Himalayas. The bridge on Chorgad is located near the Himachal Pradesh border and is also serving as a link for migration for wild animals. Snow leopards avoid venturing into human habitat areas and are also rarely seen crossing a bridge. But in Gangotri National Park in the district of Uttarkashi, many cases of snow leopards crossing an old wood bridge that is considered half a century old have been recorded. Besides wooden bridges, they are even seen using iron bridges and modern bridges for safe passage. Gangotri National Park installs camera traps in different parts of the park during the winter. The park authorities collect the data, in the form of videos and photos, from the hidden cameras in the summer. This time, the stunning photograph of a snow leopard crossing an old wooden bridge is in the limelight. The snow leopard is captured moving casually and comfortably on the bridge over the Chorgad. Advertisement In the latest snow leopard census of India, released earlier this year, there are 718 snow leopards in India. Of which, 124 are in Uttarakhand. The hill state has the second highest snow leopard population in India, after Ladakh (477). The Gangotri National Park boasts a population of 3840 snow leopards. Rang Nath Pandey, Deputy Director of Gangotri National Park, says, For regular monitoring of snow leopards and other wildlife species, we install camera traps in the park. This is a routine practice. Listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, it is estimated that the global population of snow leopards is less than 10,000. In Uttarakhand, snow leopards are found in Uttarkashi, Tehri, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar districts. Lately, many instances of snow leopard sightings have been recorded in Uttarakhand. The camera traps are helping in identifying many unknown habitats for this species in the Uttarakhand Himalayas. The camera trap photographs of snow leopards using the bridges as passage have thrilled the Gangotri Park management team. Rightly termed the ghost of the mountains, as they are very hard to spot and find, snow leopards have been captured in Gangotri in a different mood. One photograph shows a snow leopard directly looking at the camera. The sound of the camera becoming active may have attracted the attention of the moving snow leopard. A top carnivore in the ecological pyramid of the high-altitude ecosystems, the snow leopard is considered the flagship species for the high Himalayas. The bridge on Chorgad is located near the Himachal Pradesh border and is also serving as a link for migration for wild animals. Local resident Madhvendra Rawat says, It was called Chorgad as villagers from our area used to secretly enter Himachal through this route. Advertisement The Chorgad bridge is rarely used. Leaving occasional tours by security forces and forest department teams for patrolling, the bridge most of the time remains deserted. Local villagers move on the bridge occasionally with their herds to move to high altitude pastures. Camera trap photographs have found unexpected users of the bridge. The 20-metre-long bridge is said to be over half a century old, and despite facing harsh weather, the infrastructure still remains strong and usable. Pratap Panwar, a retired forest ranger, says, The Chorgad bridge is located in an isolated place. It is far away from human habitat; thats why wild animals are using it comfortably. The first video of a snow leopard crossing a bridge came in 2019. A Jawan of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police was successful in filming a casually strolling snow leopard at Nelong, near Gangotri, through his mobile phone. The video became viral on social media. Advertisement The Chorgad bridge photo of the snow leopard moving in the middle of the bridge is something special. A treat for wildlife lovers! Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. The 55-year-old had been sitting in a van during a group tour in the mountainous city of Bamiyan on Friday evening when a gunman approached their vehicles and opened fire. Brill was unhurt, but the Lithuanian woman next to her was hit. She had gone completely white, Brill said. She was saying, Im cold, Im cold Im going to die read more When she first heard the gunshots, French tourist Anne-France Brill thought for a split second there was a celebration in the Afghan market where she and her fellow travellers stopped to buy fruit. But then she heard one of her companions screaming: I realised she had blood all over her stomach. The 55-year-old had been sitting in a van during a group tour in the mountainous city of Bamiyan on Friday evening when a gunman approached their vehicles and opened fire. Advertisement Brill was unhurt, but the Lithuanian woman next to her was hit. She had gone completely white, Brill said. She was saying, Im cold, Im cold Im going to die. The spray of gunfire only lasted seconds, Brill recalled, followed by long minutes of uncertainty crouching on the floor of the van, wondering what had happened, if it was over, what to do. There was blood everywhere, Brill told AFP on the phone. A Norwegian man in the van had also been wounded, and their driver had been killed. He was one of six gunned down: three Spanish tourists, two Afghan men working with the group and a Taliban security official who returned fire on the gunman. Suddenly, Taliban authorities swarmed the street, cordoning off and clearing the road. As they approached the car where Brill and the others were, they still werent sure if they were safe. But we didnt have a choice (but to get out) as we had wounded in the van. - Evacuation to Kabul - The wounded were bundled into the back of Taliban authorities trucks and rushed to the hospital in Bamiyan, and later to Kabul, around 180 kilometres (110 miles) away. Brill said her and other tourists who escaped unhurt were given a security escort overnight to Kabul, where they were taken in by a European Union delegation. Advertisement Before leaving Bamiyan, she helped gather the belongings of those killed and wounded, including from the site of the attack. They were covered in blood, but its so important for the families, so we tried to recover what we could, she said. One item stuck out, the backpack of a young woman. The bodies of three Spanish victims were due to be returned to Spain on Sunday and the wounded to be transferred out of Kabul, diplomats said. Brill and two Americans took early flights out of Kabul to Dubai, the shock taking its different tolls on the group. I cried my eyes out in front of the conveyor belt in Dubai, my suitcase was spinning, and all of a sudden, boom, she said. Advertisement I had to let go and say to myself, Thats it, now Im safe, she said, speaking from Dubai. - Fledgling tourism industry - An avid traveller drawn to places off the beaten path Brill had long thought of visiting Afghanistan, one of the scores of foreign tourists drawn to experience the countrys rich landscapes, history and culture long rendered virtually unreachable by decades of war. More than two years after the Taliban ended their insurgency, ousting the Western-backed government, it seemed possible, said Brill, who lives just outside Paris but whose career in marketing took her all over the world. Used to travelling independently, she still opted for a tour group conscious of the remaining challenges of travelling in Afghanistan, a country with poor infrastructure, dilapidated health services, tight Taliban government controls, little diplomatic presence and lingering security threats. Advertisement The attack on Brills group was the first reported deadly assault on foreign tourists in Afghanistan since the return of the Taliban to power in 2021, the authorities encouraging travellers and a fledgling tourism sector. The group had arrived in Kabul on Wednesday, Bamiyan their first stop outside the Afghan capital to see the famed remnants of the 1,500-year-old giant Buddhas destroyed in 2001 by the Taliban during their first rule. She and her companions had been just getting to know each other, trading tips over WhatsApp before arriving, then sharing their first Afghan meals as they looked forward to stops in the cities of Herat and Kandahar. Advertisement But instead of bonding through their travels, the group is now tied together over haunting memories, their WhatsApp messages sharing word of their wounded companions. An experience like that, when something like that happens to you, it creates bonds, she said. Musk, wearing a green batik shirt, said the availability of the Starlink service in Indonesia would help millions in far-flung parts of the country to access the internet. The country is home to more than 270 million people and three different time zones read more Elon Musk, chief executive officer of SpaceX and Tesla, greets the media as he arrives to launch SpaceX's Starlink internet service in Indonesia at a sub district community health center in Denpasar, Bali, May 19, 2024. REUTERS Elon Musk and Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin launched SpaceXs satellite internet service for the nations health sector on Sunday, aiming to improve access in remote parts of the sprawling archipelago. Musk, the billionaire head of SpaceX and Tesla, arrived on the Indonesian resort island of Bali by private jet before attending the launch ceremony at a community health centre in the provincial capital, Denpasar. Musk, wearing a green batik shirt, said the availability of the Starlink service in Indonesia would help millions in far-flung parts of the country to access the internet. The country is home to more than 270 million people and three different time zones. Advertisement Im very excited to bring connectivity to places that have low connectivity, Musk said, If you have access to the internet you can learn anything. Starlink was launched at three Indonesian health centres on Sunday, including two in Bali and one on the remote island of Aru in Maluku. A video presentation screened at the launch showed how high internet speeds enabled the real-time input of data to better tackle health challenges such as stunting and malnutrition. Asked about whether he planned to also invest in Indonesias electric vehicle industry, Musk said he was focused on Starlink first. We are focusing this event on Starlink and the benefits that connectivity brings to remote islands, he said, I think its really to emphasise the importance of internet connectivity, how much of that can be a lifesaver. Indonesias government has been trying for years to lure Musks auto firm Tesla to build manufacturing plants related to electric vehicles as the government wants to develop its electric vehicle sector using the countrys rich nickel resources. The tech tycoon is scheduled to meet Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday, where he will also address the World Water Forum taking place on the island. Communications Minister Budi Arie Setiadi, who also attended the Bali launch, said Starlink was now available commercially, but the government would focus its services first for outer and underdeveloped regions. Before Sundays launch, Starlink obtained a permit to operate as an internet service provider for retail consumers and had been given the go-ahead to provide networks, having received a very small aperture terminal permit, Budi Setiadi told Reuters. Advertisement SpaceXs Starlink, which owns around 60 per cent of the roughly 7,500 satellites orbiting earth, is dominant in the satellite internet sphere. Indonesia is the third country in Southeast Asia where Starlink will operate. Malaysia issued the firm a license to provide internet services last year and a Philippine-based firm signed a deal with SpaceX in 2022. Starlink is also used extensively in Ukraine, where it is employed by the military, hospitals, businesses and aid organisations. The officials noted that more than 600 armed gendarmes were dispatched to secure Route Territoriale 1 which is the main road that connects the capital with the international airport read more French Forces have launched a major operation in New Caledonia to regain control of a road linking the Pacific regions capital Noumea to the main international airport. The region has been facing major chaos after a sixth person was killed in the sixth night of violent unrest in the region. The officials noted that more than 600 armed gendarmes were dispatched to secure Route Territoriale 1 which is the main road that connects the capital with the international airport, The Guardian reported. Amid the chaos, flights to and from New Caledonias main island have been cancelled, stranding several international travellers and cutting off crucial trade routes. Advertisement A major operation of more than 600 gendarmes, including around a hundred from the GIGN, is being launched at this very moment in New Caledonia aimed at fully regaining control of the 60 km main road between Noumea and the airport, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin wrote on X, formally known as Twitter. Courage and firmness to our gendarmes to restore Republican order, he added. Unrest settles down but fear of a bigger conflict looms On Saturday, Noumeas mayor, Sonia Lagarde assured that overnight violence has eased somewhat, thanks to a 6 pm to 6 am curfew, we are far from a return to normal. The situation is not improving quite the contrary despite all the appeals for calm, she said, describing Noumea as under siege. The damage is incredible Its a spectacle of desolation," she added. However, hours after her assurance reports emerged that a sixth person was killed during an exchange of fire at one of the many impromptu barricades blocking roads on the island. Two others were seriously injured in the clashes, the Associated Press reported. What is happening in New Caledonia? For almost a week, the usually calm oceanic city witnessed major violence and total chaos. The unrest has been blamed on economic malaise, social tensions and above all a political fight between mostly Indigenous pro-independence activists and French authorities. Advertisement The catalyst that triggered the chaos was Frances decision to impose new voting rules that could give tens of thousands of non-Indigenous residents voting rights. In light of this, pro-independence groups which mostly comprised of the Indigenous population argued that if this legislation is implemented it would dilute the vote of Indigenous Kanaks, who make up about 40% of the population. This led to a commencement of violent protests against the French government that forced the Paris officials to impose a state of emergency in the region. The chaos also prompted French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to take New Caledonia off the globe-trotting itinerary of the Olympic torch which is slowly making its way to Paris. Advertisement The chaos also affected the trade routes which made the New Caledonia government vulnerable when it came to the availability of resources. Earlier this week, the government said that the island had stocks of food for two months, but the distribution will be an issue amid violent unrest. With inputs from agencies. The law would require organisations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as agents of foreign influence, imposing onerous disclosure requirements and punitive fines for violations read more Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has announced that she has vetoed a draft law on foreign agents, Russias state-run TASS news agency reported on Saturday. Zourabichvili had said previously that she would veto the bill, which has sparked street protests, but her decision can be overridden by another vote in parliament, controlled by Georgias ruling party and its allies. Today I vetoed a Russian law. This law is Russian in its essence and spirit, TASS quoted her as telling at a briefing. It contradicts our constitution and all European standards, therefore it represents an obstacle to our European path. Advertisement TASS quoted the president as saying her veto was legally competent, and that it would be handed over to parliament on Saturday. This law must be repealed, it quoted her as saying. Parliament, is, however, widely expected to overturn the veto. Mass protests have swept through the Georgian capital Tbilisi over the past month since the first reading of the draft law was passed in parliament. The law would require organisations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as agents of foreign influence, imposing onerous disclosure requirements and punitive fines for violations. Opponents see the bill as a test of whether the country stays on a path towards integration with Europe or pivots back towards Russia. The United States and the European Union have repeatedly warned the ruling Georgian Dream party to drop the bill, which protesters fear will harm the South Caucasus countrys bid to join the EU. Warnings from EU Brussels on Saturday repeated its warnings that the measure is incompatible with Georgias bid for EU membership, which is enshrined in the countrys constitution. European Council chief Charles Michel on Saturday posted on X, formerly Twitter, that the presidents veto offered a moment for further reflection. He called on lawmakers to make good use of this window of opportunity to keep Georgia on its EU path. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has signalled his partys readiness to consider Zurabishvilis proposed amendments to the law, should she lay them out in her veto document. Advertisement But the figurehead president at loggerheads with the ruling party has ruled out the prospect of entering false, artificial, misleading negotiations with Georgian Dream. Outside the DPPs headquarters on Sunday, supporters of the TPP held up guavas, called ba le in Chinese which is also used to describe bad cheques. The fruit symbolised the empty promises of the DPP, explained TPP leader Ko Wen-je. The DPPs empty promises have shown us their arrogance, he told supporters, calling the ruling party scammers read more Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je (C) reacts on stage during a TPP protest against Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) ahead of the inauguration ceremony of Taiwan's president-elect Lai Ching-te and vice-president-elect Hsiao Bi-khim in Taipei on May 19, 2024. AFP Hundreds of opposition supporters rallied in Taipei to protest four more years of Democratic Progressive Party rule on Sunday, the day before Taiwan inaugurates president-elect Lai Ching-te. Lai will take the helm as Taiwan faces increasing diplomatic and military pressures from neighbouring China which claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory. But his administration will also have to work with a fractious parliament after voters in January revoked his partys majority. Advertisement Taiwans biggest opposition group, the Kuomintang (KMT) which has historically been regarded as friendlier to China received one more seat than the DPP, while the upstart Taiwan Peoples Party (TPP) gained the role of kingmaker with eight seats. Outside the DPPs headquarters on Sunday, supporters of the TPP held up guavas, called ba le in Chinese which is also used to describe bad cheques. The fruit symbolised the empty promises of the DPP, explained TPP leader Ko Wen-je. The DPPs empty promises have shown us their arrogance, he told supporters, calling the ruling party scammers. We are taking to the street today because we feel so helpless with all the empty promises over the past eight years. Protester Samuel Chuang, 35, said a lot of young people voted for DPP candidate Tsai Ing-wen back in 2016. But after eight years, when we see what has actually been done, we feel like there hasnt been much change, the engineer said. DPP betrayed us. It is not us that betrayed them. In the January election, the TPP won a quarter of the votes, appealing to Taiwanese by focusing on domestic issues like unemployment, soaring housing prices and electricity rates, and wage stagnation. Leader Ko had also proposed his party as a middle path between the DPP which staunchly defends Taiwans sovereignty against China and KMT, regarded by younger Taiwanese to be overly cozy with Beijing. Advertisement The TPP rally comes two days after a brawl broke out in Taiwans parliament, as DPP lawmakers tried to stop the opposition parties from proposing reform bills that would effectively expand the powers of the legislature. Opposition groups say such reforms were needed to enable more scrutiny of the government, but the DPP said the bills were rushed through without a proper consultation process. Hundreds of DPP supporters gathered outside the legislature on Friday evening to protest the bills and the violence, after local media reported that both DPP and KMT lawmakers suffered injuries from the fight. Some rallygoers Sunday expressed dismay at the chaos in the legislature, but Ensen Wang, 32, appeared unfazed as he walked by where TPP supporters gathered. Advertisement That happens with democracy, Wang said. Canada and several other countries like the United States and United Kingdom have banned TikTok on federal governments devices read more Canadian intelligence chief David Vigneault has become the latest Western official to warn against the use of Chinese-owned social media app TikTok. In an interview with CBC News, Vigneault said he would absolutely not recommend someone to use TikTok. He further said that it was part of Chinas plan to acquire personal information of people across the world. My answer as director of [the Canadian Security Intelligence Service] is that there is a very clear strategy on the part of the government of China to be able to acquire personal information from anyone around the world, said CSIS Director Vigneault. Advertisement The CSIS is the foreign intelligence agency of Canada. Vigneaults comments come weeks after the United States enacted a law that would force a sale of TikTok by its Chinese owner ByteDance if the app had to remain functional in the US. If the sale wouldnt happen, the app will be banned. Recently, security and intelligence officials have expressed concerns that the Chinese government has access to millions of users data on TikTok. They are concerned not just about data security but also about potential misinformation and disinformation campaigns mounted through Twitter along with attempts to use the platform to influence elections and foment discontent with the object of undermining countries China considers adversarial. Its a threat to the way we live Speaking about the ways in which TikTok affects the people, Vigneault said that it presents a threat to the way people live in Canada. Vigneault said that the ultimate objective of objective in China is to protect the Communist Party of China (CPC). He added that China collects lots of resources to crunch the data of millions of users to use it against them. Theyre using big data analytics, they have amazing computer farms crunching the data, they are developing artificial intelligence based on using this data. The ultimate goal is always to protect the interests of the Chinese Communist Party. And so from that point of view, in many ways, this is a threat to the way we live, said Vigneault. Advertisement Addressing the question of how such data collection may affect an average teenager, Vigneault said that the Chinese government will have lots of data about a teenager over the years and it may be used against them if they get into a confrontation with the Chinese regime later on. Well in five years, in 10 years, that teenager will be a young adult, will be engaged in different activities around the world. If you are, for whatever reason, getting in the crosshairs of the [Peoples Republic of China], they will have a lot of information about you, said Vigneault. Canada has banned TikTok on government devices Advertisement Last year, the Canadian government banned TikTok on government devices. Following a review of TikTok, the Chief Information Officer of Canada determined that it presents an unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security, said a statement by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat at the time. The US, European Commission, Australia, UK, Estonia, the Netherlands, and Belgium are some of the countries that have announced similar bans. Additionally, last year, the Canadian government ordered a national security review of TikTok. CSIS chief Vigneault told CBC he will take part in that review and offer advice. I think the government has made the first step in recent months when it banned the use of TikTok on government devices. I think it was a very astute approach to take, said Vigneault. Irans President Raisi and the countrys foreign minister are both dead in a helicopter crash, Reuters said citing an Iranian official read more However, nothing can be said for sure until personnel on the ground confirm what the source of heat exactly is. Fifteen hours after the crash and amid intense search, the Anadolu English reported on Monday that a Turkish Akinci UAV has identified a heat source suspected to be the wreckage of a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and shared its coordinates with the Iranian authorities. Anadolu English reports that following the detection by Akinci UAV, the Iranian Red Crescent announced they have found location of wreckage of President Raisis helicopter and that they are 2 kilometres away from site The Spectator Index has confirmed that there are no survivors from the Iranian helicopter crash indicating the death of Irans president and foreign minister in the crash Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister died when their helicopter crashed as it was crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog, an Iranian official told Reuters on Monday. In addition to this, the constitution also stated that the three heads of the branches of government the vice president, the speaker of the parliament and the head of the judiciary are obligated to arrange an election to choose a new leader within 50 days of the vice president assuming the role of acting president. With the announcement of Raisis death, it is assumed that First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber would assume the role with the approval from Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Article 131 of the Iranian Constitution mandates that if the president of the country dies during his time in office, the first vice president shall assume the responsibility. However, Irans supreme leader will have the final say on the matter. What happens now that Raisi is dead Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow, he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X, formally known as Twitter to extend condolences after the demise of Raisi in the fatal helicopter crash. In the tweet PM Modi acknowledged Raisis contribution in bolstering the India-Iran ties. Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening the India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered, the Prime Minister wrote on X. A frame grab from a video released by the Iranian Red Crescent on Monday shows the wreckage of the helicopter that was carrying President Ebrahim Raisi in East Azerbaijan province. Source: AFP A screen grab from drone footage shows the wreckage of the helicopter that crashed in East Azerbaijan killing Irans President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and seven others. Drone footage shows the wreckage of the aircraft that carried Raisi The Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, expressed condolences after Raisis demise, saying that the Iranian president was an unconditional friend of Venezuela. A heartfelt hug from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. You, Iran, are an example of dignity, morality and resistance, Maduro wrote in a social media post. After the news of Raisis death was confirmed by the Iranian authorities, verses from the Quran were shared on his X profile. Peace be upon Abraham. Thus we reward the doers of good. He is one of our faithful servants, the Quranic verses read. The Iranian government has held an emergency meeting following the news that the wreckage of a helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi was found in a remote region in Irans northwest. Source: IRNA Shortly after it was confirmed that Irans President Raisi was killed in the fatal helicopter crash, Vice President Mohammad Mokhber led the emergency meeting of the Iranian cabinet Monday morning. A screen grab from an IRIB via Tasnim News video shows Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on a helicopter in Iran on May 19 The screengrab from the video shared by the Tasnim News showed the final moments of Raisi who was onboard the helicopter that crashed in East Azerbaijan. Photo shows last moments of Raisi in the helicopter that met with the fatal accident I along with the government and people of Pakistan extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the Iranian nation on this terrible loss, he added. The great Iranian nation will overcome this tragedy with customary courage. Pakistan will observe a day of mourning and the flag will fly at half mast as a mark of respect for President Raisi and his companions and in solidarity with Brotherly Iran, Shehbaz posted on X, formerly Twitter. Pakistan had the pleasure of hosting President Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian on a historic visit, less than a month ago. They were good friends of Pakistan. Pakistan will observe a day of mourning and the flag will fly at half mast as a mark of respect for https://t.co/fVP26Mtiyr After it was confirmed that Iranian President Raisi passed away in the fatal helicopter crash, Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared a day of mourning. I remember my many meetings with them, the last time was in January 2024. We offer our condolences to their families. We are with the Iranian people in this sad incident, he added. I was deeply shocked to hear the news of the death of Iranian President Dr Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in a helicopter crash, Jaishankar wrote on X, formally known as Twitter. Expressing his shock over the demise of the Iranian president, External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar recalled his last meeting with Raisi. We have known His Eminence the martyred president closely for a long time. He was to us a big brother, a strong supporter, and a staunch defender of our issues and the nations issues, most notably Jerusalem and Palestine, and a protector of the resistance movements. Lebanons Hezbollah went on to refer to Raisi as Big brother. Hezbollah in Lebanon extends its deepest condolences and feelings of sympathy for (Irans Supreme leader, Iranian officials and the Iranian peoples) loss, a statement by the group said. We are confident that the Islamic Republic of Iran will be able with the help of Allah to overcome the consequences of this great loss, as the dear Iranian people have strong institutions capable of dealing with this severe ordeal, Hamas said. Hamas said it is extending its sincere condolences, deep sympathy, and solidarity to the supreme leader, to the Iranian government, and to the brotherly Iranian people. Our deepest condolences to the Iranian people and the Iranian leadership, Houthi senior official Mohamed Ali Al-Houthi said in a statement. The Iranian people will continue to have leaders loyal to their people, the statement further reads. Iran-backed militant groups Hamas, the Houthis, and Hezbollah have sent condolences to Tehran over the death of the countrys President Ebrahim Raisi. Their role in strengthening mutually beneficial Russian-Iranian cooperation and trusting partnership is invaluable. We sincerely extend our condolences to the families and friends of the victims, as well as to the entire friendly people of Iran. Our thoughts and hearts are with you in this sad hour, he added. Irans Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian receives his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov at the foreign ministry headquarters in Irans capital Tehran in June 2022. Source: AFP Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Irans president Ebrahim Raisi had been a true, reliable friend of Russia. In Russia, the president of Iran Ebrahim Raisi and the minister of foreign affairs of Iran Hossein Amir-Abdollahian were known as true, reliable friends of our country, the Russian diplomat said in a statement on Monday. The official announcement of the death of President of Iran , Sayyed Ibrahim Raisi , at the shrine of Imam Reza. The world today has lost an exemplary person , an exceptional leader and excellent human being. May he and his companions rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/iTsEUlivXv Hours after the death of Raisi, local reports suggested that Iran declared five days of national mourning. This is what was said at the official announcement of the death of the President of Iran, the announcement was delivered at the shrine of Imam Reza. It wasnt us, an official, who requested anonymity told Reuters. It is important to note that all indications currently are that the helicopter crashed because of bad weather and poor visibility. An Israeli official made it clear that the Jewish nation was not involved in the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian. With this announcement, Iran now has a deadline of 50 days before a presidential election must be held to choose Raisis successor. Mokhber will manage the executive branch and is obliged to arrange with the heads of the legislative and judicial branches to elect a new president within a maximum of 50 days, the Iranian Supreme leader added. I announce five days of public mourning and offer my condolences to the dear people of Iran, Khamenei said in a statement carried by the official news agency IRNA. Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei announced five days of public mourning for President Ebrahim Raisi following his death in a helicopter crash and confirmed First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as interim president until the country heads to polling. The death of Iranian President Raisi was front and centre in every Iranian newspaper. Donya-e-Eqtesad, a daily Iranian newspaper, ran a photograph of Mr Raisi with the headline: Farewell, Mr President. Heres a look at a sombre afternoon in Tehran. In Pics: Raisi featured on the front page of all Iranian newspapers Following the martyrdom of Hussein Amir Abdollahian, the Foreign Minister of our country, with the approval of the Cabinet Board, Ali Bagheri, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs, was appointed as the acting minister of the ministry, state news agency IRNA said. Irans Chief Nuclear Negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani leaves the Palais Coburg, the venue where closed-door nuclear talks take place in Vienna, Austria, August 4, 2022. REUTERS/Lisa Leutner After the demise of Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iran picked a top negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani as the countrys Foreign Minister. In the past, Kani has led the Iranian delegations through indirect negotiations with the United States over nuclear issues and prisoner exchanges. Firstposts live coverage of the fateful helicopter crash that killed Iranian President Raisi and other officials has come to an end. The Spectator Index has confirmed that there are no survivors from the Iranian helicopter crash. It is now confirmed that President Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian have both died in the crash. Crash site not located, says Irans Red Crescent Irans Red Crescent on Sunday junked media reports that claimed the crash site was located which a few channels were running citing media local media reports. Iran's Red Crescent rejected earlier reports regarding the discovery of presidential copter in the north west of Iran pic.twitter.com/bvMFwNCArR Press TV (@PressTV) May 19, 2024 Missing helicopter a US-made Bell 212 Meanwhile, Al Jazeera citing an ISNA report said that the images and videos have confirmed that President Raisi and his companions were riding a US-manufactured Bell 212 helicopter, which is a two-blade medium-sized helicopter and has a 15-seat capacity, with one pilot and 14 passengers. However, it is unclear how many people are on Raisis helicopter. Hamas expresses solidarity with Iran In another development, Hamas said it was worried about the news coming out of Iran. The terror organisation expressed complete solidarity with the leadership, government, and people of Iran in this painful incident. Hamas expressed 'complete solidarity' with the leadership, government, and people of Iran 'in this painful incident'. pic.twitter.com/mYXSPMKbWC Press TV (@PressTV) May 19, 2024 Hamas: We in the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) are following with great concern the news about the hard landing of the helicopter carrying President Raeisi, FM Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and their companions in northwest Iran. pic.twitter.com/Vxru7pNRGo Press TV (@PressTV) May 19, 2024 Iran presidential staff claims contact with two onboard chopper In a significant development, many hours after the chopper carrying crashed on Sunday, an Iranian channel has claimed citing the executive assistant to Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi that contact has been made with two people on board the presidential chopper. Executive Assistant to Iranian president: Contact made with two people on board presidential chopper pic.twitter.com/dkKPuNaMyt Press TV (@PressTV) May 19, 2024 Earlier the helicopter carrying Irans President Ebrahim Raisi was said to be involved in an accident amid poor weather conditions on Sunday, state media reported, with a search underway and no news yet on his condition. We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people: Narendra Modi Even as a search operation is on to try and locate the missing chopper that was carrying the Iranian president, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted out that he is deeply concerned by reports regarding President Raisis helicopter flight today. Deeply concerned by reports regarding President Raisis helicopter flight today. We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of distress, and pray for well being of the President and his entourage. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2024 European Commission activates Copernicus Emergency Management Service Responding to an Iranian request to help locate the missing helicopter, the European Commission activated its Copernicus Emergency Management Service which is otherwise used to map products based on satellite imagery as well as forest fires, flood and drought among others. Upon Iranian request for assistance we are activating the 's @CopernicusEMS rapid response mapping service in view of to the helicopter accident reportedly carrying the President of #Iran and its foreign minister. #EUSolidarity Janez Lenarcic (@JanezLenarcic) May 19, 2024 Ayatollah Khamenei prays for President Raisis safety Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Imam Sayyid Ali Khamenei also prayed for the well-being of the countrys president. We hope Almighty God will return the respected, esteemed President and his entourage to the arms of the nation. Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) May 19, 2024 Explosion onboard? As per latest reports, while the rescuers are trying to locate the helicopter and the exact location of the crash site, it is being anticipated that there might have been an explosion. Helicopters used for high-ranking officials can send out their exact location in case of a crash, unless an explosion has disabled all onboard systems, including the emergency system, Iranian defense and security analyst Farzin Nadimi told Iran International. Its possible that a bomb exploded inside, or due to pilot error and insufficient visibility, the helicopter might have collided with a rock or the top of a hill, resulting in its sudden destruction. Azerbaijan assures help Azerbaijan president Ilham Aliyev has assured all help to Iran to locate the countrys president safely. Azerbaijan Republic ready to offer any support as brotherly country, friend of Iran. Azeri president expresses deep concern over emergency landing of chopper carrying Iran high-ranking officials, Irans Press TV reported The accident happened to the helicopter carrying the president in the Jofa region of the western province of East Azerbaijan, state television said. Iran launches massive search operation for missing presidential helicopter Rescue teams were headed to the area to locate him and other officials, state media in the Islamic republic reported, adding that Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian may also have been aboard the aircraft. The harsh weather conditions and heavy fog have made it difficult for the rescue teams to reach the accident site, state TV said in an on-screen news alert. The head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, Pirhossein Kolivand, says a search and rescue team is near the potential accident site. pic.twitter.com/3IXvFChUvy Press TV (@PressTV) May 19, 2024 The accident happened in the mountainous forest area of Dizmar near the town of Varzaghan, according to the official IRNA news agency. Raisi, 63, was visiting the province Sunday where he inaugurated a dam project together with his Azeri counterpart, Ilham Aliev, on the border between the two countries. His convoy included three helicopters, and the other two had reached their destination safely, according to Tasnim news agency. IRNA said the foreign minister and local officials were travelling in the same helicopter as Raisi. The reformist Shargh daily also reported that the helicopter carrying the president crashed while two other helicopters landed safely. Later, Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said one of the helicopters made a hard landing due to bad weather conditions. He added that it was difficult to establish communication with the aircraft. Years of crisis and conflict Raisi has been president of the Islamic Republic since June 2021, succeeding the moderate Hassan Rouhani, for a term during which Iran has faced crisis and conflict. He took the reins of a country in the grip of a deep social crisis and an economy strained by US sanctions against Tehran over its contested nuclear programme. Iran saw a wave of mass protests triggered by the death in custody of Iranian-Kurd Mahsa Amini in September 2022. In March 2023, regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia signed a surprise deal that restored diplomatic relations. The war in Gaza that began on October 7 sent regional tensions soaring again and a series of tit-for-tat escalations led to Tehran launching hundreds of missiles and rockets directly at Israel from Iran in April 2024. Raiasi, born in 1960 in northeast Irans holy city of Mashhad, rose early to high office. Aged just 20, in the wake of the 1979 Islamic revolution that toppled the US-backed monarchy, he was named prosecutor-general of Karaj next to Tehran. He served as Tehrans prosecutor-general from 1989 to 1994, deputy chief of the Judicial Authority for a decade from 2004, and then national prosecutor-general in 2014. His black turban signifies direct descent from Islams Prophet Mohammed, and he holds the religious title of hojatoleslam literally proof of Islam one rank below that of ayatollah in the Shiite clerical hierarchy. During a press conference, Gantz made it clear that if a plan for postwar governance of the territory is not formulated and approved by June 8 his National Unity party will withdraw its support to the coalition government read more Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Galant, and War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz hold a joint press conference at the Ministry of Defense, in Tel Aviv As the ongoing Israel-Hamas war continues to escalate, the Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz has threatened to resign if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to adopt the agreed plan for Gaza. During a press conference, Gantz made it clear that if a plan for postwar governance of the territory is not formulated and approved by June 8 his National Unity party will withdraw its support to the coalition government. The press briefing was conducted just hours after the Israel Defence Force (IDF) said that it had recovered the bodies of four hostages who were held captive by Hamas after the terror group launched a lethal attack in southern Israel on October 7. Advertisement Personal and political considerations have begun to enter the most sacred parts of Israels defence, Gantz told reporters on Saturday. Prime Minister Netanyahu, I look you in the eye tonight and tell you: the choice is in your hands. The Netanyahu of a decade ago would have done the right thing. Are you willing to do the right and patriotic thing today?" he asked. Gantz insisted that the people of Israel were watching Netanyahu. You must choose between Zionism and cynicism, between unity and factionalism, between responsibility and lawlessness and between victory and disaster. Lack of planning leads to impatience Gantzs proclamation came days after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant urged Netanyahu to set out a post-war plan for the Gaza Strip. He insisted that the lack of planning is eroding the gains of the war and is putting Israels long-term security at stake. On Thursday, Gallant said that he would not permit any solution where Israeli military or civil governance were in the territory. His comments were immediately backed by Gantz, plunging Israels leadership into a highly public row. Meanwhile, in his warning to the Israeli premier, Gantz demanded a six-point plan. The six strategic goals are as follows: Bring the hostages home Topple Hamas rule, demilitarize the Gaza Strip and gain Israeli security control [over Gaza]. Create an International civilian governance mechanism for Gaza with the help of the US, Europe and Arab. This would provide a future alternative to Hamas in the coastal enclave. Return residents of the north to their homes by September 1, and rehabilitate the western Negev." Advance normalization with Saudi Arabia." Adopt a framework for [military/national] service under which all Israelis will serve the state and contribute to the national effort. Warning that steps should be taken to avoid a long and harsh existential war even harder than we have known to date," Gantz said that the choice for Israels future was in Netanyahus hands. Netanayhus reaction Shortly after the press conference, the Israeli premier released a statement via his office in which he accused his coalition partner of issuing an ultimatum to the prime minister instead of issuing an ultimatum to Hamas. Gantzs demands would mean an end to the war and defeat for Israel, abandoning the majority of the hostages, leaving Hamas in power, and creating a Palestinian state, the statement claimed. Advertisement The Israeli Prime Minister went on to pose three counter-questions to Gantz: Does Gantz want to see the operation in Rafah through to its end, and if so, why is he threatening to topple the unity government during the IDF operation? Does he oppose Palestinian Authority rule in Gaza, even if Mahmoud Abbas is not involved? Would he support a Palestinian state as part of a normalization process with Saudi Arabia? Netanyahu insisted that the Unity government was the key to achieving the war aims and asked Gantz to make his position clear. Prime Minister Netanyahu is determined to eliminate the Hamas battalions, the Prime Ministers Office stated. He opposes bringing the Palestinian Authority into Gaza, and establishing a Palestinian state that will inevitably be a terror state. Gantz immediately hit back at Netanyahu releasing a statement from his office. If the prime minister had listened to Gantz, said the former defence ministers and chief of staffs office, we would have gone into Rafah months ago and finished the mission. We must finish it and create the necessary conditions for that. The Palestinian Authority should not rule Gaza, Gantz said in response to the second question. However, he maintained that other Palestinians could rule Gaza with the help of Arab states and the US. The prime minister should deal with this and not torpedo these efforts, he said. Advertisement Responding to the final question, Gantz maintained that the creation of the Palestinian state was never demanded by Saudis and made it clear that he would not back such a state. The warning, questions and back and forth reflected the cracks in Netanyahus highly ambitious war cabinet. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sought Patriot air defence systems from the West as Russia continues to advance in the Kharkiv province read more Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the goal of the war is Russia's defeat. (Photo: Reuters) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that its the worlds fault Russia has invaded Ukraine. In an interview with ABC News, Zelenskyy said that the world allowed Russian President Vladimir Putin to occupy parts of Ukraine. Putin announced the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While Russia initially aimed to capture Ukrainian capital within days in a sweeping offensive and overthrow Zelenskyys government and replace it with a friendly regime, it failed in the objective and turned its attention to the countrys east. So far, Russia has occupied large tracts of Ukrainian territory and has also annexed parts of four provinces. Advertisement When asked if the ongoing troubles in Kharkiv province was Americas fault, Zelenskyy said, The situation is very serious. We cannot afford to lose Kharkiv. Zelenskyys comments come at a time when Russia has been battering eastern Ukraines Kharkiv province. Last week, Russia launched a surprise offensive in Kharkiv province and has since claimed to have captured up to 12 villages. This is the largest gains Russia has made in a single offensive in more than a year-and-a-half, as per AFP. If not Ukraine, it would be another country Zelenskyy put the Russia invasion of Ukraine as part of broader expansionist designs of Russia. He said that his countrys war is not his alone. We are not just fighting for our freedom. If not Ukraine, it would be another country, said Zelenskyy to ABC. Zelenskyy further reiterated his plea to Western partners for more air defence systems. For a long time, he has been seeking air defence systems and F-16 fighter planes or other planes of similar nature to fend off Russian aerial assaults battering his country. All we need are two Patriot systems. Russia will not be able to occupy Kharkiv if we have those, said Zelenskyy. When asked about concerns within the United States among some quarters that so much money is being spend on assisting Ukraine, Zelenskyy said the money is not being given to Ukraine but is going to American companies that are manufacturing arms and ammunition for Ukraine. He added that the money being marked for Ukraine is creating jobs for Americans. Advertisement It was an apparent reference to the scepticism among the hardline Republicans, primarily from former US President Donald Trumps camp, about assisting Ukraine. The scepticism and opposition to aiding Ukraine among the hardline Republicans led to $61 Ukraine aid package being stuck in the US Congress for several months. The delay starved Ukraine of the much-needed arms and ammunition that affected the battlefield readiness of the defenders against Russia. Libya is divided between the UN-recognised Tripoli-based government in the west and a rival administration led by military strongman Khalifa Haftar in the east. The eastern-based parliament said in a statement on Saturday night that it was following with great concern the disappearance of Ibrahim Al Dirsi, representative of the city of Benghazi without specifying when he had gone missing read more An elected member of Libyas eastern-based House of Representatives representing Benghazi has been abducted, the UN mission in Libya said in a statement Saturday night. The UN Support Mission in Libya expressed deep concern about the abduction of Mr Ibrahim Al Dirsi. Libya is divided between the UN-recognised Tripoli-based government in the west and a rival administration led by military strongman Khalifa Haftar in the east. The eastern-based parliament said in a statement on Saturday night that it was following with great concern the disappearance of Ibrahim Al Dirsi, representative of the city of Benghazi without specifying when he had gone missing. Advertisement It called on security services to do their utmost to find out what happened to him and ensure his safe return. There are as yet no details on where or when Dirsi was kidpanned. The UN Support Mission in Libya called on the competent authorities to locate and secure his prompt release and urged a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding (his) disappearance and to hold those accountable under the law. Libya is still struggling to recover from years of war and chaos after the 2011 overthrow of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi. In 2019, Siham Sergewa, another representative, was abducted and remains missing. Sergewa, also representing Benghazi, had been taken from her home shortly after the airing of a television broadcast in which she criticised Haftars offensive on Tripoli that year. Khine Thu Kha, a spokesman for the Arakan Army (AA), said its soldiers had taken Buthidaung near Myanmars border with Bangladesh, marking another battlefield defeat for the ruling junta that is fighting opposition groups on multiple fronts read more Fire smokes are seen over a village in Buthidaung, Myanmar. Reuters File A powerful armed ethnic group in Myanmar said on Sunday it had won control over a town in the western state of Rakhine after weeks of fighting, denying accusations it had targeted members of the Muslim-minority Rohingya during the offensive. Khine Thu Kha, a spokesman for the Arakan Army (AA), said its soldiers had taken Buthidaung near Myanmars border with Bangladesh, marking another battlefield defeat for the ruling junta that is fighting opposition groups on multiple fronts. Advertisement We have conquered all the bases in Buthidaung and also took over the town yesterday, Khine Thu Kha told Reuters by telephone. Some Rohingya activists accuse the AA of targeting the community during the assault on Buthidaung and surrounding areas, forcing many of them to flee for safety. AA troops came into downtown, forced the people to leave their homes and started torching houses, Nay San Lwin, co-founder of the Free Rohingya Coalition advocacy group told Reuters, based on what he said were eyewitness accounts. While the town was burning, I spoke with several people I have known and trusted for years. They all testified that the arson attack was done by the AA. Reuters could not independently verify the conflicting accounts. A junta spokesman did not respond to a call seeking comment. Rohingya have faced persecution in Buddhist-majority Myanmar for decades. After escaping a military-led crackdown in 2017, nearly a million of them live crammed into refugee camps in Bangladeshs border district of Coxs Bazar. Juntas biggest challenge Myanmar has been in turmoil since a 2021 military coup, which led to the rise of the resistance fighting alongside long-established ethnic minority rebel groups. The conflict has escalated since October, when an alliance of ethnic armies including the AA launched a major offensive near the Chinese border, taking swathes of territory from the better-armed junta and presenting its biggest challenge since taking power. Advertisement The junta has lost control of around half its 5,280 military positions, including outposts, bases and headquarters, according to one estimate. The AAs Khine Thu Kha said junta aircraft and Muslim insurgent groups aligned with the military had set fire to parts of Buthidaung, which had a population of around 55,000 people, according to the most recent government census available, from 2014. The burning of Buthidaung is due to the air strikes from the juntas jet fighter before our troops entered the town, he said. Aung Kyaw Moe, a Rohingya civil society activist and a deputy minister in Myanmars shadow National Unity Government, said Rohingya residents had been asked by the AA to leave Buthidaung but had responded that they had nowhere to go, leaving them trapped when the offensive occurred. Advertisement Since about 10 p.m. last night up to this early morning, Buthidaung town had been burning and now only ashes remain, he told Reuters. Rohingya residents fled to the field and there may casualties, he said. Navalny who stirred a major political storm in Russia mysteriously died while serving his prison sentence at an Arctic prison colony, in February this year read more Leonid Volkov, a long-time ally of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, pledged to never give up in his fight against Russian President Vladimir Putin. The proclamation from Volkov came after he was attacked outside his home. Navalny who stirred a major political storm in Russia mysteriously died while serving his prison sentence at an Arctic prison colony, in February this year. The very next month, Volkov was attacked with a hammer outside his home in Lithuania where he lives in exile. Advertisement In his first television interview after the attack, the close ally of the Navalny told BBC that the Russian opposition leader asked his team to never give up and to continue our work to defeat Putin and to build this beautiful Russia of the future. Doing so was the only practical way to preserve his legacy and to make his ultimate sacrifice not to be in vain, said Volkov. He went on to call Navalny a great guy, inspiring personality, a true hero and a great and very capable political leader and insisted that his death had become an open wound in our hearts which could not be replaced. Whats next for Navalnys team? During the interview, Volkov mentioned that the current task of the opposition movement was to support Navalnys wife, Yulia, as its new charismatic leader. Recalling the devastating attack, Volkov mentioned that someone broke a car window and sprayed tear gas in his eyes before he was hit by the hammer. Three people were arrested following the attack and Volkov claimed that Putin orchestrated the whole ordeal. We always knew we are fighting against, like a crazy, fascist dictator, who doesnt recognise any red lines, he said. Volkov insisted that Putin was killing thousands of people, whether political opponents at home, in Europe or in Ukraine. He went on to urge the Western allies to continue sending more weapons to Ukraine and not consider any form of negotiations with Russia. Advertisement Putin is bluffing in a way to present himself like much stronger than he is, hopeful it will be enough to force Ukraine and its Western allies to enter some negotiation dont get bluffed, he said. If there are 50 things we can do, we have to do all 50 of them, if you do 49, thats not enough, because thats the greatest threat to the world that weve seen in 80 years, Volkov concluded. The former PM added that it was a matter of record that his government had not impeded the formation of the PTI government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after the 2013 elections, despite being in the position to do so through a coalition read more Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif accused Pakistan Tareek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan of backstabbing him in 2013 by carrying out protest rallies despite assuring him of cooperation after elections, reported Dawn. Addressing a meeting of the PML-Ns Central Working Committee (CWC) in Lahore, Nawaz said upon assuming power in 2013, he visited Imran at his residence in Banigala and they agreed on a working relationship for the countrys sake. Nawaz further said Imran, thereafter, went to London along with other political leaders where a plot was hatched as per which protests were launched in the country upon the latters return, Dawn reported. Advertisement Nawaz said he was left befuddled by the development, adding that he should have been informed about the matter or whatever the PTIs reservations were, according to the report. I visit you and you stab me in the back by assuring cooperation, and then you begin protests in Islamabads D-Chowk? Dawn quoted Nawaz as saying. He added that his cabinet also called for a crackdown on the protests by the police but he asked them to desist, Dawn reported. The former PM added that it was a matter of record that his government had not impeded the formation of the PTI government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after the 2013 elections, despite being in the position to do so through a coalition. We call for accountability of those who destroyed and ruined Pakistan, the PML(N) chief said. Urging the people to take a judgment call on which political party had served them the best, Nawaz said they should consider these aspects before casting their votes. I have the right to ask my nation this question: What do you think, before voting, about Nawaz Sharifs performance was and what was that of his opponents?the nation should answer this. I have a slight complaint with the nation as well. A prime minister is removed in a false case of not taking a salary from his son and the nation stays silent, this is not right, the former PM said. Advertisement Addressing the meeting, Nawaz said false cases against the party were exposed. Lauding the performance of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he also predicted a turnaround in the countrys fortunes going forward, according to Dawn. Speaking before him, the PM said he was at peace with stepping down as the PML(N) chief and wanted his brother to assume the partys presidency. Arizonas Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes confirmed that Giuliani became the last of the 17th defendants to be served an indictment in the Arizona fake-elector case read more Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani was served an indictment notice related to his alleged role in the scheme to overturn the 2020 election results in the state of Arizona. What made the indictment notice so interesting is the fact that Giuliani received it during his 80th birthday bash. Arizonas Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes confirmed that Giuliani became the last of the 17th defendants to be served an indictment in the Arizona fake-elector case. Mayes shared the news on X, formally known as Twitter. Advertisement The final defendant was served moments ago. @RudyGiuliani nobody is above the law, she wrote. Shortly after the tweet, the attorney generals spokesperson, Richie Taylor, clarified the longtime ally of former US President Donald Trump will be facing the same charges as the other defendants, including conspiracy, fraud and forgery charges. A tweet that didnt age well Earlier that evening the top-shot lawyer had tweeted a taunting image from his birthday party in which he can be seen in all smiles and surrounded by people. If Arizona authorities cant find me by tomorrow morning, he wrote in a now-deleted tweet, 1. They must dismiss the indictment; 2. They must concede they cant count votes. Hours later, Mayes confirmed that he had been served with the indictment notice. Giulianis political adviser, Ted Goodman also revealed that Giuliani was served Friday night while he was walking towards his car after the celebrations. It is pertinent to know that the indictment came just days after Giuliani was suspended by WABC, a New York radio station for attempting to use his show to continue perpetuating lies about the 2020 US presidential elections. The indictment in question alleged that Giuliani pressured Arizona legislators and the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to change the outcome of the polls conducted in Arizona. An unredacted copy of the indictment is also scheduled to be released on Monday. Advertisement With this, Arizona becomes the fourth state where allies of the former president have been charged with plotting and committing voter fraud. Mark Meadows, Trumps former chief of staff was also among other Trump allies who have been indicated in this case. China considers the self-ruled island of Taiwan as a breakaway province and is committed to its reunification with the mainland read more Incoming Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te is expected to spend more on missiles and drones as part of a porcupine strategy to defend his self-ruled island nation against Chinese aggression, according to experts. Lai will take oath as the President of Taiwan on Monday. He won the presidential election in January. He is loathed by the Chinese government, which has called him secessionist and confrontational. Beijing openly called for his defeat and urged the Taiwanese voters ahead of the election to make the right choice as Lai would take the nation on the evil path of provoking independence. Advertisement Beijing considers Taiwan as a breakaway province and remains committed to its reunification with the mainland. It has not ruled out the use of force for the reunification. In recent years, Beijing has increased military provocations and exercises in the region which have been seen as a gradual build-up for a military action at some point in future to retake Taiwan. Raymond Kuo, an expert on Taiwan, told AFP that Taiwan is taking Chinese threats very seriously. It has ramped up its production of anti-ship missiles, tested new anti-air missiles, and is on track to manufacture several thousand military drones. I would expect those efforts to continue (under Lai) alongside purchases of US equipment and development of large platforms like the indigenous submarine, said Raymond Kuo, Taiwan Policy Initiative Director at RAND Corporation. Lais management of Taiwans security will be key: Expert The way in which Lai manages the security of Taiwan and carries out military reforms will be key in deciding the success of his presidency, say experts. China has maintained a near-daily presence of fighter jets, drones, and naval ships around the self-ruled island as part of constant poking of Taiwans defences. Such grey zone actions have been described by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as provocative. This reality means that a key measure of success of the Lai administration will be how far he can push forward the necessary reforms to improve Taiwans ability to defend itself and deter Chinese aggression, said Amanda Hsiao of the International Crisis Group (ICG) to AFP. Advertisement The United States remains the principal supporter of Taiwan. While it does not recognise Taiwan as an independent nation, there are extensive ties and the US is committed to Taiwans security under whats called strategic ambiguity. Last month, the US Congressed $1.9 billion for Taiwans weapons supplies and training in the face of threats from China. Moreover, $2 billion were separately marked for the training of the militaries of other countries in the region. Washington approved a huge military aid package for Taipei last month in the face of an increasingly assertive China, including $1.9 billion for replenishing its military equipment and training. Another $2 billion will used for foreign military financing for countries in the region. Advertisement Richard Hu, a military expert at National Chengchi University, told the agency, With lessons learned from the Russian-Ukraine war, the defence ministry will try to switch from buying expensive and heavy weapons systems to some light, agile and lethal arms and equipment, such as battle-tested UAVs (drones) and Javelin missiles. China is deadly serious about taking Taiwan Even though China has not made any direct moves and is limited to gray zone actions, its goal of taking Taiwan remains the same, said Steve Tsang, Director of SOAS China Institute in London. Tsang told AFP, (President Xi Jinping) is deadly serious about taking Taiwan and is building up the capacity to do so, Tsang said. Taipei, the US and others concerned must use the time to work to pre-empt or deter a Chinese attack. Advertisement Separately, political scientist Wen-ti Sung told the agency that China may involve more direct contact between civilian personnel from both sides and carry more complicated potential for political escalation. Cambodia has long been a staunch ally of China and has received billions of dollars in investment read more People wave flags of Cambodia (R) and China (L) as Chinese training ship Qijiguang prepares to dock with a banner reading "Bring peace and friendship to meet good friends" during a welcome ceremony at the Sihanoukville port in Preah Sihanouk province. AFP Two Chinese warships docked in Cambodia on Sunday as part of the biggest-ever joint military drills with the Southeast Asian nation, with Beijings ambassador hailing their ironclad friendship. Cambodia has long been a staunch ally of China and has received billions of dollars in investment. Washington is growing increasingly concerned Beijing will use a Cambodian naval base it is upgrading on the Gulf of Thailand to expand its influence in the region. On Sunday the training ship Qijiguang and amphibious warfare ship Jinggangshan docked at Sihanoukville as part of 15 days of land and sea drills involving 760 Chinese military personnel along with around 1,300 Cambodians and 11 Cambodian vessels. Advertisement The Qijiguang bore a banner reading Bring peace and friendship to meet good friends as it approached the port. We are ironclad friends, Chinese ambassador Wang Wentian told reporters on the shore. China-Cambodia military cooperation was conducive to the security of both countries and to the security of the region. At Ream, a few kilometres along the coast, China has been funding the renovation of a naval base originally built partly using US funds. Two Chinese warships docked at Ream in December for the first time after work began to expand the base. Washington says Ream could give Beijing a key strategic position on the Gulf of Thailand near the disputed South China Sea, which China largely claims. Last year, Cambodian officials denied a new 363-metre (1,190-foot) pier at Ream was intended to berth aircraft carriers. Where the Chinese navy goes, we bring friendship, we bring cooperation, no others, ambassador Wang said in response to a question on concerns over Beijings growing influence. At the start of the drills on Thursday Chinas military showed off its hardware including so-called robodogs remote-controlled four-legged robots with automatic rifles mounted on their backs. Handlers kept the dogs of war on the leash, demonstrating only their walking capabilities to watching journalists and top brass not their shooting skills. The drills follow a three-day visit by Chinas top diplomat Wang Yi to Cambodia in April to deepen ties between the two countries. The duelling events came as Trump sought to make the most of his limited time on the campaign trail, with a criminal trial over hush money payments to a porn star keeping him mostly confined to a gloomy New York courtroom read more This combo image shows President Joe Biden, left, and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, right. AP File Donald Trump used an expletive to attack Joe Biden during an address to an influential gun group Saturday, while the incumbent president warned in the crucial swing state of Georgia that his unhinged challenger is a threat to US democracy. The duelling events came as Trump sought to make the most of his limited time on the campaign trail, with a criminal trial over hush money payments to a porn star keeping him mostly confined to a gloomy New York courtroom. Advertisement In a 90-minute rambling address to the politically powerful National Rifle Association, Trump said Biden is the worst president in the history of our country by far and suggested the Democrat was full of bullshit. Youre fired, get out of here Joe! he called out to laughter from the thousands-strong crowd in Dallas, Texas, where the NRA gave the 77-year-old Republican its endorsement in the White House race. Trump, who is fending off multiple criminal indictments for his unprecedented attempt to overthrow the results of the 2020 election and was twice impeached as president, told the crowd Biden is crooked and a threat to democracy. If Biden were Republican, he would be given the electric chair, Trump said. Biden meanwhile was stumping in the key southern state of Georgia as he sought support from African Americans a crucial element in his coalition. The 81-year-old narrowly won Georgia in 2020 and some polls show Black voters are increasingly deserting him ahead of Novembers rematch with Trump. Our democracy is really on the line, Biden told supporters at Mary Macs Tea Room, a Black-owned restaurant in Atlanta. My opponents not a good loser. But he is a loser, Biden said to applause. Hes clearly unhinged, Biden said, adding that something snapped in Trump after losing the 2020 election. Advertisement Folks, Trump isnt running to lead America. Hes running for revenge. We cannot let this man become president. Our childrens future is at stake We have to win this race, not for me but for America. On Sunday Biden is due to speak at Morehouse College, a renowned historically Black university in Atlanta, then travel to Detroit where he will address the NAACP, the nations top civil rights group. Trailing Trump A recent New York Times/Siena poll showed Biden trailing Trump in several key battleground states, despite Trump facing four criminal cases in Washington, Georgia and Florida in addition to New York. Trump routinely claims the prosecutions are a conspiracy by Biden to prevent his return to the White House. Advertisement Our enemies want to take away my freedom because I will never let them take away your freedom, he told the crowd in Dallas. In the end, theyre not after me. Theyre after you. I just happened to be standing in their way. Trumps appearance before the gun rights group comes after the White House last month moved to crack down on firearm sales at gun shows and online that evade federal background checks. Biden has repeatedly called for a long-lapsed ban on military-style assault weapons to be reinstated, among other restrictions. Warnings that Democrats would take away Americans guns is a core theme at Trumps events, most recently at a fundraising dinner in Minnesota on Friday. Advertisement If the Biden regime gets four more years they are coming for your guns, 100 percent certain, Trump said. Efforts at broad reforms to gun laws have been stymied for decades, with executive actions and state initiatives attacked in court by critics as infringing on the constitutional right to own a firearm, enshrined in the Second Amendment. The 150-year-old NRA, whose longtime CEO resigned in January amid a graft lawsuit, is closely aligned with the Republican Party in opposing firearm restrictions, despite routine mass killings in the United States and high rates of gun violence compared to peer nations. There were more than 40,000 gun-related deaths in the United States last year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Leading the presidential race is President Luis Abinader, who is seeking reelection as one of the most popular leaders in the Americas. If he tops 50% of the vote he will win another term without proceeding to a second round of voting read more A political billboard with a message that reads in Spanish: "Better health coverage for the most vulnerable sectors", promotes the candidacy of incumbent President Luis Abinader, who is running for reelection, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. AP Voters in the Dominican Republic will take to the polls Sunday in general elections likely to reinforce the governments crackdown on its shared border with Haiti and the hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the violence-stricken nation. Leading the presidential race is President Luis Abinader, who is seeking reelection as one of the most popular leaders in the Americas. If he tops 50% of the vote he will win another term without proceeding to a second round of voting. Advertisement Trailing behind him are President Leonel Fernandez and Mayor Abel Martinez. Dominicans will also vote in legislative elections. Abinaders anti-corruption agenda and push to grow the Dominican Republics economy has resonated with many of the 8 million voters in the Caribbean nation. Much of his popularity, however, has been fueled by the governments harsh crackdown on Haitians and the border the Dominican Republic shares with its crisis-stricken neighbour. This migratory problem worries me, because were seeing a massive migration from our neighbor and it feels like its out of control, said Perla Concepcion, a 29-year-old secretary, adding that migration was her main concern as she takes to the polls. The Dominican Republic has long taken a hardline stance with Haitian migrants, but such policies have ramped up since Haiti entered a free fall following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. As gangs have terrorized Haitians, the Dominican government has built a Trump-like border wall along its 250-mile (400-kilometer) border. He has also repeatedly urged the United Nations to send an international force to Haiti, saying such action cannot wait any longer. The government has also rejected calls to build refugee camps for those fleeing the violence and carried out mass deportations of 175,000 Haitians just last year, according to government figures. While the policy is popular among voters, it has provoked sharp criticisms from human rights organizations which call the policy racist and a violation of international law. Advertisement These collective expulsions are a clear violation of the Dominican Republics international obligations and put the lives and rights of these people at risk. Forced returns to Haiti must end, Ana Piquer, Americas director at Amnesty International, wrote in an April report. No presidential or parliamentary elections can take place in Ukraine as long as the martial law is in effect, which was imposed after Russia invaded the country in 2022 read more Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys term as the President of Ukraine is ending on Monday (May 20), but he will stay in office as the ongoing war with Ukraine has delayed elections in the country. Moreover, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, martial law was imposed in the country and no presidential or parliamentary elections can take place as long as the martial law is in effect. While it is permissible for Zelenskyy to continue as the president until elections are held, there are critics who question the legality of his powers under the martial law and the legitimacy of his rule in the eyes of the public. Advertisement Moreover, Ukrainian officials are concerned that Russia may use the expiration of his presidential term in its propaganda against Ukraine to undermine the countrys government and the legitimacy of Zelenskyys rule. How will Zelenskyy continue after his terms end? Zelenskyy will continue to remain the President of Ukraine as elections in the country have been indefinitely delayed because of the war. Stanislav Shevchuk, a former head of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, told The Kyiv Independent that there is no challenge to Zelenskyys rule legally. Shevchuk said that Article 108 of the Constitution says that the president is in office until the next one takes office. Since the Constitution bans any elections during martial law, this approach should be applied to presidential elections because elections are a unified process in a democratic state, says Shevchuk. Shevchuk further said that the president continues to be fulfil their duties until their successor comes in as per the principle of government continuity. There can be no vacuum of power during peacetime or wartime. This is guaranteed by the Constitution of Ukraine, said Shevchuk. In case no martial law was imposed, elections would have taken place on March 31 and Zelenskyys term would have ended on Monday, as per The Kyiv Independent. Similarly, the parliamentary elections would have been held on October 29, 2023, according to the report. Advertisement Ukraine fears Russian will undermine Zelenskyys legitimacy Two sources told The Kyiv Independent that Western allies of Ukraine were aware of potential Russian disinformation campaign to undermine Zelenskyys rule. Separately, Vadym Skibitsky, Deputy Chief of Military Intelligence, told The Economist that undermining Zelenskyys legitimacy was part of Russias multi-component plan to destabilise Ukraine. So far, however, there is little concerns about Zelenskyys legitimacy as he continues to have decent approval ratings. However, even though they are decent, the ratings have fallen lately. In February, 63% people approved of Zelenskyy in a poll by Rating Group, but it was much less than 82% approval recorded in September 2023. Houthis strike M/T Wind in Red Sea U.S. Central Command Press Release | May 18, 2024 USCENTCOM May 18, 2024 Release Number 20240518-01 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TAMPA, Fla. -- At approximately 1 a.m. (Sanaa time) May 18, Iranian-backed Houthis launched one anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) into the Red Sea and struck M/T Wind, a Panamanian-flagged, Greek owned and operated oil tanker. M/T Wind most recently docked in Russia and was bound for China. The impact of the ASBM caused flooding which resulted in the of loss propulsion and steering. A coalition vessel immediately responded to the distress call by M/T Wind, but no assistance was needed. The crew of M/T Wind was able to restore propulsion and steering, and no casualties were reported. M/T Wind resumed its course under its own power. This continued malign and reckless behavior by the Iranian-backed Houthis threatens regional stability and endangers the lives of mariners across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. -30- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lawmakers visit Taiping Island, urge Lai to reaffirm sovereignty ROC Central News Agency 05/18/2024 09:30 PM Taipei, May 18 (CNA) A group of legislators visited Taiping Island on Saturday and called on President-elect Lai Ching-te () to assert the country's sovereignty over the disputed island at his inauguration on Monday. Led by Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang () and Foreign and National Defense Committee co-chair Ma Wen-chun (), both of whom are with the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT), the group said the trip was to show its "determination to defend sovereignty." In a social media post later Saturday, Chiang called on Lai to "publicly reaffirm Taiping Island as the Republic of China's (Taiwan's official name) territory" during his inauguration, which is expected to host nearly 700 foreign dignitaries. The Taiwan-controlled Taiping Island, also known as Itu Aba, is also claimed by China, the Philippines and Vietnam. It is situated 1,600 kilometers southwest of Kaohsiung among the Spratly Islands in the resource-rich and strategically important South China Sea. Chiang said the legislators in the group advocated the peaceful resolution of disputes [in the South China Sea], but he insisted that "[we] cannot remain silent, passive, or inactive." In response to a reporter's question before leaving for Taiping Island on whether such a trip could destabilize regional stability, Ma said it was not unprecedented as many legislators visited the island eight years ago. She was referring to the trip made by eight legislators, including Chiang and some others from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in July 2016, made shortly after an international arbitral tribunal's classification of the island as a "rock," meaning it could not generate an exclusive economic zone. "Taiping Island is part of the Republic of China's territory," Ma said, adding that "no individual or country can give any instructions" on whether they can visit the island or not. During the lawmakers' brief visit to Taiping Island, the delegation received a briefing on the island and had lunch with the personnel stationed there. The delegation also included KMT legislators Lai Shyh-bao (), Cheng Cheng-chien (), and Liao Hsien-hsiang (), and Taiwan People's Party lawmaker Chen Gau-tzu (). Half of the 20 legislators who had originally signed up for the trip opted out after a long day at the Legislature on Friday marred by physical altercations as opposition lawmakers tried to push through controversial amendments. Six legislators were injured during the chaotic day and sent to the hospital. No lawmakers from the DPP took part in the trip. (By Wu Shu-wei, Liu Kuan-ting and Teng Pei-ju) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Experts dispel Philippines' malicious misinterpretation of China's new CCG regulations Global Times By Guo Yuandan Published: May 18, 2024 08:34 PM The Philippine media associated the promulgation of China's regulations on administrative law-enforcement procedures of Coast Guard agencies (hereafter referred to as Procedures) with Philippine "local fishermen" engaging in provocations in the surrounding waters of China's Huangyan Dao. Chinese experts on Saturday slammed the interpretation, saying that these Filipino media outlets deliberately sensationalized and distorted the issue, maliciously slandered the Procedures, exposing ulterior motives and a guilty conscience. The promulgation of the Procedures is aimed at maintaining the order of normal economic activities at sea, and fishermen from China and other countries are treated equally before the regulations. Philippine media linked the release of the Procedures with local fishermen's recent trespassing into waters near Huangyan Dao. The Philippine government has dispatched coast guard ships to escort this so-called "civilian fleet," yet claimed the fishermen's actions had "nothing to do with the Philippine government." The organizers loudly proclaimed their actions to be "civilian" and "peaceful." The newly released Procedures have 16 chapters and 281 clauses, including general principles, jurisdiction, on-site supervision and inspection, case filing, investigation and evidence collection, hearing procedures, administrative enforcement decisions, and so forth. It is the basic norm for maritime law-enforcement agencies to carry out administrative law-enforcement work. But the Philippines ignored that the Procedures stipulated that law enforcement should be based on facts and guided by the law, the principles of legitimacy, fairness, openness, and timeliness, respecting and safeguarding human rights, and protecting the dignity of citizens. Instead, they only focused on the clause that allowed for the detention of foreigners suspected of violating border control rules under certain circumstances. The Procedures also stated that foreign citizens violating border control rules, whose suspicion of certain violations cannot be ruled out after questioning, can be detained with the approval of Coast Guard personnel in charge. These violations include suspected illegal border crossing; assisting others in illegal border crossing; illegal residence and employment; and activities that endanger national security and interests, disrupt public order, or involve other illegal criminal activities. Ding Duo, deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Law and Policy at the China Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Saturday that the malicious linking of the Chinese measures with a recent incident involving Filipino ships intruding into the waters near China's Huangyan Dao by the Philippine media, as well as the irresponsible speculations and distortions they made, have inflated confrontational emotions among Filipinos. "The deliberate hype, intentional distortion, and even malicious smearing are for ulterior motives, reflecting the Philippines' provocative yet guilty conscience, aiming to mislead international public opinion, divert public attention, and hype the 'China threat theory,'" Ding said. The Procedures stipulated general rules and does not target Huangyan Dao or Ren'ai Jiao that have become hotspots due to US and Philippine hype, nor does it target any specific actions, Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the same institute, told the Global Times. Instead, it aims to regulate coast guard practices in law enforcement, specify the procedures and better manage maritime production and other activities, which is also an international norm, Chen said. China enacted the Coast Guard Law in 2021, the China Coast Guard issued two regulations on handling criminal cases in 2023, along with releasing new regulations on procedures recently. Ding sees these actions as advancements in the rule of law in specific fields and as enhancements to comprehensive marine governance domestically. The Procedures provide clear and practicable norms and will make maritime law enforcement and the entire case handling process more authoritative, standardized, and professional, Ding believes. Regarding Huangyan Dao, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a press briefing on May 15 that Huangyan Dao has always been China's 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, Wang said. Chen said that as long as there is infringement on China's territorial sovereignty and jurisdiction, China will take necessary measures in accordance with the law. China's goodwill that allows Filipino fishermen to fish in the waters near Huangyan Dao came with a prerequisite that Filipino fishermen must abide by relevant Chinese laws, regulations and international laws, respect Chinese territorial sovereignty, Chen said. Chinese or foreign fishermen are treated equally by the laws and regulations, Chen added, citing the example of Chinese fishermen, who will face penalties from the China Coast Guard for violating China's Marine Environmental Protection Law and Fisheries Law if using illegal fishing measures such as blast fishing. Regarding recent Philippine actions to distort the truth and mislead the public on matters related to the South China Sea, people of insight in the region and the international community can see clearly and will not be fooled by the Philippines' distorted interpretations and malicious hype, Ding noted. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Five Zionist soldiers killed in Rafah: Al-Qassam Brigades IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 18, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, which is the military wing of Palestine's Hamas Resistance Movement, has said that its fighters have killed five Zionist soldiers in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Al-Qassam Brigades announced the killings on Saturday, saying that its fighters detonated an anti-personnel bomb after deceiving a group of Zionist infantrymen into approaching a mosque in eastern Rafah. Five Zionist soldiers were killed and several more wounded as a result, it said. According to al-Qassam Brigades, the latest deaths brought to 20 the number of Israeli soldiers killed in Rafah on Saturday. Fifteen had been killed earlier in the day after al-Qassam fighters detonated a bomb inside a house in an eastern neighborhood of Rafah. The city has been the scene of fierce fighting for nearly two weeks now amid Israel's intensified air attacks and a ground offensive which the regime claims is aimed at destroying Hamas. Israel has been planning for weeks to invade Rafah despite international calls to refrain from a ground invasion due to its disastrous humanitarian consequences. The city has been sheltering more than one million displaced Palestinians. According to the UN, more than 630,000 people have already fled Rafah since the Israeli offensive began on May 6. 4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah drones challenging Israeli radar systems: Reports IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 18, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Drones operated by the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah have challenged the radar and reconnaissance systems of the Israeli air force, according to reports from the Israeli regime's media. Citing the Israeli media, the Lebanese Al-Mayadeen news network reported on Saturday that Hezbollah has deployed drones that pose a significant challenge to the Israeli air force's reconnaissance systems. Some of the drones in Hezbollah's possession, including the Pelican drone, are radar-evading, making them very difficult to be detected. Since the beginning of the Israeli regime's war against Gaza in October, Hezbollah has targeted the air control unit of the Miron base and shot down surveillance balloons near the Golani junction in an attempt to immobilize the Israeli air force, reports said. Israeli forces and Hezbollah have exchanged fire almost every day since the occupying regime launched its genocidal war on Gaza more than seven months ago. At least twenty Israelis have been killed in Hezbollah attacks since then. 4353**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli positions hit in fresh Hezbollah missile attacks IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 18, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Lebanon's Hezbollah Resistance Movement has carried out fresh attacks on positions in northern Israeli-occupied territories, in the latest act of support for the Palestinian people and their resistance fighters battling the regime in Gaza. Hezbollah launched missiles at Biranit Barracks at 9:45 Beirut time, causing damage to the Israeli military facility, according to a statement by the Lebanese movement. It added that an Israeli military base in Mutala settlement was targeted as well. The statement however did not provide details on the type of attack possible casualties or damage. Hezbollah has been conducting drone and missile attacks on Israeli positions at or near Lebanon's southern border since October 8, a day after the Israeli regime launched its genocidal war on Gaza where more than 35,300 Palestinians are confirmed killed. The Lebanese resistance movement has pledged to continue its anti-Israel operations until the regime stops its war on the besieged Gaza Strip. 4194**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Palestinian fighters kill 15 occupying forces IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 18, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, announced on Saturday that its fighters detonated a bomb in a house in Rafah city, which left 15 Israeli troops killed. According to Al Jazeera TV network, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades set off a bomb in a house in al-Tanur neighborhood in the east of Rafah city, where Israeli military forces took shelter. Then, the Palestinian fighters exchanged fire with the sustained Israeli troopers, the al-Qassam said. Earlier, the Zionist regime's army acknowledged the death of over 620 military forces in the war on Gaza. Eight months into the onslaught in Gaza, the Israeli regime could not achieve any of its goals in the war, while the regime is grappled with everyday internal and international crises. The incursion into Gaza has had nothing but massacre, destruction, war crimes, violation of international regulations, bombardment of aid agencies, and hunger. The regime also faces the pressure of the world public, who condemn the genocidal war and call for an immediate ceasefire. The latest statistics published by the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza show that some 35,303 Palestinians have been martyred and 79,261 others have been wounded since October 7, 2023. 4208**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ceasefire in Gaza prelude to security in Red Sea: Iran envoy IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 18, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The clashes in the Red Sea are considered the spillover of Israeli brutal attacks on Gaza, so if the US and its allies seek peace, security, and tranquility in the region, especially in the Red Sea, they must try to set up an immediate ceasefire in the war-torn strip, an Iranian ambassador said. Mohsen Bakhtiar, Iran's Ambassador to Beijing, made the remarks in an interview with the Chinese Phoenix TV, noting that the Islamic Republic has tried from the get-go of the conflict in Gaza to stop the onslaught, but the Zionist regime and its supporters attempted to block the efforts and pave the way for the genocide. So, their attempts to veto the draft resolutions regarding a ceasefire in Gaza caused the spillover of tension in the region, in particular in the Red Sea, he argued, adding that the Zionist regime martyred thousands of innocent people in Gaza, so the regime crossed all redlines and even attacked mosques, churches, and hospitals. In response to the crimes committed by the Israeli regime in Gaza, the Yemeni Armed Forces kicked off attacks on ships affiliated to the regime and its staunch allies (the US and the UK) in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandeb, and the Indian Ocean. As to the Israeli regime's attack on Iran's consulate in Syria, the envoy said that those who claimed to be the flag-bearer of human rights and international law showed all-out support for the regime and refrained from condemning this heinous act, adding that this was while the European states and the leaders of the G7 were expected to show objection to it. Moreover, he pointed to the relationship between Iran and China, saying that the two countries enjoy historical ties and their people have experienced amicable relations for centuries. 4208**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli military destroyed 604 mosques in Gaza: Report IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 18, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs of Palestine in a report announced that 604 mosques were destroyed in the Zionist regime's offensives in the Gaza Strip. According to the Palestinian Samaa news agency, the regime's missiles and bombs have destroyed 604 mosques and more than 200 mosques partially. The occupying regime has targeted 60 cemeteries and kidnapped and slaughtered the bodies of more than 1,000 martyrs and other deceased people, it added. The Israeli occupying regime has destroyed 15 headquarters of the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, including the main headquarters of this ministry, the headquarters of Radio Quran, Khan Yunis Endowment Management, and the center for keeping documents and manuscripts, it noted. It added that 91 employees of the Ministry of Awqaf in Gaza have been martyred in the Zionist regime's attacks. 9376**4354 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US pier no substitute for Rafah crossing: Hamas ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Sat / 18 May 2024 / 13:16 Hamas emphasized Friday that any way to bring in aid, including the American pier, is no substitute for opening all land crossings under Palestinian supervision. Tehran -ISNA- In a statement, the movement emphasized its rejection of any military presence of any force in the Palestinian territories, stressing the right of the Palestinian people to receive all the aid they need in light of the catastrophe created by the occupation. The government media office in Gaza, meanwhile, stressed that the US administration was trying to whitewash its brutality by establishing a pier off the coast of Gaza City. The media office issued a statement questioning the intentions of the US administration, which is working to manage the genocidal war and form a protective barrier for Israel. The statement underlined that the pier does not cover the Palestinian people's need for food, and that what it would provide "will not end the famine." The statement also demanded the immediate opening of land crossings, questioning the practice of using patchwork and partial solutions while circumventing real ones. The statement emphasized that land crossings were the most feasible and effective way to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip and demanded the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces from the Rafah crossing in light of the increasingly tragic humanitarian disaster. It concluded by underlining that the food insecurity crisis was worsening in the central and southern governorates, especially with the displacement of tens of thousands of people from Rafah as a result of the Israeli invasion of the city. The US military said aid deliveries began Friday via the pier it alleges is for humanitarian purposes. "Today at approximately 9 am (0600 GMT), trucks carrying humanitarian assistance began moving ashore via a temporary pier in Gaza," the US Central Command said in a statement, adding that no US troops went ashore. "This is an ongoing, multinational effort to deliver additional aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza via a maritime corridor that is entirely humanitarian in nature," it claimed. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan is rich in cultural heritage with a large number of historical cultural sites sprawling across the South Asian country. China and Pakistan take an extra mile to preserve the sites, including Takht-i-Bahi, under the Guardians of Gandhara program run by Chinese and Pakistani scholars and volunteers. by Raheela Nazir ISLAMABAD, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Walking up the stone stairs ascending to the archaeological site of an ancient Buddhist monastery Takht-i-Bahi, Muhammad Haasan immersed himself in Buddhist history and culture as the exceptionally well-preserved majestic beauty of ruins bewildered the teenager. UNESCO World Heritage Site Takht-i-Bahi, one of the most prestigious Buddhist religious establishments in the ancient Gandhara region, is located in the country's northwest Mardan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Pakistan is rich in cultural heritage with a large number of historical cultural sites sprawling across the South Asian country. China and Pakistan took an extra mile to preserve the sites, including Takht-i-Bahi, under the Guardians of Gandhara program run by Chinese and Pakistani scholars and volunteers. "Every two weeks I come here with at least 50 students to learn about the Buddhist monastery, stupas, kings and their residential facilities. Our teachers have also organized tours to other museums in various cities and teach us about civilizations and historic sites," said the 13-year-old student of the heritage conservation classes launched under the Guardians of Gandhara program. "With the help of China, we will protect and conserve the heritage sites for future generations as the heritage sites are the connection to our history, community and identity," the student said. "The stories of ancient kings are very interesting. This archeological site provides us with important information as to how people about 2,000 years ago used to live, meditate and educate themselves. It's quite fascinating," said another student Tahira. Talking to Xinhua, Maaz Ali, a teacher and conservation assistant at the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, KP, said that the main purpose of various educational projects was to make locals living near archeological sites aware about the heritage sites of Pakistan and rebuild their connection with cultural heritage. "Especially, young generation is in charge of Guardians of Gandhara as they will take a lead in preserving these important archeological sites of Pakistan in the future," he said. According to him, Pakistani and Chinese teams have been working together on the restoration of various archeological sites in Pakistan, adding that more sites are being identified for the conservation work. With restoration work done on several sites, Ali said that the number of tourists, especially Chinese and Japanese, have increased over the past years. "Thousands of tourists have been visiting the historical sites recently, injecting new impetus into the tourism sector of Pakistan and national development." As International Museum Day is observed on May 18, Pakistan sought cooperation with China to further strengthen the protection of cultural heritage. The State Administration of Cultural Heritage of China and the National Heritage and Culture Division of Pakistan have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly implement archaeology, cultural heritage protection and restoration, exhibition exchanges, and prevent illegal trafficking of relics. Director of Archaeology and Museums of KP Abdul Samad told Xinhua that China always walks the talk and its commitment towards preserving cultural heritage in Asia is practical, highlighting that China is collaborating with Pakistani archaeologists to preserve and restore the archeological sites using modern technologies. He said that Pakistan needs to further strengthen cooperation with China to protect heritage sites, maintain academic collaborations between universities and cultural heritage institutions in the two countries, and initiate joint scientific and technological preservation initiatives. Samad believed that China's cultural heritage cooperation and exchanges programs with various countries including Pakistan are exemplary, adding that China's effective measures for harmonious coexistence of different civilizations set examples for the world. Chen Zhigang, associate professor at Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts and director of the Guardians of Gandhara program, said that China has established multi-level exchange relations with Pakistani governments, the archaeological bureau, museums and heritage sites. Commenting on the future cooperation plans for the protection of cultural sites and relics of Pakistan, he told Xinhua that both countries need to further focus on tourism infrastructure improvement, basic maintenance, and archaeological excavation of sites. Besides that, digitization of cultural heritage, joint scientific research projects as well as heritage education and cultural exchanges would be further encouraged in the future, he said. China slams provocative U.S. naval moves, invocation of UNCLOS People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 10:12, May 18, 2024 BEIJING, May 17 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese military spokesperson on Friday slammed a U.S. military vessel's recent "provocative moves," stating that the U.S. side's invocation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) reveals its hegemonic nature. Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a press conference in response to a media query about U.S. guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey's sailing through the Taiwan Strait and trespassing into China's territorial sea. "The U.S. military vessel sailed through the Taiwan Strait, trespassed into the territorial sea and internal waters of China's Xisha Qundao, and publicly hyped the move. The Chinese side strongly deplores and firmly opposes this and has lodged solemn representations with the U.S. side," Zhang said. "Xisha Qundao is China's inherent territory. The Chinese government released the baselines of the territorial sea of Xisha Qundao as early as 1996. What we did was in line with international law and practices," he said. "The U.S. side is not a State Party to UNCLOS, but it has repeatedly invoked the Convention to make an issue of it, and even sent military vessels to intrude into the territorial sea and internal waters of Xisha Qundao," Zhang noted. "Such provocative moves violate China's sovereignty, threaten our national security and undermine regional peace and stability. They are typical behaviors of hegemony," he said. "The People's Liberation Army will remain on high alert, take resolute countermeasures against any infringement and provocations, and firmly safeguard our national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN chief renews call for two-state solution, calls Gaza war 'open wound' Iran Press TV Saturday, 18 May 2024 7:30 PM UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has reiterated his call for a two-state solution, saying Israel's ongoing war on the besieged Gaza Strip "is an open wound that threatens to infect the entire region." Guterres made the remarks in a post on X on Saturday, as Israel intensified its ground invasion of Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah despite international concerns for the hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians there. "The only permanent way to end the cycle of violence and instability is through a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security," with al-Quds as the capital of both, he said. The most intense fighting for weeks is now taking place on both the northern and southern edges of the besieged Palestinian territory. Israeli strikes and intense clashes with Palestinian resistance fighters rocked Rafah late Friday and early Saturday, with reports of shelling in the city's southeast and jets bombarding its eastern areas. Rafah, which quite recently was a shelter for more than 1.4 million Palestinian civilians, has seen some 640,000 of its inhabitants flee to other areas due to Israel's looming full invasion. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have pushed deeper into northern Gaza, where they had claimed to have defeated the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas months ago, killing and wounding dozens of Palestinians According to medics, 15 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded after Israeli military tanks advanced further into the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern part of the Gaza Strip on Saturday. The Health Ministry in Gaza and the enclave's Civil Emergency Service said teams received dozens of calls about possible casualties but were unable to carry out any searches due to the ongoing ground offensive and the aerial bombardment. "Today is the most difficult in terms of the occupation bombardment, air strikes and tank shelling have going on almost non-stop," a resident in Jabaliatold Reuters via a chat app. "We know of dozens of people, martyrs (killed) and wounded, but no ambulance vehicle can get into the area." The Israeli military claims it is carrying out "precise operations" against resistance fighters. Palestinian resistance groups say they have inflicted heavy casualties on Israeli soldiers by blowing up tunnels, launching rockets and mortars, and through sniping and close-quarters combat. Israel launched its genocidal war against Gaza on October 7 last year. Since then, at least 35,386 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and another 79,366 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 May 17: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Iran Press TV Saturday, 18 May 2024 4:48 PM By Press TV Website Staff Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed 35,386 Palestinians so far, including more than 16,000 children, resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its Western backers. The major operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Wednesday, May 17, are as follows: Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on May 17: In a joint operation with the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, bombed a command and control center of the Israeli military in the "Netzarim" axis, south of Gaza City, with mortar shells. Bombed a command and control center of the Israeli military east of Jabalia camp with heavy-caliber mortar shells. Sniped an Israeli soldier east of the city of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip. Targeted a special unit of Israeli force holed up in a building east of the city of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip using a TBG shell. Cut off the Israeli military's supply line east of Jabalia camp in the northern Strip after targeting an armored personnel carrier with an Al-Yassin 105 shell and showering a group of Israeli soldiers with bullets from a "BKC" machine gun. Al-Quds Brigades' operations on May 17: Bombed a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles in Jabal Al-Kashef neighborhood east of the city of Jabalia with a barrage of mortar shells. Targeted an Israeli force holed up in a house in Izbet Melin in the city of Jabalia with an anti-personnel TBG shell. Bombed Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles in the vicinity of Al-Taba'een Mosque, east of Rafah, with a barrage of heavy mortar shells. Bombed a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles with a barrage of 60-caliber regular mortar shells near Burj Al-Tanani, east of Jabalia camp. Targeted a command and control center of the Israeli military east of Rafah in southern Gaza with a 107mm type rocket barrage. Bombed a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles around Al-Shibil Mosque with heavy caliber mortar shells. Sniped an Israeli soldier on Abu Al-Aish Street in Jabalia camp, northern Gaza Strip. Bombed a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles near the Daghal factory in Jabal Al-Kashef neighborhood, east of the city of Jabalia, with a barrage of 60mm mortar shells. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on May 17: Bombed an Israeli military gathering at the "Sofa" military support site with an "Aqsa 103" rocket barrage. Bombed a gathering of Israeli military vehicles with mortar shells on the axes of advance around the Rafah border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip. Targeted Israeli army vehicles with mortar shells on the axes of advance east of the Jabalia camp in the northern Gaza Strip. Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli soldiers using appropriate weapons on "Abu Al-Aish" Street in Jabalia camp in the northern Gaza Strip. Mujahideen Brigades' operations on May 17: Targeted an Israeli military Merkava tank using an RBG shell east of Jabalia town. Martyr Omar Al-Qasim Forces' operations on May 17: Targeted Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles in the Jabal Al-Kashef neighborhood, east of Jabalia camp, with short-range 107-type rockets. Targeted and destroyed an Israeli military Merkava 4 tank on Abu Al-Aish Street, east of the Jabalia camp, with a tandem shell. Al-Nasser Salah Al-Din Brigades' operations on May 17: In a joint operation with Al-Quds Brigades, targeted the "Sderot" settlement with a barrage of rockets from Jabalia camp. Targeted the positions of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles the Civil Administration area east of Jabalia camp with a barrage of heavy-caliber mortar shells. Al-Asifah Forces' operations on May 17: Bombed a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles in Mount Al-Kashef neighborhood east of Jabalia city with a barrage of 60-caliber standard mortar shells. Hezbollah's operations on May 17: Eastern sector: At around 14:30 local time, the Tsnobar Base of the Israeli military in Syria's Golan Heights was targeted with 50 Katyusha rockets. At around 14:30 local time, the Al-Zaourah site was targeted with Katyusha rockets. At around 16:00 local time, the Bayad Blida site was targeted with appropriate weapons. At around 16:00 local time, Al-Baghdadi site was targeted with appropriate weapons. At around 18:30 local time, the Zibdin site in Lebanon's Shebaa was targeted with appropriate weapons. At around 18:30 local time, the Al-Sammaqa site in Lebanon's Kafr Shuba was targeted with appropriate weapons. At around 21:30 local time, Israeli soldiers in the Metulla settlement were targeted with appropriate weapons. Western sector: At around 05:30 local time, the headquarters of the 411th Artillery Battalion in Jatoun was targeted with a barrage of drones. At around 14:50 local time, the Rahib site was targeted with artillery shells. At around 15:15 local time, the Jal al-Alam site was targeted with rockets and artillery shells. At around 16:30 local time, surveillance equipment of the Israeli military in the Pranit Barracks was targeted with appropriate weapons. At around 17:30 local time, the Al-Malikiyah site was targeted with artillery shells. At around 23:10 local time, a military vehicle was targeted in the Al-Malikiyah site. Yemeni military's operations on May 17: Shot down an American MQ-9 drone while it was conducting hostile activities in the skies over Ma'rib Governorate. Islamic Resistance in Iraq's operations on May 17: Targeted a vital Israeli military target in "Eilat" in Israeli occupied territories using drones. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Fighting rages in Rafah amid intensified Israeli bombardments Iran Press TV Saturday, 18 May 2024 11:32 AM Heavy Israeli bombardments have rocked Gaza's southern city of Rafah coinciding with the Western media fanfare that the first so-called humanitarian aid had entered Gaza via a US-built pier. Defying international outcry, Israel launched its so-called "limited" assault on Rafah ten days ago, but later pledged to widen the scope of its aggression. Israeli strikes and intense clashes with Palestinian resistance fighters rocked the city late Friday and early Saturday, with reports of shelling in the city's southeast and jets bombarding its eastern areas. Officials at the Kuwaiti hospital said an overnight Israeli strike killed at least two people in a displacement camp in Rafah. Rafah, which quite recently was a shelter for more than 1.4 million Palestinian civilians, has seen some 640,000 of its inhabitants flee to other areas due to Israel's looming full invasion, the UN humanitarian office said. Israeli minister for military affairs Yoav Gallant said on Thursday that "additional forces will enter" the Rafah area and "this activity will intensify." The arrival of occasional aid convoys has slowed to a trickle since Israeli forces took control last week of the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing. As the Rafah invasion intensified, the United States anchored a floating pier in Gaza on Thursday to purportedly boost aid deliveries. According to US Central Command, around 500 tonnes of aid are expected to be delivered to Gaza through the newly-built pier. US media reports said Washington was facing challenges when it came to distributing assistance to millions in need amid the war. These include a dire shortage of fuel and working in a conflict zone, they said. Palestinians have described the temporary pier as an "occupation port". They say the pier is built to strengthen Israel's appropriation of the coast, to render the Rafah border crossing ineffective, to end Palestinian sovereignty, and to encourage the migration of the people of Gaza. "This is an occupation port, allowing the US military entry into the borders of Gaza," according to Palestinian political analyst Usame Abdulhadi. UN agencies and humanitarian aid groups have repeatedly warned that the so-called maritime corridor, and ongoing airdrops from planes, cannot replace far more efficient truck convoys into Gaza, which is facing looming famine. Israel has imposed a "complete siege" on the Gaza Strip, cutting off fuel, electricity, food, and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Over 600 mosques destroyed in Israeli onslaught on Gaza since Oct. 7 Iran Press TV Saturday, 18 May 2024 10:35 AM The Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs in the Gaza Strip says Israeli military forces have fully destroyed or damaged hundreds of mosques in the besieged coastal territory ever since the Tel Aviv regime started its bloody onslaught in early October last year. The ministry announced in a statement that the total number of mosques completely destroyed in the current conflict stands at 604, while another 200 have been partially destroyed. The statement said Israeli troops have also desecrated at least 60 cemeteries during their ground invasion of Gaza, and used bulldozers to dig up graves and steal the bodies of more than 1,000 people. It said 15 buildings belonging to the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs were destroyed during the Israeli aggression, among them the headquarters of the ministry, the main office of the Holy Quran Radio in Gaza City, the Endowment Management office in Khan Younis, and a repository for documents and manuscripts. The statement said that 91 employees of the ministry have been killed in the Israeli attacks. Israel launched its 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 entity on October 7 last year. At least 35,386 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, according to the latest health ministry update in Gaza on Saturday. 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 Palestinians say ready for 'long war of attrition' as Israel pushes Rafah invasion Iran Press TV Saturday, 18 May 2024 7:30 AM The military wing of Hamas says Palestinians are ready for a long war of attrition, pledging to stand up to Israel's ground invasion of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip and elsewhere. "Despite our full desire to stop the aggression against our people, we are prepared for a long battle of attrition against the enemy, dragging them into a swamp where they will gain nothing but the death of their soldiers and the capture of their officers," Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu Obeida said in a video message. "This is because we are the people of this land and are its rightful owners," he added. His remarks come as fighting is raging in Gaza as Israel intensifies its ground invasion of Rafah despite international concerns for the hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians in the southern city. In the past 10 days, Palestinian fighters have targeted 100 Israeli military vehicles, including tanks, armored personnel carriers as well as bulldozers, Abu Obeida said. They have inflicted heavy casualties on Israeli soldiers by blowing up tunnels, launching rockets and mortars, and through sniping and close-quarters combat. The Israeli military, he said, does not announce the exact figure of its losses in Gaza. "The al-Qassam Brigades fighters inflicted severe blows on the Zionist enemy in the eastern flank of Rafah city," Abu Obeida said. He said the Israeli military had made a big mistake by deciding to launch a ground invasion of Rafah, the Zaitoun neighborhood, and Jabalia refugee camp, rendering its troops easy targets for Palestinian fighters. The Israelis, he said, thought that if they spent seven months burning everything to the ground, they would face little resistance, "but they were surprised to find that they were once again in hell, facing fiercer resistance than before". On Thursday, major general in the Israeli Reserve Army Yitzhak Brik said the current war unfolding in Gaza is a "war of attrition". He warned that its prolongation "will lead to the collapse of the army and economy in Israel". Speaking to Israeli broadcaster Channel 13, Brik said "the Israeli army needs immediate rehabilitation" as he acknowledged failure to defeat the Palestinian resistance. Earlier Thursday, Knesset member Amit Levy said that "all 24 Hamas brigades are present [in Gaza] and not a single one of them has been destroyed". In addition to Hamas, the Islamic Jihad movement remains present, he said. "They lied to us that it had been eliminated," Levy told Channel 14. The statements come amid increasing doubts about the objectives of the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza, as troops return to the battlefield for an invasion of Rafah. In his Friday night message, Abu Obeida said, "Despite the war of starvation, destruction, and killing, our resistance, and behind it our people, are coming out to face the enemy from everywhere." "Our fighters are confronting the enemy with great momentum ... blowing up buildings, tunnel openings, and minefields," he said. "Our fighters face a trembling, floundering force, and leave it broken and disappointed," while "the American weapons build to exterminate our people cause enormous destruction, which is the only achievement of this crisis-stricken enemy." Abu Obeida praised the resistance and the Palestinian people who, he said, are still on their feet after more than 220 days of Israeli aggression, fighting fiercely and standing unflinchingly in the face of Israel. The Israeli occupation, Abu Obeida said, "would find the resistance standing in its face every time it aspired to reach a goal or achievement and prevent it from achieving victory". Israel launched its genocidal war 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 entity on October 7 last year. At least 35,303 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, and another 79,261 individuals have sustained injuries. More than 1.7 million people have been internally displaced during the war as well. 'US to blame for ongoing Israeli atrocities' On Saturday, senior Hamas member Sami Abu Zuhri lashed out at the United States for fanning the flames of the war by sending arms consignments to Israel. "The US administration is complicit in the open aggression against the Palestinian nation," Abu Zuhri, a member of Hamas's political bureau, said. "The Biden administration should be held accountable for the continuation of the Gaza war by supplying weapons and military gear to the Tel Aviv regime," he added. Abu Zuhri touched on the US anchoring of a floating pier in Gaza on Thursday to purportedly boost aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip, which Palestinians have described an "occupation port". The Palestinians "do not accept the deployment of any foreign military force" in Gaza, he said, adding the invaders instead should withdraw from the Rafah border crossing and reopen it for the arrival of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Palestinians say the pier is built to strengthen Israel's appropriation of the coast, to render the Rafah border crossing ineffective, to end Palestinian sovereignty, and to encourage the migration of the people of Gaza. "This is an occupation port, allowing the US military entry into the borders of Gaza," according to Palestinian political analyst Usame Abdulhadi. Abu Zuhri said the Israeli occupiers "can neither undermine nor break down the resilience of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip". "There is utter confusion among the occupiers, and their military is launching attacks indiscriminately and aimlessly," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Georgia's President Vetoes 'Foreign Agent' Law As Protesters Attacked In Tbilisi By RFE/RL's Georgian Service and RFE/RL's Echo of the Caucasus May 18, 2024 TBILISI -- Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has vetoed the so-called foreign agent bill targeting media and NGOs that are funded by foreign governments following weeks of mass protests by Georgians who see the bill as endangering the country's path toward EU integration. The law would require media and NGOs to register as "pursuing the interests of a foreign power" if they receive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad. Zurabishvili said earlier in the week that she considered the law "unacceptable." Zurabishvili, who has increasingly feuded with the ruling Georgian Dream party since it endorsed her candidacy in 2018, previously expressed her intention to veto the bill, which was approved by parliament on May 14. She said earlier in the week that she considered the law "unacceptable" and "not consistent" with the country's path toward integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions. She also warned that the law endangers the very existence of the Georgian state. Zurabishvili said the Georgian Dream party together with several opposition members of parliament voted through the legislation in defiance of protesters who oppose any shift away from a pro-Western course back toward Russia. The Law On Transparency Of Foreign Influence has been condemned by the United States, the European Union, and rights watchdogs, and prompted weeks of protests that were repeatedly cracked down on violently by authorities. Opponents have pointed to the similarity to legislation used by President Vladimir Putin to crush dissent in Russia and stifle independent institutions, prompting Georgians to refer to the measure as "the Russian law." Zurabishvili used that description in a briefing after announcing her veto. "This law is a Russian law in essence and spirit, which contradicts our constitution and all European standards. Thus, it represents an obstacle on our European path," she said. "This veto is completely legal and will be delivered to the parliament today." The law is not subject to any change or improvement, she said, adding that the move is simple veto indicating the draft law "should be repealed." However, Georgian Dream's parliamentary majority will allow it to easily override the presidential veto. Earlier on May 18 opponents of the law were attacked by Georgian Dream supporters outside Tbilisi State University, where they were waiting for the arrival of Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who teaches a course at the university on Saturdays. One of the organizers of the rally, Niko Managadze, said a group of people confronted the protesters in front of the university and began to physically attack them. Managadze told RFE/RL's Echo of the Caucasus that the move was meant to allow Kobakhidze to safely enter the building without having to face the protesters. "We decided to gather in front of the university and protest, although as you could see, the others have mobilized and came into direct physical contact with us," Managadze said. "There was no adequate reaction from the police. They just stood next to us." The attackers, who were said to be members of the youth wing of Georgian Dream, came to the university building dressed in black and wearing masks -- apparel similar to that worn by what appeared to be riot police who violently and repeatedly attacked protesters against the law earlier in the week before its adoption. The incident outside Tbilisi State University came a day after top officials from the ruling party joined senior Orthodox clerics and conservative religious groups in rallies across the country on May 17 to mark a new holiday known as Family Purity Day, including a march in central Tbilisi, the scene of weeks of protests against the bill. A procession attended by thousands began at the Holy Trinity Cathedral attended by Kobakhidze, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, who is also Georgian Dream's secretary-general, and parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili. The attention given by Georgian Dream to the event appeared to be an attempt to tamp down the impact of the weeks of massive protests against the contentious "foreign agent" bill approved by parliament amid the violent crackdown on protesters. 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. Georgian Dream was founded by Russian-friendly billionaire and ex-Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/foreign-agent-tbilisi- kobakhidze-zurabishvili/32952788.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 Georgian Dream Takes On The 'Global War Party' By Lela Kunchulia May 18, 2024 TBILISI -- On May 13, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze made a rather odd-sounding claim. With thousands of Georgians out on the streets protesting the controversial "foreign agent" law, Kobakhidze said that $2 billion belonging to Bidzina Ivanishvili, the influential tycoon and founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, had been effectively seized by the "global war party." It was, the prime minister said, a de facto sanction and the reason Ivanishvili was refusing to meet with international partners, including James O'Brien, the visiting U.S. assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs. While it was unclear what exactly Kobakhidze was referring to (Credit Suisse was ordered in May 2023 to pay $926 million to Ivanishvili for failing to safeguard his assets), the "global war party" is a term increasingly used by Georgian Dream and its allies seemingly to shore up support through populist and conspiratorial rhetoric. They have spoken of the "global war party" before. In January 2023, Kobakhidze accused it of launching a "second front" to "artificially create problems" for Tbilisi. Two months later, People's Power, a splinter party closely aligned with Georgian Dream, claimed in a written statement that the "global war party" operated throughout U.S. and European political structures and its "second front" was aimed against Russia and at involving Georgia in the Ukraine war. The mysterious international party, according to statements from Georgian Dream politicians, bears significant responsibility for a range of issues that have plagued the country, including the 2008 Russia-Georgia War, the initial failure in 2022 to attain EU candidate status, and the United States' refusal to allow four Georgian judicial officials to enter the country in April 2023. 'Second Front' Speaking at a pro-government rally in support of the "foreign agent" law in downtown Tbilisi on April 29, Ivanishvili said the "global war party" was trying to control the Georgian government through NGOs. It was now behaving aggressively, he said, because "despite its great efforts, it could not turn Georgia into a second front." According to the proposed "foreign agent" legislation, which lawmakers approved in parliament on May 14 in its third and final reading, media outlets and NGOs would need to officially register as "advocating for the interests of a foreign power" if over 20 percent of their income originates from overseas sources. Those protesting the law fear it will be used to clamp down on free media and civil society. It is hard to pin down what or whom Georgian Dream politicians mean by the "global war party." The amorphous term has been used as a dog whistle to castigate perceived opponents: at various times, the European Commission, the European Parliament, the European Council, the U.S. Congress, the U.S. State Department, the Georgian opposition United National Movement, and Swiss banks. Prime Minister Kobakhidze once explicitly included U.S. news network CNN among its members. But at a May 13 press conference, he claimed he could not reveal the members of the "global war party" due to national security concerns. He said the term was not a reference to the European Union or the United States, and that, on the contrary, "the EU is one of the main victims." Other political figures aligned with Georgian Dream, however, have said the "global war party" is a reference to U.S. power. In May 2022, philosopher Zaza Shatirishvili, who is closely associated with Ivanishvili, spoke regularly to pro-government media, claiming that the "ruling power" intended to engage Georgia in a war to "isolate" Russia. The United States, he reasoned, was the only entity with sufficient resources to coordinate such a policy. Illiberal governments have a habit of blaming shadowy, foreign adversaries for their country's ills. Conspiracy Theories Tengiz Pkhaladze, a senior researcher at the Brussels-based European Center for International Political Economy, told RFE/RL's Georgian Service that such claims were nothing more than conspiracy theories. The government, he said, used such theories to distract from real issues. While the genesis of the term is unclear, it has similarities to other conspiracy theories and far-right narratives, for example the New World Order and The Great Reset, which promote the idea that unelected elites are plotting to destroy sovereign nations and install an authoritarian global government. Such theories are often laced with anti-Semitism and target powerful Jews such as billionaire financier and philanthropist George Soros and the Rothschild banking dynasty. Many Georgians and foreign observers remain bemused by the term, with some jokingly asking: If the "global war party" is so powerful, why can't it achieve its goals in Georgia? In a speech outside Georgia's parliament on May 15, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said "the only war party is in Moscow." "This is the party that attacked Georgia in 2008. This is the party that attacked Ukraine in 2014 and is currently waging a war against Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Landsbergis said. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/global-war--party-georgian- dream-bidzina-ivanishvili/32951749.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 Bishkek University Reportedly Calm After Mob Violence That Injured At Least 29 People By RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service and RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal May 18, 2024 BISHKEK -- The situation in Bishkek was stable late on May 18, police said, after mob violence against foreign students injured at least 29 people, including several foreigners, and triggered diplomatic tensions with Pakistan and India. RFE/RL correspondents reported that the situation near the dormitory where foreigners live at Kyrgyz International University in the eastern part of Bishkek was calm on the evening of May 18 and said security measures had been strengthened. Kyrgyz authorities said the Pakistani Embassy and a dormitory where foreigners live were put under strict security. The Health Ministry said on May 18 that 15 of the 29 people injured in a brawl the night before were taken to the Bishkek City Emergency Hospital and the National Hospital and the rest were treated on the spot. Health Minister Alymkadyr Beishenaliev said three foreign students were hospitalized, one in the maxillofacial department and two in the trauma department. The nationality of the injured students was not released, but students confirmed to RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal that Pakistani students were involved in the incident and some of them were injured. Indian media reported that Indian and Pakistani students were injured, and Indian Foreign Minister Subramanyam Jaishankar said he was monitoring the situation. About 140 students and 40 other Pakistanis flew out of Bishkek late on May 18. The students were received by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi at Lahore International Airport, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) officials told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal. A second flight is arriving on May 19, the CAA officials said. Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who is also foreign minister, and Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam, will leave for Bishkek from Islamabad on May 19 at the direction of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to accelerate the evacuation of the students, officials told RFE/RL. The Kyrgyz government said earlier that four foreign nationals born between 1993 and 2003 had been arrested following the violence. It said they were placed in a temporary detention facility as part of a criminal case for hooliganism without stating their nationalities or the circumstances of their arrests. Those found guilty will be punished, the Kyrgyz government said in a statement, rejecting what it said were "insinuations aimed at inciting intolerance toward foreign students." But it appeared to lay the blame for the violence on illegal migrants, saying authorities had been taking "decisive measures to suppress illegal migration and expel undesirable persons from Kyrgyzstan." The Kyrgyz Interior Ministry said in a statement on May 18 that the violence was triggered by the appearance on social media of a video purportedly showing a group of "persons of Asian appearance" harassing foreign students on the night of May 13 and then pursuing them to their dormitory, where at least one foreign student was assaulted by several men and dragged on the floor. Samiulla Qureshi, a fifth-year medical student at the International University of Bishkek, said the fight on May 13 broke out between Egyptian students and local residents. Later a video of Egyptians beating international students went viral on social media, he said. The violence that started on the night of May 17 occurred when "local guys gathered and decided to visit the places where international students live," Qureshi said. They were beaten "regardless of whether they are from Pakistan, India, or [another country], he added. The ministry, which posted a version of the video on its Telegram channel, said other foreign students, alerted by the intruders' apparent attempt to enter the female students' quarters, mobilized and fought off the attackers. "A fight ensued between them in the hostel yard, during which three of the attackers fled, leaving one behind," the statement said. It said four foreign nationals born between 1993 and 2003 were detained and placed in a temporary detention facility as part of a criminal case for hooliganism without stating their nationalities or the circumstances of their arrests. The ministry said authorities are still looking for two of the alleged attackers who were identified as natives of Kyrgyzstan's Kemin district: Nursultan Mukaev, born in 2006, and Tilek Shermatov, born in 2005. The ministry claimed in its statement that the emergence of the video on social media on May 17 "without an explanation of the true circumstances of the incident" triggered a public outcry, and 500-700 people gathered, demanding action by authorities against those responsible for the May 13 incident at the hostel. The ministry claimed security forces cordoned off the area where people had gathered at the intersection of Kurmanjan-Datka Street and Chui Avenue. "Explanatory work was carried out onsite, and after some time, the crowd dispersed," the statement said. However, the statement does not explain how dozens of people were injured on the night of May 17, while the official account was contradicted by video footage appearing to show attackers ransacking a student hostel and beating up people, as well as riotous crowds in different parts of the city. It also did not clarify why authorities took four days to intervene and identify the alleged suspects. Muhammad Ihtisham Latif, a Pakistani medical student in Bishkek, told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal, "The situation is bad here. The situation started when Egyptian students clashed with locals here. The locals are now protesting and they are beating Indian and Pakistani students.... They chase them in their hostels and houses...hostel [doors] were broken. I am locked up in the university along with other students since yesterday and I am sharing my voice with you." Syed Shah Rukh Khan, a medical student in his final year, told Radio Mashaal the past night had been "living hell." "Our hostel and many other hostels were attacked. The locals beat whoever came their way, boys or girls, and they were dragged to the ground. Even outside the universities, they went after the Pakistani and Indian students and beat them," Khan said. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed "deep concern" over the situation of Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan, saying in a statement that he directed Pakistan's ambassador to provide all necessary help and assistance to the students. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on X, formerly Twitter, that the reports of mob attacks on students in Kyrgyzstan are extremely concerning. "We have established contact with the Kyrgyz authorities to ensure protection of Pakistani students. I have instructed our ambassador to Kyrgyzstan to fully facilitate them," Dar said. In a separate statement, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said the charge d'affaires of the Kyrgyz Embassy to Islamabad, Melis Moldaliev, was summoned to the ministry, where he "was conveyed the deep concerns of the government of Pakistan about the reports of last night's incidents against Pakistani students studying in the Kyrgyz Republic." Moldaliev was told that Islamabad expects the Kyrgyz government to take all possible measures to ensure the safety and security of Pakistani students and citizens in Kyrgyzstan. The head of Kyrgyzstan's State Committee on National Security (UKMK), Kamchybek Tashiev, appeared to try and lay the blame for the violence on illegal migrants, saying protesters were demonstrating against migration. Tashiev claimed Kyrgyzstan has been grappling with an influx of illegal migrants coming to the country, mostly from Pakistan and Bangladesh, many of whom "break the law." "We identify at least 20-30 or 50 illegal migrants per day and try to expel them from the country. Based on official statistics, most of the foreigners who break the law are citizens of Pakistan and Bangladesh. Of these, we returned about 1,500 people from Pakistan and about 1,000 people from Bangladesh to their countries." The incident comes amid a drive by Kyrgyz authorities to expel foreign workers. On May 16, the UKMK announced the arrest of 28 alleged illegal Pakistani workers from a sweatshop. On May 15, Bishkek police shut down delivery services conducted by more than 400 foreign students on motorcycles and scooters, citing traffic safety concerns. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/bishkek-clashes- dozens-injured/32952534.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 Final Text Of UN Resolution On Srebrenica Genocide Agreed By RFE/RL's Balkan Service May 18, 2024 Bosnia-Herzegovina's ambassador to the United Nations has announced that the final text of a resolution on the Srebrenica genocide has been agreed. Zlatko Lagumdzija announced the agreement on X, formerly Twitter, late on May 17, saying that changes proposed by Montenegro had been considered in the last few days and were largely implemented in the text of the resolution. The latest revisions "led us to an even better 'refined' text with two amendments that became an integral part of the document," Lagumdzija said. The agreed final version of the resolution will be presented to the General Assembly for a vote on May 23, Lagumdzija said. He added that the discussion of the Srebrenica genocide in recent months represents "the fight for justice, truth, reconciliation, learning, prevention of genocide, and ultimately -- a symbol of the fight against the denial of genocide. No one can 'escape' from that anymore," Lagumdzija added. In July 1995, more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were rounded up and killed by Bosnian Serb forces in Potocari near the eastern town of Srebrenica in the worst mass killing in Europe since World War II. The massacre has been deemed genocide by various verdicts of both the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The UN resolution, which would declare July 11 as the International Day of Remembrance for the Genocide in Srebrenica, was initiated by Germany and Rwanda and is co-sponsored by the United States, France, Bosnia, and other countries. If the resolution passes, the day of remembrance would be observed starting on July 11 next year, the 30th anniversary of the genocide. The final draft condemns any denial of the Srebrenica genocide as well as actions that glorify convicted war criminals and perpetrators of crimes against humanity and genocide. It also highlights the importance of completing the process of finding and identifying the remains of victims of the genocide and calls for the continued prosecution of its perpetrators that have yet to be brought to justice. The leaders of Bosnia's Serb entity, Republika Srpska, and Serbia have voiced angry opposition to the resolution, which they claim would label Serbs as a "genocidal nation." Milorad Dodik, Republika Srpska's Russian-friendly leader, has repeatedly threatened that if the resolution is adopted, the entity "will withdraw from the decision-making process in Bosnia." Dodik, who has been sanctioned by the United States and Britain over his efforts to undermine the Dayton peace accords, has regularly reiterated his denial of the Srebrenica genocide. Dodik told supporters at a rally in Banja Luka on April 18 that the actions of the Republika Srpska Army in Srebrenica in 1995 were "a mistake that left the crime," but again denied it was genocide. Lagumdzija in a separate post on X on May 17 said the resolution includes language that "breaks out the arguments of false patriots who promote the nonexistent guilt of 'genocidal peoples'!" The text reads: "We repeat that criminal responsibility under international law for the crime of genocide cannot apply to any ethnic, religious, or other community as a whole." Serbia's nationalist president, Aleksandar Vucic, said the resolution should be subjected to a vote in the UN Security Council, not the General Assembly. Unlike resolutions presented to the General Assembly, those put to a vote in the Security Council can be vetoed by any of its five members, therefore allowing Russia and China to sink it. Russia's UN ambassador, Vasily Nebenzya, has dismissed the resolution as "one-sided" and "politically charged." Nebenzya said on April 30 that the move would not promote reconciliation among Bosnia's two entities. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/bosnia-srebrenica-genocide-un- resolution/32953021.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 Vessel Damaged in Attack Off Yemeni Coast - Statement Sputnik News 20240518 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - A vessel proceeding northwest off the Yemeni city of Al Hudaydah has been slightly damaged as a result of a strike by an unknown object, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Saturday. It advised ships to pass through the area with caution and report any suspicious activity. "UKMTO has received a report of an incident 76NM northwest of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. The Master has confirmed sustaining slight damage after being struck by an unknown object on his port quarter. The vessel and crew are safe and continuing to its next port of call," the authority said on X. Yemen's Houthi rebels vowed in November 2023 to attack any ships associated with Israel until it halts military actions in the Gaza Strip. The attacks prompted the United States to form a multinational coalition, which includes the United Kingdom among others, to protect shipping in the area of the Red Sea, as well as to strike Houthi targets on the ground. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel Defense Forces Says Eliminated "Significant" Target During Strike on Jenin Sputnik News 20240518 MOSCOW (Sputnik) The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), jointly with the Israel Security Agency (ISA), said they eliminated one of "significant" targets in an airstrike on their operations center in the West Bank city of Jenin. Earlier, the IDF said an Israeli fighter jet carried out an airstrike in the area of Jenin. The Palestinian Health Ministry said in a statement that one person was killed and eight others injured in Israeli shelling of Jenin. "Based on ISA intelligence, an IAF fighter jet and helicopter struck a compound used as an operations center," the statement read, adding that a number of "significant" militants were inside the compound. The statement stressed that the IDF eliminated the militant, who was on the search list for alleged involvement in a number of attacks, including a shooting incident in May 2023. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Argentine Foreign Minister Mondino US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson May 18, 2024 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Argentine Foreign Minister Diana Mondino yesterday in Washington, D.C. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister reaffirmed the strength of the bilateral relationship between the two countries and explored how the United States and Argentina can increase cooperation to build a safer, more democratic hemisphere. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Mondino discussed how economic reforms should create increased opportunities for the Argentine people and protect the most vulnerable. Secretary Blinken commended Argentina for its leadership, including its commitment to Ukraine, and to the promotion of human rights in the Western Hemisphere. Advancing our cooperation in the energy and critical minerals sectors, Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Mondino reaffirmed their intent to hold an energy security dialogue. The Secretary also thanked Minister Mondino for Argentina's commitment to join the Minerals Security Partnership Forum. To further advance our partnership, Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Mondino signed a Framework of Understanding that reestablishes a bilateral High-Level Dialogue. This framework will foster increased cooperation on key issues such as trade, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. By aligning our efforts, both nations can build a more resilient and prosperous future for our citizens. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Foreign Secretary gave a statement on the 15th anniversary of the end of Sri Lanka's armed conflict. 18 May 2024 Foreign Secretary David Cameron said: As we mark the 15th anniversary of the end of Sri Lanka's armed conflict, my thoughts are with all those killed and disappeared, and with their loved ones who continue to search for answers. I heard first-hand about the devastating consequences of the war when I visited Northern Sri Lanka in 2013. There I made a commitment that the UK would support truth, justice, and accountability for all. The UK continues to lead international efforts on human rights and transitional justice in Sri Lanka, working with our partners to support meaningful progress that will allow the Sri Lankan people to engage on these issues and remember their loved ones freely. Sri Lanka is an important Commonwealth partner, and we will continue to work with all communities to make the most of the country's extraordinary potential. 'Brand new words' needed to describe Gaza devastation, UN humanitarian says 18 May 2024 - The situation in Gaza is so devastating that no words can adequately describe it, a humanitarian officer working in the besieged enclave has said. "No matter where you look, no matter where you go, there's destruction, there's devastation, there's loss," said Yasmina Guerda, who recently returned to Gaza for a second deployment with the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA. She spoke to UN News from Rafah, previously a refuge for more than a million Palestinians fleeing hostilities in other parts of Gaza. The start of Israeli military operations there has uprooted more than 600,000 people in just over a week. Ms. Guerda frankly discussed the immense suffering and insecurity in Gaza, the critical lack of aid and basic services, and the difficulties facing humanitarians working amidst "the constant soundtrack of war". The mother of two young boys also urged people worldwide, who are upset over the conflict, to ask themselves "What can I do today at my level to help end this nightmare?" This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Yasmina Guerda: We would need to invent brand new words to adequately describe the situation that Palestinians in Gaza find themselves in today. No matter where you look, no matter where you go, there's destruction, there's devastation, there's loss. There's a lack of everything. There's pain. There's just incredible suffering. People are living on top of the rubble and the waste that used to be their lives. They're hungry. Everything has become absolutely unaffordable. I heard the other day that some eggs were being sold for $3 each, which is unthinkable for someone who has no salary and has lost all access to their bank accounts. Access to clean water is a daily battle. Many people haven't been able to change clothes in seven months because they just had to flee with whatever they were wearing. They were given 10 minutes notice and they had to run away. Many have been displaced six, seven, eight times, or more. One of the things that I find absolutely striking is the people's determination to keep moving forward, to keep looking up no matter what. I was walking through a camp recently and there were several families who had dug their own makeshift septic tank with spoons in the sand, grabbing pipes and toilet tanks from destroyed buildings so that they can have something that resembles a restroom, because the situation here for water and sanitation is extremely dire. Humanitarians are not allowed to import the supplies to build latrines in displacement sites, so every family has to find their own creative way to solve that. I have been around several humanitarian crises, and you don't encounter this kind of grit everywhere. UN News: You're in Rafah. What is the level of destruction there and how close is the fighting? Yasmina Guerda: We are currently based in the western side of Rafah and the fighting is mostly in the east, and we hear the destruction that is happening. We go for reconnaissance missions which is, of course, extremely dangerous. Two of our colleagues went on a "recce" mission earlier this week and, unfortunately, one of them didn't come out of it alive and the other had to be medically evacuated. So, the destruction in Rafah is happening. I haven't personally seen it with my own eyes yet. We have been able to see what has happened in the other areas that the Israelis have been attacking, so Khan Younis, Deir al Balah, and the northern parts of Gaza. What I can tell you is that there is rubble everywhere. The level of destruction is unimaginable, and the exception is to find buildings that are still standing. You'll see a sea of rubble, and then every so often you'll find a building that is still standing. UN News: What are the challenges faced by humanitarian agencies in getting aid to civilians in need, particularly while civilians are on the move? Yasmina Guerda: This is my second deployment to Gaza. I was here four weeks ago, and in four weeks everything has changed, including how you get in and out of Gaza and how you bring in supplies. Most of the population used to be in Rafah because that was the safer area back then. But now, of course, 630,000 people in 10 days have packed up whatever they had and gone north or towards the coastal areas. The situation is constantly shifting because of the fighting that is so intense. One of the challenges for the response is that the minute you put something in place, the minute you think you know something, you have to change everything and start from zero. So that is extremely challenging, and it is slowing down the response a lot. The second issue is that honestly, it's extremely dangerous to be here and that is really putting the response on its knees. There are no safe places left in Gaza. On the last week of my deployment, seven humanitarian colleagues, who also happened to be friends, were killed by Israeli airstrikes. And the day that I arrived for my second deployment, two humanitarians were again struck. We constantly have to be careful with every move. We have to notify the warring parties of every movement. We spend hours submitting paperwork, we spend hours waiting at checkpoints, and so often it is for nothing because many of the missions that we planned are not facilitated, so we can't carry them out. Then there's all the other stuff that you can imagine. The very poor phone and Internet connectivity is making it very, very hard to coordinate amongst humanitarian actors. Living conditions are stressful due to the constant soundtrack of war - the drones, the airstrikes - and in some areas there are bodies in the streets that we have to remove to ensure that they get a dignified burial. We see a lot of very difficult things. It's very challenging mentally and emotionally, and I would say a lot of aid workers are tired, and it's also, I think, hurting the response because this is a very challenging response. But the worst of all are the issues and hurdles that we face. It's really unprecedented how utterly difficult it is to bring staff and supplies into Gaza. This was always the case since 7 October, but since 7 May, when the main border crossing for aid closed - the Rafah crossing - our storage facilities have been destroyed and looted. There's almost nothing left to distribute in Gaza. And so as soon as something comes into the Strip - and it's a trickle - it has to go out for distribution, and of course, it's nowhere near enough. We have to make very difficult choices every day, and we have to prioritize the most vulnerable. We have to deliver partial rations. And that's honestly quite heartbreaking on a daily basis. UN News: Many people around the world are upset by the conflict and the destruction. What is your message to them? Yasmina Guerda: People here don't understand how the world is allowing this to happen. When I entered Gaza the first time, the Ministry of Health had reported that about 29,000 people had been killed. By the time I left five weeks later, the number had risen to 34,000 reported killed. I calculated that this is about six people killed per hour on average, mostly women and children. We know that. We're starting to identify bodies, and we're letting it happen. I'm lucky. I'm the mother of two little boys, they are two and four, and I'm terrified that one day they're going to ask me how we couldn't stop this; how the world didn't stand in solidarity and voice their outrage loudly, and loudly enough to make it stop? I don't have an answer, and I think my message would be that people need to reach out to their decision-makers and demand that international law be respected, that the most basic human rights and the most basic human dignity be respected. We're not asking for much, just for the law that already exists to be respected because this war is a stain on us all, and it is everyone's responsibility to work at all levels to make it stop now. That's my message: that everyone asks themselves every day, "What can I do today at my level to help end this nightmare?" NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 800,000 people flee Rafah without safe options amid Israeli military By VOA News May 18, 2024 An estimated 800,000 people have fled Gaza's southern border city of Rafah since Israel's military began a ground assault there two weeks ago, the head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees said Saturday. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini wrote on the social media site X that civilians who had been displaced before are leaving Rafah and heading to "the middle areas and Khan Younis including to destroyed buildings." Lazzarini said people were fleeing to places lacking water or adequate sanitation, including Al-Mawasi, a coastal town, and the city of Deir al-Balah, which are full of recently displaced people. The United States, Israel's closest ally, has expressed objections to the expansion of operations in Rafah, where 1.4 million Palestinian civilians were sheltering before the operation began. Heavy clashes and bombings from ground and air rocked Rafah on Saturday, as Israel gained territory in an assault against Hamas militants, according to AFP reporters in the area. Israel is conducting what it called "precise operations against terrorists and infrastructure" in Rafah and Jabalia in northern Gaza against re-emerging Hamas militants there. Israeli troops and tanks pushed into Jabalia on Saturday, the largest of the Gaza Strip's eight historic refugee camps where 15 Palestinians were killed, and dozens of others were wounded. According to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry and the Civil Emergency Service, teams received dozens of calls about possible casualties but were unable to answer because of the ground offensive and the aerial bombardment. "The IAF (air force) continues to operate in the Gaza Strip and struck over 70 terror targets during the past day, including weapons storage facilities, military infrastructure sites, terrorists who posed a threat to (Israel Defense Forces) IDF troops, and military compounds," the military said in a statement. In what Israeli media said was the result of intelligence gleaned during the latest incursions, the military announced the recovery of the body of a man who was among about 250 hostages taken by Hamas militants in their October 7 attack. Ron Binyamin's remains were found along with those of three other hostages, whose recovery was announced Friday, the military said. It did not provide further details. There was no immediate comment from Hamas. Israeli forces attacked The armed wing of Hamas, along with the Islamic Jihad, and Fatah said they attacked Israeli forces in Jabalia and Rafah with anti-tank rockets, mortars, and explosive devices planted in some of the roads, killing and wounding many soldiers. Israel's military said 281 soldiers have been killed in fighting since the first ground incursions in Gaza on October 20. The war was triggered by the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and led to the kidnapping of about 250 hostages, according to Israeli officials. Hamas has been designated a terror organization by the U.S., the U.K. and other countries. Israel's subsequent counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry, which includes civilians and combatants in its count but says most of the dead are women and children. Aid agencies have warned repeatedly of widespread hunger and dire shortages of fuel and medical supplies in the enclave. Food arrives in Gaza Trucks began delivering aid shipments Friday through a U.S.-built, temporary pier on the coast of the Gaza Strip. The U.N. says famine is looming for hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza and the war between Israel and Hamas threatens to derail humanitarian aid operations. The World Food Program said on Saturday that 10 truckloads of food arrived from the pier at its warehouse in Deir al-Balah. The food high-energy biscuits, rice, pasta and lentils was to be distributed by WFP partners. Supplies will be subject to Israeli security checks in Cyprus before arriving on the pier and will have to go through additional Israeli checkpoints once they land, U.S. administration officials have said. However, the U.N. said that truck convoys arriving by land were the "most viable, effective and efficient" method of getting aid into Gaza. "To stave off the horrors of famine, we must use the fastest and most obvious route to reach the people of Gaza and for that, we need access by land now," U.N. deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said. The Rafah crossing a key humanitarian aid corridor on the Egyptian border has been closed since the Israeli military launched what it called a "limited" operation in Rafah city on May 7. The United Nations and other aid groups have said that Israel needs to do more to get aid into Gaza, which has been devastated by the war. Some information for this report was provided by Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN: Sri Lanka must clarify fate of thousands who vanished during war By Lisa Schlein May 18, 2024 A report by the U.N. human rights office criticizes the Sri Lankan government's failure to acknowledge and hold accountable the perpetrators of tens of thousands of enforced disappearances during the country's decades-long civil war. The report notes that nearly 15 years have passed since the end of the armed conflict and yet "Sri Lankan authorities are still failing to ensure accountability" for the violations that occurred then as well as during "the earliest waves of enforced disappearances." In a statement issued Friday to coincide with the publication of the report, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said, "Accountability must be addressed. We need to see institutional reform for reconciliation to have a chance to succeed." While the civil war between the Sinhalese-dominated government and the Tamil Tigers was fought between 1983 and 2009, the report notes that from the 1970s through to the end of the war in 2009, "widespread enforced disappearances were carried out primarily by Sri Lankan security forces and affiliated paramilitary groups," which used them "as a tool to intimidate and oppress perceived opponents." Authors of the report also accuse the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam of "engaging in abductions," which were described as "tantamount to enforced disappearances" by the U.N. Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. Human rights officials conducted dozens of individual and group interviews with victims, mainly women. They found that the forcible disappearance of a relative continues to have profound psychological effects, including feelings of shock, fear, anger, helplessness and guilt. "Decades later, victims reported the inability to find closure. Most cling to the hope that their relative will return," they said. The report describes the enduring social and economic impact on the families of those forcibly disappeared, especially on women. It observed that "as most disappeared individuals have been male, women have often become the sole income earner for a family, in a labor environment that poses many obstacles to women's participation, including risks of sexual harassment and exploitation." It adds that many women who have actively sought to find out what happened to their loved ones "have themselves been subjected to violations, including harassment, intimidation, surveillance, arbitrary detention, beatings and torture at the hands of army and police." On the government's response to the report, the high commissioner's spokesperson, Ravina Shamdasani, told journalists in Geneva Friday that "generally, there appears to be a lack of political will to provide accountability to these cases." "There are a lot of recurring obstacles to accountability," she said. "There is frequent unwillingness on the part of the police to receive complaints, delays in the justice system, conflicts of interest in the attorney general's office and reparation programs have not been developed with sufficient consultation with the victims." The report acknowledges that in recent years, successive Sri Lankan governments have taken some positive steps to address the issue of the missing. Those include the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, the establishment of the Office on Missing Persons and the Office for Reparations and criminalizing enforced disappearances. However, the report finds that "tangible progress on the ground towards comprehensively resolving individual cases has remained limited." For example, the report notes that criminal proceedings in Sri Lanka generally are "beset by prolonged delays," but that in cases involving enforced disappearances or other serious violations involving state officials, "the delays are even more pronounced ... and are a strategy to avoid accountability." The report cites the case of "one of the few enforced disappearance-related cases" in which an individual was convicted and "in 2020, the then Sri Lankan president pardoned that individual." According to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, under international law, the state has a clear obligation to resolve cases of enforced disappearances "until the fate and whereabouts of those disappeared are clarified." "The government owes it to all those who have been forcibly disappeared ... for these crimes to be investigated fully," said Turk. "These crimes haunt not only their loved ones, but entire communities and Sri Lankan society as a whole. "This report is yet another reminder that all Sri Lankans who have been subjected to enforced disappearance must never be forgotten," he said, adding that "their families and those who care about them have been waiting for so long. They are entitled to know the truth." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taliban raise death toll to 6 in gun attack on Western tourists By Ayaz Gul May 18, 2024 The Taliban government said Saturday that the death toll from an overnight gun attack on Western tourists in central Afghanistan had risen to at least six, including three Spaniards. Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani said in a video statement that the Friday evening shooting in Bamiyan city by unknown assailants left three Afghans dead. He said that four foreigners and three Afghans were among those wounded. Qani said that Taliban security forces had apprehended seven suspects in connection with the attack, reiterating his government's resolve to bring the perpetrators to justice. Spain's government confirmed the fatalities of its three nationals, saying another was among the injured tourists. The Spanish foreign ministry said Saturday a group of its diplomats was traveling to the Afghan capital, Kabul, to assist Spaniards affected by the attack. On Friday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez posted on X that he was "shocked by the news of the murder of Spanish tourists in Afghanistan." Nationals from Norway, Australia and Lithuania were also among the group of foreigners that were targeted by gunmen. EMERGENCY, an international humanitarian organization, said in a statement Saturday that five wounded people were being treated in its Kabul surgical hospital, and "all patients are now stable." It stated that the "group consists of nationals from Spain, Lithuania, Norway, Australia, and Afghanistan. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the deadly shooting. A spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy at the European Union condemned the armed attack against the tourists visiting Bamiyan. "Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims who lost their lives and those injured in the attack," Nabila Massrali said in a statement Friday. The United States said it was "deeply saddened to hear about the shooting attack" in Bamiyan. "Our thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones. Violence is not the answer," Thomas West, the U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan, said on X. Friday's attack on foreign tourists was the first of its kind since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021. According to the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Bamiyan, one of the poorest regions in impoverished Afghanistan, is a popular destination for foreign tourists because it contains Buddhist monastic ensembles and sanctuaries. The scenic city was also the spot where the Taliban destroyed two large Buddha statues in March 2001 during their previous rule in Afghanistan. The group said the statues were blasphemous under Islam. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 18 May 2024 - Day 815 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 on 14 May 2024 the Ukrainian Military conducted attacks against Russian military targets on the illegally held territory of Crimea. Initial reporting suggests that elements of an SA-21 Air Defence missile battery at Belbek Airfield have been destroyed including a GRAVE STONE radar and launchers. Additionally, reporting indicates that at least two MiG-31BM FOXHOUND C aircraft have been destroyed on the ground. This is the fourth time in the last month that the Russian Air Defence in Crimea has suffered losses, with Ukrainian Armed Forces previously launching successful actions against Ai-Petri Air Defence Radar site on 12 May 2024, and at Dzhankoy airfield on 16 April 2024, and 29 April 2024. The cumulative effect of these strikes has seen an overall degradation in the ability of Russia to defend the airspace around Crimea; while simultaneously demonstrating Ukraine's ability to impact Russian Air Defence operations. It is highly likely that this will lead to Russia having to disperse air assets to ensure survivability or risk losing more aircraft, while having to relocate Air Defence assets from elsewhere. The reduction of A-50U MAINSTAY aircraft coverage, and dispersal from Crimean airfields, will likely increase the flight hours and sortie rates of fighter aircraft patrols to gap-fill the coverage, which will lead to increased maintenance issues for their fleets. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that since the beginning of the day, Russian occupiers have carried out three missiles and 38 air strikes (including the use of 56 KABs), used 404 kamikaze drones, carried out over three thousand shelling of the positions of Ukrainian troops. In the Kharkiv direction, there were 12 combat clashes. Ukrainian soldiers repelled six attacks south of the settlements of Glyboke and Lukyantsi of Kharkiv region. Russia continues attempts to break through the defenses of Ukrainian units in the direction of the settlement Zelene, does not abandon attempts to capture Vovchansk. Russian occupiers use aviation for air strikes: during a day, two controlled air bombs in Kharkiv, five CABs in Veselom and four in the area of Liptsi. The defense forces are trying to push Russian forces out in the direction of the settlement of Deep and in the area of Vovchansk. Previously, the total Russian forces losses during the day were 125 people. Russia also lost 31 units of arms and military equipment, including three tanks, six cannons and mortars. In addition, 15 Russian hideouts are affected. The information is being clarified. In the kupans komu direction the number of combat clashes per day increased to 11. The defense forces successfully repelled Russianattacks in the areas of the settlements of Synkivka, Ivanivka, Brestove. In the Limans komu direction, the situation of significant changes has not experienced. Russian forces carried out six unsuccessful attacks in the directions of the settlements of Novosadove, Tors ke and Grigorivka. In the kramators komu direction, Russian forces 15 times tried to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops. In the directions of the settlements kalinivka, klischiyivka, andriyivka and kurdyumivka did not succeed, suffered a loss and left. The fighting is ongoing in the areas of the settlements of Novy and Ivanivskke Donetsk region. The situation is under control. In the Pokrovs komu direction, the situation remains difficult. The Russian aggressor carried out 23 attacks. The fighting is going on. Russian forces increased significant efforts from the influence of fire and assault in the area of the settlement of Netailove Donetsk region. The defense forces are carrying out measures to stabilize the situation. The previous Russian losses in this direction were: 235 invaders killed and wounded, destroyed one tank, ammunition warehouse, cannon, car and two bpla. In addition, three tanks, three howitzers, an infantry fighting vehicle and a car were damaged. The information is being clarified. In the Kurahivs komu direction the number of fights increased to 11. Zagarbniki are trying to increase efforts in the area of paraskoviivka Donetsk region. Combat is ongoing in the areas of Krasnogorivka and Konstantinivka. The situation is under control. In the time direction, Russian forces made three unsuccessful attempts to break through the defenses of Ukrainian troops in the direction of Staromayorskogo. In the orihivs komu direction of the defense forces repelled the Russian assault actions northwest of Willow. Losing positions is not allowed. The situation is under control. In the Pridniprovs komu direction, Ukrainian soldiers repelled four Russian attacks in the area of the settlement of Krinki Kherson region. In the course of the battles, the Russian occupiers did not succeed, the loss of Ukrainian positions was not allowed. The dedication and professionalism of the actions of Ukrainian soldiers, who in particular directions conducted active assault actions and improved the tactical position, revealing details of which are currently impossible. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that as a result of active actions, units of the Sever Group of Forces liberated Staritsa (Kharkov region) and continued advancing into the depth of the enemy's defence. Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of the AFU 106th, 113th, and 129th territorial defence brigades near Veterenarnoye (Kharkov region), Miropoliye, and Loknya (Sumy region). Four counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 42nd Mechanised Brigade, 57th Motorised Infantry Brigade, 82nd Air Assault Brigade, and 125th Territorial Defence Brigade were repelled near Liptsy, Tikhoye, and Volansk (Kharkov region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 150 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles. In the course of counter-battery warfare, one 122-mm Grad MLRS combat vehicle, one Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery system, one 155-mm Bogdana self-propelled artillery system, and one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system were neutralised. One AFU field ammunition depot was destroyed. Units of the Zapad Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and inflicted losses on formations of the AFU 14th Mechanised Brigade and 110th Territorial Defence Brigade near Sinkovka, Ivanovka (Kharkov region), and Artyomovka (Lugansk People's Republic). One counter-attack launched by an assault detachment of the AFU 63rd Mechanised Brigade was repelled near Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 270 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, two pickup trucks, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, two 152-mm D-20 howitzers, and one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system. Units of the Yug Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front line, as well as inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 59th Motorised Infantry Brigade, 72nd Mechanised Brigade, 105th, and 111th territorial defence brigades near Krasnogorovka, Konstantinovka, and Noviy (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to more than 690 Ukrainian troops, one tank, five armoured fighting vehicles, and six motor vehicles. In the course of counter-battery warfare, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, one 152-mm D-20 howitzer, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and one 100-mm Rapira anti-tank gun were wiped out. Units of the Tsentr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on formations of the AFU 68th Jaeger Brigade, 24th, 100th mechanised brigades, and 2nd National Guard Brigade near Semyonovka, Mayorsk, Kalinovo, and Novgorodskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). Five counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 25th Airborne Brigade, 47th, 110th mechanised brigades, and 142nd Infantry Brigade were repelled near Netaylovo, Umanskoye, Arkhangelskoye, and Solovyovo (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 420 Ukrainian troops, one German-made Marder infantry fighting vehicle, and five motor vehicles. In the course of counter-battery warfare, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one U.S.-made 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system, one 152-mm Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, one 152-mm Giatsint-B howitzer, one 152-mm D-20 howitzer, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-37 counter-battery warfare radar station were neutralised. Units of the Vostok Group of Forces took more advantageous lines, as well as inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 58th Motorised Infantry Brigade and 128th Territorial Defence Brigade near Urozhaynoye and Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). Four counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 72nd Mechanised Brigade were repelled near Vladimirovka and Novomayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 155 Ukrainian troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M198 howitzer, and one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system. Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 35th Marines Brigade and 65th Mechanised Brigade near Ivanovka (Kherson region) and Rabotino (Zaporozhye region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 40 Ukrainian troops, two tanks, and three motor vehicles. In the course of counter-battery warfare, four U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzers, one UK-made 155-mm FH-70 towed howitzer, and one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer were neutralised. Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces wiped out one German-made IRIS-T air defence system radar station and uncrewed surface vehicle storage facility. Enemy manpower and hardware clusters were engaged in 134 areas. Air defence units shot down 37 unmanned aerial vehicles, one Tochka-U tactical missile system, 21 U.S.-made HIMARS, Czech-made Vampire, and Olkha MLRS projectiles. Two AFU high-speed uncrewed surface vehicles were neutralised in the west part of the Black Sea and on the Dnepr River. In total, 601 airplanes and 274 helicopters, 24,271 unmanned aerial vehicles, 522 air defence missile systems, 16,074 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,304 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 9,664 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 21,783 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 Chinese, Mongolian troops hold live-fire training in joint exercises Global Times By Zhang Han and Liu Xuanzun Published: May 18, 2024 06:49 PM The ongoing China-Mongolia "Steppe Partner-2024" joint army training initiative held its first comprehensive, full-process live-fire training on Friday in Dornogovi Province of Mongolia on Friday. Both Chinese and Mongolian participating troops conducted joint training to counter illegal armed groups, following basic tactics of precise strikes at key points, multi-directional attacks, and encircling, as they honed and enhanced their ability to coordinate in an environment similar to actual combat, the PLA Daily reported on Saturday. According to a news release published on China's Ministry of National Defense website, after the mock battle began, drones quickly took off to conduct reconnaissance over the target area, with real-time footage being transmitted back to the joint command post. After comprehensive information analysis, the Chinese commander issued orders, and the left and right wing assault teams launched attacks, with vehicle-mounted anti-tank missiles, armored assault guns, and others firing at the enemy, carrying out precise strikes. Chinese and Mongolian troops then coordinated and advanced toward core areas from multiple directions. The joint training has deepened mutual understanding and knowledge of each other's military hardware and tactics, providing a practical platform for exchanging tactics and training methods, and improving collaborative capabilities, said the commander from the Chinese side, adding that they focused on the precision of strikes, coordination, and the proficiency of tactics. Commanders from both sides reviewed the joint training at the joint command center, summarizing existing challenges, formulating targeted strategies, and further refining and improving tactics, the PLA Daily reported. The participating troops are also scheduled to conduct formal live-fire exercises, the PLA Daily said. The China-Mongolia "Steppe Partner-2024" joint army training initiative kicked off on May 12 and will continue until late May, according to a previous report by the PLA Daily. This is the first time the two armies have organized a battalion-level joint exercise, with the aim to further deepen strategic mutual trust and pragmatic cooperation between the two militaries and inject positive energy into regional peace and stability, the PLA Daily reported. The "Steppe Partner-2024" joint army exercise being held in Mongolia is an upgrade from the China-Mongolia border defense cooperation exercise held in China last year, marking a concrete step in the two countries' military cooperation, a Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Saturday. China and Mongolia held the Border Defense Cooperation-2023 joint exercise in the border region in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on November 10, 2023 under the topic of stopping illegal criminal activities along the borders, in a move to improving the two countries' border defense troops' capabilities in jointly curbing cross-border smuggling and terrorist activities and safeguarding border peace and stability, the Chinese Defense Ministry said at the time. China and Mongolia share an extended border, and their joint exercises on countering illegal armed groups, which are categorized as non-traditional security threats, are conducive to peace and stability in the region, the expert said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press Statement by Director General of Department of U.S. Affairs of DPRK Foreign Ministry Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, May 18 (KCNA) -- Kwon Jong Gun, director general of the Department of U.S. Affairs of the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK, issued the following press statement on Saturday: Recently, the U.S. Department of State designated the DPRK as an "uncooperative state in combating terrorism" for the reason that the latter does not cooperate in the former's "anti-terrorist efforts". It is needless to comment on all such annually repeated habitual practices targeting the anti-U.S. independent states, but it is necessary to make our stand clear given that the U.S. talks about "cooperation" devoid of a sense of the reality, utterly ignorant of the current state of the DPRK-U.S. confrontation. In conclusion, the DPRK and the U.S. are definitely in hostile relations, and it can be said there exists no field of cooperation between the DPRK and the U.S. The U.S. "anti-terrorist efforts" are disguised encroachment upon sovereignty, which is aimed at interfering in the internal affairs of other countries and justifying its attempts to bring down their social systems and acts of aggression. They have nothing to do with the genuine international efforts for the eradication of terrorism. It is a universal truth that intensified "anti-terrorist efforts" of the U.S. give rise to the emergence of various terrorist groups and escalated vicious cycle of terrorist attacks and retaliation, far from defusing the danger of terrorism in different parts of the world. That's why the U.S. slogan of "anti-terrorism" is now being slandered and rejected by the international community and used internationally as an official term for characterizing Washington's aggressive foreign policy. The U.S. would be well advised to work hard to stop its junior ally in the Middle East in its reckless state-sponsored terrorism, rather than wasting its energy in its foolish act of branding other countries as "terrorist states" under the pretext of the "efforts against terrorism". It is the consistent stand of the DPRK to resolutely oppose all forms of terrorism threatening international peace and stability. But we remind the U.S. once again that we have neither intention nor interest in cooperation with the U.S. in its "efforts against terrorism" exclusively used as a tool for interference and aggression on other sovereign states. The DPRK will continue taking necessary measures to disclose before the international community such interference and acts of aggression openly committed by the U.S. under the signboard of "cooperation in combating terrorism" and to thoroughly foil them. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea tests missile with autonomous navigation system Iran Press TV Saturday, 18 May 2024 8:36 AM North Korea has successfully tested a missile with a "new autonomous navigation system", vowing to boost its nuclear capability as a deterrent against its enemies after the US and South Korea conducted joint drills with stealth fighter jets simulating air combat. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the launch of the tactical ballistic missile into the East Sea, official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Saturday. The projectile flew around 300 kilometers before splashing down in waters between South Korea and Japan, the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul said. KCNA praised the accuracy and reliability of the new autonomous navigation system used in the missile. Kim also expressed satisfaction with the system, citing its benefits and strategic value as a result of the independent development and successful introduction. In recent weeks, Kim has overseen the testing of 600 mm "super-large" multiple rocket launchers and 240 mm multiple launch rockets and visited production facilities. North Korea has fired off cruise missiles, tactical rockets and hypersonic weapons in recent months to upgrade its defenses. The new test came hours after the North Korean leader's sister, Kim Yo-jong, dismissed "absurd" US reports that Pyongyang was sending weapons and munitions to Russia for use against Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Thursday denounced the US and its regional allies for engaging in "intimidation in the military sphere" against North Korea. On Thursday, South Korean F-35As and US F-22 Raptors conducted aerial exercises which Pyongyang sees as a rehearsal for possible invasion of the North. South Korea said stealth fighters conducted "intense" joint exercises in the central region to test and enhance offensive and defensive maneuverability. North Korea also denounced joint military drills scheduled for August as a "nuclear attack exercise", warning Washington and Seoul that they could face a "catastrophic aftermath" if the drills were carried out. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New Caledonia unrest: Death toll rises to six as France deploys more troops Iran Press TV Saturday, 18 May 2024 11:37 AM The death toll has risen to six and hundreds more have been injured as protests and riots entered a fifth day in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia. Gendarmerie Chief General Nicolas Mattheos said on Saturday that one person was killed and two more injured in an exchange of gunfire in the archipelago's northern Kaala-Gomen area. The latest casualties were also male, an informed source told the media. Since Monday, two gendarmes have been killed, one shot in the head and a second shot in friendly fire, as well as three others -- all Indigenous Kanaks -- a 17-year-old and two men aged 20 and 36. At least 60 members of the security forces have been injured in the latest unrest, prompting Paris to send reinforcements. Hundreds of heavily armed French marines and police have been running patrols through the debris-filled streets of the capital Noumea to suppress protests. Local residents reported hearing the sounds of gunshots, drones, and "massive explosions" at night. Annie, 81, reported hearing loud explosions during the night. She also said that this week's violence was worse than that seen during the tumultuous 1980s, a time of political killings and hostage-taking euphemistically referred to as "The Events". "It's worse than during The Events," she said. "At the time, there weren't as many weapons." On Thursday, security forces arrested 214 people. A state of emergency was announced on Friday and reinforcements were flown in from France to quell protests across the archipelago. With a population of about 270,000, the territory's Indigenous population has long sought independence from France. New Caledonia has been a French colony for about two centuries and tensions have simmered for decades between the Kanaks, who seek independence and the descendants of colonists who want it to remain part of France. It consists of a group of Pacific islands east of Australia, is 10 time zones ahead of Paris, and known to attract tourists for its UNESCO World Heritage atolls and reefs. The latest unrest has been blamed on economic malaise, social tensions and -- above all -- a political fight between mostly indigenous pro-independence activists and Paris authorities. French President Emmanuel Macron canceled a video conference with local political leaders for lack of willing participants. In Noumea, hundreds of people lined up outside shops, hoping to secure desperately needed food and supplies. Tourism is a main source of income for New Caledonia. However, tourists and regular travelers have been stranded inside or outside the archipelago after Noumea's international airport was temporarily closed due to unrest. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Death Toll in France's New Caledonia Climbs to 6 Amid Public Unrest - Reports Sputnik News 20240518 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - A man died and two people were wounded in a shootout in France's New Caledonia, bringing the total death toll to six amid public unrest organized by the supporters of the island's independence, French media reported on Saturday. Gendarmes responded to reports of gunfire and three people were taken to hospital, two of them with serious injuries, the BFMTV broadcaster said. On Monday, a peaceful demonstration against a bill on voting rights spiraled into unrest in Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia. Protesters, including many minors, were robbing and setting fire to stores, gas stations, pharmacies, and car centers. On Thursday, French lawmakers voted in favor of the bill 351 to 153 as unrest continued. The controversial bill provides for lowering the residency bar for voting rights for people living in New Caledonia to 10 years. Pro-independence forces say it would dilute the share of the vote held by indigenous Kanak people that make up about 40% of the population. As of today, only those who were on the electoral register during the 1998 Noumea Agreement, which gave the territory a higher degree of autonomy, along with their children, have the right to vote. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran UN mission confirms indirect Tehran-Washington talks IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency May 18, 2024 New York, IRNA -- Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations in New York, the US, has confirmed that indirect talks were held between the two countries this week. The mission said on Saturday that Iran and the US had held indirect negotiations in Oman, saying that the talks are "an ongoing process". It also said that the negotiations have not been the first and will not be the last of their kind. The confirmation followed a report by American news website Axios which said that two top US administration officials had held indirect talks with Iranian officials in Oman this week. According to Axios citing two sources with knowledge of the talks, President Joe Biden's top Middle East adviser Brett McGurk, and acting US envoy for Iran Abram Paley represented the US side, but it was unclear who represented the Iranian side. Axios said that the talks, which were the first since similar negotiations in January 2024, focused on how to avoid escalating tensions in West Asia. 4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IRGC's naval flotilla returns home after overseas mission in Southern Hemisphere Iran Press TV Saturday, 18 May 2024 4:53 PM The fifth Martyr Lieutenant General Haj Qassem Soleimani fleet of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has returned home after completing a mission that lasted for 39 days to complete, and took it over the line of zero degrees latitude, the Equator, and into the Southern Hemisphere. The naval fleet, with domestically-developed Shahid Mahdavi oceangoing warship acting as the flagship, berthed in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas on Saturday after traveling thousands of kilometers in international waters. "This is the first time that the courageous servicemen of the IRGC Navy have been able to cross the Equator, and enter the Southern Hemisphere," Commander of the IRGC Navy, Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, said as he addressed a ceremony to welcome the arrival of the fleet. He described the unison and synergy between the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran as the key to such achievements, stressing that the naval forces of the Army's the IRGC's steely determination as well as sophisticated and deterrent military capabilities, have turned into an absolute nightmare for regional and trans-regional enemies. "Thank God, the visible manifestation of unity, brotherhood, empathy and companionship between the heroic Islamic Republic of Iran Navy and the IRGC Navy has always brought Leader of the Islamic Revolution and the commander in chief of the Iranian armed forces [Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei] satisfaction, and drove enemies to despair," Tangsiri pointed out. The commander of the IRGC Navy further underscored that the presence of servicemen from his force and the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy in high seas has opened up new horizons for the Iranian naval units. The Shahid Mahdavi, which is a multipurpose vessel designed for long-range operations, sailed into the Southern Hemisphere on May 3. The 2,100-tonne vessel, which is 240 meters in length and 27 meters in width, joined the IRGC's naval fleet in March 2023. The oceangoing warship is equipped with a three-dimensional phased array radar, sea-to-sea and sea-to-air missiles, and sophisticated telecommunication systems for electronic warfare. The Shahid Mahdavi is capable of carrying various types of attack helicopters, combat drones as well as fast attack craft. In February 2024, the IRGC Navy launched two ballistic missiles from inside two containers on board the warship. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address About 30 Rohingya killed in clashes between Myanmar junta, insurgents Thousands are fleeing a township after the Arakan Army ordered them to leave. By RFA Burmese 2024.05.18 -- About 30 members of Myanmar's Rohingya minority have been killed in clashes between junta forces and ethnic minority Buddhist insurgents, residents of Rakhine State said on Saturday, raising new fears that the persecuted Muslim community is being caught in the middle of increasingly bitter fighting. Twelve Rohingya civilians were killed in junta airstrikes targeting fighters from the Arakan Army, or AA, in Buthidaung township on Friday. Later in the day, the Arakan Army bombed a school where Rohingyas were sheltering with drones, killing 18 of them, residents said. About 200 people were wounded, a Buthidaung Rohingya resident who identified himself as Khin Zaw Moe told RFA. "People are scared. The casualties may be even higher," he said. "The exact number is not known due to the difficulty in communicating." Rohingyas from about 20 villages were sheltering in the high school when it was attacked, he said. It was not clear why the Arakan Army bombed the school. RFA tried to telephone the AA spokesman, Khaing Thukha, and the junta's Rakhine State spokesperson, Hla Thein, but could not get through to either of them. The AA, who are battling the junta for self-determination of the Buddhist ethnic Arakan community in the state, said in a statement on Saturday its forces had captured all junta bases in Buthidaung. It did not mention Rohingya civilians. Rohingya, who have been persecuted for decades in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, are getting caught up in the war between the AA and junta forces, human rights workers say. Both sides have pressed Rohingya into their ranks and at the same time have accused Rohingya of helping their rivals. Both the AA and junta forces subjected members of the Muslim minority to violence, residents and rights workers say. Another Rohingya resident of Buthidaung said the AA burned down homes in eight neighborhoods of the town although he didn't know how many of the homes had been destroyed. Rohingya activist Nay San Lwin told RFA that tens of thousands of Rohingyas had fled from their homes after the AA ordered them to leave the town by 10 a.m. on Saturday. Another township resident told RFA on Saturday that AA fighters had rounded up thousands of Rohingya near Buthidaung prison. RFA was unable to confirm any of the accounts because telephone lines and internet links were down. More than 700,000 Rohingya fled from a Myanmar military crackdown in 2017, in response to a series of attacks on the security forces by Rohingya insurgents. Most of those refugees are sheltering in camps in southeast Bangladesh, where they joined hundreds of thousands who fled earlier abuses. More than half a million Rohingya remain in Rakhine State, many of them in camps for the internally displaced. Rohingya activists estimate the Rohingya population of Buthidaung to be around 200,000. Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang Note: This story was earlier published with a photo of a separate incident in Chin state. We have updated this report with a file photo. 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 Secretary Blinken's Call with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson May 17, 2024 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul today. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Cho emphasized the ironclad U.S.-ROK Alliance and the importance of close bilateral cooperation on global issues. Foreign Minister Cho shared insights from his recent travel to the People's Republic of China. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Cho also discussed cooperation on security challenges, including increasingly hostile rhetoric and destabilizing actions by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Both sides affirmed the pivotal role of the U.S.-ROK Alliance in promoting peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lai to assume presidency amid geopolitical and domestic challenges ROC Central News Agency 05/18/2024 05:24 PM By Teng Pei-ju, Lin Ching-yin and Lai Yu-chen, CNA staff reporters Vice President Lai Ching-te () is set to assume the presidency on May 20, but he faces a carrot-and-stick strategy from Beijing which will put his administration to the test. At the same time, Lai, who also serves as the chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), will have to deal with the daunting task of steering the country without a legislative majority. The doctor-turned-politician won the January presidential election, securing an unprecedented third consecutive term for the DPP through pledges to continue outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen's () policy toward China and safeguard Taiwan's security with his "four-pillar" plan. The proposed plan underscores the importance of defense capability, economic security, partnerships with other democracies, and a stable and consistent cross-Taiwan Strait policy. Despite Lai deliberately softening his pro-independence comments from the past and publicly saying he has "no plan" to declare Taiwanese independence, China continues to express strong disapproval of Lai, labeling him "a dangerous separatist" during his presidential campaign. A four-term legislator and two-term mayor of Tainan, Lai was the country's premier from 2017 to 2019 under the Tsai government and later became her deputy in 2020 when she began her second term. Traditionally regarded as a staunch advocate of Taiwanese independence, the 64-year-old has shifted in recent years to align himself with Tsai's more moderate stance, vowing to maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Beijing has also imposed sanctions twice on Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim (), who served as Taiwan's representative to the United States from 2020 to 2023, for engaging in what it deemed as activities promoting Taiwanese independence. Like Tsai, the president-elect has called on the leadership in Beijing to start talks with Taipei. During a DPP leadership meeting in April, Lai even proposed dialogue between the "two governing parties across the strait." However, prospects for official negotiations between the two sides remain slim after Lai takes office, Chang Wu-ueh (), an associate professor at Tamkang University's Graduate Institute of China Studies, told CNA. Beijing insists on the acceptance of the "1992 consensus" as a prerequisite for any dialogue between the two sides of the strait, a stance the new government in Taiwan is "unlikely" to embrace, Chang said. Beijing cut official contact with Taipei after Tsai, who rejected the consensus but called for dialogue without any political preconditions, took office in 2016. The DPP has contended that accepting the consensus -- an implicit agreement reached in 1992 between the then Kuomintang (KMT) government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Chinese government -- would suggest endorsement of China's sovereignty claim over Taiwan. Alternatively, the consensus has been consistently interpreted by the KMT as an acknowledgment by both sides that there is only "one China," with each side free to interpret what "China" means, even though Beijing has never publicly recognized the second part of the KMT's interpretation. According to Chang, Beijing has been deploying the carrot-and-stick strategy toward Taiwan and will up the ante at the beginning of Lai's tenure. Chang added that China's relentless pressure on Taiwan included the unilateral launch of two flight paths in the Taiwan Strait and the imposition of anti-dumping duties on Taiwanese polycarbonate in April. Those measures were announced after a visit by former President Ma Ying-jeou () of the KMT to China in early April, during which he met with China's leader Xi Jinping (), the scholar said. Likewise, despite Beijing announcing that travel restrictions on Chinese tourists to the Taiwan-controlled Matsu Islands would be relaxed during a KMT legislative delegation visit to China in late April, the presence of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) sorties near Taiwan continued to be detected, he noted. Chang's comments were in line with those of Director-General of Taiwan's National Security Bureau Tsai Ming-yen (), who told a legislative hearing in early May that Beijing was employing such tactics to try and influence the incoming government's China policy. The security official also said his bureau would closely monitor China's military activities between June and November -- when the PLA conduct routine military drills -- and see if further pressure is exerted on Taiwan. Despite anticipating a lack of breakthrough in efforts to resume official dialogue between the two sides, Chang expressed optimism about the return of people-to-people exchanges in tourism and business after Lai's inauguration. "What is certain is that private-sector exchanges, in tourism or other professional fields, will gradually open and expand," he said. Geopolitical challenges aside, the Lai administration, with a new Cabinet led by Premier-designate Cho Jung-tai (), will also likely face domestic headwinds due to the DPP's lack of a majority in the Legislature. Potential opposition attempts to impede government projects could pose "the biggest challenge" to the new administration, said Wu Szu-yao (), the DPP's legislative caucus secretary-general, referring to the main opposition KMT and the smaller Taiwan People's Party (TPP). "Every government proposal sent to the Legislature for review is going to be a tough battle," she said, stressing the importance of Lai's government making a bigger effort to communicate its policy plans with the public, to leverage support from the masses. Wu also urged the new Cabinet to set aside controversial and politically charged bills to prevent legislative battles from causing damage to its "image" in society. Similarly, Shen Yu-chung (), a political science professor at Tunghai University, said the Lai administration will need to invest more heavily in its communication with lawmakers should it wish to push through budget plans, bills, and major policy proposals. That may prove challenging after a legislative session on Friday, just three days before Lai's inauguration, that was marred by physical scuffles and verbal attacks between lawmakers from the ruling and opposition parties over amendments that would give the Legislature additional powers. Enditem/kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China vows to punish critical Taiwanese commentators, families for 'slander' By Lin Nai-Chuan May 18, 2024 China's Taiwan Affairs Office this week vowed to punish five well-known Taiwanese media commentators and their families for "fabricating false, negative information" about China and "provoking [a] hostile cross-strait confrontation." The sharp rebuke was made at a news briefing Wednesday by TAO spokesperson Chen Binhua in response to a reporter's question that China was looking at punitive measures for what it called "famous mouths," or influencers, in Taiwan, who have been "spreading rumors and slander for a long time." The reporter from Cross-Strait Radio of the China Media Group who asked the question gave alleged examples of statements, such as "mainland people cannot afford tea-poached eggs" and "the mainland's high-speed rail has no backrest." Chen responded that such commentators "ignored the facts of the development and progress of the mainland" and "hurt the feelings of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait." He named five Taiwanese a Huang Shih-tsung, Yu Pei-chen, Lee-Zhenghao, Wang Yi-chuan and Liu Bao-jie a and vowed to punish them and their families "in accordance with the law." Huang is a financial pundit on Taiwanese TV programs. Yu is a retired army major general and current member of the Taoyuan City Council. Lee is a political commentator in Taipei. Wang is currently the executive director of the Policy Research and Coordinating Committee of the Democratic Progressive Party. Liu is a journalist and host of the TV political commentary program "Critical Moment." Chen did not specify what remarks the five pundits made, which Chinese laws they violated, or what punishment China would impose on them and their families. The critics speak back The accused Taiwanese critics responded to the threats in comments to VOA with a mix of ridicule and political analysis. Lee called them "glorious sanctions" that were likely "fake moves" by the Chinese government to appease internal hawks ahead of the inauguration Monday of Taiwan's president-elect, Lai Ching-te. "Looking at the sanctions among major powers, no one is sanctioning media people," Lee told VOA. "When the United States sanctioned China, it sanctioned then-Defense Minister Lee Shang-fu and Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam. China's sanctions on Taiwan in the past were against [former Premier] Su Tseng-chang and [former Taiwan Ambassador to the United States] Hsiao Bi-khim. Real sanctions are against government officials and legislators, not civilians." Huang noted the threat also came after U.S. President Joe Biden imposed additional tariffs on Chinese goods, including electric vehicles and solar panels, worth about $18 billion. "It is obviously putting great pressure on China," Huang told VOA. "[China] has a very low cost of imposing sanctions on Taiwanese influencers." Yu told VOA China's sanctions are a "belated glory" and vowed, "I will never bow to autocracy." Sarcastically imitating the TAO's usual language, Wang said China's Taiwan Affairs Office needs "deep self-reflection." In a written statement, Taiwan's Presidential Office spokesperson, Olivia Lin, said Taiwan is a democratic country, the constitution guarantees the people's freedom of speech, and China has no right to interfere. She said that in the face of personal threats from China's TAO, the Taiwanese government will ensure the safety of its people and "will not let such threats succeed." What Chinese netizens think Chinese netizens had mixed reactions to China's plans to somehow punish the Taiwanese pundits and their families for the unspecified violations of unspecified Chinese laws. Some Chinese netizens echoed China's Taiwan Affairs Office. One posted on social media, "These scammers are let off the hook easily even if they were shot in the head. They should be sent to the mainland's labor camps." Others disagreed and said the threats would only elevate the pundits' statures. One posted on social media, "Isn't this just like conferring medals on them?" Akio Yaita is a prominent Japanese journalist who was raised in China and now lives in Taiwan. In his regular commentary series produced for VOA, "Akio Yaita Has Something to Say," he said the sanctions won't have a huge effect on Taiwan but will hurt the Chinese government instead. "The Chinese Communist Party used to say, 'We place our hope in the people of Taiwan [for reunification].' These people are popular in Taiwan. No one thinks their remarks are outrageous," he said. "If China doesn't allow them to speak because they criticize China a little bit, it shows the Communist Party has no confidence. The Communist Party's control of speech will be intolerable to Taiwan and will push most Taiwanese people into opposition." Beijing considers the self-ruled island of Taiwan a breakaway province that must one day reunite with the mainland, by force if necessary. VOA's Adrianna Zhang and Joyce Huang contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia says troops liberated another village in Kharkiv, thousands evacuated Iran Press TV Saturday, 18 May 2024 4:48 PM Russia says its forces have managed to capture a village near Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region, in eastern Ukraine. The Russian defense ministry said in a statement on Saturday that Russian troops "liberated the village of Starytsya in the Kharkiv region, and continued to advance deep into the enemy's defenses." The village is located just five kilometers from the border. Russia has launched a ground operation in the region last week. Following the operation, Ukraine has evacuated nearly 10,000 people from the border region, according to according to the local governor. Over a week after its launch, "a total of 9,907 people have been evacuated," governor Oleg Synegubov said. "In the area of the city of Vovchansk, Ukrainian troops are reinforcing their defense," he said. Russian forces have taken 278 square kilometers between May 9 and 15, their biggest gains since the end of 2022, AFP reported, using data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted that Russia's ground operation in the region may only be the first wave of a wider one. Zelensky said that Ukraine has to "understand that they {Russian troops] are going deeper into our territory. Not vice versa. And that's still their advantage." President Vladimir Putin of Russia said earlier that the operation was a response to Ukraine shelling Russian border regions. Russia launched the "special military operation" in Ukraine in February 2022. Ever since the West has continued to back Kiev with military aid and heavy weaponry while imposing unprecedented sanctions on Russian officials and entities. Moscow has repeatedly warned that such a flow of weapons to Ukraine will only prolong the conflict. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Nonsense situation': Zelensky says West 'afraid' of both Russian, Ukrainian defeat Iran Press TV Saturday, 18 May 2024 9:28 AM Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has denounced the West for its ban on using Western-donated arms to strike targets inside Russia, saying the West is "afraid" of both Russian and Ukrainian defeat. In an interview with AFP on Friday, Zelensky launched a rare attack on Western countries for supplying Kiev with long-range arms but at the same time imposing a strict ban on using them to strike targets inside Russia. "They can fire any weapons from their territory at ours. This is the biggest advantage that Russia has. We can't do anything to their systems, which are located on the territory of Russia, with Western weapons," he said in the interview which aired on Saturday. Back in April, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that Washington had received guarantees from Kiev that it would only use the donated MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles inside the occupied territories of Ukraine, not inside Russia. Zelensky strongly criticized the West for simultaneously supporting Ukraine and being "afraid" of any clear defeat for Russia. "We are in a nonsense situation where the West is afraid that Russia will lose the war. And it does not want Ukraine to lose it," he said. "We want the war to end with a fair peace for us," while "the West wants the war to end. Period. As soon as possible. And for them, this is a fair peace," Zelensky further said. Since late last year, Russia has been making gradual advances and has seen larger gains along the northeastern border in an offensive that began on May 10 in the Kharkiv region. Suffering from manpower shortages, Kiev has just passed a mobilization law to boost the forces' morale, according to a rare acknowledgment from Zelensky, as Ukrainian fighters are increasingly exhausted and angry at the lack of rotation. "We need to staff the reserves... A large number of [brigades] are empty. We need to do this so that the guys have a normal rotation. Then their morale will be improved. It is a matter of their physical strength and justice. This requires that reserves be prepared," the Ukrainian president further said. Zelensky has repeatedly asked the West, particularly the US, for long-range missiles and advanced fighter jets to challenge Russia's air superiority and compensate for failure on the ground. "I believe that today, we have about twenty-five percent of what we need to defend Ukraine. I'm talking about air defense. As for the aircraft, I say this openly, so that Russia does not have air superiority, our fleet should have 120 to 130 modern aircraft," he added. Ukraine has lost much of its air force, including the Soviet-era jets donated by several NATO members as replacements, and has consistently pursued the acquisition of F-16s from the US-led bloc. Several countries, including Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands, have stepped forward to offer their support by donating F-16s. Additionally, a coalition of countries has pledged to assist in training Ukrainian pilots to effectively operate the advanced aircraft. "In total, we need this fleet of F-16s in the number I am talking about in order to have parity," Zelensky further said on Friday. While Kiev has frequently been reminded not to use such weapons to hit targets inside Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin on March warned that any attempt to use F-16s against Russian troops from airfields in neighboring countries will not go unanswered, "no matter where they might be." Russia has repeatedly warned that the conflict in Ukraine could be prolonged due to the support of Western countries, on top of them the US, for Kiev. Back in February, Putin stressed that certain Western countries are risking triggering a nuclear war by deploying boots in eastern Ukraine, warning Moscow could strike Western targets. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zelenskiy Says Fighting 'Difficult' As Ukrainian Forces Repel Russian Assault On Chasiv Yar By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service May 18, 2024 Russian forces shelled the border regions of Sumy and Kharkiv on May 18, wounding civilians, while pitch battles took place near the cities of Kramatorsk, Pokrovsk, and Kurakhiv, military and civilian officials said. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that the fighting "is difficult, but the Armed Forces are giving a worthy rebuff to the occupier." Speaking in his evening address, Zelenskiy said the Ukrainian military repelled a Russian assault in the area of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian soldiers destroyed more than 20 units of armored vehicles of the occupier, he claimed, thanking "the guys who repelled the Russian assault on Chasiv Yar." The village lies on high ground that Russia has been fighting desperately to capture. Ukrainian forces have repelled the effort so far. Seizing Chasiv Yar would allow Russia to threaten Kostyantynivka and its rail and roadway and crack the door toward Kramatorsk to the north, and Slovyansk, both large population centers and redoubts of Ukrainian troops and supplies. In the Chernihiv region on May 18 one person was wounded by shelling, according to the press services of the local regional military administrations. According to the information of the Sumy regional military administration, Russian forces as of 9 p.m. local time on May 18, shelled border territories and settlements in the region 46 times, wounding one person. It said 284 explosions were recorded. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said seven of 77 combat clashes during the day were still ongoing in the evening, the "hottest" being in the Pokrovsk direction. According to the military, Ukrainian aviation on May 18 struck 18 areas of concentration of Russian forces and two of their anti-aircraft missile systems. Ukrainian soldiers carried out assaults four times with the aim of knocking the enemy out of the occupied positions, the General Staff said. Ten clashes took place in the Kharkiv area during the day after Russian forces carried out an air strike on a residential area of the city of Kharkiv using two guided aerial bombs. Ukrainian prosecutors said they were investigating the air strike, which wounded five civilians, including a 13-year-old girl and 16-year-old male, as a potential war crime. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry said its forces captured the village of Starytsya in the Kharkiv region on May 18. It was not possible to verity either side's battlefield claims. Russian troops began shelling border settlements in the Kharkiv region on May 10 and launched a ground offensive in the area of Vovchansk. On May 16, Russian units appeared to have entered Vovchansk, about 5 kilometers from the border, and the site of the fiercest fighting in the north. Earlier on May 18, a Russian missile attack on Ukraine's southern Black Sea port city of Odesa killed one person and wounded eight others, regional Governor Oleh Kiper said on Telegram. Ukraine's Emergency Situations Service reported that the strike hit a warehouse and a fire broke out on an area of 800 square meters, which firefighters were extinguishing. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-zelenskiy- sumy-kharkiv-chasiv-yar/32953049.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Begging US to Provide More Intel Data on Russian Military Facilities - Reports Sputnik News 20240518 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Kiev has been increasingly requesting more intelligence data about the location of Russian troops and its most important military facilities from the White House amid continuing difficulties on the battlefield, The New York Times reported, citing US and Ukrainian officials. The Ukrainian authorities have intensified their calls as Ukrainian servicepople have been struggling to maintain ground positions amid Russia's progress in the direction of Kharkov, the newspaper reported. Although US President Joe Biden's administration did use to provide Kiev with some intelligence data, it had long rejected such requests as the White House wanted no US intelligence reports to be used for attacks deep into Russian territory. However, the most recent request has been accepted by the White House for consideration, the report said. Ukrainian officials believe that more intelligence data in real time and more data on the most important targets would improve the efficiency of Kiev's cross-border strikes, according to the publication. 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. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Troops Liberate Town of Staritsa in Kharkov Region Sputnik News 20240518 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia's Sever (North) Group of Forces has liberated the town of Staritsa in the region of Kharkov in the past 24 hours and continues the offensive, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday. Ukrainian forces lost up to 150 military in the area under the responsibility of Russia's Sever Group of Forces in the past 24 hours, the statement read. "As a result of active actions, the units of the Sever Group of Forces liberated the town of Staritsa in the Kharkov region and continued to advance into the depth of the enemy's defense," the ministry said in a statement. The grouping also repulsed four counterattacks by the Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian Losses in 24 Hours Russia's Zapad (West) Group of Forces has occupied better positions, defeated the Ukrainian forces and repelled their counterattack in the past 24 hours, with Kiev losing up to 270 soldiers as a result, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday. Kiev's losses in the area also include armored combat vehicles, two pickup trucks, a 155 mm US-made M777 howitzer, two 152 mm D-20 howitzers and a 122 mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery unit, the ministry said. In addition, the Russian troops repelled a counterattack by the assault group of the 63rd mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces near the village of Dibrova in the Lugansk People's Republic, the ministry added. The Ukrainian military has lost up to 155 troops over the past 24 hours in the battlefield area under the responsibility of Russia's Vostok (East) Group of Forces, the Russian Defense Ministry added. "The units of the Vostok Group of Forces took more favorable positions and hit the manpower and equipment of the 58th motorized infantry brigade of the Ukrainian army and the 128th territorial defense brigade in the areas of the villages of Urozhaynoe and Staromayorskoe of the Donetsk People's Republic ... The Ukrainian military lost up to 155 troops," the ministry said in a statement. The Russian forces have also destroyed two infantry fighting vehicles, two vehicles, a US-produced 155 mm M198 howitzer, and a 122 mm self-propelled artillery installation in the area, the statement read. The grouping also repulsed four counterattacks by the Ukrainian forces in several areas. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Shelling of Kherson Region's City of Skadovsk Leaves 12 Injured - Governor Sputnik News 20240518 GENICHESK, Kherson (Sputnik) - The Ukrainian armed forces have shelled the Kherson's city of Skadovsk with the use of HIMARS multiple rocket launch systems (MLRS), leaving at least 12 people injured, Governor Vladimir Saldo's office said on Saturday. The emergency services are working at the site. The data on damage and casualties is being clarified, the office added. "The total number of victims during the shelling of Skadovsk by the Ukrainian army from the HIMARS MLRS is now 12 people. In total, 11 people went to the hospital, one of them was hospitalized. Another injured person was treated at the scene," the office said. Earlier Russian Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that attacks on civilian infrastructure became the "trademark" of Volodymyr Zelensky. "Targeted shelling of civilians, civilian infrastructure, residential buildings, hospitals, schools and social facilities has become the trademark of Zelensky's criminal group, which is supported by Western sponsors," Zakharova said on Telegram. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Grossi Describes IAEA-Russia Cooperation on Zaporozhye Nuclear Plant Issues as 'Professional' Sputnik News 20240518 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Russia cooperate on a "professional" level when it comes to the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (https://t.me/SputnikInt/54817?single), including the issues of monthly rotation of the IAEA experts, agency's director general Rafael Grossi, told Sputnik. "I have said before and I would repeat to you that the cooperation is a professional cooperation, it is very professional at different levels. I am in constant contact with the [Russian] Foreign Ministry, with of course Rosatom and CEO of Rosatom Mr [Alexey] Likhachev, with the Russian nuclear regulator, so we are keeping in contact and exchanging constantly on technical aspects related to the plant," Grossi said when asked to describe the IAEA's cooperation with Russia on the Zaporozhye nuclear plant issues, including the logistically complex operation of the monthly rotation of experts. Grossi told Sputnik that he discussed with Putin the condition of the nuclear plant but did not make any "warnings" about the danger of its rapid restart. "No, I would never warn the president of the Russian Federation about anything. We discussed the state of the plant and various prospects under different scenarios. But there were no warnings or advice from my side in this sense. He has his vision as a head of state, and I, as an IAEA technical specialist, have my own - on different scenarios in reality.... No more, no less," Grossi clarified. The New York Times ran an article on Wednesday recalling Grossi's visit to Russia in early March, during which the IAEA director general had talks with Putin. According to the publication, Grossi's goal during the meeting was, among other things, to "warn" the Russian leader about the dangers of restarting the nuclear plant too quickly. The director general added that the sides discussed in general terms "what are the different possibilities of whether the nuclear plant can continue to operate in the same way as in the past or not." "But no specific scenario was considered," he noted. Grossi added that he expects to continue discussing the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant with Putin, as he considers this dialog "indispensable". "But clearly it was an indispensable dialog. This is a dialogue that has to be continued and it contains some confidential aspects, and it contains many important aspects, and I hope to be able to continue it, because it is indispensable. And I have a great appreciation for the possibility to exchange with the head of state [Putin] about something so serious like the situation at the nuclear power plant," Grossi said. Putin held a meeting with Grossi on March 6 in Sochi. During the meeting, Putin said that Russia continues to actively cooperate with the IAEA on many issues. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Those Who Survived Were Robbed of Decades after 1944 - President of Ukraine on the Remembrance Day of the Genocide of the Crimean Tatar People President of Ukraine 18 May 2024 - 19:41 The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, took part in the unveiling of a memorial stone, which will be replaced by a Memorial to the Victims of the Crimean Tatar Genocide. Today, the world commemorates the 80th anniversary of the deportation from the Crimean Peninsula organized by the Soviet authorities. The event was also attended by the leader of the Crimean Tatar people Mustafa Dzhemilev, the Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Refat Chubarov, the Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov, the Permanent Representative of the President in Crimea Tamila Tasheva, military personnel, volunteers, representatives of the Mejlis and ambassadors. "Now every Crimean Tatar heart feels pain when recalling the events of those days, those years. The exact number of human losses caused by the deportation is still unknown. The exile to a foreign land took the lives of at least a third of the total number of Crimean Tatars who lived on the peninsula at that time," the President said. The memory of all the adults and children killed by deportation was honored with a minute of silence. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that since the restoration of Ukraine's independence and until 2014, Crimea had been a happy home for many of our people. He emphasized that it would definitely be so again after the liberation from Russian occupation. "The peninsula destined to become one of the best places to live in Europe will indeed be that place - without Russia," the President noted. Mustafa Dzhemilev reminded that on this very day a year ago, the President proposed to establish a Memorial to the Victims of the Crimean Tatar Genocide. "The significance of the Memorial is immense. It demonstrates the attitude of the state towards the indigenous people of Crimea. And this is especially important given what is happening to the Crimean Tatar people in their homeland, Crimea," he said. Previously, on the site where the Memorial is to appear, a monument to the Chekists had been standing for half a century. It was demolished a few years ago. "A monument that glorified not people, but a cruel system - a system that is guilty, in particular, of the genocide of the Crimean Tatar people. It is at this place in Kyiv that a memorial of our respect for the Crimean Tatar people and commemoration of all the victims of Russia's genocidal attacks on our Crimea should be erected," the President emphasized. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Wherever the Situation is Difficult, Our Forces Give a Decent Rebuff to the Occupier - Address by the President of Ukraine President of Ukraine 18 May 2024 - 19:17 Dear Ukrainians! Today is a special day. Today we remember the year 1944 - the deportation of the Crimean Tatar people - and honor the memory of its victims. Unfortunately, our history is quite full of tragic pages - of things our people had to go through. But no matter how bitter or terrible these pages were, they will never become pages of lies, let alone the last pages for Ukraine. Today, as we commemorate the victims of the deportation of the Crimean Tatars and condemn Russia's abuse of Crimea, we feel, we know, that Russian evil is not and will not be omnipotent. The occupier's time on our land is limited, and their expulsion is inevitable, and it depends on how we all resist, how we all try to unite the world, and how the world itself is determined - determined to protect humanity and life. The Russian occupation of Crimea in 2014 was indeed a test - a test of determination for everyone in the world. There was no proper reaction at the time, and Putin decided that he could allegedly outgrow Crimea, that he could allegedly do more evil - with impunity. February 24th put a stop to that - through the resistance of all Ukrainians, of all our people: different people - of different generations, of various views - who all equally deterred the occupier. The historical point put then will never again become a semicolon for Ukraine. Moscow will never have a chance to conquer our country, our people, our consciousness and history. And now, in our battles for Ukraine, in our work for Ukraine, we have reached a level where Russian evil will not hide from our just responses even on its own territory. I thank all our warriors and units of the Ukrainian Defence Forces, who proved this week that the Russian state will pay for everything it does against our people and our society. I thank each of our warriors who showed sufficient resilience and managed to gain more confidence, especially in the Kharkiv direction, this week. The invaders are losing their infantry and equipment - it's a significant loss, although, as in 2022, they were counting on a rapid advance through our land. We also do not forget about other directions of combat besides the Kharkiv ones: Kramatorsk, Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, the southern directions - wherever the situation is difficult, our forces give a decent rebuff to the occupier. In particular, I would like to specially and separately thank the guys who repelled the Russian assault on Chasiv Yar. Our warriors destroyed more than twenty armored vehicles of the occupier. Well done, guys! And I also thank every representative of our state - the entire diplomatic team of the Office, our government officials, our embassies, the civil society activists who are helping - I thank you for the steady, step-by-step progress in the preparation of the Peace Summit - the first Global Summit that will be held in Switzerland. Together with our partners, we are preparing a real platform - a platform for the world that is truly capable of forcing Russia into peace, the world that Russia will not be able to deceive. This week we have added new participants to the Summit. At the level of Heads of State and Government alone, I had conversations with Georgia, Canada, the Republic of Korea, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Malawi, Portugal, Slovenia, France, Sweden, and Liberia, and I also spoke with the U.S. Secretary of State. And the next week will also be active in terms of diplomacy. Ukrainian diplomacy is working together with Ukrainian weapons for the sake of a just peace for our country and a just punishment for Russia for this war. We will definitely fulfill our Ukrainian tasks. I thank everyone who helps! I thank everyone who chose Ukraine and ensures the strength and results for our country. Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A Consolidation of Countries from All the Continents at the Global Peace Summit Will Show Who Really Wants to End the War - the President of Ukraine in an Interview for AFP President of Ukraine 18 May 2024 - 14:51 Our country expects that the participants of the Global Peace Summit will jointly develop an action plan on three points. This was stated by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview for the French AFP news agency. According to the President, it is about free navigation. This point involves the protection of port infrastructure, food security for the entire world, and the economic development of our country. Nuclear and energy security will also be discussed during the Summit to stop strikes at critical infrastructure. And the third point is the exchange of captives and the return of illegally deported children. "If we come out of the Summit with these three steps, with these positions agreed upon in most countries, it means that Russia will not block them any further, and we will develop a step-by-step, very detailed plan for each of these points with certain countries at the technical level," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. Ukraine is ready to engage in dialogue with all the states that support its territorial integrity. That is why the President and his team are actively working to involve representatives of the Global South in the Summit. After all, nuclear security is very important for China, while food security is important for Africa and Asia, and prisoner exchange is important for the Arab world. "Even if they see the world differently, it is important to work to engage them because they have influence. Any kind of influence: defense - at the level of arms trade, economy - somewhere. They have an influence on Russia. And the more such countries we have on our side - on the side of ending the war, - the more Russia will have to take it into account," the President noted. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine, Russia trade blame for targeting civilians in residential areas By VOA News May 18, 2024 Ukraine accused Russia of potential war crimes Saturday, saying their shelling targeted civilians in residential areas of two cities in northeastern Ukraine. In the first case, a Russian airstrike wounded six people, including two teens and a child in the city of Kharkiv. In the second case, Russian shelling in Vovchansk, a town 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from the Russian border, killed a 60-year-old woman and injured three other civilians. A 59-year-man also was injured in the village of Ukrainske, they said. Thousands of civilians have been killed or injured since Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Moscow denies targeting civilians. Russia said its forces shot down a Ukrainian Tochka-U ballistic missile on Saturday. A similar missile launched last week on the Russian border town of Belgorod caused the collapse of an apartment building, killing at least 15 people. Fierce battles continue along the now-longer front line of Ukraine. In his nightly video address, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces repelled a Russian assault farther south in the eastern Donetsk region around Chasiv Yar, a city of strategic significance in Russia's offensive. "Our soldiers destroyed more than 20 units of the occupier's armored vehicles," he said. The Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday it had taken a village near Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region. "Units of the northern troop group liberated the village of Starytsya in the Kharkiv region, and continued to advance deep into the enemy's defenses," it said. Reuters could not immediately verify the battlefield accounts. Larger offensive Zelenskyy said he anticipates Russia will intensify its offensive in the northeast and made a plea to the allies to send more air defense and fighter jets to even the playing field. In an interview with AFP, Zelenskyy said Kyiv needs more air defenses to hold the front line since Russia's surprise offensive in the Kharkiv region last week. "Today, we have about 25% of what we need to defend Ukraine. I'm talking about air defense," he said. Ukraine needs "120 to 130" F-16 fighter jets or other advanced aircraft to achieve air parity with Russia, he added. He said Ukrainian troops have managed to stop enemy forces that have moved 5 to 10 kilometers (3.1 to 6.2 miles) into Ukrainian territory along the northeastern border, but he cautioned that those troops could be the "first wave" in a wider Russian offensive. "I won't say it's a great success (for Russia), but we have to be sober and understand that they are going deeper into our territory," he said, speaking from Kyiv on Friday. Zelenskyy said the situation in the Kharkiv region has been controlled but not stabilized. Civilians flee Nearly 10,000 people have left their homes in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region since the Russian ground attack began on May 10, regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov said Saturday. About 100 people are left in the city of Vovchansk, where "heavy fighting" is taking place, he added. Ukrainian authorities have evacuated about 8,000 civilians from Vovchansk, which sits about 5 kilometers from the Russian border. Russian forces took control of 278 square kilometers (107 square miles) of Ukraine between May 9 and 15, their biggest territorial gain since the end of 2022, according to AFP using data from the Institute for the Study of War. During a visit to China, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Moscow's offensive in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region was a response to Ukraine shelling border regions. Putin said that he aims at building a buffer zone against Ukrainian attacks, but that Moscow has no plans on capturing Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. "I have said publicly that if it continues, we will be forced to create a security zone, a sanitary zone," he said. "That's what we are doing." Russian troops were "advancing daily according to plan," he said. To increase the number of Ukrainian troops, Zelenskyy signed two laws on Friday allowing prisoners to join the army while imposing steep fines for draft dodgers. The controversial mobilization law took effect Saturday. Ukraine recently lowered the draft age for soldiers from 27 to 25 and stiffened punishments for those who avoid being called up. Ukrainian men are also obligated, under the new law, to update their personal data at military conscription centers across the country a a measure aimed at streamlining army recruitment. Consular services that provide Ukrainians abroad with passport services reopened Friday. The services were suspended on April 23, to pressure Ukrainian men ages 18 to 60 living abroad to register for the army to qualify for passports and other services. "Staying abroad does not relieve a citizen of his or her duties to the Homeland," Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on the social platform X. "Our country is at war." Some information for this report was provided by Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NEW YORK, May 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Doximity, Inc. (NYSE: DOCS) between February 9, 2022 and April 1, 2024, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), of the important June 17, 2024 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Doximity common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Doximity class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=18273 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than June 17, 2024. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts, about Doximitys business and operations. Specifically, defendants repeatedly touted Doximitys business prospects and the sustainability of Doximitys revenue growth and profitability, while downplaying the impact of competition and tightening macroeconomic conditions on Doximity and Doximitys reliance on upselling products and services (such as additional advertising) to existing customers to sustain Doximitys performance and future growth. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Doximity class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=18273 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. ------------------------------- Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com RADNOR, Pa., May 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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 info@ktmc.com. 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 Doximitys 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 Companys Chief Financial Officer, emphasized that marketers have been able to witness the value of running these digital programs and that it was this value thats the main reason were seeing this sustained demand from our customers and not new [COVID] variants. To this end, Defendant Bryson further assured investors that the Company was focused on . . . really building a business that can provide years of sustainable growth with high margins. Throughout the Class Period, Defendants continued to tout the sustainability of the Companys business prospects while also downplaying the importance of customer upsell rates on the Companys financial performance. Notwithstanding Defendants repeated claims regarding the sustainability of Doximitys 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 Companys major upsells have materially underperformed, and we expect this to continue in the near term. Defendant Tangney further explained that Doximity failed to close sales due, in part, to fewer face-to-face meetings with our clients. On this news, the price of Doximity common stock declined $7.49 per share, or nearly 23%, from a close of $32.79 per share on August 8, 2023, to close at $25.30 per share on August 9, 2023. Investors learned more about the unsustainability of the Companys revenue growth on April 1, 2024, when Jehoshaphat Research published a report alleging, among other things, that Doximitys underlying sales . . . are declining at a negative -3-6% rate, but that this decline has been masked through accelerated revenue recognition. On this news, the price of Doximity common stock declined $1.11 per share, or more than 4% over two trading-days, from a close of $26.91 per share on March 28, 2024, to close at $25.80 per share on April 2, 2024. 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) info@ktmc.com May be considered attorney advertising in certain jurisdictions. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Audi admits signing Sainz an important objective Audi-owned Sauber is now openly describing the possibility of signing Carlos Sainz for 2025 and beyond as an "important objective". Carlos Sainz, Emilio Romagna GP 2024 Ferrari Earlier, it was believed Audi had set a decision deadline for the Ferrari-departing Spaniard. But now, given that Nico Hulkenberg has already signed on, team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi said at Imola that no deadline now exists - which would explain the sudden stand-still in the driver 'silly season'. No, Bravi told El Mundo Deportivo newspaper in Imola when asked if a new deadline exists. "I don't think any of the other drivers have a time limit either. "We are all talking, trying to understand. There are several possibilities for these top drivers, but it is a dialogue, not a confrontation between team and driver. We have secured Hulkenberg and now we are waiting and checking all possibilities with the necessary time for us and for the driver, he added. Sainz, 29, is understandably waiting for Toto Wolff at Mercedes, who is also weighing up Kimi Antonelli, but also for Red Bull - with Sergio Perez not yet signed for 2025. It is normal for a driver of his (Sainz's) calibre to want to carefully evaluate all the possibilities, said Bravi. "So we have interesting weeks ahead. "We are working hard to grow this team and be able to offer our drivers a competitive future. And it is clear that we don't just have one name on the list, but it is also clear that Sainz is a top driver and an important objective, not only for us, but also for other teams. "Let's just say that we are talking and Carlos also has options of the highest level. But we have also spoken to everyone, starting with (Valtteri) Bottas and (Guanyu) Zhou and other drivers on the market who see the Audi project with great interest. We don't want to be a second choice. We want to be 'the' choice, Bravi insisted. (GMM) Media overestimated Ferrari upgrade says Sainz Max Verstappen emerged from his Imola struggles on Saturday to equal the great Ayrton Senna's record of eight consecutive pole positions. Carlos Sainz, Emilio Romagna GP 2024 Ferrari The triple world champion had earlier complained of chronic handling problems - with his subsequent qualifying triumph prompting some of his rivals to roll their eyes. They always use lower engine settings in the free practices and look like they're having a hard time, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz said. We knew they had a lot more to give in qualifying. Lando Norris, third quickest in his McLaren, agreed: I think if anyone doubted Red Bull or him coming back and doing a good job in qualifying, they're a bit stupid. But Red Bull consultant Dr Helmut Marko actually thinks both McLarens might have been ahead of Verstappen. We have to thank Nico Hulkenberg for those two tenths, he smiled, referring to the way the Haas driver and Verstappen exchanged friendly slipstream duties. One rumour was that Red Bull's upgrade package simply didn't work - prompting the world champions to revert to the Miami specification for qualifying. Nonsense, team boss Christian Horner said. We're using the new parts. Red Bull had initially expected Ferrari to put up the strongest challenge at Imola, given the visible extent of the local team's Imola-spec upgrade. It's working as expected, Charles Leclerc said. It will just take a little while before we can get the most out of it. Sainz, meanwhile, thinks the media overestimated the effect the upgrade would have. I don't think the team itself had too high expectations, said the Spaniard. "It was more the media. "Of course it looks like a new car, but we know the numbers and we knew from the start that it was not a huge package. It was more about small steps forward. It's also tricky when you introduce an upgrade on a track that isn't the best for the car. Imola has always been a track where McLaren and Red Bull have done well, Sainz added. But as I said, the numbers never suggested that we would immediately move up to first place with the new parts. I tried to say that all week, but apparently people didn't want to believe it. Team boss Frederic Vasseur also isn't worried about falling behind McLaren at Imola. We have to remember we're talking about a tenth, he said. There is a tenth between Verstappen and the two McLarens and then another tenth to us. And we still have eighteen races to go. (GMM) The Mark 6 Sony phones were unveiled earlier this week, but if you want one, you will have to wait until June. Do you want one? Lets talk about the phones and have a vote. The Sony Xperia 1 VI finally gave up on trying to cram 4K resolution in a 6 and a bit inch screen and went with FHD+. And its an LTPO panel to boot, both of which combined result in stunning battery life. Well, that and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which appears to be running of two AA batteries. For all the focus on gaming in the Xperia 1 VI advertising, the phone isnt great at it (sustained performance is bad too). As for the cameras, they are certainly the standout feature of this phone with some unique tricks. However, despite notable improvements since the 1 V, there are still issues, like the sub-par video from the tele camera. That and the short update schedule make the Xperia a tough sell at 1,400/1,300. Its better than the Mark 5 by a year 3 OS updates and 4 years of patches but is still well below plenty of mid-range Androids, never mind the 2024 flagships. Sony is trying to sweeten the deal with a free pair of WH-1000XM5 and half off a case for the phone, but its still one of the priciest smartphones that you can buy (and that includes several foldables). On the plus side, there is a microSD slot for all the storage you might ever need and a 3.5mm headphone jack features that some consider must-haves. But are they must-haves, no matter the price? You can check out our written and video reviews for more details. With that, its time to vote will you grab a Sony Xperia 1 VI? The Sony design is also available in the Xperia 10 VI for less money. You still get a top bezel that houses not only the selfie camera, but also a powerful speaker, plus the freedom to add storage via microSD and to use wired headphones without an adapter. And, for what its worth, the 10 VI is on the same update path as its flagship sibling 3 OS updates and 4 years of patches. Thats not great even for the 400/350 price range, but a bit easier to swallow. Even better, this price is 50 less than the launch price of the 10 V, so things are looking up for the little mid-ranger. Or are they? It stuck with the old 21:9 aspect ratio, which makes it quite tall, despite having only a 6.1 display (though it is narrow). And why is the display still running at 60Hz? Some things have changed, like the removal of the 2x camera that its predecessor had, though the main camera does a good job of filling in. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is an upgrade over the 695 that was used for the previous two generations, but it only compares against older mid-range chips like the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, the Exynos 1380 and the Dimensity 7200 Ultra. Sustained loads lead to a performance drop pretty quickly. At least the new chipset supports 4K video, so thats a nice upgrade. That said, battery life is worse than the 10 V, which was one of the main draws for the phone. Well, if you dont want a flagship (Xperia 1 VI or other), would you buy a mid-ranger like the Sony Xperia 10 VI? Note that pre-orders come with a free pair of Sony WH-CH520 headphones. Should airport police and fire personnel fall under the government-wide law enforcement officer pay plan, or the airports compensation plan? Based on airport officials testimony during a public hearing on Friday, it depends on the situation. A.B. Won Pat Guam International Airport Authority representatives testified in support of Sen. Jesse Lujans bill that would clarify that airport police officers and airport rescue and firefighter personnel are certified technical professional employees that should be part of the GIAA pay plan. In his testimony, GIAA Executive Manager John Quinata said in 2008, airport police and firefighters were made part of the government law enforcement officer pay plan when legislation was passed for a 40% across-the-board pay raise. In 2009, the GIAA board of directors adopted a unified pay scale for certified technical professional employees but in 2010, opted not to include police and firefighters until such time that their salaries under the 40% law enforcement officer pay raise fell below the airport pay scale salary levels. In 2022, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero approved a new 18% increase in the law enforcement officer pay plan, and Quinata said GIAA implemented the LEO raises in January. He said they are fully accounted for in their budget with no impact on the general fund since the airport generates its own revenue. The purpose of the bill then is to clarify that airport police officers and airport rescue and firefighter personnel fall under the airport certified technical professional pay plan, which the board is required to update every three years. The bill states that while the airport board has the authority to adjust compensation for certified technical professional positions, including the airport police and firefighters, the law enforcement officer pay plan restricts the GIAA board from migrating them to the CTP plan. The bill would make it clear that the airport board could include them in future pay scale adjustments. There are currently 57 airport police officers and 37 firefighters. The airport also employs 27 security guards to augment the law enforcement personnel. Quinata said the clarification to include airport law enforcement officer personnel in any future salary adjustments is important. We lost about 64 (LEO personnel) in the last five years to the federal government, Camp Blaz, Navy, Andersen, he said. Theyre just taking our officers because of better retention pay. Classroom molds worsened by Typhoon Mawar a year ago, double-session challenges when schools started sharing the same campuses after the storm rendered some schools unusable, and plans to consolidate or close schools over decreasing public school enrollment. These are just among the myriad of topics that senators will be asking education officials during an oversight hearing on the Guam Department of Education set for Friday, which marks the exact day Mawar hit Guam in 2023. Actual mold mitigation and fencing repairs at GDOE facilities have barely progressed a year after the strongest typhoon to hit Guam in 21 years despite funding secured for the projects, and senators want to know why. Sen. Chris Barnetts committee on education has set the oversight hearing on GDOE for 9 a.m. on May 24. The committee also expects to hear from Education Superintendent Erik Swanson and other education officials updates on GDOEs school consolidation and closure plans as public school enrollment continues to drop. Also on the agenda are Simon Sanchez High School and John F. Kennedy High School double-session classes. Mawar damaged Sanchez High to a point where the Yigo campus could no longer be used as a school, and GDOE sent its students to attend classes at JFK High in Tamuning instead. The situation has created challenges for students, teachers and even the Department of Public Works school bus operations. With the recent announcement of a plan to build a temporary Sanchez High near FB Leon Guerrero Middle School also in Yigo while Sanchez Highs original campus is being reconstructed, senators seek to get more details how and how soon this can get done. Senators will also be asking about other schools double-session classes, as well as summer student opportunities, school sanitation compliance, special education updates and how it plans to spend remaining federal American Rescue Plan funds. Haiti - News : Zapping... Consulate of Haiti in Montreal closed The Consulate General of Haiti in Montreal advises the Haitian Community of Quebec in particular and the public in general that its premises will be closed on Monday, May 20, 2024, on the occasion of Victoria Day and Patriots' Day. Consular services will resume on Tuesday May 21, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 221st Flag Day, messages: Martine Moise: "On May 18, after so many struggles, we won and created our two-tone, symbol of our resistance. Despite the times of great distress that we face today, let us always remember, Haitians my brothers, of this great and new challenge that awaits us. A country does not die," Martine Moise American Embassy : "The United States Embassy wishes all Haitians a happy Flag Day." Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau : With the abolition of slavery, the independence of Haiti marked a historic victory. Today, Haitians celebrate Haitian Flag Day, a symbol of strength. Canada will always support Haitians, who continue to demonstrate this strength in the face of adversity. United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) : BINUH wishes a happy holiday to all Haitians, who are celebrating the 221st anniversary of the creation of their flag, this May 18. Beyond the historical and symbolic value of the flag, the Haitian people are eager to see the security situation improve to continue moving toward the return of democracy, development and stability. 630 tonnes of food for Cite Soleil After a 2-month blockade, the World Food Program (WFP) regained access to Cite Soleil, one of the most vulnerable and insecure areas in Haiti. Over the past week, food deliveries have poured in and by the end of the two-week operation, 630 tonnes of food will have been distributed to more than 95,000 people. 219th of the Flag Day : 3 Presidential Advisors in the North This May 18, 2024, the historic city of Cap-Haitien commemorated the 221st anniversary of the creation of our two-tone. This event, marked by patriotism and national pride, brought together high dignitaries and citizens from all walks of life to honor this emblematic symbol of independence and Haitian resilience which was marked by the participation of 3 presidential advisors (Emmanuel Vertilaire, Smith Augustin and Fritz Alphonse Jean), emphasizing the importance given by this new administration to this historic event and the commemoration of the national heritage. Delmas: Vast cleaning and garbage collection operation Mayor Wilson Jeudy launched a vast cleaning and garbage collection operation. Indeed, our technicians work with tireless enthusiasm, actively contributing to preserving our precious environment. More than twenty trucks were mobilized for this operation, in different locations in the town, including Delmas 17. HL/ HaitiLibre While virtual reality glasses such as Metas Quest 3 allow you to wear glasses under the headset with relative ease, this is impossible with Apple's Vision Pro. It is not just the lack of space that is a problem, but above all the eye tracking, which would no longer work with glasses. This is why Apple offers so-called optical inserts, which the company has manufactured by Zeiss in China. They are available either as reading glasses or with individual prescription lenses. The so-called Readers cost 100 US dollars, Optical Inserts with individual prescriptions 150 dollars. Anzeige Zeiss and the values We have chosen Optical Inserts. Obtaining them is not so easy, as we have already described in an earlier article. It is essential to have a prescription from an American ophthalmologist. In addition, there is another problem: Zeiss does not manufacture all strengths, some are "out of range" for the Vision Pro. Especially in the case of astigmatism, it can happen that Zeiss rejects the values. As no details are ever given as to where the Optical Inserts may lie, this can degenerate into a game of ping-pong: you order the lenses via the Apple website, upload a prescription (adjusted downwards by the doctor if necessary) and then wait for an email from Zeiss with a rejection or approval. The optical inserts just like the Vision Pro itself - are only delivered to US addresses. The Vision Pro is expected to come to Europe, including Germany, in June at the earliest, but this is not yet official. Setup in the Vision Pro Once the prescription has been approved, production takes around 10 days. Delivery is carried out by Zeiss, whereby the packaging is typical of Apple - including easy-to-understand instructions. The optical inserts can also be engraved on request - for example so that they don't get mixed up if there are several in the family. Left and right are marked. Magnets in the Vision Pro hold the inserts in place - they click securely into place. The setup is simple: after inserting and entering the device PIN, you have to look at a code printed on the packaging of the optical inserts with the Vision Pro. This is followed by a new setup of hand and eye tracking, which is already familiar from the process without the lenses. Finally, the Optical ID biometric protection must also be carried out again, as this is obviously changed by the lenses. For spectacle wearers who previously had to wear the Vision Pro without lenses, the optical inserts are something of an awakening experience: the 4K OLED screens finally look sharp. This applies not only when viewing the beautiful environments or films, but especially when using the Mac Virtual Display to bring your computer into the Vision Pro. You can really immerse yourself in the headset and even lose your sense of space and time for a moment. Alternative from Germany Anzeige If you own a Vision Pro but are unable to go through Apple's optical insert process in the USA, there is also an alternative from Germany: The VR optician, which specializes in the subject and already has lenses for numerous headsets on offer, has recently also entered the Apple sector. The lenses are also made by Zeiss, are of high-quality workmanship and are even more configurable than what Apple sells. What's more, no prescription is required; the values from the eye test or ophthalmologist are sufficient. One disadvantage, however, is that there is currently no setup code. The configuration is done manually, including new hand and eye tracking. This caused problems with our test lenses, which were primarily aimed at correcting a more severe astigmatism the process was not completed. In such cases - which should be rare - the company helps and takes the lenses back. According to the company, this should not happen with regular visual acuities such as short-sightedness. In use, there were sometimes artifacts and "flashes" that we did not notice with Apple's original lenses. This could also have something to do with the setup process. Empfohlener redaktioneller Inhalt Mit Ihrer Zustimmmung wird hier ein externer Preisvergleich (heise Preisvergleich) geladen. Preisvergleiche immer laden Preisvergleich jetzt laden (bsc) County may scrap SRO cost-sharing with city, escalating feud The Henderson County Board of Commissioners has scrapped an agreement that supported the cost of Hendersonville police as school resource officers at the four county schools in the city. Amid growing tension over water-sewer extensions and higher density growth along the citys border, commissioners pulled the $250,000 payment they had been making for several years to offset the cost of fulltime SROs at Bruce Drysdale and Hendersonville elementary schools, Hendersonville Middle School and Hendersonville High School. The surprise move is likely to cost the county more than $700,000. From the city's perspective, all students that go to schools in Hendersonville are county residents and should get the same level of protection as everybody else in the county, City Manager John Connet said. If the commissioners choose not to fund our SROs well turn that responsibility over to the county. After county commissioners and administrators began getting calls Monday about the county board's budget discussion, county communications director Mike Morgan reached out to the Lightning to insist that the matter is far from settled. Nothing's been decided," he said. "This is just part of our budget workshop. It is something theres been a lot of back and forth on between the city and county. Theres no final word. Commissioners are committed to make sure there are resource officers in the schools. When Commissioner Bill Lapsley brought up the deletion of the county's $250,000 cost-sharing payment to the city, no commissioner suggested that the money ought to be restored. During the board's budget workshop on Wednesday, Lapsley asked Sheriff Lowell Griffin whether his office could provide SROs in the four schools. I've had concerns about the county officers taking over the city schools just because I want to make sure that the children have an opportunity to interact with folks that may be serving their community, Griffin said. So I just want it known I'm not up here lobbying to take that over. However, I do think that, if this is something that we were going to do, now is the time to do it. He urged the board to make that decision sooner rather than later because it would allow me some time for hiring and what we call field training (required) before they were actually deployable in a school. The cost of four deputies to serve as SROs would be $726,504 a year, Assistant County Manager Amy Brantley told commissioners. Staff deleted the $250,000 from the 2024-25 draft budget at the will of the board, County Manager John Mitchell said during the meeting. The next step is for me to communicate that to the city manager, for this reason they may wish to continue to provide those services. Thats unlikely to happen. The City Council will discuss the budget matter at its monthly workshop meeting on Wednesday. The decision to scrap the agreement caught us off guard, Connet said. It popped up at the 11th hour for our budget. It puts an over $300,000 hole in our budget. But I think ultimately what will happen is if the county chooses not to treat city schools in the same way they treat the rest of the county that the city, from a staff perspective, will recommend getting out of the school resource officer business and letting the sheriff provide that service. On the evening of May 13, a sudden dust storm took Mumbai by surprise and led to the collapse of a massive hoarding in Ghatkopar, an eastern suburb of the city. The incident led to the death of at least 16 people and injured over 70 others, sparking a lot of outrage among citizens who raised questions about the cost of human lives in a city that contributes the highest taxes in the country. Even as the rescue operations in Ghatkopar were going on, election campaigning continued in full swing in various parts of the city. Prime Minister Narendra Modis roadshow on May 15 passed just a short distance from the site. Barely a day after the tragic incident, the citys commuters were inconvenienced again due to road diversions and the suspension of metro services for some time due to the rally. It again highlighted how political parties are ignorant of the plight of the voters who elect them to power. A decisive election for Shiv Sena (UBT) and Shinde-led Shiv Sena As the maximum city with nearly 10 million voters and 6 Lok Sabha seats gears up to vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on May 20, the stakes have never been higher for the two Shiv Sena factions. The poll outcomes in the bustling metropolis will be instrumental in shaping the future of key political parties and leaders. Shiv Senas appeal among Mumbais residents, especially the Marathi manoos has helped the Sena-BJP alliance establish their dominance here. This time, however, the situation is complex. After the fallout in the undivided Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) alliance post-2019 and the vertical split in the party in 2022 with Sena leader Eknath Shinde joining hands with the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, the elections in Mumbai are now a litmus test for the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena and the Shinde-led Sena to assert themselves as the real representatives of the city residents. In three of the six seats in Mumbai Mumbai South, Mumbai South Central and Mumbai North West Sena vs Sena battles will take place, creating confusion among local cadre and loyal voters. While a large proportion of the Shiv Senas shakha (branch) level cadre is still backing the Uddhav-led party, many are very close to the Shinde-led Sena. Since several leaders have moved to Shindes side, it is challenging for grassroots supporters to pick sides. On the one hand, they want to remain loyal to Bal Thackerays legacy and support Uddhav but also want to back the person who has more power and influence in the current political scenario, said a senior Shiv Sena worker from Mumbai North West. At the same time, the Thane and Kalyan seats, which will also see a similar face-off between the two Senas, are a prestige battle for Eknath Shinde, often regarded as the king of Thane, due to the influence that he holds in the region. Uddhav Thackeray, his son Aaditya; and Eknath Shinde and his son, Shrikant Shinde are aggressively campaigning across Mumbai, trying to mobilise voters in every possible way. The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navanirman Senas decision to support the Mahayuti alliance has made things more complex for Marathi voters in the city who supported Thackeray when he criticised the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance ahead of the 2019 elections. With Thackeray aggressively campaigning for the Mahayuti, one has to see whether this is successful in swinging his supporters towards the alliance. Party Wise Seat Position 1991-2019 Lok Sabha(Sanjay Patil) A precursor to future elections The elections in Mumbai and adjoining regions such as Thane, Kalyan, Bhiwandi and Palghar which are set to vote on May 20 in the last phase of elections are also seen as a precursor to the elections to the Vidhan Sabha and the local bodies that follow later this year. For the Mahayuti, a strong performance in the Lok Sabha elections could solidify its standing and pave the way for future electoral successes in Maharashtra. PM Modis roadshow, the Mahayutis sabha in Dadars Shivaji Park and the aggressive campaign push by the alliance highlight how significant the Mumbai elections are for its electoral fortunes. The BJP, which earlier relied on Shiv Sena for attaining power in Mumbai, may get a large chunk of the credit if the Mahayuti succeeds. This may increase the national partys power in the state, particularly in Mumbai, which will help the party fight Uddhav-led Senas dominance in the countrys richest civic body the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. For the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), made up of the Congress, Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congres Party and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), this is a time to bank on its short-lived glory post-2019. The campaign against gaddaars (traitors) launched by the MVA has captivated the attention of many citizens who are angry about leaders switching sides for political gains and to cover up allegations and charges of corruption against them. The MVA may mutually benefit from their alliance and may be able to consolidate votes against the BJP in the state effectively. Similarly, the support that the MVA is getting from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Communist Party of India along with allies in the INDIA bloc can be a crucial game-changer. Party Wise Seat Position 1990-2019 Vidhan Sabha Demographic shifts and voter behaviour In addition to the abovementioned highlights, one of the most important factors that are likely to influence the elections in Mumbai is the demographic shifts that the city has seen due to development projects over the last decade. This demographic shift is likely to impact traditional voting patterns. For instance, central Mumbai (which includes areas such as Parel, Lalbaug and Naigaon) has seen a huge boom in skyscrapers and corporates over the last few years. Several old structures that once housed middle-class locals at one point are making way for tall complexes where the new elites across communities have moved in. Similarly, a large proportion of the new middle class is moving to the far-end suburbs in search of affordable living conditions. It is also important to note that this time, due to shifting alliances, we see a huge shift in loyalties of certain traditional demographic dynamics. For instance, the Muslims in the city, which have always voted for secular parties like the Congress, NCP and Samajwadi Party in the past are now seen attending the sabhas of Shiv Sena (UBT) candidates, seemingly in a bid to challenge BJPs right-wing politics. As the campaign trail concludes on Saturday evening, it remains unclear if the elections and their results will yield any relief for the lakhs of voters in the city who grapple with some crucial issues crumbling infrastructure, rising prices and shrinking space for housing, poor public transport facilities and the pressure on healthcare facilities to name a few. Even as six prominent parties battle to capture power in the city, the agenda of the common man is absent in the grand campaigns that focus on a show of strength and name-calling opponents, said senior political journalist and analyst Prakash Akolkar. As Mumbai grapples with an array of challenges amidst the fervour of election campaigns, the choices made by its voters on May 20 will shape the trajectory of political alliances and governance in the city and the state of Maharashtra. These elections will serve as a critical indicator of public sentiment and redefine the power balance in the state, setting the stage for the forthcoming Vidhan Sabha and local body elections later this year. Dr. Sanjay Patil is a Mumbai-based researcher who works on Maharashtra Politics and Urban Informality. His doctoral work looks at the journey of Shiv Sena between 1985 and 2022. Veteran banker and Padma Bhushan recipient Narayanan Vaghul, who passed away on Saturday, was cremated in the city on Sunday, family sources said, PTI reported. Former chairman of ICICI bank Narayanan Vaghul passed away at the age of 88. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil) Vaghul (88) died due to health issues. He is survived by his wife Padma, son Mohan and daughter Sudha. ALSO READ- Heavy monsoon hopes drive up stock prices: Check these top performers Who is Narayanan Vaghul: A pioneering banker Narayanan Vaghul served as chairman and CEO of ICICI Bank Limited for 24 years, transforming it into India's second-largest commercial bank and pioneering the Universal Banking Model in India. He established India's first venture capital company, which has grown to be an industry leader. Vaghul was instrumental in founding ICICI Securities, an investment banking firm, and CRISIL, India's first credit rating agency, serving as its founding chairman for nearly a decade. Vaghul received numerous accolades, including Businessman of the Year by Business India (1992), Lifetime Achievement Awards from Economic Times (2006), Ernst & Young (2009), and the Bombay Management Association (2013). He was also honored for his contributions to corporate governance by the Institute of Company Secretaries. In 2009, the government awarded Narayanan Vaghul the Padma Bhushan for his significant contributions to Indian banking and corporate governance. ALSO READ- Naturals founder Raghunandan Kamath dies: 5 facts about Ice cream man of India' Leaders mourn veteran banker Narayanan Vaghul Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, RBI governor Shaktikanta Das, and Mahindra group chairman Anand Mahindra condoled the demise of veteran banker Narayanan Vaghul, also known as theBhishma Pitamaha of banking in India. Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram mourned Vaghul's passing, crediting him with mentoring many legendary women bankers. "He was a legendary banker who turned ICICI into a financial powerhouse. He spotted talent, mentored, promoted, and entrusted them with high responsibilities. Many of them, especially women, became legendary bankers themselves," Chidambaram said in a social media post. "May his example guide the banking industry and may his soul rest in peace." ALSO READ- Surats lab-grown diamond crisis deepens as De Beers cuts prices Industry leaders, including Piramal Group chairman Ajay Piramal, Asian Paints chairman R Seshasayee and ICICI Bank MD and CEO Sandeep Bakshi, paid their last respects at Vaghul's residence. Former Axis Bank MD and CEO Shikha Sharma, Cognizant co-founder Lakshmi Narayanan, TAFE chairperson Mallika Srinivasan, and L&T CMD S.N. Subrahmanyan also paid their respects to the late veteran. The fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections will take place on Monday, where 13 constituencie of Maharashtra will vote. Due to voting banks, stock markets, liquor shops will remain closed. Phase 5 of Lok Sabha elections: The Bandra - Worli sea link is illuminated awareness of Voting ahead of Lok Sabha Election, in Mumbai, India, on Thursday, May 16, 2024. (Photo by Bhushan Koyande/HT Photo) Follow- Read Elections 2024 News and Lok Sabha Election Updates Which consituencies will vote on May 20? Maharashtra 1. Mumbai North 2. Mumbai North-West 3. Mumbai North-East 4. Mumbai North-Central 5. Mumbai South-Central 6. Mumbai South 7. Thane 8. Kalyan 9. Palghar 10. Dhule 11. Dindori 12. Nashik 13. Bhiwandi ALSO READ- What is BJP's Plan B if it doesn't win 272 seats in Lok Sabha elections? Amit Shah's reply Dry day for elections in Maharashtra Liquor shops will be closed in key constituencies like Mumbai, Palghar, Kalyan, and Thane in Maharashtra where polls are scheduled. In Mumbai, bars and wine shops will reopen at 5 PM on May 20, aligning with election day. Another dry day will be observed in Mumbai on June 4 during vote counting until the results are announced. Stock exchanges to remain closed The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) will be closed on May 20 due to voting as all six Mumbai seats are up for voting in this phase of the election. ALSO READ- Delhi Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Date, schedule, phase, seats, candidates Schools, colleges to remain shut On election day, schools and colleges will be closed as they serve as polling stations. Additionally, these institutions remain shut to ensure security and minimise disruptions during the potentially volatile polling period. Maharashtra: Key battleground in Lok Sabha elections Maharashtra, with its 48 Lok Sabha seats, is a crucial battleground in the elections, second only to Uttar Pradesh in the number of seats. Voting has concluded for the first four phases, and the ongoing seven-phase election will wrap up on June 1, with results to be announced on June 4. An 18-year-old boy from Bengaluru killed his younger brother over an argument while playing video games in the mobile phone. The police arrested the teenager, and he was sent to judicial custody. Bengaluru teen kills his younger brother for not returning his mobile phone According to a report in The Indian Express, the deceased and accused were identified as Praneesh and Shivakumar, who were living in the Neriga area. Shivakumar, a school dropout, asked his brother Praneesh to return his phone. Praneesh, who was playing video games on the mobile phone, refused to return it, and an argument started between the siblings. Also Read - Karnataka BJP chief Vijayendra demands CBI probe into obscene video case Shivakumar then grabbed a hammer and threatened Praneesh to return the mobile. When Praneesh did not give it back, the accused started hitting Praneesh with the hammer. He was continuously hit by his elder brother and later collapsed with a pool of blood. The parents were not in the house when the incident happened. However, when police found out about the death, Shivakumar did not reveal that he killed his brother. Upon questioning, Shivakumar confessed to the incident and said that the incident happened on May 15. The accused was produced before the court. The family of Shivakumar and Praneesh hails from Adoni in Andhra Pradeshs Kurnool district. Bengaluru police detained an Instagram influencer after he posted a video saying he would be trespassing into the Chinnaswamy stadium during the RCB vs. CSK match on Saturday. The video went viral, and Cubbon Park police took him into custody for attempting to breach security. Instagram influencer detained in Bengaluru after trying to run in Chinnaswamy Also Read - IPL 2024 points table after RCB vs CSK: Royal Challengers Bengaluru qualify for playoffs, Chennai Super Kings eliminated The Instagram influencer Nitin Sequeria earlier posted a video in which he promised his followers that he would be running in Chinnaswamy stadium during the match if he got 50k followers. However, he clocked 50k followers, and then Nitin started posting videos about how he was going to enter the stadium on May 18. He even claimed that he got a ticket to suitable stands in Chinnaswamy stadium, where he could easily jump into the ground. After his videos went viral on social media, Bengaluru police had to step up to avoid the security breach in the stadium. In an X post, Bengaluru police wrote, Nice try, Buddy! But attempting to breach security during #IPL is a guaranteed six straight into our custody. Sorry, mate, you're stumped. Cubbon Park police made preventive detention based on his viral post, police added further. There were a few instances where fans jumped into the ground during the match to meet their favourite players like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The social media users appriciated Bengaluru police for keeping an eye out on teenagers who is breaching law to get the social media fame. A user wrote, I'm really happy to see this. Because this wasn't a one-off case. His other video is a big security breach gate crashing RCB ad shoot without permission. If he does it. Anyone will try to imitate the same and a really bad influence as an influencer. Royal Challengers Bangalore won the match against Chennai Super Kings and qualified for the playoffs in IPL. A row erupted after former MLA and Congress leader Simarjeet Singh Bains leaked a purported telephonic conversation between him and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominee MP Ravneet Singh Bittu. In audio clip, Bittu is allegedly making comments about several party leaders, including BJP state president Sunil Jakhar. The BJP nominee said that he would file a complaint with the election commission. (HT File) HT could not independently verify the veracity the audio. Denying the audio recordings authenticity, Bittu said that it was fabricated to mimic his voice in an attempt to tarnish his image. The BJP nominee said that he would file a complaint with the election commission. According to the close associates of Bains,the audio was recorded days after Bittu had switched allegiance to the saffron party. Simarjeet Singh Bains, who recently joined the Congress and dissolved his Lok Insaaf Party (LIP), put out the audio on his Facebook account. In the audio, Bittu is heard stating that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi was welcoming anyone wearing a turban. He is heard convincing Bains to join the BJP. Bains said that if he would join the BJP, then he would be a hero for Bittu, but as he joined the Congress, Bittu was making personal remarks against him. While many people have recordings of my voice, misusing it and broadcasting it in the media is an attempt to tarnish my image. My lawyers will soon lodge a complaint,said Bittu. I contested elections against Bains earlier, but we never resorted to such tactics. This time, after joining the Congress, he has engaged in this activity, possibly with the backing of the party, he added. Bittu added that during elections, they always encourage leaders from every party to join the BJP as they were going to form government at the Centre. Bittu targeted jailed radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh, who is contesting elections as an Independent from Khadoor Sahib. Bittu said there was a battle between nationalist and anti-nationalist forces and Punjab must decide whether to vote for Modi for development or for Amritpal. BJP workers have also posted old video clips where Punjab Congress chief and party nominee from Ludhiana Amarinder Singh Raja Warring was heard calling Bains electricity thief. Lucknow: The special CBI court on Saturday convicted Rahul Varma, an alumnus of IIT Kanpur and IIM Lucknow, in the 2008 murder case of 30-year old Mumbai based fashion designer Aadesh Bajpai. The court will pronounce the quantum of punishment on May 22. (Pic for representation) The court will pronounce the quantum of punishment on May 22. Bajpai was allegedly killed in 2008 and his remains were found on IIT-Kanpur campus. The case was handed over to the CBI on the instructions of the Allahabad high court in 2011. Mumbai-based Bajpai had gone to Kanpur to meet his cousin Vivek Trivedi on August 10, 2008. After the meeting, he told his cousin that he was going to meet his friend Verma at IIT and the cousin left him at the scheduled place where Verma was waiting. Bajpai had gone missing from that day. After six days, his father Suryakant Bajpai filed an FIR with the Kanpur police which determined from cell phone records that he was present on the campus. After 13 days, the remains were found on the campus. The DNA profiling had established that these remains were his. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday urged voters to ensure a third term for PM Narendra Modi, promising that Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) will become part of India under a strong government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath at a poll rally in Azamgarh on May 19. (HT photo) Terming the Congress, the SP and I.N.D.I alliance an alliance of anarchy, corruption and imposing curfews, he said those who incited violence had been punished. Yogi also appealed to people to ensure that all those who opposed Ram temple in Ayodhya and supported terrorists and mafia get their deposits forfeited in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls so that they are taught a lesson. Addressing a public rally at Phoolpur Pawai in Azamgarh in support of party candidate Neelam Sonkar from Lalganj Lok Sabha seat, the CM said before 2014, the situation of the country was very bad. There were terror incidents and an atmosphere of fear, Yogi added. Despite all this, the Congress remained silent, he added. On the other hand, there has not been a single terror attack in the country in the last 10 years. Today, even if a firecracker bursts, Pakistan starts giving clarifications. Today, Pakistan is struggling to save its country. Not only this, there is continuous agitation in PoK, he said. The CM further said, Give PM Modi a third term, and PoK will be a part of India. Only one voice is resonating in the whole country... Phir ek baar Modi Sarkar, Ab ki baar 400 Paar... making the Congress, SP, and the BSP uncomfortable, the CM said. He also said the people will only vote for the BJP over Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. A voice comes from people who say that we will bring those who brought Lord Ram. This whole election is between Ram Bhakt and Ram Drohi... Yogi added. MP Sangeeta Azad, vice president, Purvanchal Development Board Narendra Singh and MLA Ram Vikas Chauhan were prominent among those present on the occasion. At another rally in Azamgarhs Mehnagar in support of party candidate Dinesh Lal Yadav Nirahua, Yogi said, During previous governments, bullets were fired at Ram devotees but today the devotees of Lord Ram are welcomed with open arms in Ayodhya. Later, reflecting on PM Modis decade-long tenure at a rally in Rampur Khas in Pratapgarh in support of BJP candidate Sangam Lal Gupta, the CM underscored Indias enhanced global stature and successful efforts in countering terrorism and Naxalism. Asserting Indias strength, he emphasised that any provocation would be met with a firm response. At another public meeting in support of Phulpur candidate Praveen Patel in Sikandra Rauja, Baharia, in Prayagraj, he targeted the opposition parties and said that whenever Congress and SP join hands, some bad omen happens. You all, be careful, these two boys have come together as a bad omen. The dream of reservation in the name of religion will never be fulfilled in this country, he said. At a rally at Karachhana in Prayagrajs Allahabad seat for BJP candidate Neeraj Tripathi, the CM said: The INDI alliance is a lying machine because it tells all kinds of lies, sometimes about the Constitution and sometimes about reservation. They want to mislead the public with their lies, but the public has understood their lies. The Assam police seized 10.333 kilograms heroin near Silchar-Aizawl bypass in Cachar district on during an operation on Saturday night. Police said they are investigating the backward and forward links to find where these narcotic products were going. The officials said that the consignment was coming from Myanmar and they have arrested three Mizoram residents in this connection. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday morning shared the information on social media. Massive drug haul of 105 crore. In a major crackdown on the drugs network, Cachar Police conducted a special operation and confiscated 10.333kg heroin transported from a neighbouring state, he wrote on X. Imagine the countless lives saved through this seizure. We are committed to working 24/7 to ensure our youths do not fall into this trap. Good job Assam Police, he added. Superintendent of police (SP) of Cachar district, Numal Mahatta on Sunday said that based on secret information, they conducted a raid at Atalbasti area near Silchar on Saturday night and seized the narcotic products from a vehicle. Based on a credible intelligence, a special operation was conducted, and we recovered nine black leather bags containing 8.786 kg heroine and sixty soap cases filled with 1.547 kg heroin, which makes the total 10.333 kg and the price of it at the international markets will be 105 crore, Mahatta said. As per the information shared by the SP, the three arrested persons have been identified as Daniel C. Lalchandama (32), Laltalnzova (31) and Miss Malsawmengi (36). Daniel is a resident of Aizawl while the other two are residents of Champhai district, which shares a border with Myanmar. The consignment of the narcotics substance is illegally transported from Champai district of Mizoram, and it is suspected that it was coming from Myanmar. We are investigating the backward and forward links to find where these narcotic products were going, Mahatta said. He said that a case has been registered against these three individuals under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) and theyll be produced before the court on Monday. Last week, the Assam police seized 20,00,00 Yaba tablets which were brought from Myanmar. The officials said that the estimated price of the seized narcotics would be worth 40 crores in international markets. The superintendent of police (SP) of Karimganj district, Partha Pratim Das said that based on specific information they launched an operation in the district near Assam-Mizoram border on Thursday morning and seized the amount from a secret chamber inside a petrol tanker. In the initial investigation, it has been found that the petrol tanker was coming from Myanmar, and it entered India through Champhai district of Mizoram. It was going to some other part of the state as per the initial findings, but we are investigating further, Das said. A Tripura youth accused of human trafficking in a case registered with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) last year was arrested by the central agency and state police on Sunday from Sepahijala district, officials said. Police said there are a few more accused persons in the case and warrants were issued against them. (Representative Image) Speaking to media persons at Bishalgarh of Sepahijala district, local police station in-charge Rana Chatterjee said that Hannan Miah of Matinagar in Sepahijala district was accused in a human trafficking case of the NIA from last year. He was accused in a human trafficking case of the NIA registered in Guwahati last year. He was the most wanted criminal in that case. We arrested him from Rastarmatha area in Sepahijala district as per requisition from NIA. A team of NIA came here today from Guwahati. They have moved a transit remand plea at a local court here today. If the court grants the order, they will have him moved to Guwahati tomorrow (Monday), the official said. There are a few more accused persons in the case and warrants were issued against them, the official added. The arrests come shortly after five persons were arrested from different parts of Tripura in December last year connected to a case of human trafficking in Guwahati. The arrests made last year in connection with NIAs human trafficking case included three persons arrested from Belonia and Sabroom in South District and two others were arrested from Irani in Unakoti district. The operation was carried out by a joint team of the NIA, Border Security Force (BSF) and state police. The central agency arrested 44 persons as part of the human trafficking case last year. This included 21 people arrested from Tripura, 10 persons from Karnataka, two others from Tamil Nadu, one person each from Haryana, Telangana and Puducherry. The arrest came shortly after BSF jawans arrested a cross-border smuggler from a bordering area in Tripuras West district on Saturday in possession of four gold biscuits. The arrestee was identified as 36-year old Prashant Rai from Amtali of West Tripura district. He was arrested in an ambush set by BSF personnel near the Indo-Bangla international border. In the series of operations, on 18.05.24, based on specific BSF input an ambush was laid by BSF troops in the area of BOP Nischintpur, 42 battalion of BSF. The ambush party observed the movement of two suspects in between the international boundary and border fence, the an official said. However, one of the other smugglers in the group escaped and ran away taking advantage of dense vegetation, the official said. A manhunt was started to search and find him. Nischintapur is the last Indian village on the Indian side before Bangladesh in the area and also a high security zone since it is an intersection point in the Agartala-Akhaura international railway connectivity route, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi premier Sheikh Hasina last year. Pune: Two people, a man and a woman, were killed after a luxury Porsche car hit a two-wheeler in the Kalyaninagar area of Pune city during the wee hours on Sunday, police said. The accident took place in Kalyani Nagar area of Pune city (HT Photo/Sourced) Police said they received a call around 3:00am about the accident near Ballr Pub. Pune City police commissioner Amitesh Kumar had earlier issued guidelines according to which bars, pubs, restaurants, and rooftop hotels are to be closed by 1:00am. Police said they detained the driver of the car, a minor, who is the son of a prominent real estate developer. We have detained the minor for medical examination to ascertain if he had consumed alcohol, Pune city deputy commissioner of police Vijay Kumar Magar said. A video went viral on social media in which the bystanders were seen thrashing the driver of the car. After the accident, he was stopped by the bystanders while trying to flee the spot, who thrashed him before handing him over to the police. The deceased have been identified as Anees Avadhya and Ashwini Costa. They were returning from a restaurant when a luxury Porsche car collided with the motorcycle from the rear in the Kalyaninagar area, killing both on the spot, said police. Maharashtra 12th Result 2024: The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) will announce the Class 12 HSC results today, May 21 at 1 PM. Maharashtra HSC result 2024 live updates When declared, students can check the Maharashtra Class 12th result 2024 on the following websites:...Read More mahresult.nic.in hscresult.mahahsscboard.in mahahsscboard.in and hscresult.mkcl.org To check the results, students will have to enter their roll number and mother's first name on the websites mentioned above. The Maharashtra HSC exam was conducted from February 21 to March 19 in two shifts from 11 am to 2 pm and second shift from 3 pm to 6 pm. The Class 12 result is likely in the third week of May and the Class 10 result in the last week. Over 14 lakh students are waiting for Maharashtra HSC result 2024. Check details below. With the poor performance of a total of 125 Tripura schools under the Vidyajyoti scheme in Central Board of Secondary Education ( CBSE) conducted board examinations, the Education Department asked the teachers to conduct special classes for the students who failed to qualify for their board examinations during the entire summer vacation. An official from the Education Department, on a condition of anonymity, informed that the classes would begin for the students in subjects they got compartmental results.(HT File) An official from the Education Department, on a condition of anonymity, informed that the classes would begin for the students in subjects they got compartmental results. The state government approved to convert a total of 100 schools to " Vidyajyoti Schools" with state-of-the-art facilities for providing quality education in 2021. All these schools were affiliated to CBSE under Mission 100. Later, more schools were brought under theVidyajyoti scheme. As per the CBSE results, the Class 10 and Class 12 recorded 61 percent and 55 percent pass percentages this year. Different political parties including CPI(M) and Congress criticized the BJP for the unplanned conversion of Bengali medium schools to English medium with a shortage of qualified teachers. Also Read: Study abroad: Applying to UK Universities? Here are five things every student must know before submitting applications CPIM state secretary Jitendra Chowdhury criticized the former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb and former Education Minister Ratanlal Nath for the situation and said, " We have been saying since long about the government's unplanned decision of bringing Bengali medium schools under Vidyajyoti scheme. Actually, it was their pre-planned initiative to create such an unplanned situation. Our students organization already staged protest about the issue." Congress spokesperson Partha Acharjee said, " We feel that the Vidyajyoti scheme is creating division among students in the society as only the students who can pay money can study in these schools. We appeal to form a panel led by educationists to discuss how the scheme can be made free for all students". When asked, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha said that he is aware of the poor performance of the students in the board examinations and would take up the matter for discussion with Education Department at the earliest. Also Read: Bridging the math gap: 5 reasons why financial literacy should be imparted from an early age The opening episodes of My Hero Academia Season 7 treated fans to a spell-binding, courageous look at Star and Stripe and her ultimate fall. Yet her tactful defeat ultimately helped bring down Shigaraki for the time being and significantly blew away his power reserve. Still from My Hero Academia Season 7 Episode 3.(Studio Bones) The fourth entry of the 21-episode run will drop on Saturday as our beloved anime superheroes bless us with an emotional rollercoaster and action-packed weekend. My Hero Academia Season 7 Episode 4, titled The Story of How We All Became Heroes, will once again show Deku tapping into his bottomless pit of empathy for others as Class 1-A mulls over ways to repurpose the situation against them to counter-attack the villains and their strategies. My Hero Academia Season 7 Episode 4 Release date According to several sources, the next My Hero Academia episode will air on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. JST. Also read | Demon Slayer Hashira Training, My Hero Academia Season 7 dominate Anime TV rankings for May week 2 | Full list out Where to watch My Hero Academia Season 7 Episode 4? Japanese audiences may watch the fourth episode on local networks, such as Nippon TV and others. On the contrary, international audiences may rely on streaming platforms Crunchyroll and Netflix to watch Episode 4. The show is also streamed on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney Plus, and other streaming platforms in limited regions. Global audiences may refer to the following estimated release schedule for its eventual Crunchyroll premieres. Mindful of delayed premieres on Crunchyroll, international viewers may tune in an hour after the Japanese broadcast as follows: Pacific Daylight Time: Saturday, May 25, at 2:30 am Eastern Daylight Time: Saturday, May 25, at 5:30 am Central European Summer Time: Saturday, May 25, at 10:30 am Indian Standard Time: Saturday, May 25, at 3 pm Australian Central Standard Time: Saturday, May 25, at 7:30 pm Also read | Wind Breaker Episode 8: Exact release date, where to watch and more My Hero Academia Season 7 Episode 3 Recap Chapters 335 to 338 of Kohei Horikoshi's manga fuelled the actions of Episode 3, particularly centred around the progressing character growth of all those in Class 1-A. Shigaraki suffers through a painful experience as his and AFO's consciences start fusing. The previous episode also hinted at the suspicious presence of a mole at U.A., who could possibly be in cahoots with AFO. The focus eventually shifts to the heroes' practice sessions as many of them attempt to harness their new strengths. It significantly fleshes out meaningful individual arcs of Todoroki and Bakugo's stories. Again, joining forces, Class 1-A maps out the possibilities and strategies that could help them defeat their archnemesis. Yuga Aoyama's connection with AFO is also disclosed, as he ends up firing at Deku. Toru Hagakure jumps in to save him, unveiling her abilities as the Invisible Girl and how her powers work. U.A. heroes circle around Aoyama as the surprise element in their plans against AFO. After attending the 77th Cannes Film Festival, actor Aishwarya Rai on Saturday returned to Mumbai with her daughter Aaradhya Bachchan. Several pictures and videos of the duo at the Mumbai airport emerged on social media platforms. (Also Read | Aishwarya Rai unfazed by trolling, calls her Cannes Film Festival outfit magical) Aaradhya Bachchan with her mother Aishwarya Rai in Mumbai. Aishwarya and Aaradhya return to Mumbai A video of the mother-daughter duo was shared by a paparazzi account on Instagram. In the clip, as Aishwarya and Aaradhya Bachchan walked out of the airport, both of them smiled at the paparazzi. Aaradhya walked beside her mother. Before leaving the airport, Aishwarya waved at the paparazzi from her car. Fans react to Aishwarya and Aaradhya's video Reacting to the post, a fan wrote, "Aish looks so beautiful." "She is such a sweet and simple child. Refuses to leave her injured mother," said a person. For the travel day, Aishwarya wore a black outfit under a colourful jacket. Her injured right hand is still in a cast and arm sling. Aaradhya opted for a white and red sweatshirt, denims and shoes. Aishwarya's outfits at Cannes Aishwarya recently shared two videos on Instagram from her Cannes red carpet appearance. She posted it with heart emojis. During her second appearance at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, Aishwarya opted for a gown by designer duo Falguni and Shane Peacock. She wore a shimmery blue and silver gown as she walked the red carpet on Friday for the screening of filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos' latest feature Kinds of Kindness, starring Emma Stone. The actor had a cast on her right hand that she has been wearing for an unspecified injury. A regular at the Cannes Film Festival for the past two decades, Aishwarya debuted at the 2024 edition on Thursday with a gown by Falguni Shane Peacock. The actor struck a pose in the monochrome gown adorned with 3D metallic elements and golden accents while walking the red carpet. She was attending the premiere of Hollywood legend Francis Ford Coppolas latest movie Megalopolis, starring Adam Driver. Mumbai, Actor Sumona Chakravarti says she has been on her own journey and doesn't have an answer about her absence from the celebrity comedy talk show The Great Indian Kapil Sharma Show, hosted by her frequent collaborator Kapil Sharma. HT Image The actor, who has been part of Sharmas shows since 2013, said she is touched by the love of fans who have missed her on the ongoing ensemble Netflix series. Chakravarti featured on Colors' "Comedy Nights with Kapil" and "The Kapil Sharma Show" on Sony TV . Asked why she isn't a part of The Great Indian Kapil Sharma Show, she told PTI: I dont have an answer to this. The show that I was part of, which was on another channel, ended last year in July. Since then, Ive been on my own journey, doing my own things, networking, and meeting people. Sharma partnered with streaming service Netflix for a new venture The Great Indian Kapil Sharma Show, which features Sunil Grover, Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, Rajiv Thakur, and Archana Puran Singh. Chakravarti, also known for TV serial "Bade Achhe Lagte Hain", said people often keep coming up to her and say they miss her. I know fans have missed , Ive seen their messages. I meet people everywhere, the moment you step out of the house, your neighbours tell you . That is exactly what motivates you to do something different. When I was in London last year, I had so many Indians telling me that they liked me in Bade Achhe Lagte Hain. Its really nice to see the love coming whether its for Bade Achhe or Comedy Nights. Its great and you know you are doing something right. Nobody expected me to do well in comedy she added. The 35-year-old actor, who is gearing up to participate in stunt reality show "Khatron Ke Khiladi 14", said going forward she wants to try something different in her career. This year some exciting stuff will happen with fiction. I was busy with theatre. Now, this is happening. So, its about doing something different now, she said. The actor said she is blessed to have garnered acclaim for her role of Natasha Kapoor in Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, headlined by Ram Kapoor and Sakshi Tanwar, and for director Anurag Basu's 2012 film Barfi!, in which she played the role of Ileana D'Cruzs friend. Bade Achhe Lagte Hain gave me a name, it was my claim to fame. I had worked a lot before but Bade Achhe Lagte Hain made me famous, and I owe a lot of my career to that show. "For Barfi!, we didn't even have the script but the idea was to work with Anurag da. I took up the film thinking, This will be an amazing crash course as an actor. I knew Ill get to work with Ranbir , with Priyanka . Unfortunately, I didnt have a scene but it was amazing to be a brick on the wall. You learn so much by just having a film like Barfi on your resume," she said. Chakravarti is thrilled about her participation in Khatron Ke Khiladi 14, which features celebrity contestants facing their worst fears to win the coveted title. The actor said her mother has been an ardent admirer of the Rohit Shetty-hosted show and she would often insist Chakravarti to participate in it. Every year she would be like, Why dont you do this show? I would be like, Why you want me to be in an uncomfortable situation? "I know theres a certain image that has been created in peoples minds because of my body of work, so I thought Khatron Ke Khiladi is a great platform, where I get to do things that I would really like to do, like going on adventures. Its also a platform that will present my real self, how I deal with situations, she added. The upcoming installment of Khatron Ke Khiladi also features Shilpa Shinde, Asim Riaz, Krishna Shroff, Shalin Bhanot, Abhishek Kumar, Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia, Karan Veer Mehra, Kedar Aashish Mehrotraa, Aditi Sharma, Gashmeer Mahajani, and Niyati Fatnani. The show will soon air on Colors channel. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Actor Kiara Advani, who is currently in Cannes, attended the Red Sea Film Foundation's Women in Cinema Gala dinner. Several pictures and videos of the actor emerged on social media platforms. The event is being held alongside the 77th Cannes Film Festival. (Also Read | Cannes 2024: Kiara Advani dazzles in orange for her second appearance at Women in Cinema Gala. See pics) Kiara Advani at the Red Sea Film Foundation's Women in Cinema gala dinner. What Kiara wore at Red Sea Film Foundation event For the event, Kiara wore an off-shoulder silk pink and black gown. The outfit had a huge pink bow at the back. She styled her hair in a high bun. The actor also wore a necklace and black lace gloves. In several photos and Kiara posed for the paparazzi on the red carpet. What Kiara said about her Cannes debut, career Speaking to the paparazzi, Kiara said, "It's very humbling. It's very very humbling. It's going to be a decade in my career now. So I think it comes at a very special moment as well. I'm truly so humbled to be here at Cannes for the first time and be honoured by the Red Sea Foundation for Women In Cinema. It's just such a humbling experience." Who all were honoured at the event At the gala, she was honoured along with Aseel Omran, Adhwa Fahad, Ramata-Toulaye Sy, Sarocha Chankimha, aka Freen, and Salma Abu Deif. Taking to its official X (formerly Twitter) account, @RedSeaFilm shared several pictures from the event. The caption read, "The Red Sea International Film Festival (#RedSeaIFF) and Vanity Fair Europe reunited to host the #WomenInCinema Gala, held alongside the 77th Cannes Film Festival." "During the event, #VFEuropeXRedSeaIFF honoured six women who are fiercely redefining what is possible for future generations of female storytellers: Aseel Omran, Adhwa Fahad, Ramata-Toulaye Sy, Sarocha Chankimha aka Freen, Kiara Advani and Salma Abu Deif," it also added. Kiara's outfit in Cannes So far, Kiara has revealed her two looks as she checked into the French Riviera. Earlier, she attended the Red Sea Film Festival on day 2. She looked stunning in an orange bodycon outfit. She also wore an ivory crepe back satin dress featuring a thigh-high slit in Cannes. The outfit was from the shelves of designer Prabal Gurung. She elevated her simple yet classy ensemble with large matching earrings and heels. Naseeruddin Shah never shies away from speaking his mind on social issues and matters of national interest. The actor frequently expresses strong opinions on freedom of speech and the political influence on cinema. In a recent interview with Brut India at the Cannes Film Festival, the veteran expressed his interest in working on a 'courageous' film about religion. (Also read: Cannes 2024: Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah attend Manthan screening) Naseeruddin Shah recently expressed his interest on working in a film on 'religion'.(REUTERS) Naseeruddin Shah weighs in on film on religion Naseeruddin was quizzed if he had to choose a contemporary social issue for a film, what would be his choice. He opined, "I would say religion. I think courageous films should be made about this factor which seems to be on all our minds. This, to my mind, is one of the most harmful things that have happened to humanity, and that is why I consider a film that I did in Pakistan many years ago called Khuda Kay Liye, which was an important film, equally as important as Manthan. He further said, Some people are attempting to do that and gradually their numbers may multiply but its still not easy to make a direct statement and one has to couch ones message in a palatable form. Naseeruddin Shah's Manthan premiered at Cannes Naseeruddin was accompanied by his wife Ratna Pathak Shah at the screening of his social-drama Manthan (1976) directed by Shyam Benegal. The movie had been selected in the Cannes Classics section. The film also featured Girish Karnad, Smita Patil, and Amrish Puri in leading roles. Pratiek Babbar was also present at Cannes to witness the premiere of his late mother's (Smita Patil) classic. Naseeruddin Shah's upcoming projects Naseeruddin was recently seen in the drama-series Showtime (2024), starring Emraan Hashmi, Mouni Roy, Rajiv Khandelwal, Shriya Saran, Vijay Raaz and Mahima Makwana in crucial roles. His last theatrical release was Aasmaan Bhardwaj's Kuttey. He will be next seen in Vibu Puri's Ul Jalool Ishq, featuring Vijay Varma, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sharib Hashmi in pivotal characters. When Rithy Panh set out to make a movie on Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot last year, the celebrated Cambodian director faced a strange dilemma. The actors he chose to play the Communist dictator responsible for the genocide of two million people in Cambodia between 1975 and 1979 kept disappearing. (Also read: Kannada film to light up Cannes Film Festival 2024 with Banjara sunrise folk tale) Celebrated Cambodian director Rithy Panh at the 77th Cannes Film Festival.(Faizal Khan) "I found two actors, but they disappeared. The last one vanished just two weeks before the shooting was to start," says Panh, who shocked the world with graphic details of torture of prisoners by the Khmer Rouge regime in his 2003 documentary, S-21: The Khmer Rouge Killing Machine. "It is difficult for anyone in Cambodia today to play Pol Pot. You can't force people to play him," explains the Paris-based Panh, who instead decided to show the shadow of the former prime minister of Kampuchea as Cambodia was known then. "Okay, I thought if nobody was going to play him, I would play with his shadow," says Panh, who uses clay figurines of common people throughout the film to aesthetically merge fact and fiction. "Cinema is magic. From a difficult situation you can do something amazing. For me it was much more interesting with the shadow than the real character." Rithy Panh's new documentary, Meeting With Pol Pot, was screened in the Cannes Premiere section of the Cannes Film Festival earlier this week(Cannes Film Festival) Meeting with Pol Pot Panh's new documentary, Meeting With Pol Pot, which premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival earlier this week, tells the story of the arrival of three French journalists in Kampuchea in 1978 to interview Pol Pot. Lise Delbo is a reporter while Paul Thomas is a photographer. Alain Cariou, the third, is an intellectual who was a batchmate of Pol Pot at the university in Paris. Part of the Cannes Premiere section of the festival, the Khmer and French language film relies on a visit to Kampuchea in real life by three journalists --- American war correspondent Elizabeth Becker, who later wrote the book, When the War was Over: Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge Revolution (1998), American journalist Richard Dudman and Malcolm Caldwell from Scotland. Shot last year in an abandoned airport two-and-half hour drive from Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, the 112-minute documentary exposes the propaganda machine run by the Communist regime for changing the lives of people through revolution while starving them to death. Meeting With Pol Pot is about three journalists visiting Cambodia to interview Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot.(Cannes Film Festival) "We shot the film for six weeks in a real airport last year. A lot of people building this airport 50 years ago died because of starvation in their labour camp. The airport was never finished," Panh tells The Hindustan Times in an interview after the screening of Meeting With Pol Pot at the Cannes Film Festival. Echo of contemporary society "It is difficult to replace machines, but if people die you can replace them in a totalitarian regime," says the director of such works as The Missing Picture, an artistic exploration of the genocide that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013, and Rice People (1994), about Cambodians struggling to come to terms with the violence after the fall of Pol Pot in 1979. "Each revolution has its own DNA," he says. A lot of people talk about Marxism without reading Karl Marx. A lot of leaders like Pol Pot use ideology like pure form. I don't think Pol Pot was Marxist. Marx doesn't recommend that you kill people. When he talks about destroying class, he is not talking about killing people. "All revolutions have good intentions in the beginning, like we have to stand up against injustice and exploitation of the poor. People want freedom and food for their children. Later, the leaders become most of the time totalitarian because you need to maintain the power for the revolution to go on. In the case of Pol Pot, he said we would eliminate those who can't transform themselves." Panh, whose works delve on memories of the atrocities, believes his new film is true about contemporary society too. "The film is also an echo of today's problems, how people are expected to choose a side immediately. Leaders manipulate and ask you to take a side. Modern manipulation is too fast that it deletes all memories." Rithy Panh's new film uses shadow to show Pol Pot after two actors refused to play the dictator.(Cannes Film Festival) Surviving the revolution A teenager during the Khmer Rouge revolution, Panh, the youngest of nine children, lost his parents and half of siblings between 1975 and 1979. "My mother became sick and was admitted to hospital, but never came back home. My father died after he stopped eating saying you can't treat me like an animal. One of my sisters disappeared from hospital and another died in hospital from starvation. My eldest brother went missing after he went home to pick up a guitar he had just bought. Fifty years later, I still have a teeny hope he is alive," says Panh. Two of his siblings survived because they were studying in universities in Europe. "All the rest of my family died. I survived by chance. You don't survive because you are stronger, you survive because others help you," he says. Panh, who remained in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge rule, became a filmmaker by accident. "I started to paint first while I was in college. I wasn't a bad artist. One day my painting professor gave me a camera with three film rolls and I made my first comedy film about how students were trying to escape from school." Meeting Satyajit Ray "I am old school," says Panh. "I met Satyajit Ray once in Kolkata in 1989. He is a very tall, beautiful man. I was young then. He was the master. He talked and I listened. I have watched his films and studied how he made each frame. It is not easy to make and he is very precise about close-ups. I am a student of Ray and (Japanese directors) Akira Kurosawa and Shohei Imamura. They influenced me and enriched my mind." "I need to express myself in my culture, identity and point of view. And sometimes I steal from these masters. I am not ashamed of stealing from masters." * A beacon of the successful collaboration between China and Croatia, the wind farm also epitomizes the trend in recent years that the cooperation between China and European countries boasts great potential, particularly in green energy development. * The BYD plant will boost Europe's green transformation and improve the wellbeing of local people. Moreover, healthy competition with Chinese companies has also promoted innovation and R&D by European companies, said Kiszelly. * The China-Europe cooperation in the green sector is poised to lead to more significant advancements in the global drive for sustainability. * However, given the rise of China's EVs, lithium batteries and photovoltaic products, as well as its promising green cooperation with the globe, some American politicians and media have employed the rhetoric of China's overcapacity in new energy industry. BERLIN, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Situated on the Adriatic coast of western Croatia, the Senj Wind Farm has reduced the country's carbon dioxide emissions by about 460,000 tons annually since it was inaugurated in 2021. The cheaper green electricity it generates satisfies the demand of more than 100,000 households in the country. The green project, developed by China's Norinco International Cooperation Ltd., is a "model of cooperation" that benefits both countries, said Senj Mayor Jurica Tomljanovic. The revenue from its operation has been used to invest in infrastructure, water supply, sewerage, beaches and "everything important for the residents" in the city. A beacon of the successful collaboration between China and Croatia, the wind farm also epitomizes the trend in recent years that the cooperation between China and European countries boasts great potential, particularly in green energy development. This photo taken on Sept. 27, 2020 shows a lifting operation at the construction site of the Senj Wind Farm project in Senj, Croatia. (Photo by Ding Decai/Xinhua) WIN-WIN GREEN COOPERATION As Chinese battery producer CATL announced the decision to build its second European battery plant in Hungary in 2022, the two countries have witnessed increasing cooperation in advancing many green projects. Chinese carmaker BYD also decided to invest in a production base for its electric vehicles (EVs) in the European country. Hungarian Minister for National Economy Marton Nagy regarded the investment that came along with the rise of China's EV industry as an opportunity. By welcoming Chinese companies, Hungary has become a hub for electric car and battery manufacturing. Cooperation with China is not only beneficial to Hungary, but also to the EU as a whole, Zoltan Kiszelly, director of the Center of Political Analyses at Hungary's Szazadveg Institute, told Xinhua in a recent interview. The BYD plant will boost Europe's green transformation and improve the wellbeing of local people. Moreover, healthy competition with Chinese companies has also promoted innovation and R&D by European companies, said Kiszelly. The entry of Arcfox, the EV brand of Chinese giant automaker Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation, into the European market through Spain last week made another significant mark in China-Europe energy cooperation. In collaboration with Spanish Atium Logistic Group, Arcfox has established a logistics center for vehicle storage, deposit, and exportation at the port of Ferrol in northwest Spain. The center will cover a storage area of 9,000 square meters. By 2025, the Chinese firm expects sales of 5,000-8,000 units in the European market. A man looks at a BYD electric vehicle in Budapest, Hungary, Oct. 17, 2023. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua) "This is an initiative with a long-term vision that promotes Ferrol's prominence on the map of global logistics and, of course, of China, which could be a magnet for new investments," said Francisco Barea, president of the Port Authority of Ferrol. In the northeastern Spanish city of Barcelona, a new pact signed in April between Spain's Ebro-EV Motors and China's Chery Automobile will not only turn the city into an EV production center but also deliver benefits to its residents. The joint venture created by the pact will re-employ some 1,250 former auto manufacturing workers, who lost their jobs in 2021 when Nissan closed its Barcelona plant. Rosa Maria Jimenez was one of them. "For such a large and important company in China as Chery to come here means that we'll be able to continue doing what we know best, which is making cars," Jimenez told Xinhua. "This is going to create many jobs and not only for the workers in the company itself but all those jobs around that are connected to a car manufacturer," Jimenez added. The joint venture is expected to produce 150,000 vehicles a year in the Zona Franca port area. HIGHLY ANTICIPATED The China-Europe cooperation in the green sector is poised to lead to more significant advancements in the global drive for sustainability. Committed to providing high-quality products in coping with climate change, the Chinese new energy sector has contributed remarkably to the green transformation of countries worldwide, not least the EU members, said China's Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yadong in April. As manufacturing powerhouses, China and Germany are reinforcing collaboration in emerging sectors, including EVs and other green transformations. A growing number of Chinese enterprises are seizing new opportunities in Europe's largest economy by joining hands with local partners. A report by the Germany Trade &Invest earlier this week showed the country's foreign direct investment projects from China in 2023 surged by 42 percent year-on-year. According to the report, one-fifth of investment projects by Chinese companies went to Germany's renewable energy sector, tripling the number in 2022. The increasing global engagement of Chinese firms has benefited Germany, as their investments have contributed to Germany's goal of achieving climate-neutral production by 2045, said Thomas Bozoyan, author of the report. A staff member (L) introduces a NIO vehicle to a visitor at a NIO House in Berlin, capital of Germany, May 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei) "China and Germany could be important partners in the global climate goals, which can only be achieved together. We would welcome Chinese companies coming to Germany and producing here," Hildegard Mueller, president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry, said in an interview with Xinhua on Tuesday. She noted the rapid ramp-up of the Chinese EV market has benefited the European country technologically. In April, Zhu Jing, charge d'affaires of the Chinese Mission to the EU, also highlighted the strong consensus between China and Europe on green and low-carbon development at a tech forum held in Brussels. He emphasized eco-friendly cooperation between the two parties, pointing to substantial opportunities for collaboration in technology research and development, standardization, and industrial development. "The pressing challenges of climate change entails enhanced green cooperation between China and the EU, which will not only expedite their green transformation but also contribute significantly to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals," Zhu said. OVERCAPACITY FALLACY However, given the rise of China's EVs, lithium batteries and photovoltaic products, as well as its promising green cooperation with the globe, some American politicians and media have employed the rhetoric of China's overcapacity in new energy industry. Experts and officials from countries and international organizations refuted this fallacy and pointed out that politicizing China's new energy industry out of conservative protectionism to curb its development momentum shows no good signs for the global consensus and trend towards green and low-carbon pursuits, or for the burgeoning development of electric vehicles worldwide. "The fact that buyers still desire Chinese EVs suggests that the global market is not saturated yet and the assertion of overcapacity in China may be misplaced," said Eunice Kamwendo, a senior official from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Mueller also regarded the claim as "questionable", saying that "the Chinese numbers do not speak for it." The German auto association chief said that around 16 percent of the cars produced in China are exported, while the German car industry has higher export figures, with three out of every four produced cars exported. "We are not the right people to complain about overcapacity," instead, fair competition should be embraced globally and that is good for all parties, she emphasized. This photo taken on April 19, 2024 shows a scene at the signing event for an agreement between Spain's auto company Ebro-EV Motors and China's Chery Automobile in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua) Against the background of huge demand for new energy in the world, China's production capacity advantages have played an important role in promoting the globe's carbon-neutral goal. The green cooperation with China taking place in multiple European countries naturally dispels the unfounded claim. From a global perspective, overcapacity in EVs is not happening, said Wu Kegang, a former China adviser to the British Chambers of Commerce. He suggested that more Chinese companies should consider deepening cooperation and building EV manufacturing closer to the UK and EU markets. As to reducing global carbon emissions, Carl Fey, a professor of strategy at BI Norwegian Business School, told Xinhua, "The Chinese government deserves a lot of credit for early recognizing and believing that electric vehicles could be a solution." In the short term, it's good that the Chinese companies produce more "good quality, affordable electric cars from several manufacturers" to the world; in the long run, it's also good that the European and U.S. vehicle-makers can compete in the global arena, Fey said. "China has done a lot to help the world move towards a green future. And that is encouraging," he added. The Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival had the world premiere of Bulgarian-American filmmaker Konstantin Bojanov's The Shameless, which stars two relative newcomers Anasuya Sengupta and Omara Shetty. At Cannes, the two actors walked the red carpet and were also present for the photocall session of the film. (Also read: 10 films premiering at Cannes Film Festival 2024 that we cannot wait to watch) Anasuya Sengupta and Omara Shetty at Cannes. Anasuya and Omara at Cannes Anasuya has previously starred in Anjan Duttas Madly Bangalee (2009), and worked as a production designer in films like Sanjeev Sharmas Saat Uchakkey (2016) and Srijit Mukherjis Forget Me Not from the anthology film Ray (2021). Meanwhile, Omara has starring credits in Katrina Kaif-starrer Phone Bhoot (2022). According to the festival website, the official logline of The Shameless reads, In the dead of night, Renuka escapes from a Delhi brothel after stabbing a policeman to death. She takes refuge in a community of sex workers in northern India, where she meets Devika, a young girl condemned to a life of prostitution. Their bond develops into a forbidden romance. Together, they embark on a perilous journey to escape the law and forge their path to freedom. Renuka is played by Anasuya Sengupta whereas Omara plays Devika. More details For the red carpet, Omara chose a stunning silver gown by Louis Vuitton and paired it with Chopard jewels. Meanwhile, Anasuya chose a black and red printed dress by Bobo, a designer label based in Calcutta. For the photocall, Anasuya wore a silver dress designed by Arjun Saluja. Omara wore a white outfit. The Shameless Photocall , 17.05.2024- A day I will never ever ever forget. Thank you @festivaldecannes! wrote Anasuya in her Instagram handle. How excited are they to represent India at Cannes? Its definitely an immense honour, being recognised for the work you put in. I do feel heard and seen, and Ive never been here at the centre. Im very, very excited to attend screenings of other films in the lineup and meet the other amazing Indian women who made it to Cannes this year, be it Shahana Goswami, Sandhya Suri or Payal Kapadia. And if I could, Im also excited to catch The Apprentice, said Omara in an interview with The Hindu. Sandhya Suri's Santosh, starring Shahana Goswami (in Un Certain Regard); and Payal Kapadia's All We Imagine as Light (in Competition) are two other Indian films that are set to premiere at Cannes in the upcoming days. Priya Ahuja Rajda has reacted after her Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah co-star Gurucharan Singh returned home. Speaking to Hindustan Times exclusively, Priya shared that it was a moment of joy after the news of his return became public. She also said that the whole team of TMKOC was warried for the actor in the last few days. (Also read: Gurucharan Singh's TMKOC co-star Jennifer Mistry reacts to his return: He should have informed) Priya Ahuja Rajda is happy that Gurucharan Singh returned home. What Priya said I am so happy to hear that Gurucharan is back. The whole Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah was worried about his whereabouts since he went missing, and was hoping he comes back soon and reunites with his family, she said. Priya shot to fame after she played the role of Rita Reporter in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. Meanwhile, she further continued, It is a moment of joy that it has finally happened. We all can take a sigh of relief. Now, after what he has gone through, I just want to send across love and blessings to him. More details Gurucharan essayed the role of Roshan Singh Sodhi in the popular show. The actor who has been missing since April 22, returned home last Friday. News agency PTI, citing a police officer, reported that Gurucharan had gone for a spiritual journey during which he visited several Gurudwaras and religious places in Punjab. The police officer said that his statement has been recorded before the magistrate and he is doing fine. Gurucharan Singh, who was visiting his parents in Delhi, was expected to return to Mumbai but never reached the destination. The Delhi Police had filed a case of kidnapping and an investigation was underway to find him. Earlier, as per NDTV, Delhi Police's initial investigation into the case revealed that he was soon to get married and faced financial struggles. Aditi Rao reacts to viral Gajagamini walk Aditi confessed that she herself is not sure if it is called the Gajagamini walk. She said, I want to ask somebody, Sanjay sir, my dance teacher, what is it? Is it the Gajagamini walk, the swan walk? What walk is that I dont know! Ill say it was what Sanjay sir asked me to do. I followed Sanjay sir and what he told me. I know in Kathak there is Mayur chaal (peacock walk), then there is Gajagamini (walk of seduction), but I am sure it is in all the dance forms but I dont know, I should find out. Whatever I see on Instagram, Reel upon Reel, the whole viral nature of that tukda (piece) is so overwhelming. He (Sanjay) is very good at spotting magic on the spot and he created a lot of nuances in the process. She further added, He said that he wanted that dupatta to fall on a particular beat, the head to turn and the chann (sound of the ghungroo) to come exactly on the beat, so it was all his thought and his creation. Also, when I had put on the Ghagra, Sanjay Sir told me that I had put on weight. I asked him to give me 10 days since it was post Covid. He said, No you look beautiful. Lets shoot.' I really value that. That's why I say he is an incredible teacher." About Heeramandi Aditi plays the character of courtesan Bibbojaan in Heeramandi, who is the elder daughter of Mallikajaan portrayed by Manisha Koirala. The series is based on the Indian independence movement of the 1920s-40s. The title is adapted from the red-light district of Heera Mandi in Lahore (now in present-day Pakistan) during the pre-partition era. The narrative revolves around the power tussle between the courtesans of Heera Mandi, Nawabs and British officers. The series was criticized for its portrayal of the pre-independence period, which many found to be historically inaccurate. Sonakshi Sinha, Sharmin Segal, Richa Chadha, Shekhar Suman, Fardeen Khan, Adhyayan Suman and Farida Jalal also play crucial roles in Heeramandi. Heeramandi is available for streaming on Netflix. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has got people talking about her looks at the ongoing 77th Cannes Film Festival. But even before her looks, what caught the people's eye was that the actor went to the French Riviera with a cast on her right hand. Now, we have learnt the reason behind it and that she'll be having a surgery to get that fixed post her return from the film festival. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to undergo surgery post Cannes A source close to the actor reveals to us, Aishwarya broke her wrist over the weekend and thus had to get a cast on. However, even after the injury, she wanted to complete her professional commitments and make it to Cannes. The source added that the actor went to France only after discussions with specialists and her doctors and will require surgery on her hand soon: Her surgery is scheduled for later next week, after she returns from Cannes. Bachchan has gone to the film festival with daughter Aaradhya Bachchan and the actor has grabbed eyeballs for her unique looks at the Cannes red carpet. She has worn designers Falguni and Shane Peacock's creations. Her first outfit was a black, white and gold corsetted gown, crafted from taffeta and adorned with molten gold flowers and plates. The second outfit was a turquoise and silver fringe gown. While Bachchan's looks have got the internet divided, her dedication towards her professional commitments despite her injury has been lauded. Silchar: Two labourers died while three others were injured after being hit by a speeding train near Narengi railway station in Assams Guwahati on Saturday, officials aware of the matter said. (Representative Photo) The incident took place in the early hours after a group of labourers crossing the tracks were hit by a local train. A team of Government Railway Police (GRP) arrived at the spot immediately and recovered the bodies, said officials. GRP officials said that the bodies were sent to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for postmortem. The injured were also admitted to GMCH. The injured persons have been sent to GMCH, and the doctors are providing them medical assistance, officials said. We are investigating the matter and asking the onlookers how this incident happened. As per the initial findings, they were crossing the tracks without noticing that a train was heading, a GRP official aware of the matter said. The deceased have been identified as Shahinur Islam and Hafizul Rahman, both residents of the Birkuchi locality near the Narengi railway station in Guwahati. A former sarpanch was killed and a tourist couple injured in terrorist attacks in Shopian and Anantnag respectively on Saturday night, ahead of polling for the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, scheduled for May 20. Anantnag: Security personnel deployed after terrorists attacked a tourist camp, in Anantnag district, Saturday, May 18, 2024. A couple from Rajasthan suffered injuries in the incident. (PTI Photo) Terrorists fired upon and injured a woman, Farha, a resident of Jaipur, and her spouse Tabres, in Yannar in Anantnag. They were evacuated to a hospital for treatment. The area has been cordoned off. Further details shall follow, the Jammu and Kashmir Police wrote on X (formerly Twitter). In the second attack, within half an hour of the first, ex-sarpanch Aijaz Sheikh, who was associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was fatally shot in Shopian's Hirpora at around 10:30 pm, officials said. In a statement, the BJP called Sheikh a brave soldier of the party in J&K, and stated that it stands with his family. The twin attacks also come at a time when campaigning is underway for the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary seat, which votes on May 25 in the sixth and second-last phase of the national polls. Former chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Farooq and Omar Abdullah condemned the terrorist attacks. People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mufti is contesting from Anantnag, while National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah is in the fray from Baramulla. The timing of the attacks is a cause of concern, Mufti stated. The timing, given that the south election was delayed without any reason, is a cause of concern. Especially keeping in mind normalcy claims touted by the Government of India, she posted on X. Of the five Lok Sabha seats in the Union territory, the two in the Jammu region polled in the first two phases (Udhampur, 19 April; Jammu, 26 April), while in the Kashmir Valley, Srinagar voted in the fourth round (May 13) and Baramulla and Anantnag-Rajouri will poll in the fifth and sixth legs, respectively. The Delhi Police on Saturday, in its remand application seeking seven days custody of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrested aide Bibhav Kumar, said the alleged assault on AAP MP Swati Maliwal is a serious case, adding that the brutal assault could have turned fatal. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar being brought to Tis Hazari Court in the case of alleged assault on AAP MP Swati Maliwal(PTI) According to the police, Kumar did not cooperate with the investigation and was evasive in his replies. This is a very serious case where a Member of Parliament, a public figure, has been brutally assaulted, which could have been fatal. Despite specific questions, the accused has not cooperated in the investigation and has been evasive in his replies, the remand paper signed by North district additional deputy commissioner of police Anjitha Chepyala said, reported news agency PTI. The application also said that Maliwal's testimony regarding the case was corroborated by the medical evidence. It added that the most vital evidence was the digital video record (DVR) of the spot, but it had yet to be provided to the police. Kumar's presence at the scene of the crime (SOC) raises a strong possibility of tampering with crucial evidence, including electronic evidence. The accused is an influential person and, having worked more than nine years in an authoritative position, can influence and pressure the witnesses in the CM house, the remand application said. It added, Since a brutal attack is made on a public figure who is a sitting MP, a sustained interrogation is very much required to find out the motive behind brutal attack and to ascertain the conspiracy angles or involvement of some person or organisation having inimical to our country. According to the remand papers, another case was also registered against Kumar in Noida for allegedly assaulting an on-duty public servant. A Delhi court on Saturday night sent Kumar to five-day police custody after he was arrested in connection with Maliwal's assault case. What did Swati Maliwal's FIR say? The Delhi police on Thursday named Kumar in an FIR after Maliwal accused him of physically assaulting her. According to Maliwal, Kejriwal's personal assistant repeatedly slapped her and kicked her in the stomach and pelvic area. Following the complaint, the police registered an FIR against Kumar under sections 354, 506, 509, and 323 of the IPC, which deal with crimes like assault or criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty and criminal intimidation. Bibhav Kumar's appeal to Delhi police Shortly before his arrest, Kumar emailed the Delhi police saying that he was ready to cooperate in the ongoing probe into Maliwal's assault claim; however, he urged the police to take cognisance of his complaint that he filed against Maliwal, saying the latter had abused him with the intent of assault. It has come to the knowledge of the undersigned through the media that a case F.I.R. No. 27/2024 has been registered at P.S. Civil Lines in which the undersigned has been named as an accused. Though the undersigned has not been served with any notice in the case till now, the undersigned categorically submits that he is willing to cooperate and join the investigation asand when called upon to do so by the Investigating officer, Kumar wrote in his email. He added, It may be emphasized here that the undersigned has also made a complaint bringing to light the true facts of the alleged incident that happened on May 13, 2024 vide e-mail dated May 17, 2024 at 3:34 p.m. sent on e-mail ids: sho-civilline-dl@nic.in and dep.north@delhipolice.gov.in. It is requested that the same may be brought on record and investigated in accordance with law. The Karnataka Police on Saturday reportedly arrested a man from Goa over his alleged now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter) against the Congress manifesto. Media reports claimed that the man, whose social media handle is BhikuMhatre (@MumbaichaDon), had alleged in his post that the Congress wants to take away wealth from Hindus and distribute it to Muslims as it hates Hindus - a claim that BJP leaders have also made. BJP MP Tejasvi Surya The social media post against the Congress was reportedly posted last month. According to a report by The Indian Express, BhikuMhatre's arrest came after a Bengaluru resident and Congress worker filed a complaint with the cybercrime police on April 29. The police then registered a case against the X user under section 153(a) of the Indian Penal Code and 66(c) of the Information Technology Act. Shortly before his arrest, BhikuMhatre also posted a notice issued to him by X after it received a court against from the magistrate Bengaluru City regarding his X account @MumbaichaDon. This court order obligates X to produce information related to your account. We cannot give you any legal advice, but suggest that you may wish to seek your own legal counsel in this matter, the notice read. So it seems CONgress wants to intimidate me for speaking Truth. I'm ready to fight against any injustice & will take full Judicial Course even if that means approaching Highest Court, as I have never written anything which may be called as inflammatory or communal, he wrote on X. Following this, BhikuMhatre's son, identified as Nagesh Naik, said: "My father @MumbaichaDon has been arrested by @DgpKarnataka @CPBlr @BlrCityPolice A mail was sent by TWITTER and suddenly in the evening the Police showed up at the doorstep and took away my father! FIR is totally NOT pertinent! #ReleaseBhikuMhatre. Meanwhile, the BJP leaders came out in support of the arrested man and hit out at the Karnataka government over the arrest. BJP MP Tejasvi Surya called the arrest a blatant abuse of power by the Karnataka Congress government. We will fight this, both inside courts and outside, he said. Union minister Smriti Irani also informed that she spoke to Tesjasvi Surya regarding the case, and the BJP has assured legal support to the arrested social media user. Opposition parties on Sunday attacked the central government over the twin terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday night, killing one person and injuring a couple. National Conference president Farooq Abdullah said that the Centre is misleading the public into thinking that Jammu and Kashmir is now free of terror attacks. Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Farooq Abdullah (L) along with his son and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah(AFP) Abdullah said, I have been repeatedly saying that those sitting in Delhi are misleading the people by saying Article 370 was responsible for terrorism. How many years have passed since the abrogation of the Article? Has terrorism stopped? His comments came a day after terrorists struck two places on Saturday night in twin terror attacks, killing Aijaz Sheikh, a former sarpanch affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in Shopian. A tourist couple from Rajasthan in Anantnag was left injured in the attack. On Sheikh's killing, the NC chief said, Had he not the right to live? This is a free country and any party can propagate its ideology. Who killed him should be probed and that too soon. "If they (Centre) do not go for the probe, we should invite an international committee to investigate who is responsible for such attacks," he added. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday condoled the loss of life in the twin terror attacks, saying that it reflects on the failure of the government. Mufti further claimed that the attacks could be "deliberate" to frighten people ahead of the polling for the Lok Sabha polls. The PDP chief said, The government should answer about the two incidents as it is beating the drums, claiming that the situation in J&K has improved and militancy is over. The attacks took place immediately after the two-day visit of the Home Minister (Amit Shah). "The attacks reflect the negligence and the failure of the government and there is a possibility that the shortcoming was deliberate to frighten the people so that they do not vote in large numbers in the next two phases, the former chief minister said. Further, senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Kavinder Gupta said that those accusing the government of misleading people should seek unconditional public apology for their remarks, referencing to Abdullah's statements. (With inputs from PTI) Mumbai, Shrikant Shinde had comfortably won the Kalyan Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra in the last two elections, but the stakes are higher this time as his father, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, now heads a truncated faction of the Shiv Sena following a bitter split in the party. Contest in Kalyan prestige battle for Maharashtra CM Shinde's son The constituency, part of the Thane district and close to Mumbai, contains densely populated urban areas and industrial belts. It will go to polls on May 20. Shrikant Shinde entered politics in 2014, contesting as a candidate of the then undivided Shiv Sena and won with a margin of 2,50,749 votes. He increased the margin to 3,44,343 in the 2019 general elections. But the political scenario has changed drastically since then, as his father rebelled against party chief Uddhav Thackeray and walked away to join hands with the BJP to become chief minister in June 2022. Uncertainty surrounded Shrikant Shinde's candidature this time as the BJP sensed the possibility of contesting more seats in Maharashtra, and its leader and state minister Ravindra Chavan, MLA from Dombivli, was keen to fight from Kalyan. Of the six assembly segments in Kalyan, three including Dombivli are with the BJP and one each with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, and NCP . As it has three MLAs in the region, the BJP pushed its claim for the Kalyan Lok Sabha seat, but Eknath Shinde remained firm that his party will not cede it. The rival Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray has fielded former corporator Vaishali Darekar-Rane against Shrikant Shinde. Rane had secured more than one lakh votes in this seat in 2009 as a Maharashtra Navnirman Sena candidate, though she lost. Shrikant Kulkarni, a computer salesperson and resident of Dombivli, said the rapid population growth in Kalyan and Dombivli Municipal Corporation limits in the last two decades has put a lot of pressure on water supply and health services. "Unfortunately, we have not received much of an infrastructure upgrade. There is no good government hospital which we realised during the COVID-19 pandemic. The railway stations used by lakhs of people daily are not big enough, and are never clean. Roads are narrow and vendors occupy footpaths," he said. Suman Walecha, a resident of Kalyan city, claimed developmental works have picked up pace, and MP Shinde cannot be blamed for all the woes. "A strong government at the top is necessary to navigate people in the right direction. Things will eventually get better," she said. In February, BJP MLA from Kalyan East, Ganpat Gaikwad, opened fire in a police station on a local leader of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, bringing to the fore the tensions between the two alliance partners in the region. The rivalry between the local leaders of the two parties could be a cause of concern for Shinde. The constituency's demography is diverse. Dombivli has a sizable number of Maharashtrians and South Indians. Ulhasnagar is a predominantly Sindhi area, while Kalyan city and Kalyan rural assembly seats have Gujarati and Marathi-speaking populations. Ambernath has a mix of Sindhis, Gujaratis and Maharashtrians. Mumbra-Kalwa assembly seat, represented by the NCP, has a large number of Muslims. Vaishali Darekar-Rane claimed people are upset with the present regime. "First and foremost, they are worried about the rising cost of living and behaviour of the current government at the Centre. Rampant abuse of power, induction of tainted people into their party, and bending law as per their wish are not acceptable to the people," she said. "Another factor is the poor infrastructure and lack of urban planning in the constituency. Despite high population growth, there is no assured drinking water supply to major urban areas. Every urban area receives drinking water only for a few hours," she told PTI. Asked about these issues, Shrikant Shinde said, "No doubt that population growth, water availability and good communication network are some of the important issues people want me to address. I have pushed the administration hard to complete several road projects, change pipelines and construct new bridges. Some work proposals are at an advanced level in various departments." Shinde also claimed the people have backed his father's decision to form a government with the support of the BJP in Maharashtra. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. New Delhi Breaking the Mold: Indias Untraveled Path to Prosperity is a big new book by economists Raghuram Rajan and Rohit Lamba. The book is both a critique of Indias development model as well as a manifesto for reform. Most notably, it challenges the conventional wisdom that Indias primary goal should be to transform the country into a blue-collar manufacturing powerhouse. As we neared the end of 2022-23, there was near-consensus on real growth. The cited figure was between 6.8 and 7%. There is less consensus for 2023-24 and the medium-term. An optimist will say 6.5%, a pessimist 5.5%. An enthusiastic optimist will place it at 7%, a dire pessimist at 5%. While thats a fairly broad band, there is no denying the Indian economys growth resilience. (Shutterstock) Threats to Europes economy are mounting. Finance can help fortify it Lamba elaborated on his views in last weeks episode of Grand Tamasha, a weekly podcast on Indian politics and policy co-produced by HT and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Lamba is an economist at New York University-Abu Dhabi and has twice worked in the chief economic advisors office in the ministry of finance. Rajan served both as chief economic advisor and governor of the Reserve Bank of India, before returning to his academic post at the University of Chicago. Lamba told host Milan Vaishnav that India cannot duplicate Chinas development model, but it can leapfrog by focusing higher up the value chain. India has developed a comparative advantage in two kinds of services. One is direct services think of education, telemedicine, financial services, consulting services and IT services. India is very clearly a global leader in these services for a variety of reasons like access to reasonably high-quality graduate engineers, the English language, and so on, he explained. But he noted that India also has an opportunity to move into services embedded within manufacturing. The distinction between manufacturing and services is disappearing or blurring. Think of the quintessential manufactured goods, which is Henry Fords car. What we try to argue is that the car itself is becoming more like a mobile phone. If you see, for example, a major company that is manufacturing cars in China now is the same company that was earlier doing mobile phones. The Tesla car, for example, has 40 to 50 million lines of code written into it. So, what is manufacturing and what is services is also blurring. Lamba cited the example of Lenskart, a prominent eyeglasses store in India, as an example of this way of thinking. What is interesting is that Lenskart is not only selling glasses through its retail stores in many urban centers, its also manufacturing them itself. There are lots of interesting examples of where services and manufacturers are kind of joined at the hipIndia should recognize its strength in this aspect, he argued. Lamba told host Vaishnav that India would need to hew to an inclusive brand of politics if it has a hope of fully realizing the economic potential of its citizenry. Theres a view coming in now that the goal is not just to become a strong economy, its to become a strong civilisational state, Lamba explained, saying that he has some sympathy with this statement given that China too used to make similar arguments. The point is that India, unlike China, arguably enjoys a tremendous amount of soft power in the world. The power of its example India has set [into place] even before it became rich, he cautioned. The only singular thing India has to do now is what Nitin Pai [of the Takshashila Institute in Bangalore] once said, which is to grow at 8% for 30 years continuously and then everything else will fall into place. Understanding the gig economy in the age of AI The two discuss what the critics get right about the Indian economy, why India cannot blindly follow the Chinese model, and how India can pivot from brawn to brain. Plus, Rohit and Milan discuss the manufacturing versus services debate, Indias inward economic turn, and what India must do to upgrade its human capital. New Delhi, The Delhi High Court has directed the city authorities to pay 30 lakh compensation each to the families of three sanitation workers who died during manual scavenging in 2017. Delhi HC orders 30 lakh compensation to kin of 3 deceased sanitation workers The HC allowed the petition by the family members seeking higher ex gratia in accordance with a Supreme Court order in 2023 which increased the compensation payable to the dependents of the victims who lost their lives in manual scavenging to 30 lakh from the existing 10 lakh. The family members said in the petition that the three sanitation workers died in August 2017 while cleaning a drain in Lajpat Nagar. The plea said the deceased were engaged by a Delhi Jal Board sub-contractor. The petitioners said that after they died, a compensation of 10 lakh was awarded to the family members. However, they prayed that the amount be increased to 30 lakh. "It can be seen that the directions issued by the Supreme Court were expressly made applicable to all the statutory bodies including corporations, railways, cantonments as well as the agencies under its control. "Moreover, the Union and State governments were directed to ensure that the rehabilitation measures were taken with respect to sewage workers, including the family of those who have lost their lives. Specifically, it was directed that the compensation of 10 lakh that was given to the family members of the deceased workers be enhanced to 30 lakh," Justice Sachin Datta said. The high court said necessarily, the ameliorative directions, strictures and the embargo imposed by the Supreme Court are applicable to the Delhi Jal Board as also to any agency that may be engaged by the board within any part of Delhi in connection with the work relating to the collection of sewage or carrying out connected works. "Any disregard or violation thereto would invite strict consequences" as envisaged in the apex court verdict, it said. Considering the reasoning given by the apex court, it would be a travesty if the entitlement of the family members of the deceased scavenging workers is confined to 10 lakh, the high court said. "The same would defeat the directions of the Supreme Court to enhance the compensation to 30 lakh on the basis that the previously fixed compensation of 10 lakh was fixed as far back as in the year 1993 and could not be considered to be an adequate compensation," it said, adding that the family members of the deceased sanitation workers are entitled to a compensation of 30 lakh. The high court said the remaining amount be paid to the family members within eight weeks. Observing that manual scavengers have lived in bondage, systematically trapped in inhuman conditions for a long time, the Supreme Court had in October last year asked the Centre and state governments to completely eradicate manual scavenging across the country. Passing a slew of directions for the benefit of people involved in manual scavenging, it had asked the central and state governments to pay 30 lakh as compensation to the next of kin of those who die while cleaning sewers. "The court hereby directs the Union and the States to ensure that the compensation for sewer deaths is increased was made applicable from 1993. The current equivalent of that amount is 30 lakh. This shall be the amount to be paid, by the concerned agency, that is, the Union, the Union Territory or the State as the case may be. In other words, compensation for sewer deaths shall be 30 lakh," the Supreme Court had ordered. It had also said that the authorities needed to take measures for the rehabilitation of the victims and their families. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. New Delhi, Sitting under a tree, Suman Mandal strenuously fans her two-year-old son on a hot summer afternoon near a construction site in southeast Delhi's Sewa Nagar. Delhi's outdoor workers, low-income households bear brunt of deadly heat The mercury has soared to 46 degrees Celsius and Mandal, 37, and her two children the other aged four are visibly sluggish. "It is very difficult to work in this heat. But I cannot skip work or I will lose income," she said, adding the heat also takes a toll on her children. Wearing a checkered scarf to shield himself from the searing sun, Sanjay Verma, 49, zigzags across south Delhi for eight hours, delivering food. He says the crippling heat is slowing him down. "I take a break and drink water every 30 minutes, otherwise I will faint or drop dead." As parts of India grapple with extreme heat, outdoor workers, the elderly and children are particularly affected. People are less productive during hot weather and children struggle to learn. While experts say spells of extreme heat have become more frequent and severe due to climate change, a new analysis shows Delhi logged a high of 40 degrees Celsius or above on more than 150 days in eight of the last 10 years. Only one year saw the mercury exceeding 40 degrees Celsius for more than 150 days in the previous two decades. The International Institute for Environment and Development's analysis of temperatures in the world's 20 biggest capital cities also shows Delhi reached or surpassed 40 degrees Celsius on 1,557 days in the last 10 years. The IIED analysed only airport site data for consistency across cities. The data from the Indira Gandhi International Airport has been used for Delhi. The densely packed city recorded temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius on 1,254 days during 2004-2013 and 1,180 days during 1994-2003, the analysis shows. Anna Walnycki, a principal researcher on IIED's human settlements team, said the alarming rise in extreme heat events in India due to climate change is significantly impacting health, wellbeing and productivity of all, especially those living in low-income and informal communities. "Low-income households have limited capacity to adapt to extreme heat because of poor access to water and electricity. In addition, the design and construction of informal houses often means there is poor ventilation and little shelter from extreme heat," she said. Need for robust heat action plan: Chandni Singh, senior researcher at the Indian Institute for Human Settlements and IPCC lead author, said state and city-level heat action plans are proving "insufficient to deal with the heat we are now experiencing". In urban areas, Singh said, the experience of heat depends on factors such as residential location, occupation and access to cooling. "Understanding this unequal heat risk is a critical first step to developing nuanced heat action plans. Delhi's current heat action plan needs to map heat hotspots and overlay this with existing vulnerability maps to inform heat action," she said. Prepared last year, the city's heat action plan talks about altering school timings, suspending non-essential water use and providing uninterrupted power supply to health facilities to mitigate the impact of extreme heat. But it has not been implemented yet. Impact on outdoor workers: There are around 3.4 million unorganised workers in Delhi, according to the central government's e-Shram portal. Dharmendra Kumar of NGO Janpahal said most of these workers labour outdoors. "They often live in cramped one-room apartments without proper ventilation or cooling systems, exacerbating the effects of heat." According to Bibyani Minj of Delhi-based Nirman Mazdoor Panchayat Sangam, a trade union of construction workers, there are around 10 lakh construction workers in the city and a majority of them are migrants. "Many workers were left without work during the pandemic. They have debts to repay and families to feed. So, they are travelling long distances and working longer hours in intense heat with little safety and support from contractors," she said. Extreme heat broiled large parts of north India on Friday and Saturday, with temperatures soaring to a scorching 47.4 degrees Celsius on the outskirts of Delhi, the country's highest so far this season. Temperatures breached 49 degrees Celsius in parts of the capital last year. The Met office has issued a 'red' alert for Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and west Rajasthan, stressing the need for "extreme care for vulnerable people". In view of general elections in India, experts have warned of an increased likelihood of heat-related illnesses in people due to prolonged sun exposure or engaging in heavy work. Delhi goes to polls on May 25. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. A full-scale emergency was declared at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Saturday night after an Air India Express flight that took off for Kochi, was forced to return due to fire in one of its engines. All 179 passengers and six crew members were successfully evacuated from the aircraft, a BIAL statement said (Representational Image) Flight IX 1132 made an emergency landing at 23:12 hours due to a reported fire in one of the engines. A full-scale emergency was declared, the BIAL said in a statement. Also Read: Air India flight with 180 flyers collides with tug tractor at runway in Pune The fire was promptly extinguished upon landing. All 179 passengers and six crew members were successfully evacuated from the aircraft, the statement added. Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) manages KIA, the third-busiest airport in the country. Air India Express, meanwhile, stated that the pilots elected to return to Bengaluru due to suspected flames in the aircraft's right engine. Accordingly, a precautionary landing was carried out. The ground services also reported flames, resulting in an evacuation, the low-cost airline, a fully-owned subsidiary of Tata Group's Air India, said in its press release. Also Read: Bomb hoax on Air India flight delays Vadodara passengers by seven hours The carrier praised the flight crew for carrying out evacuation without injuries to any of the passengers. We regret the inconvenience this has caused and are working to provide alternative arrangements for our guests to reach their destination as soon as possible. A thorough investigation with the regulator shall be accomplished to establish the cause, the release noted. In a similar incident on Thursday, a full-scale emergency was declared at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) after an Air India flight, on its way to Bengaluru, returned to the national capital due to a fire in the plane's AC unit. AI 1807, which had 175 passengers on board, landed safely in Delhi. (With PTI inputs) Google Doodle on Monday commemorated the continuation of India's democratic franchise's exercise with a symbolic gesture of an index finger marked with ink, marking the fifth phase of voting of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. On Monday, Google launched a Doodle on its homepage(Google) Phase 5 of Lok Sabha elections 2024 on May 20: Check 10 key constituencies/seats Google launched the doodle on its homepage, replacing its iconic logo with an image depicting an uplifted index finger marked with ink - a symbol synonymous with the democratic process of Indian elections. By clicking on the Doodle, users are directed to the search results related to the latest updates on the 18th general elections in India. Lok Sabha elections phase 5: Voting for the fifth of seven-phase India's 18th Lok Sabha elections will be held on Monday in 49 constituencies across eight states and union territories. Some high-profile names in the fray in this phase include union minister Smriti Irani, who is eyeing a second term from Uttar Pradesh's Amethi, union ministers Rajnath Singh (Lucknow) and Piyush Goyal (Mumbai North) and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (Rae Bareli). Overall, as many as 695 candidates are in the fray from these 49 constituencies, with over 89.5 million people, eligible to vote. The states and union territories where the elections will be held in the 5th phase are Jharkhand (3), Odisha (5), Uttar Pradesh (14), Bihar (5), Maharashtra (13), West Bengal (7), Ladakh (1) and, Jammu and Kashmir (1). Lok Sabha polls: Phase 5 voting to lock fate of 49 seats today When the voting closes in 49 constituencies on Monday, 428 of the Lok Sabhas 543 seats will have gone to polls in the elections that began on April 19. Who are the key candidates? From union ministers Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Piyush Goyal, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, to LJP (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan, Shiv Senas Shrikant Shinde, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah and RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadavs daughter Rohini Acharya, the fifth of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections 2024 on Monday will see these key candidates lock horns with their opponents. Phase 5 of 2024 Lok Sabha polls: 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh to vote on Monday, Rajnath Singh, Rahul Gandhi, Smriti Irani among key candidates What are Google Doodles? Google Doodles are brief and temporary changes made to the Google logo, crafted to pay tribute to a range of local and global themes, including holidays, important dates, and impactful figures who have made notable contributions to society. New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday announced the onset of monsoon over the south Andaman Sea and the Nicobar Islands, while it also warned of a heat wave to severe heat wave over northwest India. On Saturday, maximum temperatures were in the range of 43-46C in most places (Representative Photo) According to the IMDs Sunday bulletin, the monsoon has advanced over the south Andaman Sea and the Nicobar Islands, suggesting the transition to monsoon season soon. A low-pressure area is likely to form over the southwest Bay of Bengal around May 22. It is likely to move north-eastwards and concentrate into a Depression over central parts of the Bay of Bengal around May 24, the national weather department added. However, heat wave to severe heat wave conditions is expected to continue over northwest India and spread to central and east India over the next five days, the IMD said. It has issued a red warning for all of northwest India for severe heat until at least May 23. A red warning implies that local agencies need to take action to prevent extreme heat-related emergencies. Heatwave to severe heat wave conditions are very likely in many pockets over Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi till May 23; West Rajasthan; East Rajasthan on 22nd & 23rd; in some parts of West Uttar Pradesh till May 21 and East Uttar Pradesh on May 20, it said. Also Read: Extreme heat in April made worse by climate crisis: Study On Saturday, maximum temperatures were in the range of 43-46C in most places over Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi and Uttar Pradesh; in many places over Gujarat; in some places over Madhya Pradesh; in the range of 40- 42C in some parts over Bihar; at isolated pockets over Jharkhand, Vidarbha and north Madhya Maharashtra. According to the IMD, the recorded temperatures were above normal by 2-4C. There is likely to be a gradual rise by about 2-3C in maximum temperatures very likely over many parts of Central India during the next four days. For Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi, where a red category warning has been issued, IMD has warned that there is a very high likelihood of developing heat illness and heat stroke in all ages and extreme care is needed for vulnerable people including elderly, infants and those with health conditions. If people do not take precautionary measures, exposure to extreme heat can be fatal, particularly exposure to sun. The heatwave is a risk for livestock, water bodies, transport and power sectors. It is important that people remain in cool conditions and stay hydrated. If they feel uneasy they must seek help immediately and move away to a cooler place, said IMD director general M Mohapatra. He added, Since 1970, there has been an increase in the duration, intensity and extent of heat waves over India, mainly an impact of climate change. The current severe heat spell is a result of an anticyclone over northwest India which is leading to subsidence of hot air over the region, Mohapatra said. On Saturday, the highest maximum temperature of 46.9C was reported at Barmer in Rajasthan) and Kanpur IAF in Uttar Pradesh. Hot and humid weather is very likely to prevail over Konkan and Goa till May 21 and sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Odisha on May 20, said IMD. Warm night conditions are likely to prevail over east Rajasthan till May 23. The IMD said that with the increase in cloudiness and widespread rainfall over the Nicobar Islands during the past 24 hours, all conditions have been satisfied for the arrival of the southwest monsoon. Also Read: IMD issues red alert for severe heatwave across north India The monsoon has already advanced into some parts of the Maldives, South Bay of Bengal, Nicobar Islands and South Andaman Sea on Sunday, IMD said. The normal date for the arrival of monsoon over the Andaman and Nicobar region is May 22. A cyclonic circulation is lying over the south interior of Tamil Nadu and the neighbourhood at low and mid-tropospheric levels. A trough is also running from Madhya Maharashtra to south Tamil Nadu in lower tropospheric levels. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall is also very likely over Tamil Nadu and Kerala until May 22, according to IMD. It has also issued a red category warning for Kerala and Tamil Nadu owing to the chances of extreme rainfall. A low-pressure area is likely to form over the southwest Bay of Bengal around May 22. It is likely to move initially north-eastwards and concentrate into a Depression over central parts of the Bay of Bengal around May 24. The track will become clear in a couple of days. For now, it seems like it will intensify only into a depression. It seems to be moving towards Odisha but models will give a clearer picture over the next two days, said Mahesh Palawat, vice president, climate and meteorology at Skymet Weather. New Delhi: India on Saturday advised Indian students in the Kyrgyzstan capital of Bishkek to remain indoors following the targeting of foreigners by violent mobs. External affairs minister S Jaishankar (File Photo) At least 29 people were injured when mobs targeted foreign nationals in Bishkek on Friday night, according to information from the Kyrgyz health ministry cited by the local media. Kyrgyz authorities mobilised hundreds of police personnel to quell the protests against foreign nationals. The Indian embassy in Bishkek said in a post on X: We are in touch with our students. The situation is presently calm but students are advised to stay indoors for the moment and get in touch with the Embassy in case of any issue. External affairs minister S Jaishankar said in a separate post on X: Monitoring the welfare of Indian students in Bishkek. Situation is reportedly calm now. Strongly advise students to stay in regular touch with the Embassy. There were no immediate reports of Indian nationals being injured in the violence. Hundreds of local men attacked buildings housing foreigners, especially students, on Friday night, apparently in retaliation for an incident on May 13 in which some Kyrgyz men were allegedly beaten by Egyptian students. Fridays violence was reportedly triggered by viral videos of the incident on May 13. The Kyrgyz foreign ministry said in a statement that destructive forces are deliberately disseminating untrue and false information about the situation in foreign media and social networks. The statement singled out Pakistan for the spread of such misinformation. Pakistani TV news channels had on Friday night run unsubstantiated reports of the death of several Pakistani students. Pakistani officials subsequently said five students were injured. The Kyrgyz foreign ministry described the situation in Bishkek as calm and under full control and said all necessary measures had been taken to ensure security, peace and stability. The foreign ministry said in another statement that Kyrgyz law enforcement agencies had taken prompt measures to detain both foreign citizens and Kyrgyz citizens involved in the violence on Friday. There were no seriously injured people, and some 15 people were taken to medical institutions for a check-up. The cabinet of ministers of Kyrgyzstan strongly condemned attempts to provoke violence and unrest on interethnic grounds due to the dissemination of untrue information on social media. Law enforcement agencies are conducting a thorough investigation into the violence, and all those responsible will be identified and brought to justice, the statement said. Any insinuations aimed at inciting intolerance against foreign students are unacceptable and do not correspond to the spirit of friendship and hospitality for which our people have always been famous...Our law enforcement forces will resolutely suppress any attempts to violate public order, the statement added. National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday called for international probe into killings by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, a day after twin terror attacks rocked the Valley amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Anantnag: Security personnel deployed after terrorists attacked a tourist camp, in Anantnag district, Saturday, May 18, 2024. A couple from Rajasthan suffered injuries in the incident. (PTI Photo) Until the terrorism stops, there won't be any talks with our neighbouring nation, Abdullah said, referring to Pakistan. We need cooperation from them (Pakistan). We must identify the person who is killing the innocent. International pressure must be created and international agencies must probe the matter, according to the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister. Terrorism, he stated, continues to exist in the Union territory. No matter which party he belonged to, if somebody is targeted, that must be investigated. Whether he was killed by terrorists or the people here, it needs to be probed before we point fingers at others, the senior leader remarked. Abdullah was talking about Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh, the ex-sarpanch (village head) who was gunned down by terrorists in Shopian. Sheikh was associated with the BJP, the country's ruling party since 2014. In the Lok Sabha polls, the party is seeking a third consecutive term at the Centre. Around half an hour before the BJP worker's killing, a tourist couple from Jaipur, Rajasthan, identified as Farha and her spouse Tabrez, sustained injuries after being fired upon by terrorists in Anantnag. As per the police, the injured are in a stable condition. In Monday's fifth round of the seven-phase elections, polling will be held for the Baramulla seat. The National Conference contestant on the seat is Farooq Abdullah's son Omar. The latter is both the vice-president of the party, and, like is father, a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir. (With ANI inputs) While addressing a public meeting in Jharkhand's Jamshedpur on Sunday, PM Narendra Modi took a veiled dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi referring to him as 'Shehzada'. PM Modi slammed Rahul, accusing him of being anti-business. He said the 'Shehzada' keeps opposing business industries, businessmen and investments due to which investors don't want to invest in Congress-ruled states. He added investors would think that such mindset also exists in states ruled by Congress allies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi (PTI) " Congress and their ally parties, wherever they have govts, I am challenging those CMs and this is not my political statement...their 'Shehzada' keeps opposing business industries, businessmen and investments. Which businessman will go and invest in those states? What will happen to the youths of those states?...all investors who come to me say that they won't go to these states because of their ideology against them, businessmen are verbally abused their...investors will think that since 'Shehzada' has this kind of thoughts, his ally parties would have same thoughts as well," said PM Modi as quoted by news agency ANI. ALSO READ| Congress can forget the dream of restoring Article 370: Narendra Modi On Sunday, PM Modi also addressed poll rallies in West Bengal's Purulia and Bishnupur. At the Bishnupur rally, he said that the sins of the TMC, the Left and the Congress are similar despite them being three different political parties. He added that these parties turned West Bengal into a poor state. "Whether it is TMC, Left or Congress, they look like three different parties but their sins are the same, that is why they have formed INDI alliance together. They have always offered slogans to the poor, labourers, SC-ST but wherever they ran the government, they left those states poor, West Bengal is an example of this ...," said PM Modi. The state of West Bengal elects 42 representatives as MPs to the Lok Sabha. In the Lok Sabha elections in 2019, BJP had won 18 seats, TMC 22, and Congress 2. Budgam , National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has said people are identifying themselves with his party's campaign as it is talking about factors important to them: the sense of "betrayal" since August 5, 2019 and their issues remaining unaddressed in the absence of a popular government since 2018. Larger participation of people answer to 'betrayal of Aug 2019': Omar Abdullah on Art 370 abrogation Abdullah, who is contesting from the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat, accuses the "BJP and agencies" of riding "multiple horses in this race to see which one can ultimately damage the National Conference". Overwhelmed by people's enthusiastic response to his roadshows and rallies, especially in areas hitherto dominated by the separatist ideology, the NC vice president said the BJP's tactics in various constituencies indicated a calculated approach to secure advantages through alliances against his party. "Well obviously, the people have identified themselves with our campaign; they have joined in large numbers and with enthusiastic crowds. But it is also true that there is a general sense of betrayal that what happened on August 5, 2019 was the betrayal of all the promises and commitments made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir," Abdullah told PTI in an interview. He said the larger participation of people in his election rallies is an answer to the betrayal of August 2019. The Centre abrogated Article 370 on August 5, 2019 which granted special status of Jammu and Kashmir. The centre also downgraded the state into two union territories Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. Referring to large turnouts during his election rallies, Abdullah said the absence of an elected government since 2018 is a factor as those who are currently administering them are disconnected from people's daily struggles. "This is by far the worst government that we have seen in a very very long time and there is almost no interaction between the general population of Jammu and Kashmir and those who govern them. They live in these ivory castles and are immune to what the people are saying and the difficulties that they are facing. It is unfortunate that this is the reality," he said. On a question about the BJP not fielding candidates from the three seats of the Kashmir division, Abdullah said contesting polls would have clearly countered their false claims and they would have "failed the first test, which is an electoral test, the people would have voted resoundingly against the BJP. "I am not surprised that they have not put up candidates in Baramulla and Srinagar but the way they manoeuvred the delimitation of Anantnag seat and then sought to give reservation to Paharis with their eye on the electoral gains and benefits from this," he said. Abdullah said he was actually surprised that the BJP did not put up a candidate in the Anantnag parliamentary seat. "But clearly this was the price that the Apni party was able to extract from the BJP for supporting the People's Conference against me in Baramulla." The BJP had announced support to Apni Party candidate from Srinagar Lok Sabha seat. The seat goes to poll in the fifth phase of elections on May 20. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. The fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024, encompassing 49 constituencies across six states and two union territories, is scheduled for Monday, May 20. These constituencies in Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, as well as the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, will go for polls. Polling will commence at 7 am and conclude at 6 pm, with voters in queue at 6 pm being allowed to exercise their right to vote. (File) (Photo by / Hindustan Times) Polling will commence at 7 am and conclude at 6 pm, with voters in queue at 6 pm being allowed to exercise their right to vote. Earlier phases included the first phase on April 19 covering 102 constituencies across 21 states, the second phase on April 26 covering 89 constituencies in 13 states, and the third phase on May 7 encompassing 94 constituencies in 12 states. The fourth phase saw 96 seats in 10 states voting on May 13. Following the fifth phase on May 20, the sixth phase will take place with 57 seats across 7 states on May 25, and the seventh phase will cover 57 seats across 8 states on June 1. Also Read | Phase 5 of Lok Sabha elections 2024 on May 20: Key constituencies to watch out for The counting of votes for the 542 Lok Sabha seats will be conducted on June 4. Before heading to vote in the fifth phase, voters are reminded to bring their Voter ID card to their respective polling booths. However, even if voters forget to bring their Voter ID or misplace it, they can still cast their votes. How to cast a vote without Voter ID? According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), voters can cast their votes at the polling booth even without a physical copy of their Voter ID card. However, it is important for voters to confirm that their names are listed in the Election Commissions voter list before heading to vote. If a voter's name appears on the voter list but does not possess a Voter ID card, they can still cast their vote using certain alternate ID proofs or documents. Here's a list of ID proofs you can use if you don't have Voter ID Any of the alternate ID proofs or documents listed can serve as a substitute for the Voter ID card during the voting process. - Aadhaar card - PAN (permanent account number) card - Passbook issued by a bank or a post office, entailing the photograph - Driving licence - Passport - Pension document for retired personnel - Student identity cards issued by recognised educational institutions - Service ID card issued by a state government, central government, PSU (public sector undertaking), including the MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) job card - A health insurance smart card issued by the Ministry of Labour and Employment - Authenticated Photo Voter Slip - SC, ST, OBC certificates issued by competent authority - Property documents such as pattas, registered deeds, etc. in the name of the voter - Ration card - Smart cards issued by the Registrar General of India under the scheme of National Population Register - Certificate of physical disability by the competent authority - Ex-servicemen CSD Canteen Card Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has said the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation are not required and should be shut down. The Uttar Pradesh chief minister also said he would propose it to the Opposition's INDIA bloc, The Indian Express reported. Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav addresses a press conference.(ANI) CBI aur ED band hone chahiye (the CBI and ED should be shut) If you have cheated, there is the Income Tax department to deal with it. Why do you need the CBI? Every state has an anti-corruption department, use it if needed, The Indian Express quoted Akhilesh Yadav as saying in an interview to with the newspaper. He also alleged that the central agencies are being used only against political adversaries of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Follow Live Updates on Lok Sabha elections 2024 They are used agar sarkar banaani hai, ya giraani hai (to form governments, or break governments), Akhilesh Yadav said. The SP leader also asked why these probe agencies hadn't investigated what went wrong during demonetisation. How did people convert their black money into white? When asked if an INDIA government would such a decision if it came to power, Akhilesh Yadav replied, This is my proposal, and I will put this before the INDIA alliance. Earlier, Akhilesh Yadav claimed that the electoral bond issue has exposed the BJP's extortion tactics, alleging that the saffron party engages in extortion by misusing ED and CBI raids. "The government has made extortion strategies, and now with the electoral bonds it has been proven that no one could have done extortion the way the BJP has done," said Akhilesh Yadav. The Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh are being held in seven phases. Polling in the first four phases has already been completed. Polling for the remaining Lok Sabha seats will be held on May 20, May 25, and June 1. The counting of votes will be done on June 4. In the 2019 general elections in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP won 62 out of 80 seats, and its ally Apna Dal (S) won two seats. Mayawati's BSP won 10 seats, while Akhilesh Yadav's SP won five. The Congress party secured only one seat. Union minister who are in the electoral fray in this phase are: Defence minister Rajnath Singh (Lucknow), minister of women and child development Smriti Irani (Amethi), minister of state for housing and urban affairs Kaushal Kishor (Mohanlalganj) and Mminister of state of consumer affairs Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti (Fatehpur). Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi is also in the fray from Rae Bareli, which was represented by Sonia Gandhi. New Delhi: A Delhi court after a late-night hearing on May 18 sent Bibhav Kumar to five days in police custody in connection with the assault on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP and former Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal. Bibhav Kumar, close aide of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, was arrested by the Delhi police on Saturday (Twitter/video screengrab) I find there is the necessity of police custody remand in this case. Accordingly, the application moved by the IO [investigative officer] is partly allowed and the accused is remanded to police custody remand for a period of five days, metropolitan magistrate Gaurav Goyal said while directing the Delhi police to produce him before the court on May 24. Maliwal had on Thursday filed a first information report (FIR) where she alleged that Kumar slapped her seven to eight times without any provocation, pounced on her, kicked her chest and pelvis, and deliberately pulled up her shirt at the chief ministers residence when she went to meet Kejriwal earlier this week. Following the complaint, Kumar, personal assistant and a close aide of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, was taken into custody by the Delhi police on the afternoon of May 18, however, he was formally arrested in the evening while the court was hearing the arguments on his anticipatory bail. He was produced before the court at 9.15pm, where the police sought seven days of custody. The Delhi police submitted before the court that the case is of a grave nature where a Member of Parliament, who is a woman, has been brutally assaulted. It was further submitted by the additional public prosecutor that the DVR containing the incident had not been provided and the CCTV footage provided to the Delhi police, when checked, was found to be blank at the relevant time. The Delhi police in the court also claimed that the mobile phone produced by Kumar was also found to be formatted, and he is also unwilling to share the password of his mobile phone. The police also told the court that he had to be taken to Mumbai to ascertain facts regarding formatting the phone and to retrieve the deleted data, as Kumar disclosed that he formatted his phone in Mumbai. Also Read: Swati Maliwal sustained injuries to face,leg: Report It was further submitted that he has to be also interrogated to find out the reason for the alleged assault. Opposing the remand application, the counsels for Kumar submitted that the complaint (by Maliwal) was lodged with a substantial delay of three days, and despite having an allegation of being brutally assaulted, Maliwal had not opted to lodge the FIR immediately or get herself medically examined at the earliest. Despite going to the police station after the alleged incident took place, no complaint was registered, rather it was done three days later after deliberations and concoctions. The counsels further argued that Kumar has a fundamental right to not disclose the password to his mobile phone and as such cannot be remanded to police custody for this purpose. Arguing against police remand, the counsels further averred that Kumars arrest was not justified as he was arrested by the Delhi police while the arguments on his anticipatory bail application were going on. The court after hearing the submissions observed that the case is at a nascent stage, and the allegations made in the FIR by Maliwal are further corroborated by the medico-legal certificate and her statements recorded by the court under section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. It also noted that the accused has to be taken to Mumbai, which will not be possible without police custody remand. The fact not finding of the video footage in the pen drive provided by the JE to the IO during the course of the investigation and getting the formatting of the mobile phone by the accused speaks in volumes, the court said in the order. According to the FIR, Kumar has been charged under sections 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 354B (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 341 (Punishment for wrongful restraint), 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation), 509 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code related to attempted culpable homicide, assault on women, criminal intimidation, and insulting modesty. On May 17, Kumar also lodged a complaint through an email accusing Maliwal of unauthorised entry, verbal abuse and threats while also claiming the Bharatiya Janata Partys involvement in the matter. Shillong: Meghalaya is set to get its first woman police chief Idashisha Nongrang, who succeeds Lajja Ram Bishnoi, who retired on Sunday, May 19, 2024. Senior IPS officer Idashisha Nongrang has been appointed as Meghalayas first woman DGP (Sourced Photo) A 1992 Assam-Meghalaya cadre IPS officer, Nongrangs appointment is notable culturally as she belongs to the Khasi community, one of Meghalayas three matrilineal ethnic tribes. The Khasis, like the Garos and Jaintias, practice a matrilineal system in which descent and inheritance are traced through the mothers lineage. With her appointment as the director general of police (DGP) she is the sixth woman to hold the topmost post in a law enforcement agency in India. Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya was the first woman to hold the position of DGP in India when she was appointed as the DGP of Uttarakhand in 2004. From December 1994 to November 2003, Nongrang served as the sub-divisional police officer of Dadenggre, Shillong additional superintendent of police (SP), SP Jaintia Hills, Commandant 1st MLP Battalion and SP East Khasi Hills. She then went on deputation to the Government of India in the Intelligence Bureau from November 2003 to January 2020 in various capacities. Nongrang returned to Meghalaya in 2020, where she served in Police headquarters till June 2022, when she took over as the director general of Meghalaya civil defence and home guards till date. She also served as acting DGP in 2021, indicating her readiness for this pivotal role and earning the respect, admiration, and loyalty of all ranks. A recipient of the Indian Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2008 and Presidents Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2015, Nongrangs appointment as the states police chief received extensive support from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the two main regional political parties United Democratic Party (UDP) and the Voice of the People Party (VPP). These parties had consistently urged for the appointment of a local IPS officer as DGP and supported Nongrangs candidature. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) recommended Nongrang, Ram Prasad Meena (1991 batch), currently serving as additional director general of police (ADG), Border Security Force, and Deepak Kumar (1992 batch), presently ADG, Central Reserve Police Force, for the vital position. The Meghalaya Security Commission headed by chief minister Conrad K Sangma approved Nongrangs appointment, reflecting the states commitment to developing leadership from within and recognising the qualities of its officials. Nongrang will be Meghalayas police chief until May 19, 2026, supervising the states law enforcement agencies and upholding law and order. Her appointment is not only a recognition of her professional accomplishments but also a significant step forward for womens empowerment and representation in state leadership positions. Nongrangs appointment as the first woman DGP in Meghalaya, a hill state dominated by matrilineal indigenous ethnic groups, marks a significant step toward breaking gender barriers. Her leadership is intended to inspire and pave the way for more women to take on significant roles in the states governance and decision-making processes. HT reached out to Nongrang to get a sense of how she would take this new assignment forward. Speaking to HT, Nongrang, shared her vision for the states law enforcement highlighting the importance of empowering local leadership and fostering a collaborative approach to governance. Q. You have held several important positions in law enforcement, how different will this new role be? It is much more challenging with significant responsibilities, both to the public and the entire Meghalaya Police. Q. You also served on central deputation. Can you share a bit about that experience, and how do you feel the stint has contributed to your career growth? It was an eye-opener, a bigger canvas where I learnt to view things more holistically and the importance of attention to detail, which makes a lot of difference. Hard work pays in the end; short-cuts literally cut short most good work. It also made me realise that no one is indispensable, and each one has something to contribute. Q. What are your topmost priorities in your long list of responsibilities as the state police chief? Maintenance of law and order, prevention and detection of crime, making Meghalaya Police more accessible to all and striving to get the entire police department to live up to its motto Help us to help you. Q. On a scale of one to ten, how would you honestly rate the law-and-order scenario in the state, keeping in mind our complex intra and international borders? Five and a half. Q. In a few words, what is your message to Meghalaya police, the citizens and lawbreakers? To Meghalaya Police live up to your motto; to citizens we are here to help, not to harass and to lawbreakers you might get away sometimes, but we have patience, and the long arm of the law will get to you eventually. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee of abusing organisations like ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha and said Mamata abused them under pressure from the Muslim vote bank. Narendra Modi slammed Mamata Banerjee for insulting Hindu organisations like ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission, and Bharat Sevashram. "The TMC, which has intimidated and threatened the people of Bengal during elections, has crossed all limits this time. Today, in the country and the world, ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangh are known for service and morality, but the chief minister of Bengal is openly threatening them from an open platform...They are threatening them just to appease their vote bank," Modi said. What is the row? What did Mamata say about ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram? At an election campaign on Saturday, Mamata Banerjee accused ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram of acting under instructions coming from New Delhi. Mamata said there is a WhatsApp group of the followers of the Ramakrishna Mission. "Why will monks get involved in this? Everyone respects Ramakrishna Mission. I know that the monks of Ramakrishna Mission do not vote. Then why do you tell others to vote for the BJP? Not everyone but some people (monks) are violating," Mamata said. Lok Sabha election 2024: Full coverage "I used to respect Bharat Sevashram Sangha. But I have been hearing the name of one Kartik Maharaj who said he will not allow Trinamool agent at the booth. I don't consider him as a monk because he is directly in politics...I have identified people who are doing this," Mamata said. Mamata said her government helped Ramakrishna Mission, and ISKCON and gave them land. While Narendra Modi took up the issue on Sunday, BJP's Amit Malviya said Bharat Sevashram Sangh would approach the high court against Mamata's statement for maligning Hindu saints. Kartik Maharaj who was named by Mamata said he never said anything on Trinamool agents. Bharat Sevashram Sangha is a Hindu religious and spiritual organisation founded in 1917 by Swami Pranavananda Maharaj. ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, is a Vaishnava Hindu religious organisation. Ramakrishna Mission is a spiritual organisation founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1897 named after his spiritual guru Ramakrishna. Ramakrishna Mission, Bharat Sevashram Sangha react A senior monk at Ramakrishna Mission's headquarters at Belur told PTI, "We are pained and anguished at the insinuations... we do not wish to be implicated in any controversy... thousands of visitors from all walks of life come to our premises to pray and meditate, including the PM and the CM... everyone is same for us." A spokesperson of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha said, "From cyclones to COVID, we have always rushed to the aid of the affected in far flung areas. We are a 107-year-old organisation and our monks run charitable health clinics, hospitals and educational institutions across the country. Neither had we ever been involved in politics nor we will be in the future." Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed rallies in West Bengal and Jharkhand on Sunday, making sharp attacks at chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during his speech. PM Modi addressed political rallies in West Bengal's Bishnupur and Medinipur, as well as in Jharkhand's Jamshedpur on Sunday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public meeting for Lok Sabha polls, in Bishnupur, West Bengal, Sunday, May 19, 2024. (PTI Photo) (PTI) Taking a veiled jibe at Mamata Banerjee in his Bengal rally, PM Modi said that he does not have to do anything for his nephews, referencing to West Bengal CM's nephew and TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee. PM Modi also slammed the Trinamool Congress for not sparing children from its hunger for money, speaking of the teacher recruitment scam. PM Modi further accused the TMC of insulting the faith of Hindus to appease its vote bank and asserted that infiltrators are "perilous" to West Bengal since they are "disturbing" the demography of the state. PM Modi's rally: Top quotes Speaking at Medinipur, PM Modi said, In Bengal, TMC is synonymous with terrorism, corruption, appeasement and nepotism. To appease its vote bank, the TMC is insulting the faith Hindus. The entire country is angry due to the recent derogatory statement made by the CM of West Bengal. Talking about the infiltration issue in Bengal, the prime minister said, The appeasement of the TMC has disturbed the demography of Bengal. The infiltration has disturbed the demography of the state. The TMC calls the people from other states 'outsiders'. However, it embraces infiltrators. During his Bishnupar rally, PM Modi said, Modi does not have to do anything for himself. Neither do I have to do anything for any of my nephews nor do I have to leave anything for any brother. I have to work for the people living in the forests of Bankura. I have to leave a developed India as a legacy for the children of poor, Dalit and tribals, so I have come to seek your blessings for the third time. While addressing a rally in Jamshedpur, PM Modi accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of using Maoist language, leading to investors reconsidering investing in India. The language used by the Congress shehzada will make any industrialist think 50 times before investing in states ruled by the party... The 'shehzada' is using language spoken by Maoists and is extorting money through innovative methods, PM Modi said. Slamming Gandhi for contesting from the Rae Bareli seat, PM Modi said, His mother (Sonia Gandhi) said that she is handing over her son to Rae Bareli... She could not find even a single party worker devoted to them... The voters of Rae Bareli in turn ask her as to where they were when people were in trouble during the Covid pandemic. (With inputs from agencies) Kolkata, Amid a raging controversy over West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accusing some monks of two prominent monastic orders of working in favour of the BJP in the elections, the religious bodies on Sunday claimed that they have always stayed away from politics and never sought votes for candidates of any party. Neither do we indulge in politics nor do we ask people to vote for any party: Bengal monks Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress supremo, had in an election rally on Saturday alleged that some monks of two prominent monastic orders in West Bengal were working "under instructions of the BJP". Banerjee had alleged that some monks of Ramakrishna Mission had asked devotees in Asansol to vote in favour of BJP, while a monk of Bharat Sevashram Sangha had forbidden a TMC agent to sit at a polling station in Baharampur. Referring to the allegations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at a rally in Purulia on Sunday, said that TMC has gone "beyond limits" by spreading canards against Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha and that Banerjee was "threatening them" to appease her vote bank. Both Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha dismissed the allegations and asserted that they focus only on service to the society. A senior monk at Ramakrishna Mission's headquarters at Belur said, "We are pained and anguished at the insinuations... we do not wish to be implicated in any controversy... thousands of visitors from all walks of life come to our premises to pray and meditate, including the PM and the CM... everyone is same for us." "We try to spread among people the eternal values of religion and spiritualism. To my knowledge, neither the mission nor any monk of our order had asked anyone to vote for any particular party," he added. A spokesperson of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha said, "From cyclones to COVID, we have always rushed to the aid of the affected in far flung areas. We are a 107-year-old organisation and our monks run charitable health clinics, hospitals and educational institutions across the country. Neither had we ever been involved in politics nor we will be in the future." This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Netai , The more things change in West Bengals forest-covered Jungal Mahal region, the more they seem to remain the same, feel inhabitants of Netai, a village thats yet to recover from the scars of its massacre that claimed nine lives and injured many 13 years ago. Netai yearns for lasting peace amid fierce underlying political tensions ahead of LS polls But whats more interesting is that Netais quest for lasting peace has made its people indifferent to politics in the wake of the ensuing parliamentary polls. The villagers believe it was their desire for political change that brought about the misfortune Netai continues to grapple with, and so the status quo is preferred. Let peace prevail in our village. We dont care who becomes king, said 70-year-old Tapan Mondal, whose wife Arati Mondal was among the Netai victims. A village bordering the erstwhile Maoist hotbed Lalgarh in Binpur block and falling under the Jhargram Lok Sabha seat, Netai caught national attention when armed vigilantes, allegedly sheltered by the then ruling CPI, opened fire on villagers killing four women and five men besides injuring 28 others on January 7, 2011. The slaughter was a fallout of locals resisting demands and alleged tortures of the armed men who had taken shelter inside the house of a local CPI leader, ostensibly to fight the Maoists who had considerable sway in the region during the period. While the Netai massacre case, investigated by the CBI, continues to be fought in Bengals legal corridors and most of the accused remains released on bail, the village continues to hog media headlines on account of the fierce tussle for political supremacy between Mamata Banerjee-led TMC and Suvendu Adhikari-led BJPs state unit in the region. As late as January this year, Adhikari moved the Calcutta High Court to secure permission to hold a rally in Netai and pay his respects to the deceased in the backdrop of the administrations refusal to grant him access to the village where Trinamool Congress-backed Netai Shahid Smritiraksha Samiti observes the day by garlanding the mausoleum built in memory of the martyrs. Peace is all we need. We dont want to go back to those days whose memory haunts us even now. We do not want to see any more blood spill and dont want politics to rule our lives, said Sarajit Roy, a TMC worker in the village. At a cursory glance, its difficult to distinguish Netai from any other advancing village of Bengal, where concrete dwellings have replaced most of the mud huts which dominated the village landscape 13 years ago. Surrounded by fertile agricultural land which, according to villagers, yielded three to four crops annually, the village now boasts metalled roads, a primary health centre and a high school. There have been enough developments in this region in the last decade, thanks to Mamata Banerjees efforts. But, people here are more focused on earning their livelihood than taking part in politics, Roy said. Echoing Roys statement, Asish Ghorai, a farmer, chipped in, stating, Theres no need for any change here. Any effort to bring about a change would result in disruption of peace. While Roy and Ghorai advocated for the ruling TMC dispensation of the state, the fact remains that the Jhargram seat is currently held by the BJP after defeating the TMC in 2019, with the latter desperate to snatch it back when the constituency goes to polls on May 25. The TMC has, in the meanwhile, swept the intermediate elections of the state assembly in 2021 and the recently held panchayat polls in 2023 from the area. Mondal, whose wife succumbed to bullet wounds in her abdomen in 2011, confessed to having received monetary compensation from the state government and jobs of junior of junior police constables for his two sons. Lets not think about political bickering anymore, he said. Villagers, though, voiced their need for job opportunities for youth in the area and blamed political parties for turning a blind eye to it. Young people are migrating from our village to get engaged in ornament making, masonry and even for daily earning. We can hardly sustain on the prevailing local wage rate of 150 a day, said Anath Roy, another villager. Locals informed that the stoppage of MGNREGA work in the area since 2022 and the tendency of no-shows by political leaders once elections get over have left them in limbo. There are not enough teachers in the local school and studies of our kids are getting badly hampered. We have raised the issue with school management many times but our request for teacher replenishment has fallen on deaf ears, claimed villager Tarun Pal. Local MLA and a minister in Mamata Banerjees cabinet, Birbaha Hansda, indicated at concerted ploys by the opposition to sabotage governments job creation efforts as reasons behind employment shortfalls. Whenever the government is advertising for jobs, be it in schools or the forest department, theres always someone moving the court and applying brakes to the process. The government is pushed to the back foot, she alleged, adding these were attempts to ensure that Bengal lagged behind other states. There is no solution in sight, a despondent Hansda said. Support for the BJP was palpable in the adjacent village of Sahersahi, which also housed families of the 2011 victims. The state indulged in nepotism to pick and choose who among the victims would receive compensation. Out of the 28 injured only 10 received money from government coffers or jobs. The remaining 18 were ignored, alleged Bhagbat Sing whose father Shaktipada Sing sustained shoulder injuries from the firing, but reportedly, fell through the states compensation cracks. Sing said it was the result of the villagers joint efforts that Adhikari made it to Netai on January 7 this year. The martyrs column at Netai, meanwhile, wore a deserted look, betraying the latent political tension it still embodied. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Prayagraj , Claiming that opposition leaders did not attend the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya as they were afraid of losing their vote bank, Union Home minister Amit Shah on Sunday said those in the BJP do not fear anyone. Oppn leaders didn't attend Ram temple's consecration due to fear of losing vote bank: Amit Shah Addressing a rally to garner support for Neeraj Tripathi, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's Lok Sabha poll candidate from the Allahabad constituency, Shah said the ongoing election is a battle between "those who opened fire on the devotees of Lord Ram and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who built the Ram temple". "The Congress-SP kept the Ram temple pending for 70 years. The SP government opened fire on kar sevaks. You made Modiji the prime minister for the second time, he won the court case for the Ram temple, performed the 'bhoomipujan' and also the 'pran pratishtha' of the temple," he said. Even after the temple trust members invited Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party leaders Dimple Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav for the consecration ceremony, they did not take part in it as they were afraid of losing their vote bank, the senior BJP leader claimed. "Do you know who their vote bank is? You are not their vote bank. Infiltrators are their vote bank. But we in the BJP are not afraid of anyone. Modiji not only built the Ram temple, but also decorated the 'darbar' of Kashi Vishwanath, which was broken by Aurangzeb, and the Somnath temple is being built of gold. "On one side, there are people who fired at the devotees of Lord Ram, on the other side, there is Narendra Modi, who built the Ram temple. The election is between these two. This election is to decide the future of the country, make it secure, end terrorism, Naxalism and poverty. This is an election to build a great India," he said. The January 22 consecration ceremony was led by Modi, who also gave a clarion call to go beyond the temple's construction to build the foundation of a "strong, capable and divine" India of the next 1,000 years. Scrapping Article 370 of the Constitution that bestowed special rights on Jammu and Kashmir, building a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya and implementing a Uniform Civil Code across the country have been the BJP's poll plank for decades. Allahabad is scheduled to go to polls in the sixth phase of the seven-phase Lok Sabha election on May 25. The main contest here is between Neeraj Tripathi, son of former West Bengal governor and Uttar Pradesh Assembly speaker Keshari Nath Tripathi, and Ujjwal Ram Singh, son of former SP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Reoti Raman Singh. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Three persons, including the assistant manager of Patanjali Ayurved Ltd, were fined and sentenced to six months in prison by chief judicial magistrate in Pithoragarh after Patanjali's food product failed a quality test conducted at a testing laboratory in Uttarakhand's Rudrapur, Live Hindustan reported. A food safety inspector had raised concerns about Patanjali Navratna Elaichi Soan Papdi at Lila Dhar Pathak's shop at the main market in Berinag, Pithoragarh in 2019. A hoarding with an image of Baba Ramdev is seen inside a Patanjali store.(REUTERS) Following the incident, samples of the sweet were collected, and notices were issued to Kanaha Ji Distributor, Ramnagar, and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd, Haridwar. In December 2020, the testing laboratory in Rudrapur sent a notice to the state food safety department over the sweet's substandard quality. Cases were also filed against businessman Lila Dhar Pathak, distributor Ajay Joshi, and Patanjali assistant manager Abhishek Kumar following the incident. The three people were also imposed fines of 5,000, 10,000, and 25,000 respectively and sentenced to six months in prison. Meanwhile, in a recent development, the Supreme Court asked Patanjali Ayurved Ltd whether the sale of its 14 products, whose manufacturing licences were suspended by the Uttarakhand State Licensing Authority last month, had stopped. Senior advocate Balbir Singh, appearing for Patanjali, told the apex court that they had stopped the sale of these products. It noted that the counsel appearing for Patanjali Ayurved Ltd, Balkrishna and Ramdev sought time to file affidavits indicating the steps taken to recall the advertisements of products whose licences were suspended. "The said affidavit is sought to be filed within three weeks. Needful shall be done within three weeks," the bench said. "Orders are reserved on the contempt notice issued to respondents five to seven (Patanjali Ayurved Ltd, Balkrishna and Ramdev)," the bench added. It stated that Ramdev and Balkrishna would not be required to appear in court until specific orders were issued. (With inputs from PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday criticised the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal over the Sandeshkhali issue. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in West Bengali's Purulia.(BJP/X) Addressing a poll rally in Purulia, Modi alleged that members of the TMC are raising questions on the characters of the sisters of Sandeshkhali. Follow full coverage of the 2024 Lok Sabha election here. ...To protect 'their Shahjahan', the people of TMC are questioning the character of the sisters of Sandeshkhali, Modi said. The kind of language that they (TMC) are using for them, the daughters of Bengal will reply to the TMC by destroying it through their votes. Modi said that the Mamata Banerjee-led party had given a slogan of Maa, Maati and Manush but they did nothing to protect them. The incident of Sandeshkhali has shaken the women of Bengal... TMC has dehumanised the women of SC and ST communities to protect Shahjahan Sheikh," the prime minister said. Leaders of TMC are pointing fingers at the women who suffered atrocities. Modi also said that the TMC has crossed the limits of decency by stooping so low that it is "spreading canards against ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha". The TMC has gone beyond its limits by spreading canards against ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha. West Bengal Chief Minister (Mamata Banerjee) is threatening them. They are threatening them just to appease their vote bank, he said. Modi's reference was towards an election speech by Mamata Banerjee in which she had alleged that some monks of Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha are working under the influence of BJP leaders in Delhi. "Those who are looking after temples are doing great spiritual jobs, but everyone is not doing so. This is not done. We respect the monks, she had said. In Sunday's speech, Modi also claimed that the TMC and Congress in West Bengal are two sides of the same coin. Huge amounts of money has been found at the houses of Congress leaders he said. Similarly, the leaders of TMC also have bundles of money with them. They abuse Modi, but have I ever tried to hide anything from you? Sandeshkhali on the boil The riverine island hit the headlines in February this year when village women staged violent protests over allegations of sexual assault and land grabbing while demanding the arrest of local TMC strongman Sheikh Shajahan and his aides. The BJP made it a key poll plank this year. On May 4, however, the TMC released a purported sting video in which a local BJP leader could be allegedly seen saying that leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari had paid money to village women to lodge false complaints of rape. On May 12, village women led by BJP candidate Rekha Patra attacked a TMC worker with allegations of making fake videos. Police arrested four persons. Fresh clashes broke out when TMC workers allegedly tore a poster of a BJP leader. Village women blocked roads with burning tyres. Shahjahan, the key Sandeshkhali accused, is currently behind bars in connection with the attack on a team of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) while it was in the process of raiding his residence in connection with the alleged ration scam. BJP's Rekha Patra will be contesting against Trinamool Congress' Haji Nurul Islam for the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat. The constituency will go to the polls in the last phase on June 1. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. New Delhi, The Supreme Court has sought response from the Delhi government on a plea filed by alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar seeking a direction to authorities to shift him from Mandoli jail to any other prison except those in Punjab and Delhi. SC notice to Delhi govt on Sukesh Chandrasekhar's plea to be shifted from Mandoli jail A division bench of Justices Bela Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal issued notice to the A government. "Having regard to the allegations made in the writ petition, let the notice be issued to the respondent, returnable on July 19, 2024," the bench said. Senior advocate Paramjeet Singh Patwalia, appearing for Chandrasekhar, submitted that the petitioner has been put under surveillance with two cameras in order to pressure him to withdraw his complaints. The lawyer told the court that Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has recommended a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation against former minister Satyendra Jain on Chandrasekhar's complaint. "Please, send me anywhere in the country, except Punjab and Delhi where the Aam Aadmi Party is not there," Patwalia submitted. The apex court then issued notice in the matter. The top court had last year dismissed Chandrasekhar and his wife's plea seeking a direction to authorities to shift them from Mandoli jail to a prison outside Delhi over security concerns, saying the writ petition was "without substance" and there was "no justification to grant indulgence" to the petitioners. Chandrasekhar had accused Jain, who is incarcerated in connection with a money laundering case, of extorting 10 crore "protection money" from him. He had also claimed to have contributed about 50 crore to the Aam Aadmi Party . Chandrasekhar was earlier transferred from Tihar jail to Mandoli Jail after he approached the court claiming threat to his life. The alleged conman and his wife are lodged in jail on charges of alleged money laundering and cheating several people. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. A do-or-die battle between the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and the opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to rule Andhra Pradesh coerced the frazzled party cadres of both camps to resort to violence, political leaders of all hues reckon. Leaders from the two regional parties blamed each other for the violence while disapproving of the police and the Election Commission of Indias (ECI) handling of the situation. A long tradition of quarrelsome politics was displayed again in the days following the election on May 13 in at least ten districts where both parties and the castes backing them are fighting hard to secure more seats than the other. What began with YSRCP MLA A Siva Kumar slapping a voter for questioning him about jumping the queue, quickly turned into episodes of recurrent violence of stone pelting and torching vehicles. Although the simultaneous elections for the 175 assembly seats and 25 parliamentary seats in Andhra Pradesh concluded on May 13, incidents of arson continued for days until the ECI summoned the chief secretary (CS) and the director general of police (DGP) on May 16 to New Delhi to convey their displeasure. The ECI has sought a detailed report on the poll-related clashes to be submitted on May 20, a detailed order of the EC read. The commission directed CS and DGP to ensure that such violence is not repeated and all SPs are to be tasked with taking pre-emptive measures to avoid such a situation in future, the order read. Following the ECs orders, a special investigation team (SIT) was constituted by the state government, with 13 police officers who will report to senior IPS officer Vineet Brij Lal. State election commissioner Mukesh Kumar Meena, in his preliminary report, stated that incidents of assault, setting the offices of the opposite party on fire, verbal threats, stone pelting, damaging campaign vehicles and electronic voting machines took place. Taking a tough stand against the post-poll violence, the ECI also approved the suspension of at least 12 subordinate police officers from Palnadu, Anantapur, and Tirupati districts and police superintendents (SPs) of these districts. In its six-point order to the state CS KS Jawahar Reddy and DGP Arun Kumar Gupta, the ECI ordered a departmental enquiry to name those responsible for the violence. Political expert Prof Chandrasekhar from Andhras Sri Krishnadevaraya University said, A deep mistrust between the Reddys and Kammas represented by the Congress and the TDP has caused this rift. Each looks at the other not as a legitimate opposition but as an enemy. Also, politicians stoke distrust, the social media amplifies squabbles into fights and there is rampant misinformation. Senior TDP leader Somireddy Chandra Mohan Reddy agrees that the battle for the state is tough and that the stakes are high for both parties, saying, The cadre of the YSRCP led by incumbent chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy are deeply disturbed if you look at the recent incidents in the state. They know the TDP is going to win this election; hence they are resorting to violent tactics. Countering this strongly, Raghav Reddy, a senior advisor to Jagan Reddy charged former CM and TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu of encouraging post-poll violence in Anantapur, Chittoor, and Tirupati. Naidu and BJP president D Purandareswari asked for the existing police officers to be removed and be replaced by officers of their choice. This indicates taking law and order into their hands despite not being in power, Reddy alleged. However, BJP Andhra general secretary S Vishnu Reddy pointed out that the sudden change of IPS officers and junior election commissioners led to chaos and violence. The ECI in Delhi is unaware of the law-and-order situation in specific districts in the state. Without a proper understanding of the on-ground situation, they deputed officers who could neither handle the surge of voters nor the mobs who stormed polling stations, he said. While the INDIA bloc led by the Congress has allied with the two communist parties, the TDP and Pawan Kalyans Jana Sena Party are part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Jagans YSRCP is fighting alone to retain the state. There is no actual debate over policy or promise, lamented MM Pallam Raju, Congress leader and former human resources development minister during the UPA II term. This (violence) was bound to happen. Politics in Andhra has reached a low since 2014 when the state was divided. There is an atmosphere of fear and the regional parties see each other as adversaries rather than opponents. While there is a lot of resentment, people are afraid to voice their opinion fearing backlash, he said. To contain further incidents of assault, the ECI has directed the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to camp in the state for 15 days after the results of the general election and assembly election are announced on June 4. The order from the Nirvachan Sadan in New Delhi has asked SPs of all the districts to take preemptive measures to avoid violence. In the 2019 election, YSRCP swept the state winning 151 of the 175 seats in the assembly and 22 of the 25 Lok Sabha seats. The TDP, on the other hand, won a measly 23 seats in the assembly and three parliamentary seats. JSP, being an entrant could manage just one seat in Andhra Pradesh. Deepika Amirapu is a freelance journalist based in Hyderabad. Each week, Southern Lights examines the big story from one of the five states of South India. Swati Maliwal, Aam Aadmi Party's Rajya Sabha MP, on Saturday night claimed that the CCTV camera footage of the May 13 incident where she was allegedly assaulted by Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar at the chief minister residence has disappeared and edited videos were being released. AAP MP Swati Maliwal leaves the residence of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal after an investigation of alleged assault case in New Delhi. (Sanchit Khanna /HT) Bibhav Kumar was arrested in connection with the alleged assault on Swati Maliwal and sent a five-day police custody by Delhi's Tis Hazari Court on Saturday night. "First I was thrashed brutally by Bibhav. He slapped and kicked me. When I freed myself and called 112, he went outside, called security personnel and started making a video. I was shouting and telling the security that Bibhav has thrashed me brutally," Swati Maliwal claimed in a post in Hindi on X (formally Twitter). Also Read | Bibhav Kumar arrested: Arvind Kejriwal, AAP MPs, MLAs will march to BJP HQ today "That long portion of the video has been edited. Only a 50-second video was released when I was fed up of telling the security Now the phone has been formatted and the full video deleted? The CCTV camera footage has also disappeared. This is the height of conspiracy," Swati Maliwal added. Bibhav Kumar did not provide phone password: Delhi Police Swati Maliwal's reaction comes even as Bibhav Kumar was on Saturday produced before the magisterial court, with police contending that his custody was necessary for questioning him about the reason behind the alleged assault on the Rajya Sabha MP. The Delhi Police alleged that Bibhav Kumar did not provide the password of his mobile phone to the investigating agency and had also informed them that his phone had been formatted in Mumbai due to malfunctioning. The police said before being formatted, the data of a mobile phone had to be cloned, and Bibhav Kumar was required to be taken to Mumbai to retrieve the data. The accused's presence was also needed when an expert accessed his mobile phone, they said. 'Swati Maliwal was brutally beaten and attacked' Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Atul Srivastava, seeking his police remand for seven days at a hearing late on Saturday evening, said, "He has been arrested today. The complainant is a public figure and an AAP MP," the APP submitted. "She was brutally beaten and attacked in sensitive parts," he added. "We asked for the DVR, which was provided on a pen drive. The footage was found to be blank," APP argued. APP submitted that an iPhone has been given to the police, but now the accused is not sharing the password and that the phone has been formatted. "The accused has influence over the witnesses. In this case, footage was deleted, the phone was formatted, and the accused himself reached the place of occurrence." The accused has not shared the password for his phone. He has to be taken to the expert to get the phone password. The phone has been formatted, and he has been taken to Mumbai, APP Srivastava added. "He was terminated from the service. It is a question of how he was able to reach the CM's residence," the APP submitted, adding that we have to find out whether he is connected to anti-social elements or not. Advocate Rajiv Mohan, appearing for Bibhav Kumar, pointed to the delay in filing the case and asked why Swati Maliwal was not taken for medical attention when she went to the police station shortly after the purported incident but left without filing a complaint. Swati Maliwal row: Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bharadwaj on Sunday questioned the role of the Delhi Police in connection with the case involving the alleged assault on Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal. AAP MP Swati Maliwal leaves the residence of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal after investigation of an alleged assault case in New Delhi on Friday.(HT photo) Addressing a press briefing on Sunday, Bharadwaj accused the Delhi Police of leaking information related to the case to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the media. On May 13, the media learned about Swati Maliwal and Bibhav Kumar's case. BJPs Delhi Police informed the public that Swati Maliwal called 112," Bharadwaj said. Delhi Police even released the photo of the DD entry - of when the call was received. Delhi Police is the interested party because their political needs are getting fulfilled by doing this otherwise, I have never seen police doing something like this before. He also said that false news is being circulated claiming that the CCTV footage and DVR (digital video recorder) related to the case are missing. Since yesterday, false news has been spread that the CCTV footage and DVR are missing, while in reality, the Delhi Police took all the CCTV footage, including the DVR, from the chief minister's residence, the AAP leader said. The question arises: Why is the Delhi Police continuously spreading lies? He also adds that confidential material related to the case is being shared with the media and being shared on social media. The law of the country mandates that FIRs under Section 354 (Molestation) are kept confidential, Bharadwaj said. However, as soon as the FIR is registered, it is shared with all media via WhatsApp and posted on all X handles. He adds: The accused had not been given a copy of the FIR until last night. All of Delhi Police's investigations indicate that the aim is to discredit the Aam Aadmi Party just four days before the election. Swati Maliwal assault case AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Thursday filed a first information report (FIR) where she alleged that Kumar slapped her seven to eight times without any provocation, pounced on her, kicked her chest and pelvis, and deliberately pulled up her shirt at the chief ministers residence when she went to meet Kejriwal earlier this week. Following the complaint, Kumar, personal assistant and a close aide of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, was taken into custody by the Delhi police on the afternoon of May 18. He was formally arrested in the evening and was subsequently remanded to five days in police custody by a local court. On his part, Kumar also lodged a complaint through an email on May 17, accusing Maliwal of unauthorised entry, verbal abuse and threats while also claiming the Bharatiya Janata Partys involvement in the matter. The Telangana government headed by chief minister A Revanth Reddy is planning to float a special purpose vehicle (SPV) in the form of a statutory corporation to raise funds for the implementation of its crop loan waiver scheme, under which it plans to waive farm loans up to 2 lakh at one go, people familiar with the matter said. CM Revanth Reddy held a high-level meeting with top revenue and finance department officials to work out various methods to mobilise resources for the implementation of the loan waiver scheme. (PTI) Crop loan waiver was one of the six guarantees of the Telangana Congress before it was voted to power in the assembly elections last year. During his rallies for the Lok Sabha elections, Revanth Reddy reiterated his governments resolve to waive all crop loans in one go before August 15. The floating of a new corporation Telangana State Farmers Welfare Corporation (TSFWC) to raise funds for the crop loan waiver scheme was supposed to be discussed and approved at the state cabinet meeting scheduled on Saturday. However, the cabinet meeting could not be held, as the Election Commission of India did not give permission for the same because of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in force for the by-elections to the state legislative council on May 27, people familiar with the matter said. On May 15, CM Reddy held a high-level meeting with top revenue and finance department officials to work out various methods to mobilise resources for the implementation of the loan waiver scheme. A statement from the Chief Ministers Office said Revanth Reddy asked the officials to study the policies adopted in Maharashtra, Rajasthan and other states regarding farmer loan waiver and come up with a model that suits the financial position of the state government. A senior state government official, on condition of anonymity, said that the crop loan waiver scheme implemented in Maharashtra and Rajasthan would not be replicated in Telangana because of the huge burden and precarious financial situation of the state government. In Maharashtra, the state government could waive 20,250 crore in a phased manner, starting from 2020 under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Shetkari Karjmukti Yojana by transferring money to the banks in a phased manner, he said. In Rajasthan, the Ashok Gehlot government in 2019 implemented crop loan waiver scheme, but it was restricted to farmers with a landholding of a maximum of two hectares (around 5 acres), the official added. In Telangana, the burden on the state government to waive all pending crop loans till the last Rabi season is around 32,000 crore. In all, around 175,000 farmers, mostly small and marginal, who obtained loans from banks commercial and cooperative banks between April 1, 2019, and December 10, 2023, up to a maximum of 2 lakh, would get the benefit from the scheme. As the chief minister wants to waive the entire loan at one ago, it requires huge money, which cannot be met from the budgetary allocations, the official quoted above said. The best option suggested by the officials to CM Reddy is to float a special purpose vehicle in the form of farmers welfare corporation and go in for off-budget borrowings through this corporation to fund the loan waiver scheme. This is going to be on the lines of Andhra Pradesh State Development Corporation (APSDC) floated by the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government to raise funds to meet the expenditure for implementation of its Nava Ratnaalu schemes, the official said. The corporation, which would be given a statutory status through passing a legislation in the state, would raise long-term loans from banks, financial institutions, non-banking financial companies, investors, contributors and capital markets. In the case of Andhra Pradesh State Development Corporation , the Jagan government proposed to transfer all its properties and assets of the entrusted schemes, movable and immovable, to the corporation. The corporation would create an escrow account into which the revenues from these assets would be diverted, and from there, the money would be transferred into the accounts of the lenders towards loan repayment. The Telangana government will stand guarantee for the loans obtained by the corporation from various banks and other financial institutions. Instead of government properties and assets, it can transfer vacant lands to the new corporation, which would sell the lands as and when required, to repay the loans to the banks and other financial institutions, the official quoted above said. Alternatively, the government can also transfer the revenues from agriculture market cess and part of the revenues from the excise department and stamps and registration department to the corporation to pay the interest and principal to the lending institutions. However, the government might have to take clearance from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to float the corporation and open an escrow account in the name of lenders, he added. Forty-nine parliamentary constituencies (PCs) are going to vote on Monday in the fifth phase of the current election cycle. This is also the smallest phase in terms of the number of PCs going to the polls. These 49 PCs are spread across eight states and Union territories. Among the two major alliance blocs the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) spearheaded by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) the INDIA bloc is again set to witness a higher proportion of intra-alliance conflicts. Most of these intra-alliance conflicts are expected to be notional, except in West Bengal, where the Trinamool Congress (TMC) failed to reach a seat-sharing arrangement with other INDIA parties the Congress, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPIM), and Communist Party of India (CPI). PM Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi(File) Lok Sabha polls: Phase 5 voting to lock fate of 49 seats today Among the NDA parties, the BJP is contesting the highest number of 40 PCs. Shiv Sena is contesting 6 PCs, all in Maharashtra. Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and Rashtriya Samaj Paksha (RSPS) are contesting one PC each. None of the NDA parties are contesting Baramulla PC in Jammu and Kashmir. NDA alliance arithmetic seems perfectly seamless in the current phase, with only one intra-alliance contest with RSPS in Mohanlalganj in Uttar Pradesh. The BJP had won Mohanlalganj PC in 2019. The BJP is contesting 81.6% of the total PCs going to the polls in the current phase. This is the second-highest percentage of PCs which BJP is contesting, the highest being in the third phase when it contested 87.1% of the total PCs that went to the polls. In sharp contrast to the NDA, the INDIA bloc has fielded 64 candidates across the 49 PCs. Thirteen parties from the INDIA bloc are in the fray in the current phase, each contesting at least one PC. Congress is contesting 18 PCs, the highest among the parties in the INDIA bloc. However, in terms of proportion, Congress is contesting the fewest PCs (36.7% of the total 49 PCs) so far in the election phases. It has contested 54.9%, 79.5%, 73.1%, and 63.5% of the PCs in the first four phases, respectively. The Samajwadi Party (SP) and Shiv Sena - Uddhav Bal Thackeray (SHS-UBT) are the second and third biggest constituents, contesting 10 and 8 PCs, respectively. TMC is contesting all 7 PCs in West Bengal that are voting today. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) is contesting all four of its PCs in Bihar. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)-Sharadchandra Pawar faction is in the fray in two PCs in Maharashtra. Among the left parties, CPI(M) and CPI are contesting 5 and 4 PCs each, while another left ally, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (Liberation) - CPI(ML)(L), is contesting one PC in Jharkhand. All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) is also contesting two PCs, both in Maharashtra. The remaining parties are contesting one PC each. There are 15 PCs in the current phase where INDIA parties are pitted against each other. Seven of these PCs are in West Bengal, three in Maharashtra, two each in Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, and one PC in Jammu and Kashmir. In West Bengal, TMC has fielded candidates in all 7 PCs, 5 against CPIM and 2 against Congress. In Uttar Pradesh, CPI has fielded its candidates in two PCs against SP. CPI has also fielded two candidates against Congress in Jharkhand. In Maharashtra, AlFB has fielded two candidates, one each against Congress and SHS-UBT. Bharatiya Adivasi Party (BAP) has also fielded one candidate against SHS-UBT in Maharashtra. In Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party candidates are pitted against each other. Phase 5 of Lok Sabha elections 2024 on May 20: Check 10 key constituencies/seats Out of these 15 PCs, only 14 are comparable due to the delimitation in Jammu and Kashmir post-2019. BJP won 9 of these PCs, while the then united Shiv Sena won one PC. TMC won the remaining 4 such PCs in 2019. Raipur: A wanted Maoist carrying a reward of Rs.1 Lakh was killed in a gunfight with the security forces in Chhattisgarhs Sukma district on Saturday, officials said. (Representative Photo) According to officials, the Maoist identified as Dudhi Hunga was wanted in 16 cases registered in three police stations in the Sukma district. He was gunned down in the early hours of Saturday near the forest of Banjarpara village under Polampalli police station limits during an anti-Maoist operation launched by the security forces in the forest. Also Read: Maoist killed in encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarhs Bijapur Security forces launched an anti-Maoist operation on Friday night following the input of the Maoist movement in the forest, including some of its top leaders such as Konta area committee secretary Vetti Mangdu and area commander Hitesh, a statement issued by police said. The exchange of fire lasted for about 20 to 25 minutes, following which Maoists escaped into the dense forest after security personnel started zeroing in on them, the police stated. After the gunfight, the police team recovered the body of Hunga, a muzzle-loading gun, a tiffin bomb, three gelatin rods, an improvised explosive device (IED), two cortex wires, a Maoist uniform and items of daily use, said police. Hunga, 35, was active as the militia commander of the Revolutionary Peoples Committee in the Konta area committee, said police. 105 Maoists have been killed in separate encounters with security forces in the state so far this year. On May 10, 12 alleged Maoists were killed in a gunfight with security personnel in Bijapur district, while 10, including three women, were gunned down in a forest along the border of Narayanpur and Kanker districts on April 30. 29 Maoists were killed in a gunfight with security forces in the states Kanker district On April 16. Interior design has risen above the idea of creating luxurious spaces, it is now promoting health and well-being through design. Design has a profound impact on our mental health offering a retreat from our daily grind. A well-balanced design focuses on the surroundings that influence stress levels and psychological responses. Interior designers are seen as essential players in creating spaces that improve people's quality of life. They blend design, nature, and technology elements to promote mental and emotional well-being. HT Lifestyle has reached out to experts from the design industry to explore ideas for creating wellness-centric spaces that can offer a holistic living experience. (Also read: Home renovation ideas: 5 tips for designing interiors that blend aesthetics with practicality for modern lifestyles ) Interior design promotes health and well-being through design, experts say.(Unsplash) Wellness-focused Interior Design Tips Introducing Biophilic Principles in Design To promote a feeling of connectedness with nature, designers introduce biophilic elements into the design. It aims to incorporate natural elements into interior environments. "Natural textures, materials, and patterns can be included to produce a calm and organic ambience. Adding greenery to the interior, such as indoor plants, makes the space feel lively and revitalising. Ultimately, a brighter and more upbeat atmosphere can be produced by the abundance of sunlight that enters the room through large windows, skylights, and open bottom plans", asserts Ar. Jamshed Banaji, Principal Architect at Banaji and Associates. Colour Psychology in Design Colours have a crucial impact on our living environments, elevating the essence of mental well-being. "Hues like blues and greens evoke a sense of calm and relaxation while nature-inspired tones like beige and taupe bring a sense of balance and tranquillity. Further, yellows and oranges, associated with sunlight, add vibrancy to the space. Ultimately, lavenders and purples are chosen for their meditative qualities and create a restful environment for mindfulness", suggests Ar. Prashant Kochhar, Founder & Principal Architect of LTDF Architecture + Interior Design. Wellness by Ergonomics and Comfort Ergonomics is a key component of wellness-focused interior design, as it helps to promote comfort and physical health. "Customised furniture that accommodates various body shapes and sizes offers the finest support and encourages proper posture. Comfort and functionality are taken into consideration while designing desks, chairs, and seating configurations. Additionally, flexibility and adaptability in furniture and layout allow for the incorporation of activities like yoga, meditation, or relaxation, which contribute to physical well-being", further adds Jamshed. Mindful Decor Elements and Materials Comfort can be enhanced by the use of sustainable and natural materials in furnishings and decor. "To add to the visual appeal, materials like wood, bamboo, and cork give off a cosy, tactile sensation that encourages connectivity with nature and well-being. Soft fabrics and textures are incorporated into the design to improve comfort. Comfortable wraps, soft cushions, and plush rugs add tactile qualities that promote rest", asserts Prashant. Creating wellness spaces at home is about fostering a sanctuary where relaxation and rejuvenation are paramount! So, embrace the art of designing for wellness and experience the profound impact of a thoughtfully curated space that nurtures mind, body, and spirit. Breastfeeding is normal and it has lots of health benefits for mom and baby but how to support breastfeeding mothers, especially at workplace, is a crucial concern. Read on as we explore how your workplace can create accommodations for lactating mothers as there are different laws that support breastfeeding for working moms. Building breastfeeding-friendly environment: Tips for employers and managers to support breastfeeding mothers at work (Image by Freepik) According to WHO, breastfeeding up to 2 years of age is recommended as this will also help to build the immunity of the baby and results in less leaves by the employee. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Kavita Singh, Lactation Consultant and Womens Health Physiotherpist at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals in New Delhi suggested that as a breastfeeding mother - talk to your employers to ensure employers follows breastfeeding laws and guidelines and spread the word about the benefits of breastfeeding with friends, family and in social media to create more awareness to your employers. For employers to be fully supportive of their breastfeeding employees, Kavita Singh recommended that three pieces should be in place and a good place to start is, reviewing some sort of self-assessment that covers policy, time and space - 1. The first piece is a policy or a set of guidelines. This should document the guaranteed time and space for milk expression and outline the expectations of the work environment. Policy or guidelines can include other items such as guidance on communication or maintenance of the lactation space. Some work sites may have a policy allowing infants in the workplace. Information about lactation policies and infant at work policies should be discussed and informed prior joining after maternity leaves. In addition to creating written guidelines for welcoming breastfeeding parents and staff and volunteers should receive guidance and why this is important and how to address potential customer concerns. 2. The second piece is guaranteed time during the work day for milk expression. Allow lactation breaks after every 3-4 hour within an 8-hour shift for at least one year after childbirth. Lactation breaks are considered paid working time. No proof of breastfeeding is required. Staff are not expected to work for longer hours. To make up for the time spent on milk, expression. Some considerations when creating a pumping schedule include the distance between the workstation and the lactation space, the length of the employees shift, and the time needed for setting up and cleaning up the breast pump and parts. The frequency and length will depend on the employees needs and can change over time. Some workplaces allow a caregiver to bring the infant to the workspace during the parents breaks so they can breastfeed instead of pump. Employees and supervisors can work together with scheduling spaces and communicating with co-workers who are also pumping. 3. The third piece is a private lactation space that is not a toilet or a bathroom stall. This can be a room dedicated only for milk expression or can be provided for milk expression during the pumping hours. You just need to provide an area for your breastfeeding staff where privacy is maintained. It does not have to be a large space, but privacy is the key. Even a small room can be transformed into a designated lactation room, where appropriate environment for milk expression is provided. It should be clean, with a comfortable chair with a back rest. A small table for placing items is needed during breast milk expression. A power socket for plugging in breast pumps. Make sure it is conveniently located without being hidden by furniture. Don't forget a door lock from the inside. A sink, liquid soap or alcohol hand rub and storage lockers are great options too. Make sure breastfeeding mother feel comfortable in that room. If designating a lactation room is impossible, try using other resources like any common spaces can be flexibly used like to transform a conference room into a lactation room. Make the most out of areas such as conference or multi-function rooms. You can reserve time slots for breastfeeding employees on a temporary basis. To transform a corner into a lactation corner with a screen, or set up a screen or curtain in a clean, quiet corner for expressing breast milk. Make sure clear signage such as occupied or mummy's time, is displayed. No toilets or restrooms should be provided as pumping area for hygiene reasons. If all the above are not feasible, allow your breastfeeding staff to visit community baby care rooms or lactation rooms nearby during lactation breaks. For breast milk storage, a mini pantry fridge or a cool box will be helpful. A separate fridge for storing breast milk is not a must. However, do pay attention to food hygiene. Reserve space for breast milk, such as the top inner shelf, which is clean and safe. Just these few steps can make your breastfeeding staff feel supported. It will be a great change and encouragement for her breastfeeding journey. Payal, an Indian woman, recently celebrated her wedding anniversary and received cash from her husband on the occasion. She used the money to buy herself a raffle draw ticket on Thursday, May 16. And as luck would have it, Payal's ticket led her to $1 million. The woman won this grand prize at Dubai Duty-Free. Payal, who hails from Punjab in India, won this grand prize at Dubai Duty-Free (DDF) Millennium Millionaire series 461 with ticket number 3337, which she purchased online on May 3. She told Khaleej Times, "The money I used to buy the winning ticket came from my husband (Harnek Singh), who gifted me Dh1,000 on our 16th wedding anniversary on April 20. I thought of buying a DDF ticket online with the money, and I picked the ticket with most number 3s in it." (Also Read: Indian man wins 44 crore in lottery in UAE after buying tickets for past 5 years) Payal says that she has been purchasing DDF tickets for the previous twelve years. Her favourite number is three. She purchased one each time they went on a trip, listing her children's and husband's names alternately, reported the Khaleej Times. "I used to buy DDF once or twice every year at the airport but I took exception last time when, for the first time, I bought ticket online. It was a gift that kept on giving the cash gift from husband made us a millionaire," said Payal. She also added, "I called my husband and told him of the jackpot. I was so happy and tears of joy rolled out as I spoke to him. The kids (twins aged 14) don't know the news yet, but we will tell them once we pick them up from school this (Thursday) afternoon." When the news outlet asked how she plans to spend the money, she said, "It's still very early to decide. But, of course, our priority is to secure my kids' future to give them a really good education for a good life." The Sunday Times Rich List stated that Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty's personal wealth increased by 122 million in the previous year. The pair's projected net worth increased from 529 million in 2023 to 651 million in the most recent list. This was mostly because of Murty's ownership stake in Infosys, the massive Indian IT company that her father co-founded. According to the yearly list of the wealthiest people in the UK, it indicates that they are richer than King Charles. Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty are said to be richer than King Charles. The Prime Minister and Murty are the richest couple to reside at No. 10 Downing Street, ranking 245th on the list. They now have more money than King Charles, who saw an increase in his personal fortune this year from 600 million to 610 million. In 2022, the Sunaks were ranked higher than the late Queen Elizabeth II, whose personal wealth was estimated to exceed 370 million that year, reported the Metro UK. (Also Read: Good news for King Charles: His personal net worth sees dramatic surge, and it's far more than Queen Elizabeth II) The news outlet also shared that the revelation coincides with the ongoing cost of living problem, as evidenced by recent data from the Trussell Trust showing that 3.1 million food parcels were distributed in the past yeara record number. The PM, who is guiding the nation through a crisis caused by rising living expenses, is a former hedge fund manager, but Murty is by far the richest member of the Sunak family. Prior to becoming a partner at two hedge funds, he spent 20012004 as an analyst at investment bank Goldman Sachs. Just 6.5% of Sunak's total income comes from his investments; the remainder comes from his MP salary of 91,346) and PM salary of 80,807. Who are others on the list? The top 10 people on the list are: 1. Gopi Hinduja 37.2bn 2. Sir Leonard Blavatnik - 29.25 billion 3. David and Simon Reuben and family 24.9bn 4. Sir Jim Ratcliffe 23.5bn 5. Sir James Dyson and family 20.8bn 6. Barnaby and Merlin Swire and family 17.2bn 7. Idan Ofer 14.9bn 8. Lakshmi Mittal and family 14.9bn 9. Guy, George, Alannah and Galen Weston and family 14.4bn 10. John Fredriksen and family 12.8bn An Israeli airstrike killed 20 people in central Gaza, mostly women and children, and fighting raged across the north on Sunday as Israel's leaders aired divisions over who should govern Gaza after the war, now in its eighth month. A man carries the dead body of a Palestinian child recovered from a house hit by an Israeli strike, in Nuseirat, in the central Gaza Strip(REUTERS) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced criticism from his own War Cabinet, with his main political rival, Benny Gantz, threatening to leave the government if a plan is not formulated by June 8 that includes an international administration for postwar Gaza. U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan was expected to meet with top Israeli leaders on Sunday to discuss an ambitious U.S. plan for Saudi Arabia to recognize Israel and help the Palestinian Authority to govern Gaza in exchange for a path to eventual statehood. Netanyahu, who is opposed to Palestinian statehood, has rejected those proposals, saying Israel will maintain open-ended security control over Gaza and partner with local Palestinians unaffiliated with Hamas or the Western-backed Palestinian Authority. Gantz' withdrawal would not bring down Netanyahu's coalition government, but it would leave him more reliant on far-right allies who support the voluntary emigration of Palestinians from Gaza, full military occupation and the rebuilding of Jewish settlements there. Even as the discussions of postwar planning take on new weight, the war is still raging with no end in sight. In recent weeks, Hamas has regrouped in parts of northern Gaza that were heavily bombed in the early days of the war and where Israeli ground troops had already operated. The airstrike in Nuseirat, a built-up Palestinian refugee camp in central Gaza dating back to the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, killed 20 people, including eight women and four children, according to records at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the nearby town of Deir al-Balah, which received the bodies. A separate strike on a street in Nuseirat killed another five people, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service. In Deir al-Balah, a strike killed Zahed al-Houli, a senior officer in the Hamas-run police, and another man, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. ALSO READ| Israeli War Cabinet member demands Gaza day-after plan by June 8, threatens to quit govt Palestinians reported more airstrikes and heavy fighting in northern Gaza, which has been largely isolated by Israeli troops for months and where the World Food Program says a famine is underway. The Civil Defense says the strikes hit several homes near Kamal Adwan Hospital in the town of Beit Lahiya, killing at least 10 people. Footage released by the rescuers showed them trying to pull the body of a woman out of the rubble as explosions echo in the background and smoke rises. In the urban Jabliya refugee camp nearby, residents reported a heavy wave of artillery and airstrikes. The situation is very difficult, said Abdel-Kareem Radwan, a 48-year-old in Jabaliya. He said the whole eastern side has become a battle zone where the Israeli fighter jets strike anything that moves." Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesman for the Civil Defense, said rescuers had recovered at least 150 bodies, more than half of them women and children, since Israel launched the operation in Jabaliya last week. He said around 300 homes have been completely destroyed. Israel launched its offensive after Hamas Oct. 7 attack, in which Palestinian militants stormed into southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting some 250. The war has killed at least 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Around 80% of the population of 2.3 million Palestinians have been displaced within the territory, often multiple times. Israel says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames the high death toll and destruction on Hamas, which positions fighters, tunnels and rocket launchers in dense, residential areas. Netanyahu's critics, including thousands of protesters who took to the streets again on Saturday, accuse him of prolonging the war and rejecting a cease-fire deal that would release hostages so he can avoid a reckoning over the security failures that led to the attack. Polls show that Gantz, a political centrist, would likely succeed Netanyahu if early elections are held. That would expose Netanyahu to prosecution on longstanding corruption allegations. Netanyahu denies any political motives and says the offensive must continue until Hamas is dismantled and the estimated 100 hostages held in Gaza, and the remains of more than 30 others, are returned. He has said it's pointless to discuss postwar arrangements while Hamas is still fighting because the militants have threatened anyone who cooperates with Israel. Netanyahu also faces pressure from Israel's closest ally, the United States, which has provided crucial military aid and diplomatic cover for the offensive while expressing growing frustration with Israel's conduct of the war. President Joe Biden's administration recently held up a shipment of 3,500 bombs of up to 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms) each and said the U.S. would not provide offensive weapons for a full-scale invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, citing fears of a humanitarian catastrophe. But last week, after Israel launched what it says is a limited operation in Rafah, the administration told legislators it would move forward with the sale of $1 billion worth of arms, tank ammunition, tactical vehicles and mortar rounds, according to congressional aides. Sullivan is expected in Israel after meeting with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday. The administration has been working on an ambitious plan in which Saudi Arabia would recognize Israel and join other Arab states in helping to administer and rebuild Gaza, in exchange for a U.S. defense pact and help in building a civilian nuclear program. But U.S. and Saudi officials say that deal requires Israel to agree to a credible path to eventual Palestinian statehood, something Netanyahu has repeatedly ruled out. In Gantz' ultimatum, he expressed support for normalizing ties with Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries. But he also said we will not allow any outside power, friendly or hostile, to impose a Palestinian state on us. A British court could give a final decision on Monday on whether WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange should be extradited to the United States over the mass leak of secret U.S. documents, the culmination of 13 years of legal battles and detentions. A supporter of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange protests outside the Australian High Commission in central London on April 10, 2024, on the eve of the fifth anniversary of his arrest by British police.( (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)) Two judges at the High Court in London are set to rule on whether the court is satisfied by U.S. assurances that Assange, 52, would not face the death penalty and could rely on the First Amendment right to free speech if he faced a U.S. trial for spying. Assange's legal team say he could be on a plane across the Atlantic within 24 hours of the decision, could be released from jail, or his case could yet again be bogged down in months of legal battles. "I have the sense that anything could happen at this stage," his wife Stella said last week. "Julian could be extradited, or he could be freed." ALSO READ- How did 30,000 people get infected with HIV in UK? Blood scandal report tomorrow She said her husband hoped to be in court for the crucial hearing. WikiLeaks released hundreds of thousands of classified U.S. military documents on Washington's wars in Afghanistan and Iraq - the largest security breaches of their kind in U.S. military history - along with swathes of diplomatic cables. In April 2010 it published a classified video showing a 2007 U.S. helicopter attack that killed a dozen people in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, including two Reuters news staff. The U.S. authorities want to put the Australian-born Assange on trial over 18 charges, nearly all under the Espionage Act, saying his actions with WikiLeaks were reckless, damaged national security, and endangered the lives of agents. His many global supporters call the prosecution a travesty, an assault on journalism and free speech, and revenge for causing embarrassment. Calls for the case to be dropped have ranged from human rights groups and some media bodies, to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other political leaders. ALSO READ- Armed intruder guns down female student of Georgias Kennesaw State University on campus Detained since 2010 Assange was first arrested in Britain in 2010 on a Swedish warrant over sex crime allegations that were later dropped. Since then he has been variously under house arrest, holed up in Ecuador's embassy in London for seven years, and held since 2019 in Belmarsh top security jail, latterly while he waited a ruling on his extradition. "Every day since the seventh of December 2010 he has been in one form of detention or another," said Stella Assange, who was originally part of his legal team and married him in Belmarsh in 2022. If the High Court rules the extradition can go ahead, Assange's legal avenues in Britain are exhausted, and his lawyers will immediately turn to the European Court of Human Rights to seek an emergency injunction blocking deportation pending a full hearing by that court into his case at a later date. On the other hand, if the judges reject the U.S. submissions, then he will have permission to appeal his extradition case on three grounds, and that might not be heard until next year. It is also possible the judges could decide that Monday's hearing should consider not just whether he can appeal but also the substance of that appeal. If they find in his favour in those circumstances, he could be released. ALSO READ- Videos of breathtaking blue meteor lighting up skies over Spain, Portugal stun netizens: Watch Stella Assange said that whatever the outcome she would continue to fight for his liberty. If he is freed she plans to follow him to Australia or wherever he was safe. If he is extradited, she said all the psychiatric evidence presented at court had concluded he was at very serious risk of suicide. "We live from day to day, from week to week, from decision to decision. This is a way that we've been living for years and years," she told Reuters. This is just not a way to live - it's so cruel. And I can't prepare for his extradition - how could I? But if he's extradited, then I'll do whatever I can, and our family is going to fight for him until he's free. By Ange Kasongo Democratic Republic of Congo army says it stopped attempted coup KINSHASA, - The Democratic Republic of Congo's armed forces repelled an attempted coup d'etat involving Congolese and foreign fighters on Sunday morning, a DRC army spokesman said in a televised address. "An attempted coup d'etat has been put down by the defence and security forces. The attempt involved foreigners and Congolese. These foreigners and Congolese have been put out of action, including their leader," spokesman Sylvain Ekenge said. He did not specify whether this meant they had been detained or killed. Tina Salama, a spokeswoman for President Felix Tshisekedi, also confirmed to Reuters that the presidential palace had been attacked on Sunday morning but the army had retaken control. Earlier, two guards and an assailant were killed in an attack on the nearby home of Vital Kamerhe, a member of parliament who is tipped to become speaker, Kamerhe's spokesman and the Japanese ambassador said in posts on X. The United States embassy issued a security alert on Sunday warning of "ongoing activity by DRC security elements" and reports of gunfire in the area. A Facebook page appearing to belong to Christian Malanga, a politician based in the United States, posted a live-streamed video in which he appeared to be leading the attack. "We, the militants, are tired. We cannot drag on with Tshisekedi and Kamerhe, they have done too many stupid things in this country," he said in Lingala in the video, which has not been independently verified by Reuters. Tshisekedi was re-elected for a second term as president in December, but has yet to name a government, six weeks after appointing a prime minister . Kamerhe was a candidate for speaker of parliament in an election that had been scheduled for Saturday but was delayed by Tshisekedi. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. President Joe Biden told students at the former university of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr on Sunday that he heard their voices over protests against the war in Gaza that have roiled US campuses. US President Joe Biden (AFP) As a handful of students turned their backs on Biden and held Palestinian flags during the graduation ceremony at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, the president added that he was working for an immediate ceasefire and lasting peace. "I support peaceful, non-violent protest. Your voices should be heard, and I promise you I hear them," said Biden, who wore a maroon and black gown in the colors of the historically Black university. The speech was Biden's most direct encounter with US students since the Gaza protests engulfed campuses nationwide, causing him political troubles with an election rematch against Donald Trump just over six months away. "This is one of the hardest, most complicated problems in the world. There's nothing easy about it," added Biden about Gaza. "I know it angers and frustrates many of you, including my family, but most of all, I know it breaks your heart. It breaks mine as well." He did not elaborate, but First Lady Jill Biden reportedly urged the president in April to "stop it now" as the toll of Palestinian civilians mounted from Israel's offensive following the October 7 attacks by Hamas. A number of Morehouse students had called for Biden's speech to be canceled over the Gaza war but the ceremony went ahead without disruption, although a few graduates wore Palestinian keffiyeh scarves over their gowns. Biden told the students that Gaza was enduring a "humanitarian crisis" and that he was working for an "immediate ceasefire to stop the fighting, bring the hostages home." The 81-year-old Democrat added that he was pushing for a "lasting, durable peace" in the wider Middle East that would lead to an independent Palestinian state, which he called the "only solution." Hard issues The president's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is in Saudi Arabia and Israel this weekend trying to push for a ceasefire as well as a normalization deal between the two countries. Biden had earlier applauded as the college's valedictorian, DeAngelo Jeremiah Fletcher, also called for an immediate ceasefire in his own speech. "It is important to recognize both sides have suffered heavy casualties since October 7," said Fletcher. Morehouse College president David Thomas -- who had earlier this week threatened to shut down the ceremony if it was disrupted -- told Biden after the speech that "you've been listening." "You spoke to the hard issues confronting our nation and the world at this moment," said Thomas. The speech at the alma mater of rights hero King was part of a series of Biden events this week aimed at winning over Black voters, amid polls showing that their support for him is flagging. Biden did not specifically mention his rival Trump but leaned heavily into themes of democracy and racism that he has previously invoked while talking about the twice-impeached Republican former president. "This is what we're up against -- extremist forces aligned against the meaning and message of Morehouse," said Biden. His outreach efforts to Black voters and Gaza protesters were two sides of the same coin as Biden courts the groups that helped him beat Trump in 2020. He will need to keep those strands in his coalition to have a hope of winning a second term and preventing Trump from making a sensational comeback to the White House despite multiple criminal indictments. A New York Times/Siena poll last week showed that, in addition to trailing Trump in several key battleground states, Biden is also losing ground with African Americans. Trump is winning more than 20 percent of Black voters in the poll -- which would be the highest level of Black support for a Republican presidential candidate since the Civil Rights Act was enacted in 1964, The New York Times said. Several other polls have also shown Biden's support lagging among Black voters. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili on Saturday put a mostly symbolic veto on the "foreign influence" law which has sparked unprecedented protests and warnings from Brussels that the measure would undermine Tbilisi's EU aspirations. Georgia president vetoes controversial 'foreign influence' law Ruling Georgian Dream party lawmakers voted through the legislation this week in defiance of protesters concerned the ex-Soviet republic is shifting away from a pro-Western course back toward Russia. The move has sparked a wave of protests unprecedented in the recent history of the Black Sea nation. "Today I set a veto... on the law, which is Russian in its essence, and which contradicts our constitution," Zurabishvili said in a televised statement on the measure Saturday. However the Georgian Dream party has enough lawmakers in parliament to override the veto. The bill has sparked a wave of protests unprecedented in the recent history of the Black Sea nation. Its critics say it resembles Russian legislation used to silence dissent. According to opinion polls, more than 80 percent of the population wants to join the European Union and NATO, and is staunchly anti-Kremlin. Brussels on Saturday repeated its warnings that the measure is incompatible with Georgia's bid for EU membership, which is enshrined in the country's constitution. European Council chief Charles Michel on Saturday posted on X, formerly Twitter, that the president's veto offered "a moment for further reflection". He called on lawmakers to "make good use of this window of opportunity" to keep Georgia on its EU path. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has signalled his party's readiness to consider Zurabishvili's proposed amendments to the law, should she lay them out in her veto document. But the figurehead president at loggerheads with the ruling party has ruled out the prospect of entering "false, artificial, misleading negotiations" with Georgian Dream. The bill requires NGOs and media outlets that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad to register as bodies "pursuing the interests of a foreign power." In an interview published in France's La Tribune Dimanche paper, Zurabishvili, herself a former French diplomat, called on President Emmanuel Macron to come to Georgia to back their cause. "I wrote to President Macron, I am expecting him for Georgia's independence day, ," she said. "It is not only Georgia that is at stake, it is a question of definitively extricating the Caucasus from the mentalities of the Soviet yoke and Russian influence," Zurabishvili told the paper. im/jj/bfm This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. KINSHASA, Congo Congo's army says it has foiled a coup early Sunday morning and arrested the perpetrators, including several foreigners, following a shootout between armed men in military uniform and a top politicians guards that left three people dead in the capital, Kinshasa Congolese army says shootout in the capital is failed coup, perpetrators arrested The attempted coup detat was nipped in the bud by Congolese defense and security forces the situation is under control, Congolese army spokesperson Brigadier General Sylvain Ekenge said at a media briefing. He did not give further details. Clashes were reported between men in military uniform and guards of a local politician at the politicians house on Tshatshi Boulevard, about 2 kilometers from the presidential palace and where some embassies are also located. This came amid a crisis gripping President Felix Tshisekedi's ruling party over an election for the parliament's leadership which was supposed to be held Saturday but was postponed. The armed men attacked the Kinshasa residence of Vital Kamerhe, a federal legislator and a candidate for speaker of the National Assembly of Congo, but were stopped by his guards, Michel Moto Muhima, his spokesperson said on the X social media platform. The Honorable Vital Kamerhe and his family are safe and sound. Their security has been reinforced, he wrote. Local media identified the men as Congolese soldiers. It wasn't clear if the men in military uniform were trying to arrest the politician. Two police officers and one of the attackers were killed in the shootout that started around 4:30 a.m. at the house on Tshatshi Boulevard, according to Muhima. Footage, seemingly from the area, showed military trucks and heavily armed men parading deserted streets in the neighborhood. On Friday, President Felix Tshisekedi met with parliamentarians and leaders of the Sacred Union of the Nation ruling coalition in an attempt to resolve the crisis amid his party which dominates the national assembly. He said he would not hesitate to dissolve the National Assembly and send everyone to new elections if these bad practices persist. Tshisekedi was reelected as president in December in a chaotic vote amid calls for a revote from the opposition over what they said was a lack of transparency, following past trends of disputed elections in the central African country. The United States Embassy in Congo issued a security alert, urging caution after "reports of gunfire. Asadu reported from Abuja, Nigeria. Associated Press journalist Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv contributed. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Ebrahim Raisi helicopter crash: A helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi and other senior officials crashed in the northwestern part of the region on Sunday. Ebrahim Raisi helicopter crash: Ebrahim Raisi was returning from neighbouring Azerbaijan when the incident took place.(IRNA) Raisi was returning from neighbouring Azerbaijan when the incident took place. Iran's state television has described the area of the incident as being near Jolfa, a city on the border with the nation of Azerbaijan, some 600 kilometres (375 miles) northwest of the Iranian capital, Tehran. It is not yet known if Raisi or any other passengers in the helicopter were hurt in the incident. Iran Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter crashes: Here's what we know so far. Iran's interior minister says rescuers are still trying to reach the site of the incident, but their efforts are being hampered due to poor weather conditions. Heavy rains and fog were reported in the area with some wind, which might have led to the crash or, as described by some media reports, hard landing. Besides Ebrahim Raisi, Iran's foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, governor of east Azarbaijan province Malek Rahmati and a number of senior other leaders were also on board the helicopter. An unidentified Iranian official told Reuters that the lives of Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were "at risk following the helicopter crash". "We are still hopeful but information coming from the crash site is very concerning," the official told Reuters on condition of anonymity. A helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi takes off, near the Iran-Azerbaijan border, May 19, 2024.(Reuters) A royal expert has claimed that Meghan Markle made a "heartfelt tribute" to Princess Diana during her Nigeria tour. Meghan and Prince Harry travelled to Nigeria after being invited by Christopher Musa, the West African countrys highest-ranking military official. How Meghan Markle paid heartfelt tribute to Princess Diana during Nigeria tour (REUTERS/Akintunde Akinleye)(REUTERS) James Harris, the Regional Sales Manager at Austen & Blake, noted that the Duchess of Sussex wore notable pieces of jewellery during the tour. "Meghan Markles three-day trip to Nigeria with Prince Harry saw her wearing jewellery full of personal meaning, he told GB News. How did Meghan Markle pay a tribute to Princess Diana? "She paid a heartfelt tribute to her late mother-in-law Princess Diana with a delicate cross-pendant adorned with sparkling diamonds set on a gold chain, Harris continued. He added, This necklace belonged to the late princess and is believed to be from her private collection. She paired her necklace with an elegant strapless column linen dress and her hair swept up, allowing the accessory to shine." Meghan wore this outfit on May 11 while attending a reception for military families in Abuja. Harry reportedly recently gifted Princess Diana's necklace to his wife. "Meghan was also photographed wearing a gold collar necklace on the first day of her visit, Harris said. "This piece was reminiscent of one Princess Diana wore during her visit to Nigeria over 30 years ago with King Charles." Diana and Charles visited Nigeria in 1990. Among other famous jewellery Meghan wore in Nigeria was her engagement ring, which Harry gave her while proposing to her in 2017. "Her staple trilogy engagement ring, wedding band and eternity rings also graced her finger, Harris said. "Another striking piece of jewellery seen on Meghan was a pair of hammered gold medallion earrings that channelled a sense of playfulness, he added. "Meghan didnt shy away from experimenting with colours either. Harris further said, "She added a pop of colour to her look at the charity polo match by pairing red beaded earrings with her taupe floral pattern dress. We loved how effortlessly Meghan carried off all her yellow gold statement jewellery pieces that perfectly captured the warmth and vibrance of summer." The Singapore government is closely monitoring a new surge in Covid-19 infections, as the estimated weekly case count almost doubled in the week ending May 11. Health minister Ong Ye Kung on Saturday advised the wearing of masks again. Speaking about social restrictions Singapore health minister Ong Ye Kung said there were no plans for any form of social restrictions as of now, as Covid-19 is treated as an endemic disease in Singapore. Singapore's ministry of health stated that the government was closely tracking the trajectory of the new wave. According to the ministry, the estimated number of the Covid-19 cases nearly doubled from 13,700 in the previous week to 25,900 in the week of May 5 to 11. ALSO READ | Masks return as Singapore logs over 56,000 Covid-19 cases, hospitalisations rise The ministry reported that average daily Covid-19 hospitalisations increased from 181 to approximately 250 during the same period. To preserve hospital bed capacity, public hospitals have been instructed to reduce non-urgent elective surgeries and transfer appropriate patients to care facilities. We are at the beginning part of the wave where it is steadily rising, health minister Ong Ye Kung said, according to a Straits Times report. He added, The wave should peak in the next two to four weeks, which means between mid- and end-June. Ong also encouraged those at highest risk of diseaseincluding individuals aged 60 and above, medically vulnerable individuals, and residents of aged care facilitiesto get an additional dose of the Covid-19 vaccine if they have not been vaccinated in the past 12 months. Speaking about social restrictions Ong said there were no plans for any form of social restrictions as of now, as Covid-19 is treated as an endemic disease in Singapore. The minister added that imposing additional measures would be a last resort. ALSO READ | Return of scanners, calls for masks in these Asian cities as Covid cases surge Ong, however, accepted the fact that Singapore, being a transport and communications hub, will be one of the cities that experience a wave of Covid-19 earlier than others. So Covid-19 is just something that we have to live with. Every year, we should expect one or two waves, he said. (With inputs from Bloomberg) By Max Hunder Russian air attack on Kharkiv kills at least five, says local official KHARKIV, Ukraine, - Russian airstrikes killed at least five people and injured 16 others in a recreation area just outside Ukraine's northeastern city of Kharkiv on Sunday, local officials said. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov gave the toll of dead and wounded. "The explosions heard in Kharkiv around noon occurred in a nearby suburb. Two Russian missiles hit a recreation centre where people were relaxing, killing five people and injuring sixteen others," he said on the Telegram messaging app. Reuters correspondents saw a recreation area destroyed after what rescuers at the scene said was a powerful blast, followed by a second, "double tap" strike about 15-20 minutes later. A man's corpse lay under the rubble of what just over an hour previously was a busy lakeside restaurant area on a sunny day. A woman stumbled around in shock looking for her handbag in the wreckage. Valentyna, a 69-year-old woman who lived opposite the resort, was at home when the explosion hit. Blood ran down the side of her face as she cried, saying husband had been killed in the blast. He had been by the water, she said, gesturing to the area where there was now a crater by the shore, rubble, and corpses. "To lose my husband, to lose my house, to lose everything in the world, it hurts, it hurts me," she shouted through tears. "They are animals, why do they need to kill people," she yelled. In recent weeks, Kharkiv city and the region of the same name have been under constant attack by Russian missiles and guided bombs as Russian troops have launched an offensive in the northeast of the region. "There were never any soldiers here it was a Sunday, people were supposed to be here to rest, children were supposed to he here, pregnant women, resting, enjoying a normal way of life," said Yaroslav Trofimko, a police inspector with the local police department. He arrived on the scene after the first blast, and was there when the second strike hit the same scene around 20 minutes later. Ukraine has frequently accused Russia of using "double tap" strikes to kill or injure emergency workers at the scene of strike impacts. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Saudi Arabia on Sunday voiced "great concern" after Iranian state media reported that a helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi had gone missing, and offered to help with the response. Emergency personnel walk in a foggy area following a crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, in Varzaqan , East Azerbaijan Province, Iran.(via REUTERS) "We affirm that the Kingdom stands by the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran in these difficult circumstances and its readiness to provide any assistance that the Iranian agencies need," the foreign ministry of the Gulf kingdom, a longtime rival of Iran, said in a statement. Iranian search and rescue teams were scouring a fog-shrouded mountainside as Iranian state media said "an accident happened to the helicopter" transporting Raisi, a 63-year-old ultraconservative. In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, Qatar expressed its "deep concern" over the helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister and offered "to provide all forms of support in the search". The Gulf state's foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari gave "Qatar's wishes for the safety of the president, the foreign minister, and their companions", the statement added. The United Arab Emirates said it was ready to "support search and rescue operations", and Kuwait declared it was standing "with the Islamic Republic of Iran in these difficult circumstances". Shiite-majority Iran and Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia have long been on opposing sides of regional conflicts, including in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen. In 2016 bilateral ties were severed after attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran during protests over Riyadh's execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr. But in March 2023 the Middle East heavyweights announced a surprise rapprochement brokered by China, and they have been in relatively frequent contact in recent months as they worked to contain the war triggered in Gaza by Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel. That diplomatic outreach included the first phone call between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler, and Raisi just five days after the war broke out and a visit by Raisi to Riyadh in November for a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. By Ayhan Uyanik, Christine Uyanik and Jan Lopatka Slovak PM Fico no longer in immediate danger but condition serious, deputy says BANSKA BYSTRICA, Slovakia -Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is no longer in immediate danger but still in a serious condition, his deputy said on Sunday, four days after an assassination attempt that sent shockwaves through Europe. "We are all a little calmer," Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kalinak told a news conference outside the hospital where Fico is being treated in the central Slovak town of Banska Bystrica. The prime minister, 59, was hit by four bullets on Wednesday in an attack that raised alarm over the polarised state of politics in the central European country of 5.4 million people. Kalinak told journalists that Fico's condition was still too serious to consider transferring him to hospital in the capital. But the worst fears had passed for now. "When we were saying that we want to get closer to a positive prognosis, then I believe that we are a step closer to that," he added. "The prime minister has stepped away from his life being in danger, but his condition remains serious and requires intensive care." The shooting was the first major assassination attempt on a European political leader for more than 20 years, and has drawn international condemnation. Political analysts and lawmakers say it has exposed an increasingly febrile and polarised political climate both in Slovakia and across Europe. The Slovak Specialised Criminal Court ruled on Saturday that the suspect, identified by prosecutors as Juraj C., would remain in custody after being charged with attempted murder. Local news media say the suspect is a 71-year-old former security guard at a shopping mall and the author of three collections of poetry. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Spain will recall its ambassador to Argentina after Argentine President Javier Milei on Sunday called Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's wife "corrupt" at a Madrid event, the foreign minister said. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares.(Reuters) "It is unacceptable that a sitting president visiting Spain should insult Spain and the Spanish prime minister, a fact that breaks with all diplomatic customs and the most elementary rules of coexistence between countries," Jose Manuel Albares said. A female student at Georgias Kennesaw State University was shot dead on campus by an armed intruder on Saturday, May 18, officials have said. Kennesaw State officials can confirm that a female student was fatally shot on campus, the school said on its website, adding, A suspect has been detained. Suspect guns down female student of Georgias Kennesaw State University on campus (Kennesaw State University/Facebook) There is no threat to the campus community. Kennesaw State University Police are working with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and we will provide updated information once it becomes available, the school added. The student was reportedly gunned down around 4 pm. KSU Emergency Management wrote in a social media post in the past, Kennesaw Campus: Armed Intruder reported at Kennesaw State. Seek shelter in a secure location until further notice. Suspect was last seen near the Machinist Lodge on campus at approx 2:40 PM. Later, another update said, Person was shot on Kennesaw Campus. Suspect is no longer a threat to campus. Avoid the South Campus Housing area due to police activity. The incident is being investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the university. The deceased student has not been publicly identified yet. Some students expressed their shock at a crime like this happening inside the campus. "I didn't hear anything. I was very surprised when I got the alert from KSU," Ben Berman, a student at the university told Fox 5. Berman lives off campus in an area that is just about five minutes from the crime scene. This incident comes months after Laken Rileys murder This incident comes months after the murder of Laken Riley, a Georgia nursing student who was killed by Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan migrant who was living in the US illegally. Riley was killed when she was out jogging on the University of Georgia campus in Athens. She transferred from the University of Georgia to Augusta University School of Nursing in 2023. Americas first Black astronaut candidate finally rocketed into space 60 years later, flying with Jeff Bezos rocket company on Sunday. FILE - Former NASA astronaut Ed Dwight poses for a portrait to promote the National Geographic documentary film "The Space Race" during the Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, at The Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena, Calif. America's first Black astronaut candidate has finally made it to space 60 years later, flying with Jeff Bezos rocket company. Ninety-year-old Dwight blasted off from West Texas with five other passengers on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)(Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Ed Dwight was an Air Force pilot when President John F. Kennedy championed him as a candidate for NASAs early astronaut corps. But he wasnt picked for the 1963 class. Dwight, now 90, went through a few minutes of weightlessness with five other passengers aboard the Blue Origin capsule as it skimmed space on a roughly 10-minute flight. He called it a life changing experience. I thought I really didn't need this in my life, Dwight said shortly after exiting the capsule. But, now, I need it in may life .... I am ecstatic." The brief flight from West Texas made Dwight the new record-holder for oldest person in space nearly two months older than Star Trek actor William Shatner was when he went up in 2021. Also read | Houston power outages: Thousands remain without electricity amid scorching heat after deadly storm It was Blue Origins first crew launch in nearly two years. The company was grounded following a 2022 accident in which the booster came crashing down but the capsule full of experiments safely parachuted to the ground. Flights resumed last December, but with no one aboard. This was Blue Origin's seventh time flying space tourists. Ed Dwight hitches a ride to space in Bezos rocket Dwight, a sculptor from Denver, was joined by four business entrepreneurs from the U.S. and France and a retired accountant. Their ticket prices were not disclosed; Dwights seat was sponsored in part by the nonprofit Space for Humanity. Dwight was among the potential astronauts the Air Force recommended to NASA. But he wasn't chosen for the 1963 class, which included eventual Gemini and Apollo astronauts, including Apollo 11s Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. NASA didnt select Black astronauts until 1978, and Guion Bluford became the first African American in space in 1983. Three years earlier, the Soviets launched the first Black astronaut, Arnaldo Tamayo Mendez, a Cuban of African descent. After leaving the military in 1966, Dwight joined IBM and started a construction company, before earning a master's degree in sculpture in the late 1970s. He's since dedicated himself to art. His sculptures focus on Black history and include memorials and monuments across the country. Several of his sculptures have flown into space. The urge to shed pounds quickly has led to the widespread usage of weight loss-inducing drugs like Ozempic. This sudden craze has wreaked havoc on diabetes patients who are prescribed semaglutide injections amid a nationwide shortage. However, Gen Z is now turning to Zyn nicotine pouches, which are being touted as a cost-effective Ozempic replacement to lose weight fast. Netizens call Zyn nicotine pouches a cheap alternative to Ozempic(Getty Images) Do Zyn nicotine pouches help lose weight? Zyn nicotine pouches are wildly popular among those wanting to either quit smoke or any other form of tobacco addiction. Amid the growing craze for drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, Zyn users have pointed out its purported side effect that causes weight loss. As the trend O-Zyn-pic trend went viral on social media, several content creators claimed that they lost up to 30 pounds with Zyn. Sold for only $5 at gas stations and convenience stores, Zyn has caught the attention of Gen Zers, who are looking for a cheap alternative to Ozempic. As these pouches are essentially used for smoking cessation, they are packed with nicotine, which is known to suppress appetite. While nicotine may not trigger weight loss on its own, it curbs one's hunger, reducing their overall calorific intake. Amid the latest weight loss trend, netizens like Nik Bando, who goes by the handle ThiccyFowler on Instagram, claimed he lost weight by replacing Zyn with any hunger. He also admitted that he has now become addicted to them. It works, Bando promised his fans. Here's why experts are concerned While Zyn pouches do not contain harmful tobacco, they are loaded with nicotine, which is highly addictive. As these pouches contain more nicotine than a cigarette, they pose an equal risk of addiction. Additionally, nicotine may also increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases or cause gum problems. Dr. Carolyn Bramante, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota, expressed apprehension over using Zyn for weight loss. Its important to think about safety, she warned, per New York Post. We dont fully understand how nicotine works to regulate appetite in people, specifically with obesity, Bramante said, adding, I would advise them to seek care for obesity treatment from their primary-care clinician and/or an obesity-medicine specialist, with the mindset that its a long-term relationship with follow-up and with multiple treatment options that we can now adjust to meet an individuals needs. As the Houston area works to clean up and restore power to hundreds of thousands after deadly storms left at least seven people dead, it will do so amid a smog warning and scorching temperatures that could pose health risks. Image used for representational purposes only National Weather Service meteorologist Marc Chenard said on Saturday that highs of around 90 degrees (32.2 C) were expected through the start of the coming week, with heat indexes likely approaching 100 degrees (38 C) by midweek. We expect the impact of the heat to gradually increase ... we will start to see that heat risk increase Tuesday into Wednesday through Friday, Chenard said. The heat index is what the temperature feels like to the human body when humidity is combined with the air temperature, according to the weather service. Dont overdo yourself during the cleanup process, the weather services Houston office said in a post on the social platform X. In addition to the heat, the Houston area could face poor air quality during the weekend. Heavy rainfall was possible in eastern Louisiana and central Alabama on Saturday, and parts of Louisiana were also at risk for flooding. The Houston Health Department said it would distribute 400 free portable air conditioners to area seniors, people with disabilities and caregivers of disabled children to contend with the heat. Five cooling centers also were opened four in Houston and one in Kingwood. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS REMAIN WITHOUT POWER The widespread destruction of Thursday's storms brought much of Houston to a standstill. Thunderstorms and hurricane-force winds tore through the city decimating the facade of one brick building and leaving trees, debris and shattered glass on the streets. A tornado also touched down near the northwest Houston suburb of Cypress. More than a half-million homes and businesses in Texas remained without electricity by midday Saturday, according to PowerOutage.us. Another 21,000 customers were also without power in Louisiana, where strong winds and a suspected tornado hit. Its been a madhouse out here, Cypress resident Hallie OBannon said. You know we dont have any power. No hot water. Its been really crazy. Everyone is pretty resilient, and everyones just trying to get back to normal and help each other out and the best way we can, O'Bannon added. CenterPoint Energy, which has deployed 1,000 employees to the area and is requesting 5,000 more, said power restoration could take several days or longer in some areas, and that customers need to ensure their homes can safely be reconnected. In addition to damaging CenterPoint Energys electric infrastructure and equipment, severe weather may have caused damage to customer-owned equipment such as the weatherhead, which is where power enters the home, the company said. Customers must have repairs completed by a qualified electrician before service can be restored, CenterPoint added. High-voltage transmission towers that were torn apart and downed power lines pose a twofold challenge for utility companies because the damage affected transmission and distribution systems, according to Alexandria von Meier, a power and energy expert who called that a rare thing. Damage to just the distribution system is more typical, von Meier said. How quickly repairs are made will depend on a variety of factors, including the time it takes to assess the damage, equipment replacement, roadwork access issues and workforce availability. STORM CAUGHT MANY OFF GUARD Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez reported late Friday that three people died during the storm, including an 85-year-old woman whose home caught fire after being struck by lightning and a 60-year-old man who had tried to use his vehicle to power his oxygen tank. Houston Mayor John Whitmire previously said at least four other people were killed in the city when the storms swept through Harris County, which includes Houston. School districts in the Houston area canceled classes Friday for more than 400,000 students and government offices were closed. Houston Independent School District Superintendent Mike Miles said Saturday that he hoped to reopen schools on Monday, but that is dependent upon the restoration of electricity in school buildings. If a school doesn't have power, it will remain closed, Miles told reporters during a tour of the heavily damaged Sinclair Elementary School. Whitmire warned that police were out in force, including state troopers sent to the area to prevent looting. He said the speed and intensity of the storm caught many off guard. Noelle Delgado, executive director of Houston Pets Alive, said she pulled up at the animal rescue on Thursday night and found the dogs and cats more than 30 in all uninjured, but the building's awning had been ripped off, the sign was mangled and water was leaking inside. She hoped to find foster homes for the animals. I could definitely tell that this storm was a little different, she said. It felt terrifying. STATE AND FEDERAL RECOVERY ASSISTANCE ON THE WAY In light of the storm damage, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Whitmire both signed disaster declarations, paving the way for state and federal storm recovery assistance. A separate disaster declaration from President Joe Biden makes federal funding available to people in seven Texas counties including Harris that have been affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding since April 26. A 12-year-old Las Vegas girl allegedly killed herself after relentless bullying at school. Flora Martinezs family has claimed that the school, Duane D. Keller Middle School, shot down their request to transfer her. Flora died by suicide on May 7. Las Vegas girl Flora Martinez, 12, kills herself after relentless bullying (GoFundMe) Look how hard it was on my daughter. My daughter was literally bullied to death, her mother, Alice Martinez, told 8 News Now. What happened to Flora Martinez? Alice, along with Floras father Joshua Parker, accused the Clark County School District of failing to protect their daughter. They said Floras classmates continued to bully her even after they reported it to the schools assistant principal. Alice said the bullying began at the start of the 2023-24 academic year. Alice submitted paperwork to transfer her daughter out of middle school, but the CCSD allegedly denied the request on October 6, 2023. At that point, I already had her out of school for two weeks because of all the incidents. Just that short amount of time into the school year, Alice said. The bullying started getting worse as the little girl returned to the classroom. This wasnt just one incident that happened, and you know, she decided to take her life. This was months and months and months of bullying that built up, and finally, she just couldnt take it no more, said. Flora seems to have been targeted without any provocation. Her former classmate Rico said she was so nice to everybody. Im so sad, because like I felt like its my fault because I should have really done something. I shouldve pushed everybody out of the way. Got to her, Rico said. The family alleged that Flora endured the bullying right until the moment she died by suicide in her bedroom. I feel like the school had a duty to keep her safe, while she was in their care and they just failed miserably, Alice said. Everybody that had a hand in that request to transfer her failed her If youre a parent and youre not outraged by this, youre part of the problem too. Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides are preventable. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). A new survey has found that anti-Israel protests on US campuses have left several Jewish students feeling unsafe at school. 40% of them believe the need to hide their Jewish identities. Majority of Jewish students on US uni campuses hiding religion in fear amid anti-Israel protests (REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs/File Photo)(REUTERS) As many as 310 students across the country were polled by a Jewish campus organisation named Hillel International. The survey found that four in 10 Jewish students had been hiding their Jewish identities on campus. 32% are too scared to attend religious events. Six in ten said that anti-Israel encampments made it more difficult for them to learn, study or concentrate. 42% said they have lost most of their trust in their schools faculty after the protests. 15% said they do not wish to return to their school next fall. There is a lot of anxiety There is a lot of anxiety about disruptions to commencement, whether or not they will be tolerated and what the response to them will be, said Jillian Lederman, a senior graduating from Brown University on May 26, according to New York Post. I graduated high school on YouTube because of the pandemic and were now entering graduation season and a lot of the same anxieties about events being canceled and ceremonies being disrupted are cropping up again in a way that many of us didnt anticipate, Lederman, 21, added. A petition demanding that university administrators put more effort to support students and safeguard graduation ceremonies has garnered more than 32,000 signatures. Among universities that have cancelled their main ceremonies are Columbia and the University of Southern California. Lederman said that students at Brown are lucky that events have not been cancelled, and that Jewish students have not been targeted violently. I think thats really a reflection of how terribly other schools have handled it, she said. Around 1,600 incidents of campus antisemitism were tracked by Hilllel following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Jewish students, and all students, deserve to pursue their education and celebrate their graduations free from disruption, antisemitism, and hate, said Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel. Prince Harry and Meghan Markles recent trip to Nigeria is considered one of the most successful tours the estranged royals have undertaken since separating from the UK family. However, a recent report about the controversial airline owner who flew the Sussexes to the African country for free has stirred a debate: the airline's boss, Dr Allen Onyema, is allegedly a fugitive wanted in the US for serious financial crimes! Britain's Meghan (L), Duchess of Sussex, Britain's Prince Harry (C), Duke of Sussex, and Nigeria Chief of Defense Staff Christopher Musa (R) react as they pose for a photo after a charity polo game at the Ikoyi Polo Club in Lagos on May 12, 2024 as they visit Nigeria as part of celebrations of Invictus Games anniversary. (Photo by Kola Sulaimon / AFP)(AFP) Harry and Meghan opted for free flight from fugitive airline boss Harry and Meghan, whose wedding anniversary on May 19 will mark 6 years of togetherness, have many reasons to celebrate, particularly regarding their work commitments. Royal experts believe their successful tour in Nigeria will remain the most obvious reason for celebration. However, the goodwill tour just hit a turbulence patch after it was revealed, Dr Onyema, founder of Nigerian airline Air Peace, provided flights for the Sussexes during their three-day trip. They visited various locations such as Abuja, Lagos, and more, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. Also read: Prince Harry and Meghan Markles 6th wedding anniversary plans revealed; Sussexes have lot to..' Who is Peace Airlines owner Dr Onyema? Prince Harry and Meghan Markle might have flown in and out of Nigeria on a safe, familiar British airline after the Duchess briefly stepped out in the UK to reunite with her husband, who was already in his hometown celebrating his Invictus milestone. But their internal travels in the African country took a surprising turn. Turns out, they flew for free on a private jet owned by Dr. Allen Onyema, a big cheese in Nigeria's airline industry. Dr. Onyema is also facing some serious heat in the US, with charges of fraud involving millions of dollars hanging over his head. In Nigeria, he is quite well known, but in the US, he is the subject of a US federal indictment filed back in November 2019. Report NY Post. Charged with bank fraud and money laundering for moving more than $20 million from Nigeria through United States bank accounts in a scheme involving false documents based on the purchase of aeroplanes. Said the US Department of Justice at the time. Also read: Sean 'Diddy' Combs paid $50K to erase assault video showing him abusing and kicking Cassie in a hallway It remains uncertain if Harry and Meghan were made aware of the controversial status of the airline's boss in the country where the Duke is presently seeking citizenship. Throughout their three-day visit to Nigeria, the couple, who were invited by the country's highest-ranking military personnel, reportedly did not involve British Airways. According to a source cited by POST, the couple visited the country in their private capacity, and the UK government played no role in organising or facilitating their activities. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are celebrating their sixth anniversary today, May 19, following their recent return from the three-day quasi-royal trip to Nigeria. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, though now estranged from the royal ways, initially had a regal ceremony at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018. Britain's Prince Harry (L), Duke of Sussex, and Britain's Meghan (R), Duchess of Sussex, attend a charity polo game at the Ikoyi Polo Club in Lagos on May 12, 2024 as they visit Nigeria as part of celebrations of Invictus Games anniversary. (Photo by Kola Sulaimon / AFP)(AFP) While the spectacle, unlike anything else, was televised for the world to see, as the Duke's family also joined them, with smiles all around, their familial dynamics have significantly altered since then. All the royal family mess that has transpired in the past six years has somehow also come down to bite Harry and Meghan, with their public images being torn apart in several media narratives. Despite all that has knocked them down, the Sussex couple has pulled themselves out of the PR rubble, staying together on the rollercoaster ride and building a support system around each other. A body language expert also chimed in, claiming their marriage has only gone from strength to strength as they have each other's backs. Also read | Kate Middleton unlikely to fly overseas with King Charles, Prince William for D-Day anniversary: Royal expert Whether celebrating happy milestones or their exit from royal posts, embarking on a life-changing journey to America or birthing professional projects together, they've walked hand-in-hand through it all. Prince Harry-Meghan Markle's relationship decoded by expert According to a May 19 report by The Mirror, body language expert Darren Stanton analysed the couple's behaviour just before they tied the knot in the UK. Mapping out the trajectory of their dynamics since that moment to how their relationship has transformed in the passing years, he claimed that Harry was nervous as his anticipation to see his then-future wife walk down the aisle had no bounds. Stanton underscored the hurdles and varying life chapters the couple has faced since their wedding day in 2018. He noted, From looking at their engaged eye contact, its clear they have a deep rapport with each other. Also read | 2024 ICC World Cup: Who is Monank Patel, captain of the US T20 squad? Full list of Indian-origin cricketers on the team Keeping it real," the Sussexes have proved their relationship's strength: They've overcome a lot and always have each other's back, whatever situation they are faced with. The body expert also asserted they bring out the best in each other. He also foregrounded how Harry and Meghan's relationship has evolved since the inception of its first chapters. Their levels of confidence and resilience have grown since their relationship first began, he added. Stanton agreed they've crossed many bridges together, which has only made their connection even stronger. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates President Joe Biden's national security adviser met early Sunday with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss what the kingdom described as the semi-final version of a wide-ranging security agreement between the countries. US national security adviser, Saudi Arabia's crown prince meet to discuss 'semi-final' security deal The announcement by the state-run Saudi Press Agency comes as the strategic deal had been upended after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage back to the Gaza Strip. In the time since, a punishing Israeli airstrike campaign and ground offensive there has killed over 35,000 Palestinians, endangering the security deal that had included Saudi Arabia diplomatically recognizing Israel for the first time since its founding in 1948. Saudi state media released no images of Jake Sullivan and Prince Mohammed meeting in Dhahran, a city in the kingdom's far east that's home to its state-run oil giant, the Saudi Arabian Oil Co. known as Saudi Aramco. The semi-final version of the draft strategic agreements between the kingdom and the United States of America, which are almost being finalized and what is being worked on between the two sides in the Palestinian issue to find a credible path were discussed, the statement released after the talks said. That included a two-state solution that meets the aspirations and legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the situation in Gaza and the need to stop the war there and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid, the statement added. Saudi Arabia has long called for an independent Palestinian state to be created along Israel's 1967 borders, with east Jerusalem as its capital. However, that likely may be untenable for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose government hinges on support from hard-liners who oppose a two-state solution and support Israeli settlements on lands Palestinians want for that state. The White House had acknowledged Sullivan's trip and that he would later head on to Israel. However, there was no immediate statement from the U.S. on the discussions, other than to say they would be including the war in Gaza and ongoing efforts to achieve a lasting peace and security in the region. Saudi Arabia has long relied like other Gulf Arab nations on the U.S. to be the security guarantor for the wider Middle East as tensions over Irans nuclear program in recent years have spilled over into a series of attacks. The proposal now being discussed likely would deepen that, and also reportedly includes access to advanced weapons and possibly trade deals as well. Saudi Arabia has also pushed for nuclear cooperation in the deal that includes America allowing it to enrich uranium in the kingdom something that worries nonproliferation experts, as spinning centrifuges opens the door to a possible weapons program. Prince Mohammed has said the kingdom would pursue a nuclear weapon if Iran had one. Iran in recent weeks has increasingly threatened it could do so. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. CNN political commentator Alice Stewart, who worked on various GOP presidential campaigns, died at the age of 58 on Saturday, May 18. Law enforcement officials told CNN that she was found dead outdoors in the Bellevue neighbourhood in northern Virginia. Who was Alice Stewart? CNN political commentator and GOP adviser dies (alicestewartdc/Instagram) It is believed Stewart suffered a medical emergency. No foul play is suspected. Alice was a very dear friend and colleague to all of us at CNN, Mark Thompson, the networks CEO, said. A political veteran and an Emmy Award-winning journalist who brought an incomparable spark to CNNs coverage, known across our bureaus not only for her political savvy, but for her unwavering kindness. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn such an extraordinary loss. It is unknown what illness Stewart may have been battling, but she died suddenly. She frequently appeared on The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer as a guest, and did so even a day before she died. In her final Instagram post, she wrote, Its always a sunny day when you can join the great @wolfblitzer on #CNN with @mariacardonadc! Who was Alice Stewart? Stewart, a Georgia native, has been a famous face on CNN ever since she joined the outlet ahead of the 2016 election. We always invited her to come on my show because we knew we would be a little bit smarter at the end of that conversation, Blitzer told Jessica Dean on CNN Newsroom. She helped our viewers better appreciate what was going on and thats why we will miss her so much. Stewarts career began when she started working as a local reporter and producer in Georgia. She also worked as a news anchor in Little Rock, Arkansas. She eventually moved into the political realm. Stewart went on to serve as then-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabees communications director. She assumed a similar role for his 2008 presidential run. Stewart worked as communications director for the 2012 presidential bids of former Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, and later former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, as well as for Texas Sen. Ted Cruzs 2016 campaign. Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek, has been witnessing massive mob violence for the last few days, with foreign students, including those from India and Pakistan, facing threats from locals. According to media reports, at least 29 people were injured in the violence. Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek, has been witnessing massive mob violence for the last few days(Twitter) The incident prompted the Indian and Pakistani embassies to issue advisories for its nationals staying in Bishkek. Meanwhile, the ministry of foreign affairs of Kyrgyzstan assured that the situation in Bishkek is under control. What led to the violence in Kyrgyzstan? According to local reports, the violence in Bishkek erupted following a brawl at a hostel between locals and foreign students, including Pakistanis and Egyptians. Videos of the brawl, which reportedly took place on May 13, went viral on social media - following which tensions heightened in the country. Reportedly, the locals perceived the brawl as a clear breach of the hospitality extended to the foreign students. Following this, the locals protested on May 17, accusing the Kyrgyz officials of showing lenient treatment towards the foreigners involved in the violence. Several demonstrators also blocked traffic and vandalised buildings during the violence. India's response to the violence India on Saturday advised Indian students in Bishkek to remain indoors following violent mobs' targeting of foreigners. We are in touch with our students. The situation is presently calm, but students are advised to stay indoors for the moment and get in touch with the Embassy in case of any issue, the Indian embassy in Bishkek said in a statement. External affairs minister S Jaishankar also informed in a separate post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that they are monitoring the welfare of the Indian students in Bishkek, adding that the situation is reportedly calm. There were no immediate reports of Indian nationals being injured in the violence. Pakistan's response to the violence The Pakistani embassy in Bishkek also issued an advisory for its students, asking them to stay indoors. According to the embassy's statement, there have been reports of minor injuries to Pakistani students. However, there are no confirmed reports of deaths or rapes. Meanwhile, Pakistani prime minister Shehbaz Sharif has sent his deputy and foreign minister Ishaq Dar and federal minister Amir Muqam to Bishkek on Sunday to ensure assistance and support to the Pakistani students stranded amid the unrest, reported ANI. Along with this, a special flight carrying 180 Pakistani students landed at Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport on Saturday from Bishkek. Situation under control The Kyrgyz foreign ministry on Saturday said that the situation in the city of Bishkek is calm and under full control, adding that the destructive forces are deliberately disseminating untrue and false information about the situation. All necessary measures have been taken to ensure security, and maintain peace and stabilityTherefore, the ministry asks the representatives of mass media, blogger community, as well as foreign colleagues to be guided only by the official and confirmed information of the competent bodies, it said. Iran's hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi has long been seen as a protege to Iran's supreme leader and a potential successor for his position within the country's Shiite theocracy. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. (AP) News of his helicopter making what state media described as a hard landing on Sunday immediately brought new attention to the leader, who already faces sanctions from the US and other nations over his involvement in the mass execution of prisoners in 1988. Raisi, 63, previously ran Iran's judiciary. He ran unsuccessfully for president in 2017 against Hassan Rouhani, the relatively moderate cleric who as president reached Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. In 2021, Raisi ran again in an election that saw all of his potentially prominent opponents barred for running under Iran's vetting system. He swept nearly 62% of the 28.9 million votes, the lowest turnout by percentage in the Islamic Republics history. Millions stayed home and others voided ballots. Raisi was defiant when asked at a news conference after his election about the 1988 executions, which saw sham retrials of political prisoners, militants and others that would become known as death commissions at the end of the bloody Iran-Iraq war. After Irans then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini accepted a UN-brokered cease-fire, members of the Iranian opposition group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, heavily armed by Saddam Hussein, stormed across the Iranian border from Iraq in a surprise attack. Iran blunted their assault. The trials began around that time, with defendants asked to identify themselves. Those who responded mujahedeen were sent to their deaths, while others were questioned about their willingness to clear minefields for the army of the Islamic Republic, according to a 1990 Amnesty International report. International rights groups estimate that as many as 5,000 people were executed. Raisi served on the commissions. Also Read | Why Iranian envoy thinks US wont impose sanctions on India over Chabahar port The U.S. Treasury in 2019 sanctioned Raisi for his administrative oversight over the executions of individuals who were juveniles at the time of their crime and the torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment of prisoners in Iran, including amputations. It also mentioned his involvement in the 1988 executions. Iran ultimately is run by its 85-year-old supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But as president, Raisi supported the country's enrichment of uranium up to near-weapons-grade levels, as well as it hampering international inspectors as part of its confrontation with the West. Raisi also supported attacking Israel in a massive assault in April that saw over 300 drones and missiles fired at the country in response for a suspected Israeli attack that killed Iranian generals at the country's embassy compound in Damascus, Syria itself a widening of a yearslong shadow war between the two countries. He also supported the country's security services as they cracked down on all dissent, including in the aftermath of the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini and the nationwide protests that followed. The monthslong security crackdown killed more than 500 people and saw over 22,000 detained. In March, a United Nations investigative panel found that Iran was responsible for the physical violence that led to Amini's death after her arrest for not wearing a hijab, or headscarf, to the liking of authorities. Mass MoCA Commission Approves Mental Health Practices as Tenants NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The Mass MoCA Commission on Thursday approved three new tenants for Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. Kimma Stark, project manager at the museum, gave the commission the rundown on each of the new tenants. Eric Beeman is a licensed mental health counselor who uses art in his therapy. He holds a master's degree in expressive arts and arts therapy from Lesley University, where he's also taught graduate-level practices and principles of expressive art therapy. He integrates creative arts based interventions into his clinical work including drawing painting, poetry, writing, brief drama and roleplay, movement and sound. Beeman works one-on-one and with small groups and said he mostly works with adults. He will be operating as Berkshires Expressive Arts Therapy on the third floor of Building 1. Beeman said Stark has been very helpful. "It's different than just renting a space and she's been very helpful and personable and accessible," he said. Mary Wilkes, a licensed clinical social worker and therapist, works with individuals with severe mental illness, with attachment and relationship issues and needing support navigating major life transitions. She works with teenagers, college and students and adults. She holds a degree in clinical psychology from Tufts University and a master's in clinical social work from the University of Texas at Austin. She's trained in depression, anxiety, trauma and other behavioral health problems, and maternal mental health care. She is certified to provide culturally relevant and affirming care to the LGBTQ-plus community. Wilkes said she would like to offer group sessions for grief and loss support groups. "I'm really excited to offer more therapeutic support to the community," she said. Wilkes is moving her practice from Williamstown to office space on the second floor of Building 13. Stark said Building 13 is now fully rented out. The third tenant is a short-term 19-month lease to Charles Pardoe and his family. Pardoe, of Williamstown, will be using a private office on the second floor of Building 1 as a private office and as a staging ground for sorting through paperwork, furniture, art and other items during their move. "This will be an active pursuit," said Stark. "It is not a storage facility. It is something that they just needs some space for." Pardoe retired from Prudential Financial as investment executive and has been based in Abu Dhabi while maintaining a home in Williamstown. He is a former Mass MoCA board member. Stark and Morgan Everett, head of public initiatives and real estate, also talked about some of the events happening at Mass MoCA for its 25th anniversary on Saturday "Mass MoCA is having a community day, there will all sorts of exciting things, free museum admission for everyone who comes through the door, gallery tours, special Kidspace activities, live performances, a number of our campus tenants are activating with special activities for all of the public who are going to be here," said Everett. "Our restaurants here on campus are doing food specials. We're going to have open studios for Assets for Artists in the Studos at Mass MoCA." There are also a number of ticketed events for performances and a talk with former and current directors Joe Thompson and Kristy Edmunds. In other business, the commission is seeking two members to fill the vacancies of Michael Obasohan, whose term ended in February, and Gail Sellers, who resigned. James McAndrews' nieces and nephews with Housing Secretary Edward Augustus and Executive Director William Schrade at Wednesday's rededication. The community room has been completely revamped from the walls to windows to the floor. Kitchen has lost its 1970s look. Schrade holds up the old sign. PreviousNext Adams Housing Authority Rededicates McAndrews Community Center The new dedication sign includes the names of the first director and board chair of the Housing Authority. ADAMS, Mass. It started with changing out the old box lights in the community room at Columbia Valley. It ended with fully refurbished room along with a refreshed kitchen and ladies room. Residents of the senior living facility gathered in the new community room on Wednesday to rededicate it to James McAndrew and welcome Housing Secretary Edward Augustus. "This room hadn't been touched since the 1980s," said Adams Housing Authority Executive Director William Schrade, describing it as a place to gather that "wasn't friendly, wasn't smiling." So first came the box lights, and then in consultation with maintenance chief Matthew Puricelli. Then it was replacing the old leaky windows, and why not take off the old wallpaper and paint, and if you're doing that, might as well pull up the old carpet and put down a new one. "We thought we were done. I said kitchen really needed to be done because they has a 1970s look," said Schrade. "[Puricelli] took charge of that, too, and got creative and with the tools that were given to him. "He knocked it out and then made the worst mistake and said, 'I've done all this I might as well finish and do the women's bathroom.' I said I think that's a great idea. [Secretary Augustus] is coming in three weeks, so you're gonna have to jump on this." Along with the refurbished room was a new dedication sign to replace the small hand-lettered one for McAndrew, who had been instrumental in creating Columbia Valley. "The board of commissioners in 1971 voted to name the community room after him so that his tireless work on this project would not be forgotten," said Schrade. "So fast forward to 2024 after renovation was completed, the Adams Housing Authority Board thought it appropriate to hold a rededication to again thank Mr. McAndrews for his passion and work for what he did for the past, present and future residents of Columbia Valley." The plaque reads: "In honor and recognition fo his outstanding commitment and leadership in providing elderly housing for the residents of Adams. ... Dedicated January 22, 1972." Schrade said they wanted to keep it simple to ensure they didn't leave out any accomplishments. McAndrews worked behind the scenes, offering advice and counsel, talking with state officials and agencies, and convincing the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield to donate the land at the corner of Valley and Columbia streets. The Housing Authority board unanimously endorsed naming the community center after him, stating he "served totally and without fanfare, with the desires of the people in mind and always in the best interests of Adams," according to a Transcript article. He also established McAndrews Insurance Agency, been a member of the Chamber of Commerce and was executive director of the Adams Redevelopment Authority at the time of his death. The former state representative and state senator didn't live to see the product of his efforts. He died at age 67 in 1970, almost two years before the $1 million project opened. On Wednesday, three cousins attended the rededication; McAndrews' only child, the Rev. J.F. Gerald "Gerry" McAndrews of Philadelphia, is 98 and was unable to attend. His cousin Patricia Catelotti of Adams said he was emotional and honored and sent his thanks. "He said his father loved Adams and loved doing everything for everybody in Adams," she said. Also recognized was the authority's first director, Jeanne Main, a registered nurse who was hired in 1971 out of 11 applicants. Her name was added to the new dedication plaque and members of her family attended. The town's two legislators at the time were unable to join the dedication back in 1971. This time round, there was a cabinet secretary. Schrade had fired off an email invitation to the state's first housing secretary in 30 years without much expecting a response. Within days, he was notified that the secretary would love to come and visit. The director said it often felt like the small Housing Authority hadn't been heard in the past and had never had a visit from a high-level state official, "So this is huge to have you here today." "I was tickled to get the invitation to come here. First of all, I want to congratulate the family of Senator and Representative McAndrews for this rededication of this room. It sounds like he was a person who really cared passionately about this community and really made a difference," said Augustus. "He left a legacy that is still benefiting lots of folks." The author of Girl, Woman, Other, who won the top literary prize in 2019, talks to Annabel Nugent about the moment in her career that made the world take notice, why she is channelling rage into energy, and her novel Mr Loverman being adapted for the BBC 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 What do you call a true crime documentary with only a passing interest in the crime itself? You might call it Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal. Netflixs new three-part series, released on Wednesday, charts the rise and sort-of fall of Ashley Madison, the online dating site aimed at married people seeking to have affairs. Episode one charts the companys rise to prominence in the Noughties, thanks to a series of provocative ad campaigns and its CEOs near-constant presence on the talk show circuit. Episode two looks at the 2015 hack: when a group of cyber-criminals leaked the websites entire database of users personal details (more than 30 million people), as well as internal emails and other compromising data. The final episode looks at the fallout: resignations and investigations most of which led nowhere. Theres obviously a prurience to a documentary like this. (Its right there in the Soderberghian subtitle.) Ashley Madison has always been magnetised to controversy: theres something uniquely brazen about its sleaze-dipped business plan. You could argue that the company is simply meeting the public demands for a service, in a free and inevitable marketplace but theres no getting around the fact that the profits are mined from personal betrayal. At both ends, the cost was a human one: firstly the spouses being cheated on, then the supposed witch hunt of users that followed the data leak, resulting in multiple suicides. Sex, Lies & Scandal affords its adulterous interviewees most prominently, a Christian influencer called Sam Rader compassion and airtime. But if they arent the villain of this story, who is? The problem with Sex, Lies & Scandal is not so much that its willing to show some sympathy for the cheating spouses. Being an immoral, selfish, or untrustworthy person does not always amount to villainy. But in spreading the blame around between the users, the websites executives, and the hacker group it ultimately ends up letting everyone off the hook. As the documentary progresses, more and more details of Ashley Madisons unethical business practices emerge. The tacitly permitted proliferation of bots among the sites profiles, for instance, which compensated for a customer base overwhelmingly comprising straight men. Or the dubious method of belligerently charging viewers to access the sites basic functions what would now be known as microtransactions. (Customers paid a sizable fee to have their details completely erased from the sites databank an offer that generated millions in revenue, only for Ashley Madison to retain all the data anyway.) The series is content to tar ex-CEO Noel Biderman (not interviewed) with the suggestion of shadiness, but is less damning of others who worked within the Ashley Madison machine, notably the several people from within the corporate structure interviewed at length here. These people, including Evan Back, a charismatic former vice-president of sales, talk viewers through the story of Ashley Madison with a kind of unrepentant matter-of-factness that borders on amusement. Back is a heavyset middle-aged man who appears wearing a bright pink Hawaiian shirt the sort of garishly informal get-up that radiates serious wealth. The documentary opens on him as he prepares for the interview. Gesturing to a pair of oversized sunglasses on his face, he tells the camera: Im not wearing these glasses by the way. I dont want to come across as some douche, with sunglasses on inside. He then tries on several more items of ostentatious eyewear, before settling on pink-lensed granny glasses. Back is a lively and entertaining interviewee; its easy to see why his voice features so prominently throughout the series. And yet, as a high-ranking executive within the framework of Ashley Madison for around a decade, Back is exactly the kind of person who ought to shoulder the series moral accountability. It could be that this is deliberate that the documentary is giving people like this such indulgent shrift as a means of demonstrating their blithe disregard for the ethical consequences of their employment. But a narrative is ultimately shaped by who is doing the telling, and Sex, Lies & Scandal is told, first and foremost, by those who were on the inside. This access has advantages detail, colour, insight but sacrifices the kind of moral objectivity that the situation maybe demands. Its noteworthy just how few case studies feature in the docuseries: unsurprisingly, there werent too many people clamouring to speak about their own marital infidelity on camera. Rather than berating people who joined Ashley Madison, we were much more interested in exploring why they were drawn to the site, said Toby Paton, the programmes director. What were they looking for? What was going on in their relationships? And, crucially: What was their partners side of the story? If the series actually managed to answer these questions, that would be one thing. But it only gestures towards them. open image in gallery Evan Back, former Ashley Madison executive, interviewed for Netflixs new three-part docuseries ( Netflix ) Sex, Lies & Scandal ends by explaining that the hacker group was never identified, and Ashley Madison today has more users than ever some 70-odd million, undeterred by the data leak. Its clear no lessons were learned from the whole debacle. But its not like we will learn all that much from Netflixs new documentary either. Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal is available to stream now on Netflix 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 Tina Malone has opened up about her husbands unexpected death, revealing that he died by suicide after living with depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Army veteran Paul Chase died aged 42 on 13 March. Malone, known for her work in programmes such as Shameless and Brookside, had been married to him since 2010, and they shared a daughter, Flame. Since his death, Malone, 61, has given occasional updates on her wellbeing, telling fans a month after his death that she was broken and bereft. On Saturday (18 May), the actor revealed to The Mirror that her husband had taken his own life. Ive not spoken about this publicly until this minute, she told the publication. Its the first time Ive said it and confirmed it. Paul did commit suicide. I believe in transparency. Ill never get over it, she added. I miss him so badly and I love him so much. One thing I know hes in a better place than here. Chase had previously been a member of the 22nd Regiment of the Cheshires and had served in Northern Ireland, Belize, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Falklands throughout his decade in the army. open image in gallery Tina Malone and Paul Chase in 2012 ( PA ) Malone recalled her husbands experiences with depression and anxiety in more recent years, which resulted in him turning to alcohol and drugs. Chase was diagnosed with PTSD three years prior to his death. He felt lost, he felt useless, she continued. He couldnt fight any more. Drugs werent recreational. Drink wasnt social. The TV star will launch a foundation named Pauls Flame on his birthday, 28 May, to help others in crisis. According to Malone, Chase would ramble about the army while intoxicated. Id tell him, You have depression, you have emotional issues because of what youve seen. But hed sweep it away. 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 She added: This is a man who served his country. The only way I can get through is by fighting for change, addressing the issues facing veterans and soldiers, trying to help others. Chase was buried in Liverpool in April. A month on from his death, Malone told her social media followers of Chases final moments. Four weeks ago at 4pm today my hubby made scrambled eggs, bacon, beans, sausages for Flame, kissed me and said see you later, she wrote in an Instagram post. Ten hours later he was dead, I am broken, so bereft. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. 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 village head was killed and a tourist couple from the northern state of Rajasthan injured in two separate militant attacks in the federal territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday amid Indias ongoing general elections. The tourist couple, identified in local media by their first names Farha and Tabrez, was injured after gunmen began firing at a camp in Yannar in Anantnag late on Saturday night, police said ahead of voting scheduled in the volatile region. The couple from Jaipur was evacuated to the hospital and the area where the attack took place was cordoned off, Kashmir police said on social media. The condition of the injured tourists is said to be stable, they said. #Terrorist fired upon a person Aijaz Ahmad at Heerpora, #Shopian. Injured evacuated. Area cordoned off. Further details to follow.@JmuKmrPolice Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) May 18, 2024 #Terrorist fired upon and injured a lady Farha R/O Jaipur and spouse Tabrez at Yannar, #Anantnag. Injured evacuated to hospital for treatment. Area cordoned off. Further details shall follow.@JmuKmrPolice Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) May 18, 2024 In a separate incident, unknown militants shot dead former village headman and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member Ajiaz Ahmad Sheikh in Shopian district. The last major attack on tourists in Kashmir had happened in 2017 when a Hindu pilgrimage bus was targeted, killing eight people. My younger son went on a tour on 13 May. When they were going to a hotel, two people came on a motorbike and opened fire on them. Both of them got injured. I request the Indian government to bring them from Srinagar to AIIMS Delhi and provide them with the best medical facilities, Tabrezs father was quoted as saying in local media. The incidents happened two days before Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament) elections were due to be held in Kashmirs Baramulla. Major parties in Kashmir, the National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have focused on restoration of semi-autonomy in their campaigns. The conflict-torn and sensitive valley is voting for the first time since prime minister Narendra Modis administration directly brought it under its control in 2019. The move was widely dubbed as contentious as the legislation was passed by placing a majority of Kashmirs opposition leaders and political activists under house arrest. The Modi government also implemented an internet and communication blackout in the region. Analysts and opposition parties say the BJP is not contesting elections in Kashmir because it fears the outcome will contradict its narrative of a more peaceful and integrated region since 2019. Additional inputs from agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Fresh floods triggered by heavy rains across Afghanistan killed as many as 100 people over the weekend, officials said. Abdul Wahid Hamas, spokesperson for Ghors provincial governor, said on Saturday that dozens were still missing as many ran to higher ground for safety minutes before the flood waters hit on Friday. He added that the recent floods had destroyed hundreds of hectares of agricultural land as well as thousands of homes and properties, including in the provinces capital Feroz Koh, causing massive financial losses to the area. At least 50 were reportedly killed in Ghor on Saturday, while 47 were killed in the northern province of Farayab on Sunday. More than 300 animals were killed in the floods as well. Shamsudden Mohammedi, head of the information department for Faryab said least 300 hundred houses were destroyed, reported Reuters. Last week, heavy rains caused flash floods, which killed 315 people and left more than 1,600 injured across the country. Rescue workers have been trying to reach the worst-affected areas, but the floods have left certain key roads blocked. In the north, Baghlan remains inaccessible by trucks, said the World Food Programme. The World Health Organization, along with the Taliban government has warned that the death toll could rise significantly as flood survivors are still searching for the missing since the floods hit. The Taliban said that residents were not prepared to face a sudden rush of water as heavy seasonal rains caused flooding. open image in gallery Remainings of houses damaged by the flood are pictured in Firozkoh the capital city of Ghor Province, Afghanistan ( REUTERS ) The impact has been profound, leading to loss of life and injuries, with many individuals still unaccounted for, the WHOs Afghanistan office said in a statement last week. The heavy rains and subsequent floods have disrupted lives and pose a significant risk to children in the affected provinces. As families cope with the loss, maintaining access to safe water, health and protection services is paramount, Tajudeen Oyewale, Unicef representative in Afghanistan, said. The UN warned last year that Afghanistan is experiencing large swings in extreme weather conditions. Afghanistans meteorological department has also warned that there is likely to be more rain and subsequent floods across the country. After the Taliban took over and foreign forces withdrew in 2021, the development aid that formed the backbone of government finances was cut. According to experts, Afghanistan, despite accounting for only 0.06 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, ranks sixth among countries most vulnerable to climate change. 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 Indonesias Mount Ibu volcano erupted on Saturday, spewing thick grey ash clouds into the sky and leading to evacuations in seven nearby villages. Mount Ibu, a volcano in North Maluku province, erupted on Saturday evening, shooting ash 4km up into the sky as streaks of purple lightning flashed around its crater, data and images from Indonesias volcanology agency showed. The 1,325m-tall volcano is on the northwest coast of the remote island of Halmahera. Official figures say that more than 700,000 people lived in Halmahera as of 2022. A joint team of police, military, and search and rescue officials was sent immediately to surrounding villages to begin the evacuation process, Abdul Muhari from the disaster mitigation agency said in a statement. The agency did not provide any information about how many people had been moved, but authorities recommended that a seven-km radius be cleared. After an eruption on Friday, the centre raised the alert level for the volcano from 2 to 3, the second-highest, which widens the radius of the area which should be vacated. open image in gallery A handout photo made available by Indonesias Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation shows thick grey ash and dark clouds spewed from Mount Ibu in North Maluku province, Indonesia, 15 May 2024 ( EPA ) Officials had already advised residents and tourists not to conduct any activities within five kilometres of Mount Ibus crater. More than 13,000 people live within a 5km radius of the northern side of the crater, Hendra Gunawan, chief of the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, said. These eruptions follow a similar pattern in Indonesia, which sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and has 127 active volcanoes. At least 60 people died in flash floods triggered by heavy rains and torrents of cold lava and mud flowing down Mount Marapi on Indonesias Sumatra island, on 11 May. Recently, North Sulawesis Ruang volcano also erupted, prompting authorities to evacuate more than 12,000 people on a nearby island. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A red alert was issued for Indias capital Delhi on Sunday as an intense heatwave gripped parts of northern India over the weekend. For the second consecutive day on Sunday, parts of Delhi met heatwave conditions, with the maximum temperature hitting 46.8C in the northwest of the national capital region. Red alerts are issued when unexpected weather consequences lead to a very high likelihood of developing heat illness or stroke as well as serious health concerns for vulnerable people, according to officials. Severe heatwave conditions are very likely in some parts of west Rajasthan during 17-20 May and in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi during 18-20 May, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Saturday. The IMD has issued orange alerts for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, stating that heatwave conditions are set to continue and residents needed to be prepared for possible symptoms of illness if they were exposed to the heat for prolonged periods. Northern states like Haryana and Punjab are also expected to see severe heatwave conditions. Rajasthan recorded a maximum temperature of 46C on Thursday as the heatwave days in April were the highest in 15 and nine years in the eastern states of West Bengal and Odisha respectively, according to IMD data. Parts of New Delhi recorded temperatures up to 47.1C on Friday. The heatwave comes at the same time as Indias 6-week ongoing national elections, which has experts concerned as citizens wait in long lines to cast their votes. open image in gallery A polling officer covers himself with a scarf, to protect from heat on a hot summer day head of the second phase of the general elections, in Barmer, Rajasthan ( REUTERS ) Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and his primary challenger from the opposition Congress party, Rahul Gandhi, are both expected to hold rallies in New Delhi on Saturday evening. The extreme heat has been at least partly blamed for the low voter turnout in the second phase of the national elections which saw polling across 13 states and union territories voting last week. It saw 63 per cent of those eligible voting, down further from the 66 per cent turnout in the first phase on 19 April. Two people died from suspected heat stroke in the southern state of Kerala in April, where temperatures soared to 41.9C, nearly 5.5C above normal. Since the beginning of April, dozens of countries in Asia from India to the Philippines have seen record-high temperatures leading to school closures and the triggering of urgent health warnings across the region. A study conducted by scientists from World Weather Attribution (WWA), has found that this years heatwave would have been virtually impossible in the Philippines and a lot less extreme in South and West Asia without the climate crisis caused by burning oil, coal and gas. The conditions for a heatwave are met in India when the maximum temperature of a weather station touches 40C in the plains, 37C in coastal areas, and 30C in hilly regions, or the departure from normal is at least 4.5 degrees. A severe heatwave is declared if the temperature is at least 6.4 degrees above normal. open image in gallery People fill up canisters and containers with water from a tanker at a makeshift settlement in Chankyapuri in New Delhi ( EPA ) April to June are usually the hottest months in most of India, but the country has seen more intense temperatures over the past decade, which leads to severe water shortages as well. The Met department has warned that India could see more heatwave days between April and June this year than it normally does. 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 Saturday Night Live stars Colin Jost and Michael Che took turns cracking some hilarious and shocking jokes in their annual Weekend Update joke swap. During the segment, which aired on Saturday 18 May, the Weekend Update co-hosts each wrote jokes for the other to deliver without seeing them beforehand. The segment has become a fan favourite, with this years skit marking the end of SNLs 49th season. In line with the tradition, Che tricked Jost into poking fun at his wife Scarlett Johansson, causing Jost to squirm in discomfort. ChatGPT has released a new voice assistant feature inspired by Scarlett Johanssons AI character in Her, a nervous Jost told viewers. Which Ive never bothered to watch, because without that body whats the point of listening? The father-of-two immediately burst into laughter, while also hiding his face in his hands out of embarrassment. Elsewhere during Weekend Update, Jost made Che challenge rapper Kendrick Lamar amid his rap beef with Drake. Speaking of b**ches, I want to call up the biggest b**ch of all, Kendrick Lamar, Che said, shaking his head at the cue cards and exclaiming, No! Your war with Drake may be over, but your war with Michael Che is just beginning. So to quote Hamilton, Shoot your shot, player, he added. The comedian then commended his Weekend Update co-host for the surprise jab, telling Jost: That was pretty well done, man. Saturday Night Live stars Colin Jost and Michael Che deliver annual Weekend Update joke swap This isnt the first time Josts relationship with Johansson has been the subject of some amusing moments on SNL. Back in 2020, Che once again tricked Jost into mocking his wife during their signature joke swap by making a quip about the actors past casting controversies. In the joke, Jost reported on Creed frontman Scott Stapps casting as Frank Sinatra in a Ronald Reagan biopic, along with the punchline: But the good news is Sammy Davis Jr will be played by Scarlett Johansson. The Black Widow star came under fire for portraying a Japanese character in the 2017 live-action adaptation of Ghost in the Shell. She also ended up withdrawing from the film Rub and Tug after facing backlash when she was cast as a trans male gangster. In 2021, SNL alum Jason Sudeikis also teased Jost about his marriage to Johansson when he appeared as the devil during a Weekend Update segment. Ive been busy, baby, he told Jost, taking credit for some of the most terrible developments of the past few years. 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 When the host asked him what he had been working on lately, Sudeikiss devil replied: Oh, man, so many little side projects. Earthquakes, got some killer storms, Instagram for kids trying to get it off the ground. Oh! And the climate. Later on during the skit, Sudeikiss character asked Jost to take back a line, jokingly threatening him: You take it back, Colin, or I swear, I will go back on our deal to let you marry Scarlett. Jost and Johansson met back in 2010, when the Lost in Translation star hosted SNL for the first time. The pair then sparked up a relationship in 2017, following Johanssons divorce from French journalist Romain Dauriac. They announced their engagement in 2019. In October 2020, the couple tied the knot during an intimate ceremony amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Less than one year later, Jost announced they had welcomed their first child together, a son named Cosmo. Johansson also shares her eight-year-old daughter Rose with ex Dauriac. The former couple were married from 2014 to 2017. The Asteroid City star was previously married to actor Ryan Reynolds from 2008 to 2011. 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 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have marked six years since tying the knot at St Georges Chapel. Prince Harry and Meghan Markles royal wedding, which took place at Windsor Castle on 19 May 2018, was watched by nearly 30 million people in the US. Leading up to the ceremony, there was much speculation over which fashion designer Meghan had tapped to create her custom gown. The Suits actor ultimately wore an elegant, off-the-shoulder dress designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy as she walked down the aisle. However, according to royal biographer Ingrid Seward, the late Queen Elizabeth II thought that Meghans wedding dress was too white for a divorcee. The book My Mother and I, which was released in October 2023, claimed that the late Queen only revealed her opinion to her closest confidantes. The Queens cousin Lady Elizabeth Anson, who is said to have been among those confidantes, reportedly claimed the monarch thought that Meghans dress was improper considering she had been married prior to Prince Harry. In the monarchs view, it was not appropriate for a divorcee getting remarried in church to look quite so flamboyantly virginal, Seward wrote in an extract of the book obtained by the Daily Mail. Meghan was previously married to film producer Trevor Engleson, but they divorced four years before she married Harry in 2018. open image in gallery The late Queen thought it was inappropriate for Meghan to look flamboyantly virginal ( Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images ) The duchess wedding gown captivated audiences as she made her way into St Georges Chapel. Meghan reportedly chose Waight Keller, Givenchys first female artistic director, to create her wedding dress due the designers elegant aesthetic and relaxed demeanour. The gown featured a bateau neckline and five-meter-long veil, which was embroidered with flora from all 53 countries in the Commonwealth. Two of Meghans favourite flowers were also added to the veil: the wintersweet flower, which grows in front of Nottingham Cottage where she and Prince Harry lived, and the California poppy from her home state in the US. The tiara worn by Meghan during the ceremony was loaned to her by the late Queen. The diamond bandeau of Queen Marys tiara, which held the duchess veil in place, was made in 1932 with a brooch at the centre, created in 1893. In the six-part Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, released in December 2022, Meghan said that she was very specific in her preferences for the dress. She opted for the bateau neckline because she had become known for wearing it while working as a senior member of the royal family. I had a very clear vision of what I wanted for the day, and what I wanted the dress to look like, and so what was amazing in working with Clare is that sometimes youll find designers try to push you in a different direction, the duchess said about the dress. But she just completely respected what I wanted to see for the day, and she wanted to bring that to life for me. So I knew at the onset I wanted a bateau neckline, I wanted a cropped sleeve, I wanted a very timeless, classic feeling, she said. Obviously with respect to the environment we were in and St Georges Chapel, being really modest in what it would look like, I knew that the tailoring was so key, because the dress itself would be so covered up. Meanwhile, Waight Keller reflected on designing the gown in the docuseries, noting that there was immense pressure to make her dress look flawless. Looking at the design of the dress, there were many conversations we had over how you want to present yourself to the world, she explained. The designer also hid several intricate details within the dress, including something blue sewn into the hem. We basically sewed it into the hem of the wedding dress, so she was the only one that knew that it was there, Waight Keller told Vanity Fair in August 2023. It was a little blue gingham check. It was the perfect personal memento that was secretly hidden inside the dress. Following their 2018 wedding, Prince Harry and Meghan welcomed their first child, son Archie Harrison, on 6 May 2019 in London, England. The couple later stepped down from their positions as senior working royals in 2020 and relocated to Montecito, California. Harry and Meghan went on to welcome their second child, daughter Lilibet Lili Diana, on 4 June 2021 in Santa Barbara, California. 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 }} Testimony in the hush money trial of Donald Trump is set to conclude in the coming days, putting the landmark case on track for jury deliberations that will determine whether it ends in a mistrial, an acquittal or the first-ever felony conviction of a former American president. Jurors over the course of a month have heard testimony about sex and bookkeeping, tabloid journalism and presidential politics. Their task ahead will be to decide whether prosecutors who have charged Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records have proved their case beyond a reasonable doubt. Here's a look at what the two sides have argued, who has been missing from the case, what to listen for in the final days and what prosecutors will have to prove to secure a conviction. THE PROSECUTION'S CASE Through witnesses including a porn actor, a veteran tabloid publisher and longtime Trump aides, the prosecution aimed to link the presumptive Republican nominee for the White House this year to a hush money scheme during the 2016 presidential campaign that resulted in the filing of phony business records to mask the alleged conspiracy. Jurors heard testimony that two women and a doorman were paid tens of thousands of dollars to keep quiet during that campaign about stories that, had they emerged, could have embarrassed Trump. Jurors heard claims of sex, saw copies of texts, emails and checks and listened to a secret recording in which Trump and his then-lawyer can be heard discussing a plan to buy the silence of a Playboy model. One witness, David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer and a longtime Trump friend, testified that he had agreed to be the eyes and ears" of the Trump campaign by alerting it to any negative stories about him. Actor Stormy Daniels told jurors, in occasionally graphic terms, about a sexual encounter she says she had with Trump in 2006; he denies the whole thing. She described being offered $130,000 by Trump's then-lawyer and personal fixer, Michael Cohen, to remain silent after she said she was looking for ways to sell the story and get it out there. Cohen, the prosecution's star witness, spent days on the stand recounting what he said was Trump's role in authorizing the hush money payments. Cohen described Trump as anxious that stories alleging extramarital sex could harm his campaign standing with female voters and said the then-candidate had directed him to suppress the stories, quoting him as saying exhortations including, Just do it and We need to stop this from getting out. THE DEFENSE POSITION Trump's legal team has not yet called witnesses, and it remains unclear what exactly his lawyers will do when it is their turn to present evidence. But they have signaled through their questioning of the prosecution's witnesses specific areas where they think they can sow doubt for the jury, contesting along the way the foundational premises of the case. They have disputed Daniels' account of a hotel suite sexual encounter, with the actor facing an aggressive cross-examination from a defense lawyer who said at one point, You have made all of this up, right? Daniels said no. And they have suggested that Trump's celebrity status made him an easy extortion target. They grilled the Los Angeles lawyer who negotiated Daniels' deal about other celebrities from whom he had previously extracted money in exchange for a client's silence. But the most consequential cross-examination, by far, has been that of Cohen. The defense has tried to depict him as a fame-seeking fabulist desperate to contribute to a Trump conviction. The cross-examination began in splashy fashion, with Trump attorney Todd Blanche asking the former fixer if he recalled referring to the lawyer by an expletive on TikTok last month. Prosecutors objected, the judge summoned the parties to the bench and the question was stricken. But the point was clear. Over the course of hours, Blanche refreshed Cohen's recollection about a litany of colorful but often profane monikers he had assigned Trump Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain was one as a way to paint Cohen as egregiously biased, blinded by hatred and therefore not credible. There was also an avalanche of questions about Cohen's past crimes and lies. Blanche forced Cohen to acknowledge that he fibbed under oath during his own 2018 plea hearing about not feeling pressure to plead guilty. In a dramatic moment, Blanche suggested that Cohen had not told the truth when he said he spoke to Trump about the Daniels payment before wiring her lawyer $130,000. Blanche confronted Cohen with texts indicating that what was on his mind, at least initially, during the phone call were harassing calls he was getting from an apparent 14-year-old prankster. The strategy was predictable given Cohen's significance to the case but it is too soon to tell how it landed with the jury. THE MISSING LINKS? Multiple characters pivotal to the saga have been name-dropped in court but have been notably absent from the witness stand. One is Karen McDougal, a Playboy model who has said she had an affair with Trump and received $150,000 from the National Enquirer in a hush money deal that Cohen helped broker. Keith Schiller, Trump's bodyguard, was described in court as the person who asked Daniels for her phone number on Trump's behalf and was an important conduit for Cohen when he needed to reach Trump. And then there's Allen Weisselberg, the former Trump Organization chief financial officer now serving a five-month jail sentence for lying under oath in the New York attorney generals civil fraud case against Trump. Weisselberg did not testify in the hush money trial but he matters because, according to Cohen, he was present for a Trump Tower discussion that arguably most directly links Trump and the reimbursements at the center of the case that prosecutors say are fraudulent. Cohen says the 2017 Trump Tower meeting occurred on the cusp of Inauguration Day and was where he, Trump and Weisselberg hammered out the mechanics of reimbursing him for the Daniels hush money payment. There, Cohen said, they agreed that the lawyer would receive a total of $420,000 in monthly installments for what would be billed deceptively, prosecutors say as legal services. He approved it, Cohen testified. "And he also said: This is going to be one heck of a ride in D.C. Whether jurors will have wanted to have heard from Weisselberg is uncertain, but in a case that centers more on paperwork than sex, the account of that meeting is likely to be held up by prosecutors as a vital piece of evidence and it will be important to see how they return to it as they wrap up their case with closing statements. WHAT MUST BE PROVED FOR A CONVICTION? To convict Trump of felony falsifying business records, prosecutors must convince jurors beyond a reasonable doubt that he not only falsified or caused business records to be entered falsely, but that he did so with intent to commit or conceal another crime. Any verdict must be unanimous. Prosecutors allege that Trump logged Cohens repayment as legal expenses to conceal multiple other crimes, including breaches of campaign finance law and a violation of a state election law alleging a conspiracy to promote or prevent an election. In his opening statement, Assistant District Attorney Matthew Colangelo told jurors the case is about a criminal conspiracy and a cover-up an illegal conspiracy to undermine the integrity of a presidential election, and then the steps that Donald Trump took to conceal that illegal election fraud. Specifically, prosecutors contend, the payments to McDougal, Daniels and the doorman violated federal restrictions on corporate and individual campaign contributions and were meant to conceal damaging information from the voting public. Among other evidence, jurors heard testimony about Cohens 2018 guilty to a campaign finance crime and the National Enquirers nonprosecution agreement and $187,500 fine for the McDougal payment, which the Federal Election Commission considered an illegal corporate contribution to Trumps campaign. New York also has a misdemeanor falsifying business records charge, which requires proving only that a defendant made or caused the false entries, but it is not part of Trumps case and will not be considered by jurors. ____ Tucker reported from Washington. 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 House of Lords is set to vote on a series of measures to help prisoners languishing in jail under unjust indeterminate sentences as families beg: Put an end to this. Campaigners have warned that reforms are a matter of life and death for inmates trapped under imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentences, after almost 90 suicides. Those include the tragic case highlighted by The Independent of Scott Rider, who was given a 23-month jail term and took his own life in despair after serving 17 years in prison. A senior coroner blasted the sentence and inhumane and indefensible last month as he issued a warning to the government over the risk of further deaths. On Tuesday, peers are set to debate a host of amendments to the Victims and Prisoners Bill to help IPP prisoners but proposals fall short of a resentencing exercise called for by families and the justice committee. The controversial sentences in which offenders were handed minimum jail terms but no maximum were scrapped in 2012 amid human rights concerns, but not for those already sentenced, leaving thousands languishing in jail for years beyond their original prison terms. Of 2,796 IPP inmates currently incarcerated, 1,180 have never been released and 708 have served more than 10 years longer than their minimum tariff. They include cases such as those of Wayne Bell, who has served more than 16 years for stealing a bike; Thomas White, who is still in prison 12 years after he stole a mobile phone; and Aaron Graham, who has served almost 20 years after he punched a man in a fight. A coroner issued a Prevention of Future Deaths Notice following the death of IPP prisoner Scott Rider ( Michelle Mahon ) The government has agreed to reduce the licence period for IPP prisoners from 10 years to three but has so far refused to resentence prisoners still locked up, despite growing calls to address a penalty branded an affront to basic decency and fairness by the chair of the justice committee Sir Bob Neill. Donna Mooney, of campaign group UNGRIPP, said the reforms are a matter of life or death for those in languishing prison as she urged parliamentarians to do the right thing. She welcomed the governments plans to reduce the licence period for released IPP prisoners and said proposals to change the parole test would be a step in the right direction. An amendment, tabled by Conservative peer Lord Moylan, would see the burden fall on the Parole Board to prove a prisoner is unsafe to be released, instead of the prisoner having to prove they are safe to be freed. Ms Mooney, who lost her brother Tommy Nicol to suicide in 2015 while he was serving an indeterminate sentence for stealing a car, insisted that resentencing is the only way to address the IPP injustice. We are worried that a lot of these amendments will not impact people stuck in prison, she said. We just really hope that the Lords and the government and all parties really understand that if they dont put something through thats going to help people in prison there is going to be an influx of suicides and that is the reality. So we are really urging them to support amendments to help those people because otherwise they will feel more forgotten than they already do. They have had over a decade of living with no hope and waiting for something to happen. She added: There is a lot of anxiety around this for people in prison, in the community and their families. They are hoping that the government will finally do the right thing and put an end to this. Lord David Blunkett admits he regrets introducing IPP sentences as Home Secretary in 2005 ( Getty/iStockphoto/PA ) Richard Garside, director of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, urged peers to back reforms and called for reparations for IPP inmates. Its really important that this bill gets through because at least those small gains can be banked, he told The Independent. People who have been subject to IPP have been subject to a state-imposed miscarriage of justice in a quite profound sense subjected to a sentence event the UN special rapporteur on torture describes as a form of torture. Some form of reparation to IPP prisoners as a recognition of their suffering strike me as entirely appropriate. What you are effectively having is a life sentence for a couple of burglaries and getting in a fight. The distress and anger and despair thats caused is very profound. Lord David Blunkett, who admits he regrets introducing the sentence as home secretary under New Labour in 2005, is among a group of cross-party peers pushing for reform. He said Lords had made important progress in negotiating with government ministers who have tabled some of their own amendments. This has already yielded substantial fruit, ranging from a further move to assist those sentenced as juveniles, the power of executive release, a strengthening of the action plan and all the monitoring issues required to make it work including the progression board and independent scrutiny panel, he said. Baroness Fox called for the government to return the issue of resentencing as soon as possible ( Supplied ) However, Baroness Fox, whose amendment calling for IPP prisoners to be resentenced was dropped due to lack of support from both Labour and Conservatives, called for the government to return to the issue of resentencing as soon as possible. She told The Independent: No government will be able to avoid dealing with this scandalous injustice. The life peer previously said the egregious sentence is a matter of life and death and suggested that politicians might well be guilty of political cowardice for failing to back resentencing to deal with the injustice once and for all. She welcomed steps embraced by the government so far including shorter licence periods, an improved action plan and a power of executive release for recalled prisoners, but said they do little to help those who have never been freed. She hopes, in Tuesdays debate, Labour will support Lord Moylans amendment, reversing the burden of proof when applying for parole. The Simon Brown memorial amendment is named after the late former Supreme Court Justice, who labelled IPP the greatest single stain on the British justice system. Lord Moylan said the late Lord Brown was committed to trying to correct the injustice of IPP and he hopes, if passed, it will help to nudge the dial in the right direction for prisoners. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: We have reduced the number of unreleased IPP prisoners by three-quarters since we scrapped the sentence in 2012, and continue to help those still in custody to progress towards release including improving access to rehabilitation programmes and mental health support. The number of IPP prisoners in custody has fallen 12 per cent in the last year alone. Changing sentences retrospectively poses a risk to public safety because offenders who the Parole Board have deemed unsafe for release, many of whom have committed serious violent or sexual offences, could leave prison without probation supervision and support. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. 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 }} Thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators took to the streets of London on Saturday to demand a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The march marked the 76th anniversary of what Palestinians call the Nakba - the Arabic word for catastrophe - which refers to the mass displacement of people after the creation of Israel in 1948. Seven arrests were made during the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) protest for incidents involving offensive placards and chants, violence and sexual assault, the Met Police said. In one case, a man was arrested for chanting Intifada Revolution - the Arabic word for uprising - as well as damaging a traffic light on Regent Street. The Intifada is understood to refer to a violent period in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s across the West Bank and Gaza strip that saw the death of 5,000 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis. People take part in a Nakba 76 pro-Palestine demonstration in London to mark the mass displacement of Palestinians in 1948 ( Aaron Chown/PA Wire ) One man was arrested for carrying a coffin with offensive language on it, the force added. Another man, 22, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an officer. Another man was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault outside Piccadilly tube station, and another was arrested on suspicion of assault. Two more were arrested on suspicion of affray. Demonstrators, some carrying ceasefire now placards, were heard singing and chanting as they made their way from Regents Street to Whitehall, where they gathered for speeches. Meanwhile, a counter-demonstration by pro-Israel group Enough is Enough took place at Piccadilly Circus - where a 74-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a provocation of violence. Seven arrests were made during the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) protest, the Met Police said ( Aaron Chown/PA Wire ) The pro-Palestinian march was the 14th such event held in London since the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October, in which 1,200 people were killed and more than 240 kidnapped. After the 7 October attack, Israel launched an offensive in Gaza that has killed more than 35,000 people, according to the territorys Hamas-run health ministry. Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove said:We have worked with organisers of todays events to ensure people could protest safely while at the same time minimising serious disruption to the community. Mr Wingrove added: Officers made swift interventions to make arrests where criminal offences were suspected. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Brexiteer promise of stronger sovereignty has failed and is instead leading to a loss of control of British territories, MPs have warned. The claim has come ahead of a showdown on Monday between David Cameron and members of the Commons European scrutiny committee over a planned treaty for Gibraltar. The governments of Gibraltar and the UK are close to agreeing a treaty that some fear will see EU Frontex border guards decide who can enter the British overseas territory and will give them the power to turn away British citizens. Added to that, with the threat that Gibraltar could become subject to Schengen area rules, there are now concerns that UK citizens will only be allowed to stay for 90 days on the Rock even though it is a British overseas territory. David Cameron is due to discuss Gibraltar and Northern Ireland with the European scrutiny committee ( PA ) Gibraltar has been a British territory since it was handed to the UK in the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, part of a series of agreements that ended the war of the Spanish succession. Spain, though, has long disputed the land on which the RAF Gibraltar air force station is situated, claiming it was part of an illegal landgrab by the British in the 19th century. Spain has been pushing to regain control of the territory for decades. But there are wider concerns about this treaty with the EU, because of implications of a dilution of British sovereignty in areas such as Northern Ireland and even potentially the UK bases in Cyprus, where pressure is mounting over land that is British sovereign territory. Talks on the draft treaty took place on Thursday, but MPs on the committee had already written to Lord Cameron demanding answers to a list of questions following evidence sessions with foreign minister David Rutley and Gibraltars chief minister Fabian Picardo. DUP committee member Sammy Wilson, who supported Brexit, told The Independent: Brexit was supposed to be about taking back control. It is proving to be the opposite. He blamed this pathetic [Tory] government for the problems, describing it as a joke. Mr Wilson is already angered by developments surrounding the border with Northern Ireland, which last week saw the High Court rule that British immigration policy no longer applies there. He said: Already we are seeing goods being turned away at the border on the instructions of EU officials, and new border controls being built to EU designs. Fabian Picardo presides over the region that delivered the highest Remain vote 96 per cent in the EU referendum ( Reuters ) Former cabinet minister David Jones, a lawyer who also sits on the committee and is deputy chair of the European Research Group of Tory Brexiteer MPs, warned: This [the Gibraltar treaty] could be even worse than what has happened in Northern Ireland [with the Windsor Framework] and could have wider implications. This will cause serious ructions in the Conservative Party if Cameron allows it to go ahead. The foreign secretary was dismissed by some MPs as a globalist who led the Remain campaign who doesnt care about British sovereignty anyway. However, former attorney general Dominic Grieve, who opposed Brexit when he was an MP, suggested that Brexiteer MPs had jumped the gun, as nobody outside the negotiations had seen the text. He said: There is nothing to suggest that the UK is about to surrender sovereignty over anything. But the idea that Brexiteers can be more Gibraltan than the Gibraltans seems to me to be completely ludicrous. However, legal expert Catherine Barnard, a professor in European and employment law and deputy director of the think tank UK in a Changing Europe, pointed out that this would not be a problem if the UK was still in the EU. During the 2016 referendum, 96 per cent of Gibraltars citizens voted in favour of Remain, and last year Mr Picardo won re-election on a mandate to complete his treaty negotiations. DUP MP Sammy Wilson says the UK government is a joke ( PA ) Prof Barnard warned that the row is based on a Brexiteer view of sovereignty that is outdated and rooted in the days of empire. She said: Essentially, the Brexiteers, during the referendum and after, were pushing a view of sovereignty that has not been true since the 19th century. Sovereignty is now much more transactional, and as soon as you sign any agreement, you dilute your sovereignty. That is what is going on with Gibraltar and Northern Ireland. Sovereignty is no longer absolute. Prof Barnard said that in the modern world, sovereignty is a matter of give and take: You give up part of it to gain something more for your country. Thats what happens with treaties and any sort of international agreement. It is like if I sell my car to you, I no longer have the car, but do have the money you gave me for it. We see this in the trade and cooperation agreement with the EU: we can change our environmental regulations, but this would mean we have tariffs imposed on us. She added that the issue of competing sovereignties could be another potential point of contention between the UK and Gibraltar. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) insisted that the concerns being raised will be resolved before a treaty is signed. An FCDO spokesperson said: The UK will only reach an agreement with the EU that the government of Gibraltar is content with; that safeguards Gibraltars sovereignty; and that fully protects the operations and independence of the UKs military facilities in Gibraltar. The UK remains fully committed to finding a solution that supports Gibraltar, its people, and its economy. Former minister and member of the ERG David Jones (right, with Mark Francois) is highly critical of the planned treaty ( PA ) Last weeks talks are understood to have taken place in a constructive atmosphere, leading to important breakthroughs and additional areas of agreement. Mr Picardo, who has been criticised by the committee, said earlier last week: If they [the treaty provisions] did amount to a genuine diminution of British sovereignty over Gibraltar, they would not have my support. This is a deal that will assist us in ensuring that Gibraltars sovereignty continues to be 100 per cent British. They need to understand that this is a deal that needs to be done for Gibraltar, and its the people of Gibraltar who will determine whether it is safe and secure. However, the concerns raised by MPs did seem to be confirmed in an interview with Mr Picardo on Radio 4s Today programme on Saturday. He said that the basis of the framework was the 2020 New Years Eve agreement involving Gibraltar becoming a part of the common travel area within Schengen. He noted that this is necessary because there are around 15 million movements a year across the border with the EU, and because there is a need for freedom of movement for goods between the territory and the EU. Mr Picardo pointed out that 96 per cent of Gibraltans had voted Remain, adding: When we were European citizens, we had the right to access the EU; it was relatively easy. He was dismissive of the row with Brexiteers on the committee over UK sovereignty, saying: That is a question of which filter you apply to your view. I mean, the 96 per cent of the people of Gibraltar who voted to remain in the EU did not think that being members of the EU amounted to a surrender of sovereignty. Mr Picardo also made it clear that he believes his election victory last year gave him a mandate to press ahead with the deal. He said: The people of Gibraltar in effect voted for the framework to become a treaty between the EU and the UK. 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 }} Europes far-right political parties unofficially launched their campaign Sunday for European Union elections in Spain with strong messages against illegal migration and the blocs climate policy while declaring their support for Israel in its war against Hamas. French National Rally party leader Marine Le Pen and Italys Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni tried to rally voters at an event organized by Spains far-right Vox party in Madrid ahead of the European Unions parliamentary elections June 6-9. Analysts say the vote across the blocs 27 nations could see a strong rise of the far right. We are in the final stretch to make 9 June a day of liberation and hope, said the French presidential candidate. We have three weeks left to convince our respective compatriots to go out and vote. Meloni, whose Brothers of Italy party has foundations in Benito Mussolinis fascism, spoke in Spanish via video conference and called for young people to vote. You are the only possible future for Europe, Meloni told them. The defense of the EUs borders was another main theme of the last of two days of a meeting organized by Vox in an arena in the outskirts of the Spanish capital. We are not against human rights, but we want strong borders in Europe... because it is hours,said Andre Ventura, leader of Chega, a party that won the third largest number of parliamentary seats in Portugal earlier this year. We cannot continue to have this massive influx of Islamic and Muslim immigrants into Europe, he added. Meloni defended her countrys policy of reaching agreements with third countries to try to curb illegal immigration, while Le Pen advocated for reform of the Schengen area which allows free movement of people within most of the blocs borders so that Europe allows each country to choose who enters and who leaves its territory. Voxs president, Santiago Abascal, called for unity of the far-right ahead of the European election. In the face of globalism we must respond with a global alliance of patriots in defense of common sense, economic prosperity, security and freedom because we share the threat, and that leads us to solidarity, Abascal said. The vote will indicate whether the continental political drift will match the rightward swing seen across much of the globe from the Netherlands to Slovakia to Argentina. Argentinas flamboyant president, Javier Milei, who was welcomed like a star amidst chants of Freedom, dedicated his long speech to bashing socialism. He said that socialism is an ideology that goes directly against human nature and necessarily leads to slavery or death. There is no other possible destiny, he said. To open the door to socialism is to invite death, he added. Supporters who packed the Palacio de Vistalegre arena cheered on messages against the European Green Deal and in favor of farm workers, whose protests brought several cities in the continent to a standstill in recent months. They also applauded every speakers message in solidarity with Israel in its war in Gaza following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. Israel was represented at the meeting by its Minister for Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli. Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban and the former prime minister of Poland, Mateusz Morawiecki, also spoke from a video screen. During the event, hundreds of left-wing activists were demonstrating against fascism in the city center in Madrid. I am here because in Vistalegre we have a summit of hate and we must fight against fascists, said Frank Erbroder, a Polish activist at the gathering. I am worried because Hitler won, because of democracy, and I think that maybe well have the same situation. ___ Associated Press writers Iain Sullivan and Alicia Leon in Madrid contributed to this report. 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 }} Campaigners have demanded urgent action after a cabinet minister admitted that victims of the infected blood scandal had been forced to wait too long for compensation. A landmark inquiry will set out on Monday how decades of failures led to one of the worst disasters in NHS history. Lives were devastated when more than 30,000 people were given contaminated blood or blood products between the 1970s and the early 1990s. Compensation worth more than 10bn is set to be announced by ministers after Jeremy Hunt said it would fulfil a personal promise he made to one of his constituents 10 years ago. The prime minister is also expected to make an official apology after the inquiry unveils its damning findings. Campaigners are set to rally for a final time as the final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry is published ( PA Wire ) The defence secretary Grant Shapps said that families affected by the fiasco have been let down over decades, and that their cases constitute one of the most shameful failures of government he has seen. Asked if the process of compensation had taken too long, even in recent years, Mr Shapps told Sky News: Yes, I think it has been too slow, of course I do. The scandal is a massive injustice which needs to be put right, he added, promising that ministers would act on the report. Andy Evans, the chair of the Tainted Blood campaign, whose mother had to tell him he had contracted HIV from infected blood when he was just 13, said compensation will help so many people. But he cautioned that the devil is in the detail, and said campaigners would be looking at the small print in the governments announcement. Sarah Dorricott, whose father Mike was mentioned by Mr Hunt, said she would be over the moon if the compensation was signed off. Were used to being put on the back burner, we are used to being ignored. So theres always an if for us, because were so used to disappointment, she said. It would be amazing to see finally that all our efforts have not been in vain, she told Times Radio. Jeremy Hunt has told of the promise he made to ensure a fair and full settlement during a meeting with campaigner Mike Dorricott in 2014 ( PA Wire ) Kate Burt, the chief executive of the Haemophilia Society, said radical change must result from the inquiry if we are to learn the lessons of the past and protect future generations from harm. For the sake of the thousands of people who have died, and those whose lives continue to be blighted by this terrible scandal, it is vital that the inquirys recommendations are acted upon. A Labour government would honour Mr Hunts commitment to compensation, the shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said. He also accepted that his party would be criticised in Mondays report, and said Labour would have to take that on the chin. Mr Hunt said he had promised to sort a settlement during a meeting with campaigner Mr Dorricott in 2014, in an interview with The Sunday Times. The chancellor also called the scandal the worst of his lifetime as he indicated that he would be open to establishing a memorial to the victims. Mr Dorricott, who was just 46 years old when he met with Mr Hunt, had learnt weeks earlier that he had terminal liver cancer a disease linked to the hepatitis C he contracted as a teenager from contaminated factor 8 blood products. After he told his family that he had only months to live, he visited Mr Hunt, who was then the health secretary. During their meeting, he expressed his anger that infected patients and their families had not received a full and fair settlement. Towards the end of the meeting, Mr Hunt shook his hand and said: Dont worry about this, well sort it. Defence secretary Grant Shapps has admitted that the process of awarding compensation has been too slow ( PA Wire ) A new compensation package for those affected by the scandal, due to be unveiled as early as Tuesday and funded through government borrowing, will be thanks to Mike more than anyone else, said Mr Hunt, adding: And its one of the saddest things that hes not around to see it. The chancellor described Mr Dorricott as so gentle, so decent. I imagine after that meeting that Mike thought hed been fobbed off by yet another politician giving him the runaround, he said. But what Mike didnt know was that he really had made a huge impression on me. Mr Hunt also said ministers would look very sympathetically on any request from victims or their families for a national memorial. What we want to do after Monday is [to have] very close engagement with all the families whove been through such hell, and understand from them what the next steps need to be, he said. 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 }} Labour has pledged to introduce shared NHS waiting lists to deliver an extra 40,000 appointments a week and improve healthcare. Hospitals would be forced to run evening and weekend surgeries, with staff and resources pooled across a region under the plans. Patients would also be offered appointments at nearby hospitals to avoid waiting times at their local one, allowing them to be treated faster. Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: Fourteen years of Conservative neglect has seen waiting lists treble and, despite Rishi Sunaks promise, they are still rising. Only Labour has a plan to reform our NHS, get hospitals working together with shared waiting lists and staff, to get patients treated on time again. Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting slammed the governments neglect of the NHS ( Getty ) The party has pledged to spend 1.1bn to pay staff extra for out-of-hours working to deliver the promised 40,000 weekly operations, scans or appointments. The opposition claimed it would raise the money through clamping down on tax dodgers and tightening up the rules on non-domiciled people. Labour highlighted the way staff at Guys and St Thomas in London used a high-intensity theatre (HIT) list to more efficiently perform more procedures. The HIT list system involves increasing the number of anaesthetic, surgical and theatre staff in order to minimise the turnaround time between cases. By using two theatres at the same time, surgeons can be operating at the same time as their next patient is being prepared and anaesthetised. Labour highlighted the way staff at Guys and St Thomas in London used a high-intensity theatre (HIT) list to more efficiently perform more procedures ( PA ) While on a normal working day they can perform three knee surgeries for patients, they get through 12 when doing a HIT list. Hospitals performed an average of 795 procedures on weekdays, but just 176 on Saturdays or Sundays, according to a Labour Party Freedom of Information request last year. Mr Streeting said: We will learn from the great innovations already happening in the health service, and take the best of the NHS to the rest of the NHS. Thats how Labour will cut NHS waiting times, with 40,000 more evening and weekend appointments each week, paid for by clamping down on tax dodgers and non-dom loopholes. The promise to cut NHS waiting lists was one of the first steps for a Labour government set out by Sir Keir Starmer. The Tories repeated the claim that Labour will have to raise taxes to fill a 38.5bn hole in its spending commitments. Conservative Party chairman Richard Holden said: While Labour would increase your taxes, the Conservatives are making progress on cutting the NHS waiting lists, which have fallen by around 200,000 since September 2023, the biggest six-month fall in over 10 years outside the pandemic. Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives are sticking with the plan which is working, helping patients get the care they need more quickly so they can lead healthy and happy lives. 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 }} Wes Streeting has defended the Archbishop of Canterbury after he slammed the two-child benefit cap as cruel and urged Sir Keir Starmer to scrap it. Justin Welby said the limit, which restricts child benefit entitlement to two children per household, was neither moral nor necessary and it fell short of our values as a society. The prime minister has pledged to keep the policy if the Tories remain in power and Sir Keir has so far resisted calls to dump it. Tory MPs have hit out at church leaders for intervening in politics, but shadow health secretary Mr Streeting said he welcomed the comments. He told Sky News: I really welcome the Archbishop of Canterbury's intervention. You're never going to find, if there's a Labour government, politicians being sent out to attack the Archbishop of Canterbury for virtue signalling as Conservative MPs have done. It is literally his job, he is the one person in the country whose job it is to signal virtue. If the mission of the church is not to alleviate poverty and suffering, I don't know what is. Sir Keir said tackling child poverty was central to a Labour government but has so far resisted calls to scrap the policy ( Victoria Jones/PA Wire ) The two-child limit falls short of our values as a society. It denies the truth that all children are of equal and immeasurable worth, and will have an impact on their long-term health, wellbeing and educational outcomes, the Archbishop told The Observer. This cruel policy is neither moral nor necessary. We are a country that can and should provide for those most in need, following the example of Jesus Christ, who served the poorest in society. Sir Keir was challenged on his position over the policy, introduced by the Conservatives in 2017, when he launched his plan for Labours first steps in office on Thursday. He said tackling child poverty was central to an incoming Labour government but what I cant do is make promises that I cant deliver on. Earlier former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown lashed out at the inequities of the policy and said it should be scrapped before the next general election. Speaking to BBC Radio 4s Today programme, Mr Brown said the cap was condemning children to poverty. Former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown said the two-child benefit cap was condemning children to poverty ( PA Wire ) He said: The tragedy is we are now writing the future history of our country by neglecting children who we have condemned to poverty and not being able to have a decent start in life who are going to fail in the future. Mr Brown warned that the entire family, not just the third or fourth child, is affected by the two-child limit, with the average family being left 60 worse off each week. A family on low pay or a family that is struggling cannot afford to lose 60 a week. I think we have got to rethink that, he said. Just remember that poverty went up by about 600,000 in the last few years. It is going to continue to grow if we dont do something about these problems. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} British companies should ditch political activism and focus on delivering goods and services for customers, the UKs business secretary has said. Kemi Badenoch, who also works as Britains equalities minister, said there was a creeping politicisation of businesses and claimed equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives did more to divide than unify people. It comes as 50 per cent of people thought businesses were too concerned with taking political positions on contested issues, according to a survey by centre-right think-tank Policy Exchange. Up to 75 per cent also believed firms should hire on merit, regardless of race or gender, instead of seeking to create a diverse workforce. Policy Exchanges findings confirm what I know to be true from talking to people who run businesses, work in them, and buy from them, said Ms Badenoch. Kemi Badenoch said British companies should ditch political activism and focus on delivering goods and services ( PA ) The public want the focus of business to be on delivering great products and services, not activism or political causes which repel as many people as they attract. Overwhelmingly, people want companies to recruit on merit, selecting the best person for the job without regard to race or gender, rather than social engineering to create diverse teams, Ms Badenoch said. The report highlighted NatWests debanking row, ice cream brand Ben & Jerrys criticism of the UKs asylum policy, and coffee chain Costas mural showing a transgender person with mastectomy scars drinking a coffee as examples of politicisation of businesses. Policy Exchange senior research fellow Lara Brown added: Customers do not believe that businesses need to demonstrate commitment to progressive principles and do not make spending decisions based on the political statements of retailers. Employees are also negatively affected by the politicisation of business, with many sceptical about workplace schemes tailored towards equality, diversity and inclusion. The report cited Costa Coffees depiction of a transgender person drinking coffee as politicisation of business ( X/@JamesEsses ) The UK employs almost twice as many diversity and inclusion workers as any other country, with the job title head of diversity doubling globally between 2015 and 2020, according to LinkedIn data. The number with a director of diversity title grew 75 per cent, and chief diversity officer by 68 per cent across the world, the same data showed. Meanwhile, Britain is set to co-host two days of talks on AI safety, innovation and inclusivity in Seoul, South Korea, next week. Prime minister Rishi Sunak will host a virtual session of world leaders and tech bosses, while technology secretary Michelle Donelan will fly out to meet South Korean counterpart H.E. Lee Jong Ho for an in-person meeting. Companies due to participate include Anthropic, Microsoft, Mistral, Google DeepMind, OpenAI and Samsung. Other governments, academics and civil society groups are set to attend. A Whitehall source said: Britain continues to show global leadership on one of the defining technological and societal challenges of our age. Managed safely, AI will continue improving our quality of life and growing our economy. 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 }} Jeff Bezos Blue Origin has successfully launched six tourists, including the first Black man to train as an astronaut, to the edge of space. The 11-minute suborbital flight lifted off from Blue Origins base in West Texas just after 9.30am local time on Sunday morning, launching the passengers into zero gravity so they could experience weightlessness and view the Earths horizon. The rocket took them over Karman Line widely considered to be the border between the Earths atmosphere and outer space before the six new astronauts landed safely back in a western Texas desert. The journey marked the first time Blue Origin the space travel company owned by Amazon billionaire Bezos has sent passengers into space in two years, after a failed launch attempt in December 2022 prompted a hiatus. During that launch, the rocket had started to veer off course shortly after liftoff, prompting the escape system to kick in and catapult the capsule off the top. The capsule ultimately landed safely, but the rocket came crashing down to Earth. Two years on, Sundays flight was a success. A Blue Origin rocket takes off on 19 May with six passengers inside, including Ed Dwight, the first Black man to train as an astronaut ( BLUE ORIGIN/AFP via Getty Images ) On board the rocket was 90-year-old Ed Dwight, the first Black man to train as an astronaut. He was handpicked by the John F Kennedy White House to join the Aerospace Research Pilot School in 1961 after spending several years in the Air Force. While there, he faced racism from his colleagues including First Commandant of the school Chuck Yaeger, who died in 2020. They were all instructed to give me the cold shoulder, Mr Dwight said of his fellow trainees earlier this year. Yeager had a meeting with the students and the staff in the auditorium and announced it that Washington was trying to shove this N-word down our throats. Ed Dwight pictured sitting with the five people who will join him in space on Sunday. Mr Dwight, the first Black man to train to be an astronaut, trained at the Aerospace Research Pilot School in 1961 ( BLUE ORIGIN/AFP via Getty Images ) As the program went on, Mr Dwight became one of 26 people recommended by Air Force officials to join NASA. But when the space organisation released their list of chosen astronauts in 1963, Mr Dwight didnt make the cut, according to The Associated Press. After JFK was assassinated, Mr Dwight said that he thought his career as an astronaut was finished, according to The Wall Street Journal. Ed Dwight (centre) pictured with fellow trainees in 1963 at the Aerospace Research Pilot School. Mr Dwight retired from the Air Force in 1966 ( Getty Images ) He retired from the Air Force in 1966 and never made it into space until today. This is just fabulous, Mr Dwight said after landing back on Earth on Sunday. I thought I didnt need this in my lifebut I lied. I did. Mr Dwights son and grandchildren had planned to attend the launch. Ed Dwight pictured stepping off the Blue Origin spacecraft of Sunday. The 90-year-old was the first Black man to train as an astronaut but never made it into space until today ( BLUE ORIGIN/AFP via Getty Images ) Its really going to hit home for them what their grandfather has accomplished, Mr Dwights son told the Journal. I think its going to be one of those things like, Wow, that is my family, my forebears, that is going into space, something not many people have done. Alongside Mr Dwight, the five other space tourists were: venture capitalist Mason Angel; French entrepreneur Sylvain Chiron; software engineer and entrepreneur Kenneth L. Hess; retired accountant Carol Schaller; and aviator Gopi Thotakura. The Blue Origin space capsule carrying six passengers pictured parachuting to a safe landing on Sunday morning in Texas. The flight marked the first time since 2022 the company has sent people into space ( BLUE ORIGIN/AFP via Getty Images ) The capsule they flew in was, notably, a reusable spaceship. This capsule and todays flight has already flown to space eight times, officials with Space Origin said during a pre-flight livestream. 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 Los Angeles Public Health Department has identified an employee with a case of hepatitis A at a Whole Foods in Beverly Hills, California. Officials are investigating the matter and have not yet identified additional cases, the department said on Friday, from the store on N. Crescent Drive. Due to the employees responsibilities, customers who purchased products from the seafood counter section between 20 April and 13 May should seek a hepatitis A vaccine, the department announced. Receiving vaccination as soon as possible after exposure could help reduce the risk of developing hepatitis A infection, the department said. Hepatitis A is a liver infection that can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. In rare cases, the disease can be lethal, according to the department. Whole Foods will be working closely with the department to protect employees and customers, a spokesperson for the company told The Independent. The team member diagnosed is not working, and we are not aware of anyone else becoming ill, the spokesperson said. While we have strict food safety processes in place in our stores, we encourage anyone who believes they may have been exposed to follow the guidance of the health department. In 2022, a hepatitis outbreak left five children dead and more than 100 with severe liver disease across several states. The year prior, a New Jersey Starbucks employee who tested positive for hepatitis A may have exposed upwards of 1,000 people to the disease. In response, the state administered some 800 vaccines to people who may have been at risk. 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 cargo ship that crashed into Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge, triggering a horror collapse that killed six construction workers, will be removed from the Patapsco River within a matter of days, according to Maryland Governor Wes Moore. Mr Moore told Meet the Press anchor Kristin Welker that, almost two months on from the tragedy, officials are on track to reopening the channel and moving the Dali ship out. Im proud that were on track, that by the end of May well have that federal channel reopened, he said. And within days, were going to have that massive vessel, the Dali, out of that federal channel. Mr Moore noted the original estimate for extracting the ship was six to nine months. The Dali has been stuck in the Patapsco River since 26 March, when it lost power and crashed into the bridge. Seven construction workers were thrown from the bridge into the water, with one managing to escape from the water soon afterwards. The six others died. Since then, all 21 crew members of the ship have been trapped on board the vessel, cut off from the rest of the world with no access to their cellphones. Darrell Wilson, a spokesperson for Synergy Marine Group, which manages the Dali ship, previously told The Independent that the FBI had confiscated the crew members phones while they investigated the crash. The crew is made of 20 men from India and one from Sri Lanka. They have since been supplied with new phones to stay in touch with their families as they approach two months on board the vessel. Gwee Guo Dua, a representative of the Singapore Maritime Officers Union, said many crew members visas have expired since the crash. The organization is requesting that the men be granted shore leave and that the FBI return the mens phones as soon as possible. He said that the probe has led to a declining morale among the crew members. The Dali, pictured on 12 May, still remains in the Patapsco River after it crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March ( Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved ) 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 have supplies. 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. National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said the amount of time the men have spent on the ship is unprecedented. 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 }} Elon Musk reportedly fired virtually all of Teslas Supercharger vehicle charging team after a presentation and argument with a top executive. Mr Musk made the decision to fire most of the personnel on the 500-member team after a meeting with charging chief Rebecca Tinucci, according to anonymous company sources who spoke with Reuters. During the meeting, Ms Tinucci reportedly pushed back against Mr Muskss calls for deep cuts to the charging team. He reportedly responded by ordering the mass firings, part of a larger round of layoffs at the EV company as the company struggles with declining profits and increased competition. The Independent has contacted Tesla for comment. Since then, the company has begun quietly rehiring some members of the Supercharger team. Following a decade of investment, Teslas network of rapid charging stations now includes more than 6,200 facilities across the world, and formed a core part of Teslas sales pitch to customers, promising to match the scope and convenience of conventional refueling infrastructure for gasoline-powered cars. The cuts at the Supercharger team could throw a wrench in the works of the companys larger plans. Scores of automakers have signed agreements for their EVs to be compatible with the Supercharger network, set to take effect this year. In a post earlier this month, Mr Musk promised continued investment in Superchargers. Tesla will spend well over $500M expanding our Supercharger network to create thousands of NEW chargers this year, he wrote on X. Thats just on new sites and expansions, not counting operations costs, which are much higher. Company insiders, however, told Reuters that contractors and municipal governments whod made long-term plans based on the Supercharger network were frustrated with the firings. Its just unfortunate that now theyre stuck holding the bag on all these different projects, a former employee told the wire service. Its really sad to see all these relationships burned and people be really angry - rightfully so. 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 }} Disturbing footage has captured New York Police Department officers slamming a pro-Gaza protester to the ground and appearing to repeatedly punch him. In two separate videos posted on X, several officers are seen tackling the protester, holding him by the neck and then hitting him. Next to him, a different officer is seen slamming a second protester into the ground before holding him there with his body weight. The officer then appears to press the protesters head into the ground. Officers are heard repeatedly telling the surrounding crowd, including the videographers capturing the encounters, to back up. Peter Hambrecht, one of the videographers, said that one of the protesters was bleeding from the head as officers escorted them to a police van. Moments before the physical altercation with the officers, footage shows demonstrators carrying a banner across the street. They did not appear to be interacting with law enforcement. A New York Police Department officer pictured punching an anti-war demonstrator during a protest in Brooklyn on 18 March ( Katie Smith ) The Independent has contacted the New York Police Department for comment. The incidents came as demonstrators took to the streets of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, on Saturday for a protest marking the 76th anniversary of the Nabka, when some 700,000 Palestinians were driven from or fled their homes during the Arab-Israeli war soon after Israel was established. That mass eviction created a community of six million refugees living in camps in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, The Associated Press reported. The Nabka refugees and their descendants make up some 75 per cent of Gazas population. At the protest in Bay Ridge, organised by pro-Palestine advocacy organisation Within our Lifetime, officials said that 40 arrests were made. The New York American Civil Liberties Union condemned the police response at the protest. The aggressive escalation by the NYPDs Strategic Response Group yesterday in Bay Ridge was a violation of New Yorkers right to speak out and risks chilling political expression, the civil rights advocacy organisation said in a statement. Nerdeen Kiswani, founder of Within Our Lifetime, told The New York Times that police were indiscriminately grabbing people off the street and sidewalk. Police used similar physical force with several other protesters on Saturday, the Times reported. Protests took place all across the US, including in the nations capital, to commemorate the Nabka this weekend. Police and anti-war protesters clash in Brooklyn, New York during a demonstration on 18 May organised for the 76th anniversary of the Nabka ( REUTERS ) New York Police Department officers arrest a demonstrator during the protest in Brooklyn on 18 May ( REUTERS ) This comes as Palestinian officials say that Israels offensive in Gaza has killed at least 35,000 people, many of them women and children. The United Nations and other international organisations have accused Israel of creating a man-made famine in Gaza. However, Israel denies these accusations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisting that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) is simply responding to the 7 October attacks, when Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis and took over 250 hostages. 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 }} Jerry Seinfeld has been disrupted on stage by pro-Gazaprotesters for a second time, with a heckler yelling out during his stand-up gig comedy show in Norfolk, New Jersey, on Saturday night. Video footage shows at least one protester standing up at the show and shouting towards the stage as the comedian delivered his set. Other attendees are then seen surrounding and confronting the protester before he is escorted out. The crowd is heard cheering and chanting: Jerry! The incident marked the second time that Seinfeld has been confronted by protesters, rallying against Israels war on Gaza. Earlier this month, dozens of students walked out as the comedian delivered the commencement speech at Duke University. Videos show students leaving the stadium in North Carolina to protest Israels war in Gaza at the same moment that Duke President Vincent Price introduces Seinfeld. Some students are heard booing as they wave Palestinian flags, while others cheer: Jerry! Jerry! The comedian, who was receiving an honorary degree from Duke, largely stayed away from the issue during his speech. At one point, he mentioned his Jewish heritage which was met with applause from the crowd. I grew up a Jewish boy from New York, he said. That is a privilege if you want to be a comedian. Jerry Seinfeld spoke at the Duke University graduation ceremony last week. Gaza protesters walked out during the ceremony ( Bill Snead/Duke University ) Outside Dukes stadium, Gaza-supporting students chanted: Disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest. The famous comedian has publicly supported Israel following the 7 October attack, where Hamas militants killed 1,200 Israelis and took another 250 hostage. In December, Seinfeld travelled to a kibbutz to meet with hostages families. He also signed an open letter in support of Israel. Its been a rare moment of public activism from the comedian,The New York Times reported. Since the October 7 attacks and the launch of Israels war on Gaza, at least 35,000 Palestinian people are believed to have been killed. The United Nations and other international agencies have accused Israel of creating man-made famine conditions in Gaza something that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denies. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} President Joe Biden called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and voiced his support for student protesters as he delivered the commencement address at one of the nations oldest historically Black colleges, Morehouse. The president appeared on stage at Morehouse College on Sunday morning, to deliver a speech that placed him in the most direct fire to date from college students protesting against Israels actions in Gaza in campuses across the country. Mr Biden spent much of the address speaking about the conflict in the Middle East while also trying to connect with Black voters ahead of the 2024 election decrying the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and saying that the voices of protestersshould be heard. I support peaceful, non-violent protest, Mr Biden told the graduating class of seniors. Your voices should be heard. And I promise you, I hear them. What's happening in Gaza and Israel is heartbreaking, said the president. Innocent Palestinians caught in the middle of this, men, women and children killed or displaced, in desperate need of food and water. It's a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. That's why I've called for an immediate ceasefire, to stop the fighting, he added. Bring the hostages home. Mr Bidens speech was punctuated by cheers at a few points, including after he called for a ceasefire in the fighting between Israel and Hamas. President Joe Biden speaks at the Morehouse College Commencement on May 19, 2024 in Atlanta ( Getty Images ) The Biden administration had reportedly feared that the presidents speech would be derailed by protesters after walkouts and demonstrations during several graduations and commencements in recent weeks and Morehouses administration had warned against disrupting the event. When he began speaking, one student held up a Palestinian flag and a handful turned their chairs away from him. One faculty member was seen turning her back to him and raising a fist, while standing in silent protest. But his remarks were not interrupted, with the event running smoothly. Some graduates and faculty instead told local media outlets that they opposed the colleges dean bestowing an honorary degree on the president as the fighting continues in Gaza with US support. More than 35,000 Palestinians are presumed to have been killed by Israeli strikes since the fighting began last October. As Biden spoke at @Morehouse, at least one faculty member silently protested. Standing on the back row of the faculty section, she turned her back to the president while raising her right hand in a fist. pic.twitter.com/ky9aYxvWku Ernie Suggs (@erniesuggs) May 19, 2024 Speaking before Mr Biden, valedictorian DeAngelo DJ Fletcher urged leaders to seek an immediate and permanent cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and for the return of hostages held by Hamas. Others protested outside of the event itself. It is a shame to give an honorary degree to someone who is supporting financially, publicly genocide in Gaza, professor Cynthia Hewitt told WSB-TV in Atlanta. The address to Morehouse graduates served a dual purpose for the president it allowed him to address one of his key constituencies, younger Black Americans, in a state where he is set to have a major showdown with Donald Trump in November: Georgia. The southern state will be one of several major battlegrounds this election cycle after Mr Biden won it in 2020. One of several states where the former president sought to overturn the results of the election without real proof of fraud or wrongdoing, Georgia is also preparing for one of the former presidents three upcoming criminal trials, with the fourth already underway in New York. Mr Biden spoke of the challenges facing Black Americans, pointing to the murder of George Floyd and the Republican efforts to erase Black history through book bans. They dont make history they erase it, he said. We know Black history is American history. He added: I never thought Id be president at a time when theres a national movement to ban books. Its natural to wonder: Does the democracy you hear about actually work for you? he asked, adding that the US must continue to call out the poison of white supremacy, root out systemic racism. NOW: Protesters approaching #Morehouse where Biden is speaking for commencement despite student and alumni outcry. Cops on bikes have been trailing for a while. #Atlanta pic.twitter.com/k9x7gOT2Yr Fiza Pirani (@fizapirani) May 19, 2024 Pointing to his predecessors allegedly criminal attempts to cling to power and the January 6 Capitol riot, he linked it directly to the anger perpetuated by white supremacists on the far right. His evidence for this link were the racist chants endured by Capitol police officers on January 6 2021, many of whom reported and recorded video on their bodycams of rioters screaming racial slurs. Black police officers, Black veterans protecting the Capitol [on January 6] were called another word, as you recall, Mr Biden reminded the crowd. The speech echoed many themes of his 2024 re-election campaign efforts, though it also delved deeply into themes of faith and family as he spoke about the deaths of his first wife and daughter in a car crash. Mr Bidens remarks came just days after his campaign accepted offers for two debates with Mr Trump the first due to take place in June. 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 }} Joe Biden spoke to Morehouse College graduates during a commencement ceremony on Sunday 19 May. Israels invasion of Gaza in response to the 7 October Hamas attack, youth discontent with the Democratic incumbent and a close 2024 race have contributed to an unusually high profile for what in other years and on other campuses is normally a platitude-laden speech of encouragement for new graduates. This year, Mr Biden tried for buzz-worthy, breakthrough moments to sell his vision to jaded voters who approve of his policies but are not sold on the 81-year-old candidate himself. Campaign officials have flagged signs of diminished enthusiasm among younger Black men in particular. Mr Biden worked with senior aides on his speech for Morehouse, the mens college founded in 1867 to educate Black people newly liberated from slavery, and whose alumni includes the civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. The US president has lavished attention on historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), directed billions in extra funding to them and praised them as tools of enhanced economic mobility. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Missouri candidate for governor with reported ties to the Ku Klux Klan will remain on the ballot despite his own partys efforts to oust him, a state judge has ruled. The states Republican party sued to stop Darrell McClanahan from appearing on the GOP primary ballot this August. The Missouri GOP initially accepted him into the party but later denounced Mr McClanahan after discovering photos of him making the Nazi salute, the Associated Press reports. On Friday, Cole County Circuit Court Judge Cotton Walker ruled that he can participate in the gubernatorial race. Darrell McClanahan, pictured, will remain on the Missouri primary ballot after the GOP sued to remove him when they discovered photos of him doing a Nazi salute ( Darrell McClanahan ) Mr McClanahans attorney Dave Roland said the ruling ensures that party leaders do not have almost unlimited discretion to choose whos going to be allowed on a primary ballot, according to The Guardian. The candidate also has ties to the KKK, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). The organisation said in 2022 that Mr McClanahan adheres to the religious sect Christian Identity, which espouses racist and antisemitic beliefs and is heavily influenced by the KKK. Mr McClanahan later sued the organisation for their 2022 article but his case was dismissed. Mr McClanahan also posted a membership card in 2019 to the League of the South, a white supremacy group that advocates for the southern US to secede, according to the ADL. This isnt the candidates first time vying for office. Mr McClanahan ran in the states US Senate primary in 2022. He lost, receiving less than 1 per cent of votes. The gubernatorial candidate described himself as pro-white but rejected ADLs claims he was racist or antisemitic. He also said he never joined the KKK, claiming he only received a one-year honorary membership. He faces several primary challengers this summer as Republican Governor Mike Parson finishes his final term in office. Another far-right GOP candidate in Missouri also sparked controversy this week. Valentina Gomez, who is running for Missouris Secretary of State, posted a video on Sunday disparaging the LGBTQ+ community. In America, you can be anything you want, she said. Dont be weak and gay. Stay f****** hard. The video then cuts to a photo of Ms Gomez holding a gun. The video prompted immediate backlash, with users mocking the bizarre video and condemning the anti-LGBTQ+ statement. Earlier this year, Ms Gomez posted a video of her using a flamethrower to burn LGBTQ-themed books. X restricted the video soon afterward, stating it may violate Xs rules against Hateful Conduct. 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 }} Democratic Rep Jasmine Crockett is standing by her now-viral comments about Marjorie Taylor Greene during an explosive hearing on the House floor on Thursday night. Ms Crockett, who represents Texas, got into a fiery exchange with the MAGA lawmaker that culminated in her throwing an insult about a bleach blond, bad-built butch body in Ms Greenes direction. The remark came after Ms Greene insulted Ms Crocketts fake eyelashes. When CNNs Jake Tapper asked Ms Crockett if she regretted her comments on State of the Union on Sunday morning, her answer was clear. I dont. Because, heres the thing, I signed up to be a member of Congress, Ms Crockett said. That didnt mean I was supposed to walk into a position where Im going to walk in and be disrespected. The problem with MAGA is that MAGA does not respect rules, nor do they respect the law, she continued, referring to Ms Greenes affiliation with the far-right and Donald Trumps MAGA platform. Ms Crockett also took a jab at the gang of House republicans who attended Mr Trumps hush money trial in Manhattan on Thursday just hours before the testy House Oversight Committee hearing that night. That is exactly why they're all running up to Trump's trial, because he's in trouble, not because of some big conspiracy by the administration, she said. On Friday, top Democrat Jamie Raskin claimed that some of those Republicans may have been drinking on the trip. There was drinking going on in the hearing room on the Republican side, he told The Hill on Friday. You had a bunch of members who had skipped legislative votes yesterday in order to go to Donald Trumps trial...I dont even want to imagine how much drinking was taking place on the train or up in New York. Jasmine Crockett appears on State of the Union on Sunday to stand by her comments ( CNN ) Mr Raskin also called for an investigation into the potential involvement of alcohol. The Republicans who showed up at Mr Trumps trial on Thursday included Lauren Boebert, Andy Biggs, Michael Cloud, Eli Crane, Matt Gaetz, Bob Good, Diana Harshbarger, Anna Paulina Luna, Ralph Norman and Andy Ogles. Mr Gaetz told The Independent on Saturday that he did not travel with the group to New York and did not observe any drinking. The Independent has previously contacted the other lawmakers who attended the trial on Thursday for comment. The furor between Ms Crockett and Ms Greene come during what was supposed to be a House hearing to determine if US Attorney General Merrick Garland could be held in contempt of Congress. Id like to know if any Democrats on the committee are employing Judge [Juan] Merchans daughter? Ms Greene asked moments before the hearing devolved into chaos. Judge Juan Merchan is currently presiding over Mr Trumps hush money trial in New York. The former president and other Republicans have repeatedly attacked both the judge and his daughter due to her past work for Democrats. From left to right, Representatives Anna Paulina Luna, Andy Ogles, Matt Gaetz, Andy Biggs, and Lauren Boebert stand outside the Manhattan criminal court on Thursday to support Donald Trump at his hush money trial ( AP ) Please tell me what that has to do with Merrick Garland, Ms Crockett asked. Do you know what were here for? I dont think you know what youre here for, Ms Greene responded. I think your fake eyelashes are messing up what youre reading. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive Democrat from New York, interjected calling out the MAGA lawmaker for her comments. How dare you attack the physical appearance of another person, she said. Ms Greene then taunted Ms Ocasio-Cortez, asking if her feelings had been hurt. Marjorie Taylor Greene clashes with AOC during House Oversight Committee hearing Oh girl, oh baby girl, dont even play, Ms Ocasio-Cortez responded. When Chairman James Comer ruled that Ms Greenes comments did not violate House rules, Ms Crockett responded with her now-infamous words. If someone on this committee then starts talking about somebodys bleach blond, bad-built butch body, that would not be engaging in personalities, correct? she asked the chairman. Now, Ms Crockett is launching a merch line to commemorate her viral comment and raise funds for Democratic campaigns. In a post on X, Ms Crockett announced her new venture, selling merch that will feature random things Ive said, including a t-shirt with the slogan: Bleach blond bad built butch body. This collection will feature various swag that includes random things Ive said, she wrote on X. The money will go to ensuring that we have a Democratic House! Give me a little time to really get the swag online etc., but B6 will drop first. 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 Giulianis 80th birthday bash was anything but dull. The former New York City mayor and lawyer for Donald Trump held a party at a home in Palm, Beach Florida to celebrate on Friday, where he served cake and posed for photos. Mr Giuliani was also filmed belting out Frank Sinatras classic New York, New York to cheers from guests. But after the celebration wound down, Mr Giuliani was met by two officials from the Arizona Attorney Generals office who served him with an indictment. Rudy Giuliani (right), pictured on Friday singing New York, New York at his 80th birthday party before being served an indictment accusing him of 2020 election interference ( Rudy W. Giuliani/Americas Mayor Live (E410) ) The mayor was served after the party and as he was walking to the car. He was unfazed and enjoyed an incredible evening with hundreds of people, from all walks of life, who love and respect him for his contributions to society. We look forward to full vindication soon, Ted Goodman, spokesperson for Mr Giuliani, said in a statement to The Independent. Arizona officials had been trying to track the former mayor down for weeks after a grand jury in the state issued an indictment. Mr Giuliani faces charges alongside 17 others for his alleged role in a 2020 election interference plot . He was the last to receive the papers. A spokesperson for Mr Giuliani also previously suggested that he wasnt difficult to find. We are LIVE every night, where we regularly announce our specific location, the spokesperson said, referencing his live broadcasts on YouTube. The Arizona indictment accuses defendants of interfering with the lawful transfer of the presidency of the United States, keeping President Donald J Trump in office against the will of Arizona voters, and depriving Arizona voters of their right to vote and have their votes counted. Mayor Rudy Giulianione of the most effective prosecutors in American history who took down the Mafia, cleaned up the streets of New York and locked up corrupt public officialsis proud to stand up for the countless Americans who raised legitimate concerns surrounding the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election, a spokesperson for Mr Giuliani previously told The Independent. Mr Giulianis 80th birthday soirees - which took place in Palm Beach and New York - had their own gift registry where he asked for items such as an electric razor and Giorgio Armani cologne, according to Page Six. Rudy Giuliani, pictured leaving the U.S. District Courthouse after he was ordered to pay $148m in a defamation case, has since filed for bankruptcy ( REUTERS ) These asks come as he grapples with bankruptcy and $148m in debt. The former New York mayor declared bankruptcy in December after being ordered to pay the judgment sum to two election workers after he pushed a baseless conspiracy over their part in the 2020 election. He has subsequently missed deadlines to file financial disclosures. The judge in charge of his bankruptcy case said that he was disturbed that so little progress had been achieved in sorting out his finances earlier this week. On Tuesday, the judge blocked Mr Giuliani from appealing a $148m defamation judgment against him. Now, Mr Giuliani appears to have started a coffee business amid his financial troubles. Rudy.Coffee offers three styles of coffee beans, and the first 100 bags are signed by the former mayor. The three variations come with tag lines such as fighting for justice with an image of Mr Giuliani from his time as US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and enjoying life, with an image of a flip-flop-wearing Mr Guiliani sitting on a beach. This article has been updated with a response from Mr Giulianis spokesperson. 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 }} Marta Moehring voted the way she prefers in Nebraskas Republican primary Tuesday in person, at her west Omaha polling place. She didnt even consider taking advantage of the states no-excuse mail-in ballot process. In fact, she would prefer to do away with mail-in voting altogether. Shes convinced fraudulent mailed ballots cost former President Donald Trump a second term in 2020. I dont trust it in general, Moehring, 62, said. I dont think theyre counted correctly. But now Republican officials even, sometimes, Trump are encouraging voters such as Moehring to cast their ballots by mail. The GOP has launched an effort to, in the words of one official, correct the narrative on mail voting and get those who were turned off to it by Trump to reconsider for this years election. The push is a striking change for a party that amplified dark rumors about mail ballots to explain away Trumps 2020 loss, but it is also seen as a necessary course correction for an election this year that is likely to be decided by razor-thin margins in a handful of swing states. We have to get right on using these mail-in ballots for the people who cant get there on Election Day, Rep. Scott Perry, one of Trumps strongest congressional allies in his push to overturn the 2020 election, said at a conservative gathering in his home state of Pennsylvania. Republicans once were at least as likely as Democrats to vote by mail, but Trump changed the dynamics in 2020. He preemptively began to argue that mail balloting was bad months before voting began in the presidential race. That alarmed GOP strategists who saw mail voting as an advantage in campaigns because it lets them bank unreliable votes before Election Day and lowers the risk of turnout plummeting because of bad weather or other unpredictable factors at the polls. Trumps own campaign tried to sell Republicans on casting ballots by mail, but his voters listened to the then-president. In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Democrats were vastly more likely to cast ballots by mail than Republicans. The trend continued in 2022, and its costs were starkly illustrated in Arizona. Three top-of-the-ticket Republican candidates there who echoed Trumps lies about the unreliability of mail ballots encouraged their supporters to vote in person on Election Day. An election machine meltdown that day in one-third of the polling places in the states most populous county led to huge lines and some would-be voters departing in frustration. The three top Republicans all lost, including falling 17,000 votes short in the governors race and 500 votes short in the one for attorney general. This time, Republicans say theyre not going to risk leaving ballots behind. Trumps handpicked chair of the Republican National Committee, his daughter-in-law Lara Trump, has vowed to embrace all sorts of legal election methods to boost turnout that Trump falsely blamed for his 2020 loss, including so-called ballot harvesting letting people turn in mail ballots on the behalf of other voters. In this election cycle, Republicans will beat Democrats at their own game, by leveraging every legal tactic at our disposal based on the rules of each state, Lara Trump said in an interview with The Associated Press. Turning Point Action, a prominent, pro-Trump group, is launching a $100 million campaign to reach infrequent voters in the swing states of Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin. That will include offering mail voting as one way to make casting a ballot easier, spokesman Andrew Kolvet said. Wed love for elections to be run the way they were before, Kolvet said. We can spend our time complaining about it or we can get in gear and play by the rules that Democrats, or largely Democrats, used. Even Trump himself has started to recommend mail voting, though he frequently bashes it during campaign events and blames it for his 2020 loss. The RNC is also continuing to file lawsuits against various aspects of mail voting around the country. Nonetheless, Trump recorded a short video telling his supporters that absentee voting, early voting and Election Day voting are all good options. One recent push to publicize mail voting came during last months Pennsylvania primary, when the Republican State Legislative Committee teamed up with a committee supporting the partys Senate candidate and the state GOP. The goal, said RSLC political director Max Docksey, was to correct the narrative among Republican voters on mail voting. The effort was inspired by what the RSLC saw as a successful effort to increase mail voting among Republicans in the battle for control of the Virginia Legislature in 2023, a fight ultimately won by the Democrats. The group sent mail ballot applications to 1.5 million GOP voters, sent 475,000 text messages encouraging mail voting and touted the benefits of mail voting at party gatherings. But at the same time, Pennsylvania Republicans have sued to force the states mail ballots to be counted at polling places rather than the county election offices, which have the equipment and space to do the job, Thats among many lawsuits targeting mail voting filed by Republicans around the country since 2020. The conflicting messages could make it challenging to swiftly reverse the drop-off in mail voting among Republicans. In Pennsylvania, Republican operatives were pleased with their effort, which they said led to them adding nearly twice as many voters to the states mail ballot list as Democrats did during the primary. But the overall share of Pennsylvania mail ballots sent by Republicans remained about the same as in 2020, at only one-quarter of overall ballots, according to data from the secretary of states office. Bill Bretz, chairman of the Westmoreland County Republican Party in the western side of the state, said hes noticed voters in his conservative area slowly but steadily warming up to mail voting. People understand the consequences of this election, he said. Theres a lot of buy-in to vote by any method available, and the vote-by-mail bogeyman is beginning to fade. __ Riccardi reported from Denver and Beck from Omaha, Nebraska. Associated Press writers Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Martha Mendoza in Santa Cruz, 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 almost certainly will not testify in his criminal hush money trial as the case heads towards jury deliberations later this week, according to sources. Four people close to the former president told The Washington Post on Sunday that it is unlikely that the former president will take the stand to defend himself from 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in a bid to cover up a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. Mr Trumps abstention from testimony may hardly be a surprise. Despite his boastful assertations that he would testify (as recently as last month), the former presidents own legal team is widely thought to consider that route to be a mistake. Ty Cobb, the presidents former White House counsel, even went as far as saying that if he was still Mr Trumps attorney he would threaten to resign if he went forward with his desires to testify. Mr Trump has repeatedly toyed with the idea of taking the stand in his first criminal trial. Days before the trial began, he said he absolutely planned to do so. Yeah, I would testify, absolutely, he said at a press conference in Palm Beach. Im testifying. I tell the truth, I mean, all I can do is tell the truth. And the truth is that there is no case, he added. Donald Trump appears in court for his criminal fraud trial on 16 May 2024 ( Getty Images ) But later, after sitting through seven days of the trial, Mr Trump appeared to get cold feet. Calling into right-wing network Newsmax, he was asked if he still planned to testify based on what he had seen so far in the courtroom. Appearing much more hesitant, Mr Trump responded: Well I would if its necessary. Right now, I dont know if you heard about today. Today was just incredible. People are saying the experts, Im talking about legal scholars and experts theyre saying, What kind of a case is this? There is no case. The former presidents team must let the judge know for definite on Monday when the prosecution is expected to wrap up its case. While he may not take the witness stand in this trial, as a criminal defendant, the former president has had to show up for court every day (albeit seemingly unconsciously at some points) and sit through the testimony of a number of former associates, including former White House communications director Hope Hicks, his former fixer and attorney, Michael Cohen, and Ms Daniels. During the trial, he has been reprimanded mutliple times by Judge Juan Merchan for breaking the gag order in the case at least 10 times. The former president has also been reprimanded for swearing in court during the testimony of various witnesses. Meanwhile, his Manhattan courtroom has become something of a pilgrimage site for MAGA Republicans and VP-wannabes like Vivek Ramaswamy, Lauren Boebert, Matt Gaetz and others. The former president is accused of 34 charges of falsifying business records over a hush money payment made to Ms Daniels to stop her coming forward about an alleged 2006 affair while he ran for the White House in 2016. The New York trial is the first of four criminal cases he faces including charges of illegal retention and mishandling of classified materials as well as his efforts to overturn the 2020 election based on lies and conspiracies about election fraud. Legal analysts have grown increasingly uncertain that any of the others will make it to court before voters head to the polls this fall. The outcome of his New York trial could be pivotal for the election as sizable groups of independent voters and even some Republicans have said they would not vote for the ex-president were he to be convicted of a felony before November. 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 pledged to roll back gun regulations put in place under President Joe Biden during a lengthy speech to the National Rifle Association convention on Saturday, where the gun group endorsed him for the 2024 election. Speaking to thousands of members of the NRA at the groups annual leadership forum in Dallas after arriving on stage more than two hours late the presumptive Republican presidential nominee gave away little in the way of policy plans yet urged gun owners to get to the polls in November. Weve got to get gun owners to vote, the former president said in one of his trademark rambling speeches, covering everything from his criminal trials to trade and immigration across more than 90 minutes. I think youre a rebellious bunch. But lets be rebellious and vote this time, Mr Trump said. Claiming the Second Amendment is very much on the ballot in November, the former president alleged that, if Mr Biden gets four more years, they are coming for your guns, 100 per cent certain. He added: Crooked Joe has a 40-year-record of trying to rip firearms out of the hands of law-abiding citizens. In my second term, we will roll back every Biden attack on the Second Amendment. The attacks are coming fast and furious, Mr Trump said. Mr Bidens pledge to walk back gun control measures comes as the US faces record numbers of deaths due to mass shootings. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there were 656 mass shootings in 2023 and a total of 18,854 deaths from firearms in addition to 36,338 injuries, making it one of the deadliest years on record. The worst year was 2021 when there were 689 mass shootings. With gun violence on the rise, the Biden administration has taken a number of new steps to try and curb it. One new rule aims to close a loophole that has allowed tens of thousands of guns to be sold every year by unlicensed dealers who do not perform background checks. Former President Donald Trump speaks during the National Rifle Association Convention in Dallas on 18 May 2024 ( AP ) Following Saturdays speech, the Biden campaign accused Mr Trump of prioritising the desires of the gun lobby over public safety. Tonight, Donald Trump confirmed that he will do exactly what the NRA tells him to do even if it means more death, more shootings, and more suffering, Biden campaign spokesperson Ammar Moussa said. Mr Biden has criticised Mr Trump previously for his stance on gun control, specifically for remarks that he made earlier this year after a school shooting in Iowa. The former president called the incident very terrible only to later say that we have to get over it. We have to move forward. Earlier on Saturday, the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee announced the creation of a new Gun Owners for Trump coalition that includes gun rights activists and those who work in the firearms industry. Randy Kozuch, executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, then gave Mr Trump the groups endorsement. In addition to attacking Mr Biden on stage, Mr Trump also unleashed attacks on independent presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr who is running a distant third and siphoning off votes from both frontrunners. Donald Trump finally speaks at the NRA convention after showing up hours late ( REUTERS ) The former president called RFK Jr radical left and a disaster before reminding the audience that the independent candidate had once called the NRA a terror group. Dont think about it. Dont waste your vote, he said. He calls you a terrorist group, and I call you the backbone of America. RFK Jr has since walked back those comments, telling Fox News he doesnt remember the 2018 tweet in which he made those remarks and insisting he supports the Second Amendment the right to bear arms. Polling shows that while gun regulations are a divisive issue, a strong majority of Americans support at least some limits. In a March Reuters/Ipsos survey, 53 per cent of respondents said the government should regulate gun ownership, while 38 per cent disagreed. Among Republicans, only 35 per cent said the government should be involved. With reporting from agencies 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 }} Republican Senator Marco Rubio dodged questions about whether he would accept the results of the 2024 presidential election and left open the possibility of the outcome being mired in fraud in an appearance on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday. The Florida senator once derided by Donald Trump as little Marco is now among a handful of prominent Republicans thought to be on the former presidents shortlist to join him as a running mate in November. Mr Rubio, one of Mr Trumps more vocal defenders in the Senate, has previously said that he would be honored to accept the position. On Sunday, he was peppered with questions by NBCs Kristen Welker as to whether his loyality to the former president means he will question the validity of the election results if President Joe Biden remains in the White House. Will you accept the election results of 2024 no matter what happens? Ms Welker asked Mr Rubio. No matter what happens? No, if it's an unfair election, replied the senator. Ms Welker continued to press him. Senator, no matter who wins, she asked, inferring that the results are presumed to be fair in her hypothetical. Marco Rubio appears on Meet the Press on Sunday 19 May ( NBC ) Mr Rubio refused to say that he would. I think you're asking the wrong person, he said. The Democrats are the ones who have opposed every Republican victory since 2000. The refrain is a common one among Republicans who have sought to draw parallels between the odd disgruntled Democrat making remarks questioning the integrity of various races and the wide-ranging effort by the Trump campaign in 2020 to actually overturn the election results. Mr Trump and his campaign engaged in a months-long effort to spread false conspiracies about the election results in the fall and winter of 2020 and sought to overturn the presidents defeat in several key battleground states. Some of those efforts by Mr Trump and his allies have led to criminal charges. Mr Trump himself faces four criminal cases, two of them one in Georgia and one federal linked to those efforts to halt the peaceful transfer of power in 2020. WATCH: Will you accept the results of the 2024 no matter who wins? @kwelkernbc asks.@SenMarcoRubio (R-Fla): "No matter what happens? No, if it's an unfair election." Welker: "Senator, no matter who wins." Rubio: "I think you're asking the wrong person." pic.twitter.com/COUL2MvPm9 Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) May 19, 2024 On January 6 2021 the day of the Capitol riot Mr Rubio voted to certify the results of the 2020 election and pushed back on some of the outlandish claims of fraud made by the presidents campaign. But later, Mr Rubio backtracked, deriding the effort to investigate the attack as a partisan scam and defending the majority of the GOPs voting base that has doubts about the veracity of this election. Now, he appears to be fancying his chances as Mr Trumps running mate, on a rumoured shortlist that includes the likes of Vivek Ramaswamy, Tim Scott, Doug Burgum and Elise Stefanik. I think anybody who would be offered that should be honored, he told Fox News in March about the possibility of joining Mr Trump on the ballot. Anybody who would be offered the chance to serve their country as vice president should consider that an honor. Mr Rubio ran against Mr Trump for the Republican nomination in 2016, sparking a bitter feud between the two men which ended after the Florida senator bowed out of the race and metaphorically bent the knee to his onetime rival. He spent four years of the Trump administration in the Senate where he served as a quiet ally of the White House who only rarely raised his voice in criticism. Close Mourners surround truck carrying remains of Iran president 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 funeral procession for the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi took place in the city of Tabriz on Tuesday, close to the site where his helicopter crashed on Sunday afternoon. Tens of thousands of people turned out for the event in the capital of the Iranian province of East Azerbaijan, expected to be one of several processions across the country over the coming weeks. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is expected to lead congregational funeral prayers in Tehran after another procession in the holy city of Qom. Despite the vast turnout, mourning across the country for the hardline leader has been muted. Raisi, nicknamed the Butcher of Tehran for his role in executing anti-regime protesters in the 1980s, also presided over a vicious crackdown against further protest in 2022 and last year. US State department spokesperson Matt Miller said Raisi has blood on his hands for his involvement in suppressing dissent. He described the former hardline cleric as a brutal participant in the repression of the Iranian people for nearly four decades. 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 }} Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi, 63, died alongside Irans foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and two senior local officials on board the helicopter on 19 May. Raisi was confirmed dead after hours of frantic searching through a foggy mountainous region. Irans interior minister Ahmed Vahidi confirmed earlier to state TV that one of the helicopters in a convoy carrying President Raisi, 63, suffered a hard landing adding that rescue teams struggled to reach the site due to ongoing difficult weather conditions. The confirmation of Mr Raisis death came through state TV and a government-run news agency early on Monday morning. On Sunday night, Iranians had been urged to collectively pray for their president, while state TV aired prayers for his safety as well as showing worshipers praying for his health in the holy city of Mashhad. An event taking place to mark the death of Raisi in London on Friday ended in a clash between pro-Iran supporters and anti-Iranian government protesters With tributes and reactions pouring in from other countries around the world, heres what we know about Mr Raisi and his time in office. Rise to power Born to a conservative family in eastern Iran, Raisi studied theology at the seminaries in Qom. He was a teenager when the countrys popular revolution established Iran as a theocracy, but he quickly became an enthusiastic participant in enforcing the vision of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. Irans President Ebrahim Raisi said they will respond strongly to US attacks ( Iranian Presidency/AFP via Getty ) At 21 years old, Raisi began serving as a prosecutor, pursuing politically charged cases in the cities of Karaj and Hamadan. He gained a reputation as one of the regimes most severe figures a young, brash ideologue, willing to get his hands dirty. Within a few years, Raisi was appointed as a judge, a rapid rise that was stunning to Iranians and led to years of questions about his professional credentials. Raisi also faces sanctions from the US and other nations over his involvement in the mass execution of prisoners in 1988. A protester places flowers on a photograph of an executed man during a demonstration to protest against the inaugeration Ebrahim Raisi in London in 2021 ( AFP via Getty Images ) Raisi was defiant when asked at a news conference after his election about the 1988 executions, which saw sham retrials of political prisoners, militants and others that would become known as death commissions at the end of the bloody Iran-Iraq war. Raisi served on the commissions where international rights groups estimate that as many as 5,000 people were executed. He ran unsuccessfully for president in 2017 against Hassan Rouhani, the relatively moderate cleric who as president reached Tehrans 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. In 2021, Raisi ran again in an election that saw all of his potentially prominent opponents barred from running under Irans vetting system. He swept nearly 62 per cent of the 28.9 million votes, the lowest turnout by percentage in the Islamic Republics history. Millions stayed home and others voided ballots. Raisi served on the commissions where international rights groups estimate that as many as 5,000 people were executed ( Uzbekistan's President Press Office ) Time in office Since taking office 2021, Raisi has ordered a tightening of morality laws, overseen a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests and pushed hard in nuclear talks with world powers. He has supported the countrys security services as they cracked down on all dissent, including in the aftermath of the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini and the nationwide protests that followed. Mahsa Amini was an Iranian woman who was arrested in Tehran for opposing mandatory hijab rules. The 22-year-old later died in police custody in 2022. Mahsa Amini was an Iranian woman who was arrested in Tehran for opposing mandatory hijab rules ( AP ) In March, a United Nations investigative panel found that Iran was responsible for the physical violence that led to Aminis death. Her death sparked mass prorests and a monthslong security crackdown killed more than 500 people and saw over 22,000 detained. In Irans dual political system, split between the clerical establishment and the government, it is the supreme leader rather than the president who has the final say on all major policies. But many see Raisi as a strong contender to succeed his 85-year-old mentor, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has strongly endorsed Raisis main policies. Whats next for Iran? Under Iranian laws, if a serving president dies, the first vice president takes office, with the confirmation of the supreme leader, who has the final say in all matters of state in Iran. The current vice president Mohammad Mokhber is expected to be promoted as the interim president of Iran. It will be followed by an election for a new president within a maximum period of 50 days. The elections will now take place a year prior to when they were scheduled in 2025 when Raisis term would have ended. Who is the new interim president? Mr Mokhber, 69, is seen as a close aide to the supreme leader and became vice president in 2021 when Raisi was elected as president. He was part of a team of Iranian officials delegation who visited Moscow in October and agreed to supply surface-to-surface missiles and more drones to Russias military, sources told Reuters at the time. The team also included two senior officials from Irans Revolutionary Guards and an official from the Supreme National Security Council. In 2010, he was among the individuals and entities who were sanctioned by the European Union for alleged involvement in nuclear or ballistic missile activities. Two years later their names were removed from the list. 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 }} Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi, his foreign minister and other officials are missing after a helicopter crashed on Sunday in a mountainous border region during heavy fog. The Bell 212 civilian aircraft went down between Jolfa and Varzaqan, a region on the border of Azerbaijani exclave Nakhchivan, around 600km (375 miles) northwest of the Iranian capital Tehran. It was carrying Raisi, 63, and Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, the governor of Irans East Azerbaijan province and other officials and bodyguards, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. The aircraft suffered what state TV called a hard landing after it got into difficulty during heavy fog following a visit with the Azerbaijani president to discuss an infrastructure project over the Aras River, which separates Iran and Nakhchivan. We are still hopeful but information coming from the crash site is very concerning, an Iranian official said. He added that Raisis life was at risk. Forty rescue teams including Irans Revolutionary Guards, ambulances, surgeons, drones and dogs were scrambled to locate the helicopter, which was hampered by rain, fog and dark conditions. Irans Revolutionary Guards, ambulances, surgeons, drones and dogs were scrambled to locate the helicopter ( AP ) The chief of staff of Irans army ordered all resources of the army and the elite Revolutionary Guards to be put to use in search and rescue operations. We are thoroughly searching every inch of the general area of the crash, state media quoted a regional army commander as saying. The area has very cold, rainy, and foggy weather conditions. The rain is gradually turning into snow. On Sunday, Iranian state TV reported the helicopter had been found and quoted an official claiming a passenger and crew member were contacted. However, Irans Red Crescent denied the reports. State media has yet to report on casualties or confirm the whereabouts or condition of the president but urged Iranians to pray for the president. Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate power with a final say on foreign policy and Irans nuclear programme, sought to reassure Iranians and urged them to pray for the presidents health. View more We hope that Almighty God will return the president and his companions to the nation, everyone should pray for their health. The people of Iran should not be worried, there will be no disruption in the work of the country, Mr Khamenei said. In Tehran, Iranian men and women were pictured publicly praying for Mr Raisi, with some kneeling down and some holding their hands to the sky. Meanwhile, many countries have offered their support to Iran, including allies such as Russia, neighbours such as Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the EU. Russia said it was ready to extend all necessary help in the search for the missing helicopter and it hoped the president was still alive. The EU also said it had provided a satellite mapping service to Iran in response to a request by Tehran for help. In Tehran, Iranian men and women were pictured publicly praying for their missing president ( AFP ) Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan added he was deeply saddened by the crash and was ready to provide assistance to Iran. I convey my best wishes to our neighbour, friend and brother Iranian people and government, and I hope to receive good news from Mr Raisi and his delegation as soon as possible, Mr Erdogan said. President Raisi is a hardliner who formerly led the countrys judiciary. He is viewed as a protege of Mr Khamenei and some analysts have suggested he could replace the 85-year-old leader after his death or resignation from the role. President Raisi won Irans 2021 presidential election, a vote that saw the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republics history. President Raisi is a hardliner who formerly led the countrys judiciary ( Getty ) He is sanctioned by the US in part over his involvement in the mass execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988 at the end of the bloody Iran-Iraq war. Iran now enriches uranium at nearly weapons-grade level and hampers international inspections. The country has armed Russia in its war on Ukraine, and launched a massive drone-and-missile attack on Israel amid its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It also has continued arming proxy groups in the Middle East, like Yemen's Houthi rebels and Lebanon's Hezbollah. 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 aid arrives in Gaza via a US-built floating pier on Sunday 19 May. Deliveries began arriving at the pier off the Gaza Strip on Friday as Israel comes under growing global pressure to allow more supplies into the besieged coastal enclave, where it is at war with Palestinian militants Hamas and a famine looms. The temporary floating pier was pre-assembled at the Israeli port of Ashdod and moved into place last week on the shore of Gaza, which lacks port infrastructure of its own. No US troops went ashore, the Pentagons Central Command said. After months of discussions, the United Nations has agreed to assist in coordinating aid deliveries and distribution at the floating dock under the condition the operation respects the neutrality and independence of humanitarian operations. The Hamas-run government media office in Gaza accused Washington of trying to improve its ugly image with the pier. Hamas said the US pier wasnt enough to meet the humanitarian needs and demanded greater aid shipments to the enclave by land. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Elon Musk launched Starlink, his company SpaceXs satellite internet service, on Sunday in Indonesia to boost access in remote parts of the archipelago. The billionaire arrived in Indonesias resort island of Bali by private jet in the morning, following which he attended the launch ceremony at a community health centre in the provincial capital of Denpasar, reported Reuters. Indonesias chief investment minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan met Mr Musk at the airport, and said the two would discuss several important collaborations, including the inauguration of Starlink. Indonesia is home to more than 270 million people living across three time zones and Starlink would enable people in remote areas to enjoy the same fast internet as those in urban areas, said Mr Pandjaitan. I'm very excited to bring connectivity to places that have low connectivity, Mr Musk said at the event. If you have access to the internet you can learn anything. We are focusing this event on Starlink and the benefits that connectivity brings to remote islands, he said, when asked about whether he planned toinvest in Indonesia's electric vehicle industry. I think it's really to emphasize the importance of internet connectivity, how much of that can be a lifesaver. Starlink was launched at three Indonesian health centres on Sunday, including two in Bali and one on the remote island of Aru in Maluku. Communications minister Budi Arie Setiadi, who also attended the Bali launch, said Starlink was now available commercially, but the government would focus its services first for outer and underdeveloped regions. Our remote regions need Starlink to expand high-speed internet services, especially to help with problems in the health, education and maritime sectors, Mr Pandjaitan told reporters ahead of the ceremony in Denpasar. Starlinks satellites, which remain in low orbit, will help them deliver faster internet speeds with nationwide coverage. Mr Musk is scheduled to meet Indonesian president Joko Widodo on Monday, as well as address the the World Water Forum taking place on the island. The satellite unit of Mr Musks SpaceX has already secured a permit to operate in Southeast Asias largest economy, Setiadi told Reuters last week. Starlink obtained a permit to operate as an internet service provider for retail consumers and had been given the go-ahead to provide networks, having received a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) permit, the minister said in an interview. Indonesia is the third country in Southeast Asia where Starlink will operate. Malaysia issued the firm a license to provide internet services last year and a Philippines-based firm signed a deal with SpaceX in 2022. Thousands of people have taken part in protests at beaches, rivers and lakes across the UK amid a row over the state of the countrys waters. Demonstrations follow reports that millions of litres of raw sewage were pumped into Windermere in the Lake District for 10 hours in February. The situation was labelled a scandal by opposition politicians, while Downing Street said it was completely unacceptable and the Environment Agency had the power to launch a criminal prosecution if necessary. On Saturday 18 May, protesters gathered at swimming spots across the country to call for an end to sewage discharges into all bathing and high-priority nature sites by 2030. The future of Israels government, made up of adversaries as well as allies, is hanging by a thread after two of its most senior members made scathing attacks on Benjamin Netanyahu and issued him with an ultimatum. The disparate emergency coalition, which was brought together in the shock of the Hamas attack on 7 October, has been fraying fast as the war enters its eighth month, and patience with the highly divisive prime minister appears to be running out. Two of the three ministers who make up the countrys inner war cabinet alongside Netanyahu opposition leader Benny Gantz and defence minister Yoav Gallant have launched salvos within the space of 48 hours over the prime ministers unwillingness to agree to anything resembling a day after plan for Gaza once the conflict ends. Gantz, a former head of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), has declared that his National Unity Party will withdraw from the government if a proposal for security and governance of Gaza is not put in place by 8 June. Gallant has warned that he will not accept the long-term presence of an Israeli military or civil administration in the territory after the conflict. Netanyahu could continue in power if the two men left the government. But it would mean that he could only survive with the help of right-wing extremists in the cabinet, like national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, who want to expel Palestinians from Gaza and resettle the area with Israelis, with the same formula used in the future in the West Bank. Interaction inside the cabinet is fractious, to say the least. At a recent meeting, Ben-Gvir shouted at National Unity MK (member of Knesset) Gadi Eisenkot (who, like Gantz, is a former IDF chief): We have heard enough from you generals. Eisenkot, who has lost a son in this war, dismissed Ben-Gvir as draft-dodger: Israels national security minister is barred from serving in the military because of his past involvement in far-right terrorism. The discontent among defence officials over the refusal of Netanyahu and the right-wingers to allow a Palestinian administration to replace Hamas was evident when the IDFs chief spokesperson publicly criticised the government at a press conference rather than defending it. Asked if Hamas had been able to carry out attacks in areas supposedly cleared by the Israeli military because no alternative Palestinian administration had been allowed, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari acknowledged that this was no doubt the case, but added: That is a question for the political echelon. There is anger among the families of the hostages in Gaza who were taken by Hamas. Protest marches are held regularly, while there are frequent calls for a ceasefire. The discovery of the bodies of captives four in the last 36 hours has fuelled the anger against Netanyahu for his apparent reluctance to accept a peace deal. Netanyahu has responded to the rising criticism by going on the offensive. His office said Gantz was using washed up words, adding: While our heroic fighters are fighting to destroy the Hamas battalions in Rafah, Gantz chooses to issue an ultimatum to the prime minister instead of issuing an ultimatum to Hamas. The best way to save the remaining hostages, Netanyahu continues to insist, is to ensure complete victory against Hamas; the deal on the table for the release of Palestinian prisoners in return for freeing the captives is simply not acceptable. Netanyahu has been accused of prolonging the war in order to preserve his own skin. He faces public inquiries into the disastrous security failure that allowed the Hamas massacre to take place, and also, separately, police investigations in relation to alleged bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. Netanyahu has seen off pressure from abroad including the US, without whose support Israel would not be able to continue the conflict not to launch the Rafah offensive, and to increase the amount of aid getting through. And he gives every appearance, certainly for the time being, of resisting domestic pressure. Bibi, the great survivor, does not look like giving in. His war is set to continue and, along with it, the further fracturing of Israeli society and politics. Abolition of 40pc flat rate EIIS income tax relief scheme led to 35pc slump in funds raised by Goodbody The scheme has been billed as offering a vital funding source for startups and SMEs Tax tweaks to the scheme in the last Finance Bill have made the scheme more complex and less attractive for investors, said Mark Richardson manager of the Goodbody EIIS scheme Gabrielle Monaghan Sun 19 May 2024 at 03:30 Replacement of a flat income-tax relief for start-up investors with a complex new tiered structure is behind a slump of more than a third in funds into the Employment Investment Incentive Scheme (EIIS) schemes, according to a top money manager. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Saturday expressed "deep concern" about the abduction of a Member of Parliament of the eastern-based House of Representatives and called upon the competent authorities to locate and secure his prompt release Homelessness The Airport View, near Lusk in north Dublin, is owned by local businessman Gerry Butterly, is popular as an airport stopover and also as a spa. Photo: Tripadvisor Local authorities have agreed terms to use a 40-bed hotel in north Dublin to provide emergency accommodation for homeless families. Dublin City Council led the negotiations to secure the use of the Airport View Hotel at Blakes Cross, close to Lusk in north Dublin on behalf of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE), the body responsible for sourcing emergency accommodation on behalf of the four Dublin local authorities The Airport View, which was previously owned by local businessman Gerry Butterly before he sold it, was popular as an airport stopover and also as a spa. Sources said there had been some concern from local residents but that the local authority was due to meet them to update them on the plans for the premises. We will continue to work with a wide variety of stakeholders regarding out primary focus As you are aware there have been requests from elected members over some time in relation to the provision of additional emergency accommodation in the county to facilitate families in need of temporary accommodation, in order to allow them to remain closer to their family and local supports, rather than having to travel to other areas outside the county for accommodation, he wrote. DRHE had agreed terms with the operator to provide beds for over 200 people. The primary focus for Fingal County Council continues to be on the provision of new social and affordable housing; the implementation of homelessness preventative measures; and exiting families from emergency accommodation; and we will continue to work with a wide variety of stakeholders in this regard. said a briefing note to local councillors from Fingal. This article was amended on 28th May 2024 to reflect the fact that the Airport View Hotel had been sold by Gerry Butterly prior to the agreement that it would be used for emergency accommodation. Stuarts appointment is seen as a positive step forward in what's long been seen as a male-dominated industry Stuart with new MD for Ireland and the UK, Derek O'Connor Stuart said she believed there were many more opportunities for women in construction today than there were when she started out Construction firm Collen saw turnover jump to 650million last year, up from 450m in 2022, it has revealed. The growth in the business has seen Collen a family-owned business that traces its history back eight generations to 1810 implement a management restructuring after appointing a CEO for the first time last year. The firm has won a series of big data-centre projects from major international tech players in recent times, as well as various other big commercial projects. Kara Stuart, who was appointed last June to take over from managing director Tommy Drumm, told the Sunday Independent that recent growth had been particularly driven by Collens Nordic operation. Since our first international project in Europe in 2015 we have grown steadily, particularly in the Nordics, she said. Stuart said recent growth had been particularly driven by Collens Nordic operation The driver of this growth is repeat business with core clients with whom we have a well-established track record. Our senior delivery team have been living and working in the Nordics for five years and we are a significant participant in the construction industry in the region. Stuart said that the newly restructured management team would drive the strategic direction of the business after several years of strong growth in order to capitalise on further growth opportunities, particularly in Ireland, the UK and Scandinavia. "As the sectors we operate in continue to grow and develop, we need to grow with them. We established our executive management team as a means to give more autonomy to leaders in the key parts of the business, and also to ensure that management decisions are always as well informed as possible. Stuarts appointment last year was welcomed as a step forward in an industry that was long seen as male-dominated. "Having worked in Collen since 2006, I've seen the construction sector transform in that time into a more modern industry, she said. Stuart with new MD for Ireland and the UK, Derek O'Connor People are surprised to hear that over 20pc of our staff are female, and we are enthusiastic about continuing to grow that number and attract more women to our business. Stuart said she believed there were many more opportunities for women in construction today across a broad spectrum of areas and skillsets than when she started in the sector. The feedback I've received across the industry since becoming CEO has been very positive, and I hope I've played even a small role in breaking down barriers for women in leadership roles in our sector. The feedback I've received across the industry since becoming CEO has been very positive As part of the management restructuring, Collen has appointed a new managing director for Ireland and the UK, Derek 0'Connor. Further growth is also expected in the Nordics region where Collen has operations in several Scandinavian countries and a managing director for the Swedish operation has also been appointed. Stuart said she would continue to focus on a number of strategic priorities including Collens data centre and energy work. Without proper investment in energy infrastructure, new jobs wont be created, the local Chamber has said Energy capacity was becoming an increasingly problematic issue, said Sinead Ronan of Kildare Chamber of Commerce. Above, the Intel plant in Leixlip. Photo: Collins Major industry in Kildare including big employers like Intel face a serious block to new projects because electricity infrastructure in the area is struggling to keep up with demand. Big international employers with substantial facilities in an area that has become a tech and pharma hub, as well as smaller indigenous companies, could face problems with any expansion projects that they propose, according to the local Chamber of Commerce, which has raised the matter with the government. Sinead Ronan, the chief executive of Kildare Chamber, said she had heard from a wide range of members in different industries that energy capacity was becoming an increasingly problematic issue. "Over the last year to 18 months, our membership has been coming to us over the issue of energy capacity, especially if they're looking at potentially expanding," Ronan told the Sunday Independent. It is a drumbeat that has steadily got louder as people have become more concerned. Kildare Chamber is the largest business body in the region representing an employer base of 400 businesses and over 42,000 employees, including some of the biggest multinational employers in the country. This is not something that the Government has actually woken up to properly yet According to Ronan, many of those members were concerned that energy infrastructure in the mid-eastern region was struggling to keep up with demand and fear that limited grid capacity is blocking potential expansion and growth. This has a knock-on effect on any potential growth that we will see as a country. Some businesses may look elsewhere to set up or expand operations, she said. Ronan highlighted the Kildare Innovation Campus (KIC) project launched last week as a major investment where energy supply could curtail plans in the future if solutions are not found. The first phase of that 2.4bn project, a redevelopment of the former HP campus between Celbridge and Leixlip, is expected to create 1,000 jobs and is already under way. Sinead Ronan, the chief executive of Kildare Chamber But Ronan said that future phases of the campus that could create a further 3,000 jobs could be stymied if a solution to the power constraints and grid capacity issues in the area is not implemented. An ongoing expansion of the Intel plant as as well other projects already under way by other firms was not impacted. But Ronan said the power constraints were a particular problem for new projects that had not yet been approved. This issue started to arise when the war in Ukraine created major concern around energy security. She highlighted recent reports that Intel was seeking investment partners to help fund a potential future expansion that it has been speculated could be earmarked for Ireland. Intels current project is fine because it is already approved. But anything further that they might want to do down the line could be prohibited. And that is what we are hearing from other members around the county, she said. This issue started to arise when the war in Ukraine created major concern around energy security. Thats when companies started looking closely at their own infrastructure within their own sites. It was then that people started waking up to the fact that this is going to be an issue that is going to continue until there is new investment in energy infrastructure, she said. The issue was now being exacerbated by problems in the planning system, she said. Eirgrid is at its capacity here and because of what is going on with the planning system at the moment it could be up to four years before something could be put through. Grid connections were proving increasingly difficult to get, she said. There needs to be either a government department solely dedicated to infrastructure development in the country This is not something that the Government has actually woken up to properly yet, she said. There needs to be either a government department solely dedicated to infrastructure development in the country, or some kind of independent body that would look at this, and look at the medium to long-term planning for the country as a whole and take responsibility for it, she said. At present, responsibilities are divided between different state agencies and departments, resulting in a lack of coordination, she said. By comparison, the UK and other countries have invested heavily in grid upgrades and renewable projects over the past decade, she said. Pfizer has knocked LinkedIn off the top spot as Irelands best employer, according to a comprehensive research project that studied more than 1,000 companies. In a strong showing for retail, Harvey Norman is in second place and Home Store + More is eighth in this years survey (see full list in table below). Unlike previous years surveys there is absence of tech companies at the very top of the rankings, with two charities and Coffey, an Athenry-based engineering firm, in the top five. The Sunday Independent/Statista list of Irelands 150 Best Employers is based on research on firms with more than 200 employees. In all, 6,500 workers across Ireland took part in the research project, which was organised by market-research company Statista. They each answered more than 25 questions about their job covering subjects such as work-life balance, pay and their work environment. Deb Mangone, country manager for Pfizer, said the pharmaceutical firm was recruiting at all levels. We have opportunities in digital, in finance, in supply chain, in operations, and we have a strong track record, especially in our manufacturing facilities, for apprenticeships. Across finance, medical and commercial, we have internships and graduateship programmes, she writes in todays Sunday Independent. So for anyone looking to work for the top employer as named by the Sunday Independent, I would say, Look at Pfizer. Ms Mangone described it as an exciting time for the company as it had a strong pipeline of medicines and vaccines being approved and launched. Recent approvals in Ireland included a vaccine for protection against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a treatment for migraine, and an oncology breakthrough for multiple myeloma. The Pfizer boss said the companys focus was now on cancer, and it was aiming to do to cancer what we were able to do to Covid. Read all Best Employers 2024 content, including case studies, analysis, and interviews in our Irelands Best Employers 2024 hub. Read all of Best Employers 2024 content, including case studies, analysis, and interviews in our Irelands Best Employers 2024 hub. Sinn Fein chiefs US junket shows where her priorities lie The two senior government parties have gone on the offensive in a bid to exploit Sinn Feins dramatic fall in voter support, with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael yesterday targeting Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald for travelling to the US less than three weeks before the local and European elections. At the end of a week where one opinion poll showed Sinn Fein support has fallen to 23pc a new low in recent times the main coalition parties yesterday asked why the Sinn Fein leader was absent from a 50th anniversary commemorative event for victims of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings which took place in her own constituency. They are also stepping up demands that she apologise for attending an IRA funeral at the height of the Covid pandemic. Sinn Fein dismissed concerns raised about her absence Yesterday, Housing Minister Darragh OBrien said Ms McDonalds decision to instead go and speak at a US universitys graduation ceremony shows where her priorities lie. A senior member of Taoiseach Simon Harriss team questioned why Ms McDonald did not attend an event in Dublin marking the 50th anniversary of the 1974 bombing in the heart of her own constituency and instead travelled to Boston for a barbeque. However, Sinn Fein dismissed concerns raised about her absence. Mary Lou has been in more constituencies than any other leader in the lead-up to the elections, and she will continue to campaign right across the country when she returns, a frontbench Sinn Fein TD said. Two opinion polls, including one for this newspaper, suggest that the three main parties Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Sinn Fein are locked in a close battle for seats in all three European constituencies and the local elections. Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O'Brien. Photo: Sam Boal/Collins Speaking to the Sunday Independent, Mr OBrien said: People are seeing through Sinn Feins flip-flopping across the board, they are seeing that they have no policies. Theyve been pretty light on the ground in Dublin and it speaks to their leaders priorities if she is deciding to spend a weekend in America when we are less than three weeks away from very important elections. Yesterday, Tanaiste Micheal Martin also moved to take advantage of Sinn Feins long-running difficulties over the 2020 funeral of Provisional IRA enforcer Bobby Storey. The funeral attracted thousands of people, in breach of Covid rules. Mr Martin called on Ms McDonald to copy Sinn Fein leader Michelle ONeill, and absolutely and unequivocally apologise for attending the funeral. Michelle O'Neill. Photo: PA Meanwhile, a source close to the Taoiseach said: Sinn Fein are in disarray but shes so confident and cocky about winning the election shes gone to Boston for a barbeque. The Dublin-Monaghan bombing anniversary on Friday was a huge event. The Taoiseach, Tanaiste and President all attended with the families for two hours, but she goes to America and just puts out a statement. A Sinn Fein spokesperson said: Mary Lou McDonald met with the Justice for the Forgotten group and families of the victims of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings earlier this week and was represented at the commemorative event held on Friday by Pearse Doherty TD. Sinn Fein TD for Cavan/Monaghan Matt Carthy was also in attendance. On Friday, Ms McDonald gave a speech to graduates at Westfield State University in Massachusetts. Yesterday, she attended a barbeque organised by the John Boyle OReilly Club which is an Irish-American organisation whose goal is to preserve and promote our Irish heritage. An online advertisement for the event said burgers were $5 and hot dogs cost $2, while a beer station was set up on the clubs pavilion The feedback on the doors is that people want change A number of Sinn Fein TDs insisted its fall in polling figures and Fine Gaels rise in support do not reflect the reception from voters during their canvasses. The feedback on the doors is that people want change and Sinn Fein is the only way to get it, a Sinn Fein TD said. Another TD said their regular canvass reports show no notable increase in support for Fine Gael, while Sinn Feins popularity was not dissimilar to the 2020 general election. However, there are concerns in Sinn Fein that they may not secure as many seats as hoped due to a lack of incumbent candidates. Sinn Fein will make gains on its last outing in the local and European elections, which left it with just over 9pc of seats in local authorities and one in the European Parliament. Housing is still the number one issue on the doors that is still our greatest strength and the Governments greatest weakness The party is on course to win at least three seats in Europe and double its representation on councils. Housing is still the number one issue on the doors that is still our greatest strength and the Governments greatest weakness, a Sinn Fein TD said. However, a senior Fianna Fail member said the middle ground is edging away from Sinn Fein as the campaign progresses. They definitely dont have the support they would have done even six months ago and that is what is coming up on the doors all the time." However, Fianna Fail accepts they are going to lose some of the almost 280 council seats they won in the last election. Fine Gaels strategy is to retain as many of the 253 council seats they won in 2019. Irish pharma tycoons son linked to convicted Chinese fraudster in huge money-laundering scam Through his lawyers, Galway man Michael Burke Jr has denied any involvement in scheme Michael James Burke Rory Mulholland Sun 19 May 2024 at 03:30 The Dubai-based son of one of Irelands wealthiest and most highly respected business and bloodstock families has been implicated in an international money- laundering scam that involved huge sums in cash and cryptocurrency, as well as properties in the Middle East. Indian student and 30 others cheated by agency over bogus Irish job After travelling to Dublin, employer turned out to be the International Protection Office Stock image Maeve Sheehan Sun 19 May 2024 at 03:30 Gardai are investigating allegations that a young student from India was scammed along with 30 others by a London employment agency into travelling to Ireland on the promise of a bogus job. People behind New York link dont know our city, says well-known entrepreneur after bad behaviour forces it to be closed People view the live stream portal between Dublin and New York which was temporarily closed following some "inappropriate behaviour" in Dublin. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Harry Crosbie wants the portal switched on again. Photo: Frank McGrath Harry Crosbie has urged Dublin City Council (DCC) to give the portal connecting the capital with New York another chance this time on the city centres south side. The entrepreneur, best known for development projects around the citys docklands, said planners who decided on the site of the portal on North Earl Street were asking for trouble and dont know how Dublin works. Speaking to the Sunday Independent, Crosbie described the portal as the most wonderful idea to launch in the capital in many years. But he said the location was the sole problem because the area has a long long history of anti-social behaviour. When it goes in the right place all of those problems will fall away He believes the installation should be moved to a quieter part of the city such as College Green or St Stephens Green. If planners had chosen this alternative they would not have half the trouble they are having at the moment. When it goes in the right place all of those problems will fall away, he said. On why the location was so ill- suited he said: Anyone who lives and works in Dublin would know thats an area plagued with anti-social behaviour. Unfortunately that is the way the city works and every city is the same. Its not just Dublin. Harry Crosbie wants the portal switched on again. Photo: Frank McGrath The 78-year-old said the problem was not a northside versus southside issue because he said the social and cultural divide between the north and south inner city is now completely blurred. But he pinpointed OConnell Street and North Earl Street as having a notorious reputation. Sending a message to Benediktas Gylys, the 34-year-old artist behind the project, he said: Dont lose heart.Its a beautiful thing that he has done. It just needs to be in the right place. He has uplifted all of our lives. He also urged DCC not to lose their nerve. An Instagram model flashed her bare breasts to Dublin In recent weeks the street exhibit connecting the cities with a 24/7 live video feed has made headlines around the world for causing chaos. Since its launch on May 8, mischievous members of the public on Irelands side have been flashing everything from their bare buttocks to a photo of the Twin Towers in flames on 9/11. New York has also played a part in the bad behaviour particularly when an Instagram model flashed her bare breasts to Dublin a stunt which has since gone viral. People view the live stream portal between Dublin and New York which was temporarily closed following some "inappropriate behaviour" in Dublin. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Organisers have switched it off temporarily after their initial plan to blur unsuitable content was found to be not satisfactory. Part interactive sculpture and part webcam, the 3.5-tonne portal was installed across the Atlantic at New York Citys busy Manhattan junction of Broadway, Fifth Avenue and 23rd Street. It opened in tandem with the Dublin portal, facing OConnell Street. DCC has said although those who engaged in the inappropriate behaviour were few and far between, videos of the controversial behaviour went viral online and the portal had to close. It was intended to remain on display until the autumn. Investigation into alleged intimidation of whistleblower who raised doubts over 11.44m Rhebogue housing deal The wife of a University of Limerick (UL) employee is a person of interest in a garda investigation into poison pen letters sent to the college last year. She has been questioned by gardai in recent months after being suspected of sending the letters, which aimed to undermine a college official who was questioning ULs controversial 11.44m purchase of 20 homes near its campus. The criminal investigation, which is continuing, centres on the alleged intimidation and harassment of a whistleblower at the university who raised doubts about the deal. Multiple copies of the same letter were addressed to different college officials and sent to the university in April last year before being intercepted after one recipient read it. Drominbeg Square, Rhebogue, Limerick was purchased by UL for student accommodation It is unclear if the woman at the centre of the investigation wrote the letter. However, sources have indicated some of the content would have required the author to have a detailed awareness of internal matters at UL and a personal knowledge of some university staff. Gardai studied CCTV footage and examined the letter as part of the investigation to try to determine who might have sent or drafted the correspondence. They have declined to comment. The Sunday Independent understands a woman at the centre of the investigation was questioned by appointment recently at a garda station in Limerick. An Garda Siochana in Limerick is conducting a criminal investigation into alleged harassment of a member of staff at an educational establishment in Munster, a garda spokeswoman said when asked about the person of interest. An Garda Siochana does not comment on the detail of ongoing investigations. UL has previously said it cannot comment on an ongoing garda investigation. While copies of the letter were addressed to more than a dozen officials or senior employees at the university, its contents were largely focused on one individual. The properties do not have planning permission to house students, and UL has admitted it overpaid for the development by more than 5.2m Sources have previously compared the letter with an attempted character assassination of a person who asked legitimate questions about the property deal. Figures at the university expressed concern over the way some university officials were treated, allegedly bullied and harassed after raising questions about a decision to spend 11.44m on 20 homes in Rhebogue to house students. The properties do not have planning permission to house students, and UL has admitted it overpaid for the development by more than 5.2m. UL wrote last month to gardai at Henry Street garda station in Limerick to report a possible fraud in relation to the Rhebogue deal. The university has a statutory obligation to report such matters to gardai. The claims are being examined by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) to determine if there are further criminal matters that warrant investigation. These continuing garda matters delayed the start of an Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting about the deal earlier this month, with certain issues brought to the committee examined by Leinster House legal staff before TDs questioned a UL delegation, Higher Education Authority (HEA) officials and Department of Further Education staff about the deal. TDs were eventually advised to refrain from asking questions that might jeopardise the garda investigation. A HEA review of the deal, similar transactions at the university and cultures at UL is under way and will be completed in the summer. UL said it is co-operating with this review and is committed to working with the HEA. The college apologised to the PAC over governance and due-diligence failures surrounding the purchase and admitted it is justifiably going to be the subject of intense scrutiny over the deal. A fact-finding review of the deal shows UL approved the purchase without the full facts being presented to key decision-makers. 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Stock image Surgical doctors have reported near-misses and various levels of perceived harm to patients due to poor handovers. A handover is the term for what happens when a doctor hands over responsibility for the care of a patient to their colleagues. In a national survey of more than 200 non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs), one-third of the surgical doctors surveyed felt the handover process in their current hospital was unsafe. Within three months of being surveyed, 30pc of the non-consultant surgical doctors reported that a near-miss had occurred as a result of handover. In all, 16pc reported that handover-related errors resulted in minor harm, while nearly 5pc believed these had resulted in moderate harm. The survey found 1.5pc of the doctors, or three of the 201 doctors, perceived that patients had experienced major harm or extreme harm due to an inadequate handover in the three months before the survey. Major harm was defined as major injuries or long-term incapacity or disability requiring medical treatment, while extreme harm is an incident leading to death or major permanent incapacity. Moderate harm was explained as a significant injury requiring medical treatment but not long-term or permanent; minor harm is an adverse event leading to minor injury requiring first aid treatment. Surgical patients are particularly at risk because of the urgency of the care they require In the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) study, 85pc reported that information received during handover was missing or incorrect at least some of the time. They raised concerns from having handovers conducted by text message or WhatsApp or in the hospital coffee shop, to having difficulty accessing functioning computers and printers and other IT issues. Study co-author Professor Deborah McNamara, vice-president of RCSI and co-lead on the National Clinical Programme for Surgery, said it was easy to underestimate the importance of the conversations that happen when the care of a patient is being transferred from one doctor to another. We know that communication errors during the handover process can contribute to adverse outcomes for patients, especially if critical information is omitted, the consultant surgeon at Beaumont Hospital said. Surgical patients are particularly at risk because of the urgency of the care they require, the rapid turnover of patients, and the complex environments where their care is delivered, including emergency departments, critical care units, and the operating theatre. The study was based on a 34-question survey carried out online between March and September last year. It found the doctors reported poor compliance with international best practice for handover and identified potential harms. Process standardisation, appropriate staff training, and the provision of necessary handover-related resources is required at a national level to address this significant patient safety concern, the researchers said. Only 11pc had received formal handover training In the survey, 28pc of the surgical doctors reported that a patient had been unintentionally missed on the post-take ward round due to inadequate handover within the preceding month. Handover practices within Irish hospitals are poorly understood, highly variable, and no previous national audit has been reported, said the study, which was the largest of its type in Ireland. In just under half of cases (46pc), the handover was carried out in a dedicated office or tutorial room. The majority of remaining locations raised concerns for patient confidentiality, including wards, ward rounds, the emergency department (ED) and hospital coffee shops, the researchers said. Despite several well-established handover guidelines, the researchers said only 11pc had received formal handover training. Prof McNamara said they found current handover practices in Ireland had a high risk of error in the national study. Junior doctors identified a need for additional supports to reduce the risk to patients that can arise from poor handover practices, she said. This includes things like protected time without distractions or interruptions, better IT resources and more standardised processes to reduce variation in practices between and within hospitals. WhatsApp or text messages along with phone calls and video calls were used in a minority of cases Junior doctors also highlighted how much they valued the support of senior colleagues and additional training opportunities in how to perform safer handovers of care. All senior house officers (SHOs) and registrars working in surgery in Ireland, which totalled 1,084 at the time of last years survey, were invited to participate in the 34-question survey; 18pc responded across 11 surgical subspecialities. Around half (49pc) of these were SHOs while 28pc were specialist registrars; more than half (51pc) were involved with general surgery. While most handovers took place face-to-face, phone messaging such as WhatsApp or text messages along with phone calls and video calls were used in a minority of cases, raising concern about data protection along with quality of these handovers. In the survey, 37pc of doctors said the handover space was not large enough, 42pc said it was not free from distraction, while 35pc said it was not confidential. While electronic systems existed, many NCHDs lacked access to updated patient locating systems, requiring some of them physically attend areas of the hospital to find their patients, the study said. Almost all non-consultant hospital doctors reported staying beyond their rostered hours to complete handover-related activities. While institutional shortcomings play a role in poor compliance, staff accountability cannot be overlooked, said the researchers. In replies to open-ended questions, some doctors highlighted a lack of consultant involvement. Its not something that is prioritised by consultants, and therefore by the rest of the team, one said. Another said there was no culture within hospital to prioritise surgical handover, while another observed handovers were seen as a formality or an annoyance. Another said: Sometimes it is rushed or ignored. The study concluded there was poor access to necessary IT resources, a lack of supportive rostering practices such as shift crossover, an absence of protected handover time, and minimal staff training and awareness regarding institutional protocols. They recommended handover process must involve two-way communication to ensure that a shared understanding has been reached, and ideally should be face-to-face. The Government is absolutely determined to bring peacekeeper Sean Rooneys killers to justice, Tanaiste Micheal Martin will tell his Lebanese counterparts on a visit to the country. Mr Martin will visit 391 Irish peacekeepers at Camp Shamrock in southern Lebanon. The Government is not happy with the progress of the investigation into the murder of Private Rooney (24) of Newtown Cunningham in Co Donegal who was killed when the UN convoy he was travelling in was attacked in December 2022. A central focus of my visit will be meeting with Lebanese ministers to communicate the absolute determination of the Irish Government to ensure those responsible for Pte Rooneys death are brought to justice, said Mr Martin. Lebanons military tribunal released a man on bail last November after Mohammad Ayyad and four others were charged with the killing following a six-month investigation. His trial has not yet recommenced. Tanaiste Micheal Martin. Photo: Gerry Mooney It has been reported that the four others facing alleged charges remain at large. Hezbollah has repeatedly denied any role in the killing. Pte Rooney was the 48th Irish soldier to die in Lebanon over 44 years of peacekeeping deployments. The Government recently signed off on plans to send an extra 33 Irish troops to Lebanon to serve alongside the Irish battalion. Irish peacekeepers serve as part of the 124th Infantry Battalion in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil). The environment is currently very challenging for troops due to the ongoing unrest in Gaza. Southern Lebanon also borders Israel and troops regularly patrol the Blue Line, a UN demarcation line dividing the two countries. Tensions are high in the area and a no-fly zone for helicopters was designated above the camp last October and is still in place. Irish peacekeepers have had non essential activities out of the camp reduced and have also been met with increasing challenges when moving around outside the camp. The camp is currently in a handover period with current peacekeepers travelling back to Ireland and the next troops coming in to serve six months. I am very much looking forward to meeting our peacekeepers who serve with such distinction in Unifil and in a very challenging environment amid escalating tensions due to the war in Gaza, said Mr Martin. Unifil is Irelands largest overseas deployment. The dedication of Defence Force personnel and their families is a vital part of Irelands commitment to global peace and security. Nowhere is this engagement more evident, than in south Lebanon, added the Tanaiste. Mr Martin will receive a guard of honour from Defence Forces personnel, meet UN and Irish military leaders, and address Irish troops at the camp. He will also meet the Lebanese defence minister Maurice Sleem and the countrys foreign affairs minister Abdallah Bou Habib. This is his second visit to Beirut in the aftermath of the death of Pte Sean Rooney. He will be accompanied by the secretary general of the Department of Defence, Jacqui McCrum, and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Sean Clancy. Mary Banotti, a grand-niece of revolutionary leader Michael Collins, a member of the European Parliament for 20 years and a lifelong activist on social issues, has died at the age of 84. She was born Mary Elizabeth OMahony in Dublin on May 29, 1939. Initially living on Blackhorse Avenue, the OMahonys then moved to Clontarf. She was the eldest in a family of six and Marys mother Kitty (nee Collins) had lived as a child in Woodfield, near Clonakilty, Co Cork, where Collins himself had grown up. After the house was burnt down at the direction of the Essex Regiment as a counter-revolutionary gesture, the family moved to Dublin. Kitty was one of the last family members to see Collins alive before he was killed in an ambush at Beal na mBlath in August 1922. The congregation at her funeral derived great amusement from a story, told by Mary Banotti, of how Kittys famous uncle wanted to give her an affectionate peck on the cheek but the 10-year-old refused, saying: Im too old for that sort of kissing. Later, in 1937, Kitty met Jim OMahony and they got engaged within two weeks. He worked as a bank official and as a part-time actor under the name JG Winter at the Abbey Theatre and appeared in a number of films such as Captain Boycott, based on the Irish land war. He died in 1949 when Mary was only 10 and her mother went back to work as a teacher in the College of Catering on Dublins Cathal Brugha Street. Growing up on the Stiles Road in Clontarf, Mary OMahony attended a local private primary school before moving on to the nearby Holy Faith Convent. She later attended secondary school as a boarder at the Dominican Convent in Wicklow. She emigrated to London in the mid-1950s to train as a nurse and moved to New York four years later. She later saidthat her time in the US sparked off an interest in politics: I had been there only a couple of months when Kennedy was assassinated and then there was the Civil Rights movement... and there were also the worldwide divisions caused by the Vietnam War. Having pursued her nursing career in the US and Canada, she became an aid worker in Kenya, which also helped to broaden her political outlook. She married an Italian doctor, Giovanni Banotti, and they left Kenya for Rome. The marriage broke up and in October 1970 Banotti returned to Ireland with her daughter Tania after a total of 15 years abroad. When I came back I got a job and I had a baby to rear. About a year-and-a-half later I was so outraged about something that was happening politically that I went down and joined the Clontarf branch of Fine Gael, she recalled. An election took place shortly afterwards which was great fun and absolutely fascinating. I was hooked from then on. The comments were part of a series of interviews collected in a book Theres Something about Mary published by Currach Press in 2008 where all the other interviews were conducted by Banotti herself. All the interviewees were politicians whose first name was Mary, including Mary Lou McDonald of Sinn Fein and Fianna Fails Mary ORourke. In 1972, Banotti took up a position as an occupational health nurse and industrial welfare officer with Irish Distillers. She was also a co-founder of Womens Aid which was set up to provide refuge and shelter for abused women and she also co-founded and chaired the Rutland Centre for Drug Abuse. Between 1980 and 1984, she presented a weekly television programme on RTE about social welfare rights. In 1983, nominated by the Irish Wheelchair Association, she stood as a candidate for the Seanad on the Administrative Panel, but without success. In the same year, she contested a Dail by-election in the constituency of Dublin Central to fill a vacancy caused by the untimely death of former tanaiste and finance minister George Colley at the age of 57. It was strong Fianna Fail territory at the time and their candidate Tom Leonard got 46.6pc of first preferences and held the seat for the party. Banotti came second on 22.5pc, with Michael White of the Workers Party third on 13.3pc and Christy Burke of Sinn Fein in fourth place on 7.1pc. The campaign took a lot out of her and she had to spend two weeks recovering in hospital afterwards. Strasbourg turned out to be a more promising destination than Leinster House and, in the contest for the European Parliament in 1984, she won a seat in the Dublin Constituency. She recalled waking up at her home in Ringsend and thinking: I was on my way and it was a lovely feeling. Her fluency in Italian was useful at the parliament but, when she spoke some Irish during her maiden speech, it confused a British MEP who was in the chair and told her to stop. The two of them later became friends and Banotti was also on good terms with the Reverend Ian Paisley after she found herself sitting beside the Northern Ireland MEP on a flight to Strasbourg. We got chatting and he was very nice to me always, she said. Banotti held on to the European seat for the next 20 years until she retired in 2004. In the spring of 1997, she phoned then taoiseach and Fine Gael leader John Bruton to tell him she was interested in becoming the partys candidate for the presidency later in the year. A number of backbench TDs later promoted Avril Doyle as a contender but Banotti finally won the nomination. She said later that she wouldnt have run if Mary Robinson had sought another term in office. There were four female candidates and one male contender in the end and Mary McAleese, nominated by Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats, got 574,00 votes on the first count compared to 372,000 for Banotti, ending up as the winner. In 1999, Banotti was a goodwill ambassador for the UNFPA (United Nations Fund for Population Activities, now shortened to UN Population Fund) which supports programmes in more than 140 countries on reproductive and maternal health as well as increased access to birth control as well as campaigning against child marriage, gender-based violence and on other issues. Mary Banotti passed away peacefully on May 10 at St Vincents University Hospital, Dublin, having previously been in the care of the staff at Fern Dean Nursing Home in Deansgrange. She is survived by her daughter Tania, siblings Michael OMahony, former justice minister Nora Owen, Catherine OMahony and Joan OMahony. She was predeceased by her sister Una. Removal took place last Wednesday evening to the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Foxrock, and her funeral mass the next morning was followed by cremation at Mount Jerome, Harolds Cross. In a statement, President Michael D Higgins said: Mary Banotti made a very significant contribution to Irish life, both in her 20 years of service to the people of Dublin as a Member of the European Parliament and through the many important causes which she played such an active role in supporting over the course of her life. I had the privilege of personally knowing Mary over a number of decades and had the deepest respect for her principled positions on these important issues. In-fighting between three Fianna Fail politicians running to win a European seat in the Midlands North West constituency continues as Senator Lisa Chambers has now criticised unfounded, dismissive and arrogant comments from running mate TD Barry Cowen. Fianna Fail is running three candidates on its ticket in the five-seater constituency - Ms Chambers, Mr Cowen and Senator Niall Blaney. While out canvassing in Longford town with Tanaiste Micheal Martin on Friday, Mr Cowen branded himself the lead candidate in the race. I see myself as the lead candidate having been selected by the membership, he said. Senator Chambers has furiously hit back at this comment, saying the comments are disappointing and dismissive. We have three candidates running in this constituency and no one candidate is being prioritised in any way by the party, she said in a statement. We are under the same flag, campaigning absolutely in parallel and I am really happy with the response Im getting within that. She said she was gaining real momentum and Mr Cowens comments smack of arrogance. Today's News in 90 seconds - 19th May 2024 Ive real momentum now and my particular experience and expertise on European affairs, coupled with my desire to address the Dublin bias on the economic and social landscape of our country, is absolutely resonating. So to see those headlines and have my party colleague and running mate dismiss me, and indeed my running mate Niall Blaney, by saying he is the lead candidate smacks of arrogance and harks to a different time in our party and in Irish politics, she said. Making the comments while standing beside the Fianna Fail party leader made it even worse. I know it is not Micheals position and it put him in a difficult place in that regard, she said. I will be canvassing with him in the West over the coming weeks and that will be the answer. She said she did not know whether Mr Cowen made the comment because he was in Longford, which she said was a candidate crossroads but that he dismissed me and I found it quite arrogant, to say the least. I can assure everyone that I am very happy with how this campaign is going and Im really looking forward to the next three weeks of canvassing and continuing to bring my campaign priorities to the people of the West, North West and Midlands. This is not the first time there has been in-fighting between the three candidates. Last week, Mr Blaney took a major swipe at Mr Cowen, saying his call for garda spot checks on the Border to detect illegal immigrants was ill-judged. The decision to run three candidates in the constituency by Fianna Fail raised eyebrows in political circles, with a Fine Gael minister last week privately branding the ticket a three-headed monster. Taoiseach Simon Harris said Ireland would recognise Palestinian as a state before the end of the month (Brian Lawless/PA) Taoiseach Simon Harris has insisted Irelands position in recognising the Palestinian state will absolutely come into effect by the end of the month as diplomatic tensions with Israel intensify. Mr Harris said it was the Governments intention to press ahead with the move following a firm conversation with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Friday. The Fine Gael leader contended he harboured less than zero interest in becoming embroiled in a back and forth difference of opinion with his Israeli counterpart as he repeated the need for Israel to step back and allow unhindered humanitarian aid into war-torn Gaza. We had a firm and respectful conversation, he said, when asked earlier today about his exchange with Mr Herzog. It is my job as the Taoiseach of this country to speak up for the Irish position and speak out on behalf of the people of Ireland and the Irish position in relation to the Middle East, to Gaza and to Israel. Mr Harris maintained that stance was one which remained resolute despite maintaining neither he or senior figures in government wished to cut off diplomatic ties with Israel. Ireland is working with a number of like-minded countries, and I expect a number to move (and recognise Palestinian statehood) in the coming days and I expect more to move in the coming weeks, he said. Certainly, Ireland doesnt wish to sever diplomatic relations. You can strongly disagree with a country and you can indeed differentiate between the Government of a country and the people of a country. Mr Harris comments came during the annual National Famine Commemoration in Edgeworthstown, Co Longford today. In a speech delivered to hundreds of spectators, Mr Harris said many of the harrowing lessons from the Great Famine, together with the solidarity shown by communities both at home and overseas, were lessons that could be redirected towards informing and guiding Irelands approach in averting similar type tragedies globally. In doing so, he referenced the indelible mark left by renowned Anglo-Irish writer Maria Edgeworth whose literary influence in the Longford town remains as palpable today as it did more than 200 years earlier. We should never forget the kindness, courage and compassion of those who faced unimaginable hardships, he said. Nor should we forget the solidarity shown by communities in Ireland and internationally who came together to provide aid and support during the Great Irish Famine. Maria Edgeworth, the renowned writer whose family founded this town wrote her final novel, a childrens book to raise money for famine relief. Leveraging her international reputation, she raised awareness and funds, attracting donations from the United States and around the world to support her poor. Edgeworthstown, through the Famine years, shows us the worst of tragedy in terms of misery, death and deprivation, but it also shows us the very best of people in terms of the courage, compassion and kindness shown by so many. They were sentiments that were echoed by Minister for Culture and chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee Catherine Martin. She said it was precisely the unique insights portrayed by Maria Edgeworth and others like her that helped uncover the devastating reality that the Great Irish Famine wreaked on communities up and down the country. It is easy to take for granted what we know about the Famine and condense the history of the period into simple statistics, she said. While we can be shocked by the figures such as a drop in Irelands population from an estimated 8.5m in 1846 to 6.5m in 1851, they dont convey the full lived horror and tragedy of the starvation, disease and death visited upon so many Irish people. The occasion, which took place amid glorious sunshine, saw Mr Harris lead a tree planting ceremony alongside Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Colm Murray and pupils Freya Lilly OConnor, Jack Garrett Cuffe and Thomas Denniston from St Johns National School. The State commemoration, which also witnessed a series of musical renditions being played by local artists, likewise coincided in Mr Harris unveiling a commemorative plaque and laying a wreath in quiet remembrance of all those that perished and emigrated during the Great Irish Famine. Health and safety inspections at the Irish Air Corps discovered spills of hazardous brake fluid, a water supply that carried a risk of Legionnaires disease, fall risks, damaged drains and trailing cables across aircraft hangar floors. The Defence Forces was also issued with a contravention notice by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) over the use of some chemicals without completion of proper training by personnel on their safe use. A HSA report on Casement Aerodrome at Baldonnel in Dublin late last year said that slip, trip and fall hazards were identified throughout the facility. A report in December said this included: Deep drains, damaged drains, [an] uncovered drain, potentially slippery kitchen floor in areas, leaking combi oven in the kitchen, trailing cables on hangar floors, surprise steps, makeshift portacabin entrance steps and uneven paths [and] surfaces in outdoor areas. An inspector said they also found scaffolding on the site that was not in use, had no inspection tags and which had structural concerns. Report recommended additional training with regard to the handling of specific restricted chemicals The report flagged the risk of large emergency vehicles being routinely reversed into an area where there were crash rescue locker rooms and a garage which did not have any exhaust ventilation to allow fumes to escape easily. In areas, there were no identified separate pedestrian walkways or crossing points, lack of clear speed limits [or] restrictions and limited use of one-way systems, said the inspector. The HSA inspector also found unsecured fire extinguishers and other safety equipment stored on the floor. Some fire doors were also not kept shut. The report added: Fuse boards had doors missing and were uncovered. Review the electrical risk assessment and ensure the electrical installation is reviewed by a competent person and repaired as required. There were multiple other issues raised including the need for a risk assessment of derelict buildings at Baldonnel aerodrome and the absence of separate male and female showers in a crash rescue area. A separate report in December said that several safety data sheets were outdated and recommended additional training with regard to the handling of specific restricted chemicals. The inspector also found an open container of waste brake fluid oil in one hangar that had spilled with the Air Corps urged to clean up promptly to minimise the risk of hazardous chemicals. The Defence Forces provided an action plan to deal with all the issues raised It said other, old, out-of-date chemicals should have been removed and disposed of by a licensed operator. There was also a risk of Legionnaires disease from power washing, washing facilities and emergency showers. The inspection report flagged deposits of wood dust in a workshop which needed to be cleaned and recommended nearby ventilation systems were checked at least every 14 months. Also noted was the presence of deposits of dust in a spray-painting workshop which the inspector said needed to be avoided. In response to the concerns raised by the HSA, the Defence Forces provided an action plan to deal with all the issues raised during the first half of this year. Asked about the inspections, a spokesman for the HSA said it was the statutory body with responsibility for enforcing occupational safety and health law as well as promoting safety in the workplace. He said: Inspections are carried out in all industry sectors and reports are utilised to document observations and to instruct improvements. It is the responsibility of all employers to ensure the health and safety of employees and others, such as members of the public, who may be affected by work activity. Harpist Cormac De Barra and singer and harpist Moya Brennan with Mary O'Hara in Galway Singer Val Doonican and harpist Mary O'Hara performing together on 'The Val Doonican Music Show' in December 1977. Photo: Don Smith/Radio Times/Getty Some time before Clannad, The Chieftains and Riverdance took Irish traditional music to a global stage, singer and harpist Mary OHara was playing sell-out gigs at the Sydney Opera House and Carnegie Hall. The Sligo-born musician released 29 albums, made a series with BBC television and was a guest on BBC Radios Desert Island Discs. She was also selected for surprise This is Your Life treatment by television broadcaster Eamonn Andrews. Yet such is the fickle nature of fame that her name virtually vanished from playlists. This really bothered harpist Cormac de Barra and fellow musician Moya Brennan of Clannad. Brennan and De Barra decided to celebrate OHaras 89th birthday by releasing an album in her honour and staging a tribute concert in Galways An Taibhdhearc theatre supported by Cruit Eireann (Harp Ireland). Harpist Cormac De Barra and singer and harpist Moya Brennan with Mary O'Hara in Galway Voices & Harps IV, as the album is called, draws on a repertoire of songs, both in English and Irish, which OHara had originally recorded including Lord of the Dance, The Spinning Wheel, Song of Fionnuala (Silent O Moyle) and An Maidrin Rua. Moya really felt it was time to give Mary OHara credit, De Barra explains. OHara was present for the sell-out performance last weekend, and was deeply moved, according to her close friend Sister Meta Reid. OHara was an enormous influence on both musicians, De Barra says. When Moya Brennan was a teenager in Donegal, she was sent as a boarder to the Ursuline Convent in Sligo to learn the harp, simply because OHara was from the town, he explains. Coincidentally, OHara had been taught the harp in Sion Hill, Dublin, by De Barras grandaunt, the late Mairin Ni Sheaghdha. Liam Clancy of the Clancy Brothers wrote about how Marys music inspired him Marys first ever tour in England and Scotland was with my grandmother and grandaunt in 1954, when they played Glasgow on St Patricks Day, says De Barra.Exactly 70 years later, Moya and myself played Glasgow on St Patricks Day and performed songs associated with Mary, numbers that are now on this new album. Liam Clancy of the Clancy Brothers wrote about how Marys music inspired him and others during the folk revival of the 1960s, he adds. OHara first signed with Decca Records, but quit her musical career four years after the death of her first husband, Richard Selig. She became a Benedictine nun in Stanbrook Abbey in England in 1962, melting down her wedding ring to celebrate her vows. She stayed in the order for 12 years, then left the convent and returned to music with The Observer describing her first stage appearance after the break as the folk music event of the year. She subsequently married Aran islander Padraig OToole, who had been a priest with the Society for African Missions before leaving the order. He became her manager until she retired from public performances in 1994. After OToole died in 2015, OHara continued to live on the Aran Islands and latterly in Galway. Triple murderer Andy Cashs bloody rampage in Tallaght remains a mystery Eldest brother was high on drink and drugs when he murdered siblings The funeral procession of Lisa Cash and Chelsea and Christy Cawley (all inset, left). Inset right: Andy Cash Ali Bracken Sun 19 May 2024 at 03:30 A large group of neighbours stood behind the garda cordon, stunned into silence by the sheer horror of what had just happened in front of their eyes in the small Dublin housing estate. Never was there a starker illustration of the state of Northern Ireland, and the state of Stormonts handling of the Covid pandemic, than images from December 2020 of ambulances full of patients, queuing outside hospitals full to capacity. Michelle ONeill, then deputy first minister, was quick to offload blame on to her coalition partners in the DUP, telling RTEs Morning Ireland: Lets not tar everybody with the same brush I have never deviated from the public health advice. Luke ONeill: Striking scenery and great science come together to help save the planet Norways famous fjords capture carbon and it is also home to the worlds biggest collection of seeds, providing security for our supply of food in the event of disaster A fjord in the Lofoten Islands, Norway. Photo: Getty Luke O'Neill Sun 19 May 2024 at 03:30 Ive been on a break, visiting Norway. And because science never sleeps Ive come across all kinds of interesting things here. Sam McBride: Question of where the real power lies in Sinn Fein is highlighted by Covid Inquiry Appearance of partys ministers again points to shadowy figures behind the scenes Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill and Mary Lou McDonald. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Sam McBride Sun 19 May 2024 at 03:30 Where does real power lie in Sinn Fein? With the leaders we see or the leaders unseen? When the UK-wide public inquiry into the Covid pandemic arrived in Belfast three weeks ago, I thought the answer to that question would become clearer. To mark five years in business, an independent service and repair garage in north Wexford is taking to the skies to raise money for five charities. Fortune Automotive has marked each year of business by raising money for charity and to mark five years of business this year, they decided to go big with a skydive. "We were throwing ideas around and that was one of them so we were like feck it, lets just do it. It will be a bit of craic hopefully. Im trying not to think about it too much to be honest! said Amy Fortune one of the owners of the garage. Husband and wife duo, Shane and Amy Fortune from Ballygarrett opened Fortune Automotive in Gorey on April 8, 2019. At the time, it was just the two of them but before long, Jeremy Jacobs and Barry Hobbs joined the team. In previous years, they've raised money for LauraLynn and Seal Rescue Ireland. This year, theyve chosen to donate to five charities they have personal ties to; The NWSPCA, Meals On Wheels Gorey and Courtown, Ballygarrett Realt na Mara GAA club, BUMBLEance and The Alzheimer Society of Ireland. "It's nice to do it for charity and the more we can raise for them the better. Theres five different ones and most of them are local as well. Were not taking anything out of those funds either, were completely paying for any cost associated with this, well pay for ourselves, said Amy. Amy thanked the local community for their support over the last five years. "We owe everything to the local community. We dont really advertise as such, we have Facebook but we dont put anything in through peoples doors or pay for ads online, its completely through word of mouth and its because of them that were completely out the door here all the time." "Generally were always about three weeks to a month out, its great but it's not great in another way because you dont want to let people down, said Amy. Weather permitting, the team at Fortune Automotive hope to complete the jump on Saturday, June 29. This is their first time doing a skydive and theyll be paired with an instructor on the day. So far, theyve raised 947 of their 5,000 target which will be split equally between each charity automatically through the idonate platform. Every little tiny bit helps, if they can afford 2 that would be perfect, said Amy. For more information or to donate, check out their fundraiser at idonate.ie/Fundraiser/FortuneAutomotive/Skydive. You can also donate at their office with cash or card. Chinese musician Xuefei Yang is playing at New Ross Guitar Festival this July. Chinese musician Xuefei Yang is playing at New Ross Guitar Festival this July. Chinese musician Xuefei Yang is playing at New Ross Guitar Festival this July. The latest performer announced for New Ross Guitar Festival is musical pioneer Xuefei Yang. Yangs extraordinary journey from a country that had banned Western musical instruments to international acclaim as a classical guitarist adds an inspiring dimension to the festivals third year. Joining Irish guitarists Muireann Bradley and John Walsh, Yang is performing alongside Muireann Bradley and John Walsh at the festival on Friday, July 19. Against all odds, Xuefei became the first-ever guitarist in China to enter a music school, paving the way to becoming the first internationally recognized Chinese guitarist on the world stage. Xuefeis international success has seen her perform in over 50 countries at prestigious venues such as Wigmore Hall, Royal Albert Hall and Carnegie Hall. She has collaborated with leading orchestras worldwide and continues to enrich the guitar repertoire through innovative commissions and arrangements. Her contributions to the classical music world have been widely recognized, with Classic FM naming her one of the top 100 classical musicians of our time and receiving the esteemed Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Music. Local musicians and guitar enthusiasts are also invited to attend Yangs exclusive masterclass on Saturday, July 20, at St Michaels Theatre. This is a rare opportunity to learn from a true master of the craft. Chinese musician Xuefei Yang is playing at New Ross Guitar Festival this July. Artistic Director and festival founder, David Creevy said: Ive been a big admirer of Xuefis playing for years. Festival Secretary, Sean Reidy, said: We are delighted to welcome Xuefei Yang to New Ross. For the third straight year, we have had world-class leading classical guitarists from Croatia, Turkey, and now China. Clr Bridin Murphy said: New Ross for the 2024 New Ross Guitar Festival is becoming well established now in its third year and continuing to attract musicians renowned across the globe. For participation inquiries for Xuefeis Masterclass, please contact David Creevy at david.creevy@gmail.com. New Ross Guitar Festival runs from Thursday, July 18, to Sunday, July 21. Ticket Link: https://stmichaelsnewross.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873658778 You can also contact St Michaels Theatre, 051 421255 for bookings. Sean Rowley was awarded Student of the Year at the St Peter's College End of Year prizegiving in the Church of Assumption Bride Street on Wednesday. (l to r)- John Banville (Principal), Graham Rowley, Joe Bishop (President of the PPU in St Peter's College), Sean Rowley, Bishop Ger Nash (Bishop of Ferns and Patron of the College), Marie Rowley, Fr Odhran Furlong (Chairperson of the Board of Management). Pic: Jim Campbell Temperatures could reach as high as 23 degrees today despite heavy rain, lightning and hail possible in the southeast and south of the country. Met Eireann has issued a Status Yellow thunderstorm warning for five counties: Carlow, Kilkenny, Cork, Tipperary and Waterford. The warning will come into effect at 2pm today and last until 8pm. This morning will be dry with sunny spells before showers develop in Leinster and Munster this afternoon. Rain will be heaviest in the southeast and south with spot flooding, lightning and hail possible. It will remains warm and humid with light northerly or variable breezes, highest temperatures of 18 to 23 degrees are expected. Showers will die out tonight and it will become dry with clear spells as temperatures reach lows of 7 to 10 degrees. Today's News in 90 seconds - 19th May 2024 Monday morning will be mainly dry with sunny spells, though showers will develop in the afternoon and evening, becoming heaviest and most frequent in Ulster, Connacht and west Munster. Thunderstorms, spot flooding and hail remains possible as highest temperatures reach 19 to 23 degrees. Met Eireann says the coming days remain changeable with showers or longer spells of rain, it will turn cooler and less humid from midweek. There will be scattered showers on Tuesday morning that will become widespread and heavy during the afternoon with spot flooding, lightning and hail possible. Highest temperatures will reach 16 to 19 degrees, dropping slightly to 14 to 18 degrees on Wednesday when there will be a mix of sunshine and showers, some possibly heavy. Thursday will be dry in the west, while more persistent rain will hit eastern counties and gradually spread westwards later. Temperatures on Thursday are expected to reach 12 to 15 degrees. while Friday could see highs of 15 to 18 degrees. Current indications suggest that Friday will bring showers or longer spells of rain with some brighter intervals possible, Met Eireann forecasts. Highest temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees are expected, with the weather likely to remain unsettled next weekend with rain at times. 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 Slovak prime minister Robert Fico remains in a serious condition and still faces risks of complications but has stabilised, officials said yesterday, following Wednesdays assassination attempt. The prime minister (59) was shot five times at point-blank range in an attack that sent shockwaves through Europe and raised concerns over the polarised state of politics in Slovakia, a central European country of 5.4 million people. Poll preps in full swing in Ladakh/ Photo courtesy: PIB New Delhi/IBNS: The Election Commission of India is all geared up for Phase 5 of the Lok Sabha polls on Monday with voting scheduled on 49 Parliament constituencies across 8 States/UTs. Polling for 35 Assembly Constituencies of the Odisha Legislative Assembly will also take place simultaneously. Until now, the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 has seen the voter turnout at polling stations of about 66.95 percent. Around 451 million people have already voted, during the first four phases of ongoing general elections. Elections will be held in Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Cities like Mumbai, Thane, and Lucknow are going to polls in this phase, which has in the past suffered from urban apathy in voting. The commission has especially urged these city-dwellers to erase the stigma by turning out in higher numbers. ECI has partnered with a host of prominent figures and Bollywood celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan among others to appeal to and motivate voters to cast their votes. The remaining 3 phases of polls will continue till the 1st of June with the counting of votes scheduled on June4. Polling for 23 states/UTs and 379 PCs was completed smoothly and peacefully in the first four phases, according to the poll body. A total of 2000 Flying Squads, 2105 Static Surveillance Teams, 881 Video Surveillance Teams and 502 Video Viewing Teams are keeping surveillance round the clock to deal with any form of inducement of voters strictly and swiftly. Mangled front-end of the Porche that hit the motorbike. Pune: A man and a woman, riding a motorbike, were killed when a luxury Porsche car, driven by a 17-year-old, hit their vehicle in Pune's Kalyani Nagar in the wee hours of Sunday, media reported citing police. The accident happened at 3:15 am when Anish Awadiya and Ashwini Costa were returning home with friends on motorcycles after partying at a club, according to the police, reported NDTV. Vedant Agarwal, 17, was driving the Porsche Taycan and rammed the speeding vehicle into the bike at the Kalyani Nagar junction, the report said. According to the bystanders, the car was speeding at around 150 km/hr. All the airbags of the car inflated in the crash, indicating that the vehicle's sensors detected a front-end crash Image credit: Video grab The two riders were flung into the air under the impact of the crash, causing them to land on another car. They died instantly. After hitting them, the car crashed into the pavement and came to a halt, said the report. According to media reports, the minor accused is the son of a renowned builder in Pune. Videos on social media showed a group of people thrashing the minor as he tried to come out of his mangled car. The police have registered a case at the Yerwada Police Station under Section 306 (Abetment of suicide), Section 279 (rash driving on public way), Section 304(a) (Causing death by negligence), Section 337 (Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), Section 427 (Commits mischief) of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, media reports said. Photo courtesy: PIB Varanasi, Modi's parliamentary constituency, is where he is seeking a third consecutive term. The constituency will vote on June 1, during the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Dr. Sumedh Thero, a Buddhist monk from Sarnath, Varanasi, told ANI that the Prime Minister has carried out "unprecedented" developmental works in areas connected to Lord Buddha's life. "Whole of the Buddhist society believes that PM Modi is a Buddhist patron. In the last 10 years, as a Buddhist patron, he has made unprecedented developments in places linked to Lord Buddha, like Bodh Gaya, Kushinagar, Sarnath, Kaushambi, Rajgir and Vaishali. He made roads, railway station and airports; earlier developments like this never happened. That is why people from all corners of the world are coming here for pilgrimage and to bless PM Modi," said the Buddhist monk while speaking to ANI. #WATCH Varanasi, UP: Buddhist monks give their blessings to PM Narendra Modi. A Buddhist monk says, "... PM Modi is a Buddhist patron. In the last 10 years, Buddhism has made unprecedented development in India... That is why people from all corners of the world are coming here pic.twitter.com/JbsGoAstRl ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2024 Buddhist monks also prayed for the Prime Minister's good health and longevity. "He is giving respect to every caste, community and religion. That's why we believe that such a leader has come after 1000 years and ruling with the concept of four novel truths. Therefore, we appreciate on behalf of World Buddhist Community and all Buddhist temples and monasteries his novel works and we pray for him to live long over 100 years," the Buddhist monk added. Earlier, Buddhist community leaders voiced their support for PM Modi following Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge's remark about PM Modi's "faith" in Buddhism. Kharge had questioned Modi's "faith" in Buddhism. Monk Sheelratan of the International Buddhist Research Institute had called the comments made by Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge as baseless and wrong regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modis faith in Buddhism. Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena, founder and president of the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre, expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for his efforts on behalf of the Buddhist community in India, stating that no other government has supported the Buddhist cause in India as much. "I want to express my sincere gratitude to PM Narendra Modi in my capacity for what he has done for the Buddhist people in India. I don't remember how many PMs and governments earlier supported the Buddhist cause in India. PM Modi has done a lot for Buddhism," he said. "He has laid the foundation stone of the International Buddhist Centre in Lumbini and has given us a special flight to take Buddha relics to different countries like Thailand. Wherever he goes, he talks about Buddhism. In the United Nations, he said, 'Bharat ne duniya ko Buddha diya hai, yuddh nahi', "Sanghasena added. Photo Courtesy: India in the UK X page Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra visited the United Kingdom recently when they discussed 'entire gamut' of bilateral relations and regional and global issues of mutual interest. He visited the country from May 16-17 for the 16th round of Foreign Office Consultations with Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). "During the visit, he also held meetings with MOS Foreign Office Lord Tariq Ahmad, MOS for Defence Procurement James Cartlidge, NSA Sir Tim Barrow, UK Home Office Permanent Secretary Matthew Rycroft, Chief Trade Negotiator of the UK Crawford Falconer and Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to the UK Prime Minister Professor John Bew," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. The Foreign Secretary and Permanent Under-Secretary undertook a detailed review of the Roadmap 2030. "Welcoming good progress across all pillars, they underscored their interest to raise the level of ambition and agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation including in trade and economic, defence and security, science and technology, people-to-people ties and mobility, energy, and climate change, as well as health," the statement said. It was agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in 2025 in New Delhi. Photo courtesy: Facebook/Atishi New Delhi: AAP leader Atishi claimed on Saturday that party MP Swati Maliwal , who has accused Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar of assault, is facing charges in an illegal recruitment case and was "blackmailed" by the BJP to join the "conspiracy" against the Chief Minister, media reported. Atishi, also a cabinet minister in the Delhi government, pointed out that it has been 24 hours since Kumar filed a complaint against Maliwal, yet the police have not registered an FIR. Describing the Delhi Police a "tool of the BJP," she accused it of targeting Kejriwal ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in the national capital. Meanwhile, the Delhi BJP has accused Kumar of tampering the CCTV footage and circulating the edited videos to tarnish Maliwal's image. Atishi accused Maliwal of barging into Kejriwals residence without an appointment and claimed that she could have made the same allegation against the CM had he met her that day instead of Kumar. Atishi alleged that BJP acts as per a pattern under which it first files cases against leaders and then threatens them with arrest. Swati Maliwal is facing charges in an illegal recruitment case registered by the Anti-Corruption Branch. An FIR has been registered in the case and it is at a stage where she could be arrested. The BJP blackmailed Maliwal and made her the face of this conspiracy," she was quoted as saying by PTI. Accusing the Delhi Police of impartiality, Atishi questioned if the Delhi Police would file a case against Maliwal for trespassing and blocking a government servant from discharging his duties. She said Maliwals call records should be checked to uncover her nexus with the BJP. A Rajya Sabha member and former chief of the Delhi Commission for Women, Maliwal has alleged that Bibhav Kumar slapped her multiple times and kicked her when she went to meet the Chief Minister at his residence on May 13. AAP MP Sanjay Singh had earlier stated that the Chief Minister's aide had misbehaved with her and that Kejriwal will take strict action, said the report. The BJP has called the incident "shameful". Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva told news agency ANI, "I am happy that the accused Bibhav Kumar has been arrested. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should break his silence on this matter because he was present at that time in that house. A woman has been assaulted in that house. It would be good if people of the AAP would have come in support of her. We welcome the investigation initiated against him and hope that strict action is taken against him." Photo courtesy: Facebook/ SRK & Salman Khan Mumbai/IBNS: Ahead of the Phase 5 polling for the Lok Sabha elections 2024, top Bollywood stars including Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan have taken to their social media accounts and appealed to the people of Mumbai to cast their votes. Film stars like Akshay Kumar, Shilpa Shetty, and Suniel Shetty too have urged voters in Mumbai and other areas going to polls to exercise their voting rights. In a message posted online, SRK gave a call to the voters to carry out their duty as Indians. "As responsible Indian citizens we must exercise our right to vote this Monday in Maharashtra. Let's carry out our duty as Indians and vote keeping our country's best interests in mind. Go forth Promote, our right to Vote," he said. As responsible Indian citizens we must exercise our right to vote this Monday in Maharashtra. Lets carry out our duty as Indians and vote keeping our countrys best interests in mind. Go forth Promote, our right to Vote. Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) May 18, 2024 Salman Khan said he will exercise his right to vote on Monday and urged others to do the same. "I exercise 365 days a year no matter what and now I'm going to exercise my right to vote on the 20th of May no matter what. So do whatever you want to do man, but go and vote and don't trouble your Bharat Mata .. Bharat Mata ki Jai," he said. I exercise 365 days a year no matter what and now Im going to exercise my right to vote on the 20th of May no matter what. So do whatever you want to do man, but go and vote and dont trouble your Bharat Mata .. Bharat Mata ki Jai Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) May 17, 2024 Akshay Kumar also recorded a video message and said the voters must not miss this opportunity to choose their Lok Sabha MPs. "May 20 offers an opportunity to Mumbaikaars that comes only once in five years - an opportunity to exercise your right to vote and choose your Lok Sabha MP. Don't miss it because each vote matters. Enjoy your Sunday and do your duty for the country on Monday," appealed Kumar. Watch: Bollywood Actor Akshay Kumar appeals to the people to vote in the elections scheduled for May 20. pic.twitter.com/LKSy5LSlnr IANS (@ians_india) May 19, 2024 His co-star from the Hera Pheri franchise, Suniel Shetty said voting isn't just our right, but also a responsibility. "As a proud Mumbaikaar, I will certainly vote. On May 20, please step out and do cast your vote," said Suniel Shetty. Actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra, in a video message, said: "I appeal to all Mumbaikaars who are eligible to vote - please go out and vote on May 20. Voting is your right and make use of you." Music composer Vishal Dadlani said he will be outside Mumbai over the weekend, but will return before Monday to cast his vote. "Voting is the most important duty that you have towards your democracy. If you don't vote, you lose the right Photo Courtesy: Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel X page Exiled Tibetans of Dharamshala on Friday demonstrated in the city to demand the release of spiritual leader 11th Panchen Lama. The protesters believe China has abducted him. With chants echoing through the streets, protesters voiced their concerns over the mysterious disappearance of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, recognized by Tibets spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, as the legitimate Panchen Lama, reported ANI. Tenzin Kunsel, a protester and the regional president of Tibetan Women Association, told the news agency: "This is the 29th time that we have gathered here and we want the Chinese government to release Panchen Lama and give us the current well-being and whereabouts of the 11th Panchen Lama." The Panchen Lama holds the second most crucial position in the Tibetan spiritual paradigm after Dalai Lama. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima is the 11th Panchen Lama belonging to the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism, as recognized and announced by the 14th Dalai Lama on 14 May 1995. According to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom website, Nyima was forcibly disappeared because of his religious leadership role. On May 17, 1995, authorities abducted then six-year old Gedhun and his family. The abduction came after the Dalai Lama chose Gedhun to be the 11th Panchen Lama, the second highest position in Tibetan Buddhism, on May 14, 1995, the website mentions. Chinese authorities later announced their own pick to serve as the Panchen Lama. US reaction The United States demanded China to reveal the whereabouts of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his well-being. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement: " The PRC government is denying members of the Tibetan community access to this important religious figure and instead continues to promote a state-selected proxy." "We urge PRC authorities to immediately account for Gedhun Choekyi Nyimas whereabouts and well-being and to allow him to fully exercise his human rights in line with the PRCs international commitments," he said. Tibetan Uprising The 1959 Tibetan Uprising or the 1959 Tibetan rebellion began on 10 March 1959, when a revolt erupted in Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, which had been under the effective control of the People's Republic of China since the Seventeen Point Agreement was reached in 1951. Armed conflict between Tibetan guerillas and the People's Liberation Army(PLA) had started in 1956 in the Kham and Amdo regions, which had been subjected to socialist reform. The guerrilla warfare later spread to other areas of Tibet and lasted through 1962. The anniversary of the uprising is observed by Tibetan exiles as the ''Tibetan Uprising Day''. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash A section of Pakistan is witnessing a dengue outbreak with 14 people losing their lives due to the disease in Turbat region, media reports said. Over 5,000 have been diagnosed with the disease in Kech district. As many as 14 people died of dengue in Turbat alone, the district headquarters of Kech district, during the last two months, Dr Abu-Bakar, district health officer of Kech, told Dawn News. He told the Pakistani newspaper that during the current year, 24,552 people came for screening, and out of them, 5,329 were found positive for dengue. He said the deaths due to dengue occurred in different villages of Turbat. According to local reports, authorities have not imposed an emergency in the region despite deaths recorded due to the vector-borne disease. Authorities have not even provided proper treatment facilities to patients. Most patients face difficulties due to the lack of proper testing and laboratory facilities in government and private hospitals in the district, a patient, Mubarak Baloch, told Dawn. I have been suffering from the dengue virus for the last week and have received no proper treatment, while I dont have resources to go to Karachi for treatment. Dengue cases have also been reported from the Gwadar and Panjgur regions of the country. Quotes By Gautam Buddha: Buddha Purnima, a revered festival celebrated by Buddhists worldwide, commemorates the birth of Gautam Buddha. Although the exact date of his birth is not known, this sacred day is traditionally observed on the full moon day of the Vaisakha month in the Hindu lunar calendar. In 2024, Buddha Purnima falls on Thursday, May 23rd. Gautama Buddha, originally Prince Siddhartha Gautama, was born in 623 BC in the tranquil gardens of Lumbini, Nepal. His life and teachings have significantly shaped spiritual and philosophical thought worldwide. Today, Lumbini is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major pilgrimage destination, drawing Buddhists and other visitors from around the globe who wish to pay homage to Buddhas birthplace. Significance of Buddha Purnima Core Principles: The festival is a time to reflect on Buddhism's core principles of peace, compassion, and enlightenment. Vesak: In South and Southeast Asia, Buddha Purnima coincides with Vesak, marking Buddha's enlightenment and his passing into Nirvana. Spreading Peace: Its an opportunity to share messages of peace and harmony. Consider sending festive cards or social media posts with heartfelt wishes to loved ones. Buddha Purnima Timings In 2024, the Purnima Tithi (full moon phase) associated with Buddha Purnima begins at 6:47 PM on May 22nd and ends at 7:22 PM on May 23rd. This period is significant for various rituals and observances associated with the festival. Celebrating Buddha Purnima On Buddha Purnima, devotees engage in various activities such as visiting temples, offering prayers, meditating, and reflecting on Buddha's teachings. It is a time for both individual and communal efforts to embody the principles of Buddhism, fostering a spirit of compassion and mindfulness in everyday life. Happy Buddha Purnima wishes and quotes to share. Happy Buddha Purnima wishes images to share on WhatsApp | Photo: Freepik This Buddha Jayanti, let's reflect on these powerful quotes by Gautam Buddha to inspire ourselves and others on our spiritual journey towards enlightenment. These timeless words and verses from the Buddhist scripture can help us honour the occasion of Gautama Buddha's enlightenment and deepen our understanding of his teachings. Most Inspiring quotes by Gautam Budha on his 2586th Birthday "Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." "Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth." "Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without." "The mind is everything. What you think you become." "Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned." "Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship." "In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you." "Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life." "You will not be punished for your anger; you will be punished by your anger." "The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows." "Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense." "Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others." "Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule." "The tongue like a sharp knife... Kills without drawing blood." "To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear." "The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly." "An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea." "All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become." "There is no path to happiness: happiness is the path." "Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." "The trouble is, you think you have time." "The root of suffering is attachment." "Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace." "However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?" "A jug fills drop by drop." "Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." "All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else." "To conquer oneself is a greater task than conquering others." "Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity." Every morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most. "Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it." "You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection." "No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path." "Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die." "The mind is everything. What you think, you become." "It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you." "To keep the body in good health is a duty otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear." "The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows." "In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true." "To understand everything is to forgive everything." "Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others." "Purity or impurity depends on oneself. No one can purify another." "There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills." "If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your path." "Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule." "Every human being is the author of his own health or disease." "The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart." "Better than worshiping gods is obedience to the laws of righteousness." "No one can escape death and unhappiness. If people expect only happiness in life, they will be disappointed." "Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it." "To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as one's own in the midst of abundance." "If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change." "Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didnt learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didnt learn a little, at least we didnt get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didnt die; so, let us all be thankful." "True love is born from understanding." "Just as a snake sheds its skin, we must shed our past over and over again." "A disciplined mind brings happiness." "Those who have failed to work toward the truth have missed the purpose of living." "Our theories of the eternal are as valuable as are those which a chick which has not broken its way through its shell might form of the outside world." "When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky." "Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else." "Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely." "Pain is certain, suffering is optional." "It is in the nature of things that joy arises in a person free from remorse." "If you truly loved yourself, you could never hurt another." "All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts and made up of our thoughts." "To conquer oneself is a greater task than conquering others." "The past is already gone, the future is not yet here. Theres only one moment for you to live." "The greatest prayer is patience." "As you walk and eat and travel, be where you are. Otherwise, you will miss most of your life." "We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves." "He who loves 50 people has 50 woes; he who loves no one has no woes." "Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace." "He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind." "Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom." "There is no fire like passion, there is no shark like hatred, there is no snare like folly, there is no torrent like greed." "I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done." "Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill." "Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue." "Nothing can harm you as much as your own thoughts unguarded." "It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways." "One who acts on truth is happy in this world and beyond." "Everything that has a beginning has an ending. Make your peace with that and all will be well." "Kindness should become the natural way of life, not the exception." "He who walks in the eightfold noble path with unswerving determination is sure to reach Nirvana." "What we think, we become." "With our thoughts, we make the world." "One moment can change a day, one day can change a life, and one life can change the world." "Set your heart on doing good. Do it over and over again, and you will be filled with joy." "A mind unruffled by the vagaries of fortune, from sorrow freed, from defilements cleansed, from fear liberatedthis is the greatest blessing." "To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent." "An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind." "You cannot travel the path until you have become the path itself." "The wise ones fashioned speech with their thought, sifting it as grain is sifted through a sieve." "It is better to travel well than to arrive." "Whatever has the nature of arising has the nature of ceasing." "The darkest night is ignorance." "Even as a solid rock is unshaken by the wind, so are the wise unshaken by praise or blame." "Give, even if you only have a little." "The one in whom no longer exist the cravings and thirsts that perpetuate becoming; how could you track that awakened one, trackless, and of limitless range." "Meditate do not delay, lest you later regret it." "Delight in heedfulness! Guard well your thoughts!" "The world is afflicted by death and decay. But the wise do not grieve, having realized the nature of the world." "Let go of the past, let go of the future, let go of the present, and cross over to the farther shore of existence. With mind wholly liberated, you shall come no more to birth and death." "He who has conquered himself is a far greater hero than he who has defeated a thousand times a thousand men." "To support mother and father, to cherish wife and child, and to have a simple livelihood; this is the good luck." "The tongue is like a sharp knife... Kills without drawing blood." "Whatever precious jewel there is in the heavenly worlds, there is nothing comparable to one who is Awakened." "Every morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most." "Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill." "All wrong-doing arises because of mind. If mind is transformed can wrong-doing remain?" "Wear your ego like a loose fitting garment." "Be vigilant; guard your mind against negative thoughts." "To cease from evil, to do good, and to purify the mind yourself, this is the teaching of all the Buddhas." "Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace." Buddha Purnima FAQs: Q. How is Vesak celebrated in India? In India, Vesak is celebrated in various ways depending on the region and local traditions. Here are some common ways in which Vesak is celebrated in India: Visiting temples: Buddhists visit temples on Vesak to offer prayers and offerings to the Buddha. Many temples are decorated with colorful lights and flowers for the occasion.Meditation and prayer: Buddhists participate in group meditation and prayer sessions to reflect on the Buddha's teachings and to renew their commitment to following the path of enlightenment.Chanting of Buddhist scriptures: Devotees chant the Buddhist scriptures, such as the Dhammapada and the Sutta Pitaka, to seek blessings and inspiration.Offering of food and alms: Buddhists offer food and alms to monks and nuns as a way of showing gratitude and seeking blessings.Acts of kindness and generosity: Vesak is also a time to engage in acts of kindness and generosity, such as donating to charity, helping the needy, and releasing animals into the wild. Q. Is Buddha Purnima and Vesak same? Buddha Purnima is one of the most important festivals of Buddhism. It's also known as Vesak, or Buddha Jayanti. Q. Which country celebrates Vesak? Vesak is celebrated across the world in the Buddhist Community, including countries in Asia such as: India, Thailand, and North and South Korea. For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events. In a recently surfaced viral TikTok video, creator Savannah Gowarty showed the state of things inside a plane she was travelling in. A 'mysterious' mist escaping from the air vents left all passengers onboard absolutely drenched. Here's what went on. What happened on the plane that left passengers soaking wet? A 'mysterious' mist escaping from the air vents left all passengers onboard absolutely drenched | Image: Fox Business Also read: Chinese Artist Creates Flaming 'Stairway to Heaven' For Grandma's 100th Birthday, Old Video Viral Again TikTok creator Savannah Gowarty shared a seconds-long video that showed passengers crowding the aisles and others seated as a 'mysterious mist' engulfed the seats during a four-hour flight. Text overlay in the first frame reads, "Captain: It appears to be raining in the cabin." TikTok creator Savannah Gowarty seen with water on her face | Image: Fox Business Also read: Blue Meteor Lights Up Skies Over Spain & Portugal, Viral Video Captures 'Breathtaking' Moment "What is this?" Savannah says in the video as water drips from her face and her shirt gets drenched. "Four hour flight. So cold." Savannah then walks to her seat and once seated, she tries to "air dry" her shirt on the armrest. Fox Business spoke to Christopher Hennon, a professor of meteorology at EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University, who confirmed, "Yes, this is just condensation (like fog)." "The plane was likely sitting at the gate for a while with no engines running, making the air inside warm and humid," Hennon said. "When the engines started and the A/C was initiated, the air near the vents cooled quickly and saturated, causing the smoke." How did people react? Savannah tried to air dry her shirt on the armrest | Image: Fox Business Also read: Elephant Uproots Massive Tree With Its Trunk - Here's The Eye-opening Reason Why He added, "This is pretty common. I've been on several flights where I observed this," he added. "The condensation dissipates fairly quickly as the air inside the cabin becomes progressively drier." "Oooo rainforest cafe experience but on an airplane," one user wrote. "I don't care as long as it's COLD and not stuffy and hot," added another. "I hate being wet and cold." a third chimed in. "I'd be in full meltdown mode," wrote a fourth. Watch the video here. What do you think of this? Hit us up in the comments section and let us know. There's a whole lot more on Indiatimes Trending. You can also follow us on Telegram. Highest-paid Indian-origin CEOs: A decade ago, only a few Indian-origin individuals were at the forefront of major American companies. Familiar names included Indra Nooyi of PepsiCo, Sundar Pichai at Google, and Satya Nadella at Microsoft. However, over the years, we've witnessed a significant shift, with more companies entrusting Indian-origin talent to lead their operations. From Sundar Pichai to Satya Nadella, let's explore the earnings of some of the top Indian-origin CEOs. Sundar Pichai Current Status: CEO of Google and Alphabet Pichai began his journey with Google in 2004, focusing initially on the development of the Google Toolbar. His contributions led to him being appointed as Senior Vice President of Chrome and Apps in 2012, where he supervised Chrome, Chrome OS, and Google Drive. By 2013, he had risen to the position of Senior Vice President of Android. Sundar Pichai Salary: Alphabet, the parent company of Google, has announced that its CEO, Sundar Pichai, received a total compensation package of approximately $226 million (Rs 1,846 crore) in 2022. According to reports, Pichai's net worth is said to be approximately $1.66 billion. Satya Nadella Current Status: CEO of Microsoft ap Nadella joined Microsoft in 1992, where he took on several significant roles within the company. Before assuming the role of CEO, he served as the leader of the Cloud and Enterprise division, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the development of Microsoft Azure. Satya Nadella Salary: Indian-American Satya Nadella joined Microsoft in 1992 and has held numerous positions within the company. He assumed the role of CEO in 2014. According to Bloomberg, Nadella earned a salary of $55 million (approximately Rs 454 crore) in 2022. In a proxy statement filed before the Securities Exchange Commission in 2023, Microsoft reported that Nadella received a total annual compensation of $48,512,537, which was less than his salary of around $55 million in 2022. READ ALSO: Meet India's Highest Paid IT CEOs: This Company's CEO Earns Over Rs 50 Lakh Per Day! Jay Chaudhry Current Status: CEO of Zscaler Jay Chaudhry - CEO of Zscaler | YT Jai Chaudhary's path from the small village of Panoh in Una district, Himachal Pradesh, to becoming Zscaler's CEO is truly inspiring. Despite hailing from a farming family, he pursued education at the IIT campus of Banaras Hindu University. Later, he ventured to the United States, earning engineering and MBA degrees from the University of Cincinnati. Driven by his entrepreneurial spirit, Chaudhary established multiple companies before founding the cloud security company Zscaler. Today, he commands an impressive annual salary of Rs 3,46,56,83,520. Jay Chaudhry Salary: According to WION, Jay Chaudhry, the Indian-origin Founder and CEO of Zscaler, earned approximately $41.35 million (approximately Rs 341 crores) in salary in 2022. Shantanu Narayen Current Status: CEO of Adobe Systems Before joining Adobe, Narayen gained experience at Apple and Silicon Graphics. He commenced his journey with Adobe in 1998 as the Vice President and General Manager of the engineering technology group. Narayen earned his bachelor's degree in electronics engineering from Osmania University in India before pursuing further education in the United States. Shantanu Narayen Salary: According to TOI report, Currently, he is Adobes CEO and his salary was $31 million (roughly Rs 256 crores) in 2022. Arvind Krishna Current Status: CEO of IBM Krishna began his journey with IBM in 1990, where he held numerous technical and executive positions. He played a pivotal role in shaping IBM's cloud and cognitive computing initiatives. Arvind Krishna Salary: According to reports from Financial Express, Krishna's salary in 2022 amounted to $10.4 million (approximately Rs 85 crore), as reported by TOI. Born in Andhra Pradesh, he pursued his education at IIT Kanpur and the University of Illinois. Anirudh Devgan Current Status: CEO of Cadence Design Systems Before assuming the role of CEO in 2021, he served as President of Cadence. Prior to this, he held positions such as Executive Vice President and General Manager for the Digital & Signoff and System Verification departments. His journey at Cadence began in 2012. Before joining Cadence, Dr. Devgan held executive staff and Corporate VP roles at Magma Design Automation. Additionally, he gained experience in technical and management positions at IBM. Anirudh Devgan Salary: Anirudh Devgan, born in India, began his tenure at Cadence Design Systems in 2012. Over the years, he has held several leadership positions within the company, eventually rising to the role of President and CEO. According to Hindustan Times, his salary in 2021 amounted to $32 million (approximately Rs 264 crores). Neal Mohan Current Status: CEO of YouTube Neal Mohan - CEO of Youtube | X.com Before joining YouTube, Mohan held the position of Vice President of Display and Video Advertising Products at Google. He spent part of his high school years at St. Francis' College in India before returning to the U.S., where he was raised in Michigan and Florida. Mohan pursued his education at Stanford University, graduating with a degree in electrical engineering in 1996. Neal Mohan Salary: As per a report by DNA, Neal Mohan's monthly salary is around Rs 3.1 crore. He currently serves as the CEO of Palo Alto Networks. Nikesh Arora Current Status: CEO of Palo Alto Networks Arora began his career in finance, working at Fidelity Investments and T-Mobile. He gained prominence during his tenure at Google, where he served as Chief Marketing Officer and later as Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer. Nikesh Arora Salary: According to 5paisa.com, Nikesh earned $10.40 million in 2022, which amounts to Rs 82.7 crore using the same translation average for July 2022. Over the past two years, his total compensation has exceeded Rs 256.1 crore, indicating a notable increase in wealth of over Rs 35 lakh daily. Nikesh Arora became the highest-paid executive of Google in 2012 when the company hired him on a $51 million package. By the end of his time at the Silicon Valley-headquartered company, Nikesh Arora collected stock awards worth at least $200 million. Sanjay Mehrotra Current Status: CEO of Micron Technology Born in Kanpur in 1958, he played a pivotal role as one of the co-founders of SanDisk. From 2011 until its acquisition by Western Digital in 2016, he served as the president and CEO of the company. Mehrotra boasts over 40 years of experience in the semiconductor memory industry, having held engineering and leadership roles at Integrated Device Technology, SEEQ Technology, and Intel Corp. Sanjay Mehrotra Salary: His salary was around $25.3 million (Rs 206 crore) in 2021, reported WION. Laxman Narasimhan Current Status: CEO of Starbucks Laxman Narasimhan - CEO of Starbucks | X.com Indian-origin executive Laxman Narasimhan has officially assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer at global coffee giant Starbucks. In September 2022, Starbucks announced that Laxman Narasimhan would be stepping into the role of the company's next CEO and also joining the Starbucks Board of Directors. Laxman Narasimhan Salary: According to Financial Express, Laxman Narasimhan will receive an annual salary of US$ 1.3 million, along with a signing bonus of approximately US$ 1.6 million in cash. This bonus is intended to compensate for the incentives he relinquished upon leaving Reckitt. As of 2023, his estimated net worth stands at approximately $23 million dollars. Vivek Sankaran Current Status: CEO of Albertsons Vivek Sankaran joined Albertsons Companies as President and CEO in 2019. Before this, he was associated with PepsiCo. Vivek Shankaran started his career after doing mechanical engineering at IIT Chennai. Vivek Sankaran's salary: He receives $8,639,520 annual salary from the company. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here Imagine a young boy from a small town in India, with dreams as big as the sky. This boy, Muneeb Amin Bhatt, always loved to look up at the stars and wonder about the mysteries of space. Fast forward a few years, and Muneeb, once just a curious kid, is now making waves in the world of technology. First, he made his mark at Apple, one of the most famous tech companies in the world. But Muneeb didn't stop there. His incredible skills and determination have now earned him a spot in NASAs prestigious Hall of Fame. This is the inspiring story of how Muneeb Amin Bhatt, the Indian techie, reached for the stars and achieved his dreams. Who is Muneeb Amin Bhatt? Muneeb Amin Bhatt, a young techie from Kulgam district, Jammu and Kashmir, has achieved something remarkable! He's now part of NASA's 'Hall of Fame' for identifying data breach vulnerabilities in their system. This 22-year-old cybersecurity researcher had already earned recognition from Apple's 'Hall of Fame' in 2023 for reporting vulnerabilities in their system. A 22-year-old cybersecurity expert, originally from Zungalpora village in South Kashmir, Muneeb reported his findings to NASA through their Vulnerability Disclosure Program. This program helps NASA become aware of vulnerabilities that they might not have known about otherwise. Due to the program's guidelines, Muneeb couldn't disclose the specifics of the vulnerabilities, but he did mention that they involved exposing sensitive data. Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Computer Applications (BCA) from IGNOU, Muneeb started his journey after dropping out of a B.Tech degree program from a private engineering college in Kashmir. His story is a testament to the importance of perseverance and dedication in achieving success. Also Read: Who Is Rahul Sharma? From Middle-Class Boy To Tech Billionaire And Husband Of Ghajini Actress Asin Bhatt shared the news on his Instagram and caption, "Since I was a child, Ive been fascinated by space exploration and the incredible work done by NASA. Their missions to the moon, satellites exploring distant planets, and unravelling the mysteries of the universe have always captured my imagination. Recently, I had the opportunity to combine my passion for space with my skills in ethical hacking. Through dedicated exploration, I identified a few vulnerabilities in NASAs systems. It was a thrilling experience to contribute to the security of such an esteemed organization. Im grateful for the chance to play a small part in ensuring the safety and integrity of NASA. Additionally, being recognised by NASA and having my name added to the NASA Hall of Fame is an immense honour. Its a reminder of the importance of cybersecurity in our increasingly digital world." Muneeb Amin Bhatt Under NASA's Vulnerability Disclosure Program (VDP), meant to find problems in their system, Bhat followed the rules carefully. He didn't give out specific details but said there were issues with sensitive data being exposed, which could lead to private information being leaked. According to NASA's rules, if you find a problem or sensitive data, you should stop testing right away and tell NASA about it. They'll keep it secret. NASA thanked Bhat for finding these issues and said they were real. They even put him in their 'Hall of Fame' for helping make their system safer. Success didn't come overnight Muneeb has been tirelessly working for years, identifying vulnerabilities in various organizations and earning prizes worth millions. Muneeb said, "My success in ethical hacking didn't come overnight; it is the result of 10 years of hard work. In addition to working with Apple and NASA, I have secured the systems of Oracle, McDonald's, Intel, USAA, Indeed, and many other major organisations. He further added, "In today's digital age, nothing is completely secure. No matter how big an organization is, if it is connected to a network, it is at risk of being hacked." Also Read: Coffee In Paradise: Barista Diner's Largest Cafe Opens Near Dal Lake In Srinagar "Organizations worldwide seek ethical hackers to improve their security. Despite having their own cybersecurity teams, they invite hackers to test and report vulnerabilities to ensure foolproof security. Even if they don't pay, organizations should acknowledge ethical hackers, as it helps in securing their data," Muneeb added. What is NASA's Vulnerability Disclosure Program (VDP)? AFP NASA's goal is to explore space and advance science and technology for the benefit of everyone. They use computers and the internet to do this, but sometimes there are problems with security. That's why NASA has a policy that encourages people to report any security issues they find. This helps NASA fix problems and keep their information safe. The policy says that researchers should only test certain NASA websites and systems, and they shouldn't try to break into them in harmful ways. If researchers find a problem, they should tell NASA about it without telling anyone else. NASA promises to work with the researchers to fix the problem, and they won't get in trouble for finding it. If someone wants to report a security problem, they can do it through a special website. NASA will say they got the report within three days and will try to fix the problem as soon as possible. They'll keep in touch with the person who reported it and let them know what's happening. NASA asks researchers not to tell anyone else about the problem for a while so they have time to fix it. This helps keep NASA's work safe and secure for everyone. Note: Details mentioned here are as per the information available. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here Remember Asin Thottumkal, one of Bollywood's finest actresses, known for her roles in movies like Aamir Khans Ghajini and Salman Khans Ready. In January 2016, she married Rahul Sharma, the co-founder and CEO of Micromax. After her marriage, Asin surprised everyone by quitting acting. Rahul Sharma's journey from humble beginnings to becoming a successful entrepreneur is truly inspiring. Who is Rahul Sharma? Rahul Sharma, the co-founder and CEO of Micromax, was born into a family with three sisters. His father was a school principal, and his mother was a homemaker. Rahul's father was his biggest inspiration. His father instilled important values in his life, encouraging him to work hard, be honest, and follow the path of ethics and discipline. Rahul believes his father always supported him and considers him a role model who continues to inspire him to strive for more. Also Read: Haldiram's Success Story Education Asin and Rahul Sharma He is a mechanical engineer, having graduated from Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, and also holds a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. Besides Micromax, he owns Revolt Intellicorp, which launched Indias first AI-based electric bike in 2017. Initially, Micromax was an IT software company, but it entered the mobile business in 2008. By 2010, Micromax became one of India's largest low-cost phone manufacturers, even having Hugh Jackman as its brand ambassador. Rahul Sharma's Net Worth, car collection and luxurious lifestyle According to Forbes and DNA, Rahul Sharma's net worth is around Rs 1,300 crore. Rahul Sharma owns a luxurious farmhouse in Delhi and a fleet of expensive cars, including a Bentley Supersport Limited Edition, BMW X6, Mercedes GL450, and Rolls-Royce Ghost Series 2. His entrepreneurial success has earned him a spot on Fortune magazines 40 most influential people under 40 and the Forbes Person of the Year award in 2010, among other accolades. The Birth of Micromax Mobile Asin and Rahul Sharma Coming from a middle-class family, Rahul Sharma always dreamed big. Despite competition from giants like Samsung, Nokia, LG, and Motorola, he launched Micromax to offer Indian consumers cost-effective, high-performance smartphones. Rahul launched Micromax Informatics in 2000 with his friends Rajesh Aggarwal, Vikas Jain, and Sumeet Arora. They started with a loan of Rs 3 lakh from Rahul's father. Micromax introduced long-battery life phones, dual SIM phones, and even a phone for women with Swarovski crystals, which was a huge success. In an interview, Rahul shared that he would sometimes pose as a salesman in their stores to understand customer behaviour better. Also Read: Kangana Ranaut's Net Worth Rahul Sharma's personal life Akshay kumar, Asin and Rahul Sharma Asin and Rahul got married in January 2016. They welcomed their daughter Arin in 2017, and it's been said that actor Akshay Kumar played a significant role in their union. Last year in June, there were rumours of Asin and Rahul separating. However, the actress quickly dismissed these rumours. Rahul Sharma's journey shows that with determination and innovation, any dream can be achieved. Note: Details mentioned here are as per the information available. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), at the weekend, handed over $22,000 recovered from convicted internet fraudster, Hakeem Ayotunde Olanrewaju to the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The anti-graft agency announced in a statement that, Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, ordered on August 15, 2023, that the money recovered from Olanrewaju, who was sentenced to two years imprisonment for identity theft and impersonation, be restituted to his victim in the United States. Advertisement During the handover ceremony in Lagos, the Acting Director of the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC, Michael T. Wetkas, reaffirmed the Commissions dedication to combating crime and restoring integrity to the nation. READ ALSO: Police Dismiss Inspector For N29.8m Theft, Kidnapping, Robbery In Abuja Wetkas said, We are delighted to be handing over this proceeds of crime today. The EFCC is willing and always ready to do more. FBI Legal Attache, Charles Smith, said, The EFCC and FBI work collaboratively together, and it is thanks to the EFCC that we can recover funds of this nature, especially from Business email Compromise, BEC. This type of crime cripples businesses in the US, and for them to recover the money within one to two years gives hope to the affected companies and brings some level of justice, even if not all subjects have been identified. We hope our relationship continues and fosters a more cohesive partnership between the two agencies. If theres anything the FBI can do to support this investigation, we will do so. We appreciate this on behalf of the FBI and thank the EFCC. Governors from Nigerias North-East geopolitical have decried the neglect of the region when it comes to allocations of Federal Government projects. The Governors disclosed that the region has over the years been sidelined in term of construction and rehabilitation of critical infrastructure, especially roads and railway, along the economic corridors that links the North-East subregion to the rest of the country. Their complaints and reservations were contained in a communique issued by the North East Governors Forum at the end of its 10th Meeting of the forum held in Bauchi. Advertisement The Forum noted with dismay that despite its cry for attention on the State of infrastructure in the region which has been consistently echoed in all its communique over the years nothing has changed. According to them, the North-East was excluded from the National Infrastructure Plan for the transition from Premium Motor Spirits (PMS) to Compressed Gas. The Roads from Enugu to Maiduguri is in deplorable State and the railway from Enugu up to Maiduguri has been destroyed. This is a major route for regional trade and very important for integration, peace building and improving national unity. The Forum is calling on the Federal Government to look into the situation and consider the reconstruction of these basic infrastructure along Enugu-Maiduguri Economic Corridor and inclusion of NE in all National Development Plans and initiatives, the communique stated. READ ALSO: Theyre Behaving Like Sore Losers, Were Unbothered Presidency, APC React To Atiku, Obis Planned Alliance The Forum further noted the blackout experienced by the region over the lack of electricity experienced over the last one month and the nonchalant attitude exhibited by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). Forum is watching keenly the commitment made by TCN to restore power to all the state of the region by the 27th May, 2024; accordingly, the Forum urged the Federal Government to direct TCN to take immediate action. The Forum has resolved in the short term, to set up a solar power plant that can generate a minimum 10 Megawatts per State. The Forum notes with deep concern that the Northeast, is the only region in Nigeria that has one transmission line supplying six states with a land mass of nearly 300Km square and population of over 35 million,This has made the region the most vulnerable and most disadvantaged for industrial development and economic growth with over 70% of its population below 35 years of age. The Forum therefore calls on the Minister of Power and indeed the Federal Government as a matter of urgency to implement the extension of the 330KV transmission line from Makurdi Gassol Jalingo linking to Adamawa Gombe Bauchi and the extension of the 330KV line from Kano- Bauchi- Yobe, linking to Borno. The Forum resolved to maximise the existing hydropower generated in Kashimbilla and Dadin Kowa dam which the region has not been benefitting from because of the Ministry of Power has failed to extend the 330KV line of Makurdi Gassol- Jalingo line. Forum notes that climate change and environmental degradation remains a reality in the region. The Forum appreciates the various states for the policies they are putting in place to reclaim the environment. It called for a more sustained and coordinated regional onslaught to reverse the speed of desertification in the region. The Forum also charges the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) to be consultative in its dealings, operation and project prioritization. It calls on the NEDC to work with the States in the region for Energy Development to unlock the energy potentials of the region and lessen the energy paucity burden of the people, the communique read. Lauretta Onochie, former chairperson of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), says the stepping down of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for former Anambra Governor, Peter Obi would make President Bola Ahmed Tinubus 2027 re-election easier. Recall that Atiku, 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said he would happily back a presidential candidate of south east extraction if the PDP zone its presidential ticket to the region. READ ALSO: PDP No Longer Relevant In Osun, APC Will Take Over In 2026 Oyetola Boats Advertisement Reacting, Onochie, a former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari in a post via X prayed that Atiku actually steps down for his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi. Our Father and our God. Yes, its me, your son. I pray that Atiku steps down for Obi, so that 2027 would be an easy job for APC re-election. You know I never ask you for anything because you are a responsible father who provides for me, always. Thank you for answered prayer. Shortly after the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) gave the Federal Government an ultimatum over the failure to reconstitute the governing councils of universities across the country, a new list has been unveiled. The 111 tertiary institutions include Universities , Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education. Advertisement ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, however said the Federal Government was expected to reinstate the illegally dissolved governing councils and not to constitute new ones. Osodeke also stated that the demand from the union was not only about the dissolved governing councils of tertiary institutions, adding that the Federal Government should implement other requests of ASUU. Recall that on Tuesday, ASUU issued a two-week ultimatum to the Nigerian government to address its key concerns including what it described as the illegal dissolution of governing councils of the universities, continued payment of its members salaries using the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, amongst others. Notable among the members of the councils unveiled include former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Attahiru Jega; two prominent Nigerian lawyers and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Wole Olanipekun and Yusuf Alli; former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Peter Okebukola, and labour activist, Issa Aremu. READ ALSO: Weve Lost 46 Members To Economic Situation ASUU As released by the Federal Ministry of Education and signed by its Permanent Secretary, Didi Walson-Jack, the list comprises five names each for 50 universities, 37 polytechnics, and 24 colleges of education. While Jega will serve as the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Messrs Olanipeku, Alli, Okubukola and Aremu will chair the councils for the University of Lagos, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Federal College of Education (Technical), Keana, Nasarawa State, respectively. Others on the list include the former governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda, who will chair the governing council of the National Open University of Nigeria, Joy Emordi, a former Senator, who will chair the council of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Imo State, and a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed, who is appointed to lead the council of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State. The immediate-past Executive Secretary of NUC, Adamu Rasheed, who resigned from office a few months into his second term in office, was also named to chair the governing council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State. According to the statement, the inauguration and retreat for the new governing council members will take place on Thursday and Friday, 30 and 31 May, at the National Universities Commissions headquarters in Abuja. Reacting, Osodeke, in a chat with Punch on Saturday, said, It is not just about the governing council alone, it is just one of them. Secondly, we said they should reinstate the illegally dissolved governing council. We didnt say they should constitute a new one. As far as we are concerned, they have not met any. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in June 2023, announced the dissolution of the governing councils of major government agencies and institutions including those of the higher institutions of learning. Nija Wiggins, owner of Corneey's, sells gourmet corn on the cob at a pop-up event at the Philadelphia Housing Authority's headquarters in North Philadelphia on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Wiggins was one of about 40 PHA residents the agency has helped start or grow businesses. Read more Reshay Kennedy traces her love of baking to her childhood, when she made desserts in her Easy-Bake Oven and made treats with her grandmom. Having her own children pushed her to turn a hobby into a business during the pandemic. She became more aware of how much sugar and preservatives are in baked goods and wanted to offer alternatives. So in January 2021, Kennedy started Nuris Sweet Treats. She sells her desserts, including vegan and sugar-free options, at pop-up events and is working to get into farmers markets this summer. Advertisement By the end of this year, I will have my dessert truck, she said. Thats the goal for me. Kennedy is one of about 40 Philadelphians who have been able to start or grow businesses because of the homes they live in: Theyre Philadelphia Housing Authority residents. READ MORE: HUD's Family Self-Sufficiency Program turns rent increases into savings Through the public housing authoritys six-month entrepreneurial fellowship program, started in 2021, residents learn budgeting, cash flow management, marketing, and other skills. They get help establishing their companies and getting licenses. And they receive up to $3,000 as a small business grant and up to $2,000 to reimburse them for business expenses. In March, Kennedy completed PHAs advanced one-year version. The program gets some of its funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments Moving to Work program. The federal agency gives money to public housing authorities to develop programs that help their residents become self-sufficient. This is a real opportunity that sets up our residents to succeed in the real world by becoming their own boss, said Kelvin Jeremiah, president and chief executive officer of PHA, which is one of the largest social services providers in Philadelphia. PHAs mission is to open doors. Not just to housing but also to economic opportunity. The agency is planning to open its own kind of Reading Terminal Market, a place where PHA residents can at a nominal cost set up to sell their products. PHA anticipates starting construction by the end of the year on land it owns near its North Philadelphia headquarters. The businesses that PHA residents have created are in various stages. Some of the entrepreneurs are just getting started, and others are looking to expand. Some also have 9-to-5 jobs, while others work full time for their business. Some have just entered their adult working years, and others are at or near retirement age. Fellowship applicants must be 18 or older and live in PHA housing or have a subsidized housing voucher. More than 1,500 PHA residents have applied. I didnt realize how widespread the need was among our population, Jeremiah said. But I think it speaks, frankly, to the lack of opportunities that marginalized communities face. Its not that we dont have ideas about how we want to live, how we can find economic success. Its just that we dont have access to the opportunities. PHA residents creating businesses Donta Daniels, 27, got into the program on his second try. This year, he launched his clothing brand, We Are Pixxxies, and printed shirts in time for a pop-up event Wednesday that showcased PHA residents businesses at the agencys headquarters. Daniels said he comes from a long line of seamstresses and patternmakers and tried to run a clothing company before, but it didnt work out. Through PHAs program, he said, he became more business minded and developed skills he needed. A lot of people arent aware of the opportunities in our communities, he said. And Im a firm believer of searching for resources within your community. He said he wants his brand to speak to creatives and misfits. A lot of people, when they think of streetwear culture, they think of, like, sneakers but theres also this subculture of campy kids who are out there, and thats who we represent, he said. All the business owners who have completed the entrepreneurial fellowship have qualified to become PHA vendors. Aisha Burnett owns Ruthanns Kitchen, the soul food business PHA hired in January to cater a lunch for visiting officials from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Nija Wiggins has entered her busiest time as the owner of Corneeys, which sells gourmet corn on the cob and flavored popcorn. Its both corn season and the time of year when Philly neighborhoods start ramping up community festivals, where she sets up her food truck. Emelly Raquel Resto has a skin care line of body butters and oils specifically for melanin-rich people that are made with natural products. Resto, 26, came up with the idea when she was 21 but officially launched Anoint by Ra in April. Shes working on getting a bachelors degree in business. Kellie Finney has worked in the medical field for two decades, but shes crafty and creative and this year turned a hobby into LavishRoseCreations through the entrepreneurship program. PHA is so much more than what people believe just Section 8 housing, she said. Finney makes T-shirts and personalized party favors, from candy bars to wine bottles, for proms, graduations, birthdays, and other events. I like to help people take their visions and create it into something unique and one-of-a-kind, she said. Finney had never thought about starting a business before hearing about PHAs program. They take people that have a dream but not much direction and give them the tools that they need to succeed, she said. It gives you the opportunity to grow and be your own boss and make extra money. And do something that you have a passion about. Any falls in the past 90 days? Are you sleeping OK, getting enough exercise, eating well? What medications are you taking? My primary care doctor asked the questions youd expect at the annual physical of someone who had just turned 60. There was one topic she didnt mention, though. Even though she knew Id recently been divorced, the doctor didnt ask if Id become sexually active, nor did she talk to me about screenings for chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, or HIV. Im a little embarrassed to admit that I didnt ask her about sex, either. Advertisement In my younger years, checkups typically included at least a mention of safer sex. Granted, the topic wasnt as pressing during my married years, but now that I was single, why wasnt sexual health on the checklist? Because Im old? Because older people dont have sex? Unfortunately, a lot of providers perceive that older adults dont have sex, that they dont want to have sex, or they cannot have sex, and thats simply not true, says Matthew Lee Smith, an associate professor in the health behavior department at Texas A&Ms School of Public Health. Well, in fact, older people are having sex. Not only that, they like having sex. According to a new study from the National Poll on Healthy Aging, 4 in 10 adults ages 65 to 80 report being sexually active. More than half say sex is important to their quality of life. That's the good news. Heres the bad: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are surging among older adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cases of gonorrhea among those 55-plus have grown about 600% since 2010. Chlamydia cases have quadrupled, while syphilis cases are now nearly 700% higher than in 2010. Whats going on? Rising divorce rates, forgoing condoms as there is no risk of pregnancy, the availability of drugs for sexual dysfunction, the large number of older adults living together in retirement communities, and the increased use of dating apps are likely to have contributed to the growing incidence of STIs in the over 50s, said Justyna Kowalska, a professor of medicine at the Medical University of Warsaw and author of a 2024 study on how to manage STIs among older adults, in a news release about the study. Mary Susan Fulghum, a retired OB/GYN in North Carolina, is on a mission to educate older people, primarily women, about rising rates of STIs, and often speaks to church groups, book clubs, community groups such as nursing homes and retirement villages. I have felt a need to explain and identify risk factors, she told me, and let people know its OK to talk about it to the doctors. On occasion, the women she talks to seem shocked at one event an older woman told her, I cant believe you are actually talking to a group about this. But more often the older women exhibit a mix of curiosity, gratitude and some denial. Experts offered five reasons that help explain why STI rates are rising among older people: - Older adults tend to underestimate their risk. These individuals have limited knowledge about STIs transmission, symptomology, and ways to prevent them, Smith said. He notes that educational resources are not readily available in senior centers, residential communities, or doctors offices. And who wants to be the one to ask for them? Fulghum agrees, which is why she goes to those in need of resources. These people have been smart their entire lives. ... They want to know what to do and they will do it, she said, noting that older adults may need encouragement and support about how to make smarter choices. - Providers have their own issues about discussing sex. Texas A&Ms Smith acknowledges that most health-care providers dont talk to their patients about sexual needs, behaviors, and desires a significant proportion of providers believe that their older patients arent generally having sex, so theyre not testing older adults for sexually transmitted infections. Fulghum suggests that if doctors feel uncomfortable having these sorts of discussions, its their responsibility to make sure they have the resources in their office to make things as comfortable as possible for patients. One suggestion she has for male providers: turn to a female associate another doctor or nurse practitioner who may be better able to communicate with female patients. Chris Skidmore, deputy director of Whitman County public health department in Washington state, said time-crunched providers often focus on larger health concerns of folks at that age, like heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer rather than sex education. - Older adults tend to shy away from condoms. Those over 55 may associate using condoms with avoiding pregnancy, not preventing STIs. This generation rarely considers using protection because they came of age when sex education in school did not exist, HIV was virtually unheard of, and their main concern was to avoid pregnancy, wrote Janie Steckenrider, associate professor of political science at Loyola Marymount University, in a study published in Lancet Healthy Longevity. Fulghum recommends anyone starting a new sexual relationship be tested for STIs. From there you can move the conversation towards condoms, she said, adding rhetorically, What 70-year-old woman is going to go into a drugstore and ask to buy condoms? (Note: Theyre generally in the family planning aisle; its also easy and more private to buy them online.) Fulghum said its important that both partners take responsibility for buying and using condoms, regardless of gender. - Older adults arent comfortable talking with new partners about their sexual histories. Those dating again after being widowed or divorced can find themselves in uncomfortable terrain, Smith said, but conversations about sex are important to assess risk even if challenging. Some relevant questions to ask a new partner include: Have you had unprotected sex? When were you last tested for STIs? Timing is everything: Have that talk before you have sex. Anyone hooking up via an app which older folks are doing has even more reason to use protection. - New medications are helping older people remain sexually active. There are drugs for erectile dysfunction as well as injectable medications that can help a man achieve an erection (typically after prostate removal). According to the Michigan study, nearly 1 in 5 men had taken medications or supplements to boost sexual function. For postmenopausal women there are FDA-approved treatments for vaginal dryness, painful sex, or low libido. So what can be done to stop or slow rising STI rates among older people? Experts have two main suggestions: - Sexual health screening questions should be part of every older adults routine checkup. And STI testing should be offered when warranted. - Patients who are sexually active, or planning to be, need to be proactive with their doctors. It can be a challenge to talk with a health-care provider about sex, especially with a physician who may be much younger (more common as we age) or of a different gender or sexual orientation. If youre not comfortable, seek out a new provider who might be a better match or ask for someone in the practice who might be a better match. Finally, as Fulghum said, Our problem is that [younger] people dont like to think about older people having sex. Old people arent supposed to do things like that any more. Except they are, she said, adding that she reminds her older audiences that sex is supposed to be a fun kind of thing and safe. Even when youre older. Mural Arts unveiled a large mural near the Delaware River to remember Ben Fletcher and his union, IWW's Local 8, on Saturday. Read more The memory of Philadelphia union leader Ben Fletcher rose anew on Saturday, celebrated on the waterfront where he enabled others to envision and attain a better life. Imagine having to work 16 hours a day unloading these ships, and then still have the energy to formulate ideas, organize workers, get their respect and be Black at the same time, said muralist Jonathan Pinkett. Advertisement On Saturday, Pinkett and about 50 others dedicated a new Mural Arts Philadelphia portrait that honors Fletcher and his Local 8 union. The mural is on the Penns Landing Operations Center on South Christopher Columbus Boulevard, on the Delaware River waterfront where Fletcher fought not just for wages but also for fairness and justice. In World War I America, a time when many labor unions excluded Black workers, the Industrial Workers of the World welcomed people of color. The union was leftist and militant, and Local 8, comprised of Philadelphia longshoremen, was the largest and most powerful IWW branch in the Mid-Atlantic. It dominated waterfront labor relations in one of the nations biggest ports during and after the war, according to historian Peter Cole, who has written widely on the subject. Fletcher was an orator, organizer, strategist, and, most of all, a leader. Ben Fletcher was a revolutionary who suffered the consequences of fighting for his beliefs, said Cole, a professor and graduate director at Western Illinois University, where he teaches the history of social movements, particularly labor unions. A Black man leading a majority white union that was unheard of. Now it may seem common, but at the time it was exceptional [because] unions were hesitant to organize Black and immigrant workers. Cole, who flew in for the ceremony, has written books about the IWW that include, Ben Fletcher: The Life and Times of a Black Wobbly, using a nickname for IWW members of unknown origin. The dedication came as union membership in the United States hit a record low 10% of workers in 2023, according to Reuters. At the same time, it was a year of highly publicized labor strikes around the country, with labor successful in organizing at such companies as Starbucks. Theres also been growth in union membership among people of color, the news agency said. The IWW was committed to racial equality, and Local 8 was its most racially inclusive branch, Cole wrote. The local had the largest contingent of African Americans in the IWW and, in Fletcher, its most significant Black leader. Fletcher, who was born in Philadelphia in 1890 and died in 1949, helped found and lead Local 8 of the Marine Transport Workers Industrial Union. He stood up at a time when Black Americans were excluded by Jim Crow laws and murdered by lynch mobs. So little has been said about Fletchers work to bring about a multiracial democracy in an early point in American history, City Councilmember Nicolas ORourke said at the event. Its important that we pull together and memorialize such movement leaders of the people, so we can remember going forward as we work on a new Philadelphia. By 1916 all but two of Philadelphias docks were under IWW control, according to an IWW biography of Fletcher. By 1917, dock workers had won their demand for pay of 65 cents an hour, compared with managements offer of 25 cents. Improving race relations was among Fletchers top priorities, a means of promoting working-class solidarity. IWW dockworkers sponsored anti-racist forums to try to block employers from divide-and-rule tactics, Fletchers biography says. But the industry drive to enter into the war created a shift in national mood. The FBI vandalized IWW offices across the country, the union says, stealing membership records on the pretext that the union supported the Axis nations and was plotting to weaken America. Fletcher was arrested for conspiring to strike, and sent to prison with hundreds of Wobblies who served time on charges of speaking out against the war, refusing to sign no-strike contracts, and engaging in criminal syndicalism, a law by which some states sought to outlaw the IWW, the union said. Today the IWW cites Fletchers ongoing legacy, including the 1984 refusal of San Francisco dock workers to unload cargo from South Africa, which Nelson Mandela later referenced as helping reignite the anti-apartheid movement in his country. The mural came to be after the Democratic Socialists of America pitched the idea to Mural Arts in 2022. Kolson Schlosser stumbled upon a flier announcing the unveiling and decided to attend the event. Unions do things for society in general. Without them even nonunion wages will go down, said Schlosser. Its the only way the working class can make sure it doesnt get run over. A Haddon Township man was arrested and charged with aggravated arson on Saturday, the most recent event in what appears to be a bizarre series of crimes committed upon the same residence. Camden County prosecutors charged Michael McNeely, 42, with second-degree aggravated arson and third-degree criminal mischief after, authorities said, cameras captured a suspect pouring fuel on a car and setting it on fire in the driveway of a home on the 1000 block of Concord Circle in Haddonfield last October. According to authorities, police were able to obtain and use the camera footage to identify McNeely pouring gasoline onto a sedan and setting it on fire at around 1:15 a.m. on Oct. 21, 2023. Its unclear why the property was targeted but it is one, according to police reports, that has been subjected to random criminal acts over the last few years. Emergency officials responded to two other car fires at the same residence the first in October 2017 and again in June 2021. In 2019, officers responded after a report was made that a concrete block was thrown through a window at the residence. McNeely also was charged with criminal mischief and stalking charges in a pair of separate vandalism-related incidents that occurred in June 2019 in Haddonfield and again in Medford last November, authorities said. He was sent to the Camden County Correctional Facility, awaiting a court date. Pro-Palestine protesters set up a new encampment at Drexel University quad in Philadelphia on Saturday, May 18, 2024. Read more In an unexpected move on Saturday night, pro-Palestinian demonstrators broke off from a march and erected an encampment in the heart of the Drexel University campus, adding a new target to the growing encampment movement that has swept schools throughout region in recent weeks. Amid steady rainfall, hundreds marched from Center City to University City to commemorate the expulsion of Palestinians during the 1948 Nakba after the founding of Israel. While the march paused to block traffic at 33rd and Market Streets, a group of protesters began setting up tents on Drexels nearby Academic Quadrangle, also known as the Korman Family Quad. Advertisement The encampment protest remained active as of 10:30 p.m., despite several tense clashes with police officers on scene in the hours after tents went up. No arrests were immediately reported. At about 6:45 p.m., hundreds of protesters descended on the college green and locked arms in a circle while demonstrators erected more than a dozen tents. Lawn chairs and tables were also set up to create a barrier around the crowd. READ MORE: Police took 19 into custody as demonstrators attempted to seize a Penn campus building Friday night Echoing the rallying cry at encampment protests from the neighboring Penn campus, the crowd directed chants toward Drexel leaders to disclose and divest from any military-related spending that could be seen as aiding Israel. Student organizers released a formal list of demands shortly after the encampment went up, which included disciplinary leniency for pro-Palestinian activists on campus. Protesters also asked Drexel leaders to identify Israels ongoing Gaza siege as a genocide. We demand that Drexel University declare the past seven months of attacks on Gaza and the West Bank a genocide carried out by a US-backed settler-colonial occupying power, the group wrote in a statement. Drexel University president John Fry acknowledged the encampment in a statement and preempted what he described as understandable concerns it might raise for some at the university. Fry said school leaders are monitoring the situation and that police would ensure the encampment is peaceful and non-disruptive to normal operations. We will not tolerate the destruction of property; the harassment or intimidation of our students, faculty or professional staff; or threatening behavior of any kind, the statement read. Nor will we allow anyone who is not a member of the Drexel community to trespass into our buildings and student residences. Around 8 p.m., officers from Drexel and the Philadelphia Police Department set up a barricade to block people from entering the encampment area. During a lull, protesters pulled down the metal racks and set them up closer to the encampment. Officers intervened to take the barriers back, and several brief scuffles ensued. Officers in riot gear arrived at quad, but retreated soon after police commanders appeared to regain their perimeter. Tensions eased by 9:30 p.m., as protesters began to sing, play music, kick around a soccer ball, and continue setting up tents. More camping gear was eventually brought into the encampment zone, despite the restricted access. Around the corner on 33rd Street, police formed a staging area with a fleet of SUVs and two large white buses, where officers sat waiting with bundles of zip ties and riot shields. Fry said campus buildings are on lockdown and only those with proper clearance can enter them. He would update the Drexel community as developments unfold, he said. Inquirer staff writer Susan Snyder contributed reporting. PM Modi says like Naxals, Cong considers entrepreneurs enemies of the country Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the Congress considers entrepreneurs as enemies of the country, and like Naxals, the grand old party along with JMM has taken over the responsibility of extortion. Addressing a public meeting in Jamshedpur, PM Modi said, "The whole world knows that industries are necessary for the progress of the country. The name of Jamshedpur itself is after Jamshedji Tata. However, the Congress party considers entrepreneurs as enemies of the country. Their leaders say we attack businessmen who do not give us money. This means parties like Congress and JMM have no interest in the country's industries. They are only interested in their corruption and extortion." PM Modi said, "Isn't this the exact Naxalite method of Congress? Naxalites also did not let any businessman work without extortion. Today Modi has broken the back of Naxalites. So now Congress and JMM have taken over the responsibility of extortion. Will you give even a single vote to such Congress-JMM?" The PM said, "Parties like Congress, JMM, and RJD have looted our Jharkhand at every opportunity. Congress has been the mother of corruption. Congress has set records of loot in scams like 2G and coal. Look at RJD. They invented scams like land for jobs. JMM has learned these traits from Congress and RJD." "JMM has done land scams in Jharkhand. And whose lands did they grab? They grabbed the lands of our poor tribals! They even tried to grab Army land. The mountains of cash are being recovered from their homes. Whose money is that? It is your money. It is the money of innocent tribals, which these people have looted," the PM said. PM Modi urged the people to reject corrupt parties and support BJP's vision. He also urged the people to safeguard democracy and reject dynastic politics. He said, "Dynastic parties consider the country their property. The Shehzada of Congress fled from Wayanad to contest elections in Raebareli. He was telling everyone that this was my mother's seat, his mother also went to Raebareli to campaign for him. There she said, I am giving you my son. They couldn't find a worker to hand over, only a son." I might go to Dallas to murder looters, a then-active duty U.S. Army sergeant named Daniel Perry texted a friend in the spring of 2020, as protest marches over the police murder of George Floyd swept across Texas and the nation. It wasnt a stray thought. A right-wing extremist, Perry repeatedly told friends of his intention to use violence against people protesting police brutality. He wrote: I might have to kill a few people on my way to work they are rioting outside my apartment complex. Perry was making some extra cash driving an Uber in Austin on the night of July 25, 2020, when he stumbled onto his opportunity, coming upon a Black Lives Matter protest in the shadow of the state capitol. He ran through a red light to drive into the crowd, narrowly missing some marchers who then surrounded his vehicle. One of them, a 28-year-old Air Force veteran named Garrett Foster, pushing his quadriplegic girlfriend in a wheelchair, was openly carrying an AK-47 rifle, an act that Texas not only allows but celebrates. Advertisement As Foster approached the car, Perry shot him to death. At his 2023 trial, Perrys lawyers argument of self-defense was not only undercut by witnesses who said Foster never raised or aimed his rifle, but by the sergeants own statement to the police: I believe he was going to aim at me. I didnt want to give him a chance to aim at me. Perry was found guilty of murder by a jury of his peers and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Just over one year later, Perry is a free man pardoned by a Texas governor who all but declared open season on political protesters whose views are not favored by his extreme authoritarian state. Gov. Greg Abbott appointed the state pardons board members who recommended Perry for freedom, a decision that Abbott had urged and immediately rubber-stamped. It was a gross injustice in a former Confederate state that reeked of the bad old days of Southern jury nullification, a modern update on the impunity with which white men lynched Emmett Till and then laughed at justice. But Abbotts chilling pardon sent an even bigger, and more alarming message. In this sprawling state of just over 30 million people, supposedly First Amendment-protected protests for causes like Black civil rights or against the slaughter of civilians in Gaza can, and probably will, expose you to arrest or state violence, risk your schooling or your job, or when all else fails leave you in danger of deadly vigilante justice. Abbotts pardon was the last bootheel on Texans right to dissent. Administrators at the public University of Texas-San Antonio were caught on video by the Philadelphia-based Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) telling students that theyd be turned over to police if they merely chanted, From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. It hardly seemed an idle threat after Abbott had sent state troopers clad in riot gear to UTs main campus in Austin to forcefully shut down a large pro-Palestinian protest as soon as it began. Texas overly harsh, militarized approach to protests is an inevitable outgrowth of the Lone Star States hyper-aggressive response to migrants at its southern border. The Abbott administration has spent an astronomical $11 billion, and counting, on maintaining a massive Texas army of soldiers whove threatened the federal governments supposed hegemony over border issues. The governors tin soldiers have unlawfully, federal courts have found strung razor wire and other barriers on the Rio Grande to deter asylum seekers. The wires have slashed desperate kids and pregnant moms, and efforts to evade them have been blamed for several migrant drownings joining the Air Force veteran Foster in the rising body count of a U.S. state in thrall to violent authoritarianism. But Texas is merely the leading edge of the storm. As I write this on a Sunday morning, President Joe Biden is at Morehouse College delivering the latest in a series of speeches about the dire need to save democracy by voting in November and the president is absolutely right. But what Biden and many others arent saying is that democracy is already on life support. The signs are everywhere, and not just in repressive red states like Abbotts Texas. In Lower Manhattan, a parade of the nations leading lawmakers peaking with an appearance by GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson utterly beclowned themselves and America by abandoning any pretense of legislative duties to sit in a courtroom to prove their absolute bent-knee fealty to the Republican Partys strongman Donald Trump, by sitting behind him in his felony trial. Johnson and the other members of Congress even tried to help Trump evade a gag order in the case by lashing out at witnesses or at the judges family on his behalf. In Washington, the degradation of a politicized, warped American justice system hit rock bottom when the New York Times reported that, in the aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol Hill insurrection that sought to keep election loser Trump in office, an upside-down American flag flew over the home of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. The flag was a symbol of the pro-Trump Stop the Steal movement, and its presence ought to force Alito to recuse himself from any cases involving Trump or Jan. 6. But, just like his thoroughly corrupt colleague Justice Clarence Thomas, who rules on these cases even after his wife lobbied for Trumps false election claims, he wont. READ MORE: Texas is what modern civil war looks like | Will Bunch Newsletter Lets be clear: When top lawmakers and the federal judiciary abandon any notion of checks and balances to support the criminal boss of their political movement, the United States is acting like the most buffoonish banana republic you could imagine. But the rot of billionaire kleptocracy runs much deeper than its purchase of the major branches of the federal government. In a stunning work of investigative journalism, the Washington Post revealed last week that a chat group of New York City billionaires and multimillionaires, seeking since the Oct. 7 start of war in the Middle East to change the narrative in favor of Israel, alternately pressured Mayor Eric Adams and dangled campaign cash and offered private investigators in support of his police crackdown on protesters at Columbia University. The NYPD seems to have embraced the cause. On Saturday, uniformed cops waded into a pro-Palestinian march in Brooklyn to make violent arrests, even punching marchers after theyd been slammed onto the hard pavement of a Bay Ridge street. The bloody police violence must have been pleasing to Adams billionaire boys club. But it also seemed yet another endorsement from a deep blue, supposedly liberal American city of the authoritarian approach that has been mastered in red states like Abbotts Texas or in Georgia under GOP Gov. Brian Kemp, which has brought an unprecedented racketeering case against those protesting a police training center known as Cop City. The irony in Texas is that just five years ago, the former prosecutor turned governor positioned himself as a true champion of unfettered free speech, especially on college campuses when the perceived threat was liberal activists trying to shut down right-wing speakers. In fact, Abbott signed a 2019 college free-speech law that offered sweeping protections, including the unhindered right to stage protests in common campus areas. All of which was 100% contravened by the governors April order that labeled much pro-Palestinian protesting, even words and chants, as antisemitic and gave college administrators like those at UT-San Antonio sweeping power to shut them down. Of course, Abbott is clamping down on dissent in Texas at a time when there is so much to protest especially a much broader crusade against education and the risk of a younger generation of free thinkers. The states universities have this year fired hundreds of workers once dedicated to making college classrooms reflect the remarkable diversity of Texas, a melting pot where the children of Juneteenth meet immigrants from Latin America, Vietnam, and all over the world. Meanwhile, billionaire oligarchs from Pennsylvanias richest man Jeff Yass to Christian nationalist zealots are throwing money at Abbott to back their pet cause, a voucher program that would undermine public K-12 schools, especially in rural areas, as a ladder up. Everything thats happening in Abbotts Texas the relentless war against liberalism and education itself, the influence of a corporate oligarchy, the surge of Christian nationalism, the war on feminism that features its strict abortion ban, and its own state military and militarized cops now deployed against its own people is textbook fascism. The crackdown on dissent is the flame that keeps this downward spiral going. Knowing that attending a protest can expose you to legalized vigilante murder is just pouring more Texas crude on the fire. Its important to remember that whether or not you agree with the cause state violence currently directed at pro-Palestinian protests from Brooklyn to Austin is merely a trial run for what could come if Trump is sworn in for a second presidency in January. He has already pledged to send out troops to crush any Inauguration Day protests. But the best way to stop full-blown autocracy in 2025 is to speak out against the police-state authoritarianism we have now. I find something highly ironic in Alito and his wife, Martha-Ann whom the justice chivalrously blamed for the whole affair flying the American flag upside down, a traditional symbol for a ship that is sinking, on fire, or some other serious distress. Maybe the Alitos were sending the right message, but just for the wrong reasons. READ MORE: SIGN UP: The Will Bunch Newsletter 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 As tensions escalate on the southern Lebanese border between Hezbollah and Israel, Tanaiste and Defence Minister Micheal Martin will meet Irish troops in Lebanon on Sunday. Mr Martin will also meet with the Lebanese defence and foreign affairs ministers to push the government for progress on Private Sean Rooneys murder case, which he said has been too slow. Mr Martin said defence forces in Lebanon are working in extremely difficult circumstances as concerns escalate that the Israel-Gaza conflict could erupt in southern Lebanon, where Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants, who act independently of the Lebanese government, have a stronghold. Crossfire attacks have become more frequent, striking the United Nations Interim Force Lebanon (UNIFIL) camps where Irish peacekeepers are stationed and the surrounding areas. Peacekeepers there now have to shelter in bunkers multiple times a day due to active warfare. The war in Gaza is mirrored in southern Lebanon where Hezbollah militants attack Israeli targets just across the southern border in retaliation for violence in Gaza. Mr Martin will travel to Camp Shamrock (UNP 2-45) to greet members of the 124th Infantry Battalion serving with UNIFIL on Sunday. UNIFIL represents Irelands largest overseas deployment. Mr Martin recently approved deployment of an additional platoon of 33 Irish troops to serve with the Irish Battalion. The 124th Infantry Battalion deploys in two rounds on May 16 and May 24 with some 341 personnel 332 Irish and nine Maltese. They will rotate with and replace the 123rd Infantry Battalion. Peacemakers 'serve with such distinction' Ahead of the visit, Mr Martin said: I am very much looking forward to meeting our peacekeepers who serve with such distinction in UNIFIL, and in a very challenging environment amid escalating tensions due to the war in Gaza. We recently reaffirmed our continuing support to UNIFIL and the important role it plays in de-escalation in the south of Lebanon, through an increased force protection element to the battalion. The dedication of Defence Force personnel and their families is a vital part of Irelands commitment to global peace and security. Nowhere is this engagement more evident than in south Lebanon. Upon arrival at Camp Shamrock, Mr Martin will receive an honour guard from Defence Forces personnel, meet UN and Irish military leaders, and address Irish troops. The trip will mark Tanaiste Micheal Martin second visit to Beirut following the death of Private Sean Rooney. Picture: Colin Keegan Mr Martin will meet with Lebanese defence minister Maurice Sleem and foreign affairs minister Abdallah BouHabib on Monday morning. It is his second visit to Beirut following the death of Pte Rooney. Mr Martin said: A central focus of my visit will be meeting with Lebanese ministers to communicate the absolute determination of the Irish Government to ensure those responsible for Private Rooneys death are brought to justice. Pte Rooney, aged 24, from Donegal, was killed when the UN jeep he and three other colleagues were in was fired on late at night on December 14, 2022, near Sidon, about 50km south of Beirut. Pte Rooney was the 48th Irish soldier to die in Lebanon. Private Shane Kearney, 22, from Cork, was also badly injured in the ambush. Mr Martin said last week that he was not happy with the way the trial had been conducted so far. The main suspect, Mohammad Ayyad, never appeared at a military tribunal hearing last December, citing medical reasons. His medical report was accepted by the court and the hearing was postponed until June 2024. Hezbollah has repeatedly denied any role in the killing. Mr Martin is accompanied by the secretary general of the Department of Defence, Jacqui McCrum, and the chief of staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Sean Clancy. Lt Gen Clancy has been appointed the first Irish chair of the European Union Military Committee. It is the most powerful EU military body and directs all military activity by the EU. Lt Gen Clancy, will be promoted to full general due to the role, becoming the first man of such rank in the countrys military since Eoin ODuffy in 1924. Researchers at University of Galway have called on people to support the monitoring of more than 500 wild and native honey bee colonies, to mark World Bee Day on Monday. The team of academics at the Galway Honey Bee Research Centre will use the data being recorded and reported about the free-living bees as part of efforts to devise better strategies for their conservation. Citizen science has already supported the recording of 541 nests of wild and native honeybees, or Apis mellifera mellifera, across the island of Ireland. Now researchers need data from ongoing monitoring which will be submitted to the National Biodiversity Data Centre and the help further understand the survival of bees once thought to have been wiped out by the invasive parasite Varroa destructor. A wild native Irish honey bee (Mike Shaughnessy/PA) The project, funded by Science Foundation Ireland, involves samples from wild colonies being compared with those from managed and historical ones, as well as studies of the ecology of the colonies, pathogen type and load and the genetics of the bees. Professor Grace McCormack, head of the School of Natural Sciences at University of Galway, said: When I first tried to embark on research into Irelands wild native honey bee, I was told they dont exist. But they do and Ireland is the last stronghold for the black bee in Europe, which has been under threat from parasites, loss of natural habitat and biodiversity, climate change and hybridisation from imported bees. Our quest now is to learn as much as we can about our bees, to monitor colonies and confirm that they have survived in the wild for more than two years. With the data that is provided by the public, our citizen scientists, we can devise conservation strategies. When I first tried to embark on research into Irelands wild native honey bee, I was told they dont exist The Galway Honey Bee Research Centre, based at University of Galway, is asking would-be citizen scientists to locate colonies, but not to report individual bee sightings, and for some people to become colony custodians by regular monitoring and reporting on the survival of the colonies. Black bees are smaller than a bumblebee. They are dark brown, almost black, with narrow or no bands on the abdomen and can be seen foraging in damp or drizzly weather. Free-living bee colonies are classed as having survived for more than two years in the wild, nesting outside a man-made hive/box. Wild honey bees are cavity dwellers and colonies can usually be found by observing the activity and noise of a large number of bees at a small entrance. Colonies are usually seen in elevated positions, a few metres above the ground, in trees in old woodlands or in walls and roofs of buildings, which is common in Ireland. Hive entrances have been found in unlikely places, such as hollow statues, compost bins, bird boxes and graveyard crypts. For more information or to report a colony visit galwayhbrc.com. Over 40 years, Tony OReilly built a business empire that included newspapers, crystal and china, telecoms, hotels, oil and mining prospecting, as well as Big House trophy properties, and discount supermarkets. Mr OReilly leveraged his considerable sporting fame and honed a much-storied talent for marketing food brands. The ascent was more remarkable for his not coming from a notably wealthy family, although he did enjoy the good fortune of taking his first steps in business at a time when the Irish economy was opening to the world. Mr OReilly went on to deploy the multi-millions earned as a high-profile CEO in the US to finance and raise loans in Ireland. In the end, what he built was a collection of disparate stock market and private business interests. Worth considerable sums at the top of the market during the noughties boom, the debt-laden family empire was nonetheless ill-prepared for an extraordinary series of economic and corporate blows more fitting material for a Netflix series than anyone could have suspected. The events surrounding the collapse of the empire eclipsed the heroics of his early business ventures. Mr OReilly unsuccessfully fought to keep rival Denis OBrien from gaining control of Independent News and Media, the newspaper group Mr OReilly had expanded, but only with potentially crippling amounts of debt. Independent News and Medias then chief operating officer Gavin OReilly voting with his father and former chief executive Tony OReilly at the annual general meeting, in Dublin, in 2006. Picture: Leon Farrell/RollingNews.ie Despite weathering his fair share of corporate scares, Mr OReilly failed to anticipate the extent of the banking and property crash. Ultimately, the scale of the debts was laid bare. Forever financially fragile, the Waterford Wedgwood business was the first to fail in 2009. A few years later, he lost control of Independent News and Media to Mr OBrien, the rival Mr OReilly had bettered in the intense fight for Eircom only a decade or so earlier. OReilly fought off AIB in the Irish courts to opt for bankruptcy in the Bahamas, where the Irishman owned one of his luxury homes. The last group of creditors was officially paid off at the start of this year. The loss of Independent News and Media hurt hard. At 36, he had got control over what was to become Irelands largest newspaper group. He was subsequently helped along the way by the poor decision making at the owner-managers of the rival Irish Press. However, the boom-to-bust saga started in an unlikely place, at the fledgling Bord Bainne Government agency in the 1960s. Kerrygold The story has been often told: O'Reilly, the marketeer, secured the top job at the dairy board in 1962, and despite some pushback from officials, helped to develop the Kerrygold brand used to this day to sell Irish butter around the world. The Kerrygold story is a reminder of the huge changes that have swept across the Irish economy since those days. Heinz A few years later, and now at another Irish food firm, Mr OReilly got the break that unlocked the door to a lucrative career at HJ Heinz. The American food firm was the equivalent of Nestle or Unilever today. Heinz took unpromising tinned food products but, thanks to branding and heavy television marketing, the company played its part in developing western consumerism. The UCD law graduate, who had turned to a career in business management while still playing international rugby, was now set to run Heinz in England. Starting from 1979, he went on to hold both two top jobs at the global headquarters in Pittsburgh. In an unusual arrangement that institutional shareholders would probably frown on these days, Mr OReilly juggled his time running Heinz out of Pittsburgh, while overseeing significant payouts from Independent News and Media, and building out his private investments in Ireland. Towards the end of his reign, there was a good deal of shareholder disquiet about the underperforming Heinz share price. Astonishingly, large sums had been paid to the top Heinz bosses over the years. In a famous analysis, Business Week in the US calculated that Mr OReilly had amassed total compensation of pay and share awards of over $150m over a short period. Scrutiny had turned to what Heinz shareholders were getting for the multi-millions paid to their top bosses. Fitzwilton Stock market investment vehicles were the big thing, and Fitzwilton was Mr OReillys main stock market-listed investment vehicle in Ireland used to buy into a huge range of private companies, including road and motor signage firm Rennicks and profitable supermarkets in the North. He eventually took the stock market vehicle private. Along the way, the Fitzwilton-controlled Rennicks was embroiled in controversy over a corporate political donation to Fianna Fail received by then minister Ray Burke. WaterfordWedgwood The idea behind the business was fusing the Irish crystal maker and Englands china manufacturer into an international luxury brands company. The venture was always a relative minnow and, despite Mr OReilly and brother-in-law Peter Goulandris (his second marriage was to heiress Chryss Goulandris) injecting many millions over the years, the company struggled with changing consumer tastes and manufacturing costs. The end came quickly in 2009, at the onset of the global banking crisis. Tony and Chryss O'Reilly enjoying the Easter Monday at the Leopardstown Races, in Dublin, 2001. Picture: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie Waterford Crystal was well known on the US East Coast and Wedgwood was prized in England, but it was always a stretch outside of Ireland at least to believe the two brands could be the start of something big. Luxury lifestyle brands had to appeal to the emerging youthful middle classes in China and to other parts of Asia, the consumers who in time helped propel French and Italian fashionmakers and Swiss watchmakers to become Europes most valuable companies. The dropping of a Waterford Crystal ball traditionally marked midnight at New Years Times Square. By the time of its collapse, Waterford Wedgwood had unmanageable debts. Oil and mining Mr OReilly got involved in the highly speculative and expensive business of exploring for oil with Atlantic Resources, when Norways and then Britains North Sea oil bonanza briefly turned Irelands waters into a frontier exploration frenzy. Controversy followed Atlantic Resources from the start. The stock market shares soared and fell, and soared again, on speculation that Ireland was about to be lifted from deep economic malaise, by striking oil. Many years later, Mr OReillys Providence Resources had a remarkably similar stock market episode before it too ran short of money. The OReilly family had much more success with mining, when Arcon and the Galmoy zinc mine in Kilkenny was sold to an international firm. Castlemartin In Ireland, Mr OReilly expanded Castlemartin, a former ascendency Big House in Kildare, into a 750-acre stud farm estate. In 1973, he acquired a controlling stake in the then Fine Gael-supporting Independent Newspapers, the group that was to become Independent News and Media. As his creditors circled in 2014, Castlemartin became part of a fire sale of properties, shares, and assets. Listed at an asking price of 30m, the estate was acquired by US cable king John Malone. The disposal in the same year of a home and private office on Dublins Fitzwilliam Square for 3m made little impression on debts of almost 200m, and failed to stave off the descent into bankruptcy. Call me Sir Anthony The Ireland international cap surprised some by accepting the offer of a knighthood from the British monarchy in 2001. Some Irish newspapers dropped the favoured title of Dr AJF OReilly (a reference to a doctorate earned at a university in England) to call him by the foreign title. Henceforth, he was to be called Sir Anthony. Courting of the British establishment appeared to open no new business doors. A British newspaper at the time snootily referred to his wealth as being built on baked beans (Heinz), crockery (Wedgwood), castles, and newspapers. His purchase of the loss-making London Independent, or Indy, also made little economic sense. Although influential in parts of the political and media establishment there, the Indy never made money. Battle of Eircom Mr OReilly fronted a bidding vehicle, called Valentia, that won the 2001 takeover for Irelands dominant telecoms firm with a takeout offer of 2.8bn. The consortium consisted of a wall of international money provided by George Soros, Goldman Sachs, and others. It was ranged against a consortium led by Mr OBrien, recently enriched from the sale of Esat Telecom to British Telecom. The victory, however, seeded an intense rivalry that was to haunt Mr OReilly to the end. The battle for Eircom came down to which side was favoured by the stakeholder Esot, the mainly unionised employee shareholding group. Its success hinged on a change in the law that would save the Esot from paying a huge tax bill in the takeover tussle. Tony O'Reilly successfully battled against a consortium led by Denis O'Brien to takeover Ireland's dominant telecoms firm, Eircom, in 2001. Picture: Levenson/Getty The Esot staff group sided with the OReilly consortium, but only after securing an eleventh hour change in the tax legislation facilitated by the then finance minister Charlie McCreevy. Freedom of Information documents showed that the tax law was changed in a remarkably short period just 14 days had passed in June 2001 from the submission of an initial request before a pledge was secured for the legislation. Questioned three years later, Mr McCreevy told the Dail his mid-summer tax pledge simply provided the membership of the Eircom Esot with a level playing field to choose to support whichever bid they wished to support. The victory for Eircom was the high-water mark for the OReilly empire. The enmity, if it didnt already exist, was firmly set after the OBrien consortium lost out. Keeping INM in the family Mr OReilly had first taken control of the newspaper group in 1973, but 40 years later, a costly struggle over Independent News and Media helped speed up his bankruptcy. Along the way, Mr OReilly had been aided hugely by disastrous management at the rival Irish Press. Following the Good Friday Agreement, the costly acquisition of the Belfast Telegraph could at least be justified on commercial grounds tapping all-Ireland ad revenues, even though the huge sales at the height of the Troubles were long in the past. Following the Eircom skirmish, Mr OBrien built his stake in the newspaper group. By that time, Mr OReilly had expanded Independent News and Media into newspapers in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. OReilly famously recruited the late Ben Bradlee of Watergate and Washington Post fame, in the 1990s, to be part of a huge panel of what he called an international advisory board to Independent News and Media. The advisory board would regularly fly in for hospitality at Mr OReillys Castlemartin pile or Dublins Shelbourne Hotel. Whatever about garnering international influence, it was hard to discern much connection between a board of international luminaries and the practical business of selling ad space in, say, the Herald. When Mr OBrien continued to build a stake in Independent News and Media, Mr OReilly didnt have the money left to fight him off. Bankruptcy Waterford Wedgwood and Independent News and Media cost him dear, exposing the unpayable debts. AIB got the ball rolling, suing him for unpaid loans in Dublin in the summer of 2014. AIB didnt get its way. Mr OReilly subsequently was declared bankrupt in the courts in the Bahamas, but still owing around 195m. After the torrential rain for Corks gig last week, Bruce Springsteen was waiting on a sunny day, and it finally came last night as he brought the curtain down on the Irish leg of his world tour on a perfect summers night in Dublin. It was far from perfect though for the hundreds of concertgoers, who missed the start of his 80,000 Croke Park sellout with what some angry fans branded a queuing disaster outside the stadium. However, once the show kicked off about 15 minutes behind schedule, Springsteen, 74, rolled up his sleeves and rolled back the years yet again with an incredible three hour-plus show packed with hit after hit from across his remarkable career. Having played sell-out concerts to some 200,000 people in Belfast, Kilkenny, Cork, and Dublin since May 9, last nights gig the veteran US rockers 35th Irish concert over the last 39 years means he has sold an incredible 1.2m concert tickets here over the last four decades. The Boss and the E Street Band opened last nights show with Lonesome Day, and followed it with classics such as Hungry Heart, The River, and Patti Smiths Because the Night, while he delighted fans with a tour debut of Reason to Believe. As the sun set above the capital, Springsteen maintained his energy, enthusiasm and trademark connection with the fans, reading out messages displayed on banners in the crowd and playing requests. Earlier though, dozens of fans took to social media to complain about crazy crowd controls on the red route approach to the stadium which led to hour-long queues. People inside the stadium, who had a view outside, posted video clips on social media showing hundreds of fans still streaming through the gates into the ground 10-minutes after Springsteen took to the stage just before 7.15pm with the pitch half empty. One described unprecedented scenes not seen at any previous match or concert at the stadium, and said the queue stretched the whole way along Clonliffe Avenue to Drumcondra. Bruce Springsteen head to Croke Park, Dublin, which was subject to a large delay to get ticket holders into the stadium. Picture: Collins Another complained that all Cusack Stand and pitch ticket holders had been funnelled down Fosters Terrace, and that it took 45 minutes to get off the street into the laneway, and another 45 minutes just to gain entry to the stadium. Some fans complained about missing out on pit bands, which give you access to the special pit area just in front of the stage. Springsteen was seven songs in before the pitch looked full. Aiken Promotions has not provided a response at the time of publication. It is understood that all involved in staging the concert will attend a debriefing over the next 24-48 hours to identify the issues which contributed to the queueing issues. Similar queuing issues occurred before the first of Garth Brooks string of gigs at the stadium in September 2022. While some fans were concerned that last nights gig might be Springsteens last ever Irish concert, it is understood that he has assured fans hell be back. Fans can also look forward to the screening later this year of a documentary on life backstage with Springsteen and the E Street Band, which will include exclusive footage from the Irish leg of the tour, as well as rehearsals footage from January 2023, archival footage, and interviews with band members and Springsteen. Bruce Springsteen fans Helena Sheehan,Catherine Carroll, and Julie Mclaughlin adorned with US flags for the gig in Dublin. Picture: Collins The documentary, Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, promises to open a new door to Springsteens creative process for fans around the world, and will share fly-on-the-wall footage of band rehearsals and special moments backstage. Directed by Thom Zimny, a frequent Springsteen collaborator, the documentary is due to debut on Hulu and Disney+ in October. The Boss departs Ireland for Britain on Monday ahead of the next concert of his European tour in Sunderland on Wednesday. He then heads to France, the Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Norway before jetting back to his homeland for North American gigs between August and November, during which time he will turn 75. THE injustice of it hits me every time I walk down OConnell Street. Im referring to the main thoroughfare in Dublin, but the same applies to the street in Limerick or anywhere theres a school, club, or organisation named after the great liberator Daniel OConnell. The memory of the barrister, politician, and nationalist leader who fought for Catholic emancipation is still sharp in the public mind. Little wonder. You cant miss the colossal monument to him in the centre of the capital. The bronze statue of the famous Kerry man stands some 12 metres high on a plinth surrounded by an array of almost 30 figures representing everything that was important in his life the professions, the arts, trades, church, and ordinary people. A Maid of Erin, standing on broken shackles, holds the 1829 Act of Catholic Emancipation while the winged victories on the granite base speak of patriotism, courage, eloquence, and fidelity. Bullet holes in two of them are testament to a later milestone in history, the Easter Rising of 1916. The Daniel O'Connell monument on O'Connell Street in Dublin. HISTORY HUB If you are interested in this article then no doubt you will enjoy exploring the various history collections and content in our history hub. Check it out HERE and happy reading This is the story of Ireland in bronze and granite with one glaring and shameful omission. Where is the recognition of Daniel OConnells wife, Mary OConnell? Without her, the man who is feted nationally and internationally would never have achieved what he did Historian and author Erin Bishop provides this neat summary of her neglected role: Over the course of her marriage, she oversaw her household, managed the servants, diligently maintained family connections, practised her faith, raised her children, and often acted as an agent to her husband, whose circuit practice took him away from home for nearly four months every year. Controversy There is much to add to that, not least how she stood by her husband after Ellen Courtenay from Cork published a pamphlet accusing OConnell of fathering her son in 1818, some 16 years into what was, undoubtedly, a happy marriage. Courtenay did not mince her words. Her account of what happened was published under the robust title: A narrative of most extraordinary cruelty, perfidy, and depravity, perpetrated against her by Daniel OConnell, but she was not believed either in a legal court or the court of public opinion. Daniel OConnell strenuously denied her allegations, but he did not hide his rakish past when he first met his future wife in 1800. He confessed that his passions had led him astray when the blood was bubbling in my veins, as he colourfully put it. He also admitted that he had professed love to a woman before, but this was the first time he really meant it. He did mean it; thats clear from the 1,000 or so surviving letters the couple wrote to each other between 1800 and 1836. When they first met, those letters were exchanged in secret, partly because the couple were distant cousins but mostly because Daniel feared (rightly) that he would be disinherited if he married Mary, a woman without a dowry. Mary was already an OConnell before she married Daniel secretly, with her mother and sisters help, in July 1802. She was born in Tralee on September 25, 1778, to Ellen Tuohy and her physician husband Thomas OConnell but, so tellingly, her life doesnt appear in the historical record until she meets a man of note. And even then, she was kept hidden. The couple lived apart Mary in Kerry and Daniel in Dublin and they kept up their clandestine correspondence until it could be hidden no longer because Mary was about to give birth to the couples first child. As feared, Daniel OConnell was disinherited by his uncle, Maurice Hunting Cap OConnell, although Daniels parents Morgan and Catherine OConnell invited Mary to live with them near Cahersiveen. It is hard to imagine what Mary OConnell went through during the early days of her marriage and the loneliness of her first difficult pregnancy, although some of those feelings are eloquently expressed in her letters. I cant, as I see other women do, enjoy themselves in their husbands absence, she wrote shortly after they were married in 1802. When you are away my wish is never to stir out Do not, my darling, be angry with me when I own to you that hardly a day passes that I do not shed tears on your picture. Her new husband was far from angry, responding that the evil of absence was soothed by thoughts of her love. Sweet Mary, he wrote, I rave of you! I think only of you! I sigh for you, I weep for you! I almost pray to you! Darling, I do not indeed I do not exaggerate. Yet, the evil of absence was to become a feature of their married life as he worked the legal circuit and became ever more involved in politics. Heartache After the birth of their first child Maurice in 1803, 11 more pregnancies followed. A second son, Morgan, was born in 1804. A daughter Ellen arrived the following year and, in 1807, a second daughter Kate was born. In 1808, Edward was born but he died as an infant. Mary O'Connell with her youngest son Daniel in a portrait by John Gubbins. Picture: courtesy of OPW and Derrynane House Two years later, in 1810, Mary OConnell gave birth to two children: Elizabeth in February and John in December. She was pregnant again between 1812 and 1816 and gave birth to five more children, but only one of them, her youngest Daniel, made it into adulthood. In all, Mary lost five children and although her own feelings on the subject are not recorded in her letters to her husband presumably she told him in person she showed deep empathy in letters to other family members who lost children. Caring for her children was work enough, but Mary OConnell had a constant battle trying to rein in her husbands reckless spending. When he wouldnt or couldnt Mary and six of the children moved to the south of France in 1822 where they could live more cheaply to ease the familys ever-present financial woes. OConnell told his wife to fall in love with every farthing so that they could end their enforced separation as quickly as possible. Mary proved to be a master at frugal living, yet when she returned to Dublin after two years of economising the couple still had money problems. Yet, their love and devotion remained steadfast. When the Ellen Courtenay scandal threatened to negatively affect her husband in April 1836, Mary OConnell did what so many political wives have done since, she joined her husband on a political tour of England even though she was in poor health. A month later, she went to the spa town of Tunbridge Wells to take the waters in an attempt to improve her health, but she died shortly afterwards, aged 58, at Derrynane in Co Kerry. Her grieving husband was said never to have got over it. Why then is Mary OConnell so little celebrated when she played such a key role in Irish history? Arizonas attorney general says former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani has been served an indictment in the states fake elector case alongside 17 other defendants for his role in an attempt to overturn former president Donald Trumps election loss to Joe Biden in 2020. Arizona attorney general Kris Mayes posted the news regarding the Trump-aligned lawyer on her X account late on Friday. The final defendant was served moments ago. @RudyGiuliani nobody is above the law, Ms Mayes wrote. Rudy Giuliani has been served (Matt Rourke/AP) The attorney generals spokesman, Richie Taylor, said in an email to The Associated Press on Saturday that Mr Giuliani faces the same charges as the other defendants, including conspiracy, fraud, and forgery. Mr Giulianis political adviser, Ted Goodman, confirmed Mr Giuliani was served on Friday night after his 80th birthday celebration while walking to the car. We look forward to full vindication soon, Mr Goodman said in a statement on Saturday. The indictment alleges that Mr Giuliani pressured Arizona legislators and the Maricopa County board of supervisors to change the outcome of Arizonas election. He was responsible for encouraging Republican electors in Arizona and six other contested states to vote for Mr Trump. Mr Taylor said an unredacted copy of the indictment will be released on Monday. He said Mr Giuliani is expected to appear in court on Tuesday unless he is granted a delay by the court. Mark Meadows, Mr Trumps former chief of staff, is among others indicted in the case. Former president Donald Trump (Curtis Means/DailyMail.com via AP) Neither Mr Meadows nor Mr Giuliani were named in the redacted grand jury indictment released earlier because they had not been served with it, but they were readily identifiable based on descriptions in the document. The Arizona attorney generals office said on Wednesday that Mr Meadows had been served and confirmed that he was charged with the same counts as the other named defendants, including conspiracy, fraud and forgery charges. With the indictments, Arizona becomes the fourth state where allies of the former president have been charged with using false or unproven claims about voter fraud related to the election. Mr Giuliani faces other legal proceedings, and a bankruptcy judge this past week said he was disturbed about the status of the case and for missed deadlines to file financial disclosure reports. Mr Giuliani filed for bankruptcy after being ordered to pay 148 million dollars (116.8 million) to two former election workers for spreading a false conspiracy theory about their role in the 2020 election. Former president Donald Trump urged gun owners to vote in the 2024 election as he addressed thousands of members of the National Rifle Association (NRA), which officially endorsed him just before he took the stage at their annual meeting in Texas. Weve got to get gun owners to vote, Mr Trump said. I think youre a rebellious bunch. But lets be rebellious and vote this time. Mr Trump, in his speech, said the Second Amendment is very much on the ballot in November, alleging that, if Democratic president Joe Biden gets four more years they are coming for your guns, 100% certain. Crooked Joe has a 40-year-record of trying to rip firearms out of the hands of law-abiding citizens. Former president Donald Trump stands on stage before speaking (LM Otero/AP) The Biden administration has taken a number of steps to try to combat gun violence, including a new rule that aims to close a loophole that has allowed tens of thousands of guns to be sold every year by unlicensed dealers who do not perform background checks. Mr Trump has pledged to continue to defend the Second Amendment, which he claims is under siege, and has called himself the best friend gun owners have ever had in the White House as the United States faces record numbers of deaths due to mass shootings. Last year ended with 42 mass killings and 217 deaths, making it one of the deadliest years on record. The presumptive Republican presidential nominee has been criticised by Mr Biden, specifically for remarks that Mr Trump made this year after a school shooting in Iowa. Mr Trump called the incident very terrible only to later say that we have to get over it. We have to move forward. Mr Trump, during his speech, also criticised independent presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr, calling him radical left and a disaster, and noting that Mr Kennedy had once called the NRA a terror group. Dont think about it. Dont waste your vote, he said. He calls you a terrorist group, and I call you the backbone of America. Mr Kennedy later said in a Fox News interview that he did not remember his 2018 tweet. I dont consider them a terror group, and I support the Second Amendment, he said. Independent presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr was also criticised by Mr Trump (Eric Gay/AP) Mr Trump noted he will be speaking next week at the Libertarian Partys convention and said he will urge its members to vote for him. We have to join with them, he said. We have to get that 3% because we cant take a chance on Joe Biden winning. Earlier on Saturday, Mr Trumps campaign and the Republican National Committee announced the creation of a new Gun Owners for Trump coalition that includes gun rights activists and those who work in the firearms industry. Mr Biden has made curtailing gun violence a major part of his administration and re-election campaign, creating the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention overseen by Vice President Kamala Harris. Mr Biden also has urged Congress to ban so-called assault weapons, something Democrats shied from even just a few years ago. Tonight, Donald Trump confirmed that he will do exactly what the NRA tells him to do, even if it means more death, more shootings, and more suffering, said Biden spokesman Ammar Moussa. When Mr Trump was president, there were moments when he pledged to strengthen gun laws. Mr Trump said President Joe Biden would target the second amendment in a second term (Alex Brandon/PA) After a high school mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, that killed 17 people and wounded 17 others, Mr Trump told survivors and family members that he would be very strong on background checks. He claimed he would stand up to the NRA but later he backpedalled, saying there was not much political support. On Saturday, Mr Trump also brought up the criminal cases against him as his hush money trial heads into the final stretch next week and accused Democrats of being behind these cases because he is Mr Bidens opponent. Never forget our enemies want to take away my freedom because I will never let them take away your freedom, he said. Mr Trump criticised Mr Bidens border policies, repeating his pledge that he will order the largest domestic deportation operation. He spoke about abortion and warned Republicans not to be so extreme on abortion to remain electable. In my opinion, Republicans have not been talking about it intelligently. They havent been talking about it with knowledge, he said. Remember, speak from your heart. But you also have to get elected again. Russia reported some 60 drones and several missiles shot down over its territory overnight into Sunday, with Ukraine in turn saying it destroyed over 30 Russian drones. Russias renewed offensive continues to play out in Ukraines war-ravaged northeast. Russian air defences shot down 57 Ukrainian drones over its southern Krasnodar region overnight Saturday, the Russian defence ministry said on Sunday morning. Local military officials said drone debris hit an oil refinery in the town of Slavyansk-on-Kuban, but there was no fire or damage. Local news outlet Astra published videos appearing to show an explosion at the refinery as it was hit by a drone. The videos could not be independently verified. A Ukrainian police officer and war crime prosecutor inspect fragments of a glide bomb in front of damaged house (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP) Nine long-range ballistic missiles and a drone were destroyed over the Russia-occupied Crimean Peninsula, following Friday mornings massive Ukrainian drone attack that cut off power in the city of Sevastopol. A further three drones were shot down over the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine. According to regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, a church roof was set on fire by falling drone debris, but there were no casualties. In Ukraine, air force officials said air defence shot down all 37 Russian drones launched against the country overnight. In the northeastern Kharkiv region, where Moscow recently launched a new offensive, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said Sunday morning that one person died and 11 were wounded as a result of shelling over the previous day. Ukrainian troops are fighting to halt Russian advances in the Kharkiv region that began late last week. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday during a visit to China that Moscows offensive in the Kharkiv region aims to create a buffer zone but that there are no plans to capture the city. At least 11 people were reported killed in attacks in Ukraines war-ravaged northeast as Russia pushed ahead with its renewed offensive. In the Kharkiv region, the focus of the offensive, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said six people were killed and 27 wounded in a Russian strike on the outskirts of the regional capital, also called Kharkiv. He added that five more people were killed and nine wounded in an attack on the regions Kupiansk district, southeast of the regional capital. Russias Ministry of Defense said Sunday that its forces in the area were continuing to advance into the depths of the enemys defence. Ukraines general staff said Russia had stepped up its attacks around Kharkiv and that the situation was dynamic. Russia launched an offensive in the Kharkiv region late last week, significantly adding to the pressure on Ukraines outnumbered and outgunned forces which are waiting for delayed deliveries of crucial weapons and ammunition from Western partners. Ukraines overstretched forces are trying to slow Russia on the new front by using bomb-laden drones to destroy military vehicles. Foreign journalists report from an observation point while smoke rises after a Russian attack in Kharkiv (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday during a visit to China that Moscows offensive in the Kharkiv region aims to create a buffer zone but that there are no plans to capture the city. Meanwhile, Ukraine and Russia continued to exchange drone attacks. Ukrainian air force officials said Sunday morning that air defences shot down all 37 Russian drones launched against the country overnight. In Russia, Russian air defences shot down 57 Ukrainian drones over the southern Krasnodar region overnight, the Russian Defence Ministry said. Local military officials said drone debris hit an oil refinery in the town of Slavyansk-on-Kuban, but there was no fire or damage. News outlet Astra published videos appearing to show an explosion at the refinery as it was hit by a drone. The videos could not be independently verified. Nine long-range ballistic missiles and a drone were destroyed over the Russia-occupied Crimean Peninsula, following Friday mornings massive Ukrainian drone attack that cut off power in the city of Sevastopol. A further three drones were shot down over the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine. According to regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, a church roof was set on fire by falling drone debris, but there were no casualties. The Russian-installed governor of Ukraines partially occupied Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, said that one person died and 16 were wounded when a Ukrainian drone hit a minibus on Sunday morning. Slovakias populist prime minister Robert Fico remains in a serious condition but has been given a positive prognosis four days after he was shot multiple times in an assassination attempt that has sent shockwaves across the deeply polarised European Union nation, the defence minister said. The worst of what we feared has passed, at least for the moment. But his condition remains serious, Robert Kalinak told reporters outside the hospital where Mr Fico is being treated. His condition is stable with a positive prognosis. Slovakias Prime Minister Robert Fico (Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP) Mr Kalinak added that the hospital treating the Slovak leader in Banska Bystrica, a former coal mining town of 16,000 people situated 29 kilometres (17 miles) from where Mr Fico was attacked, will continue to issue updates on his health status. On Sunday afternoon, Mr Kalinak revealed new details about the ongoing investigation, saying there may have been a third party involved in acting for the benefit of the perpetrator, in what was previously described by the authorities as a lone wolf attack. The official did not provide additional details. The situation is turning out to be even worse than we expected, Mr Kalinak said. Plus other indications that these facts of Wednesdays attack have been discussed in a wider circle. All of this is shocking information, and for many of us, it would be much easier if we could talk about just one person. Milan Urbani, deputy director of the hospital, told reporters: Based on the doctors morning consultation, we can conclude that the patient is currently out of a life-threatening condition. His condition remains very serious, and he needs a long time to rest to recover. We firmly believe that everything will go in a good direction. Mr Fico, 59, was shot in the abdomen as he greeted supporters on Wednesday outside a cultural centre in the town of Handlova, nearly 140 kilometres (85 miles) north-east of the capital Bratislava. Deputy prime minister and defence minister of Slovakia Robert Kalinak arrives for a press conference at the government headquarters in Bratislava (Tomas Benedikovic/AP) Video showed the Slovak premier approach people gathered at barricades and reach out to shake hands as a man stepped forward, extended his arm and fired five rounds before being tackled and arrested. On Friday, Mr Fico underwent two hours of surgery to remove dead tissue from his gunshot wounds, but he was not healthy enough to be transferred to the capital, officials said on Saturday. The countrys Specialised Criminal Court in the town of Pezinok on Saturday ordered the suspected assailant, who is charged with attempted murder, to remain behind bars. Prosecutors said they feared he could flee or commit other crimes if freed, a court spokesperson said. The suspect can appeal against the order. Little information about the suspected would-be assassin has been disclosed after prosecutors told police not to publicly identify him or release details about the case. Unconfirmed media reports have named him and said he was a 71-year-old retiree known as an amateur poet who may have once worked as a shopping centre security guard. Government authorities have given details that matched that description. Interior minister Matus Sutaj Estok during a press conference at the government headquarters in Bratislava (Tomas Benedikovic/AP) They said the suspect did not belong to any political groups, though the attack itself was politically motivated. Slovakias interior minister Matus Sutaj Estok said on Sunday that the attack on Mr Fico is an attack on democracy in any normal country. At a time when democracy is being attacked, it must be the security forces that have to give a clear signal that they are prepared to protect the population of the Slovak Republic, he said. Mr Fico said last month on Facebook that he believed rising tensions in the country could lead to the killing of politicians, and he blamed the media for fuelling tensions in the country of 5.4 million people. Slovakias three-party coalition government has also partly accused the media of fuelling the vitriolic discourse that has beleaguered the EU country in recent years and led to deep social divisions. Andrej Danko, chairman of the governments smallest coalition partner, the Slovak National Party, said on Sunday he is expecting a government meeting early next week to discuss media laws and journalistic ethics, including how journalists report on domestic politics. In his address on Sunday, Mr Kalinak also stressed that lessons must be learned from the violent attack on Mr Fico, who has long been a divisive figure in Slovakia and beyond. This must be a memento. If we dont learn, were heading for hell, he said. Pavol Gaspar, acting director of the Slovak Information Service, addresses the media during a press conference at the government headquarters (Tomas Benedikovic/AP) We need to bring this situation back to what we can consider standard. Mr Ficos government has made efforts to overhaul public broadcasting a move critics said would give the government full control of public television and radio. That, along with his plans to amend the penal code to eliminate a special anti-graft prosecutor, has led opponents to worry that Mr Fico will lead Slovakia down a more autocratic path. Before Mr Fico returned to power last year, many of his political and business associates were the focus of police investigations, and dozens have been charged. His plan to overhaul the penal system would eliminate the office of the special prosecutor that deals with organised crime, corruption and extremism. At the St Francis Xavier Cathedral in Banska Bystrica on Sunday, churchgoer and lawyer Pavel Bachleda called the assassination attempt a great tragedy but also expressed concerns about how Mr Fico and his Smer, or Direction, party has conducted itself in recent years. I would say partly also his actions, his actions in the previous months and years, have brought about the situation in our country, he told The Associated Press. You get the impression that they concentrate more on revenge, political revenge than on real things that our country needs. By Ian Parmeter, Australian National University | (The Conversation) The Gaza war has now entered its eighth month and a resolution to the conflict still seems far off. Israel claims to have killed 13,000 Hamas militants so far. If that figure is correct, one can assume the number of wounded or incapacitated militants is at least twice or maybe three times that number. Prior to the war breaking out, Israel estimated there were around 30,000 Hamas fighters in Gaza. If this total can also be taken at face value, then Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be correct in arguing the removal of the last battalions in the southern city of Rafah would likely thwart the groups ability to be a threat to Israel. However, there are flaws in this reasoning. Israel has not explained how it calculates the number of militants the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has killed. Given the chaotic conditions in Gaza, its not difficult to believe the 13,000 figure is merely an estimate based on the approximate number of military-aged men (18-40 years) among the 35,000 Palestinians killed in total. In addition, if the remaining militants are hiding in tunnels beneath Rafah, as Netanyahu claims, what is to stop them from using the tunnel network to move north out of harms way? There is some evidence this is already occurring. The IDF and Israeli media say Hamas has regrouped in areas in central and northern Gaza that Israel claims to have cleared months ago. More importantly, the IDF has been unable to locate and eliminate the two primary Hamas leaders political leader Yahya Sinwar, who masterminded the October 7 attacks, and military leader Mohammed Deif. While these two remain at large, Israel cannot claim victory. On top of that, Israel has not succeeded in rescuing the remaining hostages held by Hamas. Only three of the approximately 240 hostages seized by Hamas on October 7 have been freed by military action. Just over 100 other hostages have been released through negotiations and unilateral action by Hamas. And international anger over Israels conduct of the war is growing exponentially, as demonstrated by the growing university sit-ins around the world and even the loud booing directed at Israels entrant in the Eurovision song contest. US President Joe Biden has also held back a delivery of heavy-duty munitions to Israel due to Netanyahus decision to press ahead with the Rafah assault. However, this is symbolic. The Biden administration is still moving forward with US$1 billion (A$1.5 billion) in new weapons deals for Israel, as reported by the Wall Street Journal this week. Al Jazeera English: No let-up in Israeli attacks on Jabalia, Rafah Pressure growing on Netanyahu Although Hamas has not given reasons for its shocking attack that started the current war, its reasonable to assume they were along the following lines: to get the Palestinian cause to the top of the Middle East agenda at a time when Saudi Arabia was on the verge of reaching a peace agreement with Israel to draw international attention to the appalling conditions in Gaza, which has been described as the worlds largest open-air prison to stoke Israels anger to such an extent, it responds with excessive force and draws widespread international criticism. On this logic, Hamas set a trap for Israel, and Israel walked into it. Given the current situation, with Netanyahu far from achieving his stated aims in the war and international criticism only getting worse, where does this leave Netanyahu? Hes facing pressure from three sides, with no good options. First, he leads the most right-wing government in Israeli history. The more extreme among his coalition partners, particularly Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have been clear they will walk out of the government and cause fresh elections if Netanyahu agrees to a lengthy ceasefire. With 71% of Israelis wanting Netanyahu to resign, according to a recent poll, he would almost certainly lose an election held any time soon. Second, the families and supporters of the remaining 130 or so hostages believed to be held by Hamas of whom Israeli intelligence estimates about a quarter have died are applying relentless pressure on Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire in return for their release. And third, Biden, his chief ally, wants the war over as quickly as possible due to the upcoming US presidential election. Biden is well aware of the risk that progressives and Arab Americans may not turn out to vote in November handing the presidency to Donald Trump by default. Withholding the munitions shipment earlier this month was just one of many signals Biden has sent to Netanyahu that his patience is wearing thin. The tragic irony is that negotiations led by Egypt and Qatar for a ceasefire and release of hostages have come remarkably close to success. The failure to close the deal has led The Economist to ask if Netanyahu actually wants to accept a deal. Power vacuum emerging The longer the war has dragged on, the more it has highlighted that Israel, which has been under Netanyahus almost continuous rule since 2009, has no long-term strategy for living side-by-side with its Palestinian neighbours. Even if a ceasefire could be agreed to, Netanyahus government hasnt articulated a plan for the day after. Already, this lack of a plan is creating a dangerous power vacuum in northern Gaza that has been filled by gangs, clans and criminals. The US deputy secretary of state, Kurt Campbell, this week warned the current situation is reminiscent of what the US faced in Iraq and Afghanistan after invading in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks: [] after civilian populations had been moved and lots of violence [] the insurrections continue. So, what is the plan for Gaza? Neither Israelis nor Palestinians would support the IDF reoccupying the strip for the long term. Netanyahu has also made clear his government would not accept a reformed Palestinian Authority, which currently governs part of the West Bank, from taking control of Gaza. And Netanyahus preferred option persuading non-aligned clan leaders to manage the strip on Israels behalf is a recipe for corruption and score-settling between rival families. Options involving outside forces from the region or the United Nations have also failed to gain traction. Where does this leave the people of Gaza? As they flee from one conflict zone to another, Palestinian residents are losing hope. As one community leader in Rafah recently said, The war has changed everything but most of all there is now no security. There is nothing now for the weak. Only the strong can survive now. Ian Parmeter, Research Scholar, Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, Australian National University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Before closing its chapter, "Lovely Runner" stars Byeon Woo Seok, Kim Hye Yoon, and the drama's team have good news for the fans and its avid viewers. Keep on reading to know more about the announcement. Byeon Woo Seok, Kim Hye Yoon, More to Possibly Hold Group Viewing for 'Lovely Runner' Finale With its finale approaching, tvN's trending series "Lovely Runner" is reported to hold a special gathering with its cast members and fans. On May 17, based on a news cited by a media outlet, the hit tvN's drama "Lovely Runner" is in discussion to host a group viewing event for its finale episode on May 28. In addition to the report, Byeon Woo Seok, Kim Hye Yoon, Song Geon Hee, and N. Flying's Lee Seung Hyub are expected to be present at the event. In response to the news, a representative from the network confirmed the announcement, "It is true that we are organizing a group viewing event for 'Lovely Runner's' finale episode on May 28." The team added that they are currently coordinating the details for the venue, event format, method of participation selection, and more. The final decisions are expected to be announced soon by the drama's team. The drama team will also be creating a pop-up store in Korea in celebration of the "Lovely Runner's" success. Some merchandise from the series will be on sale. 'Lovely Runner's' Continues Popularity, Achievement, More Furthermore, "Lovely Runner" is one of the most watched and talked about K-dramas today, making it achieve various records almost every week. In the latest data gathered by Good Data Corporation, "Lovely Runner" topped the most buzzworthy series, adding to this are the drama's stars Byeon Woo Seok, Kim Hye Yoon, and Song Geon Hee who dominated the most popular actors list. It continues to amass global popularity and even ranked first in other TV-OTT platforms, captivating thousands of viewers not just in Korea but also abroad. With its remaining four episodes, all eyes are on the rom-com drama as viewers and fans are looking forward to whether Ryu Sun Jae and Im Sol will change their fate and have their happy ending. "Lovely Runner" is based on the famous web novel "The Best of Tomorrow," and the script is penned by "True Beauty" writer Lee Si Eun. It is a time-slip romance series that features the love story of a passionate fan, who travels back in time to change the fate of her favorite idol, who experienced death in the future. Catch the last two weeks of "Lovely Runner" on tvN and VIU. What can you say about the news? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments! For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars. Kdramastars owns this article. Shai San Miguel wrote this. Saturday, May 17, 2024 - A 5-year-old Colorado girl died days after she was strangled by her disc swing in a freak accident. Aurora Masters was playing in the backyard of her Fort Collins home last week when she somehow became entangled in the jungle gym accessory. She pulled her little plastic slide over to where her swing was, her great-aunt Brenda Kennedy told KDVR-TV. And somehow got caught up in the swing, and the swing strangled her. Aurora was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and spent several days in the PICU until her family made the difficult decision to pull the plug. Aurora was without oxygen and that caused her brain to swell. An MRI today confirmed that the swelling was significant enough that it will not go down and we have made the difficult decision to transition Aurora to end-of-life care and organ donation, Kennedy wrote on an online fundraiser. She was kept on life support for two days to preserve her organs, which were then donated to other children in need. Sadly, she officially died on Monday, May 13. The Fort Collins Police Department is not investigating Auroras death any further, telling USA Today that there was no probable cause of any criminal behavior and has ruled the incident a tragic accident. Sunday, May 19, 2024 The Government of President William Ruto, through the Ministry of Health, has flagged a well-known maize flour brand in the country, after tests conducted on various packs established that it is poisonous as it contained high levels of aflatoxins. In a letter addressed to all public health officers and CEO of the Council of Governors (CoG), Dr. Patrick Amoth, the Acting Director General for Health, revealed that the tests had showed that the aflatoxin levels were 714ppb, which was deemed to be way above the recommended levels of 10.0ppb. "In order to safeguard the health of the consumers, you are required to seize all existing stock in the market of the said brand for disposal," reads part of the letter. As such, Dr. Amoth advised all County Public Health Officers to scale up surveillance of all food products in the market to ensure that counterfeit or toxic food items are not consumed by Kenyans. In Nairobi, the County Public Health Officers were asked to carry out an inspection and immediately stop the milling of the specified flour brand and subsequent distribution. All the officials were urged to adhere to the law while carrying out this directive. To that end, Dr. Amoth listed the Food Drugs and Chemical Substances Act Cap 254 and the Public Health Act Cap 242 as the regulations that needed to be adhered to. "Expedite action and furnish the Division of Food Safety through the specified contact details with updates and actions taken on the same. Thank you for your continuous support," the medic added. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), long-term exposure to excess aflatoxins can lead to acute poisoning (aflatoxicosis) and can be life-threatening, usually through damage to the liver. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, May 19, 2024 - Renowned political analyst, Prof. Mutahi Ngunyi, has offered wise advice to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who is planning to reconcile with former President Uhuru Kenyatta. Gachagua has not been seeing eye to eye with the former President who is still enjoying his retirement in his palatial home in Oloolmongi, Trans Mara. Gachagua believes by reconciling with Uhuru, the Mt Kenya region will be more united than ever. However, in a social media post on X on Saturday, Ngunyi warned that any handshake with Uhuru would undermine Gachagua's relationship with President William Ruto. According to Ngunyi, the president and his predecessor are not on good political terms; hence, it would be counterproductive for Gachagua to oppose his boss's position. Ngunyi argued that the Kenya Kwanza Alliance team defeated Uhuru's candidate in the 2022 presidential election; hence, there was no need to seek political dalliance. "Dear Rigby G, A handshake with Uhuru Kenyatta is a set-up. "He is the enemy of Ruto. If you embrace him, Ruto becomes your enemy. "You defeated Uhuru in broad daylight. Soldier on. "You "do not cross a river by constantly going back to the banks to rest." Cross it. "Kama mbaya, mbaya! , Ngunyi told Gachagua The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, May 19, 2024 - Car insurers have criticized President William Rutos government over the motor vehicle tax which they claimed is very dangerous. In a press statement, the insurers raised the alarm over a potential mass migration of Kenyan motorists to third-party insurance if the National Assembly approves the proposed motor vehicle tax in the Finance Bill, 2024. The Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) urged lawmakers to reject the proposed tax, pointing to its detrimental impact on the insurance industry and motorists alike. Third-party insurance, which only covers damages to other parties in the event of an accident, would become the go-to option for many, AKI predicts. This type of insurance provides protection against physical injuries, vehicle damage, property damage, and death caused by the insured vehicle. However, it does not offer any compensation if the accident is caused by drunken driving. The Finance Bill, 2024, introduces a motor vehicle tax set at 2.5 per cent of the vehicles value, with a cap of Ksh100,000. Tom Gichuhi, the Executive Director of AKI, explained that this new tax would significantly increase motor insurance costs. The current comprehensive insurance premium rate averages at 5 per cent, and with the additional 2.5 per cent, the total premium rate would rise to 7.5 per cent. With motor vehicle insurance being compulsory in Kenya, we anticipate a major shift towards third-party motor insurance if this tax is implemented. "Consequently, motorists will face higher risks, as they will essentially only be covered for third-party liabilities, leaving their own vehicles unprotected in the event of accidents. This could burden motorists with significant out-of-pocket expenses for repairs or replacements, Gichuhi stated. Insurers also warned that a shift to third-party coverage would reduce their income, which would in turn lower corporate tax contributions. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, May 19, 2024 - The United States government has clarified whether it supports former Prime Raila Odingas bid to become the African Union chairperson. Raila, 79, wants to take over the powerful continental seat which is currently occupied by former Chadian Prime Minister Mousa Faki. Speaking on Saturday, US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman said the US government supports Raila Odingas quest. Whitman said she has great respect for Raila and holds him in high regard. "I am excited about the potential of him running the African Union and that is good for East Africa and probably good for Kenya. "We recently met and had a nice conversation and I have a lot of respect for him," the Ambassador said. President William Ruto is among African heads of state who have endorsed Raila Odinga's bid. Ruto vowed to use state machinery to ensure Jakom clinches the AU top seat. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, May 19, 2024 - A section of President William Rutos close associates has poured cold water on the just concluded Limuru III conference. The conference was organized by Narc Kenya chairperson Martha Karua and former Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni. The conference was to address issues affecting the Mt Kenya region. However, speaking at Tombo Primary School in Malava, the Kenya Kwanza Alliance leaders trained their guns on former president Uhuru Kenyatta, accusing him of being behind the divisive Limuru III conference. The leaders accused Uhuru of pushing a divisive and tribal agenda after the Limuru III meeting endorsed him as the leader of the Haki Coalition. "Uhuru needs to emulate the late Mwai Kibaki. When he took over the presidency from Daniel Moi, people thought he would frustrate his predecessor. "But this never happened. When he retired after serving his term, he kept a low profile and never came back to interfere with how Kenyatta was running the country," Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri National Assembly majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah termed the Limuru III meeting a platform for political losers seeking relevance. Regional, ethnic, and backward politics have been passed by time; the politics of personality worship and personality-based politics are behind us. "Looking ahead, as leaders in this country, we want politics based on ideology; politics that will unite the people of Kenya as one in pursuit of prosperity for the benefit of the majority of Kenyans," Ichung'wah said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, May 17, 2024 - Chad's junta leader General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno has been announced as the winner of the country's presidential election. After the final results came in on Thursday, May 16, it was stated that Deby, who seized power the day rebels killed his father President Idriss Deby in 2021 and declared himself interim leader, got 61 percent of the vote, well ahead of second-placed candidate Succes Masra with 18.54 percent. Opposition leader Masra acknowledged the council's ruling and did not say he would fight it. The oil-producing country is the first of a string of coup-hit states in West and Central Africa's Sahel region to attempt a return to constitutional rule by holding elections. It has remained a key Western ally in the fight against al Qaeda and Islamic State-linked insurgencies in the Sahel region, even as Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso kicked out Western forces and turned to Russia for support instead. But Washington and former colonial power France have kept a wary eye since Chad's air force chief last month told the U.S. to halt activities at an air base, citing problems with paperwork. The U.S. announced a temporary withdrawal of at least some troops in response. Deby's victory prolongs the rule of the family that has had a firm grip on power since Deby's father took over in a coup in the early 1990s. Sunday, May 19, 2024 - Bandcom CEO, Enock Bett, took to his X account to express his woes after his wife reportedly instructed the watchman not to open the gate for him after he came back home late at night on Saturday. Enock claims he was meeting a client at night but his wife insisted that he was coming from cheating escapades. He regretted why he employed a relative to guard their home and claimed that the guard was working in cahoots with his wife to frustrate him. He was forced to go and spend the night at his baby mamas place. He vowed to leave the toxic marriage and thanked his baby mama for rescuing him whenever he got into trouble. At the end of the day, your faithful baby momma will show up. I fumbled with this woman. "She's been so kind. Nilikosea mwenyewe. Acha nilale kwake, nirudi kwangu na vujo kesho. "I will pay full school fee kesho for our daughter, he wrote. Check out his posts on X The Kenyan DAILY POST. Saturday, May 17, 2024 - This is the shocking moment a man fell 40 feet onto a police car and landed on the concrete road after climbing a building for a "drugs stash". The alleged drug dealer was trying to escape from police when he decided to jump from an apartment building in northern Brazil on Sunday night, May 12. In response to the arrest of a teenager for drug-related offences in Marechal Floriano, the Espirito Santo Military Police launched an operation targeting neighbourhood drug dealers. Authorities apprehended a 17-year-old youth carrying cocaine as he was making his way to the building to sell it to a 31-year-old man. The officers then had their attention drawn to a noise coming from an apartment building. When they looked up at a window on the third floor, they saw two men attempting to escape. One of the individuals involved jumped out, landed on the rear-view window of the police SUV and quickly ran away. But the escape didn't work out as well for his 26-year-old accomplice. In footage captured on a smart phone video, he is seen trying to climb down before losing his balance and hitting his head on the window. He ended up on the floor beside the police car. The unnamed suspect was quickly taken to Dr. Arthur Gerhardt Hospital by the Military Police for treatment of trauma. He was then moved to Sao Lucas Hospital and handed over to the police. The suspect will be moved to a nearby jail once he is fit and ready to leave. During the home search cops seized 295 crack rocks, 45 packages of cocaine, 10 grams of crack and 189 grams of cocaine paste, as well as $116. The man who was supposedly meeting the teenager to buy drugs was released as cops lacked sufficient evidence to accuse him of actually making the purchase. Meanwhile the teen admitted to drug trafficking in a logbook and was released to his family. Watch a video from the scene below. An Oakland duplex was at the center of a federal discrimination complaint over a low appraisal in 2021. The complaint put a spotlight on a national reckoning happening over race at the time, property values of Black and brown residents and the obscure process of real estate appraisals. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle The California Reparations Task Forces final report, published last summer, unpacked the extent to which Black Californians are locked out of the states real estate market. Reparations advocates have spent this year pushing property-focused legislation, but bills of this kind will have little impact if California doesnt overhaul its property tax system and reexamine Proposition 13. Amaya Edwards/Special to the Chronicle The terms property tax and property value appear more than 90 times in 2023 reports from San Franciscos African American Reparations Commission and Californias Reparations Task Force, which speaks to the brutal, long-lasting disparities in the U.S. housing market. Homeownership is key to building generational wealth, and reparations advocates have pushed property-focused legislation this year, including a bill granting property tax relief to descendants that failed to pass out of the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 16. But even if these kinds of bills one day become law, they alone wont solve the systemic problem that property owned by Black Californians is assessed lower and taxed higher than that of whites, and how Proposition 13, which enshrined some of the lowest property taxes in the nation, has increased the gap between the states haves and have-nots. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Black people are the only group in the country with a homeownership rate below 50%, and theyre the only demographic in the state with a rate below 40% a number unlikely to improve soon. That Black homeowners pay a Black Tax is well proved in American real estate. Before laws banning housing market discrimination, white tax assessors intentionally overvalued Black residents properties to increase their tax burden. Officials in the Jim Crow South would often do this to drive them out of particular areas. Its hard to deny a similar animosity made the Black Tax a thing in Californias past, and despite caps on property tax rates today, a part of the states present. Andrew W. Kahrl, a professor of history and African American studies at the University of Virginia and the author of The Black Tax: 150 Years of Theft, Exploitation, and Dispossession in America wants more states, including California, to talk about the Black Tax. Kahrls new book traces how Americas property tax system has impeded generations of Black folks. Advertisement Article continues below this ad You have to understand how a system was built to know how to dismantle it, Kahrl told me. Californias history of segregating land goes back to the states earliest Black settlers (former slaves in the 1850s) who mined for gold and bought property only to be forced to flee their homes by violent racists or have their land stolen by the state. The 1940s and World War II brought millions of Black Southerners to California during the countrys second Great Migration. They found jobs related to the war effort in shipyards and post-war jobs in manufacturing and were able to buy homes and property. This was an impressive feat considering Black veterans faced discrimination in accessing their GI Bill benefits for jobs, property and education after the war while their white counterparts did not. The Black homeownership rate in California was 42% in the 1960s, even though the state didnt enact the Fair Employment and Housing Act until 1959, which outlawed discrimination against Black homebuyers. Rising local property tax rates, a state budget surplus and legislative inertia triggered a taxpayer revolt in California that led to the passage of Prop. 13 in 1978. The revolt actually originated on the political left, Kahrl told me, and it had support from some Black homeowners. It was Black activists who were saying taxes were unfair to poor people and they were fighting to raise taxes on wealthy people so they paid their fair share, Karhl told me. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The law capped property tax rates at 1% of a propertys purchase price and made it so assessed values could rise no more than 2% per year. Properties could be reassessed only when they were sold or when the owner made big improvements, and any new special taxes had to be approved by a two-thirds majority vote in a local election. Four decades after Prop. 13s passage, those who have historically had unfettered access to homeownership the longest in California white people love the law because they have benefited the most. One of the ways property taxes can become discriminatory and work at a disadvantage to low income and minority neighborhoods is when they simply dont reassess the properties, Kahrl said. Essentially by doing nothing, youre helping to give tax breaks to people who live in areas where property values are rising fastest. Prop. 13 has been immune to changes or repeal, despite ample data showing its harms. A 2022 report by the Opportunity Institute, a Berkeley-based nonprofit that advocates for social mobility and equity, and Pivot Learning, an education consulting nonprofit in Oakland, found Prop. 13 gave white homeowners annual property tax breaks that are more than 80% higher on average than those for Black homeowners. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Another 2022 report by the Tax Fairness Project and the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association has an interactive map that shows how whiter neighborhoods have benefited more from Prop. 13 than poorer, ethnically diverse counterparts. The report highlights how the owner of a 6,740-square-foot mansion worth $9 million in San Franciscos affluent Presidio Heights neighborhood paid $5,625 in property taxes in 2020. That same year, a 991-square-foot home in Richmond worth $331,000 paid $5,240 in taxes. These properties werent outliers. Among countless similar examples, the reports interactive map also shows the owner of a five-bedroom home in San Franciscos affluent Diamond Heights neighborhood worth almost $5 million paid $6,561 in property taxes. That was less than the $6,837 paid by the owner of a two-bedroom home worth roughly $900,000 in the citys Bayview, where a large portion of San Franciscos Black residents live. Kahrls book unpacks how the assessment process for homes has been used prejudicially against Black people for decades. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A 2018 report by the Brookings Institution showed homes in the Bay Areas Black neighborhoods are valued at 27% less than homes of similar size in white neighborhoods: a difference of $164,000 on average, which was among the worst differences in the nation. A Black couple in Marin City made headlines in 2021 when an appraiser assessed their home at $995,000, and weeks later when they had a white friend pose as the owner, another appraiser said the house was worth $1,482,500 a nearly $500,000 increase. The couple settled a lawsuit against the original appraiser in 2023 for an undisclosed amount. A banner hangs in Marin City, where a Black couple made headlines in 2021 when they said appraisals of their home were skewed because of their race. In California, theres a long history of homes owned by Black and brown people being valued less and taxed more. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle In 2021 alone, ABC7 television broke six stories about separate instances of Black and brown homeowners in the Bay Area being lowballed on appraisals. Reparations efforts in California have largely avoided calling for a repeal of Prop. 13. The state task forces report mentions the legislations issues, while only San Franciscos reparations task forces report called for unspecified potential remedies to Prop. 13. Any important conversation about reparations needs to prioritize addressing structural mechanisms of inequality, like Prop. 13. Simply making people whove become wealthy as a result of their home appreciation pay the same tax rate as new homeowners would address the Black Tax in California. Many instruments of inequality are still functioning today and property taxes continue to disadvantage Black and brown populations which can lead to them losing their wealth, and their wealth and homeownership becoming someone elses wealth, Kahrl said. Reparations efforts, devoid of specific ideas for transforming state property taxes, would lead to a hollow solution. Saturday, May 17, 2024 - Taiwanese lawmakers shoved, tackled and hit each other in parliament on Friday, May 17, in a bitter dispute about reforms to the chamber, just days before President-elect Lai Ching-te takes office without a legislative majority. According to reports, even before votes started to be cast, some lawmakers screamed at and shoved each other outside the legislative chamber, before the action moved onto the floor of parliament itself. Lawmakers surged around the speaker's seat, some leaping over tables and pulling colleagues to the floor. The fight was stopped but later continued in the afternoon. Lai, who is to be inaugurated on Monday, won January's election, but his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lost its majority in parliament. The main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), has more seats than the DPP but not enough to form a majority on its own, so it has been working with small Taiwan People's Party (TPP) The opposition wants to give parliament greater scrutiny powers over the government, including a controversial proposal to criminalise officials who are deemed to make lie in parliament. The DPP says the KMT and TPP are improperly trying to force through the proposals without the customary consultation process in what the DPP calls "an unconstitutional abuse of power". Lawmakers from all three parties were involved in the fight according to reports, and traded accusations about who was to blame. It's not the first time the lawmakers in Taiwan have fought. In 2020, KMT lawmakers threw pig guts onto the chamber's floor in a dispute over easing U.S. pork imports. Watch video below Saturday, May 18, 2024 Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has delivered disturbing news to the family of Stephen Munyakho who is facing execution in Saudi Arabia after killing a Yemen national. This is after he informed Munyakhos family that the government of President William Ruto has no money for his Sh150 million blood money to secure his release. The Foreign Affairs CS noted that the financial constraints facing his ministry cannot allow them to secure the release of Stephen Munyakho from a Saudi Arabian jail, where he has been imprisoned for over 13 years. "There are no funds we can draw under such circumstances unless Parliament was to create a fund of that nature. We will call for a public appeal to support so that resources can be raised," Mudavadi stated. This comes even as Munyakhos execution was postponed indefinitely from last Wednesday after the governments intervention. So far, Munyakhos mother has been able to collect Sh8 million from friends and relatives as well as well-wishers to try and secure her sons release. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, May 17, 2024 - A well-known Louisiana plastic surgeon and his two adult children, who were both two days away from their college graduation, were killed when the small plane they were in broke apart in the air, officials said. The single-engine Beechcraft V35 fell apart over Tennessee just south of Nashville around midday Wednesday, May 15, as it was headed from Gonzales, Louisiana, to Louisville. Dr. Lucius J. Doucet III and his daughter Giselle and son Jean-Luc were killed in the mid-air crash, officials said. The two were set to graduate from Louisiana State University, where Giselle studied veterinary medicine and Jean Luc was an engineering student, according to WAFB 9. It does appear that the flight did break up in the air, Williamson County Sheriff Mark Elrod told reporters during a Wednesday news conference. We are devastated to hear this news, and our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Doucet family and all those close to them, the school said in a statement. 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. The small aircraft was owned by Lucius Doucet, who practiced in Baton Rouge and was remembered by colleagues as an exceptional surgeon that loved to fly planes, the Advocate reported. Dr. Doucet was not only an exceptional surgeon, but also a compassionate man who touched the lives of countless individuals within our community, Williamson Cosmetic Center said. His dedication to his patients was unmatched, and his kindness and empathy were felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him. The wreckage from the plane left a rather large debris field spanning over half a mile that they would continue searching through Thursday, May 16, Elrod said. Rough weather might have been a factor in the crash, a National Transportation Safety Board official said Thursday, according to the Advocate. If weather didnt cause the accident, weather was a factor in the accident, said NTSB aviation accident investigator Aaron McCarter at a news conference. Emergency responders received a 911 call from a resident who said they saw an explosion and debris and said there might have been a plane crash, around 12:05 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15. It was quickly evident that this would be a search-and-recovery operation, not a search-and-rescue operation, Elrod said. Audio from Air Traffic Control discussed the plane starting to descend from 9,000 feet and revealed there were options for it to land 16 miles north, according to News Channel 5. Air Traffic Control continued trying to reach the plane, but it wasnt clear from the audio how the pilot responded. It sounds like contact lost, the tower said. The Williamson County Sheriffs Office, Franklin Fire, Williamson County EMA and Williamson Health EMS responded to the crash. Sunday, May 19, 2024 - University lecturers from seven public institutions have revealed how the government of President William Ruto has been mistreating them. In a joint press briefing at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Juja main campus in Kiambu County, the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) stated that the government has been delaying lecturers' salaries, which they say have rendered them to survive on Fuliza and shylock loans. The lecturers led by JKUAT Chapter Secretary General Dr Shadrack Muya, said they can no longer tolerate the salary delays, which they say are turning members into beggars. "It is with great concern that by May 17, 2024, our members have not received their salaries for April despite fulfilling their duties and serving as per their contractual terms, they are yet to be compensated, "This is a clear violation of the Employment Act 2007 and the Constitution of Kenya 2010," said Dr Muya's statement on behalf of the seven affected universities. The unionists averred that the delay in salary payments has caused significant hardship to lecturers, thus affecting their ability to meet financial obligations, such as servicing standing orders, mortgage payments, and school fees among others. "As a result, many of us have been forced to resort to loans from Fuliza, Mswari, and shylocks to survive. This amounts to demeaning and causing embarrassment to our members," "Imagine a whole professor facing the closure of his rental house for non-payment of rent or begging a school principal not to send home his child over fees arrears," UASU the union's JKUAT Chapter Treasurer Timona Soita posed. The Kenyan DAILY POST Last month, while spring cleaning my home-based office, I faced off with a bookshelf full of past writing journals. Get rid of them (I coaxed myself). Whatever you wrote here is history now. My inner packrat resisted. Couldnt I just box them up and move them to the basement to join all those other journals that, together, chronicle my three-plus decades of living in the United States? One gray-covered notebook with pink post-it notes caught my eye. It was dated January 2017 to December 2017. Ah. Yes. That was the year of my husbands multiple health scares and more than one surgery. Back then, at age 54, I commuted to a suburban office building, where I worked a busy health communications job. So how the heck had I all this time to journal about my and my husbands medical visitssome emergencyto facilities where (I think) I presented as the engaged and supportive spouse? Now, as I read through some of my old journal entries, I saw that I was full of rage back then. I rarely share my private or expressive writing, but heres an excerpt: The truth is that Im angry as hell. It makes no sense to be angry at happenstance, at the vicissitudes of the molecular or cellular. But I am. Other dated entries assumed that the rest of Americas estimated 53 million unpaid family caregivers were doing this caregiving and spousal thing much better than me. The writing had a sense of transgressionthat my early-morning writing was stealing time from important stuff, like food prep and work, and making sure my husband had everything he needed. Now, seven years on, I could quit this pack-rat decluttering standoff to sit at my home office workstation to research and write an article on spousal or family caregivingespecially when it arrives much sooner than weve presumed or expected. But I dont need research to tell me this: Even when we seem like were coping, most or all of us caregivers would swap the new-normal realities for our old-normal (read: our family member is healthy) life. Heres another journal snippet: I am also angry at the stealth and secrecy of it all, the odd mystery of our bodies, beating, thumping, thudding, dividing, clogging, or chugging with no outward or real-time indication that something is beginning to stop or start. In retrospect, this naughty or subversive feeling shouldnt have surprised me. As a 14-year-old student in my native Ireland, I began to write in a journal when I was ostensibly doing evening homework. Back then, I wrote because I was exhausted by the rote-learning world of my convent girls school. I wrote to mitigate a sense of being perpetually overseen and unseen. This youthful journaling continued into my Dublin college years and my early years in America. Now, a funny thing happened in my 2017 journal pages. Just before the midpoint, my entries began to track from rage to self-analysis to humility. Some entries echoed what surgeon and best-selling author Atul Gawande says about his private writings: My chance to write is a chance to make sense of what Im seeing and to understand the problem. He adds: Writing has been my way to understand and recognize what I got right and what I got wrong. Later in my journal, I saw that beneath all that rage pulsed a heart-thumping fear. Still later, I listed some ideas to mitigate that fear. These days, Im glad to report that my husbands medical issues have been operated on, medicated, and stabilizedthough the clinical visits extended well into 2018 and 2019 and all the way up to last summer. These days, ugly as my old rage rants read to me now, I understand that there was no shortcut from raw emotion to self-discovery and, finally, to mercy. In 2020, after I lost my job due to COVID layoffs, a local cancer recovery group invited me to lead some virtual expressive writing workshops for their members who, like many of us, were now homebound. Four years on, Im in a new, hospital-based day job and also leading writing workshops for patient, public, and clinician groups. This work feels like a privilege, not a job. However, at least until now, I have never outed myself about those rage writes. For my husbands last surgery, I didnt feel so rear-ended or flustered. So maybe age and a pandemic have mellowed me. Or in 2017, maybe the writing did for my cyclonic emotions what this years bout of office spring cleaning wouldI hopeddo for my brain and work productivity. James Pennebaker, PhD, an American social psychologist and professor, was one of the first U.S. researchers to study the impact of short writing stints. In this recent interview with the American Psychological Association, Pennebaker says, When there are bad things, writing for me helps me get through them. Since Pennebakers first study (1986), researchers have conducted over 300 clinical studiesincluding literature reviewson the efficacy of emotional or expressive writing. Study groups have ranged from American college freshmen to Italian health care clinicians, recently laid-off workers, and stressed-out medical students. The outcomes data mostly support the benefits of short (twoto fifteen-minute) writing stints. But its not a cure-all, says a health writer for Harvard Medical School. The writer adds: Expressive writing appears to be more effective for people who are not also struggling with ongoing or severe mental health challenges, such as major depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. So back to my office spring cleaning. As I dithered between shredding or basement-moving my old journals, I posed myself Marie Kondos classic decluttering question: Has all this writingincluding the rage writesbrought me joy? Oh, yes. Aine M. Greaney is a writer and can be reached at her self-titled site, Aine Greaney. I would not recognize her if she crossed before me on the street. I could not pick her out in a staff photo of her and her colleagues. I do not know the color of her hair or skin; I could not even guess if she is short or tall. But her voiceI know her voice. I could recognize that voice anywhere. I first met Julie sometime before the COVID pandemic, before the shutdown, when the world came to a screeching halt. I had just landed my dream job six months prior, working as a hospitalist in our intensive care unit (ICU) alongside some of the brightest and most dedicated critical care intensivists I now consider friends and brothers. There were times, though, that despite my critical care friends and our litany of specialty backup services, I had to reach out to tertiary care centers. Thats when I met Julie. I actually never met her. But I met that voice. I met that voice when I once called a tertiary care center seeking to transfer a patient for a higher level of critical care and support beyond the capacity of our local hospital, our regional medical center. Julie is a nurse. But shes not just any nurse. Ive never seen her in action. Ive never cared for mutual patients with her. But Ive called upon her many times since 2019, a few months before COVID-19 ravaged our world. Julie is a nurse who works in the medical centers transfer center. She assists physicians like me in coordinating transfers from outlying hospitals. I do not know her credentials, background, experience, or even her medical knowledge base. But, based upon our multitude of conversations over the years, I sense and suspect that she possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in caring for ill patients that would rival those of me and my physician colleagues. When COVID turned our world upside down in March 2020, and for two years thereafter, I called Julie and the likes of Julie daily, sometimes several times daily. I did not always speak to Julie directly. I often spoke with her colleagues. But I also spoke with other transfer center nurses at other tertiary care centers who helped me as well, much like Julie. And when we were brutalized in the ICU, surge after surge, Delta being the worst, I spent many hours of my days calling and talking to Julie and all the other Julies out there, seeking help, trying to secure a bed, any bed, trying to find a place who could offer my dying patients a little hope, any hope, as we exhausted all our conceivable measures at our local hospital, our regional medical center. Sadly, at the time, most hospitals were functioning beyond capacity, as was our regional medical center, and facing the onslaught of nursing and physician burnout. They, like our hospital, had little to no capacity to offer their services, their beds, their support. There simply were not enough of them. But what Julie offered, as did many other Julies out there, was a voice, a connection, to someone who listened, who commiserated, who offered what she (or sometimes he) could, if nothing else, but an ear to bend to the voice on the other end of the phone call. Roughly two years have passed since the official end of the COVID pandemic. And the frequency and urgency of those phone calls to Julie and all the other Julies out there now pale in comparison to the days of the pandemic. But every once in a while, I would contact Julie or one of her colleagues, and wed reconnect and share a story about our families, our professions, and our interests, all the while trying to simultaneously coordinate a transfer. Its not like we were besties or anything like that, but during those two years, when the world had not a clue about what we experienced, what we dealt with, what we feared, Julie (and all the other Julies) was there if nothing else but to listen to, to offer an ounce of compassion to, a Podunk Hospitalist in Southern Ohio who was struggling to care for his patients, his local brethren, his kinfolk. *** Like many of my colleagues across the country and even my local hospital, I find myself now a victim of the restructuring and reorganizing processes that rear their ugly heads in todays modern health care environment. As such, I no longer work at my local hospital. My services were no longer needed. Rather than commuting one hour to Columbus, I found a new home, deeper in Southern Ohio, surrounded by colleagues and friends. Recently, I was caring for a patient at my new home hospital who needed specialty care and services our hospital did not offer. As such, I contacted the transfer center and, to my surprise, Julie answered the call. It had been at least six months, possibly longer, since I last chatted with Julie on the telephone. I immediately recognized her voice. I wasnt sure she recognized mine. Frankly, I was hoping she wouldnt. I grew tired of having to explain to friends, colleagues, and even strangers why I no longer work at my hometown hospital. The transfer process was going well, and I was in stealth mode during the question-and-answer session. But then, Julie asked for my name. My heart sank. I stated my name, and then I began spelling it for her. I didnt make it past the third letter of my last name when she immediately recognized me, my voice. And then she asked the proverbial, I thought you worked at xxx? I did work there, but no longer. This is my home now, I responded. A long pause ensued, and I offered her my story. She listened, offered some heartfelt sentiments, and then wished me the best in my new endeavor. And, just like the days of yore, she then inquired about my children, my family, and our recent travels, and I, of course, inquired about her family and joyous occasions. We continued to laugh, commiserate, and share fond stories between us. During our laughs and memories, Julie helped coordinate a transfer for my patient, once again helping a hospitalist in Southern Ohio care for his local brethren, his kinfolk. To all the Julies out there, but especially to Julie at the transfer center, I thank you for your kindness, assistance, and compassion, especially when we worked and lived in a disaster zone during the pandemic, for lending an ear to a physician struggling to care for his local friends and neighbors. I thank you. Zoran Naumovski is a hospitalist. Doctors from Stanford and Baylor universities discussed the state of reproductive care during the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists annual clinical and scientific meeting Saturday in San Francisco. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists A doctor gives a patient the first of two pills for a medical abortion during a 2022 visit to a Planned Parenthood clinic in Kansas City, Kan. Charlie Riedel/Associated Press 2022 Texas doctor Anitra Beasley boiled down the state of abortion rights in Texas after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade to one word: devastating. It has been nearly two years since the U.S. Supreme Court decided Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, a case in which justices ruled there was no constitutional right to abortion. Since then, abortion has been banned in Texas in nearly all circumstances. California, meanwhile, passed Proposition 1, enshrining the right to an abortion in the states Constitution. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Beasley, associate professor at Baylor University College of Medicine in Houston, and Stanford University Medical School Chief of Gynecology and Gynecological Services Dr. Kate Shaw met in San Francisco on Saturday to discuss the differences between their two states at the Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Their descriptions of the days after June 24, 2022 the day Dobbs was decided were starkly different. Shaw said Stanford had 10 times the number of people calling to schedule abortions. Doctors and students from different specialties were asking for training to provide abortions in anticipation of the heightened demand, and Stanford put together a committee to understand the court decisions impact, she said. Meanwhile, Beasley said she was immediately sending current patients home. Already, abortions in Texas had been severely restricted by SB8, legislation passed by the state legislature in 2021. The night before that law went into effect, Beasley said her clinic stayed open late to treat as many patients as possible. In the months after SB8, she said, she had gotten used to being forced to turn patients away because they had come just a few days too late. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But now, Beasley said, women simply dont come at all. With Dobbs right now, the waiting rooms are just empty. The parking lots are just empty, she said. Abortion rights supporters and opponents rally outside the Supreme Court in Washington in June 2022 in the wake of the Dobbs decision, which led to state bans and other restrictions on abortion. Gemunu Amarasinghe/Associated Press 2022 On the flip side, California has had a surge of both patients in search of abortions and medical professionals in search of training, Shaw said. Students in Texas must travel elsewhere including to California for several months to legally train how to safely perform an abortion, which can be costly, she said. At the same time, doctors are not only seeing more patients coming from out of state, but also more patients who face worse outcomes because they were unable to get an abortion sooner, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad People are presenting later in pregnancy, theyre presenting sicker, with more complications all unnecessarily, Shaw said. Though the two experts highlighted the drastic impact Dobbs has had on access to abortions in the U.S., they also reminded the crowd of about 200 fellow doctors that abortions were not necessarily accessible before Dobbs, either. In one slide, the speakers displayed a map showing how many women living in states like Iowa would also have to travel out of state to find their nearest abortion provider, even before Dobbs. For those advocating for access to abortions, Beasley said, simply making the procedure legal again is just the beginning. Its gonna take work, its gonna be hard. But Roe should not be our ceiling, it should be our floor, she said to applause and a standing ovation. A new drive is urging people in Kilkenny to avoid a silent killer by getting their blood pressure checked. The three-minute checks with GPs or local pharmacies are a vital tool in detecting high blood pressure, which can lead to heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney failure and dementia. What you dont know could kill you as this condition, in the vast majority of cases, has no symptoms, warned Janis Morrissey, Director of Health Promotion with the Irish Heart Foundation. The national charity is leading the Before Damage is Done campaign this May Measurement Month to encourage adults, particularly those aged over-50, to get checked. People in Kilkenny are encouraged to visit their GP or local pharmacy throughout May to coincide with World Hypertension Day, marked on May 17. Blood pressure is a measure of how effectively the heart pumps blood around the body and a high reading, called hypertension, is manageable through a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. The vast majority of those diagnosed with hypertension had no warning symptoms, so it is vital that blood pressure is checked and kept in check, said Ms Morrissey. It is quick, easy and pain free and does not involve a blood test. The campaign targets those who may be living with high blood pressure without their knowledge, and the risk increases with age. The most recent CSO yearly data shows that 9,652 lives were lost in 2022 due to heart disease and stroke. The normal level of blood pressure is about 120 over 80, with high blood pressure defined as 140 over 90 or higher. Everyone aged over 30 should get checked every five years and a GP can assess the overall level of risk and may advise more frequent checks. There could be a history of hypertension in your family so a GP will look at cholesterol, weight and lifestyle factors to assess your cardiac health, added Ms Morrissey. Prescribed medication is a key tool in managing hypertension, but lifestyle changes such as healthy eating, increasing physical activity, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption are also crucial. Patients are advised to seek advice on changing medication or lowering dosage if they suffer debilitating side effects. The Irish Heart Foundation, in partnership with Medicare LifeSense, is encouraging those in Kilkenny to get their blood pressure checked Before Damage is Done. The Coca-Cola Company are reminding youth organisations across Kilkenny to submit their applications to the 2024 Coca-Cola Thank You Fund as the closing date approaches on May 24 at 6pm. In 2023, Kilkenny-based organisation Foroige Kilkenny received a grant share of 5,000 from the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund for offering a dynamic programme of development and education to improve the likelihood of re-engaging the young people they support with education, training, or employment opportunities. With just one week left to go, youth organisations with programmes dedicated to fostering learning and sustainable development are being urged to submit their applications and be in with a chance of receiving a grant share of 200,000 to support youth-focused initiatives that contribute to positive change within their local communities. Now in its 14th year, the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund continues its commitment to fostering education, employability, and environmental leadership among young people aged 16-25 across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Over the past 14 years, the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund has awarded more than 1.5 million to 164 non-profit organisations, making a significant impact in communities across the island of Ireland. Chow chows are among several dog breeds commonly banned by homeowners insurance providers in California. Sue Thatcher/Getty Images As many Californians scramble to find homeowners insurance coverage amid cutbacks by major carriers, they may have a surprising variable to contend with: what kind of dog they own. Homeowners insurance often covers dog bite liability expenses, but some insurance companies will not insure homeowners with certain types of dogs. While it is not a new practice, it is not widely advertised, and the types of dogs banned are often hidden in insurance companies state filings. Some states ban the practice, but California does not. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A Chronicle analysis of state insurance filings found that most major home insurers in California ban some dog breeds, most often pit bulls, rottweilers, Doberman pinschers, Akitas and chows. Those that dont ban dogs by breed instead ask for an individual dogs bite history. Brian Sullivan, a Bay Area insurance broker, said that its the property owners responsibility to know what their policy allows though he added that before putting together a quote, a good agent will ask homeowners if they have a dog and, if so, what breed. Questions about dogs might also appear on an insurance application, he said. Sullivan added that if a dog of any breed has a bite history, it is typically difficult to get any animal liability coverage while the dog is in the home. Claims related to dog bites and other dog-related injuries cost homeowners insurers $1.12 billion last year, according to the Insurance Information Institute. California, the most populous state, has the largest number of claims in the U.S., with more than 2,000 last year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Here are the major California insurers policies on dogs: State Farm Only bans dogs with a history of biting; those trained as an attack, guard, personal protection or fighting dog; or those that demonstrate high levels of anxiety or temperament. While a dogs breed may dictate what the dog looks like, how a dog reacts to people or situations isnt guaranteed by breed or type. Most bites or serious injuries are a perfect storm of situation and circumstance, the company said on its website. CSAA Bans any vicious dogs, exotic and/or dangerous animals/pets (even if excluded from liability coverage). It defines vicious dogs as those with an ancestry of Akita, chow, Doberman pinscher, pit bulls and pit bull type, which includes, but is not limited to, American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, and Staffordshire bull terriers; Presa Canario; rottweiler; or wolf, wolf hybrid or wolf dog; as well as any dog used or bred for fighting or trained to attack people or animals. Excludes any dogs used as service or guide dogs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Allstate Bans any dog that has a previous bite history or displays vicious or dangerous tendencies. Farmers Bans dogs that are a purebred or hybrid/mix consisting of any of the following breeds: Akita, boxer, bulldog, chow chow, Doberman pinscher, German shepherd, mastiff/bull mastiff, Perro de Presa Canario, or rottweiler; pit bull (American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, Staffordshire terrier); wolf hybrid; animals with a previous bite history; or dogs with a propensity for dangerous/aggressive behavior. Rottweilers are among several dog breeds commonly banned by homeowners insurance providers in California. ChristopherBernard/Getty Images Liberty Mutual Bans purebred or mixes with Akita, chow, Doberman pinscher, pit bull, Presa Canario, rottweiler, Staffordshire bull terrier, wolf hybrid. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Travelers Bans pets that have previously bitten or caused injury and dogs of the following breed: Akita, Alaskan malamute, American bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, chow chow, Doberman pinscher, mastiff, pit bulls, Presa Canario, rottweiler, Staffordshire bull terrier, any wolf hybrid or any mix or variation of these breeds. Auto Club Bans animals with dangerous propensities (animals with a natural inclination to be able or likely to inflict injury) including, but not limited to, dangerous wild animals (animals not ordinarily tame or domesticated that are able or likely to inflict injury); wolf-hybrids and guard dogs trained to attack; and the following purebred and mixed-breed dogs: any pit bull type of dog (also known as American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, bull terrier, miniature bull terrier, American bulldog, Dogo Argentino, or alpha blue bulldog), Rottweiler, Akita, also known as Japanese Akita or Akita Inu, Canary dog, also known as Presa Canario or Perro de Presa Canario. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Mercury Bans Akitas, Cane Corsos, chows, pit bulls, Presa Canario (Canary dog), rottweilers, Staffordshire bull terriers, wolf hybrids, zoo animals, exotic animals, or any animal with a biting history. Any mixed breed dog that has any unacceptable breed as part of the dogs lineage is unacceptable. Households cannot have more than three dogs. 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. Megan Fan Munce is a reporter on the climate team covering Californias home insurance crisis. She writes about the California FAIR Plan; State Farm non-renewals; pullbacks by other insurers such as Allstate and Farmers; policy initiatives from the California Department of Insurance; and how homeowners in the Bay Area and elsewhere are navigating the challenges. Munce first joined the San Francisco Chronicle as part of the two-year Hearst Journalism Fellowship, spending her first year of the program at the Houston Chronicle. She grew up in San Jose before attending Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism. In the midst of the COVID crisis, Gov. Newsom allocated $300 million per year for Californias chronically underfunded public health services. Now, facing a yawning deficit, he plans to cut it all. The impact on programs could be severe. Jeff Chiu/Associated Press When a Pasadena doctor reported in October that a hospital patient was exhibiting classic symptoms of dengue fever, such as vomiting, a rash, and bone and joint pain, local disease investigators snapped into action. The mosquito-borne virus is common in Southeast Asia, East Africa and Latin America, and when Americans contract the disease it is usually while traveling. But in this case, the patient hadnt left California. Epidemiologists and public health nurses visited 175 households to conduct blood draws and local pest control workers began fumigating the patients neighborhood. In the process, they discovered a second infected person who hadnt traveled. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Both patients recovered, and in that neighborhood nearly 65% of the carrier mosquitoes, part of a genus called Aedes, were eradicated within seven days, said Matthew Feaster, an epidemiologist with the Pasadena Public Health Department. The swift and intensive response was funded largely by a new bucket of money in the state budget for public health and preparedness across California, said Manuel Carmona, Pasadenas deputy director of public health. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and facing pleas from public health officials who said they didnt have enough resources to track and contain the disease, California Gov. Gavin Newsom had agreed to allocate $300 million each year for the states chronically underfunded public health system. Two years after the money started to flow, and facing a $45 billion deficit, the second-term Democratic governor proposes to slash the funding entirely. This is a huge step backwards, said Kat DeBurgh, executive director of the Health Officers Association of California. We cant go back to where we were before the pandemic. That future looks very scary. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Michelle Gibbons, executive director of the County Health Executives Association of California, said about 900 public health workers have already been hired with the new funding including some of Pasadenas disease investigators positions that are at risk should Newsom prevail. The governor unveiled his updated budget plan for the 2024-25 fiscal year on May 10, saying it pained him to push such deep cuts to health and human services but that the state needed to make difficult decisions to balance its budget. Unlike the federal government, it cannot operate on a deficit. Tense budget negotiations are underway between Newsom and the leaders of the state Senate and Assembly, who must reach an agreement on the states estimated $288 billion budget by June 15. We have a shortfall. We have to be sober about the reality, what our priorities are, Newsom said after unveiling his suggested cuts. This is a program that we wish we could continue to absorb and afford. Public health officials lobbied Newsom hard in 2020 and 2021 to get more resources, and secured additional annual funding of $100 million for the state Department of Public Health and $200 million for the 61 local health departments that form the backbone of Californias public health system. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Now they are fighting to preserve their funding just as cities and counties had begun using it to bolster Californias public health defenses. Some of the workers hired with the money are battling homelessness, fighting climate change, or surveying farmworkers to identify their health and social needs, but most are communicable disease specialists such as epidemiologists and public health nurses charged with investigating threats and outbreaks. And around the United States, the spread of bird flu from animals to humans is causing widespread concern. The more time this virus is out there transferring between cows and birds, the more chance it has to evolve and spread human to human, DeBurgh said. She argues that public health agencies must have enough funding to hire workers who can halt threats as they emerge like they did in Pasadena. Advertisement Article continues below this ad That dengue outbreak was stopped because we had more ability to hire, and that was a huge public health success, she said. Pasadena public health authorities teamed up with the local mosquito control agency to spray pesticides and deployed 29 staffers to test residents for dengue. We put our best people on that case, Carmona said, adding that four of the disease investigators were funded with about $1 million in new state money the department receives each year. Without it, we wouldnt have a timely response and we probably would have identified dengue as West Nile or some other type of viral virus. Dr. Rob Oldham, the interim public health officer and director of Health and Human Services for Placer County, said hes weighing the devastating cuts he would have to make if Newsoms proposal passes. The county has hired 11 full-time and six part-time workers using about $1.8 million in new annual state funding, he said. This money was just starting to take hold, he said. Honestly, were scrambling, just as were responding to another measles case. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Legislative leaders were reluctant to say whether they would try to safeguard the funding, as they face deep cuts in nearly every sector of state government, including early childhood education, public safety, energy, and transportation. Were knee-deep in budget negotiations but were working like hell to protect the progress weve made, said state Senate leader Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg). Public health officials warned the state would be vulnerable to health and economic disasters should they lose the hard-won funding. Itanagar, May 19 (PTI) The Indian Army has conducted a week-long forward area tour in Arunachal Pradesh for defence experts to provide them a first-hand experience of operational challenges faced by troops and to encourage them to formulate technological solutions to the problems, a communique said here on Sunday. The tour was conducted from May 12 to 19 for a seven-member team of experts from defence industries, startups and academia. Also Read | Double Murder in Gujarat: Suspecting Affair With His Wife, Man Kills Two Nephews In Bhavnagar; Arrested. After their arrival at Dinjan Military Station in Assam's Dibrugarh district on May 12, the team visited forward areas in Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and gained insights about operational and logistical challenges of the armed forces. The experts also visited army establishments in Namsai and Dibrugarh and interacted with senior officers. Also Read | BJP Sees AAP as Challenge, Launched Operation Jhadoo to Crush Us, Claims Arvind Kejriwal. The interaction focused on the need for holistic efforts in developing indigenous technology tailor-made for mountainous terrain, the defence communique added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Nagpur, May 19: A police inspector from Maharashtra's Akola district has been booked for allegedly molesting a 22-year-old woman in Nagpur, an official said on Sunday. Dhananjay Sayre (53), posted at Khadan police station in Akola district, is an acquaintance of the woman's father. Nagpur Shocker: 24-Year-Old Woman Smoking Cigarette Stabs Man to Death for Staring, Passing Lewd Remarks at Her in Paan Shop on Manewada Cement Road, Arrested In her complaint, the woman said Sayre was in touch with her on the pretext of helping her prepare for competitive exams. She grew suspicious when Sayre frequently called her and asked her to stay with him for guidance. The woman then stopped communicating with Sayre. Nagpur Horror: Autorickshaw Driver Molests Minor Schoolgirl Before Dropping Her Home, Arrested After Video Surfaces The policeman traced the young woman's location and arrived in Nagpur on Saturday. When she stepped out for work, he followed her for some distance and grabbed her hand. Sayre fled the scene after she raised an alarm, the official said. Acting on the woman's complaint, the Nandanvan police in the city booked Sayre for molestation, the official added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) A tile mosaic at the Marla Bennett Memorial Peace Garden at Berkeley Hillel. Tanish Hitesh Barot My friend Marla recently came to me in a dream. She was an American killed by a Hamas bomb in Jerusalem in 2002, shortly after we both graduated from college. Though so many Marla-less years have passed, she dropped in to make an appearance in my after-hours psyche. She was older, like me, in her mid-40s, with more silver hair than the few magical strands that framed her face in her early 20s. Her warm, face-crinkling smile remained unchanged, except now on a face that was allowed the privilege of aging. In my waking life, I didnt immediately make the connection between the horrific attack by Hamas on Oct 7, and the murder of my Jewish friend over two decades earlier. I didnt get that chance because the mowing down of innocent Palestinians happened so quickly thereafter, with such gross impunity, funded and armed by my own government, that it took me about a month to connect the dots. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It clicked around the time President Joe Biden was asked about the mounting toll of innocent civilian casualties in Gaza. His response: Its the price of waging a war. Much like that of the Hamas spokesperson who justified the bombing at Marlas university by saying, Sorry for every innocent killed in that operation, Bidens response rang empty and a familiar disgust swept over me. Marla and I met in the dorms our freshman year at UC Berkeley, and it was that easy, breezy, insta-bestie-just-add-water type of friendship. The kind that is as simple as breathing the ease of which you take for granted in your 20s but look back on wistfully later. I didnt grow up around a lot of Jewish people. Luckily for me, Marla became my Judaism 101 in human form. She convinced me, a girl raised in Hinduism, to join the Jewish folk singing class at the Berkeley Hillel. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I had my doubts I wasnt trying to be Jewish. That doesnt matter, she insisted, itll be so much fun and youll get two units. I capitulated, as you usually did with all things Marla whose defining feature was this earnest, ever-present insistence to share every wonderful thing she came across with those she loved. As usual, she was right. We had the best time. She was a giver-of-perfect-gifts, writer-of-meaningful-cards and always-rememberer-of-birthdays in a way that you didnt find in most 18-year-olds. When I was struck with a life-altering illness in college, she was there at every step. She insisted on including me in some of her most joyful moments. One year, I fasted with Marla on Yom Kippur, learning about this holiest day of atonement and reflection. Another, I feasted with her on Passover, a celebration of freedom from subjugation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She was impossible not to love. Yet being invited into Marlas life during college was only one of many ways the world unfurled beyond my own tiny lens. I also learned about the history of the Palestinian people, a shameful gap in my kindergarten through 12th-grade American education. I learned about the Nakba in 1948, when Palestinian towns and villages were razed and 750,000 became instant refugees. These Palestinians still clasp the keys to their homes, and pass them down from generation to generation, keeping hope alive that one day, they will return. I gained insight and crafted poetry under the poet June Jordan, who wrote of Palestinians: Yes, I did know it was the money I earned as a poet that / paid / for the bombs and the planes and the tanks / that they used to massacre your family. So, when Marla announced she wanted to go study in Israel, I had some thoughts. And because we had such a foundation of love for each other, we met at her favorite Mexican place to exchange our views honestly. My fuzzy memories can still conjure a large white plate of rice and beans and both of us pushing them around to represent Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem. We spoke of culture, identity, belonging, homeland. I tried to understand why her love for her faith pulled her to this place of conflict, of occupation. She tried to understand why my newfound perspective on the plight of the Palestinian people made it feel so impossible to see why. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When she ultimately did move, I figured Id have a lifetime to grapple with her, to hear and understand her views on the region, on the conflict and her hopes for a peaceful solution. Though our distance was measured in oceans, I know that in her short time there she flourished her sense of belonging sharpened, her faith deepened and her joy for life magnified. This was one of the only things that gave me solace when she was killed that she died where she felt most alive. I wonder what sort of path Marla, with the depth of her faith and her infinite capacity for love and inclusion, would have traversed had she been given the chance. Especially at this moment, when so many students across the country, including many of her faith, have been calling for an end to the massacre of Palestinians. None of us got to see how her story unfolded because her life was extinguished. Now I can only talk to her in my dreams. I think about her, though endlessly, relentlessly. I think about her as I listen to the talking heads in the U.S. and Israel quibble over the semantics of genocide, as almost 35,000 Palestinians have been killed and over a million people are starving or on the brink of starvation. I think about telling her that Palestinian doctors had to come up with a new acronym for the carnage theyre seeing: WCNSF, wounded child no surviving family. I imagine we would have cried together upon learning this. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ultimately, however, I dont know where she would have ended up, and what exactly she would have been doing. Perhaps even the act of this imagining is an exercise in offense and hurt to those who loved her deeply, many whose ideology and politics are in sharp contrast to my own. But I, too, knew her heart and that her faith taught her the preciousness of every life. I avoided visiting Marlas memorial at the Berkeley Hillel for years the very place where we swayed side by side to the strumming of guitars, as my mouth learned to curve my tongue in new ways to sing out Hebrew words. My eyes would sweep across the site when I visited the campus, but my feet would not follow. I did that thing we do sometimes when we lose loved ones hoping if we avoid the little things that make it real, then perhaps it wont be. Recently, however, I finally found the courage to go see her memorial. I walked up the steep incline, my knees feeling it in a way my 20-year-old ones never did. When I arrived, I stood before the beautiful mosaic made of colorful tiles and traced my hand along the outline of her name. I tried to bring forth memories of a vibrant, alive Marla while my fingers pressed against the cold, hard tiles. I sat on an outdoor plastic chair and conjured the still-remembered lyrics from a Jewish folk song I learned with her so long ago. There I sang, quietly enough for others not to hear, but just loud enough for Marla to: 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 Lo yisa goy el goy che-rev/ Lo yilmdoo od meel-cha-ma Kannur (Kerala), May 19 (PTI)The CPI(M) in Kerala on Sunday sought to downplay the controversy swirling around the forthcoming inauguration of a martyr's memorial honouring two individuals who lost their lives while manufacturing country bombs in the Kannur district nine years ago, describing it as a local issue. Reacting to a query regarding Congress criticism on the issue, CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan said it is the party that decides whether he participates in the programme or not. Also Read | Double Murder in Gujarat: Suspecting Affair With His Wife, Man Kills Two Nephews In Bhavnagar; Arrested. The CPI(M) faced criticism from the Congress in Kerala after reports emerged that the ruling party's state secretary is set to inaugurate the martyr's memorial on May 22. "This is a local issue. There is no need to make it a mountainous issue and discuss it in the news. The district leadership of the party has to answer in this regard," Govindan told reporters. Also Read | BJP Sees AAP as Challenge, Launched Operation Jhadoo to Crush Us, Claims Arvind Kejriwal. When asked about his reported decision to participate in the programme, he said, "It is the party that decides whether I participate in the programme or not. There is no other discussion about it." Criticising the decision of the CPI(M) to build a memorial for persons involved in "criminal activities," the Congress on Saturday asked what kind of message this action sends to the people of Kerala. "The CPI(M) in Kerala is mirroring the actions of terrorist organisations and the Taliban globally. The inauguration of this memorial by the CPI(M) state secretary demonstrates the extent to which the Left party condones terrorism," KPCC chief K Sudhakaran had said in a statement in Thiruvananthapuram. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Baramulla, May 19 (PTI) A day before Baramulla goes to the polls, National Conference candidate Omar Abdullah on Sunday sought a chance to represent the electorate in Parliament and seek answers for the "injustices" committed against Jammu and Kashmir, particularly after the abrogation of Article 370. In a video message posted on 'X', he urged people to elect an MP of their choice and not that of "Delhi and the agencies". Abdullah asserted that given a chance, he would speak in Parliament about the feelings of the people of the Union Territory and fight for their rights. Also Read | Double Murder in Gujarat: Suspecting Affair With His Wife, Man Kills Two Nephews In Bhavnagar; Arrested. Over 17.37 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency on Monday. The first major political battle post the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 will decide the fate of Omar Abdullah, the National Conference vice-president and a former chief minister of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state, and 21 others in the fray. In the brief message, Abdullah said that he was not speaking as a mere politician but as a brother, son, and companion to the people. He urged the electorate to choose their representative from Baramulla wisely on May 20. Also Read | BJP Sees AAP as Challenge, Launched Operation Jhadoo to Crush Us, Claims Arvind Kejriwal. He emphasised his commitment to fighting for their rights and seeking accountability from the Union government as he made references to August 5, 2019, the day when the special status of the state was withdrawn and it was bifurcated into two Union territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Stressing the importance of having a local representative who truly cares for the people, Abdullah appealed for support for the National Conference, envisioning a better future for the region and generations to come. Besides Abdullah, People's Conference president Sajad Lone, PDP leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Mir Fayaz and Independent candidate Abdul Rashid Sheikh, better known as 'Engineer Rashid', are the notable contestants in the Baramulla seat. The NC has alleged that Lone has been propped up by the BJP, a charge denied by the People's Conference chief. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Hubballi (Karnataka), May 19 (PTI) The Deputy Commissioner of Police of Hubballi-Dharwad M Rajeev has been suspended in connection with the Anjali Ambigera murder case, top police sources said on Sunday. Anjali (20) was stabbed to death allegedly by her neighbour Girish Sawant (23) for declining his love proposal on May 15. Also Read | Madhya Pradesh Weather Update: Scorching Heat Wave Grips State; Mercury Soared to 47.5 Degrees Celsius in Datia District. This incident came close on the heels of the Neha Hiremath murder case. Neha (23) was stabbed to death by her former classmate Fayaz Khodunaik on her college campus in Hubballi on April 18. Rajeev was the DCP of Law and Order of Hubballi-Dharwad city. Also Read | Himachal Pradesh Heatwave Alert: IMD Issues Heat Wave Warning for Several Districts Across State for 4-5 Days. A week before the murder, Neha's mother had complained to the police against Girish alleging that he was pestering her, but no action was taken. Cracking the whip, the Commissioner of Police of Hubballi-Dharwad suspended the DCP. Following the tense atmosphere prevailing in the city over the incident, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) R Hitendra today met the family members of Neha Hiremath and Anjali Ambigere. He also held a meeting with the senior police officials of Hubballi-Dharwad and gave them the necessary directions. Later, speaking to reporters, he said in the last 15 days, two young women have been murdered, which created an atmosphere of fear among people. In this background, he visited the city. A decision will be taken by Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara with regard to the Anjali murder case, the ADGP said, and added that more action will follow in the coming days. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Anantnag, May 19: A former BJP Sarpanch was killed, and a couple from Jaipur were injured in two separate incidents of firing by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian and Anantnag districts, respectively late on Saturday night, police said. According to Kashmir Zone Police, the deceased former Sarpanch was identified as Aijaz Ahmad. Police said that terrorists fired upon Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh at Heerpora in Shopian district. They said that the area was cordoned off. He was evacuated and taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Jammu and Kashmir Terrorist Attack: Terrorists Kill Former Sarpanch in Shopian, Injure Tourist Couple in Anantnag (Watch Video). "BJP leader and ex-Sarpanch Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh succumbed to his injuries after being fired upon by terrorists in Heerpora in South Kashmir's Shopian," IGP Kashmir said. In the second incident, a couple from Jaipur was injured in the Yannar area of South Kashmir's Anantnag district. Anantnag Terrorist Attack: Woman From Jaipur, Her Husband Shot At by Terrorists in Jammu and Kashmirs Yannar; Area Cordoned Off. "Terrorists fired upon and injured a lady, Farha, a resident of Jaipur, and her spouse, Tabrez, at Yannar in Anantnag. The injured were evacuated and taken to the hospital for treatment," the police said. According to sources, the condition of the injured couple is stable. More details are awaited. Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 19 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Sunday inaugurated the five-day art exhibition organised by the Indian Arts Council at the historic Gaiety Theatre, Shimla. "Artworks of 11 artists from different states of the country have been displayed in this exhibition," as per a press release from the Raj Bhavan. Also Read | Bomb Threat: Mumbai Police on Alert After Caller Warns of Bomb Blast at McDonalds in Dadar. "Dr Chandrashekhar Kale, Founder President of, the Indian Arts Council, welcomed the Governor," the release stated. Praveen Pandit, the coordinator, presented Shukla the Governor's painting made by him. Prominent personalities were also present on the occasion. Also Read | Double Murder in Gujarat: Suspecting Affair With His Wife, Man Kills Two Nephews In Bhavnagar; Arrested. While appreciating the work of artists, the Governor said that art is a universal language that transcends boundaries and connects us all. He added that it was a reflection of our thoughts, emotions, and the world around us. "The paintings on display today are not just works of art, these are windows into the minds and hearts of the artists, each telling a unique story and evoking a range of emotions", said the Governor. He appreciated the dedication, passion, and creativity of artists and said that it was truly commendable. While interacting with the artist, he said that each piece of art is a testament of hard work and their ability to capture the beauty and complexity of life on canvas. "Your contributions are invaluable in enriching our cultural landscape and inspiring future generations of artists", said the Governor. He said that the historic Gaiety Theatre of Shimla has emerged as a centre of excellence in the country for performing various works of art. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, May 19 (PTI) Amid stock market volatility, the Congress on Sunday accused Home Minister Amit Shah of inciting "fear-mongering" and said an INDIA coalition government shall herald a new age of stable, predictable policymaking and overall prosperity. The opposition party's assertion came after Home Minister Shah in an interview with a TV channel said the stock market shouldn't be linked with elections, but a stable government does help it perform better. Also Read | Bihar Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Over 95 Lakh People to Vote for 80 Candidates Across Five LS Seats in Phase 5. He also suggested that the market will shoot up after June 4 as a result of the BJP and its allies sweeping the Lok Sabha elections. In a statement, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said there is no basis to the "fear-mongering, incited by the outgoing Home Minister, about the INDIA government in financial markets". Also Read | Mumbai North Lok Sabha Election 2024: BJP Bastion Is Open-Minded, Elected a Royal and Rookies 4 Times Since 1952; Piyush Goyal Lock Horns With Congress Candidate Bhushan Patil. The record of the Congress party in providing strong and inclusive economic growth speaks for itself, he said. "It is a matter of record that economic growth and investment were much higher under Dr Manmohan Singh than under the Modi government. Private investment and the share of manufacturing as a percentage were much greater under Dr Singh than in the past decade," he said. Ramesh said that "self-inflicted policy blunders" such as demonetisation, GST and an ill-planned lockdown played an important role in growth being lower in the last decade. But equally important is the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty created by the Modi government that has led to the biggest exodus of wealth creators from India to locations such as Dubai, London and Singapore, he claimed. In this context, the most important contribution of the INDIA government will be to "remove the current environment of distrust and fear, and create a healthy ecosystem where private enterprises, regulatory authorities, tax authorities and government will work in a spirit of mutual cooperation and respect, as we wrote in our Nyay Patra manifesto", he said. "We also stated that 'regulatory oversight will be based on clearly enunciated laws and rules that will be applied fairly and without discrimination'," the Congress general secretary in-charge communications said. This is a complete contrast with the Modi government's "vindictive and arbitrary approach whose main goal has been to extort funds, suppress competition against a favoured few and eliminate all freedom in decision-making", Ramesh said. These anti-competitive policies have contributed to underinvestment, concentration of economic power and unsustainable K-shaped growth, he claimed. "Our manifesto also promises to implement a clear, transparent and predictable tax regime. We will replace the current GST with a GST 2.0 that will be a single, moderate rate (with a few exceptions). We will enact a Direct Taxes Code and maintain stable personal income tax rates throughout the next five years," Ramesh said. "We will eliminate 'Angel tax' and all other exploitative tax schemes that inhibit investment in new micro, small companies and innovative start-ups," he said. Ramesh further said that the Congress has made important announcements in its manifesto to deal with the Modi government's poor record on price rise, jobs and stagnant wages and its "utter failure" on the demand side of the economy. "We will implement all of these within established principles of fiscal responsibility. We remind market participants that Dr Singh's government ended its tenure with a fiscal deficit of 4.5% of GDP (2013-14), much below the 5.8% fiscal deficit in the Modi government's final year (2023-24)," he said. Sharing a screenshot of his statement, Ramesh said on X that there is no need for the "fear-mongering" that the Home Minister is inciting. "The INDIA coalition is coming to power, and it shall herald a new age of stable, predictable policymaking and overall prosperity," he said. Tagging Ramesh's statement and post on X, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said, "Hear hear. As a member of the @incIndia Manifesto Committee I am proud to confirm our party's commitment to economic growth with social justice, an end to tax terrorism that is driving wealth creators away from India, and a commitment to predictable and transparent economic and fiscal policies." (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], May 19 (ANI): A former spokesperson of the banned Jamat-e-Islami surrendered before police in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar district, an official statement said on Sunday. "The accused person was involved in the conspiracy and many other crimes, including anti-national slogans," it added. Also Read | UP Shocker: Newlywed Couple Dies by Jumping in Front of Train as Families Oppose Marriage. The official statement added, The accused person namely Ali Mohd Lone @ Advocate Zahid Ali resident of Nihama Pulwama, who was involved in Case FIR No. 19/2019 under section 13 UAP Act and 147, 148, 149, 336, 332, 427, 307, 435, 436, 120, 225 RPC of Police Station Rainawari, surrendered before the concerned Police Station and has been arrested in the instant case on May 16, 2022.". "The said accused was involved in a conspiracy and commission of crimes involving arson, rioting, an attempt to jailbreak, raising anti-national slogans and stone pelting in Srinagar Central Jail in 2019," the statement added. Also Read | Gujarat Shocker: 71-Year-Old Woman Robbed, Killed at Housing Society in Vadodara; One Held. Ali Mohd Lone was the spokesperson of the banned organisation Jamat-e-Islami, it added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 19 (ANI): In Uttar Pradesh, polling parties are being dispatched to polling booths to ensure the fair and peaceful conduct of voting scheduled for May 20 for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha General Elections 2024 and the by-election on the Lucknow East Assembly constituency, an official said. Instructions have been issued to all District Election Officers for the timely dispatch of polling parties, an official said. Also Read | Jammu and Kashmir Terrorist Attack: Terrorists Kill Former Sarpanch in Shopian, Injure Tourist Couple in Anantnag (Watch Video). It is noteworthy that in the fifth phase, elections will be held in 14 Lok Sabha constituencies of the state, including Mohanlalganj, Lucknow, Raebareli, Amethi, Jalaun, Jhansi, Hamirpur, Banda, Fatehpur, Kaushambi, Barabanki, Faizabad, Kaiserganj, and Gonda, while there will be a by-election in the Lucknow East Assembly constituency. The Chief Electoral Officer of the state, Navdeep Rinwa, said that "All District Election Officers related to the Lok Sabha constituencies of the fifth phase have been directed to provide necessary facilities for voters and polling personnel at polling booths and polling centres. The polling personnel will be provided with medical kits ahead of their departure in order to enable them to tackle heatstroke and other health-related cases at the polling booths." Also Read | Raebareli Lok Sabha Election 2024: Rahul Gandhi to Take on BJPs Dinesh Pratap Singh at Congress Bastion. The Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh are being held in seven phases. Polling in the first four phases has already been completed. Polling for the remaining Lok Sabha seats will be held on May 20, May 25, and June 1. The counting of votes will be done on June 4. In the 2019 general elections in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP won 62 out of 80 seats, and its ally Apna Dal (S) won two seats. Mayawati's BSP won 10 seats, while Akhilesh Yadav's SP won five. The Congress party secured only one seat. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Balangir, May 19: Balangir, which had a glorious past of having the first x-ray machine as well as the printing press in Odisha, a transport system, and the facility of power generation through a generator, has significantly attracted the attention of several as a royal couple here is contesting Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Patna State was a princely state in the Eastern States Agency of India during the British Raj. It had its capital at Balangir. Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, who belongs to the erstwhile royal family of Patna (in Odisha's Balangir), is contesting the Assembly election from Patnagarh on a BJP ticket, while his wife Sangeeta Singh Deo has been fielded by the BJP from Balangir Lok Sabha, which is going to poll on May 20. Sangeeta Deo said on Sunday that both of them are working together in the service of the people, adding that the fight is to make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister for the third term. Odisha Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Several BJD Leaders and Workers Switch Allegiance to BJP in Angul. "I feel the people have faith in the royal family as they have seen our performance, and we have dedicated our lives to the service of the people without expecting anything in return. My husband is also contesting the election for the state assembly seat that comes within my Lok Sabha constituency, and we together work in the service of the people. The fight is to make PM Modi the PM for the third term," she told ANI. While Sangeeta is campaigning extensively to retain her Lok Sabha seat and become MP for the fifth time, Kanak Vardhan is ready to retake the Patnagarh Assembly seat, which he has represented multiple times. Pitching issues like migration, the development of Odisha's western part, and the availability of adequate irrigation facilities, the royal couple is carrying out extensive campaigns. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: How To Vote, Check Name in Voter List? How To Find Polling Station? Know Everything Here Ahead of Phase 5 Polling on May 20. Kanak Vardhan urged the voters to vote for the BJP and for PM Modi to bring a double-engine government to the state. "I have always been in the Assembly of the opposition party, the BJP. This time I am asking people to vote for the BJP and for PM Modi to make a double-engine government in the state to let the central government's schemes reach the people of the state. People are accepting this. Due to the lack of development in Western Odisha, people migrate to other states of India. The procurement policy of the government is faulty," the BJP leader said. Kanak Vardhan is the grandson of Odisha's first CM from the royal family, the late Rajendra Narayan Singh Deo, who served as the state's CM in 1967. "People are accepting that slogan of double-engine government given by PM Modi because they are deprived of the benefit of central schemes like PM Awas and others," he said, alleging that not a single house was allocated in five parliamentary constituencies of western Odisha and all the houses were given in the coastal belt. "Due to a lack of development in western Odisha, people have to migrate (for employment) to other parts of the country," Kanak Vardhan said, adding that the establishment of agro-based industries and the development of irrigation facilities for farming activities are necessary to deal with the issue of migration. Due to the faulty procurement policy of the state government, farmers have to suffer a lot, he further said. When asked how the glorious history of Balangir will be regained, he said that changes come everywhere with time. By highlighting the glorious history, heritage and places with immense potential of tourism, the glory of Balangir could be restored. "I am very hopeful that India will again become 'Sone Ki Chidiya'. People have to change their habits. It could be understood with a small example that PM Modi had posted a picture of him from a small island, following which domestic tourism got a major boost," said the BJP leader. Notably, the grandfather of the MLA candidate was the first to bring a law to ban the slaughtering of cow and make a provision for a fine but over a period of time, the fine became nominal (in context to the present time). With passing time, the state government must have renewed it and controlled the sale of cattle, but the government failed to do so, said the BJP candidate. Sharing the glorious past of Balangir, the leader said that at the time of state (referring to erstwhile Patna state of Balangir), the first x-ray machine was installed in Balangir hospital, and the first road transport system (which later became Odisha Road Transport Corporation) was in Balangir and known as Patna State Road Transport Corporation. Moreover, the state had the facility of power generation through a generator and the power was being supplied in Balangir. The state also had a printing press. He further said that the state government did not make any attempt to modernise the printing press, following which it turned outdated (after the arrival of computers), said the leader, adding that if the state government would like to operate it after modernising, then jobs could be created. Calling development the key issue in the area, Kanak said, "Development is the key issue; the development of our district, Patnagarh, and the development of ensuring the facility of water, be it for the purpose of drinking or irrigation." He further elaborated that the establishment of agro-based industries and cold storage could deal with the problem of migration, and boosting tourism would generate job opportunities. The Assembly and Lok Sabha polls in the BJD-ruled state are being held across four phases - from May 13 to June 1. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. Polling for the first phase was conducted in 28 Assembly seats and four Lok Sabha constituencies on May 13. In the fifth phase, 35 Assembly seats and five Lok Sabha constituencies will vote on May 20, 42 Assembly segments and six Lok Sabha seats on May 25 and the remaining 42 Assembly seats and six Lok Sabha constituencies in the last phase on June 1. The results will be out on June 4. In the last assembly elections in 2019, the BJD won 112 out of 146 seats, while the BJP had to settle for just 23 seats and the Congress finished at 9. In the Lok Sabha elections in the same year, the BJD mopped up the lion's share of the electoral spoils, with the BJP and the Congress bringing up the rear. The BJD won 12 seats, the BJP finished a close second at 8, and the Congress bagged just a lone seat. Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 19 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Sunday criticised the Samajwadi Party and Congress and labelled them as 'Ram vidrohi' for declining the invitation to the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. "SP and Congress are standing out as 'Ram vidrohi'. They declined the invitation to Pran Pratishtha ceremony. What does this show? They paid tribute to the mafia Mukhtar Ansari. Their thoughts are clear, they can never stay away from appeasement politics. BJP's path is clear, we will never do appeasement politics. BJP never made Ram Temple a political issue," he told ANI. Also Read | One out of 7 iPhones in the World Is Manufactured in India, Says PM Narendra Modi. Maurya expressed confidence that the BJP and its allies are poised to win the 2024 Lok Sabha election, leading to the re-election of the current Prime Minister. He emphasized that the nation stands with the Prime Minister. "Our analysis is the same as it was before and the result will also come in the same way on June 4...BJP and its alliance are going to win...Once again PM will become Prime Minister. The nation is standing with him," he told ANI. Also Read | Heatwave in India: Unrelenting Heat Disrupts Daily Life Into Arduous Task in Large Parts of Country. He also predicted a loss for Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party in the Lok Sabha election, citing public disapproval of those who support goons and mafias. "Who is lying, the public can see this very well...In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections Akhilesh Yadav claimed to win more than 60 seats, but they got only 5 seats...This repeated many times...4 times public has defeated them...In 2024 also this will repeat because the public does not go with goons and mafias," he told ANI. The Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh are being conducted in seven phases. The first four phases have already concluded. The fifth phase will take place in 14 Lok Sabha constituencies of Uttar Pradesh on May 20. These include Mohanlalganj, Lucknow, Raebareli, Amethi, Jalaun, Jhansi, Hamirpur, Banda, Fatehpur, Kaushambi, Barabanki, Faizabad, Kaiserganj, and Gonda. Additionally, a by-election will be held in the Lucknow East Assembly constituency. The remaining Lok Sabha seats will go to polls on May 25 and June 1. The votes will be counted on June 4. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) The MAGA Store at the California Republican convention in Burlingame offers Donald Trump merchandise for sale. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle The MAGA Store at the California Republican convention in Burlingame offers Donald Trump merchandise for sale. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle Republican Senate candidate Steve Garvey didnt show up this weekend to the biggest Republican gig of the year, the three-day California Republican Party convention in Burlingame that ended Sunday. And the reaction among the 800 top grassroots activists and party leaders: Meh. They feel theyve got better ways to rally Republican voters to the polls than to depend on the former Los Angeles Dodger, who has never run for office before and has run a largely below-the-radar campaign. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The savvier party folks understood why he ditched. Garvey needs to win over moderates and independent voters if he has a prayer of defeating Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, who currently leads him 61% to 37% in a Public Policy Institute of California survey of likely voters published in April. Showing up at a convention where he could be lumped in with the events conservative marquee speakers dog-killing South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and red-meat-slinging Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump doesnt exactly scream Im a moderate. Nor would attending a convention that passed a resolution that expressed concern about the targeting of John Eastman, a former Chapman University Law School dean who has pleaded not guilty to charges in both Arizona and Georgia that he tried to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. A State Bar Court judge has recommended that he be disbarred. Besides, Garvey has largely been steering clear of many Republican-only events, including making the rounds of local county GOP committees, as many statewide candidates do. Instead, Republicans are depending on other people and issues to push their voters to the polls in a state where there are twice as many registered Democrats. Top of the list: fears of rising crime. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On Sunday, the party backed a potential tough-on-crime ballot measure that would raise penalties for retail theft, a move far more important in juicing turnout. County election officials are reviewing the more than 900,000 signatures supporters turned in last month for a ballot initiative called the Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act. It seeks to revise parts of Proposition 47, the 2014 voter-approved ballot measure that raised the felony threshold for theft to $950 from $450. Sometimes candidates dont set peoples hair on fire, but quality-of-life issues do, California Republican Party chair Jessica Millan Patterson said. Crime is the No. 1 issue across the board. And when the mayor of San Francisco (London Breed) is on board with revising Prop 47, its very clear that this was a failed experiment. Former U.S. Senate candidate Denice Gary-Pandol of the Salt and Light Council, a nonprofit that seeks to educate people on what it means to be a biblical voter, prays Saturday with a group of Republican associates at the California Republican convention in Burlingame. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a frequent Fox News guest who is reportedly considering a 2026 run for governor, told conventiongoers Friday that he believes voters are moving away from criminal justice reforms found in Proposition 47. It is obvious to us in law enforcement that it is starting to swing the other way. Our general public is fed up with the homeless, theyre fed up with the crime, said Bianco, who was briefly a member of the extremist Oath Keepers group in 2014. Some of the groups leaders were convicted of helping to orchestrate the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Bianco has said that he doesnt remember joining the group. 'The public is changing (on criminal justice reform). Its just going to take all of us to make that pendulum go a little bit faster, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Besides crime fears, California Republicans believe that the greatest driver of turnout is Donald Trump being on the ballot again. Republicans (63%) are much more enthusiastic to see a replay of the 2020 election than either Democrats (36%) or independents (27%), according to a Monmouth University poll last month. Trump, for whatever you want to say about him, hes got the Republican base very enthusiastic, and theyre going to turn out. said Assembly Republican leader James Gallagher of Yuba City (Sutter County). Whats going to drive voters to the polls is (the question), Are you better off than four years ago? And I think the answer is pretty clearly no. Joe Biden is not driving Democratic voters to the polls. Thats a big problem for them. Sales were brisk at the convention for Trump-themed merchandise from outside vendors, including one called the MAGA Mall. It also featured anti-Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris merchandise, including a misogynistic T-shirt that read, Joe and the Ho Gotta Go and another that showed Biden sporting a Hitler-style mustache next to the phrase Not My Dictator. Lara Trump, shown at a February event in Maryland, spoke Saturday at the California Republican convention in Burlingame. Jose Luis Magana/Associated Press Lara Trump, the former presidents daughter-in-law, mocked Bidens ability to physically handle the rigors of debating and implied, without citing any evidence, that Biden would be on something to help him power through the first debate, which is scheduled for June 27 in Atlanta. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Get your popcorn ready because I cant wait to see Joe Biden try to make it up onstage just to stand up there for like 90 minutes and then to defend his record and put together coherent sentences without a teleprompter, without the note cards, she said during her Saturday night onstage appearance at the convention. I mean, we know theyre gonna have him on something. Even part of the prayer before Saturdays programming offered by Republican National Committeewoman Harmeet Dhillon, a San Francisco attorney, had a political bent: Please guide the leaders of this party to make the right decisions for us to be able to reclaim this country from the malevolent forces of Marxism, nihilism and godlessness that are throughout the land. Republicans did take a slight turn to the center, but not without a fight. The party approved remaining neutral on ACA5, the November ballot measure that would strengthen support for same-sex marriage in the state Constitution and repeal language stating marriage is only between a man and woman. The measure is expected to pass easily in a state that overwhelmingly supports same-sex marriage. Even a majority of Republicans support gay nuptials, according to polls. Trump has said hes fine with gay marriage, telling 60 Minutes in 2016 that its law. It was settled in the Supreme Court. I mean, its done. Former Donald Trump lawyer John Eastman takes a photo with state Senate candidate Lucie Volotzky at the California Republican convention in Burlingame on Saturday. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle State Republican delegates voted to be neutral on the measure Sunday, even though party bylaws still view marriage as only between a man and a woman. Gary Cass, a pastor from San Diego, railed against the party taking a neutral stand. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We cannot afford to alienate the people of faith in our party, including and especially the huge Hispanic community that we have to move into the Republican Party, or we will be absolutely worthless, Cass told delegates Sunday. We cannot be neutral on marriage. Charles Moran, president of the pro-LGBTQ Log Cabin Republicans, urged the party not to oppose the ballot measure because voters need to know that we are a big tent party. That we are a party that is inclusive of all people and that we can have divergent points of opinion within our own party and we do. New Delhi, May 19 (PTI) Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai on Sunday hit out at the INDIA bloc, alleging that the "false alliance" between the AAP and the Congress in the national capital is not for the development of the country. At a poll meeting in R K Puram here, Annamalai also targeted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying that when the AAP chief formed his party, he promised that he would fight corruption and never join hands with the Congress. Also Read | Heatwave in India: Unrelenting Heat Disrupts Daily Life Into Arduous Task in Large Parts of Country. Now, Kejriwal's party is fighting Lok Sabha polls in Delhi with the Congress, he said. (Congress leader) Rahul Gandhi recently said he will vote for the AAP and the Kejriwal's party will vote for the Congress in Delhi. But in Punjab, they are fighting separately. This alliance is an alliance for power. This alliance is not for the development and security of our country, Annamalai said. Also Read | Nagpur: Case Registered Against Policeman for Molesting 22-Year-Old Woman on Pretext of Helping Her Prepare for Competitive Exams. Raising the issue of alleged assault on Swati Maliwal, the BJP leader said, "One can see that a Rajya Sabha MP was assaulted in CM's residence. They are not able to give justice." Attacking Rahul Gandhi, Annamalai said the Congress leader's speech is very different in Kerala, in Tamil Nadu and in UP. "The reason is vote politics. He further stated, New Delhi is a global city along with our national capital. The development of New Delhi is the development of our country. In another rally, Annamalai said that there is a long list of development works carried out by the Modi government in the last 10 years, which has not only changed the direction of India but also strengthened the country's position in the world. Annamalai alleged that today the Congress talks about fundamental rights, but it was the same Congress that "murdered" democracy in 1975. He said that this time, the BJP must ensure victory on all seven seats in Delhi, and then next year, it will uproot the Kejriwal government from Delhi. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Baramulla (JK), May 19 (PTI) More than 40 years since his passing, Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah still in some sense shapes the election narrative here: his sobriquet 'Sher-e-Kashmir' being remodelled and used as a slogan, his ideals invoked to propagates unity and his spirit presented as a potent symbol of Kashmiri identity and resilience. As one observes electioneering in this parliamentary constituency, it becomes evident that the slogan "Sher aaya" has emerged as a powerful battle cry not only for the National Conference -- the party Abdullah founded -- but also for its rivals to present their candidates as popular, strong, kingly and invincible. Also Read | West Bengal Lok Sabha Election 2024: Fate of 88 Candidates in Seven LS Seats To Be Sealed on May 20, Prominent Nominees Include BJPs Shantanu Thakur, Arjun Singh, Locket Chatterjee and Rachana Banerjee of TMC. The constituency is gearing up for an intense electoral showdown in the fifth phase of elections on May 20. Its nearly 17.32 lakh voters will decide the fate of 23 candidates. When National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah -- the grandson of Sheikh Abdullah, the former prime minister and chief minister of Jammu & Kashmir -- addressed a thousands-strong rally after filing his nomination papers on May 3, he was welcomed with fervent chants of 'Dekho, dekho, sher aaya' (The 'lion' has arrived)". Also Read | US Horror: Woman Stabs Boyfriend, Chops Off His Private Parts After She Thought He Got Her Pregnant Again in Colorado. In his election speeches, especially in the Baramulla town -- where National Conference worker the late Maqbool Sherwani misguided Pakistani raiders for days in 1947 to ensure Indian army landed there in time to stop them -- Omar talks about his grandfather to propagate the message unity. Sherwani was later crucified in Baramulla main crossing by the Pakistani raiders. Omar is pitted against People's Conference chairperson Sajjad Lone, Peoples Democratic Party's Fayaz Mir and Independent candidate Sheikh Abdul Rashid, a jailed terror accused also known as Engineer Rashid. Sheikh Abdullah, a popular leader who symbolised Kashmiri pride, underlined the ideals of secularism and fought for national unity, earned the title of 'Sher-e-Kashmir' (the lion of Kashmir) before Independence. And in contrast, people and parties opposed to his ideals and ideas were called 'bakras' (goats), setting the stage for intense political rivalries in Jammu and Kashmir during those days. This "Sher-Bakra" narrative dominated the political discourse in Kashmir till early 1980s. A noteworthy monograph kept in the Parliament library sheds light on Sheikh Abdullah's monumental contributions, capturing his legacy as a freedom fighter and a revered political figure. Authored during a Janata Dal government supported by the BJP, the monograph pays homage to Sheikh Abdullah's impact on the subcontinent's history. Penned by then speaker of Lok Sabha Rabi Ray, its foreword encapsulates monumental imprint he left in the annals of history. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Agartala (Tripura) [India], May 19 (ANI): In the fight against the menace of trans-border smuggling in the state of Tripura, the Border Security Force (BSF) apprehended one smuggler and seized four gold biscuits worth Rs 36.6 lakhs on Saturday. Based on specific BSF input, an ambush was laid by BSF troops in the area of Nischintpur. Also Read | Rae Bareli, Amethi Lok Sabha Elections 2024: These Parliamentary Constituencies Among 14 Uttar Pradesh Seats Going To Polls During Phase 5 Voting, Key Candidates Include Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi and BJPs Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani. "Ambush party observed movement of two suspects in between the international boundary and the border fence. The movement of suspects was kept under surveillance by BSF troops deployed at the border Observation Post. Suspects moving from the Bangladesh side to the Indian side negotiated the border fence and entered the nearby forest area but the alert BSF Ambush party successfully apprehended one suspect. However, another suspect managed to escape towards the Indian village Nischintapur taking advantage of dense vegetation", said a BSF official. He said that on spot questioning the apprehended person revealed his identity as Prashant Rai (36) a resident of Amtali under West District. Also Read | AAP Protest in Delhi: BJP Sees Aam Aadmi Party As Challenge, It Has Launched Operation Jhaadu To Crush Us, Says Arvind Kejriwal (Watch Video). "Frisking of apprehended person was carried out in the presence of independent witnesses and 4 numbers gold biscuits appx weight 466 grams suspected to be gold worth Rs 36.6 lakhs recovered from his possession. The apprehended person accepted his involvement in trans-border smuggling of gold and revealed that the consignment was handed over to him by one Bangladeshi smuggler namely Iqbal r/o Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh," the official further said, adding that a massive search operation being carried out by BSF in the border area to nab the culprit who escaped from the spot. Further investigation is going on. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jabalpur (MP), May 19 (PTI) Two men, one of them shooting a reel for social media, drowned in the Narmada river in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur city on Sunday, police said. The drownings occurred at the old bridge in Tilwara Ghat, an official said. Also Read | Double Murder in Gujarat: Suspecting Affair With His Wife, Man Kills Two Nephews In Bhavnagar; Arrested. Ankur Goswami (20) jumped off the bridge into the river after asking his friend to shoot a video of him, Tilwara police station in-charge Brijesh Mishra said. Ankur tried to swim to the banks but started drowning, and his friend raised an alarm, he said. Also Read | BJP Sees AAP as Challenge, Launched Operation Jhadoo to Crush Us, Claims Arvind Kejriwal. Local divers tried to save him, but he was dead by the time they fished him out, the official said. A video has surfaced on social media, in which Goswami can be seen jumping into the river after telling his friend to shoot a reel. In a similar incident, another 20-year-old man, Niraj Chakraborty, drowned at Tilwara ghat during the day, he said. The police have registered cases of accidental death in connection with both incidents, the official said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ballia (UP), May 19 (PTI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Sunday described opposition INDIA bloc leaders as "followers of Ravan and Kansa's culture" and alleged that 20-25 families made it a practice that chief ministers and the prime minister would only be from their families. He also slammed the opposition alliance for "insulting" Sanatan Dharma and playing with people's faith while urging the public to defeat those who abuse Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP and democracy. Also Read | Baramulla Lok Sabha Election 2024: Omar Abdullah Faces Tough Challenge From Sajad Lone As Over 500 Centenarians Among 17 Lakh Voters Set To Cast Vote in This Constituency. Addressing an election rally for the BJP's Ballia candidate Neeraj Shekhar, the Madhya Pradesh chief minister also took a dig at the Samajwadi Party without taking its name. "This family (Yadav family) does not trust anyone except its family members. They talk of developing everyone but only develop themselves," Yadav said. Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: How To Vote, Check Name in Voter List? How To Find Polling Station? Know Everything Here Ahead of Phase 5 Polling on May 20. He further said 20-25 families "made it a practice to make chief ministers (of states) and the prime minister from their families". "Lord Ram defeated Ravan and shattered his pride," he said, alleging that the opposition parties "insulted" Sanatan Dharma. Drawing a parallel from the Mahabharata, he said Shishupal used to abuse Lord Krishna and, today, Modi, the BJP and democracy are being abused by the opposition parties. "They (opposition) are of Ravan and Kansa's culture," he added. Yadav also claimed that Modi has removed all signs of the British Raj and Congress rule from the country. "Be it the Indian Penal Code or Lord Macaulay's education system of 1932, British and Congress signs are being removed from the country. A new education policy has been introduced," he said and added only Modi can honour "jawan and kisan (soldiers and farmers)". Ballia goes to the polls on June 1. PTI (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Coventry (UK), May 19 (The Conversation) Some believe that the war in Ukraine has fundamentally changed Europe, giving birth to a different kind of European order. That is, it appears to be driving structural shifts in the way Europe is run and organised that extend well beyond the immediate imperative of helping Ukraine fight the war. European integration is deepening in some areas, like defence and security, and the EU looks set to extend its geographical borders to take in new members. Also Read | American Therapist Dies After Seven Years in Syrian Detention: Live News Updates Today. Reflecting this, EU leaders, politicians and writers typically compare the 2022 invasion with the inflection points of 1945 and 1989. Each of these put in place new organisations and rules that redefined European cooperation, politics, economics and security. The end of the cold war in 1989 was a catalyst for deeper European integration and opened the way to bringing many eastern European states into the EU. Yet, the current process of re-ordering remains tentative. The EU collectively, and European governments individually, have agreed a significant amount of policy adjustment. In particular, governments have increased defence spending and the EU has launched dozens of new security initiatives. How far this constitutes a shift in the European order remains uncertain, however. Also Read | Afghanistan Flash Floods: 50 Dead in Ghor Province Due To Floods Triggered by Heavy Rainfall (Watch Videos). Many of the policy changes underway might be judged as welcome, necessary, and overdue so that Europe can adapt judiciously to the strategic imperatives of a more corrosive and fractious era. But the changes so far have been ad-hoc and expedient, bereft of any clear framework for structuring a new, post-war European order. They do not, in themselves, constitute a coherent or deeply rooted vision for a stronger and strategically adept Europe. Yet, this is what's needed to address the challenges that the tragedy in Ukraine will leave in its wake. Some changes do point towards possible shifts in the European order. European borders are being redrawn to bring in new member states. After years of keeping Ukraine, Modlova and Georgia outside, the EU has concluded that it is strategically important to begin accession talks with these states. The EU has strengthened its commitments to democratic norms as the Russian invasion has made the threat of authoritarian power more painfully tangible. It has also accelerated many aspects of its climate transition policies in response to the conflict, which has demonstrated the urgency of weaning Europe off strategically costly hydrocarbon dependencies. Yet governments and EU institutions remain in short-term crisis mode. The flurry of EU policy change has yet to translate into a clear overarching strategy for a redesign of the European order. For now, the idea that the war has changed everything in Europe looks like an unwarranted exaggeration. A geoliberal' Europe Despite multiple reform proposals, the basic institutional shape of the EU remains untouched. Countries currently hoping to join the EU are being kept waiting in drawn out, technocratic processes despite the dangers they face from Russia. Governments have bolted increased defence spending onto existing EU policies in response to the war without clarifying how these relate to the union's supposed core liberal and peace-oriented principles. European leaders now ritually boast that the EU has become a toughened geopolitical power because of its response to Ukraine, but this does not seem to extend to having a position on engagements in places like the Sahel or the conflict in Gaza. If anything, the war's cruel continuation may actually be weakening the foundations and core principles of European order in some senses. It presents challenges of such immediacy that it has forced individual governments into defensive measures that reflect their own immediate, individual interests. But these potentially militate against coordination between nations. For now, the EU appears stuck in an in-between period. Many of the union's old organising principles, like the notion of its blurred internal borders, are no longer fit for purpose but governments lack the necessary political conviction to usher in a clearly defined new order. EU leaders need to move towards what might be termed a geoliberal Europe. As mapped out in my new book, this would reflect geopolitical reality but also the liberal and democratic values that are supposed to define Europe and supposedly sit at the heart of the war's rationale. This would take Europe out of crisis mode and enable it to map out a new, post-war approach to order. While this is lacking, the day-to-day debates about whether the EU is doing enough to help Ukraine will lack the necessary strategic orientation and anchoring. (The Conversation) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Taipei [Taiwan], May 19 (ANI): Taiwan's Ambassador to Guatemala, Miguel Liao, said on Saturday that Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo assured Taiwan of his steadfast support amid China's allegations about dollar diplomacy, Taiwan News reported. Liao said he recently held a meeting with eight ministerial-level officials in Guatemala, aiming to promote Taiwan's intention of friendship, Taiwan News cited Central News Agency (CNA) report. Also Read | Ebrahim Raisi Helicopter Accident: Rescue Teams Trying to Locate Iranian Presidents Chopper in Jolfa. He expressed hope that Taiwan and Guatemala could continue working together as strategic allies. Miguel Liao said that an alliance between two nations is seen as mutually beneficial, with Taiwan's technological prowess complementing Guatemala's rich resources. He added that Taiwan serves as a gateway to Asia while Guatemala is a gateway to Central and Latin America, and both nations share common values of freedom, democracy and respect for human rights. Also Read | Ebrahim Raisi Helicopter Accident: Chopper Carrying Iran President Suffers Hard Landing in Azerbaijan. Guatemala Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez is currently in Taiwan as the country's special envoy to attend Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te's swearing-in ceremony set to be held on May 20. Chinese officials and media accused Taiwan of engaging in dollar diplomacy with Guatemala. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Saturday rejected China's allegations regarding dollar diplomacy with Guatemala and called it a ploy by China to use the occasion of the oath-taking ceremony of President-elect Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim on May 20 to try and disrupt Taipei's foreign relations, Taiwan News reported. Taiwan's foreign ministry's statement came after the Chinese foreign ministry alleged that Taiwan had maintained political support from Guatemala by paying off its lawmakers, according to Taiwan News report. The statement released by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "China took advantage of the inauguration ceremony of its new president and vice president to once again resort to despicable tactics in an attempt to confuse the international community. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs severely condemned it and warned China that Taiwan, the Republic of China, is a sovereign and independent country. China has no right to comment on exchanges." Taiwan's foreign ministry accused China of using money and corrupt practices to infiltrate other nations and termed the latest allegations made by Beijing a grave insult to the leaders of Guatemala, Taiwan News report. In the statement, Taiwan's foreign ministry said, "As we all know, China not only uses financial bribes to infiltrate other countries but also creates debt traps to cause fatal harm to the development of other countries." Taiwan expressed strong protest over China's accusations and urged the global community to condemn China's hypocrisy. In a statement, Taiwan's foreign ministry stated, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs severely condemned it and warned China that Taiwan, the Republic of China, is a sovereign and independent country. China has no right to comment on exchanges." Bernardo Arevalo's commitment to maintaining diplomatic allies with Taiwan comes as Guatemala seeks to enhance economic ties with China. Earlier in February, Guatemala Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez said, "We are going to continue working with Taiwan at the levels we have been doing" and added, "but the president has pointed out that we cannot ignore the weight and power China represents." The Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Guatemala's support for Taiwan has never wavered and is one of Taiwan's two diplomatic allies in Central America. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Indian women diaspora in UK gathers outside UK Parliament to extend support for PM Modi (Photo/ANI) London [UK], May 19 (ANI): The Indian women in the UK gathered in traditional attire in front of the UK Parliament on Saturday, showcasing cultural pride and extending political support for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the general elections. These women from diverse diasporas, representing regions including, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, and Odisha, were participating in the ongoing grand celebration of democracy in India in their own unique ways. Also Read | Dr Reddy's, Sun Pharma and Aurobindo Pharma Recall Products in US Due to Manufacturing Issues. The slogans "Ab ki baar 400 paar" and "Har Har Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi" echoed through Parliament Square as the passionate Indian women proudly waved BJP flags. The enthusiastic display of support by these women reflected their pride in India's progressive journey and their desire for it to continue under the leadership of PM Modi and his party. Also Read | US Horror: Woman Stabs Boyfriend, Chops Off His Private Parts After She Thought He Got Her Pregnant Again in Colorado. The Overseas Friends of BJP UK (OFBJPUK) issued a statement on Sunday, emphasising that PM Modi has elevated India's profile on the global stage, instilling a profound sense of pride in the Indian identity. This pride was also evident in the passionate speeches delivered by the participating women in their regional languages, urging their fellow Indians back home to support the BJP in the 2024 elections. These women believe that their voices can make a significant difference in shaping India's future. One of the highlights of the event was a heartfelt poem recital, "Saudhand Mujhe Iss Mitti Ki," by a woman from Prime Minister Modi's constituency, Varanasi. Moreover, a Tamil woman spoke about PM Modi's historic visit to Jaffna--the first by an Indian Prime Minister--and discussed the current government's Neighbourhood First policy, which has played a pivotal role in helping Sri Lanka overcome economic turmoil, the statement read. The women further emphasised PM Modi's vision of a developed India by 2047, highlighting that women's empowerment is a crucial pillar of this vision. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad [Pakistan], May 19 (ANI): Pakistan: Woman journalist beaten up by group of people involved in cheating at examination centers A video of the incident went viral on social media, showing the group of people seen beating up the woman journalist at a school in Korangi. Also Read | US Horror: Woman Stabs Boyfriend, Chops Off His Private Parts After She Thought He Got Her Pregnant Again in Colorado. A female journalist was allegedly tortured by a group of people involved in facilitating cheating at examination centers amid ongoing matric exams, ARY News reported. Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar and Minister for Universities and Boards Muhammad Ali Malkani sought reports from concerned officials. Also Read | Taiwan Detects Seven Chinese Military Aircrafts and Vessels Across Its Vicinity: Live News Updates Today. Following which, the Home Minister directed Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Korangi Hassan Sardar Khan to submit a report on the incident at the earliest. The police took action on the viral video and arrested three suspects, including the school owner, ARY News reported. Notably, the matriculation exams are being held in Karachi with severe irregularities, including a lack of furniture for students and complaints of open cheating. Moreover, the examination papers were also leaked ahead of the commencement of the exams. Additionally, power load shedding was also reported in several examination centers during the annual examination of classes 9 and 10 under the Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK). Students in Karachi are facing power failure problems amid hot weather conditions. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Taipei [Raiwan], May 19 (ANI): As Taiwan's new President-elect, Lai Ching-te's swearing in ceremony draws near, the island's coastguard has ramped up patrols over the weekend amid increasing presence of Chinese vessels, according to Al Jazeera. Kinmen, Matsu, and Penghu are Taiwan's three main outlying islands. Also Read | Dr Reddy's, Sun Pharma and Aurobindo Pharma Recall Products in US Due to Manufacturing Issues. The Coast Guard Administration of Taiwan announced on Sunday that it had dispatched personnel to "patrol all hours of the day and night" near these islands. "In order to ensure the security of the sea area and border safety during the inauguration ceremony, the Ocean Affairs Council's Coast Guard Administration's Kinmen-Matsu-Penghu Division once again implemented a powerful patrol operation ... to closely monitor suspicious targets," it said in a statement, according to Al Jazeera. Also Read | US Horror: Woman Stabs Boyfriend, Chops Off His Private Parts After She Thought He Got Her Pregnant Again in Colorado. "The Kinmen-Matsu-Penghu Division said that the national security work will not slacken during the important celebrations," the administration added. Taipei's Ministry of National Defence on Sunday said it had found seven Chinese planes and seven navy vessels in the vicinity of Taiwan. Taiwan's Armed Forces (ROCArmedForces) monitored the situation and have promptly responded to it, the MND stated. Sharing it on X, Taiwan's Defence Ministry stated, "7 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 am (UTC+8) today. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." Along with leaders from some of Taiwan's few surviving diplomatic friends, including President Hilda Heine of the Marshall Islands, Lai spent his Sunday fishing for shrimps with them, reported Al Jazeera. In his inaugural speech on Monday (May 20), Lai--whom Beijing despises as a "separatist"--is anticipated to promise to ensure stability by upholding the current state of the island's relations with China. Supporters of the opposition Taiwan People's Party (TPP) plan to march through Taipei before to Lai's inauguration, demanding that he implement constitutional, judicial, and parliamentary reforms as well as protesting against the government Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), reported Al Jazeera. China maintains a near-daily military presence across democratic Taiwan, claiming the island as part of its own territory and making frequent appearances with fighter planes, drones, and navy ships. 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, has time anf again said his administration "will work to safeguard the status quo" in the Taiwan Strait, according to CNA report. Tsai Ing-wen, will step down on May 20 after serving two four-year terms as Taiwan's President. 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. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) A police inspector from Maharashtra's Akola district has been booked for allegedly molesting a 22-year-old woman in Nagpur, an official said on Sunday. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep concern on Sunday over the helicopter crash involving Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the foreign minister, and other high-ranking officials. The incident occurred while the officials were returning from Azerbaijan to Tehran. In a social media statement, PM Modi expressed deep distress over media reports suggesting that the 63-year-old leaders journey ended tragically amidst foggy weather. He stated that India stands in solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of distress and prayed for the well-being of the Iranian leader and his entourage. Deeply concerned by reports regarding President Raisis helicopter flight today. We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of distress, and pray for the well-being of the President and his entourage, Modi wrote in his post. Ebrahim Raisi Helicopter Crash: Three Rescue Workers Go Missing While Searching for Crashed Chopper Carrying Iranian President, Other Officials. Ebrahim Raisi Helicopter Crash Deeply concerned by reports regarding President Raisis helicopter flight today. We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of distress, and pray for well being of the President and his entourage. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2024 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) Heres some wonderful news with regards to wildlife conservation efforts. A bird that has been considered extinct for decades has gained a fresh hatchling. The National Aviary which is based out of Pittsburgh, Pa. sent out a press release announcing how the Sedgwick County Zoo in Kansas welcomed a female sihek chick back in April as part of a collaborative project looking to restore the birds wild population called the Sihek Recovery Project. Also known as the Guam kingfisher, the release explains how the bird species once flourished in Guam. Unfortunately, the accidental introduction of the brown tree snake to the island in the 1940s led to the slow extinction of the sihek along with other native species. In fact, the last time the sihek was spotted in the wild was 1988. The bird's population was greatly affected by the "accidental introduction" of a snake to its natural habitat. (National Aviary)National Aviary There are currently only 141 sihek left in the world, all under human care, reads the release. Now the Sihek Recovery Program is working to establish a temporary wild population on the island of Palmyra Atoll where there are no invasive snakes or other predators such as rates before their eventual return to Guam. Palmyra Atoll, a Nature Conservancy Preserve and research station located within a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge, is one of only a few places in the world that is viable for wildlife introductions because it is protected and predator-free. Were all thrilled that this years first chick has hatched and is doing so well, stated Yolonda Topasna of the Guam Department of Agricultures Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources. These beautiful birds havent sung in the forests of Guam for over 30 years, but this exciting moment brings us one step closer to the release of Guam sihek onto Palmyra Atoll a pivotal step towards the eventual reintroduction of this stunning creature to Islan Guahan. May 18, 2024: In Russia, the wives, mothers, sisters, and girlfriends of Russian soldiers in Ukraine or on their way there are angry. While men protesting the war often get arrested and prosecuted, the women use more subtle methods. The women have found a novel way to protest. The women stand on or outside their homes or open a window and say nothing but bang pots and pans together on Saturdays at an appointed time in their area and make noise for a few minutes before going silent. Russia monitors its internet and can identify protesters there. But women banging pots and pans to make noise to protest the war are another matter. The women arrange these, noise against the war, sessions by word of mouth or via encrypted email services like WhatsApp and Telegram. The anti-war noise protests are spreading and more Russian towns and city neighborhoods hear the noise on Saturday afternoons. Russian women also organize groups to protest the war in person. They do this in ways that dont encourage the police to arrest them. The police dont want to arrest women anti-war protesters but will if ordered. Some women have been for arrested for actually, or allegedly (probably both), firebombing military mobilization centers. Other women volunteer, generally in Moscow or other large cities, to help refugees from the Ukraine War or attempt to meet with political officials about the war. Other women put anti-war posters or place flowers at war memorial sites with notes attached describing the flowers as a protest and an effort to prevent their men getting killed in Ukraine. The government has also retaliated by threatening to send military age men related to protesters to combat zones in Ukraine. Currently the government is saying nothing about the women protesters and is just hoping it will all go away. It isnt and the protests increase in size and frequency. The protesters often have to plan for some of them to look after the children of protesters who want to leave more for a protest. The protesters do the same for women who have a husband, brother, or son return from the war wounded and in need of constant care. Most of the soldiers appreciate the assistance and are not in favor of a war that involves Russian soldiers ordered to invade a neighboring country and risk getting killed or wounded there. A growing number of Russian military age men have deserted the military or fled the country to avoid being mobilized. Because of this Russia cannot find enough Russian men for the military and are turning to hiring men from other countries with promises of high pay and short service contracts. Eventually reports came back that these men did not receive the high pay promised and had their short service contracts extended by the government. The women protesters warn Russia military age men about these scams while the government tries to suppress any news about these unethical activities. The anti-war protests have included women of all ages that have no men in their lives liable for military service. The impact of the war on Russia ultimately hurts all women and women organize to oppose the war any way they can, even if it means the possibility of being arrested or otherwise punched by the government. Editors Note: Lehighvalleylive.com is offering a benefit to subscribers: Click the photo gallery to see if we photographed your favorite prom-goer, and get free, print-quality downloads - as well as the option to purchase keepsakes at half the price. Notre Dame High School students celebrated their prom at The Wilbur Mansion on Saturday. Lehighvalleylive.com will be sending photographers to proms throughout the Lehigh Valley and Warren County this season. Our full coverage of proms across the region can be found at lehighvalleylive.com/prom. Check out the gallery above to see everyone dressed up celebrating the night. SHARE YOUR PROM PHOTOS Dont forget to tag @lehighvalleylive in your Instagram photos and @lehighvalley on Twitter - we just might highlight the best pics! Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Saed Hindash may be reached at shindash@lehighvalleylive.com. Editors Note: Lehighvalleylive.com is offering a benefit to subscribers: Click the photo gallery to see if we photographed your favorite prom-goer, and get free, print-quality downloads - as well as the option to purchase keepsakes at half the price. Salisbury High School students celebrated their prom at Aster Event Center on Saturday. Freelance photographer Rick Kintzel was there to capture a few of the students as they arrived for the prom. Lehighvalleylive.com will be sending photographers to proms throughout the Lehigh Valley and Warren County this season. Our full coverage of proms across the region can be found at lehighvalleylive.com/prom. Check out the gallery above to see everyone dressed up for a night to celebrate. SHARE YOUR PROM PHOTOS Dont forget to tag @lehighvalleylive in your Instagram photos and @lehighvalley on Twitter - we just might highlight the best pics! Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Saed Hindash may be reached at shindash@lehighvalleylive.com. Gardai who responded to a call from the ISPCA were allegedly threatened with a slash hook. William Bergin (78), of The Glebe, Coolrain appeared in court accused of threatening to kill or cause serious harm at Shanderry, Coolrain on February 8, 2022. Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby told a sitting of Portlaoise District Court that gardai received a call from the ISPCA alleging that two males had threatened animal welfare Inspectors at Shanderry on the date in question. When gardai responded the accused was allegedly holding a slash hook and swung it at gardai. Sgt Kirby told the court that it would be alleged that a number of dogs were subsequently removed from the location due to animal welfare concerns. Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client had not had the benefit of a consultation with his solicitor. Ms Fitzpatrick said the defendant did not live at that address and said the second element in relation to the dogs doesnt fall to us. Judge Nicola Andrews adjourned the matter to June 24 and said she would consider jurisdiction on that date. John Mulholland took up the top job in Laois County Council in 2015 at a time of challenge but also of opportunity. The worst of the property crash recession had passed but austerity had not ended. However, light could be seen at the end of the tunnel and central Government had begun to loosen the purse strings. Laois went into the recession as one of the fastest-growing counties in Ireland with Portlaoise leading the way. Fortunately, infrastructural investment during the boom had meant that growth and development could be kick-started quickly if the right leadership was in place to respond with agility to opportunities. Local Government is key to any county making progress but would have a key role in emerging from recession. The effectiveness of a council for a county depends on many factors but leadership is key. Given the configuration of local authorities in the 21st century, the Chief Executive is a central ingredient in aims being reached. Mr Mulholland, who has served some 45 years local Government, stepped into this role in 2015 knowing the constraints that were still in place on spending but chose to focus on what could be achieved at a council where he had worked previously in the 1990s. He said his initial experience gave him a good sense of where Laois was at nine years ago. He identifies the presence of the motorways and a water supply in Portlaoise as key adantages for town and county when he took over. He says he also identified three general areas where progress could be made: economic development, housing and regeneration of towns and villages. That has been my focus and I was very fortunate because funding from Government has enabled me and this council to produce and deliver in those areas, he said. He is particularly proud of the housing results. Never has the council produced as much housing with its partners, he said. This he said has led to a big decline in housing lists. That is a great result but it is all due to the loosening of the purse strings by the Government and resourcing local authorities, he said. He adds that achieving this involved planning and making a convincing case to the Government and dealing with four Ministers competing for resources available. We had a very good strategy from 20016 on and were able to get on with the show and much credit is due to the council's housing team who have been superb, he said. Being ready to go with housing plans has meant that targets set by Government have been achieved and exceeded more successfully than any other local authority He reserved praise for councillors who agreed that the council would not drag its feet in advancing housing. Mr Mulholland also highlighted the council's role in facilitating private house building in advancing their projects without council caused delays at the outset. Pictured: Cllr Padraig Fleming, Minister Sean Fleming TD; John Mulholland, Chief Executive LCC; Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Mr Darragh OBrien T.D. and Angela McEvoy, Director of Services LCC on a visit to 87 homes at Mount Stewart, Stradbally Road, Portlaoise. He said economic development is essential. It is a must for Laois and I cannot understand why of all the counties in the country, how Laois has faired so poorly over many decades for inward development particularly IDA type opportunties, he said. However, under Mr Mulholland, the council has significantly boosted the county's attractiveness to businesses and job creation. Central to this has been the development of the J17 National Enterprise Park in Portlaoise. He oversaw the purchase of 80 acres beside the M7 and followed through by driving the delivery of roads, energy supply and other infrastructure. The first client was Glanbia followed by other companies including the Mountmellick-based Midlands Steel. What you have there now is a fully serviced site in a prime location, he said. When combined with the IDA Business Park, he believes Portlaoise is now one of the best places for investment. He said work is also underway to make the former Arlington site in Portarlington capable of attracting businesses to locate there. MORE BELOW PICTURE. Laois Taste Food & Drink 2023 Awards Celebration at Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery in Stradbally were Liz Kennedy (Co-ordinator Laois Taste), John Mulholland (Chief Executive, Laois Co Council), Helen Gee (G's Gourmet Jams) and Darina Allen (Balllymaloe). Pic: Michael Scully He acknowledges that there is more to be done but jobs are needed to augment the population growth of the county. Reflecting on the work done to attract investment Mr Mulholland said he had no other option and the council had the powers to take a lead role. Underpinning housing and economic development Mr Mulholland also highlights the advances in social infrastructure in helping communities through the development and delivery of community amenities. He identifies public parks, walkways cycleways, libraries, community centres, Portlaoise's Cultural Quarter and Portarlington's Market House as examples. He said Market House will be the kind of boost that Port needs while he is also very proud of the Cultural Quarter in Portlaoise. He views these landmark developments as part of work on his goal to regenerate the county's towns and villages. Mr Mulholland progress has been made right around Laois on this front, particularly in Portlaoise because of its importance for all of Laois. The county town is critical for any county. Let's not cod ourselves. If you don't have a good county town the county loses out. There has to be a magnet where there is a critical mass of people, he said. MORE BELOW PICTURE. Pictured at the Laois County Council Community and Voluntary Awards 2023 Members of the Laois Pride group accepting the Social Inclusion Runner-up Award from Chief Executive of Laois Co Council, John Mulholland. Photo: Michael Scully While he is clear about the need to focus on Portlaoise, he insists that rural communities have been helped. He instances the recently announced 3.3m for Borris-in-Ossory courthouse as an example of the investment in rural regeneration. He references, Durrow, Abbeyleix, Killeshin as examples. He said Mountmellick and Mountrath are also being helped. He agrees that the Council must be on the ground helping communities. I think leadership is important and a sense of cohesion and bringing people together. We won't always have all the answers or the money but we will try like hell to provide betterment in communities, he said. He concedes that he was in the right place at the right time when he took over in Laois but looks back on his time with pride and as he puts it has no regrets. Some 14 years since two big Portlaoise secondary schools moved into a new shared campus, neighbouring residents are still suffering the brunt of heavy school traffic. Now students on E-scooters are adding to the traffic dangers, according to Fine Gael Cllr Willie Aird. St Mary's CBS and Scoil Chriost Ri have some 1,600 pupils between them and over 100 staff. Their shared exit is near Colliers Lane and the Borris Road, both home to thousands of Portlaoise residents. Long tailbacks are a daily occurance. Colliers Lane residents are calling on Laois County Council to do works on their road, according to Cllr Willie Aird. He tabled a motion to the May meeting of Portlaoise Muncipal District, describing the issues. "We are going to have heavy traffic all day every day until school is out for summer. "People say the pedestrian crossing is too close to the roundabout. If people don't know it's there. It's location is questionable. "When infrastructure goes in at the school, people who live there are entitled to exit their own houses. "We don't have a marked cycleway, it's shared with the path. There is a huge amount of people going to school on E scooters. "When schools start back in September, I'll bet there will be a 10% increase in scooters. "They need infrastructure to ensure the safety of pepole walking, people coming out of their homes. With all the developments and contributions, could some not be ringfenced," Cllr Aird asks. His motion asked the council to upgrade the road, the footapths and cycleways and include a speed radar sign. Cllr Thomasina Connell seconded. "There is a little white line on the path, if that could be re-marked. Cyclists are going up and down on the same lanes. Maybe we need to engage with the schools," she suggests. "We want children to cycle to school but it's just too dangerous," said the Cathaoirleach, Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald. Cllr John Joe Fennelly welcomed the new law on E-scooters banning under 16s, and placing a speed limit of 20kmph. Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley agrees and said that the one rider only law should also "improve things". In reply to the motion, area engineer Paul McLoughlin told Cllr Aird that the council "will assess and consider the proposed improvements to the existing infrastructure as part of the next restoration improvement programme" which will be decided on by the new councillors, elected after the coming June election. The Israel-Hamas war in Gaza has led to increased tensions in neighbouring Lebanon where Irish peacekeeping troops are based, Micheal Martin has said. Irelands deputy premier met on Sunday with members of the 124th Infantry Battalion serving with the United Nations Interim Force Lebanon (Unifil) at Camp Shamrock in Debel, Irelands largest overseas deployment. The visit came as tensions escalate on the southern border between Hezbollah and Israel. Mr Martin said the Irish troops were faced with a very, very difficult environment where there has been a lot of exchanges between Hezbollah and the IDF (Israel Defence Forces). He said he knew that people in Ireland were proud of the peacekeeping effort. The Tanaiste said: The area of operation is one now where there is significant military activity and the professionalism of our team here, our Defence Forces, the multi-disciplinary nature of the team here from medical right across to engineering, means that we operate a first-class operation here. Mr Martin said the greatest fear from the Gaza conflict had been regional escalation. He added: All our allies in the European Union, the member states, the US, have been really focused on trying de-escalate and trying to ensure there isnt an escalation. That said, there has been an escalation in this region. Not to levels that would be akin to a war, but nonetheless it has resulted in 70-80,000 people having to leave this area and, likewise, up to 90,000 people on the Israeli side of the border having to be evacuated out. So, the situation is very tense and very difficult, and it is connected obviously to the war in Gaza. The war in Gaza is absolutely unacceptable, the bombardment of the Palestinians within Gaza must stop. It is unconscionable what is going on. We need an immediate ceasefire, we need an unconditional release of all hostages and we need a massive surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza. I have witnessed myself the amount of aid that has been kept back and not allowed into Gaza which is morally unacceptable in terms of the needs of the people in Gaza. Mr Martin said he hoped that any ceasefire in Gaza could lead to a de-escalation of tensions in Lebanon. He said: When you see the destruction in Gaza, why would you visit that upon Lebanon? Through what moral lens would you even contemplate that? Hezbollah has to pull back and Israel would have to pull back. I am very conscious of the degree to which the war in Gaza has created greater potential for destabilisation in the region. Mr Martin said there had been no consideration giving to pulling Irish troops out of Lebanon. We obviously did an assessment, we spoke to the chief of staff and our military advisers. You just dont, overnight, pull out of a peace operation. We are just part of a much wider, more expansive force here that really has kept the peace here. It is only when peacekeepers pull out that real carnage develops. It is very challenging. That is why we are bringing in an extra platoon, 33 additional members to add to the force protection of what we are doing here. We are working with other member states in the European Union to do scenario planning in case of escalations. The issue here is to maintain the peace, that is our role under the United Nations mandate and that is our commitment. Mr Martin said he hoped a situation would develop where peacekeeping troops would not be needed in the area in the future. He said: By that, I mean that things would stabilise so much we could have a harmonious existence between Lebanon and Israel. Ultimately, this region will only achieve peace if people from different backgrounds who live close to each other learn to live in harmony alongside each other. The Tanaiste delivered a speech to Irish troops during his visit to Camp Shamrock, where he said that the long tradition of peacekeeping is an essential component of Irelands foreign policy. His itinerary on Monday includes meetings with the Lebanese minister for defence Maurice Sleem and minister of foreign affairs Abdallah Bou Habib, where he will raise the death of an Irish peacekeeper in 2022. Private Sean Rooney, 24, from Co Donegal, was killed while serving in Lebanon when his convoy was attacked. Mr Martin has said a central focus of his trip is communicating the absolute determination of the Irish Government to ensure those responsible for Private Rooneys death are brought to justice. Irish peacekeeping troops in Lebanon have witnessed exchanges of gunfire on a daily basis, a commander in the area has said. Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Mac Eoin is commanding officer 123rd infantry battalion of the Defence Forces, which has been in Lebanon since November as part of the United Nations Interim Force Lebanon (Unifil). Irelands deputy premier Micheal Martin visited troops at Camp Shamrock in Debel on Sunday. Mr Mac Eoin said one of the main concerns of military chiefs is that peacekeeping forces could get caught up in the crossfire of exchanges between Hezbollah and the Israel Defence Forces near the southern border. He said: It has been a really busy and really interesting operational deployment. For the full duration of our deployment weve had a highly kinetic operational situation here on the blue line between north and south. Soldiers have responded really well, thanks to their training. He added: We have had quite an amount of activity in terms of shelling, air strikes, machine gun fire, mortars, the use of various munitions. All around the area behind me here, which is in the south of Lebanon at the blue line frontier between Lebanon and Israel, there has been exchanges of fire on a daily basis and this fire has obviously caused a lot of damage and death in the local and surrounding area. Also we have had quite a number of incidents of firing close to our own positions here. Mr Mac Eoin said it can be challenging for soldiers when they arrive in Lebanon for the first time. He said: Support is available for people, we have the chaplaincy service, we also have the personnel support services. I will say that what we are dealing with is professional soldiers. They are volunteer soldiers who have chosen to join Oglaigh na hEireann and have in the main chosen to go overseas. Those soldiers are looking to be professionally challenged. We like to believe we have made a contribution to the stability of this region. He added: Peacekeepers on the blue line are closest to the action. There is repeated exchanges of fire north and south across the blue line. Non-state actors here in south Lebanon, primarily Hezbollah, and the Israeli Defence Forces on the other side. Our personnel are not necessarily the target of these attacks but what causes us concern as commanders is that they may be subject to crossfire. We have had a number of occasions where rockets have been launched very close to our bases. Those rockets have gone either overhead or in very close proximity. If such rockets are intercepted and they fall, that can cause a challenge. We have very well-rehearsed drills where we will go to bunkers while at the same time maintaining an active posture. May 18, 2024: The high cost of the war in Ukraine plus a decade of economic sanctions has hurt the Russian economy. To make matters worse Russia has no major allies in Europe or overseas. That leaves Russia dependent on China, which has the second largest economy in the world. The Chinese expect to be paid for the substantial economic aid they have been providing Russia. None of this aid is military, but a lot of it is dual use. That is, which means Russia needs only add a few key components to turn dual use materials into a weapon. This would include guided missiles, military communications and ground-based radars. Without these large quantities of Chinese dual use items, Russia could not maintain its production of many key weapons. One problem remains, how does Russia pay for all this? China suggested, and Russia accepted, that long-standing Chinese claims on a quarter of the Russian Far East and most of its prime coastal areas be considered as a form of payment. China never canceled these claims, even in the 1940s and 50s when China was very dependent on Russia. These claims amount to about nine percent of Russian territory. The Russian Far East contains part of Siberia as well as the large Pacific Ocean coastline and the port of Vladivostok. The relatively small coastal areas are the most densely populated of the Russian Far East. The entire Russian Far East is huge, at 6.9 million square kilometers. That is nearly the size of the eight million square kilometer continental United States. While these 48 states have 310 million people, the Russian Far East only has a population of 8.3 million. The Far East region contains 40 percent of Russian territory and less than six percent of Russias population. The region contains many naval and ballistic missile bases as well as ports that provide the cheapest way to get goods from the rest of Russia to the Far East. The Trans-Siberian Railroad alone cannot support the population and economy of the Far East region. China is willing to continue supplying Russia but only if they can agree on some form of repayment. Currently Russia is operating a wartime economy which puts about 20 percent of its national budget into defense. The normal rate is a few percent. That high rate of defense spending has made it possible to decrease the amount spent on public welfare. This increases the poverty rate, which Russia cannot allow to happen because it would cause more anti-war activity among the population. Russians in general see no benefit from invading Ukraine, a war that was supposed to be over in a few months with a complete victory. That didnt and the invasion suddenly became a lot more expensive. This could be seen in the fluctuations of the Russian poverty rate. Before the invasion it was 12 percent. That jumped to 20 percent as Russia mustered forces for the invasion and then sent them into Ukraine. The initial invading force was largely destroyed. Thats when Russia began moving to a wartime economy since the war began personnel and material losses have been enormous. Russia sees a persistently higher poverty rate as dangerous and likely to cause widespread unrest. Russia faces a difficult decision. If they let the economy continue to concentrate on building weapons in order to support the war, internal unrest will increase. If Russia takes the Chinese offer of substantial aid, in return for honoring long standing Chinese territorial claims on territory in the Russian far east that two centuries ago belonged to China, it faces internal unrest. This deal will, however, reduce military tension between Russia and China. Since the 1990s, as the post-Soviet armed forces fell apart, China was building a world class military, with well trained, largely volunteer troops equipped with modern weapons made in China. Eventually someone in the Russian government did that math. At that point Russia realized they had lost their centuries-long military advantage over China, which was mired in revolution and civil war throughout most of the 19th century and into the 20th century. The Chinese communist won the revolution in the late 1940s and found themselves presiding over a now peaceful and united China with a crippled economy that needed substantial reforms to fix. The reforms didnt come until the 1980s, when the communist rulers decided a market economy could fix things and that worked. By the end of the 20th century the Chinese economy was booming while the Russian economy was going in the other direction. Now Russia is the supplicant and China the neighbor with a prosperous economy and superior military. Those changes make it possible for China to negotiate some fundamental changes between powerful China and desperate Russia. A livestream portal between Dublin and New York has been switched on again after it was temporarily shut off following reports of inappropriate behaviour. The portal will now only be operational during certain hours. Thousands of people visited the two-way livestream portal which gives a real-time view of New York after it was first opened earlier this month. The portal is in north Dublin, facing OConnell Street, while the American installation is in North Earl Street. The portal was temporarily closed in the Irish capital earlier after Dublin City Council said a small minority of people engaged in inappropriate behaviour which had been amplified on social media. In a joint statement on Sunday, the council, Portals.org and Flatiron NoMad said the portal had reawakened. The statement said: The livestream restarted today at 9am in New York City and 2pm in Dublin, after a temporary pause earlier this week. The portal will have specific hours of operation for the coming weeks with the livestream running daily from 6am to 4pm in New York City and 11am to 9pm in Dublin. In less than a week of operation, the portal has attracted tens of thousands of visitors and garnered nearly two billion online impressions. The overwhelming majority of people who have visited the portal sculptures have experienced the sense of joy and connectedness that these works of public art invite people to have. The joint statement said the portals are not meant to be touched or stepped upon. It added: We have taken steps to limit instances of people stepping on the portal and holding phones up to the camera lens. The Portals.org team has implemented a proximity-based solution. Now, if individuals step on the portal and obstruct the camera, it will trigger a blurring of the livestream for everyone on both sides of the Atlantic. The team will continue making updates as needed to ensure that everyone can continue to enjoy the portal. Additional fencing has now been installed in New York and in Dublin physical design features are being implemented to assist with crowd management. After the portal first opened, videos on social media showed 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. Eight young dancers from Laois are being given the opportunity of a lifetime to experience becoming a 'Disney performer' for the day. Local students from Morrissey School of Irish Dancing, Monasterevin will take to the stage at Disneyland in September. Dancers from as young as 6, right up to 16 years old will take part and have launched a fundraising drive to help cover the costs. Speaking to Leinster Express/Laois Live dance teacher Mary Morrissey said: "Paris has always been a city synonymous with the Arts. Exhibitions and performances that have attracted and inspired artists and onlookers alike for centuries and home to Disneyland Paris. "In September, Paris will be the envy of the World, again as the Morrissey School of Irish Dancing, Monasterevin, takes to the stage at Disneyland. Forty seven dancers from as young as 6, right up to 16 years old have been given the opportunity of a lifetime to experience becoming a 'Disney performer' for the day." They will travel to Paris the evening before the performance, arriving into the park before any other patrons, they will make their way to the auditorium before taking to the stage to wow the crowds with a performance, all choreographed and instructed by Dance Teachers Michelle and Mary Morrissey. "The performance will be a celebration of months of hard work and dedication by the dancers with the support of their families and they will carry the memories with them forever," added Mary. "Its an experience of a lifetime for these fabulous talented dancers." The dancers have begun raising funds to cover their own accommodation, flights and dancing costumes for the performance. If you would like to help the School raise funds you can donate through the link below at https://www.idonate.ie/cause/morrisseyschoolofirishdancing Bruce Springsteen fans are being urged to have tickets ready ahead of tomorrow's (May 19) Croke Park gig. Concert-goers are being asked to add tickets to mobile wallets or access them on the Ticketmaster app for convenience and quicker entry to the stadium. In a post published on X (formerly Twitter), a Ticketmaster spokesperson stated, "If you're heading to see the legendary Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band at Croke Park this Sunday, make sure to add your tickets to your mobile wallet in advance for easier access to the stadium." To ensure tickets are ready to go, download the app to add your tickets to your phone wallet by going to 'My Events', and choose 'Transfer' to transfer every ticket that isn't yours. Your friends will get an email to accept their ticket and, once in your wallet, just tap your phone to enter the venue, similar to contactless payment. Fans should note that screenshots won't be accepted. Springsteen and his E-Street Band are finishing their Irish dates at Croke Park after electric performances in Kilkenny, Cork and Belfast. The gig at Croke Park is due to start at 7pm. French forces launched a "major operation" on Sunday, May 19, to regain control of a road linking New Caledonia's capital Noumea to the main international airport, after a sixth night of violent unrest. Officials said more than 600 heavily armed gendarmes were dispatched to secure Route Territoriale 1, the main artery connecting the restive capital with air links to the outside world. Six people have been killed and hundreds injured since rioting began on Monday, according to local authorities. The violence has been fuelled by economic malaise, ethnic tensions and long-standing opposition to French rule on the Pacific archipelago. A nighttime curfew, state of emergency, ban on TikTok and arrival of hundreds of troops from mainland France failed to prevent more unrest overnight Saturday to Sunday. Unidentified groups set two fires and raided a petrol station, according to the office of New Caledonia's high commissioner. But authorities insisted the situation is improving. "The night has been calmer," the commissioner's office said. Local media reported a public library was among the buildings burned. The mayor's office told Agence France-Presse (AFP) there was "no way of confirming for the moment" as the "neighborhood remains inaccessible". Read more Subscribers only New Caledonia: Partial calm but gunfire in French territory under state of emergency Trapped tourists For almost a week, protesters have set vehicles, shops, industrial sites and public buildings alight, while pro-independence forces have blocked access to Tontouta International Airport. A local business group estimated the damage, concentrated around Noumea, at more than 200 million ($200 million). AFP reporters attempted to reach the airport on Sunday but were stopped by groups blocking access at several locations. Flights to and from New Caledonia's main island have been canceled since the unrest began, stranding an estimated 3,200 travelers and cutting off the trade route. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said "a major operation of more than 600 gendarmes" was being launched "aimed at completely regaining control of the 60 kilometers main road" and allowing the airport to reopen. The single-lane Territorial Route 1 links the airport and weaves through dense, bush-covered hills and mountains that reminded British explorer James Cook of Scotland and gave the islands their current name. Australia and New Zealand are among the nations waiting for Paris' all clear to send planes to evacuate trapped tourists. In Wellington, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Sunday that the New Zealand Defence Forces had "completed preparations" for flights to "bring home New Zealanders in New Caledonia while commercial services are not operating." Australian tourist Maxwell Winchester and his wife Tiffany were due to leave Noumea on Tuesday. Instead, he told AFP, they have been barricaded inside a resort halfway between the city and the airport, with dwindling supplies. "They basically burned up every exit on the motorway and all the roads that you could use to get anywhere. So wherever you are, you're blockaded," he said. "We're just about to run out of food," he said, adding that with supermarkets inaccessible or burned "the resort staff are basically using black market sources to get something." The bodies of three Spanish tourists and three Afghans shot dead while visiting a market in Afghanistan were transported to the capital where multiple wounded were also treated, the Taliban government said Saturday, May 18. The wounded tourists are in stable condition, a hospital said Saturday. The group was fired on while shopping in the bazaar in the mountainous city of Bamiyan, around 180 kilometers from the capital Kabul, on Friday. The Islamic State group on Sunday claimed responsibility for the deadly attack. The jihadist group said in a statement on its Telegram channels that "fighters shot at Christian tourists and their Shiite companions with machine guns" in the mountainous city of Bamiyan on Friday. The jihadists said they attacked a "bus of tourists who are citizens of coalition countries", referring to a US-led coalition that has battled IS in the Middle East. "The attack comes in line with the directives of the leaders of the Islamic State to target nationals of coalition countries wherever they may be," the IS statement added. The first deadly assault on tourists since the return of the Taliban The attack is reportedly the first deadly assault on foreign tourists in Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The Taliban authorities said the bodies of those killed and the wounded had been transported to Kabul overnight Friday. They were evacuated from Bamiyan by road as bad weather made an airlift impossible, diplomatic sources said. Italian NGO Emergency, which operates a hospital in Kabul, received the injured who it said were from Spain, Lithuania, Norway, Australia and Afghanistan. "The wounded people arrived at our hospital at 3:00 am this morning, about 10 hours after the incident took place," said Dejan Panic, Emergency's country director in Afghanistan, in a statement. "The Afghan national was the most critically injured, but all patients are now stable," he added. One of the wounded, a Spanish woman, had been seriously injured and underwent surgery in Kabul, the Spanish foreign ministry said. Spain's government on Friday announced that three of the dead were Spanish tourists. The dead also included three Afghans two civilians and a Taliban member, the government's interior ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani said. Local officials said the civilians were working with the tour group, while the Taliban security official had returned fire when the shooting broke out. 'Shocked and appalled' "Overwhelmed by the news of the murder of Spanish tourists in Afghanistan," Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez posted on social media platform X. The bodies of the dead would likely be brought back to Spain on Sunday, according to the country's foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares, who spoke on Spanish public television TVE. Spanish diplomats were headed to Afghanistan from Pakistan and Qatar, where the Spanish ambassador to the country is currently based, to facilitate the repatriation of the dead and transfer of the wounded, the foreign ministry said. The Spanish embassy was evacuated in 2021, along with other Western missions, after the Taliban took back control of Kabul, ending a bloody decades-long insurgency against foreign forces. Spanish authorities have also been coordinating with a European Union delegation in the capital. Interior ministry spokesman Qani said seven suspects had been arrested, "of which one is wounded". "The investigation is still going on and the Islamic Emirate is seriously looking into the matter," he added. The EU condemned the attack "in the strongest terms". The United Nations mission in Afghanistan, UNAMA, said it was "deeply shocked and appalled by the deadly terrorist attack" in Bamiyan, adding it had provided assistance after the incident. Fledgling tourism sector The Taliban government has yet to be officially recognized by any foreign government. It has, however, supported a fledgling tourism sector, with more than 5,000 foreign tourists visiting Afghanistan in 2023, according to official figures. Western nations advise against all travel to the country, warning of kidnap and attack risks. Alongside security concerns, the country has limited road infrastructure and a dilapidated health service. Multiple foreign tourism companies offer package tours to Afghanistan, often including visits to highlights in cities such as Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif and Bamiyan. Bamiyan is Afghanistan's top tourist destination, once home to the giant Buddha statues that were blown up by the Taliban in 2001 during their previous rule. Read more Subscribers only In Afghanistan, the Taliban wants to revitalize the site of the Buddhas of Bamiyan to attract tourists The number of bombings and suicide attacks in Afghanistan has fallen dramatically since the Taliban authorities took power, and deadly attacks on foreigners are rare. However, a number of armed groups, including the Islamic State group, remain a threat. The jihadist group has waged a campaign of attacks on foreign interests in a bid to weaken the Taliban government, targeting the Pakistani and Russian embassies as well as Chinese businessmen. The US troop withdrawal from Niger, at the demand of the West African nation's military rulers, has begun and will be over by September 15 "at the latest", a joint statement said on Sunday, May 19. The two sides announced they had reached a disengagement agreement and US forces deployed as part of an anti-jihadist mission have started to leave after Niamey claimed their presence was illegal. The decision comes after several days of talks between a delegation from the US Department of Defense and Nigerien counterparts in Niamey this week. Niger's military rulers seized power in a July 2023 coup and scrapped a military cooperation deal with Washington in March. The United States has around 650 soldiers in Niger with a major drone base near Agadez in the north of the country. Niger has already overseen the withdrawal of troops from France, the former colonial power and traditional security ally, and has strengthened ties with Russia which has provided instructors and equipment. The joint statement added that the US troop withdrawal would in no way affect ties relating to development in Niger, one of the world's poorest countries. RESIDENTS in Adare have launched an initiative aiming to keep the air in the village clean. They want clean air for Adare, and are encouraging drivers who pass through the village to turn off their engines when they are stuck in traffic. The village is well-known for being a bottleneck at peak times, with a new road to bypass the village under construction. In the meantime though, around 17,000 vehicles pass through Adare daily. That figure rises to 25,000 each day across Bank Holiday weekends - which means around 100,000 vehicles drove down its Main Street over the first weekend in May. As a result of this, Adare Tidy Towns has launched its Yellow Bus - Clean Air for Adare Campaign. The campaign began on the May Bank Holiday weekend, and will continue on next months break. Signage was erected to encourage drivers of petrol or diesel powered vehicles to use the stop-start function or idle-stop function when they are stuck in congestion in the village. READ MORE: Limerick council and gardai bare their teeth after surge in dog attacks Local councillor Bridie Collins said: We hope that this awareness campaign will lead to a change in driver behaviour not only in Adare but also in other towns and villages throughout Ireland. The 'No Idling' at school campaign is well established and we feel that our Yellow Bus-Clean Air For Adare campaign will have a big effect on reducing the carbon emissions in our community. The signs for the campaign were designed by Tidy Towns volunteers and constructed from upcycled materials. Paint from the recycle centre was used. The local Tidy Towns group have secured the support of their counterparts in Ennis. Mary Howard of Ennis Tidy Towns has donated their 'no idling' posters, which will be added to the Adare group's campaign. A person who has been helping house Ukrainians in this area spoke to the Leitrim Observer about the government's decision to move 170 residents from a hotel in Leitrim. "They were given notice on Wednesday that they were to pack their bags more or less and be gone by the end of the month," the individual told the Observer. "Where to, they don't know. It's predominantly women and children in the hotel and a lot of the women work in the locality and their children all go to school. I believe there has been correspondence from the Government and apparently they can make these decisions and that's what they've done. The Government has pulled the contract and are moving all the Ukranians out and why they did, I don't know," they continued. There are around 170 people living in the hotel, said the person, who asked not to be named. "They have been there for the better part of two years so they are very much part of society. There are a lot of people working locally in the various shops and the industries up there in Drumshanbo; the distillery and various kitchens and there are women doing courses in the SOLAS centre in Drumshanbo. "They've basically had the rug pulled out from underneath them. They've been given no reason and have no idea where they're going. They know they are going before May 31 and were told this on Wednesday at an informal meeting." They said, "They have been living here the last two years and are part of the community and Drumshanbo is flourishing because of the Ukrainian population. It's a vibrant town and you're taking a sizable chunk of the population and shipping them off to God knows where." The speaker described the housing crisis as a "catastrophe but this is happening. There's no health and safety reasons for it or anything like that." Under a revised plan in March, Ukrainian refugees go to designated accommodation centres for up to 90 days and are provided with food, laundry and integration support during this time. They are paid a 38.80 subsistence allowance per week and an additional 29.80 per child. Arrivals had previously been entitled to a jobseekers allowance of 220 per week and unlimited time in State accommodation. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) sent a letter to residents stating that, under the The Temporary Protection Directive, the DCEDIY "provided you with short-term temporary accommodation. In accordance with your current accommodation provide, Lough Allen Hotel, DCEDIY wishes to inform you that we must move you to new accommodation by 31/05/2024." The letter goes on to say that arrangements for their next accommodation are currently being finalised and they will soon receive a letter from the hotel management with details. A letter from the management of Lough Allen Hotel sent to residents said that they wanted them to know that "we have done everything within our power to ask the Government to allow you to stay here with us in the hotel. Unfortunately, the Department has come to this decision without any consultation with the management of the hotel. We are very shocked and saddened at this sudden decision but it is now beyond our control". The person who spoke to us went to say that the residents are "devastated and there were women in floods of tears all day Thursday and all day Friday. They are looking at the news every day of their country being bombed and have done their best to make this place home and now all of a sudden, they don't know if they can continue in their employment, in their education, if their kids can go to school; they don't know anything and it's all been decided by the swipe of a pen." They stated that the departure of the 170 residents will be a "problem for businesses in town because they will be down a lot of money as it's a cyclical economy; they are working in the shops and then spending their money in the shops." They continued, "this needs to be stopped; you can't do this to people; it's pure inhumane. Everyone gets on well with each other; they've integrated very well into this locality. Children are up and dressed every morning and go to school and women are up and gone to work or education and the only ones at home are mothers who have very young children. "Their safety, security and sanctuary is gone for all these residents. My overall experience of these people has been extremely positive." Three people, including the assistant manager of Patanjali Ayurved, received fines and six-month prison sentences from the chief judicial magistrate in Pithoragarh, according to a Live Hindustan report. This followed the failure of a Patanjali food product in a quality test at a testing laboratory in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, it added. Quality Concerns Raised As per the report, a food safety inspector flagged issues with Patanjali Navratna Elaichi Soan Papdi at Lila Dhar Pathak's shop in Berinag, Pithoragarh, in 2019. Samples were collected, and notices were sent to Kanaha Ji Distributor in Ramnagar and Patanjali Ayurved in Haridwar. By December 2020, the Rudrapur testing laboratory notified the state food safety department of the product's substandard quality. Legal cases were then filed against businessman Lila Dhar Pathak, distributor Ajay Joshi, and Patanjali assistant manager Abhishek Kumar. Each received a six-month prison sentence and fines of 5,000, 10,000, and 25,000, respectively. Supreme Court Scrutiny The Supreme Court of India (SC) on May 14 reserved its order on a contempt plea against Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna, and others in the Patanjali misleading advertisements case. The apex court bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah also exempted Ramdev and Balkrishna from personal appearance in the case. at the next hearing. Further, the SC granted Patanjali time to file affidavits indicating the steps taken to recall ads of the products of which licenses have been suspended and for recalling medicines. The affidavit, to be filed in three weeks, will also explain the steps taken to recall Patanjali products whose licenses have been suspended, as per Bar and Bench. BENGALURU , MUMBAI : Rajnish Kumar and T.V. Mohandas Pai do not intend to continue on the advisory panel of Byjus parent company, Think & Learn Pvt. Ltd, after their one-year tenure ends on 30 June, presenting the latest setback to the embattled online tutor. Kumar and Pai, who had joined the company last year to advise founder Byju Raveendran following a series of board exits and financial woes, have communicated their decision to him, according to two executives privy to the development. Byjus had established the advisory panel naming Kumar, a former chairman of the State Bank of India, and Pai, former chief financial officer of Infosys, as members to assuage investors worried about the companys future as legal cases mounted against it. One of the reasons behind both Kumar and Pai snapping ties with Byjus, according to one executive, is on account of the company getting embroiled in litigation. Byjus is facing lawsuits both in India and in the US from its creditors and key shareholders, who want the founder ousted. The advisory panels three main focus areas were to get the company to disclose its audited financials and help Raveendran rebuild the team. Better communication with shareholders was the third part. On each of these aspects, Byjus started well but unfortunately, the company got embroiled in all kinds of litigation", said the executive. A second executive, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said that in addition to the three areas, the advisory panel also worked with Raveendran to expand the board and change the composition of the board committee and help Byju's on settling debt with creditors. An email sent to Byju's seeking comment went unanswered. Late on Sunday, Kumar and Pai said in a joint statement that their engagement with Byjus as advisers was always on a fixed-term basis for a year. Based on our discussions with the founders, it was mutually decided that the tenure of the advisory council should not be extended. Though the formal engagement concludes, the founders and the company can always approach us for any advice. We wish the founders and the company the very best for the future," they said. Escalating crisis Kumar and Pai snapping ties from Raveendran is another setback to Byjus, once the most-valuable homegrown unlisted company, estimated to be worth $22 billion in 2022. Earlier this year, Blackrock, an investor in the company, slashed Byjus valuation to $1 billion, while another investor, Sequoia Capital (now Peak XV Partners), has written off its investment in the online tutor. The advisory panel was set up in July last year after G.V. Ravishankar of Peak XV Partners, Vivian Wu of Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and Russell Dreisenstock of Prosus resigned from the board of Think and Learn citing poor corporate governance. Byjus statutory auditor at the time, Deloitte Haskins & Sells, also resigned, citing delays in the company sharing information with it. Byjus inability to raise more money from investors has forced the company to let go of thousands of employees, even leading to delays in salaries being paid to its staff. Last month, Byjus India chief executive Arjun Mohan stepped down merely seven months after joining the company. Raveendran, his wife, Divya Gokulnath and Raveendrans brother, Riju Raveendran, are the three members of the board. Multiple legal cases Byjus was sanguine when it set up the advisory panel last year. This council will play a pivotal role in advising and mentoring Byjus board and its chief executive officer Byju Raveendran on crucial matters that shape the companys future," Think and Learn had said in a statement in July last year. Earlier this year, many of Byjus shareholders, including Prosus, voted to oust Raveendran as the CEO at a special shareholder meeting. Byjus rejected the move, saying the shareholder meeting was invalid and ineffective". The matter is now before the Karnataka High Court, which is still to adjudicate on the matter. There are multiple insolvency proceedings as well before the National Company Law Tribunal. Byjus has struggled to end its long-running dispute with Glas Trust Co., the trustee representing 37 lenders in the US, over the missing $500 million from the $1.2-billion loan the edtech company took. Multiple lawsuits across Delaware, New York and Miami have been filed by both the lender and Byjus. The companys plans to raise money by selling many of the businesses it acquired during the covid-19 pandemic have remained a non-starter amid mounting legal and financial challenges. Last month, a majority of the companys shareholders approved a $200-million rights issue, at a 99% lower valuation, but Byjus cannot use the funds until the hearings at the NCLT and the Karnataka High Court are concluded. Byjus is yet to file its financials for 2022-23. When the company finally filed its financials for FY22 in January this year, it reported a loss of 8,245 crore on revenue of 5,015 crore. May 19, 2024: Russia is having an increasingly difficult time mobilizing men to fight in Ukraine. After the first year of fighting in Ukraine, most Russians were no longer willing to support the war and by early 2024 only ten percent of Russians supported the war. As support for the war declined, efforts by military age men to avoid military service increased. These potential Russian soldiers were not alarmed because of rumors or media reports, but because so many Russians had been wounded in Ukraine and returned to Russia for long term treatment. This made possible a word of mouth report on what was happening in Ukraine. The Russian government kept reporting that everything was fine and the was proceeding as planned and would be over soon. The reality was that Russian planning for the invasion was haphazard and often counterproductive. The Russian situation never improved. While the Russian media was ordered to ignore reality and provide what the government wanted or else, veterans of the war spoke openly, and risked arrest, or quietly to avoid trouble and spread details of what was happening in Ukraine. Russians are used to this sort of thing and soon figured out what was really going on. As the Russian situation got worse, popular support for or toleration of the war plummeted. Another disturbing factor was the disparity in casualties between Russians and Ukrainians. Nearly 180,000 Russians have died in Ukraine so far and twice as many wounded badly enough to require time, days to months, for recovery. Because the Russians have usually been attacking, their losses are higher than those of the defending Ukrainians. Another factor is that the Ukrainian troops are better trained and led. Another key factor is morale. Ukrainians are defending their homeland, while Russian troops are invading a friendly neighbor and trade partner for reasons that are unclear to Russian soldiers. Ukrainian losses have been about 34,000 Ukrainian soldiers and 11,000 civilians killed and about twice as many wounded. Russian civilian casualties have been minuscule because the Ukrainian dont deliberately attack civilians. So far the Russians have suffered four times as many casualties as the Ukrainians. Russian soldiers and military age civilians have noticed and that has made it impossible to expand the Russian military or even maintain current numbers. Fewer new recruits and increasing casualties and desertions will do that. Getting Russian troops to attack requires their officers to lie, cheat and threaten to shoot disobedient soldiers. That worked during World War II but not anymore. Russian soldiers will shoot back if their officers shoot at them. That ended the brief, early in the war, period when Russian officers were ordered to use force if their troops disobeyed orders. So far combat deaths on both sides are nearly a quarter of a million, with twice as many wounded and a growing number of Russian deserters. The situation is worse for the Russian because of a long list of reasons. For example, during the current war Russian soldiers discovered shocking differences between how the two adversaries handled casualties and prisoners. Ukraine follows Western practices, including rules specified by international agreements. Russia has a more casual attitude that is opportunistic and very flexible. During combat Russian troops will often take no prisoners and kill any enemy wounded they encounter. At other times, when the Russians are seeking to get some of their soldiers and officers out of Ukrainian captivity, Russian troops will be ordered to take prisoners. Ukrainian troops follow the rules while the Russians are expedient. Russian troops consider themselves as warriors while the Ukrainians strive to send trained soldiers into combat. Russia does have some well-trained and experienced troops in airborne and special operations units. These professionals will still slip into warrior mode when it suits them, or when ordered to do so. For the other ninety percent of Russian troops, warrior mode is often the default mode. By late 2023 there were few of Russian airborne and special operations troops left. These are ancient traditions in the Russian military when deadly force is necessary. Another aspect of this is that Russian officers are expected to use deadly force on their own troops in order to ensure obedience. This was often used during World War 2. During some major offensives NKVD (secret police) personnel would be brought in to operate machine-guns behind the troops who were taking part in a major offensive. The NKVD machine-gunners fired on any Russian troops leaving the front-line forces. Many nations consider desertion in the face of the enemy to be treason, but they dont usually execute the traitorous deserters on sight. There are other manifestations of this ruthlessness. For example, when there is time and medical personnel are available, new recruits will get their health checked to ensure they are physically able to fight. This exam often includes dentists to check for dental problems that can be taken care of before training begins. This often includes extracting problematic teeth that will progressively cause more pain until dealt with. These teeth are promptly extracted without painkillers. Its just another way to remind these civilians that they are now in the mighty Russian army. They are expected to act as warriors, not armed civilians in uniform. Until some overdue reforms are made, these flaws will not go away. The fighting in Ukraine reminded Russian military and political leaders that the long delay is already working on needed reforms so, they hope, that the next time Russian troops are in combat they perform better and perhaps even win. There have been several rounds of unsuccessful military reforms since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. One of the major causes of that collapse was their unaffordable and largely ineffective armed forces. In post-Soviet Russia there were far fewer restrictions on criticizing the military. Most Russians had a very negative attitude towards conscription and the reforms underway because of the Ukraine War disaster are typical of several previous efforts to remedy problems that continue to resist any fundamental change. In the 21st century, new plans call for a massive training program to replace all the officers lost in the first few months of 2022s fighting. The immediate problem with that is all the officer instructors were sent to the front in March and April 2022 where they became casualties. Then there is the problem that military and political leaders are still unable to restore one crucial aspect of an improved military: NCOs, as in Non-Commissioned Officers, sergeants in the army, petty officers in the navy. A century ago, Russia abandoned a long tradition of NCOs. Instead, junior officers would try to do everything NCOs handled. That never worked. Providing adequate training for new combat troops is something else that never had a high priority. The new reforms are supposed to change that. There have been similar efforts in the past and none lasted long. There is another serious problem that few want to discuss, corruption. Even in wartime, especially during the recent fighting, corruption was still a problem. Officers and other government officials continue to put their own financial gain above the need to equip the troops with what they needed to survive and win. The difficulty here is that the militarys corruption is rooted in political corruption at the highest levels (Putin and his cronies) and inevitably drifted downward until even supply sergeants routinely steal back and sell gear issued to new troops when they are outside their barracks just before leaving for the front. Russia is descending into a Third World state known as a resource kleptocracy but run by a for-real gangster confederacy armed with nuclear and biological weapons from before it fell apart. All this enthusiasm for military reform was thought to have been taken care of in 2022, on the eve to the invasion of Ukraine. As before, it was discovered that previous reforms had not worked or even been attempted. Those who had followed the history of failed efforts to reform the Russian army since the 1990s were not surprised at what happened to Russian troops when they encountered their Ukrainian counterparts. Before the invasion, most Russians believed that the Ukrainian troops were no match for Russian soldiers. Russians also found it hard to believe that the Ukrainians, who were part of the Soviet Union until 1991 had managed, in less than a decade, to implement many fundamental reforms. Some of these reforms were far more ambitious than any Russia ever attempted. After a few months of fighting in Ukraine it was painfully obvious that Russian troops were no match for their Ukrainian adversaries. Before that, Russians believed that their dismal reform efforts had magically worked as nearly half their combat units assembled on the Ukrainian border. Reports from the Russian capital, which Ukrainian military leaders believed, indicated the decision had been made to invade despite obvious defects in the training, morale, and equipment of Russian units. The reality of the differences between Russian and Ukrainian forces was soon made clear as the advance was stopped short of its goals and suffered heavy casualties in the process. Copies of the attack plan, which were only distributed to a few senior commanders leading the attack, showed that the Russians believed they could quickly reach and take the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and replace the government with a pro-Russian one and declare the war over. At that point the rest of Ukraine was supposed to surrender and get used to being Russian once more. Many Russians, especially recent veterans or parents of sons approaching conscription age, knew the truth and were perplexed at the decision to invade when so many soldiers were poorly trained and suffering from low morale. Conscripts supposedly prohibited by law from service in a war zone were sent in anyway. Much of the Russian population continues to cope with the continuing use of conscription, something that has been unpopular since the end of World War II. The post-1991 government goal of having an all-volunteer force failed because it cost more than the government could afford and not enough young Russians were willing to voluntarily serve, even as better paid and treated contract soldiers. Even though over half of Russian military personnel are now volunteers serving on contracts, or career officers, the ability of the military to hold onto those contract soldiers is always weakened if there are a lot of casualties or too much chance of being sent to a combat zone. Volunteering to be a contract soldier used to be considered a smart move because the Russian economy had been increasingly weak over the last decade. After the fighting began in Ukraine, the contract soldiers suffered as much as the conscripts and junior officers did. The result of this was contract troops refusing to renew contracts. Most of the combat units sent into Ukraine were composed of contract troops who, once in combat, were killed in large numbers. When the survivors got back to Russia, either because of wounds or because many combat battalions returned because of heavy losses, there was a sudden shortage of contract soldiers. That was because many contract troops were near the end of two-to-three-year contracts and refused to renew. The army had signed up many soldiers for the new (since 2016) short term (six to twelve month) contracts for former soldiers, or conscripts willing to try it, and found that there were suddenly far fewer vets willing to sign these short contracts because, so few recent short-term contract soldiers had survived service in Ukraine. The government tried to solve this reluctant contract soldier problem by changing the contracts so that contract soldiers had to remain in the army for as long as the fighting continued. Realizing that it was a death sentence if they were sent back to Ukraine, many contract soldiers simply refused to go. There were so many men refusing to go that the government backed off from threats to prosecute the reluctant contrakti. Soldiers with time left on their contracts were a liability because they told anyone who would listen that the Ukraine Special Operation had been a disaster for Russian troops because of determined and well-armed Ukrainians regularly ambushing columns of Russian armored vehicles and quickly destroying most of them. While Russian troops were forbidden to take cell phones with them into Ukraine, the Ukrainians still had them to take photos and videos of the aftermath of these battles, and these were getting back to Russia where Russian veterans of the fighting confirmed they had seen the same grisly evidence of Russian losses or even survived one of these battles. Russia played down these losses, but the Ukrainian military maintained and published daily updates of Russian losses in terms of soldiers killed, wounded, or captured as well as equipment losses. After thirty days of fighting the Ukrainians were claiming that over a third of Russian troops sent into Ukraine had been killed, wounded, or captured with even larger quantities of vehicles and weapons lost. After six weeks the Russian military admitted that losses were heavier than previously acknowledged but would not give exact figures. In part that was because an accurate count was not possible until most of the combat units (BTGs, or Battalion Task Groups) had returned or confirmed as destroyed. Few BTGs were wiped out but many were reduced to half or a third of their original size (nominally about 800 troops and several hundred vehicles, but in reality, only about 60-65 percent of that). Communications, even for brigade commanders with several BTGs to deal with, were unreliable inside Ukraine because of defective radios. That meant senior commanders of armies, which controlled several brigades containing over a dozen BTGs and many support units, had major problems. They were always using outdated data on unit strength and capabilities. This was reported back to Russia and was declared a state secret. In fact, Russia is making a major effort to keep Ukrainian reports on the fighting from spreading on the Russian Internet. That has been difficult because the Ukrainian after-action reports are all Russians can get as their own government refuses to release much data on casualties. Moreover, the Ukrainian data appears accurate because it often includes pictures and identities of the dead Russian troops and details on the losses individual BTGs suffered. The Ukrainians had better access to where these battles took place and proved it with photos and videos showing destroyed vehicles, some of them identifiable as belonging to a particular Russian unit. Without a lot of contract soldiers Russia could not replace losses. Replacing lost tanks and other vehicles also proved to be more difficult than expected. On paper Russia had thousands of fully armed and equipped tanks and other armored vehicles in reserve for quickly replacing combat losses. Not surprisingly those reserve vehicles were often in bad shape, having been poorly maintained by conscripts and larcenous civilians who made a lot of money by taking key items from these vehicles and selling them on the black market. These missing items were usually not reported missing until troops received these vehicles, which were generally mobile enough to be driven onto a railroad flatcar for transportation to units needing them. Once received these reserve vehicles were found missing equipment and in need of extensive repairs to make them combat-ready. By 2023, much older tanks from the 1960s were being mobilized. This was nothing new and has been common since the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991 and the mighty Soviet Red Army lost 80 percent of its personnel strength but few of its ships, aircraft, vehicles, and heavy weapons. Most of these were put into reserve. This often led to many of these reserve tanks found abandoned throughout Russia. The military lost track of where many of these armored vehicles were. Journalists or rural Russians with access to the internet did stumble across these storage sites, some of them in forests and none of them guarded or maintained. Thats where most of 50,000 Cold War era tanks and light armored fighting vehicles ended up. New groups of these reserve vehicles are still being found in forests while known concentrations of these vehicles or aircraft have been picked clean of saleable parts. Conscription was in even worse shape, with the number of conscripts available declining each year. In April 2018 the Russian military only ended up with 128,000 conscripts during the semi-annual draft call. This was the lowest since 2006, a year when there were more young men available as well as more deferments and rampant draft dodging. In the years since 2018 the decline was reversed by issuing fewer deferments, punishing more draft dodgers, and enforcing laws against conscripts serving in combat zones. The one exception was if the fighting was in Russia, which was the excuse the government used as it claimed they were not invading Ukraine but reuniting Ukraine with Russia. The Ukrainians as well as Russian conscripts and their families disagreed with this interpretation of the invasion. Another reason for fewer conscripts is that there were fewer young men to conscript because of lower birth rates and more young men who were in poor physical shape, or addicted to drugs, or had a police record and considered more trouble than they are worth if conscripted. All this was expected but since the 1990s Russia has been seeking solutions and finding none that work well enough to keep the military up to strength. As early as 2012 a parliament-ordered investigation found that the army was short a third of the privates, lowest ranking enlisted troops, they were supposed to have. The Russian military, mainly the Army and Interior Ministry paramilitary units, are supposed to contain a million personnel. But officials admitted in 2011, off-the-record, that the real number was closer to 800,000 and slowly but relentlessly declining. A subsequent investigation confirmed this. In 2021 it was still no more than 800,000. Since 2012 the military has come up with a growing list of solutions for the problem, but all these efforts do is slow the decline of military manpower numbers, not reverse it. Current fixes involve calling up reservists, usually for a brief period to test the system. Instead of letting the reservists quickly return to civilian life, the army is keeping many of the reservists for six months or more. This was one reason for the short-term, less than 12 months, contract. Doing this too often made reservists refuse to appear when recalled. The economic recession since 2014, caused by low oil prices and sanctions, was supposed to encourage more Russians to volunteer but that did not happen and there was less money for increasing the pay for contract soldiers. Recruiting foreigners had minimal impact and so the Russian military keeps fading away. The military nominally has 220,000 officers, also on contracts, and many veteran contract personnel who serve as technical experts. These are sometimes senior enlisted personnel. All of these specialists are higher paid contract soldiers, some with a decade or more of service. who often become the long-absent Russian NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer, or sergeants), but there are not enough of these NCOs to make a difference. Conscripts still make up nearly half of the military and it is harder and harder to find enough people to conscript or willing to sign a contract. This means there are two classes of Russian military personnel. Most, about 70 percent, are much less capable, with most of them conscripts in for one year of service or new contract soldiers on two or three-year contracts. These are supervised by inexperienced junior officers, a few career NCOs, and a splattering of senior contract personnel. A third of the prewar military were more enthusiastic volunteers and conscripts. These staffed the elite special operations, airborne, security and specialist units. In other words, when the government claimed to have a million military personnel on duty, the reality was that there are only about 200,000 troops on active duty who were good at what they did and wanted to be in the military. There are less of those now. By 2012 the military reluctantly accepted the fact that they would not be able to obtain more than 270,000 conscripts a year needed to reach the official strength of a million personnel. In the last six years maintaining anything close to that number meant taking less willing and able men. Senior leaders now accept that they will never command a million-man force. Lowering their standards in order to make their annual quotas just fills the ranks with more troublesome people, who cause more of the good troops to get out. In the last few years, the military has quietly stopped accepting many volunteers or conscripts from Moslem areas, especially the Caucasus regions of Chechnya and Dagestan. The wisdom of this was made clear when Russian intelligence reported that the most effective Russian Moslems who joined and fought for Islamic terrorist groups were military veterans. In contrast, Russian Moslems who had not served in the military were less likely to become Islamic terrorists and if they did, they were used as suicide bombers or support staff, not as long-term fighters. Moreover, commanders continued to report that if more than a few percent of their troops were Moslem, morale problems in the entire unit would be worse. The basic recruiting problem is twofold. First, military service is very unpopular, and potential conscripts are increasingly successful at dodging the draft deliberately or otherwise. The corruption of conscription officials has reached staggering levels. But the biggest problem is that the number of 18-year-olds is rapidly declining each year. By 2009 all draftees were born after the Soviet Union dissolved. That was when the birth rate went south year after year. Not so much because the Soviet Union was gone but more because of the economic collapse (caused by decades of communist misrule) that precipitated the collapse of the communist government. The number of available draftees went from 1.5 million a year in the early 1990s to less than half that today. Less than half those potential conscripts are showing up and many have criminal records or tendencies that help sustain the abuse of new recruits that have made military service so unsavory. With conscripts now in for only a year, rather than two, the military is forced to take a lot of marginal sickly, overweight, bad attitude, drug user recruits in order to keep the military and Ministry of Interior units up to strength. This worked during the cold war because conscript service was three years for elite units. With one-year conscripts, elite airborne and commando units using some conscripts find that these eager conscripts take a year to master the skills needed to be useful and then they are discharged. Few choose to remain in uniform and become career soldiers. That's primarily because the Russian military is seen as a crippled institution and one not likely to get better any time soon. With so many of the troops now one-year conscripts, an increasing number of the best officers and NCOs get tired of coping with all the alcoholics, drug users, and petty criminals that are taken in just to make quotas. With the exodus of the best leaders and a growing proportion of ill-trained and unreliable conscripts, the Russian military is more of a mirage than an effective combat or even paramilitary organization. The military is unpopular for conscripts mainly because of the brutal treatment they receive. This has not been getting better and hazing incidents are still increasing each year. This is serious violence that often causes injuries or even deaths. There are a lot of reasons for not wanting to be in the Russian Army but the worst of them is the hazing. One year conscription was supposed to solve this but new conscripts are tormented by conscripts who have been in a few months longer. It was thought that this sort of thing would speed the demise of conscription in Russia once the Cold War ended in 1991. Didn't work out that way. The government found that, even among the contract soldiers, the old abuses lived on and that most of the best contract soldiers left when their contract was up. It was because of the brutality and lack of discipline in the barracks. The hazing is most frequently committed by troops who have been in six months or so against the new recruits. But this extends to a pattern of abuse and brutality by all senior enlisted troops against junior ones. It remains out of control. The abuse continues to exist in part because of the growing animosity against troops who are not ethnic Russians and especially against those who are Moslem. Because of higher birth rates among the Moslem populations, nearly 15 percent of eligible conscripts are Moslems and that is seen as more of a problem than a solution. This hazing originally developed after World War II when Russia deliberately avoided developing professional NCOs. They preferred to have officers take care of nearly all troop supervision. The Soviets failed to note that good NCOs were the key to effective troops. The Soviets felt that officers were more politically reliable, as they were more carefully selected and monitored. The NCOs that did exist were treated as slightly more reliable enlisted men but given little real authority. Since officers did not live with the men, slack discipline in the barracks gave rise to the vicious hazing and exploitation of junior conscripts by the senior ones. This led to very low morale, and a lot of suicides, theft, sabotage, and desertions. This hazing has been one of the basic causes of crimes in the Russian armed forces, accounting for 20 to 30 percent of all soldier crimes. It also produced a military suicide rate that is among the highest in the world and contributed to brutal behavior by soldiers towards civilians and prisoners of war. Poor working conditions in general also mean that Russian soldiers are nearly twice as likely to die from accidents, or suicide, then American soldiers. Long recognized as a problem, no solution to the hazing ever worked. Conscription itself, and the prospect of being exposed to hazing, produced a massive increase in draft dodging starting during the Soviet period. Bribes and document fraud were and are freely used. Few parents, or potential conscripts, consider this a crime. Avoiding the draft is seen as a form of self-preservation. The government has cracked down on parent-backed draft dodging with little effect. Thats because there is still so much corruption in Russia and evading conscription is seen by many as not really criminal, especially when the parents can afford to pay a bribe to keep their only son, and often an only child, out of the Russian military. The Russian lack of sergeants has been difficult to fix. Just promoting more troops to that rank, paying them more, and telling them to take charge, has not done the job. So going back to look at how Western armies do it, the Russians noted that those foreign armies provided a lot of professional training for new NCOs and more of it as the NCOs advanced in rank. But this is a long-term process and takes years before benefits will be felt. By 2022 there were more veteran NCOs available, and they probably made a difference. But the losses were so heavy in Ukraine that it may never be known how good Russian professional NCOs had become. All this is in sharp contrast to the old days. When the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, it had five million troops in its armed forces. Now it's less than 800,000 in just Russia, which had about half the population of the Soviet Union but most of the territory. Although the Russian armed forces lost over 80 percent of its strength by the end of the 1990s, a disproportionate number of officers remained. This problem was solved after encountering much resistance from officers in general and, after a series of reforms, the number of officers was reduced by over 50 percent. The Russian military has an image problem that just won't go away easily. This resulted in the period of service for conscripts being lowered from two to one year in 2008. That was partly to placate the growing number of parents who were encouraging, and assisting, their kids in avoiding military service. All this comes after more than a decade of reforms in the armed forces, particularly the army. Poor discipline, low morale, and incompetent performance are all legacies of the Soviet era (1921-1991). Russian commanders, envious of the success of all-volunteer Western forces, have long studied their former foes and decided to adopt a lot of Western military customs. For example, one of those reforms decreed that Russian troops would not be confined to their barracks most of the time. In the Soviet era, the conscripted troops were treated like convicts and their barracks were more like a prison than the college dormitory atmosphere found in troop housing for Western military personnel. Russian conscripts are now free to leave the base on weekends and work only a five-day week. All barracks have hot water showers, another recent achievement, and troop accommodations are the best they have ever been. Things like this help a bit but not enough. Russia tried to change public attitudes towards the armed forces by publicizing all the new changes and programs. But word got around that most of these efforts failed. Blame that on the Internet. Polls consistently show that most military age men do not want to serve in the military and the main reason is the hazing and prison-like conditions in the barracks. As a result of all these factors, prospects of a revival of the traditional large Russian armed forces continues to fade. The defeats in Ukraine have not helped. Several thousand of the many Russians captured by or surrendering to Ukrainian forces are learning more about how Western armies operate and being released in prisoner exchanges. This sends back soldiers who know how Western forces operate and wonder why Russia has not learned from this and made changes. The heavy losses in Ukraine and declining morale mean that Russia has less than 500,000 troops in Ukraine while Ukrainian forces are about the same size. Both sides have problems obtaining new recruits. In Ukraine the main problem is the labor shortage needed to keep the economy going. Russia has a similar problem and encourages military age men to remain in critical jobs by forbidding the military to take these men for military service. Russia is still on the offensive and needs more men for attacks and the subsequent high casualties. Russian troops are increasingly reluctant, often violently, to carrying out such attacks. Threats of prosecution and imprisonment have no impact. There is also a problem with more Russian men leaving the country to avoid military service. Many of these dont plan to return because the Russian economy is a mess and the government cant seem to fix the economy or anything else. There is a labor shortage in Europe and that makes it easier to accept these Russian military age male refugees. Indias apex drug regulator has warned consumers about spurious copies of five potentially lifesaving medicines being sold in the market, as well as 50 other drugs that it said were not of standard quality. In its latest report for April, which Mint has seen, the regulator said authorities had found fake drugs from different locations in Delhi and Jharkhand. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization heightened inspections in the domestic pharmaceutical market after India-made cough syrups were linked to the deaths of children in Uzbekistan and Gambia. Following recent inspections, drug authorities found 12 outlets in New Delhi involved in the distribution of spurious drugs, including one at Bhagirath Place, a wholesale market distributing medicines across India. Increased risk of morbidity CDSCO, in its alert for April, reported finding spurious versions of these five drugs in the market: Anti-HIV medication Dolutegravir tablets IP 50 mg Telmisartan 40mg and Amlodipine 5mg tablets IP used for the management of high blood pressure Domperidone and Naproxen Sodium tablets, used to manage migraines and pain Rifaximin tablets, used for treating diarrhoea and liver disease Cefixime Trihydrate with Lactic Acid Bacillus tablets LP, used to treat bacterial infections The health ministry did not reply to emailed queries. Not of standard quality and spurious drugs can cause treatment failure and adverse reactions, increase the risk of morbidity and mortality, and lead to drug resistance, said a state drug controller, requesting anonymity. Poor-quality medicines also increase healthcare costs to patients and the health system, wasting resources that could otherwise be used to benefit public health. A central database Drugs Controller General of India, Rajeev Raghuvanshi, on 9 February directed state drug licensing authorities to routinely analyse drug samples and keep a strong vigil on medicines available in the market. Following inspections, state drug authorities verify samples with the manufacturer to confirm the authenticity of the medicines. Information from the state authorities are logged in a centralised monthly database of spurious and medicines deemed not of standard quality. Prior to this, there was no centralised database of sale outlets where NSQ/spurious products were reported. Such identified outlets are to be kept for regular vigilance said the state drug controller quoted earlier. Whenever a drug inspector collects the samples, he checks the quality and efficacy of drugs and cosmetics available in the market with their approved specifications, the official said. This process involves monitoring the quality of the (active pharmaceutical ingredients), excipients, and finished products of drugs, cosmetic and medical devices in all parts of the distribution chain throughout the authorised shelflife. NEW DELHI : Three high-profile ministries that oversee different aspects of social media advertising are joining hands to create a taskforce that can comprehensively crackdown on misleading ads and fraudulent schemes promoted on digital platforms. An inter-ministerial taskforce to monitor and regulate social media ads is being established by the ministries of information and broadcasting, electronics and information technology, and consumer affairs, according to two people aware of the development. The taskforce will create a comprehensive regulatory framework to monitor and regulate social media ads, oversee compliance, and take action against violators, they said. Currently, the ministry of information and broadcasting (I&B) deals with advertisement content, while the ministry of consumer affairs oversees misleading content and surrogate advertisements, and the ministry of information technology (Meity) governs social media intermediaries or platforms. By themselves, each of the three ministries is unable to take up all the social media advertising-related issues," said one of the persons mentioned above. For instance, if the I&B ministry issued an advisory against offshore betting and gambling companies, it is Meity that would block them on OTT platforms and not I&B directly. However, even Meity can only do so upon receiving directives from the other ministry," this person said. The ministry of consumer affairs also issues advisories, but there are no regulations on what is to be done with misleading content, so there is no final outcome on issues despite there being violations." The taskforce is likely to be established by June, said the two people familiar with the governments plan, both of them declining to be identified. Spokespersons for the ministries of I&B, consumer affairs, and Meity did not reply to queries on the proposed taskforce. First order of business At present, there is no clear way to address complex issues such as ads that fall into the category of dark patternssurrogate ads that promote a different product, social media short videos or reels that are actually ads in disguise, ads that bait a consumer only to switch whats actually being promoted. The first order of business for the taskforce will be for the three ministries to get together to decide what makes for misleading or fraudulent advertising, as well as identify companies peddling fake or misleading ads. The taskforce could also frame laws to govern social media ads. Also read | Liquor ads passed off as music CDs? Not for much longer There is a layered nature of social media and digital mediums, so the idea is for all three ministries to have a comprehensive response to the issue," said the official quoted earlier. Digital ads are spread across the spectrum and include both individual influencers as well as those done by social media agencies." In terms of laws, currently, social media ads are governed under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Consumer Protection Act of 2019, along with the Advertising Standards Council of India, the industry watchdog. The Patanjali fallout Last month, the Supreme Court, hearing a complaint against false and exaggerated medical claims by yoga guru Ramdevs Patanjali Ayurved, came down hard on the company as well as on other consumer goods companies for peddling misleading ads. The court made it compulsory for all companies to submit a self-declaration for all advertisements on all media. Advertisers must upload these on the Broadcast Sewa Portal operated by the ministry of information and broadcasting. For advertisements in print or on the internet, the ministry has to create a dedicated portal. Companies would have to provide evidence of uploading the self-declaration to the relevant broadcaster, printer, publisher, TV channel, or electronic media platform before their ads can be made public. The directives are legally binding under Article 141 of the Constitution and failure to comply would lead to legal consequences. Also read | Patanjalis credibility crisis: A knock-on effect on the booming Ayush market? The Advertising Standards Council of India, while it's still awaiting the I&B ministrys operational order on this issue, believes implementing the courts order could be challenging given the scale and scope of ads, particularly on digital media. The requirement laid down by the Supreme Court of self-declarations for all advertisements on all media would indeed be a challenging one to implement given the scale and scope of advertisements, particularly on digital," said Manisha Kapoor, chief executive and secretary general, ASCI. Advertisers will need to incorporate this as part of their media release timelines. For local and hyper-local channels and press, as well as smaller platforms, the entire information mechanism will need to be incorporated as part of the technology offering," Kapoor added. It will also be important to determine what will happen in the case of violations if they should occur despite self-declarations. We will await details from (the I&B ministry) on operationalizing this order." Also read | Celebrities to front consumer rights campaign on WhatsApp Manish K. Shubhay, Supreme Court advocate and partner, The Precept Law Offices, said checking misleading advertisements on social media was not only the governments statutory obligation but also essential to protect consumers from financial loss and health risks associated with false claims. Moreover, it aligns with legal and ethical standards, ensuring integrity in commerce," Shubhay said. The proposed taskforce and the resultant regulations for misleading ads may empower the consumers with reliable information, safeguarding their interests and promoting a transparent and fair marketplace." SpaceX has become one of the investing worlds most exclusive clubs. Invites circulate via group chats, word of mouth and emails marked confidential. Investment vehicles providing access to Elon Musks closely held rocket and satellite company have generated hefty demand, and fees for those arranging them. For years, the companys value has only gone in one directionup. Hawthorne, Calif.-based SpaceXwhich flirted with bankruptcy not long after Musk founded the company more than two decades agonow dominates the launch business. And it has built its satellite-internet division, Starlink, into an industry and geopolitical force. Current and former employees, venture capitalists and creators of SpaceX investing vehicles have all benefited from the intense investor appetite for the company. Gaining access to SpaceX shares can mean sizable costs. SpaceX also carefully tracks its investor base, and not everyone gets in. As a private company, SpaceX isnt required to report financial results. The Wall Street Journal reported last year that the company in 2022 doubled its revenue compared with the previous years total as Starlink gained customers, and global attention, for its role in Ukraine. Many investors are betting that growth will continue for years to come. You can argue about where its trading in terms of valuation, whether thats the right place to buy. But theres a whole lot of believers in this stock," said Glen Anderson, chief executive of Rainmaker Securities, which operates a marketplace where investors can trade investment interests in private companies such as SpaceX. Investor demand has been a factor in SpaceXs steadily climbing valuation over the past decade, providing executives and other staff the chance to cash out company stock at ever-higher prices. That is a benefit akin to programs used by publicly traded companies to attract talent. It has also enabled SpaceXs longer-term investors to mark up the value of their stakes, bolstering their portfolios performance. SpaceX has raised $9 billion in primary funding over time, and investors who have participated directly in the companys traditional funding rounds include blue-chip firms such as Fidelity and Alphabets Google. SpaceX hasnt raised money for itself in a couple of years, a sign of its improving financial performance and strong cash position. For many other investors, fresh batches of shares now often come from former and current SpaceX employees, who have the opportunity to sell during so-called liquidity events the company sets up. Securing access isnt easy: Opportunities can bubble up informally, through phone calls or via online lists that dont circulate widely, people familiar with the deals say. Shares of SpaceX were valued at $97 each during the most recent employee stock sale, implying a $180 billion valuation for the company, according to people familiar with the matter. That was up from a $12 billion valuation in 2015. Some of the strongest demand comes from wealthier people who meet financial requirements to purchase slices of special investment companies set up to hold SpaceX stock. Investors can also purchase interests in vehicles that own shares in those special investment companiesa nesting-doll effect. Musk, SpaceXs chief executive, has grappled with challenges involved in operating Tesla, the one public company he leads. At the electric-car maker, he has battled securities regulators and faced government probes. In January, Musk lost a shareholder lawsuit over his pay package. Last year, he recommended that companies go public only if they absolutely need to. Musk is both a draw and a risk for investors at SpaceX, according to investors and documents viewed by the Journal.A recent investment offering for SpaceX listed Musk as a factor they should account for. Mr. Musk has become an increasingly public personality and makes public statements regularly, with many of those statements causing controversy," a document viewed by the Journal shows.Musk and a SpaceX spokesman didnt respond to requests for comment. I think investors in SpaceX know exactly what they are doing. And they are lucky to be investors in SpaceX," said Tim Draper, a longtime venture investor and an early backer of SpaceX. Hank Medina, an investor behind Litquidity who has been dubbed the meme lord" of Wall Street, said in an interview that the syndicate sold about $2 million worth of exposure to SpaceX, or double its original allocation. The minimum check size to get in: $50,000. In December, Litquidity Syndicate, an investment group that usually focuses on early-stage companies, emailed a list of investors, saying they had the chance to get access to SpaceX by purchasing interests in a special investment vehicle. That vehicle would be exposed to SpaceX shares through another investment vehicle, according to the email, a copy of which was viewed by the Journal. Investors who bought access would pay a 4% management fee for the first year, split between two other firms involved in the deal. Litquidity itself would get 5% of potential future profits, with another partner taking 20%, according to the email. Medina said the fees partly reflected pent-up demand for SpaceX and investor conviction in the company. I wouldnt have done this if I didnt think there wasnt more room to run," Medina said. Demand for SpaceX-linked investments is part of how the rocket launcher ensures there are buyers for current and former employees looking to sell holdings. Still, SpaceX has worked to keep a tight grip on who ultimately owns its stock. A Hong Kong subsidiary of Leo Group, a China-based company with businesses such as pump manufacturing and digital marketing, in 2021 said it contributed $50 million into a vehicle that would invest in SpaceX, according to securities and legal filings. Shortly after Leo disclosed the investment in a securities filing in China, the investment vehicles managers moved to cancel the deal, according to a lawsuit the subsidiary filed in the U.S. They sought to disqualify Leos subsidiary because SpaceXs chief financial officer was unhappy with media coverage of Leo Groups disclosure of its investment in SpaceX," the lawsuit alleged. The suit is pending in Delaware state court. Aaron Marks, a lawyer at Kirkland & Ellis representing the defendants, who have contended in court their actions were appropriate, declined to comment. Leo Group couldnt be reached. Andrew Stern, a lawyer at Sidley Austin representing the Leo subsidiary, declined to comment. SpaceX documents viewed by the Journal unrelated to the case say employees cant transfer shares to other holders without company and board approval. Transfers to potential competitors, non-U.S. holders or entities the company considers unfriendly are unlikely to ever be permitted, according to the documents, which relate to a stock-purchase program. SpaceX also says in the documents that it doesnt plan to approve transfers of employee stock arranged through any public posting, message board, trading portal, internet site or similar manner." The company has another reason for keeping close tabs on its shareholder base: U.S. securities law. Private companies are typically required to make periodic disclosures of their financial performance once they hit certain milestones, such as having more than $10 million in assets and 2,000 official owners. Those thresholds generally exclude so-called beneficial holders, or those who have an indirect interest in the companys shares. The regulatory limits are the reason SpaceX cannot offer stock to anyone who wants to buy it, Musk said on X last year. SpaceX executives have spoken publicly about potentially spinning off Starlink as a public company, but they have also voiced confidence in their ability to continue cashing out staffers seeking money for their shares. I think the reason to take any company public is to give employees liquidity," SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell told reporters at a conference in early 2023. But at SpaceX, We have been able to give employees liquidity." Emily Glazer contributed to this article. Write to Micah Maidenberg at micah.maidenberg@wsj.com Four years ago, in under 100 words, Ranjan Adiga wrote a touching, word-perfect vignette of his life during the pandemic. Titled Single Dad Lockdown and published in the Tiny Love Stories section of the New York Times, the snippet was a masterclass in how muchrhythm, tension, emotion and catharsiscould be packed into barely a paragraph. Now, in his debut collection Leech & Other Stories, Adiga builds on his remarkable skill. In each tightly controlled story, Adiga, a Nepali academic in the US, looks at the experience of people from Nepalthose living in the country, those considering leaving, and those who have already left. The collection brings a relatively fresh gaze to diaspora literature in the way stories set in domestic spaceslike Dry Blood or the titular Leechlook at cross-class relationships, and those set in professional spaces deal with identity. In High Heels, Adiga shows how fragile fledgeling relationships can be when those involvedin this case Binod the bully and his sincere colleague Saritaare unsure of their place within larger social structures. Through the storys setting in a workplace in Nepal, he exposes how Nepali (and any South Asian) society manages a womans complaints about safety in the workplace, without dealing with the aggressor directly. Also read: Theatre has always been a genre of resistance, says M.K. Raina In contrast, in The Diversity Committee, Rakesh, a Nepali professor working at a university in the US is pulled up by the dean despite apologising for making a student uncomfortable with a hug. The interaction, however, takes a turn: the deans seemingly sympathetic understanding of cultural difference is weaponised against Rakesh when the former asks whether it might be cultural that his body language and cues are misunderstood. What shines in these stories is Adigas lucid articulation of unfiltered, contradictory emotions. The conflicts may seem simple at first, but his careful prosewarmed by a deep understanding of everyday motivations, insecurities and joyselevates them. For instance, in A Short Visit, the father of Nirmal, a Denver-based divorced Nepali man, flies in from Nepal, concerned about his sons evident loneliness. Adiga affords Nirmal a deep and vast interiority that unfolds into an exploration of the father-son dynamic with its mix of camaraderie, concern and an inability to freely communicate. Each of the 10 stories contain the complexity of whole novels. While dwelling on aspiration, change and intimacy of various kinds, they reveal, upon any number of readings, new layers and angularities. As a debut collection, Leech & Other Stories is a strong showcase of skill by an author who has deftly mined the delicacy of the short story, using it as it was meant to bea site of endless possibility. The financial independence of women is described by the term fiscal feminism and it is becoming popular in India. This term represents womens freedom in terms of money, especially those who are mothers since they are defying traditional barriers and redefining their roles within the financial sector. The emergence of fiscal feminism India has experienced a significant growth of female investors over the last few years. In spite of being socialised as caregivers and primary household workers, women have stepped out from their homes to earn income for their families thus contributing towards socio-economic development at a large national level. The numbers speak According to BlackRock, an investment management company, average female investors keep 68% of their portfolio in cash and cash equivalents, like savings bank account deposits, and fixed deposits. However, men keep 59% of their portfolios in cash and the share of women in stock investment is just 20%. But these figures have changed during the pandemic. The period of isolation allowed many women to spend time on searching for additional sources of income. A lot of them started investing in stocks and mutual funds, growing their money exponentially by picking good quality investments, and started building their investments and an investment income. Recent examples of fiscal feminism The fiscal feminist movement in India has seen some notable examples. One such instance is a mother's experience with healthcare expenses for her child. She recounts, "My son, who is 23 months old, got very sick a couple of days ago, and we had to admit him to the hospital for severe viral gastroenteritis and dehydration. I was not prepared for this. On the day of admission, I could not look at the financial aspects. I just left that to be taken care of by my husband." She continues, "Since he recently changed his job, he did not have medical insurance to cover the baby. But I, on the other hand, have 2 insurances. One that my office provides and one I took separately. The next day my husband had to go to work. I obviously had to take leave." "Once I had some help to take care of my child in the room from my caretaker, I went to the IP billing to check on the procedure. They told me that for cashless, the patient should be admitted for 24 hours. Even though the doctor was ready to give the discharge before that. Somewhere I knew that my policy had a clause which said hospitalisation for 2 hours is also eligible for cashless. I made multiple calls to insurance providers. They were very helpful and confirmed that in my policy there is no need to admit for 24 hours." She firmly spoke with the hospital staff and ensured that everything was done quickly. Despite attempts to mislead, she managed to get her son discharged without having to pay a single penny extra. Everything got covered as per her policy. She concludes, "Why I am posting this message here is because when I joined Women On Wealths Money Gym program last year, in one of the videos Priyanka had stressed on adding the child's name immediately after birth. That prompted me to revisit my existing policy and change it from one insurance policy to another. This community is very empowering. It's not just about taking investment decisions but also gives you confidence in taking prompt decisions during such situations. A woman can do anything that she wants. We don't have to depend on any male counterpart. My husband had the luxury to say that he can't take leave and went to the office. But as a mother, I didn't have that. I had to play dual roles in the hospital and I DID IT with grace and confidence." Importance of women's financial education and empowerment The narrative underscores the need for financial education and empowerment among women. Equipped with information and instruments which allow them to deliberate about their finances sensibly, women are capable of tackling unforeseen difficulties bravely. When societies invest in programs that promote knowledge on financial matters or trust building among females towards ownership and management of assets as well as control over savings then these same communities will have unlocked their potential fully as agents for stability in economic growth so states this story. The road ahead The current situation had potential for improvement even though it was hopeful. The gender budget is 4.9% of the total amount spent, which is 2,23,219.75 crore for 2023-24. This is a slight increase from last years 4.3%, showing that we are moving in the right direction but there needs to be more done in terms of fiscal policies to ensure gender equality. In summary, in India, feminist economics means more than women working towards their own financial liberation, it also involves changing social expectations and making sure everyone has equal access to economic resources. When mothers and other women take control over what happens to money in their lives later on down the line they arent just securing themselves financially they are also creating opportunities for future generations. Arunava Guin is a true-blue Mumbaikar. At 40, he has his sights set on FIREfinancial independence, retire earlyand is nearing the halfway mark of his target of 15 crore, which he expects to achieve within the next five years. Guin began his career in software sales, but now works in a strategy role at a large telecom firm, which he transitioned to after earning an executive MBA at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. He discovered the FIRE movement on social media in 2018, but his interest deepened during the covid pandemic in 2020. The idea of being financially independent and retiring early to do what I truly love was very appealing," says Guin. According to him, FIRE isnt about quitting work but gaining the freedom to pursue passions. For me, FIRE doesnt mean just kicking back and relaxing in a shack on a beach. I might explore entrepreneurship or teaching, which Im passionate about. I would like to think how I can give back to society," he says. As a child, I have witnessed financial uncertainty. Perhaps thats also a reason to seek FIRE," Guin adds. To accelerate his FIRE journey, Guin restructured his investment portfolio over the years. Here is a look at it. View Full Image Planning for the future. Minimizing mutual funds Guin was first exposed to the stock markets in the late 2000s, when he began buying direct stocks. However, the experience wasnt a good one, and he recalls holding some prominent stocks that, after the 2008 crisis, either became penny stocks or were delisted. I have burnt my fingers in the stock markets. I had bought these stocks based on tips from colleagues or friends," he says. Later, a work colleague introduced Guin to mutual funds, which became the core of his portfolio. Over time, his mutual fund portfolio grew very large and needed to be streamlined, which he began doing about three years ago. At one point, the portfolio spanned over 60 schemes, which he attributes to the numerous new fund offers launched in 2009 when he first started investing, He has now brought this down to a more manageable 20-25 schemes. Back then, many PSU (public sector unit) funds, thematic funds and large-cap funds were being launched, and as a newbie, I ended up buying several," he recalls. Guins strategy is straightforward: On strong market days, he sells some of his investments, and on weaker days, he reallocates them into his preferred funds. These are funds he already own, thus consolidating his portfolio. And he has found valuable guidance online. I used Value Research and noticed significant overlaps in my funds, like HDFC and Reliance Industries stocks appearing multiple times. That was eye-opening," he says. Despite his efforts, Guins portfolio will remain at around 15-20 schemes due to tax implications. Trimming or exiting funds triggers taxes, so reducing further isnt tax efficient. Ideally, experts say you need just 5-6 schemes, but for now 15-20 is where Ill stay," he says. Asset mix Guins portfolio consists of 75% exposure to equities, largely through mutual funds, and 25% to debt. The debt exposure includes some mutual funds, but largely Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Public Provident Fund (PPF). While he still invests 10-15% of his monthly savings in direct stocks, mutual funds form the core of his portfolio. Over the years, Guin has consistently built his mutual fund portfolio through systematic investment plans (SIPs), allowing him to invest a fixed amount every month. And as his income has grown, he has increased his monthly SIP allocation. Guin dismisses real estate as a viable investment for his portfolio size. Real estate makes sense for portfolios of 50-100 crore, but not for those under 10 crore," he says. He also avoids gold and bank fixed deposits. Guin has been diligently investing in PPF for several years. In recent years, he has been investing up to the 1.5 lakh annual limit. Additionally, his current employer contributes 10% of his basic salary to the National Pension Scheme (NPS). My previous organizations didnt offer this, but my current one does," he notes. Separately, Guin has been contributing 50,000 annually to the NPS, fetching him an additional tax benefit. Relocating Until recently, Guin had lived his entire life in Mumbai (barring the time spent in Ahmedabad pursuing an MBA). But in 2021, he decided to shift out of Indias financial capital as he wanted a larger home and open spaces for his family, especially spaces where his baby boy could explore and grow. Guin found a gated community in Thane, featuring wider roads, spacious walking areas and other amenities. Interestingly, the shift to Thane is not costing Guin anything. When he moved there, he rented out his suburban Mumbai home. The two rents are essentially the same, so they cancel each other out. My rental cost is nil, and Im much happier with the infrastructure and quality of life here," he says. Guin was very clear that he didnt want to buy another house, as the numbers didnt add up for him. At the time, he was working from home. But now that hes back to working from the office, he manages the long commute to Mumbais Bandra Kurla Complex by avoiding peak traffic hours. Other goals Guin has also factored the education costs of his son into his FIRE target but acknowledges the need for flexibility. Education is a very dynamic scenario," he says. My elder sister, an engineer, graduated in 1999, and her entire education cost 16,000. I paid 14,000-15,000 annually for my engineering seat in Mumbai. Today, an engineering education costs lakhs in India, and even higher abroad." While 12-15 crore (his FIRE target) should also cover his education expenses, we have to be open to the idea that it may change drastically. We may end up spending much more or much less," Guin says, noting that his son is just three years old now. We really dont know how the future is going to pan out." Spending habits Guin and his wife spend 15-20% of their joint income every month on household expenses. He says his wife is also on the FIRE journey with him, and the targeted FIRE corpus is estimated to take care of both their expenses. As mentioned, the familys rental costs are zero, since the rent from his leased-out property accounts for the rent of his current house. He says their household expenses are low, and they dont curb their expenses as such. We both love travelling, so our major expenses go towards that," he says. They usually take one international trip a year. We hope to add one or two more trips within India," he adds. Their philosophy is to make the most of their international travels while they are working and have good jobs. When we retire, well focus more on exploring India," Guin says. As they age, Guin says travelling will get challenging. Its harder to travel as you get older. A typical European city might require 20,000-25,000 steps a day. You might not be able to do that once youre over 50," he notes. Youll need cars everywhere, and India is better for that." Insurance Guin maintains his own term insurance, aside from the coverage provided through his employer, amounting to a total of 2.5 crore. Since my child was born, I have been considering topping up my term insurance. I may do so this year," he says. Reflecting on insurance strategy, he states, Insurance should only cover the period you plan to be earning. I plan to work until around 45 or 50. Possibly, I may stop paying for the insurance cover beyond that." Currently, Guin pays a higher premium of 8,000-10,000 for his term cover. I took it long back, so my premiums are a bit higher," he says. Guins family has health insurance cover of around 1 crore. Company-provided insurance covers both him and his spouse. Additionally, he has insured his mother through his company, as he says that outside of corporate plans, the health cover products for senior citizens are not that good. There are plans, but with all the disclaimers and terms, theyre not great. So, I cover my mother through my corporate insurance," he explains. For my wife and child, Ive added a family floater cover with a top-up. Were insured up to 50 lakh with the base and top-up." Guin adds, Both me and my wife get separate health covers from our offices. Put together, with base and top-up, these covers are 50 lakh or thereabouts. So, all put together, we have about a crore in health insurance coverage." (Bloomberg) -- Police removed protesters who were attempting to occupy buildings at the University of Pennsylvania and University of Chicago Friday night, as tensions over the Israel-Hamas war once again flared up across college campuses. A group of protesters tried to enter the Fisher-Bennett Hall on Penns campus, the university said in a statement. Nineteen people, including six Penn students, were taken into custody, and seven are facing felony charges. Police recovered lock-picking tools and homemade metal shields fashioned from oil drums, as well as objects used to barricade and block entrances. Penn remains focused on maintaining the safety and security of our campus, a university spokesperson said. At the University of Chicago, protesters briefly took over a building on campus Friday. UCPD officers were able to enter the building and the protesters inside the building exited, university spokesperson Gerald McSwiggan said in a statement. The incidents Friday come as both Penn and Chicago hold several events on campus for Alumni Weekend, with Penns commencement scheduled to take place on Monday. Police had previously cleared encampments on both campuses earlier this month. Universities across the country have been grappling with weeks of protests as some students demanded college endowments divest from entities relating to Israel due to its continued military operation on Gaza. Ahead of the summer break, some colleges have called in police to remove demonstrators, while other institutions reached deals to consider the students pleas. Read More: How Israel-Hamas Protests Engulfed Elite US Colleges: QuickTake --With assistance from Isis Almeida and Janet Lorin. (Updates with more details from Penn starting in second paragraph) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Elon Musk's electric carmaker Tesla is 'silent' and yet to communicate its India plans to the Centre under the new EV policy, an official told news agency PTI on Friday. The tech billionaire was scheduled to visit India on April 21-22 but postponed his visit at the last minute, citing "very heavy Tesla obligations." Musk, the CEO of the US carmaker, was also slated to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit. "They (Tesla) are just silent. The (EV) policy was always meant for everybody," the official told PTI when asked about the carmaker's communication of its plans to the government. The companies announce the commercial decisions, the official added. An e-mail query PTI sent to Tesla was not answered. Earlier in April, Musk had confirmed his visit to India in a post on X (formerly Twitter) saying, "Looking forward to meeting with Prime Minister @NarendraModi in India". Musk had met PM Modi in June last year and had said that he planned to visit India in 2024. He was confident that Tesla would enter the Indian market soon. Musk was expected to announce plans for Tesla to establish a manufacturing unit in India, along with investments potentially amounting to billions of dollars. Additionally, he was expected to outline the strategy for selling Tesla electric cars in India as soon as possible. The billionaire has previously called for an import duty reduction in India so that Tesla cars could be sold in the country. His planned visit to India came after the government announced a new electric vehicle policy. The policy, which aims to attract global players like Tesla by offering import duty concessions to companies setting up manufacturing units in the country with a minimum investment of $500 million, is intended to encourage such investments. The new EV policy would allow companies setting up manufacturing facilities for EV passenger cars to import a limited number of cars at lower customs/import duty of 15 per cent on vehicles costing $35,000 and above for five years from the date of issuance of the approval letter by the government. One of the helicopters in a group carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi made a rough landing, and rescue teams are on the way to the site of the incident, reports Reuters, citing Iran's interior minister. Raisi was travelling in Irans East Azerbaijan province. According to the state's TV, the incident happened near Jolfa, a city on the border with Azerbaijan, a nation 600 kilometers (375 miles) northwest of the Iranian capital, Tehran. State TV said the rescuers' operations were hampered by the area's poor weather. Heavy rain and some wind have been reported. Also read: US concerned about India-Iran Chabahar port deal: Force of terrorism not only in Middle East but other places Early Sunday, Raisi was in Azerbaijan to inaugurate a dam with Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev. The dam is the third one the two nations built on the Aras River. Iran operates various helicopters but faces challenges due to international sanctions, which hinder parts procurement. Its military air fleet mostly predates the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Also read: Did US take U-turn on exemptions related to India-Iran Chabahar port deal? Can sanctions be imposed? All you should know Raisi, 63, is a hard-liner who previously headed the countrys judiciary. He is seen as a protege of Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and some analysts have suggested that he could succeed the 85-year-old leader after his departure or resignation from the role. Raisi won Iran's 2021 presidential election, a vote that saw the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republics history. Raisi is sanctioned by the US in part over his involvement in the mass execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988 at the end of the bloody Iran-Iraq war. Also read: Iran's lawmaker makes big revelation: We have obtained nuclear weapons, but Details here Under Raisi, Iran now enriches uranium at nearly weapons-grade levels and hampers international inspections. Iran has armed Russia in its war on Ukraine, as well as launched a massive drone and missile attack on Israel amid its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It also has continued arming proxy groups in the Mideast, like Yemen's Houthi rebels and Lebanon's Hezbollah. A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was killed, and a tourist couple from Jaipur was injured in two separate terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian and Anantnag on Saturday. The terrorist attacks in J&K were nearly two days ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in Baramulla. Terrorists began firing at an open tourist camp near Pahalgam, injuring couple Farha and Tabrez on Saturday. Meanwhile, former BJP Sarpanch Aijaz Sheikh was shot dead by terrorists in Shopian's Hirpora last night. Jammu and Kashmir terror attack: Top 10 updates -Farha and her husband Tabrez from Rajasthan were injured when terrorists attacked an open tourist camp at Yannar in Anantnag. The two were evacuated to a hospital, and the Kashmir Zone Police updated on X. -"Terrorists fired upon and injured a woman, Farha, a resident of Jaipur (in Rajasthan) and her spouse Tabrez at Yannar in Anantnag. The injured couple was evacuated to a hospital for treatment. The area has been cordoned off. Further details shall follow," the Kashmir Zone Police posted on X. -Within half an hour of the attack on tourists, former sarpanch, Aijaz Sheikh, was shot dead in Shopian's Hirpora around 10:30 pm, reported PTI citing officials. -The BJP leader was severely injured and was brought to hospital after the attack. However, he succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. -The security officials have begun their search operation, and the area was cordoned off after the attack. Notably, the attacks in Anantnag and Rajouri have come amid campaigning for the parliamentary polls. -Several political leaders from the BJP, National Conference, and PDP have condemned the attacks. Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed concern over the timing of these attacks as the south election was delayed without any reason. -"Terrorism still exists here...no matter which party member he (BJP leader and ex-Sarpanch Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh) belonged to, targeting somebody, this needs to be investigated whether he was killed by terrorists or people here...before pointing fingers at somebody, it needs to be investigated fast...tourists were also attacked in Pahalgam...this is a tragedy, it is affecting our tourism industry," JKNC Chief Farooq Abdullah told ANI. -While we condemn the attack in Pahalgam today that resulted in injuries to two tourists followed by another attack on a (former) sarpanch in Hirpora, Shopian - the timing of these attacks given that the south election was delayed without any reason is a cause of concern. Especially keeping in mind normalcy claims touted by GOI (Government of India), wrote the PDP president on X. Mehbooba Mufti is contesting general elections from the Anantnag-Rajouri seat. - National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and vice president Omar Abdullah has also criticised the terrorist attacks in the region amid general elections. "They have said that such acts of brutality remain a serious impediment to achieving long-term peace in J-K. They urged all communities to unite in these challenging times and support efforts towards lasting harmony. Their thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families during this difficult period," a statement from the party said. -"We strongly condemn the killing of ex-sarpanch Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh in Hirpora, Shopian, South Kashmir, by terrorists today," the BJP said in a statement. May 19, 2024: Ukraine is dependent on military aid from NATO nations to deal with Russian forces inside Ukraine. This includes anti-missile systems like Patriot to block continuing Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure in an effort to demoralize Ukrainian civilians and cause them to accept an end of the war on Russian terms. Before the invasion there were 43 million people in Ukraine. By 2024 that had declined to 37.7 million. In addition to those who had fled Ukraine, over 30 percent of the population has been displaced inside Ukraine by the fighting. Meanwhile Ukraine builds its own UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and USVs (Unmanned Surface Vessels) to carry out attacks on economic targets inside Russia and force the Russian Black Fleet to flee from the western Black sea to safer ports over a thousand kilometers away in the Sea of Azov. The novel USVs, all designed and built in Ukraine, destroyed, or damaged over a third of the Black Sea Fleet. That compelled the Russians to move their remaining ships as far away from Ukrainian USVs as possible. USVs and ballistic missiles supplied by NATO nations, are also being used to block or destroy the 19 kilometer-long Kerch Strait bridge between the Russian mainland and Crimea. The bridge cost Russia over four billion dollars and was operational before the Ukraine War. Currently the bridge is out of service because of continuous Ukrainian attacks. The Russians keep making repairs on the bridge to get 1-2 lanes open. The bridge consists of two two-lane roadway portions for trucks and other vehicle traffic plus a two-track railroad line. The railroad line can only handle limited train traffic because of extensive damage that has been difficult to repair because of continuous Ukrainian attacks. Recently Ukraine has concentrated on using more of its locally produced UAVs for long range attacks into Russia to damage or destroy economic targets. Targets up to a thousand kilometers inside Russia have been attacked and serious damage has been inflicted on fuel storage sites and facilities for storing military equipment as well as some factories that manufactured items for the military. The fuel storage damage was so extensive that Russians living or working in the area could not, for a while, get fuel for their vehicles. Ukrainian attacks have knocked out all significant oil refineries in European Russia and vehicle fuel must be imported from Belarus. These attacks also disrupted Russian oil exports, which are difficult enough to arrange because of international sanctions on Russia and its oil exports. Some Ukrainian attacks occurred close to Moscow, the Russian capital. This brought the war home for many powerful and influential Russians living in the area. These attacks were a major embarrassment to the government. Up until then the official government view was that the war was going well in Ukraine. It wasnt and now Muscovites were hearing and seeing evidence of that. So are foreign journalists based in the capital and suddenly the Ukrainian attacks inside Russia are news in countries around the world. This led to curiosity about what else Ukrainian UAVs were attacking deep inside Russia. There were quite a few targets damaged or destroyed. The government was criticized for not being able to detect or stop these attacks. Where was the air defense system Russians had been told would protect the people from air attacks. This was earlier demonstrated in 1987 when Mathias Rust, a West German teenager with a pilots license flew is single engine Cessna aircraft 8oo kilometers from Helsinki Finland to Moscow undetected by Russian air defenses and landed the aircraft on a bridge next to Red Square, which is adjacent to the Kremlin complex of buildings where many offices and some living quarters are located. Rust chose that day because it was Russias national Air Defense Forces Day when all the air defense forces were drunk celebrating. Rust was arrested and sentenced to four years in prison but was released after 14 months and sent back to West Germany. Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev used the Rust incident to fire 150 Russian military and civilian officials who were at work when the Rust incident happened and did nothing. A month later Gorbachev had to deal with the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster in Ukraine. Gorbachev later said that Chernobyl and the Rust incident played a major, if not decisive, role in the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The Russian Federation emerged from the dissolution of the Soviet Union, which made 14 portions of the Soviet Union independent nations. This included Ukraine. In another example of history repeating, or at least paraphrasing itself, Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. This turned into another Russian tragedy, which isnt over yet. In many respects the Ukrainian attacks deep inside Russia demonstrate that the Russian air defense system hasnt improved much since 1987 when Mathias Rust landed his Cessna next to the Kremlin. At least Rust wasnt carrying any explosives. Russians are demanding that their government do more to protect Russians and spend less time attacking neighboring Ukraine. Lok Sabha elections 2024: Voting for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 will be held on May 20 (Monday). Total 49 seats across 6 states and 2 Union Territories will be covered in the fifth phase. Of the 49 Lok Sabha seats, 14 are from Uttar Pradesh, 13 from Maharashtra, 7 from West Bengal, 5 from Bihar, 3 from Jharkhand, 5 from Odisha and one each from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. How to check name in voter list It is advisable for all voters to check the electoral rolls to ensure their names are listed as an eligible voter in their constituency. This can be done by visiting the Election Commission of India (ECI) website. Voters can look for their names using their Voter ID number. One can follow tht following mentioned steps to check name in the voter list Visit the Election Commission website Click on the elector menu available on the home page Scroll down to look for the option to Search your name in the electoral roll If you have access to your EPIC no or Voter ID number, use that to search for your name in the list If you do not have access to your EPIC then you can use the other options such as phone number or search by details To use search by details you will need date of birth, district name, assembly, and a relatives information If you are searching for a name in the electoral roll using details other than EPIC No., do make sure to note it down for future reference The EPIC number can also be used to search for your polling station, and other relevant information like the details of the local polling officer Mumbai Bomb Threat: The Mumbai Police is on alert after receiving a call from an informant about a bomb blast at McDonald's in the city's Dadar area, ANI reported on May 19. The Mumbai Police Control Room received a tip, the report added. The caller said that he was travelling on a bus when he heard two people talking about blowing up McDonald's. Mumbai police initiated a probe following the call but did not find any suspicious objects. They are further investigating this matter. Tight Security in Mumbai Ahead Of Lok Sabha Polls Security forces have ramped up their vigilance in Mumbai ahead of the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, set for Monday, May 20, as per another ANI report. The city is under heavy security, with extensive spot checks by both stationary and mobile teams. Highways and roads have been barricaded, and vehicles are undergoing thorough inspections. These measures are in place to ensure safety during the election period. Also Read | Natural Ice Cream founder Raghunandan Kamath passes away Maharashtra is holding its general elections in five phases: April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, and May 20. On May 20, 13 constituencies, including the six in Mumbai, will vote. The vote counting is scheduled for June 4. The six Mumbai constituencies include Mumbai North, Mumbai North-West, Mumbai North-East, Mumbai North-Central, Mumbai South-Central, and Mumbai South, along with Kalyan and Thane. With 48 Lok Sabha seats, Maharashtra is the second-largest contributor to the lower house of Parliament after Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile, schools, colleges, and banks will remain closed in the parliamentary constituencies participating in the electoral process on Monday. Lucknow Police issued a traffic advisory for May 19, ahead of polling day, giving traffic restrictions and diversions. As many as 695 candidates across six states and two Union territories of India are in the fray whose fate will be determined by the vote cast scheduled for May 20 in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha polls. Voting will take place in Uttar Pradesh's capital, Lucknow on May 20 along with 48 other constituencies that will cast their votes on the same day, As per Election Commission of India's polling schedule. The traffic advisory dated May 18 states, Polling parties are proposed to depart from Smriti Upvan, Ashiyana police station area to various polling booths on 19.05.2024. Also read: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Lets carry out our duty as Indians, Shah Rukh Khan urges people to exercise their franchise As per the advisory, here is the list of traffic restrictions that will be effective on May 19: 1. General traffic heading to the Bijnor underpass from the Bangla bazar intersection will be restricted and will be diverted via theTelibagh route. 2. General traffic heading to Smriti Upvan from the Power House intersection will be restricted and diverted via the Piccadilly bara birwa route. 3. General traffic heading to Smriti Upvan from Bijnor underpass will be restricted and will be diverted via Uttarethiya intersection or Shaheedpath mod, Kanpur road route. Also read: Lok Sabha Election 2024: Piyush Goyal among top 3 richest candidates in fray in phase 5 polling tomorrow 4. General traffic heading to Smriti Upvan from Eldeco Mandir Tiraha will be restricted. 5. General traffic heading to Smriti Upvan through Khazana Square, Chancellor Club from Ram Katha Park Tiraha will be restricted. 6. Moreover, there will be a no-parking zone from the Pasi Quila intersection to the Smriti Upvan Plaza intersection. Also read: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Polling in Mumbai tomorrow! Know what's closed, what's open The advisory in Hindi states, The general public is requested to refrain from using the above-mentioned routes or use alternative routes during the said program unless it is absolutely necessary. Delhi court sent Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's former personal assistant, Bibhav Kumar, to five days in police custody on Saturday. May 18, in connection with the alleged assault on AAP MP Swati Maliwal, reported PTI . AAP Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal filed an FIR at Civil Lines police station on Thursday alleging Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar of assaulting her at the CM's residence on May 13 morning. Also read: Swati Maliwal assault case: Bibhav Kumar arrested; AAP claims MP 'blackmailed' by BJP | 10 updates The accused, Bibhav Kumar, was apprehended by the Delhi Police earlier in the day. Subsequently, the Delhi court ruled that his anticipatory bail plea was becoming "infructuous." Later in the day, Bibhav Kumar was produced before the Magistrate, where the police sought seven days' custody to question him. Also read: Swati Maliwal assault case LIVE Updates: Delhi court sends Bibhav Kumar to 5-day police custody Subsequently, Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Goyal sent Bibhav Kumar to five-day police custody after the police emphasised that his custody was necessary for questioning him about the reason for the assault. The police noted that the accused did not provide the password for his mobile phone to the investigating agency. Moreover, Bibhav Kumar stated that his phone had been formatted in Mumbai due to malfunctioning. Police informed the court that a mobile phone's data had to be cloned before being formatted, and Bibhav Kumar was required to be taken to Mumbai to retrieve the data. They said the accused's presence was also needed when his mobile phone was opened by an expert. Also read: Swati Maliwal Assault Case Highlights: Rajya Sabha MP 'forcefully entered' CM's house, says Bibhav Kumar in complaint Rajiv Mohan, representing Bibhav Kumar Kumar's counsel, pointed out that there was no record of Swati Maliwal's visit to the CM's residence before May 13. Furthermore, he noted that Swati Maliwal did not clarify the reason for registering the FIR, particularly on May 16. The advocate further noted that Swati Maliwal did not seek medical aid after calling the emergency helpline number 112. Moreover, the station house officer did not prepare any medical sheet after meeting her. Also read: 'Truth will be revealed': Swati Maliwal says 'political hitman' making efforts to save himself as video surfaces Rajiv Mohan alleged that the AAP MP was giving false statements to the media and politicising the issue of having suffered injuries amid the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. (With PTI inputs) Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's recent trip to Nigeria has sparked controversy within the British royal family. Royal expert Tom Quinn told The Mirror that the visit, which included traditional elements of a royal tour such as receptions, school visits, and meetings with wounded soldiers and the disabled, has left Prince William and King Charles absolutely furious. Despite stepping back from royal duties in 2020, the couple's actions during the trip have caused considerable consternation among senior royals, as it closely resembled an official royal tour. Quinn further said, Everything you might expect from an official royal visit was there.. the receptions, the visits to schools and charities, to wounded soldiers and the disabled. Charles is said to be angrier than anyone has ever seen him. Quinn further explained that Prince Harry and Meghan's warm reception in Nigeria, which included dances, receptions, and visits to schools and charities, was perceived as an official tour, causing further upset. The royal expert indicated that there were existing concerns within the Royal Family about Meghan and Harry potentially trying to pull a fast one, their trip to Nigeria has confirmed their worst fears. The Mirror said, It's as if Harry and Meghan have gone rogue their Nigeria trip is a bold statement that they refuse to accept they are no longer working royals. Royal experts assert that the trip has heightened concerns within the royal family that Harry and Meghan have gone rogue. Google Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai's list of favourite Indian dishes is all about the country's diverse and rich cuisine. In an interview with YouTuber Varun Mayya, Sundar Pichai named not one, not two, but three different dishes from different cities as his favourite Indian food. The 51-year-old said that he would love to eat Dosa if he is in Bengaluru, chole bhature in Delhi, and pav bhaji if he is in Mumbai. When asked about his favourite food in India, Pichai replied, If it's Bangalore, I will probably get a dosa; it is my favourite food. If it is Delhi, I will get a Chole Bhature, and if it's Mumbai, I will do a Pav Bhaji. In the nearly 10-minute video, Sundar Pichai discussed multiple topics, including artificial intelligence's impact on India. He also advised Indian engineers on how to stay relevant in the industry. Taking the reference to Aamir Khan's superhit movie 3 Idiots, Sundar Pichai elaborated on the importance of understanding concepts in a deeper way. Real success comes from understanding things in a deeper way, said Sundar Pichai in the interview. Pichai also added that several Indian students fail to focus on the fundamentals despite being smart. Sundar Pichai was born in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, in 1972, and he graduated from IIT Kharagpur in metallurgical engineering. In 2015, Sundar Pichai was selected as the next CEO of Google. Google is all set to include generative Artificial Intelligence in its search engine, announced the company owned by Alphabed in its I/O 2024 event on Tuesday. In addition to this Google also announced the release of new Gemini and Gemma models, latest AI features for Android, etc. The regional head of a well-regarded global philanthropic foundation recently told me that his board had decided to exclusively focus on funding causes concerned with combating climate change. Knowing that it had previously supported work on nuclear disarmament and international security, I asked why those problems were no longer of interest to the foundation. His reply left me bemused. Climate change, he told me, is a long-term existential threat to humanity. Our conversation was taking place at a time when a nuclear threat had been issued at the onset of a major war, where drones and missiles were flying between nuclear-capable countries, with major powers having withdrawn from arms-control treaties, and hypersonic and space weapons were fast destabilizing the global balance. The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists Doomsday Clock, a measure of how close we are from annihilation, jumped to 90 seconds to midnight last year, up from 120 seconds in 2019. War remains an immediate existential threat. But, unfortunately, it has got overshadowed by climate change in terms of global awareness and activism. I have seen climate-change activists roll their eyes when the conversation turns to geopolitics. To the extent that they engage with the subject at all, it is to argue that international politics is a major hurdle to achieving emission targets and other climate goals. They do not sufficiently recognize that war is perhaps the most undesirable source of carbon emissions. The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on the Protection of the Environment in Relation to Armed Conflicts (PERAC) in 2022, but the environmental impact of war remains at the margins of the international discourse on climate change. That is an expensive mistake. Benjamin Neimark and his colleagues found that the projected emissions from the first 60 days of the Israel-Gaza war were greater than the annual emissions of 20 individual countries and territories." The incremental increase in emissions over the first two months was around 280,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e). If we were to bring this up to date, almost a million tCO2e has been wastefully dumped into the atmosphere. The researchers estimate the reconstruction of Gaza will create another 30 million tC02e of emissions. These are very conservative estimates and the real cost to the environment might be of a bigger order of magnitude. Over in Ukraine, Lennard de Klerks team calculate that an additional 150 million tCO2e of greenhouse gases have been emitted in the first 18 months of the Russian invasion, exceeding that of a country like Belgium. At a time when people in developing countries are being asked to sacrifice their growth prospects to achieve global climate goals, it is a cruel joke to witness such thoughtless and wasteful emissions from extended wars. The world cannot prevent wars, but it can reduce their duration, limiting their intensity and environmental damage. Even before the UN adopted the PERAC resolution, the international community has acted to penalize damage to the environment by aggressors (or, in realist terms, losing sides). An additional Geneva Convention protocol prohibits causing widespread, long- term and severe damage to the natural environment." After the First Gulf War, Saddam Husseins Iraq was forced by the UN to pay environmental damages after burning Kuwaits oil wells and polluting the Gulf. In fact, the world prohibited wars of aggression in 1945 and the entire edifice of the United Nations was created to prevent them from happening. We have seen that the UN can limit wars and the international system can hold war criminals accountable. Let us be clear: If wars in Ukraine and Gaza are dragging on for months, it is because at least one permanent veto-holding member of the UN Security Council wants it that wayor more. Fingers must be pointed at them, both for the loss of lives of combatants and civilians and for the environmental damage that harms everyone on the planet. In the face of the climate crisis, war is no longer only a moral crime against humanity. It is a material one against the survival of the species. It is time to treat it as such. Greenhouse emissions from wars are a global negative externality and it is no longer tenable to let off the actors that cause it. Everyone on the planet is being asked to pay a price for the world to get to net zero. It makes no sense to allow wilful and egregious polluters to do so free of cost. Making polluters pay into a global fund that can then be deployed to compensate the victims of climate change is not only fair, it also creates the right incentives. In theory. The problem in practice is that the international system has vested power and impunity in the hands of permanent members of the UN Security Council, ironically making these five the worst threats to human security. Ergo, UN reform ought to be on the agenda of everyone who cares about climate change. Geopolitics and international security are a blind spot that the climate-change movement can no longer afford to ignore. WASHINGTONAs court adjourned for lunch Tuesday in Donald Trumps hush-money trial, the former presidents lawyers, family and friends poured into the courts holding room for some of New York Citys finest pizza. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, among them, popped in and out to defend Trump in front of news cameras. Last weekend, Burgum was a warm-up act at Trumps rally in New Jerseyfar from his home state on the Plains. And earlier this month, Burgum and his wife, Kathryn, mingled with party officials and megadonors at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and again Tuesday at a hotel overlooking New Yorks Central Park. Burgums recent proximity to Trump, as a companion on the campaign trail and a surrogate on television and at swanky dinners, has boosted his profile as one of the top candidates for Trumps running mate. Trumps embrace of Burgum reveals what is really important to the VP search, according to people close to the former president: whether Trump likes the person, regardless of what they bring to the ticket. Trump likes that Burgum is rich, loyal and good looking, according to people close with the presumptive GOP nominee. Hes a rich guy with rich friends," said one Republican close to both the Trump campaign and Burgums office. That goes a long way with Trump. It also goes a long way with a campaign thats shorter on cash than the other team," referring to President Bidens fundraising prowess. Trump has Burgum, 67 years old, on an elastic list of contenders. The former president has resisted his advisers calls to narrow down the namesbut those close to Trump agree the governor is among a handful being taken seriously. For a race polling as close as the 2024 presidential election, some aides tell Trump it is best to pick a running mate who might give him a bump in swing states, or with demographic groups with which he is falling shortin particular, women and Black voters. Burgum, a wealthy white governor from a deeply red state Trump is virtually assured to win, doesnt check those boxes. But Trump is impressed with Burgums business acumen, according to people familiar with his thinking. Following Burgums endorsement of Trump in January, Trump described him as: the most solid guy. Theres no controversy whatsoever." Those familiar with Trumps thinking said that if Trump were to win in November, he likely would see Burgum as a better fit for a cabinet positionsuch as energy, commerce or agriculture secretarygiven his experience in business and in running a state where oil-and-gas drilling and production, petroleum refining and corn, wheat and soybean production are the dominant industries. For now, a Trump aide said the former president likes that Burgum brings in donorsand supporters in generalwho dont normally get active in politics. The aide declined to be specific. He also likes Burgums appearance, according to several aides, in keeping with Trumps tendency to defer to his Central Casting" instincts. Burgum is tall and fit with a head full of wavy salt-and-pepper hair. Burgums wife, Kathryn, has a compelling story about overcoming struggles with alcoholism, a disease that consumed Trumps older brother, Fred Trump Jr., who died in 1981. It is something the former president has found endearing about North Dakotas first couple, according to people familiar with their dynamic. Burgums office declined requests for an interview. The former president has said he is in no rush and is likely to wait until just before the GOP convention in mid-July. Also on the VP shortlist are a number of women, including Rep. Elise Stefanik (R., N.Y.), Gov. Kristi Noem (R., S.D.) and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R., Ark.). Some people familiar with Trumps thinking said that former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley could be under consideration as someone who can offer a boost with moderate female voterssomething Trump has publicly denied. Others in the discussion: Sen. Tim Scott (R., S.C.), the sole African-American Republican senator and the first to be elected by a southern state since Reconstruction; and Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.)a Latino-American who is popular among mainstream Republicans and, Trumps advisers think, would help Trump attract Hispanic voters in key states such as Nevada. Everybodys tied for second," said Sen. Kevin Cramer (R., N.D.), an ally of both Trump and Burgum. Cramer said Trump asked him about Burgums weaknesses. I said: You know, I just cant think of any," Cramer recalled. Hes experienced in everything from roping cattle and branding cows to building a world-class software company and hes quite articulate and passionate about the things he cares about." Steve Bannon, a former Trump strategist, said Trump sees in Burgum a safe pair of hands who can help get things done." Burgums company Great Plains Software Inc., which he mortgaged inherited farmland in 1983 to invest in, was bought by Microsoft in 2000 for about $1.1 billion in stock. Burgum became a Microsoft senior vice president with the acquisition. In 2016, he was elected governor of North Dakota, making him one of the wealthiest governors in the U.S. Joel Heitkamp, a former Democratic North Dakota state senator, prominent radio talk-show host and at times, Burgum critic, said the governor has a few things going for him. If [Trump] needs money, Burgum has money and is willing to buy his way," he said. He added that Burgum wasnt shy about being loyal to Trump. If the former president said I need you to wash my car, Burgum would be out doing it." Burgum, little known outside his home state, largely self-funded his struggling presidential campaign last year before dropping out in January. To make the first primary debate, which required a minimum 40,000 individual donors per the GOP rules, he offered anyone who contributed $1 a $20 gift card. Shortly after ending his long-shot bid, Burgum endorsed Trump, as he had in 2016 and 2020. In New York on Tuesday, he was among many political allies invited to be courtroom guests of the former president as Trump stood trial on charges related to allegedly false entries in his companys records to disguise reimbursements linked to hush-money payments. Unlike former Vice President Mike Pence, Burgum doesnt have strong ties to the evangelical community. But his record overlaps with Trumps interests on energy and border security, those close to both men said. As governor of Americas second-largest oil-producing state, Burgum has advocated for the advantages of domestic oil-and-gas production, and says he believes in innovation over regulation." At the recent Republican donor retreat in Florida, he told attendees that Trump would halt what he called Bidens attack" on fossil fuels, according to people who attended the closed-press event. He has also had significant legislative battles at home. Burgum tried to appoint a coal executive to an open seat in the state legislature, something Republicans and Democrats said he had no authority to do. The move sparked a feud that made its way to the state Supreme Court in a lawsuit filed by Burgum. The state Supreme Court unanimously ruled against Burgum. Burgum and Trumps relationship wasnt always rosy. On his radio show two years ago, Heitkamp asked Burgum point-blank if he would ever consider being Trumps running mate. No," Burgum replied, without hesitation. Today, Burgum appears to be all inthough he says it is more about the country than just Trump. Im here," he told CNN on Tuesday outside the Manhattan court where Trump was on trial, because I care about the future of this country and where its going." Write to Vivian Salama at vivian.salama@wsj.com and Alex Leary at alex.leary@wsj.com When Clare Hornby, founder and chief executive of British fashion brand ME+EM, first wanted to expand in the U.S., her board wasnt thrilled. America was more likely a money pit than a goldmine, they told her. Hornby did it anyway. I actually went against all my boards advice," Hornby said. I go to New York a lot. It was gut-feel instinct: I just felt that the gap that existed in the U.K. existed there too." Hornbys concept of what she calls modern luxury for busy women" has gained a following among British professionals as well as celebrities including Catherine, Princess of Wales, and actor Sienna Miller. She was confident its blend of stylish yet functional designs, intended to appeal across generations and outlive the latest fads, would be a hit in America, too. This month the brand opened a second store in New York City and a third U.S. location in East Hampton. It sells ruffled broderie tops and paisley-print blouses for a few hundred dollars and full-length silk dresses for almost $1,000. The expansion is the latest example of how European brands are embracing the U.S. as alternative growth markets such as China and Russia become increasingly fraught, and online sales show demand. In doing so, theyre challenging a long-held view that the U.S. is too big and overwhelming for most small foreign brandsand even some larger onesto risk dallying with. Building your brand in America had required vast sums spent opening stores, and even then some deep-pocketed entrantssuch as British retail mainstays Marks & Spencer, Tesco and Topshopfell flat. Seen as complex and expensive, the U.S. wasnt as appealing as lucrative new markets like China. Now the U.S. is a bright spot. Consumer spending is reliable and American shoppers, exposed to a broader range of brands online, are increasingly open to new names, retail executives say. The trend of European brands setting their sights on America has been gathering pace, said Sudip Mazumder, the retail lead at Publicis Sapient, a consultancy, because their ability to compete has grown substantially. European brands are typically more creative when bringing new retail concepts to market than U.S. incumbents, Mazumder said, and see an opportunity to make a real dent with American consumers." Major brands that once tiptoed around the U.S. have grown convinced that the rewards outweigh the risks. Spains Mango, for example, recently quit China and refocused its ambitions on the U.S. It plans to have 40 U.S. stores by the end of this year, having seen sales there surge in recent years despite a limited physical presence. Primark and Zara are also putting more emphasis on U.S. growth. Smaller brands, with little or no overseas experience, are also targeting the U.S.or at least parts of it. Data accrued through digital sales has enabled them to identify hotspots where their brand has particular resonance, then they can double down on marketing through social media. British fashion brand Seasalt discovered from online sales that its clothes, which have a maritime aesthetic inspired by Cornwalls Atlantic-coast location, appeal to consumers in New England. It aims to open 20 physical stores, chiefly in the northeastern states, by 2026. London-based vegan sneaker brand Lci has trained its sights primarily on California and New York. Were a little British company but the U.S. is already 70% of our business," said co-founder and CEO Emmanuel Eribo. Having celebrities post photos of your sneakers on social media certainly helps. Rapper Nicki Minaj and Leonardo DiCaprio are investors in Lci, but other A-listers including Eva Longoria and Dwayne Johnson have latched on to the brand without any prompting from the company. We dont pay these people, we dont ask them to do this," Eribo said, checking his phone. Abigail Spencer from Suits just tagged us on Instagram." Eribo mainly attributed three-year-old Lcis progress in the U.S. to the companys strategy of sponsoring events, such as live music, rather than buying social-media ads. Its all about communities and the ground game," he said. ME+EMs U.S. journey began in London, where American women visiting its stores started spreading the word back home. They convinced Hornby that ME+EMs collections, launched roughly every month, would travel well to the U.S. Taking the initial step of launching online was low risk," said Hornby. You can test and learn quite easily, you dont have to set up any big infrastructure." For three years the company built up its American customer base, and accumulated a trove of data about who they are, on a relative shoestring. It discovered several demand clusters, including in New York and on the West Coast, which it then targeted on social media. By 2022, Hornby was ready to invest in U.S. stores. ME+EM raised 55 million pounds, equivalent to $68.7 million, to partly bankroll the move. In 2023 the company reported sales of 120 million, up 46% on the previous year, and profit of 21 million, up 30%. Your route to market has shifted in quite a big way," said Hornby. Its data and intuition." While the data pointed strongly toward New York as the right city for the brands first U.S. store, Hornby spent months researching the area before committing to its Madison Avenue location. I shopped the street in the summer, in the winter, in the autumn; in the week, at the weekend; I ate at all the restaurants; I lived the life of that customer to understand which bit of the street to put it," Hornby said. Hornby repeated the exercise when choosing a second location. She initially favored Brooklyn, until hotel staff there told her many shoppers from Brooklyn make a beeline for SoHo. Hornby took their advice and realized she was in the right place when she noticed women wearing ME+EM in the area. The brands Mercer Street store opened this month. The Madison store is growing its customer base at double the rate of an equivalent store in London, and U.S. customers typically spend twice as much as a British customer. With many consumers preferring to browse in person and buy online later, stores serve as a way for shoppers to experience the brand as much as make purchases, Hornby said. U.K. sales are also still growing, but the U.S. will likely become ME+EMs biggest market by 2025. The economics in Europe arent as strong," Hornby said. Write to Trefor Moss at Trefor.Moss@wsj.com What does Project Starline offer? In development for at least five years, it is a video conferencing system on steroids. It uses a 3D light-field display to create a holographic, 3D image of people appearing on the screen. This makes people and objects look ultra-reallike they are in the same room. Image sensors placed around the display capture objects in more than two dimensions, and real-time 3D modelling enables the hologram-like visuals. Mint was shown a demo of Starline at Googles headquarters in Mountain View, California. By the next year, it will start being rolled out to companies in partnership with HP. Why is it of any significance? One of the biggest challenges to video conferencing systems is in the technology itself. While it is functional, companies have so far failed to take it beyond a 2D visual experience, thereby making interactions look basic. Google now hopes for companies to adopt its Starline video conferencing system in boardrooms to make collaboration across remote teams feel more realistic. This can help teams better collaborate on visual design through ultra-realistic 3D imaging. The company will roll it out with its own platform Meet, and is also working with Zoom for it. As of now though, dont even think of smartphones. Are there close rivals to Project Starline? Microsoft Holoportation, like Starline, used 3D imaging to create 3D images of objects, and compressed and transmitted the 3D data between two ends to create a holographic experience. However, instead of a display, Microsoft used its HoloLens mixed reality headset. Critics found this an obstacle, as it failed to enable obstacle-free video conferencing. Can this make sci-fi- like displays real? Much will depend on how commercial adoption of the technology progresses. Starline looks straight out of Star Wars and The Avengers. However, while light-field displays and 3D video capturing tech exists, they are difficult to implement at scale commercially due to cost and size. In its present form, Googles packaging of the service clearly makes it Silicon Valleys best take on holographic displays. But, the key will lie in making the tech less hardware-heavy, and more viable for use on the move. What are the main challenges? The hardware for Starline needs a room to be set-upa throwback to back when Eniac, the computer, took a full room to run. Until the hardware can be miniaturized and made more affordable, adoption will likely be limited. It is also expensive: for now, very few firms will likely spend on it. The other big challenge will be in getting app supportwhile Meet and Zoom are big enough platforms, a wider support could encourage more firms to take it up. Third-party developers could open the tech up in future. Yes on Deary levy Deary Middle and High School vocational classes recently held an exhibition and sale of products they have made. Items included ceramic dishes, photographs, woodworking products, customized water bottles and coasters, metal work, various types of artworks and more. The array of products and quality was most impressive. We have received a mailer detailing Tuesdays levy vote, with details about how the money will be spent as well as how the assessment rate has been going down over the past few years. We will vote in favor of the levy, knowing that our tax dollars are being well spent and the students are learning valuable skills. Linda and Raleigh Ross Deary Fully endorse Shepherd I fully endorse Rep. Charlie Shepherd for reelection to the Idaho House of Representatives because he is an honest conservative who votes his conscience for the benefit of his constituents. Rep. Shepherd and I have now served four years together at the Capitol. He does not follow any other person or lobby group. Charlie is his own man, casting votes after careful consideration for what is best for Idaho and his district. Consider humility I was born in Lewiston and was raised in Kooskia. Now I am a rising senior at the University of Idaho. The murders of Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen on Nov. 13, 2022, was one of the worst days of my life, as it was for many of my friends. In April 2023, I attended the Lincoln Day Dinner where I was fortunate to talk to Republican leaders from Latah County. At this event, I ran into Sen. Dan Foreman. I introduced myself as a University of Idaho student and eventually the events of November 2022 were brought up. Instead of giving condolences or using it as an opportunity to ask how a large constituent base of his was healing after a tragedy, Sen. Foreman used this as an invitation to assert that the actions made by the university were a misuse of government funds and that students shouldve taken personal responsibility for their safety. Not only was this reaction aggressive, it lacked a deep sense of awareness of the situation at hand. I was dumbfounded. I feel a responsibility to share this interaction with Foreman for a simple reason: Compassion should still exist in Idaho politics, and I truly believe it does. This primary, I urge you to consider the humility of the people you are voting for in addition to their politics. The Idaho I was born and raised in does not reflect the aggression and lack of compassion that Dan Foreman exhibits. Martha Smith Kooskia Bennett is a fighter When considering your vote for the Legislative District 6A primary, there is only one truly conservative choice, and that is Colton Bennett. Colton has been endorsed by the District 6 Republican Central Committee, by an overwhelming vote of precinct committeemen and committeewomen from Latah, Nez Perce and Lewis counties. He has also been endorsed by the Lewis and Nez Perce County Republican Central committees, along with several other organizational endorsements, as well as several prominent conservative leaders. Colton is a father, husband and veteran who will fight for conservative values in Boise unlike the incumbent. I have spoken with both challengers to the incumbent at length and Colton is the clear choice. Colton is passionate about the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the words of our Founding Fathers and will defend our liberty. Colton is adamantly opposed to the removal of the Snake River dams and the federal overreach we all see on a daily basis. He has called to deliver a permanent property tax cut by lowering the maximum rate of annual tax increase set by the Legislature. He also supports expanding and increasing the homeowners exemption. Colton is 100% pro-life, 100% pro-Second Amendment and will fight to lower taxes and protect liberty. In my opinion, he is the only candidate in the District 6A race that will adhere to the Republican platform. I want to send a fighter to Boise and that fighter is Colton Bennett. Brian Bomar Culdesac Support Colton Bennett I am a precinct committeeperson in Legislative District 6, writing in full support of Republican Colton Bennett for state representative Seat A. Colton impressed me from the moment I first met him with his confidence and knowledge of both the U.S. and Idaho constitutions, his support of the Second Amendment and our personal liberties, as well as a pre-borns right to life. He supports a permanent property tax cut, Idahos self-sufficiency in terms of energy and opposes all forms of federal overreach. Colton also believes in strong family values, parental rights and school choice. As chairperson of the rating and vetting committee for District 6 Republican Central Committee this year, I had the opportunity to interview all the candidates running against the incumbent for this position, and I felt by far Colton represented all the Idaho Republican values. His youth, knowledge and passion for this country is his strength and his conservative values are true as opposed to those who pretend to be a conservative Republican, but really are nothing but a Republican in name only front for Democrat ideology or bought and paid for by big money to do their bidding. We need to elect those who have the strength of character to lead and to represent those who elect them, who hold the Constitution as a guide through times wrought with attacks on our liberties and American values. I support Colton Bennett 100% and ask that you vote for him, too. Debra Idso Reubens More than individual candidates for office are on the Republican primary election ballot. What defines those candidates as much as anything is their values the kind of bedrock values this state and country once took for granted. Now, those foundations are subject to a show of hands. Within the state and national GOP is a debate about the following: There is no such thing as an American monarch. No one is above the law. The presumed presidential nominee of the Republican Party and his supporters within the Idaho GOP have been undermining the integrity of the courts while insisting that Donald Trump is immune from accountability for any criminal acts he committed as president. Here, the people rule. The elected officials are their servants. No better example exists than in the late 1980s when Idaho Republican lawmakers who personally opposed a state lottery yielded to popular support for the measure. Today, prominent Idaho Republicans including state party Chairperson Dorothy Moon are election deniers. Left to their own devices, some GOP lawmakers would sabotage the ability of people to create their own laws through the initiative and referendum process. They suppress the vote through a closed Republican primary election. Elected Republican lawmakers who serve their own constituents are harassed by local GOP central committees. Republican lawmakers are so cowed by the Idaho Freedom Foundations voting scorecard that they value the lobbys support more than the preferences of their own voters. When Idaho journalists ask that they explain themselves to the public, many Republican candidates reply: No comment. And the state party has dedicated itself to repealing the 17th Amendment, which would end the popular election of U.S. senators. Everyone in this country is free to worship as he wishes or not but there remains a wall of separation between church and state. Following the dictates of Idaho Family Policy Center President Blaine Conzatti rather than the public, some Republicans are willing to tell you what you can read in a library and what you cant. They want to divert tax dollars from public education into private and religious schools. Some even go so far as to advocate a Christian nationalism. Former RTE Midlands correspondent Ciaran Mullooly has expressed unhappiness over his exclusion from the first major European election TV debate. As part of RTE's coverage in the run up to the June 7 European Parliament Elections, Upfront with Katie Hannon will hold the first major TV debate this Monday night, May 20 on RTE One and RTE Player. The live programme will focus on the Midlands North-West constituency with presenter Katie Hannon at the helm beginning at 10.35pm. There are 27 candidates vying for election, however, just eight will feature in the debate and Independent Ireland candidate Mullooly is less than impressed with his exclusion. "RTE may choose to exclude me but the people know my track record," said the former RTE correspondent. This Monday night's RTE One programme will see the following candidates live in studio: Peter Casey - Independent; Barry Cowen - Fianna Fail; Luke Ming Flanagan - Independent; Saoirse McHugh - Independent; Chris MacManus - Sinn Fein; Pauline O'Reilly - Green Partyl; Peadar Toibin - Aontu and Maria Walsh - Fine Gael. RTE stated that "With over twenty candidates in each constituency and more than seventy across the three European constituencies, when inviting candidates to participate RTE set impartial and objective criteria across all three debates to ensure they are as informative and coherent as possible to best serve the audience. The criteria will see a maximum of eight candidates in each of the above television debates." Mullooly has said, "Coimisiun na Mean offers guidance to broadcasters such as ragso they may consider the evidence provided by recent opinion polls before making important final decisions on whom to give valuable airtime to or include in influential high profile debates such as Monday nights Midlands North West debate on RTE1. "The last test of the electoral popularity of many of the individual candidates in this European Parliament campaign was a full five years ago. Most of those who went before the public at that stage have not had an opportunity to indicate an increase or decline in their support from the electorate since 2019, and two of the four MEPs elected in Midlands North West at that time have since left office. "Coimisiun na Mean is clearly of the opinion that RTE - aware of the consistently-high ratings of a candidate carried out over 5 successive opinion polls by professional research companies IPSOS, Red C and Ireland Thinks) over the last 8 weeks - can ignore or dismiss such findings in distributing critical airtime or selecting just 8 representatives to take part in Monday's Primetime TV debate. Furthermore, RTE itself refuses to follow the guidance of Coimisiun na Mean. "Yesterday, I made RTE aware of the clear evidence of these 5 opinion polls. I suggested they meet with my Director of Elections to review such evidence before finalising their decision on the TV debate structure. RTE has yet to accept the invitation to attend such a meeting. Today I intend to raise this very significant discrepancy in the interpretation of the guidelines set down by Coimisiun na Mean with the Director General of RTE, the Chairperson of the Board and the Minister for Communications." About Monday's programme, RTE explained that in order to allow as much time as possible for candidates to make their points, there will be no live audience and no opening or closing statements. A defendant before Longford District Court on 26 charges received a 16 month custodial sentence from Judge Vincent Deane. Shane Nevin (35) of 67 Farnagh, Longford was before the court on a number of charges dating back to 2019. The charges against Mr Nevin include failing to keep a court appointment on June 21, 2022, the theft of a wallet on March 4, 2022, public intoxication and failing to comply with the directions of a Garda on August 2, 2021. Charges from August 12, 2019 at Market Square, Longford are of failing to comply with the direction of a Garda, public intoxication and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour. On January 9, 2021 the defendant was accused of engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour at Main Street, Longford. A charge from March 31, 2021 is that Mr Nevin is accused of causing 450 of damage to the ice cream cone display at The Kiosk, Dublin Street, Longford. The defendant is also charged with failing to keep a court appointment on February 8, 2022, threatening and abusive behaviour and assault at Boyle Sports, Market Square, Longford on March 2, 2022, failing to comply with Garda directions and public intoxication on Dublin Street, Longford on May 4, 2022. In March of this year the defendant handled stolen property, a bank card owned by another person, and tried to purchase a bottle of vodka but couldn't enter the pin number when requested. On the same date at Longford Garda Station he damaged a hand sanitizer unit valued at 50. On November 15, 2023 at Garvey's Yard Lane, Main Street, Longford he was loitering in a public place and failed to comply with the directions of Sgt Conlon. Also on March 27, 2024 he was in an altercation with Kamil Bulzak in which the two men were pushing and shoving each other in the middle of the road. Members of the public tried to stop the fight, but the parties kept fighting. On April 9, 2024 at Longford Train Station he engaged in threatening and abusive behaviour. He was in the company of Shannon Kavanagh and both were highly intoxicated. Solicitor John Quinn indicated that his client had entered guilty pleas to the matters before the court. Mr Quinn said his client comes from a respectable family and hopes to address the issues that are at the heart of his offending: Shane is looking to reform himself and leave his difficulties behind him, Mr Quinn said. In concluding matter Judge Deane imposed a four month sentence for the theft of the wallet, a further four months for handling the stolen bank card, four months for the assault on Kamil Bulczak and four months for the assault at Boyle Sports. Mr Nevin's sentences are to be served consecutively, meaning he will serve a total of 16 months. Recognisance was set in the event of an appeal on the defendant's own bond of 900. An Taoiseach, Simon Harris TD, is today (Sunday 19 May) officiating at the National Famine Commemoration in Edgeworthstown, Co Longford alongside Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD. The formal State ceremony will feature a keynote address by the Taoiseach, and will include military honours and a wreath-laying ceremony in remembrance of all those who died during the Famine. Minister Martin will also address the event. In addition to the Taoiseach, wreaths will also be laid by His Excellency, The Most Reverend Luis Mariano Montemayor, Apostolic Nuncio, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps; and Councillor Colm Murray, Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council. Also read: National Famine Commemoration presents 'a huge opportunity' to showcase Longford Music at the event will be provided by local band Streancan and local musicians Dr Conor Ward, Noel Carberry and Meadhbh Carberry, while Amy Rooney Maguire, Emma Mihai and Aaron O Miachain from St Marys National School, Edgeworthstown will perform the poem An Piobaire Uillinn. The public ceremony will also be broadcast on the RTE News channel and online on rte.ie An Taoiseach Simon Harris said: The Great Irish Famine destroyed lives, destroyed families, and destroyed the hopes and dreams of so many. It was our national tragedy, leaving scars that never fully healed. Our national trauma, that can never be forgotten. The tragedy was national, but the lessons are global, and they compel us to honour the memory of the dead, by doing everything we can to prevent similar tragedies elsewhere. "As we reflect today on the immense suffering and resilience of those who lived and died during the Famine, let us recommit to honour their legacy not simply through remembrance but through action. We must apply the lessons of the Great Irish Famine to our world today, working to alleviate hunger and suffering wherever it exists. An Gorta Mor is a tragedy that will never be forgotten. Our history demands that we do everything we can to make sure it is never repeated. Also read: Three generations on stage in Longford as Mostrim Players stage 'The Cripple of Inishmaan' Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee said today: The Famine tore at the very fabric of our society by decimating communities that had been so tightly knit together. Today, as we remember the victims of this cataclysm, the vital message that this commemoration sends out to the world is one of hope and renewal. The people of this country persevered through desperate suffering. Their music, songs and language survived. And we still stand here, to honour the dead, the exiled, and those left behind. An Gorta Mor left towns and communities across the country drained of life and laughter. Todays ceremony shows the strength of spirit in those communities, through music, art and song. PICTURES: Sun shines and wonderful atmosphere in Longford for memorable Maria Edgeworth Festival BRIGHTON Linus Ullmark doesnt want to leave. Even after being demoted to backup goalie in the playoffs, hed rather stay with the Bruins next year. Ullmark is heading into the final season of a contract that pays him $5 million per season. Jeremy Swayman is younger and coming off a great postseason, which has him positioned to be Bostons No. 1 goalie for the foreseeable future. So trading Ullmark, the 2023 Vezina Trophy winner, would be a logical move. The Bruins could acquire another asset for him as well as free up cap space to augment the team in other areas. 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) But Ullmark has a clause in his contract that allows him to block trades to 15 different teams. He used that clause to block a move at the trade deadline. Ullmark said that his own professional situation is a factor, but not the only important one to him as he considers his future. Overall hed like to play out his final year in Boston. I dont have the luxury to choose that. If I could, Im probably going to say the same thing as everybody else I want to stay and Im going to stay, he said. But in professional sports, you got to deal with the hand youve been dealt. I have one more year. I wouldnt want anything else than to come back here. Get a little bit of a revenge tour. Im very excited and motivated for whats to come. He said whats best for his family is a priority and being in Boston and playing for the Bruins has been good for them. I would say its more on the personal side. We felt that ever since we came to Boston, weve been embraced by not only the city, but the team and the people that work throughout the organization like everybody has been so nice and caring, he said. We felt that ever since our day one and that makes you feel at home, makes you want to stay there. When you have that good thing behind you, you dont want to move just because you have to move. It doesnt really matter how it goes on the ice. If youre feeling that your life is taken care of and that your family is well, and theyre thriving, he continued. You dont want to uproot them. That goes to anyone that has kids and families. It doesnt matter what kind of a job you have. ... Im very comfortable. I like it here. I dont really want to move at that point. Ullmark said several things go into making his no-trade list. My list is there. Weve worked very hard for it, he said. Theres a reason why certain teams are on there and they might be personal things. Thats something for me, my family and my agent to deal with and take care of. I dont have any obligations to share the reasons that I have certain teams on that list. He was asked if the perception that he didnt want to leave the East Coast, which is closer to his native Sweden, was accurate and a factor in making his list. It all depends. ... There might be other things throughout your career. For example, you have one team that would be on the West Coast that is really, really bad and you have them on your no-trade list. But then all of a sudden, maybe three years later, theyre not, they might be a contender. You might want to waive (the no-trade clause) at that point, but you cant really think about that in advance, how are these teams going to be in three or four years? Two of the nations top road trip itineraries pass through Massachusetts, according to recommendations AAA released last week. The first road trip, top on AAAs nationwide rankings, takes visitors on a historical spin through Southern New England, beginning in Boston and ending 230 miles away in Mystic, Connecticut. AAA also recommended a 173-mile route across Cape Cod, with a detour via ferry to Marthas Vineyard. The two road trips appeared alongside drives through Southern California, the Great Smoky Mountains, and New Mexico on the historic Route 66 highway. On the Boston to Mystic path, AAA recommended first visiting several of the iconic historic landmarks on Bostons Freedom Trail, including the Old North Church, the Old State House and Faneuil Hall. On the way to Mystic, AAA suggested a stop in Providence, Rhode Island, at Roger Williams Park. The 435-acre park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and houses the Roger Williams Park Zoo and the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium. In Mystic, AAA recommended visiting the famous Mystic Aquarium and the Mystic Seaport Museum, one of the nations top maritime museums. AAAs recommended Cape Cod road trip runs from the Cape Cod Canal to Provincetown, and back. Along the way is a suggested stop in Woods Hole to catch a ferry to Marthas Vineyard, a visit to the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum, and a whale watch tour. The Massachusetts tourism industry drew 21 million visitors who contributed $24.2 billion to the states economy in 2022, the most recent year of available data, according to the state Office of Travel and Tourism. Domestic visitors were responsible for $22 billion, exceeding the $20.8 billion they brought to the state in the year before the coronavirus pandemic. International travel is still recovering from the pandemic, bringing $2.2 billion to the state in 2022, compared to $4 billion in 2019. Tourism revenue in 2022 generated $1.9 billion in state and local taxes and supported more than 130,000 jobs, the Office of Travel and Tourism said. Police in Cambridge are investigating a reported sexual assault by a masked man with a knife. On Friday, police responded to the Cambridgepark Drive area at 9:18 p.m. for an assault in progress, the Cambridge Police Department said in a statement. The victim told police the assailant wore a mask and had a knife. Detectives processed a crime scene in a restroom of a commercial building and Massachusetts State Police are attempting to identify and search for a suspect. The Middlesex District Attorney is assigned to the case and police are gathering surveillance video and talking to any potential witnesses, according to a Cambridge police spokesperson. Anyone with information can contact our Criminal Investigations Unit anonymously through our tip line at 617-349-9151 or online at cambridgepolice.org/TIPS Good Sunday morning, all. Welcome to the first installment of MassLives weekly round-up of the stories you might have missed in Massachusetts politics over the last seven-ish days. Im MassLive Politics Editor John L. Micek, and Ill be your host. If youre wondering about the genesis of the title for this column, well, you can blame Billy Bragg. Or Nick OMalley, because Im still not quite over Sour Patch Kids Oreos. Lets get started. Gov. Maura Healey, immigration reform, and the states that are going it alone: If theres been one through-line from Gov. Maura Healey on the months-long debate over Massachusetts impossible, but not entirely unfixable, migrant crisis, its this: While the state can provide some relief and comfort to newcomers, Washington really needs to step up and do something about fixing the nations immigration system. 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. But as The New York Sun reported last week, some states, emboldened by a controversial Texas law, are through with waiting for Washington to act. State lawmakers in Arizona, Iowa, Idaho, and Oklahoma are some of the states considering or passing legislation similar to the Lone Star States law giving police the power to arrest, and state judges the authority to deport, migrants, the newspaper reported. The Texas law, as you might expect, is hung up in court. Its now before the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which heard oral arguments on the statute in April, according to the Sun. The Biden administration has challenged the law, arguing that the enforcement of immigration law rests with the federal government, according to Reuters. Which kind of brings us back to where we started. Texas officials have argued that the administration isnt doing enough to stop the influx of entrants at the southern border. Thus, they had to step in. Massachusetts, rare among states, has a right-to-shelter law, which obligates the commonwealth to provide services to those who seek them. Last fall, Healey imposed a 7,500-family cap on the system. The state has since opened several overflow sites to deal with the ongoing influx of new arrivals. Meanwhile, state lawmakers passed, and Healey signed, new limits on shelter stays as part of a supplemental funding bill for the strained system, whose costs are expected to soar past $900 million a year for the next two years. All of which is a long way of saying were unlikely to see Massachusetts follow in these red states footsteps. But these efforts elsewhere, whether you agree with them or not, at least are notable. GOP Senate hopeful Cain throws down the gauntlet on Backing the Blue: Republican Ian Cain, whos trying to carve out some space in the Bay States U.S. Senate race, has challenged Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and his biggest primary challenger, Swansea lawyer John Deaton, to publicly demonstrate their support for law enforcement. In an email, Cain, whos currently the Quincy City Council president, calls on Warren and Deaton to resist [capitulating] to radical agendas that threaten the safety and security of our communities. Let us set aside partisan differences and come together in defense of the brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, Cain said. I challenge you to reject any calls to defund the police and instead join me in advocating for increased support, resources, and respect for our officers. Its a very trad-Republican approach to take in a contest that shows Deaton and Cain essentially running within the margin in the latest Suffolk University poll. But with nearly 9 in 10 GOP primary voters still undecided as of late last month, theres still plenty of ground to be claimed. Still, Warren remains the prohibitive favorite, leading an eventual GOP candidate 52.8%-32.8% in the Suffolk poll. Police reform and law-and-order issues consumed a great deal of public attention at the height of the Black Lives Matters protests in 2020 and that years presidential contest. But with crime rates low in the Bay State, crime doesnt even crack the top 5 in the latest Suffolk canvass, polling well to the back of the economy and abortion rights, which were the No. 1 and No. 2 issues respectively at 17.6% and 7.8%. Because traffic isnt bad enough already: Get ready for your weeknight commute to get snarled by the official presidential motorcade: President Joe Biden will travel to Boston on Tuesday after making a stop in Merrimack, N.H., according to the White House, and a report by MassLives Ryan Mancini. The Granite State visit will be his second jaunt there this year, Mancini reported. Reading List: Bill Bratton calls criticism of ShotSpotter technology foolish (Boston Herald). Mass. put migrant children in hotels with registered sex offenders (Boston Globe). Building an offshore wind industry could call for up to 49,000 workers (Gloucester Times). Gov. Healey, Pope Francis and the doctrine of integral ecology (WBUR). Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians warned: Storm grates stolen in four towns: Becket, Dalton, Hinsdale and Washington (Berkshire Eagle). Raise alcohol tax, Worcester Board of Health says (Worcester Telegram & Gazette). Lawsuit alleges fraud, demands $2 billion fine for seafood giant Cooke Inc. (New Bedford Light). Children build traditional Wampanoag home in Mashpee school courtyard (Cape Cod Times). They Said It. Love is Love. #OTD in 2004, Massachusetts became the first to recognize and declare this simple truth. 20 years later, we continue to stand with our LGBTQIA+ neighbors in the fight for a more just and equal future. https://t.co/c45CaedWWi Katherine Clark (@WhipKClark) May 17, 2024 Things Worth Watching This Week: The majority-Democrat state Senate is expected to begin at least three days worth of debate this week on its version of a $57.9 billion state budget for the new fiscal year that starts July 1. As MassLive previously reported, rank-and-file lawmakers gussied up the spending plan with 1,100 amendments, totaling $2.9 billion. And nearly 6 in 10 of those amendments, 58%, are earmarks for pet projects back home that range from $250,000 for a right whale patrol program and a clean energy workforce development program at Roxbury Community College to $200,000 to support the Salvation Armys food aid, according to a sprawling summary posted to the Legislatures website. The state House already has approved its version of the spending plan, setting the stage for the obligatory conference committee that will reconcile the differences between the two chambers spending plans, with the final version going to Healey for her signature. Things get rolling on the Senates side of the State House with an 11 a.m. caucus on Monday, State House News Service reports. Turned Up to 11: This is the part where we get to the pop in Pop & Politics. Audio Vertigo, the latest release by veteran English rockers Elbow has been on heavy rotation these last few weeks. This track, Good Blood Mexico City, is a particular stand-out. The Mancunian band is best known for such anthemic tunes as One Day Like This. But its also capable of these sorts of melodic left turns. Sundays Gratuitous Hockey Link: So this is what its come to: Its now up to the New York Rangers to do what the Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning could not, and thats send the Panthers back to Sunrise, Fla., as they face off in the NHLs Eastern Conference final. This is the Panthers second trip to the conference finals in as many seasons. The Rangers, meanwhile, will have home-ice advantage. From The Athletic, here are five storylines to watch ahead of Game One on Wednesday night. Ill be doing the only thing I can logically do in a dystopian match-up like this: Pray that a Canadian team makes it to the Stanley Cup finals. See you all back here next week. ST. LOUIS One day after going 2-for-4 with a double and a two-run triple in a 10-6 loss, David Hamilton is back at shortstop for the Red Sox for the second straight game. Hamilton is starting on back-to-back days for the first time since April 17 and 18 as Boston faces the Cardinals in the middle game of a three-game set at Busch Stadium on Saturday. Ceddanne Rafaela is back in the lineup in center field after having Friday off; Tyler ONeill is the designated hitter against St. Louis righty Miles Mikolas. AMHERST The University of Massachusetts faculty will take a no-confidence vote Monday following Chancellor Javier Reyes decision to have a pro-Palestine protest broken up by police. A special meeting of the Faculty Senate was set after 225 faculty and librarians signed a letter calling for Reyes to resign in the wake of the May 7 demonstration that resulted in the arrest of 134 people. Rural householders in Mayo will start withholding payments of the Local Property Tax unless they see improvement to services in their area according to an Independent councillor. The lack of services in rural areas is one of the big issues coming on the doorsteps during this local election campaign according to a number of councillors at last Monday's monthly meeting of Mayo County Council. The Local Property Tax (LPT) is an annual self-assessed tax charged on the market value of all residential properties with the revenue raised used to fund the provision of services by local authorities. Independent councillor Christy Hyland told the meeting that there is a lot of anger among many people in rural areas and he could not blame them if they decided not to pay the LPT. The atmosphere [from the public] is they are getting nothing for our LPT and people are getting organised to withhold property tax and I don't blame them. They are getting nothing for their LPT, he said. His comments were supported by fellow Independent councillor John O'Malley who said that the least people in rural Ireland deserve from their LPT is a decent road to their home. I have got awful complaints from people over the Local Property Tax and it is quite embarrassing to drive to someone's home and see the condition of the road. They then ask you what they get for their local property tax and what they get for taxing their car. In the rural area they get nothing...they don't get footpaths, or street lights or sewerage or water or roads gritted in winter and the least they deserve is a decent road to their home, he said. The lack of funding for local services from the central government was also highlighted by Cllr O'Malley. We have a big network of roads and we will have to get the Government to allocate more money because the council can only do so much for the money they get. I try to explain to people we don't get enough funding and some accept it and some don't. We need to get more funding, he added. Achill councillor Paul McNamara concurred that the LPT is often brought up on the doorsteps and he called for a second allocation of road funding as the lack of funding is now showing. Robeen-based councillor Patsy O'Brien also commented that the people in rural areas were getting nothing from the LPT while Cllr Seamus Weir described it as an 'unfair tax on the ordinary householder' and called for it to be scrapped. MBABANE - If an assurance by the Central Bank of Eswatini (CBE) is anything to go by, the many emaSwati who lost E340 million after investing in Ecsponent Eswatini will get to know what happened to their monies in the next coming weeks. Over 1 138 investors who include pensioners, non-governmental organisations, retired police officers, churches and others lost millions of Emalangeni which they invested in Ecsponent since 2014. The money had accumulated to E431 million when it was discovered missing. Meeting During a special meeting held at the Mfanyana Hall in Manzini at the beginning of this month, the investors took a resolution to seek audience with His Majesty King Mswati III on the issue. They also took a resolution to approach Parliament. While they reached the resolutions, the investors also demanded answers on what had happened to the forensic audit that was meant to investigate what really happened to their monies. A response was provided by the management of Eswatini Investment Group (ESWIG), the company which took over after the loss of the millions and has been trying to assist the investors. ESWIG Chairman Ndumiso Mamba said they were still expecting the release of a forensic report after the investigation conducted by the Central Bank of Eswatini (CBE). He mentioned that the ESWIG board conducted its own forensic investigation to establish what transpired and it had initiated its legal claim against certain parties, on the basis of its own forensic investigation. Regarding paying Parliament a visit, this publication can reveal that answers will be sought from Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg at the House of Assembly. A notice paper issued by the Office of the Speaker of the House of Assembly, which contains notices handed in up to May 8, 2024 reflects that Lamgabhi Member of Parliament will seek answers from the minister on the issue. Specifically, Jele will ask the minister to shed some light to the House with regards to a resolution that was taken by the 11th Parliament regarding the lost millions. The 11th Parliament resolved that the ministry should institute a forensic audit into the loss of the money which was invested by emaSwati. It should be noted that last year, the Central Bank of Eswatini announced that South Africas Cliff Dekker Hofmeyer (CDH) had been appointed to conduct a forensic investigation into what led to the mismanagement of the E340 million. Based on the submissions made and questions posed during the investors special meeting, it appears they are worried that the forensic audit might not see the light of day. Investigation In particular, some voiced that due to the fact that ESWIG is currently at loggerheads with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority, a parastatal under the Ministry of Finance and works closely with the CBE, this might impact negatively on the investigation. Following the concerns by the investors, this publication engaged the CBE and the first question posed was on whether any significant progress had been made in as far as the forensic was concerned. In response, CBEs Head Strategy and Communications Mandla Luphondvo said, Significant progress has been made in the probe into the affairs and operations of Ecsponent (Swaziland) Limited. The probe has been undertaken in a transparent and professional manner, in the backdrop of the importance and sensitivities attaching to this matter. The exercise is expected to be completed within the next few weeks. According to Luphondvo, a comprehensive report, with detailed findings and recommendations was expected to be presented by the firm and the report will subsequently be shared with the minister of Finance. The second question position was on whether the ongoing court battle between ESWIG and FSRA will not have a negative impact on the forensic especially since the latter worked closely with the CBE, the initiator of the forensic. Luphondvo mentioned that the terms of reference of the probe were specific and that the CBE did not anticipate that the recent litigation between ESWIG and FSRA will have any negative impact on the probe. Also, a response was sought from the CBE on when exactly the report containing the findings would be completed and made public. He said, while the terms of reference had specific timelines, there have been some preliminary findings that have warranted a re-examination or further investigation on certain issues. However, and without giving a specific date at this point, the probe is expected to be completed in the next few weeks. Meanwhile, other casualties in the E340 million loss include Likhwane Beneficiary Services (LBS) which invested around E60 million. Investments The fund, which has over 500 beneficiaries who include orphans some of who are enrolled in tertiary institutions, is facing a cashflow challenge following the loss of investments. Likhwane opened a court case against entities and individuals it believes were responsible for the loss of the funds. ESWIG came into being in March 2020 with the sole mandate of recovering the E340 million and has been hard at work trying to identify potential investments to be tapped into and to further ensure that the embezzled investments were repaid. In 2022, an 11-member committee to represent the 1 000 emaSwati who lost their money was elected. Known as the Investor Relations Committee (IRC), the team was elected from 21 members, who were nominated during the investors first-ever AGM held at Esibayeni Lodge in Matsapha mid-June 2022. The 21-member group then converged at the ESW Investment Group (ESWIG) offices in Mbabane to elect among themselves the IRC, whose main task was to work hand in hand with ESWIGs newly-appointed management in raising funds to repay the distressed investors. Process The election process ensured that all the countrys four regions were represented to make communication easy and effective. ESWIG gave assurance that the investors will get to know report findings of the forensic investigation into their monies prepared for the investors where it informed them that the long-anticipated forensic investigation into what led to the mismanagement and theft of their investments had finally been instituted. The report mentioned that the CBE had announced the appointment of CDH. The investigators have reportedly conducted interviews with the relevant stakeholders and are due to present their preliminary report to the Central Bank of Eswatini before the end of the year, read part of the report. It was mentioned that the Investor Relations Committee (IRC) was engaged on Friday, November 17, 2023, to provide information for the audit. It was reported that information on all the investors including date of investment, dividends paid (if any), value of investments to date, contract documents and other required pieces of information were obtained from the ESWIG Office. The Padres have signed outfielder David Peralta to a minor league deal and assigned him to Triple-A El Paso, per an announcement from the El Paso Chihuahuas (X link). The move comes just days after Peralta opted out of his previous minor league deal with the Cubs. Peralta, 36, is very familiar with the NL West after spending all but 47 games of his 10-year big league career in the division. The veteran made his MLB debut with the Diamondbacks at the age of 26 back in 2014 and spent the better part of nine years patrolling the outfield in Arizona. A generally solid left-handed bat who could be relied on for production around 5-10% better than the league average, Peralta slashed a respectable .283/.340/.463 with a wRC+ of 111 during his time with Arizona, which included a Silver Slugger award in 2018 and a Gold Glove in left field in 2019. Peraltas Dbacks tenure came to an end at the 2022 trade deadline, when he was shipped to Tampa Bay in exchange for catching prospect Christian Cerda. Peraltas power disappeared down the stretch with the Rays, however, as he failed to hit a home run throughout his Rays tenure and slashed just .255/.317/.335 in 161 trips to the plate with the club. Despite that downturn in production, the Dodgers rolled the dice on Peralta the following offseason and signed him to a one-year deal that guaranteed the veteran $6.5MM. Unfortunately, a return to the NL West did not revive Peraltas bat as he hit a paltry .259/.294/.381 in 133 games with L.A. last season. Looking ahead, Peralta figures to offer the Padres veteran depth in the outfield, an area where theyre severely lacking in reliable options. Fernando Tatis Jr. has locked down right field since moving off shortstop last season while journeyman Jurickson Profar is off to an incredible start for the club in left field and top shortstop prospect Jackson Merrill is taking to the center field job quite admirably while learning the position on the fly. Even so, an outfield mix of three converted infielders speaks to the lack of outfield depth in the Padres organization, leaving bench bat Jose Azocar as the only career outfielder on the clubs 40-man roster. Given that, its easy to see Peralta breaking into the clubs outfield mix at the big league level should an injury the team to make a roster move. Until then, Peralta figures to act as non-roster depth for San Diego alongside fellow veterans Oscar Mercado and Tim Locastro at the Triple-A level, where Peralta. The 36-year-old will hope for better results at the Triple-A level in El Paso than he had during his time with the Cubs organization, as he was slashing just .217/.341/.348 in 20 games before he opted out. It started with small symptoms at first. Jen Nimsick noticed her mother had a slight tremor and issues walking, but she knew what it meant. Over the next nine months, Nimsick watched as a rare genetic prion disease chipped away at her mother. Its the same aggressive disease that took the lives of Nimsicks grandmother, uncle and a cousin. And one day, symptoms will likely trigger for her brother. Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease has cast a shadow over Nimsicks family for generations. Youre pre-grieving because you know its going to happen, said Nimsick, 41 from Milford. Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, or CJD, is a degenerative brain disorder that leads to dementia. Its fatal every single time. Although CJD is incredibly rare, cases have steadily increased in recent decades. After Corewell Health in West Michigan saw five back-to-back cases in a year, doctors pushed for urgent investigation into a suspected cluster. But state and federal health officials say the numbers are not concerning because doctors are getting better at diagnosing the disease. Corewell doctors are still investigating and have not provided additional information since the case report published in April 2023. Related: Michigan woman dies from rare brain disease thats 100% fatal. Shes not the first. The disease is caused by prion proteins that spontaneously misfold and poke tiny holes in the brain. Once triggered, people experience memory loss, trouble speaking, balance issues, jerky movements and sometimes personality changes. It often kills people within months. In most cases, CJD strikes randomly with seemingly no cause or risk factors but a thin sliver of people inherit the disease. Deadly inheritance Its been two decades since Nimsick first learned ribbons of the gene run in her familys DNA. Nimsick was a freshman at Missouri State University when her grandmother fell while taking her dog for a walk. Over the next several months, Rose Noelken, 67, struggled to walk, her vision blurred and her insomnia got worse. When she died on Dec. 4, 2002, an autopsy confirmed it was CJD. A doctor who discovered the mutation in Noelkens blood asked if her four children wanted to get tested. Each sibling had a 50-50 chance of carrying the gene mutation that could cause a protein to misfold. All four had it. The probability of that is phenomenally low, Nimsick said. A family portrait of Jen Nimsicks mother, Nancy Thompson, and her siblings - from left, Greg Noelken, Carol Lloyd and Sherri Nobbe - next to a photo of their mother Rose Noelken and father Marvin Noelken. All four children learned that they carried the gene that causes familial CJD after their mother died from the disease in 2002. Since then, Thompson and Greg Noelken have died from the disease, Lloyd died from an unrelated neurological disease and Nobbe remains asyptomatic.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com Nimsicks family has two gene mutations E200K and 129M which gives carriers nearly a 100% chance of developing CJD. Symptoms can show up at any time. For those two mutations, the average age of onset ranges between 20 and 70 years old. If you get the gene, unless you die from something else, you will eventually become symptomatic, Nimsick said. ...More of her was gone. A decade after Noelkens death, CJD struck the family again. Following months of small red flags, Nimsicks mother Nancy Thompson told her children in December 2013 that she noticed some symptoms. Nimsick held her mother in a tight hug for several minutes. That was really the last time I felt like I was hugging my mom, she said. Over the next five months, the disease took its toll. Nimsick, who traveled from Michigan to Missouri six times to visit her mother, saw glimpses of the decline. A February MRI showed clumps of protein building on Thompsons brain. One day, she was giggly and happy. Another day, she couldnt remember the song Imagine by The Beatles. By March, Thompson was in a wheelchair. And in April, she struggled to play a game of Scrabble. My sisters were there almost every day, so they saw that gradual progression, Nimsick said. For me, it was more of a shock each time I saw her because more of her was gone. Thompson, 57, passed away on May 16, 2014 one of 21 people to die from familial, or genetic, CJD that year. We dont talk about it enough. That night Nimsick watched what seemed like millions of fireflies flicker in a field outside her mothers house. There are still days I just want to talk to my mom. Like youre having a really hard day, and she would know what to tell me. Even if she didnt have any specific advice, she would help me feel better, she said. After that, the heartache kept coming. An aunt, who developed glioblastoma and couldnt get surgery because it could trigger CJD, died in 2016. A cousin passed away from CJD in 2017 at the age of 46. An uncle died from CJD in January last year. And years prior, Nimsick says her great-grandfather and great uncle died from what was called brain cancer at the time. Weve gone through this enough times, I know what to expect to see, Nimsick said. Its not so shocking and terrifying. Relief and guilt washed over Nimsick when her blood sample tested negative for the gene. It feels lucky and unfair. Nimsick wont develop CJD or pass the disease onto her two children, ages 8 and 11, and her two sisters are also negative. But shes bracing for the next blow: her brother Greg is a carrier. For this family, grief is always lurking around the corner. We dont talk about it enough and we dont give people enough time to grieve, Nimsick said. Related: Otsego mayor dies after abrupt battle with brain disorder, city says More cases of the rare disease CJD affects about 1 to 2 people per million a year with older adults facing a higher risk of 5 per million for those 55 and older. Put another way, one in every 6,000 deaths in the United States is due to CJD, which adds up to 400 to 500 cases a year. The vast majority are not genetic; only 15 people were diagnosed with familial CJD last year. Federal data shows annual cases of CJD more than doubled going from 238 to 538 over two decades, but the rate is flatter when adjusted for age. And researchers found that CJD cases have risen considerably in recent years, largely due to an aging population and improved diagnosing. Brian Appleby, director of the National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center, told MLive earlier this year that despite the increase in CJD deaths, theres not a reason to be alarmed, that part of the increase is due to heightened awareness and the disease remains rare. But a lot of questions still swirl around CJD, including what causes proteins to misfold and why do people deteriorate so quickly. Theres something about the misfolded protein of a prion protein itself that is just a really rapid clinical course. We dont understand why, Appleby said. These forms of CJD are different than variant CJD, another very rare illness thats caused by eating beef from cows infected with mad cow disease. Research and hope Rare diseases like CJD often struggle to get funding for research because they only affect a small number of people. But last year, Nimsick, her brother and her sister, who speaks openly about CJD on TikTok, traveled to California to participate in prion disease research. They plan to go back this year. A team of doctors at the University of California San Francisco Memory and Aging Center are trying to find a way to treat or cure prion diseases by looking at those with a family history. An ongoing three-year study aims to figure out diagnosing patients early. Because CJD is a rare condition and very rapidly progressive, diagnosis of the disease is often made very late in the illness. If any future treatments for CJD are to be successful, they likely will need to be given to patients as early as possible, the study says. There is currently no way to treat CJD other than making people comfortable. A treatment tested among British patients six years ago showed promising early results, and a clinical trial is currently underway in the United States. The UCSF study could lead to a treatment for sporadic CJD, while gene editing technologies like CRISPR could help Nimsicks family cut their DNA. For Nimsick, the needle pokes, spinal taps and cognitive tests, are a sign of solidarity with her brother, but theyre also a flag of hope. Even if the research that Im participating in now cant help my brother Greg, maybe itll help the next generation or to help other people that are going through this and have the gene, she said. MBABANE Standing out from the rest of the appointees into emabandla is Prophet Vusumuzi Major V Dlamini who now advises the King. Known for making controversial statements and run-ins with pro-political reforms advocates, the prophet, who recently reported to have lost 2 000 church members, has been honoured by the head of State. He is now a member of the supreme council, Liqoqo and one of his major tasks is to form part of an advisory council recommending the appointment of the prime minister to the King as explicitly stated in Section 67 (1) of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini. The King shall appoint the prime minister from among members of the House acting on recommendation of the Kings Advisory Council, reads Section 67 (1) of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Swaziland (Eswatini), which places this responsibility on the shoulders of Major V and his colleagues at Liqoqo. His name was announced yesterday at a presser convened by the Attorney General (AG), Sifiso Mashamphu Khumalo, an ex-officio member of Cabinet, who is also the principal legal advisor for Ingwenyama and the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini.Born on October 9, 1980, Dlamini joins 19 others whom the King appointed to Liqoqo. Hearing the news of his appointment, Major V, beaming with joy and sheer surprise, rhetorically remarked: how am I going to preach tomorrow (today) because Im extremely happy? He is the only noticeable face among the 70 members of emabandla who were announced yesterday at the AGs office in Mbabane. One of the observable appointments was that of Themba Ginindza, as chairman of the Ludzidzini Royal Council, which advises Her Majesty Indlovukazi. Ginindzas appointment meant that Chief Mdlaka Gamedze was no longer the chairman of the Ludzidzini Royal Council. This position is usually held by the governor of Ludzidzini Royal Residence, who is also referred to as the traditional prime minister. The traditional prime ministers post is still vacant after the death of Jim Mbhokane Gama in March 2011. Timothy Velabo Mtetwa acted as the governor of Ludzidzini Royal Residence until his demise in October 2017 at the age of 93. Since the death of Gama, the King has not confirmed anyone to the position of governor of the countrys traditional headquarters. Businesswoman His Majesty has appointed former senator and businesswoman Thandi Maziya to chair the Land Management Board (LMB), a position that was held by Prince Mguciso.Prince Mguciso is not a member of any councils and commissions announced yesterday. It remains to be seen if he will join the Border Restoration Committee which is yet to be appointed. Prince David has been redeployed to Liqoqo. At the time of the deployment, the former minister of justice and constitutional affairs was serving as chairman of the Border Restoration Committee, which is yet to be appointed by the King.Archbishop Makhosini Mavovo Mkhonto moves from the Royal Board of Trustees to another distinguishable appointment was that of Dr Noah Nhleko (PhD) as secretary to the Prince Guduza-led Minerals Management Board (MMB). He becomes the secretary of the Board by virtue of being the commissioner of mines. Dr Nhlekos appointment directly sends a signal to the nation that Robert Biyela is no longer the commissioner of mines. He (Nhleko) served as chief geologist at the Geological Surveys and Mines under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy. He obtained his PhD in Geology and Earth Science from Randse Afrikaanse Univetsiteit (Rand Afrikaans University). It is now official that Lydia Dlamini will not be confirmed to the position of national commissioner of police as His Majesty the King has appointed her into Liqoqo. Vacancy It means there is a vacancy at the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) and it remains to be seen who will be at the helm among the senior police officers there. The buck stops with the King. Hlobisile Ndlovu, the former Cabinet minister, retains her position as a member of the Ludzidzini Royal Council. Roughly, over 90 per cent of the appointees are notably familiar faces who have previously been appointed, with swaps, redeployments and member-retention featuring prominently on the list unveiled by AG Khumalo at the presser. Some of the appointments created vacancies, including the redeployment or return of Peter Mamba to Liqoqo, the council where he began his political career in 1996. Mamba, the former Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, has been serving the State as a regional administrator for Shiselweni, the equivalent of a provincial governor in South Africa. It means there is a vacancy in Shiselweni. The appointment of Princess Sibahle into the Simanga Mamba-chaired CSC may also have created an opening at the Eswatini Electricity Board (EEC) where she is a Board member. Moses Hlophe, the proprietor of VIP Dry Cleaners, has moved from Liqoqo to the Royal Board of Trustees, whose chairperson is Neal Rijkenberg by virtue of being the minister of finance. The Board of Trustees has the likes of Martin Gobizandla Dlamini, the former Minister of Finance and Governor of the Central Bank of Eswatini. Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze is an ex-officio member by virtue of being the Chief Officer at the Kings Office. Former Senate President Gelane Zwane and Vuka Moi Moi Masilela are still in the picture as His Majesty the King appointed them to serve the State as members of Liqoqo. The late Prince Mahlabas sons, Sibhimbi and Jomo are members of Liqoqo and CSC respectively. Reverend Nhlanhla Hlatshwayo who usually directs proceedings during royal church services which are held at Mandvulo Grand Hall in Lozitha is now a member of the CSC. Defence Ingwenyama has also appointed Prince Hlangabeza as national chief defence officer, a position equivalent to that of a minister. In actual fact, Prince Hlangabeza is the Minister of Defence, a position that was held by his brother, Prince Hlangusemphi who died in 2022.Other notable appointees were Sonnyboy Masende Zwane who has served in the royal councils, defunct Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) and Senate. Moses Mathendele Dlamini who was relieved of his duties alongside the late Sam Mkhombe retains his position in the Ludzidzini Council. Mathendele is a former diplomat and minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation. He is a stalwart and defender of the Tinkhundla System of Government. During his tenure in office as the countrys ambassador to the United Nations (UN), he returned to the country on vacation, pointing out that he laid bare the beauty of the Tinkhundla System of Government before Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the former UN Secretary General. Ghali, an Egyptian, died on February 6, 2016 aged 93. It must be said that the Ludzidzini Council has notably two former army commanders in Mangomeni Ndzimandze and Sobantu Dlamini. Former King Sobhuza IIs chauffer Mhlambanyatsi Dlamini of Maphalaleni has also been reappointed into the Ludzidzini Council. Mhlambanyatsi caused laughter during last years Peoples Parliament when he stood up in defence of the Dlaminis, saying the highly privileged and critical positions are reserved for emalangeni (Dlaminis) umgcwebe weMalangeni. Sibusiso Shongwe, the former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, whom the King dismissed during the Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini-administration, is back in the limelight as he retains his position in the Teaching Service Commission (TSC). The senior Mbabane-based attorney returns to TSC after his short term which began in June last year. Prince Nhlonipho is the secretary of the Ludzidzini Council while Mandla Dlamini is poised to retaining his position as secretary of Liqoqo. Returning to the TSC is Dr Amos Mahlalela who is still the chairman. Dr Mahlalela is the former principal of Ngwane Teachers College in Nhlangano. He retains his position with Nkosilenhle Dlamini, the spokesperson of the Ingwenyama Cup, which is sponsored by the Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accident Fund. Reverend Grace Masilela is still in the mix as the King reappointed into the Board of Trustees while Ncumbi Maziya returns to the Ludzidzini Council where he was a member from 2018. Maziya served as commissioner of the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC). Ankara, May 19 (UNI) Seven people, including five police officers, were injured in the Turkish province of Tokat as a result of an explosion in a residential building, Turkish media reported. Police officers responded to a call in the Hurmuzlu area after complaints from neighbors who were annoyed with the loud noise coming from a house, the TRT Haber broadcaster reported on Saturday. After the police entered the house, an explosion occurred, but the cause has not yet been established, the report added. Tokat Governor Numan Hatipoglu said that an investigation into the incident has been launched. UNI/SPUTNIK AKS Follow us on: Ruskin Bond turns 90: Candid conversations from childhood dreams to finding his calling as a writer Follow us on: Centre withholding funds for West Bengal for not displaying PM's face on ration shops, claims Congress OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Congress emphasises Kanhaiya Kumar's 'political acumen', claims cases against him are 'politically motivated' Moneycontrol Features is the home of news and features on entertainment, travel, health and lifestyle, books, sports, art, music, culture, food, environment, and Indian and world history on Moneycontrol. 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OK Michael Erard in the European Review of Books: Language as self, language learning as magic, the mortifications of the flesh: these themes run through The Centre, a debut novel by British-Pakistani writer and translator Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi. Its narrator, Anisa, is a Pakistani translator of Urdu living in London, grappling with tensions of her immigrant identity and cosmopolitan desires. Yes, she had achieved her dream of moving to England but dislikes the cold and the myriad forms of casual racism she encounters. She complains that living outside of Pakistan has tainted her Urdu (her mother tongue) with Hindi words, and she resents the fact that she uses Urdu merely to translate Bollywood film subtitles as opposed to the great literature she admires. To top it off, her other language, French, is mediocre. Not like French-person French, she complains to a friend. One day, at a translation conference, she overhears a young white man speaking Mandarin, Russian and French. At first she resents him, especially after watching Chinese students marvel at his fluent Mandarin. Its always been like that, I thought, so much gratitude and admiration when a white person speaks a non-white language and only contempt and indignation for non-white people who dont speak English. But this resentment melts into amazement and then attraction. Whats the secret of Adams linguistic success? More here. Follow us on: Phase 6 of Lok Sabha election 2024: BJP may hold an edge over TMC in Bengal Salman Khan urges fans to cast votes in Lok Sabha elections 2024, says, "do whatever you want to do man, but go and vote" OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All BTS impersonator sentenced to prison for stealing unreleased music and sensitive information Follow us on: Assault could have been fatal, Bibhav Kumar evasive: Delhi Police says in its remand paper Best cities to find a job in the US OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Prachanda set to seek Vote of Confidence for fourth time Raymond Offenheiser in The Conversation: I spent 20 years as the president of Oxfam America, an international humanitarian organization, and have overseen humanitarian responses to some of the biggest crises of the past three decades, from the war in Kosovo to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. I know from experience that the major aid organizations know how to run large, well-integrated operational responses to emergencies like Gaza. However, this is not happening, in part because Israel is not giving aid groups what they need to do so. More here. Follow us on: What happens if an Iranian president dies in office? 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 Christin Mathew Philip is an Assistant editor at moneycontrol.com. Based in Bengaluru, he writes on mobility, infrastructure and start-ups. He is a Ramnath Goenka excellence in journalism awardee. You can find him on Twitter here: twitter.com/ChristinMP_ 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 You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Lambert here: Even the most minor fix to our health care system is an enormous improvement. By Noam Levey, Senior Correspondent, KFF Health News. Originally published at KFF Health News. ROCHESTER, N.Y. 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 cant. Theyre scared. Theyre nervous. Theyre upset, said Mungenast, who on one recent call worked with an older patient to settle a $143 bill. They do think I dont want this to affect my credit rating. I dont want you to come take my house. At Rochester Regional Health, that wont happen. The nonprofit system in upstate New York is one of only a few nationally that bar all aggressive collection activities. Patients who dont pay wont be taken to court. Their wages wont be garnished. They wont end up with liens on their homes or be denied care. And unpaid bills wont 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 hasnt 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 havent paid. Eslinger said theres 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 werent 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. Its 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 didnt 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 Californias 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 theres no reason more hospitals shouldnt 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 Regionals approach doesnt 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 Regionals 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 its 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 Regionals 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 dont 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? About This Project Diagnosis: Debt is a reporting partnership between KFF Health News and NPR exploring the scale, impact, and causes of medical debt in America. The series draws on original polling by KFF, court records, federal data on hospital finances, contracts obtained through public records requests, data on international health systems, and a yearlong investigation into the financial assistance and collection policies of more than 500 hospitals across the country. Additional research was conducted by the Urban Institute, which analyzed credit bureau and other demographic data on poverty, race, and health status for KFF Health News to explore where medical debt is concentrated in the U.S. and what factors are associated with high debt levels. The JPMorgan Chase Institute analyzed records from a sampling of Chase credit card holders to look at how customers balances may be affected by major medical expenses. And the CED Project, a Denver nonprofit, worked with KFF Health News on a survey of its clients to explore links between medical debt and housing instability. KFF Health News journalists worked with KFF public opinion researchers to design and analyze the KFF Health Care Debt Survey. The survey was conducted Feb. 25 through March 20, 2022, online and via telephone, in English and Spanish, among a nationally representative sample of 2,375 U.S. adults, including 1,292 adults with current health care debt and 382 adults who had health care debt in the past five years. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3 percentage points for the full sample and 3 percentage points for those with current debt. For results based on subgroups, the margin of sampling error may be higher. Reporters from KFF Health News and NPR also conducted hundreds of interviews with patients across the country; spoke with physicians, health industry leaders, consumer advocates, debt lawyers, and researchers; and reviewed scores of studies and surveys about medical debt. America has run dry of Patriot missiles to send to Ukraine so whats next? The Zelensky regime has burned through so much Western-donated weaponry and cash that Ukraine is pretty much out of Patriot missiles to keep Russia at bay. The latest reports indicate that Kiev is once again "actively and urgently" begging Washington, D.C., for more weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) to try to stop Russia from taking back its territory. Each Patriot missile system costs around $1 billion and Kiev wants at least two more of them just for Kharkov alone. The United States, though, says it is only willing to maybe donate one more Patriot missile system. "We are intensely focused on Patriots and other forms of air defense, and making sure that we can find them and bring them to Ukraine," commented Secretary of State Antony Blinken. "Kharkov of course is one urgent priority. There are others. All I can tell you is this is something we discussed in detail, and that we're actively and urgently working on." (Related: The Patriot missile crisis is an ongoing problem that will more than likely result in victory for Russia.) Ukrainian welfare queen Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkov is situation in eastern Ukraine close to Russia. Russian troops have been storming the region with ease, seizing control of cities, towns and villages including Glubokoye and Lukyantsy, two villages located near to the Ukraine-Russia border. "We need today two Patriots for Kharkov," actor and LGBT Pride marcher Volodymyr Zelensky told Blinken while meeting with the U.S. diplomat this week. In 2022, the U.S. gave Ukraine one Patriot battery. Last month, Germany promised to send Ukraine one as well, this after last year donating one with the help of the Netherlands. There is believed to be one additional battery currently in Ukraine as well. 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. One of the aforementioned Patriot batteries donated to Ukraine was damaged in a Russian hypersonic missile strike last year. If you are unfamiliar with what a Patriot battery is, it is comprised of a power plant, radar and control stations, truck-mounted missile launchers and an array of support vehicles. The U.S. handed Ukraine another $60 billion welfare check last month that the Zelensky regime could use to pay for more Patriot missile systems, but said systems are said to be in such short supply that the money is basically worthless. The Congressional Research Service compiled a report last year estimating that the U.S. currently has around 60 Patriot batteries in service. All around the world, including in the 18 countries that operate them as well, there are said to be around 250 Patriot batteries in existence. Raytheon manufactures Patriot batteries in partnership with Lockheed Martin. Both of these companies are major weapons and defense industry players with lots of cash being thrown their way. Though he most recently asked for just two Patriot batteries, Zelensky said last month that he actually wants 25 Patriot batteries from the U.S., each of which is to comprise between six and eight launchers. Zelensky later revised that number down to "at least seven," only to be told by U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan that Washington cannot give any more Patriot batteries to Ukraine without undermining its own national security. Now, suddenly, the U.S. is considering handing Ukraine one single Patriot missile system even though Russia is promising a certain victory no matter how many Patriot missile systems are sent to Ukraine. "Planning and allegedly preparing for that war for 14 years and then running out of arms and defence systems within 2 years aptly demonstrates what NATO is a reckless, even criminal enterprise threatening mankind," wrote a commenter at RT about all this madness. The latest news about the debacle in Ukraine can be found at Corruption.news. Sources for this article include: RT.com NaturalNews.com Pathological LIAR Biden is still arming Israels genocidal operations with $1B worth of weapons Despite claims of cutting weapons shipments to Israel if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah, President Joe Biden's administration is pushing through with its $1 billion weapons transfer to Israel. The move will have to be approved by Congress, according to a Wall Street Journal report. This billion-dollar worth of weapons includes $700 million in tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles and $60 million in mortar rounds. It remains unclear when the arms will be sent. Earlier in May, when he announced halting the sending of weaponry to Israel, which he acknowledged has been used to kill civilians in Gaza, Biden assured that the U.S. would continue to provide defensive weapons, including for its Iron Dome air defense system, though other shipments would end should a major ground invasion of Rafah begin. "We are continuing to send military assistance," White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters Monday. "We have paused a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs because we dont believe they should be dropped in densely populated cities." Moreover, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said this week: "We strongly, strongly oppose attempts to constrain the President's ability to deploy U.S. security assistance consistent with U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives." She added that Washington plans to send "every last cent" of the supplemental package signed into legislation by Biden last month. Seth Binder, an expert on U.S. weapons sales with the Middle East Democracy Center, a policy institute in Washington, said the White House's decision to proceed with a large new weapons package for Israel only days after halting a pending shipment weakened its attempt to pressure Netanyahu to rethink the conduct of the war. "This is just another example of them muddying their message and undermining any real strength behind the hold," Binder 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. Back in March, Congress also passed a $95 billion package of foreign aid that includes military assistance to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. Meanwhile, Israel has already carried out airstrikes and sent forces into Rafah over the past week in what it calls a targeted operation to pressure Hamas into a deal that releases hostages in return for a temporary ceasefire. Dozens of civilians, including children, have been reported killed. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have been forcibly displaced and the operation has severely disrupted efforts to send aid into the strip. (Related: Israel captures Rafah border crossing, cutting off all humanitarian aid to Gaza as hundreds of thousands face starvation.) The U.S. State Department is required to notify Congress when the U.S. plans to sell weapons to other countries when the deal rises above specific dollar thresholds. It typically provides information to the House and Senate foreign affairs committees ahead of those potential arms sales, followed by a formal congressional notification. America has sent Israel tens of thousands of bombs, tank and artillery ammunition, precision weapons and air-defense equipment since the war began, often drawing on $23 billion worth of weapons transfers that have been previously approved by Congress. U.S. weapons transfers to Israel are usually paid for out of foreign aid funds provided by Congress. An aid package approved last month includes about $26 billion in funding for Israel, including $5.2 billion in spending on air defenses, $1 billion for the production of artillery and billions of dollars for other weapons systems and U.S. military operations undertaken in the region in response to recent attacks. It also includes about $9 billion for humanitarian assistance, some of which would help Gaza residents. UN's Guterres denounces Israel's Rafah assault, calls it "unacceptable" United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres could not take Israels continued genocidal operations in the southern Gazan Palestinian city. "Any assault on Rafah is unacceptable. It would inflict another surge of pain and misery when we need a surge in life-saving aid," he said during a summit of the League of Arab States. "The toll on civilians continues to escalate. Entire families were wiped out. Children are traumatized and injured for life. People were denied access to the very basics for human survival. A looming famine." According to the UN leader, hearts are breaking for Palestinians in Gaza as the war Israel is waging is a "wound" that could affect the whole region. "In its speed and scale, it is the deadliest conflict in my time as secretary-general for civilians, aid workers, journalists and our own UN colleagues," he said, further urging the release of hostages. "I reiterate my call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. And nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people." Meanwhile, foreign ministers from 13 countries have signed a letter warning Israel to halt its ground invasion of Rafah and to allow more aid to reach the Palestinian population. German news agency DPA reported that apart from the U.S., all other members of the G7 nations signed the four-page letter sent to Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz. In the letter, the ministers called on Netanyahus government to alleviate the devastating and worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza by opening all border crossings for aid supplies, including the Rafah crossing with Egypt, which is under Israeli military control. The letter was signed by the foreign ministers of the G7 states: Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Japan and Canada, as well as their counterparts from Australia, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea and Sweden. Head over to WWIII.news to get updates on the ongoing wars all over the world. Sources for this article include: WSJ.com Edition.CNN.com TheCradle.co Aljazeera.com Construction of U.S. military floating pier off Gaza nearly complete The U.S. Central Command has released images of a floating pier being constructed by the U.S. military off the coast of Gaza. Once completed, the pier is intended to facilitate the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to the devastated strip's starving population. Construction of the temporary pier began at sea last week, and the images show crew members from several military vessels building the platform. Additionally, a satellite image from Planet Labs shows the pier under construction. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh stated on Monday that the pier will cost the U.S. approximately $320 million. This estimate includes all expenses related to the initial construction of the system, known as Joint Logistics Over the Shore, or JLOTS. The operational costs of the pier are expected to increase over the next several months. A senior military official indicated last week that the U.S. is "on track to begin delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza from the sea in early May." The initial delivery will be the equivalent of 90 trucks per day of aid, quickly scaling up to 150 trucks per day once full operational capacity is achieved. The official emphasized that the U.S. military is prepared to execute the mission "for several months," but clarified that there will be no U.S. boots on the ground in Gaza, as President Joe Biden had ruled out when he announced plans for the pier in March. Instead, the Israel Defense Forces will partner with the U.S. military to anchor the causeway to the shore in Gaza "on day one," according to the military official. 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. U.S. military likely to operate the pier for at least three months U.S. officials previously informed CNN that the U.S. military is likely to operate the pier for at least the next three months, with the ultimate goal of turning it into a full-time commercial operation usable by other countries and non-governmental organizations. Meanwhile, the British Navy support ship RFA Cardigan Bay is sailing from Cyprus to support efforts to build the temporary pier, according to a statement from the Royal Navy on May 11. The British ship will provide "accommodation for hundreds of U.S. sailors and soldiers working to establish the pier," the navy stated. Once established, the World Food Program (WFP) will support the distribution of aid from the pier, and USAID will collaborate with the United Nations to distribute the aid once it reaches Gaza. CNN previously reported that aid will flow from Cyprus via commercial vessels, which will travel approximately 200 miles to the floating pier anchored miles off the Gaza coast. The aid will then be transferred onto smaller Army boats, capable of holding about 15 trucks of aid each, which will shuttle to the causeway anchored to the shore. The construction of the pier comes as the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorates and the death toll from Israel's bombardment rises. All 2.2 million people in Gaza are facing food insecurity, with half of the population on the brink of starvation and famine imminent, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). Concerns are also growing over an anticipated Israeli military operation in southern Gaza's Rafah, prompting renewed calls for a ceasefire to ensure uninterrupted aid flow. Israel's allies, including the U.S., have warned against the operation due to the potential for large-scale civilian casualties. Recently, 22 people, including at least one infant and a toddler, were killed in an Israeli airstrike over Rafah, according to hospital officials. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Monday, May 13, that there has been "measurable progress" in getting aid to Gaza but acknowledged that it is "not enough" to address the humanitarian crisis. Human rights agencies have repeatedly warned that Israel's severe restrictions on aid deliveries mean relief is barely trickling into the strip. Before the war, about 500 trucks of supplies entered the Palestinian enclave daily. Visit WWIII.news for more stories like this. Watch Rafah Gaza families evacuate amid fighting. This video is from the alltheworldsastage channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: JustTheNews.com Brighteon.com Appeals court REJECTS request by Maryland parents to allow kids to opt out of reading LGBT BOOKS A federal appeals court has rejected a request by a group of parents from Maryland to allow their children in elementary school to opt out of lessons involving LGBT-themed books. On May 15, the three-judge panel of the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Virginia ruled 2-1 against the plaintiffs. Circuit Judge Steven Agee, who was appointed by former President George W. Bush, penned the majority opinion while Circuit Judge DeAndrea Benjamin, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, joined him. Circuit Judge A. Marvin Quattlebaum Jr., an appointee of former President Donald Trump, was the lone dissenter. The May 15 ruling by Agee found that the parents had failed to demonstrate how the Montgomery County Board of Education's (MCBE) book policy would infringe anyone's right to freely exercise religion. A year earlier, parents of multiple faiths including Muslim, Jewish, and Christian sued the MCBE over its refusal to provide notice and an opportunity to opt out from their childrens exposure to certain books and related discussions. According to the plaintiffs, the no-opt-out policy violates their and their childrens free exercise and free speech rights under the First Amendment, the parents substantive due process rights under the Fourteenth Amendment and state law. Joined by parents' rights organization Kids First, they argued in court that they should be able to opt their children out of the discussion of books with "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer characters" because the books' messages "contradict their sincerely held religious beliefs about marriage, human sexuality and gender." 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. "There's no evidence at present that the [MCBE's] decision not to permit opt-outs compels the parents or their children to change their religious beliefs or conduct, either at school or elsewhere. Simply hearing about other views does not necessarily exert pressure to believe or act differently than one's religious faith requires," Agee wrote. The May 15 ruling affirmed an earlier decision issued by District Judge Deborah Boardman of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. The Biden-appointed judge denied a preliminary injunction on the matter in August last year. While the MCBE initially gave parents the chance to opt their children out of being exposed to the books, this option was scrapped beginning with the current school year. (Related: Biden-appointed judge rules parents can't opt children out of school lessons promoting LGBT ideology.) Groomers at MCBE defend LGBT books as "important literacy tools" The lawsuit by the concerned parents followed the MCBE's approval of several LGBT-themed storybooks for use in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), the largest public school system in the Old Line State and also one of the largest in the country. Examples of books approved by the MCBE in classrooms include Robin Stevenson's "Pride Puppy," which is about a dog who gets lost during an LGBT Pride parade. Jodie Patterson's "Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope," which is about her female-to-male transgender child's experience, is another title approved by the school board. The MCBE defended its decision to approve the books in legal filings from late last year. It argued that the said LGBT books are important literacy tools intended to teach English and language arts (ELA). Moreover, the school board added that the books were approved as part of efforts to reflect the diversity of the school community. The said books also reportedly advance the MCBE's goal to normalize an inclusive environment, according to the Epoch Times. "They do not prompt children to explore romantic feelings or question their sexual orientation or gender identity. They are language arts instructional materials approved by specialists for use in the ELA curriculum that reflect the communities in which MCPS students live." Agee's majority ruling also indicated that the record regarding how teachers were actually using the books in their classrooms and what, exactly children were being taught from them was "threadbare." He did not close the door entirely on the matter, however, and suggested that further litigation may be on the cards. Check out Groomers.news for similar stories. Watch this clip of Muslim families in Maryland's Montgomery County protesting against LGBT books used in the MCPS. This video is from the Puretrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Michigan school board meeting turns chaotic as Muslim parents push back against LGBT materials. Tom Renz rants about widespread promotion of LGBT ideology in school system, social media. Mississippi mayor refuses to distribute funds to libraries that display LGBT books for kids. LGBTQ-themed books top list of most challenged library books of 2023. Tennessee city to BAN all LGBT books from county libraries. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com Brighteon.com Englands National Health Service tried to destroy the careers of healthcare providers who raised concerns about patients safety Englands National Health Service systematically attacks doctors and nurses who raise concerns about the safety of patients under their care, according to an explosive new report by the Telegraph. The news outlet has been running a series of articles explaining how the NHS goes after medical professionals who dare to speak out about flaws in the system, destroying their careers, and in some cases, their lives. They spoke to dozens of doctors and nurses who claim to have been targets of these campaigns after presenting their concerns about hundreds of cases of substandard care and patient deaths. Sadly, the NHS appears to be more interested in investigating the doctors than the problems with the system. The whistleblowers' accounts of their treatment after raising concerns are all so similar that it is apparent that the NHS uses a playbook of tactics aimed at intimidating and silencing them. They describe a culture of cover-ups, with management and colleagues alike bullying and harassing medical professionals. According to the Telegraph, the NHS is more likely to investigate the conduct of a whistleblower than they are to look into the issue they raise. In fact, 41 of the 52 medics that they interviewed reported that their own conduct was investigated and that they were targeted by counter-allegations after they raised their concerns. Just 28 of the 52 reported that their employer conducted an investigation into the patient's safety, and in cases where they did so, 24 out of 28 said that they had major reservations about the manner in which these investigations were carried out. 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. One whistleblower, Hampshire Hospitals and NHS Foundation Trust OB/GYN Martyn Pitman, said that he was placed under a Maintaining High Professional Standards investigation after raising concerns about the maternity care at his facility. His representative with the British Medical Association told him that it could take up to 18 months for the investigation to be complete, even though they are supposed to be finished within six weeks. He said the representative told him the trusts deliberately extend it because they want to break you. They want to absolutely destroy you. Maxillofacial surgeon Serryth Colbert told a similar story, noting: 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. Intimidation, harassment and disciplinary action For many doctors, harassment, intimidation and bullying came after blowing the whistle, with 16 medics reporting being inappropriately referred to psychiatric or psychological services, while others were referred to the tax authorities, social services and even the police in what they believe are attempts to weaken their resolve to continue fighting against injustices in the system. Another way the NHS intimidates whistleblowers is by referring them to the General Medical Council (GMC). Numerous doctors report being told that they would be referred to the GMC if they did not withdraw their complaint, although this appears to be largely an empty threat; on the few occasions that referrals led to a "fitness to practice" hearing, regulators concluded that there was no case. However, there are many other tactics that clinics and hospitals use to silence doctors or pressure them to quit if they blow the whistle. Nearly half of the medics the Telegraph spoke to faced disciplinary action; 16 of them were dismissed and 19 were suspended. Others were demoted, hit with adverse changes to the terms and conditions of their employment, given extra workloads or issued a pay cut. Sadly, patient safety is only going to get worse in the NHS if medical professionals are too scared to speak out about the problems their patients face. Sources for this article include: Expose-News.com Telegraph.co.uk GOP goes all-in for censorship as Zionism takes over the Republican Party With the exception of actual violence or dangerous trespassing, the Gaza solidarity protesters at college campuses across America have every right to speak their minds, regardless of who it offends or upsets. But a large segment of the Republican Party completely disagrees After pretending for years to be champions of the First Amendment, the grand old party (GOP) is taking a 180 and completely flipping the script by claiming that Americans only have the right to free speech if they "support Israel." Anything to the contrary is apparently off limits and subject to punishment. Suddenly, it is the left that is speaking out in defense of free speech while the right engages in a public gaslighting session in the truest sense of that word. "All politicians are the epitome of saying one thing and doing another it's part of their DNA," reported Revolver. "However, calling them 'hypocrites' is too easy and lazy, almost as if we're just shrugging it off and giving them a free pass." "Their actions are more like a choreographed dance, gliding along with the spotlight. And make no mistake, both sides are shaking their thing in this performance, leaving 'we the people' as the unfortunate audience of yet another political gong show. ? ONLY ON ? can you get a shout-out from Brazilian President Bolsonaro's son and fellow patriot as we ALL do our part in the battle for free speech! Free speech is a human right, and if we lose it here, we lose it everywhere! pic.twitter.com/6ORHkRfjZG Diligent Denizen (@DiligentDenizen) May 7, 2024 (Related: The GOP is even going so far as to try to weaponize the IRS against people in America who speak out against the war on Gaza.) Politicians are the worst The New York Times is the latest left-leaning entity to suddenly care about free speech, pretending as though the paper always stood for free speech. The Democrats at that media outlet are no better than the Republicans they fight against as both sides amplify the chaos. "This time around, we watch as Republicans flip the switch and crusade against free speech in the name of 'safety and democracy' (sound familiar?). Meanwhile, the New York Times flips the script, backing away from the pro-Palestinian protesters while simultaneously posing as the big defenders of 'free speech' and law and order," Revolver added. 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. "Of course, they're conveniently glossing over their own history of cheering on tyrannical censorship. All of this unfolds as the right starts using the left's censorship tactics to shut down so-called 'hate speech' on campuses a term that doesn't even have a legal leg to stand on and now the Times has snatched up the 'free speech' banner, strutting around and calling out the 'tyrannical censors' on the right." House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is the top dog pushing censorship on the right currently. And the Times, of all entities, is now standing up in defense of free speech. Are we in the twilight zone? According to the Times, free discourse is the very lifeblood of higher education. Being allowed to express oneself in a safe environment is part of how society is forged throughout the ages, but corrupt politicians of all political stripes are constantly getting in the way of that actually happening. If you support Gaza and want to speak out about it, do so respectfully while staying in the bounds of the law, that way they cannot trip you up and derail your message by turning it into a conversation about violence and "terrorism." And if you support Israel, how about trying to make a case for yourself without spending all your time and energy trying to silence your opposition? The latest news about the D.C. assault on free speech can be found at FirstAmendment.news. Sources for this article include: Revolver.news NaturalNews.com Israel carpet bombs Gaza with no goal in sight Dozens of Palestinian civilians have been killed and injured over the past 24 hours by intense Israeli bombardment across the Gaza Strip. (Article republished from TheCradle.co) Israeli airstrikes have continued to relentlessly bomb northern, central, and southern Gaza. 18 martyrs and six wounded were admitted to the Kuwait Hospital in the southern city of Rafah, medical sources told WAFA news agency on 12 May. Children were among those killed by Israeli strikes on Rafah. Israeli tanks opened fire on civilian homes in the eastern areas of Deir al-Balah and Maghazi, WAFA added. Israeli artillery shelling pounded Gaza Citys Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the north. Over a dozen civilians remain trapped under the rubble there, according to WAFA. Several civilians were also killed in the bombing of northern Gazas Jabalia. Heavy Israeli bombardment of Jabalia refugee camp continues. This video shows the bombardment of the medical personnel and journalists in the camp. pic.twitter.com/HFVEA5Be9B Mustafa Barghouti @Mustafa_Barghouti (@MustafaBarghou1) May 12, 2024 An Israeli quadcopter opened fire at the UNRWA clinic in the Jabalia refugee camp. "Our emergency crews are receiving many calls for help, said civil defense spokesman Mahmoud Basal, adding that it is gravely difficult and dangerous for the civil defense crews to aid civilians because they themselves have no immunity and are targeted by Israeli occupation forces. The intensified bombardment comes as Israeli troops are engaged in fierce clashes with the Palestinian resistance in northern Gaza. Hamas Qassam Brigades struck Israeli forces with heavy-caliber mortar shells in Al-Zaytoun neighborhood on 12 May, the group said in a statement. On 11 May, intense clashes reignited in Al-Zaytoun, months after Tel Aviv claimed Hamas had been defeated in the north of the enclave. The Israeli army has also deployed to the city of Jabalia north of Gaza City, where it now says fighters from Hamas' armed wing have regrouped. The Qassam Brigades have also continued to fiercely confront Israeli forces operating in the southern city of Rafah, where the army launched a recent operation to seize the border crossing with Egypt. Tel Aviv had been claiming for months that Rafah is Hamas final stronghold, despite its continued presence, along with other factions, across the strip. Rocket barrages have been flying out of Rafah toward the positions of Tel Aviv's forces and nearby settlements over the past two days. ? Rocket sirens sound in Gaza border communities i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) May 12, 2024 Hamas has military capability and it will remain, and we will not end it if we continue fighting, former head of Israels National Security Council, Giora Eiland, said on Saturday. Read more at: TheCradle.co Musk: 2024 election will be the LAST ELECTION decided by U.S. citizens because of unrestrained illegal immigration Elon Musk, owner of electric vehicle maker Tesla and the X social platform, has warned that the November 2024 election would be the last election "actually decided by U.S. citizens." He issued this warning as a response to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives voting to add a citizenship question to the ten-year U.S. census via the Equal Representation Act (ERA). The lower chamber voted 206-202 on May 8 to pass this proposal. But according to the New York Post, the ERA is expected to be dead on arrival in the Democratic-controlled Senate. "Including the count of non-U.S. citizens in determining how many congressional seats and [Electoral College] votes each state has is skewing the representation of Americans in their federal government," Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-IL) said in a statement. The congressman for the Prairie State introduced the ERA in January, attaching well over 100 co-sponsors. House Democrats opposed the ERA and voted along party lines against it, and the Biden administration also expressed disagreement with the proposal, according to Great Game India. A statement from the White House said President Joe Biden "strongly opposed" the plan. It claimed that the ERA violated the Constitution's Fourteenth Amendment, which stipulates that the census shall only count the "whole number of persons" in each state. "The Biden administration is committed to ensuring that the census remains as accurate as possible and free from political interference, and to upholding the longstanding principle of equal representation enshrined in our Constitution, census statutes and historical tradition," the White House statement read. 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. Nevertheless, the X owner pointed to the massive number of illegals entering under Biden's open borders policy as a basis for his prediction. He wrote on May 9: "Unanimous Democrat opposition to requiring citizenship for apportionment of House seats and presidential Electoral College votes says it all." "The Democratic Party's goal is to disenfranchise U.S. citizens by importing as many illegal immigrants as possible. Given the massive influx of illegals from every country on Earth, 2024 will probably be the last election decided by U.S. citizens." (Related: House Democrats pushing to permit migrants to vote.) Illegal immigration out of control under Biden Since acquiring the platform formerly known as Twitter for $44 billion in October 2022, Musk frequently takes to X to post a range of political opinions. While he supported Biden in 2020, the X owner has publicly criticized the chief executive's immigration policies, particularly about the U.S.-Mexico border. Despite this, Musk has also called for Biden to expedite and simplify the legal immigration process. Meanwhile, the GOP argues that immigration is out of control, especially in the southwest portion of the border with Mexico. According to Great Game India, "the ERA was introduced to improve the fairness of the process used to assign congressional seats" amid the issue of illegal immigration. "At the moment, figures are determined by taking into account the entire population of a state which includes non-citizens utilizing information from the decennial census. GOP lawmakers hope to utilize the data from the inclusion of citizenship status on the form to exclude non-citizens from the population figures used to calculate congressional seats." "The mere presence of illegal immigrants in the U.S. is influencing electoral outcomes, and the ERA that the House [of Representatives] passed would protect our democracy by making sure that American citizens and American citizens only have a say in determining the direction of our country," said Edwards. Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL), a co-sponsor of the ERA, described the proposal as "just one measure of many we must take to ensure election security and [see to it that] our votes are protected." He continued: "Biden's disastrous and intentional border crisis has resulted in millions of criminal migrants crossing our borders illegally. We must take steps to preserve the integrity of our elections." House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said after the May 8 vote: "We should not reward states and cities that violate federal immigration laws and maintain sanctuary policies with increased congressional representation. Common sense dictates that only American citizens should be counted for electoral apportionment, and the ERA ensures that." Head over to InvasionUSA.news for similar stories. Watch this clip from "Mornings with Maria" on Fox Business about Senate Democrats voting to count illegals in the U.S. census. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Biden calls illegals crossing the border "Hispanic voters." Cultural replacement: Why the immigration crisis is being deliberately engineered. Sen. Bill Hagerty accuses Democrats of plotting to use illegals to gain more congressional seats. The plot to RIG the 2024 election by instantly legalizing MILLIONS of illegals who invaded America. House Democrats just voted to REPLACE American voters with illegal immigrants who will now be represented in Congress. Sources include: GreatGameIndia.com NYPost.com Brighteon.com Slovakias pro-Russian, anti-WHO PM shot multiple times in attempted assassination but he luckily survived Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and critically injured in an assassination attempt on Wednesday, May 15. The prime minister was shot at close range with a handgun in the central Slovak city of Handlova at around 2:50 p.m. local time as he was leaving a government meeting and was greeting a crowd of supporters in the city's square. The assailant, 71-year-old Juraj Cintula, was among the crowd. He beckoned Fico to greet him and when the prime minister got close, Cintula fired his handgun five times. Two of the shots struck Fico in his abdomen and shoulder. Following emergency surgery that lasted five hours, Deputy Prime Minister Tomas Taraba reported that while Fico's condition remains critical, he is stable and expected to recover. President-elect Peter Pellegrini, an ally of Fico, later reported that he had spoken with the prime minister and that his condition "remains very serious." Cintula is a former security guard at a shopping center, the author of several books of poetry and has spoken on social media of his desire to form a new political movement. He has been charged with premeditated attempted murder. Slovak authorities are still speculating over Cintula's motive for attempting to assassinate the prime minister, but Minister of Interior Matus Sutaj Estok has announced that the government believes Cintula acted alone. However, they agreed that Cintula's actions were politically motivated. "I can confirm that this person is not a member of any right-wing or left-wing radicalized party," said Estok. 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. Fico opposed war in Ukraine, WHO Pandemic Treaty Fico is notable for his openly Russia-friendly views, which have contributed to deep divisions in the small Eastern European nation that shares a border with Ukraine. Fico, who had previously served three terms as prime minister, returned to power last year in a contentious election on a pro-Russian, anti-American message that became a cause for concern within the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, with many worried that he would abandon his country's pro-Western course, especially on the topic of Ukraine. At the beginning of Russia's special military invasion in 2022, Fico's predecessors turned Slovakia into one of Ukraine's staunchest supporters. Upon his return to office, Fico immediately halted arms deliveries to Ukraine. The assassination attempt against Fico also occurred only days after his government announced that it would not be supporting the World Health Organization's Pandemic Treaty, including the new International Health Regulations in the proposal. Health Minister Zuzana Dolinkova noted that the country would not be signing any agreements that could potentially weaken the nation's sovereignty. In November, Fico referred to the Pandemic Treaty as "nonsense" that "could only be invented by greedy pharmaceutical companies, which began to perceive resistance from some governments against mandatory vaccination." (Related: Slovakian PM Robert Fico links COVID-19 vaccines to cardiovascular DEATHS.) Both Fico's allies and opponents have already come out condemning the assassination attempt. "This atrocious crime cannot be justified," said Russian President Vladimir Putin in a message released by the Kremlin. "I know Robert Fico as a courageous and strong-willed person. I truly hope these personal qualities will help him overcome this harsh situation." "Every effort should be made to ensure that violence does not become the norm in any country, form or sphere," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a statement denouncing the attack against Fico. Pellegrini called on political parties to suspend or scale back campaigns for the European Parliament elections which will be held from June 6 to 9. "If there is anything that the people of Slovakia urgently need today, it is at least basic agreement and unity among the Slovak political representation," he said. "And if not consensus, then please, at least civilized ways of discussing among each other." Watch this clip from RT with legal expert Andre Napolitano discussing how Robert Fico's opposition to current European policy should not cost him his life. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Slovakia's PM reveals NATO, EU states still considering sending troops to Ukraine. Slovak PM: Russian-Ukraine war "started in 2014 with the rampant spread of Ukrainian neo-Nazis." Slovakian authorities to destroy 1,500-ton grain shipment from Ukraine due to toxic levels of pesticide contamination. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk APNews.com NYTimes.com TheGuardian.com LifeSiteNews.com Brighteon.com Ukrainian military STOLE aid money intended for fortifications, so nothing got built Much of the money that the West sent to Ukraine to help the Zelensky regime fight Russia was embezzled by the Ukrainian military , we have learned. The reason why Russian armor was so easily able to roll across the border into Kharkov without resistance is because instead of using all that cash to build up its defenses, Ukraine stole the money and used it to pad the pockets of key government figures. It turns out that both military and civilian authorities in Ukraine's Kharkov Region paid millions of dollars to fake companies to supply non-existent building materials for the construction of defense fortifications. What they really did with all that money was launder it, in other words. To those who would say that this is just "Russian propaganda" or "the Kremlin's marching orders," consider the fact that Russia swept the region with ease precisely because Ukraine spent all that money elsewhere instead of on military fortifications as claimed. (Related: Did you know that the FBI is once again colluding with Big Tech to silence online free speech ahead of the 2024 election?) Owners of fake Ukrainian businesses called "avatars" by watchdog According to reports, Russia captured dozens of towns and villages all throughout the northern part of the Kharkov Region last Friday after launching its offensive and discovering that Ukraine was wearing no clothes. Russian troops reportedly captured the village of Bugrovatka on the Monday after as well, with additional Ukrainian losses being reported near Veseloye, Volchansk and Liptsi, the latter of which is located about 20 kilometers from the outskirts of Kharkov city. 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. A Ukrainian anti-corruption activist by the name of Martina Boguslavets revealed that together, Kharkov's Department of Housing and Communal Services (ZhKG) and the Regional Military Administration (OVA) received seven billion hryvnias (about $176.5 million in U.S. dollars) to build defenses to protect against the Russian invasion, but once again greed took over as opposed to honesty. RT reported that for the wood portion alone, ZhKG and OVA signed contracts worth 270 million hryvnia (about $6.8 million) with five separate companies, all of which did not even exist at the time when the contracts were first signed. Only after the contracts were announced did the five companies suddenly come into existence. No actual bidding took place and at least two of the "companies" were discovered to be owned by the same person. "Moreover, the owners of these firms do not resemble successful businessmen and businesswomen," Boguslavets wrote. "They have dozens of court cases, from whiskey theft to domestic violence against a husband and mother; some of them are deprived of parental rights and have had enforcement proceedings for bank loans." Boguslavets described these fake business owners as "avatars" that are installed oftentimes without their knowledge. One of them who was paid 52 million hryvnias (about $1.3 million) as a "small fee" for agreeing to become one of the fake business owners is actually an agricultural laborer who was basically recruited by the corrupt entities in charge of Ukraine. "The naked eye can see how a government official mercilessly registers new companies, using for this purpose people who, due to the circumstances, may not be aware of this," she added. "And this someone continues to make money on blood." The commander of a Ukrainian special reconnaissance unit confirmed to the BBC that all of this is true, which explains why Russia took over the region nearly unopposed. "There was no first line of defense," this person, named Denis Yaroslavsky, said. "We saw it. The Russians just walked in. They just walked in without any mined fields." Ukraine really is one of the most corrupt nations in the world. Find out more at Corruption.news. Sources for this article include: RT.com NaturalNews.com The Third Eye: A border state that needs to be secured T he nation can still recall how Punjab was caught in the grip of terrorism in the latter 1980s that could be countered only through sustained use of armed police, socio-political efforts at restoring peace and the diplomatic initiatives taken for mobilising world opinion against the call of 'Khalistan'. The environment of hurt feelings amongst Sikhs created by Op Blue Star at the Golden Temple, the rise of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale as the fulcrum of the 'Khalistan movement' in the state, and the full exploitation of the situation by Pakistan which pumped in arms, explosives and trained militants into Punjab had all combined at that time to push the level of terrorist violence all over the state to an unprecedented high with things coming to a pass where people in Chandigarh and Mohali stopped leaving their houses after sunset. The comprehensive countermeasures of the state did succeed by the turn of the decade -- the execution of Operation Black Thunder in 1988, which was based on two fundamental precepts that no policeman would enter the premises of the Golden Temple and no bullet would be fired from outside towards the Temple, played a major part in turning the things around for the eventual return of peace to Punjab. What really marked the end of the chapter of terrorist violence in the border state was the restoration of Hindu-Sikh unity against the machinations of the external enemy to permanently damage their brotherly relations by instigating targeted killings on communal lines. This ground reality of peace rooted in Hindu-Sikh unity has held on for decades -- it found validation in the political alliance between the BJP and Akali Dal in recent times. Punjab happily is once more acknowledged as the prime contributor to the nations defence as well as the countrys food economy. The border state however is again being targeted by forces inimical to India. The situation in Punjab, with its strategic location, is becoming vulnerable in the face of the evil designs of the adversaries to revive the call of Khalistan outside India in the hope that this would produce an induction effect within the state. The people of Punjab are averse to any disruptive ideas and remain united in faith -- being totally devoted to the teachings of Guru Nanak and the recitation of Shabad at Gurudwaras. There is complete socio-cultural harmony between Hindus and Sikhs in Punjab as also in the rest of the country. Indias enemies are therefore trying to operate externally to work out ways of injecting trouble in the state from outside. The Khalistan movement is being revived in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK by enemy agents trying to work in the Sikh diaspora, particularly among the younger generations who had remained somewhat cut off from Punjab, the land of their origin, possibly losing some emotional attachment with India as well. They could fall for the separatist rhetoric more easily particularly when this was backed by the narrative of majoritarianism and anti-minorityism built against the regime by anti-India lobbies abroad often working with some of the civil society groups at home. In Punjab, sporadic attempts to use Gurudwaras to revive the Amritdhari cult have come to notice. Isolated incidents of assault on a Granthi or desecration of Guru Granth Sahib have to be guarded against as they could prove to be the flag points for instigated trouble. It is also clearly evident that there is an organised attempt by the adversary to step up the induction of narcotics into Punjab from across the border to increase drug addiction among the youth there making them vulnerable to outside influence and the manoeuvring of enemy agents. Slowly but steadily the Pak-supported Khalistan movement is raising its head in Sikh diaspora abroad, particularly since 2022. Vandalism against Indias diplomatic missions, defacing of temples and glorifying past incidents pertaining to Khalistan terror in India have been resorted to in a planned manner. These subversive activities abroad have been accompanied by some violent actions on Indian soil as well. There was infiltration of Khalistan elements in the farmers agitation of 2020 and on January 26, 2021, some Sikh protestors entered Red Fort and hoisted Nishan Sahib's flag there. Meanwhile, Amritpal Singh, a known Khalistan protagonist who had links with the US-based Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), along with thousands of supporters carrying a copy of Guru Granth Sahib and also some firearms, raided Ajnala Police Station near Amritsar on February 23, 2023, and forcibly secured the release of Loveprit Singh Toofan, an aid of Amritpal, arrested earlier in a case of violence. Amritpal Singh, the leader of self-styled Waris Punjab De, is known to have been trained by Pak ISI and housed in Dubai which is an important hub of ISI. He visited Rode village in Moga district the birthplace of Sant Bhindranwale in an attempt to emulate the latter. He was finally arrested in April 2023 and shifted to Dibrugarh jail in Assam considering his potential for whipping up violence in Punjab. Apart from spreading the Khalistan movement, Amritpal Singh was actively involved in smuggling drugs into Punjab and promoting addiction amongst the youth of Punjab. All of this proved Pak ISIs hand behind the revival of Khalistan call in Punjab and the pumping of drugs into the state with the intention of raising a body of addicted youth who would do its bidding in subverting the border state through the separatist Khalistan movement. The Sino-Pak axis remains hostile to India and has become much more active after the abrogation of Article 370 by the Indian Parliament. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes through the northern part of PoK and it was vehemently opposed by India. Operational collusion between China and Pakistan against India has lately been reflected in the use of Chinese drones by Pak ISI for dropping arms and narcotic consignments in Kashmir and Punjab. There are reports of Pak-based Islamic militant outfits being used for building contacts with Sikh extremist elements in Punjab. Pak ISI is likely to repeat its modus operandi in Punjab and do a few things that had helped it in the 1980s to build terrorism in the state. Gurudwaras were used for indoctrinating and even sheltering militants, training in techniques of making IEDs was imparted -- cycle bombs made by packing RDx into the cylinders of a cycle and fitting it with a timer became a trademark of terror at that time -- and Hindu-Sikh enmity and distrust was whipped up by directing targeted killings of Hindus. Any beginnings of this kind of violence should be promptly noticed. Pak ISI knows it is not easy to build the Khalistan movement at present but buoyed by the Sino-Pak axis, it is determined to press for it by first promoting the idea outside and using pro-Khalistan groups to inject the same into Punjab. Pak ISI is prompted to concentrate on Punjab in line with its old K2 plan as the Centre had successfully controlled the situation in Kashmir after abrogating Art 370 of the Constitution. It would be prudent to set off coordinated measures in Punjab to mitigate any chances of the revival of the Khalistan idea in the state. Punjab needs to be put in charge of a Governor with a national security background who had knowledge of how the terrorist problem in the state was handled in the past. An important function of the Head of the state would be to guide and educate the state government about the operational measures needed to be put in place, particularly in a border state and the socio-political environment that had to be created to mitigate the threat of separatism in the name of Khalistan. Security of the border state has to be kept above party politics. Since the adversary this time is using the pro-Khalistan elements abroad to inject violence in Punjab, intelligence coverage of Khalistan groups outside India already identified had to be stepped up further. India has designated some leaders of Indian origin actively engaged in promoting the call of Khalistan in countries like the US and Canada and all efforts have to be made to get them extradited to India to face legal action. India has launched a diplomatic effort to counter the anti-India activity abroad and called the ruling elites in the concerned countries to check the same. Watch on social media used for the spread of Khalistan separatism and indoctrination of youth has to be intensified and effective action taken particularly against insiders colluding with such activity -- under the new Penal codes passed by the Parliament in December last year. Democratic forces at home have to be encouraged to speak up against the subversive call of Khalistan and uphold the unity of India. We have to be ahead of the troublemakers within the country or outside in countering any threats to national security, integrity and sovereignty. (The writer is a former Director of the Intelligence Bureau. Views are personal) The Third Eye: A border state that needs to be secured Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! IPL 2024: Dhoni arrives in Ranchi after CSK's campaign comes to an end C hennai Super Kings (CSK) stalwart M.S. Dhoni landed in Ranchi on Sunday after losing the Indian Premier League (IPL) virtual knockout against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to end their campaign in the tournament. Chasing 219, CSK faltered in the middle overs after recovering from the sloppy start. Rachin Ravindra's 61-run and Ravindra Jadeja's unbeaten 42 failed to guide the defending champion over the line. Despite finishing the campaign with 14 points same as RCB in the league stage, CSK failed to seal the berth due to the latter's superior net run rate. With CSK ending their campaign in the IPL, fans and experts speculated that it could be Dhoni's final season for the franchise, but the veteran has kept his cards close to heart and headed back home after the match. In a video that has gone viral on social media, Dhoni can be seen getting into his car outside the Ranchi airport on Sunday afternoon. Coming at No.8, Dhoni played a knock of 25 runs off 13 balls with three fours and a six before Yash Dayal sent him back to the pavilion, crushing CSK's hopes of progressing to the playoffs. In the IPL 2024 season, Dhoni accumulated 161 runs at a strike rate of 220.54 while batting deep down the order for Chennai. He also struck 14 fours and 13 sixes in the tournament. With nothing concrete from the franchise and the legend himself, fans remain hopeful of Dhoni's return for the next IPL season. IPL 2024: Dhoni arrives in Ranchi after CSK's campaign comes to an end Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Jana Wiersema checks in with real estate agents on the status of eight sites that have been listed in recent months and years, including the former Dallas & Co. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the top global public health and development threats. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 4.95 million deaths were associated with AMR in 2019, including 1.27 million deaths attributable to bacterial AMR. Limiting the emergence and spread of resistant pathogens is critical to preserving the world's ability to treat human, animal and plant diseases, reduce food safety and security risks and maintain progress on the WHO's sustainable development goals. The AMR Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform has developed key recommendations for action on antimicrobial resistance for consideration by United Nations (UN) Member States in the UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on AMR, which will take place on 26 September 2024 at the UN Headquarters in New York. As a member of the AMR Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform and active participant of the platform's Action Group, the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) has contributed to the development of the key recommendations. The following key recommendations are based on discussions facilitated by the Action Group of the AMR Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform on the UN High-Level Meeting on AMR. The stakeholders of the platform, representing diverse sectors (human, animal, agrifood, plant, environment), disciplines and backgrounds, call upon the UN Member States to agree upon actionable, measurable steps applying a One Health approach to ensure a healthier, more sustainable and resilient present and future where antimicrobials are preserved as critical life-saving medicines, equally accessible to everyone, everywhere. 1. Enhance One Health collaboration on AMR through effective cross-sectoral, transparent, inclusive, multilateral, multidisciplinary, multi-stakeholder coordination, communication and follow-through. 2. Accelerate the implementation of AMR National Action Plans (NAPs), building on country context, capacity and capabilities. 3. Strengthen capacity for AMR efforts by mobilising sustainable financing for research, infrastructure and AMR NAPs implementation. 4. Strengthen health systems through comprehensive primary and secondary prevention strategies, such as infection prevention and control (IPC), stewardship programmes, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), vaccination, early diagnosis and prompt treatment and environmental management of air, water, soil, food and vectors for better human, animal and environmental health. 5. Better leverage preventive measures such as vaccination by expanding the evidence base on their impact against AMR, developing mechanisms to increase access and utilisation of existing vaccines, improving regulatory pathways, facilitating market authorisation and distributing products across sectors and countries. 6. Strengthen sector-specific AMR and antimicrobial use (AMU) surveillance, building towards integrated surveillance for evidence-based action to reduce the risk and impact of AMR. 7. Transform agrifood systems to significantly reduce AMU while optimising animal health and welfare. 8. Ensure universal, equitable, affordable and sustainable access, including in rural areas, to quality essential medicines, vaccines and diagnostics for humans and animals. 9. Encourage high-income countries and other stakeholders to commit to taking an end-to-end approach to sustainable antimicrobial research and development (R&D), including by increasing public investment in push and pull incentives to catalyse the global R&D efforts necessary to deliver new treatments and tools that target global priority pathogens. 10. Prevent and address the drivers, sources and challenges of the environmental dimensions of AMR. The AMR Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform was established in November 2022 by the Quadripartite organizations-;the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)-;as one of the global governance structures recommended by the United Nations Inter-Agency Coordination Group on AMR. It brings together relevant stakeholders across the human, animal, plant and environment sectors to assist in preserving antimicrobials and ensuring their responsible use through a One Health approach. It promotes a shared global vision, helps build consensus and takes action to contribute to the implementation of the Global Action Plan on AMR (GAP). Since its inaugural meeting in November 2023, the platform has grown to more than 200 members (organizations, networks and federations). The German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) is one of them. For up to 30% of patients who are allergic to medical contrast dye or have a dye restriction because of other health conditions, they might find that it takes longer to get a diagnosis when it comes to life-threatening lung issues such as pulmonary embolism. That's because imaging methods that detect lung problems but don't use contrast dye aren't as accurate and can be more time-consuming to administer. Now, new imaging software, developed by pulmonologist Girish Nair, M.D., with Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, and biomedical engineer Edward Castillo, Ph.D., with The University of Texas at Austin, is addressing the industry-wide issue and giving patients a more reliable alternative with faster, more up-front diagnoses. CT-Derived Functional Imaging, or CTFI, is a computed-tomography software program that takes complicated math, puts it into a formula called the Integrated Jacobian Formulation and quickly calculates major changes in lung volume as a patient breathes in and out. The method also measures changes in blood mass as a patient inhales and exhales while in a relaxed state, and blood is pumped into the lungs. As a result, the software program helps doctors and researchers get consistent patient data, leading to better diagnoses and specifics on where to target potential therapies - all without contrast dye. But it's not just helping those who can't receive contrast dye -- it's also helping all patients with lung issues such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, and cancer. "Up until now, a major problem with lung volume estimations from inhalation and exhalation CT scans were that results couldn't be replicated for individual patients," Dr. Nair said. "In other words, if you do a CT scan to calculate volume differences in the lungs the first time and then you try to do it again, you get different results every time for the same patient, making diagnosis and treatment harder. According to Nair, radiation oncology is one area where accuracy is vital when treating a cancerous tumor in the lungs. Directed radiation to treat a tumor is essential and if the patient is breathing in and out, then the tumor will naturally move or change position. This can result in the radiation going into other areas of the lung and potentially causing more harm than good." Dr. Girish Nair, M.D., Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan Using this newest software technology, the researchers have shown that they can avoid or limit radiation to normal areas of lung that may be next to a tumor during therapy. They've also found that using the software can help doctors detect pulmonary embolism by measuring and finding blood mass changes with a simple non-contrast, inhalation and exhalation CT scan. "This is important because normally when you can't inject contrast dye, patients are either treated observationally with drugs that typically reduce the risk of blood clots but carry a risk of bleeding or have to undergo nuclear scans which are time-consuming and may include the injection of a radioactive drug or inhalation of certain type of gas," Dr. Nair said. "Our method is easier and doesn't involve either of these." But the benefits of this software don't stop there. New results are being presented at ATS 2024 showing how this new imaging software can predict disease progression for COPD patients over a 10-year period, something current technologies have not been able to do as well. In a retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort including 8,583 COPD patients, the research team found that they could: improve the prediction model of patients at risk of dying based on inhalation-exhalation CT scan results obtained at baseline/enrollment. show disease progression in patients undergoing treatment and determine if the therapy is working. phenotype patients who might be at a higher risk of disease progression. Currently, Castillo and Nair are leading a team of researchers on a recently awarded, four-year, $1.38 million National Institutes of Health grant looking at how a CTFI-based machine learning model with CT scans can increase accuracy and continue to help physicians better identify patients at risk of disease progression and improve COPD survival rates. "Ultimately, the goal is always to ensure doctors have the best tools available to them when treating patients," Dr. Castillo said. "AI has the potential to further our work significantly in order to improve patient health and save lives." Scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory have discovered that a protein responsible for the synthesis of a key plant material evolved much earlier than suspected. This new research explored the origin and evolution of the biochemical machinery that builds lignin, a structural component of plant cell walls with significant impacts on the clean energy industry. When the first land plants emerged from aquatic environments, they needed to adapt in order to survive. Chang-Jun Liu, a senior scientist in Brookhaven's Biology Department, said, "The emergence of lignin, which provides structural support for the plants, was a key evolutionary event that enabled plant survival in the new terrestrial environment." Understanding how plants developed protective mechanisms that enable survival in new environments is vital as they face challenges imposed by climate change today. But lignin is also of great interest to researchers searching for clean energy options. This tough plant material can be processed and converted into valuable bioproducts. And lignin is the only renewable source of aromatic compounds, which are chemically similar to molecules found in conventional jet fuel and can be used as "drop-in" fuel by airlines. Modern plants contain three types of lignin, but most early lignin-containing plants had only two types. The 'newer' lignin is called syringyl-lignin, or S-lignin." Chang-Jun Liu, senior scientist, Brookhaven National Laboratory S-lignin evolved relatively recently with flowering plants and is structurally less complex than the other lignin components. Its potential industrial applications, in particular, have captured the attention of scientists because S-lignin is relatively easy to break down to simple aromatics. The new study, recently published in The Plant Cell, builds on years of research focused on lignin and the molecules responsible for its synthesis. In 2019, Liu and his colleagues discovered that a specific cytochrome b 5 protein, CB5D, is indispensable for the production of S-lignin but not the other, more ancient types of lignin. "The uniqueness of CB5D's role in S-lignin synthesis intrigued us," Liu noted. "So, we were inspired to further explore its origin and evolution." Enzymatic teamwork In a previous study, Liu's team found that CB5D has a special partnership with an enzyme called ferulate 5-hydroxylase (F5H). Together, these molecules synthesized the valuable S-lignin. The scientists knew that the evolution of F5H in flowering plants had led to the production of S-lignin. So, they expected to find that CB5D had co-evolved with F5H. To explore their hypothesis, the scientists ran a genetic analysis to find other plant species whose DNA contained genes similar to the modern CB5D gene, which acts as instructions for assembling the CB5D protein. They identified 21 species, ranging from evolutionarily ancient to evolutionarily recent. The scientists then synthesized these genes and individually expressed them in a modern plant species that was genetically altered to lack the CB5D gene. "Without the CB5D gene, the plant synthesizes only a small amount of S-lignin," said Xianhai Zhao, a postdoctoral researcher at Brookhaven and lead author on the new paper. "But if this function was restored with the expression of one of the related genes, then we would know that gene functions similarly to the modern CB5D gene." The scientists discovered that a gene from a green algae species that evolved into an early land plant over 500 million years ago restored S-lignin synthesis in the modern plant. This indicated that the gene exhibited CB5D-type functionality. The scientists also found that the function was conserved in several early land plants, like liverworts and mosses. "This means that the CB5D evolved millions of years earlier than we had expected," explained Liu. "It was quite surprising to find that a modern electron acceptor like F5H had partnered with an ancient protein to develop new biochemical machinery that synthesizes the advanced lignin structure." Scientific teamwork and next steps The CB5D gene and its more ancient counterpart contained similar DNA sequences and functions. But the scientists wanted to make sure that the CB5D protein from an ancient species, like liverwort, was expressed in the same subcellular structures as modern CB5D. So, they used confocal microscopy at the Center for Functional Nanomaterials, a DOE Office of Science user facility at Brookhaven Lab, to confirm that this was the case. Having found ancient genes that encode proteins similar to the modern CB5D protein in terms of S-lignin synthesis in modern plants and cellular localization, the team wanted to learn more about this protein's ancient function and how it changed or expanded over time. Their analysis showed the CB5D-like protein emerged in aquatic algae just before they transitioned to a terrestrial environment. And because it was conserved in early land plants, this protein likely serves one or more essential functions. "Ancient plants like liverwort didn't contain S-lignin," said Zhao. "If the CB5D-type protein wasn't responsible for synthesizing S-lignin, what did it do?" Liu remarked, "That's the beauty of research. Answering one question leads you to even more interesting questions waiting to be explored." This work was supported by the DOE Office of Science. Health-care workers received the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in December 2020. A study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has found that repeat vaccination with updated versions of the COVID-19 vaccine promotes the development of antibodies that neutralize a wide range of variants of the virus that causes COVID-19, as well as related coronaviruses. The COVID-19 pandemic is over, but the virus that caused it is still here, sending thousands of people to the hospital each week and spinning off new variants with depressing regularity. The virus's exceptional ability to change and evade immune defenses has led the World Health Organization (WHO) to recommend annual updates to COVID-19 vaccines. But some scientists worry that the remarkable success of the first COVID-19 vaccines may work against updated versions, undermining the utility of an annual vaccination program. A similar problem plagues the annual flu vaccine campaign; immunity elicited by one year's flu shots can interfere with immune responses in subsequent years, reducing the vaccines' effectiveness. A new study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis helps to address this question. Unlike immunity to influenza virus, prior immunity to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, doesn't inhibit later vaccine responses. Rather, it promotes the development of broadly inhibitory antibodies, the researchers report. The study, available online in Nature, shows that people who were repeatedly vaccinated for COVID-19 initially receiving shots aimed at the original variant, followed by boosters and updated vaccines targeting variants generated antibodies capable of neutralizing a wide range of SARS-CoV-2 variants and even some distantly related coronaviruses. The findings suggest that periodic re-vaccination for COVID-19, far from hindering the body's ability to recognize and respond to new variants, may instead cause people to gradually build up a stock of broadly neutralizing antibodies that protect them from emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and some other coronavirus species as well, even ones that have not yet emerged to infect humans. The first vaccine an individual receives induces a strong primary immune response that shapes responses to subsequent infection and vaccination, an effect known as imprinting. In principle, imprinting can be positive, negative or neutral. In this case, we see strong imprinting that is positive, because it's coupled to the development of cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies with remarkable breadth of activity." Michael S. Diamond, MD, PhD, senior author, the Herbert S. Gasser Professor of Medicine Imprinting is the natural result of how immunological memory works. A first vaccination triggers the development of memory immune cells. When people receive a second vaccination quite similar to the first, it reactivates memory cells elicited by the first vaccine. These memory cells dominate and shape the immune response to the subsequent vaccine. In the case of the flu vaccine, imprinting has negative effects. Antibody-producing memory cells crowd out new antibody-producing cells, and people develop relatively few neutralizing antibodies against the strains in the newer vaccine. But in other cases, imprinting can be positive, by promoting the development of cross-reactive antibodies that neutralize strains in both the initial and subsequent vaccines. To understand how imprinting influences the immune response to repeat COVID-19 vaccination, Diamond and colleagues including first author Chieh-Yu Liang, a graduate student, studied the antibodies from mice or people who had received a sequence of COVID-19 vaccines and boosters targeting first the original and then omicron variants. Some of the human participants also had been naturally infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. The first question was the strength of the imprinting effect. The researchers measured how many of the participants' neutralizing antibodies were specific for the original variant, the omicron variant or both. They found that very few people had developed any antibodies unique to omicron, a pattern indicative of strong imprinting by the initial vaccination. But they also found few antibodies unique to the original variant. The vast majority of neutralizing antibodies cross-reacted with both. The next question was how far the cross-reactive effect extended. Cross-reactive antibodies, by definition, recognize a feature shared by two or more variants. Some features are shared only by similar variants, others by all SARS-CoV-2 variants or even all coronaviruses. To assess the breadth of the neutralizing antibodies, the researchers tested them against a panel of coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 viruses from two omicron lineages; a coronavirus from pangolins; the SARS-1 virus that caused the 2002-03 SARS epidemic; and the Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus. The antibodies neutralized all the viruses except MERS virus, which comes from a different branch of the coronavirus family tree than the others. Further experiments revealed that this remarkable breadth was due to the combination of original and variant vaccines. People who received only the vaccines targeting the original SARS-CoV-2 variant developed some cross-reactive antibodies that neutralized the pangolin coronavirus and SARS-1 virus, but the levels were low. After boosting with an omicron vaccine, though, the cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies against the two coronavirus species increased. Taken together, the findings suggest that regular re-vaccination with updated COVID-19 vaccines against variants might give people the tools to fight off not only the SARS-CoV-2 variants represented in the vaccines, but also other SARS-CoV-2 variants and related coronaviruses, possibly including ones that have not yet emerged. "At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world population was immunologically naive, which is part of the reason the virus was able to spread so fast and do so much damage," said Diamond, also a professor of molecular microbiology and of pathology & immunology. "We do not know for certain whether getting an updated COVID-19 vaccine every year would protect people against emerging coronaviruses, but it's plausible. These data suggest that if these cross-reactive antibodies do not rapidly wane we would need to follow their levels over time to know for certain they may confer some or even substantial protection against a pandemic caused by a related coronavirus." US electric carmaker Tesla is silent and yet to communicate its India plans to the government under the new EV policy, an official said on Friday. American tech billionaire Elon Musk, who was scheduled to visit India on April 21-22, had postponed his visit at the last moment citing very heavy Tesla obligations. Musk, CEO of electric carmaker Tesla, was also slated to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the visit. They (Tesla) are just silent.. the (EV) policy was always meant for everybody, the official said when asked whether the company has communicated its plans to the government. The commercial decisions are announced by the companies, the official added. An e-mail query sent to Tesla remained unanswered. Earlier in April, he confirmed his visit to India in a post on X saying, Looking forward to meeting with Prime Minister @NarendraModi in India. In June last year, Musk met with Modi during the latters US visit and stated that he planned to visit India in 2024 while expressing confidence that Tesla would enter the Indian market soon. His proposed visit had raised expectations that he would announce plans for Tesla to set up shop in the country, along with his satcom venture Starlink. It was expected that Musk would announce plans for Tesla to set up its manufacturing unit in India and investments for the same that could be billions of dollars and the way forward for selling Tesla electric cars in India at the earliest. Not just electric cars, he is also eyeing the Indian market for his satellite internet business Starlink, for which regulatory approvals are awaited. Musk had in the past called for import duty reduction in India to be able to sell Tesla cars in the country. His planned visit to India came weeks after the government announced a new electric vehicle policy under which import duty concessions will be given to companies setting up manufacturing units in the country with a minimum investment of USD 500 million, a move aimed at attracting major global players like Tesla. Last month, an advisor representing Tesla The Asia Group (TAG) attended the first stakeholders meeting on the new EV policy, along with those from Vietnams EV maker VinFast and all the major manufacturers in India, including Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata, Mahindra, Kia, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, Renault, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi. The stakeholder consultation meeting was aimed at seeking inputs for the guidelines to be framed for the new EV manufacturing policy. As per the policy, the companies that would set up manufacturing facilities for EV passenger cars will be allowed to import a limited number of cars at lower customs/import duty of 15 per cent on vehicles costing USD 35,000 and above for five years from the date of issuance of the approval letter by the government. At present, cars imported as completely built units (CBUs) attract customs duty ranging from 70 per cent to 100 per cent, depending on the engine size and cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value. CBUs whose CIF value is more than USD 40,000 attract a 100 per cent import duty (for petrol engines size more than 3000 cc and diesel engines of size more than 2500 cc). Whereas those with CIF value under USD 40,000 attract 70 per cent duty (for petrol engine sizes under 3000 cc and diesel engine sizes under 2500 cc). The new EV policy seeks to promote India as a manufacturing destination for EVs and attract investment from reputed global manufacturers. Last year, Tesla approached the Indian government seeking duty cuts to import its vehicles in India. PTI RR RKL CS RR BAL BAL . A new ACCA report, Bribery and Corruption: The Hidden Social Evil on your doorstep, delved into the true extent of how bribery and corruption impacts Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the world, highlighting the pressing need for enhanced transparency and robust regulatory frameworks. The research showed a high prevalence and deep concerns about the damaging impact of bribery and corruption on SMEs, with 59% [Africa 66%, Asia Pacific 63%, UK 46%, Western Europe (incl UK) 45%] of SMEs and their advisers believing that standing up to bribery and corruption will cost them business trade or opportunities. However, the survey also revealed a strong understanding of the benefits of standing up to bribery and corruption. 77% [Africa 64%, Asia Pacific 68%, UK 67% Western Europe (incl UK) 74%] agree that having a strong anti-bribery policy boosts customer confidence in their business, and 68% [Africa 85%, Asia Pacific 83%, UK 68%, Western Europe (incl UK) 70%] say it increases their chances of getting lucrative contracts with big businesses and public sector bodies. Jason Piper, ACCAs head of tax and business law, said, Corruption is a poison; it distorts markets, stunts economic growth, and deters investment. Many very small businesses dont have the bargaining power to refuse when small bribes are demanded of them. Entrepreneurs have to choose between paying the bribe or losing the business and often that is no choice at all for someone trying to support a family. Our report aims to arm businesses and regulators with the necessary insights and tools to root out corruption and foster an environment of transparency and trust. This could include the use of the latest digital tools. Just as technology is being used by criminals, so regulators and enforcement agencies should embrace it in the battle to detect, prevent and respond to them. Md. Sajid Khan, director India, ACCA, said, There is a pressing necessity for the international business community to address issues of bribery and corruption. Enhancing regulatory frameworks and leveraging technology are essential in this regard. Professional accountants are instrumental in uncovering anomalies and upholding financial integrity. Emphasising ACCAs dedication to this cause, this report draws attention to the skills and ethical standards required to combat bribery and corruption, thereby fostering a more equitable and sustainable global business landscape, Khan added. From UPSC Civil Services to SSC recruitment exams, from college admissions to group discussions, general knowledge questions mark a significant part of almost every exam. For candidates preparing to crack an exam or those who need to get their news in a compact form, News18 offers a weekly column GK Capsule. While we provide you a weekly news wrap, to get more information on a specific topic or an exam, reach out at @news18dotcom. Many government organisations, such as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and SBI Bank PO, assess students broad understanding of government policies, global events, social challenges, and scientific breakthroughs. So, if you are someone who is eyeing a government exam and wants to stay up-to-date about whats happening around you, then we have you covered. From Neeraj Chopras gold win in the Federation Cup to the arrest of the Mumbai Hoarding Collapse accused, heres a rundown of the most important news stories of the week: MEA Issues Advisory Warning Indian Nationals Of Job Scams In Laos, Cambodia In the wake of rising incidents of job scams targeting Indian nationals, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued an advisory on Friday warning Indian nationals against the increasing numbers of fraudulent jobs by scammers in Southeast Asian countries, including Laos and Cambodia. The advisory outlines the presence of fake agents in the region, luring individuals with promises of employment opportunities, and emphasises the need for caution. These fake offers, for positions such as Customer Support Service and Digital Sales and Marketing Executives come with perks such as high salaries, visa facilitation, and hotel accommodations. However, people later find themselves stuck in harsh working conditions, facing physical and mental torture. Mumbai Hoarding Collapse: Death Toll Mounts To 16, Bhavesh Bhinde Arrested Following the rescue operation at the horrific Ghatkopar hoarding collapse site in Mumbai, which lasted for three days, BMC commissioner Bhushan Gagrani announced that the rescue operation was over on May 16. The hoarding collapse claimed the lives of as many as 16 people after the bodies of a retired general manager of Air Traffic Control (ATC) and his wife were extracted from a car stuck underneath the hoarding. The hoarding measured about 1,338 square metres (14,400 square feet), nine times more than the maximum permitted size for a hoarding. The crime branch team of Mumbai police arrested Bhinde, the director of Ego Media Pvt Ltd, the advertising agency responsible for erecting the hoarding in the Ghatkopar area of Mumbai. Neeraj Chopra Wins Gold in Federation Cup Indian athlete and Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra clinched the gold medal in the mens javelin throw event in the Federation Cup. The 26-year-old athlete struggled in the competition in the first three rounds, however, he took the lead in the fourth round with a remarkable throw of 82.27 meters. Meanwhile, Neeraj last participated in a domestic competition at the same event on March 17, 2021, where he won gold with a throw of 87.80m. His personal best and the national record is 89.94m, however, he has yet to touch the 90m mark. NCW Vows Action Against Alleged Assault on Swati Maliwal The National Commission for Women recently took to X and stated that it will be sending an inquiry team to look into the alleged assault on AAPs Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal. They also mentioned that they would send a formal letter to the Delhi Police to send an action report on the matter. Swati Maliwal alleged that a close aide of Arvind Kejriwal, Bibhav Kumar, assaulted her on the CMs directions at his official residence. Supreme Court Seeks ECs Response on Plea Over Release of Voter Turnout Data The Supreme Court sought a response from the Election Commission of India (ECI) within a week to an NGOs plea seeking a direction to release polling station-wise voter turnout data on its website within 48 hours of Lok Sabha polls. However, the bench stated that the EC should be given some reasonable time to respond to the plea and petition and scheduled a hearing before an appropriate bench during the summer vacation on May 24, a day before the 6th phase of the seven-phase LS polls. Stay ahead with all the exam results updates on News18 Website. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hit back at the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday after the TMC chief claimed during an election rally that RK mission monks were aligning with the ruling party at the Centre and adhering to orders from New Delhi. Addressing an election rally in Goghat under the Arambagh Lok Sabha constituency, Bengal CM had claimed, Some monks of Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha are working under the influence of BJP leaders in Delhi. Those who are looking after temples are doing great spiritual jobs, but everyone is not doing so. This is not done. While speaking at a rally in Purulia, Modi today said the TMC has crossed the limits of decency by stooping so low that it is spreading canards against ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha. The TMC has gone beyond its limits by spreading canards against ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha. West Bengal Chief Minister (Mamata Banerjee) is threatening them. They are threatening them just to appease their vote bank, he said. Prime Minister Modi slams TMC for belittling the saints of Bengal and attacking Bharat Sevashram Sangh, Ramakrishna Mission and ISKCON.What has Mamata Banerjee reduced Bengal, the land of several Hindu renaissance movement, to. Disappointing. pic.twitter.com/lWM1sMuV1S Amit Malviya ( ) (@amitmalviya) May 19, 2024 Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar was the first to respond to Mamatas allegations, saying Her delusional rants are a travesty for the people of Bengal. Mamata Banerjees recent attack on ISKCON, RKM, & Bharat Sevashram Sangh hits a new low. She accuses them of threatening Indias future, claims RKM is campaigning for the BJP via WhatsApp. As the CM, her delusional rants are a travesty for the people of Bengal, he said. Mamata Banerjee is upset and alleges that a few monks from ISKCON, Bharat Sevashram Sangha and Ramakrishna Mission are helping BJP. But last year, during Eid, ahead of 2024 LS polls, the CM called on all Muslims to unite behind TMC and against BJP. Mixing religion and politics? BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya wrote on the microblogging website X. Seems Mamata Banerjee lied yesterday regarding revered Kartik Maharaj of the Bharat Sevashram Sangh. Sangh will now approach the High Court against her for maligning Hindu saints. Sangh helped protect Hindu lives during Bengals bloody anti-CAA riots. No wonder TMC is mad at them! Hindu organisations will also launch protest against Mamata Banerjee across Bengal for targeting ISKCON, Bharat Sevashram Sangh and Ramakrishna Mission, Malviya said in a subsequent post. Seems Mamata Banerjee lied yesterday regarding revered Kartik Maharaj of the Bharat Sevashram Sangh.Sangh will now approach the High Court against her for maligning Hindu saints. Sangh helped protect Hindu lives during Bengals bloody anti-CAA riots. No wonder TMC is mad at pic.twitter.com/OIclj7v9oB Amit Malviya ( ) (@amitmalviya) May 19, 2024 All Hindu organisations must come forward against Mamatas open anti-Hindu rhetoric. Will Mamata Banerjee dare to speak a word against Mohammad Yahya, Chairman of the Bengal Imam Association, who is openly urging Muslims to band together and vote for the TMC? She is preaching neutrality and secularism to Hindu organisations. Will she dare to give similar sermons to her vote-bank? he added. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website Kanhaiya Kumar is a man with brilliant organizational, political and electoral acumen" and cases against him are politically motivated" with charges not been framed in any of the cases, the Congress has said in an affidavit justifying a ticket to him. ALSO READ | Congress Kanhaiya Kumar Gets Slapped While Campaigning In Delhi; Video Goes Viral As per the Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines, each party has to declare and justify why it is giving a ticket to a candidate who has a criminal history. There are seven criminal cases against Kanhaiya Kumar, the partys candidate from North-East Delhi against Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Manoj Tiwari. The most prominent one is his alleged involvement in seditious slogans made by students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Kanhaiya is also in the spotlight because he was assaulted after a public meeting a few days ago. The candidate has a long-standing record of political activity. He has a doctorate in Philosophy in the field of international relations and socio-political transformation. He has served as elected President of JNU Students Union. The candidate possesses brilliant organizational, political and electoral acumen," the Congress party has said in the affidavit. Kanhaiya Kumar had lost from Begusarai in Bihar in the last Lok Sabha elections in 2019. THE CASES The affidavit mentions that Kumar was summoned as an accused by the court in February 2021 in the JNU slogans case. The Supreme Court in 2022 stayed the operation of trials under Section 124A, which is also one of the sections that Kumar was charge-sheeted with in the present case. The trial in the said matter has since been stayed by the SC. The next date of hearing is July 22, 2024. Kumar was also been named in a case in Patna for alleged misconduct with a doctor-on-duty at AIIMS, Patna. He has not been summoned and is not aware of being charge-sheeted in the case. The case has been mentioned as a measure of abundant caution," the affidavit says. Kumar has been charged or summoned in three poll violation cases in Begusarai polls in 2019. ALSO READ | Kanhaiya Kumar Meets CM Kejriwal, Discusses INDIA Blocs Strategy for LS Polls in Delhi Kumar has also been named in a case for alleged unlawful deviation and assault on police personnel by him and co-accused Congress members during Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Guwahati earlier this year. He has also been charge-sheeted in a First Information Report (FIR) registered in 2018 in Begusarai on charges of alleged assault using lathis on civilians, obstruction of roads and attempt to stop Durga Puja ceremony. The Congress has said that the charges have not been framed by the court against Kumar in any of the seven cases. With the elections approaching its crucial phases, the RSS intensified its campaign for voting through its booth-level meetings and outreach programmes. Since the election was declared by the ECI in March, the RSS has held 2.88 lakh voting- awareness meetings across booths in Uttar Pradesh, around 50,000 in Mumbai, 44,000 in Delhi prant (RSS administrative sector) and around 9,000 in Nagpur, News 18 has learnt from senior sources in the RSS. The ideological fountainhead of the BJP has been working across constituencies to manage booths, convince and bring voters out for polling and organise pre-poll confidence building outreach programmes. The RSS Pracharaks (senior functionaries) and its volunteers have been camping in areas, where the NDA allies like JD(U) in Bihar, TDP in Andhra and Shiv Sena (Eknath faction) are contesting as well. Even as these numbers came from some of the centre, the RSS volunteers and their affiliated organisations have embarked on booth-level and door-to-door campaign to encourage people to cast their votes. The campaign intensified post the reports of sharp dip in polling percentages during the election phases, said a senior functionary in the RSS, who is involved in RSS Lokmat Jagaran Manch (RSS wing to campaign for 100 per cent polling). During the RSS annual meeting of its highest decision-making body Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) Dattatreya Hosabole, the general secretary of the organisation said, That election is a big festival of democracy. It is essential to strengthen the nations democracy, unity and maintain the pace of the progress. Swayamsevaks of the RSS will spread awareness for 100 percent polling. The society should be vigilant, that there be no aspects of enmity, separatism, or divisive attempts or anything that goes against unity. The RSS has instructed all its affiliates including Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and all its volunteers to ensure 100 per cent polling. Talking to News 18, a top functionary of the RSS said, RSS always work among the people, but not as a political party. Sangh works as a nation-building social organisation. Democracy is our right, and it is essence of our constitution. We want people to vote. We have been organising door to door campaigns, our volunteers are even campaigning at the important crossings, markets, toll gates and so on. This is just to make people remind of the citizens duty. RSS campaigns at the ground level always leave an impact on elections. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website Size doesnt matter. Only 49 seats may be going to the polls in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, but these will also define headlines when the results are declared on June 4. For those looking for pure statistics, out of the 49 seats, where voting will take place, 39 are held by the NDA and eight by the INDIA bloc. But, beyond the math, this phase will deliver a number of verdicts. Each of these will answer the most consequential questions linked to the election. Is Hindutva still a potent organising principle of Indian politics? Are the Gandhis still politically relevant? Is the TMCs appeal now confined to only Muslim-dominated seats in Bengal? Who is the true inheritor of Balasaheb Thackerays legacy? And, in the context of another satrap Lalu Prasad Yadav can the perpetual social justice activist establish influence beyond his social base to limit the NDAs dominance in Bihar? First, Ram and Hindutva, the BJPs redoubtable hobby-horses, will be critically tested. Phase 5 electors will vote in Faizabad, which includes within its precinct Ayodhya. It is here that the pran pratishtha of the Ram Lalla idol took place on January 22, barely 15 weeks ago. In Faizabad and surrounding constituencies, including Lucknow long described as the political gateway to Delhi the Opposition has chosen to cast this election as a clash between Ram and ration. The word ration being a metaphor for the allegedly demeaning and dependency-creating sops that the opposition claims the BJP supplied to the poor instead of empowering their economic prospects that was promised but never delivered. But, the BJP disagrees. It believes that its Ram and ration combination serves to fulfil more than just material needs. The newly inaugurated Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi never fails to remind, is the bridge between Indians struggling for an identity and their civilisational roots. The BJP has always believed that the overwhelming support for its movement for the construction of the temple was the legitimate expression of a majority of Indians. Particularly, disillusioned Hindus looking to break free from the repressive straight-jacket forced upon them by Jawaharlal Nehru and his allegedly rootless as well as anglicised Congress ecosystem. That Indias Hindu civilisational soul was crushed by these templars of a westernised elite that equated any legitimate appreciation of the grandeur of Hindu civilisation as anti-secular and, in particular, anti-Muslim. Voters will now pass judgement on this BJP-RSS thesis. The BJP will feel especially vindicated if, in this phase, voters defeat Rahul Gandhi Nehrus grandson and the inheritor of Nehruvian secularism who is contesting from Raebareli, a safe seat vacated by his mother. In Maharashtra, the state that sends the second largest contingent of MPs to the Lok Sabha after Uttar Pradesh, a war is being fought to establish who is the true legatee of Hindu Hriday Samrat, the late Bal Thackerays Shiv Sena. The icons son, Uddhav Thackeray, is fighting an existential battle against rebel Eknath Shinde who split the original party. In more than a third of the 13 constituencies mainly in and around Mumbai the two warring factions of the Sena will directly fight each other to establish their legitimacy in the public eye. Over in Bengal, seven crucial constituencies will see a scrappy contest between the BJP and TMC. At present, the TMC has a one-seat edge over the BJP. But, the saffron party has pulled the CAA card from its sleeve that could change things in a phase where Mamata Banerjee will need to ensure that she can hold onto Hindu voters. In Bihar, Lalu Prasad Yadavs second daughter is contesting her first ever Lok Sabha election. Rohini Acharya has been tasked with retaining Saran constituency, which was her fathers stronghold. Can she become the third Yadav to successfully carry his legacy forward? Polling in 13 Lok Sabha constituencies of Maharashtra, including six in Mumbai, will be held on Monday as a part of the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The 13 constituencies which are going to polls are Dhule, Dindori, Nashik, Kalyan, Palghar, Bhiwandi, Thane, Mumbai North, Mumbai North-West, Mumbai North-East, Mumbai North-Central, Mumbai South-Central, and Mumbai South. This will also be the final polling process in the state, which has been conducted over five phases starting from April 19. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4. Several institutions and services will also be closed in view of the voting process: Educational Institutions, Banks Closed All schools, colleges, and banks will remain shut in the parliamentary constituencies that are going for polls on Monday. Banks will also remain closed on May 20. Bars, Liquor Shops To Remain Shut Liquor shops will be closed in the key constituencies like Mumbai, Palghar, Kalyan, and Thane in Maharashtra. The Election Commission of India has also directed that the area where polls are being held, and the regions around that will adhere to dry days in order to ensure a fair and peaceful voting environment. Bars and wine shops in Mumbai will reopen at 5 PM on May 20. Apart from Monday, another dry day will be observed in the city on June 4 as the vote-counting process will be underway to declare the election results. BSE, NSE To Remain Closed Benchmark Indian equity markets, both BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty, will remain closed on Monday, May 20, on account of Lok Sabha general elections. According to the BSEs website, equity, equity derivates, and SLB and currency segments will remain closed on Monday. The market will now be opened on Tuesday, May 21. This stock market holiday on May 20 is in line with the Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act 1881, which recognises the importance of citizens participation in the electoral process. It took nearly 13 years to deploy, plan and train the dedicated Parliament Duty Group (PDG), but within 10 years, the unit has been disbanded. Friday marked the last day of duty for approximately 1,400 jawans who have been guarding the Parliament building since 2013. An official communication informed them that they had to vacate their current duties following a security lapse. Members of the specialised group expressed surprise and disappointment at the abrupt and ungraceful" end to their mission. ALSO READ | Lok Sabha Security Breach: What is a Visitors Pass? How Many Layers of Security Does Parl Have? Explained The exit followed an inquiry into a security lapse at Parliament, led by Anish Dayal Singh, Director General (DG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and other security experts, which recommended restructuring of the Parliament buildings security. We have been guarding the Parliament building for a very long time. Within five months, everything took a turn for the worse, and the jawans were asked to surrender their duties and look for new tasks. The committee, tasked with conducting an inquiry into last years security lapse, was headed by the DG CRPF, but it was decided that the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is more suitable than the CRPF to protect the building," an official told News18 on condition of anonymity. Sources told News18 that the CISF, with almost 150% more troops than the PDG, is now deployed at the Parliament building. The government was not keen on a multi-force structure, as also suggested by the committee. As the CRPF is not specialised in guarding institutions and buildings, it was decided to deploy the CISF, which is a specialised guarding force. The CISF is deployed at all vital institutions, key airports including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, and buildings of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Finance, etc. NOT THE ONLY EXIT The CRPF has seen exits from various key installations, including the Jammu, Srinagar and Leh airports and the Kot Bhalwal Jail. The CRPF used to send jawans from J&K and Maoist-hit areas so that in case of any adverse situation, they could handle it easily. It also allowed jawans to spend some days with their families. WHY THE CHANGE? On December 13 last year, intruders managed to enter the Parliament building with smoke canisters. In this major security breach, on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack, two persons Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors gallery, set off yellow-colored smoke from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by some MPs and watch and ward staff. Around the same time, two other accused Amol Shinde and Neelam Devi also sprayed colored gas from canisters, while shouting Tanashahi nahi chalegi outside Parliament premises. Sagar, Manoranjan, Amol and Neelam were immediately taken into custody, while their accomplice, Vishal, in whose house the accused stayed before reaching Parliament, was detained later from Gurugram. Lalit Jha and Mahesh Kumawat were arrested later. Subsequently, at the request of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) ordered an inquiry into the Parliament security breach incident. The inquiry committee was set up under the chairmanship of Anish Dayal Singh. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website His mother was just going to bed and his wife was preparing milk for their four-month-old daughter when they both heard the sound of bullets. What they saw next left them in shock Aijaz in pain and covered with blood. The former sarpanch and BJP worker died of injuries late on Saturday after a gunman shot him inside his own house in south Kashmirs Hirpora village. The village in Shopian district, which lies on the historic Mughal Road, is in mourning. The route was once used by emperors to visit Kashmir and is significant because it connects the Valley to Rajouri and Poonch districts in Jammu. Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh had only just laid out the bedding for his family and guests to retire for the night when a person came asking for him. The guests were resting after dinner and the whole village was asleep when the incident happened. We had guests, Aijaz had laid out the bedding for them and he was playing with his younger daughter, who was lying next to me when I asked him to look after his son who was crying in the other room, said his mother. By the time his mother reached him, the gunman had Aijaz cornered. When I reached, he opened fire again at him and I was clueless as to what to do, she told News18. She placed her hand on her stomach, indicating how the gunman shot her son multiple times. I placed my hand over his stomach immediately, but I felt he was gone, she said. Aijaz and his wife had just had their third baby four months ago. I have lost my prince; how will I survive? she said, inconsolable. I was making milk for my daughter in the kitchen when I heard the sound of bullets, and then saw a man escape, she said, adding that Aijaz worked for the poor and followed Prime Minister Narendra Modis idea of uplifting the underprivileged. He supported Modi because he helps the poor. Now, I have three kids including a four-month-old daughter, but who will support me? God has taken away my only hope, she said as her husbands body was brought into the house. Earlier this year, a video of Aijaz praising the prime minister emerged on social media. In it, he said he was a former stone-pelter, who was now working for development. He claimed that people were paid Rs 500 to throw stones at the security forces. Just before Aijaz was killed, militants attacked a tourist couple from Rajasthan, identified as Farha and Tabrez. Both are undergoing treatment at a hospital but, in Kashmir, tourists have been targeted after a long time. Political parties condemned the attacks while National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah called for a probe. Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti questioned the timing of the attacks. The timing of these attacks, given that the elections in the south were delayed without any reason, is a cause for concern. Especially, keeping in mind normalcy claims touted by GOI, she posted on X. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website The two terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) on Saturday night, which killed a former sarpanch in Shopian and left a tourist couple from Rajasthan injured in Anantnag, two days ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in Baramulla, were carried out by the Lashkar-e-Toiba-backed The Resistance Front (TRF), according to top intelligence sources. ALSO READ | Ex-Sarpanch Killed, Tourist Couple Shot At By Terrorists In J&K In Two Separate Attacks The last three months have seen intelligence inputs on terror attacks on Kashmiri Pandits, leaders associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), tourists outside Kashmir and security forces. These two attacks were on tourists from outside the Valley and a sarpanch who was linked to the BJP, said sources. Elaborating on the possible reasons, sources said, Terror attacks are mainly due to two reasons normalcy during the elections and the upcoming yatra. Attacks on yatra and tourist are a sign of desperation which suggest that Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is desperate to carry out attack strikes. Moreover, in their election speeches, PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah spoke about absolute normalcy in the Valley after the abrogation of Article 370, which may have further made the terrorists desperate. PAHALGAM AND HIRPORA STRIKES The first attack took place on an open tourist camp near Pahalgam. Terrorists fired at and injured a woman, Farha, a resident of Jaipur (in Rajasthan) and her spouse Tabrez at Yannar in Anantnag. The injured were evacuated to a hospital for treatment. The area has been cordoned off, the Kashmir Zone Police posted on X. In another attack, within half-an-hour, terrorists shot dead former sarpanch Aijaz Sheikh, who was associated with the BJP, in Shopians Hirpora around 10.30 pm, the officials said. Sheikh was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to injuries, they said. The back-to-back attacks came at a time when campaigning for the parliamentary polls in the Anantnag-Rajouri seat was going on. Polling in Baramulla will be held on May 20 in the fifth round of the seven-phase general elections. #Terrorist fired upon a person Aijaz Ahmad at Heerpora, #Shopian. Injured evacuated. Area cordoned off. Further details to follow.@JmuKmrPolice Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) May 18, 2024 POLITICAL PARTIES CONDEMN THE ATTACKS Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including the National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the BJP, condemned the attacks. Former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, who is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the Anantnag-Rajouri seat, said on X, While we condemn the attack in Pahalgam today that resulted in injuries to two tourists followed by another attack on a (former) sarpanch in Hirpora, Shopian the timing of these attacks given that the south election was delayed without any reason is a cause of concern. Especially keeping in mind normalcy claims touted by GOI (Government of India). Polling for the seat was scheduled to be conducted on May 7, but was deferred after few political parties in Jammu and Kashmir raised concerns over weather conditions. Polling will now be held on May 25. #Terrorist fired upon and injured a lady Farha R/O Jaipur and spouse Tabrez at Yannar, #Anantnag. Injured evacuated to hospital for treatment. Area cordoned off. Further details shall follow.@JmuKmrPolice Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) May 18, 2024 NC president Farooq Abdullah and vice-president Omar Abdullah also condemned the terror attacks. Such acts of brutality remain a serious impediment to achieving long-term peace in J&K, the partys statement said. The BJP, in a statement, said, We strongly condemn the killing of ex-sarpanch Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh in Hirpora, Shopian, South Kashmir, by terrorists. Aijaz Ahmad was a brave soldier of the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP firmly stands with the family of Aijaz Ahmad, who lost his life in this terror attack. With PTI inputs Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued red alert for four districts in Kerala Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, and Alappuzha forecasting extremely heavy rainfall until May 21. As heavy rains pose potential hazards, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has advised people to remain vigilant. With expectations of heavy rainfall within a short timeframe, theres a risk of flash floods and urban waterlogging, particularly in low-lying areas. Landslides may also be triggered by prolonged rainfall. In light of this, authorities are urging residents, especially those in hilly and coastal regions, to exercise caution and stay alert. The IMD has also sounded orange alert for Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam district until Tuesday. A red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rain of over 20 cm in 24 hours, while an orange alert means very heavy rain (6 cm to 20 cm). A yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 and 11 cm. Earlier in the day, the Idukki District Collector ordered a ban on night travel through the hilly areas of the district from Sunday until the red and orange alerts are withdrawn. Strict instructions have been issued to the District Superintendent of Police, Sub Divisional Magistrates, Regional Transport Officers, and Tehsildars to implement the ban effectively, an official statement said. Mining activities have been banned in Ernakulam and Kottayam districts in view of the forecast for heavy rain. The southern district of Thiruvananthapuram experienced heavy rains on Saturday night, leading to waterlogging in the city and its suburbs, affecting normal life. Visuals aired by news channels showed that houses and shops were flooded in some parts. Due to the non-completion of the Smart City Road, waterlogging has worsened in many places. In some areas, canals crisscrossing the capital city and its suburbs overflowed. The affected people alleged that the lack of pre-monsoon cleaning of canals and drainage systems was the reason for the waterlogging in the capital city and its suburbs. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website The recently concluded elections of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) left Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal being elected as the president of the body after almost 22 years. Sibal, who recently completed his Golden Jubliee at the bar, defeated incumbent vice-president of the SCBA Pradeep Rai and the current president Dr Adish Aggarwala. On the said occasion, outgoing president Dr Aggarwala wrote a letter to Sibal and congratulated him over his victory. I congratulate you on your landslide victory in the Presidential elections of SCBA 2024. Being a commoners lawyer, I visited your residence and greeted you immediately after you were declared elected, the letter read. Dr Aggarwala in his letter also pointed out that the Bar Association Elections shall be free from political interference else it would not be able to protect the interests of the Bar. Once political parties become involved at the level of the Supreme Court Bar Association, they will eventually get involved with all Bar Associations in India. Once there is division of lawyers on political lines in our Bar Associations, we will no longer be able to protect the interests of the members of the Bar, Dr Aggarwala told Mr Sibal in his letter. Congratulating the former Union Law Minister on his landslide victory, Dr Aggarwala pointed out that while the Congress and its allies openly decided to support him, the BJP supported another candidate Pradeep Kumar Rai. As a matter of fact, some BJP and RSS Members declined to accept the decision of their leadership to support Pradeep Kumar Rai. And ultimately, these defiant members of BJP voted for you. Even though I have been politically neutral, I am happy that all the right-thinking members, cutting across the political divide, have supported me in these elections, Dr Aggarwala said. He also urged Sibal to come good on his plans to get the big corporates to assist young and needy lawyers through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Friday congratulated senior advocate Kapil Sibal on being elected as the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA). Mr Sibal, heartiest congratulations on our behalf for being elected as the president of the SCBA. We look forward towards your cooperation and (that of) the members of the executive committee, the CJI said while holding a ceremonial bench. Thanking the CJI, Sibal said, It is my honour that after 22 years, I have been given this opportunity to serve the bar. From our side, you will have complete cooperation and thats our commitment to the bench. It is through this cooperation that we can take the agenda forward. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website Actor Sumona Chakravarti says she has been on her own journey and doesnt have an answer about her absence from the celebrity comedy talk show The Great Indian Kapil Sharma Show, hosted by her frequent collaborator Kapil Sharma. The actor, who has been part of Sharmas shows since 2013, said she is touched by the love of fans who have missed her on the ongoing ensemble Netflix series. Sumona featured on Colors Comedy Nights with Kapil (2013-2016) and The Kapil Sharma Show on Sony TV (2016-23). Asked why she isnt a part of The Great Indian Kapil Sharma Show, she told PTI, I dont have an answer to this. The show that I was part of, which was on another channel, ended last year in July. Since then, Ive been on my own journey, doing my own things, networking, and meeting people. Kapil partnered with streaming service Netflix for a new venture The Great Indian Kapil Sharma Show, which features Sunil Grover, Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, Rajiv Thakur, and Archana Puran Singh. Chakravarti, also known for TV serial Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, said people often keep coming up to her and say they miss her. I know fans have missed (me on the show), Ive seen their messages. I meet people everywhere, the moment you step out of the house, your neighbours tell you (they miss seeing you on the show). That is exactly what motivates you to do something different. When I was in London last year, I had so many Indians telling me that they liked me in Bade Achhe Lagte Hain. Its really nice to see the love coming whether its for Bade Achhe or Comedy Nights. Its great and you know you are doing something right. Nobody expected me to do well in comedy (but I did it), she added. The 35-year-old actor, who is gearing up to participate in stunt reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi 14, said going forward she wants to try something different in her career. This year some exciting stuff will happen with fiction. I was busy with theatre. Now, this (Khatron Ke Khiladi) is happening. So, its about doing something different now, she said. The actor said she is blessed to have garnered acclaim for her role of Natasha Kapoor in Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, headlined by Ram Kapoor and Sakshi Tanwar, and for director Anurag Basus 2012 film Barfi!, in which she played the role of Ileana DCruzs friend. Bade Achhe Lagte Hain gave me a name, it was my claim to fame. I had worked a lot before but Bade Achhe Lagte Hain made me famous, and I owe a lot of my career to that show. For Barfi!, we didnt even have the script but the idea was to work with Anurag da. I took up the film thinking, This will be an amazing crash course as an actor. I knew Ill get to work with Ranbir (Kapoor), with Priyanka (Chopra Jonas). Unfortunately, I didnt have a scene (with them) but it was amazing to be a brick on the wall. You learn so much by just having a film like Barfi on your resume, she said. Sumona is thrilled about her participation in Khatron Ke Khiladi 14, which features celebrity contestants facing their worst fears to win the coveted title. The actor said her mother has been an ardent admirer of the Rohit Shetty-hosted show and she would often insist Chakravarti to participate in it. Every year she would be like, Why dont you do this show? I would be like, Why you want me to be in an uncomfortable situation? I know theres a certain image that has been created in peoples minds because of my body of work, so I thought Khatron Ke Khiladi is a great platform, where I get to do things that I would really like to do, like going on adventures. Its also a platform that will present my real self, how I deal with situations, she added. The upcoming installment of Khatron Ke Khiladi also features Shilpa Shinde, Asim Riaz, Krishna Shroff, Shalin Bhanot, Abhishek Kumar, Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia, Karan Veer Mehra, Kedar Aashish Mehrotraa, Aditi Sharma, Gashmeer Mahajani, and Niyati Fatnani. The show will soon air on Colors channel. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website The day 4 of the 77th Cannes Film Festival was nothing short of a fashion extravaganza. Renowned celebrities including Emma Stone, Demi Moore, and Eva Longoria attended the screening of the film Kinds of Kindness, making heads turn as they showcased their fashion finesse on the red carpet. From gorgeous floor-sweeping ensembles to enchanting couture pieces, these A-listers were dressed to the nines. Check it out- View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@emmstone) US actress Emma Stone came decked in a stunning Louis Vuitton gown for her Cannes red carpet look. Her daring outfit in the shade of deep burgundy featured a plunging V-neckline and a figure-hugging silhouette which further flows elegantly into a hemline with a small train, adding a touch of glamour. The intricate beading on the gown further enhanced the ensembles opulent aesthetic. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Demi Moore (@demimoore) Nothing can go wrong with a red enchanting ensemble and Demi Moore proved it with utmost perfection. The star pulled off a striking Armani Prive gown that came with an off-the-shoulder neckline and a body-hugging silhouette. Demis glitzy dress featured an overall sequin detailing, along with floral work with beads. Adding to its bling were her Chopard diamond statement earrings. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Eva Longoria Baston (@evalongoria) Actress, producer, and director Eva Longoria arrived in a breathtaking Elie Saabs backless gown. The stunning shimmery gown got its share of bling with the intricate iridescent crystal and pearl beading meticulously creating a crisscross-draping effect. Her daring plunging V-neckline, a set of halter-cut straps, and a small rose gold ombre train added the oomph factor. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Uma Thurman (@umathurman) Additionally, Uma Thurman rocked a gorgeous white satin gown paired with a stunning cream jacket. The side-swept bun, a soft make-up look, and a pair of diamond earrings sealed the deal for natural beauty. Margaret Qualley, on the other hand, slipped into an ethereal white Chanel gown with furry embellishments all over and a bow tied around her waist. hunter schafer arrived at the cannes festival. pic.twitter.com/mrkflRBC0g hunter schafer gallery. (@schaferfiles) May 17, 2024 During Margarets red carpet appearance, she even posed with Hunter Shafer who was belle of the ball in a stunning violet Armani Prive gown. The fashion mogul proved her styling prowess on the red carpet with her choice of ensemble. It features an off-the-shoulder neckline, a shimmering silhouette, and a balloon-shaped bottom, adding the chic factor to the otherwise sophisticated number. South Korean model #SooJooPark attended the #CannesFilmFestival in Messika. She wore the High Jewerly arm bracelet Star Chaser alongside the earrings Sirenetta and the rings Cushion and Illusionist.#Cannes2024 #MessikaRocksCannes pic.twitter.com/A3EyBPk2Kf Messika (@MessikaJewelry) May 17, 2024 Not to mention Soo Joo Park who added stardust to the glam event in a custom Gucci gown. Completely open on one side, the black gown was held together by an intricate jewelled chain. However, it was her eccentric blue hair that stole the limelight. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan recently made heads turn at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. The actress delivered two jaw-dropping looks on the red carpet, but what inspired many is that she posed with perfection despite having a cast on her hand. We heard that that actress will be undergoing a wrist surgery post her return to Mumbai. According to a report in the Hindustan Times, Aishwarya broke her wrist over the weekend and thus had to get a cast on. However, she was adamant that she wants to keep her Cannes tradition going. Thus, even after the injury, she completed her professional commitments and made it to Cannes. The source added that the actor went to France only after discussions with specialists and her doctors and will require surgery on her hand soon: Her surgery is scheduled for later next week, after she returns from Cannes. Earlier this morning, Aishwarya Rai was spotted at the Mumbai airport with her daughter Aaradhya. While Aishwarya kept it comfy in a black and white ensemble, Aaradhya donned a white sweatshirt. The actress, on entering her car, also waved at the paps. Popular paparazzo Viral Bhayani shared the video and wrote, Mama and her daughter . Aishwarya received the loudest cheers when she walked the Cannes red carpet with her injured hand in an elaborative black and gold strapless gown earlier this week. Several photos and videos of the actress walking the Cannes red carpet went viral on social media. In one of the videos, her daughter, Aaradhya, was seen helping her with her ensemble. Aishwarya made her first appearance at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival, wearing a saree by designer Neeta Lulla. The Bollywood actress, who was last seen in Mani Ratnams pan-Indian film Ponniyin Selvan: II, made a sensational appearance on the Cannes red carpet wearing a silver hooded cape gown last year. The former Miss World attended the screening of Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny after making a bold statement in the gorgeous hooded silver cape gown from Sophie Coutures racks. Fatima Sana Shaikh has earned a lot of love and praise for her amazing performance in Amazon Prime Videos anthology series, Modern Love Mumbai as Lali in Raat Rani. Not only that, her role in Nitesh Tiwaris Dangal was a major breakthrough that alleviated her to the position of unparalleled stardom. The actress who is quite active on Instagram recently crossed paths with Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari co-star Manoj Bajpayee. Taking to her Instagram stories on Sunday, Fatima Sana Shaikh dropped a lovely selfie with Manoj Bajpayee from inside a flight. In the snap, both Fatima and Manoj can be seen smiling for the camera. While Manoj wore an olive green shirt, Fatima Sana Shaikh donned a yellow Kurta and kept her hands below her chin. She wrote, Met my most favourite co-actor Manoj Bajpayee. Take a look. Interestingly, Fatima Sana Shaikh has shared the screen space with Manoj Bajpayee along with Diljit Dosanjh and Rajkummar Rao in Abhishek Sharmas comedy Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari. It also featured Annu Kapoor, Manoj Pahwa, Seema Pahwa, Supriya Pilgaonkar, Nehha Pendse, Manuj Sharma, Neeraj Sood, Abhishek Banerjee, Vijay Raaz, Karishma Tanna, Vanshikha Sharma among others. Meanwhile, Fatima Sana Shaikh is all set to headline Anurag Basus Metro In Dino. To increase the excitement level makers recently shared the first look of Ali Fazal and Fatima Sana Shaikh from the set. A source revealed, Ali and Fatima are being paired for the first time together. They have a great friendship both on and off sets. They have wrapped up two schedules together and will be shooting for another schedule soon in Mumbai. The film promises to be a captivating romantic drama, reminiscent of its predecessor. In the photograph, actors Ali Fazal and Fatima Sana Shaikh are captured alongside director Anurag Basu, appearing soaked in water, indicating they may be filming a scene in the rain. The glimpse offers a tantalizing peek into the world being crafted by Basu and his team. The two actors have become great friends since the shoot began and share a great camaraderie on sets and are being paired opposite each other for the first time in a project. The movie was originally slated for release on March 29 this year. However, the makers only recently announced a change in its release date. The film is now set to hit the silver screens later this year on September 13, 2024. The music will be composed by Pritam, who not only composed for Life In A Metro but also worked with Anurag Basu on films like Gangster, Barfi, Jagga, Jasoos and Ludo. Meanwhile, Aditya Roy Kapur is teaming up with Anurag Basu again after Ludoy, that had released on Netflix. Aditya was last seen in The Night Manager, which received positive reviews by the audience. Talking about the film, Anurag Basu had earlier shared, MetroIn Dino is a tale of the people and for the people! It has been a while since I am working on this one, and I am glad to be collaborating with a powerhouse like Bhushan Kumar yet again, who has always been like a pillar to me. He added, The storyline is very fresh and relevant, and I look forward to collaborating with amazing artists who bring that essence of contemporary aura with them. As music plays a very important role in any film, I couldnt be happier to be collaborating with my dear friend Pritam, who has literally added life to the characters and story with his work. The first single, Jaragandi, composed by SS Thaman, was unveiled by the makers of Game Changer on Ram Charans birthday. Kiara Advani, the films leading lady, is currently at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, where she shared some exciting details about Shankars directorial. Speaking with Anupama Chopra of Film Companion, Kiara shared, For me, it was actually very fun to do a massy song (Jaragandi). I have never done something like this in my life. I received the most phone calls after the release of the Jaragandi song because, till now, no one has seen me going all out with the hero. Even Shankar sir told me I was very expressive in this masala song. Whats interesting is this is the first song that we dropped, and each song in the film is completely different from one another. The actress continued, All the songs have different vibes. Shankar sir is known for his songs and he likes them to be in a certain way. I have never worked 10 days to complete a song. Jaragandi is the hardest song I have shot. Prabhudeva sir is the choreographer, and we had a lot of rehearsals. There are a lot of back-breaking steps in Jaragandi song. Prabhudeva sir made Charan, and me do all the same steps. I have to match him. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole process. It was an experience. I wanted to work with Shankar sir. He is a very passionate filmmaker whose vision is big. He is trying to do something within the realm, but at the same time, he is making sure there is uniqueness. Shankar sir is trying to push the envelope. He wants his new film to be better than his previous works. I like the attitude that he comes with, Kiara concluded. While the song became an instant hit, producer Dil Raju hinted that Game Changer will release this year and could be in less than six months. At an event for Game Changer in Hyderabad, Dil Raju hinted at the release date. The producer said that the film will be in cinemas in five months, seemingly hinting at a September release date. He added that the filming will wrap in May. Besides teasing the release date, Raju also revealed that Jaragandi is just one of the many songs that the team has in store for the film. He said that the film will have five songs, three of which will be chart toppers. Game Changer also stars Ram Charan and Kiara Advani in the lead. The film also stars other artists like Anjali, SJ Suryah, Jayaram, Sunil, Srikanth, Samuthirakani and Nassar. Ram Charan will essay the role of an IAS Officer, Ram Madan, while Kiara Advani will be his love interest and another fellow IAS officer. The movie is directed by Shankar and marks his debut directorial. The screenplay is written by Karthik Subbaraj. The music department is being handled by Thaman. The OTT deal of Game Changer has reportedly been finalised. Amazon Prime Video has bought the streaming rights of the film for all languages. Produced by Dil Raju under the banner of Sri Venkateswara Creations, the film was expected to release this year, but now has been postponed given the tight schedule of the director Shankar. Indira Gandhi could barely wait to get even with the Supreme Court for circumscribing parliamentary supremacy. As Chief Justice S.M. Sikri retired on April 25, 1973 only a day after delivering the judgment in Kesavananda Bharati v State of Kerala Justice Ajit Nath Ray was appointed as his successor by superseding three judges viz. Justice J.M. Shelat, Justice K.S. Hegde and Justice A.N. Grover, compelling them to resign in protest. Since there was no collegium system then, the government could easily overpass the seniority rule in the judiciary. Justice A.N. Ray had delivered a dissenting opinion in Kesavananda Bharati, favouring the governments position on unlimited amending power. Two years later, the Emergency was declared on June 25, 1975. Indira Gandhi chose to dispense with the parliamentary convention and constitutional mandate (Article 74) that the Council of Ministers should aid and advise the President. The formal cabinet approval for the declaration of Emergency was secured posterior to the President of India signing the notification. Kuldip Nayar informs that the cabinet meeting was scheduled at 6 AM on June 26, 1976 (The Judgement, P.41). President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed had signed the proclamation of Emergency the previous night at 11.45 PM, marking the beginning of the Emergency and arrest of the Opposition members, social activists, and journalists etc. The fact that cabinet approval for the Emergency followed, and not preceded, the President of Indias proclamation of Emergency under Article 352 actually became the ground for a Constitution amendment later on. After the Janata Party government was formed in 1977, it brought 43rd and 44th amendments to the Constitution mainly to nullify various detrimental aspects of the Constitution (42nd Amendment Act), 1976 enacted by the Indira Gandhi government during the Emergency. The Constitution (44th Amendment) Act, 1978 extensively revised Article 352. It replaced the expression internal disturbance, which lent itself to a wide variety of (mis)interpretations, with armed rebellion though the President might not wait for the actual outbreak but act if there was imminent danger. The Constitution (44th Amendment) Act, 1978 virtually made the proclamation of Emergency for political agitation impossible. Indira Gandhi (thanks to the legal brain of West Bengal Chief Minister Siddhartha Shankar Ray, Bar at Law) had capitalised upon the expression internal disturbance as a possible ground for Emergency to thwart Jaya Prakashs Narayans agitation. On that fateful night of June 25, 1975, it was Ray and not any member of the Union cabinet who had accompanied Indira Gandhi to Rashtrapati Bhawan and explained the legal position to President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed. Indira Gandhi sought to defend her position rather than the nation through the Emergency. The Emergency was proclaimed within a fortnight to the adverse judgment of Allahabad High Court dated June 12, 1975, that held her guilty of electoral malpractice in the Fifth Lok Sabha election. Instead of resigning from office, she responded by proclamation of Emergency. Unable to rely completely on her appeal in the Supreme Court against the Allahabad High Court verdict, Indira Gandhi took things in her own hands. In the process, she reduced the Constitution to a plaything. Before the Supreme Court would decide on her appeal, the Constitution (39th Amendment) Act, 1975 was enacted on August 10, 1975, to place inquiry into any dispute regarding elections of the president, vice president, Lok Sabha speaker and prime minister in the hands of a special forum rather than the judiciary. The serious lacuna in this approach was that whereas elections to the august offices of the president (vide Articles 54 and 55) and vice president (vide Article 66) are specifically defined in the Constitution, there are no separate elections to the offices of Lok Sabha speaker and prime minister who are elected as ordinary Members of Parliament under the provisions of Representation of the People Acts, 1951. The Constitution under Article 71 authorises the Supreme Court to inquire and decide any dispute related to elections to the offices of the president and vice president. The power to decide petitions related to elections of parliament and State legislatures was originally given to the Election Commission of India under Article 324 (1) through the setting up of election tribunals. However, the Election Commission itself decided to forgo the same after the third General Elections, 1962 which prompted the government to promulgate the Constitution (19th Amendment) Act, 1966 whereby the high court was authorised to adjudicate election petitions. The Supreme Court, by a 5-3 vote, nullified this amendment on November 7, 1975, while hearing Indira Gandhis appeal to the June 12 judgment of the Allahabad High Court. However, it unanimously reversed her conviction on June 12 on two electoral offences. The verdict, says Kuldip Nayar, was not based on fact but rather on an election law amendment adopted by Parliament in August (The Judgement, P.93). Barely had the ink dried on the parchment, when another mischief was set into motion. The Supreme Court had relied heavily on the basic structure doctrine in delivering its November 7, 1975 judgment. On November 10, 1975, a bench of 13 judges of the Supreme Court assembled to hear the plea of the Government of India that the decision in the Kesavananda Bharati case should be overruled. Eminent jurist Nani A. Palkhivala filed a suit in opposition to that plea. Due to censorship, the news was not published in any newspaper. Palkhivala argued that the Keshavananda Bharati case was heard by the largest bench constituted prior to the November 10, 1975 assemblage. It took the longest time for a case in the Supreme Court i.e. five months, and the vastest material ever brought together in a single case formed the record. No justification existed for reconsidering a ruling arrived at after the fullest and most detailed consideration. Setting up a full bench to review the previous judgment of a full bench would set a wrong precedent. The process could become unending and damage the judicial propriety. Further, time was most ill-opportune to undertake such a review, when there was no effective Opposition inside the Parliament, no freedom to write or speak anything in disagreement to the government, and there was a suspension of Fundamental Rights and liberty. After arguments extending over two days, informs Palkhivala, The Bench was dissolved, and the attempt to confer on Parliament an unlimited power amending the Constitution happily failed (We, the People, P.183). Unable to regain unlimited constituent power through the legal route, and dissatisfied with the tardiness of the Parliamentary system, Indira Gandhi even contemplated adopting a Presidential form of government for India. The French system appealed most to her. Sanjay Gandhi, who gained great prominence and notoriety during the Emergency, openly pitched for a Presidential system that gave one person all the power, without curb from Parliament (The Judgement, P.114). The Swaran Singh Committee set up by the Congress in February 1976 came out with proposals for extensive changes in the Constitution. It would have been worse if I were not there, Swaran Singh later told Kuldip Nayar, we buried the Presidential system once and for all (The Judgement, 148). The mindset of the government was evident in a 23-page paper produced by the research and reference division of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting released on March 4, 1976. It was titled Limitations on Fundamental Rights: Some Notes on the Views of the Founding Fathers. A selective reading of the views of the members of the Constituent Assembly, it overlooked the fact that the Constitution, as originally adopted, represented the collective wisdom of the Constituent Assembly. The Swaran Singh Committees proposals became the substance of the Constitution (44th Amendment) Bill, 1975 comprising 55 clauses affecting a number of articles in the Constitution. A great indignation was created in the intelligentsia; and nearly 300 educationists, artists and writers wrote to Indira Gandhi against proceeding with those amendments. However, such counsels were in vain, for the iron lady who had decided to be Empress of India. The Bill was passed with a heavy majority, in a Lok Sabha shorn of Opposition leaders, who languished in jails. This became the Constitution (42nd Amendment) Act, 1976 after ratification by the requisite number of States. The 42nd Amendment is often dubbed as a mini Constitution for having almost revised the Constitution along with the Preamble. Nani A Palkhivala describes the legislation as a devastating attack on the Constitution, more so because it was undertaken under the guise of the Emergency. When the Janata Party came to power, they enacted the Constitution (44th Amendment) Act, 1978 which was aimed at reversing several controversial provisions of the 42nd Amendment. They also deleted Article 31: Compulsory acquisition of property which has been at the heart of most number of judicial conflicts over the Constitution from the Chapter on Fundamental Rights and moved it to another part of the Constitution, Part XII, thus making it only a legal right. The departure of the Right to Property under Part III (Fundamental Rights) spared the rest of the Fundamental Rights from the attack of the State. The remaining work was done by the judiciary in its verdict in Minerva Mills Ltd & Ors v Union of India & Ors (1980), which ruled that parliaments power to amend the Constitution was not absolute and therefore amendments in Articles 31C and 368 done under 42nd amendment were invalid. This brought curtains down the great Constitutional struggle, which Rahul Gandhi wants to conveniently forget. This is the concluding instalment of two-part series. (The writer is author of the book The Microphone Men: How Orators Created a Modern India (2019) and an independent researcher based in New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal claimed on Sunday that the BJP is attempting to finish Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) under Operation Jhaadu, alleging that the ruling party at the center doesnt want it to grow big and become a challenge for them. Through Operation Jhaadu, AAPs big leaders will be arrested. They are being arrested and in the coming days, AAPs bank accounts will be frozen. EDs lawyer has already given this statement in court that soon after the election AAPs bank accounts will be frozen, the AAP National Convener said. This allegation comes as AAP plans to take out a demonstration outside BJP headquarters following the arrest of Kejriwal aide Bibhav Kumar. BJP Operation Jhadu AAP AAP Bank Account ED AAP , pic.twitter.com/cm8Sl1NzI6 AAP (@AamAadmiParty) May 19, 2024 They will freeze our accounts In the presence of senior party leaders Raghav Chadha and Atishi, Kejriwal also alleged that after the Lok Sabha elections BJP will freeze our accounts, our office will be cleared out and we will be brought to streets. Since I came to power in 2015, how many allegations did they (BJP) raise? These remarks came a day after Bibhav was sent to five days in police custody in connection with the alleged assault on Swati Maliwal after a late-night court hearing on Saturday. Kejriwal, who is out on interim bail in the excise policy case, had said on Saturday that he and other AAP leaders would go to the BJP headquarters on May 19 so that the prime minister can send anyone he wishes to jail. They are after our party and sending our leaders to jail one after another Today you have sent my PA (Bibhav Kumar) to jail, he said. We will peacefully march to the BJP headquarters and if the police stop us, we will sit at that spot. We will wait for half an hour and see if they arrest us. If they do not arrest us, it will be their defeat. You can send us all in jail and see for yourself if the party ends or it rises more, he said. Given a protest announced by AAPs national convenor, the Delhi Police has beefed up security at the BJP headquarters. The traffic police have also issued an advisory because of the protest planned outside the BJP office on the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg. In view of the proposed protest by a political party at DDU Marg Delhi, Traffic will remain heavy at DDU Marg, IP Marg, Minto Road and Vikas Marg. DDU marg may be closed for traffic movement between 11 am to 2 pm. Kindly avoid these roads and plan your journey accordingly, the traffic police in a post on X. A senior police officer said security at the BJP headquarters has been heightened as a precautionary measure. (With agency inputs) Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Goyal, who sent Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals aide Bibhav Kumar to five-day police custody after a late-night hearing on Saturday, was told by the investigating agency that he did not cooperate with the police and had been evasive in his replies. The Delhi Police sought seven-day custody of Bibhav regarding the alleged assault on AAP Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal said that it was a serious case where the brutal assault could have turned fatal. This is a very serious case where a Member of Parliament, a public figure, has been brutally assaulted which could have been fatal. Despite specific questions, the accused has not cooperated in the investigation and has been evasive in his replies, said the remand paper signed by North District Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Anjitha Chepyala. Most vital evidence According to the remand application, Kumar screamed, threatened and used abusive language against her, besides being brutally assaulting, dragging and banging her head on a centre table. It said that the most vital evidence was the digital video record (DVR) of the spot but it was yet to be provided to the police. According to the plea seeking police custody, a junior engineer in the CMs residence, after admitting that he did not have access to the place where the DVR and CCTV cameras were installed, provided a video of the dining room but it was later found to be blank at the time of the alleged incident. The remand application said that on Saturday, Kumar was present at the chief ministers residence and after being questioned, provided evasive replies. His presence at the scene of the crime (SOC) raises a strong possibility of tampering with crucial evidence, including electronic evidence. The accused is an influential person and having worked more than nine years in an authoritative position can influence, and pressure the witnesses in the CM house, it said. Highlighting the reasons for police custody, the application said after being terminated as the CMs personal secretary in April 2024, Kumar was still working in the CMs residence and needed to be quizzed about the capacity and authority under which he was working. Another case against Bibhav It said another case was registered against Bibhav Kumar in Noida for allegedly assaulting an on-duty public servant. Since a brutal attack is made on a public figure who is a sitting MP, a sustained interrogation is very much required to find out the motive behind brutal attack and to ascertain the conspiracy angles or involvement of some person or organisation having inimical to our country, the paper said. It said that according to Kumar, he had formatted his mobile in Mumbai on Friday and that his mobile phone was password protected. Without the personal presence and assistance of the accused, as this instrument is password protected, the phone and its apps cannot be accessed. Also, he has to be taken to an expert to retrieve the mobile data and to ascertain the factum of formatting of the mobile phone of the accused, which is an important piece of evidence, the plea for remand said. (With agency inputs) Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has vowed to provide legal help to an influencer named Bhiku Mhatre after reports emerged about his arrest by Karnataka Police over a now-deleted post on social media in connection with the Congress manifesto. Mhatre, who has an X handle titled MumbaichaDon, reportedly alleged in his post last month that the Congress wants to take away wealth from Hindus and distribute it to Muslims as it hates Hindus a claim the party has strongly denied. The arrest of Bhiku Mhatre came after a Congress worker from Bengaluru filed a complaint with the cybercrime police on April 29, according to The Indian Express. The police then registered a case against the X user under section 153(a) of the Indian Penal Code and 66(c) of the Information Technology Act. This is blatant abuse of power by Karnataka Congress Govt.We will fight this, both inside courts and outside. https://t.co/mCB8dkK1y5 Tejasvi Surya ( ) (@Tejasvi_Surya) May 18, 2024 Blatant abuse of power In a Saturday afternoon post on X, Bhiku Mhatre posted a notice issued to him by X after it received a court against from the magistrate Bengaluru City regarding his account @MumbaichaDon. This court order obligates X to produce information related to your account. We cannot give you any legal advice, but suggest that you may wish to seek your own legal counsel in this matter, the notice read. This is a blatant abuse of power by Karnataka Congress Govt. We will fight this, both inside courts and outside, BJP Karnataka leader Tejasvi Surya said. So it seems CONgress wants to intimidate me for speaking Truth. Im ready to fight against any injustice & will take full Judicial Course even if that means approaching Highest Court, as I have never written anything which may be called as inflammatory or communal, Mhatre had said. So it seems CONgress wants to intimidate me for speaking Truth. Im ready to fight against any injustice & will take full Judicial Course even if that means approaching Highest Court, as I have never written anything which may be called as inflammatory or communal. pic.twitter.com/mmZZwz1mT5 BhikuMhatre (Modis Family) (@MumbaichaDon) May 18, 2024 Congress wants to intimidate After Mhatres arrest was announced, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya said, We are in touch with his family and will ensure he gets all legal support. Congress has unleashed anarchy and is intolerant of dissent. But there wont be another #Emergency in this country, ever, he said. BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde also strongly condemned the arrest of influencer @MumbaichaDon. It is a blatant attack on free speech and a dangerous precedent. They need to know that democracy thrives on diverse opinions, not suppression, he said. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website The BJP on Sunday said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should not indulge in theatrics and instead break his silence on the alleged assault on his party MP Swati Maliwal at the CM residence by his aide Bibhav Kumar. The reaction came after Kejriwal and his party workers and leaders held a massive protest near the BJP headquarters against Kumars arrest in connection with the case. Kejriwal should break his silence instead of his dramebazi and answer specific questions, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said in a post on X. The BJP leader asked Kejriwal if he ordered the alleged attack on Swati Maliwal and gave patronage to Bibhav Kumar because he knows his dark secrets. Why is the CCTV footage missing? Did Kejriwal help Bibhav to destroy/tamper evidence including CCTV footage from Shoshan Mahal Kejriwals residence)? Why release small clips & not full CCTV footage? he said in the post. Why U turn from what Sanjay Singh said 96 hours ago & why victim shaming now by AAP? the BJP leader asked. Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website After a late-night hearing on Saturday, a Delhi court sent Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals aide Bibhav Kumar to five days in police custody in connection with the alleged assault on AAP Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal. The Delhi Police arrested Kumar earlier in the day and his anticipatory bail plea was subsequently observed as becoming infructuous. Kumar was later produced before Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Goyal who sent him to five-day police custody. Police, through their counsel, had sought seven-day custody of Kumar to question him in connection with the assault case. It is alleged that Kumar, the personal assistant of Kejriwal, assaulted Maliwal at the CMs residence on May 13 morning. They said Kumar did not provide the password of his mobile phone to the investigating agency and had also informed that his phone had been formatted in Mumbai due to some malfunctioning in the device. Police said before being formatted the data of a mobile phone had to be cloned and Kumar was required to be taken to Mumbai for retrieving the data. The accuseds presence was also needed when his mobile phone was opened by an expert, they said. In response, Kumars counsel Rajiv Mohan said neither was there any record of Maliwals visit to the CMs residence before May 13 nor did she clarify the reason for registering the FIR only on May 16. The FIR was registered at the Civil Lines police station. He said that Maliwal visited the CMs residence without an appointment and that the Delhi Police was distorting facts. The advocate said neither did Maliwal seek any medical aid after calling the emergency helpline number 112 nor did the station house officer prepare any medical sheet after meeting her. Mohan alleged that Maliwal was politicising the issue of having suffered injuries and was also giving statements to the media. He said that Kumars mobile phone was not required for investigation as Maliwal had nowhere alleged about threatening on phone or WhatsApp calls. When the grounds of arrest are not justified, there is no question of police custody, the advocate had argued. Another counsel for Kumar, Shadan Farasat, claimed that Kumars lawyers were not given a copy of the FIR, while it was circulated in the media. He claimed that Kumar was arrested solely to defeat the purpose of filing the anticipatory bail. In its rebuttal, the Delhi Polices counsel said that according to the FIR, Maliwal was in shock after being assaulted and after recovering lodged the official complaint. (With agency inputs) Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website Lenny the Irish Terrier slipped out of his lead on a busy road and was left on life support. A pet owner has issued an urgent warning after experiencing his worst nightmare when his dog Lenny was left fighting for his life after running into oncoming traffic. Irish Terrier Lenny, four, managed to slip out of his collar on a busy Sydney road after spotting a cat and getting spooked. Darting in and out of traffic, his owner Jim did everything he could to catch the flighty pooch. Lennys escape came to a halt when he ran into the side of a car and while initially, it was thought he was fine, the dog ended up on life support with cracked ribs and internal bleeding. Now, Jim is urging pet owners to make sure they have control of their dogs at all times. Lenny now wears a harness when he goes for his walk after nearly losing his life. Source: Supplied Dog slipped out of collar to chase after cat The day of the incident in August last year started like any other day a morning walk around the block. Wed just been for our normal morning walk and we were almost home when he got spooked by a cat. He managed to slip out of his collar and started to run backwards and forwards across the road to find the cat, Jim told Yahoo News Australia. It was pretty frightening, he just wouldnt come, he was determined to find the cat. We thought we had him and he came bolting out and ran into a car. He hit the car. At first, Lenny seemed fine after the collision and was able to walk home. But when he got home and the dog was still panting and panicky, Jim took him to the local vet. To their shock, it was quickly discovered that Lennys lungs were full of blood. He was rushed to a SASH Trauma Centre in North Ryde where it was found Lenny had cracked ribs down his left side, he was badly bruised, his lungs were filled with blood and he was bleeding into his stomach. Lenny was put on life support in an attempt to save his life. I thought he might die, said Jim. The pooch spent three days on life support where his life hung in the balance. Remarkably, he pulled through and after seven days in hospital, he was able to return home. Pet owner's 'expensive' lesson While Jim did not disclose the cost of Lennys treatment, he said it was an expensive lesson to learn - and now doesnt leave the house without Lenny in a secure harness. Dr Iain Keir, Emergency and Critical Care Specialist at SASH North Ryde, urges anyone whose pet is involved in a car accident, to seek treatment as soon as possible. Lennys injuries didn't seem that bad at first, said Dr Keir. The major issue was internal bleeding which became apparent within a few minutes of arrival. The team worked quickly to stabilise and treat Lenny and ultimately save his life. Dr Keir said that run-ins with cars are common, with the clinic seeing up to five patients a week like Lenny. Its a fairly common occurrence, he said. It almost invariably happens when dogs are off leashes and near a pets home or their favourite park." Dr Keir urged anyone whose pet is involved in a car collision to seek vet help immediately. My strong recommendation for all pet owners if they are in this unfortunate position, is to seek vet care as quickly as possible to make sure those injuries aren't life-threatening," he said. What we know with trauma, the sooner we can instigate treatment for injuries the better the outcome. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. After Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge rebuked West Bengal unit chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, asserting that he was no one to decide on Mamata Banerjees inclusion in the Opposition INDIA bloc, Chowdhury later responded that he could not welcome someone who seeks to destroy Congress. Speaking to the media on Saturday, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said his fight is to save the West Bengal Congress. If someone will try to destroy Congress, I will oppose them. My fight is to save the West Bengal Congress; and being a party worker, I cannot stop this fight, Chowdhury stated. Last Wednesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had announced that she would support the INDIA bloc from the outside if it wins the Lok Sabha elections. Responding to her the next day, Chowdhury remarked that she cant be trusted. I dont trust her. She left the alliance and ran away. She can also go towards the BJP, he said. The Congress MP further added, She is an opportunist leader and wants to extend support now as she knows the alliance is leading. She now understands that alliance support will help her she is going to be isolated. What has triggered her to leave the INDIA alliance, she has not said anything about it until now. Responding to Chowdhurys remarks on Saturday, Congress chief Kharge clarified that he has no authority to make decisions regarding whether Mamata and her party TMC should be a part of the India bloc. As far as Congress leader Adhir Ranjans remark is concerned, he is no one to decide anything. The top leaders and high command will decide that and those who wont follow the same will be out of the party, Kharge stated. Banerjee, whose Trinamool Congress had decided to fight the Lok Sabha elections alone in the state after seat-sharing issues with the INDIA bloc, has said she will provide outside support to the opposition front if the BJP loses. (With inputs from agencies) Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website Swati Maliwal Case Live: Bansuri Swaraj Slams Arvind Kejriwal Over 'Dharna' BJP New Delhi Lok Sabha candidate Bansuri Swaraj on Sunday said, What an unfortunate thing there was a time when CM Arvind Kejriwal was part of Anna Hazares movement and he used to claim that he would raise the voice of the people of Delhi. But now he is sitting on a dharna against one such person who has misbehaved with a woman and that woman is not an ordinary woman, she is an MP from his party. I want to ask him what has happened to him Arvind Kejriwal's 'Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se' Jibe At PM Modi, Says BJP Will Win Less Than 200 Seats In LS Polls Delhi CM and AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal, while addressing a rally on Sunday said, Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se, 25 May, BJP gyeThey (BJP) are after us, putting all leaders of our party in jailWhat is this, if you cant win in Delhi, will you put everyone behind the bar? I seek a vote based on the development works which our party has doneThey know that on June 4 their government will not form. They also know that they will get votes less than 200 Swati Maliwal Case Live: Navneet Rana Urges 'Women Of Nation' To Not Support Arvind Kejriwal On Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwals call for a protest outside the BJP HQ against the arrest of AAP leaders, BJP candidate from Amravati, Navneet Rana said, I wonder the person who says to the women of Delhi, Punjab and country that I am your brotherBut when his own partys Rajya Sabha member is beaten inside his own house, he does not say anything about the caseThe women of the nation should not stand in support of Arvind KejriwalKejriwal is not even capable of being a corporator. Swati Maliwal 'Assault' Case: AAP Says No CCTV In Kejriwal's Drawing Room, Alleges BJP, Police Planting Wrong Info Amid claims of CCTV footage of Arvind Kejriwals residence being tampered with to destroy evidence against Bibhav Kumar, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj on Sunday said that there are no CCTV cameras installed in the Delhi Chief Ministers residence. Bhardwaj further accused the BJP and Delhi Police of planting wrong information to malign AAPs image in public. Arvind Kejriwal Says BJP Trying To 'Finish' AAP Under 'Operation Jhaadu' Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal claimed on Sunday that the BJP is attempting to finish Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) under Operation Jhaadu, alleging that the ruling party at the center doesnt want it to grow big and become a challenge for them. Swati Maliwal Case Live: 'Aam Aadmi Party Should Be Renamed As Aam Apradhi Party,' Says BJP Leader Shazia Ilmi BJP leader Shazia Ilmi on Sunday said, Aam Aadmi Party should be named as Aam Apradhi party and Bhibhv Kumar has become the Shahjahan Sheikh of Delhi. Bhibhv has misbehaved with a person who supported their party for so longShe was there for the partySanjay Singh said that the incident took place and action will be taken. What kind of action has been taken? The person who is a culprit is out, roaming free Swati Maliwal Case Live: Saurabh Bharadwaj Says 'There Was Never A CCTV Cam In Kejriwal's Drawing Room' AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj on Sunday said that there was never a CCTV camera in the drawing room. I have never seen a cctv. I have never seen a CCTV installed in drawing rooms. The DVRs have been taken away by the police yesterday itself. When there are no CCTV cameras, how can there be any CCTV footage, Bharadwaj said. Swati Maliwal Case Live: Saurabh Bharadwaj To Address PC at 3 Pm Today Senior AAP Leader and Delhi Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj will address an important press conference today (May 19) at 3 pm at 206 Rouse Avenue. Swati Maliwal Case Live: Shazia Ilmi Calls Bibhav Kumar 'Shahjahan Sheikh of Delhi' BJP Leader Shahzia Ilmi on Sunday called Bibhav Kumar Shajahan Sheikh of Delhi. First Sanjay Singh said action would be taken against Bibhav but he was roaming with the CM himself, said Ilmi. Swati Maliwal Case Live: 'Delhi CM Satnding With Someone Who Assaulted A Woman,' Says Manoj Tiwari Today we saw those shameful visuals from Delhi. Today we saw Arvind Kejriwal standing with someone who assaulted a woman. Back in the days, we saw Kejriwal protesting during the Nirbhaya case and today he is defending someone who assaulted a woman, Tiwari said while addressing a press conference. Swati Maliwal Case Live: Delhi BJP Chief Questions Kejriwal's Silence On Assault Row Delhi BJP chief Virendraa Sachdeva said, The way Swati Maliwal, a woman MP was called to his (Arvind Kejriwal) house and was beaten up, he has no answer to this. I only want to ask one question to him, why are you silent on Swati Maliwal?no matter what he says, from inside, he knows that he is responsible for what happened at his home Swati Maliwal Case Live: AAP Leaders Return To Party Office After Police Stops Them AAP leaders were stopped by Delhi Police and were not allowed to move beyond the barricades. All party leaders returned back to the office. Swati Maliwal Case Live: Sanjay Singh Addresses AAP Workers During March Sanjay Singh addressed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and workers as they hold a protest against the BJP, in Delhi. Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal is also present. Swati Maliwal Case Live: Kejriwal on Bhagwant Mann's Absence From AAP's March Citing Bhagwant Mann will not attend AAPs mega protest today, Arvind Kejriwal said, Mann was supposed to come here. I stopped him. I told him if they arrest us all, you come tomorrow. Swati Maliwal Case Live: Arvind Kejriwal Says BJP Planning To Arrest All AAP Leaders Under 'Op Jhaadu' Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said that the BJP has started Operation Jhaadu so that his party dont grow big and become a challenge to them. Through Operation Jhaadu, AAPs big leaders will be arrested, they are being arrested and in the coming days, AAPs bank accounts will be frozen. EDs lawyer has already given this statement in court that soon after the election AAPs bank accounts will be frozen, he said that if they freeze our account now we will get sympathyafter the election, they will freeze our accounts, and our office will be cleared out and we will be brought to streets. These are the 3 plans made by BJP, he added 'PM Modi Sees AAP As Big Challenge...': Kejriwal Addresses Party Workers AAP Convenor and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal while addressing his party workers said the BJP and PM Modi see his party as a challenge and thus, want to crush it. A lot of people have told me that the PM says that AAP is growing rapidly and we can be a big challenge to the BJP on the national level. Thats why they want to finish the party, he said. Swati Maliwal Case Live: Several Anti-AAP Protestors Detained | Watch Delhi Police detained some people who were protesting against the AAP, in Delhi Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to hold a protest outside BJP HQ today against the arrest of its party leaders. #WATCH | Delhi Police detain some people who were protesting against the AAP, in Delhi Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to hold a protest outside BJP HQ today against the arrest of its party leaders. pic.twitter.com/jHe6SoBYmW ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2024 Swati Maliwal Case Live: Sec 144 Imposed on DDU Mark Ahead of Kejriwal's Protest On Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwals call for a protest outside the BJP HQ against the arrest of AAP leaders, DCP Delhi Central, Harsha Vardhan Mandava said, Section 144 has been imposed on DDU Marg and there is no permission for any kind of protest here. Swati Maliwal Case Live: DCP Delhi On Arvind Kejriwal's Protest On Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwals call for a protest outside the BJP HQ against the arrest of AAP leaders, DCP Delhi Central, Harsha Vardhan Mandava said, Based on the information that has come to us through social media and other channels, we have made preventive arrangements on DDU Marg to ensure that the law and order are maintained. Our main focus is to deploy enough security forces and have barricading in place so that there is a proper law and order situation, he added. Sam Altman and co had a lot to share about ChatGPT 4o version earlier this week and 24 hours later, Google hosted its I/O 2024 edition in California. Both the companies had a varied approach to their events that were live streamed to the whole world but AI was at the forefront of each event. While OpenAIs event lasted for about 30 minutes, Googles lengthy keynote went for around 2 hours. Some would have imagined that Altman will look to take Googles AI offerings head up and share his opinion about the new features. i try not to think about competitors too much, but i cannot stop thinking about the aesthetic difference between openai and google pic.twitter.com/hRFYhzm5K8 Sam Altman (@sama) May 16, 2024 But Altman was more interested in comparing the difference in aesthetics of his and Googles event. He was basically referring to the set up of their events, which had a modern touch with OpenAI, while Googles event was based out of a large audi with fake windows and background. The competition is fierce and OpenAI has a big lead over Google which seems happy to take it slow and make it right rather than rush into its processes and make mistakes, which frankly it has. Altman has been a core part of OpenAIs team, which recently lost its chief AI scientist, Ilya Sutskever and other AI engineers along with him. Even then, OpenAI has enough resources in its wing that is building more AI use cases, including the supposed search engine that the company is expected to announce sometime this year. Google I/O 2024 keynote showed us a lot about AI but the general feeling is that the company needs a lot more use cases developed for its AI race to heat up. Apple is also entering the space, as early as next month at the WWDC 2024 where iOS, iPadOS and even Macs get AI features for the first time. The prospect of life beyond Earth has always piqued human curiosity. Since humanity discovered that Mars and other surrounding planets were distinct from other vantage points of light in the night sky, people have conjectured the possibility of extraterrestrial life on these planets. The concept of aliens was first mentioned in writing about 200 AD in the satirical works of Assyrian author Lucian of Samosata. NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) will now collaborate to look for indications of life on Mars, the United States space agency stated on Thursday. Together, they will work on the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover, a mission headed by ESA that will explore Mars and launch in 2028. In accordance with the agreement, NASA will supply unique rover propulsion system components and heaters that are needed for a successful landing on Mars. According to NASA, the rover will be the first to dig down to a maximum of 6.5 feet below the surface in order to gather ice samples that have been shielded from radiation from the surface and extremely high temperatures. When it comes to the scientific hunt for signs of past life on Mars, the Rosalind Franklin rovers distinctive drilling capabilities and onboard sample laboratory are extremely valuable. An official announcement from NASA Headquarters in Washington cited Nicola Fox, assistant administrator, Science Mission Directorate. NASA supports the Rosalind Franklin mission to continue the strong partnership between the United States and Europe to explore the unknown in our solar system and beyond. Due to Russias invasion of Ukraine two years ago, ESA severed its connections with Roscosmos, the space agency that had been the primary collaborator on ExoMars. Consequently, the missions planned launch window was missed, and it now has to wait until 2028. The Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer, the rovers main science instrument, is being developed by NASA with significant assistance from Germany and France. This instrument is expected to play an important part in the mission to find the components of life in Martian soil samples. NASA and space experts from all across the world have been funding research on Mars and are still reviewing the data gathered from journeys to the planet, all of which have been completed without any humans setting foot on the Martian surface. NASA refers to this initiative as their most ambitious, multi-mission programme to date. NASA and the ESA have been collaborating on a number of upcoming missions that would bring back samples of Martian soil to Earth. The projects cost has increased significantly, rising from $5 billion to over $11 billion. Body donation after death is a common practice followed by many individuals across nations. It helps researchers and medical students to study, analyse and comprehend the human body for scientific purposes. While medical pupils get a detailed idea of Human Anatomy, physicians utilise the cadavers for the development of medicines and life-saving drugs. However, a US-based woman got the shock of her life after finding out that her husbands body, given to science, was not put to any science-related purpose, but used as a crash test dummy in the army. According to a report by Mirror, the womans husband registered as an organ donor in 2012. His application was rejected after he passed away from liver cirrhosis. Medics informed his wife Jill that her husbands dead body was unfit for donation and suggested she give it to scientific utilisation. In an interview with CBS, she revealed, What I envisioned was him being in some medical facility. I just thought, what a great candidate for them to learn about the results of alcoholism and what it does to a body. But things didnt go as planned. The woman cited that after her husbands body was taken to the Biological Research Center (BRC) in Arizona, it was later sold to the Department of Defence without her consent, claimed Mirror. The woman learned about the news from the founder of the BRC donation facility which has now been closed. At the Defence centre, the woman discovered that her late partners body was being used as a crash test dummy in a simulated Humvee explosion. The authorities at BRC did not take Jills permission before selling the body illegally to the Defence unit. The company also sold thousands of other bodies that were later used for the conduction of ballistic and military tests, causing the complete mutilation and desecration of the donors body. The woman exclaimed that she was devastated by the incident. Social media users reacted to the news strongly. Sometimes if you donate your body to science, and they cant use it, they wont tell you & they just dispose of it, claimed one individual. Thats awful commented another. I hope she got compensated for lack of permission, wished another. A blue meteor streaked across the skies over Spain and Portugal, leaving the onlookers on Saturday evening awestruck. Dozens of videos shared on social media platforms, including microblogging website X, depicted the celestial event as the meteor blazed through the atmosphere. Reports indicated sightings of the meteor spanning hundreds of kilometers, igniting awe and speculation among observers. While initial reports suggested the meteors trajectory, its precise landing location remained unconfirmed. BREAKING: An unknown object just flashed across the sky in Portugal pic.twitter.com/lshlt5J24m Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) May 19, 2024 Speculations varied, with some accounts suggesting it may have fallen near the town of Castro Daire, while others indicated proximity to Pinheiro. Despite extensive searches by firefighters following multiple reports, no debris or impact site had been located as of the early hours. JUST IN: Meteor spotted in the skies over Spain and Portugal.This is insane. Early reports claim that the blue flash could be seen darting through the night sky for hundreds of kilometers. At the moment, it has not been confirmed if it hit the Earths surface however some pic.twitter.com/PNMs2CDkW9 Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 19, 2024 Social media users expressed astonishment at the spectacle, with some marveling at its brilliance and composition, likening it to magnesium. Others pondered the frequency of such extraordinary occurrences, particularly in tandem with other celestial phenomena like the aurora borealis and solar eclipses. Same month as the Aurora borealis. Why are all these once in a lifetime events happening so close to each other. Makes you wonder if the solar eclipse was a warning, said one of the users on X. While this is a meteor, a more accurate description is the word Bolide. I dont get to say bolide very often. Bolide, said another. Israeli soldiers and police were involved in an altercation with Israeli settlers in the Israel-held West Bank earlier this week. Violence has surged in the West Bank after Hamass unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel and Israeli settlers allegedly have attacked Palestinians and targeted aid trucks headed to Gaza. At least 505 people, including three killed this Thursday, have been killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers in the West Bank since October 7, according to the Palestinian health ministrys count. Israeli forces say that some of the deaths are those of extremists who pose security threats. At least 20 Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks over the same period, according to a tally compiled by Israeli authorities. The latest flare-up of violence happened when aid trucks were crossing through the Kerem Shalom checkpoint. Israeli settlers, according to Haaretz and the Times of Israel, attacked a truck in the central West Bank and assaulted its driver mistaking him and his truck for an aid truck headed to Rafah. A separate report by AFP, however, pointed out that the incident took place near Kokhav Hashahar, an Israeli settlement in the central West Bank, a territory held by Israel since 1967. Israeli soldiers intervened to separate the Israeli civilians from the attacked Israeli driver and provided medical assistance. The group then responded with violence, and three Israeli soldiers were lightly injured, the army said, condemning all forms of violence against its soldiers and security forces. More than four times this week, trucks crossing the Israel-held West Bank were attacked by settlers backed by far-right Israeli groups, according to Israeli media. On Monday, dozens of people blocked and vandalised a convoy of aid trucks driving to the Gaza Strip. The trucks were attacked in Israel, shortly after passing through the Tarqumiya checkpoint from the West Bank. The report by AFP said that Israeli soldiers watched on as the attackers destroyed the aid. The IDF and Israeli police said they will take legal action against the troublemakers. They said that they used tear gas and stun grenades against dozens of rioting settlers protesting aid to Gaza and for hurling rocks at Palestinian cars at Tapuah Junction south of Nablus. Canada this week announced sanctions against Israeli settlers who allegedly committed acts of violence against Palestinians living in the West Bank. In recent months, the UK, France, the European Union and the United States announced sanctions against settlers in the West Bank. The rise in violence by extremist Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank is deeply troubling and poses significant risks to peace and security in the region, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said in the statement. The sanctions include a ban on transactions with the settlers and on their entry into Canada. Canada sanctioned David Chai Chasdai, accused of instigating a riot in the Palestinian town of Huwara, south of Nablus, leading to the death of a Palestinian civilian. Israel has maintained control over areas of the West Bank, home to three million Palestinians, since 1967 and around 490,000 Israeli settlers live there but these communities are considered illegal according to international law. Michael Hayes has emerged as the person who was behind the assassination of King Charless beloved great-uncle and Indias last governor-general Louis Mountbatten. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Hayes, now himself an aged person, claimed that he, not Thomas McMahon, was behind the assassination of Earl Louis Mountbatten in August 1979. Hayes said he was an ex-Irish Republican Army (IRA) commander and Thomas McMahons commanding officer. The IRA killed Lord Mountbatten because they opposed Northern Ireland being part of England and wanted to send a strong message. Hayes, a grandfather who lives alone in Dublin, said: Yes, I blew him up. McMahon put it on his boat I planned everything, I am commander in chief. I blew up Earl Mountbatten in Sligo, but I had a justification, hed come to my country Look at the Famine are we to forget that? The Black and Tans? He came to my country and murdered my people and I fought back. I hit them back, he further added. Thomas McMahon was the only IRA member who was convicted of the crime and was arrested on the day of the blast and was jailed for life but he was released later in 1998 after 19 years in prison under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. Hayes said that it was he who planned the murder and was able to do so because he was an explosives expert. Lord Mountbatten was killed when McMahon and other IRA terrorists detonated a 50-pound bomb hidden on his fishing vessel Shadow V. Hayes name came up in the list of suspects but he was never prosecuted. Mountbatten was a World War II hero and second cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, was spending the day with his family in Donegal Bay off Irelands northwest coast when the bomb exploded. He was also a mentor to Prince Philip and King Charles. Three others were killed in the attack, including Mountbattens teenage grandson, Nicholas. Among the dead were also another teenager. I blew up Earl Mountbatten. Tom McMahon, he was only a participant. I am an explosives expert, I am renowned. I was trained in Libya. I trained there as an explosives expert, Hayes said. When asked about the dead teenagers, Hayes said that they were casualties of war. Yes, I regret that, that wasnt meant to happen. Im a father. Im not made of stone. I was sickened, I cried. Them children were not supposed to be on the boat in the first place, Hayes was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. Doreen Brabourne, 83, Nicholass grandmother and crewman Paul Maxwell, 15, of Enniskillen were killed alongside Mountbatten and his grandson Nicholas, 14. King Charles III, then Prince Charles, loved his great-uncle Louis Mountbatten and affectionately called him Uncle Dickie and his death affected Charles deeply. His death sent him into a state of agony, disbelief, a kind of wretched numbness, the royal who was 31-year-old at the time, wrote in his diary. If the Irish police and Director of Public Prosecution decide to prosecute Hayes, they can, the report said citing experts. Ian Paisley Jr, the Democratic Unionist Party MP for North Antrim in Ulster, urged the Garda Siochana, the police service in the Republic of Ireland, to immediately investigate Hayes. No, I fought a war, I was justified. Blowing up Mountbatten? No, Hayes said, adding that he does not fear prosecution, nor does he regret killing Mountbatten. I think we would require justice, not revenge. Its something that never goes away, Mary Hornsey, 84, mother of young victim Paul Maxwell, said, adding that she would welcome a police probe into the claims. A chopper carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi crashed on Sunday while crossing mountainous terrain in heavy fog, news agency Reuters reported citing Iranian state television. World leaders reacted to Ebrahim Raisis chopper crash and prayed for his safety. Meanwhile, Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei has reportedly called an emergency meeting with the National Security Council. The lives of Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were at risk following the helicopter crash, which happened on the way back from a visit to the border with Azerbaijan in Irans northwest, Iranian officials said. World Leaders React To Ebrahim Raisis Chopper Crash A suspected drunk driver who was speeding at 194 kilometres per hour killed a high school student weeks before his graduation after he crashed into their car near the city of Chicago. The horrific accident happened last Sunday when Marko Niketic, 17, was driving with his 16-year-old girlfriend in Glenview, a city in the US state of Illinois. The driver of the car was identified as 21-year-old Taeyoung Kim who was driving his 2021 Ford Mustang with a passenger from his home in Northbrook to downtown Chicago and back. The investigation revealed at 2308 hours (11:08 p.m.) on May 12, Kim drove his vehicle westbound on East Lake Ave, at a high rate of speed in a reckless manner, the Glenview Police Department said, according to broadcaster NBC. Kim crashed his car into Niketics car while the latter was making a left turn. A driver speaking to broadcaster NBC said that Kim was racing past other cars and had even turned his headlights off. The front of Kims car struck the drivers side of Niketics vehicle and split it into half. Even though the front half of Niketics sedan remained in the road, the rest of it was sent flying through the air above a nearby fence and landed in a backyard. Witnesses inside the homes near the scene quickly rushed Niketic inside his vehicle along with his girlfriend. They also spotted Kim sitting inside his car and admitting that he was drinking. His co-passenger was lying on the ground bleeding heavily. Niketic was pronounced dead at the scene. His girlfriend and Kims passenger were quickly taken to the hospital. Both of them were in critical condition. Niketics girlfriend, whose identity has not been disclosed, suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage, a hematoma of the brain, a fracture of the pelvis vertebrae, and hyper-density of the left frontal lobe of the brain, resulting in loss of consciousness and seizures. She was released on Friday. Kims passenger sustained a fractured back and a severed artery in the crash. Kim suffered a broken femur, and a blood test revealed he had a blood alcohol level of 0.088 and cannabis in his system. During their investigation, police found a bong, rolling papers, a one-hitter cannabis pipe with residue, and two plastic containers with cannabis residue inside Kims vehicle. He was arrested on Friday and is being held without bond. He appeared in court on Saturday. He was charged with two counts of aggravated DUI causing death, reckless homicide, aggravated DUI causing great bodily harm, DUI of alcohol, DUI of drugs, and several traffic violations including speeding 35 mph over the limit. The snake was pictured trapped in the drink can. Source: Facebook/Adam Brice Startling images have revealed how a snake seeking shelter almost led to its death as snake catchers warn that the reptiles behaviour can often be fatal. In a series of photos, the long brown body of one of Australias largest venomous snakes can be seen trailing out of a drink can in Western Australias northern Pilbara region. Its a common occurrence that I think most snake catchers will deal with at some point, Brandon Gifford from Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 told Yahoo News Australia. And its terrible because youll find them out in the bush dead in a can as well. Ive seen photographs of dead ones that people have come across and its just a mummified snake with a can. You just see that from time to time. What happened to the snake? In this instance, fortunately an experienced wildlife rescuer was on hand. While at work, I received a call from the towns local snake catchers who had a call from the local ranger I think, advising that a snake was caught in a can, Adam Brice wrote on Facebook. The boys at the time had no experience with this so they brought the can (with the snake) to me. And it had most of its body inside this small 300ml can! After determining that it was a mulga snake otherwise known as a king brown the expert got to work. Fortunately wildlife rescuer Adam Brice was on hand to slice open the can and free the mulga snake. Source: Facebook/Adam Brice Gently using a pair of small sharp scissors I had used for site medical work, I cut the mouthpiece open and gently ran the scissors down, following the contour of the snakes body as I went, Brice, who is also a wildlife photographer, explained. Soon it was completely cut out and youd never believe the size of the snake! [It] was released in perfect health with barely a scale out of place and no constriction injury where the can was. Why do snakes do this? They may seem like their lights are switched on, but sometimes snakes will just simply underestimate how small the can hole is. The problem is, its not so much getting the body in because their ribs arent attached and they havent got a sternum so they can squeeze really well, but then I think they panic, they tense their muscles up, and they cant reverse out and they cant move forward, Gifford said. But why do they attempt to climb into a can in the first place? I think theyre seeking shelter most of the time, the Queensland snake catcher explained. I dont think theres a food item in there and I dont think theyre trying to get fluid. I think theyre just trying to find a spot to curl up and they go, Oh this is a cavity. So they stick their head in, have a prod around and then go further in and then get stuck. The mulga snake is one of the most widely distributed venomous snakes in Australia. Source: Facebook/Adam Brice While some snakes will damage their scales struggling to get out of the can, especially if they tense their muscles up on the edge mouthpiece, Gifford believes its something else that kills them once theyre trapped. They probably die of heat stress, I reckon, he said. I think theyre seeking shade, theyre out in the open, they find a can, they try to get in there and then theyre stuck. And then suddenly theyre stuck in a metal can in the sun, so Id say they just die from heat stress. Aussie trend killing wildlife Fortunately, in this case, help was on hand to rescue the mulga snake, which is one of the most widely distributed venomous snakes in Australia. But research shows discarded food and drink containers are having a detrimental impact on wildlife overall. A study into 32 cases of monitor lizards also known as goannas stuck in discarded containers across six countries, found that most events occurred in Australia (56 per cent) with six fatal entrapments. While the most common container in which the trapped animals were observed was drink cans. Monitor lizards, or goannas, are also known for getting their heads stuck inside drink and food containers, especially cans. Source: Billabong Sanctuary This is why people need to stop littering, stop chucking cans out and pick up their rubbish because its not just snakes that are getting themselves caught up in it, Gifford said. People should also always look out for wildlife. Indeed if you see something like this, report it. Dont leave it. Because someone can come along and literally save that animals life. And every animal is important to the ecosystem whether we realise it or not. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Saudi Arabias de facto ruler and a top aide to US President Joe Biden have discussed a semi-final version of a deal expected to beef up security ties, Saudi state media reported on Sunday. The meeting between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Jake Sullivan, Bidens national security advisor, took place in the eastern Saudi city of Dhahran, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. Sullivan arrived in Israel later on Sunday for talks about the war in Gaza. The semi-final version of the draft strategic agreements between the Kingdom and the United States of America, which are almost being finalised were discussed, SPA said. The meeting also covered what is being worked on between the two sides on the Palestinian issue to find a credible path towards a two-state solution, as well as attempts to stop the war in Gaza and facilitate the distribution of humanitarian aid there. The Biden administration has aggressively pursued a so-called mega-deal in which Saudi Arabia, home to the holiest shrines in Islam, would recognise Israel for the first time in exchange for benefits from Washington including a defence pact and assistance with a civilian nuclear programme with uranium enrichment capacity. Last September, before Hamass October 7 attack on Israel that sparked the war in Gaza, Prince Mohammed said in an interview with the US network Fox News that every day we get closer to a deal to normalise ties. But those efforts have been severely damaged by the more than seven months of fighting in Gaza and the rising civilian toll there. The October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Israels retaliatory offensive against Hamas has killed at least 35,386 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to data provided by the Hamas-run territorys health ministry. Talks continue Since the outbreak of the war, Saudi officials have said that relations with Israel are impossible without steps towards recognising a Palestinian state, something Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long opposed. It is unclear whether Riyadh and Washington will move forward with their agreements, as Saudi Arabia and Israel have not reached a normalisation agreement, according to analysts. High-level talks about what Saudi Arabia wants from the United States have continued. During US Secretary of State Antony Blinkens last visit to Riyadh in April, he and his Saudi counterpart said that a final agreement on the US-Saudi component of the deal was close. Yet Sullivan told a Financial Times conference in London this month that any deal would need to include the normalisation component. Sundays statement from Saudi Arabia seems to be implying that negotiations, even on the bilateral side of this deal, are still ongoing, said Anna Jacobs, senior Gulf analyst for the International Crisis Group. This might suggest that the Saudis are still trying to find a way to secure a smaller bilateral deal with the US that would exclude normalisation with Israel at this stage, despite Sullivan himself saying there would be no deal without Israel. Israels war cabinet minister Benny Gantz has threatened to resign from the government if it doesnt adopt a new plan for the war in Gaza, a move that would leave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more reliant on far-right allies. In a statement that saw quick reaction from other members of the government, Gantz said he believed that in recent months, the war triggered by the Hamas-led October 7 killed was drifting off course. While Israeli soldiers are displaying incredible bravery on the front, some of the people who sent them to battle are acting with cowardice and a lack of responsibility, Gantz was quoted saying by The Times Of Israel. While in the dark tunnels of Gaza, the hostages are undergoing the agonies of hell, there are some who are involved in nonsense, he said. While the Israeli public is outdoing itself, some of the politicians are thinking of themselves. A war is only won with a clear and realistic strategic compass, he said. Gantzs Gaza Plan The announcement deepens a divide in Israels leadership more than seven months into a war in which Israel has yet to accomplish its goals of dismantling Hamas and returning scores of hostages abducted in the militant groups Oct. 7 attack. Gantz spelled out a six-point plan that includes the return of hostages, ending Hamas rule, demilitarising the Gaza Strip and establishing an international administration of civilian affairs with American, European, Arab and Palestinian cooperation. The plan also supports efforts to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia and widen military service to all Israelis. He gave a June 8 deadline. If you choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation to the abyss we will be forced to quit the government, he said. Netanyahu in a statement responded by saying Gantz had chosen to issue an ultimatum to the prime minister instead of to Hamas, and called his conditions euphemisms for Israels defeat. Gantz, a longtime political rival of Netanyahu, joined his coalition and the War Cabinet in the early days of the war in a gesture of national unity. His departure would leave Netanyahu more beholden to far-right allies who believe Israel should occupy Gaza and rebuild Jewish settlements there. Gantz spoke days after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the third member of the War Cabinet, said he would not remain in his post if Israel elected to reoccupy Gaza, and called on the government to make plans for a Palestinian administration. In an apparent swipe at Netanyahu, Gantz said personal and political considerations have begun to penetrate into the holy of holies of Israels security. Netanyahus critics accuse the prime minister of seeking to prolong the war to avoid new elections, allegations he denies. Polls suggest Gantz as the most likely candidate to be the next prime minister. That would expose Netanyahu to prosecution on longstanding corruption charges. Netanyahu is under growing pressure on multiple fronts. Hard-liners want the military offensive on Gazas southernmost city of Rafah to press ahead. The US and other allies warn against the offensive on a city where more than half of Gazas population of 2.3 million had sheltered and they threaten to scale back support over Gazas humanitarian and hunger crisis. The US national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, will be in Saudi Arabia and Israel this weekend to discuss the war and is scheduled on Sunday to meet with Netanyahu, who has declared that Israel would stand-alone if needed. (With agency inputs) When he gives the commencement address at Morehouse College on Sunday, President Biden will have his most direct engagement with college students since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, and it will happen at a center of Black politics and culture. Morehouse is located in Atlanta, the largest city in the swing state of Georgia, which Biden flipped from former President Trump four years ago. Biden's speech will come as he tries to make inroads with a key and symbolic constituencyyoung Black menand repair the diverse coalition that elected him to the White House, per the AP . Some students at Morehouse and other historically Black campuses in Atlanta say they vociferously oppose Biden and the decision to have him speak, mirroring the tension Biden faces in many communities of color and with young voters nationally. Morehouse President David Thomas said in an interview that the emotions around the speech made it all the more important that Biden speak. "In many ways, these are the moments Morehouse was born for," he said. "We need someplace in this country that can hold the tensions that threaten to divide us. If Morehouse can't hold those tensions, then no place can." The speech comes at a critical moment for Biden in his general election rematch against Trump. Biden is lagging in support among both Black voters and people under 30, groups that were key to his narrow 2020 victories in several battleground states, including Georgia. Fifty-five percent of Black adults approved of the way Biden is handling his job as president, according to an AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll in March, a figure far below earlier in his presidency. Overall, 32% of 18- to 29-year-olds approved in the same poll. Many younger Black people have identified with the Palestinian cause and have at times drawn parallels between Israeli rule of the Palestinian territories and South Africa's now-defunct apartheid system and abolished Jim Crow laws in the US. story continues below The debate over Biden's speech at Morehouse reflects a fundamental tension of historically Black colleges and universities, which are both dedicated to social justice and Black advancement and run by administrators who are committed to keeping order. "We look like a very conservative institution" sometimes, Thomas said. "On one hand, the institution has to be the stable object where we are today in the world." But, he added, the university's long-term purpose is to "support our students in going out to create a better world." (More President Biden stories.) Congo's army says it has "foiled a coup" early Sunday and arrested the perpetrators, including several foreigners, following a shootout between armed men in military uniform and a top politician's guards that left three people dead in the capital, Kinshasa. The attempted coup d'etat was "nipped in the bud by Congolese defense and security forces (and) the situation is under control," Congolese army spokesperson Brigadier General Sylvain Ekenge said. He did not give further details. Clashes were reported between men in military uniform and guards of a local politician Vital Kamerh at his house on Tshatshi Boulevard, reports the AP , about a mile from the presidential palace and where some embassies are also located. This came amid a crisis gripping President Felix Tshisekedi's ruling party over an election for the parliament's leadership that was supposed to be held Saturday but was postponed. The armed men attacked the Kinshasa residence of Kamerhe, a federal legislator and candidate for speaker of the National Assembly of Congo, but were stopped by his guards, Michel Moto Muhima, his spokesperson said on X. "The Honorable Vital Kamerhe and his family are safe and sound. Their security has been reinforced," he wrote. Local media identified the men as Congolese soldiers. It wasn't clear if the men in military uniform were trying to arrest the politician. Two police officers and one of the attackers were killed in the shootout that started around 4:30am at the house on Tshatshi Boulevard, according to Muhima. Footage, seemingly from the area, showed military trucks and heavily armed men parading deserted streets in the neighborhood. On Friday, Tshisekedi met with parliamentarians and leaders of the Sacred Union of the Nation ruling coalition in an attempt to resolve the crisis amid his party which dominates the national assembly. He said he would not "hesitate to dissolve the National Assembly and send everyone to new elections if these bad practices persist." Tshisekedi was reelected as president in December in a chaotic vote amid calls for a re-vote from the opposition over what they said was a lack of transparency. The United States Embassy in Congo issued a security alert, urging caution after "reports of gunfire." (More Felix Tshisekedi stories.) A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi suffered a "hard landing" on Sunday, Iranian state media reported, without elaborating. Some began urging the public to pray for Raisi and the others on board as rescue crews sped through a misty, rural forest where his helicopter was believed to be. Raisi, 63, was traveling in Iran's East Azerbaijan province. State TV said the incident happened near Jolfa, a city on the border with the nation of Azerbaijan, some 375 miles northwest of the Iranian capital, Tehran. Later, state TV put it farther east near the village of Uzi, but details remained contradictory, the AP reports. Traveling with Raisi were Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, the governor of East Azerbaijan province, and other officials and bodyguards, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. One local government official used the word "crash" to describe the incident, but he acknowledged to an Iranian newspaper that he had yet to reach the site himself. Neither IRNA nor state TV offered any information on Raisi's condition in the hours afterward. "The esteemed president and company were on their way back aboard some helicopters and one of the helicopters was forced to make a hard landing due to the bad weather and fog," Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said in comments aired on state TV. "Various rescue teams are on their way to the region but because of the poor weather and fogginess it might take time for them to reach the helicopter," Vahidi said, adding, "The region is a bit (rugged) and it's difficult to make contact." Rescuers attempting to reach the site were hampered by weather conditions, reports said, per the AP. IRNA called the area a forest, and the region is known to be mountainous as well. State TV aired images of SUVs racing through a wooded area. A rescue helicopter couldn't land in the area due to the heavy mist, an emergency services spokesman told IRNA. Iran flies a variety of helicopters in the country, but international sanctions make it difficult to obtain parts for them. (More Iran stories.) Better wages and more opportunities - that's the sentiment from Kiwis moving across the ditch in droves. Stats NZ on Tuesday revealed a net migration loss of 52,500 New Zealand citizens in the year to March - a new record. That means, for every arrival of a New Zealand citizen there were three departures. Most of those jetting off weren't going far, though. "Based on the latest estimates available, just over half of these migrant departures went to Australia," Stats NZ population indicators manager Tehseen Islam said. So, is the Aussie grass really greener? Kiwis have taken to social media to share the reasons behind their move. Luxon told the audience New Zealanders had given the coalition "a pretty big mandate" to turn the country around. "We're not here to manage the status quo. We do not care about the pundits and commentators and what people say out there." Looking ahead to the 30 May Budget, Luxon said he was proud of what Finance Minister Nicola Willis had achieved. "I look forward to New Zealand getting that tax relief thanks to National being in government." Party members spoken to by RNZ seemed less sure about the commitment, with many pausing or offering only cautious support when asked whether now was the right time for tax cuts. Questions of defence Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop earlier addressed attendees on their respective portfolios. In a question from the floor, Western Bay of Plenty Councillor Margaret Murray-Benge asked McClay for a guarantee that the government's defence policy did not "stuff up" New Zealand's trading ability. Murray-Benge is also the partner of former National leader Don Brash, a prominent critic of the AUKUS defence pact. In response, McClay said the government would continue to voice its positions "respectfully" and in such a way that no other country would be surprised. "Doesn't matter whether it's the US or the UK or Europe or India or China, we owe them the courtesy of talking to them directly," he said. "It is important we continue to have that independent voice but we should use it responsibly." In an earlier regional conference this month, party president Sylvia Wood exposed a potential tension in the coalition dynamic when she reportedly told members National needed to lift its vote from 38 percent to the mid-40s. Such a feat would almost certainly require National to eat into the support of its partners ACT and New Zealand First. Recent polling has put the party's support at or below the 38 percent mark. The gathering comes less than two weeks out from the coalition's first Budget. Luxon last week told business leaders not to expect any surprises - "no bells, no whistles" - and reaffirmed his commitment to tax relief. A group of about 50 protesters in support of Palestine stood outside the function centre, shouting "shame" as people left the building. Labour's vision for 2040 The event comes a day after an address from Labour leader Chris Hipkins, where he too set out his ambitions for the country and contrasted them with the coalition. Hipkins criticised the "coalition of chaos" for its "shambolic" start to the term and accused it of lacking vision. "Now is the time for creative thinking, for new ideas, and, yes, for a bold vision for the future." Hipkins gave a hint of what Labour's under-review manifesto might end up looking like, as he painted a picture of New Zealand in 2040 under his party's governance. He referenced "dramatically" cheaper childcare, nearly no petrol cars, and "mega landlords... paying their fair share of tax." Detail though was deliberately thin on the ground. "We need to stay open to new ideas - and that means not locking ourselves into rigid positions right now, but making sure that we're taking the time to hear other perspectives, to generate fresh ideas, and to carefully listen to New Zealanders about what they want from their future." RNZ Fairbanks, AK (99701) Today Cloudy with occasional showers for the afternoon. High 43F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Showers in the evening, then cloudy overnight. Low near 30F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. An on-duty police officer was allegedly approached by a man carrying a 30cm kitchen knife before he was stabbed. Superintendent Martin Fileman pictured addressing the media after an officer was stabbed in Sydney's CBD this afternoon. Source: NCA A knife-wielding man has been arrested after an on-duty police officer was allegedly stabbed in the back of the head multiple times in broad daylight in Sydney's CBD on Sunday afternoon. Police said a 33-year-old man approached two officers performing traffic duties and said nothing before allegedly stabbing a male constable two to three times in the back of the head with a 30cm kitchen-style knife. Officers pursued the man into Hyde Park where he was tasered and restrained. Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman said in a police press conference on Sunday afternoon that the man allegedly demanded that officers shoot him after he was restrained. "Whilst he was in the park he still had the knife in his hand and he was demanding the police shoot him," he said. He added that there was no indication of what the motive of the alleged attack may have been. The alleged perpetrator, who was known to police, was arrested following the incident and taken to Prince Alfred Hospital for assessment and is under police guard. Upon his release from hospital, it's understood the man faces "very serious charges". Police say the man has no serious criminal history or mental illness. The male officer is now recovering in hospital after sustaining "non-life threatening head injuries" during the incident which unfolded on Elizabeth Street, near the intersection of Bathurst Street, on Sunday. Paramedics treated the officer at the scene before he was taken to St Vincent's Hospital. Police collecting evidence at the scene of the incident. Source: NCA Police operation underway in Sydney CBD A police operation is now underway but NSW Police assured the public that there is no ongoing threat. "This was very much an isolated incident and there's no further threat to the public," Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman told the media. Officers are now appealing for witnesses to come forward while they scour the city's extensive CCTV network which may have captured the incident unfold. The incident comes after several high-profile incidents in recent weeks, including an attack at Sydney's Bondi Junction shopping centre where six people were killed, and another attack on a bishop who was stabbed while delivering a sermon at a Western Sydney church. NSW Parliament is considering increased wanding powers for police, which would allow officers to use handheld metal detectors to scan people for knives during designated periods. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Fairbanks, AK (99701) Today Cloudy in the morning, then off and on rain showers during the afternoon hours. High 43F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Rain showers early with overcast skies late. Low near 30F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The Economic Development Board (EDB) of Bahrain is procuring an outreach report to bolster the Kingdom's global talent hub status. The report will cover key aspects: 1. Positioning Bahrain as a Global Talent Hub: Articulating Bahrain's appeal for professionals and entrepreneurs. 2. Benchmarking Bahrains Talent: Comparing Bahrain's talent pool with global hubs to identify areas for improvement. 3. Promoting Bahrains Talent Value Propositions: Developing targeted campaigns to showcase Bahrain's strengths. 4. Highlighting EDBs Successes: Showcasing Bahrain's achievements in talent development. This initiative underscores the EDB's commitment to driving economic growth through talent-focused strategies. It aims to strengthen Bahrain's attractiveness for skilled professionals and investors, fostering innovation and prosperity. According to the tender board, KPMG Fakhro is the sole bidder for the project. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, Her Excellency Amna bint Ahmed Al Romaihi, spearheaded Bahrains delegation at the 22nd GCC Housing Ministers Meeting in Doha, Qatar, playing a crucial role in formulating key decisions for the regions housing sector. The meeting ratified several vital initiatives, including the Joint Gulf Housing Plan 20242030, a comprehensive strategy designed to fortify the social housing sector across GCC nations. In addition, the Sustainability Guide for Housing, the Guide to Modern Building Technologies, the Real Estate Stimulus Guide, and the Guide to Evaluating Cities Resilience were all approved, setting the stage for a more sustainable and robust future for GCC housing. A notable outcome of the meeting was the creation of a financial framework to foster partnerships with private entities, catalysing investment in the real estate sector and opening new pathways for growth. The discussions also revolved around progress in housing information regulations, the formulation of unified statutes for property owners, the planning of the Gulf Housing Week, and the forthcoming third Gulf Housing Conference in Kuwait, centred on the theme of Applications and Technologies. Minister Al Rumaihis involvement extended beyond the assembly as she toured the Gulf Housing Exhibition during Gulf Housing Week. The Bahraini exhibition showcased the cutting-edge Bayti real-estate platform, the governments land development rights programme, and a broad spectrum of housing finance options. Her Excellency reaffirmed Bahrains pledge to the Joint Gulf Housing Action Plan for 20242030, underscoring its significance in boosting the social housing sector through strategic collaboration. She praised the Action Plan as a reflection of the GCCs united determination to realise shared housing objectives. Housing services Minister Al Rumaihi also showcased Bahrains proactive stance in delivering housing services to its citizens, utilising its extensive housing finance programmes. She vowed to share Bahrains wealth of expertise and established practices to enrich the Gulf s joint housing initiatives, including its effective strategies in urban planning, housing project management, sustainability commitments, and the integration of the private sector. Bahrains proactive engagement in the GCC Housing Ministers Meeting and its dedication to regional cooperation position the nation as a frontrunner in defining the future of housing in the region. The initiatives adopted and the spirit of collaboration exhibited at the assembly laid the groundwork for a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive housing sector throughout the GCC. AFP | New Delhi The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com German emergency workers were Saturday starting a major clean-up after heavy rains triggered massive flooding in the southwest of the country, while parts of Belgium and the Netherlands were also hit. A huge downpour Friday in the German state of Saarland deluged buildings, left streets deep underwater and sparked evacuations, with rescuers carrying stranded residents to safety in boats. Officials said it was the worst flooding in the area in nearly 30 years, with the capital Saarbruecken badly affected and reports saying that a breach in a dyke led to a power station in the state being shut down. No deaths were reported but at least one person was injured. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, visiting a village in the affected area, said that we can see here what violence nature can cause and how much we have to constantly prepare for such events. He praised the work of emergency services in helping local residents and promised help for those affected by the disaster. Saarland state premier Anke Rehlinger said authorities still did not have a complete picture of the damage but it was expected to be considerable. The heavy rains had eased early Saturday, however, and a severe weather warning for the area was lifted. About 850 workers from the federal relief agency were dispatched to Saarland to help tackle the floods, joining several thousand people, many of them volunteers, in the state, the interior ministry said. Water rescue teams were sent in from other states and extra fire-fighting units were deployed from the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, it said. An Atlantic City man is charged with attempted murder in a shooting Saturday in Pleasantville that left a 31-year-old man wounded, authorities said. Marlon Chiles II fled the 11:30 a.m. shooting, but was taken into custody after New Jersey State Police stopped his car on the Atlantic City Parkway, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office. The wounded man was identified as Andrew Miller of Pleasantville, who was found suffering from multiple gunshots in the 300 block of West Park Avenue, authorities said. Miller was taken to an area hospital for treatment, but his condition was not released. Authorities said officers were tipped off to the shooting through ShotSpotter, a gunfire detection technology. Chiles is being held at Atlantic County jail pending a detention hearing, authorities said. He also faces firearms offenses and a charge of possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, after a large quantity of the drug was found in his car, authorities said. The shooting is being investigated by the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office and the Pleasantville Police Department, with assistance from the State Police, the Atlantic City Police Department and the Atlantic County Sheriffs Department. Anyone with information was asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office Major Crime Unit at 609-909-7666 or go to the prosecutors office tips website at ACPO.Tips. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Nico Murillo was laid off from Tesla after five years Nico Murillo Nico Murillo, a former Tesla production supervisor, was laid off after five years at the company. Murillo lived in his car in the factory's parking lot for a year to save commuting time. Murillo said the layoffs came as a surprise, but he's trying to be optimistic. This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Nico Murillo, a former production supervisor at Tesla's factory in Fremont, California. It has been edited for length and clarity. I started at Tesla in 2019 as an entry-level production associate. I worked my way up at the company for over five years, eventually becoming a production supervisor. ADVERTISEMENT Half a decade felt like a long time to work at one place, so when the layoffs came in April, they were a total shock. When I received the email stating that my position had been eliminated, I was already on my way to work. I decided to try my badge on the turnstile in case it was a scam or a mistake, but a security guard confiscated it and told me I'd be affected by the job cuts. I just walked back to my car in shock. It felt like a nightmare. Camping in the car park I worked really hard while I was at Tesla and wanted to be as efficient and productive as possible. My shifts at Tesla were long, normally lasting around 12 hours. As I was working a salaried job, I sometimes needed to stay even longer to get things done. In 2021, I started sleeping in my car and showering in the factory to avoid my lengthy commute. I just felt like I needed more time to sleep the job felt like being an industrial athlete because we were constantly moving. I needed more rest to be productive, efficient, and friendly at work. I decided it would be easier to stay at the factory and cut out my hour-and-a-half commute. My coworkers were surprised when I told them I was sleeping in my car it definitely turned heads as it wasn't normalized in the culture. I was camping in the car between my work shifts for a whole year. My shift patterns alternated between three and four days a week, so it felt doable and put me in a better headspace. Story continues I did a lot of research on how to design my Model Y Tesla to be in "camp mode." I realized I could live at the factory between my shifts as there were showers and a bathroom. It was pretty comfortable and fun to create. In camp mode, the Model Y can stay at 70 degrees Fahrenheit the whole night, so you don't have to worry about it being too cold or hot. Being awake and efficient at work was a priority for me. I needed more rest to achieve this, so cutting out my commute really helped. When the weather got worse around December, I stopped sleeping in my car because it made it a lot more difficult. To get to the bathroom, I had to get out of my car and walk into the facility and back without getting everything wet. 'Grief moment' Working at Tesla taught me that you have to pivot quickly in life. You can't dwell on things or complain because that doesn't get you anywhere. When I found out I'd been laid off, it felt like a grief moment. I was in disbelief. As I sat in my car outside the factory, it began to settle in. It hit me that I'd spent five years here, bonding with coworkers and camping in this parking lot. In any negative situation, like a layoff, you can't control the outside events or your initial response. I've been trying to take a half-glass-full approach and think about everything I have time to do now I'm no longer working so hard at Tesla. It's been about a month since I was laid off, and I've been seeing a lot of people in the EV industry being impacted by layoffs. It feels like it's happening to a lot of people. Being laid off didn't change my opinion of Tesla. I still really resonate with its mission and what the company is trying to do. I worked hard for them, but that does not mean I plan to give up being a hard worker. Right now, I'm a store manager at GNC, but going forward, I'm planning to grow my YouTube channel and I'm planning to move into my car full-time. Read the original article on Business Insider The recovery of remains discovered in a car pulled from the Cooper River on Thursday may have solved the disappearance of a Camden woman 14 years ago, according to her family and a nonprofit search organization that helped locate the vehicle. Bernadine Waters Gunner was reported missing in July 2010, according to the Camden County Police Departments missing persons page. She was 52 at the time. Were confident that its her. Definitely, Doug Bishop, a diver with United Search Corps, told NJ Advance Media on Saturday evening. The connection to the Gunner missing person case and United Search Corps investigation was first reported by NJPEN.com. United Search Corps used sonar to scan a bend in the Cooper River in Pennsauken in search of her car. Authorities pulled three vehicles from the river on Thursday and confirmed human remains had been recovered from the drivers side of one of the cars. Camden County Prosecutors Office officials said DNA tests would be needed to identify the remains. Bernadine Gunner was 52 when she went missing in Camden in July 2010. File Photo Bishop told NJ Advance Media the Vehicle Identification Number found on the submerged car was a match to Gunners 2006 Hyundai Elantra. In addition, clothing and a dozen personal items that belonged to Gunner were still in the vehicle. Bishop said the skeletal remains also matched the description of the woman, who was 5 feet tall and thin. Gunners daughter, Julia Young, expressed her gratitude in a Facebook post. Thanks to Doug (United Search Corps) we have closure, she wrote. Our family can now give my mom a proper burial. Almost 14 years with no answers and now we have them. Bishop said Camden County Prosecutors Office officials met with Gunners family. The prosecutors office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday evening. Bishop said the Gunner family reacted with grief and relief when he met with them. They were humble and grateful, real salt of the earth people, Bishop said. You could see in their eyes that what they had been carrying for 14 years they were no longer carrying. Bishop is the founder of United Search Corps, a nonprofit that works to solve missing persons cases by pulling submerged cars from rivers and lakes. The United Search Corps uses the sonar equipment to find the wrecks, and then Bishop dives into the water to investigate them. Bishop said he started probing submerged wrecks in Oregon, where he worked for a towing company that specialized in underwater salvage. He started United Search Corps about 17 months ago. The organization operates on the theory that many people declared missing are actually victims of car wrecks that ended in rivers and lakes. Bishop said he was in New Jersey working another cold case when one of his supporters told him about the Gunner disappearance. Gunner lived about a mile from the spot where her car went off the road and into the river, he said. Doug Bishop and his non-profit, United Search Corps, pull car submerged car wrecks out of the water to solve missing persons cases.Courtesy of Doug Bishop Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.Richard Cowen may be reached at rcowen@njadvancemedia.com. When Walik and Nasir Wallace searched for a college to continue their education, New Jersey City University checked all the boxes, including and especially cost and proximity to their dad. It is really easy to commute, I live right there, said Nasir, who lives with his twin brother and father in the Greenville neighborhood of Jersey City. " I am really close to my family It is only me, my father and (Walik) NJCUs tuition is much lower and much more affordable, not just for myself, but for my family. I know my father is going to help anyway, but I wouldnt want to put my debt problems on him. The Wallace brothers, seniors at Innovation High School, are among the 17% of NJCUs freshmen class that are products of the Jersey City school system. Walik and Nasir plan to study criminal justice, and Nasir is participating in the schools niche program focused on national security studies. My dad gave us that push that he wishes he had, Walik said, noting their dad didnt attend college. He pushes us to be always be great. Do better. Keep up your grades. Do that and you will be set for college. When you get to college, you will be set for life. Nearly 50% of the universitys student body comes from Hudson County, according to the schools 36-page strategic enrollment plan. Roughly 8% of NJCUs incoming class are from Union City and Bayonne. Yet the nearly 100-year-old institution on Kennedy Boulevard in Jersey City is reaching for more from the compact county where no one lives more than 5 miles away whether its graduating high school seniors or college transfers. Its part of the schools new strategic enrollment plan, which NJCU Interim President Andres Acebo says is about accepting the whole person and the challenges that far too often plague first-generation students, adult learners and those from underserved and underrepresented backgrounds on a college campus. Carielis Castro-Frias is a Dickinson High School senior who will be attending NJCU in Jersey City in the fall. Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey JournalReena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal The enrollment strategy is part of a larger plan to dig the school out of the financial hole dug by former President Sue Henderson that led to the declaration of a financial emergency in June 2022. Carielis Castro-Frias, from Dickinson High School, and Nathaly Aguilar from Lincoln High School, are also headed to NJCU in the fall and fit the prototype Acebo and the university believe are a perfect match. The four 18-year-old students interviewed by The Jersey Journal come from Hispanic backgrounds Puerto Rican, Dominican and Mexican. The four also have something else in common: Their parents never went to college. Castro-Frias and Aguilar want to be educators, but werent sure of their options. They both want to stay close to home, knowing they are needed by their parents, who are first-generation immigrants. They wanted me to stay close to where they are, Aguilar said about her parents. I have a (5-year-old) sister and it is really difficult for her to go to school since she only speaks Spanish, Castro-Frias said. I always spend time with (my family). Acebo, a Cuban-American who grew up attending Union City public schools, said NJCUs mission is accepting the whole person and the challenges that far too often plague first-generation students, adult learners and those from underserved and underrepresented backgrounds on a college campus. Its helping them navigate the college experience, and retaining them when there are disproportion outside pressures both economic and personal an equity-driven approach, accessibility and affordability, Acebo said. The university is aiming to boost recruitment events in its home county by 20% to lure more students like the Wallaces, Castro-Frias and Aguilar. By collaborating with community organizations and enhancing its marketing strategies, NJCU hopes to see a 10% spike in admittance of Hudson County students in the fall of 2025 and a 25% increase by 2028. NJCU is also aiming to improve the outcome, and has set a goal of increasing completion rates by 5% each year through mentorship and other programs that monitor, support and help retain struggling students. The fact that we recognize that our students academic journeys are not always linear, we know that we will build the academic and personal development scaffolding for our students, and that is what will move the needle on the personal persistence that is required to obtain a post-secondary education, Acebo said. We will retain our students and get them to persist to complete their education in a timely manner. The school will host two one-stop events per semester to advertise its support services to students such as tutoring and individualized counseling. Many NJCU students must balance education, family responsibilities and jobs. All four students plan to work through the college and are counting on federal student aid to help fund their education. The Wallace twins have earned a total of $10,000 in scholarships. The Jersey City school district offers numerous Zoom workshops to help the students through the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) process. NJCUs financial aid office holds FAFSA completion events on Saturdays in March and information sessions during the week, NJCU spokesman Ira Thor said. Thor said financial aid counselors are available to help with the process. He said more than 80% of NJCU students receive financial aid. Its important to mention that we help demystify the process, Thor said. If a parent gives consent for their income information to be used, it makes the process easier, but many parents do not understand how or why this is crucial, so our counselors explain it and how this would help secure their child essential federal Pell and New Jersey (Tuition Aid Grant) funding. The four are excellent students and could attend a number of the schools. But NJCU was the best fit. Malik and Nasir Wallace looked at other schools in New Jersey, but none had the same appeal to their needs as NJCU. (Without NJCU) my plans would have changed, Nasir said. Not just my plans, but everything that is personal to me. I did see some other options, it wasnt for me. Because of the students finances, their college application fees were waived, say their high school guidance counselors, who all earn bachelors and masters degrees from NJCU. The counselors Nancy Ortiz at Innovation High School, Jessica Guzman at Dickinson High School and Regina Jackson at Lincoln High School, ask where they want to go to school, and how important is it to stay close to home. Acknowledging NJCUs austerity measures enacted to achieve financial stability since announcing a $22.7 million operating deficit in 2022, the school is still a superior option for Jersey City kids, the counselors said. Among the steps taken, the university has eliminated sports programs and cut its academic portfolio by 33%. But cuts only go so far. The university needs to draw more students to boost revenue, which consists of mostly tuition. Like many other universities, the schools enrollment has dwindled over the years. The school saw a 10% decline in students in fall 2023 due to academic program cuts. I can empathize with my students and speak firsthand about my positive experiences at the university, Guzman said. Sharing my personal journey, including the challenges I faced and the support I received helps students see themselves at NJCU and feel more confident. Ortiz says NJCU has always been a great option for many students for a number of reasons. I think they understand that a majority of the students that do go to NJCU are first generation and they need the extra support. I have seen that happen. NJCU needs to stay open. It provides a lot of opportunities. Jersey City Medical Center (JCMC) is seeing an increase in patients, including those without insurance, the hospitals CEO said at its annual community meeting Thursday, where he painted the Downtown hospital as a growing and generous institution. The hospital has seen nearly 17% more patients thus far this year than during the same period in 2023, according to data shared by Michael Prilutsky, JCMCs president and chief executive officer. For years, rainy, windy days were the enemy of the frail, aging roof on Anthony Barcias mobile home. The 67-year-old Toms River resident tells me the bad weather would always send its shingles flying right off. It was old, very old, probably about 20 years old, he says of the roof, I knew it had to be repaired or replaced, but Im a retired, low-income person and theres no way I could ever afford that. Enter: Project Home Repair, a new program, founded by a coalition of four Ocean County nonprofits, thats helping area residents who are aging, disabled, and vulnerable with free, critical home repairs. Last month, a couple of workers enlisted by Homes for All one of the groups in the Project Home Repair coalition showed up at Anthonys home and got right to work on replacing his roof. (Its a job that Glen McDonald, director of Homes for All, says can typically cost upwards of $10,000.) In just a matter of hours, I had a whole new roof, Anthony says. Now, I dont have to worry about it breaking down, or about leaks or rain or wind or flying shingles or anything, and I thank God for that and I thank this group. In another Toms River neighborhood, Linda Tirone, a retired waitress whos 72, is also filled with gratitude over the recent repairs to her home done by workers of Project Home Repair. She tells me she lives alone and doesnt have any family members close by she can call on for help with all the little and big things around the house that break or are in disrepair. I used to call my son but he passed away eight years ago and without him, its hard, she says sadly. I dont have anyone to turn to. The wood on her homes small front porch had started to rot and she says because of it, there was an area where a large hole had formed. I was afraid to fall in so I put a board over it, she says, but I knew it wasnt too safe because it wasnt flat or leveled. In her bathroom, the floor, which was damaged by a leak from a nearby water heater, was rotting, too. These are all things I knew I had to fix but I cant afford to call workers for stuff like that, Linda says. Instead, she went to a community meeting about local groups that help low-income seniors, learned about the program, and applied for the help. Now, months later, she has a new, hole-free and most importantly, safe porch and fresh tile in her bathroom. What these people are doing for people like me, its truly wonderful, she tells me happily. And it fills me with joy to hear it, knowing that Linda and others, who like her, may have felt they didnt have anyone to turn to for help with repairs that can improve their quality of life, now know thats not true. If you can donate money to them you should, itll really go a long way, she says matter-of-factly. And she tells me that despite not having much money herself, she decided to dip into her wallet for a few dollars so she could help the group help someone else. Project Home Repair, in its short time in operation, has already helped a handful of other area residents through a variety of projects, including new roofs, the installation of ramps for greater wheelchair access, and the remodeling of bathrooms with added safety features for seniors. And its all largely been possible, thanks to Dave C. Wintrode, the president of the Causeway Family of Dealerships and its charitable arm Causeway CARes. Hes the person, who came up with the idea for the program, and who committed $500,000 $100,000 over the next five years towards kicking it off. He was the catalyst for all this, Glen, of Homes for All, tells me of Dave. He has a big heart and had this idea of us all working together to help as many people as we can and he put his money where his mouth is to make it happen. Now, that it has, Im hoping others with equally big hearts and wallets of all sizes! can keep the repairs coming by supporting this group in its mission to help others. Interested in help with repairs and live in Ocean County? Reach out to any of the four groups in the Project Home Repair coalition: Homes for All, Habitat for Humanity of Southern Ocean County, Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity, and Starve Poverty. Or apply online here. Daysi Calavia-Robertson may be reached at dcalavia-robertson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Instagram at @presspassdaysi or Twitter @presspassdaysi. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Heres how to submit an op-ed or Letter to the Editor. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters On Thursday, Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway will travel to Washington to face an inquisition in Congress led by a fire-breathing Republican who has already decided that hes a monster. Holloway, says Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, made shocking concessions to the unlawful antisemitic encampments. She says that Rutgers stands out for the intensity and pervasiveness of antisemitism on its campuses. And she blames Holloway and his team, not outside agitators, for nurturing this ancient hatred. Rutgers senior administrators, faculty, staff, academic departments and centers, and student organizations have contributed to the development of a pervasive climate of antisemitism. This description is a dark fantasy, dismissed as ridiculous by Jewish protesters who joined the encampment at Rutgers two weeks ago, and by a good portion of the Jewish faculty at Rutgers. No one Ive talked to at Rutgers disputes that antisemitism is on the march in America, and that college campuses are not immune. But this rush to weaponize events on college campuses and demonize people like Holloway is all about politics, another reminder of how degraded our national conversation has become -- and how divorced from reality. Im not saying there is no antisemitism at Rutgers, but Ive personally never seen it, says David Kurnick, a Jewish professor of English literature who has taught at the New Brunswick campus for 17 years. I was at the encampment, and I saw many Jews there. I get that it makes some people uncomfortable, but thats not the same as antisemitism. Kurnick is circulating a petition supporting Holloway and his handling of the student protests, gathering more than 500 signatures of Jewish faculty nationwide, including several dozen from Rutgers. Granted, not everyone agrees. A polar opposite view comes from a Jewish professor of musicology at New Brunswick, Rebecca Cypess, who wrote a letter to Holloway signed by 72 Jewish faculty at Rutgers, so far, claiming that at Rutgers, All I do is confront antisemitism. She says Jewish students have told her that some protesters at the encampment yelled at them, Murderers! and said, Hitler would have loved you. One student was charged with making terroristic threats by Rutgers Police after posting a death threat against an Israeli student in November. And what exactly qualifies as antisemitic? The Hitler comment is an easy call. But Cypess has a broader definition, one that includes what she considers unfair criticism of Israels conduct in Gaza. Exaggerating claims of Israels wrongdoing, claiming Israel has no right to defend itself or its citizens these are antisemitic and they are ethically wrong, she told me. Israel has expended great effort to minimize civilian casualties. By that measure, of course, most protesters against the war in Gaza are antisemitic. Including those who are Jewish. * * * Holloway, a scholar of African-American history, is on the short list to serve as the next president of Yale University. These days at Rutgers, the smile is gone from his face. Sitting in the middle of this tempest is a miserable experience for him, he says, and its not just the storm awaiting him in Washington this week. Its the shots hes taking from the cheap seats here at home as well. Theres a lot of confusion, he said. And bad news travels further and faster than good things. Gov. Phil Murphy has accused him of ignoring the concerns of Jewish students while catering to the protestors. You owe everybody their seat at the table, Murphy said. His spokesman declined to elaborate. Three members of Congress have taken hard shots at Holloway as well -- Reps. Josh Gottheimer, Donald Norcross and Chris Smith. So has Sen. Jon Bramnick, a GOP candidate for governor. And so have some Jewish groups, including the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest, which called his concessions to protesters shameful. Most of them say Holloway gave protesters most of what they wanted, claiming he met eight of the 10 demands. But thats a distortion. He rejected the big demands -- to divest university funds, to cut ties with Tel Aviv University. And the most inflammatory demand, listed on a poster at the encampment, demanded that Holloway label the Gaza operation as genocide and demand a ceasefire, both of which he brushed off. Dont miss the best in editorials, opinion columns and commentary from NJ.com writers. Add your email here: His concessions were minor, and academic in nature. Rutgers will study establishing a Department of Middle East Studies, and examine the feasibility of expanding ties with Birzeit University in the West Bank. What exactly is wrong with any of that? Protests gave rise to Black studies programs at many universities as well. Was that a mistake? Should those universities have taken a harder line and arrested the protesters who demanded it? Ive been asking Holloways critics to site the concession they find so toxic, and got no specific answers. It bothers most of them that Holloway gave even an inch. They would have preferred that he enlist the police and order arrests, come what may. Rabbi Mendy Carlebach, who runs the Chabad House on campus, which houses about 100 Jewish students, provides kosher meals, and hosts events. He said he knows of no physical attacks on Jewish students, but says they do feel unsafe, they have been taunted with antisemitic tropes, and one student was spit on. Some are choosing to cover up the Star of David or other markers of Jewish identity. President Holloway, we do have good conversations with him, he said. But we were taken by surprise by his decision to negotiate with students. Lets do a fact-check here. Because if you ask me, Holloway handled this just right. Unlike at Columbia University, he disbanded the student encampment as soon as the protestors disrupted campus activity by making so much noise on Thursday morning that the first round of final exams had to be cancelled. He made that decision with the first beat of the protesters drums before finals began, waiting only for police to prepare and to coordinate with the Attorney General. The students were gone by that afternoon, allowing finals to resume. Unlike at UCLA, he managed the crisis without causing any violence, thanks to the face-saving compromises that allowed protest leaders to claim some small victory as they disbanded under the threat of arrests. And unlike at dozens of universities across the country, commencement at Rutgers went off without a hitch. Shouldnt this count as a win? * * * I visited Holloway in his office this week to talk it over, and I was amazed, because this horrid beast who fans antisemitism appeared to be a thoughtful man. His North Star in this episode was to protect freedom of speech, at the encampment and in the classroom, while drawing a hard line on disruptions of the schools academic mission or threats to student safety. The principle is that if we dont allow academic freedom, really bad ideas can take root and fester, he says. By putting the unpopular ideas and ugly ideas out there, we have the best chance to refute it. Hes had to tolerate speakers and teachers that grate on him during his career on college campuses, he says, including speakers who came dangerously close to espousing white supremacy, especially offensive to a Black man like himself. But he wants his students to hear even those viewpoints they hate. Living in a safe bubble carries a cost, he says. People can be jerks, and people can be cruel, he says. It breaks my heart. But thats the world. And while I dont condone it, I want to make sure were raising a generation that understands how to navigate that behavior. And Im worried were not doing that well. Hes daunted by the flow of disinformation about the encampment, especially the claim that he agreed to 8 of the 10 demands. His chief regret in this episode is that he didnt get ahead of that false narrative. He wishes, too, that he had the luxury of time to broaden the discussion and include Jewish students, but he said he had to act quickly to get final exams back on track. As for his trip to Washington, Holloway is plainly dreading it. And he says other college presidents are ready to walk away from all the hostility, including physical threats. Were sort of at our wits end, he says. Were all seeing people we looked up to who are saying, Im out. And I think were going to see a lot of that. These jobs are difficult in good times but when youre facing absolutely no-win situations constantly, in this era of hyperbole about failing to do X, Y, and Znone of us signed up for that. Just like I didnt sign up to have a police detail with me everywhere I go. Its a sad day when public service becomes this toxic. And while I hate to add to Holloways load of stress, I am quietly hoping that he gives them hell next week. Foxxs cartoonish description of life at Rutgers is as ignorant as it is opportunistic. Holloway doesnt deserve a scrap of it. More: Tom Moran columns Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com or (973) 986-6951. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. New Jersey has been shy one member of Congress since the passing of Rep. Donald Payne in April, and by the time the 10th District chooses his successor in a special election in September, the Newark lawmakers seat will have been empty for five months. In a very tight House of Representatives, where every vote is important, that is far too long for any district to be without a local voice in Washington, not to mention the impact on the balance of power in Washington. And its likely to happen in our state again, perhaps as soon as next year. 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. Screengrab: SNY Perhaps you may have missed it at the Twilight of an 8-0 shutout at the hands of the Miami Marlins on Friday, but SNY had quite the callback to one of Keith Hernandezs most infamous moments. Over a decade ago we cant believe its been that long either the longtime New York Mets game analyst on SNY ogled over a female fan eating a huge hot dog. The Mets were playing the Arizona Diamondbacks on a random Tuesday in April 2014 when the broadcast cameras found a couple in the stands eating one of the infamous $25 hot dogs at Chase Field. We know its been 10 years, but the D-Bat Dog was an 18-inch stuffed corn dog. Naturally, Hernandez and play-by-play voice Gary Cohen were bemused by the scene in front of them in the desert. My goodness, Hernandez said as he ogled over what he deemed a rather attractive female fan. How much meat is in a $25 hot dog? asked Cohen. I mean, a few pounds, right? Hernandez wasnt talking about the hot dog. The chuckle and uncomfortable silence after Hernandezs I wasnt talking about the hot dog might have stretched on if the producer hadnt switched the camera to show the vendor carrying the giant hot dog through the concourse. But the awkwardness wasnt over. The cameras cut back to the woman and her friend, prompting another comment from Hernandez: She looks fit. She must be a runner. With that backstory out of the way, lets turn our attention back to Fridays game in Miami. As SNY tends to do during road games, the cameras will show shots of some of the ballpark food. And during a lull in the eighth inning, with the Mets down 6-0, Hernandez and Cohen talked about the monster hot dogs at LoanDepot Park. At least this time, you were talking about the hot dog, Cohen quipped. At least this time you were talking about the hot dog pic.twitter.com/MUzPCT9jSD SNY (@SNYtv) May 18, 2024 A decade later, it seems Hernandez has learned a valuable lesson stick to commenting on the food, not the fans enjoying it. And even after all these years, Hernandezs hot dog gaffe remains a memorable, yet perhaps slightly cringeworthy, moment in his iconic broadcasting history. [SNYtv on X] Westward Ho! Beach has once again emerged victorious, receiving the Blue Flag and Seaside Awards for the summer of 2024. The Blue Flag and Seaside Awards are aimed at improving the quality of Englands coastline and promoting the countrys best beaches. This marks a streak of 21 consecutive years of excellence, and reaffirms Westward Ho!'s status as one of the select 61 beaches across Britain to receive both awards. Torridge District Council have said that the award firmly establishes Westward Ho! as a premier holiday destination along the British coastline. Beyond ensuring the purity of bathing waters, the award demands excellence across four overarching categories and 33 individual parameters, encompassing environmental education, water quality, waste management, safety protocols, and visitor amenities. Notably, Blue Flag beaches like Westward Ho! are mandated to conduct a minimum of five educational initiatives annually, raising environmental awareness within the local community and among visitors. At the heart of this area lies Northam Burrows, an integral component of North Devon's UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. Here, educational programs led by dedicated rangers engage schools and the general public throughout the year, complemented by the recent enhancements of the visitor centre. The recent enhancements to the visitor centre, including expanded exhibition spaces, an education room, and improved facilities, serve to enhance the educational experience and foster inclusivity. Councillor Lyndon Piper, Lead Member for Leisure, expressed delight at Westward Ho!'s continued success. He said: It is wonderful to have such a fantastic beach right on our doorstep at Westward Ho! One that has consistently achieved the Blue Flag award for over 21 years in a row. Right next-door Northam Burrows forms an integral part of North Devon's UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Together the beach and burrows offer a fantastic location for recreation and connecting with nature as well as an opportunity to see many rare local plants and wildlife species. It is imperative that we all work together to maintain the highest possible standards for our natural environment and continue to put pressure on those bodies that threaten these precious spaces. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. 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In a new filing, Indiana Solicitor General James Barta asserts that nothing in the VRA requires Lake Superior Court judges to be elected even though Hoosiers elect judges in most other Indiana counties and there's nothing discriminatory about Lake County's merit selection process for picking judges because it equally impacts every member of the Lake County electorate. "Although it requires elections to be conducted fairly, no court has understood (the VRA) to require that any office be filled by election. As the Supreme Court has observed, a state may exclude its judiciary from the coverage of the Voting Rights Act by changing to a system in which judges are appointed," Barta said. "Plaintiffs point to no voting rule that impacts minority voters in Lake County differently than non-minority voters in Lake County. Rather, plaintiffs challenge a merit selection process that affects every member of the Lake County electorate equally regardless of race or ethnicity. Minorities may not get to vote for Lake County judges, but neither do any other Lake County residents." In fact, Barta argues minorities living in Lake County are empowered by merit selection because the nominating commission that recommends judicial candidates to the governor for appointment must include at least one member of a "minority group," and the commission statutorily must "consider that racial and gender diversity enhances the quality of the judiciary" when evaluating judicial applicants. "It is hard to imagine how someone could prove that the merit selection system for Lake County was the product of intentional discrimination where that system seeks to include minorities," Barta said. "What variation in court systems exists across Indiana simply demonstrates that multiple considerations bear on what structure best serves local needs," he added. "Adopting merit selection for Lake County was consistent with the General Assembly's decision to adopt merit selection for other large counties, which need well qualified judges to efficiently handle significant caseloads." In any case, Barta argues there's no need for the appellate court to even entertain those arguments because he claims there is no private right of action under the VRA, and only the U.S. attorney general, who is not involved in this case, is entitled to enforce the law. "Congress' decision to charge the attorney general with enforcing (the VRA) reinforces that no private right of action exists. Providing for one method of enforcement suggests that Congress intended to preclude others," Barta said. The plaintiffs Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.; state Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago; and former East Chicago City Judge Eduardo Fontanez are scheduled to respond to Barta's filing by May 31. They're expected to reiterate the conclusions of U.S. District Judge Philip Simon who found when it comes to choosing judges, "there's a huge disparity between how Indiana's white and black citizens are treated." "How is it that 66% of blacks in Indiana are prevented from voting for superior court judge when more than 80% of whites can?" Simon asked. According to court records, the disparity is due to Indiana laws requiring the governor to appoint superior court judges in Lake, Marion and St. Joseph counties where two-thirds of Indiana's black population resides while voters elect superior court judges in the remaining, overwhelmingly white, 89 Indiana counties. Simon all but concluded in January that is a VRA violation. However, Simon said he was prevented from striking down the merit selection process because federal appellate court precedent applicable in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin currently ignores questions of racial bias when it comes to appointed positions, as opposed to elected offices. The plaintiffs are asking the 7th Circuit to reconsider that precedent, recognize the VRA violation, and order Indiana to fix it. A three-judge appellate panel likely will hear oral arguments in the case sometime this summer or fall. Gallery: Take a virtual tour of Indiana's state parks Brown County State Park Chain O' Lakes State Park Charlestown State Park Clifty Falls State Park Falls of the Ohio State Park Fort Harrison State Park Harmonie State Park Lincoln State Park McCormick's Creek State Park Mounds State Park O'Bannon Woods State Park Ouabache State Park Pokagon State Park Potato Creek State Park Prophetstown State Park Shades State Park Shakamak State Park Spring Mill State Park Summit Lake State Park Tippecanoe River State Park Turkey Run State Park Versailles State Park White River State Park Whitewater Memorial State Park Jerry Davich Metro columnist Follow Jerry Davich 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 What happens in the brain when you pray or meditate or experience a profound spiritual moment? This question echoed in my mind as I sped down the expressway while listening to the National Public Radio show, On Point. I literally slowed down to hear the entire show before arriving at my destination. Thats all part of what neurotheology is about, Dr. Andrew Newberg told NPR listeners. Sort of bringing together the science of looking at what is going on in the brain and also understanding the nature of the spiritual and religious aspects. He is research director at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health and a professor at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. Newberg studies the relationships between brain function and various mental states including religious and spiritual practices. Something has to be going on in our brain, Newberg said. Neurotheology explores the complex yet profound connections between our brain synapses and spiritual revelations, including ones described as an unexplained coincidence or a spiritual synchronicity or a God-wink moment. Ive been experiencing these mysterious moments for many years but never knew there was scientific research to explore the connections between heightened brain activity and transformative spiritual experiences. It can make people feel differently about death, about life, about who they should be, and how they should connect to people in their lives, Newberg said. Whether that ultimately is a spiritual thing that truly ignites it, or whether it is purely neurological, thats part of the larger question that neurotheology has to answer. The thread of connection, in some way, is woven into the tapestry of most of these experiences. Essentially, its people exploring the connection between themselves and something greater than the self, whether its through religion, nature, spirituality, a divine God, a galaxy of gods or a universal consciousness. For most, it involves a connection with the sacred. Newbergs research delineated five broader similarities with these experiences: the aforementioned sense of connectedness, as well as clarity, intensity, surrender and transformation. Theyre all connected to whats going on in the brain as well, he told listeners. Newberg is coauthor of the book, The Varieties of Spiritual Experience: 21st Century Research and Perspectives, an exploration of the neuroscience for a range of profoundly meaningful experiences. For example, a female tattoo artist whose male friend died in 2013. On his birthday the next year, a customer asked her for a tattoo stating, This too shall pass. This ancient adage was a favorite of the tattoo artists late friend, who someday wanted to get that same tattoo. A few years later, again on her friends birthday, another customer requested the same tattoo: This too shall pass. Its never happened on any other time other than his birthday, she told listeners. It makes me feel warm when these instances happen. This kind of repeated visceral experience can be labeled as a synchronicity, reminding us that there is more to our universe than were able to comprehend. Even our cognitive parts of the brain struggle with how to deal with these kind of experiences, Newberg explained. Nonetheless, it makes us feel connected to something in the universe larger than ourselves. And it can literally transform us. When these synchronicities happen to me, which they have on a consistent basis in my adult life, I view them as a guidepost in the right direction. A church pastor once told me this is God talking to me. I asked him to define God through words, an impossible task, I believe. The pastor and I eventually agreed that God is far beyond our comprehension, similar to synchronicities and other spiritual epiphanies, divine or not. The human brain also is far beyond our comprehension even as we use it to understand its capabilities. A recently released project developed by researchers at Google and Harvard University used more than 300 million images to create the most detailed ever map of the human brain. It took more than a decade to complete and it merely hints at the deep complexities of the brain. Newberg and his team research how specific areas of the brain are being turned on or off through different mental states, such as repeated prayers or recitations. One study of Catholic nuns who repeatedly practiced deeply concentrated prayers determined that their frontal lobe had increased activity. This is common for any sort of repeated, meditative practice. They feel that sense of surrender, Newberg said, referring to one of the five broader aspects. Surrendering is a consistent theme in most faiths, including Christianity. Last month, I was given a copy of the booklet, He Did This Just for You, by Max Lucado. I again noticed the familiar importance of surrendering, in this case to Jesus, despite its threat to our ego. An old priest once told me, 5,000 years ago, we knew nothing about our body and everything about our soul. Today, it's the opposite. His observation continues to resonate in my thoughts. Today, as neurotheology explores the connection between the body and soul, it my be another 5,000 years until we have a handle on the intersection of the two entities. In the meantime, I continue to welcome every unexplained coincidence, every mysterious synchronicity, and every opportunity to examine this connection between the brain and the sacred. Senior American and Iranian officials held talks through intermediaries in Oman this past week, the first such conversations since Iran launched a retaliatory attack on Israel with hundreds of missiles and drones last month, according to a person familiar with the recent meetings. Brett McGurk, the top White House official on Middle East policy, and Abram Paley, the deputy special envoy for Iran, attended the talks in Oman. The goal was to try to get Iran, which supplies weapons and training to militias across the Middle East, to move to rein in its partners. Since the Israel-Hamas war broke out, several Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria have stepped up attacks on American troops, raising fears of a wider war. The most powerful of the regional militias, Lebanon-based Hezbollah, has been exchanging fire with the Israeli military in northern Israel and southern Lebanon. However, U.S. intelligence officials assess that neither Hezbollah nor Iran wants to engage in a wider war. The United States has had no diplomatic relations with Iran since 1979, and discussions are often conducted through intermediaries and back channels. The format of the talks in Oman was similar to ones held in January: The Americans sat in one room while their Iranian counterparts sat in another, and Omani officials shuttled between the rooms. The new set of talks was first reported by Axios. After an artist accused the painter Kehinde Wiley of sexual assault in an Instagram post on Sunday, Mr. Wiley denied the allegations, saying on his own Instagram account that someone I had a brief, consensual relationship with almost three years ago is now making a false accusation about our time together. These claims are not true and are an affront to all victims of sexual abuse, Mr. Wiley added. Mr. Wiley, who was born in Los Angeles, is one of the best known painters in the United States, and is famous for his 2018 portrait of President Barack Obama. On Sunday, Joseph Awuah-Darko, a British-born Ghanaian artist and the founder of the Noldor Artist Residency in Ghana, said in a lengthy Instagram post that on June 9, 2021, Mr. Wiley assaulted him twice during and after a dinner in Ghana that was held in the famed artists honor. In the first incident, Mr. Awuah-Darko said that he had been directing Mr. Wiley to a washroom when the star suddenly grabbed his buttocks. Later that evening, Mr. Awuah-Darko said, a second assault occurred that was much more severe and violent. Mr. Awuah-Darko did not give further details of that incident on Instagram, but in a telephone interview, he said that a sexual encounter began consensually, but that it then moved to a bedroom, where he says that Mr. Wiley forced himself on him after Mr. Awuah-Darko had said he did not want to go further. Chanel Miller has wanted to be a childrens book author and illustrator since the second grade, when she started writing stories that her teacher, Mrs. Thomas, would laminate. But her first published book, despite being a best seller and a winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award, was not at all what shed wished for. It was a memoir about surviving sexual assault and its aftermath called Know My Name. Brock Turner, who had been a Stanford University swimmer, was found guilty of sexually assaulting Miller while she was unconscious after a party on campus in 2015. His sentence, six months in jail, was widely criticized as lenient, and a letter she read to the court at the sentencing hearing was published online and read in Congress. As we approach this Novembers presidential election, blood bath is quickly becoming one of Donald Trumps favorite new terms. If he does not take the White House, there will be a blood bath in the auto industry. President Bidens immigration policies are causing a blood bath at the U.S. border with Mexico. In some corners, this imagery is understood as a threat: What will Trump supporters do if their favored candidate does not win? He has repeatedly suggested that violent unrest could follow his defeat. Would it be a reprise of the American Civil War? If any contemporary historian can give us a clue, it might be Alan Taylor. In AMERICAN CIVIL WARS: A Continental History, 1850-1873 (Norton, 534 pp., $39.99), Taylor, a University of Virginia historian who has won the Pulitzer Prize twice, takes a broad look at the lead-up to and aftermath of the older conflict, including the way it transformed life in Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. Does this wide scope work? Yes and no. I dont think this book makes us look at the Civil War in a new way, but Taylor is persuasive in his assertion that the American conflict shaped the entire continent. The United States emerged from the war with a stronger federal government and greater military potential, he concludes. Intimidated by that enhanced power, Russians sold Alaska, the Spanish bolted from Santo Domingo and the French withdrew their forces from Mexico. Violent confrontations at a pro-Palestinian rally in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, on Saturday reflected what some local officials and protest organizers called an unexpectedly aggressive Police Department response, with officers flooding the neighborhood and using force against protesters. At the rally, which drew hundreds of demonstrators, at least two officers wearing the white shirts of commanders were filmed punching three protesters who were prone in the middle of a crosswalk. One officer had pinned a man to the ground and repeatedly punched him in the ribs, a 50-second video clip shows. Another officer punched the left side of a mans face as he held his head to the asphalt. The police arrested around 40 people who were unlawfully blocking roadways, Kaz Daughtry, the departments deputy commissioner of operations, said on social media on Sunday. Mr. Daughtry shared drone footage of one person who climbed on a city bus, putting himself and others in danger. The Police Department, he wrote, proudly protects everyones right to protest, but lawlessness will never be tolerated. For much of her whirlwind tour in Europe, Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York focused on looking forward for solutions to worldwide crises like global warming and a lack of affordable housing. But as she visited County Kerry, Ireland, Ms. Hochul paused to linger in the past. Here in Kilshannig, a small fishing village on a remote stretch of sandy beach, the governor is still known as Kathleen Courtney, the granddaughter of John Courtney and Mary Browne, who emigrated separately to the United States as teenagers over a century ago in search of greater opportunity. They would later meet in Chicago, where they married before moving to Buffalo, the governors hometown, to work at the steel mill there. Every so often, as money and time allowed, the family would make the trip back to the Maharees, a peninsula that juts off Irelands west coast and contains three small towns: Fahamore, Kilshannig and Candeehy. On Sunday, around 100 local residents, county council members and relatives gathered in Spillanes Bar in Fahamore for a civic reception to honor Ms. Hochul. A large protest in Brooklyn against Israels military offensive in Gaza erupted into a chaotic scene on Saturday, as the police arrested dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators and at times confronted them violently. In videos posted on social media, officers can be seen punching at least three people who were prone on the ground at the demonstration in the Bay Ridge neighborhood. The aggression was corroborated by witnesses. Another protester who was filming the police was tackled and arrested. A police spokesman declined to comment on the officers using force on protesters. The police said Sunday that 40 people were arrested. They have not released details on the charges the protesters face. Its not Joe Bidens poll numbers that worry me, exactly. Its the denial of whats behind them. Among likely voters, Biden is trailing Donald Trump by one percentage point in Wisconsin and three points in Pennsylvania. Hes ahead by a point in Michigan. Sweeping those three states is one route to re-election, and theyre within reach. Still, Biden is losing to Trump. His path is narrowing. In 2020, Biden won not just Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. He also won Arizona, Georgia and Nevada. Now hes behind in those states by six points, nine points and 13 points in the latest Times/Siena/Philadelphia Inquirer poll. Have those states turned red? No. The same poll finds Democrats leading in the Arizona and Nevada Senate races. The Democrats are also leading in the Senate races in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. National polls find Democrats slightly ahead of Republicans for control of Congress. The Never Biden vote now looks larger than the Never Trump vote. The electorate hasnt turned on Democrats; a crucial group of voters has turned on Biden. Last week, the Biden team appeared to shake up the race by challenging Trump to two debates. One will take place early, on June 27. The other will be in September. Bidens video was full of bluster. Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020, he said. 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. The right attacks colleges and universities as leftist and woke. Progressives castigate them as perpetuating patriarchy and white privilege. The burdens of these culture war assaults are compounded by parents worried that the exorbitant costs of higher education arent worth it. No wonder Americans faith in universities is at a low. Only 36 percent of Americans have confidence in higher education, according to a survey by Gallup last year, a significant drop from eight years ago. And this was before colleges and universities across the country were swept up in a wave of protests and counter-protests over the war in Gaza. But the problems facing American higher education are not just the protests and culture war attacks on diversity, course content, speech and speakers. The problem is that higher education is fundamentally misunderstood. In response, colleges and universities must reassert the liberal arts ideals that have made them great but that have been slipping away. By liberal arts, we mean a broad-based education that aspires to send out into society an educated citizenry prepared to make its way responsibly in an ever-more complex and divided world. We worry that at many schools, students can fulfill all or most of their general education requirements and take any number of electives without having had a single meaningful discussion that is relevant to ones political life as a citizen. I cant remember when Ive been more disturbed by a criminal trial than I have been by the Manhattan trial of Donald Trump. The prosecutors are painting a vivid picture of Trump as a vile and dishonest person, and the daily pilgrimages of Republican politicians to the Manhattan courthouse, in spite of horrific testimony against Trump, demonstrate that the party has a broken soul. At the same time, the underlying legal theory supporting the prosecutions case remains dubious. The facts may be clear, but the law is anything but and that could very well mean that the jury convicts Trump before the election, an appeals court reverses the conviction after the election, and millions of Americans, many of them non-MAGA, face yet another crisis of confidence in American institutions. Lets first discuss the dreadful facts. Stormy Danielss testimony crystallized, better than that of any other witness, the prosecutions theory that Trump ordered Michael Cohen to pay off Daniels to save his campaign and then fraudulently disguised the reimbursements. It helped answer a key question: Why would a known playboy, a person who has boasted of his affairs with his friends wives, suddenly be so keen to suppress details of his encounter with a porn star? Consider the timeline. On Oct. 7, 2016, the Access Hollywood story broke. The Washington Post released the infamous recording in which Trump told Billy Bush, one of the shows hosts, When youre a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Trump went on, saying he could grab women by the genitals. You can do anything. SUNDAY BUSINESS An article last Sunday about the success of Betches Media misstated the current title for Sami Sage, one of the co-founders of the company. She is its chief brand officer, not chief creative officer. Her title changed earlier this year. ARTS & LEISURE An article last Sunday about the series The Big Cigar, using information provided by a publicist, described incorrectly the role of Janine Sherman Barrois on the show. She is the showrunner and a writer and executive producer, not only the showrunner and an executive producer. The article also misidentified the shows premiere date. It was May 17, not last month. An article on May 5 about the show Dark Matter misidentified the university where the astrophysicist Clifford V. Johnson is a professor. It is the University of California, Santa Barbara, not the University of Southern California. (He was a professor at U.S.C. when Blake Crouch consulted with him during the writing of the program.) METROPOLITAN An article on Page 3 this weekend about New York Universitys decision to force student protesters to write apology letters misstates the surname of an N.Y.U. doctoral student. She is Ellis Garey, not Geary. President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic was heading to a win in his re-election bid on Sunday as voters embraced his crackdown on migrants from neighboring Haiti, an anti-corruption drive and his stewardship of one of Latin Americas best-performing economies. Mr. Abinader, a former executive in the tourism industry, took 59 percent of the vote against 27 percent for his closest rival, Leonel Fernandez, a three-time former president, and 11 percent for Abel Martinez, a provincial mayor, with 21.5 percent of votes counted, according to the Dominican Republic's national electoral authority. Both Mr. Fernandez and Mr. Martinez called Mr. Abinader on Sunday evening to concede and congratulate him, despite the lack of full official results, which were expected to be available in coming days. In a victory speech, Mr. Abinader thanked his rivals and those who voted for him. I accept the trust placed in me, Mr. Abinader said. I will not let you down. The election showcased how a political leader could turn migration fears to his advantage. During her high school graduation last Monday, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe citizen Genesis White Bull had her beaded cap and her eagle plume removed. As the national anthem played during the 2024 Farmington High School graduation ceremony in New Mexico, two staff members approached the Hunkpapa Lakota graduate and told her to remove her mortarboard. White Bulls mortarboard was decorated around the edges with beadwork and featured an aopazan, or eagle plume, as a tassel. The family said White Bulls mother stepped in and requested to remove the plume herself, but was denied. White Bull was given a blank standard mortarboard to wear. Behind her, another Indigenous student clutched her cap with an eagle feather attached. Following the incident, White Bulls family posted a video of the incident to social media, garnering support from Indian Country and calling for the Farmington Municipal School District to apologize and correct its policies. We stand with all Native students who decide to wear traditional regalia at graduation. Our regalia holds cultural significance and how we show pride in our Native identities, a Tuesday statement from the American Indian College Fund said. Students should be able to go to schools that are welcoming and inclusive of their Native identities. When students feel valued and supported, they know they are not alone and can find success in whatever they set their mind to." Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairwoman Janet Alkire said she watched the video on social media and will be reaching out to the school district. The tribe on Friday issued a statement condemning the district's actions. To be humiliated during one of her young lifes most celebrated moments is unacceptable, and we demand accountability and apology from the school, Alkire said in the statement. We stand with our relative, Genesis White Bull, and we condemn the actions of Farmington High School, which targeted one of our own because of her choice to express pride in her cultural identity. Farmington Municipal Schools responded to the incident on Tuesday. A message issued to the school community said that the staff involved were following district guidelines stating that caps and gowns must be worn without an altered appearance. The school district said that students were informed of this throughout the school year and immediately before graduation. Moving forward, we will work to refine our processes at the school level. The district is also committed to exploring the addition of a district policy that allows for additional appropriate cultural elements in student attire, including graduation caps and gowns, the statement said. The statement did include that eagle feathers are permitted to be worn at graduation. The plume (itself) was not cut, it was wrapped up in the tassel and when we exchanged the caps we couldnt give it back, said Roberto Taboada, Farmington Municipal Schools public information officer, in an interview with Indian Country Today. We removed it by cutting next to the button, but the plume remained intact. Exchanging the cap and returning the plume happened in I would say a period of 14 minutes. Taboada said that Farmington Municipal Schools supports its Indigenous students. He said that a Native graduate honoring was held one week earlier. I think it would be lovely if the community would take a look at the work weve done this year alone to celebrate and accomplish, Taboada said. We held our Native senior celebration a few weeks ago where we recognize not just student achievement but also Native culture. The United States and Europe are coalescing around a plan to use interest earned on frozen Russian central bank assets to provide Ukraine with a loan to be used for military and economic assistance, potentially providing the country with a multibillion-dollar lifeline as Russias war effort intensifies. Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen said in an interview on Sunday that several options for using $300 billion in immobilized Russian assets remained on the table. But she said the most promising idea was for Group of 7 nations to issue a loan to Ukraine that would be backed by profits and interest income that is being earned on Russian assets held in Europe. Finance ministers from the Group of 7 will be meeting in Italy later this week in hopes of finalizing a plan that they can deliver to heads of state ahead of the groups leaders meeting next month. The urgency to find a way to deliver more financial support to Ukraine has been mounting as the countrys efforts to fend off Russia have shown signs of faltering. I think we see considerable interest among all of our partners in a loan structure that would bring forward the stream of windfall profits, Ms. Yellen said during her flight to Germany, where she is holding meetings ahead of the Group of 7 summit. It would generate a significant up-front amount that would help meet needs we anticipate Ukraine is going to have both militarily and through reconstruction. The withdrawal of 1,000 U.S. military personnel in Niger is underway, and all American troops will leave the West African country by Sept. 15, the U.S. and Nigerien governments said on Sunday. The agreement, described in a joint statement by the two countries militaries, spells out the terms of the pullout that the Biden administration announced last month. It also signifies the beginning of the end of the Pentagons most enduring counterterrorism partnership in the tumultuous Sahel region of Africa. A senior Pentagon official, Christopher P. Maier, and a top U.S. officer, Lt. Gen. Dagvin R.M. Anderson, met in Niamey, Nigers capital, this past week with representatives of Nigers military, led by the army chief of staff, Col. Maj. Mamane Sani Kiaou, the statement said. The meeting was meant to coordinate the orderly and safe withdrawal of U.S. forces from Niger, it added. The statement, released by the Pentagon, also said the two militaries had established procedures to ease the entry and the exit of U.S. personnel, including flight and landing clearances for military planes. Niger has balked at approving some of those clearances in recent months, American officials said. A judge reopened on Saturday a sentencing hearing for the intruder who bludgeoned Nancy Pelosis husband two years ago, admitting that the court had not given the defendant a chance to make a statement. David DePape was sentenced on Friday to 30 years in federal prison for breaking into the San Francisco home of Ms. Pelosi, who was speaker of the House at the time, and attacking her husband, Paul Pelosi, with a hammer. But it was a mistake to not ask Mr. DePape beforehand if he had anything to say, Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley acknowledged in a court order, setting a May 28 date to reopen the hearing to allow Mr. DePape to make a statement. During Fridays hearing, Judge Corley wrote, no party brought to the courts attention that it had not allowed Mr. DePape to speak, a requirement of federal criminal procedures. As the court did not do so, it committed clear error, she wrote. The error is unlikely to alter the sentence, but Mr. DePape will now have the opportunity to make a case for a more lenient one. The error was noticed by prosecutors on Friday afternoon, shortly after the sentence was read, and they quickly notified the court. Mr. DePapes lawyers promptly filed an appeal. The military of the Democratic Republic of Congo said on Sunday that it had foiled a coup attempt involving foreigners, hours after a gunfight near the presidential palace in which at least three people were killed. In a brief statement on state television, an army spokesman, Brig. Gen. Sylvain Ekenge, initially offered little detail about the purported putsch in the capital, Kinshasa, other than to say that the plotters and their leader had been put out of action. But he later told The Associated Press that three Americans were among the perpetrators, and the United States ambassador to Congo, Lucy Tamlyn, acknowledged publicly that American citizens may have been involved. The United States will cooperate to the fullest extent with the Congolese authorities as they investigate these criminal acts and hold accountable any U.S. citizen involved., she said on X, formerly Twitter. In more than two years of war against Ukraine, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia has found that the technocrats he assembled to manage the Russian economy have turned out to be his most reliable foot soldiers. The Russian leader has now tapped one of them, Andrei R. Belousov, who has no military experience, to become his next defense minister. Mr. Belousov, 65, a fan of Rembrandt who is fond of quoting Fyodor Dostoyevsky and Carl Jung, has for years stood apart from the other technocrats, many of whom have provided excellent economic guidance, even as they privately have seen Mr. Putins provocative geopolitical moves as hazardous for Russias economic future. Mr. Belousov, however, has been a true believer. His rise shows how Mr. Putin is fully redirecting Russias economy toward the war effort and suggests that the Kremlin may grow even more deeply involved in mobilizing industry for the fight. Mr. Putin cast his new defense chief, who joined him on a trip to China in recent days, as a much-needed coordinator for a rapidly changing Russian military industrial complex that is critical to success in the war. Many Ukrainians were up in the early hours of Sunday morning, for once not to seek shelter from incoming Russian missiles, but to celebrate the Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk becoming the worlds undisputed heavyweight champion. Mr. Usyks victory over the British boxer Tyson Fury was a rare piece of good news for an embattled nation that is struggling to contain Russian advances, particularly in the northeast, where Moscow has opened a new front. President Volodymyr Zelensky lauded the victory as a symbol of Ukraines resilience. Ukrainians hit hard! Mr. Zelensky wrote in a Telegram post around 3 a.m. that included a photograph of Mr. Usyk delivering a punch to Mr. Fury. And in the end, all our opponents will be overcome. Ukrainian troops are currently engaged in fierce fighting to halt Russias grinding advance all along the front line, and there are fears that some key positions may soon fall. Russian troops recently advanced farther into Robotyne, a village in the south that was one of the rare successes of Ukraines failed counteroffensive last summer. Russia and Ukraine targeted each others territory on Sunday with drone attacks and airstrikes that hit urban centers and energy facilities, as both sides look for ways to inflict damage beyond the battlefield. The Russian military said it had shot down nearly 60 Ukrainian drones over the Krasnodar region of southwest Russia, which Ukraine has increasingly targeted in recent weeks because it is home to energy and military facilities supporting combat operations. Local Russian officials said an oil refinery had been struck in the attack. A Ukrainian security official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters, said Ukrainian drones had hit the refinery as well as a military airfield in the region. Russian officials did not comment on the reported strike on the airfield. More than a quarter century has passed since the United States called Slovakia a black hole in the center of Europe an island of autocratic malaise surrounded by spry new democracies. The insult, leveled in 1997 by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright against a country that has since joined NATO and the European Union, still stings. But some in the Central European nation, appalled by an attempt last week to assassinate their prime minister, Robert Fico, and the frenzy of political finger-pointing that ensued, including warnings of civil war, are wondering whether Ms. Albright was on to something. We are back in a black hole; Im not sure we ever got out of it, said Roman Kvasnica, a prominent Slovak lawyer who denounces a political culture in which threats and personal insults are routine. In his own legal work he has faced numerous threats, including a warning that he would get a bullet in the head from a tycoon charged with ordering the 2018 murder of an investigative journalist digging into government corruption. Exasperated by his countrys divisive struggles to establish the rule of law and resist the temptations of strongman leadership, the lawyer displays a portrait of Vaclav Havel, an icon of democratic idealism, on the wall of his country house in western Slovakia. Mr. Havel served as the first president of post-communist Czechoslovakia, the state that in 1993 split amicably into the Czech Republic and the Republic of Slovakia. Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Israels war cabinet, presented Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with an ultimatum on Saturday, saying he would leave the government if it did not soon develop a plan for the future of the war in Gaza. While Mr. Gantzs departure would not topple the countrys emergency wartime government, it would further strain a fragile coalition that has provided Mr. Netanyahus far-right government with a boost of international legitimacy, and it would make the prime minister even more reliant on his hard-line partners. Read the full story here. Al-Aqsa Hospital in Nuseirat in central Gaza on Sunday received the bodies of 30 people killed in overnight Israeli bombardment, according to Khalil al-Daqran, a hospital spokesman. When asked about a strike in Nuseirat, the Israeli military said it was taking feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm. An estimated 800,000 Palestinians have fled Rafah since the start of an Israeli military offensive in the southern Gaza city, according to Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of UNRWA, the U.N. aid agency for Palestinian refugees. Many of those relocating have already been displaced several times since the start of the war. Before Israel launched its offensive on May 6, more than one million Gazans had been sheltering in Rafah. On Saturday, the Israeli military said its forces were pressing onward in the eastern outskirts of the city. Israeli forces said on Saturday that they had recovered the body of Ron Binyamin, 53, an Israeli man held hostage in Gaza since the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7. On the morning of the attack, Mr. Binyamin a husband and father of two daughters had set out on a bicycle ride with friends near Beeri, a small kibbutz near the Gaza border. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the Israeli military spokesman, said Hamas militants killed Mr. Binyamin and took his body back to Gaza, where his remains were retrieved on Thursday night along with those of Yitzhak Gelernter, Shani Louk and Amit Buskila. The northern town of Jabaliya had already come under fierce attacks from the Israeli military earlier in the war, killing many civilians and demolishing large parts of the suburb. So, as Israeli ground forces moved to other parts of the Gaza Strip and military strikes focused elsewhere, residents thought they had experienced their worst days. But last week, the Israeli military dropped leaflets again over Jabaliya, where tens of thousands of people are living, ordering them to leave as it prepared to launch a renewed offensive. When the Israelis dropped the leaflets, people were terrified, especially given what they experienced previously, said Iman Abu Jalhum, 23, who graduated from medical school two months before the war began and has been volunteering in hospitals treating the wounded. We thought given that we have already been attacked that we were safe; the Israelis have already been here. Soon after the leaflets dropped, so too did the bombs, she said. Ms. Abu Jalhum, her 16-year-old sister and her parents fled their home under bombardment. She only had time to throw a few items of clothing into a bag and put on her prayer shawl. Her father, who has back issues, struggled to walk along the road. Eventually, they found a donkey cart to take him the rest of the way, a few miles south. Israel said it had renewed the offensive in Jabaliya on May 11 because Hamas was trying to reassemble its infrastructure and operatives in the area. Hamas accused Israel of escalating its aggression against civilians all across Gaza and vowed to continue fighting. Paramount, you got some splainin to do! 'I Love Lucy: The Complete Series' Blu-ray Box Set Coming November 5th! A helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran and his foreign minister crashed on Sunday in the countrys mountainous northwest, according to state media, deepening the turmoil that has gripped the nation on both the international and domestic fronts in recent months. Mr. Raisi, 63, was traveling from Irans border with Azerbaijan to inaugurate a joint dam project. The helicopter, carrying Mr. Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, state media reported, crashed near the city of Varzaghan around 1 p.m. local time, in bad weather and thick fog. Search and rescue teams scoured an area of tall mountains and dense forest through rain and fog for more than 10 hours. At one point the authorities called off the aerial search because of the weather, dispatching on foot soldiers, elite commandos of the Revolutionary Guards and 40 rescue teams to locate the crash site. Even well into the night, state media had not yet reported on casualties, or on the condition of the president or anyone else aboard. The cause of the crash was also unknown. Even before the announcement on Monday that President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran had died in a helicopter crash, relations between Tehran and the United States had come perilously close to open conflict. What unfolds in the next few days including what Iran declares was the cause of the crash could well determine whether the two countries are able to grope their way out of several simultaneous crises. Over the long term, the struggle that matters most is the one that centers on Irans nuclear program. The program had largely been contained after the Obama administration negotiated a nuclear deal with Iran in 2015. But President Donald J. Trump denounced and abandoned the deal six years ago, and eventually Iran resumed production of nuclear fuel enriched to a level just short of what would be needed to produce several bombs. Exactly what role Mr. Raisi played in critical decision-making in Tehran about Irans nuclear strategy was always a matter of dispute; the program is under the control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in Iran, a power center unto itself. But American officials say that after nearly reaching an agreement with Iran through European intermediaries two years ago, efforts to negotiate have all but collapsed. Just last week, the Iranian foreign minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, who also died in the helicopter crash, met with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, who was demanding better access to Irans sprawling nuclear facilities. According to the latest Met Eireann weather forecast, Ireland is in for a changeable week with showers or longer spells of rain on the way. It will also turn cooler and less humid from midweek with the chance of thunderstorms earlier in the week. According to the latest Met Eireann weather forecast for Ireland, Monday morning will be mainly dry with sunny spells. Showers will develop in the afternoon and evening, heaviest and most frequent in Ulster, Connacht and the midlands with thunderstorms likely, bringing the possibility of spot flooding and hail. Highest temperatures of 19 to 23 degrees with light easterly or variable breezes. On Monday night, showers will die out and it will be mainly dry with clear spells. A few patches of mist and fog will form with light easterly or variable breezes. Lowest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees. According to the latest Met Eireann weather forecast, on Tuesday morning, scattered showers will develop. These will become widespread and heavy during the afternoon with spot flooding, lightning and hail possible. Winds will be light and variable. Highest temperatures of 16 to 19 degrees. The latest Met Eireann weather forecast states that Wednesday will bring a mix of sunshine and showers, some possibly heavy. It will be cooler with highest temperatures of 14 to 18 degrees in light to moderate west to northwest winds. According to Met Eireann, Thursday looks like being mainly dry over the western half of the country. However, persistent rain will affect eastern counties and will gradually spread westwards later. Highest temperatures of 12 to 15 degrees with moderate to fresh northerly winds. Met Eireann says that current indications suggest that Friday will bring showers or longer spells of rain with some brighter intervals possible. Highest temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees. According to Met Eireann, the weather looks like continuing unsettled next weekend with rain at times Drug dealer blamed in overdose deaths going to prison for 235 months A Jamestown drug dealer blamed for two overdose deaths has been sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison, U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced. Steven Mojica Medina, 36, was given a 235-month sentence by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara on charges of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin, fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He faced a maximum of 50 years in prison after pleading guilty to the charges in August. According to prosecutors, Medina provided substances containing fentanyl and other narcotic drugs that resulted in deaths on Aug. 30, 2018, and Sept. 9, 2018. Prosecutors said that after undercover Jamestown Police officers made controlled purchases of heroin and fentanyl from Medina on Dec. 1 and 2, 2020, a search warrant at his Euclid Avenue home turned up two loaded firearms, cocaine and 48 bags of fentanyl. Prosecutors said Medina also was found with 24 baggies of crack cocaine, a 9mm semi-automatic pistol and about 167 rounds of ammunition during a traffic stop in Jamestown on Nov. 1, 2021. Medina has been prohibited from having firearms since he was convicted on a felony gun charge in 2015. Dale Anderson Sri Lanka Army promotes 114 officers and over 1,300 other ranks Posted by Editor on May 19, 2024 - 9:35 am A total of 114 officers and 1,395 other ranks of the Sri Lanka Army have been promoted in honor of the 15th Victory Day Anniversary. President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, approved these promotions based on the recommendations of the Ministry of Defence and Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage. The promotions took effect on May 19, 2024, which is National War Heroes Commemoration Day. The Netherlands coalition proposes raising the gambling tax to 37.8%, potentially generating millions in state revenue. A recent coalition agreement in the Netherlands could raise gambling taxes to 37.8%, boosting state revenues by over 200 million annually. A Major Tax Adjustment The coalition, consisting of the PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB parties, has endorsed a substantial increase in the gambling tax from 30.5% to 37.8%. This change, detailed in the budgetary appendix of the coalition agreement titled "Hope, Courage and Pride," is expected to enhance the state treasury's income significantly. With the implementation of this proposal, the Netherlands could see an additional influx of approximately 202 million (173.3 million/$219.6 million) each year from gambling taxes alone. This fiscal adjustment aligns with the coalition's broader strategy to increase state funds through various budgetary reforms. Context of the Increase Since November, the decision to propose this tax hike has followed extensive discussions among seven political parties, focusing on bolstering state finances. These parties estimated that an increased gambling tax could generate an additional 200-400 million. The announcement of this plan coincides with other significant regulatory changes in the country's gambling landscape, emphasizing a tightening grip on industry practices. Regulatory Changes and Industry Backlash Concurrently with tax adjustments, the Dutch House of Representatives has moved to instate bans on certain types of gambling content and advertising. This includes a complete prohibition of online gambling advertising and a specific ban on "high-risk" gambling activities such as online slots. These legislative changes, aimed at protecting consumers from the unpredictable nature of these games, have stirred considerable controversy within the gambling sector. Notably, the Socialist Party MP Michiel van Nispen spearheaded the motion for these bans, citing concerns over the uncontrollable nature of outcomes in such gambling formats. However, this regulatory tightening has faced strong opposition from the industry. The Netherlands Online Gambling Association (NOGA) argues that these restrictions might inadvertently push players towards unregulated, black-market alternatives, undermining the effectiveness of the legal gambling market. NOGA has criticized these legislative measures as hasty and ill-considered, with their director, Peter-Paul de Goeij, warning of the potential for adverse outcomes due to these decisions. The association is particularly concerned about the reliance on what it claims needs to be more accurate statistical figures and assumptions used to justify the regulatory changes. Looking Ahead As these tax and regulatory proposals await final approval and implementation, the future of the Netherlands' gambling landscape hangs in the balance. The potential economic benefits of increased tax revenues are weighed against the risks of driving gambling activities underground. The outcome will depend significantly on how these measures are implemented and regulated and on and the gambling industry's ability to adapt to a rapidly changing regulatory environment. A U.S. Army officer working at the Defense Intelligence Agency has resigned from the military, citing his objection to Israels war in Gaza, according to an open letter he published online saying he is distressed that his work has contributed to the deaths of Palestinian civilians. At some point whatever the justification youre either advancing a policy that enables the mass starvation of children, or youre not, he wrote. And I want to clarify that as the descendant of European Jews, I was raised in a particularly unforgiving moral environment when it came to the topic of bearing responsibility for ethnic cleansing. Portland hotels occupancy rates and average room prices remain below those comparable cities, and downtown hotels rebound from the pandemic downturn may be leveling off. The reality is that Portland didnt recover its tourism industry at the same rate that other destinations did, said Marcus Hibdon, communications director for Travel Portland, the nonprofit that promotes the citys hospitality industry. Downtown Portland hotels sold just over 2 million room nights last year, according to data presented this past week at Travel Portlands annual State of the Industry event. Its the highest number of bookings since 2019 but only a 9% increase from 2022. That leaves Portland hotel bookings down 21% from pre-pandemic levels and far below comparable markets, according to industry data. Downtown Portland hotel occupancy was 56% last year. That compares to 61% in downtown San Francisco, 67% in Salt Lake City and Phoenix, 68% Seattle and 79% in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Citywide, Portland hotel occupancy was 60% last year.) Portland business travel has yet to return in earnest, according to Hibdon. And he said convention bookings that fell off in 2020 and 2021 wont pick up again for at least a few years. Beyond that, Hibdon said Portland is still dealing with reputational issues that cast a harsh spotlight on the city during 2020s protests and the wave of downtown crime, homelessness and public drug use that followed. We think that the news coverage, frankly, that we saw when the city was at the worst of its livability issues definitely had an effect, Hibdon said. Crime started upward during the pandemic and then soared in the ensuing years, with thefts, assaults and vandalism rising sharply. Prominent Portland businesses had windows boarded up for years after the pandemic. The picture has changed considerably in recent months, though. New data from Portland police shows a remarkable decline in downtown crime beginning last summer. The number of monthly offenses is now below 2019 levels. Even within the Portland area, though, polling shows most residents have a negative impression of downtown. And Hibdon said it may take considerable time for people outside the region to view Portland in a positive light again. Perception, it lags behind reality a lot of times, he said. And now were in that war of perception, even with people living locally. Portland has a better story to tell than it has in years, according to Hibdon. He said its an open question whether visitors are ready to return, and whether the city has the stamina to maintain the progress it has made downtown. I think summer will be really telling for us because thats been the time when leisure travel has been at its highest, Hibdon said. It will let us know what consumers are thinking about us. -- 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 East Aurora man arrested on federal criminal complaint in San Diego An East Aurora man has been arrested in San Diego, Calif., on a federal criminal complaint involving abuse of minors, U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced. The charges against Brian OBrien attempted enticement of a minor and possession of objectionable images of children carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, Ross noted. According to the complaint, OBrien, 41, came to the attention of the FBI in June when he was implicated in uploading child images on Snapchat. Investigators seized numerous electronic items when a search warrant was executed at his home in July and reportedly found similar images on an external hard drive, some of them apparently saved for 10 years. The complaint also claimed that a search of OBriens phone revealed conversations about exchanging child images and abuse of children. Dale Anderson For Portland nurse Monica Johnston, returning to the United States after being trapped in the Gaza Strip felt bittersweet. Johnston, a 44-year-old burn specialist, traveled to the besieged city of Rafah on a volunteer medical mission May 1 to treat patients in the citys largest remaining hospital. She was set to return home Monday but couldnt leave after Israeli forces seized the nearby border crossing. Her arrival Saturday at Portland International Airport came after the Israeli government agreed to let Johnston and four other American members of her 19-person team evacuate. While shes home safe and back in the arms of her family, she said she cant help but think of the people she had to leave behind at European General Hospital, where dwindling supplies have made conditions grim for patients. Our team is skeletal there so you know (they) cant cover the whole hospital, she said. Its heartbreaking to have to walk away from that. After an over 24-hour journey that began on Friday, Johnston embraced her family at 11 p.m. in the arrivals section of PDX with tears in her eyes. Her two children, 16-year-old Bella Johnston and 14-year-old Gavin Johnston, partner Brad Allan and his 14-year-old son Caius Allen had anxiously awaited news of her evacuation. Nurses from the burn unit where she works in Portland were also there to greet her, bearing a sign that read, Welcome home Monica. Im just excited to come back to my work and keep helping, she said as she hugged her coworkers. Ghada Abukuwaik (left) and Monica Johnston (right) work to treat a 7-year-old with extensive burns. Johnston had to wear an IV cannula for several days while treating patients in order to receive IV fluids to treat dehydration caused by gastroenteritis that she and several team members experienced during their mission.Courtesy of Monica Johnston Her trip home proved arduous. She and the four other Americans first traveled to the Kerem Shalom border crossing in transport trucks that had to be pushed to start because the batteries were dead. Although the distance between the hospital and the crossing was about 60 miles by Johnstons estimation, it took them eight hours to traverse the war zone, she said. When they reached the crossing, they received a less than warm welcome. As we pulled up (at the checkpoint) a tank came out and faced us with its barrel pointing right at us, she said. (I) was like OK, Its going to happen here. After an hour, the tank pulled back and let them pass to safety, where Brad Allan said officials from the U.S. Embassy picked them up before Johnston booked a flight from Tel Aviv. For Johnstons family, the wait between May 7 and Saturday was a tense one. Shes like the doorknob on the door, said Gavin Johnston. I dont know what I would do if she wasnt in my life. Every day would be worse and worse without her. Caius Allen had a similar experience. I was stressed and terrified, he said. All of them were nervous about her taking the mission in the first place. For Brad Allan, Johnstons safe return marks the end of days of worry and checking the news. I am super excited, Im super relieved, he said. Its been a lot of sleepless nights for the last almost three weeks. Tatum Todd covers crime and public safety. Reach them at ttodd@oregonian.com, or 503-221-4313. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. Testimony in the hush money trial of Donald Trump is set to conclude in the coming days, putting the landmark case on track for jury deliberations that will determine whether it ends in a mistrial, an acquittal or the first-ever felony conviction of a former American president. Jurors over the course of a month have heard testimony about sex and bookkeeping, tabloid journalism and presidential politics. Their task ahead will be to decide whether prosecutors who have charged Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records have proved their case beyond a reasonable doubt. Heres a look at what the two sides have argued, who has been missing from the case, what to listen for in the final days and what prosecutors will have to prove to secure a conviction. THE PROSECUTIONS CASE Through witnesses including a porn actor, a veteran tabloid publisher and longtime Trump aides, the prosecution aimed to link the presumptive Republican nominee for the White House this year to a hush money scheme during the 2016 presidential campaign that resulted in the filing of phony business records to mask the alleged conspiracy. Jurors heard testimony that two women and a doorman were paid tens of thousands of dollars to keep quiet during that campaign about stories that, had they emerged, could have embarrassed Trump. Jurors heard claims of sex, saw copies of texts, emails and checks and listened to a secret recording in which Trump and his then-lawyer can be heard discussing a plan to buy the silence of a Playboy model. One witness, David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer and a longtime Trump friend, testified that he had agreed to be the eyes and ears of the Trump campaign by alerting it to any negative stories about him. Actor Stormy Daniels told jurors, in occasionally graphic terms, about a sexual encounter she says she had with Trump in 2006; he denies the whole thing. She described being offered $130,000 by Trumps then-lawyer and personal fixer, Michael Cohen, to remain silent after she said she was looking for ways to sell the story and get it out there. Cohen, the prosecutions star witness, spent days on the stand recounting what he said was Trumps role in authorizing the hush money payments. Cohen described Trump as anxious that stories alleging extramarital sex could harm his campaign standing with female voters and said the then-candidate had directed him to suppress the stories, quoting him as saying exhortations including, Just do it and We need to stop this from getting out. THE DEFENSE POSITION Trumps legal team has not yet called witnesses, and it remains unclear what exactly his lawyers will do when it is their turn to present evidence. But they have signaled through their questioning of the prosecutions witnesses specific areas where they think they can sow doubt for the jury, contesting along the way the foundational premises of the case. They have disputed Daniels account of a hotel suite sexual encounter, with the actor facing an aggressive cross-examination from a defense lawyer who said at one point, You have made all of this up, right? Daniels said no. Judge Juan Merchan presides over proceedings as Stormy Daniels, far right, answers questions on direct examination by assistant district attorney Susan Hoffinger in Manhattan criminal court as former President Donald Trump and defense attorney Todd Blanche look on, Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in New York. (Elizabeth Williams via AP)AP And they have suggested that Trumps celebrity status made him an easy extortion target. They grilled the Los Angeles lawyer who negotiated Daniels deal about other celebrities from whom he had previously extracted money in exchange for a clients silence. But the most consequential cross-examination, by far, has been that of Cohen. The defense has tried to depict him as a fame-seeking fabulist desperate to contribute to a Trump conviction. The cross-examination began in splashy fashion, with Trump attorney Todd Blanche asking the former fixer if he recalled referring to the lawyer by an expletive on TikTok last month. Prosecutors objected, the judge summoned the parties to the bench and the question was stricken. But the point was clear. Over the course of hours, Blanche refreshed Cohens recollection about a litany of colorful but often profane monikers he had assigned Trump Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain was one as a way to paint Cohen as egregiously biased, blinded by hatred and therefore not credible. There was also an avalanche of questions about Cohens past crimes and lies. Blanche forced Cohen to acknowledge that he fibbed under oath during his own 2018 plea hearing about not feeling pressure to plead guilty. In a dramatic moment, Blanche suggested that Cohen had not told the truth when he said he spoke to Trump about the Daniels payment before wiring her lawyer $130,000. Blanche confronted Cohen with texts indicating that what was on his mind, at least initially, during the phone call were harassing calls he was getting from an apparent 14-year-old prankster. The strategy was predictable given Cohens significance to the case but it is too soon to tell how it landed with the jury. THE MISSING LINKS? Multiple characters pivotal to the saga have been name-dropped in court but have been notably absent from the witness stand. One is Karen McDougal, a Playboy model who has said she had an affair with Trump and received $150,000 from the National Enquirer in a hush money deal that Cohen helped broker. Keith Schiller, Trumps bodyguard, was described in court as the person who asked Daniels for her phone number on Trumps behalf and was an important conduit for Cohen when he needed to reach Trump. And then theres Allen Weisselberg, the former Trump Organization chief financial officer now serving a five-month jail sentence for lying under oath in the New York attorney generals civil fraud case against Trump. Weisselberg did not testify in the hush money trial but he matters because, according to Cohen, he was present for a Trump Tower discussion that arguably most directly links Trump and the reimbursements at the center of the case that prosecutors say are fraudulent. Cohen says the 2017 Trump Tower meeting occurred on the cusp of Inauguration Day and was where he, Trump and Weisselberg hammered out the mechanics of reimbursing him for the Daniels hush money payment. There, Cohen said, they agreed that the lawyer would receive a total of $420,000 in monthly installments for what would be billed deceptively, prosecutors say as legal services. He approved it, Cohen testified. And he also said: This is going to be one heck of a ride in D.C. Whether jurors will have wanted to have heard from Weisselberg is uncertain, but in a case that centers more on paperwork than sex, the account of that meeting is likely to be held up by prosecutors as a vital piece of evidence and it will be important to see how they return to it as they wrap up their case with closing statements. WHAT MUST BE PROVED FOR A CONVICTION? To convict Trump of felony falsifying business records, prosecutors must convince jurors beyond a reasonable doubt that he not only falsified or caused business records to be entered falsely, but that he did so with intent to commit or conceal another crime. Any verdict must be unanimous. Prosecutors allege that Trump logged Cohens repayment as legal expenses to conceal multiple other crimes, including breaches of campaign finance law and a violation of a state election law alleging a conspiracy to promote or prevent an election. In his opening statement, Assistant District Attorney Matthew Colangelo told jurors the case is about a criminal conspiracy and a cover-up an illegal conspiracy to undermine the integrity of a presidential election, and then the steps that Donald Trump took to conceal that illegal election fraud. Specifically, prosecutors contend, the payments to McDougal, Daniels and the doorman violated federal restrictions on corporate and individual campaign contributions and were meant to conceal damaging information from the voting public. Among other evidence, jurors heard testimony about Cohens 2018 guilty plea to a campaign finance crime and the National Enquirers nonprosecution agreement and $187,500 fine for the McDougal payment, which the Federal Election Commission considered an illegal corporate contribution to Trumps campaign. New York also has a misdemeanor falsifying business records charge, which requires proving only that a defendant made or caused the false entries, but it is not part of Trumps case and will not be considered by jurors. By ERIC TUCKER and MICHAEL R. SISAK Associated Press Peak A clean energy boost for the city budget: Portland City Council unanimously approved Mayor Ted Wheelers 2024-2025 budget last week. Despite declining revenue streams and increasing costs, Wheelers $8.2 billion spending plan keeps public safety bureaus fully funded and provides the city some stability as Portland prepares to switch to a new form of government in January. Considering that six months ago, Wheeler directed most bureaus to draft budget requests that assumed a 5% cut, the approved budget gives Portlanders reason to breathe a deep sigh of relief. But dont get too comfortable. The magic that turned a cuts budget into one of modest growth results from the citys creative use of revenue dedicated to the Portland Clean Energy Fund. While the move helps plug budget gaps now, it reinforces the underlying message that city leaders likely those who are elected in November will need to address how to braid and manage our revenue sources in a way to sustainably support the citys broad obligations. The clean energy fund was created by a 2018 ballot measure that called for a new 1% tax on sales at large retailers. Advocates estimated the tax would raise about $30 million a year to fund climate projects to reduce greenhouse gases, boost climate resiliency in communities of color and help develop a clean energy workforce. But the program itself has by necessity changed significantly from what the measure envisioned. And turns out, the advocates were way off in what they told voters, even dismissing the much higher estimates offered by the business community as fearmongering. The tax is now generating seven times the amount of money than advocates claimed and is expected to bring in $1.3 billion over the next five years. Thats an attractive source of cash for a city where gas taxes to pave roads, property taxes from downtown office buildings and business license revenue to cover other General Fund costs are expected to decline or slow over the next few years. Smartly, under city leaders direction, staff overseeing the fund worked with other city bureaus to identify ready-to-go climate-related projects that could be funded with Clean Energy Fund dollars. For the 2024-2025 fiscal year, about $219 million of Clean Energy Fund dollars will go to programs in parks, housing, transportation and other city bureaus that would have been covered by the General Fund or other taxes and fees. That $219 million is part of an overall commitment of $590 million over the next five years that will help pay for housing efficiency upgrades, electrification of the citys vehicle fleet, LED streetlights and tree planting and maintenance. And using Clean Energy Fund dollars for those projects has released $38.4 million in General Fund dollars to go to other needs, including maintaining or increasing funding for fire, police and programs such as Portland Street Response for the 2024-2025 budget year. These are worthy investments that advance Portlands climate resiliency objectives. And Portlanders should be encouraged by the willingness of the Clean Energy Fund staff, the programs commissioner-in-charge, Carmen Rubio, the mayor and the rest of the City Council to step up in a budget emergency and think strategically about how to keep Portland moving forward. But as Commissioner Rene Gonzalez noted at a recent work session, city leaders set funding priorities in drawing up the budget. These are different from the priorities designed to guide Clean Energy Fund investments. Yet the critical role that the Clean Energy Fund now plays in keeping basic city operations running calls for a much more integrated approach that emphasizes strategic planning with common goals, greater transparency, public input and accountability. This is not magic money Portlanders contribute to this tax through the prices that grocery stores, home-improvement chains, software companies and other retailers charge for their goods and services. And specialty taxes should periodically go back to voters for renewal both for accountability and good governance reasons, just as levies, bond renewals and Metros homeless services tax are designed to do. With the transition to a new form of government on the horizon, its unlikely that city leaders can foster the broad community discussion and develop a thoughtful proposal on changing the Clean Energy Fund program this year. But the experience this year of tapping Clean Energy Fund dollars lays the groundwork for conducting additional work in the near future. The next crop of elected leaders should plan to explore how to change the program to support both climate goals and the financial realities of a revenue-hungry city and tax-weary residents. Valley $750,000 and counting for library damage: Theres a rough estimate now for the damage caused by pro-Palestinian protesters who took over Portland State Universitys library for three nights earlier this month. Repairing the dismantled fire systems, broken glass, graffiti removal and other fixes are expected to cost $750,000, not including replacing furniture and technology. But there are the incalculable costs, as well, that are unrecoverable by insurance. The months that students and community members wont be able to use the library due to the ongoing repairs. The momentum lost in advancing a vision for PSUs future under its new president, Ann Cudd. The grief and turmoil over how the war in Gaza and its tragic consequences are generating fear, harassment and concern for student safety in Portland at PSU and other campuses. The devastation in Gaza, including the deaths of tens of thousands of people and the extreme conditions under which they are trying to survive Israels military onslaught, understandably is prompting people to take to the streets. Hamas disgusting Oct. 7 attack and seizing of Israeli hostages, an unknown number of whom have been killed, generate a similar revulsion over the willingness to inflict horrific brutality on others. Our collective loss of humanity is reason for any and all of us to protest, and educational institutions have a particular obligation to welcome a free exchange of conflicting views while protecting community safety. But the librarys occupiers werent exercising free speech when they scrawled messages on walls, threw chairs down stairwells, spray painted book covers and destroyed computers. In fact, can anyone explain what exactly is the message the public should draw from such destruction? According to an OPB report, a protester identified as Bug, said that the damage to the library does not compare to the destruction and violence in Gaza. We agree - so why make the comparison at all? Its a nonsensical statement designed to absolve protesters of the significant damage and the painful impacts to students and community members. But there should not be absolution for the damage. There must be consequences, whether handed down from PSU to students who were involved or through criminal prosecution, particularly for those who arent affiliated with the university. Protesters previous requests for immunity from accountability reflect a deep misunderstanding of what civil disobedience is supposed to be about. While discretion is always important in evaluating the best way to hold someone accountable, protesters should at least be required to contribute to the clean-up, either financially or in community service. The occupation was relatively brief and resulted in far less damage than other universities a credit to Cudds handling and the work by PSU and Portland Police. But those truly committed to the pro-Palestinian cause should recognize that the message the community took from the librarys occupation wasnt likely the one that protesters meant to send. -The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board Sign up for our free Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email: As local leaders of Jewish Voice for Peace Action, we urge voters to reelect Nadia Hasan to the Beaverton City Council on May 21. From her first day in office, Hasan has been a strong supporter of justice, equity and dignity for all. In the months following the events on Oct. 7, she received numerous anti-Muslim attacks, endangering her and her family. She continues to call for peace as she serves the Beaverton community. We want to be clear: as members of the Jewish community, these attacks on our Muslim siblings are unacceptable. We stand strongly against antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Arab racism and all forms of discrimination and hate. Hasan has courageously joined us in advocating for peace in the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including a return of all hostages and a ceasefire. Hasan remains a strong ally to Jewish Oregonians, loudly calling out antisemitism. Several hundred activists gathered in front of the 911 Federal Building on Northeast 11th Avenue in Portland Saturday to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the expulsion of Arab Palestinians from their land by Israeli forces and to protest the United States governments support for Israel. The Oregon to Palestine Coalition, a collective of activist organizations in Portland, organized the event, which started at 11 a.m. and lasted until about 3 p.m. It ended with a short march down Northeast Lloyd Boulevard and across the Blumenauer Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge. Indiana families are suing their Medicare for the recent drastic benefit cuts that affect disabled children. Two Indiana families are taking a state agency to federal court, alleging changes to Medicaid reimbursements violate the Americans with Disabilities Act and jeopardize their children's health. The lawsuit, filed against the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), challenges a new policy that will cease payments to family caregivers starting July 1, a move aimed at addressing a $1 billion budget shortfall. Indiana Families Fight for Reimbursement Continuity For years, the FSSA has reimbursed parents, guardians, and spouses for providing home care services to children with disabilities. However, a sudden policy shift will soon halt these payments. The decision comes as part of a cost-saving initiative after the agency significantly underestimated its Medicaid expenses through July 2025. The lawsuit argues that the discontinuation of reimbursements puts children who require constant medical attention at severe risk. This is a legally complex case about medically complex children, states the complaint filed last Friday. The plaintiffs seek a court order to compel the state to continue payments to family caregivers. The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana and Indiana Disability Rights, along with the Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services Commission, represent the affected families. Despite requests for comment, the FSSA has remained silent. The state has previously indicated that attendant care services have seen the most unexpected growth in spending within the Medicaid program. Impact on Rural and Low-Income Families Families of children with severe medical needs have vocally opposed the changes since their proposal in January. The lawsuit emphasizes the crucial role Medicaid payments play for rural families who lack access to facilities with trained personnel. For many parents, the reimbursements are essential as they are unable to work while caring for their children. The complaint details the extensive care these children require, including gastronomy tube feedings, ventilator operation, seizure monitoring, and medication administration. The FSSA has suggested it will help families find alternative care options, but the lawsuit argues that new reimbursement rates fall short. The changes could force children needing constant medical attention into institutional care if their parents must return to work. The plaintiffs contend that parents often prefer to provide care themselves to meet their children's unique needs, rather than rely on institutional settings. Legal and Human Implications The mothers named in the lawsuit care for a 6-year-old boy with cri-du-chat syndrome and a 10-year-old girl with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, a type of brain damage. Both children experience frequent seizures requiring continuous monitoring and other intensive care. The 10-year-old previously endured a horrendous experience in a pediatric nursing home, underscoring the plaintiffs' desire to keep their children at home. According to the lawsuit, the new policy risks violating the ADA's requirement for state and local governments to offer services in home and community settings. The families argue that the state's failure to provide adequate support infringes upon their rights and those of their children. As the case progresses, it highlights the broader issue of how Medicaid policies impact vulnerable populations, particularly children with disabilities. The outcome could set a precedent for how states balance budgetary constraints with the needs of their most vulnerable residents. 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 On a significant day for institutional collaboration, the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) team, led by their Rector, Prof. Samuel Kwaku Bonsu, paid a courtesy call to the Director-General of the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), Mr. John Boadu, and his team. The purpose of the visit was to explore avenues for a strategic partnership between the two entities. During the meeting, discussions centred on how SIGA could leverage GIMPA's expertise in various areas, particularly in the realm of State Entities Performance Contract negotiations. Mr. John Boadu highlighted the importance of involving GIMPA in these negotiations, recognizing the institute's potential to contribute significantly to enhancing the performance and governance of state entities. Furthermore, Mr. Boadu proposed that GIMPA research evaluate the original objectives behind the establishment of various state entities and assess their current relevance. This suggestion aligns with the broader goal of ensuring that state entities continue to fulfil their intended purposes effectively in today's context. Prof. Bonsu, reflecting on GIMPA's foundational mission, agreed wholeheartedly with Mr. Boadu's suggestion. He reaffirmed that GIMPA was established to provide essential services to the government, including research, training, and consultancy. Prof. Bonsu expressed GIMPA's readiness to partner with SIGA across various fields and to support its initiatives. Mr. Stephen Asiedu, the Acting General Manager of Operations at SIGA, extended his gratitude to Prof. Bonsu and his team for their visit and the productive discussions. He assured them that SIGA is committed to formalizing the collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This MOU will specifically target areas such as the preparation of State Ownership Reports, Performance Contract Negotiations, and other strategic functions where GIMPA's expertise can be invaluable. The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both institutions looking forward to a fruitful partnership that will enhance the governance and performance of state entities in Ghana. Source: Theannouncergh.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 Commission of Technical Vocational Education and The German Development Cooperation (GIZ) have emphasized the need for continuous collaboration and industry involvement in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to shape the future of skills development in Ghana. They stressed that partnerships between government, industry, and development partners are crucial for transforming the TVET system and ensuring that training programs meet the evolving needs of the labour market. Speaking at a media engagement at Kumasi Technical University (KsTU), Mr. Michael Andivi Naah, a Technical Advisor with GIZ, highlighted the importance of industry engagement in the TVET landscape for development. The event, organized by the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) in collaboration with GIZ and KsTU, under the Pact for Skills: Support to the Transformation of the TVET System in Ghana, co-financed by the European Union, served as a platform to emphasize the significance of Sector Skills Bodies (SSBs) in shaping a skilled and responsive workforce. Mr. Naah emphasized the integration of industry insights into curriculum development and providing hands-on training opportunities to shape the next generation of skilled professionals. He stated that this symbiotic relationship not only ensures that graduates possess the requisite skills for employment but also enables industries to address their workforce needs efficiently. The Director-General of CTVET, Dr. Fred Kyei Asamoah, stressed the importance of industry involvement from the start of skills training and development to improve the quality and success of TVET implementation. He called on the private sector and industry players to become key drivers of TVET in Ghana, highlighting that a sectoral approach to skills development allows industry stakeholders to collectively develop solutions to skills challenges. The Vice-Chancellor of Kumasi Technical University, Prof. Gabriel Dwomoh, welcomed the establishment and development of Sector Skills Bodies as beneficial for educational institutions, particularly for Technical Universities that rely heavily on the industrial sector. He believed that the event would have a significant impact on transforming TVET for accelerated development and guaranteed employability in the country. Operating under the Commission for TVET, the SSBs consist of related industries coming together to drive growth and competitiveness by focusing on business opportunities, innovation, and capacity needs. Their key mandates include reducing skills gaps, improving productivity, increasing employability, and promoting creativity and sustainable development through research. Source: Peacefmonline 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 planned mass wedding of about 100 orphans has sparked widespread outrage across Nigeria. The orphans, some of whom are feared to be underage girls, are set to be married off on 24 May in the north-western state of Niger. They have all lost parents to attacks by armed bandits, who regularly target civilians across the state. Nigeria's Women's Affairs Minister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye said she has filed a court order to stop the ceremony. According to reports, the mass wedding was supported by the Speaker of the Niger State Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, who said local religious leaders had approached him for help funding it. The Imams Forum of Niger have said that the marriage ceremony should go ahead, insisting that the girls are not below the 18 - the legal age of marriage. However, critics have expressed concern that some girls may be younger than 18, or being forced to comply for financial gain. Minister Kennedy-Ohanenye said the girls "deserve better" and that her department was looking into who the 100 girls are, their ages and whether they consented to the marriage. Her department will offer the girls education and training, she said, adding that if the Niger State speaker attempts to block these efforts "there will be a serious legal battle between him and the Ministry of Women Affairs". On Friday, senior presidential aide Abiodun Essiet reiterated Ms Kennedy-Ohanenye's plan of action. Ms Essiet added: "My appeal to all stakeholders is to stop embarking on policies and programs that exploit economically handicapped vulnerable people, increase and recycle poverty, and deepen ignorance." Human rights activists in Nigeria have launched a petition to stop the plan. As of Friday evening, it has 10,500 signatures. According to international campaign group Girls Not Brides, 30% of girls and 1.6% of boys in Nigeria are married before the age of 18. Some 12% of girls are married before their 15th birthday. Child marriages are most common in the northern part of the country, among poor, rural households. It is seen as a way to reduce their families financial burdens or to improve political and social alliances. Northern Nigeria is mostly Muslim and religious and cultural norms, such as polygamy, favour the practice. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video An international evangelist, Rev. Dr Lawrence Tetteh, has declared his intention to march to the Jubilee House, the seat of government, to demand an expedited assent to the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Act, 2024, popularly called the anti-gay bill. He said the legal processes stampeding Parliament from transmitting the bill to the presidency for assent after its passage on February 28, this year, and the silence of the voices of conscience, was inimical to the protection of the country's values. Again, Rev. Dr Tetteh, who is the President of the Worldwide Miracle Outreach (WMO), called out the leadership of the religious community, saying that it was disheartening that religious clerics "with big titles and names" were dead silent on the anti-gay bill. "I will march to the Jubilee House. I think it is about time we make politicians know that we voted them into power. The cowardice that Christian leaders and religious leaders have been reduced to is a shame and I am embarrassed by some of our clergymen. "As much as we are interested in our titles; in the big titles; and who we are and how long we have served, I am yet to hear certain people speak against these manners. For me, that is a shame, and so it starts from my home too," he stressed. The economist and clergyman stated this at a press conference held in Accra last Friday (May 10) as part of his 31-day National Prayer Rally on the theme "This Nonsense Must Stop". Context Parliament approved the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Act, 2024 on February 24, this year. The act criminalises LGBTQ+ activities together with the promotion, advocacy and funding of such activities. Per the Act, persons found guilty of LGBTQI activities could face a jail term ranging from six months to three years. Additionally, those promoting and sponsoring the act could face a jail term between three to five years. Although Parliament passed the Act, there is a fracas between the Executive and Legislative arms of government over the anti-LGBTQ+ bill as the President has indicated he would not receive the bill from Parliament as required by law until legal suits filed by some private citizens on the matter was determined by the courts. Two private legal practitioners, Richard Dela Sky and Gender Activist, Dr Amanda Odoi, had filed separate suits seeking annulment of the bill and also injuncting Parliament from transmitting the bill to the Presidency as the law-making procedure requires. Defiance However, at the "This Nonsense Must Stop" press conference, Dr Tetteh stressed that it was important for all well-meaning Ghanaians, particularly religious leaders to mount pressure on the President to assent to the bill because LGBTQI was an affront to human dignity and the country's cherished values. "The last thing any well-meaning Ghanaian would do is to condone homosexuality. The Bible tells us that it is an abomination. Sodom and Gomorrah became a victim because of homosexuality. How dare anyone condone and think it is a human rights issue? "It is very sad that our political leaders are being distracted and playing politics with this issue, which is an abomination in the sight of God," he said. He stressed that it was sad that religious leaders, traditional rulers, and all three arms of government allowed themselves to be distracted by an unnecessary legal battle, "while foreign diplomats dictate to us how to manage our nation in norms and how to manage our cherished values". Dr Tetteh called for positive action by all Ghanaians to defend and protect the countrys values against infiltration by alien values. "It starts from the clergymen; it starts from the religious clerics; it starts from the home of the Chief Iman; it starts from the Chairman of Christian Council; it starts from the Apostolic leaders; it starts from Apostolic fathers; it also starts from the Catholics, Methodists, Presbyterians, Anglicans and the charismatic leaders. We have been too quiet," 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 asked the media to amplify the voices of those affected by climate change, especially in communities that are often overlooked. He said the media was a unifying force in a fragmented world, and that environmental sustainability should be at the heart of media practice. Speaking in Accra yesterday at the closing ceremony of the third African Media Convention (AMC), President Akufo-Addo urged the African media to use their platforms to showcase innovative solutions and play a proactive role in educating and engaging the public on environmental issues. It is essential to foster a culture of environmental responsibility among our citizens, particularly the youth, who are both the most impacted by climate change and the most productive agents of change. Let us not forget that environmental sustainability is linked to economic and social sustainability, President Akufo-Addo stated. Summit The three-day event, which commenced last Wednesday, was on the theme; Enhancing freedom, innovation and environmental sustainability in a dynamic media landscape. The President, who closed the three-day convention, stated that the government remained committed to supporting a free, independent, responsible and innovative media. AI In addition, he said, Artificial Intelligence (AI) held immense promise for the media industry. This potential to enhance efficiency in news gathering and dissemination is unparalleled. AI can automate routine tasks, allowing journalists to focus on more complex and investigating personalised content, thereby increasing audience engagement and satisfaction, President Akufo-Addo said. However, the President cautioned the media about the dark side of AI. While AI holds great promise, we must also be vigilant of the potential threat that it poses to the integrity of our media systems, especially regarding the spread of fake news, misinformation and disinformation. As false information spreads rapidly through social media and other digital platforms, it becomes increasingly challenging for people to distinguish between fact and fiction. It is essential they are used responsibly and ethically, President Akufo-Addo stated. He, therefore, urged the media to work together and adopt ethical AI practices so that societies could be protected. Drive innovation President Akufo-Addo also encouraged media practitioners to strive to enhance freedom, drive innovation and promote non-violent environmental sustainability in media practice. Your work is not just about reporting the news or entertaining the public; it is about shaping the future of our country, he stressed. Gratitude For his part, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, thanked the President, partners, stakeholders, committees and other sponsors for their contribution to the organisation of the event. Feed The Future He also called on the African media to follow Ghanas December election and have a feel of what Ghanas democracy was about. We are hopeful that just like the other elections, this years will be another success, Mr Dwumfour said. He added that the medias loyalty was to the truth and the citizenry. Summary The African Media Convention is a collaborative effort supported by the African media stakeholders to reflect on the fundamental role of journalism on the continent. At this years convention, African leaders were tasked to build a literate Africa and equip citizens with tools for Africas comprehensive progress. However, to achieve this, the Chairperson for the African Media Convention (AMC) Steering Committee, Churchill Otieno, said there must be total freedom of speech. Lets strengthen advocacy and collaborate more, lets strive to establish a network that understands freedom of speech with an African lens, he said. The AMC brought together representatives from the African Union, UNESCO, journalists, bloggers, students, policy makers, heads of state institutions, media, students, among others. There were discussions on finding new models for media financing, media welfare, exploring new approaches to the medias economic resilience, freedom of speech and media literacy. Other topics explored included disability, equality in media: exploring new audiences, customers and users, AI and the media in Africa, empowering female journalists in digital security training and capacity building. Climaxed The convention was climaxed by a jamboree tour to Ghanas scenic sites such as the Osu Castle, Black Star Square, Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and the National Museum. This was followed by a special dinner gala last night. 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 The flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has paid glowing tribute in memory of the late former Deputy Minister of Finance and MP for Ejisu, John Kumah. The late Kumah passed away in March this year and his burial and final funeral rites are being held in his hometown, Onwe, in the Ejisu constituency today. In his tribute, Dr. Bawumia described eulogized John Kumah, his character and commitment to work, stressing the void his absence has created. "A man blessed with a good heart. His departure has left a void and this grief is beyond consolation...Nature has dealt us a cruel blow, taking John away in his prime. Indeed, we have lost a dedicated public servant. I have lost a friend and a strong supporter. We appeal to the Good Lord to keep John in his bosom. While we are gathered here to mourn and still in shock, we find solace in John's remarkable legacy. So much done and achieved in his short stay on earth", Dr. Bawumia said. He added that John Kumah's life journey transcended his political career as he was "an astute legislator and a principled politician whose dedication to advocacy and profound empathy for citizens particularly, his constituents made him a beacon of hope and a man of the people. John exemplified compassion in all he did". Dr. Bawumia also praised the late John Kumah for his contributions to the New Patriotic Party, describing it as "invaluable". "He made a lasting impact with the Young Patriots. He was not only a driving force but also a fervent advocate for advancing the NPP's agenda", the NPP flagbearer added. He continued; "Under his leadership, this group played a crucial role in promoting the party's ideals and engaging the youth of our country. Additionally, John served the party with distinction as a communicator, effectively conveying the NPP's message and fostering political engagement among the populace." Dr. Bawumia also spoke about the late John Kumah's tenure as a Member of Parliament and as a Minister of State in the government of President Akufo-Addo saying "his legislative achievements touched countless lives and uplifted many hearts, particularly among the youth of the Ejisu constituency and beyond". "Beyond Parliament, John's tenure as Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) was marked by the diligent execution of his duties, which met the admiration of all. With his exceptional intellectual capacity and drive, his initiatives focused on empowering the youth and forging a brighter future for Ghana's next generation. His commitment to national development remains indelible, and he has left an enduring mark on our country's trajectory." 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 The accident reportedly happened near the Bunso junction in the Eastern Region. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is safe and unharmed, as he travelled to Accra via military aircraft. A statement issued Sunday evening [May 19, 2024], signed by Eugene Arhin, the Director of Communications at the Presidency, confirming the accident said, "The unfortunate incident occurred whilst the convoy was on its way back from Kumasi, after accompanying the President to Kumasi for a series of events this weekend." Read the statement below On Sunday, 19th May 2024, several vehicles belonging to the Presidents convoy were involved in a fatal accident along the Bunso-Akyem Asafo stretch of the Accra-Kumasi Highway. The unfortunate incident occurred whilst the convoy was on its way back from Kumasi, after accompanying the President to Kumasi for a series of events this weekend. Tragically, one of the drivers, Mr. Kwesi Atta, has lost his life. Additionally, several close protection and police officers from the Presidents security detail have sustained varying degrees of injuries and received initial treatment at the Suhum Government Hospital. The injured persons are currently being evacuated to the University of Ghana Medical Centre for further treatment and observation. Several vehicles in the convoy have also been completely wrecked as a result of the accident. Fortunately, the President is safe and unharmed, as he travelled to Accra via military aircraft. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured officers. Further details will be communicated as we continue to assess the situation. We appreciate your understanding and support during this difficult time. Eugene Arhin Director of Communications Office of the President 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 A family, community and groups have called for justice to be served after a one-year-old girl was raped at a creche in Newlands East in Durban, South Africa. The incident allegedly occurred on May 6, 2024, when the other children at the daycare were taken for swimming lessons, and the girl was left behind because she was still wearing nappies. Upon handing the baby over to the creche owner, the owner told the mother that she, her husband and only two babies were on the premises. When the baby was collected from the creche, she cried a lot. Once the mother inspected her daughter at home, she saw that her baby's private part was swollen and red. The mother took the baby to the hospital but was sent away. When she went to another doctor the following day, he identified clear signs of abuse but did not have a rape kit. Two days later, a surgeon finally confirmed that there was indeed penis penetration and a case was opened against the suspect, who is the owner of the creche's husband. Following the mother's post on social media about the horrific incident, there were further allegations that the suspect had raped another girl at the facility. Newlands East police are investigating an alleged rape case. Meanwhile, the grandmother of the victim, who did not want to be named to protect the child's identity, shared the events that led to the tragic incident. On May 6, my daughter left the baby at the creche at 8am. Upon handing the baby over to the creche owner, the owner told my daughter that there were only two babies the 1-year-11-month baby (i.e. my grandchild) and another baby including herself and her husband on the premises as all the other children who were not wearing nappies went for swimming lessons, the grandmother narrated. "At around 5.45pm to 6pm, my daughter called to ask if (my partner) could go pick up the baby at the creche. (My partner) went to pick up the baby. Upon her arrival, the baby was crying. When the baby arrived home, she was still crying. My daughter arrived 10 minutes later and upon her arrival, the baby was still crying and was pulling on her nappy, indicating to mom that her cookie (vagina) is sore "We initially ignored it as we thought it was just a peeing issue; that the pee was burning. She was crying for extended hours. We went to King George Hospital later that night and the paediatrician said it was just an infection and that if it is still sore/swollen in two weeks, then we must come back. I was not happy with the reply as I also do not have money for the script. "The next day (May 7), we went to the Newlands East Medical Centre. Upon our visit with the general practitioner, (she) said the baby had been tampered with. She referred us to Addington Hospital. There, the doctor did not have a rape kit. On Wednesday, May 8, we went back to the GP and asked where to go because we were not getting results despite multiple visits. On Wednesday, they went to Newlands East police station and were contacted by a warrant officer. She said the officer spoke to her daughter and said that she was about to arrest her due to defamatory messages that were posted on social media, and there were complaints from the owner. The officer also mentioned that no case was opened. She even said that she would take the child for social care. We explained that we have been sent up and down from the various hospitals, looking for a rape kit. We even showed her the referral letter from the GP. I even showed the video and pictures, the grandmother said. Upon showing the pictures and videos, the warrant officer could see that something was wrong and directed her to the Thuthuzela Care Centre, she said. We only received a district surgeon in the early hours of Thursday morning. The surgeon confirmed that there was indeed penis penetration. Later that evening, we opened a case at the Newlands East police station. "On Friday, an investigating officer from the Family Crisis Services visited us and asked questions. On Monday, he alerted us that the investigation is still ongoing. Rapid Response Team Leader on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Newlands East (ward 11), Dr Nadia Bernon, raised the issue of the creche only taking baby girls and that they must be at the age of 5. "They dont have boys. As activists in the community, we did not know the husband has a sexual offence and rape case history. Knowing that her husband has such a history, why did she open a creche and leave the baby to the husband? At 8pm on Thursday, I was served with harassment papers from the creches owner while I was on the call with the grandmother. Bernon asked if the owner and the alleged rapist could be arrested and if the creche could be shut down. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said that Newlands East police are investigating an alleged rape case. 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 Former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidus has filed a petition calling for the removal of his successor, Kissi Agyebeng. His petition, dated April 30, 2024, was formally submitted to President Akufo-Addo and subsequently forwarded to Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo on May 6, 2024. In his petition, Mr Amidu cited procurement irregularities in the acquisition of vehicles for the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and alleged misconduct involving judges and the administration of justice. Martin Amidu's standard Tamale North Member of Parliament (MP), Alhassan Suhuyini, speaking on JoyNews' Newsfile programme on Saturday, May 18, 2024 panned Martin Amidu for seeking the removal of Kissi Agyebeng. According to him, "Mr Martin Amidus standards are not the ones by which we should judge Kissi Agyebengs performance because Mr Martin Amidus standards are low. And in his petition, he seems to be suggesting that his standard was the best standard and that was the way Kissi Agyebeng should have proceeded and that again in my view is typical Martin Amidu for you." Meanwhile, the Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, has criticized Martin Amidus recent petition describing it as nonsensical. 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 Hallie Lauer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette After Erin McClelland defeated her primary election opponent, state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie County, in April, the contest for Pennsylvania treasurer became the only state row office race in which voters will choose between two women. The incumbent, Republican Stacy Garrity, is the fifth woman in Pennsylvania history to hold the treasurers seat, a position charged with managing a staff of more than 300 and the commonwealths investments. In recent years, women have been making history more often in Pennsylvania, with progress being made in bringing the number of elected officials into closer alignment with the states demographics. Yet in a state where half of the 12.9 million residents are women, there still is an imbalance 68% of the positions in the Legislature, for example, are filled by men. For some candidates and voters its not a focal point. But advocates from Republican, Democrat and nonpartisan projects created in the past few years with the goal of boosting the percentages of women in office argue that it does make a difference. Parity in numbers is one measure and one indicator of womens political influence and their power in the political system, said Kelly Dittmar, a political science professor at Rutgers-Camden and director of research at the Center for American Women in Politics. Among the 50 states, Pennsylvania ranks 26, the center says, in terms of female representation in politics, which includes members of state legislatures and Congress. Its a marked improvement from where the state was just a few years ago. In 2016, Pennsylvania was ranked 40. There have been great strides, especially in Western Pennsylvania. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, is the first Black woman elected to Congress from Pennsylvania, and Sara Innamorato, another Democrat, the first woman to hold the office of Allegheny County executive. Both previously served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives after upsetting male incumbents from the politically prominent Costa family. Garritys race against McClelland, while unique in this years election, isnt the first time two women have faced off for the job. The 1996 and 2000 election cycles saw women vying for the task of handling the states bank accounts. But there is still work to be done in bringing more women to such roles. The Keystone State has never had a woman in the governors office, and just five of its 19 congressional seats are held by women. Theres no question that women are underrepresented in elected office in the Commonwealth, Garrity said. I think culturally, we have in the past been more apt to push men to run, and I think thats changing. McClelland did not respond to requests for comment. Part of the issue is cultural perception, said Dana Brown, executive director of the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics at Chatham University. Women are perceived by voters as not necessarily being the stronger candidate, she said. Because of that, women often put off running until they boost their credentials with more education or work experience, Brown said. Men who run for office tend to be more likely to assume they already have the confidence and the know-how, she added. Pennsylvania has five statewide elected executive positions: governor, lieutenant governor, auditor general, attorney general and treasurer. This year, the auditor general, attorney general and treasurer positions are on the November ballot. Among those races, only three women ran in the April primary: Ms. Garrity, Ms. McClelland and longtime Philadelphia public defender Keir Bradford-Grey, who ran in a crowded field in the Democratic attorney general primary and lost to Eugene DePasquale of Pittsburgh. Advocates would like to see more candidates going out for these jobs. We could and we should do better, Garrity said. When you look at leaders and communities across the state, there are so many qualified businesswomen that could and should be recruited. Other states are doing better. Nevada has been ranked first by the Center for American Women in Politics in terms of women representation since 2019, the same year it reached parity. This year, 60% of the Nevada Legislature are women. Michigan, a bellwether state like Pennsylvania, ranks 14th. Unlike Pennsylvania, the state has twice elected a woman as governor, and other statewide executive offices are held by women. Women make up about 40% of the Michigan Legislature. When women are in office, advocates note, bills have been introduced and sometimes passed that focus on child care, equal pay and maternal health. Before becoming a state representative, LaTasha Mayes, D-Allegheny, was founder and CEO of New Voices Reproductive Justice, an organization focused on creating safe and equitable access to reproductive health. Recently, the state House approved legislation she sponsored to require Medicaid to cover blood pressure monitors. High blood pressure is a leading cause of maternal mortality. Structural and cultural obstacles to election In Pennsylvania history, only nine women none of them women of color have ever held the top five executive positions. That group includes Garrity, although the distinction isnt top of mind for her. I dont think about it a lot, she said. Prior to running for office, she spent 30 years in the Army and after that worked in manufacturing both traditionally male-dominated fields. [In the Army] we werent divided by race, gender or religion, she said. When I looked at people, I saw camouflage. But she noted that when she first ran for treasurer in 2020 there wasnt really a lot of infrastructure to help [women candidates] in the Republican Party. Plus, she was running at the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, creating other challenges. Lack of support from the party is one of many obstacles that women candidates say they have faced. Without that structured support, many women particularly first time candidates have greater difficulty on the campaign trail with things like raising money and gaining endorsements. In 2018, an NPR analysis of Federal Election Commission filings in 67 of the most competitive Congressional districts found that women running for Congress raised an average of $500,000 less then their male counterparts. The two major political parties have historically ... been acting as a negative gatekeeper to women, young people and people of color in terms of recruitment and opening the doors for political life, said Chathams Brown. Thats starting to change, she said. In Pennsylvania, Republican women can lean on the Anne B. Anstine Series, a yearly training program that prepares women to be more effective leaders in government, according to its website. Democratic women have a branch of the nationwide Emerge organization that hosts workshops to help candidates learn how to run for office. Chathams Center for Women and Politics, a nonpartisan organization, also focuses on educational programs for women considering getting into politics. State Rep. Jessica Benham, D-Allegheny, Mayes and Innamorato all have attended the training sessions, Brown said. Following Donald Trumps win in the presidential election in 2016, Brown said the center saw a sizable increase in women at its sessions. In January 2017, about 170 women attended. Since then attendance has decreased to about 50 women at that January program each year. Nationally, Dittmar said, the number of women candidates this year is down compared to 2018, when a record number were voted into office nationwide. After we have some success for women, we have to remember that we still have a lot of work to do, she said. We cant rest on the success of any single, or even two election years. Money also is an issue. Women are less likely to spend their own money on campaigns, putting them at a disadvantage, according to research from the Center for American Women in Politics. Women just have to work 29,000 times harder in any capacity, whether its fundraising [or] whatever it is just to exist in this [political] space, state Sen. Katie Muth, D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks, told the center as part of a research project. But thats why we do it, right? So that other women can exist without harm. There still is a cultural aspect to why women dont run for office, Brown said. Women are still predominantly the caretakers of the family, whether its aging parents or children, she said. This means many who do run for office tend to wait until later in life, typically after their children are grown. What happens then is that your political career is shorter, Brown said. Many leadership positions in politics are based on seniority the length of time someone has been in office. If women are waiting longer to run and arent serving in office as long, it makes it more difficult to enter leadership roles, she said. In 2023, more than a century after women received the right to vote, Pennsylvania lawmakers chose two women to lead both chambers of the Legislature. The House elected its first woman speaker, Rep. Joanna McClinton D-Philadelphia, and the first woman Senate president pro tempore, Sen. Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland. Ms. McClinton is also the first Black woman to hold the position. For women of color, the challenges of running for office are further heightened. No state has ever had a Black woman governor. Philadelphia had 99 mayors before a Black woman, Democrat Cherelle Parker, was elected last year. In an interview Ms. McClinton did with the Center for American Women in Politics, she said other candidates are encouraged by her success. Although [progress] has been slow, it will begin to increase, she said in the interview. Well be able to get more women of color, more women of diverse backgrounds, elected as well. It is just hard in this day and age where we still have a patriarchal system; we just still have a system thats mostly white men. By WAFAA SHURAFA, SAMY MAGDY and JOSEPH KRAUSS, Associated Press DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) An Israeli airstrike killed 20 people in central Gaza, mostly women and children, and fighting raged across the north on Sunday as Israels leaders aired divisions over who should govern Gaza after the war, now in its eighth month. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced criticism from his own War Cabinet, with his main political rival, Benny Gantz, threatening to leave the government if a plan is not formulated by June 8 that includes an international administration for postwar Gaza. U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan was expected to meet with top Israeli leaders on Sunday to discuss an ambitious U.S. plan for Saudi Arabia to recognize Israel and help the Palestinian Authority to govern Gaza in exchange for a path to eventual statehood. Netanyahu, who is opposed to Palestinian statehood, has rejected those proposals, saying Israel will maintain open-ended security control over Gaza and partner with local Palestinians unaffiliated with Hamas or the Western-backed Palestinian Authority. Gantzs withdrawal would not bring down Netanyahus coalition government, but it would leave him more reliant on far-right allies who support the voluntary emigration of Palestinians from Gaza, full military occupation and the rebuilding of Jewish settlements there. Even as the discussions of postwar planning take on new weight, the war is still raging with no end in sight. In recent weeks, Hamas has regrouped in parts of northern Gaza that were heavily bombed in the early days of the war and where Israeli ground troops had already operated. The airstrike in Nuseirat, a built-up Palestinian refugee camp in central Gaza dating back to the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, killed 20 people, including eight women and four children, according to records at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the nearby town of Deir al-Balah, which received the bodies. A separate strike on a street in Nuseirat killed another five people, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service. In Deir al-Balah, a strike killed Zahed al-Houli, a senior officer in the Hamas-run police, and another man, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Palestinians reported more airstrikes and heavy fighting in northern Gaza, which has been largely isolated by Israeli troops for months and where the World Food Program says a famine is underway. The Civil Defense says the strikes hit several homes near Kamal Adwan Hospital in the town of Beit Lahiya, killing at least 10 people. Footage released by the rescuers showed them trying to pull the body of a woman out of the rubble as explosions echo in the background and smoke rises. In the urban Jabliya refugee camp nearby, residents reported a heavy wave of artillery and airstrikes. The situation is very difficult, said Abdel-Kareem Radwan, a 48-year-old in Jabaliya. He said the whole eastern side has become a battle zone where the Israeli fighter jets strike anything that moves. People protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and call for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, May 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)AP Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesman for the Civil Defense, said rescuers had recovered at least 150 bodies, more than half of them women and children, since Israel launched the operation in Jabaliya last week. He said around 300 homes have been completely destroyed. Israel launched its offensive after Hamas Oct. 7 attack, in which Palestinian militants stormed into southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting some 250. The war has killed at least 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry. Around 80% of the population of 2.3 million Palestinians have been displaced within the territory, often multiple times. Israel says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames the high death toll and destruction on Hamas, which positions fighters, tunnels and rocket launchers in dense, residential areas. Netanyahus critics, including thousands of protesters who took to the streets again on Saturday, accuse him of prolonging the war and rejecting a cease-fire deal that would release hostages so he can avoid a reckoning over the security failures that led to the attack. Polls show that Gantz, a political centrist, would likely succeed Netanyahu if early elections are held. That would expose Netanyahu to prosecution on longstanding corruption allegations. Netanyahu denies any political motives and says the offensive must continue until Hamas is dismantled and the estimated 100 hostages held in Gaza, and the remains of more than 30 others, are returned. He has said its pointless to discuss postwar arrangements while Hamas is still fighting because the militants have threatened anyone who cooperates with Israel. Netanyahu also faces pressure from Israels closest ally, the United States, which has provided crucial military aid and diplomatic cover for the offensive while expressing growing frustration with Israels conduct of the war. President Joe Bidens administration recently held up a shipment of 3,500 bombs of up to 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms) each and said the U.S. would not provide offensive weapons for a full-scale invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, citing fears of a humanitarian catastrophe. But last week, after Israel launched what it says is a limited operation in Rafah, the administration told legislators it would move forward with the sale of $1 billion worth of arms, tank ammunition, tactical vehicles and mortar rounds, according to congressional aides. Sullivan is expected in Israel after meeting with Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday. The administration has been working on an ambitious plan in which Saudi Arabia would recognize Israel and join other Arab states in helping to administer and rebuild Gaza, in exchange for a U.S. defense pact and help in building a civilian nuclear program. But U.S. and Saudi officials say that deal requires Israel to agree to a credible path to eventual Palestinian statehood, something Netanyahu has repeatedly ruled out. In Gantzs ultimatum, he expressed support for normalizing ties with Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries. But he also said we will not allow any outside power, friendly or hostile, to impose a Palestinian state on us. By MARGIE MASON and ROBIN McDOWELL, The Associated Press PHOENIX (AP) Blas Sanchez was nearing the end of a 20-year stretch in an Arizona prison when he was leased out to work at Hickmans Family Farms, which sells eggs that have ended up in the supply chains of huge companies like McDonalds, Target and Albertsons. While assigned to a machine that churns chicken droppings into compost, his right leg got pulled into a chute with a large spiraling augur. I could hear crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch, Sanchez said. I couldnt feel anything, but I could hear the crunch. He recalled frantically clawing through mounds of manure to tie a tourniquet around his bleeding limb. He then waited for what felt like hours while rescuers struggled to free him so he could be airlifted to a hospital. His leg was amputated below the knee. Nationwide, hundreds of thousands of prisoners are put to work every year, some of whom are seriously injured or killed after being given dangerous jobs with little or no training, The Associated Press found. They include prisoners fighting wildfires, operating heavy machinery or working on industrial-sized farms and meat-processing plants tied to the supply chains of leading brands. These men and women are part of a labor system that often by design largely denies them basic rights and protections guaranteed to other American workers. The findings are part of a broader two-year AP investigation that linked some of the worlds largest and best-known companies from Cargill and Walmart to Burger King to prisoners who can be paid pennies an hour or nothing at all. Prison labor began during slavery and exploded as incarceration rates soared, disproportionately affecting people of color. As laws have steadily changed to make it easier for private companies to tap into the swelling captive workforce, it has grown into a multibillion-dollar industry that operates with little oversight. No employee protections Laws in some states spell it out clearly: Prisoners arent classified as employees, whether theyre working inside correctional facilities or for outside businesses through prison contracts or work-release programs. That can exclude them from workers compensation benefits, along with state and federal laws that set minimum standards for health and safety on the job. Its almost impossible to know how many incarcerated workers are hurt or killed each year, partly because they often dont report injuries, fearing retaliation or losing privileges like contact with their families. Privacy laws add to the challenges of obtaining specific data. In California, for instance, more than 700 work-related injuries were recorded between 2018 and 2022 in the states prison industries program, but the documents provided to the AP were heavily redacted. At Hickmans Family Farms, logs obtained by the AP from Arizonas corrections department listed about 250 prison worker injuries during the same time frame. Most were minor, but some serious cases ranged from deep cuts and sliced-off fingertips to smashed hands. They end up being mangled in ways that will affect them for the rest of their lives, said Joel Robbins, a lawyer who has represented several prisoners hired by Hickmans. If youre going to come out with a good resume, you should come out with two hands and two legs and eyes to work. The AP requested comment from the companies it identified as having connections to prison labor. Most did not respond, but Cargill -- the largest private company in the U.S. with $177 billion in revenue last year -- said it was continuing to work to ensure there is no prison labor in our extended supplier network. Others said they were looking for ways to take action without disrupting crucial supply chains. Prisoners across the country can be sentenced to hard labor, forced to work and punished if they refuse, including being sent to solitary confinement. They cannot protest against poor conditions, and its usually difficult for them to sue. Most jobs are inside prisons, where inmates typically earn a few cents an hour doing things like laundry and mopping floors. The limited outside positions often pay minimum wage, but some states deduct up to 60% off the top. In Arizona, jobs at Hickmans are voluntary and often sought after, not just for the money, but also because employment and affordable housing are offered upon release. During a daylong guided tour of the companys egg-packaging operations and housing units, two brothers who run the family business stressed to an AP reporter that safety and training are top priorities. Several current and formerly incarcerated workers there praised the company, which markets eggs with brand names like Land O Lakes, Egglands Best and Hickmans, and have been sold everywhere from Safeway to Kroger. We work on a farm with machinery and live animals, so it is important to follow the instructions, said Ramona Sullins, who has been employed by Hickmans for more than eight years before and after her release from prison. I have heard and seen of people being hurt, but when they were hurt, they werent following the guidelines. Reports of injuries AP reporters spoke with more than 100 current and former prisoners across the country along with family members of workers who were killed about various prison labor jobs. Roughly a quarter of them related stories involving injuries or deaths, from severe burns and traumatic head wounds to severed body parts. Reporters also talked to lawyers, researchers and experts, and combed through thousands of documents, including the rare lawsuits that manage to wind their way through the court system. While many of the jobs are hidden, others are in plain view, like prisoners along busy highways doing road maintenance. In Alabama alone, at least three men have died since 2015, when 21-year-old Braxton Moon was hit by a tractor-trailer that swerved off the interstate. The others were killed while picking up trash. In many states, laws mandate that prisoners be deployed during emergencies and disasters for jobs like hazardous material cleanup or working on the frontlines of hurricanes while residents evacuate. Theyre also sent to fight fires, filling vital worker shortage gaps, including in some rural communities in Georgia where incarcerated firefighters are paid nothing as the sole responders for everything from car wrecks to medical emergencies. California has about 1,250 prisoners trained to fight fires and has used them since the 1940s. It pays its Angels in Orange $2.90 to $5.12 a day, plus an extra $1 an hour when they work during emergencies. FILE - In this Feb. 25, 2016, still frame from video provided by KABC-TV, a Los Angeles County Fire Department helicopter lifts an inmate firefighter after she was injured fighting a brush fire in the Santa Monica Mountains above Malibu, Calif. California corrections officials say the firefighter, identified as Shawna Lynn Jones, died a day after she was struck by a large rock while working the fire. (KABC-TV via AP)AP When a brush fire broke out in 2016, Shawna Lynn Jones and her crew were sent to the wealthy Malibu beach community near Californias rugged Pacific Coast Highway, which was built by prisoners a century ago. The 22-year-old, who had just six weeks left on her sentence for a nonviolent crime, died after a boulder fell 100 feet from a hillside onto her head one of 10 incarcerated firefighters killed in the state since 1989. Unlike many places, California does offer workers compensation to prisoners, which Jones mother, Diana Baez, said covered hospital expenses and the funeral. Baez said her daughter loved being a firefighter and was treated as a fallen hero, but noted that even though she was on life support and never regained consciousness, When I walked behind the curtain, she was still handcuffed to that damn gurney. The California corrections department said prisoners must pass a physical skills test to participate in the program, which encourages incarcerated people to commit to positive change and self-improvement. But inmates in some places across the country find it can be extremely difficult to transfer their firefighting skills to outside jobs upon their release due to their criminal records. In most states, public institutions are not liable for incarcerated workers injuries or deaths. But in a case last year, the American Civil Liberties Union represented a Nevada crew sent to mop up a wildfire hotspot. It resulted in a $340,000 settlement that was split eight ways, as well as assurances of better training and equipment going forward. Rebecca Leavitt poses for a portrait at her home Monday, April 8, 2024, in Las Vegas. Leavitt was part of a Nevada wildfire crew sent to mop up a wildfire hotspot. A class-action lawsuit resulted in a $340,000 settlement and better training and equipment going forward. (AP Photo/John Locher)AP Rebecca Leavitt said when she and her all-woman team arrived at the site with only classroom training, they did a hot foot dance on smoldering embers as their boss yelled Get back in there! One crew members burned-up boots were duct-taped back together, she said, while others cried out in pain as their socks melted to their feet during nine hours on the ground that paid about $1 an hour. Two days later, Leavitt said, the women finally were taken to an outside hospital, where doctors carved dead skin off the bottoms of their feet, which had suffered second-degree burns. Because they were prisoners, they were denied pain medicine. They treated us like we were animals or something, said Leavitt, adding that the women were afraid to disobey orders in the field or report their injuries for fear they could be sent to a higher-security facility. The only reason why any of us had to tell them was because we couldnt walk. Officials at Nevadas Department of Corrections did not respond to requests for comment. Chris Peterson, the ACLU lawyer who brought the womens lawsuit, said Nevadas Legislature has passed laws making it harder for injured prisoners to receive compensation. He noted that the state Supreme Court ruled five years ago that an injured firefighter could receive the equivalent of about 50 cents a day in workers compensation based on how much he earned in prison, instead of the set minimum wage. At the end of the day, Peterson said, the idea is that if I get my finger lopped off, if I am an incarcerated person working as a firefighter, I am entitled to less relief than if I am a firefighter thats not incarcerated. Slavery treatment, with few benefits A loophole in the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution passed after the Civil War makes forced labor legal, abolishing slavery except as punishment for a crime. Efforts are underway to challenge that language at the federal level, and nearly 20 states are working to bring the issue before voters. Today, about 2 million people are locked up in the U.S. more than almost any country in the world a number that began spiking in the 1980s when tough-on-crime laws were passed. More than 800,000 prisoners have some kind of job, from serving food inside facilities to working outside for private companies, including work-release assignments everywhere from KFC to Tyson Foods poultry plants. Theyre also employed at state and municipal agencies, and at colleges and nonprofit organizations. Few critics believe all prison jobs should be eliminated, but they say work should be voluntary and prisoners should be fairly paid and treated humanely. Correctional officials and others running work programs across the country respond that they place a heavy emphasis on training and that injuries are taken seriously. Many prisoners see work as a welcome break from boredom and violence inside their facilities and, in some places, it can help shave time off sentences. In many states, prisoners are denied everything from disability benefits to protections guaranteed by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration or state agencies that ensure safe conditions for laborers. In Arizona, for instance, the state occupational safety division doesnt have the authority to pursue cases involving inmate deaths or injuries. Strikes by prisoners seeking more rights are rare and have been quickly quashed. And the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that inmates cannot join or form unions. They also cant call an ambulance or demand to be taken to a hospital, even if they suffer a life-threatening injury on the job. The barriers for those who decide to sue can be nearly insurmountable, including finding a lawyer willing to take the case. Thats especially true after the federal Prison Litigation Reform Act was passed almost three decades ago to stem a flood of lawsuits that accompanied booming prison populations. Kandy Fuelling learned that all too well after being gravely injured in 2015 while assigned to work at a Colorado sawmill. She said her lawyer never met with her face-to-face and her suit was dismissed after a court ruled she could not sue state entities, leaving her with zero compensation. Fuelling, who said she received only a few hours of training at the Pueblo mill, was feeding a conveyor belt used to make pallets when a board got stuck. She said she asked another prisoner if the machinery was turned off, but was told by her manager to hurry up and dislodge the jam. She crawled under the equipment and tugged at a piece of splintered lumber. Suddenly, the blade jolted back to life and spiraled toward her head. That saw went all the way through my hard hat. Im screaming Help me! Help me! but no one can hear me because everything is running, Fuelling said. All I remember is thinking, Oh my God, I think it just cut my head off. With no first aid kit available, fellow prisoners stuck sanitary pads on her gushing wound and ushered her into a van. But instead of being driven to a nearby emergency room, she was taken to the prison for evaluation. The 5-inch gash, which pierced her skull, eventually was sewn up at an outside hospital. Despite being dizzy and confused, she said, she was put back to work soon after in the prisons laundry room and received almost no treatment for months, even when her wound oozed green pus. She said she had privileges stripped and eventually was diagnosed with MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant infection. She still suffers short-term memory loss and severe headaches, she said. The Colorado Department of Corrections had no comment when asked about prisoner training and medical treatment for those injured on the job. Crystal Allen speaks during an interview with the Associated Press a couple of days after her release from prison in Phoenix, Ariz., April 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills, file)AP Questionable medical treatment While prisoners have access to low-cost care in correctional facilities nationwide, a typical co-pay of $2 to $5 per visit can be unaffordable for those earning next to nothing. Many inmates say its not worth it because the care they receive is often so poor. Class-action lawsuits have been filed in several states including Illinois, Idaho, Delaware and Mississippi alleging everything from needless pain and suffering to deliberate medical neglect and lack of treatment for diseases like hepatitis C. Some prisoners conditions worsened even after getting care for their injuries. In Georgia, a prison kitchen workers leg was amputated after he fell on a wet floor, causing a small cut above his ankle. He was susceptible to infection as a diabetic, but doctors in the infirmary did not stop the wound from festering, according to a lawsuit that was handwritten and filed by the prisoner. It was an unusual case where the state settled for $550,000 which kept the prison medical director from going to trial. Noah Moore, who lost a finger while working at Hickmans egg farm in Arizona, had a second finger later amputated due to what he said was poor follow-up treatment in prison after surgery at a hospital. Thats in a state where a federal judge ruled two years ago that the prison medical care was unconstitutional and plainly, grossly inadequate. I think the healing hurt worse than the actual accident, Moore said. The Arizona corrections department would not comment on injuries that occurred during a previous administration, but said prisoners have access to all necessary medical care. The department also stressed the importance of workplace safety training. Prisons and jails can struggle to find doctors willing to accept jobs, which means they sometimes hire physicians who have been disciplined for misconduct. A doctor in Louisiana, Randy Lavespere, served two years in prison after buying $8,000 worth of methamphetamine in a Home Depot parking lot in 2006 with intent to distribute. After his release, his medical license was reinstated with restrictions that banned him from practicing in most settings. Still, he was hired by the Louisiana State Penitentiary, the countrys largest maximum-security prison. His license has since been fully reinstated, and he now oversees health care for the entire corrections department. Over the years, physicians who have worked at Louisiana prisons have had their medical licenses restricted or suspended following offenses ranging from sexual misconduct and possessing child pornography to self-prescribing addictive drugs, according to the state Board of Medical Examiners. Lavespere could not be reached for comment, but corrections department spokesman Ken Pastorick said all prison doctors are licensed and that the board does not allow physicians to return to work unless they are deemed competent and have the ability to practice medicine with skill and safety. Who can be held liable? Across the country, its not uncommon for the relatives of prisoners who died on the job to struggle with determining whos liable. When workers compensation is offered, the amount awarded is typically determined by the size of the workers paycheck and usually closes the door on future wrongful death suits. The few cases that make their way to court can result in meager settlements compared to what the survivors of civilian workers might receive, in part because those behind bars are seen as having little or no future earning potential. Eight-year-old Estella Baraniak, accompanied by her mother, Ashley Snyder, and grandparents Jackie and Brian Baraniak pose for a photograph with an image of her deceased father, Matthew Baraniak, in Halifax, Pa., Wednesday, March 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)AP Matthew Baraniak of Harrisburg was on work release in 2019 when he was killed at a Pennsylvania heavy machinery service center while operating a scissor lift. He was using a high-heat torch on a garbage truck that was rigged precariously with chains when its weight shifted, causing Baraniak to hit his head and lose control of the burning torch. His body was engulfed in flames. Ashley Snyder, the mother of Baraniaks daughter, accepted a workers comp offer made to benefit their then 3-year-old child, paying about $700 a month until the girl reaches college age. Family members said their claim against the county running the work-release program was dismissed, and their lawyer told them the best they could hope for was a small settlement from the service center. There are no rules, Holly Murphy, Baraniaks twin sister, said of the long and confusing process. Its just a gray area with no line there that says whats acceptable, what the laws are. Michael Duff, a law professor at Saint Louis University and an expert on labor law, said some people think, Well, too bad, dont be a prisoner. But an entire class of society is being denied civil rights, Duff said, noting that each state has its own system that could be changed to offer prisoners more protections if theres political will. Weve got this category of human beings that can be wrongfully harmed and yet left with no remedy for their harm, he said. Laws sometimes are amended to create even more legal hurdles for those seeking relief. Thats what happened in Arizona. In 2021, a Hickmans Family Farms lawyer unsuccessfully tried to get the corrections department to amend its contract to take responsibility for prisoner injuries or deaths, according to emails obtained by the AP. The next year, a newly formed nonprofit organization lobbied for a bill that was later signed into law, blocking prisoners from introducing their medical costs into lawsuits and potentially limiting settlement payouts. Hickman's Family Farm vice president Billy Hickman speaks during an interview with the Associated Press at Hickman's Family Farm in Buckeye, Ariz., Thursday, March 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)AP Billy Hickman, one of the siblings who runs the egg company, was listed as a director of the nonprofit. He told the AP that the farm has hired more than 10,000 incarcerated workers over nearly three decades. Because they arent eligible for protections like workers comp, he said the company tried to limit its exposure to lawsuits partially driven by what he described as zealous attorneys. Were a family business, he said, so we take it very seriously that people are safe and secure. At the height of the pandemic when all other outside prison jobs were shut down Crystal Allen and about 140 other female prisoners were sent to work at Hickmans, bunking together in a large company warehouse. The egg farm is Arizona Correctional Industries biggest customer, bringing in nearly $35 million in revenue in the past six fiscal years. Allen was earning less than $3 an hour after deductions, including 30% for room and board. She knew it would take time, but hoped to bank a few thousand dollars before her release. One day, she noticed chicken feeders operating on a belt system werent working properly, so she switched the setting to manual and used her hand to smooth the feed into place. All of a sudden, the cart just takes off with my thumb, said Allen, adding she had to use her sock to wrap up her left hand, which was left disfigured. Its bleeding really, really bad. She sued before the new state law took effect and settled with the company last year for an undisclosed amount. In legal filings, Hickmans denied any wrongdoing. It shouldve been you When a 2021 tornado flattened a Kentucky factory that made candles for Bath & Body Works and other major companies, Marco Sanchez risked his life to pull fellow employees from the debris. Eight people were killed, including the correctional officer overseeing Sanchez and other prisoners on a work-release program. Sanchez fractured ribs and broke his foot and, after being treated at a hospital, was taken to the Christian County Jail. According to an ongoing civil rights lawsuit filed last year, he was sent to solitary confinement there and beaten by guards frustrated by his repeated requests for medical attention, which he said went unmet. Marco Sanchez walks the streets of Paducah, Ky., on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, after being released from McCracken County Jail. Sanchez risked his life to pull fellow employees from the debris of (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, file)AP They were retaliating against me, said Sanchez, who was homeless when he talked to the AP. They were telling me, It should have been you instead of one of ours. Christian County Jail officials would not comment, citing the pending litigation. But attorney Mac Johns, who is representing the correctional officers, disputed Sanchezs characterization of the care and treatment he received while incarcerated, without elaborating. A few months after the tornado, Sanchez was portrayed on national television as a hero and given a key to the city, but he questions why he was treated differently than the civilian workers he was employed alongside. He noted that they got ongoing medical attention and support from their family members at a difficult time. I didnt get that, he said, adding that strong winds and sirens still leave him cowering. The man who lost his leg while working at the composting chute in Arizona said he, too, continues to struggle, even though nearly a decade has passed since the accident. Blas Sanchez settled for an undisclosed amount with Hickmans, which denied liability in court documents. He now runs a motel in Winslow along historic U.S. Route 66 and said hes still often in agony either from his prosthetic or shooting pains from the nerves at the end of his severed limb. And then theres the mental anguish. Sometimes, he wonders if continuing to live is worth it. I wanted to end it because its so tiring and it hurts. And if it wasnt for these guys, I probably would, he said, motioning to his step-grandchildren playing around him. End it. Finished. Done. Buried. The Associated Press receives support from the Public Welfare Foundation for reporting focused on criminal justice. This story also was supported by Columbia Universitys Ira A. Lipman Center for Journalism and Civil and Human Rights in conjunction with Arnold Ventures. The AP is solely responsible for all content. A protester is taken into custody at S. 34th St. near the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia on Friday, May 17, 2024. Authorities say a half-dozen University of Pennsylvania students were among 19 pro-Palestinian protesters arrested during an attempt to occupy a building on campus. University police say seven remained in custody Saturday awaiting felony charges from Friday's incident, including one person who allegedly assaulted an officer. (Steven M. Falk/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)AP CNN political commentator Alice Stewart was found dead Saturday. She was 58. CNN said that Stewarts body was found outdoors in the Belle View neighborhood in northern Virginia early Saturday morning. The network said police believe she had a medical emergency. CNNs Jake Tapper posted a story about her death on X, formerly Twitter, and wrote, Horrible news about our beloved and gifted commentator Alice Stewart. Just awful. We are all gutted. In an email to the networks employees Saturday, CNN CEO Mark Thompson called Stewart a very dear friend and colleague to all of us at CNN. A political veteran and an Emmy Award-winning journalist who brought an incomparable spark to CNNs coverage, known across our bureaus not only for her political savvy, but for her unwavering kindness. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn such an extraordinary loss. Stewart had a Pa. tie as she worked as the communications director for former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, during his presidential campaign in 2012. She also worked as the communications director for Mike Huckabee during his time as Arkansas Governor and during his presidential campaign in 2008. She also worked with Michelle Bachmann during her presidential campaign. CNN hired Stewart prior to the 2016 election. I didnt know anyone whoever met (Alice Stewart) that didnt like her or anyone that knew Alice that didnt love her, Santorum wrote on X. She was a faithful witness to her Savior Jesus. I will miss my dear friend. May she rest in peace. An unidentified elderly woman had part of a finger bitten off by horse Saturday between races during the Preakness Stakes undercard at Pimlico Race Course, according to a report from the Baltimore Sun. The woman was said to be trying to feed carrots to a lead pony, a horse who guides and accompanies competing horses onto the track and to the starting gate, while sitting in an electric wheelchair near the rail, according to the report. The report noted that the woman did not leave her hand open fully and the horse bit off the proximal bone of one of her middle fingers on her left hand. The report said that the woman received help from the security force at Pimlico Race Course, but that the rider of the lead pony guided the horse away without summoning medical help. The woman was wheeled inside the grandstand by her son and was eventually transported to Siani Hospital in Baltimore, according to the report. There was no immediate word on her condition. Witnesses told the Sun that no one from the racetrack checked in with the woman and the report states the carrots she had in her hands were still on track apron. There was an incident but we dont know the extent of it and are looking at surveillance tape, Dave Joseph, vice president of communications/media for the Maryland Jockey Club, owner and operator of Pimlico Race Course told the Sun. It was the gnarliest thing in the entire world, said Marisa Bowersox, a Washington resident who was sitting with her husband, Hunter Scott, according to the Sun report. She literally didnt make a peep and everyone was running around trying to help her. No one knew what was going on..There were passersby helping her. They wrapped it in a towel and they wheeled her up. The incident took place after the 11th race on the card, one race prior to the Preakness Stakes, the report said. Seize the Grey defeated Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan in the Preakness. -- Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. Follow Tom De Martini on X @TomDeMartini1 Haxton Triton Drought Continues as Yaroshevskyy Wins First Title Will Shillibier Managing Editor Copy link It's been a busy weekend at the Maestral Resort & Casino in Budva, Montenegro as the Triton Poker High Roller Series continued. As the countdown to the $132,500 NLHE Triton Main Event, which gets underway on Monday, continues there has been plenty more high-stakes action including two deep runs for Spain's Adrian Mateos and the chance for yet another deep run in Montenegro for a certain Bryn Kenney. Seven-Figure Score for Yaroshevskyy in Event #6 It was delight for Ukraine's Igor Yaroshevskyy, who topped a field of 126 to win Event #6: $50,000 Bounty Quattro. It was another close call for runner-up Isaac Haxton who has now gone 39 cashes on the Triton Series without a win, including five runner-up spots, and has amassed over $12 million in earnings in the process. "Its an amazing feeling. Today is my day." Yaroshevskyy was joined on his rail by Viacheslav Buldygin, Shyngis Satubayev and Ramin Hajiyev who celebrated with the Ukrainian after the final hand was dealt. "I am so excited," said Yaroshevskyy. "Its an amazing feeling. Today is my day. Thank you guys!" This regular bounty format saw $15,000 of the $50,000 buy-in make up the bounty prize pool. Bounties were introduced once 25% of the field remained, with each bounty worth $60,000. Amazingly, Yaroshevskyy only managed to win a single bounty his heads-up opponent Haxton which, added with his own $60,000 bounty, added $120,000 to his payout of $1,052,000. Triton Montenegro Event #6 $50,000 Bounty Quattro Final Table Results Place Player Country Bounties Payout Total (USD) 1 Igor Yaroshevskyy Ukraine $120,000 $1,052,000 $1,172,000 2 Isaac Haxton United States $180,000 $716,000 $896,000 3 Punnat Punsri Thailand $300,000 $473,000 $773,000 4 Dimitar Danchev Bulgaria $300,000 $390,000 $690,000 5 Shyngis Satubayev Kazakhstan $150,000 $313,000 $463,000 6 Adrian Mateos Spain $240,000 $255,000 $495,000 7 Paulius Vaitiekunas Lithuania $120,000 $183,800 $303,800 8 Patrik Antonius Finland $136,000 $136,000 Event #6 $50,000 Bounty Quattro Final Table Recap The final table was led by Dimitar Danchev, with Yaroshevskky languishing in seventh of the eight remaining players. However, he still held over 30 big blinds so a comeback was by no means an impossibility. Haxton meanwhile started the final table in the middle of the back, but boosted his standing with the elimination of Patrik Antonius when the Finn rivered two pair only to run into the American's straight. Paulius Vaitiekunas was then eliminated at the hands of Adrian Mateos, only for Mateos to immediately bust. After doubling Punnat Punsri, the same opponent sent him to the rail in sixth place his third cash of the trip. Punsri then sent Shyngis Satubayev to the rail, and by this stage had built up a head of steam. Danchev had seen his stack diminish to just 10 big blinds before getting it in against Punsri who added yet another victim his third in a row. But if he was expecting a procession, things took a turn with Punsri's stack taking hits left and right. Eventually, he succumbed to Haxton who sent him to the rail. The stacks were even heading into heads-up play, and it didn't take long before Haxton got it in with ace-king in a flip against his opponent's pocket sevens. The pocket pair held and Yaroshevskyy took down the title and the latest seven-figure score on the Triton Poker Series. Artisom Lasouski Takes Down a $40K Event on His Triton Poker Debut Mateos Leads Final Four in Event #7: 50K NLH 8-Handed An extra day is needed in Event #7: $50,000 NLHE, with just four players remaining. The remaining players are led by Adrian Mateos (pictured left), fresh from the Spaniard's sixth-place finish in Event #6. The players have all locked up $667,00 with third place taking home $818,000 and both the runner-up and eventual champion winning seven-figure scores. The winner will take home $1,761,000 and the runner-up $1,188,000. Other players who finished in the money included Phil Ivey (6th - $408,000) and Dan Smith (8th - $215,000) with other Triton regulars such as Danny Tang (15th - $119,200) and Elton Tsang (21st - $87,500) also cashing. Event #7: 50K NLH 8-Handed Final Table Chip Counts Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Adrian Mateos Spain 14,800,000 49 2 Justin Saliba United States 8,375,000 28 3 Nick Petrangelo United States 6,750,000 23 4 Joe Zou China 1,875,000 6 Chris Moneymaker Kicks Off Triton Montenegro with Stunning High-Roller Win Kenney Fourth in Chips in Event #8: $100,000 NLHE 8-Handed Montenegro has good memories for Bryn Kenney. It may have been five years ago, but Kenney did a double in 2019. After first winning the Six Max for $1,432,264 he went back-to-back, winning the Triton Poker Montenegro Main Event as well for $2,713,876. He's back in action in the $100,000 this year, and sits fourth in chips with 37 players remaining from a starting field of 102. It's been less than a year since Kenney won the $250K Luxon Invitation for $6,860,000 to return to the top of the all-time money list. Will he extend his lead with a big score in Event #8? Event #8: $100K NLH 8-Handed Top 10 Chip Counts Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Maher Nouira Tunisia 1,395,000 93 2 Dylan Linde United States 1,090,000 73 3 Masashi Oya Japan 1,055,000 70 4 Bryn Kenney United States 1,045,000 70 5 David Yan New Zealand 960,000 64 6 Danny Tang Hong Kong 880,000 59 7 Xu Liang China 875,000 58 8 Brian Kim United States 870,000 58 9 Thomas Santerne France 850,000 57 10 Aleksejs Ponakovs Latvia 845,000 56 Remaining Triton Montenegro Schedule Date Time Event Sun 19 May 1:00 p.m. #8 $100,000 NLHE 8-Handed Day 2 Mon 20 May 2:00 p.m. #9 - $132,500 NLHE Triton Main Event Day 1 Tue 21 May 1:00 p.m. $132,500 NLHE Triton Main Event Day 2 5:00 p.m. #10 - $52,000 NLHE Turbo 8-Handed Wed 22 May 1:00 p.m. Triton Main Event Final Table 2:00 p.m. #11 - $212,000 NLHE 8-Handed Day 1 Thu 23 May 1:00 p.m. #11 NLHE 8-Handed Day 2 4:00 p.m. #12 - $26,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Day 1 Fri 24 May 1:00 p.m. #12 Pot-Limit Omaha Day 2 2:00 p.m. #13 - $26,000 PLO Main Event Day 1 Sat 25 May 1:00 p.m. #13 PLO Main Event Day 2 4:00 p.m. #15 - $52,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Day 1 Sun 26 May 1:00 p.m. Pot-Limit Omaha Day 2 4:00 p.m. #16 - $31,200 Pot-Limit Omaha Quatro Bounty Photography by Joe Giron/Poker Photo Archive Share this article Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) refused to commit to accepting the 2024 election results then melted down as NBCs Kristen Welker debunked his election lies. Welker asked Rubio if he would accept the election results no matter what happens. Rubio said, No matter what happens. No, if its an unfair election, I think its gonna be contested by one side or the other. No matter who wins. Sen. Rubio then said, I think youre asking the wrong person. The Democrats are the ones that have opposed every Republican victory since 2000, every single one. Its Hillary Clinton who refused to concede. Welker corrected him, Hillary Clinton conceded. Senator, will you accept the election? Rubio then unleased a flood of lies, Hillary Clinton said the election was stolen from her and that Trump was illegitimate. Kamala Harris agreed when she was a Democrat Senator. Welker fact checked him again She conceded the election. She said that, she said that, no, she said that Trump was illegitimate. She said that the election had been stolen. Kamala Harris agreed by the way. There are Democrats serving in Congress today who in 2004 voted not to certify the Ohio electors because they said those machines have been tampered with and you have Democrats now saying they want certified 2024 because Trump is an insurrectionist and ineligible to hold office. So you need to ask them. I think youve had a, have you ever asked the question on your show? I bet you, youve never asked the Democrat that question. Welker said, Senator, you voted to certify the 2020 election. Kristen Welker then played Rubios speech about democracy on the Senate floor as he voted to certify the 2020 election to him. Rubio claimed that NBC News was engaged in censorship, and that Hillary Clinton never conceded. Welker closed that segment of questioning by telling Rubio that he voted to certify the 2020 election, Hillary Clinton conceded, and there was no censorship. Video: Kristen Welker refuses to accept Marco Rubio's lies about Hillary Clinton not conceding, NBC engaging in censorship, and his own vote to certify the 2020 election, "You voted to certify the election. Nothing has been censored on this program. Hillary Clinton did concede." pic.twitter.com/QcwQN9UZoB Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) May 19, 2024 One of the good things that Kristen Welker has been doing on Meet The Press is asking her guests if they will accept the results of the 2924 election. She is not doing it as a gotcha question but as a way to inform the American people on where candidates and elected officials stand on democracy. Republicans cant seem to handle being questioned about their anti-democracy positions. Rubio tried to blast his way past Welker with an onslaught of lies, but she kept repeating the basic facts over and over again. Repetition of the facts is one of the best ways to disempower lies. Kristen Welker has gotten plenty of criticism as the moderator of Meet The Press, but one of the things she has done well is to consistently keep the issue of democracy a part of her questioning of guests. A Special Message From PoliticusUSA If you are in a position to donate purely to help us keep the doors open on PoliticusUSA during what is a critical election year, please do so here. We have been honored to be able to put your interests first for 14 years as we only answer to our readers and we will not compromise on that fundamental, core PoliticusUSA value. [wpedon id=344887 align=center] News / National by Staff reporter Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) president Major Abdul Credit Nyathi (Retired) has passed away at the age of 71.Rtd Major Nyathi, who also served as vice chairperson of the Zimbabwe Land Commission, died Friday night at his farm in Gwanda.ZFU secretary-general Mr. Paul Zakariya confirmed the news, describing it as a significant loss to both the union and the agriculture sector."The Zimbabwe Farmers Union family has learned of the passing of Rtd Major Nyathi with great shock. A very dark cloud hovers over the entire farming community," Zakariya said. "The union has lost one of its dedicated and passionate leaders who was trained under the tutelage of the late Gary Magadzire and the late Silas Hungwe."After retiring from the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) in the late 1980s, Rtd Major Nyathi joined the ZFU as a livestock farmer in Gungwe village, Gwanda. He quickly advanced, becoming the provincial livestock commodity chairperson in 1990. He served in that role until 1995 when he became the national livestock chairperson. In 1999, he was elected ZFU second vice president responsible for the livestock portfolio, and in 2005, he became the first vice president responsible for the administration of the organization.Upon the retirement of the late Silas Hungwe from ZFU in 2014, Rtd Major Nyathi was elected ZFU president, a position he held until his untimely death.Rtd Major Nyathi also represented farmers on various boards and platforms, including the Cold Storage Commission, Agricultural and Rural Development Authority, Land Board, Green Fuel Chisumbanje, and the Zimbabwe Land Commission.Details of his burial arrangements will be announced in due course. SNL perfectly captured Trumps courthouse press conferences and why he hates court and is afraid to testify. SNL Trump said: I dont like being in court because they say very mean things about me while I am trying to sleep. But I love being out here in the hallway outside court. Daring judge to imprison me. He gave me a gag order. I said that sounds like a challenge on RuPaul. But you know, in many ways court has been great for me. Its been very eye-closening. Unfortunately, at the end of this trial, it looks like Im getting a very harsh sentence and being sent to a horrible place I do not want to go to. The White House. I do not want to go back to the White House, but it appears people want to send me there. Why? I dont know. I couldnt tell you. For me much better to not win and say it was rigged and then get very rich raising money to stop the steal and you never have to do president again. I like that a lot. We should do that. But now my defense in this trial is about to begin on Monday. And trust me, I would love to testify. Im not afraid to testify at all. Im just not going to out of fear. ] You see, they do a terrible thing when you testify, which is they write it down and we dont like that. Video: It is true that Trump called the White House a dump while he was president and avoided staying there because he could bill the taxpayers unless he was at one of his properties. However, Trump has made it very clear that he wants to be president again and wants the power of the presidency. All in all, SNLs effort was good. It showed Trumps fear of testifying and his true desire to do only one thing: make money for himself. A Special Message From PoliticusUSA If you are in a position to donate purely to help us keep the doors open on PoliticusUSA during what is a critical election year, please do so here. We have been honored to be able to put your interests first for 14 years as we only answer to our readers and we will not compromise on that fundamental, core PoliticusUSA value. [wpedon id=344887 align=center] Along the front of Burbage Smoak's property one can peek through a stand of trees across the road and see part of Cane Bay Plantation a sprawling collection of neighborhoods on more than 4,300 acres where as many as 10,000 homes could eventually be built. The other side of his land overlooks 1,700 acres of undeveloped land where Seattle-based Weyerhaeuser, the nation's largest timber tract owner, wants to build another large-scale residential project. Smoak's property along the heavily traveled, two-lane Black Tom Road stands in the way of any plans Weyerhaeuser might have. Berkeley County Council appears determined to keep it that way. "Your property is the gateway to a developer that wants to do a development larger than Cane Bay, and the way you do that is with sewer," councilman Josh Whitley said during a committee meeting last week. "Mr. Smoak is the only person that can stop that," he added. Smoak could not be reached for comment. Weyerhaeuser said May 17 that it is in "a preliminary and due diligence gathering phase" for its property along Black Tom Road while it awaits a wetlands study from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "Weyerhaeuser looks forward to the completion of this early-stage work, which will give us the necessary data to formulate a comprehensive, long-term plan that supports surrounding communities as well as Berkeley Countys economy and environment," the company said in a statement, adding "we are considering ways that our land could be used to provide much-needed housing options for local residents and those who commute daily to Berkeley County." Smoak's vacant property includes 421 acres southwest of Moncks Corner, but most of it is wetlands. He wants to build a strip of commercial buildings on 80 acres fronting Black Tom Road maybe some medical offices or retail space, something that will "support the residents of that area," according to Kevin Berry, president of Earthsource Engineering, who is representing the landowner. News / National by Staff reporter Zimbabwe will get over half of an expected $60 million insurance pay out meant for four African nations as it reels from the impact of El Nino-induced drought that's already slashed corn output and led to a state of disaster being declared.Earlier this month, the African Union's climate insurance agency said it will pay out at least $60 million to Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique to help them offset the impact of the weather catastrophe. The money will equal a fraction of what it needed to alleviate the impact. PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-19 00:23:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 284 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 18, 2024 / Levi & Korsinsky notifies investors that it has commenced an investigation of Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. ("Lamb Weston Holdings") (NYSE:LW) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws.Lamb Weston announced on April 4, 2024, its results for the third quarter of fiscal 2024. The Company missed analyst earnings projections; The Company reported that an implementation of a new ERP system brought about a temporary decrease in the visibility of finished goods inventories housed at their distribution centers. This significantly hampered capacity to fulfill customer orders in a timely and efficient manner. As a direct consequence of the disruption, the Company experienced a substantial decline in sales volume as well as margin performance. Following this news, Lamb Weston stock dropped over 7%. To obtain additional information, go to:or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com or by telephone at (212)363-7500.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212)363-7500 Fax: (212)363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-05-19 19:30:22 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 483 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 The company has been able to get recognition for providing innovative cleaning services to clients across KSA.RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2024 / Established 15 years back with the notion of delivering peerless cleaning services, Crystal Facilities Management brings innovative solutions to help drive customer-centric, integrated facilities management services and consultancy to the KSA. With years of experience in providingcommercial cleaning ,contractor cleaning , office cleaning, security, pest control, waste management, and janitorial services, the company has established itself as one of the most trustedFacility Management and Commercial Cleaning Services companies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.As a difference maker from its competitors, the company offers groundbreaking services to customers, stakeholders, partners, and suppliers on time, helping them achieve their objectives. Furthermore, the company's proficient team is eager to leverage its experience in the industry to deliver high-quality IFM solutions that will drive positive change through consultation, design, and delivery of services to make it a unique model that contributes to sustainability, innovation, and technology.CEO Yasir Zahoor states, "As a total facilities service provider, we strive hard to offer scalable and powerful solutions for your business. Working within different industries during the past years has helped us understand and deliver a true value solution for our customers. For all their needs. Our robust and hard-working teams aim to deliver a project within a short time scale. We will help your company attain its objectives." Apart from providing HVAC system maintenance, civil works, fire systems management, plumbing, and car park management, the company also offers strategic planning, asset management, FM outsourcing, and sustainability for Facilities Management Consulting. Moreover, as part of its mission to support the country's economic diversification and growth, Crystal Facilities Management is committed to aligning its services with the goals of the Saudi 2030 Vision. In order to contribute to the development of Saudi Arabia's infrastructure and services, the company's comprehensive facilities management solutions are designed to support this transformation by providing world-class facilities management solutions to Saudi Arabian companies and organizations.As a customer-focused company, Crystal Facilities Management is dedicated to delivering services that are sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective, while also meeting the highest standards of quality and safety.The CEO further states, "With over 15 years of experience providing Soft FM services in theUK , Crystal Facilities Management is excited to expand our services to Saudi Arabia. Our expertise in Soft and Hard FM services uniquely positions us to provide facilities management solutions to meet the needs of our clients. We are pleased to offer a wide range of services to our clients in KSA. We provide a range of comprehensive facilities management services tailored to suit your needs." Media ContactOrganization: Crystal Facilities ManagementContact Person: Yasir ZahoorWebsite: https://cfmsaudi.com/ Email: info@ cfmsaudi.com Contact Number: +966112427440Address: Office No. 23, Prince Abdulaziz Bin Musaad Al Jalawi Road, 12621 Riyadh Sulaimaniya Dist, Saudi ArabiaCity: RiyadhState: Sulaimaniya DistCountry: Saudi ArabiaSOURCE: Crystal Facilities Management FOR HENRY CHAKAVA The Veteran Bookman from Vokoli who illuminated the world with the rainbow of African letters If this tribute took so long in coming It is because your passing left me wordless From a slow, unspeakable grief. The hills left no hint The roadside grass uttered no whisper The rain never told the roof About your quiet, reluctant parting Before we woke up that March morning And discovered you had picked up the horsetail And danced to the other side of the Great Mountain Alas, Vokolis Veteran Bookman has gone. Unfinished chapters ruffle the pages of our memory 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 * See you in Kenya again, very soon, You pledged the last time we met Its a long time now since you came our way+ And the Kenyan rain has watered many new seeds: New songs, new stories, new sciences In our busy laboratories, new modes in our methods of being Come again and pick more petals from Your Flowers of the Rift Valley, Multiply your marvel at the stunning majesty Of the flamingoes, pink and proud. Furrow through the fabulously fertile soil Of Limuru, birthplace of our celebrated Storyteller Whose tales traverse the world. Share another song With Chavakali High where fledgeling stars groom Their wings for future skies * Come back again, you said, Your face glowing with that generous smile Your voice that semi-baritone whose music Embraced the ears of the world. There was a redolent lyricism to your laughter An adorably mischievous wittiness to your humour You took me back to that day in Nigeria When I called you Prince Henry and assured you that We, your hosts, had sent somebody to bring your crown I remember the way you looked at the Nigerian sky Through the publishers window, chuckled heartily; Then this unforgettable retort: First, give me a kingdom, then A palace populated by restless books And a throng of willing readers Fill one room with a bushel of laughter A symphony of soft whispers And bubbling wine from your rarest palms. . . . We laughed so lustily that afternoon The sun envied our sport From the top of its tropical turf. The book was your life, now your legacy You read it, wrote it, lived it, pressed every page Of it into earnestly humane service And built it a temple in your capacious mind. Candor met courage and loyalty found a niche In the pantheon of your virtues You who threw open your pages To our neglected tongues And the eloquent power of their hidden beauty Sleep well, Brother Tell Marjorie we are still trying to Make it Sing++ Even as we count the stanzas of Miceres Mothers Poem+++ Tell Rubadiri the village still looks behind banana groves++++ As Imperial Stanley meets the welcoming Mutesa Our past still eyes our present from its long, inscrutable mask Rest well, Miyinzi the Bookman The future lives on the pages of your hope We embrace it with literate aplomb. + Reference to my 1996 visit to Kenya on the invitation of East Africa Educational Publishers, for the presentation and launch of its new edition of Poems from East Africa, the famous anthology edited by David Cook and David Rubadiri. My visit took me through the stunning beauty of Western Kenya, inspiring a body of poems titled Flowers of the Rift Valley dedicated to Henry Chakava, and published later in If Only the Road Could Tak, Poetic Peregrinations in Africa, Asia, And Europe. + to ++++ Reference to Marjorie Oludhe Macgoyes Make It Sing; Micere Githae Mugos My Mothers Poem; David Rubadiris Stanley Meets Mutesa. Niyi Osundare, one of Africas foremost poets and academics, is Emeritus Distinguished Professor of English, University of New Orleans. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Movie Title: Strained Running Time: 1 hour 42 Minutes Director: Okechukwu Oku Cast: Queen Nwokoye, Samuel Nnaibuike, Padita Agu, Tracey George, and Adaeze Onuigbo. The bond shared between a mother and daughter is truly one-of-a-kind. But what happens when the reverse becomes the case? Can a fractured mother-daughter bond be repaired? These are the questions at the heart of the movie Strained. Its commonly accepted that most people cherish their mothers, with only a few exceptions. Strained explores these exceptions, revealing what can sour a mother-daughter relationship. Through authentic characters and compelling performances, viewers are drawn into the stark realities faced by survivors of domestic violence, creating an intriguing and eye-opening experience. 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 movie unfolds around Ebere, a young nursing mother, as she reluctantly reunites with her estranged mother at her husbands pleading. The catalyst for this reunion is the arrival of a newborn, marking the traditional Omugwo ceremony in Igbo culture, where the mother of the couple offers postpartum care to the new mother. Plot Strained follows the journey of Ebere, a new mother, and her estranged mother, Abigailthe narrative traces back to Eberes days as a boarding student at Methodist College Enugu. During visiting days, Ebere eagerly anticipated her mothers arrival, only to face repeated disappointment when Abigail failed to show up as other mothers did for their children. This early disappointment lays the foundation for their strained relationship, which is further explored as the story unfolds. Ebere, now married and facing the demands of caring for her newborn, finds herself in a dilemma when her husband travels for a business trip to Calabar. Reluctantly, she reaches out to her estranged mother, Abigail, for help, setting the stage for a highly charged reunion. However, Eberes heart is filled with resentment toward her mother, seeing her more as an adversary than a source of support. This bitterness stems from a traumatic past: her fathers abusive behaviour towards her mother led to Abigails departure from the marriage. However, Abigail faced a bitter struggle with Eberes father, who refused to let go of control over their daughter, subjecting Ebere to a toxic upbringing. Unknown to Ebere, her mothers decision to reconnect was driven by a deep desire to protect and nurture her. But past wounds have clouded Eberes perception, leaving her feeling abandoned and betrayed. Can the gap between them be bridged? Will Ebere come to understand her mothers sacrifices and find it in her heart to forgive and reconcile? Will their bond be reborn? Character Analysis The film features a talented cast, including Queen Nwokoye, Samuel Nnaibuike, Padita Agu, Tracey George, and Adaeze Onuigbo. Queen Nwokoye delivers a standout performance as Eberes mother, Abigail, bringing depth and authenticity to her character. She skillfully navigates the complexities of a character who suffers from past pain and struggles to heal the wounds in her relationship with her daughter. Her portrayal captures the essence and central theme of the movie, drawing viewers into her characters emotional journey. The film benefits greatly from her compelling performance. Additionally, the casting choice of Queen Nwokoye and Tracey George, who played the role of Ebere, her daughter, bears a striking resemblance and enhances the authenticity of their mother-daughter relationship, contributing to the films overall impact. Movie Review The beauty of a good movie is its story, and how well the story is told also matters a lot; these things make Strained stand out. From the beginning, the movie hooks the audience with a tone of suspense that keeps them engaged. As the narrative unfolds, scene by scene, viewers are drawn deeper into the mysteries surrounding the characters. The central question of why Ebere harbours hatred towards her mother becomes a driving force, compelling audiences to await each revelation eagerly. Amidst the unfolding drama, Strained skillfully balances moments of emotion and comic relief, creating a dynamic pace that keeps viewers both invested and entertained. Each scene is crafted precisely, offering the correct dose of comedy and intrigue. The film strikes a delicate balance between moments of tension and fun, allowing audiences to engage with the characters on multiple levels. The clash of wisdom during the Omugwo tradition is a rich source of comedic relief, highlighting the tension between traditional child-nurturing practices and modern approaches. These humorous moments are brought to life through witty dialogues and impeccable and comic timing. The chemistry among the characters, especially the two mothers, adds charm and relatability to the story, resonating strongly with Nigerian women and viewers alike. Strained enchants viewers with its captivating cinematography, skillfully capturing the beauty of the Enugu setting while also delving into the emotional depths experienced by its characters. Through stunning visuals, the film juxtaposes the serene landscapes of Enugu with the inner troubles and conflicts faced by its protagonists. Moreover, the city becomes not just a backdrop but a character in its own right, reflecting its inhabitants cultural heritage and identity. From sweeping panoramic shots to intimate close-ups, each frame is meticulously crafted to evoke emotions. Additionally, the films soundtrack further enhances the emotions. The songs reflect both the culture and value of motherhood. Strained portrays the rich Igbo culture, weaving its vibrant elements throughout the narrative to create a truly immersive experience. From Mamas traditional attire to the characters seamlessly switching between English and Igbo in their dialogues, the film celebrates cultural pride from start to finish. The films meticulous attention to sound design, music, and lighting significantly contributes to its overall impact; each element is carefully crafted to evoke a sense of authenticity, elevating the storytelling to new heights. However, the movie is not without its faults; the subplot of domestic violence was not explored well, and the lack of this clarity makes the premise for the entire film very weak and insubstantial. We did not learn much about Eberes father, but what Abigail told us saved the day. In cases like this, viewers cant judge whether Eberes hatred for her mother was justified. Otherwise, Strained delivers a compelling blend of drama, emotion, and cultural exploration, making it a worthy addition to any viewing list. Whether enjoyed on the big screen or from the comfort of home, it leaves a lasting impression as a thought-provoking and engaging film. Verdict: 8/10 STRAINED an Okey Oku Film [Official Trailer] (youtube.com) Strained is currently streaming on Netflix. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammad Pate, has faulted the announcement of a newly approved Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) for civil servants by the Ministry of Defence. According to the minister, debate on the introduction of HMOs was still ongoing, and approval was yet to be granted, as announced by an official of the Ministry of the Defence Ministry. He disclosed this in a recent post on X. Announcement The Ministry of Defence, in a statement published on its website on Thursday, announced the introduction of a new HMO called Federal Civil Service Health Maintenance Limited and, reportedly, targeted at ensuring that civil servants across the country can afford health care. The ministrys Permanent Secretary, Ibrahim Kana, said President Bola Tinubu approved the new HMO. He said the new HMO, unlike the others which cater for service members and their dependents, aims to enhance healthcare delivery specifically for federal civil servants. According to him, this further proves the presidents acknowledgement of the workforce. 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 comprehensive coverage will not only safeguard the health of our civil servants but will also provide them with the peace of mind they deserve. The Military and the Police Service Commission have their independent HMOs different from the NHIS, which is responsible for all the servicemen and their dependents, he said. Mr Kana said creating an exclusive HMO will improve healthcare delivery in the civil service and urged members to embrace the new policy. This is the dawn of a new era. We want you to embrace this new scheme, own it and work together for our better tomorrow, he added. Ministers reaction However, in response to this, Mr Pate expressed his concern over announcing an initiative, which is still subject to approval, to the public. Mr Pate said the initiative is still under review and not ready for implementation, as disclosed by the Ministry of Defence. He disclosed that the project is part of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIA) reform, which is still ongoing He also pointed out that the federal government is focused on providing affordable healthcare to every citizen rather than a selected group. The minister said: Very surprised to see this announcement on a matter that is far from being concluded. This administration is focused in the health sector on expanding financial protection for all Nigerians, not only a few privileged ones. The forces that held back progress on health insurance (only about 7 per cent of the population or 16 million Nigerians covered in more than 20 years) waking up to undermine efforts to reform NHIA to accelerate coverage for all Nigerians. The minister urged those in charge of the project to exercise patience and ensure that required steps are taken before an implementation phase begins. He said proponents of the project should tarry a bit, not conflate power with knowledge, and work through this effort constructively and as part of the NHIA reforms underway. He also urged all concerned individuals to consider the implications of undermining Nigerias progress on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for what he described as narrow and very short-term interests. The reforms will expand coverage for civil servants (including through a properly established and appropriately regulated Federal Civil Service HMO, coverage for retirees, at the same time as expand protection for millions of poor and vulnerable Nigerians, not only for the Federal Civil Servants, the minister added. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Irans President Ebrahim Raisi was on Sunday involved in a helicopter accident. Aljazeera reports. Mr Raisi was travelling in the official helicopter when it suffered a hard landing near Jolfa in Irans East Azerbaijan province, Rescue operation was underway at the time of this report but was being hampered by poor weather conditions. Apart from Mr Raisi, there were other officials in the helicopter including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian. The helicopter has been officially declared missing while search operations continue. Government spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi said Vice President Mohammad Mokhber had travelled to Tabriz along with other members of the government. He said a cabinet meeting was held where officials were briefed about the missing helicopter. Although Mr Raisis fate was unclear at the time of this report, the Iranian constitution states that in the case of the death of the president, the vice president would take over with the approval of the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. PREMIUM TIMES will provide updates in subsequent reports. 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 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over $22,000 recovered from a convicted internet fraudster to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States. A statement by EFCCs Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on Saturday, said the handover ceremony took place in Lagos on Friday. The agency said the money was recovered from Hakeem Olanrewaju, a convicted internet fraudster. According to the commission, a Federal High Court judge in Ikoyi, Lagos, Nicholas Oweibo, ordered on 15 August 2023 that the money recovered from Mr Olanrewaju be returned to the fraud victim in the United States. Mr Olanrewaju was sentenced to two years imprisonment for identity theft and impersonation. During the handover ceremony, Acting Director of the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC, Michael Wetkas, reaffirmed the commissions dedication to combating crimes and restoring sanity to the nation. We are delighted to be handing over these proceeds of crime today. The EFCC is willing and always ready to do more, 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 Responding, FBI Legal Attache Charles Smith highlighted the collaborative efforts between the EFCC and FBI that helped recover funds of this nature, especially from the Business Email Compromise (BEC). This type of crime cripples businesses in the US, and for them to recover the money within one to two years gives hope to the affected companies and brings some level of justice, even if not all subjects have been identified, Mr Smith said. We hope our relationship continues and fosters a more cohesive partnership between the two agencies. If theres anything the FBI can do to support this investigation, we will do so. We appreciate this on behalf of the FBI and thank the EFCC. The ceremony was attended by EFCCs Head of Public Affairs, Lagos, Ayo Oyewole; Head of Investigation, Deborah Oni; and Head of Advance Fee Fraud 1, Alex Ogbole. Also present were Assistant Legal Attache Michael Thomas and Foreign Service Investigator Ayo Solademi. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print London-based Nigerian charity the Hospital and Prison Action Network (HPAN) has constructed twelve self-contained flats in Abeokuta the Ogun State capital to serve as accommodation for Nigerians deported from the UK and in need of somewhere to stay. In the first such development of its kind, HPAN, a member of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (Canuk), said it decided to act because a lot of Nigerians who get deported from the UK end up stranded on their return home. HPAN are now offering them free accommodation for three months at their halfway home to enable such deportees find their feet. According to Nathaniel Oyinloye, the chief executive of HPAN and its sister organisation, Hospital and Prison Welfare Initiative (HPWI), this programme will end the problem of some deportees having to sleep at the Lagos airport. He added that all deportees will be provided with accommodation for three months, after which their cases will be reviewed. Dr Oyinloye said: We wish to inform Nigerians living in the UK that if any of them are deported by the government and are looking for a place to stay for a short time in Nigeria that they are welcome to our halfway home/deportee centre. For the people affected who are willing to use our service, we also have a two bedroom flat at Ojuelegba in Surulere, Lagos State, that can be used as a transition point from where the person(s) are transported to our main rehabilitation and resettlement centre that comprises of 12 self-contained flats in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Anyone released from the UK is eligible to stay there for three months and their stay is renewable subject to meeting the terms and conditions including being a good neighbour to other occupiers and not damaging the property. We are starting off with the UK but we will be extending the programme to other countries too. A letter outlining this service has been forwarded to the Nigerian High Commission in London and HPAN now plans to design a leaflet and make sure it is widely available. According to Dr Oyinloye, this leaflet will be widely distributed at immigration detention centres across the UK, so that all our people are informed about the development. 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 Judy Akuta, Canuks welfare secretary, said: This is a wonderful initiative from one of our member organisations and hopefully, it will go some way to ameliorating the agony some of our people face when they are deported. A lot of Nigerians get deported after say 10 years of living in the UK and when they arrive in Lagos have nowhere to go because life has moved on since they left, so this will at least allow them to find their feet. With the UK government stepping up deportations, this kind of initiative became necessary as more and more deportees were being left stranded upon arriving in Nigeria. Canuk will be helping to spread the word to our member-organisations, so they can forward it on to their individual members. Of late, the UK has introduced several Draconian immigration restrictions aimed at restricting the number of immigrants staying in the country. These new laws are part of the plans of the Conservative government of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to bring immigration, which currently stands at around one million, down. For instance, there are now restrictions on the families of foreign students coming to join them in the UK and international students are no longer allowed to switch out of the student route and into work routes before their studies are completed. This is being backed up with an increase in deportations, including to Rwanda under a controversial programme. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Former Minister of Defence, Theophilus Danjuma, has said the Kuteb ethnic group does not have sole ownership of the traditional stool of Takum in the Takum Local Government area of Taraba state. Mr Danjuma, a retired Nigerian Army general, stated this on Saturday at the installation of the new Chief of Takum, Sofiya Gboshi, in Takum. The Kutep people had rejected the appointment of Mr Gboshi, who is of the Chamba ethnic stock, by Governor Agbu Kefas to the first-class traditional stool. The Kuteb are claiming exclusive right to the stool, and the ruling houses of the group filed a case at the state high court in Jalingo challenging the appointment. However, the case was dismissed by the court for lack of substance. Mr Danjuma said the Kutep were not original members of the royal family and accused the people of inventing a new history for Takum. Those protesting against the appointment of the new chief of Takum were never born in Takum and were the same people that are saying Takum town belongs to them only, the former army chief said. Mr Danjuma said when he was young, the Kuteps were referred to as people of the hills. 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 commended Governor Kefas for doing what his predecessors could not do for over 27 years. I want to congratulate and salute Governor Kefas for breaking the jinx; we sincerely thank him. In his address at the ceremony, Mr Kefas said the vacant throne of Takum had been a symbol of division for nearly three decades, adding that it was time for reconciliation, unity, and progress. He appealed to the people to give peace a chance and to continue to support his administration. Today, we bring peace and unity to Takum. As the chief of Takum, you must rule with integrity and respect for all, the governor advised the new traditional ruler. In his address, a former governor of Plateau, Jonah Jang, called on governors to seek a constitutional amendment to accommodate state police. He said in the face of current security challenges, each state needs its police. Also at the event were Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and many other dignitaries. In his vote of thanks, Gboshi, the new chief, called on the people to forget their differences and join hands to build Takum. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In a strategic move to ensure the advancement of his administrations climate and green economic initiatives, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Ajuri Ngelale as the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action. Mr Ngelale will serve in this role as part of a larger Presidential Committee, to be chaired by the President. The Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions, established by the president, will coordinate and oversee all policies and programmes on climate action and green economic development. This is to remove the constraints to coordination, foster a whole-of-government approach to climate-action programmes, provide an efficient governance architecture, and ensure that all relevant institutions in the sector are plugged into the Presidents vision and are collectively implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda on climate action. The Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions consists of the following: (1) President Bola Tinubu Chairman (2) Balarabe Abbas Lawal (Minister of Environment) Vice-Chairman 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 (3) Ajuri-Obari Ngelale (Special Adviser) Secretary/Special Presidential Envoy (4) Lazarus Angbazo (CEO, InfraCorp) Member (5) Salisu Dahiru (CEO, NCCC) Member (6) Michael Ohiani (CEO, ICRC) Member (7) Aisha Rimi (CEO, NIPC) Member (8) Aminu Umar-Sadiq (CEO, NSIA) Member (9) Yusuf Maina-Bukar (CEO, NAGGW) Member (10) Abdullahi Mustapha (CEO, ECN) Member (11) Abba Abubakar Aliyu (CEO, REA) Member (12) Uzoma Nwagba (CEO, CrediCorp) Member (13) Khalil Halilu (CEO, NASENI) Member (14) Fatima Shinkafi (CEO, SMDF) Member (15) Bala Bello (Deputy Governor, CBN) Member (16) Lolade Abiola (UN SE4ALL) Member (17) Teni Majekodunmi (NCCC Adviser) Member (18) Representative, Federal Ministry of FCT Member (19) Representative, Federal Ministry of Finance Member (20) Representative, Federal Ministry of Power Member (21) Representative, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment Member (22) Representative, Federal Ministry of Water Resources Member (23) Representative, Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security Member (24) Representative, Federal Inland Revenue Service Member (25) Representative, Nigeria Customs Service Member The Presidential Committee shall, among other functions: (1) Identify, develop, and implement innovative non-oil & non-gas climate action initiatives. (2) Coordinate all activities of relevant federal institutions towards the attainment of all agreed climate action and green economic objectives and non-oil/non-gas ambitions of the federal government. (3) Collaborate with all relevant government, subnational governments, non-government, and civil society entities towards the attainment of the climate action objectives and ambitions of the federal government. (4) Collaborate with national governments and multilateral institutions towards the attainment of the climate action objectives and carbon market ambitions of the federal government. (5) Monitor, evaluate, and guide the progress of all climate action and renewable energy projects and activities of the federal government. (6) Track and guide the implementation of initiatives and developments conducted by the Energy Transition Working Group. (7) Supervise the work of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen. (8) Prepare a half-yearly green ambitions update, covering all associated climate action achievements of the federal government. Mr Ngelale will retain his role as the official spokesperson of the president and Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity while serving on the committee. President Tinubu remains committed to achieving Nigerias green economy objectives on the path of a just energy transition while unlocking new investments in this critical sector that is central to the nations economic future. Segun Imohiosen Director (Information & Public Relations) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print News / National by Staff reporter Home Affairs Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Raphael Faranisi, announced the revision of several laws and the introduction of new policies to enhance crime prevention and justice delivery in Zimbabwe.Speaking at the 33rd session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Vienna, Austria, held from May 13 to 17, 2024, Faranisi emphasized the progressive steps taken by the government.He highlighted the new Prisons and Correctional Services Act, effective from August 2023, which focuses on rehabilitating inmates and reintegrating them into society. This law prioritizes helping inmates rehabilitate and successfully rejoin their communities post-incarceration over mere punishment."Our goal is to support former inmates in becoming productive members of society, thereby reducing recidivism," Faranisi stated.This shift reflects a holistic approach to criminal justice, aiming to contribute to a safer and more inclusive society.Faranisi also noted the government's response to technological challenges in crime prevention and justice delivery, particularly addressing new forms of criminal activity facilitated by digital platforms."In March 2022, Zimbabwe enacted the Cyber and Data Protection Act to address the rise in cybercrime," he explained.Furthermore, he pointed out that addressing legal gaps ensures laws remain effective against contemporary crime challenges. This approach underscores the government's commitment to adapting the legal framework to tackle new threats in the digital era.Additionally, a fully-fledged forensics and cyber laboratory was established to enhance evidence processing efficiency."The Cyber Laboratory includes a monitoring center for open-source intelligence, malware analysis, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, and facial recognition. Meanwhile, the Forensics Department has improved the timely availability of scientific evidence for justice delivery," he said.This development has significantly reduced backlogs, particularly in areas like illicit drug-related cases.Faranisi also affirmed Zimbabwe's dedication to combating terrorism and organized crime, including trafficking, cybercrime, money laundering, and terrorism financing. Addressing crime prevention and justice, he emphasized the importance of fighting corruption and promoting good governance."The country is committed to thoroughly investigating acts of corruption and holding those responsible accountable," Faranisi stressed.He advocated for global cooperation to combat transnational organized crime, highlighting the need for increased collaboration to prevent crime, enhance criminal justice systems, and uphold the rule of law.Zimbabwe calls for inclusive efforts, ensuring that no one is left behind in the fight against organized crime, he concluded. Gunmen have abducted the paramount ruler of Mbo Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State. Okon Abang was abducted on Saturday by gunmen who stormed his palace at Ebughu at about 9 p.m., Vanguard newspaper reported. The police spokesperson in Akwa Ibom State, Timfon John, confirmed the abduction to PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday. Ms John, an assistant superintendent of police, said the police were doing everything possible to ensure that the traditional ruler is freed unhurt. Asked if the gunmen have contacted the family for ransom, the police spokesperson said the command was not aware of that. Akwa Ibom State, dubbed as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria, has witnessed a rise in insecurity, particularly kidnap-for-ransom since the beginning of the year. The incident occurred about a week after the wife of Asuquo Okon, a prominent politician in the area, was abducted in Oron, a neighbouring local government area to Mbo, according to Vanguard newspaper. 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 PREMIUM TIMES two weeks ago reported how gunmen stormed a family home around 3 a.m., and abducted a four-month-old baby. The shocking parents of the victim were fast asleep when they heard a loud bang on the door by the gunmen, who pulled the door to the ground and made away with the four-month-old son. The Nigeria Medical Association in the state last week directed its members to withdraw their services from both public and private hospital following the kidnap of their colleague, John Esu. Mr Esu, who was abducted three weeks, ago is still in captivity. The cell phone of the State Commissioner for Internal Security, Koko Essien, was switched off when our reporter tried to contact him for comments on the rise in kidnapping in the state. Vanguard newspaper had in March reported how gunmen kidnapped husband and wife by their residential gate at Akpasak Estate, off Oron Road, Uyo, leaving their infants twins abandoned. The couple, according to the newspaper, went for shopping leaving their twins babies at home and were abducted by kidnappers while honking at the gate waiting for someone to open it. The suspected kidnappers, the newspaper said, arrived in a mini-bus and whisked them away to unknown destination. In January, PREMIUM TIIMES reported how three persons were abducted by kidnappers while watching the African Cup of Nations at a relaxation centre in Uyo, the state capital. The four suspects connected with the kidnapping were latter arrested by the State Security Service, this this newspaper had reported. This newspaper last December reported how a High Court judge, Joy Unwana, was kidnapped while her security guard was shot dead while returning to Uyo from Oron Local Government Area, where she had a court session. Mrs Unwana was freed after spending five days in captivity. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The boundary dispute between the Eda Oniyo community in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State and the Obo Ayegunle town in Kwara State claimed one life on Saturday, while a yet-to-be ascertained number of people sustained injuries. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the boundary dispute escalated when armed men from Obo Ayegunle allegedly attacked Eda Oniyo on Saturday. It was learnt that in the ensuing melee, one person from the Eda Oniyo community was reportedly killed before soldiers, police personnel, and members of the Amotekun Corps got to the scene to curtail the crisis. Recall that the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye, had, on Thursday last week, interfaced with the Eda Oniyo community over the festering boundary dispute between the two towns. In their submissions at the parley, the traditional head of Eda Oniyo, Oba Awolola, had complained about how some people from Obo Ayegunle allegedly invaded his town and started arresting people indiscriminately and clamped them in detention over a vast plot of land located between the two towns. Oba Awolola had disclosed that the Obo Ayegunle farmers had been paying royalty to Eda Oniyo on the land for decades but that they stopped recently and allegedly began making efforts to take over the land from his people forcefully. The monarch had explained that the land under dispute belonged to the Eda Oniyo based on the National Boundary Commission (NBC) resolution about the presence of Ondo States pillar on the land and backed by a document gazetted as legal notice No 126 of 1954 under the Western region. 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 traditional ruler said that Obo Ayegunle relocated to their present location in 1927, while Eda Oniyo Ekiti had settled in the town since the 14th Century, sharing boundaries with Etan and Eruku in Kwara State. In 2008, there was a meeting called by NBC between the two communities where some resolutions were made in favour of Ekiti that the legal notice No 126 of 1954 should be allowed to stand because it remains an extant document and is yet to be amended. They cant use threat and violence to retrieve that land. That boundary cant be changed orally. They dont have anything to controvert the 1954 document. That land belonged to Eda Oniyo, and what Obo Ayegunle was doing was an attempt by Kwara State to rob Ekiti of its inheritance, the traditional ruler said. Giving further explanation on the dispute at the meeting with Mrs Afuye, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Olugbenga Odesanmi, had revealed that the matter could be resolved with the governments intervention, saying the land was about to be taken over because it was leased for too long by Eda Oniyo people. Mr Odesanmi added that Obo Ayegunle had expanded from their present location to the land under dispute, stressing that there could be a need for the NBC to intervene and resolve the matter amicably. In his submission, the states Deputy surveyor-general, Rufus Gbadura, had said the land under dispute bore the pillars that demarcated the boundary between the Western region and the Northern province, which further attested to the fact that it belonged to Ekiti State. However, in a counter move, the Obo Ayegunle Descendants Union, in a letter addressed to Governor Biodun Oyebanji, also accused Eda Oniyo Ekiti of intruding into their lands and causing unnecessary insurrection. Meanwhile, the Ekiti State government has appealed to residents of Eda Oniyo to remain calm over the attack on the community. The state Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, in a statement made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti, assured that the situation had been brought under control. The commissioner, however, disclosed that additional troops had moved to the area to protect the community while the army formation in Kwara State has been contacted to deploy troops along the Kwara side of the border to curtail further attacks from both sides. He expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and prayed for the quick recovery of those injured in the incident. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print 15th May 2024 His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, The Presidency, Aso Villa, Abuja, FCT. Your Excellency, DISTORTION IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL HIGHWAY BY ARBITRARY DEVIATION FROM THE LONG-ESTABLISHED RIGHT OF WAY BY THE HON MINISTER OF WORKS AND THE FEDERAL CONTROLLER OF WORKS, AND THE THREATENED UNLAWFUL DEMOLITION OF PROPERTY OF OWNERS AND RESIDENTS AT LAFIAJI COMMUNITY, ETI OSA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, LAGOS STATE PLEA FOR PRESIDENTIAL INTERVENTION We act as solicitors to residents of and landed property owners in Lafiaji Community in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria whose property have been marked for removal and demolition by the Lagos State Government, acting at the behest of the Federal Government of Nigeria (Federal Ministry of Works) (hereinafter referred to as our clients), on whose behalf we write this letter. Our clients include Professor Oluropo Sekoni, Dr Kola Akinleye, Mr Bonojo Olalekan, Mr Festus Ogwu and many others who are well respected, law-abiding senior citizens in this country. 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 clients are constrained to write you this open letter as a desperate step to secure relief and save their homes and property from an impending unlawful and unwarranted demolition. The case of our clients is as stated below: Our clients, numbering over eighty (80) persons, individually purchased and came into possession of their respective landed property at various times many years ago. They all have a common predecessor in title in the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family of Ajiran-Land in Lagos State. The title of their predecessor in title, before it was passed onto our clients, was confirmed by a judgment of the High Court of Justice of Western Nigeria, delivered on the 12th day of December 1960 in Suit No. I/302/55 (Oba Onibeju & Ors. Vs Salumonu Oyebola & Ors.), which was affirmed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the 25th day of January 1965 in Suit No. FSC/268/1963. After the emergence of the Land Use Act, 1978, the said title was further affirmed by a judgment of the High Court of Lagos State in Suit No. ID/1883/89 (Alhaji Fatai Ajetumobi & Ors vs. Attorney-General of Lagos State, which was delivered on 18th day of October 1991, and which declared that the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family was the holder of the customary right of occupancy over the said land. Eventually, the Lagos State Government, by an Official Gazette No. 15. Vol. 37, 2004, dated 7th day of April 2004, adopted the said judgment, and excised from compulsory global acquisition, the entire Lafiaji Village, an excision of which our clients respective landed property forms a part, down the line. In the acquisition of their plots of land and development of their respective homes and property, our clients obtained requisite consents of the Lagos State Government to their deeds of assignments, had their respective survey plans hewed from the approved Ojomu Family Layout Plan, and obtained all the necessary building approvals and development permits from the relevant agencies of the Lagos State Government. In the acquisitions of their plots of lands and in building their respective property, our clients were well informed about the Right of Way, clearly marked, beaconed, and established for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, and, therefore, ensured that they did not encroach on or trespass the established Right of Way. However, there are those who, overtime, have built on the said Right of Way and constructed huge estates crisscrossing this in the illusion that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway would never be built, without any valid legal title to the land on which they built; or with government officials-assisted fabricated certificates of occupancy having embossed survey-plans (the area coordinates of which truly are that of lands adjacent and proximate to the Right of Way, but which are passed off as that of a land situated within or covering the Right of Way, for the purpose of obtaining certificates of occupancy). These persons also either did not obtain valid building approvals and development permits from the relevant agencies of the Lagos State Government or were assisted by corrupt officials of government to obtain doctored documents. As an outcome of the recent visit of the Honourable Minister of Works and Federal Controller of Works to the communities affected by the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, especially regarding compliance with the enforcement of the Right of Way, valuation of affected landed property, service of removal and demolition notices, and compensation, the Honourable Minister of Works and the Federal Controller of Works decided to deviate from the scrupulous implementation of the Right of Way by specifically directing surveyors of the Federal Government of Nigeria (Ministry of Works) on the project to establish a fresh Right of Way, create a new alignment and alter the road-course into the area where our clients plots of lands and houses are situated an area which was not covered by the long established Right of Way. From available information, the new alignment being dictated by the Honourable Minister of Works and Federal Controller of Works have not been assimilated by the Office of the Surveyor-General of Lagos State and the Lands Bureau, but curiously, the Office of Development Matters, Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has served our clients Removal Notice on Physical Development Within the Right of Way (RoW) of the Proposed Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project in Lagos State ***Establishment of Right of Way***, dated 10th of May 2024, demanding that within seven (7) days of being served the notices, our clients should remove their buildings from the new, arbitrarily established Right of Way, and submit any documents of their landed property to the Permanent Secretary, Land Bureau of Lagos State, Alausa, Lagos State for compensation purposes. Further, our clients have gathered information that the Honourable Minister of Works and Federal Controller of Works have an improper and less-than-patriotic reasons for arbitrarily directing a departure from the long-established Right of Way for the construction of the Highway. Amongst some huge housing estates that allegedly have sprung up illicitly on the long-established Right of Way are Ocean Bay Estate and others. The developers of these Estates and some of the owners-occupiers of buildings therein are alleged to have strong political connections, ethnic ties, and social links with the powers that be; hence the Honourable Minister of Works and Federal Controller of Works have in an unabashed display of nepotism, as alleged, ruled that the properties in these estates are too valuable to be demolished, and that demolishing them would attract huge compensation from the Federal Government. In consequence, it is being alleged that the Honourable Minister of Works and Federal Controller of Works directed that the Right of Way be altered away from the established path and the said estates, and that a new alignment be made through our clients lands that were never established as the Right of Way. After whimsically taking the decision to alter the Right of Way as aforesaid, the Honourable Minister of Works and Federal Controller of Works found a pretext for their actions by labelling our clients properties as shanties, to create the false impression that our clients are unlawful settlers and illegal occupiers of their lands. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The said decision of the Honourable Minister of Works and Federal Controller of Works to change the Right of Way and, therefore, the course of the Highway is an abuse of power and unlawful exercise of ministerial discretions. They both have no latitude of executive prerogatives to do that which they have allegedly directed should be done. As a result of the action of the Honourable Minister of Works and Federal Controller of Works, our clients are now being confronted with the prospect of being rendered homeless. The landed property affected are not just realty investments but also homes of many of them, some of whom currently are overseas and, therefore, are in no position to vacate and yield up possession of their property for demolition within the unreasonable seven (7)-day ultimatum they were unconscionably given to flee their abodes. Your Excellency, our clients are in support of the rightful, law-based, and people-friendly execution of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project, in accordance with the long-established Right of Way. Our clients, however, fail, hard as they have tried, to see any legal or moral justification for the threatened violation of their constitutional right to own immovable property and their right to freedom from discrimination (Sections 34 and 43 & 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, referenced), by a Minister (and by extension Your Government) that have sworn to uphold the Constitution. They cannot understand why their legal rights and interests must be sacrificed to please violators of the long-established Right of Way, whose illegally constructed properties (houses) can be demolished and removed without any compensation whatsoever, and with justification. Why are our clients-law abiding citizens-being rewarded with oppression, while violators, who knowingly and arrogantly built on the long-established Right of Way are being treated with reverence? Your Excellency, our clients plead with you to call the Minister of Works to order and direct that he should abandon the new alignment for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway at Lafiaji, Eti Osa Local Government Area, and revert to the original long-established Right of Way. Our clients place a high hope in the governance era of renewed hope and are confident that Your Excellency will grant their plea. While anticipating that the grant of their plea shall soon be reflected in the expected reversion to the original Right of Way, Your Excellency, kindly accept the assurances of our clients highest regards. Yours faithfully, Jiti Ogunye, Esq. Principal Solicitor and Counsel. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print We must fast because we hunger for God and not for the praise of men. There are fundamental differences between what God does and what man does. God is not a man. His ways are different from those of men. His reward is different from that of men. Jesus insists we must choose between the things of God and those of men. We cannot have both, not the least because the things of men are the things of Satan. Ephemeral Rewards Jesus identifies three instances where we must seek only Gods approval, not mans: when we do charitable works, pray, and fast. He says if we do any of these secretly, God will reward us openly. But if we do them to be seen by men, the only approval we will get will be from men. (Matthew 6:1-3/6). When we give to men, we must do so recognising that we are giving to God and not to men. Jesus says: Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me. (Matthew 24:40). Therefore, we must not receive glory or praise from men. Jesus says: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16). 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 rewards of men are ephemeral. Unlike Gods reward, they do not last. Job says of men: Their prosperity will not endure. (Job 20:21). Men will praise us today and abuse us tomorrow. They will end up discouraging our righteousness. We will soon become tired of doing good if we seek their approval. God cursed the Earth. (Genesis 3:17). So, nothing fundamentally good or enduring can be dug out of the Earth. Therefore, Jesus teaches that it is more blessed to give than to receive from men. (Acts 20:35). When we fast, we must do so because we hunger for God and not for the praise of men. When we pray, we must be careful to pray only to God and not to men. Prayer must not be designed to feed our spiritual ego. Gods Reward Most Christians acknowledge that God rewards man, but we do not know how. Churches primarily recognise money and riches as Gods rewards. But these can be obtained without God. Since many unbelievers are wealthy, then wealth cannot be the reward of God. Gods kingdom is not of this world. So, Gods reward cannot be of this world. John says: Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world.(1 John 2:15-16). The Bible says: (God) is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.(Hebrews 11:6). It is only logical that since God rewards those who seek Him, their reward must be what they seek, which is God Himself. God primarily rewards those who love Him with Himself. He is by far the most precious thing in the universe. Therefore, there can be no greater reward than God Himself. David says to God: In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.(Psalm 16:11). Accordingly, God chose Abraham by giving Himself to Abraham. He said: I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward. (Genesis 15:1). The reward of God is God Himself, and it is an exceedingly great reward. He revealed Himself to Israel, His chosen people, as Immanuel: God with us, leading Isaiah to declare: Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst! (Isaiah 12:6). When Israel came to the Promised Land, the land was divided by tribe. Some received the highlands, some the lowlands. Some well-watered lands that rivers divide, and some coastal lands. But the Levites were not given any land whatsoever. God declared that He was their Promised Land. The Lord said to Aaron: You shall have no inheritance in their land, nor shall you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel. (Numbers 18:20). Rather than complain about this seeming oversight, the Levites maintained that they received the best deal: O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; you maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good inheritance. (Psalm 16:5-6). Today, we have come full circle in Christ. We are not heirs of carnal things. We are not even heirs of what God has. We are heirs of God Himself: Heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.(Romans 8:17). So, when a man came to Jesus to seek His assistance in getting his brother to give him his share of the inheritance from his father, Jesus rebuked him for striving for the inheritance of men and ignoring that of God: Take heed and beware of covetousness, for ones life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. (Luke 12:15). Gods Open Reward As observed, most Christians are socialised in churches to believe that God rewards us with carnal things. We know that God rewards good works done in His Name. But we think He does this by giving us valuable things of this world. However, that cannot possibly be the case. Jesus says: What is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. (Luke 16:15). Surely, God will not reward anyone with what is an abomination to Him. Moreover, if what God gives is essentially Himself, how does He give Himself openly? Jesus says every secret devotion elicits Gods open reward. God does this by demonstrating openly that He approves of us. At Jesus water baptism, God approved of Him openly in the hearing of everybody: Suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:17). On another occasion, there was an open conversation between God the Father and Jesus: Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name. Then a voice came from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it and will glorify it again. Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, An angel has spoken to Him. (John 12:27-29). God rewarded Jesus openly by validating His word with signs and wonders. Thus, Peter testified to the people on Jesus resurrection from the dead: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as you yourselves also know. (Acts 2:22). Such open validation also belongs to followers of Christ. Jesus says: These signs will follow those who believe: In My name, they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. (Mark 16:17-18). God rewarded Joseph openly by making him the prime minister of Egypt and then bringing his devious brothers who sold him into slavery to Egypt to bow down to him. He rewarded Daniel openly by shutting the mouths of the lions when he was thrown into the lions den. He rewarded openly the three Hebrew children when they were thrown into the fiery furnace. They were unscathed. God rewards us openly by doing something extraordinary for us that shows every bystander that the hand of God is upon us. They often come in wilderness situations. They come in ways that men cannot claim the glory, but God. They are not hidden. God deliberately broadcasts them supernaturally to the world. When God rewarded David openly, he wrote in the Psalms: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. (Psalm 23:5). When our cup runs over, everyone sees it, especially our enemies. It is not only Gods peace that surpasses all human understanding, so also do His open rewards. Everyone might be going through an economic crunch, but that is when our businesses prosper inexplicably. Thus, Isaac sowed in famine and reaped a bountiful harvest. His harvest must have been confounding to his neighbour: Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the Lord blessed him. The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous; for he had possessions of flocks and possessions of herds and a great number of servants. So the Philistines envied him. (Genesis 26:12-14). Every time Isaac dug for a well, he found running water and his neighbours contested with him for the well. He would move away and dig somewhere else and still find running water. He kept this up until they gave up and stopped harassing him. Then Abimelech came to him from Gerar with Ahuzzath, one of his friends, and Phichol the commander of his army. And Isaac said to them, Why have you come to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you? But they said, We have certainly seen that the Lord is with you. So we said, Let there now be an oath between us, between you and us; and let us make a covenant with you. (Genesis 26:26-28). Everyone concluded that God must be the one favouring Isaac, so even his enemies came to reconcile with him. Solomon says: When a mans ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Proverbs 16:7). CONTINUED. Faribisala@yahoo.com; www.femiaribisala.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In the general course of human nature, a power over a mans subsistence amounts to a power over his will. Alexander Hamilton, Federalist, No. 79, cited in ODonoghue v. US, Id., 531 at 516 Nearly one year before he eventually prevailed in the legal contest over the destination of the governorship election, which occurred in Ekiti State in 2007, on 20 November 2009, Kayode Fayemi addressed the 52nd Annual Conference of the African Studies Association in New Orleans, in the state of Louisiana, United States of America, to offer some reflections on ten years of the return to elective government in Nigeria. Dr Fayemis address to the conference dwelt significantly on what he called useful analytical categories in explaining why elections go the way they do in Nigeria with unpopular candidates emerging as winners in questionable elections. He identified and named several gods that needed to be appeased by those with any hope of having their political ambitions blessed with success. His list included the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); security agencies (especially the police and the army); political thugs and bandits; and what he called the money god. The list additionally included the judiciary which Dr Fayemi located rather tellingly in between the thugs and bandits on the one hand and the money god on the other. The most successful politicians, he suggested, were those who found ways to achieve intimacy with these gods. Borrowing a leaf from Dr Fayemis manual of electoral success, senior politicians in Nigeria and their counterparts in the judiciary appear to have been engaged in a prolonged mating game since before the general elections of 2023. As with many mating games that end up in intimacy, the results of the consummation are now showing themselves in unconcealed protuberances. In his second week as president, the current incumbent indicated assent to a constitutional amendment ending the dichotomy between the retirement age of judges of the high courts around the country and that of Justices of the Court of Appeal and of the Supreme Court. Until then high court judges retired at 65 while their counterparts in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court retired five years later at 70. This new law granted all judges at the level of the high court or its equivalent a career extension of five years. For Chief Judges at the state level, they all received an increase of five years in office, meaning an extension of the good times. However, judges with ambitions or expectations of succeeding into leadership at the state level in the judiciary saw this as career stultification. The politicians who made this possible gained good friends in high judicial office. At the beginning of April, 2024, the National Assembly passed the Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Bill. It took all of three weeks, having only been transmitted by the presidency on 19 March. The bill updates judicial salaries, last reviewed in 2008. In particular, it will become effective from 1 January 2024, which implies that if signed into law, the new rates of emoluments for judicial officers will be deemed to have become payable from January 1, in which case arrears will have to be paid. The bill guarantees a basic annual salary of N36.84 million for high court judges and N51.16 million for the Chief Justice of Nigeria, achieving a notional increase of over 800 per cent on current judicial remuneration. That is still way off the N84 million for high court judges and N120 million for the Chief Justice computed by Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osagie, a judge of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, in a self-help judgment issued on 4 May 2022. 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 negotiating gambit, however, the judges may take the view that the judgment has served its purpose. That is more than can be said for other workers in Nigeria in respect of whom negotiations with the federal government over the Minimum Wage broke down during the past week. Reflecting a peculiar legacy from military rule, Labour in Nigeria is federalized as an item under the Exclusive Legislative List although cost of living is location-sensitive. This is a story for another day. When the Supreme Court of the United States spoke in 1933 about the undiminishable character of the compensation of the judges, they could not have known that the Great Depression had not yet hit the mid-point of its ultimate duration nor did they reckon with the laws of macro-economics. It hardly helps the interests of the administration of justice if judges wages are undiminishable while those of their staff are non-existent. Far from guaranteeing more efficient delivery of justice, therefore, Nigerias new judicial salaries may just achieve the opposite in the absence of a quick and equitable resolution of the negotiations concerning wages for workers generally, including judiciary staff. Topping off a spectacular month of rich helpings from the political goodie-bag for Nigerias judiciary, the President during the week approved a whopping N37.2 billion for the construction of a new building for the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal. Contrary to the impression suggested by this decision, the court is not like another internally displaced person (IDP) in Abuja. In truth, it has one of the finer judicial edifices in the Federal Capital located also in the Three Arms Zone, just a shouting distance from the Presidency and the Supreme Court. This is why some people believe that the idea of an Abuja Division building is an excuse for executive generosity to the Court of Appeal hierarchy. Also working its way through the National Assembly at this time, the House of Representatives has passed a constitutional amendment bill to increase the number of Justices of Appeal by 67 per cent from the current 90 to 150. It seeks to increase the number of justices of the Court and provide for the appointment of a minimum of 6 justices in every Judicial division of the Court. If it becomes law, this will make the President of the Court of Appeal the unquestioned master or mistress of the judicial dark arts in Nigeria. All this has happened in the week in which the National Judicial Council met to allocate new judicial appointments. The winners included the current Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); one of his predecessors; and a recent Chief Justice of Nigeria, each of whom had one of their daughters formally recommended for appointment to the bench of the FCT High Court. Another evident winner is the current Chief Justice himself who got his wish to have his daughter-in-law appointed a judge of the FCT High Court in what one source described as granting him his last wish as CJN. One of the new appointees is Buetnaan Mandy Basi, the daughter of the current president of the Court of Appeal. The same NJC had appointed her a judge of the High Court of Plateau State in 2021 where she is currently serving as a judge. How many times can one person be appointed afresh to the same level of the Nigerian judiciary? Another winner was Nyesom Wike, (the current Minister of the same FCT much admired by the CJN), whose wife, Eberechi, was formally recommended for elevation to the Court of Appeal and whose sister-in-law was also recommended for appointment to the FCT High Court. The one clear loser was Yahaya Bello, the fugitive immediate past governor of Kogi State whose wish to have his wife, Amina, relocated from his bedroom to the courtroom as a judge of the High Court of Kogi State the NJC turned down. It is not that the Council suddenly suffered a Damascene conversion to rectitude in judicial appointments. Indeed, senior judicial figures privately attest to the enormous generosity of Yahaya Bello. They found the nomination of his wife on this occasion too much of a heavy lift, however, because he is out of favour with the ruling hierarchy. Far from controverting it, therefore, the NJCs decision to decline the appointment of Yahaya Bellos wife was the ultimate confirmation of Kayode Fayemis analytical categories from nearly 15 years ago. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, a lawyer, teaches at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and can be reached through chidi.odinkalu@tufts.edu. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Executive Secretary and CEO of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Felix Omatsola Ogbe was on Wednesday inducted into the Fellowship of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE). The investiture was performed by the President/Chair-in-Council of the NSE, Margaret Aina Oguntala, FNSE at a ceremony in Abuja. In her remarks at the occasion, the President of NSE congratulated Mr Ogbe and the other 62 new inductees. She urged them to uphold the values of their new position in their field of engineering. She highlighted that engineers have been at the forefront of driving progress and development across various sectors of the economy, notably in the oil and gas industry. She particularly lauded the Executive Secretary of NCDMB for his excellent leadership and expertise through the strategic development of local content and in-country value retention, which is a testament to his brilliance in the field of engineering. She also applauded the strategic partnership between the NSE, the NCDMB and other stakeholders in the oil and gas industry. Similarly, the chairman Board of Fellows/College of Fellows, Kamila Maliki, FNSE, commended thenew inductees for their resilience, dedication, and contribution to the field of engineering.He added that it was not a small feat to be chosen for the investiture due to the rigorous and thorough nature of the selection process. The Executive Secretary was later joined by the Managing Director of Setraco Nigeria Limited, Ziad Mouannes and Senator Patrick Ndubueze for the unveiling of the very first edition of the 2024 NSE Quarterly Magazine. Some senior officials of the Board who accompanied the Executive Secretary to the event included the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Abdulmalik Halilu,Director, Project Certification and Authorization, Abayomi Bamidele, and the General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Esueme Dan Kikile,Esq. Before he was appointed the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr Ogbe had nearly 30 years top -level career in the field of engineering in the employment of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), before retiring voluntarily to set up his private firm. 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 His last position at Chevron Nigeria was Construction Services Group Superintendent, and he oversaw 200 personnel, including Nigerian nationals and expatriates. Other notable positions he held at the company included Offshore Projects Manager, Construction Manager (Lagos & Escravos -Warri), Construction Engineer (San Ramon) in California, United States of America. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print No fewer than 386 people, mostly women and children, have been rescued by the Army in Sambisa forest ten years after their abduction. The acting GOC 7 Division, AGL Haruna, made this known while speaking to newsmen at the outskirts of Sambisa forest in Konduga LGA after welcoming the troops that conducted the 10-day operation. Mr Haruna, a brigadier general, said the operation tagged Operation Desert Sanity 111 was to clear Sambisa forest of the remnants of all categories of terrorists as well as provide some of them eager to surrender as observed the opportunity to do so. Our effort is to ensure that we clear remnants of terrorists in the Sambisa and give those willing to surrender the opportunity to surrender. With this operation, we envisage many of them will surrender as they have started. We also rescued some civilians; as of yesterday, we rescued 386 and I am sure the number will increase by today, Haruna said. The GOC, who addressed the troops on the message of Chief of Army Staff, lauded their performance and professionalism exhibited during the operation and urged them to sustain the tempo. 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 Some of those rescued from Sambisa forest, who spoke, said they were in captivity for 10 years. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that troops from 21 Special Armoured Brigade, 26 Task Force Brigade, and 199 Special Forces participated in the operation. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A lawmaker at the Ebonyi House of Assembly, Celestine Ogba (LP-Onicha East), has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Mr Ogba announced his defection at a ceremony in the state APC secretariat on Saturday in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, in the presence of party leaders. He said he was happy to go back to his roots having been a member of the party in the past. The lawmaker said that the APC was the largest political party in the country and Africa with great and influential personalities as members. I am happy to join them in building blocks which would translate to mansions of delivering democratic dividends to the people. What people say does not matter but ideologies which transform the lives of the people. The (Ebonyi) state governor has shown that his administration is people-oriented, which is embedded in the peoples charter of needs mantra, 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 Mr Ogba said his defection was in the overall interest of his constituency. I should not be a clog in the wheels of progress as I want my people, party and state to progress. I come from a politically volatile local government area which should make us eschew violence but lay claim to what is rightly due to us. I defected with all labour party stakeholders in the constituency as council has become one with the merger of political forces from the east and west constituencies, he said. The Ebonyi State chairperson of the APC, Stanley Okoro-Emegha, commended Mr Ogba for defecting to the party and described him as a big fish caught by the party. When you go to the river for fishing, you will be happy to catch a big fish and that is what we have done. We are looking for the best brains to project the state to the apex of national discourse and enhance our peoples well-being. I have known Ogba for long and wished him success in the spirit despite contesting in the opposition, he said. He said the APC in Ebonyi was fortifying its fold and the people would realise the magnitude of work done during future elections in the state. It will be desirable to see our candidates returned unopposed during elections and realising such starts presently, he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ranks of the opposition has been depleting steadily in Ebonyi with mass defection to the APC. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print At least 15 people were killed and several others injured when a truck crashed into four mini-buses in Owerri, Imo State capital. The incident occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at Imo State University Junction, otherwise known as IMSU Junction. Witnesses told PREMIUM TIMES that the truck appeared to have suffered brake failure. We believe that the truck had brake failure and crashed into some minibuses that usually load at the junction, Chinedu Opara, a witness, said. Another witness, Chika Nwosu, said the truck was driving against traffic and eventually crashed into the buses. The four minibuses had nine passengers each. More than 15 people died on the spot. Some were rushed to Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, Ms Nwosu said. Chidiebube Okeoma, a journalist based in the state, shared several video clips of the incident. 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 some of the clips, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, several persons were crying over the loss of their family members. Imo State Government should ban heavy duty or articulated vehicles from plying roads in the state capital during the day, Mr Okeoma said. He said he helped to convey several victims to different hospitals, but some of them died. An unidentified resident was seen in the clip lamenting that some private hospitals were unable to treat accident victims conveyed to their facilities, which he said caused many to die. This FMC is very far from the accident scene. Meanwhile, the private hospitals are very close to the scene. Yet, they would not treat victims. Always referring people to FMC, he said. Police speak When contacted on Sunday morning, the police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, confirmed the development to PREMIUM TIMES. Mr Okoye, an assistant superintendent of police, said what happened was that the speeding truck veered off the road and headed to the pedestrian area, crushing occupants of the minibuses and pedestrians. The spokesperson said upon the receipt of the information about the incident, a police traffic team and other patrol teams were deployed to the area to assist in taking victims to hospitals. Unfortunately, on arriving at the hospital, six persons were confirmed dead by medical doctors, he said. Its an unfortunate situation. Mr Okoye said the driver of the truck had been arrested over the incident. The latest incident occurred exactly one month after at least five people were killed in an accident along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Owerri. The accident happened when a luxurious bus, conveying members of the Lords Chosen Church, collided with a Tipper vehicle in the area. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, says he is confident that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will defeat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2026 governorship election in the state. Mr Oyetola said this while receiving two prominent PDP members Dotun Babayemi, a former governorship aspirant and Shuaibu Oyedokun, a former national deputy chairman of the PDP in Osogbo, on Friday. The minister urged members of the APC to welcome the new members into the party without any discrimination. It is an irony that we lost an election over a year ago and there has been no major defection from the party. What we have is the reverse. It is the ruling party that is coming to us, which shows that APC remains a party to beat. We have done so well, and people are starting to see that when it comes to governance, the Progressives know how to do it. Alhaji Shuaibu (Oyedokun) and Dotun Babayemi were members of the APC but now they have seen the difference between progressive and conservative (politics) and they are back in to the party, he said. In his remarks, Tajudeen Lawal, the APC chairperson in the state, said Mr Babayemi and other defectors would enjoy equal opportunity as old members. 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 Your decision to defect into the APC is a wise choice which was influenced by God Almighty who has been your political pathfinder as the APC is a party of the people, he said. In his remarks, Mr Babayemi said he joined the opposition party with his entire political network and members of his Atunto group. Since Oyetola left governance, things have been terrible in Osun. We need to strive to ensure that the APC government returns to Osun. From today, it is an APC meeting from ward to local councils and to the state level, he said. Speaking on why he left the PDP, Mr Oyedokun said the ideals of the founding fathers of the main opposition party had been sorely contaminated While welcoming the new members, Ajibola Basiru, the APC national secretary, urged the defectors not to behave like strangers, saying, I welcome you into our party on behalf of the National Working Committee. APC flags were later presented to Mr Oyedokun and other defectors. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print News / National by Staff reporter ZIMBABWE is in a spirited frenzy to revamp roads leading to the venue of the upcoming 44th Southern African Development Commit (Sadc) Summit, but critics are not impressed.Scheduled for August this year, the summit marks President Emmerson Mnangagwa's assumption of the bloc's chairmanship for a year. The event, to be hosted in Harare, holds significant potential for global recognition and the strengthening of Africa's international relations.Following Zimbabwe's disputed election in August 2023, the government has taken action to revamp roads, some of which previously had no potholes. The 16-member state summit will take place at the new Parliament in Mount Hampden, approximately 25 kilometers northwest of Harare. The reconstruction of the 25km stretch from Julius Nyerere Way via Bindura Road highlights the government's efforts to accommodate the expected delegates.However, rather than addressing the broader issue of the city's crumbling infrastructure, the focus has been on selectively paving roads leading to luxury hotels and connecting the airport to the main convention center. This targeted approach has sparked outrage among residents, who feel neglected in favor of hosting high-profile delegates.While workers labor under the scorching sun to hastily lay down new tar, major arteries used by ordinary Zimbabweans continue to crumble. Despite years of neglect, the sudden burst of activity is evident in specific areas of the city, raising questions about the government's priorities.Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga has reported progress in rehabilitating roads leading to the new Parliament, assuring completion within the scheduled timeframe. However, whether this fervor for road repair will extend beyond the summit remains uncertain. Will the city slip back into its usual state of disrepair once the delegates have departed? Only time will tell. The event was inspired by the brand's new campaign, which turns the lens on the real-life moments that become remarkable stories. On this unforgettable evening, Campari took on the role as curator, Hyde Beach the set, with guests and famous faces taking center stage and becoming the protagonists of their own story. Hosted at Hyde Beach by Campari - located on the famous stretch of beach, and in the heart of the iconic film festival a show-stopping event space was custom-built for the 77th Festival and designed in Campari's signature style. The star-studded guestlist celebrating with Campari included Adrien Brody, Victoria Justice, Marina Barbosa, Paz Vega, Cole Walliser, Ellen von Unwerth, Caro Daur, Rafa Kalimann, Jessica Wang, Nataly Osmann, Lady Victoria Harvey, Pierfrancesco Favino, Claudia Gerini, Saul Nanni, Malika Ayane and many more. Also on hand was Cole Walliser, who captured guests on his famous GLAMbot, and renowned photographer German Larkin. The Campari Cinematheque event was structured as a series of takes special shots, photo opportunities and activations designed to immerse guests in a true-to-life movie experience. The journey from take-to-take took guests through the entire space, from the ground-floor Campari Bar with its mirrored ceiling and movie-set lights to the Pier an overwater jetty with loungers and parasols. Take 1 recreated a red-carpet walk at a movie premiere. A light installation mimicked the flash photography of a crowd of paparazzi, and surround-sound audio replicated the cacophony of camera clicks and calls to pose. Guests were filmed by a real cameraman, with images live-streamed onto plasma screens throughout the space. Take 2 revealed a photocall in the Campari Bar for a world famous Negroni or Campari Spritz. Take 3 placed guests in a real-life set, replicating the experience of starring in an iconic Campari campaign. Take 4 immersed guests in the unique sensory world of the Campari Room. Here, human bartender meets AI, as guests are served a freshly made Negroni while they create their own remarkable Campari & Cinema story. For Take 5, guests stepped into the role of director, checking out livestreamed Cannes action on a dazzling bank of plasma screens on the Director's Wall. Take 6 is the Campari Cinema. Guests took to the stage on a 360-degree terrace, where they were precision-filmed by a robotic Bolt camera against the stunning backdrops of the Croisette and Mediterranean Sea. In Take 7, bartenders from four of the world's best bars created signature Campari cocktails in mixology moments that are sure to be pure theater. Participating bars are Camparino in Galleria from Milan, Bar Nouveau in Paris, Salmon Guru from Madrid, and Donovan from London. The Camparino team served a selection of iconic Campari cocktails to guests, including the Negroni, Campari Spritz and the Negroni Sbagliato. Alongside these classic cocktails, the Camparino team served the Red Carpet Cannes Edition: a fresh tasting and salty cocktail inspired by the Cannes Riviera. The final take, the moment that started the party. The lights dropped, the cameras started to roll, and the music began Making it a night to remember. Campari Group's Head of Global Marketing, Julka Villa comments: "Unveiling our passion for brilliant film storytellers at the iconic Festival de Cannes is a privilege. The uniting message behind We Are Cinema is one that is shared across the cinema industry and Festival de Cannes to celebrate creativity, innovation, and passion in film. It has been incredible to see it come to life, giving guests the opportunity to become the protagonist of their own story, over a perfectly crafted Campari cocktail." Please follow Campari's social media channels for further information @campariofficial @CampariUSA. Campari reminds you to enjoy responsibly. #CampariCinema #WeAreCinema #Cannes2024 #FestivalDeCannes #DrinkResponsibly https://www.campari.com/en-us/ https://www.youtube.com/EnjoyCampari https://www.facebook.com/CampariUS https://www.instagram.com/campariusa/ ABOUT CAMPARI Campari, the iconic, Italian red spirit sitting at the heart of some of the world's most famous cocktails. Campari was founded in Milan in 1860 by Gaspare Campari, and pioneered by his son, Davide, who created something so distinctive and revolutionary that its secret recipe has not been altered since. Vibrant red in colour, Campari's unique and multi-layered taste is the result of the infusion of herbs, aromatic plants and fruit in alcohol and water. As well as being unique and distinctive, Campari is extremely versatile, offering boundless and unexpected possibilities. As a source of this passionate inspiration since its creation seen through its founders' creative genius, artists in different fields and the world's best bartenders, Campari stimulates your instincts to unlock your passions, inspiring limitless creations. ABOUT CAMPARI GROUP Campari Group is a major player in the global spirits industry, with a portfolio of over 50 premium and super premium brands, spreading across Global, Regional, and Local priorities. Global Priorities, the Group's key focus, include Aperol, Campari, SKYY, Grand Marnier, Espolon, Courvoisier, Wild Turkey, and Appleton Estate. The Group was founded in 1860 and today is the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry. It has a global distribution reach, trading in over 190 nations around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas. Campari Group's growth strategy aims to combine organic growth through strong brand building and external growth via selective acquisitions of brands and businesses. Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Campari Group operates in 23 production sites worldwide and has its own distribution network in 26 countries. Campari Group employs approximately 4,900 people. The shares of the parent company Davide Campari-Milano N.V. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM) have been listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001. For more information: http://www.camparigroup.com/en. ABOUT CAMPARI AMERICA Campari America LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano N.V. Campari America has built a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers. Campari America manages Campari Group's portfolio in the US with such leading brands as SKYY Vodka, SKYY Infusions, Grand Marnier, Campari, Aperol, Wild Turkey Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Courvoisier Cognac, American Honey, Russell's Reserve, The Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Forty Creek Canadian Whisky, BULLDOG Gin, Cabo Wabo Tequila, Espolon Tequila, Montelobos Mezcal, Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur, Appleton Estate Rum, Wray & Nephew Rum, Coruba Rum, Ouzo 12, X-Rated Fusion Liqueur, Frangelico, Cynar, Averna, Braulio, Cinzano, Mondoro and Jean-Marc XO Vodka. Please enjoy our brands responsibly. ABOUT FESTIVAL DE CANNES The Festival de Cannes is an event that brings together the world's film professionals around an official competition and an International Film Market, whose highly media-oriented aspect makes it one of the first annual international events, contributing to the world cinematic influence. ABOUT CAMPARINO Camparino in Galleria is the legendary bar opened by Davide Campari in Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in 1915. The bar was opened opposite to Caffe Campari, the establishment opened by Gaspare Campari - Davide's father and the creator of the bitter liqueur - in 1867. An instant hit with the people of Milan, the bar became synonymous with the city's aperitivo tradition and in 2015 marked its 100th anniversary. Following a renovation project, the bar reopens to the public in autumn 2019 with a refreshed identity and food and drink offering designed to consolidate its status as one of the most influential establishments in the world for lovers of mixology and gastronomic innovation. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2416421/Campari_1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2416422/Campari_2.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2416420/Campari_3.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2416423/Campari_4.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2416424/Campari_5.jpg SOURCE Campari WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED WASHINGTON, May 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Following is a statement from Emily Wilkins, president of the National Press Club on the decision by Guatemala to release journalist Jose Ruben Zamora to home detention without monitoring. "We are pleased to hear that Guatemalan journalist Jose Ruben Zamora has been released to home detention after more than 600 days in pretrial detention. One of the two charges against him has been dismissed and we have every reason to believe the other charge will be dismissed as well, when the court rules in June. Let's be clear about this: Mr. Zamora is a journalist who has done nothing wrong. The charges were intended to impede his journalism. The government of Guatemala was prepared to let Mr. Zamora leave the country, but when he declined, he was jailed on flimsy charges. This is no way for a government to behave toward its journalists. We expect more from the government of Guatemala. Mr. Zamora deserves to live a productive life free of intrusions and punishment." Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. With 3,000 members representing nearly every major news organization, the club is a leading voice for press freedom in the U.S. and worldwide. Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534 for the National Press Club SOURCE National Press Club ED DWIGHT FINALLY GOES TO SPACE. VAN HORN, Texas, May 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Space for Humanity is happy and proud to report the successful launch and landing of Blue Origin's NS-25. The crew includes Ed Dwight. "Ed Dwight has finally gone to space! It's incredible to see the outpouring of support for Ed and this mission. For decades, Ed has been an inspiration for countless. This successful mission will only reach and inspire so many more. Space for Humanity is proud to be a part of Ed Dwight's incredible journey. Congratulations to Ed, the entire crew, and Blue Origin," said Space for Humanity Executive Director, Antonio Peronace. A subject of the recent documentary, "The Space Race," Ed was selected by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 as the United States' first Black astronaut candidate but was never granted the opportunity to fly to space. Now, at 90-years young, Ed Dwight has finally gone to space. Reflecting on the successful mission, documentary Executive Producer and retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin said: "Today is justice for Ed Dwight. When you learn of his story you understand what he's gone through. I hope so many more people will look at today and now say, 'Wow, I can do that, I see that history now.' Hopefully it will inspire so many more. This is how we truly create a space for humanity. I thank Space for Humanity for helping make today happen." Retired NASA astronaut and former NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden, Jr. added: "Ed is a dear friend, role model, and mentor. All of us here who had an opportunity to go to space stand on his shoulders and we were with him in spirit on his launch. He's earned this. He deserves this." Peronace added: "Today exemplifies the increase of access to space that's at the core of Space for Humanity's mission. We cannot take everyone in the world to space just yet. But with missions like this, we can elevate everyone's hopes and dreams to space together." Space for Humanity Vision Circle member and space industry entrepreneur, Mason Angel, was also among the Mission NS-25 crew. Space for Humanity is a globally recognized, 501c3 nonprofit organization that is increasing access to space for all the world's citizens and changing humanity's perspective on our place in the cosmos. Space for Humanity operates a Citizen Astronaut Program that sends thoughtfully selected, impact-driven individuals from any walk of life to space to experience the "Overview Effect," a cognitive shift brought on by viewing the Earth from space. Space for Humanity provides its Citizen Astronauts specialized training so that upon their return to Earth they can serve as leaders and global ambassadors, inspiring a better, brighter tomorrow for all. To learn more about Space for Humanity's work and provide support for missions like that of Ed Dwight's, please visit: https://spaceforhumanity.org/donate. Ad Astra. Media Contact: Sarah Nickell, [email protected] SOURCE Space for Humanity If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Gaza, May 19 : The Israeli army has announced the recovery of another Israeli hostage's body from the Gaza Strip, the fourth within 24 hours. Army spokesman Avichay Adraee on Saturday posted on social media platform X that "the body of Israeli abductee Ron Benjamin was retrieved in a joint special operation by the army and the Shin Bet security agency." In a statement, Adraee said the army information indicated that Ron Benjamin was killed during the Hamas attack on October 7 last year and his body was taken to Gaza by Hamas militants. He added that Benjamin's body was retrieved along with the bodies of three others, who were identified as Shani Louk, Amit Buskila, and Itzik Gelenter on Friday. According to the statement, the body was then transported to a medical institute for diagnostic procedures, after which, the army informed the abductee's family of the matter. Adraee stressed that "the army and the Shin Bet are continuing their work professionally with determination, using every operational and intelligence means to return all the kidnapped". Israel estimated that there were at least 129 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, some of whom, according to Hamas, were dead. News / National by Staff reporter THE last time former first lady Grace Mugabe made a public statement was on November 5, 2017 at Rufaro Stadium in Harare.At an event dubbed "Super Sunday" in some quarters, she gathered thousands of followers of various apostolic sects for what was ostensibly a religious-themed meeting but was in reality supposed to drive the final nail into then vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa's political coffin.Ironically, it turned out to be the beginning of the end for her and her husband, the late former president Robert Mugabe.At the time, Grace was at the height of her powers: a highly influential first lady who had already put paid to the career of another vice president, Joice Mujuru.Her eyes were firmly set on the scalp of Mnangagwa.Immediately after Grace publicly lambasted Mnangagwa for the umpteenth time on Super Sunday, Mugabe sacked his deputy and all seemed set for the elevation of the first lady to the second highest post in the country.That triggered a chain of events that saw Mnangagwa flee Zimbabwe, the military stage a coup that toppled Mugabe, and Mnangagwa return home as President of the Republic.Since then, the Mugabes distanced themselves from the Mnangagwa regime and even openly supported his main rival, Nelson Chamisa, in the first post-coup elections in 2018.Fast forward to May 2024 and Grace is back in the public eye. She toured and endorsed one of Mnangagwa's landmark projects, the Museum of African Liberation in Harare.The museum is part of a 101ha development dubbed Liberation City being spearheaded by the Institute of African Knowledge (Instak), which also includes a mall, an amusement and game park, presidential villas, a five-star hotel and African-themed restaurants.Mnangagwa has been the prime backer of the project, and local as well as international dignitaries flock to tour it almost weekly.So close is the Museum of African Liberation to Mnangagwa's heart that he plans to take southern African leaders there when Zimbabwe hosts the Sadc summit in August this year.Instak says the museum is a means of preserving and promoting Africa's liberation legacy. But since construction started in 2020, the big question was how it would honour the same Mugabe who fought a bitter struggle for supremacy with Mnangagwa and came out on the losing end.Then on May 14, 2024, Grace stunned many by not only visiting the museum, but also endorsing it and indicating the family would discuss which Mugabe memorabilia they would donate for exhibition.She was accompanied by close relatives of her late husband one-time Mines minister Walter Chidhakwa, ex-deputy chief of police Innocent Matibiri and former legislator Leo Mugabe.In remarks that were a far cry from her combative persona of the first lady years, Grace spoke in a poised and articulate manner about the importance of the Museum of African Liberation, underscoring the need "to ensure that we put up the proper and right narrative about this continent"."A lot, in terms of our history, has been put out there and as I said distorted, but the children, if we don't correct the distorted history in this manner, they will not know exactly who they are, their identity and who they represent," she said, after being taken around the museum by Instak board chairperson Simbi Mubako.Mubako told the media: "As you know, he (Mugabe) liberated this country, unfortunately, he passed away before the museum concept was realised."Now that it is ongoing, we can only honour him by inviting his widow and his family here."And they are bringing with them the promise of his artefacts which he used during the liberation struggle, and as you have heard, they have a significant number of them."Such artefacts must be preserved in a museum where the whole world can see them, rather than keeping them confined to a family home."But what has changed between Super Sunday and today?Is all forgiven? Is Mnangagwa desperate for endorsement of the Museum of African Liberation by the Mugabes?Or is Grace merely trying to protect her business interests in a country notorious for the propensity by its political leadership to financially decimate its rivals?Going by the sentiments expressed by various Zimbabweans on social media in the wake of Grace's unexpected tour and glowing remarks, it could be a combination of factors."She (Grace) has been inching back bit by bit," pointed out X user Rex Mokili."She was there at (Mnangagwa's September 2023) inauguration and at (Vice President Constantino) Chiwenga's wedding."Before last year's elections, Robert Mugabe Junior attended Mnangagwa's rallies and chanted Zanu-PF slogans.Other social media users said Grace was looking to protect her family and businesses, while some said she was probably just being pragmatic seeing as her husband was a prominent liberation leader.Previously, history lecturer at Great Zimbabwe University Ngonidzashe Marongwe said Mnangagwa was going all out to be seen as the unifier who kept the ruling Zanu-PF party together following the ructions of 2017."For Mnangagwa, it is about the perception of being seen as a unifier, which augurs well with his power consolidation and the mantra of 'leaving no one behind', and to mend old cracks within ZANU-PF," Marongwe has said."For Grace, she has a lot of interests to protect. She has not got much choice, except to be seen to have forgiven Mnangagwa and Chiwenga. It is more for the cameras."Mnangagwa himself has publicly extended the olive branch to Grace.At Chiwenga's December 2023 wedding ceremony, he said, "History is history. It cannot be changed. I am happy you have come. You are part of us. Never feel that you are not part of us."Whether it is part of a power consolidation strategy by Mnangagwa or a self-preservation tactic by Grace - or a mix of both - the Museum of African Liberation will not mind: it has secured Mugabe memorabilia for exhibition. Jerusalem, May 19 : The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops have killed more than 130 militants in targeted operations in eastern Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, according to a statement. As part of the operations, the Givati infantry brigade killed more than 80 militants in the area, and located dozens of rifles, grenades, and ammunition, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the IDF statement issued on Saturday. Additionally, Givati's reconnaissance unit uncovered significant underground tunnel infrastructure in the area, it said. Simultaneously, the 401st armored brigade killed about 50 militants in raids on Hamas infrastructure and buildings from which gunfire was shot at IDF troops, and located dozens of tunnel shafts and many anti-aircraft guns. "So far, hundreds of terrorist infrastructure sites have been destroyed by the 401st Brigade, including weapons production facilities and ready-to-use launch sites," the IDF said. Givati, one of the five infantry brigades of the IDF, is composed of three battalions, each made up of companies with designated functions. Seoul, May 19 : A North Korean delegation from the country's border city of Rason has returned home after a weeklong visit to Russia's Far East, state media reported on Sunday. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the delegation led by the chief of the Rason Municipal People's Committee arrived back home on Saturday. The delegation had left for the trip on May 12. The one-sentence dispatch did not provide further details, but the delegation is believed to have discussed resuming passenger train service between the two sides, Yonhap news agency reported. Last week, Oleg Kozhemyako, the governor of Russia's northeastern region of Primorsky Krai, said after a meeting with the North's delegation that passenger trains connecting Vladivostok to the North are set to resume after years of a Covid-19 pandemic-related suspension. Rason, which borders Russia and China, is a logistics hub designated as a special city by the North. A railway connects the border city to Khasan, Russia, which is then linked to Vladivostok through Russian rail service. Freight and passenger rail services connecting Rason and Khasan had been suspended since the outbreak of the pandemic, but trains for cargo shipments resumed in November 2022. Experts voiced concerns that if the passenger rail services reopen, North Korea may start to dispatch its workers to Russia's Far East, which is banned under UN Security Council sanctions resolutions. Moscow is believed to be suffering from a shortage of labour due to its war with Ukraine. Chennai, May 19 : The National Security Advisor (NSA) of the US, Jake Sullivan will reach Tel Aviv on Sunday on a two-day visit and hold a series of meetings with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and the chiefs of Mossad and Shin Bet. The arrival of Sullivan assumed significance after the US publicly admitted that there was no progress in the indirect peace talks so far. Jake Sullivan will be, according to senior US officials, exploring other ways to take forward the indirect peace talks to end the war and release all the 128 hostages in the custody of Hamas. The US is for a six-week ceasefire and the release of a batch of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. However, Hamas wants a complete end to the war which Israel may never agree to. The US has opposed any military action in the Rafah region of Gaza and has asked the Israeli side to refrain from a major attack in the region as it is densely populated with more than 1.3 million people, including women and children, inhabiting the region. The US believed that this would lead to heavy casualties and would not help end the war. Sullivan, according to the US officials, in Israel is likely to bring up alternate solutions to bring hostages back home and to systematically end the war. Chennai, May 19 : Heavy rain lashed the south Tamil Nadu areas and dams were under surveillance in the Kanyakumari district, said officials on Sunday. The Fire and Rescue Department has also geared up for any potential rescue operation. Kanyakumari district Fire Officer Sathyakumar while speaking to IANS said, "The fire and rescue department is prepared to carry out any rescue operations if there is any flooding and to relocate people." He also called upon people not to go near water bodies as also to be on guard during power failure as this could be due to electric lines getting snapped. The officer said that in case of a power outage, people should immediately inform the local electricity office and also inform the fire and rescue services. Nine dams in Kanyakumari district are under constant surveillance and some dams will be opened if there is a heavy flow of water into these dams. The Meteorological Department has also informed the people to regularly follow the updates being given by the department on the current weather position. New Delhi, May 19 : Keeping the use of banned calcium carbide in concern, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has alerted fruit traders to strictly ensure compliance with the prohibition on calcium carbide for artificial ripening of fruits, particularly during the mango season. In a statement, the FSSAI has also advised the Food Safety Departments of States and UTs to remain vigilant and take serious action and deal stringently against people indulging in such unlawful practices as per laws. The national food regulator has permitted the use of ethylene gas as a safer alternative for fruit ripening. "Ethylene gas can be used at concentrations up to 100 ppm, depending upon the crop, variety and maturity. Ethylene, a naturally occurring hormone in fruits, regulates the ripening process by initiating and controlling a series of chemical and biochemical activities," said the FSSAI. Calcium carbide releases acetylene gas which contains harmful traces of arsenic and phosphorus. These substances can cause serious health issues such as "dizziness, frequent thirst, irritation, weakness, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting and skin ulcers". "There are chances that calcium carbide may come in direct contact with fruits during application and leave residues of arsenic and phosphorus on fruits," the food regulator said. It further said that if any use of Calcium Carbide or any wrong practice of using ripening agents for the artificial ripening of fruits is noticed by the consumers, "the same may be brought to the notice of concerned State Commissioners of Food Safety for taking action against such violators". Hyderabad, May 19 : The Telangana government plans to undertake repairs at Medigadda barrage based on the recommendations made by the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA). A decision on taking up repair works in view of the upcoming monsoon season is expected to be made at the next meeting of the state Cabinet. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is believed to have asked the Irrigation Department to take necessary measures immediately to prevent further damage to the barrage during monsoon. The repair works are expected to help in storing the water in the barrage to meet irrigation requirements. The issue was to come up for discussion at the Cabinet meeting on Saturday but the meeting could not take place as the Election Commission of Indiaas nod was not received for the it. The state government had sought the poll panelas nod in view of the Model Code of Conduct for ongoing elections to Lok Sabha. NDSA recently submitted an interim report on the repairs and temporary restoration of the damaged Medigadda and Sundilla barrages which are considered as the most important structures in the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project across Godavari river. At least piers of Medigadda barrage sank in October last year, prompting the NDSA to send its experts for an inspection. Following its recommendations, the barrage was emptied. The incident had triggered a political uproar with the opposition parties blaming the then BRS government for the incident due to alleged corruption and flawed design and poor quality of works on the project, billed as the worldas largest lift irrigation project. At a review meeting, Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and others on Saturday, enquired about the recommendations made by the NDSA in the interim report on the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project and the measures needed to be taken. The meeting was attended by Ninister Tummala Nageswara Rao, Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, J. Krishna Rao, Konda Surekha and CMas Adviser Vem Narender Reddy. Uttam Kumar Reddy explained all the important points and recommendations made in the interim report to the Chief Minister and the Ministers. The NDSA made it clear in 2019 that danger is lurking around the barrages and the risk factor is not ruled out even after the repairs and restoration measures are taken up at the damaged structures. In view of the beginning of the monsoon season in a month, the Chief Minister said that the measures to be taken in the meantime will have to be discussed in the Cabinet meeting. The government will make a decision to repair the damaged structures or any alternative measures in consultation with the Irrigation Department. The Chief Minister said that a field level visit and inspection of the Medigadda and Sundilla barrages and the pump houses needs to be conducted soon. Last month, the judicial commission headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose began probe into the alleged irregularities in the construction of Kaleshwaram project. After coming to power in December last year, the Congress government had ordered a judicial inquiry into the sinking of the piers of Medigadda barrage and leakages in Sundilla and Annaram barrages. The commission has also been asked to look into the financial aspect of the project and technical flaws, if any, like designs, planning and execution in the irrigation project. New Delhi, May 19 : The Supreme Court is slated to hear on Monday a public interest litigation (PIL) against the three criminal laws replacing the IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act. As per the causelist published on the website of the apex court, a vacation bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal will hear the matter on May 20. The plea said that Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita suffer from "many defects and discrepancies". "All three criminal laws were passed and enacted without any parliamentary debate as unfortunately most of the members were under suspension during the period," said the plea filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari. Further, the petitioner-in-person claimed that the title of the three laws is not accurate as per the Interpretation of Statutes and does not speak about the statute and its motive but is ambiguous in nature. In a recent judgment, the top court urged the legislature to consider making necessary changes in the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 providing punishment to the husband and his family for inflicting any cruelty on a married woman. It said that Sections 85 and 86 of the new penal code, which is to come into force with effect from July 1, are nothing but verbatim reproduction of Section 498A of the IPC, 1860 and the issue requires a relook by the legislature taking into consideration the pragmatic realities. Dharmavaram: Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah with TDP chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu during a public meeting amid ongoing Lok Sabha Elections. Image Source: IANS News Amaravati, May 19 : After Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, it's now the turn of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N. Chandrababu Naidu to fly abroad for a break after polling for Assembly and Lok Sabha elections concluded in the state. While Jagan Mohan Reddy left for a two-week-long foreign tour on Friday, former chief minister Naidu will be leaving for a six-day trip later on Sunday. With still two weeks to go for counting of votes polled in the last week's simultaneous elections, the key political figures are unwinding themselves with pleasure trips along with their families. After hectic campaigning for several weeks in support of YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) candidates, the Chief Minister and YSRCP president left for London by a special flight on Friday night. Jagan, his wife Y. S. Bharathi and their daughters Harsha and Varsha landed in London. Both Harsha and Varsha live in London. The family will later visit France and Switzerland. A special court for CBI cases had Tuesday granted permission to Jagan Mohan Reddy for his foreign tour. He would return to Andhra Pradesh on June 1 three days before the counting of votes on June 4. Naidu will be leaving on a foreign tour later Sunday. He will be accompanied by wife Bhuvaneswari, son Nara Lokesh, daughter-in-law Brahmani and grandson Devansh. It will be a six-day visit. However, the destination and details of their visit have not yet been revealed. Naidu will be returning home much before the counting of votes on June 4. Elections for the 175-member Assembly and all 25 Lok Sabha seats were held on Monday. YSRCP is locked in a direct fight with the tripartite alliance of Telugu Desam Party, Jana Sena and BJP. A day before leaving for London, CM Jagan had visited the office of I-PAC (Indian Political Action Committee) in Vijayawada and exuded confidence that YSRCP will retain power. He claimed that the YSRCP will win more seats than it won in 2019. "We have won 151 Assembly and 22 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 and we will win more seats in this time to provide a much better government," he said. Ahmedabad, May 19 : Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel attended the 151st edition of 'Namo Pustak Parab', a weekly book fair featuring over 3,000 books on various subjects. Chief Minister Patel explored the diverse range of books and praised the initiative. The 'Namo Pustak Parab,' inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and launched on July 4, 2021, aims to make reading a widespread habit. MLA Mahesh Kaswala, who supports the initiative, highlighted the "influence of Prime Minister Modi's belief in the power of reading as the inspiration behind the event. The weekly fair, set up on the footpath in Ahmedabad, attracts a large number of readers. The collection includes books on religion, tourism, literature, engineering, science, poetry, and stories, offering something for everyone. "The most remarkable aspect of this event is that there is no registration process for those who donate or borrow books. Despite this, we never run out of books. Families donate their books here, while readers and those in need borrow and return them after reading," Kaswala said. The Chief Minister during the event was gifted a copy of the Bhagavad Gita. He later shared his experience on social media, writing: "I had the good fortune to attend the 151st 'Namo Pustak Parab,' a reading event organised by MLA Mr. Maheshbhai Kaswala at Maninagar, Ahmedabad city, on Sunday." The chief minister also engaged with the literary community and promoted the reading culture. He met young readers and Gujarati authors. Berlin, May 19 : The number of offences classified by the police as "anti-Christian" is increasing, the German government said in response to questions from Petr Bystron, a politician from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Bystron has been more well-known not for his queries to the government but because he is under investigation on suspicion of bribery and money laundering in connection with possible Russian propaganda activities. The Bundestag, or lower house of parliament, has waived his immunity and his offices and private spaces were searched on Thursday. Bystron denies the charges. He is the second candidate on the AfD's ticket for the European elections on June 9. The government information, which came after Bystron submitted written questions to the Bundestag's Foreign Affairs Committee, showed that 135 anti-Christian offences nationwide were included in the police statistics on politically motivated crime in 2022. According to preliminary figures, 277 such cases were recorded in 2023, including 55 incidents involving damage to property. There is no overall explanation for the rise, an Interior Ministry spokesman told dpa. The rise in cases could be partly explained by multiple sharing or publication of criminally relevant posts online. Such posts had become known to the Federal Criminal Police Office's Central Reporting Centre for Criminal Content on the Internet. Another explanation is "the tense global political situation, especially in the context of the Middle East conflict as a result of the attacks by the terrorist organisation Hamas against the state of Israel." Given that situation, there had been a large number of threats of attack, which had mainly been sent by email. The spokesman explained: "Some of these threatening emails were sent to Christian institutions or contained statements directed against the Christian religion or people of the Christian faith," the spokesman explained. --IANS/DPA sd/svn Statement of Senator Risa Hontiveros on the new Chinese policy to detain "trespassers" China's new policy only affirms her emerging reputation as a rogue nation. The Atin Ito civilian mission - a rightful and peaceful show of solidarity - clearly hit a nerve for China. But instead of responding like a dignified country, she resorts to this tyrannical tactic that will only escalate tensions even further. Should Beijing dare push through with this illegitimate regulation, the Philippines' hand may be forced to sue them again in the Hague Tribunal. In the mean time, as advised by former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, the Philippine government must now urge allies such as the US, Japan, Australia, France, and other like-minded nations to oppose this flagrant violation of international law by joining our patrols within our Exclusive Economic Zone. China better abrogate on this shameless policy. China better stop inciting violence in our waters. China better leave the West Philippine Sea alone. Opinion / Columnist "The closer the collapse of the empire, the crazier its laws" Marcus Tullius Cicero.Well we in Zimbabwe are witness this first hand. Zanu PF introduced the new local currency insisting it would never lose its value pegged at ZiG 13.73 = US$ 1.00. because it would backed by Zimbabwe Gold in the RBZ vault hence the name ZiG. There was a token amount of gold in the vault on the day of the launch as all could see in the photograph of Mnangagwa inspecting the vault. And so it is not surprising that the regime has adopted other unscrupulous means to stop the run away devaluation of the ZiG.The regime created a shortage of the ZiG so people have to queue for hours only to get a few ZiGs. The Police backed by the Zanu PF party's green-bombers militia are terrorising the public to stop currency trading. Of course, it is foolish law; the US$, ZiG and all the other foreign currencies are legal tender in Zimbabwe so why should trading in these currencies be illegal!When Mnangagwa took over from Mugabe in 2017, following the military coup, he was cocksure his "Zimbabwe is open for business!" would lift Zimbabwe out of poverty just as Mugabe before him was cocksure to do the same with his "gutsa rizhinji". When the hoped for foreign investors failed to turn up, Mnangagwa turned inward convince he pay for Zimbabwe's development from her own resources. "Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo!" was born. Sadly he did not know how.In 2019 the then Governor of RBZ, Dr John Mangudya, admitted that Zimbabwe could pay off it foreign debt and from hence forth pay for all her development IF the country stopped the criminal waste of her resources through loot. He admitted the country was losing a fortune every year through smuggling of gold and diamonds.When Mnangagwa took office in 2017 he had promised "zero tolerance on corruption". Under his watch corruption has gone into overdrive. The Al Jazeera Gold Mafia documentary has revealed the extend of the rot, up to 80% of the US$2 billion per year gold production in Zimbabwe is smuggled out of the country. The documentary name Mnangagwa as "Number One", the godfather.Whilst the country's basic infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, roads, are in varying stages of rot and decay because of decades of neglect and under funding. Meanwhile Mnangagwa is going full steam ahead in prestigious project such as the new parliament, a four lane up four lane down highway from Harare City Centre to the new parliament, building villas, suburbs, shopping malls, etc. for the rich.In Mnangagwa Zimbabwe has its own Emperor Nero, burning down everything used by the filthy poor mass up and down the country and replacing it with palatial facilities for the rich and powerful. All paid for with looted wealth and national resources sold to the Chinese and others for a song.The Zanu PF dictatorship should have died after the 2008 to 2013 GNU, at the latest; it has survive to this day because MDC/CCC leaders sold out. Zanu PF has not only capture key state institutions like the judiciary, Police, Army, etc. but the opposition too are in the regime's deep pockets, hence the political paralysis.For any good it has ever done, the Zanu PF dictatorship has been on its death bed for decades but, thanks to the political paralysis, the regime has lingered on, like a smouldering candle. 44 years and counting we have been stuck with this corrupt, incompetent and tyrannical Zanu PF dictatorship. And if we do not do some thing to end the dictatorship there will be very little left of Zimbabwe as we know it! Guwahati, May 19 : Assam has registered a significant growth in mutual funds over the last five years, said Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday. According to him, at least 159 per cent rise in mutual funds in Assam was noticed during the last five years where the investment rose from Rs 11,298 crore to Rs 29,268 crore. Sarma also claimed that the state has significantly contributed to the growth story of India. Taking to his X handle, the Chief Minister wrote: "A mammoth 159 per cent growth of Mutual Funds in Assam in the last 5 years, from 11,298cr to 29,268cr, speaks volumes about the India Growth Story; the trust people of Assam have in our markets and the rise in the incomes of our people." Moreover, he also mentioned that Assam was the leading contributor in the mutual funds from the northeastern region from 2020 to 2024. New Delhi, May 19 : The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday said that over eight crore voters will exercise their franchise in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections on May 20 while polling for 35 Assembly constituencies of the Odisha Legislative Assembly will also take place simultaneously. "In the 5th phase, at least over 8.95 crore voters will exercise their franchise. Around 94,732 polling stations have been set up for the voters. Over 8.95 crore voters include 4.69 crore males, 4.26 crore females and 5,409 Third-gender voters," the ECI said. The commission said that there are over 7.81 lakh registered 85+ years old voters, 24,792 voters are above 100 years and 7.03 lakh PwD voters for the fifth phase who have been provided the option to vote from the comfort of their homes. "In the first four phases about 66.95 per cent voter turnout has been recorded," the ECI said. The election commission said that a total of 216 international border check posts and 565 inter-state border check posts have also been set up to keep a strict vigil on any illicit flow of liquor, drugs, cash and freebies. The commission has also provided 12 alternative documents other than the voter ID card (EPIC) for identity verification at polling stations. The last and seventh phase of Lok Sabha elections will be held on June 1 while the counting of votes has been scheduled for June 4. Mumbai, May 19 : The financial capital of the country, Mumbai, is set to vote for the Lok Sabha polls on May 20. To ensure a high voter turnout, Bollywood celebrities are urging citizens to exercise their right to vote and come out in large numbers. Bollywood actors like Akshay Kumar, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Suniel Shetty, Ayushmann Khurrana, and music composer Vishal Dadlani have appealed to voters to cast their votes, emphasising it as both a constitutional right and a responsibility. Ayushmann, who was roped in by the Election Commission of India, urged young voters to participate in large numbers. In a video message, he said, "Hello Mumbaikars, on May 20, all of you will get an opportunity that comes once every five years. The opportunity to choose your Lok Sabha MP, the opportunity to exercise your right to vote. Do not miss this opportunity because every vote counts." "Every vote is important because you will decide which leaders will steer the country in the right direction. Your vote is your voice. So vote, and make your voice count, because together we can shape a bright future for our country. Voting is your duty. Let's all participate in this festival of democracy. Jai Hind," he added. Akshay, who will be next seen in 'Welcome To The Jungle', said: "May 20 offers an opportunity to Mumbaikars that comes only once in five years - an opportunity to exercise your right to vote and choose your Lok Sabha MP. Don't miss it, because each vote matters. Enjoy your Sunday and do your duty for the country on Monday, just like the Mumbai police, who will ensure with their presence at all polling booths that voters don't face any problems." Akshay's 'Hera Pheri' co-star Suniel Shetty said in a video: "Voting isn't just our right, but also a responsibility. As a proud Mumbaikar, I will certainly vote. On May 20, please step out and cast your vote." Shilpa said: "I appeal to all eligible voters in Mumbai, please go out and vote on May 20. Voting is your right, and you must cast your vote for the Lok Sabha elections." Vishal said that he will be out of Mumbai over the weekend, but he will make sure to return before Monday to cast his vote. Jaipur, May 19 : Former Rajasthan Minister and a member of the royal family of Bharatpur, Vishwendra Singh has sought maintenance from his wife and son and alleged that they beat him, do not give him sufficient food and also do not allow him to meet people. His wife and son have, however, refuted the allegations and said that they are the real victims in the whole case. "It is nothing but pressurising tactics on the SDM. My mother and I have the highest faith in the SDM Court and on the Honable Judge to handle the matter with alacrity and fairness. The matter is not new. It has been going on since 6 March 2024," posted his son Anirudh Singh on social media. Vishwendra Singh had earlier given an application in the Subdivision Officer Tribunal against his wife Divya Singh, a former MP, and son Anirudh Singh. In his application, he said: "I have been forced to leave my house (Moti Mahal). I am living a nomad's life. Sometimes I have to stay in a government house and sometimes in a hotel. I have been confined to one room. When I come to Bharatpur, I am not even allowed to enter the house. It is no longer possible to live with my wife and son at home." Singh has demanded Rs 5 lakh per month from both of them. In the application given to the court, Vishwendra Singh has accused his wife and son of conspiring to kill him. "Their intention is to end my life. After which they can grab all the property. I was hoping that maybe their behaviour would improve in the future, but it did not happen. My wife and son even locked one of my rooms and forcibly threw me out of the house, so I had to leave the house. I brought whatever clothes I had while leaving the house. I have been living like this since then." Singh has written that he is a heart patient. "I cannot bear tension due to two stents inserted during treatment. Tension is fatal for my life. I got Corona twice in the years 2021 and 2022, but my son and wife did not provide any physical, mental or financial help." "I own the properties inherited from my father through a will. My wife and son threw my clothes in the well. They tore up papers, records etc., and threw out the stuff from the rooms. They have stopped providing tea and water. He told the court that his wife and son should also be stopped from defaming him through social media," he said. Singh has demanded that the properties of Moti Mahal Palace be returned to him in the application given to the SDM. This includes Moti Mahal, Kothi Darbar, Golbagh Complex, and Suraj Mahal located in the Mathura Gate police station area. However, his son, Anirudh Singh has termed the allegations false. Anirudh Singh said on Sunday that allegations of beating and not giving food are completely false. "If needed, evidence of financial fraud and the wrong sale of property against my father will be presented in the SDM court," he said. Tel Aviv, May 19 : At least 24 people have been killed in an Israeli attack in the refugee camp of Nuseirat in the central part of the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian reports. The health authority, controlled by the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement, said on Sunday that at least 24 Palestinians were killed when a residential building was hit by an attack during the night. Meanwhile, an Israeli army spokesman said that the report was being investigated. Moreover, a senior member of the Hamas police and his companion have also been killed in another targeted attack by Israel in the central Gaza Strip. At the al-Aqsa hospital in Deir al-Balah, further south, grieving relatives could be seen next to bodies in white bags. Last month, the Israeli army was deployed in Nuseirat for a week and then withdrew again. Residents reported enormous destruction. The Israeli military repeatedly speaks of operations against terrorists and terrorist infrastructure in various parts of the Gaza Strip. The war was triggered by the unprecedented massacre of more than 1,200 people killed by militants from Hamas and other groups in Israel on October 7. According to the health authorities, 35,386 Palestinians have been killed so far in the ensuing war, although the number, which is almost impossible to verify independently, does not distinguish between civilians and fighters. --IANS/DPA sd/svn Kandy : , May 19 (IANS) Thousands of devotees from India, Nepal and Sri Lanka participated in Kumbhabhishekam -- a ritual reverentially performed to re-energise the spiritual powers -- of the Seetha Amman temple in Sri Lanka's Central Province district of Nuwara Eliya on Sunday. Spiritual guru and founder of Art of Living Foundation Sri Sri Ravi Shankar along with High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, were among the top dignitaries who witnessed the consecration ceremony with the holy Saryu water which was flown in from Ayodhya. High Commissioner Jha had flagged off the rath yatra carrying Saryu water to Seeta Amman temple from Mayurapathi Sri Badrakali Amman Kovil temple in Colombo on Friday. Large groups of devotees from different corners of the world travelled especially for the ceremony, marking the civilisational heritage and values that India and Sri Lanka have shared for millennia. The Seetha Amman temple, believed to signify the place of Ashok Vatika in the epic Ramayana, is yet another symbol of the age-old and diverse ties between the people of the two countries. Meanwhile, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, currently on a three-day visit to the island nation, met Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at his official residence Temple Trees in Colombo on Saturday. "We discussed future collaborations to support the people of Sri Lanka in areas such as skilling, agriculture, tourism, environmental conservation, and holistic well-being. Called upon all Asian countries to unite in promoting indigenous medicine," the spiritual guru posted on X. London, May 19 : Police should be "all over" pro-Palestinian marches, UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said. He said the marches, which have been regularly held on the streets of London and other cities since the Israel-Hamas conflict began, could "spill over" into hate speech and anti-Semitism. John Zak Woodock, the government's political violence tsar, said he was concerned about the "limited" police response to the protests. There were seven arrests as thousands of people marched in London on Saturday, including a man seen carrying a coffin with offensive language written on it and another leading a chant of "intifada revolution." Scotland Yard said officers also arrested a 74-year-old man at a counter-protest on suspicion of provocation of violence. Woodcock, who is due to publish a long-awaited report into political violence and disruption this week, told Sky News: "I've been concerned over many months now that the police do seem limited in what they are able to do to balance people's right to protest with the cumulative impact of having marches through central London on a weekly basis." "This is making substantial parts of the community, sizeable parts of our Jewish community in London, apprehensive at best about going into the centre of the city." "That is a deeply uncomfortable position." "There has been a substantial level of criminality and disorder and antisemitic content around the margins of the marches." Shapps told GB News: "It worries me, it worries the government a lot." "I was pleased to see there were ten or so arrests made yesterday. We have said in the past, I think the police need to be very much all over these things." "We see the impact on people. It makes people feel very uncomfortable when these marches sometimes spill over from the legitimate right to protest and make a point - that is not an issue - when they spill over into anti-Semitism, hate speech, racism, that is where there is a problem, and we absolutely back 100 per cent police taking the necessary action." "I see now that they have charged hundreds and hundreds of people over the last few months, and there were a significant number of arrests yesterday, which I think was the right way to deal with these things." In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main political rival, Benny Gantz, has threatened to leave the war cabinet if a plan is not drawn up by June 8 that includes an international administration for post-war Gaza. Shapps told Times Radio: "The point we constantly make to Israel is it's incredibly important we have a plan - a Gaza run not by Hamas, a terrorist organisation, but by Palestinians." "It can't be in anyone's interest, least of all Israel's, to be in Gaza in the long run." The Cabinet Minister also defended the UK's efforts to get aid into Gaza, although he acknowledged the new US-built pier would only have a limited impact. He told the BBC it would be "ridiculous" to suggest the pier was the answer but added: "Does that mean we shouldn't be doing it? Not at all. Of course, we should be doing it." "We have, the United Kingdom, without much fanfare, been delivering aid by sea, by air, by road, and the pier is just another way of getting aid in, and we're helping to organise the dispatch of that from Cyprus." "We have the command and control ship RFA Cardigan Bay in the Mediterranean, and so we're assisting with getting that aid onto the land in Gaza. "Of course, it's not enough. I mean, it would be ridiculous to suggest otherwise." --IANS/DPA sd/svn Baghdad, May 19 : A Shiite militia in Iraq, on Sunday, 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 vital site in Eilat at dawn on Sunday," 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." The statement did not provide additional details about the specific location targeted nor any resulting casualties. Since the outbreak of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has launched multiple attacks on Israeli and US bases in the region. Chandigarh, May 19 : People of Punjab have benefited from funds provided by the Modi-government in the past 10 years, state BJP President Sunil Jakhar said here on Sunday. The benefits of the funds under flagship and other schemes penetrated right up to the last mile, he said. "Be it social security, agriculture, health, infrastructure, welfare, railways, housing, power or employment, Punjab received enormous central assistance in the last decade that has been instrumental in elevating Punjab on the socio-economic front," Sunil Jakhar told the media. Highlighting the schemes and their impact, both economic and social, he said while the Centre continued to help Punjab grow without bias, the people can now see through the fake narrative propelled by the ruling AAP dispensation under Bhagwant Mann which has failed to live up to many of its poll promises. "Funds from the Centre to Punjab have been the lifeline of development all three years. Its benefits have percolated to the last man standing," he said. He said the BJP, with its schemes and funds, has connected each household. "Funds for building houses, water supply, electrification, toilet, etc. have been provided by the BJP," he said. In the agriculture sector, he said under the Centre's Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, nearly 22.5 lakh farmers in Punjab received a whopping Rs 56,754 crore in the past 10 years. The KCC Scheme aims at providing adequate and timely credit to the farmers for their agricultural operations. "Under the Kissan Samamaan Nidhi scheme, the Centre has provided Rs 4,758 crore to farmers. Under the Soil Health Card scheme, 24.50 cards were made in Punjab for farmers," he said. "The Mann-led AAP government has failed to deliver. Development in Punjab is largely because of the schemes and funds provided by the Modi-led BJP government," the BJP chief added. Punjab is slated to go to Lok Sabha polls on June 1 and the counting of votes will be done on June 4. New Delhi, May 19 : Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Sunday met Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Indonesia during the 10th World Water Forum, Sri Lankan President's Media Division (PMD) said. In a post on X, PMD mentioned that Wickremesinghe discussed the implementation of Starlink service in Sri Lanka with the tech billionaire and also mentioned that he is committed to fast-tracking the application process to connect the country with the global Starlink network. "During the 10th World Water Forum High-Level Meeting in Indonesia, President Ranil Wickremesinghe met with @elonmusk to discuss the implementation of @Starlink in Sri Lanka," PMD wrote. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Jeevan Thondaman, who accompanied Wickremesinghe to Indonesia, took to X and wrote that the president and Musk discussed Sri Lanka's recovery, economic potential and new investment opportunities. "President @RW_UNP met with @elonmusk today during his 2-day visit to Bali with me for the World Water Forum. President and Elon discussed Sri Lankaas recovery, economic potential, and new opportunities for investment," Thondaman said. The tech billionaire arrived in Indonesia on Sunday morning ahead of the planned launch of SpaceX's Starlink Internet service in the Southeast Asian country. The Idaho Statesman editorial board endorses the following candidates in Democratic and Republican primaries on Tuesday. Ada County Commission, Democrats: Devin Gutierrez, Jonathan Lashley The Idaho Statesman editorial board endorses Devin Gutierrez, running in District 3, and Jonathan Lashley, running in District 1, in the Democratic primary for Ada County Commission. Read our full endorsement here. Ada County Commission, District 1, Republicans: Clyde Dornier Clyde Dornier, who is challenging incumbent Ryan Davidson for the District 1 seat on the Ada County Commission in the Republican primary, doesnt differ too much from Davidson on many of his views, making it difficult for us to give him our endorsement. Regardless, Dornier offers a viable alternative to Davidson, whos made some lousy decisions. Read our full endorsement here. Ada County Commission, District 3, Republicans: Heather Luther Republican voters in Ada County have an interesting lineup of candidates for county commission, District 3. Incumbent Tom Dayley faces challenges from former two-time county commissioner Sharon Ullman, controversial far-right figure Branden Durst and political newcomer Heather Luther. Luther, a political newcomer who is the director of recording for Ada County, is decidedly the least politically ideological of the bunch and would better represent the voice of the average citizen. Read our full endorsement here. Idaho Senate, District 9: Scott Syme Scott Syme is a reasonable Republican, an Idaho native, an Army veteran, and a tried and tested state legislator with three terms of experience in the Idaho House of Representatives. We dont know much about his opponent, Brandon Shippy, in the upcoming Republican primary for the Idaho Senate seat in District 9, but weve seen his social media accounts enough to get the idea. Shippy has posted on social media that when a woman takes her husbands name, she is claiming to be under his authority, and that there should be no abortion exceptions for rape. We dont need another extremist in the Idaho Legislature. Were full. Read our full endorsement here. Idaho Senate, District 10: Lori Bishop Idaho needs more people like Lori Bishop to step up and run for office. Bishop, a fifth-generation Idahoan from a small town and a lifelong Republican, would be a thoughtful, sensible legislator. Bishop is challenging incumbent Sen. Tammy Nichols, R-Middleton, for the District 10 seat that includes Middleton and rural parts of Canyon County. Read our full endorsement here. Idaho House, District 11, position B: Sarah Chaney Sarah Chaney is a well-qualified candidate with good credentials who would be a thoughtful contributor to the House in District 11. Although we likely will disagree with several of her decisions and votes, we expect that she would approach problems thoughtfully and with concern for the constituents in her district. Read our full endorsement here. Idaho Senate, District 13: Jeff Agenbroad Jeff Agenbroad never should have been voted out of office in 2022. He lost to Brian Lenney, a California transplant whos as far right as they come and, as Agenbroad points out, doesnt represent the values of Idahoans or residents of District 13. Its not at all clear what benefit District 13 voters derive from Lenneys position, if any. Read our full endorsement here. Idaho Senate, District 16: Ali Rabe Idaho Sen. Ali Rabe, D-Boise, has been a good legislator for her constituents in District 16 and when she was a senator in District 17. The executive director of Jesse Tree of Idaho, a local nonprofit organization that seeks to prevent homelessness, Rabe naturally gravitates to housing issues, and shes been successful in getting legislation passed. Shes being challenged by Justin Mitson, who claims hes a Kennedy Democrat, but touts positions that would make him quite the opposite. Read our full endorsement here. Idaho House, District 16, position B: Todd Achilles Democratic voters in legislative District 16 have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to candidates running for the Idaho House of Representatives, Seat B. Todd Achilles, Jonathan Chu, Nikson Mathews and Wayne Richey are all seeking the seat. Achilles is passionate, and we suspect that he has grander aspirations in politics and is motivated to build a record of effectiveness. We think he can. We could easily foresee a run for governor in his future. Democratic voters in District 16 cant go wrong with Achilles, Mathews or Chu, but Achilles gets our nod in this race. Read our full endorsement here. Idaho Senate, District 20: Chuck Winder Idaho Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder is the model of statesmanship and has proved himself to be a strong leader who runs a tight ship in the Senate. He is being challenged in the Republican primary in District 20, which includes west Boise, by Josh Keyser. Despite far-right accusations that Winder is a Republican In Name Only, or RINO, Winder is no liberal and represents his conservative constituents well. Read our full endorsement here. Idaho House, District 23, position B: Shawn Dygert Shawn Dygert has just about all the bona fides needed to be a good representative in the Idaho Legislature for District 23. Dygert was born in Eastern Idaho, raised on cow-calf ranch, rodeoed for Utah State, where he earned a bachelors degree in ag education, got his masters at University of Idaho and has been teaching ag at Kuna High for 33 years. His kids went to Melba schools; he has grandkids in Melba schools; and he lives in Owyhee County, where he was Republican Central Committee chairman for 10 years and a fair board member for eight years. He is challenging incumbent state Rep. Tina Lambert in the upcoming Republican primary election. Read our full endorsement here. Statesman editorials are the unsigned opinion of the Idaho Statesmans editorial board. Board members are opinion editor Scott McIntosh, opinion writer Bryan Clark, editor Chadd Cripe, newsroom editors Dana Oland and Jim Keyser and community members Mary Rohlfing and Patricia Nilsson. Kolkata, May 19 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday, said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has crossed all limits by maligning and threatening the saints associated with iconic institutions like Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission, Bharat Sevashram Sangha and ISKCON. He said that when Swami Vivekananda went abroad and spoke about India, lakhs of people became his devotees. "But there was also a section that hated India. They insulted Swami Vivekananda and tried to intimidate him. But Swami Vivekananda was on a mission for Mother India and was not one to be scared. Today, a similar situation is happening on the soil of Bengal," said PM Modi while addressing a rally at Medinipur in West Bengal. "The entire country and the world is angry over the Chief Minister's comments regarding the saints of these great institutions. She has crossed all the limits by maligning and threatening the saints. Trinamool Congress, which is bowing down for the sake of vote banks, is not entitled to a single vote in West Bengal. How dare she malign and threaten the monks of Ramakrishna Mission, Bharat Sevashram Sangha and ISKCON?" the Prime Minister questioned. The PM was campaigning in support of the party candidate from Medinipur Lok Sabha -- fashion designer-turned-politician Agnimitra Paul. Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi said that the illegal infiltration is currently the biggest danger for West Bengal. "Unfortunately, Trinamool Congress is pampering these illegal infiltrators who are threats to the state and the country. Trinamool Congress is helping them in getting fake ration cards and fake voters; identity cards," he said. The PM also launched a scathing attack against the Chief Minister for her comments that people applying through the CAA portal will actually lose their citizenship. "All such falsehoods have fallen flat after the Union government has given citizenship to 300 refugee families. This is the beginning. Trinamool Congress should understand one thing that CAA is the guarantee of Modi," he added. The PM also said that the event of Congress and Trinamool Congress contesting separately is nothing but drama on the part of both parties. "They are all parts of the INDIA bloc. They are just pretending to fight separately here," he further said. Lucknow, May 19 : To increase the voting percentage in Uttar Pradesh, the Election Commission has issued instructions to form 'Bulawa Toli' for all the remaining phases of the Lok Sabha election. Lucknow, May 19 (IANS) To increase the voting percentage in Uttar Pradesh, the Election Commission has issued instructions to form aBulawa Tolia for all the remaining phases of the Lok Sabha election. The aBulawa Tolisa will include BLOs, local-level ASHA and Anganwadi workers, Yuvak Mangal Dal, and Panchayat-level personnel. aBulawa Tolisa will be activated in the control rooms established in the district and the booths with low voting percentages. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently encouraged workers in Varanasi to increase the voting percentage through aBulawa Tolisa. For the remaining three phases, the Election Commission has issued directives to ensure fearless, fair, and peaceful voting. District Election Officers have been provided necessary guidelines for this purpose. UP Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa said on Sunday that instructions have been given to increase voter awareness activities and programs for the remaining phases of the Lok Sabha election. He said that the aBulawa Tolia is part of this initiative. He said that voter assistance booths will be set up at each polling station, ensuring the presence of BLOs and the availability of voter lists. BLOs will not be assigned duties elsewhere; instead, they will remain on duty themselves and their sons, husbands, or relatives will not replace them. Voters who have not received voter information slips for any reason can check their names in the available voter list at the polling station. The Chief Election Officer said that polling parties and sector magistrates should be instructed not to send back voters on voting day if they have not brought their voter information slip for any reason. Voters who bring slips issued by political parties should also be allowed to vote. Polling parties have been instructed to ensure that if voters have minor differences in identification documents, provided by the voter and the details mentioned in the voter list, they would be allowed to vote. On voting day, all personnel and security forces on election duty have been directed to behave properly with the voters. If someone is going to the booth with their family in their vehicle, they should be allowed to reach the designated spot and should not be stopped by the police. The Chief Electoral Officer further mentioned that there should be proper signage regarding information about each polling booth, water facilities, toilets etc. at the entrance of the polling station. Each polling station should have at least the minimum necessary facilities available. There should be arrangements of shade for voters queuing up at the polling stations. There should be no disruption in power supply on the day of polling so that the voting process is not affected. To protect people from heat stroke, each polling station should have paramedics and ASHA workers with enough ORS and medical kits available. The sector team should also have a paramedic available for use if needed. Additionally, all polling stations should have cool drinking water, toilets, and facilities like wheelchairs and chairs for the elderly and disabled. New Delhi, May 19 : While Amethi and Raebareli, the long-held bastions of Gandhi family, gear up for polling on Monday, a spoof video on the Gandhis has taken the social media by storm. The video, with an apparent intention to mock the mother-son duo, comes days after Congress released an animated conversation of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi discussing the country's first family's age-old ties with two Lok Sabha constituencies of Uttar Pradesh -- Amethi and Raebareli. Notably, the two seats have been represented by either Gandhi family including Indira and Sonia Gandhi or the family loyalists since Independence. It was only in 2019 Lok Sabha polls that Rahul Gandhi got voted out in Amethi by the 'giant slayer' Smriti Irani. The video featuring the look-alikes of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi shows the duo talking about Gandhi family's long legacy while taking caustic and satirical jibes at previous Prime Ministers, including Jawahar Lal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. As the duo look back at the country's political history, the characters impersonating as Sonia and Rahul discuss Jawaharlal Nehru's interview and pictures in Playboy magazine hogging the global headlines while rebuking the Emergency imposed under Indira Gandhi. They are also seen lampooning the family over Bofors scandal and Bhopal Gas tragedy and how the 'mamas' like Ottavio Quattraochi (the middleman in Bofors deal) and Warren Anderson (the US businessmen who escaped the country after toxic gas leak) took the Indian laws for a ride. The viral video also shows pictures of Gandhi family on exquisite holidays across the country, while claiming: "INS Vikrant ko toh hum taxi bana liya karte the (we used to convert warship INS Vikrant into persoan taxi)." The mother-son also take dig at Congress' rejection of Ram Temple invite. It shows Rahul's impersonator taking pride in visiting the tomb of Mughal emperor Babar while mother quipping, "you never went to Ram Mandir, you naughty boy". They are also seen mocking the then 'dirty and untidy' landscape of Amethi and Raebareli and closing the six-minute video by saying: "Let's wash our hands for dinner." The video, evoking many responses on social media, has raised the hackles of Congress and it is likely to lambast the BJP for the video. Notably, Congress and many other top party leaders had released a video of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi discussing Gandhi family's 100-year-old connection with these two seats, on May 14, a week before polling in those two LS seats. This was aimed at intensifying party's campaign and also to gain extra mileage over the BJP, by positioning itself as the 'century-old custodians' of these constituencies. In the May 14 video, the mother and son described Amethi and Raebareli as their 'karmabhoomi' and also recalled how previous members of Gandhi family served the people here, with their sweat and blood. The family pocket boroughs of Amethi and Raebareli are among the top 14 Lok Sabha constituencies heading to polls in the fifth phase of voting on May 20. Mumbai, May 19 : Actor Sanjay Bishnoi, who is known for 'Delhi Crime' and '12th Fail', recently got his film 'Santosh' showcased at the ongoing 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard category. 'Santosh' has been directed by the UK-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri. Actor Sanjay Bishnoi described the film as a story of a woman's survival in a world of crime and caste-based discrimination. He plays one of the principal parts along with Shahana Goswami and Sunita Rajwar. Sharing his excitement, the actor said: "I am lucky to be part of projects which allowed me to visit Sundance in 2019 and bag the first Emmy for India for the web series 'Delhi Crime'. And now with Santosh, we are in one of the top categories at the Cannes Film Festival 2024. This gives us an opportunity to reach a wider audience and increase awareness for the project." "An actor like me, who is in an early stage of his career, gets benefited immensely with such recognition and honour. I hope this translates into more opportunities and meaningful work because that's the journey and purpose of it all." Sanjay is making the most of his time while at the film festival. "I'm trying my best to watch Francis Ford Coppola's 'Megalopolis', 'Kinds of Kindness' by Yorgos Lanthimos and all the official selections from India - 'All The Light We Imagine', 'The Shameless' and 'Sister Midnight' for the brilliant Radhika Apte." "I'm a Coppola fan and it was amazing to see Adam Driver. I also saw our very own Naseeruddin Shah for the 'Manthan' screening at Cannes as well. He is an inspiration for any actor in India and across the world. I'm on a constant hunt to spot all the wonderful artists and experience amazing cinema at this beautiful festival. There is nothing better than people coming together to celebrate stories and discuss art," he added. Gurugram, May 19 : Sitting MP and BJP candidate from the Gurgaon Lok Sabha constituency, Rao Inderjit Singh, said on Sunday that the party, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has prepared a roadmap for development projects that will be taken up during his third term. "The pace of development will be doubled in five years. Modi ji has prepared the agenda for the first 100 days," he said. Inderjit on Sunday visited Gurgaon and Badshahpur assemblies including Kanhai, Wazirabad, Sector 56, Sector 46, Begumpur Khatola, Hiranagar Baldev Nagar, 4/8 Marla, Ambedkar Nagar, Laxman Vihar, Shivpuri and Arjun Nagar and appealed to the voters to support the BJP. "In the coming five years, the country will be made the third-largest superpower. The PM has dedicated his first two terms to the economic progress of the country. He has made the country the fifth economic superpower from number 11," the BJP MP said. "In the next five years, the country will be developed as a third power by taking it forward on the path of progress," he said. "If the opposition wants to see development, then they should enjoy the journey on the Dwarka Expressway and Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. In future, they should try to get themselves treated at the AIIMS which will be built in Rewari," he added. Inderjit said that the work of soil testing of pillars of Old Gurugram Metro has started, and the work of making pillars will start soon. Attacking Congress, he said that the grand old party has neither a vision nor a development policy for the country. "Therefore, it wants to entangle the people of the country in false scams," he added. Tehran, May 19 : A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi experienced an incident in the country's east Azerbaijan on Sunday, local media reported. Raisi, who is on a one-day trip to neighbouring Azerbaijan, met his Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev and the two leaders inaugurated the Qiz Qalasi Dam, which is a joint project of both countries. Iran's Tasnim News Agency said that there were three helicopters in the convoy, two of which carrying ministers and officials "arrived at their destination safely". The agency said that Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian was also reportedly on the helicopter with Raisi. "However, some of the president's companions on this helicopter were able to communicate with Central Headquarters, raising hopes that the incident could have ended without casualties," it said in a post on X. Without elaborating on the details, Iranian state television also reported that the helicopter carrying the Iranian President suffered a "hard landing". Meanwhile, Iran's Mehr News Agency reported that Raisi has labelled reports of the accident as a "rumour" and said that the President and his convoy were travelling from Khodaafarin to Tabriz by land. "Mehr reporter's investigations indicate that a few minutes ago, the helicopter carrying the President landed on the ground due to the foggy weather in the northern region of east Azarbaijan, and now the President's convoy is on its way to Tabriz," it said. Hyderabad, May 19 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao on Sunday urged voters of MLC graduates' constituency to think before casting their votes. He addressed two meetings at Bhongir and Aler as part of the party's campaign for election of Member of Legislative Council (MLC) from Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Graduates' constituency. The by-election is scheduled to be held on May 27. Rama Rao slammed both the Congress and BJP for not fulfilling their promises. He said while Congress has backtracked on promises made in Assembly elections, the BJP government at the Centre has done nothing for Telangana in last 10 years. He appealed to voters to apply their minds before choosing their candidate. He asked voters to see not just parties but also the qualities of candidates. The BRS leader said his party has fielded a highly educated candidate, Rakesh Reddy. An alumnus of BITS Pilani, he had an opportunity to earn crores in the US, but he came back to serve people, said KTR -- as Rama Rao is popularly known. "You have a highly educated candidate from BRS and a blackmailer from Congress," he said referring to Chintapandu Naveen, also known as Teenmaar Malanna. KTR said the Congress indulged in blackmailing activities in the garb of journalism but BRS did not pay attention. There are 4.6 lakh voters in the constituency spread over 34 Assembly seats in erstwhile districts of Warangal, Khammam and Nalgonda. There are 52 candidates in the fray but it will be mainly a triangular contest among Congress, BRS and BJP candidates. KTR said Prime Minister Narendra Modi made many promises during the last 10 years but failed to fulfill them. "Whenever asked what he has done, he is saying he has built temple. He had nothing else to say. If building a temple is a criteria, has KCR not built Yadadri temple?" he asked. "Not just temple. We also built projects and reservoirs which are called modern temples," said KTR, son of BRS president and former chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao. KTR said BRS did a lot in 10 years but in the recent Assembly elections it suffered defeat. He attributed the loss to party's failure to take to people the good works done and also the party unintentionally distancing from few sections. "Our rivals also ran a misinformation campaign against us through media and social media," he said. KTR said Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had promised that farm loans will be waived on December 9 but even after five months this promise has not been fulfilled. He asked voters they will get cheated again. "If we are cheated once, it's the fault of those who cheated but if we get cheated for second time it will be our mistake," he said. Patna, May 19 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday claimed that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has already won more than 270 seats in the first four phases of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. "NDA has already crossed 270 seats in the first four phases of elections. I also want to tell you that the parties of Tejashwi Yadav and Rahul Gandhi are not even getting 4 and 40 seats, respectively," Amit Shah said during his address to support the NDA candidates Sanjay Jaiswal and Sunil Kumar. Sanjay Jaiswal is contesting on the BJP ticket from West Champaran and Sunil Kumar is contesting from Valmiki Nagar on the JD-U ticket. The Home Minister said that the leaders of the INDIA bloc are misleading the people on the reservation and on changing the Constitution. "The leaders of the INDI alliance are saying that if NDA crosses 400 seats then we will change the Constitution and nullify the reservation. PM Modi had a complete majority in the last 10 years and still did not change the Constitution. Lalu Prasad Yadav says that he will give 100 per cent reservation to Muslims," Amit Shah said. The Home Minister said that Lalu Prasad Yadav is sitting in the "lap" of Congress which has given reservations to Muslims in Karnataka and Telangana. "I want to ask Lalu Prasad Yadav whose reservation will he cut Dalits, Tribals or backward class so that he give it to Muslims," Amit Shah said. He said that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had put the Mandal Commission in cold storage while Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had opposed it as well. "Congress has always opposed the backward caste while Prime Minister Modi has worked towards giving democratic rights to the people belonging to the backward and extremely backward communities," Amit Shah said. He also alleged that the INDIA bloc leaders have not done anything for the poor of the country. "PM Modi provided tap water to the homes of 14 crore people. He has delivered LPG cylinders to more than 10 crore houses. Toilets have been built for 12 crore houses. PM Modi has given five kg of food grains per person to 80 crore poor people, free of cost. Health insurance worth Rs five lakh was given to the poor," he said. Amit Shah said that Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah said that Pakistan has an atom bomb. He asked people whether Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) belongs to India or not. "Mani Shankar Aiyar and Farooq Abdullah said we should not talk about PoK as Pakistan has a nuclear bomb. They are afraid of Pakistan's bomb but India is not. Our country is strong under the leadership of PM Modi," he said. He said that stone pelting has stopped in Kashmir but now is taking place in PoK. "Earlier, freedom slogans were raised in our Kashmir but today they are being raised in PoK. Earlier, strikes used to happen in Kashmir but that too is now happening in PoK. The price of flour is going up in Pakistan every day. Pakistan does not have flour for the people while PM Modi is giving free ration to every poor," Amit Shah said. New Delhi, May 19 : Once the Lok Sabha election results are declared on June 4, the Indian stock markets will break all previous records, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday. In an exclusive conversation with Sanjay Pugalia, Editor-in-Chief of NDTV, PM Modi said that the Indian indices are set to witness record highs after the poll results. "With a week after election results, the Indian stock market will touch record highs and stock market programmers will get tired dealing with the rush," he said. The Prime Minister said that Indians should shun their nervousness about investing in the market and join the momentum. "New investors help grow the economy and people's risk capacity needs to increase with time. In the last 10 years, the markets have reached the 75,000-level from the 25,000 level," PM Modi emphasised. The Prime Minister said that public sector undertakings (PSUs) stocks are now accelerating which no one had expected. "Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the state-owned defence PSU, has made a record net profit of more than Rs 4,000 crore," PM Modi noted. The country is now the fifth country in the world with an equity market capitalisation of more than $4.5 trillion, behind the US, China, Japan, and Hong Kong. The BSE Sensex reached an all-time high of 75,124.28 in April. Both the indices traded at record-high levels in the opening trade on April 9, with the Nifty 50 surging above the 22,700 level. Strong domestic macroeconomic fundamentals have pushed the Indian stock market to reach new limits. Tehran, May 19 : A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and several other senior leaders, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, experienced an 'incident' in the country's east Azerbaijan on Sunday following bad weather, and rescue teams were on their way to the area, reports said. Raisi was returning from meeting his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev in the border area, where the two leaders inaugurated the Qiz Qalasi Dam, which is a joint project of both countries. The helicopter - one of three travelling in a convoy - made a "hard landing" after it got into difficulties in heavy fog in northern Iran, as per Iranian media. The Tasnim News Agency said that there were three helicopters in the convoy, two of which carrying ministers and officials had "arrived at their destination safely". It was still unclear what happened exactly to the third, with most Iranian media outlets reporting it made a "hard landing". "However, some of the president's companions on this helicopter were able to communicate with Central Headquarters, raising hopes that the incident could have ended without casualties," Tasnim said in a post on X. Iranian state television also reported that the helicopter carrying the President suffered a "hard landing". Mehr News Agency initially reported that Raisi labelled reports of the accident as a "rumour" and said that the President and his convoy were travelling from Khodaafarin to Tabriz by land. However, it has now deleted this update. Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said rescuers were still struggling to reach the site of the accident due to the difficult weather conditions. It will take "time to get to the location" of the crash site because of the "bad weather conditions and fog in the area", he said on state television. "Things are under control and rescue teams are doing their work. We hope it will be done as soon as possible," Vahidi added. Ahmad Alirezabeigi, the MP of Tabriz, said that emergency rescue workers have yet to find the location of the helicopter. The forested area is near the town of Varzeqan, and around 50 km north of Tabriz, the capital of the east Azerbaijan province. Heavy rain and fog have made the rescue difficult, he added. The head of Iranas Red Crescent reported that one of the search and rescue teams had reached the site where Raisi's helicopter had made a hard landing. In case of any mishappening, Raisi, who has been President since 2021, could be succeeded by his First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber. . HARRISBURG National political themes will lead off the campaign for Pennsylvanias next attorney general, an office that played a major role and gained national notoriety in fighting lawsuits designed to keep Donald Trump in power after he lost the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden. The nominees Democrat Eugene DePasquale, the former twice-elected state auditor general, and Republican Dave Sunday, the twice-elected district attorney of York County will carry forward messages they honed in their primary campaigns into the November general election. DePasquale says his top two priorities reflect the concerns he heard from Democratic primary voters: protecting elections and abortion rights. DePasquale said Pennsylvanians see the states top law enforcement office differently following Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the U.S. Supreme Court overturning of the Roe v. Wade decision protecting abortion rights. Its law enforcement role is still important, DePasquale said. But abortion rights and democracy and voting rights were over and over and over again expressed to me by voters. Sunday says the fentanyl crisis is the number one issue facing Pennsylvanians, and he packages it with a national GOP talking point during an election year when Trump is putting a target on Bidens immigration policy: every state is a border state. Sunday said his focus on fentanyl isnt political, but reflects his experience both as a county prosecutor and on the campaign trail. When I started talking about the things that Ive done as an elected D.A., I was shocked, actually, how many people waited to privately talk to me after every event to tell me that they had a child that died of an overdose, a brother that died of an overdose, Sunday said in an interview. The meat and potatoes of Pennsylvanias attorney general is prosecuting fraudsters, drug traffickers, gun traffickers, public corruption and environmental crimes, while defending state agencies against lawsuits. But state attorneys general also are becoming increasingly political and reflecting the intense polarization of the nations two major parties, said Paul Nolette, a political science professor at Marquette University. As part of that, they have become players in forging national policy by increasingly challenging federal laws and regulations in court, usually in bands of Republican-led states or Democratic-led states, Nolette said. In interviews, both DePasquale and Sunday nodded to the need for safe communities and said they would fight violent crime. They also talked of the need to treat the underlying causes of crime, such as addiction and mental illness. When it comes to fighting fentanyl, they give similar answers: work with all levels of government and the treatment community. Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are estimated to kill more than 150 Americans every day, and Bidens administration says it has accelerated its efforts to stop the flow into the United States. More than 90% of illegally imported fentanyl is seized at the southwestern border, smuggled mostly in vehicles driven by U.S. citizens, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Both say they will defend Pennsylvania law making abortion legal through 23 weeks of pregnancy. Sunday, however, declined to discuss his position on abortion rights, saying, Im not running to be a legislator. DePasquale said he supports abortion rights and predicted that the attorney general will be called on to protect women coming to Pennsylvania for an abortion from officials in anti-abortion states who might try to prosecute them or get their health care records. Fifteen Democratic-controlled states have laws intended to protect providers and others from such prosecutions. Another possibility is that Pennsylvanias next attorney general to be sworn in in January will face litigation surrounding this Novembers presidential election. Sunday and DePasquale both say they are prepared for that possibility. Sunday said he doesnt question that Biden won the election in 2020, but he hasnt rejected Trumps baseless claims that widespread fraud changed the outcome in Pennsylvania or anywhere else. Sunday said he could only speak to the election fraud claims that his office investigated in York County. Officials in Trumps own administration said they found no evidence of fraud. DePasquale said there should be no question about the validity of the 2020 election, saying there is a principle involved in accepting multiple court decisions that rejected Trumps claims of election fraud. And if youre not willing to accept that, DePasquale said, then I question whether you even support following the rule of law in Pennsylvania. IPL 2024: Dhoni arrives in Ranchi after CSK's campaign comes to an end. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, May 19 : Chennai Super Kings (CSK) stalwart M.S. Dhoni landed in Ranchi on Sunday after losing the Indian Premier League (IPL) virtual knockout against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to end their campaign in the tournament. Chasing 219, CSK faltered in the middle overs after recovering from the sloppy start. Rachin Ravindra's 61-run and Ravindra Jadeja's unbeaten 42 failed to guide the defending champion over the line. Despite finishing the campaign with 14 points same as RCB in the league stage, CSK failed to seal the berth due to the latter's superior net run rate. With CSK ending their campaign in the IPL, fans and experts speculated that it could be Dhoni's final season for the franchise, but the veteran has kept his cards close to heart and headed back home after the match. In a video that has gone viral on social media, Dhoni can be seen getting into his car outside the Ranchi airport on Sunday afternoon. Coming at No.8, Dhoni played a knock of 25 runs off 13 balls with three fours and a six before Yash Dayal sent him back to the pavilion, crushing CSK's hopes of progressing to the playoffs. In the IPL 2024 season, Dhoni accumulated 161 runs at a strike rate of 220.54 while batting deep down the order for Chennai. He also struck 14 fours and 13 sixes in the tournament. With nothing concrete from the franchise and the legend himself, fans remain hopeful of Dhoni's return for the next IPL season. New Delhi, May 19 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, outlining the importance of 'thinking big and thinking ahead of time', on Sunday said that this is Bharat's moment and we must not lose it. PM Modi speaking exclusively to NDTV's Editor-in-Chief Sanjay Pugalia said that if one wants to achieve big, then one must think big as this will mark the foundation for a New India that will benefit the country a thousand years from now. He said that his government has always kept the focus on the integrated growth of Vikas (development) and Virasat (heritage) and he spoke about this from the ramparts of Red Fort. PM Modi, in a wide-ranging interaction with NDTV, said, "In every nation's life, there come some turning points, which must not be squandered." Sharing his experience over celebrating India's 75 years of Independence, he said that at that time, he thought about how to shape the country on a robust growth path and achieve a new milestone when it turns 100. "I don't think in pieces. I keep an integrated approach. Also, I don't have the habit of working for media attention," he said. PM Modi said that India's youth is excited and brimming with big hopes and added that it's incumbent upon the government to channel their energy and make them a stakeholder in the nation's growth journey. Sharing his vision on harnessing the potential of youth, he said that in the third term, he would focus on how to build instant connections with the youth and also on how to instil a habit of 'dreaming big' in them. PM Modi also highlighted that his government's committed works have found good connections with the people on the ground. "Today, the nation believes that this is a hard-working government, which not just works for the upliftment of citizens but is well-aware of the problems faced by common men and makes a consistent effort to fulfil their aspirations," PM Modi told the TV channel. New Delhi, May 19 : Everybody should go to space, said Captain Gopichand Thotakura after becoming the first Indian ever to tour the edge of space on Blue Origin's seventh crewed flight mission on Sunday. "It was amazing... you have to see it with your eyes," said the Vijayawada-born pilot, after coming out of the space capsule. The 11-minute flight, which launched at 8.06 p.m. IST from the company's Launch Site One in West Texas, carried the six-person crew to space above the Karman line -- an internationally recognised boundary of space that lies 100 km above the Earth's surface. "I can't describe how it is to look into spacea everybody should go to the space. It was good to see Earth from the other side," he said. "I think every person on the plant should get to witness the sight," he added. Thotakura is the second Indian to visit space, after Rakesh Sharma's historic flight on Russia's Soyuz T-11 spacecraft in 1984. He was part of the seventh human flight missions by the Jeff Bezos-owned company, which also carried 90-year-old Ed Dwight, Mason Angel, Sylvain Chiron, Kenneth L. Hess, and Carol Schaller. --IANS rvt/pgh New Delhi, May 19 : The Delhi Police told a court here that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's Personal Secretary Bibhav Kumar, who allegedly assaulted and misbehaved with AAP MP Swati Maliwal, had gone to the CM's residence again and chances of him tampering with the evidence cannot be ruled out. In its plea for custody, it said that this is not the first criminal case against Bibhav Kumar, and he was found involved in a criminal case registered with Noida Police in 2007, where he assaulted a public servant. The IO (investigative officer) as well as the Additional Public Prosecutor submitted to a Tis Hazari court that the case is a case of a grave nature, more particularly when an MP, who happens to be a woman, has been assaulted brutally. In his order, Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Goyal said that the non-finding of the video footage and formatting of the mobile phone by the accused "speaks in volumes", adding that there were sufficient grounds to arrest him without notice. The court noted the DVR containing the incident has not been provided and a JE rank officer provided blank video footage of the relevant time. Further, the police said that police remand custody of Bibhav Kumar is needed so he could be taken to Mumbai to ascertain the facts regarding the formatting of the mobile phone and collection of the deleted data. Sending the accused to police custody for 5 days, the court ordered the IO to get the accused medically examined every 24 hours and not subject him to any torture. Further, it permitted Bibhav Kumar to meet his advocates and wife Priyambada for half an hour daily during the above period of police custody. Bhubaneswar, May 19 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Sunday evening on a two-day visit to the state. On Monday, PM Modi is scheduled to address two massive public gatherings in Angul and Cuttack Assembly constituencies. PM Modi, after he arrived at Biju Patnaik International Airport, went to the state headquarters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). A source said that PM Modi reviewed the poll strategy and other issues during a meeting with several party leaders including state unit BJP president Manmohan Samal, election in-charge Vijaypal Singh Tomar, senior party leader and BJP war room in-charge, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav at the party headquarters. PM Modi later left for Raj Bhavan where he would spend the night. On Monday morning, PM Modi will offer prayers at the famous Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri before leading a roadshow from the Marchikote Chowk to Medical Square in the city. PM Modi will later fly to Angul to attend a poll rally. The Prime Minister is scheduled to address another massive public meeting at Cuttack Bali Jatra field later in the day. This is the third visit of PM Modi to Odisha for the election campaigning in the last 15 days. He has so far addressed five big public rallies at different constituencies and also held a massive roadshow in Bhubaneswar city. Polling will be held in Puri, Cuttack, and Angul constituencies on May 25. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra is contesting from Puri Lok Sabha constituency. New Delhi, May 19 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed his "deep concern" at Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter going missing after making a "hard landing" and prayed for his well-being. "Deeply concerned by reports regarding President Raisias helicopter flight today. We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of distress, and pray for well being of the President and his entourage", he said in a post on X. The helicopter carrying President Raisi and several other senior leaders, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, experienced an 'incident' in the country's east Azerbaijan province on Sunday following bad weather, and rescue teams were on their way to the area, reports said. The helicopter - one of three travelling in a convoy - made a "hard landing" after it got into difficulties in heavy fog in northern Iran, as per Iranian media. New Delhi, May 19 : A man has been arrested in Uttar Pradesh's Etah district after a video surfaced on Sunday on social media in which he was seen voting multiple times, an official said. The arrested individual has been identified as Rajan Singh, a resident of Khiriya Pamaran village, a statement noted. Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Navdeep Rinwa said in a statement that an FIR has been registered in connection with the matter. "Instructions to suspend and institute disciplinary proceedings against all members of the polling party have been issued. Repolling has been recommended to the Election Commission of India in the polling station concerned," the CEO said. Navdeep Rinwa further said that strict instructions to rigorously follow the procedures for proper identification of the voters have been issued to all District Election Officers in Uttar Pradesh for the remaining phases of polls. Chennai, May 20 : The Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force (TNDRF) has deployed nine teams in the state's "high-risk" areas after the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) predicted heavy rainfall till May 22, an official said on Sunday. An official said that TNDRF teams have been deployed in many places, including Kanniyakumari, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli and Nilgiris, where heavy rainfall continued. The state government has also activated warning systems in the coastal areas of the state. This provides information on wind direction and sea waves, serving as an early warning to the fishermen. According to the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department, 437 warning systems have been installed in the coastal areas. The RMC has already issued advisories to fishermen warning against venturing into the sea as wind speeds up to 55 kmph are predicted in Kanniyakumari, Gulf of Mannar, and adjacent coastal areas. Warning messages are also being sent to mobile phones, an official said. Patna, May 20 : Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh on Sunday opposed the statement of Rashtriya Janata Dal Chief Lalu Yadav about giving reservations to the Muslim community across the country. Ramesh said that giving reservations based on one's religion is wrong. "We have never given any reservation based on religion. The Constitution also does not say that anyone should be given reservation in the name of religion. It is the Bharatiya Janata Party that wants to divide society based on religion. This is the reason why it is bringing a law like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)," the Congress leader added while interacting with the media persons in Patna on Sunday. "BJP is giving citizenship in the name of religion which is against the Constitution of the country. Reservation can be given only if there is social and economic backwardness," Ramesh said. Congress was seen distancing itself from Lalu Yadav's statement of giving reservations based on religion. Earlier, Lalu Yadav had said that Muslims should be given reservations. Later, the RJD Chief immediately took a U-turn and backtracked from his earlier statement, and wrote a post on social media that the reservation cannot be given based on religion. Jairam Ramesh has criticised the BJP and said that its leaders do not talk about people's issues. "The Lok Sabha election has been held for 369 Lok Sabha seats so far and it was clear in the initial phase of polling that BJP has been wiped out in south India and halved in north India. The results will come in our (INDIA bloc's) favour on June 4," he added. Jairam Ramesh said: "There is no election wave in favour of BJP across the country. Only resentment among the youth and workers. PM Modi has not yet broken his silence on caste-based census. He should clarify whether he is in favour of a caste-based census or against it. The Supreme Court had set a limit of 50 per cent reservation. PM Modi should tell whether he will take it beyond 50 per cent." Reacting to the poll promises made by the Congress during the recent Assembly elections in Karnataka and Telangana, Ramesh said: "Our guarantee is not a person's guarantee but it was the party's guarantee. Whatever promises were made in Telangana and Karnataka have been fulfilled." Tehran, May 20 : A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and several other senior leaders, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, was missing in the country's east Azerbaijan on Sunday after an 'incident' amid bad weather, and rescue teams were scouring the area to trace it amid dense fog and heavy rain. Tehran, May 20 (IANS) A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and several other senior leaders, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, was missing in the country's east Azerbaijan on Sunday after an 'incident' amid bad weather, and rescue teams were scouring the area to trace it amid dense fog and heavy rain. As darkness and adverse weather conditions hampered the search by armed forces personnel, including of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), amid confusion over contradictory reports over the detection of the helicopter, there were reports that signals from it and the mobile phone of a member of the flight crew have been detected. "We are now moving toward the area with all military forces and I hope we can give good news to the people," IRGC regional commander Asghar Abbasgholizadeh was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency. He also said that the "area no longer has capacity for more forces", given that 40 teams were already in the area. IRGC Commander-in-Chief Hossein Salami was also reaching the area to help lead search-and-rescue efforts. Meanwhile, a local weather official said the area where the Presidentas helicopter went down is expected to keep seeing rain and dense fog through the night. Raisi was returning from meeting his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev in the border area, where the two leaders inaugurated the Qiz Qalasi Dam, a joint project, when the incident occurred. As per Iranian media, the helicopter - one of three travelling in a convoy - made a "hard landing" after it got into difficulties in heavy fog in northern Iran. Tasnim said that there were three helicopters in the convoy, two of which carrying ministers and officials had "arrived at their destination safely". It was still unclear what happened exactly to the third, with most Iranian media outlets reporting it made a "hard landing". "However, some of the president's companions on this helicopter were able to communicate with Central Headquarters, raising hopes that the incident could have ended without casualties," Tasnim said in a post on X. Iranian state television also reported that the helicopter carrying the President suffered a "hard landing". Mehr News Agency initially reported that Raisi labelled reports of the accident as a "rumour" and said that the President and his convoy were travelling from Khodaafarin to Tabriz by land. However, it later deleted this update. Earlier, Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi admitted that rescuers were still struggling to reach the site of the accident due to the difficult weather conditions. Ahmad Alirezabeigi, the MP of Tabriz, had also said that emergency rescue workers were trying to find the location of the helicopter in a forested area near the town of Varzeqan, and around 50 km north of Tabriz, the capital of the east Azerbaijan province. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed concern about the incident and also sought to assure the people. "We hope that God returns the honourable president and his companions to the arms of the nation." "All must pray for the health of this group of civil servants. The Iranian nation must not be concerned or worried, there will be no disruption in the work of the country," he said at an event. Azerbaijan's Aliev expressed his concern and offered to extend any help needed. Offers of help have also come in from Russia, Iraq, Armenia, and Saudi Arabia, while Turkey has despatched a mountain rescue team, as per reports. The European Commission is also activating its rapid response satellite mapping service to aid search efforts, following a request for assistance from Iran, Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic said. Indiaas Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he was "deeply concerned" about the incident and that his country stood in solidarity with Iran's people. In case of any mishappening, Raisi, who has been President since 2021, could be succeeded by his First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, who will hold the office till elections for a new President. . Gaza, May 20 : At least 31 Palestinians were killed on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike in the central Gaza Strip while the Israeli army announced the killing of two of its soldiers in battles in the enclave. Local sources and eyewitnesses told Xinhua news agency that Israeli warplanes targeted at Sunday dawn an inhabited house for the Hassan family in the Nuseirat Palestinian refugee camp, which led to its destruction. Medical sources told Xinhua that the Israeli raid resulted in the killing of 31 people, including children and women, and the wounding of several others with varying injuries, all of whom have been transferred to hospitals. Meanwhile, the Israeli army said in a press statement that two soldiers were killed in an incident in the southern Strip, while three others were injured, one of them seriously, Xinhua news agency reported. Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. Meanwhile, the Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 35,386, and 79,366 were injured, according to Gaza health authorities on Saturday. Amman, May 20 : Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi has said that anyone claiming the situation in the Gaza Strip is improving is not telling the truth, and accusations against the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) have been proven false. He made the remarks at a joint press conference in Amman with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, during which he said on Sunday that UNRWA is fulfilling its duty in the Palestinian enclave despite the circumstances of the Gaza conflict, Xinhua news agency report. Safadi confirmed that Jordan continues to stand by UNRWA, the role of which cannot be dispensed with or replaced by any other entity, according to a statement by the Jordanian Foreign Ministry. He stressed that the investigation conducted by an independent committee confirmed that UNRWA has all the tools to ensure that its actions adhere to all principles, ethics, and charters of the United Nations. "The accusations have been proven false and the attempt to politically assassinate UNRWA has failed," said Safadi. For his part, Lazzarini thanked Jordan for its support for the agency and its solidarity with Palestinian refugees. Lazzarini stressed that despite all the international community's calls, Israel invaded and attacked the southernmost Gaza city of Rafah on May 6, with half of Gaza's population forced to flee. He pointed out that the two main crossings in the south, Rafah Crossing, and Kerem Shalom Crossing, have turned into conflict zones, and there are currently no crossings to transport aid across the borders. Lazzarini noted that "198 UNRWA employees were killed, 160 sites were completely or partially destroyed, and employees were arrested, tortured, and forced to confess to crimes they did not commit". Wad Medani Airport, Wad Medani, Sudan [ DNI / ] If you are planning to travel to Wad Medani or any other city in Sudan, this airport locator will be a very useful tool. This page gives complete information about the Wad Medani Airport along with the airport location map, Time Zone, lattitude and longitude, Current time and date, hotels near the airport etc... Wad Medani Airport Map showing the location of this airport in Sudan. Wad Medani Airport IATA Code, ICAO Code, exchange rate etc... is also provided. Wad Medani Airport Info: Wad Medani Airport IATA Code: DNI Wad Medani Airport ICAO Code: Latitude : 14.3833 Longitude : 33.5333 City : Wad Medani Country : Sudan World Area Code : 583 Airport Type : Small Wad Medani Airport Address / Contact Details : Wad Medani (DNI), Wad Madani, Sudan Timezone : Africa/Khartoum Wad Medani Airport Timezone : GMT +02:00 hours Current time and date at Wad Medani Airport is 12:37:54 PM (CAT) on Saturday, Oct 12, 2024 Looking for information on Wad Medani Airport, Wad Medani, Sudan? Know about Wad Medani Airport in detail. Find out the location of Wad Medani Airport on Sudan map and also find out airports near to Wad Medani. This airport locator is a very useful tool for travelers to know where is Wad Medani Airport located and also provide information like hotels near Wad Medani Airport, airlines operating to Wad Medani Airport etc... IATA Code and ICAO Code of all airports in Sudan. Scroll down to know more about Wad Medani Airport or Wad Medani Airport, Sudan. Wad Medani Airport Map - Location of Wad Medani Airport Load Map Sudan - General Information Country Formal Name Republic of the Sudan Country Code SD Capital Khartoum Currency Pound (SDG) 1 SDG = 0.002 USD 1 USD = 601.5 SDG 1 SDG = 0.001 EUR 1 EUR = 670.011 SDG More SDG convertion rates Tel Code +249 Top Level Domain .sd This page provides all the information you need to know about Wad Medani Airport, Sudan. This page is created with the aim of helping travelers and tourists visiting Sudan or traveling to Wad Medani Airport. Details about Wad Medani Airport given here include Wad Medani Airport Code - IATA Code (3 letter airport codes) and ICAO Code (4 letter airport codes) Coordinates of Wad Medani Airport - Latitude and Longitude (Lat and Long) of Wad Medani Airport Location of Wad Medani Airport - City Name, Country, Country Codes etc... Wad Medani Airport Time Zone and Current time at Wad Medani Airport Address and contact details of Wad Medani Airport along with website address of the airport Clickable Location Map of Wad Medani Airport on Google Map. General information about Sudan where Wad Medani Airport is located in the city of Wad Medani. General information include capital of Sudan, currency and conversion rate of Sudan currency, Telephone Country code, exchange rate against US Dollar and Euro in case of major world currencies etc... DNI - Wad Medani Airport IATA Code 'We are now optimising our investments where there is more return on investment for growth. That includes modern trade, e-commerce, and the premium part of the portfolio.' Photograph: Kind courtesy Hindustan Unilever Hindustan Unilever (HUL) expects volume recovery both for the company and the fast-moving consumer goods industry, says Ritesh Tiwari, chief financial officer at HUL. In an interview with Sharleen D'Souza/Business Standard in Mumbai, he talks about the firm's plan to bring more Unilever brands to India. How will you drive volume growth from here? Our objective is to put growth on the table. We go where the consumer, growth, and money are. Premium is one of the growth opportunities, and we are doubling down on premium. Rural is another growth opportunity. Although currently, urban areas contribute more to growth than rural, there is no reason why rural areas should not contribute to FMCG consumption. In the past quarter, we have seen signs of recovery with rural areas growing, albeit on a declining base from the same period last year. Growth on a two-year compound annual growth rate basis is positive. Our brands are strong, our product quality is superior, and the price point needs to reflect the quality. Staying true to our business model is paying off. What is going to be the main focus for HUL: premium share gain or reviving the mass end of the market? One-third of HUL's business is in the premium space, a little more than one-third is in the mass segment, and a little less than one-third is in the middle segment. In the short run, we will not see high growth from the mass segment. However, as rural areas recover, the mass segment will also recover. Nevertheless, the premium segment and urban markets have led to recent growth. We are not changing our position in the mass segment. It's just that the growth expectation from there will be lower compared to the expectation of growth from the premium segment for the next few quarters as this equilibrium starts to establish. Our plan is to win in many Indias. We are now optimising our investments where there is more return on investment for growth. That includes modern trade, e-commerce, and the premium part of the portfolio. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com More than 3,300 Cental Industrial Security Force personnel will take over the complete counterterrorism and anti-sabotage security duties at the Parliament complex from Monday following the withdrawal of over 1,400 Central Reserve Police Force jawans from the country's most important symbol of democracy, official sources said. IMAGE: A BSF air wing helicopter and NSG Commandos during a security mock drill at the Parliament in New Delhi, May 3, 2024. Photograph: Sanjay Sharma/ANI Photo The parliament duty group of the CRPF wound up its entire administrative and operational paraphernalia -- vehicles, weapons and commandos -- from the complex on Friday and its commander, a deputy inspector general-rank officer, handed over all the security points in the complex to the incoming CISF group, the sources said. A total of 3,317 CISF personnel are being inducted for securing both the old and new Parliament buildings and the associated structures in this complex located in central Delhi after the government directed it to take over the task from the CRPF following the December 13 security breach incident of last year, a senior officer told PTI. In a major security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack, two persons jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour on December 13, 2023, released yellow smoke from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by MPs. Outside the Parliament premises around the same time that day, two other persons sprayed coloured smoke from canisters while shouting slogans. Following this incident, a committee under the chairmanship of CRPF DG was setup to look into the overall security issues of the Parliament complex and make suitable recommendations. The CISF counterterrorism security unit will take over the full charge of the Parliament complex from 6 am on Monday, May 20, the officer said, requesting anonymity. It has deployed its staff to guard all the flap entry gates of the complex, posted canine squads, fire fighting personnel along with fire tenders, manpower at CCTV monitoring control room and communication centre apart from the pass section, watch towers apart from specialists to undertake anti-sabotage checks and other operations at the Parliament complex, he said. With this, the CRPF PDG, Delhi police (about 150 personnel) and the parliament security staff (PSS) who jointly secured the Parliament till now, stand withdrawn, a senior CISF officer said. He said the CISF personnel have been undertaking familiarisation exercise of the complex for the last 10 days and the men and women personnel of the force who will man reception areas have been given light blue full sleeved shirts and brown pants apart from safari suits as their new uniform. The first officer quoted above added that the PDG unit is expected to be merged with the six battalion strong VIP security wing of the CRPF, while the PSS staff could be tasked afresh for rendering security and protocol duties at other central government installations. Some PSS staff could be retained for manning the lobbies of the house for marshal duties but a final decision is yet to be taken, he said. The CISF contingent, according to sources, has been deployed on a temporary manner called the 'internal security duty pattern' and it is expected that it will be granted a full-fledged sanction as new government assumes office after the ongoing general elections, sources said. The CISF personnel have been imparted refresher training in baggage screening, personal frisking, bomb detection and disposal, quick reaction terrorist counter, sniper task and public interaction and courtesy before being sent for the Parliament duty. They have also trained recently with the 'black cat' commandos of the National Security Guard who were air-dropped from an IAF helicopter on the new Parliament complex to simulate a terrorist attack, the sources said. A CRPF officer said PDG troops who left the Parliament complex on May 17 clicked selfies and took photographs as a token of remembrance of "efficiently" guarding the country's highest temple of democracy. "During the 2001 terrorist attack, CRPF personnel showed extreme bravery alongwith personnel from other agencies to defeat the dastardly assault with one personnel laying down her life in the line of duty while some others receiving gallantry medals and in 2023 they were not responsible for the breach that took place." "The PDG personnel felt sad that they had to surrender this duty despite giving their best," the CRPF officer said. A special court for MPs and MLAs in Bengaluru has issued an arrest warrant against Janata Dal-Secular MP Prajwal Revanna in the sexual assault case. IMAGE: Congress supporters stage a protest demanding the arrest of Prajwal Revanna, in Bengaluru. Photograph: ANI Photo The court issued the warrant in connection with the sexual assault case registered against Prajwal on Saturday in which his father and Holenarasipura MLA H D Revanna is also an accused. Revanna, son of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, is on bail after spending seven days in jail after four-day police custody for allegedly kidnapping a woman. There are three cases of sexual assault registered by three women against Prajwal, the National Democratic Alliance's Hassan Lok Sabha candidate who is at large. A blue corner notice has been issued against him by the Interpol. Trouble started for Prajwal after large number of explicit videos showing women being sexually assaulted allegedly by him became public. Subsequently, the Karnataka government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on the recommendations of Karnataka State Commission for Women chairperson Nagalakshmi Chowdhary to probe Prajwal's alleged atrocities on women. A Delhi court allowed a five-day custodial interrogation of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar in the Swati Maliwal assault case, saying the police remand was a "necessity" in the matter. IMAGE: Personal aide of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Bibhav Kumar (second from right) being taken to the a government hospital for a medical examination after he was arrested by the Delhi police, in New Delhi, May 18, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Metropolitan magistrate Gaurav Goyal was hearing the application of Delhi Police which was represented by Additional Public Prosecutor Atul Srivastava. The police had sought seven-day custody. It is alleged that Kumar, who is Kejriwal's personal assistant, assaulted Aam Aadmi Party MP Swati Maliwal at the CM's residence on May 13. "Considering the submissions made on behalf of both the parties, I find there is a necessity for police custody remand in the present case. Accordingly, the application moved by the investigating officer is partly allowed and the accused is remanded to police custody for five days," the court said in its order passed around 12:45 am Sunday. It noted the prosecution's submissions about the need to take Kumar to Mumbai and other parts of the national capital to collect evidence, which was not possible without the accused's custody. "Admittedly, the case is at a nascent stage. Allegations made in the FIR are corroborated in her (Maliwal's) statement recorded by the magistrate on oath and further, it is again corroborated in the medico-legal case of the victim or complainant," the court said. The magistrate also observed, "I am aware of the view of constitutional courts that the opportunity must be given to the investigating agency to complete the investigation in order to reach the truth of the matter but at the same time the rights of the accused are also to be protected." Asking the Investigating Officer to take Kumar into formal custody, the court directed his medical examination every 24 hours and said the investigating agency would not subject the accused to "any torture." It also allowed Kumar to meet his advocate and wife for half an hour each during the police custody. Kumar's application for providing requisite medicines was also allowed. The proceedings which commenced around 9: 15 pm Saturday saw initial arguments by Srivastava following which the magistrate said, "I find force in the arguments of the APP (Additional Public Prosecutor) that there were sufficient grounds to arrest the accused without notice." The prosecutor made several arguments, including those mentioned in the remand application and also that the "means or weapon" by which Kumar assaulted Maliwal had to be recovered. The vehement counter-arguments by Kumar's counsels continued for more than one-and-a-half hours. One of his counsels, Rajiv Mohan, claimed that Maliwal had lodged the FIR "belatedly after deliberation and concoction." The Delhi Police arrested Kumar earlier on Saturday and his anticipatory bail plea was subsequently observed as becoming "infructuous" by a Delhi court. The Delhi Police in its remand paper submitted late Saturday evening seeking seven days custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar regarding the alleged assault on Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal said that it was a 'serious case' where the 'brutal assault' could have turned 'fatal'. IMAGE: Personal aide of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Bibhav Kumar being taken to the Aruna Asaf Ali Government Hospital for a medical examination after he was arrested by the Delhi Police in connection with the alleged assault on AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, in New Delhi on Saturday, May 18, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Goyal, who sent Kumar to five-day police custody, was told by the investigating agency that he did not cooperate with the police and had been evasive in his replies. 'This is a very serious case where a Member of Parliament, a public figure, has been brutally assaulted which could have been fatal. Despite specific questions, the accused has not cooperated in the investigation and has been evasive in his replies,' said the remand paper signed by North District Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Anjitha Chepyala. The remand application said that Maliwal's testimony before the magistrate was corroborated by the medical evidence. According to Maliwal's allegations, Kumar screamed, threatened and used abusive language against her, besides being 'brutally assaulting', dragging and banging her head on a centre table, the plea said. It said that the 'most vital evidence' was the digital video record (DVR) of the spot but it was yet to be provided to the police. According to the plea seeking police custody, a junior engineer in the CM's residence, after admitting that he did not have access to the place where the DVR and CCTV cameras were installed, provided a video of the dining room but it was later found to be blank at the time of the alleged incident. The remand application said that on Saturday, Kumar was present at the chief minister's residence and after being questioned, provided evasive replies. 'His presence at the scene of the crime (SOC) raises a strong possibility of tampering with crucial evidence, including electronic evidence. The accused is an influential person and having worked more than nine years in an authoritative position can influence, and pressure the witnesses in the CM house,' it said. Explaining the reasons for police custody, the application said after being terminated as the CM's personal secretary in April 2024, Kumar was still working in the CM's residence and needed to be quizzed about the capacity and authority under which he was working. It said another case was registered against Kumar in Noida for allegedly assaulting an on-duty public servant. 'Since a brutal attack is made on a public figure who is a sitting MP, a sustained interrogation is very much required to find out the motive behind brutal attack and to ascertain the conspiracy angles or involvement of some person or organisation having inimical to our country,' the paper said. It said that according to Kumar, he had formatted his mobile in Mumbai on Friday and that his mobile phone was password protected. 'Without the personal presence and assistance of the accused, as this instrument is password protected, the phone and its apps cannot be accessed. Also, he has to be taken to an expert to retrieve the mobile data and to ascertain the factum of formatting of the mobile phone of the accused, which is an important piece of evidence,' the plea for remand said. It said that Kumar could threaten witnesses and tamper evidence as he was in a 'position of command' and also had 'access to the SOC'. A government school teacher in Bihar has been arrested and sent to jail for allegedly telling children in his class "nobody should vote for Modi", an official said on Sunday. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a public meeting for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls, in Jamshedpu, Jharkhand, May 19, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo According to Muzaffarpur senior superintendent of police Rakesh Kumar, the teacher has been booked for violating the election model code of conduct, after an FIR lodged by the district education officer. District education officer Ajay Kumar Singh said teacher Harendra Rajak's conduct was brought to his notice by family members of several students of the government secondary school at Amrakh in Kurhani block. "A written complaint was submitted by the family members that children were being told by the teacher that nobody should vote for Modi since foodgrains unfit for human consumption were being distributed under the free ration scheme", the DEO said. He added, "a number of boys and girls from the class also confirmed that Rajak had been saying such things inside the classroom. Prima facie it was a violation of the Model Code of Conduct which forbids any government employee from trying to influence poll outcome by speaking for or against any political party. Hence, the FIR was lodged against the teacher for needful action". A day after he snubbed West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for questioning Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee's loyalty to the INDIA bloc, several posters and hoardings of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge were defaced with ink in front of the party's state headquarters Kolkata on Sunday. IMAGE: Congress candidate from Berhampore Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury addresses a media conference for the Lok Sabha elections, in Kolkata, May 16, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Unidentified persons also wrote 'agent of Trinamool Congress' on Kharge's posters and hoardings. Sources in the Congress said that Chowdhury, who is in his hometown Baharampur, expressed displeasure over the incident and asked party workers to lodge a police complaint, which was registered, and the defaced posters were also removed. "The incident might have happened on Saturday night. This is the handiwork of the TMC (Trinamool Congress) which wants to create differences between senior Congress leaders and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury," a party leader alleged. Kharge had on Saturday snubbed Chowdhury while responding to a query on Mamata Banerjee's comment that if the INDIA bloc forms the government, she would support it from outside, and Chowdhury's remark that she cannot be trusted and that she might go with the Bharatiya Janata Party. "Mamata Banerjee is with the alliance. She has recently said that she will join the government. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury will not take the decision. The decision will be taken by me and the high command and those who don't agree will go out," Kharge had said. He had also asserted that Chowdhury is no one to decide on whether Banerjee would be part of the INDIA bloc in the event of the anti-BJP alliance coming to power after the Lok Sabha polls. Chowdhury, while reacting to Kharge's comments, had said, referring to the TMC supremo, "I cannot speak in favour of someone who wants to finish me and our party in Bengal politically. This is a battle for every Congress worker. I have spoken on their behalf. I don't want the state Congress to be used for her (Banerjee's) personal agenda and then finish the organisation." "If Kharge ji speaks against my views, I will continue to speak for Congressmen at the grassroots in the state," he added. The TMC is contesting the Lok Sabha elections alone in the state, while the Congress and the Left are jointly fighting the polls. In a veiled reference to West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said he cannot speak in favour of someone who wants to finish him politically and his party in the state. IMAGE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge with party MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo His comment comes hours after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge asserted that Chowdhury is no one to take a decision on whether Banerjee would be part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) in the event of the anti-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance coming to power after the Lok Sabha polls. Asked about Kharge's statement, Chowdhury, who is seeking re-election from Baharampur on a Congress ticket, said, "I cannot speak in favour of someone who wants to finish me politically and our party in Bengal. This is a battle for every Congress worker. I have spoken on their behalf." Stating that his opposition to Banerjee stemmed from his principled stance, not from his interest, Chowdhury said, "There is no personal grudge but I question her political ethics." Asked about Mamata Banerjee's comment that she will support the INDIA bloc government from the outside and Chowdhury's remark that the Bengal CM cannot be trusted and she might go with the BJP, Kharge told reporters, "Mamata Banerjee is with the alliance. She has recently said that she will join the government. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary will not take the decision. The decision will be taken by me and the high command those who don't agree will go out." Chowdhury also alleged that Banerjee had 'taken Maoists' help to discredit the Left in Purulia, Bankura and Jhargram and then abandoned them'. "I don't want the state Congress to be used for her personal agenda and then finish the organisation. If Kharge ji speaks against my views, I will continue to speak for Congressmen at the grassroots in the state." The TMC is contesting the Lok Sabha elections alone in the state, while the Congress and the Left are jointly fighting. Last updated on: May 19, 2024 22:18 IST The helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was involved in a "hard landing" on Sunday afternoon, The Jerusalem Post reported citing Iranian media. IMAGE: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi speaks during an anti-Israel protest in Tehran, Iran, October 18, 2023. Photograph: Majid Asgaripour/WANA via Reuters Soon after incident, rescue teams reached the city of Jolfa in the northwestern Iranian province of East Azarbaijan and trying to locate Raisi's helicopter which made hard-landing, Press TV reported. The details of the incident remain unknown as of now, however, initial reports suggest that the accident involved the president's helicopter and foggy weather. According to Iran's Tasnim News Agency, emergency services were conducting searches to try and find the president's helicopter, but the foggy weather in the area was complicating search efforts. The Foreign Minister of Iran, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and the representative of the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist in East Azerbaijan, Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, and the Imam of Friday Prayer in Tabriz, were reportedly in the helicopter with Raisi, as per The Jerusalem Post. According to Iranian official media, the convoy consisted of three helicopters, two of which made a safe landing and one of which crashed. This information was provided by the Deputy Coordinator of Civil Affairs for East Azerbaijan. The accident comes hours after Raisi had met with Azerbaijani Elham Aliyev earlier on Sunday on the Azerbaijani-Iranian border. The rescue teams reached the city of Jolfa in the northwestern Iranian province of East Azarbaijan and trying to locate Raisi's helicopter which made hard-landing, Press TV reported. Iran's Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi has confirmed that a helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi makes a hard landing in Jolfa, Press TV reported. According to Iranian official media, the convoy consisted of three helicopters, two of which made a safe landing and one of made a "hard landing". The incident happened when President Raisi was returning from a ceremony to inaugurate a dam on the Aras River with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev. Press TV reported that Drone units are being used to assist in the emergency operation. Moreover, two other helicopters carrying a number of ministers and officials reached the destination safely. According to authorities, bad weather conditions had made it difficult for rescue teams from the Iranian Red Crescent Society to reach the site of the incident, according to Press TV report. Further details are awaited. 'During times of adversity, a brick becomes better than a stone. That is how I look at the election season.' IMAGE: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narendra D Modi seeks votes for Bharati Pravin Pawar, the BJP candidate from Dindori, and Hemant Godse, the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction)'s Nashik candidate, at Dindori, May 15, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo The space around a large banyan tree in the heart of Kanmandale near Nashik has transformed into a village square bustling with discussions about onions, tomatoes, and grapes. Men from this hamlet, which has a population of around 3,500, have gathered to raise their concerns about onion prices and water scarcity with the Dindori constituency's MP Bharati Pawar. Maharashtra's Nashik counts itself as one of the major producers of onions in the country, producing about 6.6 million tonnes annually. The state contributes 43 per cent of the onions harvested in the country, followed by Madhya Pradesh (16 per cent), and Karnataka and Gujarat contribute around 9 per cent each. As a result, challenges around onion production in this region and fluctuating prices of the kitchen staple are capable of swinging public sentiment, making it a politically sensitive crop. The government attributes policy shifts around onions to unseasonal rains. Changes in the weather lead to poor yields, causing a shortage of the crop in the domestic market and eventually on India's dinner tables, stirring the lives of consumers. Similarly, frequent changes in policy stance trouble farmers. The Centre first imposed a 40 per cent export duty on onions in August last year, followed by a prohibition on export of the crop in December. It lifted the ban this month as the election drums began to beat. The agitation of the farmers in Kanmandale, among thousands of others in Dindori and Nashik, stems from the government's decision to place a ban on the export of onions in the first place. "All the red onions were sold at local markets at minimal rates. When a ban is placed, all the onions, including export-grade and local ones, come to the market collectively, which effectively reduces the price of all onions. They lifted the ban just after we sold all our onions," a farmer said. To address this, Dindori's Pawar, who is the minister of state for health and family welfare and MoS for tribal affairs, is making a stop at hundreds of villages in her constituency to address farmer concerns and present her vision for the region as elections in this part of the country inch closer. Nashik and Dindori vote on May 20. "The government has facilitated improvements for onion growers in the past decade. This includes a scheme for onion storage, help to farmers via PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, and a processing unit for onions," she said in an interaction with Business Standard. However, farmers reading the development are wary of Pawar's intervention in the onion issue. "Only after the export ban was lifted, the average prices have increased to Rs 1,950 per quintal on average. Earlier, it was less than Rs 1,300 per quintal. There was also a water crisis here, which further increased our input costs," said Shivaji Aher, a farmer who had come to the Pimpalgaon Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC). When Business Standard visited the Pimpalgaon APMC, it was packed with trucks and tractors carrying onions after weeks-long hiatus. IMAGE: A farmer unloads his onion crop at the Nashik agricultural market. Photograph: ANI Photo Shivaji Aher, a farmer from Niphad, added that farmers and traders alike have flocked to the APMC after onion prices improved in the market. "If you had come here a week ago, you wouldn't have seen people coming to the mandi. But, I feel, Pawar could have considered visiting us when prices dipped to show support," he said. Grapes are sour: Feeling the squeeze "During times of adversity, a brick becomes better than a stone. That is how I look at the election season. Both the things hurt, but the brick is still softer," 40-year-old Ganesh Vadaje from Varkheda said. Vadaje owns vineyards spanning over 4 acres, with his farm running into losses on account of high pesticide prices, GST, and irregular payment cycles. "After COVID-19, I faced losses of more than Rs 18 lakh (1.8 million). There is a monopolisation of fertiliser and pesticide dealers in this area, and they have shot up prices by as much as four times the normal price. Pesticides attract 18 per cent GST," the teary-eyed farmer said. Farmers in this belt export their grapes to countries such as Russia, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Europe, among other regions. Bangladesh counts itself as one of the key importers of Indian grapes from Nashik. The government in Bangladesh has hiked the import duty on these grapes to Rs 104 per kilogram from Rs 65 per kg. "Bangladesh was a big market, but with the tax there, it has become unsustainable to export grapes there. We are now shifting our focus to Kathmandu," another grape farmer, Shashikant Ugale, said. Long payment cycles from traders in the area force farmers to reach out to banks to cover working capital requirements. However, farmers claim that banks require a high level of paperwork, and bad CIBIL scores discourage them from reaching out to banks. "We have to rely on local sahukars (moneylenders)," the farmer said. That said, despite gruelling challenges, Vadaje added that voting for the BJP is a matter of "asmita (pride)." Shrikant Shinde had comfortably won the Kalyan Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra in the last two elections, but the stakes are higher this time as his father, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, now heads a truncated faction of the Shiv Sena following a bitter split in the party. IMAGE: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde (left) and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis during a rally to show support for Shiv Sena leader and sitting MP from Kalyan seat, Shrikant Shinde (middle) before filing nomination from the Lok Sabha constituency, May 2, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo The constituency, part of the Thane district and close to Mumbai, contains densely populated urban areas and industrial belts. It will go to polls on May 20. Shrikant Shinde entered politics in 2014, contesting as a candidate of the then undivided Shiv Sena and won with a margin of 2,50,749 votes. He increased the margin to 3,44,343 in the 2019 general elections. But the political scenario has changed drastically since then, as his father rebelled against party chief Uddhav Thackeray and walked away to join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party to become chief minister in June 2022. Uncertainty surrounded Shrikant Shinde's candidature this time as the BJP sensed the possibility of contesting more seats in Maharashtra, and its leader and state minister Ravindra Chavan, MLA from Dombivli, was keen to fight from Kalyan. Of the six assembly segments in Kalyan, three including Dombivli are with the BJP and one each with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, and Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar. As it has three MLAs in the region, the BJP pushed its claim for the Kalyan Lok Sabha seat, but Eknath Shinde remained firm that his party will not cede it. The rival Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray led by Uddhav Thackeray has fielded former corporator Vaishali Darekar-Rane against Shrikant Shinde. Rane had secured more than one lakh votes in this seat in 2009 as a Maharashtra Navnirman Sena candidate, though she lost. Shrikant Kulkarni, a computer salesperson and resident of Dombivli, said the rapid population growth in Kalyan and Dombivli Municipal Corporation limits in the last two decades has put a lot of pressure on water supply and health services. "Unfortunately, we have not received much of an infrastructure upgrade. There is no good government hospital which we realised during the COVID-19 pandemic. The railway stations used by lakhs of people daily are not big enough, and are never clean. Roads are narrow and vendors occupy footpaths," he said. Suman Walecha, a resident of Kalyan city, claimed developmental works have picked up pace, and MP Shinde cannot be blamed for all the woes. "A strong government at the top is necessary to navigate people in the right direction. Things will eventually get better," she said. In February, BJP MLA from Kalyan East, Ganpat Gaikwad, opened fire in a police station on a local leader of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, bringing to the fore the tensions between the two alliance partners in the region. The rivalry between the local leaders of the two parties could be a cause of concern for Shinde. The constituency's demography is diverse. Dombivli has a sizable number of Maharashtrians and South Indians. Ulhasnagar is a predominantly Sindhi area, while Kalyan city and Kalyan rural assembly seats have Gujarati and Marathi-speaking populations. Ambernath has a mix of Sindhis, Gujaratis and Maharashtrians. Mumbra-Kalwa assembly seat, represented by the NCP-SP, has a large number of Muslims. Vaishali Darekar-Rane claimed people are upset with the present regime. "First and foremost, they are worried about the rising cost of living and behaviour of the current government at the Centre. Rampant abuse of power, induction of tainted people into their party, and bending law as per their wish are not acceptable to the people," she said. "Another factor is the poor infrastructure and lack of urban planning in the constituency. Despite high population growth, there is no assured drinking water supply to major urban areas. Every urban area receives drinking water only for a few hours," she told PTI. Asked about these issues, Shrikant Shinde said, "No doubt that population growth, water availability and good communication network are some of the important issues people want me to address. I have pushed the administration hard to complete several road projects, change pipelines and construct new bridges. Some work proposals are at an advanced level in various departments." Shinde also claimed the people have backed his father's decision to form a government with the support of the BJP in Maharashtra. Its obvious where Democratic U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine stands on abortion access. And thats not just for the fact that his party has been outspoken in support of access and other reproductive rights. Kaine has also co-sponsored the bipartisan Reproductive Freedom For All Act an attempt to codify abortion protections into federal law. What has been less obvious is whether his Republican challengers would support federal abortion bans or restrictions. Many on their campaign websites refer to themselves as pro-life but dont specify where they fall on the spectrum of restrictions that Virginia Republicans have presented in recent years. However, four of the five candidates have told the Virginia Mercury that they believe abortion regulation should be handled state-by-state. Candidates who hold that view include former 10th Congressional District GOP nominee Hung Cao, lawyer Jonathan Emord, former Gov. Ron DeSantis staffer Scott Parkinson and Army veteran Eddie Garcia. The fifth candidate, Navy veteran Chuck Smith, could not be reached for an interview by the time of this publication. At campaign events, social media, or on their websites, theyve each expressed support for abortion restrictions or celebrated the reversal of federal abortion protections. Cao, a military veteran, likened abortion advocates to the evil he described seeing during his time in the service interrogating a suspected bombmaker in Iraq. But each man has noted how they dont see their potential role in Congress as having much impact on abortion law. I understand why Democrats continue to try to stoke fear and make the 2024 election about abortion, but it is not about abortion because abortion is a state issue, Parkinson said in an email. But abortion has remained a salient national issue in elections since the United States Supreme Court overturned federal protections in the summer of 2022. While state legislatures around the country have imposed restrictions or near-total bans, others have enshrined protections into their state constitutions. Next year, Democrats in Virginias legislature hope to do the same, as it remains the least restrictive southern state. Meanwhile, some members of Congress have sought measures to implement federal controls. Kaine has spearheaded an effort to codify Roe into federal law while Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has introduced a federal 15-week limit. During an October 2023 interview on the John Fredericks Show, Parkinson had been posed with a hypothetical situation of whether or not he would vote for Grahams 15 week bill. Parkinson said it would be unlikely to find success in the Senate. But when Fredericks pressed further, Parkinson said that he would vote for the bill because it would ultimately protect life. Meanwhile, Parkinson said in a recent email to the Mercury that he expects to see continued differences in abortion regulation state-by-state. He noted how Virginia state law allows the procedure through the second trimester, with exceptions for later abortions. If policymakers dont like that position, I recommend they run for governor, state senator, or delegate to change the law in Virginia, Parkinson said. He asserted that hes running for Congress for other issues, such as immigration and the economy. Meanwhile, Garcia asserted that he does not plan to seek federal abortion law. Im not trying to institute any bans or caps or restrictions or anything at the federal level, Garcia said in a phone call. I think that [the overturn of Roe] was correctly decided, that it should be pushed down to the states. Cao, likewise, wrote in an email: I will vote against any national abortion ban. Before the men could face the option to vote for or against a national prohibition, they first have to undergo a primary and general election. Each of them will face off in a June Republican primary to determine who is challenging Kaine in November. Smith indicated support for states implementing abortion bans at an April candidate forum, but noted that its states purview to do so. He stressed that he and his fellow opponents have to be clear against Kaine going forward on the matter of abortion, especially since Democrats have made abortion a key pillar of their campaigns. What we say here today we should be prepared to say in the general election. Were looking to beat Tim Kaine and this is what [Democrats are] gonna lead out with, Smith said. And my position is: Life begins at conception. There are no exceptions to that. This story was first published in the Virginia Mercury. On the eve of phase five of Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission on Sunday pointed out that Mumbai, Thane and Lucknow have shown apathy towards voting in the past and asked these city dwellers to turnout in higher numbers. IMAGE: Polling officials leave with the election materials for their respective polling station on the eve of the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha Polls, in Mumbai, May 19, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo The poll authority noted that in the past these cities have "suffered" from urban apathy in voting. "The Commission especially calls upon these city dwellers to erase the stigma by turning out in higher numbers," it said. On May 3 too, while referring to voter turnout in phase two, the Commission had said it was "disappointed" with the turnout level in some metropolitan cities. The EC had last month assembled many metro commissioners in New Delhi to work out a strategy to fight urban apathy. Urban and youth apathy is described as a phenomenon when young voters and those living in metros fail to turn up at polling stations on election day. So far, the last four phases have registered a voter turnout of 66.95 percent. Around 45.1 crore electors have exercised their franchise in the last four phases. As of February this year, the total number of voters stood at around 97 crore. Polling for 23 states and union territories, and 379 seats has been completed so far. The EC said 49 seats in eight states and union territories, including Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal will go for polls in phase five on Monday. Besides Lok Sabha, 35 assembly constituencies in Odisha will also go to polls on Monday. Around 9.47 lakh polling officials have been deployed across 94,732 polling stations. Over 8.95 crore people, including 4.69 crore male; 4.26 crore female and 5409 third gender electors are eligible to vote. 'Modi must see how we live, what we have to do to educate our children.' Jyoti Punwani reports. IMAGE: ASHA workers conduct a survey in coronavirus red zone areas in Nagpur during the pandemic. Photograph: ANI Photo They take 'Modi ki guarantees' to the poor, but no one from the PM's party has approached them for votes. They go on strike regularly for their demands and deal with government officers all the time. In fact, earlier this year, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde met them while they were on strike. But no one from his Shiv Sena party has assured them that their grievances will be resolved. So what do these Lok Sabha elections mean for ASHA workers who work for the government at the grassroots level? "A headache," said Pranita Mhatre, who lives in Chunabhatti, north central Mumbai. "We don't know whom to vote for. We don't like either of the candidates." Her constituency has the Shinde's Rahul Shewale and the Uddhav Sena's Anil Desai in the contest. Maalan Dalvi, the most vocal among the group of ASHA workers Jyoti Punwani met at their union office in Thane, had a clear preference: Ex-MP Sanjeev Naik of the BJP. "He is always accessible, and helps us in every way possible, including admissions to school." Naik was expected to get the ticket from Thane; instead, the Shinde Sena's Naresh Mhaske got it. This led to mass resignations of BJP office bearers in the constituency. While Naik has asked his supporters to campaign for Mhaske, these women are not ready to support the latter. "We are angry," said Pratiksha Panchal, also from Navi Mumbai. For Archana Jadhav and Dakshata Mane who live in Vikhroli, north east Mumbai, the criterion for voting was the accessibility of the candidate. In this respect, Uddhav Sena candidate Sanjay Dina Patil, son of former strongman Dina Bama Patil, scored higher than the BJP's Mihir Kotecha. These ASHA workers have been tasked with checking electoral rolls, getting people to register for postal ballots and going door to door, motivating people to vote. Though this is not meant to be part of their work, they do the last bit with feeling. "We tell people, this is our right given to us by Babasaheb Ambedkar. If you don't vote, you have no right to criticise the government," said Pratiksha Panchal. *** What is their main demand from the new government at the Centre? To be treated as regular employees, is the unanimous answer. "Take away this label of swayamsevika please," said Pratiksha Panchal. "Just call us karmacharis, and give us regular salary and pension." "We are now over 40 years old," said Dakshata Mane. "We can't get any other job." The ASHA workers' scheme was conceived of as voluntary work by housewives to earn money in their spare time, by acting as a link between the government's health schemes and the general population. When the scheme began in 2005, they were paid Rs 500 by the National Health Mission. The minimum qualification was schooling till Class 5. "Who but the most desperate would have opted for this work?" asks M A Patil, the man these women credit with whatever gains they have made. He is head of their union, affiliated to the Communist Party of India. Maharashtra's ASHA workers earn Rs 2,000 from the Centre, and were getting Rs 5,000 from the state till March. After they went on a six-week strike in January, the Maharashtra government raised this to Rs 10,000. However, they have yet to receive that raise. "All that we've got since October is Rs 1,600 per month," said Archana Jadhav. The others from Mumbai echoed her complaint. "This is school admission time, we need money," said a worried Dakshata Mane. Delayed payments are the norm for these women; they often get 3 months' salary at one go, forcing them to take up supplementary work. Yet, when the medical officer calls them to do their duty as ASHA workers, they must drop everything and run, they said. "When we joined, we were told we could work in our free time. But now, there is nothing voluntary in our work," said Deepti Mahabal from Navi Mumbai, describing their daily routine. They must register their attendance in government hospitals every morning, go out to meet beneficiaries of government schemes, then in the afternoon, file reports of their work. Their work includes going door to door for surveys of women of marriageable age, pregnant and lactating women, children's vaccination, handicapped persons and TB patients. The last includes collecting the sputum of patients. They have also been at times tasked with checking the number and quality of public toilets, and following up to see why they are not being regularly cleaned. "That's why we say: "Jithe kami, tithey amhi," says Sheetal Brahmane from Chunabhatti in Marathi. "Wherever there's shortage of staff, we are roped in." Based on what they find, they must enrol women for government health schemes. Enrollment for these schemes is online, for which they have to use their mobile phones. The allowance they get for recharging their phones however, is only Rs 100 a month. Not only do they need a higher recharge allowance, said Patil, but also better phones. IMAGE: Maalan Dalvi with union leader M A Patil at their office in Thane. Photograph: Jyoti Punwani *** Since they work among the poor, the work these women do is invisible to society at large. However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought them into the limelight. When everyone was locked indoors, it was they who had to venture out, spreading awareness of preventive measures, handing out sanitisers and masks, and urging people to take the vaccine. "We know how much we had to persuade people to take the vaccine. Now Modi brags about it as if he discovered it," said Pratiksha. "Is he a scientist?" The bitter taste left after doing all this still lingers. Ostracised by their families because they mingled with everyone at a time of social distancing, they were reluctantly allowed to enter their own homes and were kept away from their children. Many of them became the sole earning members of their family as their husbands were laid off during the pandemic. Maalan lost her husband to Covid. "He got it from me, and I got it because of my work as an ASHA worker," she said angrily. "But the government refused to give him compensation." She wasn't even paid for the two months that she missed work after she got Covid. "We were doing government work, shouldn't we have been treated like other government employees?" IMAGE: Maalan Devi and other ASHA workers at a meeting. Photograph: Jyoti Punwani *** These women take government schemes to others, but do they themselves benefit from them? All of them get the 5 kg rations that the PM talks about, however, they are not impressed with the quality of the foodgrains. Nor do they think this is enough. "Modi must see how we live, what we have to do to educate our children. They need scholarships and jobs. Can we survive only on rations?" they asked. "I've educated my children by working as a domestic," said Ujwala Chowdhury from Navi Mumbai proudly, while another said she had to resort to providing dabbas for workers. They don't qualify for other schemes such as Jan Dhan accounts or the PM Awas Yojna. Nor do they get house loans because they can offer no collateral. Are the government schemes for which they enrol beneficiaries implemented? All of them replied that they got calls all the time from those they have enrolled. "The commonest complaint is that no money has come to them, though we enrolled them more than a year ago." IMAGE: ASHA workers stage a demonstration at the collector's office in Thane, February 10, 2024, against the Maharashtra government over demands, including an increase in their honorarium. Photograph: ANI Photo *** Given their working conditions, it is hardly surprising that the women aren't too familiar with the candidates who will represent them in Parliament. "We don't even get time to watch the news," said Dakshata. Interestingly, there was a clear divide between the ASHA workers from Mumbai and those from Navi Mumbai. Unlike the former, the latter had got their salaries; they had even got a bonus for Diwali. It was obvious that the Navi Mumbai unit were better off because they had a tough fighter leading them: Maalan Dalvi. "I've learnt to fight from him," she said, pointing at M A Patil. Maharashtra's ASHA workers are the highest paid, says Patil proudly. That's because of their history of struggle, of going on strike even if it means loss of salary. This history has brought about a change in the way they are treated by those they report to, like nurses and doctors in government hospitals, he said. "Earlier, they'd be told ''Ey, ikdey ye (Hey you, come here). Now that can no longer happen. They can fight with the medical officer, with officials from the health department. That is the most important change," said Patil. It seems that only this determination to fight for their rights will finally help them, not the MPs representing them. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Taiwanese TV and movie actor Wu Mu-hsuen was recently forced to sign a pledge to support China's claim that democratic Taiwan is a part of China, or her the online drama "Hey! Come a bit closer" would never be aired. Wu's agent said Taiwanese artists are routinely forced to sign agreements backing Beijing's sovereignty over the self-governing island of 23 million people. 2 exiled dissidents say they have been approached and followed multiple times since fleeing to the island. On Jan. 13, 2023, Guangdong dissident Xiao Yuhui crossed the 10-kilometer (6-mile) stretch of water from China to Kinmen, a small island that is still controlled by Taiwan, paddling across on a surfboard. But Xiao's bid to escape the influence of the Chinese government didn't end there. He believes the ruling Chinese Communist Party under Xi Jinping is now focusing closely on "cleaning up" opposition voices overseas, and has spotted people he believes to be Chinese agents a number of times at public events in democratic Taiwan. According to a former Chinese agent who spoke recently to Australian broadcaster ABC, this is exactly what's going on. Former Chinese spy "Eric" told the station that he has been involved in surveillance, abductions and the silencing of targets around the world since 2008. The Spanish-based group Safeguard Defenders, which has warned the world about China's secret police stations, its network of "consular volunteers" and its targeting of dissidents and activists overseas, has now launched a "one-stop shop" legal advice center to help fight transnational repression by Beijing. "The Chinese Communist Party kidnaps and threatens people at home, and they do the same thing overseas," Xiao said, in response to a question about the ABC report. The sight of unidentified people he suspected were agents of the Chinese state filming and recording at pro-democracy events in Taiwan worried him enough that he now stays away from protests, rallies and other public events that are seen by Beijing as "anti-China." He's not the only one who's worried, either. "Both the Taiwanese government officials and the human rights groups who have assisted me have said they hope I won't take part in so many activities or give public interviews, which could lead to my whereabouts being exposed," Xiao told RFA Mandarin in a recent interview. "They told me this because [China] has so many political collaborators in Taiwan," he said. Strange behavior Li Jiabao, a former exchange student from China who applied for political asylum after speaking out against constitutional amendments allowing Xi to abandon term limits for his own job, said he has been continually targeted by authorities in China since then. One unidentified person approached Li as he took part in a documentary in 2019 about his life story and situation, demanding that the director delete all footage, he said. "[The director] didn't even know whether he had captured the person following us or whether he was just a very suspicious sort of person," Li said. "The man seemed very nervous and panicky, and behaved unacceptably, threatening us." On another occasion, Li spotted someone who appeared to be following him in a park near his home. The man would watch him, but then looked at his phone if Li looked in his direction. Chinese exchange student Li Jiabao shouts defend freedom of speech and defend Taiwan's sovereignty, at a protest in Taiwan's southern port city of Kaohsiung, April 7, 2019. (Hsia Hsiao-hwa/RFA) Li noticed people exhibiting similarly strange behavior at rallies he attended in Taipei to mark the anniversaries of the June 4, 1989, Tiananmen massacre, he said. Shortly after his denunciation of Xi, someone contacted him claiming to be a journalist, and sent him emails in a bid to have him download an app to his phone. "He used a disposable account," said Li, who later realized what had likely happened after reading media reports of Chinese agents posing as journalists. "Turns out he was phishing me." "The main thing they want is to get access to your contacts ... as well as the Telegram, Facebook and other chat records commonly used by dissidents," he said. "They can also be used to track your location at any time, to know who you are meeting, what you did and what activities you took part in." Money for spying Li has also been approached and offered money to spy on fellow dissidents in Taiwan, he revealed. "Someone asked me how much you can make a month in Taiwan, said I must be short of money, and told me to go and film the Falun Gong, and the next day to film dissidents, including asking them how they're doing," he said. "They told me just to live my life, and that they would contact me via a Hong Kong account if I thought it was too sensitive," he said. "The Chinese want to find out if you're willing to do stuff for them for money. I always refuse." Xiao said the Chinese agents clearly knew of his love of photography, because he remembers being approached in October 2023 to take photos of planes taking off and landing at Taipei's Songshan Airport, home to a Taiwanese Air Force base that runs the flying service for the president and vice president of Taiwan. "They give you some simple tasks to do and some financial support, to see if you can be bought, then more work would follow," he said. Xiao smelled a rat at the time, and turned down the offer. Threats to family members back home are another key part of the Chinese state security police playbook, according to dissidents overseas. Li said he once received a message from his family asking if he was "being used by overseas or foreign forces." Xiao said the authorities back home had visited his mother at her home and tried to get her to call him and find out his whereabouts and future plans. Abduction threats Sometimes, the goal is to get the target to a location where they can be handed over to the Chinese police, the former Chinese agent, who gave only the pseudonym "Eric," told ABC. During the program, it emerged that RFA political cartoonist Rebel Pepper, whose real name is Wang Liming, was one of the targets, with Eric detailing a plot to lure Wang to Cambodia, using a Chinese-owned conglomerate that has become one of the fastest-growing companies in Cambodia the Prince Group to carry out the scam. RFA has verified that Prince was the company used for the recruitment and has also spoken to Eric. Li has already encountered a similar situation, as his Chinese passport is due to expire in October, and he will soon be undocumented. Guangdong dissident Xiao Yuhui paddled across from China on a surfboard, yet continues to be targeted by Chinese agents in democratic Taiwan. Undated file photo. (Hsia Hsiao-hwa/RFA) He was recently contacted by someone with China connections offering to renew his passport if he traveled to Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand or elsewhere in Southeast Asia. "[They told me] as long as you're willing to leave, we have the connections to renew your passport here," he said. "He and some of his staff also tried to get me to try walking the line into the United States, via the Netherlands and Ecuador," Li said. "The reason I didn't go is that at least I'm safe in Taiwan." "Once I leave, who's to know if someone would report my whereabouts to the Chinese Communist Party," he said. "I could be threatened, kidnapped or killed along the way, despite not needing a visa to go [to Ecuador]." Deception Li said he is very careful about who he is in contact with, as even fellow democracy activists are suspect these days. "They sometimes pretend to be democrats who care about China, and try to deceive you ... so I'm usually very careful not to meet with strangers unless it's necessary," he said. "The best way to be sure is to talk to them over time, because no matter how good their cover is, sooner or later they will have to carry out work given them by the Chinese Communist Party, so they will be exposed eventually." Li said he wasn't surprised by the ABC expose about Eric", and warned: "Be careful not to accept money or contacts from unknown sources." Xiao believes that Taiwan still isn't nearly tough enough on Chinese spies operating in its territory, saying that sentences handed down to Chinese spies are typically far too lenient, and not enough to be a deterrent. Taiwan, despite being a democracy, has plenty of people willing to travel to China and be in contact with authorities there, he said, while certain political parties and civil groups actively campaign for closer ties with Beijing. Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. The National Assembly is expected to rubber stamp party decisions at a meeting this week. Vietnam's Public Security Minister To Lam speaking at a meeting at the National Assembly House in Hanoi, December 21, 2023. Lam has been named president by the Communist Party. Vietnams Communist Party has named minister of public security To Lam as the new president in an unprecedented reshuffle of the countrys leadership. It also nominated Tran Thanh Man as the new chairman of the National Assembly, it said in a statement. Party cadres at a meeting that concluded on Saturday recommended Lam and Man to the top positions. The National Assembly Vietnams parliament is expected to approve the appointments when it meets this week. The two men will be replacing Vo Van Thuong and Vuong Dinh Hue, who were forced to resign earlier in the year amid an anti-corruption campaign that has seen dozens of senior officials lose their jobs or be disciplined. The campaign, dubbed the blazing furnace, was initiated by the partys general secretary, Nguyen Phu Trong, who sees corruption as the biggest threat to the Communist Partys legitimacy. But some critics say it has been used as a political tool by factions in the party to eliminate competitors. Gen. To Lam, 66, has been minister of public security since April 2016 and deputy minister for six years before that. He joined the public security service in 1974 and rose through the ranks to become a general in 2019. As his successor at the ministry of public security has not been nominated, Lam appears to have retained his ministers position for now. Lam is believed to be one of the main figures behind the blazing furnace campaign, having been deputy head of the party's anti-corruption steering committee since 2021. The general was accused of involvement in the kidnapping of Trinh Xuan Thanh, a Vietnamese fugitive, in Berlin in 2017 and Thanhs return to Hanoi through Slovakia. The Hanoi government denied all allegations but the case led to a temporary rift in diplomatic relations between Germany and Vietnam. Lam will be the third state president in just 15 months his predecessor Thuong was forced out in January and Thuongs predecessor Nguyen Xuan Phuc resigned a year earlier. Tran Thanh Man, 62, currently deputy chairman of the National Assembly, is to take over from Vuong Dinh Hue, who was once considered a rising star in Vietnams politics and a contender for the job of general secretary. Hue stepped down this month after the partys central inspection commission found that he had committed mistakes and wrongdoings unfit for a political leader. During last weeks meeting, the partys senior officials also voted to add four new members to its powerful Politburo. The new appointments are expected to restore unity within the partys leadership but analysts warn that infighting may continue in the run up to the 14th national party congress, slated to take place in January 2026. Nguyen Phu Trong, 80, who has been the partys general secretary since 2011, is expected to step aside at the congress, or even before that, but theres no clear imminent successor to his position. To Lam and Pham Minh Chinh, the incumbent prime minister, are seen by Vietnam watchers as strong candidates to succeed Trong as general secretary. Edited by Mike Firn. As a swelling crowd moved around him, blocking an important road and refusing to disperse, Bishkek police chief Azamat Toktonaliev looked completely bewildered. "He doesn't know what to do. The people are not listening," said a reporter from the private website Kaktus Media in footage filmed on the night of May 17. Toktonaliev's visible alarm captured the extent to which authorities in Kyrgyzstan were caught off guard by shocking and apparently spontaneous unrest targeting South Asian students and migrants. Parts of the capital dissolved into chaos that night after footage of a brawl between foreigners and local Kyrgyz from earlier in the week circulated widely online. While the crowd that blocked the road -- peaking at more than 1,000 people -- did not disperse until dawn on May 18, multiple dormitories housing students from South Asia were attacked by groups of Kyrgyz, resulting in at least 29 injuries and reportedly leaving several foreigners hospitalized. These disturbances were the worst seen in Bishkek since the postelection meltdown of 2020 that brought current populist leader Sadyr Japarov to the presidency and marked the third time that power has changed hands in Kyrgyzstan amid unrest. And although news of the dormitory attacks prompted high-level statements of concern from India and in Pakistan -- where a small protest was held outside the Kyrgyz Embassy in Islamabad and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif saw fit to comment -- some critics say it may be the domestic image of an increasingly authoritarian regime that has taken the worst hit. "The ruling group came to power on a wave of nationalist and socialist feelings," lawyer Nurbek Toktakhunov told RFE/RL. "So when it is some liberal trying to hold a peaceful rally for rights and freedom, they can get all brutal and say, No more rallies! Time for stability!' But when there is a burst of nationalism and violence, they are suddenly helpless." Mob's Demands 'To Some Extent Correct' Police chief Toktonaliev was at the center of the vain effort to disperse the angry protesters, who had gathered close to the site of the conflict at a dormitory between foreigner students and Kyrgyz in the early hours of May 13. Another piece of footage showed the official looking distinctly uncomfortable as he tried to address the crowd over whistles and heckles, while leaning on the authority of Rinat Usupbaev, a bodybuilder with more than 250,000 followers on Instagram, who was standing next to him. "I am personally hearing you out," entrepreneur Usupbaev reassured the crowd, eventually taking the loudspeaker from Toktonaliev and turning the jeers to cheers. "Do you trust me?" In addition to calls for the foreigners who clashed with the Kyrgyz on May 13 to face justice, members of the crowd demanded an end to labor migration from South Asian countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. In recent years, such countries have sent thousands of students and guest workers to Kyrgyzstan -- a country that hundreds of thousands of Kyrgyz leave every year in search of employment. Speaking on the morning after a night that one Pakistani student described as a "living hell" in an interview, Kyrgyz State Committee for National Security Chairman Kamchybek Tashiev said the crowd's demands were "to some extent correct." Tashiev made no mention of the violent attacks on foreign students at the dorms, which correspondents from RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service visited on May 18 to find smashed windows, doors kicked through, and rooms in disarray. Footage from the night before had shown Asian students cowering in their rooms as men punched, kicked, and cursed at them in turn. Instead Tashiev -- Japarov's populist ally -- was focused on the fact that some members of the crowd had been carrying weapons or had "raised various provocative questions against state power and the state system" in messenger chats before the protest. "We have identified them and will hold them accountable," Tashiev said in a video address that he also used to draw attention to the government's toughening stance on illegal migration. As of the morning of May 19, no Kyrgyz official had apologized to students targeted in the attacks, nearly 200 of whom have already arrived back in Pakistan on specially arranged flights. While Kyrgyzstan's Interior Ministry said it has opened a criminal case into the mass unrest, there are still plenty of questions about why it took police so long to respond to the clear threat posed to the city's migrant population. 'How Much Will They Give For Actual Pogroms?' What about the spark for the conflict that took place on the night of May 12-13? On the evening that protesters massed in Bishkek, all they had seen was a video that seemed to have surfaced that day showing a prone Kyrgyz man getting pummeled by non-Kyrgyz attackers in the front yard of a hostel. At around midnight, police released news that three -- later four -- foreign citizens had been detained on hooliganism charges in connection with the violence. The Interior Ministry even published a video showing the men -- Egyptians, not South Asians -- apologizing to the Kyrgyz people and promising to accept full responsibility for their part in the violence. Yet as police acknowledged the following day in a full chronology of events building up to the unrest, these Egyptian men were actually defending a hostel that locals had raided, stealing cash and an iPhone, according to complaints filed by residents of the hostel. To date, police say they have arrested two of the alleged thieves that infiltrated the hostel that night and identified two others. It remains unclear if the predominantly young, male crowd that took to the streets would have felt any differently if they had known that context. Kyrgyzstan has experienced bouts of ethnic violence in the past, most notably lethal clashes between ethnic Kyrgyz and minority Uzbeks that claimed hundreds of lives in southern Kyrgyzstan in 2010. But law enforcement's investigation of this latest unrest will be under some scrutiny, not least due to perception that Kyrgyzstan's security state has been enthusiastically jailing critics for even the slightest hint of dissent. In social media discussions about the heinous attacks on foreign students, one name mentioned several times was Oljobai Shakir, a publicist sentenced on May 14 to five years in prison on the charge of making online calls for mass unrest. Shakir's arrest came just days after he criticized the government's decision to hand four spa centers near lake Issyk-Kul to the Uzbek government and challenged Japarov and Tashiev to participate in public debates with him. "They gave Oljobai Shakir five years for so-called calls [for unrest]," wrote journalist Mahinur Niyazov on X, formerly Twitter. "How many [years] will they give these people for actual pogroms, I wonder?" Welcome to The Azadi Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that unpacks the key issues in Afghanistan. To subscribe, click here. I'm Abubakar Siddique, a senior correspondent at RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. Here's what I've been tracking and what I'm keeping an eye on in the days ahead. The Key Issue Afghanistan has briefly returned to the headlines as the United States heads toward a crucial November presidential election. Republicans and Democrats blamed each other for failing to conclude an orderly withdrawal to end the conflict in Afghanistan, the longest war in American history. In the September 10 presidential debate, Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris defended President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from Afghanistan. She blamed her opponent, former President and Republican candidate Donald Trump, for concluding the 2020 Doha agreement with the Taliban, which "bypassed the Afghan government." In response, Trump defended the Doha deal as "a very good agreement." He blamed the Biden administration for losing soldiers during the withdrawal, leaving behind weapons, and not enforcing the terms of the agreement. On September 8, a new investigative report by House Republicans blamed Biden's administration for the chaotic final withdrawal from Afghanistan. Representative Michael McCaul (Republican-Texas), who led the probe as chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the Biden administration "had the information and opportunity" to plan for the inevitable collapse of the Afghan government. Still, it chose, "optics over security," he said. However, the State Department accused the committee of issuing partisan statements, cherry-picking facts, and obfuscating "the truth behind conjecture." Why It's Important: America's war in Afghanistan -- particularly its disastrous end -- is unlikely to vanish from public memory and from political debates on how the U.S.-led war on terrorism was conducted and how it ended. Another ongoing probe will likely shed even more light on the war, which lasted for over two decades, between 2001 and 2021. The Afghanistan War Commission, a bipartisan legislative body comprised of former U.S. government officials with experience of the war, is probing the conflict. Its report is slated to be released in 2026. Like the 9/11 Commission report, on which it is modeled, it is likely to attract a great deal of public interest and scrutiny. What's Next: Renewed attention on Afghanistan will likely increase amid the partisan rancor ahead of the November 5 presidential election. However, it is unlikely to prompt a significant change in Washington's policy toward the country in the short term. What To Keep An Eye On Afghanistan's Taliban rulers and Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov inaugurated the construction of the Afghan section of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline. On September 11, the Taliban held a groundbreaking ceremony for the long-delayed pipeline. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's top spokesman, said Ashgabat will invest in building the pipeline, money that will be returned, the group says, when his government begins collecting transit fees estimated to be more than $500 million per annum. Mujahid said that the pipeline inside Afghanistan will be built in three phases. The first phase, according to the spokesman, will connect the Turkmen border to the western Afghan city of Herat and will be built within two years from now. It will then begin supplying gas to the energy-starved country. The second phase will extend the pipeline to the southern province of Helmand. In the third phase, TAPI will go through the southern province of Kandahar and on to Pakistan. The 1,800-kilometer pipeline will carry 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually through southern Afghanistan to Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan Province. From there, it will go through Pakistan's eastern Punjab Province to Fazilka in India's northwestern Punjab state. Why It's Important: TAPI has long been touted as a significant regional energy project. But insecurity in Afghanistan and the lack of international investment has prevented it from taking shape. Given the Taliban's lack of transparency about significant infrastructure projects, it is still possible that TAPI will remain just a pipe dream. That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you have. You can always reach us at azadi.english@rferl.org Until next time, Abubakar Siddique If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Friday. SOFIA -- It only took a few minutes to set up my propaganda site, a virtual carbon copy of another site in Bulgarian that was already mixing tabloid news with pro-Russian headlines. I was joining the so-called Mushroom Site Machine, a network of websites that malevolent actors use to spread misleading stories, disinformation, and propaganda. Crucially, there's no need for recruits to have any ideological stake in what they're peddling. By using a cash-for-clicks model, small-time profit-seekers are enlisted in the spread of disinformation by setting up websites known as "mushrooms." The Bulgarian-based content-sharing platform share4pay.com is greasing the wheels of the machine, according to a recent study by the Foundation for Humanitarian and Social Research Sofia (HSSF). The platform promises hassle-free income from personal websites in return for replicating stories around the clock. Share4pay.com's statistics claim that it has a corps of more than 10,000 registered individuals for whom it has set up one or more sites to "monetize every minute of your free time." Could it really be that easy? For a day in February, thanks to share4pay.com, I found out. Registration was quick and free. Within minutes, the site had been created and share4pay's employees were populating it with news and articles so that I could share them on social networks. "The more news and articles you share on Facebook groups, Facebook pages, your Facebook wall, forums, Twitter, Google+, the more money you will earn," the company promised. Getting links to the websites to appear in as many locations as possible is crucial to making money, especially on Facebook, the most popular social media platform in Bulgaria. On that, I was failing miserably. I deliberately chose headlines that were neither propaganda nor misinformation and posted fewer than 10 stories. But my attempts were ignored by the moderators of Facebook groups who were otherwise welcoming dubious content from sites like mine. As a result, I was never offered any money in exchange for my "work." It turned out, I wasn't the only one. Dozens of other share4pay.com users had posted complaints on social networks and forums saying they had never received any compensation either. I wrote to several people who shared share4pay.com links and articles from group sites after tracking them down via CrowdTangle, a content-discovery tool that is currently being phased out over access and data-sharing issues. One woman, Radka Georgieva, said she had registered for a share4pay.com site in April 2022 but had since walked away. "I got nothing," she said. "It was a scam." One user bragged of earning 100-200 lev ($56-112) per month, but it was unclear whether that was from a real individual or simply part of an advertising scheme. But with share4pay.com boasting of more than 10,000 users, surely someone was making money somewhere? Changing The Topic The HSSF identified nearly 94,000 social media posts between July and September 2023 that it said used "standard keywords" for pro-Russian topics. Those included "anti-Russia," "Russian world," and "Banderite," a reference to alleged supporters of the controversial World War II and postwar Ukrainian nationalist killed by a Soviet assassin in 1959. Eighty percent of those posts, according to the report, were products of the Mushroom Site Machine, which was first detected in the months after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Pro-Russian propaganda, however, wasn't the only focus of the machine. Many of the websites shared content initially published by the Bulgarian tabloid Blitz. The paper's catchy headlines and focus on what some might call "yellow journalism" have made it one of the most popular news sources in the country. Blitz is also a favored outlet for the public statements of controversial lawmaker and magnate Delyan Peevski, a leader of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms party who has been sanctioned by the United States for "significant corruption." (RFE/RL reached out to Blitz for comment but has not yet received a response.) The media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) once described Peevski as "the most notorious embodiment" of the "corruption and collusion between media, politicians, and oligarchs" in Bulgaria. And critics have accused Blitz, which is officially owned by one of its journalists, of hewing close to Peevski's political views and routinely attacking his opponents and supporting his allies. By mid-2023, the Mushroom Site Machine was reproducing far fewer of the Moscow-inspired stories in what one of the authors of the HSSF report, Dimitar Vatsov, told RFE/RL was a "sharp change" that appeared to reflect other priorities. When it wasn't promoting stories on the Ukraine war, it was publishing positive articles about Peevski. "Over 200,000 articles in the last quarter recycled Peevski's name," Vatsov said. The trend deepened fears among researchers that the amorphous array of hundreds or even thousands of mushroom sites could ultimately be weaponized to suit any agenda. After Vatsov was quoted in interviews discussing the mushroom network and the rise of Peevski-related content, he told RFE/RL that he had been called in for questioning by the State Agency for National Security (DANS). "I'm waiting to see if it's a form of harassment or if they're going to do something real," Vatsov said. A Long And Winding Digital Trail By November 2023, Vatsov said, the Sensika tool had identified 370 sites that "run the same contentbut at the moment it can be assumed that there are about 700." Many of the cookie crumbs scattered throughout the registration and advertising processes suggested that even the higher figure is an extremely conservative estimate. In a study of "suspicious Facebook assets" published in March, the Atlantic Council's DFRLab found heavy overlap between more than 100 Facebook pages, groups, and profiles piggybacking on the name "Dragon 24" -- NATO military exercises in Poland -- and a single individual on share4pay.com. The link hints at a double-barrel effect whereby specific content is amplified by not only share4pay.com users seeking profits from sharing the articles but also by paid promotions on Facebook that push those same articles out to an even wider audience. In many cases, there was an incontrovertible link between sites identified by DFRLab and other, newer ones running similar content. For example, the kabina.eu domain was registered via a Gmail address, Ralitsa.d******va81@gmail.com , which was also used to register eight other sites. Another frequently used e-mail address was katsarov.mir*****@gmail.com. Miroslav Katsarov is one of the co-owners of AdRain, a Bulgarian online advertising platform that targets websites and audiences in the same way that, say, Google AdSense does. Katsarov is also a co-owner and manager of a company called Index Info OOD, whose indexinifo.org extension was seen in an e-mail address used to register another domain that turned up in the DFRLab's research, themainline.bg. The Index Info's company website is no longer active, but an archived version includes a contact listed as Miroslav Katsarov. The same archived site displayed a portfolio of nine Index Info websites that, in turn, led to at least five others. Ultimately, the search returned over 40 websites, including another cluster of 10 sites with code pointing to AdRain. Todor Galev from the Center for the Study of Democracy in Sofia, a public-policy think tank, has noted links such as shared code between many of the Mushroom Site Machine's websites and AdRain. Other clues include identical e-mails used in the registration of websites whose domains appeared to have been purchased by Miroslav Katsarov. In Bulgaria's business registry, we found a phone contact for Katsarov, who initially responded by saying that "AdRain does not own or have any ownership [of] the listed sites [and] AdRain's business is limited to management only of advertising." Advertising management, he stressed, "is the only point of contact." After RFE/RL provided him with a list of sites that appeared to have ties to him and a link to the DFRLab study, Katsarov denied having anything to do with them. Referring to one of the sites, he said, they "belong to different clients of AdRain." He acknowledged that articles on some of the websites appeared to have been "copied en masse" from Blitz and other publications. "My personal opinion," Katsarov said, "is that these are sites that copy and paste information from larger sources and these machines etc. are fiction and don't correspond to reality." Written by Andy Heil based on reporting by RFE/RL Bulgarian Service correspondent Georgi A. Angelov At least 22 people were killed and 117 others injured in Israeli strikes on Beirut, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported on October 10 after an Israeli strike on a school sheltering Palestinians in Gaza killed dozens of people. Lebanon's state news agency NNA reported two evening air raids in central Beirut. The first targeted an eight-story building and the second a four-story building that completely collapsed as a result of the strike, NNA said. A Lebanese security source quoted by Reuters said at least one senior Hezbollah figure was targeted in the attacks, which were the third on Beirut since Israel started a military campaign in southern Lebanon last month targeting the Iran-allied Hezbollah militia and sparking fears of an all-out regional war. Hezbollahs Al Manar TV reported after the strikes that an attempt to kill Wafiq Safa, a top security official with the group, had failed. It said that Safa had not been inside of either of the targeted buildings. Hezbollah kept up rocket fire into Israel on October 10. The military said several drones heading toward Israel were intercepted. Earlier on October 10 an Israeli strike on a school in the Gaza Strip killed at least 27 people, Palestinian medical officials said, while a separate Israeli strike hit UN peacekeeper headquarters in southern Lebanon, prompting Italy to summon the Israeli ambassador. The Israeli military said it carried out a "precise strike on terrorists" who had a command and control center embedded in the school. "This is a further example of the Hamas terrorist organization's systematic abuse of civilian infrastructure in violation of international law," a military statement said. The Palestinian militant group Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the EU, has denied such accusations. People who had been sheltering at the school said the strike hit a meeting of aid workers and injured 54 other people. Israel has continued to strike at what it says are militant targets across Gaza as it battles Hamas militants even as the war broadened to include Hezbollah in Lebanon amid rising tensions with Iran. In a separate incident on October 10 the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon said an Israeli tank fired on its headquarters in the town of Naqoura, hitting an observation tower and wounding two peacekeepers. The nationality of the injured peacekeepers was not released. The UN peacekeeping mission known as UNIFIL said in a statement that Israeli forces also fired on a nearby bunker where peacekeepers were sheltering, damaging vehicles and a communication system. The Italian Defense Ministry summoned Israel's ambassador in protest, and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told a press conference that "hostile acts committed and repeated by Israeli forces against the base...could constitute war crimes." Crosetto added that Italy has asked for an official explanation "because it was not a mistake." The French Foreign Ministry said that while no French solider was injured in the incident, it also demanded an explanation. The Israeli military announced earlier on October 10 that it had eliminated another important Hezbollah member as it kept up its attacks against the Iran-backed group. Adham Jahout, a member of Hezbollah's Golan Terrorist Network was killed in an air strike in the area of Quneitra in Syria, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said. Jahout was relaying intelligence from Syrian regime sources to Hezbollah and facilitating operations against Israel in the Golan Heights, the IDF said. Israel annexed the Golan Heights after capturing them from Syria during the 1967 Middle East war. The annexation has not been recognized by most countries. Separately, the Israeli military said on October 10 that it had eliminated two Hezbollah commanders in southern Lebanon and its warplanes attacked munitions depots in the Beirut area and in southern Lebanon. It did not immediately reveal the identities of the two commanders. Hezbollah, a militant group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon, is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, while the European Union blacklists its armed wing but not its party, which has seats in the Lebanese parliament. The latest strikes came as the United States, Israel's main ally, warned against bombardments in Lebanon similar to those that caused large-scale destruction in Gaza as Israel retaliated against Hamas following the U.S.- and EU-designated terrorist group's deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, that left more than 1,100 people dead. Israel's bombardment of central and northern Gaza in recent days has killed dozens of people and trapped thousands in their homes, Palestinian officials say. "There should be no kind of military action in Lebanon that looks anything like Gaza and leaves a result anything like Gaza," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told journalists on October 9. The warning came after U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized in a call on October 9 with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the need for a diplomatic arrangement for the return of both Lebanese and Israeli civilians to their homes on both sides of the border. The United States warned Israel on October 9 against launching a military action in Lebanon like the one it has conducted in Gaza, and U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized in a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the need for a diplomatic arrangement for the return of both Lebanese and Israeli civilians to their homes on both sides of the border. Biden also condemned Iran's ballistic-missile attack on Israel on October 1, a White House statement said. Biden "affirmed Israel's right to protect its citizens from Hezbollah, which has fired thousands of missiles and rockets into Israel over the past year alone, while emphasizing the need to minimize harm to civilians, in particular in the densely populated areas of Beirut," the statement said. 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. Pakistani students in the homeland have protested attacks on their compatriots in Kyrgyzstan. The rallies held outside the Kyrgyz Embassy in Islamabad and the Press Club in Karachi on May 18 urged Pakistan to ensure safety for its students in the Central Asian country. Both protests were organized by the Islamic Students Association. The one in Karachi was co-organized by the Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaf party. Late on May 18, a special flight arrived in Lahore with Pakistani students from the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi greeted the evacuees, one of whom was visibly injured. On the night of 17-18, attackers in Bishkek targeted international student dormitories after a video circulating on social media purportedly showed a fight between locals and foreigners. Kenneth Fox The businessman Tony O'Reilly has died at the age of 88. The former Ireland rugby player has passed away at St. Vincent's Hospital in Dublin on Saturday after a short illness. The Glasnevin native became chairman of Heinz and invested in the Independent group. As The Irish Times reports, losses suffered by the Irish companies contributed to his losing much of his wealth later in life. It led to him being declared bankrupt in the Bahamas in 2015, aged 79, after AIB which opposed the bankruptcy decision in the Bahamas had secured a debt judgment against him for 22.6 million. He emerged from bankruptcy in January of this year. From Griffith Avenue in Glasnevin, Dublin, OReilly was born in May 1936, went to Belvedere College and University College Dublin, qualified as a solicitor, played rugby for Ireland, and enjoyed early success as an Irish business executive before moving to the other side of the Atlantic where he became one of the most highly-paid executives in the United States. Before he moved to the United States OReilly was the head of Bord Bainne, the Irish Dairy Board, and the Irish Sugar Company, with his appointment to the latter being suggested by the then taoiseach, Jack Lynch. In 1969 he became the head of Heinz in the UK, and two years later moved to Pittsburgh to take on the role of senior vice-president with that corporation. He remained with Heinz until 1998, becoming chief executive and chairman and overseeing a twelvefold increase in its size. While running his hugely successful career in the US, he also returned regularly to Ireland to oversee his investments here. At the height of his career and wealth he was known to some of the most powerful political figures of the age, and had homes in Dublin, Kildare and Cork, as well as in Pittsburgh, the Bahamas, and Deauville, France. He was a founder of the philanthropic US Ireland Fund, which raised hundreds of millions of euros for the cause of peace and reconciliation in Ireland and helped undermine IRA fundraising efforts in the US. In 2001, he was knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth for his services to Northern Ireland, the first such award for an Irish citizen and something for which the Government had to grant permission. He preferred thereafter to be known as Sir Anthony. A group protesting against the planned use of a number of apartments in Castlerea for International Protection Applicants will hold a protest in Castlerea this afternoon, Sunday, May 19th. The protest will get underway at 1 p.m.. The Castlerea Concerned Community group says that it is made up of residents of Castlerea and surrounding areas. The same every day people you've seen walk past you in the streets or greeted in the shops. Anyone is welcome to join, this group does not discriminate in any way towards any persons. It is simply a collection of concerned local citizens. The group says that it was set up in a bid to gain some understanding on the current and future plans to house unvetted males in the town and intends to walk peacefully this Sunday at 1 p.m.. This group wants answers for its residents about the future of this town, all of its residents regardless of where you are from. Earlier this week a protest by another Castlerea group was called off. Upwards on 100 people gathered in Castlerea this afternoon, Sunday, to make their voices heard in protest against the planned move of 52 International Protection Applicants to an apartment block in the town. The protest, organised by a group called Castlerea Concerned Citizens, marched from near the Riverside apartment block through the streets of the town to the town square where a number of people addressed the gathering. Justin Slaman, Vincent Beirne, Teresa O'Connell, and Nial Hussey at the protest in Castlerea this afternoon. Pic. Liam Reynolds Among those who spoke this afternoon were Vincent Beirne, who led the protest, Justin Slamen, Irish Freedom Party, a local election candidate and Hermann Kelly, a candidate for the European Parliament in the Midlands North West Constituency and a founding member of the Irish Freedom Party. Vincent Beirne, was highly critical of local public representatives, in particular MEP Luke Ming Flanagan. He also spoke of the concern in the community and the worry on the minds of people about the arrival of International Protection Applicants. Mr Beirne said the issues facing the community were also ones faced by the nation and, to applause from those gathered, he said the community was being sold out by property developers, by vulture funds and by public representatives. Local election candidate Justin Slamen thanked the people for turning out and for standing up for the community. He noted that some had tried to stop the protest and tried to slander them, but the protest showed that all involved were all good people, all local people who cared about the community. Vincent Beirne leads the protest in Castlerea on Sunday afternoon. Pic. Liam Reynolds Looking around here today we have families, friends and neighbours, thats what we are fighting for and thats what we are standing up for, our community, he said. Mr Slamen spoke of the lack of trust in public representatives and stressed that Castlerea had enough. Hermann Kelly also thanked the people for coming out. He was scathing of public representatives and in particular of MEP Luke Ming Flanagan. He told the gathering that the protest was about standing up for the rights of the community and ensuring that their children had a future in Ireland. Two other speakers also addressed the gathering, applauded the bravery of the people who turned out and appealed to the community to stand together. In 1967, Robert Pelcyger was a newly minted lawyer who knew little about the rights of Native Americans and even less about water rights. Then he met Patty Durro, an earnest, young woman from the Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians in northern San Diego County who was determined to reclaim her tribes share of the San Luis Rey River. She changed his life and the fortunes of five North County tribes that had been robbed of the water they had been promised by the government. But it took Pelcyger 50 years to right the wrong. The journey began with a stack of government contracts from the 1900s. Pelcyger had been hired to learn tribal law for a government nonprofit that was providing legal services to rural California residents and was hosting a workshop at the University of California, Riverside when he was approached by Durro. She was there to complain because their wells were going dry, Pelcyger remembers. Patty Durro came up to me during the meeting and gave me some (1914) contracts and said, youre a lawyer, tell me what these mean. I looked at them and saw all kinds of words Id never seen before and didnt understand, so I told her Id take a look at it. That was the beginning of the San Luis Rey litigation. Soon, Pelcyger and a colleague formed California Indian Legal Services, a law firm specializing in Native American issues. During the next couple of years, I tried to find other lawyers who would take the case but wasnt able to do that, he said. It got to the point I had to file something so I did it in 1969. The goal of the lawsuit, which went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1984 and was followed by decades of settlement talks, was to correct this historical injustice the government had created shortly after the reservations were established, Pelcyger said. The reservations were purposely located in areas with access to water so the tribes could irrigate crops in an otherwise arid environment. No sooner had the reservations been created when, through a series of measures, the government gave away the same water they had given to the Indians to Escondido and Vista, Pelcyger said. The bands were dedicated to correcting the historical injustice. Canals were built in the 1890s diverting the San Luis Rey River to farmers in those two cities, making it possible for those communities to thrive. In the 1920s, Lake Henshaw near Warner Springs was built and a diversion dam took even more of the river water to the cities via Lake Wohlford in the hills just east of Escondido. The result was that during dry years the river barely flowed through the reservations, the underground aquifer fed by the river suffered and the Indians wells would dry up. Even today, the two cities rely on the San Luis Rey water for between 20 percent and 30 percent each year. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the aggrieved tribes against Escondido and the Vista Irrigation District. What is ironic is that our adversaries were Escondido and Vista, but it wasnt their fault to begin with, said Bo Mazzetti, chairman of the Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians. The federal government gave away the water twice. It gave it to the tribes and then authorized the dam and the diversion. Fifteen years after the lawsuit was filed, Pelcyger found himself arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court. The ruling of the court, which essentially said all the parties needed to start over, pleased no one. It was frustrating because it meant we had to keep litigating but in retrospect it turned out, many years later, ultimately the best outcome for all the clients. Instead of resuming litigation, a decision was made to go to the U.S. Congress, which in 1988 passed the San Luis Rey Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, which recognized the need to provide the tribes with a supplemental water supply to make up for the approximately 16,000 acre-feet of water they lost each year from the river. One acre-foot equals 325,851 gallons. But there were still two more hurdles to overcome. The first, which would take 15 years to resolve, was figuring out where the extra water would come from. In the mid-2000s, the All-American Canal, an 80-mile-long aqueduct near the U.S.-Mexican border that takes Colorado River water to the Imperial Valley and beyond, was lined to stop seepage. The lining project saved 100,000 acre-feet of water each year. The first 16,000 acre-feet of that savings was earmarked for the tribes per the settlement act. But just after the water source was identified, the second hurdle emerged. Lawyers for the federal government decided to revisit the settlement and took the position that the word supplemental meant replace or substitute. The government interjected a new issue for the first time, Pelcyger said. They argued that the 16,000 acre-feet from the canal should replace the water that is taken from the river. The tribes said, no, the 16,000 acre-feet of canal water should be in addition to the water that had been diverted and that they should retain rights to the San Luis Rey. Fourteen more years of argument and settlement talks followed. The feds never agreed to the tribes position, but did say they would accept the fact should Congress enact a law saying the tribes were entitled to the extra water. That happened in 2014. A couple years more went by due to bureaucracy, but finally the 1988 settlement terms became law. In May of this year, 50 years after first hearing about the river, the case came to an end. The settlement guarantees five North County Indian tribes Rincon, La Jolla, Pauma, Pala and San Pasqual equal access to more than 5 billion gallons annually of Colorado River water to compensate them for the lost San Luis Rey River water. The end result is that the water brought in from the Colorado River can be used by the five tribes equally. But should they not need the extra water, they must sell the excess water to the two cities at market rates. For Escondido, it means that this supply of water wed originally been given in the late 1800s is now secure, said Chris McKinney, Escondidos utilities director. For us, its an enormous deal to finally have this settled and to also have the supply secured. It was a long path to go down to get to this point, said Marty Miller, president of the Vista Irrigation Districts board of directors. But we finally worked our way through it. And on the backside we came out friends. We came out partners. The tribes rely now and will continue to rely on groundwater, which is made possible by the recharging of the San Luis Rey aquifer accomplished via water seeping into the ground from the river. That means most of the extra water from the Colorado River will be sold by the tribe to the cities which use far more than that amount annually. There will always be a demand. For the Indians, its a source of income, Pelcyger said. Mazzetti said its a shame that almost all of the elders of the tribes who were there at the beginning of the litigation, not to mention generations of Indians before them, have passed on and could not see the final resolution. The impossible became possible, the Rincon chairman said. Where do you find new sources of water today? You dont. Sixteen thousand acre-feet of water will be coming into the county a whole new source of water. That benefits the whole region. For Pelcyger, the end of the case feels wonderful. I feel blessed to have had clients that are so dedicated and loyal, he said. Where else do you find clients that stick with the same attorney for 50 years? He said long before casino money came to the reservations, the bands were committed to correcting an historical injustice and werent going to compromise. For him, that began with the 1967 Patty Durro meeting and continued with other tribal members for decades. She was a fierce advocate of getting back what the bands viewed as being rightfully theirs, he said. Durro has become very private in recent years and did not respond to requests for interviews. It took a lot of courage for them to even enter the fray against pretty long odds, Pelcyger said. Their sense of history is so strong as is their sense of continuity, They wanted to rectify the injustices their parents and grandparents had to bare and also were looking forward toward future generations. It was never about immediate gratification. jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones I guess we all know politics is incredibly nasty. We grew up here in Central Virginia, and most of our family receives the negative campaign mailers. To see Bob Good call your hero a liar and create signs called McLiar is truly disgusting. A wise judge once told me, Those who first cast dispersions need to first look in the mirror. John and I had a rough childhood, and both joined the military at a young age. I chose the army like our father and John chose the navy like our grandfather. Everyone told John he was too small and would never become a Navy SEAL. He proved them wrong, and when he left the Navy to start an outdoor fitness business in 1998, everyone told him it would never work. He proved the naysayers wrong again. At the height of his success in business, he broke his neck in a freak accident and the doctor said he would never walk again. He proved that doctor wrong too, because he is relentless to achieve his mission. I know my big brother and have admired him all my life. We grew up like Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, and he saved my bacon more than once as a child because he is also fearless. So, Bob Good calls John a liar because John changed his mind on supporting Bob Good after Bob Good changed his mind on supporting Donald Trump. That is political double-talk like someone who says one thing in public and another in private. It is no surprise that Good says John wants taxpayers to pay for illegal aliens and wants boys to play in girls sports. John put in bills to prevent both of those things from happening in the Virginia General Assembly. John doesnt call Bob Good a liar but, like our father, says when someone like Bob Good says something you should consider the source. As the race for the Republican primary comes to the last 30 days, we hope Bob Good will seek a better tone. Send John McGuire to Congress and he will be just as relentless to save America. Police are searching for a man who posed as a FedEx employee and allegedly threatened a real FedEx worker with a knife, NBC News is reporting. The incident occurred on May 9 in Washington Heights when the fraudulent delivery man exited a building on W. 159th Street holding a large box under his arm and attempted to ride away on a bike, the report said. When a real FedEx employee approached the man, the imposter allegedly pulled out what appeared to be a knife and threatened to stab him, the report said. The man took the package and took off north on Amsterdam Avenue, the report said. We encourage any customer who is suspicious about shipments or suspects fraudulent activity to contact the appropriate authorities immediately, a spokesperson for FedEx said in a statement. We fully cooperate with authorities in any investigations and would direct further inquiry to those investigating authorities. There were no injuries during the incident and no arrests have been made, the report said. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. This restaurant baby of the 1970s doesnt look a day over fabulous. Thats Jade Island on Staten Island, at 52, still flaming its pu-pu platters and staying true to a tiki-on-totem theme. Restaurant patron Susan Juan poses at the front of Jade Island by its iconic totem poles. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Pamela Silvestri We customers might not be getting any younger. Those historic booths are indeed smaller as weve all gotten bigger. Yet while the food is always fresh and the carpet is new, Jade Islands brand of Polynesian and Hunan fare is pleasantly stuck in time at least by this 70s babys standards. And Johnny Yipp is totally cool with that stubborn bent on tradition. Yip is Jade Islands king of the Kanaloa. Humble and hands on, Yip calls himself simply manager the fourth such one in Jade Islands history who took over the place almost 30 years to the day. Hes the master of birthday ceremonies, the seater of patrons, the maker of Mai Tais and pro-handler of Headhunters served in anatomically correct ceramic ware. Johnny Yip himself (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Pamela Silvestri Tropical drinks are always in style at Jade Island. No one else still serves drinks in pineapples. Maybe theyre still doing that in San Francisco but were always doing it here, said Yip. Even with a boozy cocktail inside despite the cost of fruit these days, its an Island essential at roughly $15 a hit. Original lights and decor at Jade Island today. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Pamela Silvestri When pressed, Yip mentions milestones. He came to the U.S. on January 13, 1971 at 19 years old. Work then took him to his dads restaurant, formerly of Atlantic City. Back in New York City, Yip the younger eventually joined Jades rank-and-file in 1986. Then he became the boss in 1994. Anthony Bourdain, host of theTravel Channel's "No Reservations," poses in a New York restaurant, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)ASSOCIATED PRESS GREATEST OF JADED PALATES There are many big moments in Jade Island history. Standouts include the time Anthony Bourdain walked into this strip mall spot. The late writer and celebrity chef sojourned to New Springville to film with a most famous Staten Islander rocker David Johansen of the trailblazing punk band, the New York Dolls. The booth where the late Anthony Bourdain sat with David Johansen on "No Reservations." (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Pamela Silvestri Yip gestured to the tables across from where Bourdain and Johansen sipped their drinks and roasted bacon-wrapped chicken over a sternos flame. Although at the time, it was Johansen who seemed to truly captivate Bourdain. They sat right over here, Yip said directing the way to a tiki hut with a waterside perch on a Polynesian Island. About 15 people sat at a few tables across the aisle, a gaggle of workers and tagalongs of the show No Reservations. Seafood and vegetables in a potato birds nest no, those aren't noodles. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Pamela Silvestri Yip said people still request this one booth made popular by the show. An even bigger moment for Yip, if there could be one, was at Jade Islands 40th anniversary. In 2012 the Staten Island Advance reported on their potentially losing their lease. It would have been a similar fate to be suffered in the same shopping plaza as a neighbor, Goldens Deli which shut down in that same year. New carpeting...some things have changed at Jade Island. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Pamela Silvestri Hundreds of phone calls later to landlord Kimco Realty, the tide turned for Jade Island. The real estate gods listened to the tiki people and were not sacrificed for the sake of perceived progress. In the meantime, though, the landlord reps were overwhelmed by fans reactions Yip giggles at the thought Jade Island earned a new lease with yet another chapter in a food life. Still wearing those Hawaiian shirts after all these years! (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Pamela Silvestri The restaurant said in its Facebook post at the time: We want to thank everyone and all the families that have supported us throughout the years on Staten Island...Thank you all and we would not be here without you! Yip sticks with that sentiment after all these years. His restaurant is at an interesting stage right now. Its beyond the midlife crisis but way far from retirement. A person died from injuries after being rescued from a two-alarm fire that reportedly destroyed an adult foster care home in Lebanon. Fire crews were dispatched to the blaze in the 800 block of West Oak Street around 1:21 a.m. Sunday, May 19, according to a news release from the Lebanon Fire District. A Place to Sleep, episode 9: Sleep The latest episode is here, and this time we put a lot less emphasis on the word "place" and a lot more on "sleep." Arriving to find a two-story home burning, firefighters learned from the owners that someone was still inside, the release states. Fire officials called in a second alarm, requesting additional resources from around the county. Firefighters and medics forced their way through a locked door in search of the endangered person, who was found and taken to the Lebanon Community Hospital, according to the release. The person, whose name has not yet been released, succumbed to injuries sometime after arriving at the hospital, according to a fire official. Hot embers from the fire were reportedly being blown across the street and started another structure on fire, which was quickly put out by personnel who then returned to battle the initial blaze, the release states. Firefighters were on scene for several hours. According to the release, the owners of the adult foster care home were awakened by working smoke detectors and able to evacuate most of the residents before firefighters arrived. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The Lebanon Fire District was supported by fire crews from Albany, Sweet Home, Tangent, Harrisburg and Corvallis. Editors note: Welcome to Inside Out, our weekly roundup of stories about Staten Islanders making waves, being seen, supporting our community and just making our borough a special place to live. Have a story for Inside Out? Email Carol Ann Benanti at benanti@siadvance.com. Julianna Collazo(Courtesy/SIUH/Jillian O'Hara) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. These days, 13-year-old Julianna Collazo is able to talk about her battle with a rare bone disease. And the most amazing part of her story is that Julianna continues to dance competitively -- even while undergoing chemotherapy treatments. JULIANNAS AMAZING STORY During a battle with COVID-19, Juliannas world took an unexpected twist and her life turned upside down. Fighting the residual effects that went hand-in-hand with COVID-19, Julianna persevered through a dance competition, though her performance was effected by unusual fatigue and breathlessness. Concerned and a little confused, Juliannas family prompted her to see a doctor when her condition didnt improve. During the spring of last year, anemia was suspected. But further tests unmasked a startling revelation: She had fluid-filled lungs or whats termed pleural effusion, indicating pneumonia. Julianna was rushed to the emergency room and her journey took a dramatic turn when scans indicated that a tumor pressing inwards on her lung was confirmed to be Ewing Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer in children and young adults. Had it not been for her bout with COVID-19, the tumor might have gone unnoticed. Under the care of Dr. Joanna Pierro, a pediatric oncologist at Staten Island University Hospital, Julianna began a rigorous treatment regimen, and endured rounds of chemotherapy followed by surgery to remove the tumor at Cohen Childrens Medical Center, Northwell Health. Dr. Joanna PierroStaten Island Advance She had chest pain for a couple of months, Dr. Pierro said. Our radiologist, however, noticed her chest X-ray did not visualize the seventh rib and recommended a CT scan, which ultimately revealed that the source of the fluid was not an infection, but rather a large tumor in one of her ribs known as Ewing Sarcoma. And while this is one of the more common bone tumors we see in children, its still quite rare occurring in only about 200 children in the United States each year. Fortunately, she added, the tumor was isolated to the right seventh rib and had not spread to the lungs (which is a common site for this tumor to spread). Dr. Pierro noted Julianna began a demanding chemotherapy regimen, receiving treatment every two weeks for the better part of a year. Its known as interval compressed therapy, in which chemotherapy is administered frequently to allow little time between cycles for the tumor to grow. Julianna Collazo is examined by Dr. Joanna Pierro, a pediatric oncologist at Staten Island University Hospital. (Courtesy/SIUH/Jillian O'Hara)Staten Island Advance The chemo was not easy and with every cycle she was required to be in the hospital for two to five days, something she did not enjoy. And between hospitalizations, she had multiple clinic visits for count checks and transfusions. In addition to her chemo, she also had a resection of the tumor this past fall at Cohens, where the affected rib and its neighbor were both removed. She continued to receive chemo post-op to ensure any microscopic disease left behind would be addressed and completed her chemo just a few months ago. Im happy to say she is currently cancer free and in remission, Dr. Pierro pointed out. Julianna will continue to have surveillance scans every three months to ensure the tumor does not recur and Dr. Pierro is optimistic that she will have a good outcome based on how well she responded to treatment. Julianna Collazo, center, during one of her dance competitions. (Courtesy/Jillian O'Hara/SIUH)Staten Island Advance JULIANNAS RECOVERY Recovery was no easy task for Julianna, but the teen refused to let cancer dictate the way she lived her life, seizing every opportunity to embrace joy and normalcy, from dance competitions to sleepovers with friends. She continued to attend her regular dance classes and continued her school work remotely to keep her on track to graduate from eighth grade with her classmates. I am so proud of her and how she handled her diagnosis and treatment with a strength and resilience that is beyond her years, Dr. Pierro said. And I could not be happier that her story is being featured for this years walk! She is an inspiration to me and I hope this glimpse into what she faced and conquered will inspire others who are fighting this awful disease to know that they are not alone, and that our strongest fighters often come in the smallest packages. Dr. Pierro is referring to the Northwell Health Walk at Staten Island University Hospital on Sunday, May 19 at 10 a.m., where Julianna will be a representative and a spokesperson. Supported by her family and exceptional medical care, Julianna faced each hurdle with courage. JULIANNAS INNATE LOVE OF DANCE Gradually recovering from surgery, Julianna can now realize her passion for dance with more energy and strength today than ever. Julianna Collazo in her dance attire. (Courtesy/SIUH/Jillian O'Hara)Staten Island Advance She has won numerous awards for her performances through Dream Studio for the Performing Arts in Tottenville. Julianna Collazo (Courtesy/SIUH/Jillian O'Hara)Staten Island Advance The feeling of being done with treatment is a relief and very freeing, but also with that now being this years walk representative is a very cool feeling. And that sharing my experience definitely is something positive that came out of everything, Julianna said. CELEBRATIONS - MAY 19 TO MAY 25 Heading the birthday list Sunday is Gianna Lynn Montanti whos now a Sweet Sixteen, Jennifer Parise, John Pellegrito, twins Paul and John DeSaro, Rosemarie Giovinazzo, Kevin Michael Malone Jr. and Robert Siminson. Sunday is wedding anniversary time for Audrienne and Bert Barry, Donna and Brad Bozzo and Laura and Mike Acito. MAY 20 The best of birthdays Monday to Dr. Vincent Frazzetto, a Meiers Corners endodontist, to Carmen Rivera, Patrick M. Oldmixon, Loriann Yoffredo, Helen DeLucia and Erin Byrne McGowan. MAY 21 Birthday greetings Tuesday to Darren Fernandez, Judy Colon, Bob Pizzi, Bonnie Nielsen, Patrick Adamo, who turns 32, Robert Horn, Toni Van Name, Giovanni Marrero, Linda Skolnick and Cassie Fisher. Alice and Paul Cobb celebrate their wedding anniversary Tuesday and Its also wedding anniversary time for Nancy and Danny Tegano and for Carol and John Iacobelli. MAY 22 Birthday greetings Wednesday to Pattyann Gambino, Al Curtis Jr.. Michael Alexander Galizia, Kennedy Rose Welle, Dennis Casale and and Maureen A. Smith. Wednesday is wedding anniversary time for Carol and Kevin Brady, Sabrina Rosen and Michael Rosen who celebrate their 13th. MAY 23 Happy birthday Thursday to Dr. Mark G. Zawada, Michael Mojica, Kelly Ann Sohmer, Venessa Popinaro, Vivian Arrigo and Madison Sciarrino who turns 16. MAY 24 The happiest of birthdays Friday to David Lehr, Sean OSullivan, Janis Balletto, former Miss Staten Island Amy Reher Hariegel, Joan McConville, Mike Burke, Debbie LaBetti, Liam Michael Popovic, Lori Lombardi, Corey Favoloro who turns 31. Friday is wedding anniversary time for Carmela and Joe Falco, Stacy and John Belmonte Tom and for Sandy Olsen. MAY 25 Saturday is birthday time for Victoria Ann Lamberti, Miles Parker Lorentzen, who turns 20, Richard OConnor, Carol Horenburg, Dawn Dzlubela and Paulie Brucato, who turns 26. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Beloved family physician Dr. Louis Gilbert Gianvito, who served generations of Staten Islanders, passed away earlier this year at 96. The doctors family will honor his life and accomplishments in an afternoon tribute next month. Dr. Gianvitos children announced the ceremony for Tuesday, June 11 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Old Bermuda Inn, 301 Veterans Rd. West, Rossville. Stories of the physician are most welcome. The family asks for an RSVP by Friday, May 30 jgmathews@mindspring.com . For those unable to attend, that email address also can be used to share a fond memory. Dr. Gianvitos children live in various corners of the country. At the tribute, they will show a video compilation including some of their dads wild pranks, shared the doctors son, John. John added, He was quite a practical joker and so we have some documentation of that. His daughter, Jane Gianvito Mathews, said in his obituary, He loved being a doctor and loved giving back to his community. Ironically, he gave so much of his heart to the people and things he loved and cared about that, sadly, he just wore out that organ. . Editors note: Suicidal thoughts and behaviors can be reduced with the proper mental health support and treatment. If you are in crisis, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. *** STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The appellate court reinstated a 2018 ruling against a well-known Staten Island physician in the case of a patient who killed himself while under the doctors care. A Staten Island jury had previously awarded a medical-malpractice verdict of nearly $10 million to the family of a Princes Bay man, Richard Shouldis, an X-ray technician. Shouldis family alleged in the lawsuit he took his own life 12 years ago after Dr. Theodore Strange failed to properly diagnose and treat his extreme depression and anxiety. In 2019, however, state Supreme Court Justice Alan C. Marin ruled the causal link between Stranges treatment of Shouldis, was too attenuated to establish culpability on the doctors part in the patients death and overturned the ruling in the doctors favor. The familys attorney, Vito A. Cannavo, said that verdict appeal had been pending for a long time between the courts and the pandemic. Its been a long time in coming; we thought the judges decision was wrong to set aside to begin with. Mrs. Shouldis is pleased with the result and happy that she was vindicated by a smart Staten Island jury and a very talented panel of the appellate division. At this stage, we intend to enforce the judgement and execute on it for the full amount that was awarded plus the interest. Cannavo contends that the $10 million verdict has accrued enough interest since the original verdict that the award should now be doubled. Shouldis, 48, had complained to Strange of worsening symptoms of panic attacks, depression, fatigue, excessive worry, concentration problems and weight loss in the days before he took his life on June 7, 2012, Cannavo said. Through his private practice, Strange had been treating Shouldis as his primary-care physician for many years, according to court papers. But Strange, who had prescribed anti-anxiety, anti-depression and sleep medicine, failed to properly recognize and evaluate the decedents progressively depressive and self-destructive state and did not adequately assess decedent for suicidal thoughts and ideation, contended the familys court filings. The family alleged that Shouldis was so agitated and disturbed during an office visit, and his condition had deteriorated so rapidly within a week, that Strange should have immediately sent him to a psychiatrist or to the hospital. We are disappointed and surprised by the appellate reversal of the well-reasoned order which set the verdict aside, Raymond W. Belair, Stranges lawyer, said of the overturned ruling. However, this case is far from over. The reversal was on the basis of the causation argument we advanced. That decision cannot be immediately further appealed because the case was returned to Richmond County for a decision on the other three grounds of our motion, which were not previously resolved: That the plaintiff failed to prove as to liability; that the verdict was against the weight of the credible evidence and that the verdict was excessive. We remain both optimistic and hopeful about further review in Richmond County and, if necessary, by other appellate reviews, Belair said. The case heads back to court for the judgment stage later this month. *** Editors note: The Advance/SILive.com typically limits reporting on suicides to those that occur in crowded public places, involve public figures or, in special circumstances, where there is a larger public impact. If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The NYPD is asking for the publics help to locate a 14-year-old girl reported missing from Mariners Harbor. Diva Johnson was last seen on Friday, May 17, at about 3:56 p.m. at her home near Nicholas Avenue, according to a statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. Police described Johnson as standing about 5 feet, 3 inch tall and weighing about 100 pounds, with a dark complexion and red colored dread locks. The NYPD supplied a photo of Johnson to the media. Anyone with information in regard to the whereabouts of this individual is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ or on Twitter @NYPDTips. All calls are strictly confidential. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A study looking at widening the Outerbridge Crossing is halfway done, and results will be made public in 2025, according to the Port Authority. Legislation introduced by State Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-South Shore) and Assemblyman Michael Reilly (R-South Shore), and signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2021, required the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) to examine the possibility of widening the Outerbridge, which is Staten Islands narrowest bridge. Then, in early 2022, the Port Authority agreed to begin the study rather than wait for New Jersey to pass a similar law. Costing $8.3 million, the PANYNJ study aims to look at the alignment of, and property surrounding, the Outerbridge to determine if widening the span is feasible as a way to to ease traffic. In response to an Advance/SILive.com inquiry, the PANYNJ said that work on the study is still underway, but results are not far off. The Outerbridge Crossing widening study is halfway completed, a spokesperson stated. The report will include options and recommendations that will be delivered to governors and legislators of New York and New Jersey. A summary of that report will be released in 2025. In the meantime, a bridge rehabilitation project that was originally scheduled for completion in December finished this month, a full nine months ahead of schedule, according to the agency. Additionally, PANYNJ stated it will be awarding a contract next year for additional structural work designed to extend the service life of the bridge by 15 to 20 years. The Outerbridge Crossing was the Port Authoritys fourth-busiest bridge in 2021, when 14.1 million vehicles used it. Though it fell to the sixth-busiest crossing in 2022, the span still handled 14.6 million vehicles between Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and Staten Island, according to Port Authority figures. While the study focuses on widening the 99-year-old bridge, replacement has long been a popular option. In 2018, PANYNJ approved over $9 million as part of a first step for replacement. In 2022, after the agency announced it would examine more options for replacement, a group of Staten Island politicians penned a letter, asking about the possibility of an underground tunnel to connect the Island with Perth Amboy. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton announced last week that Miriam Bodden, a Staten Island healthcare professional, has been named the 2024 Woman of Distinction for Senate District 23. Bodden was selected for her exceptional work and unwavering commitment to the community,' the senators announcement said. Nico Murillo, a Tesla employee in California, so dreaded his 90-minute commute to work that he actually took to sleeping in his car at the factory in order to save time, according to the New York Post. Ninety minutes to get to work? Piece of cake. He should try living on Staten Island, where grinding traffic makes it impossible to get anywhere in a reasonable amount of time. Folks on the South Shore who have to travel to work in Manhattan often face one-way commutes of two hours or more, whether they drive or take the express bus. Thats four quality-of-life hours out of every workday. Time away from family and friends. Time that these commuters will never get back. You get little relief if you take the scant other forms of mass transit available to Staten Islanders. Commuters who take the Staten Island Railway to the ferry and then have to jump on a subway often face journeys to work longer than 90 minutes, especially those who live in the deep South Shore. But never mind commuting. Just getting around the Island by car can be agonizing. During one recent trip on the Staten Island Expressway, headed toward New Jersey, it took me 20 minutes to go four miles to the West Shore Expressway split. It was just a matter of volume: too many cars and trucks, not enough Staten Island Expressway. The other day, it took me around 40 minutes to get from Dongan Hills to Great Kills along Hylan Boulevard In the interest of full disclosure, I started out at around 5:15 p.m. on a weekday. I know full well that Hylan is a crawl at that time. But Richmond Road isnt much better. You truly do have to pick your poison. Even smaller local roads are getting jammed up. I take Howard Avenue regularly and the road lately has gotten slower and more snarled with congestion. A week ago or so, I crawled along Howard one afternoon on my way to the expressway. It was a literal conga line of cars. And no wonder. We all had to navigate that ridiculous series of speed bumps on Howard. Then we had to stop at that new traffic light near the old St. Johns University campus. Then another stop at the light at Hillside Avenue. Then the twin lights near Wagner College. Then the one further down Howard. Then the light at Clove Road. Im convinced these lights are timed so that youre forced to stop at most if not all of them. And dont get me started about the monster potholes that litter Howard Avenue and cost motorists yet more time. You know that this isnt normal if you travel to other parts of the country. I was in Chattanooga, Tenn., recently to visit family. Any destination we wanted to drive to, via highway or local roads, took 15 minutes. You could plan your day. On Staten Island? You have to build in extra time for traffic whenever you plan to go anywhere. You have to avoid going at certain hours of the day in order to save time. Your life gets ruled by traffic. By the way, Murillos dedication to his job ultimately went unrewarded. He was laid off by Tesla. Hanson Rips Run, Pallant-Browne Wins Back to Back Weekends at 70.3 Chattanooga David Pinsonneault May 19, 2024 While the front of the mens race was dominated through most of the day by the likes of Nicholas Quenet, Jackson Laundry, Antony Costes, and Trevor Foley, it was Matt Hanson who crossed the finish line first in a time of 3:41:21. Hanson made up a 4:30 bike deficit by running 1:09:48 on a day where temperatures reached the mid-70s. Quenet was in the lead until Hanson blew by him with less than 8:00 of running left. Quenet would, unfortunately, implode at the 12 mile mark and not be able to finish the race. It was a valiant effort from the South African athlete who just came up short. Hanson summarized his day by saying that, It got started off with a really good swimhappy to come out of the water where I wanted to. Rode well for the first hour and then the group of 5 or 6 guys got away and so at that point it was salvage as much time as I could, be as efficient as I could, and do some damage on the run. He knew he had a chance to win after cutting into half of the lead after the first lap of the run. He needed to run even and was able to do that. When asked for a one word description of his performance, Hanson replied, Happy. With just 8 days in between her last 70.3 win in Mallorca, Emma Pallant-Browne finds herself atop another podium. Similar to her race last week in Mallorca, she came out of the water with a small deficit but worked her way towards the front on the bike. In todays race, however, she came into T1 in the lead group and did not have anyone to chase down on the run. She built a small lead early in the run and maintained it to the finish line. Jackie Hering finished just 38 seconds behind her in 2nd place. Asked if she thought she could pull of two wins in two weekends, Pallant-Browne said, Looking at the fields, all the fields are so deep and tough at the moment, obviously its always the goal but I knew it would be really toughhappy I could dig deep and finish it off. She called todays race really tactical, which is unusual in womens racing. She felt the fatigue of her last race in the latter stages of todays race and could feel herself slowing down. She left enough in reserve to pull off the double victory. Mens Race: 70.3 Chattanooga begins with a 1.4 mile swim instead of the traditional 1.2 mile distance since it is down-river. South Africas Nicholas Quenet took out the race hard and was able to gap the entire field. He came out of the water first in 22:43, with his chasers more than 1:00 behind him. Justin Riele, Antony Costes, Cody Beals, Miguel Mattox, Jackson Laundy, and Matt Hanson, were all in the chase back. Colin Szuch was a little further back. Trevor Foley, making his return to racing after a hit and run incident derailed his early spring plans, came out of the water a little more than 3:00 off of the pace. The 70.3 Chattanooga bike course is pretty fast for IRONMAN standards, with just over 2,000 feet of elevation gain. The first and last 10 miles are flat and then there are some rolling hills in the middle of the bike as you cross state lines and ride through the Georgia countryside. Quenet rode solo for a good portion of the ride. He was eventually reeled in by Foley, Costes, Riele, and Laundry. That group of five would come into T2 together. Foley split 1:58:00. Costes was the quickest in transition and got onto the run course first, followed by Riele, Quenet, Laundry, and Foley. Riele was the first casualty of the run. Quenet took over the lead, with Laundry, Costes, and Foley in tow. That order would hold through the halfway point but Hanson was starting to make some real progress to the front of the race. After coming off of the bike 4:30 behind the leaders, he was quickly gaining ground and it looked like a late race pass could be possible. With less than 8:00 of running left in the race, Hanson charged by Quenet and took the lead. He would extend his lead from there and go on to take the win. Quenet got everything he could out of himself today and had to drop out of the race with one mile to go. Laundry ended up in 2nd. Foley moved up for 3rd. It was heartbreaking to see Quenet zip up his triathlon suit, making sure that his sponsors were visible and knowing that not zipping it up could result in a disqualification, before he thought he was going to make his late push to the finish line. Hanson passed him a few moments later. With the win, Hanson now takes over the lead in the IRONMAN Pro Series. Womens Race: Jodie Stimpson (24:56), Grace Alexander, and Sarah True led out the womens race. They were able to gap their strongest challengers by more than 2:00. Jackie Hering, Lisa Becharus, Alice Alberts, Emma Pallant-Browne, were all together in the chase pack. Danielle Lewis was another 2:00 behind the chase pack. The leading trio stayed together through the early miles of the bike. Pallant-Browne, Hering, and Becharus emerged from the chase pack and began to bridge up to the front of the race. Becharus recently won the St. Anthonys Triathlon at the end of April and split a ridiculous 56:15 for the 40k bike. Pallant-Browne won 70.3 Mallorca last weekend in convincing fashion, after running down German star Laura Philipp. Hering, Becharus, Alexander, Pallant-Browne, Stimpson, and True would all come into T2 together. The group was content to find out who had the strongest run legs. Lewis split a 2:15:58 on the bike to come into T2 just 44 seconds back. Alberts was another 2:00 behind her. It was Pallant-Browne who controlled the run early on. Lewis moved into 3rd at the 5k mark. By halfway, Pallant-Browne would lead Hering by close to 1:00. True moved into 3rd past Lewis, who might have burned some early matches. Hering began to chip away at Pallant-Brownes lead during the second lap of the run. She was never able to get within 30 seconds, as Pallant-Browne used her 1:18:43 run split to take her second 70.3 victory in two weeks. Hering finished in a strong 2nd place. True was 3rd. It was impressive to watch Pallant-Brownes reserve in the closing miles. Hopefully she has some easier training days coming up. Quick Take #1: Matt Hanson is back. Hanson now leads the IRONMAN Pro Series over Patrick Lange. He had said before this race that his goal was to knock his Oceanside result off of his scoring races. That should happen now, as he just bagged full points from this race. After some difficult races in 2023, it looks like his form is more in line with where it was in 2022. After taking 7th at IRONMAN Texas, and winning this race, he has cemented himself as a Pro Series contender. Quick Take #2: How good is Emma Pallant-Browne? 2 70.3 wins in 8 days. 1:17:00 and 1:18:43 run splits at two races that got pretty warm by the end of them. Lets see how she can carry this momentum into the rest of her season. Quick Take #3: Its great to see Trevor Foley racing again. He was struck by a driver this spring and had to cancel his early season racing plans. As someone who likes to race what feels like almost every other weekend, it could not have been easy for him to watch the early season races come and go. This is a race he absolutely could have won with full fitness. He has not been able to run normal volume and will certainly improve as he gets his legs back under him. Quick Take #4: Beer Mile World Record Holder (4:28, 3:57 open mile) Corey Bellemore competed in the Age Group race and finished 6th overall. 26:52 swim/2:22:08 bike/1:16:07 run. That should be strong enough to earn him a Canadian pro license if he wants one. Photos: Patrick McDermott/IRONMAN Tags: Jeff Koons Puppy was an overnight sensation when it was installed on the doorstep of the Museum of Contemporary Art for the Sydney Festival almost 30 years ago. Thousands mobbed the 12-metre-high floral sculpture, shaped as a friendly terrier and bearing 50,000 blooming plants. New installation takes its inspiration from Jeff Koons Puppy, Anish Kapoors Sky Mirror and Fourth Plinth. The director of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Suzanne Cotter, is hoping the crowds will return in even bigger numbers - for at least a mandatory selfie - when the gallerys green lawn becomes an outdoor stage for a sculptural successor. Three monumental sculptures are to be commissioned for each of the next three years on the prime harbourside spot opposite that other cultural icon, the Sydney Opera House, the museum will announce on Monday. Advertisement FoodMasterChef Recap Oh my cloche! Its tears all round as a lovable fan favourite is sent packing Chef and restaurateur Luke Nguyen lifts the cloche on some of his favourite ingredients with mixed results. And Andys pink suit sends social media into a spin. Ben Pobjie May 19, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share This recap appears in the MasterChef 2024 recap collection. See all stories . Its time once again to reduce the grocery bill in the MasterChef house, as everyone not called Josh, Alex or Snezana faces elimination. The executioner is introduced: Luke Nguyen, who according to Andy is known for taking Vietnamese cuisine to the next level, in price if nothing else. Gillian is excited, as her passion for food was originally fired by her dad and Luke Nguyen, who raised her together. Luke Nguyen (centre) is in the MasterChef house (along with Jean-Christophe, Poh, Andy and Sofia). Ten Luke introduces a selection of his favourite ingredients, which he claims are both aromatic and fragrant. They are also redolent, perfumed, and smell nice. Each amateur is assigned a different ingredient. For each contestant, there is a visible ingredient and one hidden under a cloche. In round one they can cook with the one they can see, or gamble on the one they havent seen yet. But theyll have to cook with the other one in round two if they fail. A gambling spirit is immediately apparent as Harry and Sumeet lead off by choosing the hidden ingredient. Harry gets lotus root. Sumeet gets star anise. One by one the amateurs make their choices, and no matter what they choose everyone cheers like theyre at Eurovision. Many gamble on the cloche, but Darrsh sticks with durian despite the fact that durian is actually a weapon, not a food. This durian is just like me: all spiky on the outside, and a lot to love on the inside, says Darrsh. Nobody has any idea what hes talking about. I dont mind the smell, he adds, though whether he means the durian or himself here is unknown. Advertisement The amateurs have 75 minutes to avoid being in the bottom five, who will go into round two. The kitchen is a fever of activity as the cooks all try to think of something good to make with their uniformly horrible ingredients. Harry explains hes making chips out of his lotus roots. So the lotus root is a side dish, says Luke, in the same tone one might say, So you are planning to drown ALL the puppies. Meanwhile, Steve declares that he is OK with peanuts, which comes as a relief to everyone, because the Steve-peanut tension was driving us all mad. However, Steves filling looks dry, so he puts wet ingredients in, remembering from his high school science class that dry things can be made less dry by adding wet things to them. This is known as molecular gastronomy. Lots of contestants face possible elimination. Ten Gill is the luckiest of all, as her ingredient is rice wine, so she can get drunk while she cooks. Your prawns look amazing, says Luke to Gill, euphemistically. Meanwhile Juan has applied lime juice to his eyes in what could be a tactical blunder. Im melting! he wails, after a young girl throws a bucket of water on him. Advertisement When round one ends, the gap between best and worst is vast. Gills prawns amaze, and the judges are all agreed that Darrshs durian trifle could change the face of modern chemical warfare. On the other hand, when Juan serves his Vietnamese tacos, Sofia admits that there are parts of the dish that she likes, but theyre not the edible parts. Likewise, Lachies beef is dry, Nats curry is bland, Harrys crab and lotus root is completely baffling, and Steves dumplings have suffered a complete system malfunction. Thus do we have our five failures to stumble ineptly into round two. Harry is disappointed, but as he says, When life gives you lemongrass youve got to stay in the comp. Harry fans everywhere begin printing up t-shirts with this pithy catchphrase on them. The kitchen is a fever of activity as the cooks all try to think of something good to make with their uniformly horrible ingredients. The elimination cook begins. Unfortunately, the cook who brings us the least impressive dish will be going home, says Poh, though its not that unfortunate. Itd be more unfortunate if the cook with the least impressive dish never got to go home, but was forced to live out their life alone far beneath the earths surface. As was the case in previous seasons. Steve tastes his bitter melon and finds it very bitter. The melon says the same about Steve. Ive got a very slim chance Im going to pull this off, says Steve, gesturing to the band-aid on his thumb. Come on Stevo! yells Alex unhelpfully from the balcony. Poh comes up and confuses everyone by calling it bitter gourd. Cant we at least get a nomenclature consensus here? Melon or gourd: pick a lane, MasterChef. Im going with my gut on this one, says Steve, though the chances of his gut tasting good seem low. Advertisement Juan tells Poh and Luke that he is making chicken empanadas. The judges suspect he might just have chosen a dish based on how good it sounds in his accent. Make sure it works, says Luke, causing Juan to abandon his plans of making it not work. Poh informs the other judges that its very exciting because Lachie, Steve and Juan have never tasted their assigned ingredients, meaning that all the judges will be making a Maccas run on the way home tonight. On the other hand, Nat knows betel leaf like the back of her hand, but has never cooked the back of her hand before, so shes flying blind. Disaster strikes as Juan discovers that his filling is too sweet, which wed all suspected for weeks he just smiles a bit too much, doesnt he? He adds more soy beans to ensure the empanadas dont taste too good and make people jealous. Meanwhile, Steve has no idea how long bitter melon takes to cook, or indeed why anyone would want to cook it. Steve is suffering an all-encompassing existential crisis and has stared so long into the bitter melon that the bitter melon is staring also into him. Life was simpler with the crocodiles. Time grinds terrifyingly on, and before you can say, complete nervous breakdown, the elimination cook is over. The five failures must now face judgment of both their dishes and their moral characters. Advertisement Nat serves her betel leaf bombs. Thats as high voltage as a mouthful gets, says Sofia, which may be the most erotic sentence ever spoken on this show. Lachlan serves his fish and beans and is basically fine. Harry serves his seafood chowder and is also fine, the judges agreeing that since Harry and Lachlan are basically the same person, they should get the same score. Steve serves his prawn-stuffed bitter melon curry with a powerful sense of gloom. The guy knows how to cook, says Sofia, the traditional MasterChef way of indicating that youre about to savagely condemn someones cooking. Steves flavours are great but his bitter melon is raw, and apparently bitter melon isnt supposed to be raw, though how anyone could possible be expected to know this is a mystery. Finally, Juans empanadas. They are too sweet. Where is the fire? asks Andy, hating the dish so much that he yearns for cleansing arson. This is a very one-dimensional dish, says Luke, showing a woeful ignorance of geometry. Give it up for Juan everybody. Ten Advertisement Juan and Steve are clearly the bottom two. But in the end, the judges have decided that raw melon is slightly better than sweet empanadas. As is so often the case, bitterness has won the battle over sweetness, and Juan must depart, leaving the kitchen a less Latin place. He goes home to work on his idea for a ceviche-based board game. Tune in Wednesday night, when the contestants compete for the title of Mouth Feel Queen. A piping hot portion of salmonella sends another MasterChef contestant packing Collection MasterChef 2024: The Ben Pobjie episode recaps Anthony Albanese has defended the support given to Australians stranded in New Caledonia, as a military aircraft remains poised for an evacuation flight. The situation worsened over the weekend in the French Pacific territory, where at least six people have died and hundreds were injured since violence erupted last week. Australias response over a period of time ... is, I think, among, certainly equal to, anywhere in the world, the prime minister said, when asked about reports the consulate in Noumea had closed and Australians on the ground were organising help among themselves. The airport is closed... so the planes cant get in. But Air Force have been on stand-by for the last 48 hours, and they remain ready to provide that assistance to evacuate Australians who wish to leave. We continue to pursue approvals because the Australian Defence Force is ready to fly when its permitted to do so. Fearful Australians stuck on the island have likened the deteriorating situation to a war zone and there are concerns food supplies could run out. French reinforcements have arrived and are trying to stem further unrest, with buildings razed, shops looted and barricaded roads blocking movement. New rules changing who is allowed to participate in the nations elections have been slammed by the Indigenous Kanak people, who fear their vote will be diluted by thousands of French nationals who have moved to the island. AAP George Zivkovic of Northmead observes that England has a number of demonyms (a noun or adjective used to describe natives or inhabitants of a particular area), like Cockney, Scouser, Geordie, Mackem, Brummie and Janner. What about Australia? Sandgroper, Crow Eater, Banana Bender. Any others? Granny wondered if there was anything more interesting than Canberran and observed Round Abouter and the curious Ken Behren, but the best example lies further south and comes from David Astle: Thredbogan. Hello Roger Epps (C8), writes former neighbour Helen Gee of Heathmont (Vic). May I suggest your mathematic prowess at the checkout might be due to good teaching in primary school. I was with my 93-year-old mother-in-law when she was visited by a social worker who wanted to check her acuity. She was asked her age, then asked to subtract seven, another seven, and so on, which she did without hesitation. When the worker had gone, the former primary school teacher said to me: I did mental arithmetic with the kids every morning. Garry Thomas of Oatlands had his own Roger Epps moment at Kmart during a power outage: A young lady serving at the next register said, somewhat loudly, Whats 20 per cent of $13.00? Silence reigned, so I eventually said, Ill bite, $2.60. She replied, Thank you. Can you take that off $13.00? Oh, dear. The young fellow at my register asked, How do you know that? - I replied, When I went to school, they actually taught you something! The generation game (C8) continues with John Perry of Newtown, who thinks well be right for a while: I reckon Greg Kings solution sorts out the generation letter labels for the next 650 generations. If a generation is nominally 15 years, that should have us covered for the next 9750 years. And while Anne Cook of Ermington agrees about the generation following Gen Z being AA, she wonders if their offspring would be Triple A? Carolyn Darell of Bayview adds that While AA sounds like a possibility for the next generation, I think A sounds cooler. A police officer stabbed in the head near Hyde Park in Sydneys CBD chased down his alleged attacker after being set upon with a 30-centimetre kitchen knife. The constable sustained two stab wounds to the back of the head in the attack shortly after 1pm on Sunday, but managed to apprehend the suspect on Elizabeth Street with the help of colleagues who rushed to the scene. A police officer suffered stab wounds to the head in the attack next to Hyde Park in Sydneys CBD. Credit: TNV Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman said a group of officers then held the suspect at gunpoint. He still had the knife in his grip and demanded the police shoot him, he said. Premier Jacinta Allan partied with Visy billionaire Anthony Pratt, met with the family of transport tycoon Lindsay Fox and had lunch with News Corps top executives and editors in the early months of this year, the governments first full release of ministerial diaries has revealed. The diaries, published late last week, also show Allan met representatives from five trade unions from across Labors factional spectrum, and catch-ups with unionists comprised almost a fifth of all the meetings disclosed. Visy chairman and owner Anthony Pratt at his Raheen mansion in 2020. The government introduced a new ministerial code of conduct in December, which includes the quarterly publication of ministerial meetings with lobbyists and stakeholders, following calls from the state corruption watchdog and integrity experts. Last weeks publication of diaries, covering January to March, was the first release to take in a full quarterly period. Voters prefer Anthony Albanese as prime minister when asked to name their favoured leader, giving him 40 per cent of the vote compared with 32 per cent for Dutton. The result was 41 to 32 per cent last month. The government promised to cut net overseas migration by capping overseas student numbers and cracking down on suspect education providers, admitting concern about the surge in the intake to 528,000 last year. While the budget forecast a fall in net overseas migration to 395,000 this financial year and 260,000 next year, Dutton promised bigger cuts in his budget reply speech on Thursday night and radio interviews on Friday. The new findings show 66 per cent of voters believe last years migration intake was too high, while 23 per cent thought it was about right and 9 per cent were undecided. Only 2 per cent thought it was too low. The question told respondents the net overseas migration outcome had risen to 528,000 a year, the actual number in Tuesdays budget papers. The survey also found 50 per cent believed the plan to cut migration next year did not go hard enough. Another 35 per cent thought next years intake was about right and 11 per cent were undecided. Only 4 per cent thought the forecast was too low. The question told respondents net overseas migration was forecast to fall to 260,000 next year, as stated in Tuesdays budget. A similar question last December found 55 per cent of voters thought the forecast for migration was too high, suggesting the objections have eased since Labor announced further action in the days before the budget. In a danger sign for Labor, 60 per cent said the government was handling migration in an unplanned and unmanaged way and 20 per cent said it was being run in a carefully planned and managed way, with the rest undecided. The same question in December found 57 per cent thought the government was handling the issue in an unplanned and unmanaged way. Immigration is becoming a growing issue, said Reed. This isnt a product of who is coming here or why, but the sheer quantum. The Resolve Political Monitor surveyed 1602 eligible voters from Wednesday to Saturday, producing results with a margin of error of 2.4 per cent. The questions reflected the government policies in the budget last Tuesday and could not be modified to ask about Duttons proposals on Thursday or Friday. Dutton blamed the government for the migration surge and said on Friday he would make deeper cuts to net overseas migration to get an intake of 160,000, which would be an additional cut of 100,000 places. Loading Abul Rizvi, a former deputy secretary in the Department of Immigration, said the Coalition target would require the decimation of the international student intake and a massive weakening of the labour market from a shortage of workers. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the deeper Coalition cut to migration would weaken the budget and the economy when the country needed nurses, builders and other skilled workers within a lower intake. He hasnt factored in the damage that he will do to the economy with these numbers hes plucked out of the air, the treasurer said on the ABCs Insiders program on Sunday morning. Dutton said the numbers had to be cut to make more housing available. International students are great, thats fine, but we cant have rental accommodation and housing taken up by non-citizens when our own citizens cant find a roof to put over their head, he said on radio station 2GB on Friday. Economists and housing industry experts disputed the Coalitions claim that its migration would make 100,000 homes available to Australians over five years. Voters cut Labors primary vote from 32 to 30 per cent in the Resolve Political Monitor last month, then trimmed another percentage point in this months survey to take the result to 29 per cent. The partys core support is now below the level it gained at the election, which was 32.6 per cent. Bali is a stunning island but maybe its time we gave it at least a little break. There are islands all over South-East Asia offering the same sorts of wonders from perfect unpolluted, deserted beaches to vast numbers of wellness sanctuaries but without any of the overcrowding. And theyre ready for your love as they continue to recover after years of isolation caused by the pandemic. We look at those you might consider instead of Bali for your next Asian holiday. Whats more, theres a rise in unruly behaviour from the tourists who are coming. The Bali Tourist Board was forced to promote an advertising campaign encouraging visitors to behave more responsibly, and considered banning the renting of scooters after so many (drunken) accidents, and access to numerous sacred sites after arrests for desecration. Roads built primarily for bikes are congested, rubbish is everywhere (waste management is a massive issue) and developers continue to encroach on rural Bali to build the new Bali. The provincial government introduced a tourism tax (about $15) in February to help find solutions, but dont hold your breath. Hidden Beach, El Nido, The Philippines. A four-kilometre stretch of bone-white sand surrounded by limestone cliffs only reachable via a hole in the rocks. Credit: iStock More than five million people visited Bali last year up from 2022s 2.2 million and most came from Australia. Almost 1.2 million Australians visited thats three times higher than the number of visitors from India, in the No.2 position. Coupled with the high numbers of Indonesians encouraged to visit during the pandemic who then stayed on, the underlying infrastructure cant keep up. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Make it happen Fly to Padang, Sumatra, via Kuala Lumpur, with Air Asia or Jakarta with Garuda , then take a three-hour fast ferry to the heart of the Mentawais at Playgrounds, or board a charter boat in Padang. See indiestrader.com , or stay at a surf camp, surfcampsumatra.com , the best surf is April to October, indonesia.travel/au Wait, theres more When you head back to Sumatra, fly north to visit one of Asias last great wildernesses, taking jungle hikes in the only place on earth where tigers, rhinos, orangutan and elephants live together the Leuser Ecosystem. You can also hike to the worlds largest crater lake, Lake Toba. Lake Toba is one of the awesome natural wonders of the world. Credit: iStock Why here Located off Sumatras west coast, the Mentawai Islands are one of the most wave-dense areas on earth. Balis waves are less consistent, and theyre always crowded at every surf break. But there are 70 islands here, with more than known surf breaks, and theyre only accessible by boat. Choose between surf camps or a charter boat though waves near camps do get more crowded. As a bonus, there are two island groups north Banyaks and Telos Islands offering hundreds of world-class waves with few surfing them. The Mentawai Islands are one of the most wave-dense areas on Earth. Credit: Alamy Make it happen More than 200 ferries leave Balis east coast at Serangan for the Gili Islands, the fastest takes an hour, see giligetaway.com. Book a luxurious villa or consider a quiet night at an adults-only sanctuary on Gili Meno. See www.indonesia.travel Wait, theres more Dont just pub crawl island crawl. There are two other tiny islands Gili Meno and Gili Air reachable within 10 minutes on boats which leave every 30 minutes. Less boisterous, both islands are known for their beaches, surfing and diving. There are beach bars, live music, DJs and parties every night of the week (and guided pub crawls three times a week). Bars look out on the ocean, and theres always at least one bar open until dawn. Why here Located an hour by ferry from Bali off Lomboks north-west coast, Gili Trawangan shrinks the best aspects of Balis beach bar scene into one tiny party island. Its only six square kilometres and there are no motorised vehicles so you can walk to bars on every beach. Make it happen Fly 75 minutes west of Bangkok to Ranong with Nok Air or Thai Air Asia , then take a speed boat to the island. See ranongferry.com. Wait, theres more While these beaches are made for sunbathing, theres a lot to do on Koh Phayam. Asias most secret waves break on Ao Yai beach, while the diving from November to April is world-class. Or take to jungle tracks to find hornbills this part of Thailand is renowned for. Why here Want to go somewhere that feels like Bali 30 years ago? Take a short flight from Bangkok and a boat to Koh Phayam, in Thailands north-western corner (bordering Myanmar). Most of its locals (there are barely 500) still live off cashew and rubber plantations or fishing, but there are rustic beach bars and restaurants on its long white sand bays and beach bungalows with enough mod-cons to please the fussiest traveller. There are no cars or paved roads rent a scooter and enjoy the dirt. Youll be one of a maximum of 100 travellers. Wait, theres more There are more than 12,000 historic buildings in George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can walk this city, past centuries-old Chinese shophouses, British colonial buildings, mosques, churches and temples, or escape to national parks nearby to take boats to beaches fringed with rainforests. Why here Its Penang not Bali which offers some of the worlds best street food. Located off Malaysias north-west coast, Penang offers a unique cuisine fusing Malaysian, Chinese, Indian and local Peranakan flavours and techniques. Famous for its hawker fare, eat like a royal for under $5 in hawker centres across Penangs capital, George Town. Local delicacies include char koay teow: spicy dry noodles with prawns, eggs, chives and crunchy bean sprouts. Or opt for fine dining restaurants, Penang is home to Malaysias most awarded, like fused Franco-Asian restaurant, BLANC. Accommodation options range from simple beach huts to low-key resorts. Marina Resort is relatively luxurious with a great restaurant. Wi-Fi is a recent addition to the island so opt to tune out instead. See tourismthailand.org marinaresortpkayam.com Make it happen Fly for an hour from Kuala Lumpur with Malaysian Airlines or Jetstar Asia, stay in the heart of George Town at the citys best-known heritage hotel, Eastern & Oriental Hotel. Monthly temperatures only vary one degree all year, but January to March is driest. See mypenang.gov.my FOR DIVING Raja Ampat, Indonesia Island idyll Raja Ampat. Credit: iStock Why here Located off the easternmost Indonesian island of Papua, Raja Ampat isnt just the best place to dive in Asia its the best place to dive on earth. Its remoteness protects it from the visitation numbers that have harmed Balis reef. In this archipelago of 1500 islands youll find 75 per cent of the worlds marine species including 540 types of corals, 1800 reef fish species and 17 species of marine mammals living in the worlds most diverse coral reef ecosystem. With no mass tourism and a sparse local population making for little pollution, water visibility is often more than 50 metres. Coral branches against the sky in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. Credit: iStock Wait, theres more The biodiversity isnt limited to the ocean, the forests of Raja Ampat teem with species not seen anywhere else. Take hikes through Raja Ampats rainforests, experiencing the remote village life of the local Maya Ambel people, staying in homestays along the way. Make it happen Fly from Bali or Jakarta with Garuda via Sorong, then take the two-hour Bahari Express boat to Waisai, or take a chartered flight from Darwin with Coral Expeditions, many luxury live-aboard expedition boards also operate. See aquaexpeditions.com or stay in a dive resort. See papua-diving.com/. The best diving is between October and May. See www.indonesia.travel FOR BEACHES Palawan, The Philippines Palawan is the Philippines most western island. Credit: iStock Why here The Philippines westernmost island, Palawan, is home to beaches unspoilt by the mass tourism (and rubbish) which has plagued Balis beaches for more than a decade. Boracay 350 kilometres east attracts most international attention, but Palawan flies under our radar. Loading It once took a day to travel to Palawans best beach location, El Nido. Now you can fly there in 80 minutes from Manila. Located on the edge of an archipelago protected in a marine reserve with 45 limestone islands, island-hop by boat to Asias best beaches including Hidden Beach, a four-kilometre stretch of bone-white sand surrounded by limestone cliffs only reachable via a hole in the rocks. Wait, theres more Fly to Palawans capital, Puerto Princesa and take a tour of a World-Heritage-listed subterranean river within one of Asias most biodiverse rainforest systems (Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park). Take a boat tour through a limestone karst cave system. Make it happen Qantas will fly Brisbane to Manila four times a week from October. See qantas.com Fly to Manila with Cebu Pacific, then fly 80 minutes to El Nido with Air Swift, there are beachfront resorts across El Nido, but consider your own private island, Matinloc Resort. Driest between November and May, tourismphilippines.com.au/where/palawan FOR WELLNESS Koh Samui, Thailand Koh Samui is set to be the next location for the hit TV series, White Lotus. Why here Bali became the wellness capital of the universe when the film adaptation of the global bestseller Eat, Pray, Love was released in 2010. Now its Koh Samuis turn. Thailands second-biggest island was known only as a stepping stone to full-moon party mecca, Koh Phangan, but its fast becoming the wellness capital of Asia. Come 2025 when the third season of the Netflix hit series, White Lotus (filmed on the island) is released, Koh Samui will be Asias hottest destination so get in fast. It has the highest concentration of five-star hotels outside Bangkok, most with wellness programs. Cutting-edge science mixes with eastern medicine, yoga and reiki in the most luxurious wellness sanctuaries in Asia. Take a 30-minute boat ride to neighbouring island, Koh Phangan. Credit: iStock Wait, theres more Done switching off your cortisol with detox juices? Take a 30-minute speedboat to Koh Phangan, Asias original party island. Famous for full moon parties and beach bars, re-tox slowly by retreating to peaceful beach communities reachable by long boat from party central, Haad Rin. Make it happen Fly to Koh Samui via Bangkok with Thai Airways, or via Singapore with Singapore Airlines, stay in one of Asias best wellness resorts, Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa, December to August is the best time to visit. See tourismthailand.org FOR SOPHISTICATED BARS Singapore Lobby Bar at the Edition Hotel in Singapore. Why here Singapore has the most sophisticated bar scene in Asia, full stop. It has the highest number of bars of any Asian country on the illustrious Worlds 50 Best Bars, such as hidden speak-easy, 28 HongKong Street, which could easily be in Manhattan. Choose between secret lounge bars behind unmarked doors, whiskey bars, wine bars, craft beer breweries and cocktail lounges. Balis best bars, like Rock Bar Bali, are mostly found within resorts and hotels and lack Singapores urban chic. Orchard Road is Singapores most famous shopping street. Credit: Bloomberg Wait, theres more For such a small island (though its connected to the mainland by bridges), Singapore packs a punch. It competes with Penang for Asias best street food, and is synonymous with shopping from boutiques to craft, vintage and flea markets. The islands most famous shopping street, Orchard Road, offers more than 5000 retail and dining options. Make it happen Fly direct with Singapore Airlines or Qantas. There are 430 or so hotels offering more than 70,000 rooms, though consider Singapores most iconic historic hotel, Raffles Singapore. For the least humidity and rainfall, travel between March and August, visitsingapore.com FOR SPIRITUALITY Goa, India Book yourself into a spiritual retreat by the beach. Credit: iStock Why here Its hard to top the Island Of The Gods with its 1000-plus temples, but consider Goa on Indias west coast. Like Bali, its a long-established step-off point on the hippy trail, but it, too, is full of temples, churches and spiritual retreats. Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam merge happily. Visit ancient Hindu temples, World Heritage-listed Catholic churches, take spiritual circuits on tours or book yourself into an ashram or a spiritual retreat by the beach, practising yoga, meditation and Ayuveda. Goa is becoming a foodie hotspot. Credit: iStock Wait, theres more Goa is becoming a foodie hotspot. The Portuguese ruled for about 450 years and left their mark. Try dishes like vindaloo which fuse traditional curry with Portugals de vinha dalhos, or island favourite, chorizo spicy pork sausage. Check out Goas impressive array of restaurants. Its also become a hub for distillers of gin, rum and whiskey. Make it happen Fly to Mumbai, then take a one-hour flight to Goa with Air India, book a multiple-night spiritual retreat at the luxurious beachside Bamboo Yoga Retreat, the shoulder season of July to October is best to travel, goa-tourism.com FOR ADVENTURE Sabah, Malaysian Borneo Sabah is full of wild adventure opportunities Bali was famous for two decades ago. Credit: iStock Why here Located on Borneo, the worlds third-largest island, Sabah is still full of the sorts of wild adventure opportunities Bali was famous for two decades ago. But while visitor numbers mean every nature adventure in Bali is booked solid, its easy to find your own wild adventure in Sabah. From white-water rafting three rivers for everyone from absolute beginners to experts negotiating rapids with names like The Head-hunter to climbing a 4095-metre-high mountain (Mount Kinabalu) in time for sunrise to river cruising, sea-kayaking and caving. A proboscis monkey in Sabah. Credit: iStock Wait, theres more There are about 10,000 orangutans in Sabah and you have one of the best chances of seeing them in the wild. Take a multi-day river tour down the Kinabatangan River one of the best wildlife spotting destinations in South-East Asia and youre almost guaranteed of seeing one (and endemic proboscis monkeys). Make it happen Fly to Sabahs capital, Kota Kinabalu, via Kuala Lumpur with Malaysian Airlines, stay near Kota Kinabula for easy access to tours all over Sabah. Sutera Harbour Resort is a convenient option, or stay on your own island. See echoresorts.com/bungaraya-island-resort. Still want to do Bali? Follow these rules Manage your expectations If you want pristine, empty beaches go to the South Pacific. Many of Balis beaches are busy and are ringed with plastic. But Bali is still a place of great natural beauty find the waterfalls in its green mountainous areas and the mist-filled paddy fields that still exist outside Kuta, Canggu and Seminyak. When they go high, you go low Consider travelling in shoulder or low season. The high season (July to August and December) is a hectic time to visit Bali, but April to June and September to October still delivers mostly dry weather, minus the crowds and higher accommodation prices. And consider low season January to March for real bargains. And it doesnt rain every day. Far east Go east. Its just 80 minutes from the airport to Balis east coast but youll find Bali as it was 30 years ago. Locals wash clothes in rivers, farmers use water buffalo to till the soil and there are stunning (black sand beaches) and lesser-known beach towns like Amed offering low-key resorts, diving and beachside restaurants. Loading Far north If the east coast is like the Bali of the 1990s, its north coast is the Bali of the 70s. Sheltered by mountains dividing Bali east-to-west, the north coast is home to tiny communities living off the land and sea. There are 12 kilometres of (black sand) beaches west of Balis former capital, Singaraja, including Lovina Beach, where hundreds of dolphins gather most mornings. Safety first Only hire a scooter if youre confident and your travel insurance covers it. They are great for negotiating the heavy traffic of Balis hot-spots like Seminyak and Kuta, but always expect the unexpected bad drivers, erratic dogs and other obstacles. Consider a local driver for about $50 a day. London: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in mountainous terrain on Sunday, oversaw a morality crackdown and mass repression in the predominantly Islamic nation. He was a contender to be its next supreme leader. Raisis election victory in 2021, after heavyweight conservative and moderate rivals were disqualified by a hardline oversight body, brought all branches of power under the control of loyalists to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Raisis 85-year-old mentor. Hardliner: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Credit: AP Raisis hardline position has been evident in domestic politics; a year after his election, the mid-ranking cleric ordered that authorities tighten enforcement of Irans hijab and chastity law restricting womens dress and behaviour. Within weeks, a young Kurdish Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini, died in custody after being arrested by morality police for allegedly violating that law. PHILIPSBURG:--- Acting Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport (ECYS) Lyndon Lewis continued his familiarization visits to public schools on Friday, addressing pressing concerns at the Marie Genevieve DeWeever School and Oranje School. These visits are part of his commitment to visiting all seven public schools in the area. During his visit to the Marie Genevieve DeWeever School, Minister Lewis, who himself attended the school as a child, was moved by the dedication and challenges faced by the staff. One teacher became emotional, expressing her gratitude that Minister Lewis was the first to truly listen to her concerns. The school struggles with excessive classroom heat, overgrown perimeter bushes necessitating closed windows, bathroom issues, and various structural and curriculum-related problems. At Oranje School, although recent air conditioning installations have alleviated some issues, a dangerous power load problem persists, causing frequent fuse burnouts and posing a fire risk. The school also highlighted additional concerns regarding the shortcomings of the Department of Public Education. Demonstrating his commitment to immediate action, Minister Lewis has initiated several solutions to tackle these problems. To address the heat issue, he has arranged for the installation of air conditioning units and the upgrade of power capacities at four public schools. Furthermore, he has ordered clearing overgrown bushes around the perimeters of the schools, including the Ruby Labega Primary School, to improve ventilation and safety. This week, the minister will visit more educational institutions than the departments and divisions that fall under his responsibilities. KPSM Press Release. PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Council of Ministers (CoM) convened with press representatives on Friday, May 17, 2024, to discuss enhancements to the current Council of Ministers Press Briefing format. After introducing the Cabinet members, who have been in office for two weeks, an informal session was held to outline the future approach to press communications, encompassing press conferences, statements, and releases. During the meeting, various agreements were reached, with some feedback from the press requiring further deliberation and decision-making by the Council of Ministers. A significant outcome was the decision to review the media accreditation policy. Attendees of the briefings will be invited to offer suggestions for improvement, forming the basis for collaborative discussions. Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina underscored the media's vital role in nation-building, emphasizing its contribution to keeping the public informed and engaged, thereby fostering hope in the country's emerging democracy. Regular meetings with the media will be scheduled to maintain ongoing dialogue and collaboration. The first Council of Ministers Press Briefing is slated for Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Recognizing the pivotal role of a robust and independent press in informing the public, these efforts aim to enhance communication, rebuild trust, and hope, and ensure citizens are well-informed about their leaders' initiatives and progress. Gaza hospital says 20 killed in Israeli strike on Nuseirat Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories, May 19 (AFP) May 19, 2024 A Gaza hospital said Sunday that an Israeli air strike targeting a house at a refugee camp in the centre of the Palestinian territory killed at least 20 people. "We received 20 fatalities and several wounded after an Israeli air strike targeted a house belonging to the Hassan family in Al-Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza," the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital said in a statement. Witnesses said the strike occurred around 3:00 am local time. The Israeli army said it was checking the report. Palestinian official news agency Wafa reported that the wounded included several children, and rescuers were searching for missing people trapped under the rubble. Fierce battles and heavy Israeli bombardments have been reported in the central Nuseirat camp since the military launched a "targeted" operation focussing on the southern city of Rafah in early May. Palestinian militants and Israeli troops have also clashed in north Gaza's Jabalia camp for days now. Witnesses said several other houses were targeted in air strikes during the night across Gaza, and that air strikes and artillery shelling also hit parts of Rafah during the night. The Israeli military said two more soldiers were killed in Gaza the previous day. The military said 282 soldiers have been killed so far in the Gaza military campaign since the start of the ground offensive on October 27. Two Chinese warships in Cambodia for military drills Sihanoukville, Cambodia, May 19 (AFP) May 19, 2024 Two Chinese warships docked in Cambodia on Sunday as part of the biggest-ever joint military drills with the Southeast Asian nation, with Beijing's ambassador hailing their "ironclad" friendship. Cambodia has long been a staunch ally of China and has received billions of dollars in investment. Washington is growing increasingly concerned Beijing will use a Cambodian naval base it is upgrading on Gulf of Thailand to expand its influence in the region. On Sunday the training ship Qijiguang and amphibious warfare ship Jinggangshan docked at Sihanoukville as part of 15 days of land and sea drills involving 760 Chinese military personnel along with around 1,300 Cambodians and 11 Cambodian vessels. The Qijiguang bore a banner reading "Bring peace and friendship to meet good friends" as it approached the port. "We are ironclad friends," Chinese ambassador Wang Wentian told reporters on the shore. China-Cambodia military cooperation was "conducive to the security of both countries and to the security of the region." At Ream, a few kilometres along the coast, China has been funding the renovation of a naval base originally built partly using US funds. Two Chinese warships docked at Ream in December for the first time after work began to expand the base. Washington says Ream could give Beijing a key strategic position on the Gulf of Thailand near the disputed South China Sea, which China largely claims. Last year, Cambodian officials denied a new 363-metre (1,190-foot) pier at Ream was intended to berth aircraft carriers. "Where the Chinese navy goes, we bring friendship, we bring cooperation, no others," ambassador Wang said in response to a question on concerns over Beijing's growing influence. At the start of the drills on Thursday China's military showed off its hardware including so-called "robodogs" -- remote-controlled four-legged robots with automatic rifles mounted on their backs. Handlers kept the dogs of war on the leash, demonstrating only their walking capabilities to watching journalists and top brass -- not their shooting skills. The drills follow a three-day visit by China's top diplomat Wang Yi to Cambodia in April to deepen ties between the two countries. Gaza officials say death toll from Israeli strike on Nuseirat rises to 31 Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories, May 19 (AFP) May 19, 2024 Gaza's civil defence agency said Sunday that an Israeli air strike targeting a house at a refugee camp in the centre of the Palestinian territory killed at least 31 people, updating an earlier toll. "The civil defence crew were able to recover 31 martyrs and 20 wounded from a house belonging to the Hassan family, which was targeted by the Israeli occupation forces in the Nuseirat camp," Gaza civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal told journalists. He said rescue workers were continuing to search for missing people under the rubble. Earlier on Sunday the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital had said it had received the bodies of 20 people killed in the strike which witnesses said occurred around 3:00 am local time. The Israeli army when contacted by AFP asked for specific coordinates of the strike. Palestinian official news agency Wafa reported that the wounded included several children. Fierce battles and heavy Israeli bombardments have been reported in the central Nuseirat camp since the military launched a ground operation on the southern city of Rafah in early May. Palestinian militants and Israeli troops have also clashed in north Gaza's Jabalia camp for days now. Witnesses said several other houses were targeted in air strikes during the night across Gaza, and that strikes and artillery shelling also hit parts of Rafah during the night. The Israeli military said two more soldiers were killed in Gaza the previous day. The military said 282 soldiers have been killed so far in the Gaza military campaign since the start of the ground offensive on October 27. In the late 1980s, grizzly bears in the Cabinet Mountains were in trouble. The range southwest of Libby, Mont., had only six or so bears left, and wildlife managers were concerned the population could go extinct. They came up with a solution: Take grizzlies from another ecosystem and bring them to the Cabinets. Between 1990 and 1994, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services grizzly recovery program moved four female bears from British Columbia into the range. They radio-collared them to track their movements, and they waited. Three of those bears stayed in the range for more than a year, figuring out life in their new home. More than a decade after the transplants, genetic data showed at least one of them had reproduced evidence that relocating bears from one ecosystem to another could work, and that they may have found a way to keep grizzlies in the Cabinets. After that data showed the program could work, the Fish and Wildlife Service began moving more bears into the range. To date, 22 bears have been moved into the Cabinet Mountains. Not all of the bears lived. Some of them left. But plenty of them stayed, and some of them had cubs. Wayne Kasworm, the grizzly recovery biologist who has overseen the program, said three generations of cubs can be linked to the transplanted bears. The ranges population is estimated at between 30 and 35 bears about five times what Kasworm believes it was at the time of the first transplant in 1990. The program of moving bears into the range has been credited with saving the population from extinction. Its also the most significant effort the Fish and Wildlife Service has made in moving bears between ecosystems, and it has helped shape the federal governments latest plans for reviving a defunct grizzly population. Last month, the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service finalized a proposal for establishing a population of 25 grizzly bears in Washingtons North Cascades, a range where the species has not been seen since 1996. The goal is to create a population that could expand to 200 bears in 60 to 100 years. The effort is different from the Cabinet Mountains augmentation program in several key ways. For one thing, grizzlies are considered functionally extinct in the North Cascades, which means officials will have to move more bears into the range over a shorter period of time to establish a population. For another, the North Cascades provide more room for grizzlies to roam some 9,800 square miles of backcountry in the North Cascades National Park complex where they can make a living. But getting the bears into the range will rely on methods that have been used for years in the Cabinet Mountains. The Cascades reintroduction will draw on that history, and the things officials learned about deciding which bears to move. Theres years of experience that we can use in this North Cascades reintroduction effort, said Chris Servheen, who oversaw grizzly bear recovery efforts for 35 years for the Fish and Wildlife Service. Were hardly starting at square one. Augmentation The Cabinet bears are officially part of the Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem Recovery Zone, one of six zones in the Lower 48 states where officials have been working to restore grizzly bears, which have been listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act since 1975. Grizzlies in the Cabinet-Yaak ecosystem exist in two distinct populations split by U.S. Highway 2 and the Kootenay River one north of the river in the Yaak area, and one in the Cabinet Mountains south of the river. Combined, officials believe there are 65 to 70 bears in the two ranges today. In 1988, the situation was far more dire in the Cabinets. The official estimate at that time was 15 bears in the Cabinets. But Kasworm, who led the augmentation effort, said that was almost certainly an overestimate. Knowing what I know today, I think we were probably down to half a dozen bears in the Cabinets, Kasworm said. The population didnt have enough female bears, and no new bears were migrating in naturally. Servheen, who was Kasworms boss at the time, said that made it hard to see how the population could grow, even if no bears died. The ability to increase the population was very, very difficult, Servheen said. The idea of augmenting that population was the way to jump-start recovery and get the population going. At the same time, grizzlies were considered all but absent from both the North Cascades and Bitterroot ecosystems, two of the other zones where officials are charged with restoring the bears. Boosting an existing population was an easier step than committing to a reintroduction, however. In the Cabinets, they could see how moving bears could work with a known population before trying to start one from scratch. Here was an opportunity to test the technique on a much smaller scale, Kasworm said. After discussions with a local citizens committee, they proposed the pilot project with the four Canadian bears. When genetic testing in the early 2000s showed the concept had worked, the Fish and Wildlife Service decided to keep moving bears. Through negotiations with the local citizens committee, they agreed to move no more than two bears per year, and to only move bears with no history of human conflict. A 2022 report on the population shows the agency moved 18 bears into the range from 2005 to 2019, bringing the total to 22. DR Congo thwarts Kinshasa 'coup attempt': army Kinshasa, May 19 (AFP) May 19, 2024 The DR Congo military on Sunday thwarted an attempted coup near the offices of President Felix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa involving "foreigners and Congolese", the army spokesperson said. The coup bid took place in the early hours of the morning outside the residence of economy minister Vital Kamerhe, in the Gombe area in the north of the capital, near the Palais de la Nation which houses the president's offices. "An attempted coup d'etat has been stopped by the defence and security forces," said General Sylvain Ekenge in a message broadcast on national television. He added that the "foreigners and Congolese... including their leader" would "all no longer cause any harm". Shots were also heard near the Palais de la Nation at the time of the coup attempt, according to a number of sources. Ekenge did not give any more details on the coup attempt. AFP also contacted official sources but has so far received no reply. - 'Shocked by the events' - "I am shocked by the events this morning and very worried by the reports of American citizens allegedly involved," Lucy Tamlyn, the US ambassador to the DRC, posted on X, formerly Twitter. "Rest assured that we are cooperating with authorities in DRC to the fullest extent possible, as they investigate these criminal acts and hold accountable any American citizen involved." A number of people were also injured in Brazzaville, when a shell from Kinshasa fell into a neighbourhood in the capital of the Republic of Congo, which sits just across the Congo river from the DRC. "A few people have been lightly injured, one of whom has been transported to the army hospital of Brazzaville for treatment by the health service," government spokesperson and Minister of Communication and Media Thierry Moungalla said in a statement. During the day certain streets near the Palais de la Nation remained closed to traffic, but the situation appeared calm, AFP journalists reported. Reports began to circulate on social media in the early morning of an attack on Kamerhe's home by armed men, some of whom then went to the Palais de la Nation. There was "an armed attack" this morning at the residence of the economy minister, Japan's ambassador to Kinshasa Hidetoshi Ogawa wrote on X. Kamerhe "was not harmed... (but) two policemen and an assailant were killed according to sources", he added. France's ambassador reported automatic weapons fire in the quarter, urging nationals to avoid the area. - Zaire flags - Videos on social media showed men in fatigues at the Palais de la Nation, brandishing flags of Zaire, the name of the Democratic Republic of Congo under the dictator Mobutu Sese Seko who was overthrown in 1997. AFP was unable to verify the videos. Several heavily armed military vehicles drove from the Palais de la Nation towards a large intersection, also in Gombe, AFP witnessed. Construction blocks obstructed the road leading to the Palais de la Nation, while soldiers on foot blocked access to a boulevard near Tshisekedi's offices. Tshisekedi was re-elected at the end of December when he received more than 70 percent of votes in the first round. But he is yet to form a government some five months after the elections. Kamerhe was named on April 23 as a candidate for president of the National Assembly, the DRC's main legislative body. bur/mbb/keo/imm Iraq offers Iran help in search for Raisi helicopter Baghdad, May 19 (AFP) May 19, 2024 Iraq on Sunday offered neighbouring Iran help in search and rescue efforts after Iranian state media said President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter was involved in "an accident" in poor weather conditions. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani "instructed the interior ministry, the Iraqi Red Crescent and other relevant authorities to offer the Islamic Republic of Iran the available resources to aid in the search for the Iranian president's aircraft," government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi said in a statement. Iranian state television announced that "an accident happened to the helicopter carrying the president" in the Jofa region of the western province of East Azerbaijan. Search and rescue team were headed to the remote mountain area, state media said, adding that Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian was also aboard the aircraft. State TV broadcast footage of an Iranian Red Crescent team walking up a slope in thick fog, as well as live footage of crowds of worshippers reciting prayers in the holy Shrine of Imam Reza in the city Mashhad, Raisi's hometown. What's behind resurgent fighting in north Gaza? Jerusalem, May 19 (AFP) May 19, 2024 Israel's war against Hamas has shifted back to parts of northern Gaza where the military said months ago the militant group had been neutralised. Fighters have regrouped since the army in early January announced it had "completed the dismantling of Hamas's military framework in the northern Gaza Strip", vowing to focus its war efforts on central and southern areas. However a military spokesman told AFP on Friday that renewed fighting in Gaza's northern town of Jabalia was "perhaps the fiercest" in more than seven months of war, sparked by Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel. On Saturday the military issued new evacuation orders for residents near Gaza City, just south of Jabalia, in a sign of fresh operations there. - Where is the fighting? - Israeli troops, after weeks of relatively low intensity fighting and amid truce negotiations, on May 7 entered Gaza's crowded far-southern city of Rafah which the army has described as the last Hamas stronghold in Gaza. Since the start of the Rafah incursion, which the UN says has already displaced some 800,000 civilians, fighting has resumed in central and northern areas of the Palestinian territory. Heavy Israeli bombardments and street battles have been reported in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, where the Palestinian civil defence agency said a strike early Sunday killed 31 people. And in recent days, Palestinian militants and Israeli troops have also clashed in northern Gaza's Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza City's Zeitun neighbourhood and other areas. - How is Hamas holding up? - Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas in response to the October 7 attack, but has so far failed to achieve its goal in the military campaign. The attack resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 35,456 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to data provided by the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. Experts told AFP the destruction of Gaza in relentless Israeli bombardment and fighting, and the lack of an alternative Palestinian government have driven Hamas recruitment during the war. "If you look at the devastation among Palestinian civilians across the board, it's quite easy to recruit these people into armed resistance," said Andreas Krieg, professor at King's College London. According to experts, Hamas's extensive tunnel network, estimated to run more than 500 kilometres (310 miles), has not been significantly damaged, and the group has stockpiles of its home-made "Yassin 105" anti-tank missiles which are regularly fired at Israeli troops. Hamas militants also benefit from extensive territorial knowledge, said Michael Wahid Hanna, an analyst at the International Crisis Group. "They're an embedded foe fighting on their home territory, and that creates real resilience," he told AFP. - Why has Israel struggled to keep control? - Israel has targeted senior Hamas commanders, but experts say the decentralised nature of the group's command structures makes it less vulnerable to leadership vacuums. "That's the whole problem with Israeli approaches -- they're always looking to go for the leaders. But in reality, it's a network and networks don't fall apart," said Krieg. Israel has one of the most powerful militaries in the world, with its defence expenditure reaching $27.5 billion last year, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. It has also deployed cutting edge technology including AI in its war against Hamas, but experts said political infighting in Israel's war cabinet has hurt its military strategy. "You can't achieve sustainable military objectives in the absence of a political strategy for the day after," said Bilal Y. Saab, an associate fellow at the Chatham House think tank. - How damaged is Hamas? - The Islamist group, which has been in power in Gaza since 2007, was estimated to have about 30,000 fighters before October 7. It's unclear how many Hamas militants have been killed in the war. The Gaza health ministry does not specify how many fighters are among the fatalities it reports. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this month that "14,000 fighters were killed". Experts however say the group has probably been able to quickly replenish its ranks. "For every Hamas member that they kill, the Israelis are providing recruitment potential for four, because of the anger generated by the many more civilians the IDF (army) is killing," said H. A. Hellyer, security expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the Royal United Services Institute. Experts agree that Hamas will be difficult to eradicate completely. "It's a difficult and unrealistic prospect to imagine that Israel can... completely defeat them, eradicate them," said Hanna. Saab said that "as long as the tunnels, the fighters and the smuggling exist, there will be some level of warfighting capacity." "The question is: what level is Israel willing to live with?" We see the impact on people. It makes people feel very uncomfortable, when these marches sometimes spill over from the legitimate right to protest and make a point that is not an issue when they spill over into antisemitism, when they spill over into hate speech, racism, that is where there is a problem, and we absolutely back 100% police taking the necessary action. * FIRST NAME * LAST NAME * EMAIL Your email address * PASSWORD Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number Show * YEAR OF BIRTH You must be at least 18 years old to create an account 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950 1949 1948 1947 1946 1945 1944 1943 1942 1941 1940 1939 1938 1937 1936 1935 1934 1933 1932 1931 1930 1929 1928 1927 1926 1925 1924 1923 1922 1921 1920 1919 1918 1917 1916 1915 1914 1913 1912 1911 1910 1909 1908 1907 1906 * Required fields I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice CREATE ACCOUNT I'LL TRY LATER Already have an account? SIGN IN By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. In his remote address, Mr Sunak is expected to say: To unlock the benefits of AI, we must also work together to ensure it is safe. Because safe AI is innovative AI. The summit follows the first such gathering at Bletchley Park, the home of the UKs Second World War codebreakers, in November. Mr Sunak will say: We made history with the Bletchley Park summit at the end of last year. Together, we committed to build a consensus on the risks of AI to develop an independent, international AI safety report and to take greater action to counter the frontier risks. Managing the risks of AI is one of the most profound responsibilities we face. Because if we get it right, it will also create the most profound opportunities for human progress that we have seen in our lifetimes. The summit comes as debate around the need for, and scale of, AI regulation has intensified around the world. A recent report said general purpose AI could boost wellbeing, prosperity and scientific research in the future, but also power widespread isinformation and fraud, disrupt jobs and reinforce inequality. The report was the first produced by the International Scientific Report on Advanced AI Safety and was carried out by AI experts from 30 countries including the UK, US and China as well as the UN and the EU. As well as highlighting the potential benefits and risks of the technology, it warns there is not universal agreement among experts on a range of topics including the state of current AI capabilities and how those could evolve over time, and the likelihood of extreme risks such as losing control over the technology occurring. The trip : They took the Lufthansa direct flight from St. Louis to Frankfurt and traveled by train to Budapest, Vienna and Prague. Contribute: Email your photo to stlpost@gmail.com. Include the full names of everyone in the photo, including where they are from and where you are standing in the photo. Also include your address and phone number. Please also tell us a little about the trip and a travel tip. Were looking for interesting, well-composed, well-lighted photos. POCAHONTAS, Ill. Prairie Farms Dairy is launching a line of lactose-free milks and dairy products next month, as the regional cooperative diversifies its product offerings and searches for new markets to help small dairy farmers survive. Seven years ago, the company sourced milk from nearly 1,000 farms, CEO Matt McClelland said. The Edwardsville-based cooperative has been losing about 40 members a year as small farms, which have between 175 to 200 cows, struggle to stay open amid rising operating costs. The scale you need to be at is just getting tougher and tougher, McClelland said. You have to be efficient or unfortunately youre not going to be in the dairy business much longer. Prairie Farms processes its milk into a variety of dairy products in plants around the Midwest and distributes to grocery stores, schools, food service outlets and more. Products include ice cream, butter, veggie dip, iced coffee, cottage cheese and, of course, milk. Prairie Farms started looking at adding the lactose-free products to its portfolio last year. Lactose, a natural sugar found in milk and dairy products, can cause gastrointestinal problems in people whose digestive systems cant tolerate it or are sensitive to it. People often turn to soy, oat or almond milks as a substitute but they could enjoy dairy again with the new line, McClelland said. We want to take that excuse away, McClelland said. The brands new lactose-free line include whole, 1%, 2%, low-fat, fat-free and chocolate milk, sour cream and cottage cheese. To make the lactose-free products, a natural enzyme is used to break down the lactose in milk. McClelland likened it to how Prairie Farms manufactures its chocolate milk, but instead of adding chocolate powder and sugar to a batch of milk, the manufacturing facility adds the enzyme. The lactose-free products will taste the same as the original counterparts, he said. The lactose-free products will be made at the Carlinville plant to begin with, but McClelland said all 47 Prairie Farms manufacturing plants have the ability to make the new products. McClelland said he wants to normalize lactose-free dairy products and, at the same time, widen the brands customer base. To be quite honest, I dont know why we havent done it sooner, McClelland said. I think were going to earn some milk drinkers back and thats exciting for us and exciting for dairy farmers. Prairie Farms will also be introducing a 12% butterfat vanilla ice cream in four-quart pails this summer. The family farm About 50 miles east of St. Louis, Frank Doll and his two sons tend the family dairy farm, working with about 225 Holstein cows and 100 calves near the village of Pocahontas. The Dolls milk the cows twice a day daily, and the herd produces about 690,000 gallons of milk a year. Every day, a truck arrives to transport that milk to a Prairie Farms processing plant, typically in Carlinville or Granite City, Des Moines, Iowa, or Holland, Indiana. Doll said he can watch the milk leave his farm and itll be on a delivery truck to a store in 48 hours. Its quality fresh and were very excited about that, said Doll, who is also the Prairie Farms Dairy board president. Doll is one of 224 Prairie Farms member farms in Illinois. He said growing operating costs makes it hard for some to earn a profit in dairy farming today. Doll sells calves and even rents out the uteruses of some of his cows to other farmers for breeding to generate a side income. Doll said he hopes his oldest son takes over the farm, which has been in their family since 1938 but to stay in the dairy business, the farm would have to expand by 500 more cows, which could cost up to $5 million. For now, Doll said technology and breeding has made it possible to increase milk production, so they are able to generate more gallons without growing the herd. Plus, as more people approach Doll looking for work, the farm could potentially boost milking sessions to three times a day, which would further increase milk production. Everything is going up (in price) so we have to do a good job of diversifying (income), Doll said. Were pretty profitable. Were in a sweet spot and were making money. And, after years of competing with plant-based milk and dairy alternatives, a dairy milk revival is on the horizon, according to McClelland. The dairy food industry will grow over 6% annually to a market value of over $1.3 trillion by 2030, according to market researcher Fortune Business Insights. Fortune Business Insights attributes the COVID-19 pandemic with increasing consumers want of healthy and nutrition-based dairy products, however, the continued success of plant-based milks will restrain the growth of dairy products. McClelland said hes seen an uptick in sales of specifically whole and 2% milks over the last couple of years and thinks the trend will continue. Cows milk is naturally rich in protein, calcium, potassium, B vitamins and minerals. Some plant-based milks, like soy, can be high in protein, and are often fortified with nutrients, appealing to people for health reasons and those avoiding animal products. When you look at the nutritional benefits of dairy versus nut water, theres no comparison, McClelland said. Nutritionally, its the best bang for your buck. He said Prairie Farms will expand its lactose-free line as possible, aiming to put more money in the pockets of dairy farmers. At the end of the day, my job is to create a market for Frank (Doll) and our members milk, McClelland said. This lactose-free product just expands that marketplace to where we can utilize the milk in more places. Rock climbing will be banned at Corps Hells Gate unit The Army Corps of Engineers will ban all forms of rock climbing beyond the buck-and-rail fence on River Run trail in Hells Gate Habitat Management Unit near Lewiston beginning June 1. According to a news release from the agency, the ban is intended to protect cultural resources and ensure public safety. It will be enforced by park rangers. Anyone with questions about the ban can contact Corps officials at the agencys Lower Granite Natural Resources office in Clarkston at (509) 751-0240. Passes to Idaho state parks, other gear available to library patrons The Lewiston City Library is partnering with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and Idaho Commission for Libraries to help patrons visit state parks. All three entities are partners in the Check out a State Park program that allows people to borrow park passes and associated gear. At the Lewiston and Winchester libraries, people can check out Park Pass Packs that include a pass, lightweight backpack, field glasses, relevant pocket-sized wildlife guides, an Idaho road map and a small first aid kit. Two packs are available and can be borrowed for up to one week. The passes are good at any Idaho state park. Free copies of Ida Hikes Idaho are also available while supplies last. Former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr has announced who he will vote for as president in November: a nauseating, despicable, consummate narcissist who, when he was previously president, was guilty of a betrayal of his office. Former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will vote for the candidate who finally, totally discredited himself during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and who was practically and morally responsible for provoking the event of that day. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu is proudly casting his vote for the candidate who is (f-word) crazy! Those assessments of former President Donald Trump, from fellow major Republican politicians who have since pledged their votes to his reelection, certainly call into question their philosophical coherence. But they also highlight a dynamic thats worth attention: Trump is publicly reviled by more of his former top administration officials and political allies than any president in modern times and probably ever. And unlike these three paragons of self-contradiction, most of them who have spoken out emphatically say they wont vote for their former leader this November. In an era when its nearly impossible to get a sense of the real candidate through the campaign packaging, this offers voters a rare assessment of the man from those who knew him best during his presidency. Their judgments should be a factor in the coming election. By a recent USA Today count, at least 16 former Trump administration members have publicly opposed his reelection. That may not sound like a lot from the packed halls of the White House. But its almost unheard of today for any major partisan insider to publicly break with a former president, let alone top cabinet members like a vice president, a chief of staff and not one but two defense secretaries. Their adjectives to describe the former president delusional, narcissistic, erratic, unfit make clear that this isnt merely a difference of opinion on policy or even style. These are folks who saw him up close and personal and saw his leadership style, former Trump aide Sarah Matthews, who testified before the House Jan. 6 committee in 2022, recently told The Associated Press. The American people should listen to what these folks are saying because it should be alarming that the people that Trump hired to work for him a first term are saying that hes unfit to serve for a second term. The case against a second Trump term has been made in these pages and many others, repeatedly. The most damning argument remains the fact that Trump attempted to overthrow an election and has all but promised to do it again should he lose in November. That in itself should be a full stop, but theres so much more: his call to suspend the Constitution so he could return to power; his authoritarian openness to using the military against American protesters; his plan to deliberately politicize the ranks of federal civil service; the real and truly horrifying possibility that he would destroy NATO while bolstering foreign dictators. It has long been beyond us how anyone considering all of that could think that the price of groceries under the Biden administration is any kind of balancing issue. This, more than probably any election in U.S. history, is not about (or not just about) policy, but fundamental fitness for office and the very future of democracy. But dont listen to us listen to those who worked closest to Trump the last time he was in power. I believe anyone that puts themselves over the Constitution should never be president of the United States, said Trumps vice president, Mike Pence, whose life was literally threatened by rope-wielding Trump loyalists on Jan. 6. Theres no way Ill vote for Trump, said Trump Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who called him a threat to democracy. Trump is unfit to be president, wrote Trump National Security Adviser John Bolton. If his first four years were bad, a second four will be worse. Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people does not even pretend to try, wrote Trump Defense Secretary James Mattis. Instead he tries to divide us. Fundamentally, a second Trump term could mean the end of American democracy as we know it, said Trump communications director Alyssa Farah Griffin. There are more many more but you get the idea. They and other insiders say Trump wont have their votes in November, a remarkable rebellion by any standard. Some of them, including Pence and Bolton, have specified that they wont vote for President Joe Biden, either, and will instead cast protest votes for some other name. Their rationale is that theyre still loyal Republicans and policy issues still prevent them supporting a Democrat. Thats what passes for reasonableness in these hyper-partisan times, we suppose. But to Republican refugees out there pondering a similar waste of their votes, we offer the words of Geoff Duncan, Republican former lieutenant governor of Georgia, who created a stir recently by announcing he would in fact vote for Biden: I am voting for a decent person I disagree with on policy over a criminal defendant without a moral compass. U.S Air Force Lt. Col. John Campion, executive officer for U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, prepares to begin a Distinguished Flying Cross ceremony at Voas-Lackey Roundabout, Hurlburt Field, Fla. , May 16, 2024. U.S. Air Force Maj. Randell Voas, a CV-22B Osprey pilot, and Senior Master Sgt. James Lackey, a CV-22B flight engineer, were awarded the DFC for actions taken during a combat mission near Qalat, Afghanista, April 9, 2010. (Jason Huddleson/U.S. Air Force) The commander of Air Force Special Operations Command has posthumously presented Distinguished Flying Cross medals to two air commandos 14 years after they were killed in a CV-22 Osprey crash on April 9, 2010, during a mission near Qalat, Afghanistan. Maj. Randell Voas and Senior Master Sgt. James Lackey helped save the lives of two crew members and 14 passengers on board after a series of incidents, including mechanical failure, caused the crash. Two passengers, as well as Voas and Lackey, were killed. The Air Force presented the awards Thursday at Hurlburt Field in Florida with family, friends and fellow air commandos in attendance at the Voas-Lackey Roundabout, named in honor of the two men, who were members of the 8th Special Operations Squadron here. Accepting the medals were the widows of the airman, Jill Voas and Cassie Lackey. Randy and JB did not have the option to sit back and let the situation unfold around them. They recognized the danger and through their expertise and their professionalism took action to lessen the impact of a compounding situation, Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind said. Every day that we put on our uniform, we stand on the shoulders of giants those who came before us paved the path we walk, including Randy and JB. U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, presents the Distinguished Flying Cross to the family of U.S. Air Force Maj. Randell Voas, a CV-22B Osprey pilot, on his behalf at the Voas-Lackey Roundabout at Hurlburt Field, Florida, May 16, 2024. Voas posthumously received the DFC for actions taken during a combat mission near Qalat, Afghanistan, April 9, 2010. (Raul Mercado/U.S. Air Force) U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, presents the Distinguished Flying Cross to the family of U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. James Lackey, a CV-22B Osprey flight engineer, on his behalf at the Voas-Lackey Roundabout at Hurlburt Field, Florida, May 16, 2024. Lackey posthumously received the DFC for his actions taken during a combat mission near Qalat, Afghanistan, April 9, 2010. (Jason Huddleston/U.S. Air Force) Senior Master Sgt. James Lackey and Maj. Randell Voas were killed in a CV-22 Osprey crash on April 9, 2010, during a mission near Qalat, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force) Voas, a CV-22B pilot and flight lead, and Lackey, a CV-22B flight engineer, were assigned to the 8th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla. The crash was the first fatal accident in the Air Forces Osprey variant, the CV-22, since the special operations aircraft became operational in 2006, according to the Air Force Times. An Air Force investigation listed 10 contributing factors to the cause of the mysterious crash, including weather, environmental conditions and aircraft performance. The Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded to any officer or enlisted person of the U.S. armed forces for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. We are honored to recognize their exemplary airmanship, calmness during duress and dedication to our Joint Force. Maj. Voass and Senior Master Sgt. Lackeys heroism and courage in the face of disaster is a shining example of the spirit and determination that we ask of all air commandos, Bauernfeind said. They are loved, greatly missed, and will never be forgotten. Sailors man the rails of Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) as it ends a more than seven-month deployment and returns to homeport Naval Station Mayport. (Steven Khor/U.S. Navy) The USS Carney is home at last. Family, friends, fellow sailors and Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro were on hand Sunday at Naval Station Mayport, Fla., when the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) sailed into its homeport after a nearly eight-month deployment to the Middle East that coincided with the start of the Israel-Hamas war and an uptick in Houthi attacks in the region. Del Toro awarded the Navy Unit Commendation (NUC) to the Carney for outstanding performance against terrorist forces, according to a Navy news release. The NUC is awarded to any ship, aircraft, or other unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that has distinguished itself by outstanding heroism in action against enemy forces. It is the second-highest unit award in the Navy, behind the Presidential Unit Citation. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro welcomes home the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) from deployment on Sunday, May 19, at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. Del Toro awarded the Navy Unit Commendation to the Carney for outstanding performance against terrorist forces during their nearly eight-month deployment. ( Jared Mancuso/U.S. Navy) Carney was deployed forward, deterring our adversaries, protecting our national interests, defending the rules-based international order and promoting peace, Del Toro said. I, and all Americans, (are) immensely proud of these Carney sailors. They represent the best of the Department of the Navy and indeed our nation. Following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks in Israel, USS Carney operated alongside the Gerald R. Ford and Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Groups in the Red Sea, defending commercial shipping lanes and protecting American, allied and partner vessels against drone and missile attacks launched by the Iranian-aligned Houthis in Yemen. The crew of the Carney was busy, conducting 51 engagements against Houthi weapons, including land attack cruise missiles, anti-ship ballistic missiles and unmanned systems. There were also two defensive strikes that destroyed 20 targets. Additionally, USS Carney, alongside USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), successfully engaged Iranian ballistic missiles fired at Israel on April 13 in a retaliatory strike. Del Toro made sure to address the families of the crew. I recognize that their service is only possible through the support provided by the military families the foundation of our armed forces, he said. Thank you, to all of you, for your unwavering support, love and encouragement for your Carney sailor and the Navy. Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Tyler Martinez, from Surprise, Ariz., embraces his girlfriend after returning home from deployment aboard the USS Carney on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (Sophie A. Pinkham/U.S. Navy) Family and friends of sailors assigned to USS Carney (DDG 64) prepare to reunite with their loved ones during the ships homecoming at on Sunday, May 19, 2024, Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (Sophie A. Pinkham/U.S. Navy) Family and friends of sailors assigned to USS Carney (DDG 64) prepare to reunite with their loved ones during the ships homecoming at on Sunday, May 19, 2024, Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (Sophie A. Pinkham/U.S. Navy) Family and friends of sailors assigned to USS Carney (DDG 64) prepare to reunite with their loved ones during the ships homecoming at on Sunday, May 19, 2024, Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (Sophie A. Pinkham/U.S. Navy) Family and friends of sailors assigned to USS Carney (DDG 64) prepare to reunite with their loved ones during the ships homecoming at on Sunday, May 19, 2024, Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (Richard Locklear/U.S. Navy) USS Carney arrives home Sunday, May 19, 2024, at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (Sophie A. Pinkham/U.S. Navy) Chief Operations Specialist Noah Wicks of McAlisterville, Pa., greets his children after returning home from deployment aboard the USS Carney on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (Sophie A. Pinkham/U.S. Navy) Chief Engineman Joshua Milburn of Anderson, Ind., embraces his girlfriend after returning home from deployment aboard the USS Carney on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (Sophie A. Pinkham/U.S. Navy) Families wait pierside as Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney returns home Sunday, May 19, 2024, to Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (Steven Khor/U.S. Navy) Family and friends of sailors assigned to USS Carney (DDG 64) prepare to reunite with their loved ones during the ships homecoming at on Sunday, May 19, 2024, Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (Sophie A. Pinkham/U.S. Navy) Family and friends of sailors assigned to USS Carney (DDG 64) prepare to reunite with their loved ones during the ships homecoming at on Sunday, May 19, 2024, Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (John Fischer/U.S. Navy) Ship sponsor Larissa Thune Hargens executedsthe ceremonial bottle break over the bow of Pierre on Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (Austal USA/Facebook) The U.S. Navy christened the future USS Pierre (LCS 38) as the newest, and final, Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship on Saturday in a ceremony at Mobile, Ala. Pierre is the 19th Independence-variant LCS, and the second ship named after Pierre, S.D., according to the Navy. The USS Pierre will go through months of sea trials before being handed over to the the Navy. A commissioning ceremony for the ship will be held in San Diego next year. The process of the USS Pierre began in 2019. Vice Adm. Francis Morley, a deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, gave the principal address. Also in attendance were U.S. Sen. Thune of South Dakota; Steve Harding, the mayor of Pierre; Rear Adm. Thomas Anderson; Michelle Kruger, the president of Austal USA; and ship sponsor Larissa Thune Hargens. The LCS is a fast, agile ship designed to operate in near-shore environments, according to the Navy. The LCS is capable of supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence. The LCS class consists of two variants, Freedom and Independence, designed and built by two separate industry teams. The Independence-variant team is led by Austal USA. A serial sexual offender from Plummer, Idaho, who died while serving a rape sentence in an Idaho prison was behind four killings of young women in Alberta in the 1970s, Canadian police announced Friday. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Alberta believe Gary Allen Srery was responsible for the killings of Eva Dvorak and Patricia McQueen, both 14, Melissa Rehorek, 20, and Barbara MacLean, 19, according to a news release from the law enforcement agency. All four were found dead in a one-year span in the Calgary area. For over forty years, investigators did not give up in their pursuit to identify those responsible for these murders, said Superintendent David Hall, officer in charge of the Alberta RCMPs Serious Crimes branch. Identifying the perpetrator does not bring Eva, Patsy, Melissa or Barbara back. It is our hope however, that the families are finally able to have some answers as to what happened to their loved ones all of those years ago. Dvorak and McQueen, who were friends, were last seen walking together the evening of Feb. 14, 1976, in downtown Calgary. They were found dead the next morning under the Happy Valley Overpass on Highway 1 west of Calgary. Rehorek, who lived in downtown Calgary, was last seen by a roommate the evening of Sept. 15, 1976. Her body was also found the next morning in a ditch west of the city. MacLean was with friends Feb. 25, 1977, at the Highlander Hotel bar and was last seen walking alone from the hotel in the early hours the next morning. A dog walker found her body in Calgary later that day, the release said. A medical examiner ruled Rehorek and MacLean were strangled. The deaths of Dvorak and McQueen were undetermined at the time and were investigated as sudden deaths, police said. Semen was discovered at all three crime scenes, but technology did not exist to develop a DNA profile at the time. Police worked for decades to solve the case. Police confirmed through DNA in 2003 the same suspect was linked to the deaths of Rehorek and MacLean. The suspects DNA was uploaded to a Canadian DNA database and went without a match for years. Benny Gantz, a member of Israels war cabinet, talks to the media after a meeting with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., at the U.S. Capitol on March 4, 2024, in Washington. (Tasos Katopodis, Getty Images/TNS) (Tribune News Service) It certainly appeared crucial. Benny Gantz, ramrod straight and facing the cameras with gravity, told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to shift course on the Gaza war or hed quit the three-man war cabinet. Israel, he said, needs a government that will win the peoples trust. Coming days after the other war cabinet member, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, bitterly accused Netanyahu of failing to have a postwar plan, it seemed that Netanyahu was being isolated by his two senior deputies, both former top generals, and Israel was headed toward political crisis. But analysts on Sunday said Netanyahus governing coalition, 64 parliamentary seats out of 120, remains secure. Even if Gantz carries out his threat to resign by June 8 not a certainty little is likely to change in the short to medium term, they said. The war cabinet might collapse but Netanyahu would continue to rule with his far-right partners. Gantzs chances of overthrowing the government are slim, said Mazal Mualem, whos written a recent political biography of Netanyahu. There is almost no chance that members of Netanyahus Likud party will rebel against him, given the political cost. The second way is through massive public protest. But public sentiment isnt there. Gantzs move was a mistake. Nadav Strauchler, a political consultant, agreed, saying, The power remains with Netanyahu. Gantz made a mistake to give him three weeks. If youre going to shoot, dont talk about it, shoot. All that said, if five Likud legislators do rebel or if Ultra-Orthodox coalition partners walk out over court-enforced efforts to draft their young men, Netanyahu would be in trouble and elections may result. And his extremist partners could push him to adopt policies that would lead to massive anti-government demonstrations and objections from Washington, either of which could lead to change. Gantz, 64, who came in from the opposition to join the cabinet after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 and abducting 250, helped plan and run the subsequent war in Gaza. Crisis created an uneasy unity among adversaries. In the early weeks, all three members, dressed in black, would hold joint news conferences. Top U.S. officials, including President Joe Biden, came to Israel and joined in cabinet meetings to plot out how to stop Hamas and other Iranian-backed enemies of Israel from being able to attack again in such a manner. Half a year later, the picture is very different. Israel says its killed 13,000 Hamas fighters and has reduced its missile arsenal and destroyed numerous weapons depots and strategic tunnels. But neither the militia nor its political structure is destroyed. Hamas top leaders remain in hiding. In negotiations to trade hostages for Palestinian prisoners, Hamas, considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and European Union, is acting quite confident. Meanwhile, much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble, its 2.3 million inhabitants are facing disease and hunger, and 35,000 people have been killed, according to Hamas officials, who dont distinguish between fighters and civilians. The Biden administration is anxious and shares many of Gantzs concerns. National security adviser Jake Sullivan met with Netanyahu in Israel after visiting Saudi Arabia in search of a deal to end the war by normalizing relations between the two nations and opening a pathway to statehood for Palestinians. Netanyahu has publicly opposed Palestinian statehood as part of any such deal. Gantzs ultimatum on Saturday night instructed Netanyahu to act on a long list of demands or face his resignation. They included getting the hostages back, ending Hamas rule, bringing in a multinational coalition to run civilian affairs and building a solid diplomatic relationship with Saudi Arabia. He even insisted on a long-elusive law to bring the ultra-religious into the army. He gave the prime minister three weeks. Slow-motion departure Nadav Eyal, a political analyst with Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, said the goal was to start leaving government and bringing about elections without alienating the tens of thousands of voters who have switched allegiance from Netanyahu to him, at least in polls. Gantz therefore avoided too harsh an attack on Netanyahu. Eyal added, Gantz is quitting the government the same way that porcupines make love: carefully. Netanyahu has two calendars in his head as he continues to try to defeat Hamas the parliamentary one in Israel and the electoral one in the U.S. After July, Israels parliament, or Knesset, begins a long summer break followed shortly by weeks of Jewish holidays. Assuming he can keep together his coalition of ultra-nationalists and religious parties through July and the overriding assumption is that he can hes unlikely to face elections until early 2025, when the budget is debated. And in the U.S., starting in July, focus will be overwhelmingly on the political party conventions and the November election pitting Biden against Donald Trump. Looming threats There are other reasons to imagine that Netanyahu wont be driven quickly from office. Israel is fighting a war in Gaza but its military is also engaged in combat in the north against Hezbollah of Lebanon, backed by Iran. If that develops into an all-out war in the coming weeks some consider that likely politics will again be pushed aside and Gantz might stay put. Netanyahu may be distrusted by the U.S. and many Israelis but hes a politician of rare experience and skill. Strauchler, the consultant, has worked with Netanyahu, 74, over the years and says of the longest-serving prime minister in the countrys history that hes neither a gambler nor an adventurer but the most adaptive politician I have ever met. Mualem, the biographer, added, Netanyahu is very active and even creative under pressure. He is unusual in terms of his mental strength. In situations of uncertainty, like now, he prepares a set of options and, combined with his skill at holding on to his party members, he keeps his political infrastructure strong. 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Army Spc. Clarence Sasser, who was presented the Medal of Honor in 1969. (Congressional Medal of Honor Society) On the morning of Jan. 10, 1968, helicopters from an Army infantry company moved over the Mekong Delta on a reconnaissance sweep of a suspected guerrilla stronghold. Below, fighters allied with North Vietnam waited, hidden on the edges of rice paddies and under the jungle canopy. When the helicopters were in range, the guerrillas opened fire with mortars, rockets and machine guns. One chopper was hit and went down. The pilots in the Company A convoy swooped low as the barrage intensified coming from three sides and touched down to pick up any survivors and return fire. The American casualties quickly piled up. At least 30 U.S. personnel were killed or wounded in the first minutes of the attack. Pfc. Clarence Sasser, a medic, leaped off his chopper. Almost immediately, his leg was grazed by a bullet. He raced across open ground to assist the injured. He brought one man to safety, splashing through the muck of rice paddies to reach a dike. An instant later, a rocket fragment tore into the shoulder of 20-year-old Pfc. Sasser. The pain sets in later, recounted Mr. Sasser, who was presented the Medal of Honor for treating and rescuing more than a dozen others during a day-long ordeal even as he was bleeding from his own injuries. The initial shock is what you experience, and the searing. Shell fragments are hot. Mr. Sasser, who died May 13 in Sugar Land, Tex., at 76, was drafted in 1967. He had been in South Vietnam for about four months when Company A was dispatched on the scouting patrol over the delta, where guerrilla forces known as Viet Cong had been increasing hit-and-run strikes. An ambush awaited. Fire all around us, he recounted in a Library of Congress oral history project in 2001. There wasnt any choice. We had to go in. After bringing the first wounded serviceman to a protected area, Pfc. Sasser ignored his two wounds. He checked his medical supplies and ran back into the open. Suddenly, he collapsed. His legs were hit twice. He crawled to reach another injured soldier. They all had to remain flat. If you stood up, you were dead, he said. The snipers would get you. He also knew that medics were special targets. Killing a medic, he said, probably meant that others would die on the battlefield because they couldnt be treated. It was the rationale, he added. The closest area with some protection, a cluster of trees, was about 200 meters away. He gathered a group of wounded soldiers. The only way out, he told them, was to cover the distance on their bellies. It was a lot better than just laying here waiting on things to come in to kill you, he recalled telling them. In a line, with gunfire above them, they slithered over the rice fields. The best way to get around that day was just simply grabbing the rice sprouts and sliding yourself along, he said. You could move better like that. They reached the trees, but the ground was soggy and filled with leeches that the soldiers constantly needed to pull off their skin. There was nowhere else to go, he said. Pfc. Sasser quickly used up all his medical supplies to stabilize who he could. Others were too far away to reach. The tough part wasnt enemy fire, it was listening to guys call for their mama, and you cant do anything. Listening to them beg all night, he said in a podcast interview last year. And then you dont hear them anymore in the morning, so you know they died. During the night, U.S. airstrikes and napalm fireballs hit the guerrilla positions. Evacuation helicopters arrived just before dawn. Of course I was afraid, he said. But these were my guys. My job was to take care of my guys. Thats it. Saving lives Clarence Eugene Sasser was born on Sept. 12, 1947, in Chenango, Tex., south of Houston, and raised on a farm in nearby Rosharon. He enrolled at the University of Houston to study chemistry but needed a job to pay tuition. He moved to part-time studies, which ended his student draft deferment and opened him up to be picked for service. Following his injuries in Vietnam, he was sent to a U.S. military hospital in Japan for recovery. He helped in the hospitals dispensary and was assigned to remain. (In late January 1968, North Vietnamese forces launched the Tet Offensive in a major escalation of the ground war.) He was presented the Medal of Honor on March 7, 1969, by President Richard M. Nixon at a White House ceremony that included the highly decorated World War II veteran, Audie Murphy. Mr. Sasser left military service three months later at the rank of specialist fifth class. Mr. Sasser resumed his chemistry studies under a scholarship at Texas A&M University. He did not complete his courses leaving to take a job at a petrochemical refinery near Houston but was awarded an honorary doctor of letters degree by the university in 2014. A portrait of Mr. Sasser was placed in the Texas Capitol building in 2021. His wife, the former Ethel Morant, was killed in a car accident in 1996. They had three sons. Complete information on survivors was not immediately available. The death was announced by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, which did not note a specific cause. There are 61 Medal of Honor recipients alive. Mr. Sasser often expressed deep pride in his role as a combat medic, describing himself as part of a tradition of aid going back centuries. My medal was awarded for saving lives rather than taking lives, he said. To me, it makes a difference. China's civil aviation authorities have committed to boosting the frequency of international passenger flights as a primary goal for this year, aiming to further revive international air travel. Chinese and foreign airlines operated a total of 5,493 pairs of scheduled international passenger flights from May 6 to 12, representing approximately 73 percent of the pre-COVID-19 pandemic level, Xu Qing, an official of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), said Friday. At present, international passenger flights link China with 70 countries, with the addition of five new destinations since the pandemic, namely, Kuwait, Serbia, Tanzania, Luxembourg and Papua New Guinea. "The CAAC actively supports Chinese and foreign airlines in increasing their capacity on international routes and improving the international route network," Xu said. Several airlines have recently launched new international routes to facilitate travel between China and other countries. For example, Air China inaugurated the Beijing-Madrid-Sao Paulo route on April 27, while China Southern Airlines began operating the Shenzhen-Mexico City route on May 11. In addition, Hainan Airlines is set to launch the Shenzhen-Budapest route, and China Southern Airlines will also open the Guangzhou-Budapest route soon. The CAAC will continue to streamline the approval and boost support for international flights, promptly addressing any issues and challenges airlines encounter in restoring international services, Xu said. The CAAC will also guide airlines in enhancing the efficiency of air traffic rights usage, thereby better serving international exchanges and passenger travel, Xu added. Captain Clarence E. Jr. Bud Anderson, ace of the 357th Fighter Group, sits on the wing of his P-51 Mustang, nicknamed Old Crow. (Roger Freeman Collection, via American Air Museum in Britain) Clarence E. Bud Anderson Jr., a military pilot whose aerial derring-do spanned from World War II, when he personally shot down 16 German planes in dogfights over occupied Europe, to experimental flights in the era of the jet, died May 17 at his home in Auburn, Calif. He was 102. His daughter, Kitty Burlington, confirmed his death but did not cite a cause. In military parlance, a flying ace is an aviator credited with downing five or more enemy planes. With his 16 kills - 16 to be precise, including one that was a group effort - Anderson earned the title three times over. He was the last surviving triple ace pilot from World War II and a symbol among military aviation buffs of the courage that propelled a generation of young American pilots into epic aerial combat thousands of miles from home. Anderson retired from the Air Force in 1972 as a colonel and two years ago received an honorary promotion to the rank of brigadier general. Drawn to the skies since he was a boy, he enlisted in the Army Air Forces practically the moment he became eligible, at age 20, six weeks after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor precipitated the U.S. entry into World War II. After training, Anderson arrived in Europe in late 1943. He was stationed in England and became one of the first pilots to fly the P-51 Mustang, a propeller fighter plane that was introduced amid intense battle with the German air force, known as the Luftwaffe, and helped change the tide of the air war in Europe. Earlier U.S. fighter planes lacked the range to escort bombers deep into German territory and back, which left the bombers vulnerable to attack and resulted in substantial U.S. losses, said John Curatola, a military historian at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. The introduction of the P-51 Mustang helped turn the tables on the German Luftwaffe, Curatola said. The plane could protect the bombers on their missions from start to finish. And, with its superior maneuverability and formidable firepower, he added, in the hands of a skilled pilot like Anderson its an extremely deadly weapon. Anderson named his P-51 Old Crow. Raised by teetotaling parents, he professed in some company that the name referred to the smartest bird in the sky. Friends in other circles knew that the moniker was, in fact, a nod to his preferred brand of bourbon. P-51 pilots flew alone. By the time Anderson was flying, their mission was twofold: to escort bombers to their targets and get them safely home, and to go after Luftwaffe planes and take them down. Dogfights, lasting only a minute or two, were spectacular bursts of marksmanship as well as airmanship, with pilots guiding their planes while simultaneously firing machine guns located in their wings. Death comes quickly and violently in the air war, Curatola said. There arent many aces because its a very difficult skill to shoot down another aircraft moving at 300 to 400 miles per hour while youre moving at 300 to 400 miles per hour. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ. Brown, Jr. administers the reaffirmation of the oath of office to retired Brig. Gen. Clarence E. Bud Anderson, during a ceremony promoting Anderson to the honorary rank of Brigadier General at the Aerospace Museum of California in McClellan, California, Dec. 2, 2022. (Nicholas Pilch/U.S. Air Force) One of Andersons squadron mates was Chuck Yeager, who later became a test pilot and broke the sound barrier in 1947. On the ground, he was the nicest person youd ever know, Yeager wrote of Anderson in a 1985 autobiography, but in the sky, those damned Germans mustve thought they were up against Frankenstein or the Wolfman; Andy would hammer them into the ground, dive with them into the damned grave, if necessary, to destroy them. During two tours in Europe, Anderson flew 116 missions totaling 480 hours in combat. In all, he was credited with 16 confirmed kills and two probable kills in addition to damaging two more enemy planes, according to the American Fighter Aces Association. Clarence Emil Anderson Jr. - always known as Bud - was born on Jan. 13, 1922, in Oakland, Calif., and grew up in Newcastle, northeast of the state capital of Sacramento. His mother worked as a secretary to several California governors, and his father was a rancher. Anderson earned his pilots license in 1941, at age 19, through the Civilian Pilot Training Program. His best friend also became a pilot and was killed in Germany in 1943 on one of his first missions. Years later, in an interview for the film series Memoirs of World War II, Anderson said that one of the most painful experiences of his life was visiting the mans grieving widow when he was home on leave. Consoling one another, they agreed to stay in touch by mail. In February 1945, when Anderson was home after his second tour in Europe, they were married. Eleanor Cosby Anderson died in 2015. Besides their daughter, of Raleigh, N.C., survivors include a son, Jim Anderson of Mesa, Ariz.; a brother; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Of the 28 pilots who deployed with Anderson at the outset of his service, half were killed or taken prisoner by the end of the war, he said. You come home and theres an empty bunk over there at night, he said. Each guy had to figure out how to cope with that. Some guys just could pull the shade down and ignore it. Some people would not make friends - close friends - because of it. After World War II, Anderson became a military test pilot, serving as chief of fighter operations at what is now Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio. He commanded a fighter squadron in Korea and a tactical fighter wing during the Vietnam War. He received, by the end of his career, two awards of the Legion of Merit, five awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal and 16 awards of the Air Medal. Following his military retirement, Anderson joined the McDonnell Douglas aircraft corporation as manager of the companys flight test facility. According to his website, he flew more than 130 types of aircraft, accumulating more than 7,500 flying hours. With Joseph P. Hamelin, he wrote an autobiography, To Fly and Fight: Memoirs of a Triple Ace. Although proud of his membership in the elite group of triple aces, Anderson was quick to note that World War II was not won alone by the heroes who most often receive the glory. Among those who shared the credit for his achievements, he said, were the members of his ground crew. Once, he told the publication Aviation History, he returned from a wintertime flight over Germany and made an offhand comment that perhaps Old Crows olive-green paint should be replaced with a color that provide better camouflage in the snow. The next morning, he awoke to see the sunlight glinting off the planes original aluminum. The crew had stayed up the whole night through, hand-rubbing the paint off with rags soaked in gasoline, he said. In the process, they had rubbed most of the skin off their hands. No one asked them to do that. No one expected it, Anderson continued. Old Crow was as much their plane as mine. They took as much pride in the things it accomplished as I did. When the victim visited, Edward Cruise sexually abused her up to 15 times a day A man who repeatedly sexually abused a young girl in his home has been jailed for six years. Edward Cruise (66) with an address in Raheny, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to nine counts of sexual assault. The girl was aged between six and 14 when the abuse occurred between 2009 and 2017. A local garda told Eoin Lawlor BL, prosecuting, that the victim became friendly with a close relative of Cruise, who would stay with him for two weeks during summer holidays and at other times of the year. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the abuse began the first time the young girl went to Cruise's house and occurred whenever she was at the property, often multiple times in one day. This relative would also stay with Cruise during other holiday periods and when the victim visited, Cruise sexually abused her, up to 15 times a day. The abuse included inappropriate touching over and under her clothes, masturbation and oral sex. Cruise told her to keep the abuse secret and on one occasion, offered her 5 to come to his house. The girl made a complaint to gardai in 2020. Cruise was arrested and when interviewed, suggested the victim had fabricated the allegations out of spite. After hearing facts, Judge Martin Nolan handed Cruise a global sentence of six years. He said the victim was only six when the abuse started and should have been protected from this type of behaviour. To some degree she trusted this defendant. He was a grandfather at the time and I think she was entitled to trust him, the judge said, adding that Cruise had abused that trust. A victim impact statement was handed to the court, but not read aloud. In response to a query from Judge Nolan, the garda said it was too difficult to estimate how often the victim was abused by Cruise. Judge Nolan said the court would have to infer from the evidence that the abuse took places dozens or hundreds of times. Cruise has a number of previous convictions, including two for indecent assault and four for sexual assault dating back to the early 1990s, for which he received a six-month sentence. The garda agreed with Dean Kelly SC, defending, that his client appears older than his years and has a low level of intellectual functioning. It was further accepted that his living conditions are very basic. The garda also agreed that while Cruise told the victim not to tell anyone, there is no suggestion that threats were made. It was further accepted that the offending only took place when his relative was visiting and that he has no other matters before the courts. Mr Kelly outlined to the court his client's personal circumstances and that he suffered physical violence in the home as a child. He said Cruise spent time in hospital as a child and his poor health has continued into adulthood. Mr Kelly said Cruise will find prison a more difficult experience due to his ill health. Cruise is divorced, has two children and is a grandfather. He has a good work history. Mr Kelly asked the court to take into consideration his client's guilty plea and that there was no violence or threat of violence beyond that inherent in the act itself. Judge Nolan said Cruise sexually abused the victim over a prolonged period of years even if it was confined to holiday periods. When she was in that house, she was abused on a continuous basis by this defendant, Judge Nolan said, suggesting that a very conservative estimate would be at least 100 times. He noted the mitigating features of the case including Cruise's guilty plea, his expressions of remorse and shame, and his age. Judge Nolan said the court considers Cruise is probably unlikely to reoffend, but said that his previous convictions for similar offending are an aggravating factor. Helplines: If you have been affected by the contents of this article, click here for more information. Paul Earley (59) was served with a book of evidence at a sitting of Mullingar District Court A carpenter has been sent forward for trial charged with an alleged serious assault outside a pub in Mullingar earlier this year that left another man fighting for his life in hospital. Paul Earley (59) Donearl House, Meedin, Tyrellspass, Westmeath was served with a book of evidence at a sitting of Mullingar District Court following an incident at Patrick Street, Mullingar, Co Westmeath on January 7, 2024. Earley, who stood quietly with his hands clasped in the body of the court, stands accused of intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to his alleged male victim contrary to Section 4 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. Paul Earley leaving Mullingar Courthouse. A man in his mid 50s was rushed to Regional Hospital Mullingar by emergency services before later being transferred to Dublins Beaumont Hospital as a result of the incident. Garda Mervyn Henson gave evidence of having served the book of evidence on Earley at the start of this mornings court proceedings. Sgt Orla Keenan said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had consented for the accused to be sent forward for trial to the next sittings of Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court next month. Earley previously appeared in court in April when evidence of arrest, charge and caution were relayed before Judge Bernadette Owens. Fifty-nine-year-old Paul Earley is accused of "intentionally or recklessly" causing "serious harm" to a man arising out of an incident in Mullingar in January. Sgt Keenan said the State had no issue with Earley being sent forward on his current bail bond which includes conditions for the accused to sign on each Monday at Mullingar garda station, to surrender his passport and to provide a mobile number to gardai. David Nohilly, in defence, said legal aid was previously granted and owing to the serious nature of the charge, applied for a junior and senior counsel to be applied to the case. Judge Owens granted that request before giving Earley the alibi warning, telling him he had 14 days to notify the State solicitors office of any alibi he wished to rely on during the course of his trial. Earley was remanded on continuing bail to appear before the next sittings of Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court on June 25. Hated predator spotted prowling the vicinity recently A man convicted of raping a pensioner has been warned to stay away from an area of west Belfast after he was recently spotted loitering in the vicinity of a care home for the elderly. Concerned residents of the Divis estate voiced their concern after Joe Mexico McCabe was seen prowling the streets last week. One local even managed to get a photo of the predator, who was recently freed from prison. McCabe is understood to be holed up in a city centre hostel and is believed to have been coming into the area to buy drugs. A parent who provided the image of McCabe, who was spitting, said: It was a homeless person who warned the local community about him, and how he was coming and going into Divis. Fair play to that person because no one wants a rapist like Joe McCabe in the community. They also told how McCabe fled the area after realising his identity had been rumbled. Joe McCabe He hasnt been seen about here in a few days, although there has been talk hes been coming into Divis at night to buy drugs, added a source. McCabe (40) is considered one of Northern Irelands most dangerous sex offenders, with probation insiders previously describing him as unmanageable. He recently served a sentence for sexually assaulting a young woman last December and possessing amphetamines. The attack occurred less than a month after McCabe had been released from jail for burgling a house armed with a screwdriver. DANGEROUS: Joe Mexico McCabe The thug gained notoriety in 2005 when he raped a female pensioner and subjected her to what a court heard was a terrifying and prolonged ordeal. The 64-year-old grandmother begged McCabe not to hurt her, telling him that she had no money or jewellery. However, he ignored her pleas for mercy, grabbing and stripping her naked while shouting: Kiss me, kiss me on the lips. McCabe was jailed for 14 years for what a judge described as a violent sexual offence carried out with significant gratuitous violence. But he was freed under the old 50% remission scheme in 2013 having served just over half his sentence. Since then, McCabe has been a regular before the courts and has breached the terms of his early release on at least six occasions. These include sparking a cross-border manhunt when he illegally fled Northern Ireland and was found hiding in a Donegal caravan park. McCabe claims to have been hearing voices in his head since the age of eight and has multiple other convictions for theft and shoplifting. Mervyn Hanna admitted trying to communicate with a child for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification A pensioner has been released on bail and ordered to sign the sex offenders register after a so-called paedophile hunter sting. Mervyn Hanna admitted trying to communicate with a child for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification which was intended to encourage the child to make a sexual communication. The 72-year-old, from Hall Road in Donaghcloney, committed the offence on dates between October 3 and November 9 last year. He is understood to have believed he was talking to a 13-year-old girl. After a prosecuting lawyer told Newry Magistrates Court the Public Prosecution Service was withdrawing the first count against Hanna, defence solicitor Richard Monteith confirmed his client was pleading guilty to the second count. Hanna was charged after a so-called paedophile hunter sting in Kilkeel which was captured on video and broadcast on social media. The pervert pensioner was accused of sending pictures of his privates and a video of himself masturbating to a fake profile Following Hannas admissions, Mr Monteith applied for the case to be adjourned so a pre-sentence report from probation services could be completed. District Judge Eamon King freed the defendant on bail and adjourned passing sentence until June 19. He said that because of the guilty plea, the pervert would have to sign the sex offenders register. Thug had escaped from prison van when it stopped at chipper A man who has been jailed after joining in a mob attack on gardai outside a funeral is a well-known thug who infamously escaped from a prison van after officers had stopped at a chipper. Two gardai were surrounded, threatened and had objects thrown at them by a large group of people on the Kylemore Road in Dublin on February 20, 2023. Gardai had been deployed to the Cherry Orchard/Ballyfermot area when they observed a number of dangerous driving and reckless endangerment incidents in the area on the day. Lee McDonnell is a well-known criminal There were a large number of scramblers and mopeds and gardai tried to seized one moped when it almost struck a woman pushing a buggy. They were then surrounded by the group and attacked. Lee McDonnell (32), who is originally from Ballyfermot, got off a bus and became involved, lunging towards the two gardai and attempting to punch them. His then partner dragged him away from the area. After hearing the facts earlier this month, Judge Pauline Codd remarked this incident occurred in the context of a funeral, adding: There was a time in this country when people respected the dead and respected themselves. McDonnell, with an address Kilmartin Green, Fettercairn, Tallaght, Dublin 24, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years after he pleaded guilty to a charge of affray. Lee McDonnell was involved in the attack on two gardai Attack scene Scene of the attack McDonnell has 133 previous convictions, including for robbery, aggravated burglary and escaping from lawful custody. He has been involved in crime since an early age and has spent lengthy periods behind bars and has had to be moved a number of times due to the threat he has posed to other inmates or due to threats against him. McDonnell was still in his teens when he and a pal were arrested after shots were fired at a house in the Clifden Estate in Ballyfermot in March, 2011. He was only 19 at the time, but it was yet another incident which marked him out as a dangerous criminal. He was part of a group of young west Dublin criminals who were causing havoc in their late teens and early 20s who had been mentored by older criminals with links to veteran gangster Derek Dee Dee ODriscoll. Lee McDonnell is a well-known criminal In the same year he was arrested over the gun attack, McDonnell was involved in a vicious machete attack on young man who was lured to an apartment complex in Cherry Orchard. The victims hand was almost severed off in the barbaric attack. In late 2014 by which time he was serving a prison sentence for various offences he sparked a nationwide manhunt when he escaped from a prison van which had stopped at a chipper in Inchicore to get him food after a hospital visit. The thug was on the run for five weeks until he was eventually caught following a chase by gardai in Clondalkin Even before his chipper escape, he was involved in another escape attempt. Three prison officers were injured and other inmates terrorised when he tried to escape from a court-house holding cell. It had been rumoured that Robinson had continued to pay rent to Dublin City Council in order to maintain a Dublin base she could return to in the event husband Daniel Kinahan is arrested. One of the properties owned by Caoimhe Robsinson in Dubai Two council-owned homes in Dublin, formerly occupied by Daniel Kinahans wife Caoimhe Robinson, have been sold by Dublin City Council and are now in private ownership severing her last ties to this country. The 47-year-old whose multi-million-euro property deals in Dubai were exposed by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists earlier this week grew up in a council house near Darndale before getting her own council flat in nearby Clongriffin. It was outside this council flat on Marrsfield Avenue that her first gangster boyfriend Micka The Panda Kelly was gunned down in 2011. He was shot 14 times with an assault rifle by his Real IRA killers, who then reversed over his body as they fled. It had been rumoured that Robinson had continued to pay rent to Dublin City Council in order to maintain a Dublin base she could return to in the event husband Daniel Kinahan is arrested. However, property records conclusively show this option is now off the table. The Marrsfield Avenue council flat was sold in September of 2021 for 264,000. Prior to moving to the flat, Robinson had resided with her mother in a council house on Newtown Drive, Ayrfield, across from Darndale in Dublin 13. This property was sold into private ownership on December 13 of last year. Its believed Dublin City Council took charge of the property after Robinsons mother Hillary, who was the main tenant in the property, died in 2020. Robinson, who was courted by cartel boss Daniel Kinahan in the wake of Mika Kellys death, was already living in the lap of luxury in Dubai with the mob-boss when her mother died. Caoimhe's hubby Daniel Kinahan She wed Kinahan during a glitzy ceremony at the 1,000-a-night Burj Al Arab hotel in 2017 surrounded by members of the co-called international super cartel. Leaks about Robinsons property dealings in Dublin have been ongoing for the past two years. In May 2022, a data leak revealed she was the registered owner of two plush apartments in Dubais Marina district. The properties included a one-bedroom property in the Al Mesk tower, worth an estimated 420,000, as well as a four-bedroom apartment in the Elite Residence Tower. However, the leak published this week by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists is by far the most extensive and strikes at the heart of her dealings in Dubai. One of the properties owned by Caoimhe Robsinson in Dubai In 2022, property records show that Kinahan and his wife were listed as the owners of four properties in Dubai, with one being sold by Robinson earlier this year. Among them are Emirates Hills, an exclusive collection of mansions in the middle of Dubai, that was snapped up for 6.05m. It was re-sold a year later for 11.7m. A six-bed villa in Parkway Vistas purchased in the molls name was flogged for 5.2m. And a four-bed luxury apartment in the Elite Residences skyscraper acquired by Robinson in 2017 sold for 1.02m. Robinson made the transactions after US-led sanctions were issued against her husband, his father Dapper Don Christy and younger brother Christopher Jnr. The "portal sculpture" connects New York City to Dublin via a silent video livestream and was intended to be "a bridge to cultures from around the world." The portal will now have limited opening hours and include new measures to stop people holding phones to the camera lens (Niall Carson/PA) The Dublin to New York portal is back in action after being out of operation for a number of days. The "portal sculpture" connects New York City to Dublin via a silent video livestream and was intended to be "a bridge to cultures from around the world." Located on North Earl Street in the capitals city centre, it had been displaying the message Portal is asleep back up soon since Tuesday instead of its usual glimpse into New York City. The shutdown prompted passersby to leave tribute flowers at the portal as well as a hilarious memorial sign reading, RIP the Portal. 8 14 May. Sorry we mooned you. The Portal is awake again, come wave to some folks in the Big Apple!! pic.twitter.com/ldy5p4W0qa Dublin City Council (@DubCityCouncil) May 19, 2024 On Sunday afternoon, Dublin City Council announced that it was up and running once again by sharing a video of crowds standing in front of the Portal as they greeted the Americans on the other side. The Portal is awake again, come wave to some folks in the Big Apple!! it captioned the post. New measures are now in place that will blur the camera if the sculpture is stepped on and help with crowd management. Fencing has been installed in front of the New York portal and on-site security will continue there. It will operate on reduced hours for the coming weeks and the livestream will run daily from 11am until 9pm in Dublin and 6am to 4pm in New York. It comes after OnlyFans model Ava Louise took credit this week for shutting down the webcam art installation opposite the Spire on OConnell Street. She visited the portal from New York and flashed her breasts at onlookers in Dublin and the portal was disconnected shortly afterwards. The 25-year-old took to social media to share that she thought the people of Dublin deserved to see my two New York homegrown potatoes. "So I just got the portal from New York City to Dublin shut down," she began. "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. 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. The Radio Nacional Argentina's website publishes an article praising President Ho Chi Minh. (Photo: Screenshot/VNA) Reporte Asia affirmed that President Ho Chi Minh was a great revolutionary of Vietnam who became a symbol of the resistance against colonialism and the exploitation by Western empires. With the title "La vida y legado de Ho Chi Minh, lider de la revolucion vietnamita" (The life and legacy of Ho Chi Minh, leader of the Vietnamese revolution), the article emphasised that Ho Chi Minh's legacy is a symbol that transcended historical boundaries and profoundly influenced political and social changes in East Asia during the second half of the 20th century. It reviewed the significant moments in the revolutionary career of Nguyen Tat Thanh, who later became President Ho Chi Minh, in Europe, especially the time when he stayed in France, where he actively participated in social movements against colonialism. Meanwhile, Resumen Latinoamericano newspaper emphasised the decisive moment when Ho Chi Minh founded the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) in February 1930. It commented that the establishment of a political party representing the interests of the working class and the Vietnamese people demonstrated Ho Chi Minh's brilliance as a thinker and a strategist. The article highlighted the significance of the signing of the Geneva Accords on July 20, 1954, on ending the war and restoring peace in Indochina, which ended the French rule and recognised independence of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, officially ending French colonialism in Indochina. President Ho Chi Minh always sought national unity and the avoidance of armed conflict, it said. In its article, the Radio Nacional Argentina's website reported that before Uncle Ho passed away in September 1969, he had issued a final call for the resistance against the US to save the country. Despite the war lasting until 1975, for the Vietnamese people, Presisent Ho Chi Minh remained a great architect of independence and nation liberation and reunification, the agency said./. UPDATE: Abbey has been found safe and well Gardai are seeking the public's assistance in locating 16-year-old Abbey OBrien, who has been missing from Bray since Saturday, 18th May 2024. Abbey was last seen in the Bray area around 8pm. She is known to frequent Dublin city centre. Abbey is described as 5' 2" in height, of slim build, with blue eyes and blonde hair. When last seen was wearing a light pink top and trousers, a black jacket, and pink runners. Anyone with information on Abbeys whereabouts is urged to contact Bray Garda Station on 01 666 5300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station. They wouldnt do that with French or Spanish or any other language. Glasgow Airport has come in for sharp criticism after a sign for a restaurant appeared to mix up the Irish and Scottish languages. The Caledonia eatery in the Departures Terminal of the Scottish airport put up a sign saying An bhfuil ocras ort? which is Irish for are you hungry? Its just a kick in the teeth that companies do this, said Murdo MacSween, a Scottish Gaelic speaker. Scottish Gaelic is the indigenous language of Scotland, protected under the European Charter for Regional Languages. Spoken Gaelic has official status as the 'national language' of Scotland, with Ireland's own Gaeilge having many similarities due to the fact that both languages came from language of the Gaels. Although many Scottish Gaelic speakers can understand parts of the Irish language, they will struggle with full sentences and the same could be said for Irish speakers hearing Scottish Gaelic. In a post on X, Gaelic speaker and the co-owner of Gaelic projects agency Astar, Murdo MacSween pointed out that a sign for the Caledonia restaurant had got the two languages muddled. The sign in question Speaking to The National newspaper, he explained it looks as though whoever has designed the sign has simply googled Gaelic for are you hungry, adding that the search engine consistently thinks Gaelic means Irish. The slogan on the sign currently reads An bhfuil ocras ort? with MacSween explaining it should instead say A bheil an t-acras ort?. Its just a kick in the teeth, he said. They have some good intentions but the disrespect not to check or confirm the spelling/grammar is ridiculous. They wouldnt do that with French or Spanish or any other language. In his own social media post, MacSween said: Good morning @GLA_Airport, maybe dont just google your translations. Thats Irish, not Scottish Gaelic. Show some respect. Hire someone to translate it or even just try @LearnGaelicScot maybe. A spokesperson told the newspaper the airport is "aware of the translation error and the boarding is being replaced". Many others also expressed annoyance with the sign with one user commenting I hope they get that corrected ASAP. Its lazy and gives the appearance that they dont really care, said a second user who added that it was easier to have got it right. A third meanwhile called on the airport to sort this ignorance out. It will remain warm and humid with light northerly or variable breezes, highest temperatures of 18 to 23 degrees are expected. Temperatures could reach as high as 23 degrees today despite heavy rain, lightning and hail possible in the southeast and south of the country. Met Eireann has issued a Status Yellow thunderstorm warning for five counties: Carlow, Kilkenny, Cork, Tipperary and Waterford. The warning will come into effect at 2pm today and last until 8pm. This morning will be dry with sunny spells before showers develop in Leinster and Munster this afternoon. Rain will be heaviest in the southeast and south with spot flooding, lightning and hail possible. It will remain warm and humid with light northerly or variable breezes, highest temperatures of 18 to 23 degrees are expected. Showers will die out tonight and it will become dry with clear spells as temperatures reach lows of seven to 10 degrees. Monday morning will be mainly dry with sunny spells, though showers will develop in the afternoon and evening, becoming heaviest and most frequent in Ulster, Connacht and west Munster. A lightning strike. (Stock image) Thunderstorms, spot flooding and hail remains possible as highest temperatures reach 19 to 23 degrees. Met Eireann says the coming days remain changeable with showers or longer spells of rain, it will turn cooler and less humid from midweek. There will be scattered showers on Tuesday morning that will become widespread and heavy during the afternoon with spot flooding, lightning and hail possible. Highest temperatures will reach 16 to 19 degrees, dropping slightly to 14 to 18 degrees on Wednesday when there will be a mix of sunshine and showers, some possibly heavy. Thursday will be dry in the west, while more persistent rain will hit eastern counties and gradually spread westwards later. Temperatures on Thursday are expected to reach 12 to 15 degrees. while Friday could see highs of 15 to 18 degrees. Current indications suggest that Friday will bring showers or longer spells of rain with some brighter intervals possible, Met Eireann forecasts. Highest temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees are expected, with the weather likely to remain unsettled next weekend with rain at times. Migrants will be housed in military style tents at a portion of the site at Thornton Hall in a number of weeks Tanaiste Micheal Martin inspecting the troops as he meets members of the 124th Infantry Battalion at Camp Shamrock in Debel during a visit to Lebanon to meet Irish troops serving with the United Nations Interim Force Lebanon (Unifil). Niall Carson/PA Wire There will be proper housing for asylum seekers built at Thornton Hall, Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said. Migrants will be housed in military style tents at a portion of the site at Thornton Hall in a number of weeks as the Government struggles to house record numbers coming in and seeking international protection. Thornton Hall is expected to be one of the first of many asylum seeker camps around the country as a number of other sites are being examined. The site currently costs about 30,000 per year to maintain and already has water and electricity connection as well as CCTV. It is envisaged that we would provide facilities there, initially, yes, of a tented variety but ultimately I think we need more proper facilities but obviously theyre going to take some time to build, Minister Martin said while speaking in southern Lebanon. He said he did not want to say what the specific nature of the structures will be when asked if it will be prefabricated accommodation. Initially it will be tents, at Thornton Hall and other sites as well. Fundamentally, what were looking at is more proper, more effective accommodation. Finance Minister Michael McGrath said up to 30,000 asylum seekers could come into the country if current numbers continue. There are around 600 migrants coming into the State seeking international protection each week. Thornton Hall was once earmarked for a super prison and the Department of Justice has now released a part of the site to other agencies. Justice Minister Helen McEntee said earlier this month the rest of the site can still be used in meeting the future accommodation requirements of the prison system. She said a review group has now been set up to re-examine plans for a super prison in the north county Dublin site. Around 30,000 was spent last year and in 2022 to maintain the site, according to figures obtained from the Justice Minister Helen McEntee by Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Over 27,000 has been spent this year alone on maintenance to service chambers on the perimeter of the site by Gas Networks. These service chambers allow access to cabling and other infrastructure which connect the site to essential services, such as electricity and gas. The Government hopes to house migrants there in the next four to six weeks. The male youth was taken to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries. A teenager has been hospitalised after being stabbed at a Dublin Luas stop, with gardai now investigating. The youth was seriously injured after being stabbed at Jervis Street Luas Stop in north Dublin city centre. A garda spokesperson said: Shortly after 4pm on Sunday, May 19, gardai were alerted to an incident on Liffey Street. A male in his late teens was injured during the incident and was found on Jervis Street. He was transported by ambulance to the Mater Hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. The scene was examined by local scene of crime officers and Jervis Street has since fully reopened to traffic. Anyone with information is asked to contact Store Street Garda Station at 01 666 8000 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111. The area has been cordoned off for a forensic examination. Luas operators said the Red Line between Smithfield and The Point/Connolly was suspended for a period but has since reopened. Blood was being washed away as people walked by the scene this evening. Bridget is set to defy any knockers across the pond by claiming her breasts are bigger and better than those of American Ava Louise, who gave Irish people an eyeful during the week Irish glamour model and OnlyFans star Bridget Byrne aka Ava Van Rose will take to the portal A tit-for-tat transatlantic war has erupted between two Irish and American OnlyFans stars both named Ava over the notorious Dublin-New York portal. Dublin glamour model Bridget Byrne, whose stage name is Ava Van Rose, promises to give the Americans a taste of bigger and better Irish potatoes now that the portal is re-opened. Bridget is set to defy any knockers across the pond by claiming her breasts are bigger and better than those of American Ava Louise, who gave Irish people an eyeful during the week when she lifted up her top to flash her naked breasts on the New York side of the portal. I wouldnt be tacky enough to go nipple front but Id like to do it with nipple covers or nipple tassels, purrs Bridget (34). It would definitely be a tit-for-tat. American OnlyFans star and adult model Ava Louise gave Irish people an eyeful on the portal My boobs are definitely bigger than hers mine wont really go with much larger than I have, but Id love to get larger. Im currently 32E and would like to go to 32GG. New Jersey adult model Ava Louise (25) who has a cup size of 34C was accompanied by her boyfriend when she performed her cheeky stunt in front of Irish onlookers at the portal, lifting her top to show off her naked boobs. The American, who has over 400,000 followers on Instagram and also sells pictures of herself on OnlyFans, boasted she thought the people of Dublin deserved to see my two New York homegrown potatoes. The portal was temporarily closed after not just Ava Louises carry-on, but also flareups on the Dublin side which included lads mooning as well as someone holding up a picture of the Twin Towers in flames during 9/11. Bridget, who has 160,000 followers on her Ava Van Rose Instagram account, has been waiting for the portal to re-open so she can give Americans a taste of her assets. Irish glamour model and OnlyFans star Bridget Byrne aka Ava Van Rose will take to the portal I think its great fun, smiles Bridget, who has been called Irelands answer to Jordan/Katie Price. I have been watching some of the stuff, and its very artistic. It gets to see different people on either side of the borders. I think its mad, a bit of craic and I think it does connect people. I think it would be nice to have it in other places other than Ireland and New York. I havent been to New York yet, its on my to-do list. I have been to Los Angeles a few times. Id love to make new friends in New York and maybe if they get to see me in the portal and what I have to offer, I might get a few invites over you never know. Bridget recently took a break from social media, but still kept her OnlyFans account open, in which she claims she has a army of slaves. American OnlyFans star and adult model Ava Louise Im flying out to Turkey in two weeks to get my bum done. This will be my third time to get my bum done, adds the mum of four. Last year I graced the cover of 12 magazines in the space of six months all over the world and I still go to the dominatrix and fetish and glamour awards in the UK. I think there should be an Irish version, because Ireland has become more open to the European ideas on the concept of people who are genuinely and aesthetically themselves. Bridget, from Clondalkin, Dublin, has been a glamour model for the past 13 years and rose to fame through her modelling work and reality TV appearances on shows such as Rise of the Instababes and on MTVs Botched. She has been classed as Irelands most surgically enhanced woman, with two boob jobs, two bum lifts, a tummy tuck, abdominoplasty, liposuction, lip fillers and a designer vagina. She wants to focus on rebranding her makeup business and reveals she is single at the moment. Im business-focused and I want to get my surgery, so that will put me out for a while, she points out. Dublin City Council said technical solutions are being looked at to clamp down on lewd acts in front of the video link. The Saltburn actor attended the annual event in the south of France to promote his new film Bird. Barry Keoghan wearing a bracelet with his mum's name engraved on it (Doug Peters/PA) Barry Keoghan paid tribute to his late mum at the Cannes Film Festival over the weekend. The Saltburn actor attended the annual event in the south of France to promote his new film Bird, which had its world premiere at the international festival on Thursday. On Friday, the Dubliner wore a simple white t-shirt tucked into a pair of black pinstriped trousers, completing the look with a swanky watch and a pair of black sunglasses. But one accessory stood out from the rest a silver bracelet with his mums name, Debbie, engraved on it. He previously told Esquire how he randomly selected the bracelet when picking a costume for a movie he was working on. Barry Keoghan wearing a bracelet with his mum's name engraved on it (Doug Peters/PA) He said: I said, Thats my mothers name. Debbie. Thats crazy, isnt it? Thats a sign. That is a fecking sign! That day alone is like... So I kept it. They were like, Wheres the bracelet? I was like, Im keeping that. Barry's mother died from a heroin overdose when he was 12 years old. The 31-year-old spoke about losing his mother on The Late Late Show back in 2018. It was a new thing and people didnt know the effects, he told then-host Ryan Tubridy. The drugs hit the area and it affected all the families and she was one of them that got caught. I was living with my Nanny at that stage. I was 12. She was very young. She was 31. I have great memories of her and Im very proud of her. The actor also opened up about how he and his brother Eric were moved around 13 different foster homes between the ages of five and 12 before moving in with their Nanny Patricia, aunt Lorraine, and older sister Gemma in the inner-city area of Summerhill. We went into foster care and the families we went to were good to us. We went to a few of them. They kept us together, which was great. Every family was good to us. As a kid, you dont know whats happening; you get attached and then boom let's move over here. Its a weird one. Its only when you get older, you can look back and get a bit of perspective on it. So, I dont have a hometown, he joked before adding: Im only messing, I do. Summerhill. The previous host of the same mid-morning slot on Virgin Radio, Eddy Temple-Morris had a 0.7 per cent share or about 469,000 listeners. Presenters like Jonathan Ross have a big appeal in the UK Ryan Tubridy has suffered a blow in his move to the UK with new radio listenership figures there showing he is struggling in the market. Figures obtained by the Sunday World show that the former Late Late Show host has attracted just 0.2 per cent of listeners out of a UK population of just over 67 million. This equates to about 134,000 listeners. The previous host of the same mid-morning slot on Virgin Radio, Eddy Temple-Morris had a 0.7 per cent share or about 469,000 listeners. Virgin Radios show broadcast just before Tubridys slot is the morning programme presented by Chris Evans. Ryans three-hour show goes out after Chris Evans slot He has a 1.5 per cent share of the UK population, or just over one million listeners (1,005,000). Tubridy in the UK is commanding less than half of the listenership he had in Ireland on his RTE Radio 1 morning slot, despite Britain having over 13 times our population. His RTE Radio 1 show had just over 340,000 listeners before he left the station last August. Tubridy moved to London in early January to present his three-hour morning show on Virgin, compared to his hour-long slot on RTE Radio 1. Russell Crowe was a guest on Ryans Virgin Radio morning show The new figures dont give him much breathing space, remarked a UK radio expert. Hes pretty much an unknown in Britain, despite filling in for the likes of Graham Norton, Terry Wogan, Jonathan Ross and Chris Evans on their shows down through the years when they were on holidays. Its pretty much to be expected that there would be a dip in listeners for a new presenter, but there are eyebrows being raised thats its so sizeable. The next set of figures will be released later this year. When he joined Virgin, Tubs said he was thrilled at the opportunity. I couldnt be more excited to start this new chapter with Virgin Radio, be beamed. New city, new station, new beginnings. I love radio and what a joy to be following the legendary Chris Evans every morning! "Its been a pleasure getting to know my new friends at Virgin Radio, all of whom have been warm, engaging and very entertaining! And big thanks to the London Irish who have made me feel so welcome in recent weeks. On a personal note, this is a big day for my wonderful family who I hope to make proud, and also the people who advised me so well recently and got me to this moment. To the listeners, wherever they might be, I urge you to join us on this adventure every weekday morning, there is much fun to be had! Tubridy used his star contacts to have Russell Crowe as his very first guest on his British radio show. His Virgin show is broadcast simultaneously on Dublin station Q102 both outlets are owned by Rupert Murdochs Wireless company. Ryan once earned over 500,000 a year with RTE, thanks to hosting the flagship Late Late talk show as well as his morning radio programme. However, Virgin Radio is one of the least popular national stations in the UK and sources maintain Tubridy is on a salary of less that 100,000 a year. Presenters like Jonathan Ross have a big appeal in the UK The 50-year-old had agreed a new salary of 170,000 a year with RTE before being dumped by the station last summer, after becoming embroiled in a salary row with management. He also presents a dedicated weekend show he records in London and which is broadcast on Sundays across Wireless Irelands stations of Dublins Q102, Corks 96FM, Limericks Live 97 and LMFM in counties Louth and Meath. The presenter travels frequently back to his 1 million home in Monkstown, Co. Dublin, and also enjoys a cross-channel relationship with former Rose of Tralee winner Clare Kambarnettu. Tubridy recently said he was trashed during a controversy which arose following revelations about his pay and an undisclosed commercial deal that was arranged by the national broadcaster. The controversy saw Tubridy and his agent Noel Kelly, as well as senior executives and board members at RTE, called before crunch Oireachtas committees which probed a widening crisis at the broadcaster. The journalist announced her engagement last September after a year of dating her partner. Virgin Media broadcaster Zara King celebrated her bridal shower this weekend with some of her closest friends and family. The journalist announced her engagement last September after a year of dating her partner, whose identity she has chosen to keep private. The couple are planning to tie the knot this summer in Cork, but before she walks down the aisle, Zara made sure to throw a bash with all her girlfriends, including fellow Virgin Media presenter Muireann OConnell. She posted a sweet photo on Instagram with her three bridesmaids, who all wore matching pink pyjama sets while the woman of the hour donned a veil for the occasion. Captioning the post, Zara wrote: #BridalShower Weekend #Bridesmaid, adding a series of wedding-themed emojis. Ireland AM host Muireann also shared some snaps from the fun weekend, including a picture of a pink and purple balloon display reading Zaras bridal shower. Friends and followers flocked to the comments section to send their well wishes to the bride-to-be, including fellow Virgin Media star Katja Mia, who wrote: Beautiful!! Enjoy the weekend. Miriam OCallaghan said: I love this. Have an amazing time Zara. Another person added: Beautiful and the very best of luck to you both Zara. And someone else chimed in: Awww gorgeous. Have the loveliest weekend Zara and squad. Zara recently revealed that her wedding would be taking place in West Cork this summer, telling Evoke.ie: Were getting married this summer, we still have loads to organise but Im loving it. I underestimated how much work it is to plan a wedding. I didnt really want to drag organising something out over two years. I dont think I have the time or the concentration to do it over two years, but then its funny because you ring people to book things, and they are like most people have that booked from two years ago. Inviting all New Zealand men over 50 for a simple blood test will advance early treatment and reduce deaths from the most common male cancer, says a Europe-based cancer researcher. Dr Renee Leenen says organised screening programmes flagged warnings of prostate problems including cancer, an unpredictable disease hard to detect because it lacked symptoms in early stages. Once symptoms emerged, treatment options were more limited. What were calling for in Europe now, and also applicable in New Zealand, is to implement an organised screening programme, to ensure that men who need to get tested, do get tested, Dr Leenen told Radio New Zealand. One of the international speakers at the Prostate Cancer Foundation conference in Christchurch on Sunday, May 19, Dr Leenen is a key member of the PRAISE-U project team, an EU-funded initiative piloting early detection and diagnosis of prostate cancer through customised and risk-based screening programmes. The number of New Zealand cases and deaths from prostate cancer is rising. In 2021, the most recent data, 762 men died of prostate cancer, about 50 per cent higher than the mid-1990s. And the registered number of prostate cancer cases has nearly doubled over the same period, to 4356. Renee Leenen. Photo: Supplied. Rotterdam-based Renee says in future there will be more detections and deaths due to men living longer. The risk of getting prostate cancer depended on factors including age, family history and genetic makeup. She will outline at the conference the importance of detecting these cancers early, when curative treatment is possible. In Europe and New Zealand, currently men at risk wanting to gauge their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level must ask their GP or urologist for a PSA test, or rely on doctors to initiate a discussion and suggest a test. As a result, many men are not tested. A PSA centralised screening programme would involve a state agency inviting all men over 50 for a test, when mens risk of prostate cancer rises significantly. This would be a population-based approach echoing the New Zealand screening programmes for breast, bowel and cervical cancer. The work of Dr Leenen and the PRAISE-U team is leading to the implementation of such a programme for prostate cancer across Europe. The Prostate Cancer Foundation is calling on the Government to fund a $6.4 million, three-year screening pilot in two locations. Lessons would inform a national screening programme which health officials say will eventually be implemented due to numbers of prostate cancer cases and deaths and absence of warning signs. Renee says pilots underway in Europe were about identifying the cohort of men at elevated risk of developing prostate cancer. We want to screen the right men. Eventually we want to get the numbers of men dying of prostate cancer lower because there are treatment options. We want to catch these men at an early stage so we can give them treatment which will cure them. High PSA levels could mean a man has an enlarged prostate, an infection, or prostate cancer, which could be benign or aggressive. A single abnormal reading is followed by further PSA testing, ultrasound or MRI scans and, with enough evidence, a biopsy. Renee says two large studies had proved the benefits of PSA blood testing and ended debate in Europe about the efficacy and safety of the screening and diagnostic process. They showed PSA based screening reduces specific mortality and metastatic disease. PRAISE-U is focussing on the feasibility of population-based screening, including how to engage with men through decision aids such as environmental and social influences, and the strong influence of women on their partners health. Prostate Cancer Foundation chief executive Peter Dickens challenge to the government is to make a public commitment that it will implement an early detection programme starting with a two-location pilot in an urban and rural region. A prostate cancer screening pilot in Waitemata and Tairawhiti would require an initial Budget investment of only $6.4 million over four years," says Peter. "Ongoing investment totalling $32 million over 20 years is expected to return over $100 million to the health system in cost savings and generate over half a billion in health gains for Waitemata and Tairawhiti men over their lifetimes." One lucky Lotto player from Hamilton will be having a great day after winning $1 million with Lotto First Division in Saturday nights live Lotto draw. The winning ticket was sold on MyLotto to a player from Hamilton. Powerball was not struck on Saturday evening and has rolled over to Wednesday night, where the jackpot will be $26 million. Meanwhile, a lucky Strike player from Waihi will also be celebrating after winning $300,000 with Strike Four. The winning Strike ticket was sold at Waihi Paper Plus & Toyworld in Wahi. The winning doesnt stop there! Lotto NZs Mothers Day Triple Dip promotion was also drawn on Saturday night, and 75 extra prizes of $10,000 cash were up for grabs. The results of Lotto NZs Mothers Day Triple Dip promotion are available online at mylotto.co.nz 20 Lotto players win Second Division Twenty lucky Lotto players will be over the moon after each winning $20,703 with Lotto Second Division in Saturday nights live Lotto draw. Two lucky players also won Powerball Second Division, taking their total winnings to $35,140. The winning Powerball Second Division tickets were sold at Greenhithe Store in Auckland and on MyLotto to a player from Manawatu. The winning Second Division tickets were sold at stores listed here. Anyone who bought their ticket from Waihi Paper Plus & Toyworld or on MyLotto should check their ticket as soon as possible in-store, on MyLotto, or through the MyLotto App. Lotto NZ exists to return 100 per cent of its profits to Kiwi communities through lottery grants programmes run by Te Puna Tahua NZ Lottery Grants Board. SUR In English Malaga Sunday, 19 May 2024 | Updated 21/05/2024 10:37h. Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X (antes Twitter) LinkedIn Telegram Threads Following the success of the inaugural edition last year, SUR in English is currently preparing its second Top International Business Guide and Awards. With the aim to showcase the international business community in the south of Spain, the guide will feature firms in a wide range of sectors and industries. Healthcare, education, banking, real estate and technology are among the sections in this year's guide, which will be published inside SUR in English and online on 31 May. The ideal publication to keep on the coffee table, readers will have at hand the most comprehensive directory of professional services for the international community in the south of Spain, from financial advisers to healthcare. To launch the guide, SUR in English will be hosting a networking evening on 28 May at Holiday World Benalmadena Costa at which the Top International Business Awards will be presented. After 40 years on the Costa del Sol, SUR in English will once again be stressing its commitment to "linking communities and supporting local businesses". Zoom The guide will be published inside SUR in English and online on 31 May. There is no doubt that the international community on the Costa del Sol does business and does it very well. People of different nationalities left their countries of origin to start a new life in Spain and that new life often involved an exciting business venture. Meanwhile Spanish firms already successful in the area adapted their products to be able to cater for the growing international community. And all this has contributed to create a vibrant and successful business environment this newspaper wants to celebrate. For more information about featuring a business in the guide or to attend the networking event, contact David Andrews on dandrews@diariosur.es or call 952649638. Beijing has constructed about 114,500 5G base stations as of April, with a density of 52 stations per 10,000 people, ranking first in China, said an official on Friday. "Beijing is actively promoting a signal upgrade campaign, focusing on improving network coverage in key areas," said Su Shaolin, head of the Beijing Communications Administration, emphasizing the city's ambition to lead the nation in massive connectivity. To accelerate the transition to 10-gigabit-per-second-speed for internet, Beijing has implemented several initiatives, including the country's first 10-gigabit optical network plan, Su said. By April, 5G mobile subscribers in Beijing reached 21.27 million, accounting for 53.1 percent of the city's total mobile users. Additionally, gigabit broadband users surged to 2.54 million, representing 26.9 percent of total broadband users, according to the administration. Furthermore, 862 5G virtual private networks have been established across various industries, focusing on smart education, healthcare, tourism, media convergence, internet connected vehicles, and industrial internet. Beijing is actively cultivating demonstration projects to showcase the transformative power of 5G technology, Su said. Beijing boasts the country's largest number of internet companies as of April, exceeding 22,000. The city also ranks second nationwide in website registration, with a total of 405,600 websites, he said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. The meeting of the presidents of Iran and Azerbaijan on the two countries' state border has opened a new page in the relations of these countries, Iranian Ambassador Seyed Abbas Mousavi wrote on his X page, Trend reports. I am proud that on the last day of my diplomatic mission, with the participation of the presidents of Iran and Azerbaijan, the "Khudafarin" and Giz Galasi hydroelectric complexes were commissioned as a successful example of water diplomacy, Mousavi said. To note, a ceremony to commission the "Khudafarin" hydroelectric complex and inaugurate the "Giz Galasi" hydroelectric complex on the Araz River has got underway with participation of Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Ithaca, N.Y. Three people were injured Friday after a motorcycle struck a pedestrian in Ithaca, police said. The crash was reported at 11:30 p.m. in the 300 block of Elmira Road, police said. The pedestrian and motorcyclist are in critical condition, they said. A passenger on the motorcycle is in stable condition. All three were taken to Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital. The crash closed the 300 and 400 blocks of Elmira Road for an extended period of time, police said. Staff writer Fernando Alba covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, question or comment? Reach him at falba@syracuse.com. Syracuse, N.Y. Chicken wings sure have evolved since they became Upstate New Yorks favorite bar treat in the 1970s. The once-inexpensive poultry served with a basic red-hot sauce is now high-priced fowl doused with everything from sweet-and-sour bourbon glaze to dill pickle seasoning and different fruits in between. Say what you will, but thousands flocked to Syracuses Inner Harbor this weekend to taste traditional and cutting-edge recipes at the annual Battle of the Wings. Man, you guys really like chicken wings out here, said Andrew Millsaps, half of Neon Union, the touring country music duo that performed on the main stage Saturday night. And man, these are really good. Is there anything you dont put on wings? Before he and Leo Brooks performed, they joined 10 locals in picking their favorite wings created by 16 competing restaurants and bars. Among this disparate ensemble of judges were a City Court judge, Onondaga Countys comptroller, a donut store owner, a car dealer, a young restaurant entrepreneur and an old food writer. The public also got to pick its favorite wing of the weekend. Home Team Pub in Liverpool edged Ale n Angus for the peoples choice trophy with their Mexican Street Corn wing. The judges sampled 16 wings in 25 minutes on Saturday. Here are the top three top finishers: Gold Wing: Pizza Cutters for their Whiskey Apple Bourbon wing. The wing is coated with a bourbon glaze with bits of a fresh apple. Its dusted with Dan-Os chipotle seasoning. We live for this contest, said Pizza Cutters owner Sal Mere. Were tired and defeated everyday, but this keeps us going. Pizza Cutters won trophies last year, and they were invited to compete in next years national Wing King festival in Buffalo. Silver Wing: Shiftys for their Frankenstein wing, a longtime favorite among patrons of this Burnet Avenue bar. Bronze Wing: Original Italian Pizza for a chargrilled honey garlic wing. This was one of few vendors who took the extra step to toss the sauces wings over an open flame. 36 1 / 36 Battle of the Wings 2024 Charlie Miller Each judge submitted a ballot listing their top three. It was obvious we didnt agree on many of the wings. We tried to limit the infighting and name-calling on Judges Row. Here are my top five: Gold: Shiftys (Frankenstein wing). This has a mild base with a little honey, hot sauce, taco seasoning and ranch dressing mixed in. City Court Judge James Cecile compared this wing to the chewing gum Violet Beauregarde ate in the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. You know the candy that has the flavors of a three-course meal. Hey Charlie, look. This wing just tasted like a bowl of soup, and now I think its time for dessert. Silver: Pizza Man Pub (Irish Breakfast wing). Now, this would have been the perfect chicken wing for Green Beer Sunday. Katie Demperio, the bar manager at this Baldwinsville restaurant, turned a popular barroom shot into a wing sauce. It has Jameson Orange whiskey, some brown sugar and bits of bacon to create a marmalade-like glaze. The only thing missing was an imperial pint of Guinness. Slainte. Bronze: Nibsys Pub (Nashville Bourbon wing). The guys from Neon Union laughed when I put this on my ballot. If youre going to call something Nashville hot, it has to be hot. This is too sweet, they said before we all did what they call a redneck handwash by pouring their bottled water over our fingers and drying off with table napkins. These guys are right; the sauce was not hot. The wings skin shell, though, was crispier than many of the competitors. Kevin Harrington, the architect of this not-so-spicy wing, admitted he had to tone it down a bit. I would love nothing more than to make this hot enough for you to really catch on fire, but we are cooking for the masses, he said. It still tasted great. Alternate 1: Pizza Cutters (Whiskey Apple Bourbon) Alternate 2: Ale n Angus (Smokey Buffalo Gorgonzola wing) Alternate 3: Home Team Pub (Mexican Street Corn wing) Charlie Miller finds the best in food, drink and fun across Central New York. Contact him at (315) 382-1984, or by email at cmiller@syracuse.com. You can also find him under @HoosierCuse on Twitter and on Instagram. Sign up for his free weekly Where Syracuse Eats newsletter here. The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. The opening of the "Giz Galasi" hydroelectric complex and the commissioning of the Khudafarin hydroelectric complex are historic events, said President Ilham Aliyev as he addressed a ceremony to commission the "Khudafarin" hydroelectric complex and inaugurate the "Giz Galasi" hydroelectric complex on the Araz River, Trend reports. The head of state expressed his gratitude to all Iranian experts, workers and friends who participated in the construction of this huge facility. Amrik Singh BHPian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: New Delhi Posts: 679 Thanked: 3,585 Times Trip through Kartarpur Corridor There are many rules set by the two Governments for visiting this Kartarpur which are very well elaborated on various Websites. However, there are a few facts which are not written anywhere except in the minds of those who have gone through this. On this Forum itself, a very well detailed T/L is available ' Pilgrimage to Pakistan' which may be consulted. Many Youtubers have uploaded their videos on net, I share my observations here. The website by Ministry of Home Affairs The only problem in receiving ETA is that it is generally issued a few days before the date of travel leaving very little time to make arrangements. So, it is advised to proceed with all necessary arrangements e.g. Leave, Travel, Lodging, Bookings etc. Though not very clearly instructed, Negative COVID Test report is asked for. Besides this, valid Passport and copy of ETA is required to cross over. Each visitor is allowed a maximum of Indian Rs. 11,000/- which in my opinion, is more than what could be bought at the shops in Kartarpur. As we drive to the Immigration, there are number of check points where documents are checked. The Security Check at this place is different from any other similar checks prior to International Departures. While there is hardly any luggage involved, the Wallets are searched through each of its pockets. I do not know why but did see some visitors holding International Currency returning back to keep them in their vehicles. Although US $ commands better value at the shops and maybe be carried in the best way it can be concealed. A brief is given to the visitors explaining what is prohibited from bringing back to India. Pakistan Currency, any Seeds or fruits with Seeds are prohibited. I had seen a YouTube Video where a fanatic devotee shows carrying Soil from the land where our Guru tilled his Fields. It is now prohibited to bring soil from there. (A good move, otherwise, it will be a place 'Below Sea Level' in near future. As we approach Pakistani Immigration Hall, we are swarmed with Currency Exchange Shops selling Pakistani Currency. Unless one is sure of the amount set for shopping, it is not necessary to exchange currency here. It can be done at the Shopping area too and in actually required amount. Having shared all above information, I now jump forward to Pictures Some from the Immigration Departure, Indian Side. A short walk between India to Pakistan through Border Gate. Drop off by Indian side Electric Buggy and Picked up by Pakistan side Buggy. Pakistan Immigration Building. Entrance to the Gurudwara for Visitors from India. Signages in Gurudwara Entrance Hall. A briefing is given to Visitors detailing the various parts of the complex. Long galleries, immaculately clean Ever since the idea of Kartarpur Corridor was conceived, built and inaugurated, it had created great enthusiasm among people of both countries. Each one with his own interest. Religious minded for pilgrimage to visit the Holy place of the Gurudwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur, Pakistan. Business minded for a little trade and even business meeting with their counterparts in Pakistan. Old ones to rekindle with their roots torn between the boundaries of two countries but same culture. And lastly as a Tour for Visitors. The fact that the Passports are not stamped by Pakistan immigration, gives a little mental relief to Globetrotters to expect no extra screening on Arrival at other countries.There are many rules set by the two Governments for visiting this Kartarpur which are very well elaborated on various Websites. However, there are a few facts which are not written anywhere except in the minds of those who have gone through this. On this Forum itself, a very well detailed T/L is available ' Pilgrimage to Pakistan' which may be consulted. Many Youtubers have uploaded their videos on net, I share my observations here.The website by Ministry of Home Affairs https://prakashpurb550.mha.gov.in is very elaborative and includes the Registration Form to apply for visiting Kartarpur Corridor. Though is states a daily intake of 5,000 pilgrims a day, in actual it is only 500 pilgrims a day. Visitors are supposed to apply minimum 15 days in advance from their intended visit. Once a registration form is submitted successfully, enquiries by various security agencies are expected. However, in my case (registered twice on two different dates), no enquiry was done and received my ETA (Electronic Travel Advice) directly.The only problem in receiving ETA is that it is generally issued a few days before the date of travel leaving very little time to make arrangements. So, it is advised to proceed with all necessary arrangements e.g. Leave, Travel, Lodging, Bookings etc. Though not very clearly instructed, Negative COVID Test report is asked for. Besides this, valid Passport and copy of ETA is required to cross over. Each visitor is allowed a maximum of Indian Rs. 11,000/- which in my opinion, is more than what could be bought at the shops in Kartarpur.As we drive to the Immigration, there are number of check points where documents are checked. The Security Check at this place is different from any other similar checks prior to International Departures. While there is hardly any luggage involved, the Wallets are searched through each of its pockets. I do not know why but did see some visitors holding International Currency returning back to keep them in their vehicles. Although US $ commands better value at the shops and maybe be carried in the best way it can be concealed.A brief is given to the visitors explaining what is prohibited from bringing back to India. Pakistan Currency, any Seeds or fruits with Seeds are prohibited. I had seen a YouTube Video where a fanatic devotee shows carrying Soil from the land where our Guru tilled his Fields. It is now prohibited to bring soil from there. (A good move, otherwise, it will be a place 'Below Sea Level' in near future.As we approach Pakistani Immigration Hall, we are swarmed with Currency Exchange Shops selling Pakistani Currency. Unless one is sure of the amount set for shopping, it is not necessary to exchange currency here. It can be done at the Shopping area too and in actually required amount.Having shared all above information, I now jump forward to PicturesSome from the Immigration Departure, Indian Side.A short walk between India to Pakistan through Border Gate. Drop off by Indian side Electric Buggy and Picked up by Pakistan side Buggy.Pakistan Immigration Building.Entrance to the Gurudwara for Visitors from India.Signages in Gurudwara Entrance Hall. A briefing is given to Visitors detailing the various parts of the complex.Long galleries, immaculately clean Last edited by Aditya : 18th May 2024 at 18:14 . Reason: Spacing SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has recently arrived in Indonesia to inaugurate the launch service provider's Starlink internet service in three locations in the Southeast Asian archipelago. Elon Musk in Bali to Launch Starlink Satellite Internet, Promises to Ease Healthcare Woes The tech billionaire, wearing Indonesia's national attire, batik, was greeted by Indonesian officials at one of the locations for the Starlink launch in Bali. Reuters reports that Elon Musk was joined by the country's health minister, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, at one community health center in Bali to kick off the internet service. The newly Starlink-connected locations in Indonesiatwo health centers in Bali and one in Malukuare geared to benefit millions of people in remote rural areas. The Indonesian government greenlighted the launch last month. According to the company, Starlink's satellite internet can be accessed virtually anywherewhile traveling on land or sea, in remote areas, or even in unfavorable weather conditions. Furthermore, it advertises download speeds of up to 220 Mbps with 20-60 ms latency. As of March 2024, Starlink boasts over 6,000 small satellites in low Earth orbit, the most from any private space company. A 2017 review of Indonesia's healthcare system highlights critical gaps in infrastructure as well as in the availability and quality of health workers. Many citizens have also reported experiencing inequities in access to healthcare. The installation of Starlink satellite internet in Indonesia's far-flung regions, as highlighted by a video presentation during the launch ceremonies, can help the country advance efforts in addressing public health issues like malnutrition. Speaking with the press, Elon Musk expressed his excitement about bringing connectivity to areas with low connectivity. He emphasized that having internet access enables people to "learn anything." Read Also : New Tesla Models to Launch Without Steam Support, Owners Shocked No Talks So Far About EVs According to reports, Elon Musk is set to meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday and then give a talk at the World Water Forum in the country. From 2020 to 2022, President Widodo reportedly discussed a potential partnership with Elon Musk's Tesla to tap into Indonesia's massive nickel reserves. When asked by the press about possible talks about EVs during his Indonesian trip, Elon Musk clarified that his visit is focused on bringing Starlink to Indonesia. Musk explained that the event is focused on Starlink and the benefits its connectivity brings to remote islands. He emphasized the importance of internet connectivity, noting that it can often be a lifesaver. Indonesia is the third Southeast Asian country to connect to Starlink's satellite internet service. Ten months earlier, neighboring country Malaysia greenlighted Starlink to enter the country. In February 2023, Starlink's broadband service was rolled out for the public in the Philippines. Stay posted here at Tech Times. The usage of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) is linked to an adult's early development of asthma, according to a recent research published in JAMA Network Open. Adriana Perez, Ph.D., from the University of Texas Health Science Centre at Houston, studied the connection between recent ENDS usage and asthma onset age in people without asthma, COPD, or cigarette smoking. From 2013 to 2021, the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study analyzed 24,789 participants. Experts Urge Users to Quit Vaping The research indicated that by 27 years old, 6.2 out of 1,000 people had asthma incidence. In the last 30 days, ENDS users showed a 3.52 adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence range, 1.24 to 10.02) and had a higher risk of asthma start than non-users. There was no significant connection between youth e-cigarette users and the same era (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.79; 95% confidence range, 0.67 to 4.77), possibly due to inadequate statistical power. According to a report from HealthDay, the researchers noted that the findings indicate the importance of "prevention and cessation programs" focusing on adult ENDS users in educating the public and encouraging them to stop the habit. In a separate study, Irish researchers found that flavored vaping devices may release over 100 hazardous compounds that are harmful when inhaled. The experts used artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze how 180 vape flavor compounds change and impact the body when heated, as vaping products create an aerosol by heating substances to high temperatures, as reported by Global News. (Photo: Andrew Burton/Getty Images) Tom Kim vapes or smokes an electronic cigarette at Henley Vaporium on April 29, 2014, in New York City. According to the study, e-liquid ingredients are commonly obtained from food and cosmetics but are not designed for vaping. According to Health Canada, these mixes most often use vegetable glycerin. The study found that high temperatures and the inhalation of these compounds generate "unknown secondary chemical entities." Using an AI technique, the researchers discovered 127 acute poisons, 153 health hazards, and 225 irritants in vaping goods. Even one dosage of acute toxins causes rapid side effects. Serious Health Hazards of Vaping The study's author, Donal O'Shea, noted the disturbing number of "health hazard chemicals" vapers ingest. The expert warned that inhaling large amounts of dangerous substances could result in "immediate serious injury." Other research has indicated that flavored vaping products include harmful substances. Between 2017 and 2019, Health Canada found 22 contaminants in Canadian vaping products. Vaping may also increase the risk of lead, uranium, and cadmium exposure, which can affect young people, according to U.S. research published in April. The recent case of a Tennessee woman reported by Daily Mail demonstrates the dangerous effects of e-cigarettes. Hannah Roth, from Newport, Tennessee, thought something was not right when she heard a 'popping' sound while inhaling after four years of regular vaping. Roth, who had never smoked, vaped to relieve stress during the pandemic lockdown. She started vaping "every hour of the day." The 30-year-old sought medical assistance last month after developing a 104F (40C) fever and a 'popping' sound. Doctors determined that vaping caused her pneumonia. Roth was appalled when scans showed her lungs resembled those of an 80-year-old or long-term smoker. The receptionist stated that her doctor threw away her menthol vape, saying it was too dangerous to keep using. The mother of two kids said that her doctor warned her that if she continued vaping, she "wouldn't be able to breathe," which "scared" her. According to health experts, oily chemicals in e-liquid vapes can inflame the lungs, causing pneumonia. Bratislava, May 19 (TASR) - It turns out that the time isn't probably ripe for a round table of political parties, president-elect Peter Pellegrini stated on Sunday, TASR was told by Pellegrini's spokeswoman Patricia Medved Macikova. Pellegrini convened the meeting of parliamentary parties together with incumbent head of state Zuzana Caputova following the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD). He appeals to the people not to be taken away by the negative emotions that the upcoming political battle may bring. "If today's political scene isn't ready for mutual reconciliation, let all of us be ready for it. We're one nation, one community, one Slovakia. And each of us can contribute to reconciliation with our own part today. Regardless of whether others will do so, regardless of which political party we support," said Pellegrini. The future president points out that the purpose of the convened meeting of parliamentary political parties was to try to reach agreement on the basic rules of decent political behaviour and to appeal to voters for restraint and calming down. "However, recent days and press conferences have shown that some politicians are simply incapable of basic self-reflection even after such a tragedy. It is as if they haven't understood that it is their actions, statements and disgusting attacks so far - not on competing political ideas, but on their bearers - that have fundamentally contributed to the tensions in our society," said Pellegrini. Bratislava, May 19 (TASR) - The State Security Council will be convened on Wednesday (May 22) to discuss the situation following the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD), Vice-Premier Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) stated on Sunday. It is to deal with proposals for measures and possible legislative changes to prevent similar attacks. Next week, the parliamentary defence and security committee is also to be provided a more detailed explanation about the case, its chairman Tibor Gaspar (Smer-SD) said. Fresh floods kill 66 in northern Afghanistan Kabul, May 19 (AFP) May 19, 2024 Fresh floods killed 66 people in northern Afghanistan, a provincial official said Sunday, after weeks of flooding that has inundated farms and villages and swept away swathes of communities. Hundreds of people have died in flash floods this month that have also swamped agricultural lands in a country where 80 percent of the population depends on farming to survive. The latest heavy floods hit multiple districts of Faryab province on Saturday night and "resulted in human and financial losses," said Asmatullah Muradi, spokesman for the Faryab governor, in a statement. "Due to the floods 66 people were killed," he said, adding that at least five people were injured and others were still missing. The flooding damaged more than 1,500 houses, swamped more than 1,000 acres of agricultural land and killed hundreds of livestock, he said. The floods came a day after provincial police said more than 50 people were killed in flash flooding in the western province of Ghor. Just over a week ago, more than 300 people were killed by torrents in northern Baghlan province, according to the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and Taliban officials. Taliban officials have warned the tolls would go up in regions impacted by flooding, as destroyed infrastructure hampered aid delivery and efforts to find the missing. The death toll from the Ghor flooding rose from 50 to 55 on Sunday, according to Abdul Wahid Hamas, a spokesman for the provincial governor. "More than 3,000 homes were totally destroyed due to the floods" in Ghor, he added. Videos shared on social media platform X by the WFP showed currents of brown water crashing through walls of homes and churning through streets in Ghor. - 'Washed away our life' - Residents in Baghlan, Ghor, Faryab and other affected provinces found themselves without shelter, stripped of their homes and livelihoods. "We were inside our home when rain started and all of a sudden, a flash flood came, we were trying to get things out but it washed away our home, our life, everything," Ghor resident Jawan Gul told AFP on Saturday. The flooding also sparked concern for the revered 12th-century Jam minaret, located in a remote part of Ghor, provincial officials said. Images circulated to media showed brown torrents crashing around the base of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. "The situation of Jam was very concerning," Abdul Hai Zaeem, information and culture director in Ghor, told AFP, adding that mud was still piled high around the brick minaret. The WFP warned that the recent floods have compounded an already dire humanitarian situation in the impoverished country. Spring floods are not uncommon in Afghanistan, a country of more than 40 million people, but above-average rainfall this year has sparked devastating flash flooding. Even before the most recent spate of floods, about 100 people had been killed from mid-April to early May as a result of flooding in 10 of Afghanistan's provinces, authorities said. The rains come after a prolonged drought in Afghanistan, which is one of the least prepared nations to tackle climate change impacts, according to experts. qb-sw/ecl/tym BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. Today, the whole world can see how strong Iran-Azerbaijani friendship is. This friendship has deep roots and a deep history, said President Ilham Aliyev as he addressed a ceremony to commission the "Khudafarin" hydroelectric complex and inaugurate the "Giz Galasi" hydroelectric complex on the Araz River, Trend reports. For centuries, the peoples of Iran and Azerbaijan have lived and created together, and I think that the interstate relations built on this solid foundation have reached the highest level, added the head of state. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. Now the process of defining the borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan is underway. We are seeing the initial positive results of this process, said President Ilham Aliyev as he addressed a ceremony to commission the "Khudafarin" hydroelectric complex and inaugurate the "Giz Galasi" hydroelectric complex on the Araz River. I believe that this is reassuring because it gives hope that finally, after a long break, a peace agreement can be signed between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We welcome Iran's support on this issue, underlined the Azerbaijani leader. However, six years after those comments were made, such confidence appears misplaced. Some investors are even beginning to ask whether Pinault should consider passing the baton at his luxury empire and bring in fresh blood. Francois-Henri Pinault. Credit: AP Performance at Kering has been lacklustre, says GlobalDatas Neil Saunders. As the latest quarterly numbers show, there are few signs of improvement on the horizon. This does raise the question as to whether new leadership is needed. Pinault inherited the luxury empire two decades ago, after his father retired aged 64. Today, aged 60, Pinault is chairman and chief executive of Kering, as well as president of its ultimate parent company Groupe Artemis. Together, the Pinault family has a 42 per cent stake in Kering and controls 59 per cent of its voting rights. While Pinault has been adamant he has not been training his children to succeed him, last month he moved to bring the next generation into the fold, appointing his 26-year-old son as a director on the board of auctioneer Christies. The younger Pinault, who started his career with an internship at Boucheron, a Kering-owned jewellery business, and who is also called Francois, replaced his grandfather and Kering founder on the Christies board. He is the eldest of Pinaults four children. For some time he has been earmarked as the natural heir, appearing alongside his father and grandfather in 2016 when they announced the creation of the Bourse de Commerce in 2016. Kerings biggest rival, LVMH, enjoyed a record year in 2023. Credit: AP Experts say he is still too young for the top job, but his appointment at Christies was viewed as the first step towards his ascension. Insiders say the problems within the luxury conglomerate have stemmed from how the dozens of brands within the Kering empire are managed. The Pinault family was very removed from the daily management of the brands, says one former director. All the various Kering brands chief executives have an uncommon freedom of actions. This is in stark contrast to LVMH, which the former director said is continuously controlled by the Arnault family and their immediate trusted top executives. Some observers claim this hands-off approach has led to a lack of focus within many of Kerings brands not least within Gucci, which has been hit by a series of designer and management changes. As the latest quarterly numbers show, there are few signs of improvement on the horizon. This does raise the question as to whether new leadership is needed. Neil Saunders, GlobalData Pinault said in 2014 that focusing on quantity over quality at Gucci would be the greatest danger to the brand. Yet just years later, Gucci sought a sales boost by targeting swaths of younger, more aspirational US and Chinese shoppers, which experts say has eroded the exclusivity of the label. It has come amid confusion over leadership after star designer Alessandro Michele left in 2022. Investors were left hanging before they announced a replacement, says HSBCs Erwan Rambourg. De Sarno was named as its new creative director last year. The shake-up went further last year when Guccis then-chief executive Marco Bizzarri announced his departure after eight years in the job. It appointed number-cruncher Jean-Francois Palus as a temporary replacement. He has since taken up the role permanently. Rambourg says this approach to succession planning for the brands is something that would not happen at rival LVMH. At LVMH, every brands chief executive has a number of possible replacements, and that is reflected every time you hear about a change, he says. There are early signs Pinault is waking up to this, with insiders saying they believe the family has taken steps to try to be more involved in the strategies and brand positioning of each brand. However, critics say recent moves instead indicate Pinault is planning a change to how Kering is run, and even potentially considering a different type of succession. Loading In last years leadership shake-up, Francesca Bellettini, Yves Saint Laurent chief executive and rising star, was appointed to a new role as Kerings co-deputy chief executive, with the remit of reinvigorating its brands. It follows years of investors pushing for Pinault to consider bringing senior leaders into the fray. It would be a positive if Kering gets professionally managerialised, one shareholder says. They suggest the business could flourish if Pinault stepped to the side, relinquishing his role as chief executive. Some view Bellettinis promotion as the first step towards Pinault splitting the top position into two roles. You could imagine a time when he would keep the role of chairman and give the group CEO position to a luxury heavyweight internally or externally, says Rambourg. As Pinault approaches the age when his father passed the mantle, scrutiny over who will replace him is increasing. For the elder Pinault, timing was everything. I felt that he was getting fidgety and I didnt want to hand over to him too late, the Kering founder had said. In the hours before models walked out on the runway for Guccis show on Monday, Hayek shared an Instagram post with the caption: The calm before the Cruise. With investors getting fidgety, Pinault will need to act soon, before their nerves spill over and trigger a storm. Telegraph, London 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. Recipe collection The only four dishes you need to create the ultimate Kylie Kwong dinner party In 2005, I had the treat of accompanying Kylie Kwong to the tiny village, three hours north of the Chinese city Guangzhou, where her great-grandfather, Kwong Sue Duk, grew up. She swept into Wong Nai Hang, trademark Chinese silk shirt and jet-black hair streaming, and cooked a meal over a fire for the stunned assembly of distant relatives. Back in Guangzhou, I watched her instruct a classroom of TAFE-equivalent kids how to cook her particular brand of Cantonese food, strongly influenced by her beloved mum, Pauline. Into a wok of bubbling oil went six eggs, emerging crisp-edged and runny yolked to a garnish of hoisin, spring onions and chilli. I would never have been tempted to cook a dish of simple eggs in oil. But its been in my arsenal of killer favourites since that day. She also showed the students her version of a classic prawn dumpling. I have been rolling these ever since, and I urge you to try them too. Here are four of my go-to Kylie Kwong recipes from the Good Food collection. Use them to wow a dinner party guests, and pay tribute to one of Australias finest restaurateurs.Ardyn Bernoth, National Good Food editor Thus far, investigators have identified $508,051 deposited into accounts opened in the name of Ms Hachem, a police fact sheet reads. Investigators have identified the source of almost all of these funds as coming from scams. Victims have been identified in multiple states across Australia. Deposits were in the tens of thousands, $30,000 from one woman, $96,000 from another, $59,800 from one man, $50,000 from another. Some of the stolen fortune was converted into cryptocurrency using Hachems accounts and transferred to Pakistan, specifically to Cheemas brother, Bilal, police claim. Hachem was not the only mule in Cheemas web. Alleged fraud mules Soukiana Hachem, Bilal Cheema (top right) and Abdul Kasbati (bottom right) are all wanted by NSW Police over the fraud syndicate. Credit: NSW Police Abdul Ahad Kasbati left Australia in April 2022, which was unfortunate timing because bank accounts in his name were about to fill up. Kasbatis bank accounts received $162,299 between July and November 2022. Almost $75,000 of that was later traced to elderly victims in Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia. From October 2022 the money was being withdrawn and $94,749 went straight into Cheemas own bank accounts, police said. Loading It was an identical modus operandi to Hachem. NSW Police told this masthead they had issued arrest warrants for the 34-year-old Hachem, 31-year-old Kasbati and Bilal Cheema, 35. All are believed to be overseas. Cheema had lived modestly when he arrived in Australia. At first, his own bank accounts only received living expenses and wages. But, in just four days in early 2021, almost $65,000 was deposited into his account and then quickly disappeared to Pakistan through money remitters. That year he also committed multiple COVID disaster payment frauds and received more than $10,000. Tens of thousands were flowing in and out of his accounts from unknown sources. Police detected 49 deposits totaling $125,285 by November 2021, but Cheemas recorded income that year was just $916, he told the Australian Tax Office. More than $17,000 landed in his account from random ATMs around Sydneys west in just one day in November. Police called it an egregious sign of fraud. By late 2022, Cheema appeared to be pulling in far more and he used Kasbatis identity to rent a house in Villawood. In January last year, he bought a Mercedes-Benz C200. He paid for the $51,000 car using cryptocurrency. Some of his bank accounts had been shut down, others received regular injections from mules that had been broken up to avoid any red flags. But Cheema had failed to put enough distance between him and the stolen money and Campsie detectives began digging into a web of bank accounts. Investigators have analysed these accounts and note that the accused regularly receives multiple large cash deposits into ATMs, police wrote. Its not uncommon for the accused to receive over $10,000 in a day, with transactions broken up into smaller amounts in an attempt to evade reporting requirements to AUSTRAC. Cheema was wiring much of the money overseas, tens of thousands of dollars a day, which has never been recovered. By early 2023 police were circling. Multiple victims had complained their computers had been taken over or they had been tricked into sending massive sums to random accounts. Detectives and riot squad officers forced entry into Cheemas home in April 2023. He refused to explain where his money was coming from, but enough evidence was found in his fraudulently obtained rental to tie him to the criminal network. Investigators found Hachems Emirates plane ticket had been bought just a few kilometres from Cheemas family home in Gurjanwala, Pakistan. He admitted he didnt work and lived off funds collected by others. Ultimately, Cheema pleaded guilty to dealing with the proceeds of crime and fraud. Across the operation, which ran from Wednesday to Saturday, police made 554 arrests; 226 of them were of people wanted by police for serious domestic violence offences. Police engaged with 548 alleged offenders whom they classified as dangerous. They laid 1070 charges, conducted 1277 bail compliance checks and caught 144 breaches of bail. They seized 38 firearms and 43 other weapons. Amaroks most dangerous offenders Amarok is an intelligence-based policing strategy involving each police area command. The Domestic and Family Violence Registry led the operation, which also involved officers from each regions Domestic Violence High-Risk Offenders Team, along with specialist officers from Raptor Squad, Youth Command, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and the Police Transport Command. Its investigators use unique criminal profiling to target those they consider the most dangerous offenders in NSW. Police gather ahead of an Amarok raid for a briefing. Credit: Nikki Short Policing and judicial decisions surrounding domestic violence have been thrust into the spotlight recently after a string of high-profile alleged murders, including the death of Forbes woman Molly Ticehurst last month. The public outcry prompted the Minns government to announce a series of sweeping changes to make it harder for men accused of serious offences to be released back into the community. Superintendent Danielle Emerton, commander of the domestic and family violence registry, which provides advice, guidance and responses to domestic and family violence incidents, said dangerous offenders were identified as those who pose an elevated threat of causing serious harm to victims. The category includes people who have been charged in the past two years with offences such as strangulation, assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, or sexual violence offences. Langsdorf was in police sights due to his repeated offending in several states and territories. Amarok VI is one of NSW Polices biggest crackdown on domestic violence. Credit: Nikki Short On Friday, he pleaded guilty to breaching the ADVO and was sentenced to a two-year community correction order. But a dive into different court records revealed that was his latest addition to a lengthy criminal history. Loading Langsdorf was released from jail three months ago after spending 15 months there for two counts of assault (DV), two counts of destroying or damaging property, stalking or intimidating with intent to cause fear of physical or mental harm, contravening an ADVO, and hindering or resisting a police officer in the execution of duty. A sentence appeal with the NSW District Court was dismissed in February last year. In late 2022, he was fined $300 for destroying or damaging property (DV) at a hotel in Albury, and he was also fined $300 for having a knife in a public place and for offensive behaviour in or near a NSW public school. Court records from South Australia and Victoria show more offending by Langsdorf in recent years. He was placed on a 12-month corrections order in March 2020 in Melbourne for unlawful assault and making a threat to kill. Under a two-year ADVO, Langsdorf was not allowed to approach or contact the woman found at his house last week. His Amarok arrest highlighted some complexities of the domestic and family violence space, given his victim had gone to his house. Emerton said responsibility lay solely on the defendant to prevent contact with the victim. Philip Langsdorf was in police sights due to his repeated DV offending across several states and territories. Credit: Nikki Short [DV] is complex because it involves, usually, an intimate partner, so victims may have financial ties to that person, she said. They may be related to that person. Then theres a challenge in leaving the person who is causing repeated behaviour. And theres often children involved. Loading Because domestic violence is among the most underreported crimes, Emerton said police constantly gathered information about the behaviours of offenders and victims to prepare for operations such as Amarok. This includes conducting AVO compliance checks at the homes of offenders and victims. Where they see a victim needs support, police wrap social services around them. We provide an out for them, as such, so that they dont feel that theyre so reliant on having to return to the offender in certain circumstances. Emerton said one domestic violence homicide was one too many. We are talking about the worst of the worst of these offenders, she said. And I cant fathom whats going on in their minds. Police and Counter-Terrorism Minister Yasmin Catley said Operation Amarok sent a strong message that such behaviour was not tolerated. Operation Amarok is just one part of the police response, she said. Last year, almost 150,000 calls for assistance were made to NSW Police for domestic violence-related matters. This shows the severity of the situation, the huge amount of police time and resources that go into addressing this epidemic and how important it is for prevention, early intervention and crisis support services to work together. Not even jail stops some determined DV criminals Detective Sergeant Kelsey Priestly, team leader of the North West High Risk Domestic Violence Team, has led many Amarok raids. She described one Amarok arrest last week of a man who made more than 5000 phone calls over three months while in prison for domestic violence offending. Many of the calls were in breach of an ADVO by contacting a previous victim. The four-day operation targeted the states most dangerous DV offenders. Credit: Nikki Short That man was recently released on parole before his arrest last week. Police say offenders continuing to harass victims from inside prison is a prevalent problem. A North West metropolitan-led operation, Strike Force Alcatraz, was formed in January 2023 to target this issue. Describing the often dangerous operation of searching a high-risk offenders home for firearms, Priestley said specialised police identified potential risks inside the house, including animals or other people. In the 2022 flood, which was considered a one-in-50-year event, Kensington homes escaped damage but 10 businesses, two apartment block basements and many cars were inundated. Loading Reilly, whose yearly cost to insure his property against flood has increased from $180 to $5000, remembers seeing the water creep up higher than he had ever seen and reach the second bluestone step of his elevated townhouse. He was among the community members who opposed Flemington Racecourses controversial 1.6-kilometre flood wall before it was built in 2007 and said he wanted information about its impact on Kensington homes. How much difference will the racecourse wall make to the height of a potential flood going forward is a key question we want answered, he said. MP David Ettershank lives in Kensington and is on the committee of the flood parliamentary inquiry, which was established after Melbourne Waters own flood review came under fire for its narrow scope and perceived lack of independence. The Legalise Cannabis MP said he was horrified by the new flood modelling for Kensington and said the neighbourhoods residents, who had relied on existing flood maps, were devastated. Kensington Banks photographed this month. Credit: Jason South Were not talking about Maribyrnong township with 100-year-old houses. These are places where houses are about 20 years old and supposedly built above the flood level, Ettershank said. They all bought being told theyre on this elevated land thats protected from flooding. Now those people who have invested their life savings in their property are confronted with a whole different proposition. Ettershank said it was critical to understand why the flood map had changed so dramatically over Kensington Banks and what the effect of the racecourse wall would be on the area in a one-in-100-year event, which is the benchmark used for flood planning. Loading Analysis made public by Melbourne Water assesses how the wall affects properties on the river only in a one-in-50-year flood. It found that the wall increased water levels by six centimetres in industrial parts of Kensington in 2022. Ettershank said it was not clear how residential parts would be affected in a more severe flood. Asking questions of Melbourne Water is a bit like wrestling with a column of smoke, he said. At last weeks parliamentary hearing, the independent chair of Melbourne Waters flood review, former judge Tony Pagone, said he was concerned that the only modelling was based on a one-in-50-year flood. Loading It concerned me because you wonder what would happen if you had a [one-in-100-year] event? Pagone said. In a separate hearing, Melbourne Water executive Tim Wood said his team was yet to fully examine the impact of the wall in a one-in-100-year flood, but that a high-level initial assessment was that it had no impact on Kensington Banks. Hydrologist Geoff Crapper, who worked at Melbourne Water until 2003 and now advises the Maribyrnong Community Recovery Association, said the lack of public detail around the racecourse walls effects in a one-in-a-100-year flood was an obvious deficiency in the flood reviews terms of reference. The Victoria Racing Club has repeatedly said it would work with relevant authorities and that its flood wall and compensatory works were built in accordance with approvals granted by the state government and Melbourne Water. The wall has been a flashpoint ever since it was approved in 2004 by Labors then planning minister, Mary Delahunty, despite opposition from three local councils. A Melbourne Water spokesman said the new flood maps were influenced by factors including climate change, urban development and new technology that used millions of data points to ensure a result that was of much higher quality than before. The maps will be used to update flood overlays in municipal planning schemes, inform emergency management and investigate new potential works to prevent flooding. These new models give us the information we need to best prepare our communities for this risk, the spokesman said. The Flemington Racecourse flood wall kept the track in perfect condition while streets and properties flooded nearby in 2022. Credit: Emma Johnston Melbourne Water has not publicly revealed projected flood depths for Kensington. Home owners are instead being asked to call the water authority to receive individual information. Its spokesman said some properties would experience only small amounts of water in their backyard. The spokesman said the mitigation works for Kensington Banks, which include a levee and retarding basin, were designed on the conditions and best information available. Flood technology was much less sophisticated in the 1990s, he said. These mitigation measures continue to provide good protection for the community of Kensington Banks but do not fully protect these properties in the current and 2100 one-in-100-year events. Steven Papadopoulos, the chief executive of Urban Pacific when Kensington Banks was being developed, said government flood experts meticulously analysed plans for the project based on the available evidence. The question of government is what, if any, more work could have been done at the time? But its a Harry Hindsight question, he said. A spokeswoman for Water Minister Harriet Shing said decisions made for Kensington Banks would have been based on the best information at the time. Victorian MP and Kensington resident David Ettershank. Credit: Simon Schluter Melbourne Water has updated its modelling because climate change was causing more severe and frequent flooding events, the spokeswoman said. Victorian Greens leader Ellen Sandell, a resident of Kensington Banks for 15 years, said she was shocked to discover the government information she had trusted when buying her home was now wrong. She was critical of the communication with the release of the new maps, which were published on Melbourne Waters website in late April. Pro-Palestine protesters and police have clashed in Melbournes CBD as riot squad officers struggled to keep the counterprotesters back from a pro-Israel Stop The Hate, Mate rally. Protesters draped in Israeli flags and holding umbrellas stood on the steps of Parliament House in the rain for Sundays rally, organised by Never Again Is Now, which describes itself as a Christian grassroots movement that stands against antisemitism and supports Israel. Pro-Palestine protesters are held back by police to stop them approaching a pro-Israel rally in Melbourne on Sunday. Credit: Chris Hopkins The rally observed a minutes silence for those killed since Hamas militants crossed from Gaza into southern Israel in October and killed 1200 people and took more than 200 hostages. About 35,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since, according to Gazan officials. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. The future development of Iran-Azerbaijan relations is also very positive, said President Ilham Aliyev as he addressed a ceremony to commission the "Khudafarin" hydroelectric complex and inaugurate the "Giz Galasi" hydroelectric complex on the Araz River, Trend reports. The Iran-Azerbaijan unity and friendship is unshakable. No one can drive a wedge between us. These efforts are in vain, and we are proving it again with today's ceremony, the head of state added. Building regulations not fit for purpose Your front page article on faulty building causing new owners great financial stress shows that our building regulations, as they are, provide little or no protection to purchasers who cant be expected to understand the complexities involved. Slap dash and shonky building processes are one thing, but the use of flammable cladding should amount to a criminal act. If the manufacturers, importers, builders and building inspectors are aware the cladding they recommend and use is potentially dangerous, why would they continue to use it? Because they know they can get away with it. I would rather see far more stringent government action taking place right now, than having to wait for a fire similar to the one in London when dozens of residents were burned to death because the cladding on their building was highly flammable. Peter Dodds, Montmorency Its no surprise to me as an architect that up to 60 per cent of new apartments in Australia are riddled with construction flaws, ( New apartments full of flaws , 19/5). The main reason for this problem is that developers save money by cutting out the construction supervision by architects. It is architects who do the design for the building, produce the detailed drawings and specifications, and are in the best position to oversee the required construction and the quality of the work. If an architect is not used, then when a building contract is let, the builder is free to get lower subcontractor prices which invariably modify the original specifications and quality. This leads to defects because there is no third-party oversight. The flammable cladding catastrophe was a result of this process. The public may think a building surveyor supervises the work, but they dont. They only look at compliance with the building regulations, not the building contract, or the quality of the construction. An architect, with more than six years of professional and technical training, and a complete knowledge of the specification, would pick up these materials alterations or faults during compulsory inspections, and is empowered under the contract to direct compliance. Paying the additional one per cent of the value of the contract for a supervising architect is a pittance compared with the huge costs that owners, builders and governments pay to rectify construction defects. Rob Rogers, registered architect, Warrandyte Fast track builds risk quality Everyone seems to agree that Australia needs to increase the quantity of housing. However, there is less emphasis on the quality of new houses. Given the speed at which new houses must be built, it is reasonable to suspect that many imperfections in construction would be overlooked or ignored. These can become big problems to the future owners of those houses. Many seasoned property experts advise homebuyers not to buy anything built less than 20 years ago. Rod Wise, Surrey Hills Property investment is the problem Critics of Peter Duttons plan to ban foreign buyers from the Australian housing market, (Duttons house plan fails to impress, 18/5) should cast their eyes and minds a little farther afield. I suggest that a far greater problem is the Australian penchant for investing in residential property, then holding it, unoccupied, until the market reaches what they see as a peak. I know of one such person who owns six houses in Canberra. Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin, ACT THE FORUM Centrelink indignity Inside the secret place saving women, (The Age, 18/5) enlightened me of the services affording dignity and hope to victims of violence in a purposeful, practical and caring manner. I was recently reminded that dignity is not always afforded, and women continue to be reminded of our place in the system. I have recently left my alcoholic husband. I visited Centrelink, never easy to get there as a full-time working parent and primary carer of our children. When called up to the counter, I advised my change of address and asked if there was a more private setting for the conversation. I explained that I didnt want my private details to be overheard by people in my small regional community. I was also conscious someone known to my ex-husband might walk in and overhear the conversation. The reply was youll need to make an appointment if you want to use a meeting room. I panicked, I couldnt possibly ask for more time off work. I said, I work full time, so I cant, Ill just have to go on. As a way of reassurance, he noted, theres no one here now. I stood at the counter, in a large open planned space, completely exposed and vulnerable. I was then asked if I was at risk of violence. I wasnt sure how to answer that. No one had ever asked me that before. We are a well-dressed, working family that, on the surface, looks fine. Tears welled in my eyes. Well, hes never hit me but while his drinking problem remains untreated his behaviour is unpredictable. I could have recounted the night I had to bundle the kids up in the car to escape his drunken rage. The times he yelled at me, my endless tears of fury and despair in front of my children, the devastation of co-dependency on a marriage, the long lonely nights waiting for it all to be over, the way he has ignored the responsibility of parenting, the lack of any financial or emotional support. Is this violence? I took a breath and continued on with the task at hand. No time for long explanations, I had to get back to work. I thought to myself, is this how we can best support women to escape from the harm men perpetrate on them and their children? Is this dignified? I was then instructed on how to apply for child support online. Child Support doesnt have offices any more, (due to the violence dished out to the staff), there is no in-person support. I am fortunate to have a phone, computer, internet and a quiet determination to retain my dignity, and that of my children, in what has been a devastating emotional roller-coaster. Im grateful we have services like the Sanctuary to afford dignity and hope to women and children as they, too, navigate the system and get a chance at a new life. Name withheld on request Dutton dog whistling Opposition Leader Peter Dutton yet again exposes his dog-whistling xenophobic attitudes in his reply to the federal budget. He says its the fault of migrants that Australia has a housing crisis, peak-hour traffic with so many cars on the road and that Australians cant get a job. Get rid of the migrants and Australia will be lovely. What Dutton is really saying is Australia should go back to the past, and he seems to be advocating a new White Australia policy. This is, after all, the same man who, a few short years ago, said Melburnians were scared to go out to restaurants for fear of black African gangs. Duttons version of Australia is not the Australia we need or want. Robyn Westwood, Heidelberg Heights In the past 44 days spent flying around Australia, pilot Michael Smith drank espressos made on his on-board coffee machine. At the outback Nullarbor Roadhouses airstrip in South Australia, his twin-engine SeaBear seaplane queued up for fuel at the bowsers alongside trucks and cars. Michael Smith in the cockpit of his seaplane drinking coffee made with his on-board coffee machine. Both were luxuries not around for the pilots of the first plane to circumnavigate Australia exactly 100 years before, in 1924. The Fairey IIID seaplane flown by World War I flying ace Stanley Jimmy Goble, from Melbourne, and British-born Ivor McIntyre had no GPS and no radio. It had an open cockpit and was made of cloth and wood. Sheeba Frederick runs a kitchen that feeds 750 to 1000 workers at one village. She works two weeks on, one off, managing a team of up to 20 chefs, and says that in recent years the main kitchen has changed dramatically. We dont have any stoves and burners any more, she said. We work with digitised temperature controls I control my overnight roasting on my phone. In variable cooking centres chefs choose what to cook from a screen a stir-fry or a casserole perhaps and are guided on what ingredients to add and when. Then you close it and then the dish comes out as it is required, Frederick said. There is still the conventional approach in a cook-to-order section for workers fancying a steak or grilled chicken, however. Frederick likes the world of bulk cooking, adding variety with anything from ice sculptures to nights featuring different cuisines. Four years ago being a FIFO wouldnt have been in my mind, but now, I cant think of anything else, she said. A dining hall at Rio Tintos Yandicoogina mine in WAs Pilbara. Credit: Rio Tinto Richard Cohen took charge of Rios villages in the midst of COVID disruptions in 2020 and has since dealt with the fallout of a damning WA parliamentary inquiry into sexual harassment of women working FIFO. Rios own report into bullying, sexual harassment and racism in its global workforce was released in 2022. Both reports called out a power imbalance between company employees and contractors as a contributor to the problems. As a long-term Rio employee and a long-term leader those reports were shocking, Cohen said. I really had to reflect on what we werent seeing and what we needed to do differently. He said some changes were basic, like changing daily alcohol limits and improving lighting. He is also focused on the relationship between Rio and the 2000 Sodexo employees, who not only cook and serve meals but drive buses, clean rooms and maintain buildings. A small step is co-branding their shirts with both companies logos. Cohen tells the Sodexo workers to never underestimate how important their job is to how well Rio moves iron ore. If [the miners] come through the gate with a smile on their face, we are more likely to have a successful day, he says. Rio is now trying to boost activities available to off-duty workers, including gym classes, music rooms, places to read, and different spots to eat. Keeping people safe and healthy in an average year also requires Rio to respond to 50 bushfires, provide 360 hospital transfers and 100 medical evacuations flights, and treat 21,000 patients for various medical complaints. Progress is being made, with the proportion of women in Rios iron ore workforce rising from 19 per cent to 25 per cent in the past five years. Loading And Cohen says the enormous magnitude of the supply chain brings a lot of complexity: up to 150 semi-trailers a week do a 3000-kilometre round trip from Perth to Rio sites across the Pilbara. Ripples in that supply chain can have significant consequences if not well managed. In his time, some ripples have been more like waves, including COVID border restrictions, floods across the middle of the continent and Qantas pilots striking. Theres a lot of people working really hard so that our people and our residents and our villages dont see it, Cohen said. The scale of the operation affects procurement as well as logistics. Something as seemingly minor as changing the packaging of crib the lunch workers grab after breakfast before boarding buses to sites means close communication with suppliers. We think its a simple change but multiplied by our volume it actually means suppliers often cant supply and they have to replace their factories or rebase their manufacturing, Cohen said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the case against rugby league player Payne Haas father, Gregor Haas, who was arrested in the Philippines last week, is still in its very early stages, but Australia will make diplomatic representations on his behalf. Gregor Johann Haas, father of the 24-year-old Brisbane Broncos forward Payne Haas, was arrested in Cebu City on Wednesday, and has been accused of running enough drugs in Indonesia to qualify for the death penalty. The 46-year-old has been linked to Mexicos Sinaloa drug cartel, Indonesian authorities said on Friday, with police suspecting him to have networks all over Asia and Australia. Authorities had been hunting Gregor Haas since December after discovering five kilograms of crystal methamphetamine. Haas could now face extradition from Manila, where he is being held. Australias two major airlines have backflipped and given conditional approval to an industry-wide aviation ombudsman who would deal with passenger complaints and refunds. An Aircraft Noise Ombudsman already exists to regulate and deal with complaints, but the aviation green paper prepared for federal Transport Minister Catherine King and released last September examined the need for either a passenger bill of rights or a strong ombudsman to oversee the sector and deal with complaints about airlines from customers. Australian passengers are not offered any of the protections or rights that American or European air travellers receive. Credit: AP King has previously said the aviation white paper, due to be released mid-2024, would include consideration of how we can better protect the interests of consumers, whether that be a stronger ombudsman model or other measures implemented in overseas jurisdictions. Australias airlines have endured sustained criticism for their performance in recent years, with Qantas recently admitting it had advertised and sold tickets on already cancelled flights to tens of thousands of consumers. It recently reached a $120 million settlement, comprising both penalties and compensation, with the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission. Melbourne Airport is deliberately sinking the delayed airport rail link to protect its parking revenue, transport unions and a local mayor claim, and rank and file Labor Party members have urged the state government to get serious and finally deliver the project. The Allan government expects the rail line will be delayed by four years, until at least 2033, because of a stalemate with the airport, which wants its station built underground. An artists impression of a proposed elevated rail station at Melbourne Airport. The project remains in limbo. Hundreds of Labor delegates at the partys state conference on Sunday supported a motion condemning the airports greed in protecting their parking revenue. The motion also called on the government to get serious about the development and for all parties to roll up their sleeves. Members also backed a motion that questioned the governments justification for knocking down and rebuilding Melbournes 44 public housing towers, in a weekend of debate that became especially fiery over the war in Gaza. Free healthcare when you travel? Sounds too good to be true, but in some of our favourite countries its a fact. Australia has reciprocal healthcare agreements with 11 countries that allow Australians with a Medicare card to be treated under those countries publicly funded medical care systems. The list includes the UK, Italy, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Malta, Norway, Ireland, Slovenia and Sweden. While Australians are entitled to free healthcare in the UK, that countrys National Health Service is currently in crisis. Credit: AP The entitlement varies from one country to another, but in most youre covered for general medical expenses. Some countries will partly cover the cost of prescribed medications, others dont. In the UK, the cover includes care from a National Health Service (NHS) doctor or nurse at a GP surgery, care in a public ward of an NHS hospital, out-patient care at an NHS hospital, ambulance travel to an NHS hospital and prescription medicine if the doctor treats you as an NHS patient, with a small fee. Youre not covered for non-subsidised medicine from pharmacies, prescription medicines if youre not an NHS patient and dental services. 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 Roderick Macdonalds final despatch from the battlefields of southern Italy relayed the monumental news on the front pages of newspapers across Australia on May 19, 1944. The grimmest of all battles that has been fought in this Italian campaign is ending this morning, Macdonald told his readers. Cassino, fought for and defended for weary months with unparalleled bitterness, is isolated. Sydney Morning Herald war correspondent Roderick Macdonalds work was featured in newspapers around Australia and beyond. Credit: Marija Ercegovac That morning, just two days short of his 32nd birthday, the Sydney Morning Herald correspondent was moving with Britains advancing Eighth Army forces when his jeep came under German artillery fire. Macdonald and his travelling companion, British journalist Cyril Bewley of Kemsley newspapers, sought shelter in a field and stepped on a mine. They were both killed instantly. At a well-tended war cemetery 140 kilometres south-east of Rome on Sunday, where Macdonald is buried alongside 12 Royal Australian Air Force servicemen, the correspondents bravery at the front line, which saw some of the fiercest fighting of the Italian campaign, was remembered. Marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino, where the Allied forces suffered 55,000 casualties during a bloody four-month campaign, was General Sir Patrick Sanders, the UK Armys Chief of the General Staff. Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, laid a wreath where more than 4000 Commonwealth soldiers are buried. Air Vice-Marshal Di Turton, Australias first female military representative to NATO and the European Union, read a short citation in Macdonalds honour. Advertisement By his journalistic enterprise, personal courage and willingness to accept all the risks faced by the troops whose battles he so faithfully recorded, he won a worldwide reputation early in the Second World War, she said. Macdonald, a product of Sydneys Scots College who had joined the Herald as an 18-year-old, earned widespread acclaim for his graphic reporting where he took repeated risks to get eyewitness stories of the battle. In July 1943, he wrote a vivid account of his adventures with British glider-borne troops during the invasion of Sicily. It was the first occasion on which any war correspondent had accompanied troops on an airborne invasion. Towed from North Africa by night in a wind of almost gale force, his glider landed in a crisscross of German searchlights and a torrent of tracer bullets and shelling. They crashed badly, which severely bruised and shook the crew, and sought shelter beside the Syracuse Bridge. They then advanced, carrying their own wounded. After swimming across a canal, Macdonald came upon a number of wounded soldiers, and it was while he was treating them with field dressings that he was captured by the Italians. He was rescued within hours by advancing British commandos, later boasting he was shortest-held prisoner of war of any other journalist. I know that the pilot of my glider was sweating with concentration, Macdonald wrote. Yet he and all the others I encountered during the grim 15 hours until our units linked up with the Eighth Army fought doggedly against fantastically long odds and against an enemy who had heavy weapons and unlimited ammunition. Advertisement Following his exploits, he was officially notified that he was entitled to wear the red beret of the glider troops. Macdonalds story was featured on the front pages of some of the English-speaking worlds greatest newspapers. Britains minister for information, Brendan Bracken, would call Macdonalds story a fine piece of reporting. It deserved the prominence given to it in the press and on the radio. I am glad that the risks of the first British glider troops in action have been shared, by one of the Australian war correspondents, who have never lacked courage and audacity in reporting the war, he said. Advertisement Twenty-three Herald correspondents reported on World War II. When Macdonald, the son of independent NSW MP for Mosman Donald Macdonald, died, he was the second man lost in action within a year. His colleague, Bill Munday, was killed by shellfire near the south-west Italian city of Salerno the September prior and Macdonald who was unmarried took his place. Hed had narrow misses before. In Burma, he had a hairbreadth escape from capture by the Japanese. In Africa, he was once halted just in time while driving about 50km/h towards the German lines. Later, in Sicily, he received head injuries when his car collided with an army truck. By the end of 1943, the Allied advance north into Italy had forced the Germans back to the fourth and best fortified of their defensive lines. The Gustav Line, defended by 15 Nazi divisions armed with small arms, artillery, machine guns, minefields and barbed wire, spanned from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Adriatic Sea, along the Garigliano and Rapido rivers on the west and on the Sangro river on the east of the Italian peninsula. Filing from the front: Roderick Macdonald, 31, wearing the beret awarded to him by British airborne troops. Credit: Imperial War Museum At the centre of the line, blocking the route to Rome, was the town of Cassino, dominated by the mountain of Monte Cassino with its 1400-year-old Benedictine abbey. The abbey, once the Catholic Churchs greatest monastery, had been evacuated by the Germans following the Allied landings. Both sides had assured the Vatican that it would not be put to military use or attacked. But on February 15, 1944 amid intelligence Hitlers forces were occupying the monastery for use as a key observation post Allied bombs rained down on much of the structure, reducing it to rubble. Are ancient and beautiful monuments and works of art by masters worth preserving at the cost of soldiers lives? Macdonald had asked in a despatch that week. It has become apparent since that day on the Italian front when we saw the last hours of the great Cassino Abbey, its chapels and ramparts crumbling under hundreds of our bombs, that not everybody agrees with the principle of military necessity justifying their destruction. Advertisement It must be remembered that the same high command which decided that the capture of the Cassino position could be achieved without attacking the monastery later reversed its decision, and considered that the position could be captured if the monastery was bombed. The command was wrong in both cases. On the day Macdonald was killed, a Polish and British flag were raised over the ruins. His death was acknowledged in public statements by then acting prime minister Frank Forde and NSW premier Sir William McKell, who described him as a most capable pressman and a charming personality. Born in Argyllshire, Scotland, Macdonald had emigrated with his parents to Australia aged two. He went to England after four years at the Herald to gain overseas journalistic experience, later travelling extensively in South Africa and New Guinea. On his return to Australia, he worked at Sydneys Daily Telegraph and Brisbanes Courier-Mail before rejoining the Herald in 1941. Soon afterwards, he was appointed correspondent to cover the war in Chongqing, in south-west China, where he pleaded for allied aid. He later produced a graphic account of the British retreat in Burma, of which he had a first-hand experience after the fall of Singapore. He was then transferred to North Africa, where he made the long journey to Algiers by mule, truck and plane, via Tibet, Karachi, Cairo and Khartoum. It was in Tunisia he first met the famed American newspaper correspondent Ernie Pyle, who became a national folk hero by reporting on the average soldier in World War II. Pyle would write after Macdonalds death that his friend Mac had meant much to many of us who marched with the wars in Tunisia, Sicily and Italy. Advertisement Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, met on May 19 at the state border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Islamic Republic of Iran, Trend reports. The heads of state had a conversation held in a sincere atmosphere. 9 charred to death, 17 injuredas bus catches fire in Haryana GURUGR : NINE people, including fivewomen and a 12-year-old girl, wereburnt alive and 17 injured when amoving tourist bus caught fire nearDhulawat village in Haryanas Nuhdistrict in the early hours of Saturday, police said. The incidenttook place around 2 am on the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP)Expressway, they said. The bus was carrying around 60people, all residents of Punjabs Hoshiarpur and Ludhiana, whowere returning from pilgrim townsof Mathura and Vrindavan. All of them are relatives, the police said. The cause of the fire is said tobe a short circuit in the AC box of the bus but it is yet to be ascertained, they said. The police said an FIR has been registered against the busdriver,who fled the scene after the incident, at Sadar Tauru police station. Of the 17 injured, 14have beendischargedfromNalharmedical college, Nuh, while three women are still undergoing treatmentatdifferenthospitals, an official said. Deputy Commissioner, Nuh, Dhirendra Khadgata said the forensic team of Madhuban will investigate the cause of the fireinthebus.SubDivisional Magistrate Tauru Sanjeev Kumar has been appointed as the nodal officer to investigate this matter, he added. Over 50 lakh large farmland treesin India between 2018 & 2022 vanished NEW DELHI : MORE than 50 lakh large farmland trees vanished between 2018 and 2022 in India, partly due to altered cultivation practices, revealing a concerning trajectory, new research published in the journal Nature Sustainability has found. Researchers said that an observable trend was emerging wherein agroforestry systems are being replaced with paddy rice fields, even as a certain loss rate could be found to be natural. Large and mature trees within these agroforestry fields are removed, and trees are now being cultivated within separate block plantations typically with lower ecological value, they said. Block plantations, usually involving fewer species of trees, were found to have increased in numbers which some villagers from Telangana, Haryana, Maharashtra and other States confirmed via interviews. The team, including researchers from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, explained that the decision to remove trees is often driven by perceivedlow benefitsofthe trees,coupledwithconcerns that their shading effect, includingthatofNeemtrees, may adversely affect crop yields. Boosting crop yields also contributed to the expansion of paddy rice fields, further facilitated by water supplywhichwasaugmentedbytheestablishment ofnewboreholes,theauthors said. This finding is particularlyunsettlinggiventhecurrent emphasis on agroforestry as an essential naturalclimatesolution,playing a crucialrole inbothclimate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, as well as forlivelihoods andbiodiversity, the authors wrote. Agroforestry trees are a vitalpartofIndiaslandscapes as they generate socio-ecological benefits, along with beinga natural climate solution owing to their ability to absorb carbon dioxide from theair. However,despitetheir importance, the lack of robust monitoring mechanisms has contributed to an insufficientgraspoftheirdistribution in relation to managementpractices, as well as theirvulnerabilitytoclimate change and diseases, the researchers said. For the study, the team usedAI-baseddeeplearning models for detecting individual non-forest trees for eachyear.Bytrackingthetree crown over the years, they then analysed the changes. Crowns of multiple trees together formacanopy. The researchers mapped about 60 crore farmland trees, excluding block plantations, and tracked them over the past decade. Theyfoundthataround11 per cent of the large trees, each having a crown size of 96 square metres and mapped in 2010/2011, Shut since August 2023, Central Museum By Vikas Vaidya : The 161 years old Ajab Bangla awaits renovation Till August 2023, the Central Museum, popularly known as Ajab Bangla, was open for visitors. Since then it kept closing its doors periodically. Last year around July end, when the building started showing signs of water leakage, the then head of he museum in consultation with the State Government closed the over 161 years old museum for renovation. Nine months since, the Ajab Bangla still awaits repairs. Then, as immediate measures to avoid further damage to the heritage structure and protest the artefacts, the administration had laid a plastic cover over the roof. With passage of time, the plastic cover also got damaged. The delay in renovation works is due to callous approach of the Government. For long, the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums Maharashtra State failed to provide a full-time Curator for the museum. In January 2024, the museum did get a full-time Curator Mayuresh Khadke. When contacted, Khadke told The Hitavada, The procedure regarding renovation of the Ajab Bungla had started last year. The architects who were from Haryana were given the contracts for various works. Unfortunately, whatever small work they did was not upto the mark. Dissatisfied by the work, their contract was to be cancelled. Now, the new application has been sent to the State Government for its consent to start the procedure afresh. Five years ago, during various works at Kasturchand Park, many British-era canons were found at the ground. Those were shifted to the Central Museum. The museum authority had spent over Rs 50 lakh on it for the application of conservating techniques to protect canons from getting rusted. The canons were placed in the museum premises after a new look. According to Khadke, Central Museum needs renovation and conservation of its artefacts. We first will focus on the renovating the building and then start the process for conservation of the artefact. If everything goes well, then renovation of the building would be completed in another four months, said Khadke. With renovation work taking its time to finalise, the heritage structure in the heart of the city remains in dilapidated condition. Ironically, as of today, garbage dumped near its compound wall is giving a shabby look to the museum. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has shared a post on his official page on the X social network about an emergency landing of the helicopter carrying President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi, Trend reports. The post reads: We have been seriously disturbed by the news that the helicopter carrying the high delegation made an emergency landing in Iran after todays friendly farewell with President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi. Our prayers to Almighty Allah are with President Ebrahim Raisi and the delegation accompanying him. As a neighboring, friendly and brotherly country, the Republic of Azerbaijan is ready to provide all kinds of support. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. Azerbaijan is ready to provide all the necessary support regarding Iranian President's helicopter incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan said, Trend reports. "We are deeply alarmed by the news about the helicopter crash carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Abdollahian and other officials. We hope and pray for their safety and protection as rescuers were attempting to reach the site. Azerbaijan, as a friendly and brotherly nation, is ready to provide all the necessary support," the MFA's post on X reads. Earlier today, a helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in Tabriz Mohammad Ali Ali Hashemi, and East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malik Rehmati made a hard landing on its way from Hudafarin to Tabriz. Rescue teams are on their way to the crash site. Arms seized | IMPHAL, May 19: Acting on a credible information, troops of Indian Army recovered one 5.56 INSAS rifle, two 12 bore guns, one 303 rifle, ammunition and some other items from Maphou Dam area, Imphal East today. The recovered items have been handed over to Manipur Police, conveyed a press release issued by the PIB(DW), Kohima PRO. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 20. The Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan reported that it is ready to provide immediate support to the search and rescue operation in connection with the emergency landing of the helicopter on board which was a delegation led by the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi, Trend reports citing the ministry. According to the information, in accordance with the instructions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the relevant government agency of the friendly country was informed that a search and rescue team consisting of 40 professional rescuers, equipped with the necessary technical means, is ready at any time to join the search and rescue operation with two by helicopters. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday accused the BJP of plotting to ignite communal violence in the state for electoral gains. Speaking at a public gathering at Goghat in Arambagh Lok Sabha constituency, Miss Banerjee said: For political gains, the BJP has distorted religion, they ignite religious sentiments and emotions to divide people on the basis of religion. They are well known for igniting communal violence in the society They have a conspiracy to ignite communal violence during the election and after the election. Suddenly you may find the idols of God and Goddesses missing from the temples. I am asking the state administration to keep a special watch on the temples. After their plot in Sandeshkhali, they might create tension over certain temples in the state. Do not allow that, she said. Miss Banerjee, while praising the Kamarpukur Ramakrishna Mission and the Saradha Math in Jayrambati, recalling the help they extended to victims of the reign of terror of CPI-M harmads during Left Front rule, said: I have great regard for them since they have no affinity towards any political parties. They are impartial and not biased in their social welfare activities, but the BJP is trying to use some of the other maths and ashram to motivate their devotees to vote in favour of BJP. The BJP is distributing money. They should remember that they cannot buy the love and regard of the people for Trinamul Congress and Mamata Banerjee. She said: We want Bauri samaj, Bagdhi samaj, Mathua samaj, Raj Bangshi samaj, minorities and all other communities to come together and work together. Advertisement She urged the gathering not to vote in favour of Congress and CPI-M since the division of votes will help the BJP. Miss Banerjee said I had coined the name INDIA and at the national level we the coalition partners are all working together to resist the autocratic, demonic Narendra Modi government. TMC will play its role in installing the INDIA bloc to power. See what Modi is saying now ~ he is no more making tall claims of 400 paar seats by BJP. He can read the writing on the wall already. BJP will not cross even 200 tally. BJP will bite the dust, she said. The Trinamul Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee rubbished Soumitra Khan, the BJP candidate for Bishnupur Constituency describing him a pocketmaar (pickpocket) and compared him with nyata (duster cloth) at Bishnupur today. She said, How such unscrupulous elements could become neta (leader), a nyata is much better than him. I dont want to name him! Banerjee was addressing a poll rally here this afternoon arranged for campaigning in favour of Sujata Mondal, the Trinamul Congress candidate and former wife of BJP candidate. Earlier, on 7 May, she addressed a rally in Patrasayer for Sujata. Sujata, the former wife of Soumitra has been fielded by the TMC against him this time. Ms Banerjee said, Im surprised how Sujata had married such a guy whos involved with so many women! Ive several stocks of his photographs, I think, more than Sujata has. Those are such offensive photos, if I give those to Sujata, shell leave the election campaign and run out to fight with him. I know shes a quarrelsome girl in such issues. Advertisement Then, she asked Sujata in public, Tell me how much money hes made in five years? She gave the microphone to Sujata whos heard describing: Hes purchased six houses, one at City Centre in Durgapur for Rs 2 crore. Besides, hes purchased many lands in Bishnupur and Bankura. Banerjee commented, Whats the use of giving vote for such a person whos corrupt and now talking big after passing through BJPs washing machine! Mamata described how shed travelled through the troubled times during the LF regime in Bankura villages like Shihor, Chamkaitalla, Kotulpur. She added, The CPM goons used to unleash a reign of terror in these villages, now the same harmads have become BJP cadres. She also mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi whos scheduled to address in Bishnupur the other day saying, Hes a privileged person. Hes using government arrangements, defence aircrafts for his poll campaigning. Hundreds of crores of rupees are spent for his safety and security. We chief ministers are not entitled to avail any government facilities during our campaigning. I left home on 31 March and using this little chopper thats too hot and seems like a birds cage. Its quite uncomfortable to fly everyday in this parched summer. She also brought charges of violation of model code of conduct against Union home minister Amit Shah for his advice to voters for buying shares of companies when the market dipped down substantially. She said, He cant suggest this. Its a clear case of MCC violation. Hours after the Congress high command warned him to stay silent on making relentless attacks against Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) president, on Saturday virtually made a strong message to his central leadership and said that he would continue his fight against her as well as her party. While reacting to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharges criticisms against Mr Chowdhury, the latter told reporters in Berhampore in Murshidabad district, As a soldier of the Congress I will continue my fight against her and her party Trinamul Congress. Its a political fight of morality not from any personal grudge. I am fighting to save Congress here in our state. I cant entertain someone (indicating Kharge) who wants to destroy our party. It cant go on. I am also a member of the CWC and party high command, Mr Chowdhury who is also a Congress-nominated candidate from Berhampore parliamentary constituency this time and a five-time MP of the party from the same seat. Advertisement Mr Chowdhury remarked earlier on Thursday that he did not trust the chief minister as well as Trinamul Congress chief and that she could move towards BJP, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said its the party high command to take a call, not Adhir Ranjan. Mamata Banerjee has said that she will support INDIA from outside; in the past also such things happened. During the Congress-led UPA, the Communists supported from outside, said Kharge in Mumbai earlier today. As far as Adhir Ranjans remark is concerned, he is no one to decide anything. The top leaders and high command will decide that and those who wont follow the same will be out of the party, added Kharge triggering controversy. Foreign investors have pulled out a massive Rs 28,200 crore from Indian equities so far in May owing to uncertainties about the outcome of the general elections and attractive valuations of Chinese markets. According to the data with the depositories, foreign portfolio investors experienced a net outflow of Rs 28,242 crore in equities this month (till May 17). Notably, this withdrawal was way higher than a net pullout of over Rs 8,700 crore in April. Last month, the withdrawal was on concerns over a tweak in Indias tax treaty with Mauritius and a sustained rise in US bond yields. Advertisement It is anticipated that going forward, there is likely to be a dramatic change in foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) equity flows in response to election results. Further, as per the data, FPIs invested Rs 178 crore in the debt market during the period under review. In terms of inflows, the foreign investors put in Rs 13,602 crore in March, Rs 22,419 crore in February, and Rs 19,836 crore in January. This inflow was driven by the upcoming inclusion of Indian government bonds in the JP Morgan Index. JP Morgan Chase & Co in September last year announced that it will add Indian government bonds to its benchmark emerging market index from June 2024. This landmark inclusion is anticipated to benefit India by attracting around USD 20-40 billion in the subsequent 18 to 24 months. Overall, FPIs withdrew a net amount of Rs 26,000 crore in equities in 2024 so far. However, they invested Rs 45,000 crore in the debt market. Kartik Aaryan, the heartthrob of millions, is ready to make a grand return to his roots in Gwalior for a special occasion the trailer launch of his much-anticipated film, Chandu Champion. The excitement is contagious as Kartik took to social media to express his joy, inviting fans to join him at Roop Singh Stadium in Gwalior for the big reveal. Produced by the renowned Sajid Nadiadwala and helmed by the master storyteller Kabir Khan, Chandu Champion has been the talk of the town since its first glimpse. Kartiks stunning transformation across three diverse avatars has left everyone spellbound, raising the bar of anticipation for his stellar performance. Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by KARTIK AARYAN (@kartikaaryan) The choice of Gwalior as the venue holds sentimental value, symbolizing Kartiks journey from the streets of the city to the glitz of Bollywood. The entire city is abuzz with excitement, adorned with banners and posters welcoming back their hometown hero. As the countdown begins, the anticipation reaches a fever pitch. Local media and fans eagerly await Kartiks arrival, turning the streets into a carnival of cheers and celebration. For Kartik, this homecoming is not just a personal milestone but a testament to the unwavering support of his hometown. Chandu Champion isnt just another film; its a spectacle waiting to unfold. With the trailer promising glimpses of Kartiks multifaceted talent, expectations soar high. Each avatar portrayed by Kartik hints at a performance that might redefine his career trajectory. Jointly backed by industry stalwarts Sajid Nadiadwala and Kabir Khan, Chandu Champion is poised to hit the screens on June 14, 2024, marking a new chapter in Kartiks cinematic journey. As the excitement mounts and the countdown begins, one thing is certain! Chandu Champion is all ready to captivate audiences worldwide. It aims to leave an unforgettable impression on hearts and minds alike. Sobhita Dhulipala continues to make waves at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival with her impeccable style choices. After stunning in a purple shimmery jumpsuit earlier this week, the actor graced the event for the second time, this time in a captivating gold ensemble from Itrh. As a brand ambassador for Magnum, Dhulipala has been turning heads not just for her acting prowess but also for her fashion statements. Her Instagram feed was flooded with multiple pictures from her latest Cannes appearance, showcasing her in a full-sleeved golden bodycon dress that accentuated her figure perfectly. Paired with heels and elegant golden danglers, she exuded sheer elegance. Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sobhita (@sobhitad) Describing her experience, Dhulipala shared on Instagram, Pranced about like a gilded dragon at the @magnum lounge in Cannes, capturing the essence of her glamorous presence at the festival. For her red carpet debut, Dhulipala opted for a striking shimmery purple outfit and heels, leaving her hair untied, creating a contrasting yet equally mesmerizing look. The Cordelia jumpsuit she wore for this occasion, by Namrata Joshipura, costs 1.8 lakh, adding a touch of luxury to her ensemble. While her fashion choices are making headlines, Dhulipalas career is also on an upward trajectory. Recently debuting in Dev Patels Monkey Man in Hollywood, she showcased her versatility and talent on a global platform, sharing the screen with esteemed actors like Sikandar Kher, Sharlto Copley, Makarand Deshpande, and Ashwini Kalsekar. With each appearance, Sobhita Dhulipala continues to captivate not just with her stunning looks but also with her undeniable talent. This solidifies her status as a force that reckons with in the world of cinema and fashion alike. As the Cannes Film Festival unfolds, all eyes remain on this rising star, eagerly anticipating her next move on the red carpet and beyond. Union Home Minister Amit Shah alleged that if the Opposition INDIA bloc has an agenda to revive Article 370 that gives special powers to Kashmir and destroy nuclear weapons to please Pakistan. Claiming that leaders of Indi alliance are openly saying that if they come to power, they would bring back Article 370 in Kashmir, he quoted Mani Shankar Iyer saying Pakistan should be respected because it has nuclear weapons. Its in this context the Indi alliance wants to eliminate nuclear weapons in the country. There is no need to tell what their intentions are. Advertisement Addressing an election meeting in the Meja area of the rural Allahabad Lok Sabha seat on Sunday, Shah said this election is about creating a great, safe, and strong India. The public has understood the politics of a leaderless coalition. It wants to see PM Modi as prime minister of India for a third time by winning more than 400 seats in this election, he said. Paying homage to the holy land of Prayagraj, the home minister remembered national heroes like Chandrashekhar Azad, Lal Padmadhar, and nation builder Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya. He also remembered litterateurs like Mahakavi Nirala, Sumitranandan Pant, Mahadevi Verma, and Harivansh Rai Bachchan. Shah said the holy land has always been dedicated to harmony and love. He recalled the cultural splendor of Shringverpur Dham, Bhardwaj Muni Ashram, and said the people of this area have always made correct and strong decisions after careful consideration. He asked the public, Do you want a strong prime minister in the country or five prime ministers who change every year? Shah said that among the leaders of the INDIA coalition who dream of becoming the Prime Minister, can Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Mamta Didi, Kharge, and Rahul Baba ever become the Prime Minister? The public answer was No. Then the public started chanting Jai Modi. Shah said Sonia Gandhi, Kharge, and Rahul Baba were invited to the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, but they rejected the invitation. After becoming the prime minister, Modi not only won the Ram Temple case from the Supreme Court but also established Indias spiritual and cultural pride in the world by consecrating it there. Shah said Pandit Kesari Nath Tripathi has done a lot of work in this field. This time BJP has made young candidate Neeraj Tripathi, son of Kesari Nath Tripathi, its candidate. By casting your vote, you will not only make Neeraj Tripathi an MP but will also hand over the country to Modi by making him Prime Minister for the third time, he said. Amit Shah also enumerated the achievements of the Modi Government like free ration, eradication of poverty, and a network of roads, bridges, housing, and toilets for the poor. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India will be established as a developed and powerful nation in the world. 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. Amidst intelligence reports that Pakistan-backed terrorists are planning to disrupt the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in north and south Kashmir, Northern Army Commander Lt General MV Suchindra Kumar on Sunday visited various Army formations in the Valley and Jammu and Kashmir asked the troops to remain in a high state of operational alacrity to meet all forthcoming challenges. The Northern Army Commanders visit came hours before polling for the north Kashmirs Baramulla constituency in the fifth phase on Monday. He also took stock of the security station on the Line of Control (LOC) in the Akhnoor sector of Jammu. The Army, para-military forces, and J&K Police are on high alert to thwart any untoward incident during the polling for North Kashmirs Baramulla constituency in the fifth phase on Monday. Advertisement Infiltration attempts from across the Line of Control (LOC) along the segments of the Baramulla constituency were recently foiled by the Indian Army that killed two heavily armed terrorists. Caches of arms and ammunition were also recovered by the security forces during the past few days. J&K DGP RR Swain on Saturday visited the forward areas in north Kashmirs Karnah sector that is part of the Baramulla seat and reviewed the security situation. The DGP was accompanied by senior police officers of the area. The DGP held discussions with the Army officers to understand and analyse infiltration attempts and current efforts to counter them. He was briefed by Army officers, including GOC 28 Div Maj General Girish Kalia and Brigadier NK Dhas. To review the security scenario in the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, segments of the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, going to polls on 25 May, the Additional Director General of Police, Jammu Zone, Anand Jain, visited these areas and held review meetings with the Police, Army and CAPF officers to assess their readiness and preparedness for the parliamentary elections. He emphasised the need for area domination by the Police and security forces during the election. He impressed upon the participants to implement a foolproof plan for the security of candidates and polling booths. He said that the security arrangements for polling booths should be put in place efficiently, keeping in view the sensitivity of the areas. A total of 22 candidates are in the fray in Baramulla where the main contest is between former chief minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, Peoples Conference chief Sajjad Lone, independent candidate Engineer Rashid, and Mir Mohammad Fayaz of the PDP. As many as 17,37,865 electorates have been enrolled in the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency where 2,103 polling stations have been established. The enrolled voters include 8,75,831 males and 8,62,000 females, besides 34 third-gender electorates. There are around 17,128 Persons with Disability and 527 persons above the age of 100 years who will be exercising their franchise,, said the Chief Electoral Officer of J&K. The constituency consists of 4 districts, including Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, and parts of Budgam. Besides, there are 28 border polling stations in Kupwara and Baramulla districts. A former sarpanch of BJP was killed and a tourist couple from Jaipur was seriously injured in two back-to-back terrorist attacks in south Kashmir. The two terror strikes Saturday night took place in the Anantnag and Shopian districts that are part of the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat which is witnessing a high-pitched election campaign before going to polls on 25 May. These attacks came shortly after the campaigning stopped for north Kashmirs Baramulla Lok Sabha seat where polling will be held tomorrow. Advertisement Condition of the injured tourist couple, Tabrez and his wife Farha, is stated serious but stable. They were fired upon by terrorists in the Yannar area near Pahalgam in the Anantnag district. In the second attack within 30 minutes, ex-sarpanch Aijaz Sheikh was fatally injured in Shopians Heerpora at about 10.30 pm and later succumbed to his wounds. His is the first political killing in J&K during the ongoing Lok Sabha election. Aijaz was targeted by terrorists within days after he described himself a former stone pelter and gave credit of his transformation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a video, he is seen saying that he used to get Rs 500 a day for throwing stones at the security forces. He was impressed with the development in the rural areas that has undergone during Modis rule, he said. Condemning these terrorist attacks, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that free hand has been given to the security forces to bring the perpetrators to justice. He said J&K Police, Army and Security Forces will hunt down the terrorists and those aiding and abetting them. I have already instructed the Administrative and Police officials to provide the best possible treatment to the injured couple. Praying for their speedy recovery. I have complete faith in the bravery of our personnel and the perpetrators of this attack will be punished soon. Our security forces will also hunt down those elements who are helping the terrorists and trying to disrupt J&Ks developmental journey, Sinha said in a statement. The BJP in a statement said, We strongly condemn the killing of Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh. He was a brave soldier of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP firmly stands with the family of Aijaz Ahmad, who lost his life in this terror attack, it said. National Conference chief and former chief minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah said an independent enquiry should be held into the recent killings. Such incidents were affecting tourism in Kashmir, he stated. Former chief minister and PDP candidate Mehbooba Mufti, who is contesting the election for the Anantnag seat, condemned the killing of Aijaz and injuries to the tourist couple. The timing of these attacks given that the South Kashmir (Anantnag-Rajouri) election was delayed without any reason is a cause of concern. Especially keeping in mind normalcy claims touted by the government of India. In a fresh attack on Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleged on Sunday that the grand old party considers entrepreneurs enemies of the country and the partys shehzada (Rahul Gandhi) keeps opposing business houses, businessmen, and investors. The Congress considers entrepreneurs as enemies of the country. Its leaders openly say that we attack those businessmen who do not give us money. That means parties like Congress and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) are not concerned about the industries of the country, the prime minister said while addressing a public meeting in Jamshedpur. Without naming Rahul Gandhi, Modi said, Their shehzada oppose industries, industrialists and investment every day. Which industrialist will go to their state and invest capital in the coming days? What will happen to the youth of those states? Many investors told me that they were unwilling to put their money in these states as the ruling parties were opposed to their practices and wealth creation. They are being abused and insulted. Most of our investors and wealth creators assume that since the Shehzada harbours such views against them, their partners would also see them in a negative light. Advertisement Calling Congress a party which caters only to a family, PM Modi said Rahul Gandhi fled Wayanad (the constituency he currently represents in the Lok Sabha) and came to Rae Bareli playing the emotion card saying its his mothers seat. The shehzada of Congress fled Wayanad to contest the elections from Rae Bareli. He is going to the people there, playing up emotions around Rae Bareli and how it was his mothers seat. Even an eight-year-old child would know better than to call his school his fathers even if the latter studied in the same school. Jharkhand has to be saved from such parties that only serve families and not people, he said. Slamming the Congress party and its ruling partner in the state, the JMM, Modi said both the parties know nothing about development. Renewing his attack on the grand old party and its leader Rahul Gandhi over their alleged promise to conduct a nationwide X-ray and redistribution of wealth if elected to power, Modi said the only goal of Congress and its partners in the INDIA bloc is to steal public wealth and assets. Modi said, The Congress and the JMM know nothing about development. All that they can do is to speak aloud lies everywhere, over and over again. Their ulterior motive is to grab the humble assets of the poor or steal them in the name of wealth redistribution. They want to snatch the reservations guaranteed for the SCs, STs and OBCs. They hurl abuses at Modi every day. Cant they think of anything beyond this? Their true faces have been unmasked before the country today. Weighing in on the huge cash recovery from the house of the domestic help of sitting minister and Congress leader Alamgir Alams aide, the PM said Congress and the JMM have looted Jharkhand at every opportunity. The leaders of Congress and the JMM have amassed black money at the expense of the poor. They have pillaged Jharkhand and looted the people at every opportunity. The Congress is the mother of corruption. Sadly, when we talk about Jharkhand these days, piles and piles of currency notes flash before our eyes, he said. PM Modi vowed to return every cent that he alleged was looted by Opposition leaders. The JMM indulged in a land scam in Jharkhand. They usurped the land of poor tribals and those owned by the army. The mountains of notes being recovered from their houses are your money. Modi is retrieving the money that these dishonest people stole and hoarded. I am not doing this to put the recovered money in the governments treasury. I will return every cent of it to the people who are the rightful owners of the stolen money. This is Modis guarantee, Prime Minister Modi said. A team of the Delhi Police on Sunday seized digital video record (DVR) from Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals official residence in connection with the ongoing investigation into the alleged misconduct of CMs close aide Bibhav Kumar with partys Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal by, the sources said. The police are now likely to retrieve footage from the DVR to assess the sequence of the alleged incident, sources said. The development came a day after the CMs aide was sent to five days of police custody by a Delhi Court where he was produced after being arrested by Police on Saturday. Advertisement Late last night, the police had reportedly requested for Kumars custody for seven days. Meanwhile, Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said the Delhi Police have taken the DVRs (Digital Video Recorder) of the CCTVs at the CMs residence. The minister lamented that false stories were being spread about missing CCTV footage. Addressing a press conference, Bharadwaj said that the CCTVs come under the PWD and on Saturday the police took away the DVR of the outer areas including gates and on Sunday took away the DVR of the internal part of the CMs residence. However, he claimed that there was no CCTV in the drawing room area where the alleged incident took place. Bharadwaj also responded to the allegations that the CCTV footage was deleted, calling these false stories being spread. He further said, The incident happened in the drawing room. One usually does not install cameras there. I have never seen a CCTV camera in drawing room. When a camera is not there, how can its footage be deleted? The police have everything with them and if they would have seen anything they would have shared it with the media, the senior AAP leader said. He alleged that the cops are planting stories at the behest of the BJP to tarnish AAPs image as a few days are left for polling in the city. During the past two days, two purported videos with regard to the alleged incident surfaced over social media. In one of the videos, Maliwal was seen being escorted out of the CMs house. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan cautioned the people of the state against the very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall forecast for Kerala by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). In a Facebook post, the chief minister advised the people of the state to remain alert in view of the very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall forecast for Kerala. He urged the people residing in heavy rainfall-hit hilly regions and low-lying areas to move to safer locations. He also urged the people to avoid inessential travel, especially to the coast and riverside locations. Motorists have been advised to be cautious when driving through roads which are under maintenance. Advertisement The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall for Kerala on May 19 and May 20. Pathanamthitta, Idukki , Alappuzha and Kottayam districts are on red alert on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Earlier, Alappuzha district was placed under an orange alert. In the fresh forecast issued on Sunday, IMD sounded a red alert for Alappuzha also along with other three districts. Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Ernakulam districts are placed under orange alert for the next three days. Meanwhile, a yellow alert was issued for all other seven districts. In a blistering attack on the opposition, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath likened the deeds of Congress and the Samajwadi Party to Ravana(chief antagonist in the Hindu epic Ramayana). Ravanas spirit lives on through the SP and Congress, whose actions reflect the same. Congress denied the existence of Lord Ram, and its intellectuals opposed the construction of the Ram temple in India. SP is two steps ahead of them. Bullets were fired on Ram devotees, now their general secretary says that the Ram temple is worthless. The SP even ordered the opening of fire upon Ram devotees. Now, their general secretary says the Ram temple is worthless, he remarked. Advertisement The CM added, But whatever Ram Lalla wishes will definitely happen, and he has chosen to grant power to his devotee Modi for a third term this time. Addressing a rally in a public meeting in support of BJP candidate Kripashankar Singh from Jaunpur, he said, Bhay Bin Hoye Na Preet (There can be no love without fear). He emphasised, Pakistans tone has changed because it recognizes this is Modis India, one that strikes decisively. The SP used to open fire on Ram devotees and withdrew cases against terrorists involved in attacks on Sankat Mochan Mandir Kashi and Ayodhya. Taking a dig at the SP, the CM said, These people did not express condolence on the death of Ram Bhakt Kalyan Singh, but visited the homes of notorious mafias from Purvanchal to mourn theirs. The SP and the mafia are closely intertwined and inseparable. He said they were determined to eradicate Ramdrohis, anti-nationals, and the mafia that exploit the poor in Uttar Pradesh. The CM launched a scathing critique against the SP-Congress alliance, cautioning people against their malicious intentions. Referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhis proposal to eradicate poverty through a comprehensive property survey, Adityanath warned that this approach would result in the confiscation of ordinary citizens homes, lands, assets, and half of their property by the thugs affiliated with the SP and Congress. Drawing a historical parallel, he likened the mindset of the SP-Congress to that of Aurangzeb, infamous for his cruelty and tyranny within the Mughal Sultanate, highlighting their endorsement of similar authoritarian tactics. He affirmed that the spirit of Aurangzeb, buried in history, would not be allowed to resurface under BJPs watch. The Chief Minister assured the people that the BJP MLAs and MP candidates are committed to ushering in such unprecedented development that Jaunpur will become a global hub for job opportunities. He emphasised that the alliance between the SP and Congress, forming the Indi alliance, serves as a warning sign. Reflecting on past events, he noted that during the terrorist attack in Ayodhya, the state was under an SP government, while Congress at governed the Centre. Similarly, these parties held power during attacks on Sankat Mochan, Ayodhya-Varanasi, and Lucknow courts, he added. He contrasted this with the BJPs governance, highlighting the effective dismantling of terrorism. The CM added, Under the SP administration, miscreants exploited ration provisions, whereas, under BJP rule, 80 crore people are availing rations. The Chief Minister affirmed that under BJPs governance, there will be no intrusion into citizens properties through surveys, nor will any discriminatory Jizya tax (a tax historically levied on dhimmis, that is, protected non-Muslim subjects of a state governed by Islamic law) be imposed. He pledged to safeguard the reservation rights of Backwards, Scheduled Castes and Tribes, ensuring they remained intact. Highlighting past instances in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka where backward caste reservation was extended to Muslims during other parties administrations, he vowed to protect Hindu reservation rights steadfastly. The CM urged people to deny vote to those opposing the construction of the Ram Temple, as well as supporting terrorism, Naxalism, rioters, and those sympathizing with the mafia. The Chief Minister detailed the ongoing developmental initiatives, highlighting significant achievements. He mentioned the inauguration of the state-of-the-art cancer hospital in Varanasi, eliminating residents need to seek treatment in Mumbai. Additionally, the commencement of the Medical College in Jaunpur and establishing an ethanol plant in Shahganj were emphasised. The ethanol plant is anticipated to generate employment opportunities for hundreds of individuals. To further bolster local employment prospects, the CM suggested that the MLA could establish an ITI adjacent to the ethanol plant, offering training tailored to its operations. This holistic approach aims to facilitate job creation on a global scale for the regions populace. Furthermore, the CM emphasised the administrations commitment to accelerating industrial investments, signalling an end to the unrest and curfews in Uttar Pradesh. Adityanath emphasised Jaunpurs renowned reputation for its fragrance, symbolised by its perfume (Ittar), culinary specialty Imarti, and honesty tradition (itra, imarti, imandari). He praised the people of Jaunpur for carrying this ethos wherever they venture, leaving an imprint of integrity. Acknowledging the transformative leadership of the MLA in Shahganj, who actively contributes to development alongside the government, he expressed confidence in MP candidate Kripashankar Singhs ability to continue this trajectory. Recognizing the significance of roots, he underscored the decision to bring Singh back to Jaunpur. Despite Jaunpurs historical contributions to science, Yogi lamented the impediments to development imposed by the previous SP-Congress administration. As part of the Sankalp Patra initiative aimed at spreading awareness about participation in the electoral process through schoolchildren in Delhi, around 16 lakh resolution letters have been received by the election office of the city with signatures from parents, signifying their commitment to participate in the upcoming elections. After registering the record response, Delhi Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P Krishnamurthy appealed to the parents of the school children to actively participate in the voting process on May 25. According to the Delhi CEO office, the initiative, which is aimed at boosting electoral participation, has achieved remarkable success across the government schools including Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) schools and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) schools. Advertisement With 15.76 lakh signed Sankalp Patras returned, the response underscores the effectiveness of this initiative, the election office said. It reflects a widespread commitment among parents, influenced by their childrens encouragement, to participate in the democratic process, an official said. The move was to create awareness about the importance of voting, leveraging the influence of school children to encourage their parents to engage in the democratic process by exercising their franchise. Scheduled for May 25, 2024, this festival of democracy will see an enthusiastic voter turnout, carried by the proactive involvement of the younger generation. The distribution and subsequent return of these Sankalp Patras illustrate a significant mobilization effort, highlighting the role of educational institutions in promoting a robust democratic culture. Congress candidate from Mandi Vikramaditya Singh accused the BJP of politicising religion and claimed that former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur was engaging in regionalism out of fear of Kanganas potential defeat. He promised on Sunday that if elected as an MP, he would advocate for increasing the import duty on apples to support local horticulturists. Singh also emphasised the importance of building a cold storage facility for fruit growers in Kullu and establishing a plant for processing apples and other fruit juices. Advertisement Singh stressed the need for local employment opportunities for the youth, highlighting this as a key aspect of his vision for the Mandi parliamentary constituency. While addressing election meetings in Bhutti, Vanogi Deori, Raila, Pukhri, Talada, and Jivi in the Kullu district, Singh contrasted his development-focused vision with BJP candidate Kangana Ranauts campaign, which, he claimed, relied heavily on invoking Prime Minister Narendra Modis name. Politics is not a profession but a noble medium for public service. To serve effectively, one must live among the people, understand their problems, and preserve our Dev culture, Singh stated. Responding to Kanganas criticism that only one family wanted to cling to power, Singh pointed out that the public had elected the late Virbhadra Singh as the Chief Minister six times and MP Pratibha Singh from Mandi three times. He argued that such statements insult the sentiments of the states 70 lakh people. Singh also condemned the BJP candidate for showing disrespect towards senior BJP leaders and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee by implying that development in India began only after 2014. Claiming that the country gained independence in 2014 is a grave insult to our freedom fighters, which cannot be tolerated, he said. Earlier, during an address at Simsa Panchayat in Manali on Friday, Singh appealed for votes while criticising Kangana Ranaut for making life difficult for her neighbours after building her house in Simsa. Peoples freedom has been curbed, and Kangana has filed police cases against locals. Her behaviour is dictatorial and unfortunate, Singh remarked. The Telangana Cabinet meeting convened by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday afternoon was to be postponed after the state government did not receive the requisite permission from the Election Commission India (ECI). The government had to seek permission from the poll panel since the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is still in force though the polling for the Lok Sabha elections was completed on May 13. The cabinet meeting was necessitated by the issues pending discussions like the farm loan waiver scheme, paddy procurement, and action plan for the ensuing Kharif season, and other key issues related to farmers. Advertisement However, as permission was not forthcoming from the ECI, the ministers and the officials, who reached the secretariat in the afternoon, had to leave at 7 pm without discussing the crucial issues of administration. Reddy had also decided to discuss the celebrations for State Formation Day on June 2 among other key issues between the two states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh under the AP Reorganisation Act 2014 which have been pending for the last 10 years after the bifurcation in the Cabinet meeting. According to a statement issued by his office, the chief minister has decided to hold the Cabinet meeting only after obtaining permission from the ECI. The government will wait for the permission till Monday. If the poll panel does not respond by then, a ministerial delegation will go to New Delhi to seek its permission to hold the Cabinet meeting. Three people, including a tourist couple from Jaipur and a local, were injured in two separate terrorist attacks in South Kashmirs Anantnag and Shopian districts. The attacks on Saturday evening have come days ahead of the election for the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat where polling will be held on 25 May. Police identified the injured couple as Farha and her husband Tabrez. They had come to Kashmir from Jaipur in Rajasthan. Advertisement Police said they were shot by terrorists at Yannar in Anantnag. Both were rushed to a hospital for treatment. Army and paramilitary forces have cordoned the area and launched a search operation. In another incident, a local identified as Aijaz Ahmad was injured as terrorists fired upon him at Heerpora in the Shopian district. Injured person has been evacuated. The area has been cordoned off. Further details are awaited. You are here: Business China on Sunday started an anti-dumping investigation into polyformaldehyde copolymer imported from the European Union, the United States, China's Taiwan region and Japan. The Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said in a statement that it made the decision in accordance with the country's anti-dumping regulation after reviewing materials provided by six Chinese companies that applied for the probe on behalf of the domestic industry last month. The anti-dumping probe will look at polyformaldehyde copolymer, or commonly called POM copolymer for short, imported from these countries and regions from Jan. 1, 2023 to Dec. 31, 2023. It will also investigate any damage done to the Chinese POM copolymer industry from Jan. 1, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2023. The MOC urged interested parties to register with the ministry within 20 days since Sunday for participation in the probe. The investigation is expected to conclude before May 19, 2025, but may be extended for half a year under special circumstances. POM copolymer is used in a broad range of industries, including auto parts, electronic devices, medical equipment and construction materials. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, May 19. The trade turnover between Turkmenistan and China from January through March this year amounted to almost $2.6 billion, Trend reports. According to the General Administration of Customs China, in March 2024 alone, the mutual trade turnover between the two countries exceeded $818.2 million. Turkmenistan's exports, which totaled nearly $2.4 billion in the first three months of this year, accounted for the majority of the trade turnover at the same time. Furthermore, during the same period, Turkmenistan imported Chinese goods worth over $212.9 million. Pipelines supply Turkmenistan's main export to China with natural gas. Meanwhile, the total trade turnover between Turkmenistan and China in 2023 was more than $10.59 billion, with Turkmenistan exporting more than $9.63 billion. As the election inches closer to its final phase, campaigning has gained momentum across the country despite the scorching heat. On Sunday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a spectacular Superhit Six rallies for party candidates contesting from the Azamgarh, Lalganj, Jaunpur, Pratapgarh, Phulpur, and Allahabad Lok Sabha constituencies. He urged people to defeat the SP and Congress, which were opposed to Lord Ram and closer to Ravana in terms of deeds. He alleged that the Congress and SP want to destroy Hindus. The Chief Minister mocked the Samajwadi Party, noting that 273 seats are needed to form the government, while the SP is contesting only 62-63 seats. He remarked that they wont be able to form the government, but will keep thumping their chests in the background. Advertisement Seeking support for Azamgarh MP and BJP candidate Dinesh Lal Yadav Nirahua, CM Yogi said that Azamgarh was considered a centre of terrorism during the SP regime. The Chief Minister noted that Azamgarh used to be associated with terrorist blasts across the country, but there have been no such incidents in the last 10 years. We still have to give a lot to Azamgarh and make it an industrial city. Azamgarh will become the centre of Film City, from where many Nirahuas and Amrapali Dubeys will emerge, he added. Criticising the Samajwadi Party, Yogi said that they are just visiting for a picnic and will head to England after the elections. He taunted that it is now the SP members, not Azamgarh, who are viewed with suspicion. People believe that an SP supporter is likely to be a goon and a troublemaker, prompting searches to prevent potential trouble, he remarked. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in his address at a public meeting organised for Neelam Sonkar, the BJP candidate from the Lalganj Lok Sabha seat in Phulpur Pawai, Azamgarh, said that the INDI alliance is a union of anarchy, corruption, and curfews. The Samajwadi Party and Congress governments do not empathise with the poor, Dalits, women, and youth. Their sympathies lie with the mafia and terrorists. He said that Pakistan is unable to protect its own country, with continuous agitation, chaos, and arson in PoK. He urged voters to give Prime Minister Narendra Modi a third term, promising that PoK would become part of India. The Chief Minister also mentioned that the goon-mafia leaders are complaining about his use of bulldozers. He assured that after the elections, the properties of those remaining will also be bulldozed. Seeking support for BJP candidate Kripashankar Singh in Jaunpur, Yogi said that the demon of Ravana is still present in the form of SP and Congress and their actions resemble that of Ravana. Lord Ram is not blessing them. Whatever Ram Lalla desires is bound to happen, and Ram Lalla has decided to hand over power to his devotee Modi for the third time, he stated. The Chief Minister stated that the SP and mafia are closely connected and cannot be separated. He criticised the SP president for mourning the death of a notorious Purvanchal mafia leader. He vowed to eliminate Ram traitors, anti-India elements, and the mafia in Uttar Pradesh. The Chief Minister warned that the alliance between the SP and Congress is a cause for concern, comparing it to a pair of troublemakers. He assured that the BJP will not allow property surveys, the imposition of the Jizya tax, or any changes in the reservation for backward classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes. Addressing a public meeting in Rampur Khas in favour of Pratapgarh MP and BJP candidate Sangamlal Gupta, the Chief Minister said that more than 400 seats for the NDA are a must to make Pakistan-occupied Kashmir a part of India. The Congress and SP are becoming uncomfortable with slogans like Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkaar and Abki Baar 400 Paar as their goons in Prayagraj and Ghazipur have been reduced to dust. The SP is friendly to terrorists, the CM said, adding that the INDI alliance has no agenda of development. Anyone who betrays Shri Ram also betrays the nation. They all share the same DNA, spreading anarchy and inciting riots like Tadka, Marich, and Subahu, he remarked. Addressing a public meeting at Soraon in support of Phulpur MLA and BJP candidate Praveen Patel, he stated that threats to the security of common people, daughters, businessmen, Dalits, and backward classes have been eradicated from Uttar Pradesh. While the state and country are pleased with this progress, the Samajwadi Party (SP) is mourning, he remarked. He criticised the SPs dark history, recounting an incident where the mafia killed a womans husband from the Maurya family in Phulpur and seized 10 bighas of her land. He noted that their pleas were ignored until his administration restored their land. He further accused Akhilesh Yadav of supporting the shooting of Ram devotees while simultaneously withdrawing cases against terrorists. By proposing an inheritance tax, he argued, Congress and SP have shown their intent to destroy Hindus by reviving the spirit of Aurangzeb. However, he assured that the BJP will not allow this to happen. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also held a public meeting in Karchana in support of BJP candidate Neeraj Tripathi who is contesting the Allahabad Lok Sabha seat. He criticised the Samajwadi Party for embracing the mafia, noting that even after the murder of MLA Raju Pal in Prayagraj, the SP shamelessly supported the criminals. He urged the SP to refrain from politics for 25 years as a penance for its association with the mafia. He mocked the SPs poor turnout in Phulpur, mentioning that their leaders left due to lack of public support. Yogi Adityanath highlighted that next years Mahakumbh in Prayagraj will see a transformed city, now elevated to the status of a smart city with a police commissionerate. He assured that the construction of the Ganga Expressway, connecting to Delhi, will be completed before the Mahakumbh. He accused the Congress and SP of neglecting Vindhyavasini Dham, Chitrakoot Dham, and other religious sites, claiming they are more focused on benefiting Pakistan and supporting terrorists. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been written off many times, and now hes facing deep trouble again. Will he rise like a pheonix or wither away? Despite his setbacks, such as his resignation as Delhis chief minister after a brief 49-day tenure and losing all seven seats in Delhi in 2014, Kejriwals unwavering resilience was a beacon of hope. He defied all odds within a year, to secure a landslide victory with 67 out of 70 seats in the 2015 Delhi Assembly polls. This remarkable turnaround should tell us of his nevergive-up spirit. The arrest of Kejriwal in the Delhi liquor policy case is a pivotal event that has cast a shadow over the future of the Aam Aadmi Party. This development raises the question: Will this be the end of the road for the party? The apex court has granted Kejriwal bail, enabling him to campaign for his party in the ongoing elections. This development provides hope for Kejriwals supporters and suggests that his political journey may be far from over if he gets public sympathy. Kejriwal strategically positions himself as the underdog, drawing attention to Prime Minister Narendra Modis alleged persecution and his colleagues imprisonment. Since his release from jail, Kejriwal and his party have been attempting to demonstrate to the public how he was ill-treated in prison. He claims that he was denied insulin and his diabetes medication. Kejriwals arrest is the biggest crisis for the Aam Aadmi Party since its founding in November 2012. Kejriwal has led the party with complete control, overcoming intermittent turbulence. Over the years, many of Kejriwals associates from the India Against Corruption days have been dumped. Within his party, he is an autocrat. The AAPs ascent to power was dramatic. It emerged from the India Against Corruption movement led by Anna Hazare in 2012. Advertisement The party seized power within months, but Kejriwals resignation within 48 hours was unsurprising. However, he returned to power in 2015 and 2019, winning the Delhi Assembly polls with significant majorities. This series of events has sparked curiosity about the partys political trajectory and Kejriwals resilience. Kejriwal has been ambitious from the beginning. He projected himself as a prime ministerial candidate and even contested against Modi in Varanasi in 2014, only to lose. This ambitious move has significantly raised Kejriwals and his partys profile. In the recently formed INDIA coalition, the AAP stands out as the only party other than Congress to rule more than one state. It now rules both Punjab and Delhi. However, currently, AAP will have a significant political impact in only 20 constituencies. Kejriwals national influence depends on his partys performance. AAP currently holds one seat in the Lok Sabha and ten in the Upper House. The party has expanded its influence to other states and was granted national party status in April 2023. The AAPs ascent to power is a unique phenomenon in Indian politics. Unlike the BJP or the Left parties, it has no significant ideological position. It has not relied on regional or socialist backgrounds like the AIADMK, DMK, Samajwadi Party, Biju Janata Dal, or Rashtriya Janata Dal. Instead, it has come to power on the development mantra and the freebie culture. Kejriwal has strategically shifted his approach and is now seeking alliances with other regional leaders, such as Sharad Pawar, Mamata Banerjee, M.K. Stalin, and Lalu Prasad Yadav. In Delhi, the AAP is contesting elections with the Congress party. In Punjab, the party is contesting 13 seats on its own. These alliances and strategic moves offer a promising outlook for Kejriwals political journey. The Party will now try to occupy the space vacated by the Congress and emerge as a national alternative. It is poised to target states like Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat all bipolar until now. This change in strategy, from a primarily national focus to a more localised approach, is a counter to the BJP at the central level and a strategic move that could shape the partys future. The BJP has offered a Modi ki guarantee, while Kejriwal has promised a ten-point agenda. The promise includes freeing Indian land from Chinese occupation if the INDIA bloc forms the government at the Centre, attaining full statehood for Delhi, having 24/7 power supply, and free education. However, the AAP is extremely vulnerable today. Kejriwal has introduced a personality cult centred around him. His party members must consult the top boss before making decisions. The Delhi liquor policy case has raised questions about the partys future. Who will be its new face? Is it the end of the road? Can the second rung of leaders like Gopal Rai, Saurabh Bhardwaj, Sandeep Pathak, Raghav Chadha and Atishi run the party, or will Kejriwal, with his usual luck, return? Only the voters can decide. As the electoral battleground heats up in Rae Bareli, the speeches delivered by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi at their respective rallies in the constituency offer a glimpse into the divergent strategies of the two major political camps. With Congress scion Rahul Gandhi contesting from this prestigious constituency, the contrasting messages highlight the differing priorities and approaches of their parties. Mr Shahs address focused on national issues central to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) agenda, such as triple talaq, Article 370, and the Ram temple. By raising these topics, Mr Shah aimed to engage voters on matters of national significance and cultural heritage. His questions to Mr Gandhi about the Uniform Civil Code and surgical strikes emphasised the BJPs stance on national security and legislative changes. Mr Shah also touched upon developmental promises for Rae Bareli, reflecting the partys broader vision for progress and governance. In contrast, Ms Gandhi focused on immediate economic and social concerns, hoping they would resonate with everyday challenges faced by the electorate. She highlighted issues like education, unemployment, and the rising cost of living, emphasising the Congress partys focus on social welfare and economic relief. Her references to GST on agricultural equipment and farm loan waivers underscored her appeal to rural voters and farmers. Additionally, she pointed to the development work done by Congress in Rae Bareli, positioning the party as a champion of local progress and community well-being. The contrasting approaches of Mr Shah and Ms Gandhi reflect the broader ideological spectrum in Indian politics. While the BJPs narrative includes both nationalistic themes and promises of development, the Congress campaign prioritises economic issues and social justice. Advertisement This dichotomy presents voters with a choice between two visions for Rae Barelis future: one emphasising cultural and national identity alongside development, and the other focusing on immediate economic relief and social welfare. As voters in Rae Bareli prepare to cast their ballots during the fifth phase of the general election on May 20, it is crucial to consider the implications of these differing approaches. Both national issues and local economic concerns are significant. Voters must weigh which priorities align best with their aspirations and which candidate they believe will effectively address their needs. Ultimately, the election in Rae Bareli is a microcosm of the larger democratic process, where diverse viewpoints and priorities come together to shape the direction of governance. Regardless of the outcome, it is incumbent upon political leaders to rise above partisan rhetoric and work towards inclusive growth and development for all sections of society. Moreover, this election underscores the importance of considering both immediate local concerns and broader national issues. It highlights the need for a balanced approach in governance, where policies address economic hardships while also fostering national unity and security. As voters evaluate the promises made by both sides, the emphasis should be on electing leaders who can harmonise these aspects As Maharashtras 13 seats head to the polls in the fifth and final phase of the general election on May 20, the state finds itself at a political crossroads. The phase will complete voting for all 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state. The electoral battlefield in Maharashtra sees the Mahayuti alliance, featuring the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), squaring off against the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes the Congress, the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena, and the Sharad Pawar faction of NCP. Campaigning has been vigorous, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasising development and national security, while former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray calls for unity and addresses local grievances, unemployment and the agrarian crisis. Maharashtra, with its mix of urban and rural constituencies, presents a unique electoral battleground. The 13 seats up for grabs in this phase encompass regions with varied priorities and challenges. From the bustling metropolis of Mumbai to the agrarian districts of Marathwada and Vidarbha, each constituency brings its own set of issues and voter concerns to the fore. One of the critical issues has been the agrarian crisis. Years of drought, coupled with fluctuating crop prices, have left farmers in a precarious situation. The impact of this crisis is particularly felt in the rural constituencies of Vidarbha and Marathwada. The candidates who can convincingly address the agrarian distress and propose viable solutions for sustainable agricultural practices are likely to find favour with the electorate here. Urban constituencies face infrastructure, housing, and job creation issues. Mumbai voters are particularly concerned about housing shortages, transport, pollution, and sustainable development. Another significant factor influencing these elections is the political dynamics between the leading parties and their alliances. The ruling alliance relies on its development agenda, while the opposition focuses on unemployment, economic slowdown, and democratic values. The role of regional parties, such as the factions of Shiv Sena and NCP, cannot be underestimated in this context. Maharashtra has a strong tradition of regional political movements, and their influence in local constituencies is substantial. Their ability to mobilise grassroots support and address hyper-local issues makes them crucial players in this electoral phase. Advertisement Young voters, focused on education, employment, and digital infrastructure, seek a progressive and inclusive future. In the final phase of polling in Maharashtra, it is clear that the stakes are high. The results will not only determine the composition of the Lok Sabha but will also set the tone for the states political landscape. The 13 seats going to the polls represent more than just electoral battles. They are a microcosm of the broader aspirations and concerns of the state. As voters cast their ballots, they are making a choice about the future direction of their com Voting for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in 49 constituencies spread across eight states and Union territories (UTs) will be held on Monday. The polling is scheduled to commence at 7 am in 94,732 polling stations, manned by 9.47 lakh polling officials, amid tight security to avert any untoward incident and conclude at 6 pm. Of the 49 Lok Sabha seats going to polls in the fifth phase, 14 are from Uttar Pradesh, 13 from Maharashtra, seven from West Bengal, five each from Bihar and Odisha, three from Jharkhand, and one each from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Advertisement More than 8.95 crore voters will decide the fates of 695 candidates who are in the fray. Prominent candidates from the BJP are Union MinistersRajnath Singh (Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh), Smriti Irani (Amethi), and Piyush Goyal (Mumbai North, Maharashtra), while from Congress is Rahul Gandhi (Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh) and KL Sharma (Amethi). Other key candidates are former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah (Baramulla) and president of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) Chirag Paswan (Hajipur, Patna). Polling for the 35 Assembly constituencies of the Odisha Assembly will also take place simultaneously. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) called upon the voters to turn out in large numbers at polling stations and exercise their franchise. The poll panel also said concerned CEOs/DEOs and state machinery have been advised to take adequate measures to manage hot weather conditions in areas, where it is forecast. They are told to ensure basic minimum facilities like water, a shed, toilets, ramps, volunteers, wheelchairs, and electricity are in place to ensure that every voter, including the elderly and persons with disabilities, can cast their vote with ease. The Lok Sabha elections are being held in seven phases between 19th April and 1st June. The first phase of polling was held on 19th April, the second phase on 26th April, the third phase on 7th May, and the fourth phase on 13th May. The first phase recorded 66.14 percent voter turnout, the second 66.71 per cent, the third 65.68 per cent, and the fourth 69.16 per cent. The results of the Lok Sabha elections will be declared on 4th June. Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was critically injured in an assassination attempt earlier this week, is in stable condition, Health Minister Zuzana Dolinkova said on Saturday. After his second operation on Friday, there is cause for optimism, the Minister added. However, Fico cannot yet be transferred to the capital, Bratislava, in the coming days, Defence Minister Robert Kalinak said. Advertisement A panel of doctors is to decide on Monday whether he is to be transferred. The Prime Minister is currently recovering in the university hospital Banska Bystrica, close to the small town of Handlova where he was shot. On Saturday, the gunman who attacked Fico was remanded in custody, following a decision by a special court responsible for organised and politically motivated crime in the western city of Pezinok, court spokeswoman Katarina Kudjakova told dpa. She said this was due to the risk he might abscond and carry out further acts of violence. The decision can be appealed. The man was detained directly after the shooting on Wednesday. Reports, citing the police, said he had already pleaded guilty during questioning. The public prosecutors office asked for him to be held in pre-trial detention and the court heard Juraj C, as he is known under privacy rules, on Saturday morning. He had been expecting Fico after a government meeting in Handlova and shot at him at close range. Fico, 59, was hit by several gunshots and has since undergone two operations. The suspect, 71, was charged on Thursday with attempted murder. He was described by authorities as a lone wolf motivated by political grievances. The attack, on the deeply divided nation, sent shock waves around the world. Since then, there has been an increase in threats against other politicians in the country, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok told the daily newspaper Pravda on Saturday. Since then, there has been an increase in threats against other politicians in the country, the Interior Minister told the daily newspaper Pravda on Saturday. A member of Parliament from Smer, the largest governing party led by Fico, had also been threatened. A perpetrator has been identified in both cases. Earlier death threats against the liberal opposition leader Michal Simecka and his family had already been made public. Apart from specific death threats, the number of aggressive comments on social media has also increased significantly, Slovakian media reported, citing experts. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops have killed more than 130 militants in targeted operations in eastern Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, according to a statement. As part of the operations, the Givati infantry brigade killed more than 80 militants in the area, and located dozens of rifles, grenades, and ammunition, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the IDF statement issued on Saturday. Additionally, Givatis reconnaissance unit uncovered significant underground tunnel infrastructure in the area, it said. Advertisement Simultaneously, the 401st armored brigade killed about 50 militants in raids on Hamas infrastructure and buildings from which gunfire was shot at IDF troops, and located dozens of tunnel shafts and many anti-aircraft guns. So far, hundreds of terrorist infrastructure sites have been destroyed by the 401st Brigade, including weapons production facilities and ready-to-use launch sites, the IDF said. Givati, one of the five infantry brigades of the IDF, is composed of three battalions, each made up of companies with designated functions. A chopper carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has made a hard landing due to bad weather conditions in the mountains in the North West of the country, state media reported on Sunday without elaborating further. According to the Iranian state media, President Raisi was heading to the city of Tabriz, in the north west of Iran. He was returning from an Iran-Azerbaijan border area. Irans Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said the rescuers were still trying to reach the accident site as difficult weather conditions hampered rescue efforts. Advertisement International media reports claimed that no contact has been made yet and the condition of those on board the helicopter remains unknown. Iranian foreign minister was also accompanying President Raisi in a convoy of three helicopters. Two of the helicopter reportedly landed safely and the chopper carrying Raisi is reported to have met the accident. Raisi was elected Irans president in 2021. An Islamic hardliner, he is seen by many as a potential successor to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Meanwhile, the state media has also asked people of the country to start praying for its president. Some videos have also surfaced on social media showing people praying for the safety of President Raisi. In a nail biting triangular contest, the cold desert Lok Sabha constituency of Ladakh will go to polls on Monday. The main candidates, Tashi Gyalson (BJP) and Tsering Namgyal (Congress) are facing a stiff challenge from an independent and National Conference (NC) rebel Haji Hanifa Jan. While Gyalson and Namgyal are Buddhists of the Leh district, Jan is a Shia Muslim of the Kargil district and as such the contest is being considered as one between the Leh and Kargil districts. Jan is riding on the support not only from the NC but also a section of Congress in the Kargil district. Many religious and social organisations of the Muslim dominated Kargil have also come out in his support. They expect the Buddhist vote to be split between the Congress and BJP that might benefit Jan. Advertisement The NC had left the Ladakh seat for its INDIA bloc partner Congress, but the rebel of the NC has upset the electoral calculations. Of a total of 1.84 lakh voters, 95,926 are in the Kargil district while 88,877 are in Leh. There are 1,127 voters with disabilities (PwDs) and 1,570 elderly voters. There are 577 polling stations in the constituency, including 298 in the Leh district and 279 in the Kargil district. Hanle (Anle) Phu polling station in Leh is located at a height of 15,000 feet above sea level and is the worlds second-highest polling station. The Warshi polling station in the Nubra area of the Leh district is the last village and only 20 km away from the Siachen Glacier base camp. This polling station has been set up for only five voters belonging to one family. Polling staff, EVMs and security personnel were airlifted by the IAF to Jinchan and Dipling polling stations in Leh and Phema, Ralakun and Shadey polling stations in Kargil district. The BJP won the Ladakh seat in 2014 and 2019. However, the party did not give a ticket to sitting MP Jamyang Namgyal this time. In 2014, BJP candidate Thupstan Chhewang won the seat in a four-cornered contest but resigned midway in support of the demands of Ladakhis. The BJP has suffered a setback as the government has so far not accepted the demand of the striking Ladakhis for Sixth Schedule for the region and various other demands. A North Korean delegation from the countrys border city of Rason has returned home after a weeklong visit to Russias Far East, state media reported on Sunday. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the delegation led by the chief of the Rason Municipal Peoples Committee arrived back home on Saturday. The delegation had left for the trip on May 12. The one-sentence dispatch did not provide further details, but the delegation is believed to have discussed resuming passenger train service between the two sides, Yonhap news agency reported. Advertisement Last week, Oleg Kozhemyako, the governor of Russias northeastern region of Primorsky Krai, said after a meeting with the Norths delegation that passenger trains connecting Vladivostok to the North are set to resume after years of a Covid-19 pandemic-related suspension. Rason, which borders Russia and China, is a logistics hub designated as a special city by the North. A railway connects the border city to Khasan, Russia, which is then linked to Vladivostok through Russian rail service. Freight and passenger rail services connecting Rason and Khasan had been suspended since the outbreak of the pandemic, but trains for cargo shipments resumed in November 2022. Experts voiced concerns that if the passenger rail services reopen, North Korea may start to dispatch its workers to Russias Far East, which is banned under UN Security Council sanctions resolutions. Moscow is believed to be suffering from a shortage of labour due to its war with Ukraine. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 20. Turkmenistan is ready to provide assistance to Iran in connection with the hard landing of a helicopter, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan says, Trend reports. "Turkmenistan is ready to provide the necessary assistance to Iran in connection with the hard landing of a helicopter in the province of East Azerbaijan," the report says. On May 19, a helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in Tabriz Mohammad Ali Ali Hashemi, and East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malik Rehmati made a hard landing on its way from Hudafarin to Tabriz. Due to weather conditions and difficult terrain, search and rescue teams have not yet reached the crash site. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that at the moment he has no plans to capture the city of Kharkiv, but that Russian forces were establishing a buffer zone in the area because of attacks from Kharkiv on the Russian region of Belgorod. He made his comments in response to a question from Russian state media reporters at the end of his visit to China in the city of Harbin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the heavily attacked Kharkiv region on Thursday and said the situation had stabilised. The area has come under heavy Russian attack recently. Advertisement Putin said the buffer zone around Kharkiv is needed because the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, was being massively bombarded with drones and missiles from Kharkiv. Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, who is currently deputy head of the National Security Council, described Zelenskys trip to Kharkiv as a farewell visit. Russian leaders repeatedly refer to Kharkiv as a Russian city, leading many experts to assume that the Kremlin wants to annex the region. Putins denial, at least for the time being, is the first time he has stated that there are no current plans to do so. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. 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. As the final phases of the general elections draw to a close, an increasingly panicky Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started upping the ante on the question of reservations for Muslims, once again attempting to rebuild his majority by forcing a Hindu-Muslim divide. If, as the BJP has long been stressing, and Modi has been underlining, religion is nowhere mentioned in the First Amendment of 1951, which brought in reservations for Other Backward Classes, it is also necessary to underline that caste is also nowhere mentioned in this connection. The operative word is classesa point stressed by Jawaharlal Nehru moving the legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the select committee set up by Parliament. Classes, of course, include both castes and communities. That is why Nehru, moving the amendment on May 29, 1951, described our aim as being to realise an egalitarian society, given the indisputable fact and social reality that, infinite divisions have grown up in our social structure. He, specifically, described these infinite divisions as relating to the caste system or religious divisions. The use of the words Other Backward Classes (OBCs) was clearly designed to address all backward groups whether of castes, or occupations, or religion. Illustration: Job P.K. Therefore, the Mandal Commission included a number of Muslim castes in their OBC list, as well as occupations common to Hindus and Muslims, such as butchers and barbers. Thus, right from the start, certain Muslim castes have been considered backward, the term not being regarded as exclusive to Hindu society. The issue has never been, as Modi seems to think, of whether or not Islamic theology recognises caste: Indian Muslims have always been categorised on caste lines (arzal, as the lowest). Modi implicitly recognises this when he hoots what he claims he is doing for Pasmanda Muslims. Why not reservations for them, especially as the Justices Rajindar Sachar and Ranganath Mishra commissions found that the Muslim community as a whole was almost as backward as SCs and STs and more backward than non-Muslim OBCs, excluding Muslims who fall in the creamy layer, as for everyone else? The problem of including Muslim castes among OBCs has always come up against the barrier of 50 per cent being the maximum share of reservations laid down by the Supreme Court. This has proliferated the practice by states, especially the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, of providing Muslim sub-quotas within existing OBC quotas, thereby bringing a religion dimension into the quite different question of treating OBC reservations for backward classes of Muslims as an extension of equality and not an exception to the principles of equality and non-discrimination, as explained by Faizan Mustafa, vice-chancellor, Chanakya National Law University. This has been further confirmed in a series of Supreme Court judgments such as in Balaji (1962), Royappa (1973), and State of Kerala v/s N.M. Thomas (1975), besides the more renowned case of Indra Sawhney (1992). To overcome the 50 per cent barrier, the Congress manifesto lays down a strategy to achieve the objective, beginning with a caste survey to move from estimates to facts on the ground. This will be the necessary preliminary to moving legislation to dismantle the 50 per cent barrier and giving OBCs of all religious persuasions a level ground to work towards removing their present educational and social backwardness, while otherwise tackling economic issues of rampant poverty and unemployment. This is the logical way forward. Modi seeks to give this a communal colour. That may have succeeded in the past elections, but the electorate are waking up to the reality that it is not the Indian Muslim or Pakistan that is the bugbear. It is their economic and social condition after a decade of the Modi sarkar that is making them wonder whether Modis promised achche din (good days) have really arrived. Aiyar is a former Union minister and social commentator. The headline is the title of a turn-of-the-century Hollywood fantasy starring Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt. The film was a box-office hit, but its 2019 loose remake, What Men Want, flopped. Who wants to know what men want? So what do women want? Men of my generation, when we wanted to please our wives on their birthdays or our anniversaries, bought them a new mixie, a refrigerator, a washing machine, a toaster, some comfy bed linen or fancy table linendepending on the size of our pay cheques. Those were the kind of stuff, we thought, would ease the wives chores, give them more time to spend with us and children, make our homes brighter, and bring cheer to all at home. Called MCPs today, we spent our youths in an age when utility weighed more in our minds than the lure of luxury. Men of my sons or son-in-laws generation are more focused. They buy chiffons, silks, handbags, shoes, dresses or diamonds for their wivesdepending on their credit limits. The kind of things that are of her personal use, yet the possession of which would make her feel enriched, empowered and proud. Illustration: Deni Lal To me, watching the elections from Delhi, Narendra Modi appeared like a man of my generation, the kind who wooed our women with goodies that we too wanted in our homes. Now, after a whirlwind tour of south Bengal, Mamata Banerjee appeared to me like a new-gen husbandone who woos the woman with what she covets. Look at what Modi is claiming to have gifted women in 10 yearshis manifesto, aka guarantee card, lists free cooking gas to 10 crore-plus poor women, toilets to 11 crore-plus women, vaccination to six crore-plus mothers and children, and more. Whats on offer? Help for three crore women to become lakhpati didis, skill up the women self-help groups, seats for a few thousand in Parliament, state assemblies and panchayats, and so on. Pretty heavy stuff, but pretty useful, too, to society at large. Much like the gifts that my generation gave our wivesuseful to all at home. And Mamata? Calling her regime Maa-Mati-Manush sarkar, she is putting money directly into womens purses. Her Lakshmir Bhandar scheme puts Rs1,000 each into the accounts of two crore womenRs1,200 if she is a dalit or adivasi. Close to 12 lakh old women are getting pension; 20 lakh women get widow pension. And she is offering Rs1,000 a year to every high school girl, and a one-time gift of Rs25,000 when she joins a college or a skills class, and more when she goes for her masters. Whats the difference? One is paternalistic and patronising; the giver thinks he knows what is good for her and gives. The other is entrusting and empowering. The giver trusts her with the money and empowers her to do what she likes with it. In this workaday world, nothing empowers a person more than money in hand which she can spend as she wills. Not that the BJP doesnt know this. It was a similar Ladli Behena scheme that returned the party to power in the last Madhya Pradesh polls, just as the Congress had wooed the Kannadiga women with a Gruha Lakshmi scheme. However, unlike these schemes which target the deprived, Mamatas ones are for allrich, poor, privileged or deprived. Will these win votes? Cant say, but women throng her meetings outnumbering men three to two. She plays to their gallery, singing and dancing with them. The Durga imagery is not to be missed. Mamata radiates energy. She doesnt stand and deliver. With a cordless mic in hand, she sweeps the stage at a brisk pace, much like a new-age motivation speaker. Or, shall we say, Durga at her war dance? prasannan@theweek.in BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. A search team has approached the site where the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi made a hard landing en route from Hudafarin to Tabriz, Trend reports. According to Pir-Hossein Kolivand, Head of Iran's Red Crescent Society, conducting a search operation in the region by vehicle is currently impossible, and more than 40 search teams are continuing their efforts. Kolivand also mentioned that search teams from other provinces have been deployed to the area. Earlier today, a helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in Tabriz Mohammad Ali Ali Hashemi, and East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malik Rehmati made a hard landing en route from Hudafarin to Tabriz. Rescue teams are on their way to the crash site. I am Sabyasachi Mukherjee, not to be confused with my namesake, the celebrated fashion couturier, declared the venerated director-general of Mumbais pride, George Wittets Indo-Saracenic jewel, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum. The supremely swish, fashion-forward invitees to a very special event on the lawns of the museum tittered politely and giggled as the charming middle-aged man spoke on. Most of them had zero idea about this other Sabyasachi. It was, after all, a fashion event titled, Legacy of Deft Hands, celebrating Indias artisanal heritage. The over-modest and highly refined Mukherjee, dressed in a well-cut formal suit, provided a succinct introduction to the spectacular fashion walk, as top models circled the impressive statue of King George V. It was a first visit to Mumbais historic landmark for this chichi Gucci-Chanel set. Sabyasachi Mukherjee As director-general of one of the premier art and history museums in Asia, Mukherjee heads a dedicated team of the museum that houses priceless treasures inside the awe-inspiring grade one heritage building, which celebrated its centennial in 2022. His style is people-oriented, and despite formidable scholarship in his chosen field, the soft-spoken gentleman retains his genial aura without overwhelming eager visitors flocking to his beloved museum, where he has held sway since his appointment in 2007. He delivered a charming speech after he was elected, as an honorary member, to the two-century-old American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He disarmingly stated, I never dreamed of being recognised and honoured by such a prestigious institution of remarkable minds. Considering the Academy was founded by the likes of Alexander Graham Bell and Benjamin Franklin, this befitting honour was an apt and timely recognition of Mukherjees considerable achievements. As a fairly regular to the museum since my growing years, I have observed its remarkable evolution from a musty, dusty place that attracted sullen-faced school kids on a mandatory museum trip, to what it is todaya vibrant, buzzing complex that attracts scholars from across the world, along with enthusiastic locals, who take in the newest exhibits, shop at the well-curated museum store which offers great, well-priced, sophisticated gifts, to students who opt for a postgraduate diploma course in museology and art conservation with Mukherjee himself as director. Who could ask for a better guru? With the addition of a childrens museum and new galleries, the familiar old space has been transformed into a modern, lively cultural hub with exciting, interactive activities that have seen a dramatic rise in footfalls. When I met Mukherjee at the special fashion show evening, I was initially blinded! Of course, by his brilliance, but on a more mundane note, by the bright lights shining into my eyes. Surrounded by beautiful installations and inspired by the invaluable weaves on display from the Sangrahalayas textile gallery, it was difficult to focus. We chatted briefly, as art gallery aficionados, collectors and historians waited to meet the host. Legacy of Deft Hands was a triumph. Befittingly, the corner reserved for Ikat weavers working on looms saw interested invitees stopping to exchange a few words with our wonderful crafts community, quietly but surely placing India on the global map. Heres hoping the low-key director-general treats us to many more experiential exhibits that engage, inform and enchant. The Sangrahalaya has shown us how! @DeShobhaa @shobhaade Meghan Markle fans might have noticed that she has a thing for long clothes, whether its dresses, skirts or trousers. Some of outfit choices by the duchess who is 5 foot 6 inch have raised eyebrows as she drags them along the floor while walking. One of the much-talked-about outfit choice was the long Windsor dress that she wore when she visited Abuja's Lightway Academy during her three-day Nigeria tour with Prince Harry. Meghan was spotted donning the backless blush silk dress, designed by Heidi Merrick. Though the term Windsor refers to the design of the dress, royal fans could not ignore the reference to Windsor family. One of the user commented on X, saying, "But they have been trying to erase the Windsors from their lives completely, but here comes Mrs. Sussex wearing a dress called 'Windsor', haha!! Even Mr. and Mrs. Sussex realised they are nothing without the real Windsors." Another said, Meghan Markle is desperate to have ties to Windsor name. Her strategic marriage and un-strategic moves since then have backfired. Like a dress with the name gives her the legitimacy that continues to elude her! The secret behind Meghan's long dress However, that is not the only occassion that Meghan chose to wear long outfits. In Lagos, she was seen wearing a yellow Carolina Herrera Silk Overlay Column Gown. In Frankfurt, during the 2023 Invictus Games, Meghan donned a brown blouse and taupe trousers that touched the floor. The 2018 Edinburgh trip saw Meghan wearing black trousers that seemed too long, even with her pair of heels. According to celebrity stylist Rochelle White, she is likely wearing long clothing covering her feet to give the illusion of height. "Long dresses and trousers, depending on body type, can help to elongate the body and shape," she told Femail. "They can make you look taller and depending on the styles can help to define areas of the body you either want to highlight or cover up." The Election Commission on Saturday issued two separate show-cause notices to West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar for "misleading" advertisements targeting the state's ruling TMC. The poll watchdog has sought his response as to why the two advertisements should not be treated as violative of the model code of conduct and its advisory to political parties. Majumdar has been asked to respond by 5 pm on May 21. According to the English transcript provided in the notices, one advertisement is titled "Trinamool is root cause of corruption" while the other is titled "Anti-Sanatan Trinamool". The Trinamool Congress (TMC) had approached the Election Commission against the advertisements. While issuing the notices, the poll watchdog reminded the BJP leader about the provisions of the model code of conduct, which deals with criticism based on unverified allegations, and its recent advisory to parties that states unverified and misleading advertisements should not be published in the media. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday asserted that the "new India" led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not need madarssas but modern institutions that produce doctors and engineers. Addressing back-to-back election rallies in Muzaffarpur, Siwan and Buxar Lok Sabha seats, Sarma said grand temples would be built in Varanasi and Mathura and the Uniform Civil Code would be implemented if the NDA returns to power by winning over 400 Lok Sabha seats. "The new India of Modi ji does not need madarssas... we need modern schools and colleges that will produce doctors and engineers... not maulvis from madarssas," he said. Sarma said the NDA will ensure that Pakistan occupied Kashmir, which is an integral part of India, returns to the country. "We will implement UCC, build a temple on Krishna Janmabhoomi premises in Mathura and establish Kashi Vishwanath temple in place of Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, besides ensuring that PoK returns to India, after winning over 400 seats," he said. Hitting out at the Congress and its allies, Sarma said, "Rahul Gandhi and Lalu Prasad did not attend the consecration of Ram Mandir. They want to send Ram Lalla back to the tent. We must not let this happen." He labeled Congress and RJD as "biggest enemies of OBCs" for allegedly trying to introduce religion-based reservations in the country. "Religion-based reservations should be given to Muslims in Pakistan, not India. Lalu Prasad should go to Pakistan to give reservations to Muslims. The NDA will not allow this at any cost," the Assam CM said. Asserting that Rahul Gandhi can "never become PM", Sarma said, "He can contest elections in Pakistan and become its PM. He and his party are indulging in politics of appeasement." "The corrupt Congress-RJD alliance is trying its best to stall development of Bihar... they indulge in fulfilling their own interests whenever they get an opportunity. The NDA is breaking their nexus," he said. Sarma alleged that besides putting up its own candidates, Congress and RJD are also backing Independent candidates in certain seats against BJP nominees. "These Independents always in constant touch with leaders of the Congress and RJD," he alleged. While BJP's Raj Bhushan Nishad is contesting from Muzaffarpur, Vijay Lakshmi Devi Kushwaha is contesting as an NDA nominee from Siwan. BJP has fielded Mithilesh Tiwary from Buxar Lok Sabha seat. Muzaffarpur will go to polls on May 20, while elections will be held in Siwan on May 25 and in Buxar on June 1. Aam Aadmi Party MP Swati Maliwal has criticised the partys protest in the national capital following the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals aide Bhibav Kumar in the alleged assault case on Sunday. Maliwal charged 12 years after Nirbhaya, the party is out on the streets, protesting to save an accused. Maliwal tweeted, There was a time when we all came out on the streets to get justice for Nirbhaya. Today, after 12 years, we are out on the streets to save the accused who made the CCTV footage disappear and formatted the phone? The former chairperson of Delhi Commission for Women said this wouldnt have happened to her if former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was out of prison. I wish I had used this much force for Manish Sisodia ji. If he had been here, maybe this bad thing wouldn't have happened to me! Kejriwals aide Bhibav Kumar was arrested by Delhi police on Saturday for allegedly assaulting Maliwal at the Delhi CMs residence on May 13. Bibhav Kumar was sent to five-day police custody on Saturday night by Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Goyal. Seeking his custody, the Delhi police said they needed to question Kumar about the incident and to retrieve data from his phone. In a press conference held after Bibhav Kumar's arrest, Kejriwal said: "They are after our party and sending our leaders to jail one after another... Today you have sent my PA to jail," he said. He added that the BJP was saying they would send AAP MP Raghav Chadha and Delhi ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj to jail too. "I along with my MLAs and MPs would go to the BJP office at noon tomorrow so that the prime minister can send anyone he wants to jail," he said. "The AAP is an idea. For as many AAP leaders you jail, the country would produce leaders a hundred times more," Kejriwal said. Campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he wont let corrupt persons live outside prison once the new Bharatiya Janata Party-led government is formed in Centre after Lok Sabha elections. Addressing a rally at Purulia, Modi said, I am saying it now that I won't let the corrupt live outside jail. Modi is giving you another guarantee, after June 4 when we form the new government, corrupt people will have to spend their entire lives in jail. The prime minister attacked Trinamool Congress (TMC) over Sandeshkhali violence and said, To protect their Shahjahan', the people of Trinamool Congress are questioning the character of the sisters of Sandeshkhali. The kind of language they are using for them, the daughters of Bengal will reply to the TMC by destroying it through their votes." The prime minister also condemned West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's remarks against Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha and said threats are being issued against these socio-religious organisations to "appease" one's vote bank. TMC has crossed the limits of decency by stooping so low that it is spreading canards against ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Modi said. The TMC has gone beyond its limits by spreading canards against ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha. West Bengal chief minister is threatening them. They are threatening them just to appease their vote bank, he said. Addressing an election rally in Goghat under the Arambagh Lok Sabha constituency, Banerjee had claimed, "Some monks of Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha are working under the influence of BJP leaders in Delhi. Those who are looking after temples are doing great spiritual jobs, but everyone is not doing so. This is not done. -with inputs from agencies. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the Bharatiya Janata Party is scared seeing the growth of Aam Aadmi Party and it has launched Operation Jaadhu to crush the party. Addressing party cadres ahead of AAPs protest against the Centre for arresting its leaders and his aide Bhibav Kumar, Kejriwal said, BJP has started 'Operation Jhaadu' so that we don't grow big and become a challenge to them. Through 'Operation Jhaadu', AAP's big leaders will be arrested, they are being arrested and in the coming days, AAP's bank accounts will be frozen, ANI reported. Kejriwal said the ED's lawyer has already given a statement in court that AAPs bank accounts will be frozen soon after Lok Sabha polls. If they freeze our account now, we will get sympathy. After election, they will freeze our accounts, our office will be cleared out and we will be brought to the streets. These are the three plans made by BJP"Recalling the period he was lodged in the Tihar Jail, Kejriwal said he read the Bhagavad Gita twice and the Ramayan once. Kejriwal charged on the behest of the BJP, fake cases are being registered against AAP leaders and they are being arrested. AAP leaders gathered outside the party workers and protested against the BJP for arresting its leaders. The party cadres formed a human chain around the Delhi CM Delhi Police make announcements outside the AAP party office. The police say that section 144 has been imposed in the area and there is no permission for protest as AAP leaders and workers march towards the BJP HQ against the arrest of its party leaders. Delhi police have imposed section 144 in DDU Marg to deter protests. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has also closed access to the ITO Metro Station near the AAPs office. Khunti Lok Sabha constituency is the most keenly watched one in Jharkhand in the ongoing elections. Union Minister Arjun Munda, the adivasi face of the Narendra Modi government and the sitting MP, is in the fray yet again from the seat reserved for tribal candidates. He faces Kali Charan Munda of the Congress, who lost by just 1,445 votes in 2019. The battle for Khunti, the birth place of tribal icon Birsa Munda, is yet again a close one. Kali Charan Munda, the son of influential tribal leader Muchirai Munda, harps on issues pertaining to adivasi pride. He says the BJP's policies are hurting adivasi traditions, and that the threat of abolishing reservation is real. He also seeks to drive home the message that the BJP has not cared about the problems of the people at the grassroots. People say their lives have taken a turn for the worse in the last 10 years. They have made up their mind to teach the BJP a lesson, he says. Arjun Munda refutes the charges. They want tribals to remain downtrodden so that they can propagate myths. They claim that reservation will end, he says. Can reservation end in this country? He is also banking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's image as a leader who has ensured that welfare schemes reached the beneficiaries. There are 14 Lok Sabha seats in Jharkhand, and the polls, held in four phases, started on May 13. Historically, the BJP has dominated the Lok Sabha polls in the state. The All Jharkhand Students Union, which has a support base among the OBCs, is the BJP's ally, while the INDIA bloc comprises the Congress, the JMM, the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Left parties. The battle for Khunti shows that the INDIA bloc can give the NDA a fight in at least the five tribal seats. However, it also shows that the opposition coalition could face problems, especially with rebel candidates threatening to play spoilsport in multiple seats, including Khunti. A former JMM legislator is contesting as an independent from Khunti. While Arjun Munda is contesting again, the BJP has changed its sitting MPs in many other seats. The elections are taking place against the backdrop of the arrest of former chief minister Hemant Soren by the Enforcement Directorate. If INDIA bloc is projecting this as the Modi dispensation's alleged misuse of investigating agencies and as an affront to the adivasi pride, among the BJP's main talking points is the purported corruption in the Soren family. The two sides are also criticising each other's track record on governance. The BJP claims that the JMM-led government has failed to meet the expectations of the people, while the INDIA bloc says Modi's promises since 2014 have remained unfulfilled. Another key issue raised by the INDIA bloc is the alleged plan of the BJP to change the Constitution. It is not an ordinary election, says state Congress president Rajesh Thakur. Our Constitution is in danger. It is a fight to protect our democracy. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday took potshots at the prime minister over the unemployment rate in the country and said Narendra Modis retirement is necessary for the youth to get more job opportunities. "Whatever I want Narendra Modi to say, I can get it said. There is just one more word left to come out of their mouths: unemployment. Modi ji's retirement is necessary for the youth to get employment, Gandhi wrote on X. His remarks came amid the ongoing debate stirred up by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on the retirement of Modi from electoral politics. Referring to the age bar the BJP has set for its leaders for retirement, Kejriwal had asked if Modi, who turns 75 next year, would step down and pave way for Amit Shah. Gandhi has been targeting the central government over the unemployment rate in the country, blaming Modis poor financial politics for the situation. Our country is facing the worst unemployment rate in the last 40 years. India's unemployment rate is double that of Pakistan. 23 per cent of youth were unemployed in India and 12 per cent in Pakistan. Our unemployment rate is higher than in Bhutan and Bangladesh as well," he had said last month. As per the latest report of the World Bank, Indias unemployment rate is 23.22 per cent, far higher than that of Pakistan (11.3 per cent) and Bangladesh (12/9 per cent). Earlier, addressing a rally in Bihar, Gandhi said the INDIA bloc, if voted to power, will ensure a first job guarantee to all graduates and diploma holders by providing them paid apprenticeship for a year. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the Southwest monsoon is expected to reach Kerala by May 31. A statement by the IMD said: "Southwest monsoon normally sets in over Kerala on June 1 with a standard deviation of about seven days. This year, the southwest monsoon is likely to set in over Kerala on May 31," the IMD said in a release. The weather phenomenon has reportedly made its onset over the Nicobar Islands, the southernmost region of the country. "Southwest monsoon has advanced into some parts of the Maldives, and the Comorin area and some parts of the South Bay of Bengal, Nicobar Islands and South Andaman Sea on Sunday," the weather office added. The southern states will, however, receive heavy rainfall in the coming days, with red alerts in place in three Kerala districts. Besides Kerala, isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal and Mahe for the next three days. The south interior of Karnataka will also receive showers till Tuesday. A low pressure area is likely to form over Southwest Bay of Bengal around 22nd May, 2024. It is likely to move initially Northeastwards and concentrate into a Depression over Central parts of Bay of Bengal around 24th may, 2024. India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 19, 2024 The date of monsoon onset over Kerala has varied widely over the last 150 years, the earliest being May 11 in 1918, and the most delayed being June 18 in 1972, according to IMD data. The rain-bearing system arrived in the southern state on June 8 last year, May 29 in 2022, June 3 in 2021 and June 1 in 2020. Red alert in Kerala A red alert is in place in Kerala's Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Idukki districts on Sunday and Monday. An orange alert has also been issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam for those two days. Meanwhile, the news about the onset of the monsoon has brought cheer to the country reeling under the heat wave. The IMD forecasts above-normal rain in the monsoon season in India with favourable La Nina conditions. The heatwave has been crippling the country with the temperatures touching 48 degrees Celsius in many parts, including in south India which experienced heatwave spells in April. The heat has also burdened the power grids with electricity consumption going up. The southwest monsoon is important for India's agrarian sector with 52 per cent of the net cultivated area relying on it. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. The EU is closely monitoring the situation regarding the helicopter incident involving President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi, Charles Michel, President of the European Council, wrote on his page on X, Trend reports. "Following closely reports that the helicopter carrying the Iranian President and the foreign minister has been forced to land unexpectedly and their condition not yet clear. Together with EU member states and partners, we are monitoring the situation closely," the post reads. Earlier today, a helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in Tabriz Mohammad Ali Ali Hashemi, and East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malik Rehmati made a hard landing on its way from Hudafarin to Tabriz. Rescue teams are on their way to the crash site. Something happened in Pakistan on May 16 which mesmerised the whole country. A 70-year-old man in blue garments was seen on a screen in Court number 1 of Pakistan's Supreme Court (the Chief Justice's Courtroom), a scene which electrified the whole nation. The image was of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan appearing virtually in Court. No live streaming of his appearance was permitted by the Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa (who is known to be a toady of Pakistan's establishment and totally servile to it), though he permits livestreaming of other proceedings in his court. So it was some lawyer who clandestinely took the picture on his laptop when it appeared momentarily on the screen. The image went viral all over Pakistan. Now a police investigation has been ordered about this, as if a heinous crime had been committed. Jailed first in Attock, and then in Adiala, on fabricated and ridiculous charges since August last year, Imran Khan has become an icon and an idea which has gripped the masses in Pakistan and has the support of over 90% people of Pakistan (as all opinion polls indicate). Even from inside the jail, Imran Khan is leading a heroic brave struggle for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan and to end the nightmarish fascist reign of terror unleashed on the people by the army after the incidents of 9th May 2023, which many assert were stage-managed. By massively rigging elections for Parliament on February 8 this year, Khan was deprived of over half the seats which he would have easily won and become the Prime Minister again. The Pakistani army hates him, as was evident from the recent press conference of DGI SPR Maj Gen (now Lt Gen) Ahmed Sharif who called Imran Khan's party PTI an 'intishari tola' (gang of disruptors), 'siyasi balwais' (political chaos creators) etc who relied on 'jhooth', 'fareb' and 'makkar'. The army hates him as he insists that it be under civilian control and be accountable. The generals, with their huge ill-gotten wealth which they are reluctant to part with, are unwilling to the suggestion. The US Government also seems to dislike Imran Khan as he often criticised it, including for making the then-Pakistani government send its troops to Afghanistan, where many of them were killed. His visit to Moscow and meeting with President Vladimir Putin was also seen as a hostile act by the Americans. He also said that Americans often treat Pakistanis as slaves, a remark which could not have endeared him to the former. Despite all these odds, Imran Khan's spirit is unbent, as the picture revealed. There will be no peace in Pakistan until and unless fresh free and fair elections under supervision of the UN or some other reputed international agency are held, with the army strictly confined to their barracks, and whoever wins is allowed to form the government. If this is not done, an era of large violence in the form of a people's guerilla war against the army is coming sooner than later in Pakistan. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav left stage without addressing a joint rally in Prayagraj on Sunday as the crowd broke through barricades and created a stampede-like situation. The rally was organised in favour of Amarnath Maurya who is contesting on an SP ticket from the Phulpur Lok Sabha seat. Reports said as Yadav and Gandhi reached the stage, scores of supporters standing in front of the stage tried to break through the barricades and reach the dais. Though the leaders of both the parties urged them to move back, their appeal failed to have any effect on the crowd. Both Gandhi and Yadav were seen discussing something for a few minutes and later the duo left the stage accompanied by their security staff. Neither Congress nor SP has made any official statement on the incident. News agency PTI quoted SP sources as saying that the leaders left the stage on the advice of the security officials. They later attended another rally in Prayagraj where Gandhi took a sarcastic jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modis remarks that he will turn Varanasi into Kyoto, a picturesque town in Japan. "Have you heard (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi is winning only one BJP seat of Kyoto in Uttar Pradesh," said Gandhi while addressing the rally in support of INDIA bloc candidate Ujjawal Raman Singh. "The fight is to save the Constitution. The BJP and the RSS are attacking it, and I want to tell them that no power can tear and throw the Constitution away," Gandhi said while waiving a copy of the Indian Constitution. In his speech, Yadav alleged that the BJP is after people's lives and the Constitution. "The BJP put our lives in danger with the Covid vaccine and now wants to destroy the Constitution," he said. Yadav promised that jobs will be be provided to the youth after the INDIA bloc government is formed. On the eve of Lok Sabha polls in Mumbai, both Shiv Senas, one headed by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the other by Uddhav Thackeray claimed on Sunday that attempts were being made to influence voters. Polling in 13 Lok Sabha constituencies, including six in Mumbai, will be held on Monday in the fifth and last phase of general elections in the state. Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray shared on X an invitation by Lodha Foundation' which said that state minister and BJP leader Mangal Prabhat Lodha wished to interact with the people of an apartment in south Mumbai to learn about their civic issues. In his post, Thackeray also targeted the Election Commission (EC), saying, ...not expecting much action from you, but still trying to open your eyes. He claimed that Mumbai is seeing a proxy campaign by the guardian minister (Lodha) in Dheeraj Apartments, Peddar Road. An invite has been sent to Prem Court, Maheshwari Niketan, and Anand Darshan in the name of Lodha Foundation to know their issues, Thackeray said. This is nothing but a proxy campaign, a day before elections. We wonder if you (EC) will step in and rein him in, or are you okay with other candidates visiting the same place at the same time to know the issues' or convey their issues to the visiting MLA, he asked. Why should the building presidents or secretaries not be booked for this crime? This is a blatant violation of the poll code, and if it does not stop, we will also visit and convey local issues to him at the same place, he said. The Shinde-led Sena's secretary and spokesperson Kiran Pawaskar accused Sena UBT of pressuring Muslims to influence elections through banners and posters and using maulvis' (Islamic teachers) for campaigning. Posters are being put up in Mumbai asking people to ensure Narendra Modi doesn't become the prime minister, creating societal divisions. An FIR has been registered at JJ Marg police station on a complaint by the Shiv Sena against the organisation responsible for creating communal strife, he said. For the past year, Pawaskar said, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has been predicting riots before the elections. Why was he saying this? Pakistani flag is seen during the campaign of Sena UBT's candidate, Pawaskar said, demanding police action and inquiry to find out if Raut and Uddhav Thackeray were the masterminds and whether they received foreign funds. A complaint has been filed with the central and state election authorities Raut, he said. Pawaskar said one of their leaders from south Mumbai has filed a police complaint regarding an objectionable poster put up at Sabu Siddique Hospital, Imam Wada Road and Dongri. These posters claim that mosques are being demolished and dargahs are being shut. If this is not happening, why put up such posters? he asked. He alleged a conspiracy behind these false claims and claimed involvement of Sena UBT in it. The organisation Jamnagar Halal Memon Jamaat has reportedly issued a letter of cooperation to Sena UBT, he added. An ex-sarpanch was killed in a terrorist attack in Kashmir's Shopian on Saturday night. According to the Kashmir Zone police, terrorists fired upon Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh, a BJP leader, at Heerpora in Shopian. Though he was immediately evacuated, Sheikh succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. The terrorists had also launched an attack at Anantnag following which a tourist couple from Rajasthan was injured. The attack happened on an open tourist camp near Pahalgam. The attacks come ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in Baramulla. While the polls in Baramulla will be held on Monday, the campaigning for the Anantnag-Rajouri seat too is in full swing. "Terrorists fired upon and injured a woman, Farha, a resident of Jaipur (in Rajasthan) and her spouse Tabrez at Yannar in Anantnag. The injured have been evacuated to a hospital for treatment. The area has been cordoned off. Further details shall follow," the Kashmir Zone Police posted on X. Within 30 minutes, the gunmen opened fire at Sheikh in Shopian's Hirpora around 10.30 pm. Though he was rushed to a hospital, he succumbed to injuries. The areas in Anantnag and Shopian have been cordoned off and search operations have been launched to nab the attackers, the officials said. #WATCH | J&K: Visuals from outside the residence of BJP leader and ex-Sarpanch Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh, who was shot dead by terrorists yesterday in Heerpora, Shopian. https://t.co/GF4LTK64r4 pic.twitter.com/6OHuDr3U0q ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2024 According to Sheikh's kin Irfan Ahmad Sheikh they came to know about the incident after the deceased man's mother alerted them. "Around 10 pm, we heard the sound of shooting but we had no idea who it was and from where the sound came from. After 10-15 minutes, his mother said that somebody shot her son. We don't know from where the shooter came and where he went. After 10-15 minutes, Police and Army came here and we took him (Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh) to the hospital, the doctor declared him dead," he added. Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including the National Conference, PDP and the BJP, condemned the attacks. Former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, who is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the Anantnag-Rajouri seat, said on X, "While we condemn the attack in Pahalgam today that resulted in injuries to two tourists followed by another attack on a (former) sarpanch in Hirpora, Shopian - the timing of these attacks given that the south election was delayed without any reason is a cause of concern. Especially keeping in mind normalcy claims touted by GOI (Government of India)." National Conference President Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah also condemned the terror attacks. "They have said that such acts of brutality remain a serious impediment to achieving long-term peace in J-K. They urged all communities to come together in these challenging times and support efforts towards lasting harmony. Their thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families during this difficult period," a statement from the party said. The BJP in a statement said, "We strongly condemn the killing of ex-sarpanch Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh in Hirpora, Shopian, South Kashmir, by terrorists today. Aijaz Ahmad was a brave soldier of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP firmly stands with the family of Aijaz Ahmad, who lost his life in this terror attack," it said. After violence struck New Caledonia, French security forces worked on Sunday to retake control of the highway to the international airport. The airport was shut due to the unrest in the French Pacific archipelago, where indigenous people have long sought independence from France. A state of emergency was imposed on the island, which witnessed armed clashes, arson, and looting. An eventual reopening of the Nouma-La Tontouta airport could allow stranded passengers to leave the island. The airport closed on Tuesday due to widespread protests against voting reforms. Taking to X, French Interior Minister Grald Darmanin said that the major operation was aimed at fully regaining control of the RT1 highway between the capital, Nouma, and the airport 60 kilometres (nearly 40 miles) to the northwest. Over 600 gendarmes were deployed, he added. The police effort to reopen the airport road cleared nearly 60 barricades on its first day, French authorities in New Caledonia' posted on X. Meanwhile, the French High Commission in a statement described the night of Sunday as "calmer" but still there were incidents of looting at a gas station. A 6 pm to 6 am curfew is in effect and security forces have been granted emergency powers, including house detention for people deemed a threat to public order and expanded leeway to conduct searches, seize weapons and restrict movements, with possible jail time for violators, read the statement. The High Commission also said 230 people it described as rioters have been detained. As many as six people died in the violence at Kaala-Gomen, following an exchange of gunfire at a barricade in the north of the main island. There have been decades of tensions between indigenous Kanaks seeking independence and descendants of colonizers who want to remain part of France. (With PTI inputs) Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday faced another political hurdle as a member of his war cabinet, former defence minister, Benny Gantz vowed to quit unless Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sets out a post-war plan for the Gaza Strip. Setting an ultimatum, Gantz, a former defence minister, said he would leave the government on June 8 if it did not formulate a new war plan to handle the affairs in Gaza, including on who might rule the territory after the war with Hamas. Gantz said it was necessary to set a plan to achieve six "strategic goals", including the end of Hamas rule in Gaza and the establishment of a multinational civilian administration for the territory. "If you put the national over personal, you will find in us partners in the struggle," he said. "But if you choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation to the abyss, we will be forced to quit the government." Gantz, the political opponent of Netanyahu, said his proposed six-point plan would include bringing a temporary U.S.-European-Arab-Palestinian system of civil administration in Gaza. However, Israel will retain the security control. Other demands include an equitable national service for all Israelis, including ultra-Orthodox Jews, who are now exempted from the military draft. "Personal and political considerations have begun to penetrate the Holy of Holies of Israel's national security," Gantz said. "A small minority has seized the bridge of the Israeli ship and is piloting it toward the rocky shoal." Gantz heads a centrist party which is a member of Netanyahu's emergency war cabinet and is considered Netanyahu's most formidable political rival. Besides Gantz, Defence Minister Yohan Gallant, the third member of the Cabinet, has also called for a plan for Palestinian administration, stating that he wouldn't agree to Israel governing Gaza itself. For Netanyahu, this could amount to a huge trouble and could even make him dependent on his far-right coalition allies, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who could more easily bring down the government if he doesn't meet their demands. If his government collapses, Netanyahu's political future would end, given the legal actions he could face on several cases, including on corruption charges. The far-right parties have called for Israel to reoccupy Gaza, encourage the voluntary emigration of Palestinians from the territory and reestablish Jewish settlements that were removed in 2005. However, the Prime Minister has brushed off Gantz' threat, stating his conditions would amount to "defeat for Israel, abandoning most of the hostages, leaving Hamas intact and establishing a Palestinian state. Netanyahu added, however, that he still thought the emergency government was important for prosecuting the war, and that he expects Gantz to clarify his positions to the public. Interview/ V.K. Pandian, BJD leader Naveen Patnaik has been an enigma in Indian politics, consistently winning elections with ease. His bid for a record sixth term is led by his trusted aide V.K. Pandian, who left his job as an IAS officer to enter politics. The 49-year-old is originally from Tamil Nadu, but has adopted Odisha as his karmabhoomi. He is fluent in Odia, a Jagannath devotee and is even called Odishas son-in-law because he married an Odia IAS officer. The BJD is not a party that wins by a small margin; it has landslides. It is a strong political party and nobody will dare do anything to it. The BJP and the Congress have labelled him an outsider, but Pandian's rapport with the masses is evident; he is seen as the catalyst for progress in the state. Known as the '4am' officer because of his early starts and pre-dawn media briefings, Pandian is crisscrossing the state as the star campaigner for his party. THE WEEK caught up with him during his rally in Begunia, travelling with him in his AgustaWestland 109 chopper. He had a busy day with the manifesto release and numerous visitors to Patnaik's office, and he ate his final meal of the daycerealat six in the evening, before settling in for an interview. Excerpts: Q/ Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is under 100 days away from becoming the longest-serving chief minister. Is the road to that landmark bumpy? A/ This is the smoothest election. The 2014 and 2019 elections were challenging, but this is a one-sided election for Naveen babu. Q/ What makes you so confident? A/ I am on the ground, I see the people's emotions. They want to give their biggest aashirwaad (blessings) to Naveen babu to work hard for the state. See all the women and the youth, everyone is so excited. Q/ A lot of women attend your rallies. A/ The chief minister walks the talk when it comes to economic, political and financial empowerment of women. They have trust in him. They are deeply in love with Naveen babu. Women will be the biggest game changers, as always. Q/ What are your new promises this time? A/ Naveen babus government is development in continuation. At every stage you introduce or give importance to something; like, when he took over, he gave importance to disaster management, then food security. This term, he is looking at 100 years of the state's formation in 2036. But, he keeps a two-year buffer. He has kept 2024 to 2034 as the decade for youth. He is going to completely focus on the youth in terms of [creating] employment [and] skill development. He has promised scholarships to almost 98 per cent of college students. Through the youth, he wants to create a new, empowered Odisha. Q/ We heard you are promising a new youth budget. A/ Naveen babu is introducing a concept called youth budget, and he is keeping about Rs1 lakh crore as the budget for the next 10 yearsRs10,000 crore every year. He is keeping Rs1,000 crore as a separate initiative in which the activities will be decided based on students' feedback. Students will have access to the state budget and they will play a role in deciding what needs to be done. This will make them competent and confident. Female force: Women supporters at a Pandian rally | Sanjay Ahlawat Q/ As women seem to be the focus in the state, what is in store for them? A/ One of the major complaints of the Mission Shakti group members (women's self-help group) was that when they retire, they do not get pension. He (Patnaik) has announced pension for them. On average, last year, they had taken Rs15,000 crore loan from banks. The interest subvention is made by the chief minister; he is giving it at 0 per cent interest. This Rs15,000 crore will be increased to Rs25,000 crore, and in five years [it will be] Rs1.25 lakh crore. See the impact it will have on their livelihood, and economic and agriculture activities. Q/ How do you see your opponents, be it the BJP or the Congress, announcing more guarantees? A/ They have offered the moon and sun and everything under the sun. But people are intelligent. And they trust Naveen babu. When he says something, he delivers. Q/ Can we frame this election as a contest between Naveen Patnaiks lifelong guarantee and Modi's guarantees? A/ You can. The chief minister keeps saying it is 5T guarantee, which has become his governments brand and philosophy. People trust 5T (transparency, technology, teamwork, time, transformation) because it is delivering. Q/ What changes have you brought into the campaign as compared with 2019? A/ It is purely micromanagement; it is scientific and technology-driven. Naveen babu does not prepare for elections during the elections. This is a continuous process. So, he focuses on organisational strength, training those people, making workers a team. Q/ In terms of messaging, you are saying the focus should be on both Lok Sabha and assembly polls, which was missing earlier. A/ Political parties thought that even if you do not do publicity, people will vote for the same party [in both elections]. But it was not the case. This was the learning last time, so the BJD is focusing on both. Q/ The BJPs top leadership claims the party will come to power in Odisha. A/ When the chief minister heard their claim, he gave a 10-second video message saying that, for long, the BJP has had a habit of daydreaming. The video got 10 million views. Q/ A BJP leader said the party was in touch with BJD leaders and that there could be an Eknath Shinde in the BJD, too. A/ They have been saying this for long. The BJD is not a party that wins by a small margin; it has landslides. It is a strong political party and nobody will dare do anything to it. Q/ The BJP has a target of more than 400 seats. How much will Odisha contribute to that figure? A/ It is to boost the confidence of their cadre that they had to come up with this number and set a certain narrative. People are smart and they know that this is narrative-setting. Q/ Will the BJP be able to maintain its tally? A/ They would not be able to. I am saying this with conviction. The BJD will get more seats both in the assembly and in Parliament compared with 2019. Q/ How do you look at the Congress's challenge? A/ Not much, maybe in pockets, yes. They have a presence in three or four districts. Q/ Western Odisha has been tough for the BJD. Is that why the chief minister is contesting from a second seat there? A/ If the BJD has a strike rate of 90 per cent in the coastal area, in western Odisha it has 75 to 80 per cent. It is not that huge a [difference]. But the chief minister always contests in two constituencies as he wants one more constituency to get huge development. It is more development than politics. Q/ One of the highlights of this tenure was the development of the Jagannath temple corridor. If we were to compare this with the consecration of the Ram Temple, which will have more resonance among the people? A/ It was not done for votes. Naveen babu can win elections on development work. It was his conviction that the temple has to be secured. There were security issues that were creating a lot of problems. It has to be protected for future generations. Number one is security and number two is to enhance the spiritual experience of pilgrims. Lakhs of devotees visit every day and there was no space for parikrama (circumambulation). In Hinduism, one of the main ways of offering prayer is through parikrama. He ensured that. In fact, he took a big political risk by getting into this project because two former chief ministers had tried and failed. The risks involved are too high. It is so sensitive, people can create rumours and defame you. But he decided that he will do it as Odisha has so much faith in him. Q/ One of the BJPs promises is to conduct an audit of the ratna bhandar (inner chamber) at the Jagannath temple. A/ This is a political narrative. People laugh at it. For 40 years, the ratna bhandar has not been opened. The chief minister has formed a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to open it. Whatever documentation has been done as per court order, they are doing it. So, the government has nothing to fight in these things. Q/ The BJP and the Congress say you are an outsider in the state. A/ I do not know the meaning of an outsider for a national party. I am an Indian citizen by birth. I breathe Odisha; it is my karmabhoomi. The people of Odisha have to decide who is an outsider. I leave it to them. Q/ Are you the political heir to the chief ministers legacy? A/ The chief minister has always held that people of Odisha will decide who will succeed him. I am his disciple and I follow all the good values he possesses. He is an inspiration for all of us. Q/ So there is still time before you hold a political office, an elected one? A/ I am already holding a political office as chairman of 5T. I have made it clear the day I joined the BJD that I am here to help the chief minister in this election. Q/ But you are open to contesting in future. A/ We should not get into hypothetical questions right now. I am completely focused on making the chief minister win his sixth term and serve the people of Odisha. Pavan K. Varma IT IS NOW too late for Nitish Kumar. When I joined him in 2013, his popularity was at its peak. The BJP was a junior partner in Bihar then and he could have aimed for prime ministership. I was very close to him and that was why I opted to join his party. He had many qualitiesgood education, personal rectitude, administrative capability, and an eye for detail. He had managed to be electorally efficient as well. He was a force to be reckoned with. At that time he had a vision for Bihar. I visited him on his invitation, prior to my resigning from the Indian Foreign Service. For a few days, he sent me on a trip around Patna. There is Bihar Sharif. Then there is Patna Sahib for Sikhs. Then, I went to Pavapuri for Jains and Bodh Gaya for Buddhists. Finally I went to Gaya. He had this thing about Bihar being a microcosm of what India wasof different faiths. He was a totally different person then. There was no opportunism. He could take a stand even when he was reduced to two seats in the 2014 election when the JD(U), the RJD and the Congress fought separately. He did not anticipate the extent of the Modi wave and he got only two seats. But we, his lieutenants, never doubted his ideological commitment to the kind of India he wanted. We defended the idea with him. Later, I went to the Rajya Sabha. In 2015, we formed the Mahagatbandhan and won again. That was the entry of Prashant Kishor to Bihar. In 2017, Nitish quit everything he had been fighting for when he switched to the BJP. His credibility suffered. Former deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal, who was known for his rustic wisdom, had a saying for the love for the chair. He used to say Kutta agar kaat le toh chauda sui lag walo. Theek ho jaoge. Kursi agar kaat le toh koi ilaaj nahi hai. (If youre bitten by a dog, you can get 14 injections and you will be cured. But if you are bitten by the chair, there is no cure)'. Nitishs credibility was shaken. Then, he ditched the BJP to join hands with the RJD, which dented his credibility further. Now he has shifted to the BJP againit is finished. Meanwhile, the administrative acumen he had shown in the first five yearswhich became very visible after 15 years of Yadav misrulewas dissipated. He got surrounded by a coterie. Kishor and I were expelled on the same day by the same letter. We were expelled for our oppositionnot to the CAA, but to the CAA-National Register of Citizens. I spoke to him. I said I know your views, how can you be a party to this? Nitish is a spent force. He will manage to win some Lok Sabha seats on the coattails of the BJP, which, in turn, will dump him at the first opportunity after it has achieved its goals. After the elections, I will not be surprised if you see one final palti [flip] from him. Varma was a diplomat and national general secretary of the JD(U). As told to Mandira Nayar. JHARKHAND The beats of mandar, a traditional drum played by the adivasis in Jharkhand, can be heard at a distance. The sound gets louder as an election campaign troupe approaches a hamlet in the Gandey assembly constituency in Giridih district. People of the hamlet, Chamarkho, have gathered next to a narrow road to welcome Kalpana Soren, the wife of former chief minister Hemant Soren who is in jail. She is fighting a byelection to the Gandey seat as the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha candidate. According to JMM leaders, since Kalpana has stepped out, there is great enthusiasm among party workers who were doubtful about the future prospects of the party after Hemant Sorens arrest. Kalpana alights from her vehicle and walks towards the villagers with folded hands and a broad smile. The women offer her water in a brass plate to wash her feet and garland her. A few of them sing songs of welcome. She touches the feet of the elderly women. Some girls in traditional adivasi attire pose with her for selfies. A woman with an infant comes forth to meet her. She takes the baby in her arms and asks the mother his name. Ansh, says the woman. Oh, thats great! My older sons name is also Ansh, she tells the woman. Before moving on, she reminds the voters about the elections on May 20. Remember, there will be two EVMs (electronic voting machines). On one, you will find teer-dhanush (bow and arrow, the JMM symbol). I am confident you will press the button next to this symbol and make me victorious. The other EVM is for the Lok Sabha election. There, you will find teen taregan (three stars, the symbol of JMMs INDIA bloc ally CPI-ML). You must press that button. The Lok Sabha constituency is Koderma. A little ahead of Chamarkho, in Ghorband village, Kalpana is ushered into the courtyard of a house of a party supporter. She chooses a khatiya (woven cot) rather than a chair to sit on. She asks for water from a ghada (earthen pot). A woman steps forward and says she has a request to make. She says the nearest high school is 12km away, so no girl in the village is able to study beyond eighth standard. The womans plea is echoed by other villagers. Kalpana assures them she will take up the matter with the authorities. The 38-year-old, who recently took the political plunge after her husband was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on charges of money laundering in a purported land deal, is connecting with the people with the ease of a seasoned leader. A political spouse who kept a low profile till a few months ago, Kalpana has stepped out of the shadows straight into the heat and dust of elections. It was in Giridih that she made a formal entry into politics with an emotional speech at a function on March 4 to mark the 51st foundation day of the JMM. She broke down while making the speech. I was determined not to cry. But here I am, teary-eyed, Kalpana said. When you raise your voice here, it should be loud enough to reach Hemant Soren in Hotwar jail. On March 3, which was her birthday, Kalpana had met Hemant in jail, and among the talking points for the meeting was her entry into politics. On that day, Kalpana had announced her decision to enter politics through a social media post, stressing that she wanted to be her husbands voice and share his thoughts with the people. On the demand of the people of Jharkhand and hard-working members of the JMM family, I am starting my public life from tomorrow, she had written. Post the tearful political debut, Kalpana has come across as confident and aggressive. She refuses to play the victim card and projects herself as a proud adivasi. She begins her speeches with a loud cry of Johar, the adivasi salutation, and asks the people to support her for avenging her husbands arrest. She is especially popular among the women. They are coming out in large numbers to meet her. They can relate to her, identify with her, see her as their own. That is significant, especially considering that the participation of women in elections is not as high as men, said Giridih MLA Sudivya Kumar. Kalpanas effectiveness as a political communicator and leader has been a revelation. A close aide recalled that before the rally of the INDIA opposition parties in Mumbai on March 18, a Congress leader coordinating with other parties asked him which language would Kalpana be speaking in. She made an aggressive speech at the rally, in Hindi. She was a completely unknown entity. But after she spoke at the rally, the same leader came to me and said she was too good. He said a leader was born, said the aide. According to JMM leaders, since Kalpana has stepped out, there is great enthusiasm among party workers who were doubtful about the future prospects of the party after Hemants arrest. She reaches out to them with a smiling, optimistic countenance, asks them about their families, tells them she needs their support and exhorts them to work doubly hard since their leader is in jail. Sharing her thoughts on how her life has transformed over the past few months, Kalpana recalled that only some months ago, she would accompany Hemant to the cities where the INDIA meetings were held, and on her agenda was catching up with her friends and shopping. Now, I am interacting with INDIA bloc leaders, she said. Kalpana comes from an apolitical background. She is originally from Odisha, but has lived in different states because her father was an Army officer. She is an engineer and an MBA, and can speak English, Hindi, Odia, Bengali and Santhali fluently. She got married to Hemant in 2006 and the couple has two sons, both in school. She said Hemants sister was instrumental in making the match. He is very reserved. So I took the initiative and asked him for his phone number. I was so happy during the courtship period that my friends thought I lied to them that it was an arranged match. They were convinced we had known each other before, she said. In January, there was a strong buzz in the political corridors of Ranchi whether Hemant could, in the event of an arrest by the ED, nominate Kalpana as his successor. The speculation was further strengthened by the resignation of Gandey MLA Sarfaraz Ahmad, who has since been elected to the Rajya Sabha. It was felt that he had vacated the seat for Kalpana. However, it is believed that opposition from within the family forced a rethink. There was turmoil in the family as Kalpanas sister-in-law Sita Soren, who is the widow of Hemants elder brother Durga Soren, is learnt to have opposed it. She later joined the BJP, which has fielded her from Soren family stronghold Dumka. Also, the old guard in the party may not have been amenable to Kalpana taking over as chief minister. Hemant eventually proposed the name of Champai Soren, a veteran JMM leader close to Shibu Soren, as the next chief minister. As Kalpana steps up her political presence, she is again being described in various quarters as a future chief minister. But as she gets more closely involved in politics, she could possibly have to deal with discontent within the Soren family, and resistance from senior leaders in the party who were earlier not comfortable with Hemants rise. She will also have to contend with aggressive moves of the BJP, which has been attacking the Soren family on the issue of corruption. The BJP is dismissive about Kalpanas political foray. Hemant Soren cannot think beyond the family, said Jharkhand BJP president Babulal Marandi. However, Champai Soren was made the chief minister. But I feel that just as Shibu Soren had to face defeat in the Tamar region, Kalpana Soren will also lose. Kalpana has described herself as a warrior. And some tough battles lie ahead. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. Vice President of Iran Mohsen Mansouri stated that following the incident involving the helicopter transporting President of Iran Ebrahim Raisin from Hudafarin to Tabriz, there were multiple communications with two individuals, Trend reports. One of them was a passenger on the helicopter, and the other was a member of the helicopter crew. Mansouri added that the incident appears to have been less complex than initially thought. Currently, search operations are underway in a 2-square-kilometer area where the incident occurred. Today, a helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in Tabriz Mohammad Ali Ali Hashemi, and East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malik Rehmati made a hard landing on its way from Hudafarin to Tabriz. Due to weather conditions and difficult terrain, search and rescue teams have not yet reached the crash site. The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) has announced its largest-ever fundraising and expenditure effort to support former President Donald Trumps presidential campaign, committing to raise a minimum of $5 million to help elect him in the November White House rematch against President Biden. This will be the RJCs largest effort ever to mobilize support in the Jewish community for President Trump, Sam Markstein, RJC national political director, told Fox News. Markstein noted that the RJCs efforts are in addition to our $15 million independent expenditure, which he characterized as the largest independent expenditure in the organizations history. The announcement comes as polls suggest that Republicans are nearly entirely united in opposition to the protests, with 80% of Republicans surveyed in a new Fox News national poll saying they opposed the demonstrations, compared to just 15% who supported them. Half of Democrats surveyed said they supported the demonstrations, with 41% opposed. As antisemitism spikes to record highs and Americas relationship with our ally Israel continues to reach new lows, the Jewish community is more energized than ever to turn the page from the failures, broken promises, and betrayals by Joe Biden. November 5 cannot come soon enough, Markstein argued. J-Street, a pro-Israel leftist organization that is somehow never aligned with Israels interests, commented on the RJCs announcement, calling it a shanda in every sense of the word. In order to fight antisemitism, the RJC is pulling out all the stops to support a man who called Nazis in Charlottesville Very Fine People. Trumps MAGA movement is an imminent danger to American Jews and must be stopped, J-Street said. The RJC responded by writing, The only shanda is anti-Israel J-Street pretending to care about Israel or the Jewish community. P.S. heres your President and founder Jeremy Ben-Ami kissing a man who pays terrorists to murder Israelis and Americans. Youre a disgrace. The only shanda is anti-Israel @jstreetdotorg pretending to care about Israel or the Jewish community. P.S. heres your President and founder @JeremyBenAmi kissing a man who pays terrorists to murder Israelis and Americans. Youre a disgrace. https://t.co/IT30fFq56U pic.twitter.com/3SyUHAkfF0 RJC (@RJC) May 16, 2024 (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A prominent conservative activists son was sentenced on Friday to nearly four years in prison for what prosecutors said was his relentless assault on the U.S. Capitol, where he smashed a window, chased a police officer and invaded the Senate floor. Leo Brent Bozell IV, 44, of Palmyra, Pennsylvania, was one of the first rioters to enter the Capitol and among the first to reach the Senate floor during the Jan. 6, 2021, siege. Bozells father, L. Brent Bozell III, founded the Media Research Center, the Parents Television Council and other conservative media organizations. The younger Bozell turned to apologize to two Capitol police officers sitting in the courtroom gallery before U.S. District Judge John Bates sentenced him to three years and nine months behind bars. He also told his parents and wife that he has put a stain on my family forever. I dont recognize that person in the videos, he said. I dont know what I was thinking. Bates said storming the Capitol wasnt a spontaneous act for Bozell. He had made plans to go to the Capitol on Jan. 6 and anticipated violence that day, the judge noted. You had plenty of chances to stop doing what you were doing, the judge said. Prosecutors recommended a prison sentence of 11 years and eight months for Bozell. They said he mounted relentless and sustained attacks on law enforcement as he joined or led other rioters in breaking through police lines at several locations inside and outside the Capitol. There are few rioters on January 6 who were involved in as many pivotal breaches as Bozell, prosecutors wrote. The judge allowed Bozell to remain free until he must report to prison at a date to be determined. Bozell thanked the judge after learning his sentence. Bozell was arrested in February 2021. An FBI tipster who identified Bozell recognized him in part from the Hershey Christian Academy sweatshirt that he wore on Jan. 6. Bates heard testimony without a jury before convicting Bozell of 10 charges, including obstructing the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress for certifying President Joe Bidens 2020 electoral victory. After then-President Donald Trumps Stop the Steal rally near the White House on Jan. 6, Bozell marched to the Capitol and joined a mob in breaking through a police line. Bozell used a metal object to shatter the windowpane of the Senate Wing Door. After climbing through the smashed window, Bozell joined other rioters in chasing a Capitol Police officer, Eugene Goodman, up a staircase to an area where other officers confronted the group. Bozell entered then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office and left carrying an unidentified object. He later entered the Senate gallery, where he moved a C-SPAN camera to face the ground so it could not record rioters ransacking the chamber on a live video feed. He also spent several minutes on the Senate floor. Bozell roamed thorough the Capitol for nearly an hour, reaching more than a dozen different parts of the building and passing through at least seven police lines before police escorted him out, prosecutors said. Prosecutors had argued for a terrorism enhancement that would significantly increase the recommended range of a prison sentence for Bozell. But the judge declined to apply the enhancement, saying it doesnt make a lot of sense in this case. Defense attorney Eric Snyder said Bozell doesnt deserve to be described as a terrorist. Good people do bad things, Snyder said. This is a good person who did a terrible thing. Bozells father submitted a letter to the court in which he expressed support for his son and questioned prosecutors motives for seeking a terrorism enhancement. I have remained silent for the past 3 1/2 years because I didnt want to tip the apple cart of justice, he wrote. But given what I saw in the trial, and more importantly learning about this terrorism enhancement, I no longer can. I believe there is more at play here. More than 1,350 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot. Over 850 of them have been sentenced, with roughly two-thirds receiving a term of imprisonment ranging from a few days to 22 years. (AP) An upside-down American flag, a symbol associated with former President Donald Trumps false claims of election fraud, was displayed outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito in January 2021, The New York Times reported. A photo obtained and published by the newspaper on Thursday shows the flag flying on Jan. 17, 2021, days after the Republicans supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, to try to prevent certification of Democrat Joe Bidens presidential election victory. Dozens of the pro-Trump rioters were carrying similarly inverted flags and chanting slogans like Stop the Steal. The report could raise concerns about Alitos impartiality as the court considers two major cases related to the Capitol attack, including charges faced by the rioters and whether Trump has immunity from prosecution on election interference charges. The justice said the flag was placed there by his wife amid a dispute with neighbors. Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called on Alito to recuse himself Friday from cases related to the 2020 election and the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection. Flying an upside-down American flag a symbol of the so-called Stop the Steal movement clearly creates the appearance of bias, Durbin said in a statement. Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, meanwhile, called the report an attempt to intimidate justices, in a social-media post. It comes as another conservative justice, Clarence Thomas, has ignored calls to recuse himself from cases related to the 2020 election over his wife, Ginni Thomas, support for Trump and as public trust in the Supreme Court is at its lowest point in at least 50 years. Judicial experts said the flag clearly violates ethics rules set to avoid even the appearance of bias. At the time the flag was flying, the court was still considering whether to take up cases over the 2020 election. It ultimately rejected them over dissent from three conservative justices, including Alito, who was appointed by President George W. Bush, a Republican. He wrote that the courts consideration of the cases would have no impact on the 2020 election but would provide invaluable guidance for future elections. Alito acknowledged the presence of the flag at his home in Alexandria, Virginia, but said he had no involvement whatsoever in the flying of the flag. It was briefly placed by Mrs. Alito in response to a neighbors use of objectionable and personally insulting language on yard signs, Alito said in an emailed statement to the newspaper. Martha-Ann Alito had been in a dispute with another family in the neighborhood over an anti-Trump sign on their lawn, and neighbors also interpreted the flag as a political statement, the Times reported. Its unclear how long the flag was flying. Judicial ethics codes focus on the need for judges to be independent, avoiding political statements or opinions on matters they could be called on to decide. The Supreme Court had long gone without its own code of ethics, but it adopted one in November 2023 in the face of sustained criticism over undisclosed trips and gifts from wealthy benefactors to some justices. The code lacks a means of enforcement, however. Amanda Frost, a law professor at the University of Virginia, told the newspaper that flying the flag upside down is the equivalent of putting a Stop the Steal sign in your yard, which is a problem if youre deciding election-related cases. Even if it was placed by his spouse or someone else living in the home, he shouldnt have it in his yard as his message to the world, she said. The Supreme Court has warned its employees about public displays indicating partisan leanings, the newspaper reported. The court did not respond to questions about whether those rules apply to justices. The U.S. Flag Code states that the American flag is not to be flown upside down except as a signal of dire distress in instance of extreme danger to life or property. It has been used as a protest symbol on both the left and the right on a range of issues over the decades. It took off as a symbol of Trumps Stop the Steal campaign as he spread false claims that the election he lost to Biden had been stolen. (AP) U.S. officials have developed specific and highly credible intelligence suggesting that an American citizen who disappeared seven years ago while traveling in Syria has died, the mans daughter said Saturday. Maryam Kamalmaz said in an interview with The Associated Press that during a meeting in Washington this month with eight senior American officials she was presented with detailed intelligence about the presumed death of her father, Majd, a psychotherapist from Texas. The officials told her that on a scale of one to 10, their confidence level about her fathers death was a high nine. She said she asked whether other detained Americans had ever been successfully recovered in the face of such credible information, and was told no. What more do I need? That was a lot of high-level officials that we needed to confirm to us that hes really gone. There was no way to beat around the bush, Maryam Kamalmaz said. She said officials told her they believe the death occurred years ago, early in her fathers captivity. In 2020, she said, officials told the family that they had reason to believe that he had died of heart failure in 2017, but the family held out hope and U.S. officials continued their pursuit. But, she said, Not until this meeting did they really confirm to us how credible the information is and the different levels of (verification) it had to go through. She did not describe the intelligence she learned. A spokesperson for the White House declined to comment Saturday. The FBIs Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell issued a statement that did not offer any update on Kamalmaz but said that no matter how much time has passed, it continues to work on behalf of the victims and their families to recover all U.S hostages and support the families whose loved ones are held captive or missing. Majd Kamalmaz disappeared in February 2017 at the age of 59 while traveling in Syria to visit an elderly family member. The FBI has said he was stopped at a Syrian government checkpoint in a suburb of Damascus and had not been heard from since. Kamalmaz is one of multiple Americans who have disappeared in Syria, including the journalist Austin Tice, who went missing in 2012 at a checkpoint in a contested area west of Damascus. Syria has publicly denied holding Americans in captivity. In 2020, in the final months of the Trump administration, senior officials visited Damascus for a high-level meeting aimed at negotiating release of the Americans. But the meeting proved unfruitful, with the Syrians not providing any proof-of-life information and making demands that U.S. officials deemed unreasonable. U.S. officials have said they are continuing to try to bring home Tice. The New York Times first reported on the presumed death of Majd Kamalmaz. (AP) The man accused of attempting to assassinate Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was ordered to remain behind bars Saturday as the nations leader was in serious but stable condition after surviving multiple gunshots, officials said. Slovakias Specialized Criminal Court ordered the detention of the suspect after prosecutors said they feared he could flee or carry out other crimes if set free, a court spokesperson said. The suspect can appeal the order to the Supreme Court. Fico, 59, was shot in the abdomen as he greeted supporters following a government meeting Wednesday in the former coal mining town of Handlova, officials said. Video showed Fico approach people gathered at barricades and reach out to shake hands as a man stepped forward, extended his arm and fired five rounds before being tackled and arrested. Government ministers outside the hospital where Fico is being treated said his condition Saturday looked promising after two hours of surgery Friday removed dead tissue from his gunshot wounds. But he still is not healthy enough to travel to a hospital in the capital, Bratislava. Several miracles have occurred in the past few days, coming from the hands of the doctors, nurses and entire medical staff, Defense Minister Rober Kalinak said outside University F. D. Roosevelt Hospital in Banska Bystrica, where Fico was taken by helicopter after the shooting. I cant find words of gratitude for the fact that we are steadily approaching that positive prognosis. The hearing in Pezinok, a small town outside the capital, Bratislava, was held behind closed doors and under tight security by heavily armed police. Reporters were not allowed on the grounds of the courthouse. Officers carrying rifles wore flak jackets, helmets and had balaclavas covering their faces. They guarded a gate that only opened when a vehicle presumably carrying the suspect came and later left with a two-car police escort. Little information about the suspect has been disclosed after prosecutors told police not to publicly identify him or release details about the case. Unconfirmed media reports have named him and said he was a 71-year-old retiree known as an amateur poet who may have once worked as a mall security guard. Government authorities gave details that matched that description. They said the suspect didnt belong to any political groups, though the attack itself was politically motivated. Its not clear how long the hearing lasted but the suspect was inside for about four hours. A day earlier, police took the suspect to his home in the town of Levice and seized a computer and some documents, Markiza, a Slovak television station reported. Footage showed the gray-bearded man being escorted out of the building while holding a shopping bag full of items in his cuffed hands. He was wearing a helmet and protective vest. Police didnt comment on the apparent search. With authorities remaining largely silent about the case, it was not clear how the suspect got a gun. Slovakia has strict rules on firearms and gun owners must have a good reason to possess one and are required to pass a test. As a consequence, Slovakia has one of the lowest gun ownership rates in Europe. It was ranked 23rd out of 27 European Union countries with a gun ownership rate of 6.5 per 100 people, according to the Association of Accredited Public Policy Advocates to the EU. World leaders have condemned the attack and offered support for Slovakia and Fico, who has long been a divisive figure in Slovakia and beyond. His return to power for the fourth time last year on a pro-Russia, anti-American platform led to worries among fellow European Union and NATO members that he would abandon his countrys pro-Western course, particularly neighboring Ukraine. Slovakia was one of Ukraines staunchest supporters after Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022, but Fico halted arms deliveries when he returned to power. Ficos government has also made efforts to overhaul public broadcasting a move critics said would give the government full control of public television and radio. That, coupled with his plans to amend the penal code to eliminate a special prosecutor that deals with organized crime, corruption and extremism, have led opponents to worry Fico will lead Slovakia down a more autocratic path. Before Fico returned to power last year, many of his political and business associates were the focus of police investigations, and dozens have been charged. Thousands of demonstrators have repeatedly rallied in the capital and around the country of 5.4 million to protest his policies. Fico said last month on Facebook that he believed rising tensions in the country could lead to the killing of politicians, and he blamed the media for fueling tensions. Supporters of Fico who showed up outside the hospital Saturday spoke of the divisions in the country that had led to this moment. We are here mainly because the oppositions hatred of this government has come to such a point that a psychopath who is an assassin has been created and has (tried to) assassinate Prime Minister Robert Fico, Marek Soun said. He has been harassed for months and months by todays opposition. Despite nobody being named as temporary leader of Slovakia, there was nothing imminent that needed the premiers attention and the government was operating as planned and moving forward with Ficos agenda, Kalinak said. Communication with Fico was limited given his condition, Kalinak said. The next government session is planned for Wednesday and Kalinak will be in charge, the Slovak government office said. (AP) The man who broke into the home of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi seeking to hold her hostage and bludgeoned her husband with a hammer was sentenced Friday to 30 years in prison. But prosecutors later filed a motion saying the court failed to offer the defendant, David DePape, an opportunity to speak or present any information to mitigate the sentence as required by federal rule. They asked the court to reopen the sentencing portion to allow him that option. The court did not immediately respond. A jury found DePape, 44, guilty in November of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official. Prosecutors had asked for a 40-year prison term. The attack on Paul Pelosi, who was 82 at the time, was captured on police body camera video just days before the 2022 midterm elections and sent shockwaves through the political world. He suffered two head wounds including a skull fracture that was mended with plates and screws he will have for the rest of his life. His right arm and hand were also injured. Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley sentenced DePape to 20 years for attempted kidnapping and 30 years for the assault, the maximum for both counts. The sentences will run concurrently. He also was given credit for the 18 months he has been in custody. In its afternoon motion to the court, the U.S. attorneys office said DePape was not given the opportunity by the court to speak before being sentenced and that could present an issue. DePapes defense, however, said they opposed bringing back their client to court and filed a notice of appeal, according to the filing. Prosecutors and defense counsel did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment late Friday. The court has 14 days to correct a sentence resulting from error, prosecutors said. DePape stood silently as he was sentenced and looked down at times. His public defense attorneys had asked the judge to sentence him to 14 years, pointing out that he was going through a difficult period in his life at the time of the attack, had undiagnosed mental health issues and had no prior criminal history. At trial, DePape testified that he had planned to wear an inflatable unicorn costume and record his interrogation of the Democratic speaker, who was not at her San Francisco home at the time of the attack, to upload it online. Ahead of the sentencing, one of his defense attorneys, Angela Chuang, told the judge to consider the prison terms being given to those who participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. The five most serious sentences for people who were convicted of seditious conspiracy, of literally conspiring to overthrow the government, range from 15 to 22 years, Chuang said. Corley said the Jan. 6 analogy didnt adequately reflect the seriousness of breaking into an officials private home. The attack may have a chilling effect on people seeking office in the future, she said. They have to think not only, Am I willing to take that risk myself, but am I willing to risk my spouse, my children, my grandchildren? the judge said. Prosecutors asked for the maximum sentence on each count and for DePape to serve 10 years concurrently, giving him a 40-year prison term. Before sentencing, Christine Pelosi read her father and mothers victim statements, explaining how the violent attack changed their lives. In Paul Pelosis statement, he explained that 18 months after the attack, he still gets headaches and vertigo and has fainted and fallen twice at home. Once you are attacked in such a public and political manner, with such threatening language, you always have to fear a copycat, Nancy Pelosi said in her statement. When I encourage people, especially women to consider running for office, physical threats to the family should not even be a factor, but they are. Both Paul and Nancy Pelosi said there are still bloodstains on the floor and other signs of the break-in at their home. Our home remains a heartbreaking crime scene, Nancy Pelosi wrote. DePape admitted during trial testimony that he broke into the Pelosis home Oct. 28, 2022, intending to hold the speaker hostage and break her kneecaps if she lied to him. He also admitted to bludgeoning Paul Pelosi with a hammer after police showed up, saying his plan to end what he viewed as government corruption was unraveling. Defense attorneys argued DePape was motivated by his political beliefs, not because he wanted to interfere with Nancy Pelosis official duties as a member of Congress, making the charges against him invalid. Chuang, one of his attorneys, said during closing arguments that DePape was estranged from his family and was caught up in conspiracy theories. Sky Gonzalez, David DePapes son, told reporters outside court the 30-year prison term was equivalent to getting a death sentence. I think thats quite sad. I think thats a really long time, because if you think about it, hes already nearly 50. Basically, its just a death sentence, Gonzalez said before repeating the same conspiracy theories his father wrote about before the attack. At trial DePape, a Canadian who moved to the U.S. more than 20 years ago, testified that he believed news outlets repeatedly lied about former President Donald Trump. In rants posted on a blog and online forum that were taken down after his arrest, DePape echoed the baseless, right-wing QAnon conspiracy theory that claims a cabal of devil-worshipping pedophiles runs the U.S. government. Prosecutors said he had rope and zip ties with him, and detectives found body cameras, a computer and a tablet. Paul Pelosi recalled at the trial how he was awakened by a large man bursting into the bedroom and asking, Wheres Nancy? He said that when he responded that his wife was in Washington, DePape said he would tie him up while they waited for her. It was a tremendous sense of shock to recognize that somebody had broken into the house, and looking at him and looking at the hammer and the ties, I recognized that I was in serious danger, so I tried to stay as calm as possible, Pelosi told jurors. DePape also is charged in state court with assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, residential burglary and other felonies. Jury selection in that trial is expected to start Wednesday. (AP) Yemens Houthi rebels on Friday claimed to have shot down an American drone, hours after footage circulated online of what appeared to be the wreckage of an MQ-9 Reaper drone. Early Saturday, a vessel also came under attack in the Red Sea. The two incidents likely represent just the latest attacks by the Houthis as they press their campaign over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed that rebels shot down the Reaper on Thursday with a surface-to-air missile. He described the drone as carrying out hostile actions in Yemens Marib province, which remains held by allies of Yemens exiled, internationally recognized government. The Houthis later released footage they claimed showed the surface-to-air-missile being launched at night, along with night-vision footage of the missile hitting the drone. A man, whose voice had been digitally altered to apparently prevent identification, chanted the Houthi slogan: God is the greatest; death to America; death to Israel; curse the Jews; victory to Islam. Online video showed wreckage resembling the pieces of the Reaper on the ground, as well as footage of that wreckage on fire. The U.S. military did not respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press over the Houthi claim. While the rebels have made claims about attacks that turned out later not to be true, they have a history of shooting down U.S. drones and have been armed by their main benefactor, Iran, with weapons capable of high-altitude attack. Since the Houthis seized the countrys north and its capital, Sanaa, in 2014, the U.S. military has previously lost at least five drones to the rebels. Reapers, which cost around $30 million apiece, can fly at altitudes up to 50,000 feet and have an endurance of up to 24 hours before needing to land. The drone shootdown comes as the Houthis launch attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, demanding Israel ends the war in Gaza, which has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians there. 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. Early Saturday, the British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said a ship came under attack off the coast of Yemens port city of Hodeida. The captain has confirmed sustaining slight damage after being struck by an unknown object on his port quarter, the UKMTO said. The vessel and crew are safe and continuing to its next port of call. The private security firm Ambrey said it believed the vessel struck was a Panama-flagged crude oil tanker. Radio traffic suggested the ship was hit by a missile and that there was a fire in the steering gear flat, Ambrey said. The Houthis did not immediately acknowledge the attack, though it typically takes them hours to issue a claim. Houthi attacks have dropped in recent weeks as the rebels have been targeted by a U.S.-led airstrike campaign in Yemen. Shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden still remains low because of the threat, however. (AP) One political party is holding urgent news conferences and congressional hearings over the topic. The other says its a dangerous distraction meant to seed doubts before this years presidential election. In recent months, the specter of immigrants voting illegally in the U.S. has erupted into a leading election-year talking point for Republicans. They argue that legislation is necessary to protect the sanctity of the vote as the country faces unprecedented levels of illegal immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border. Voting by people who are not U.S. citizens already is illegal in federal elections and there is no indication its happening anywhere in significant numbers. Yet Republican lawmakers at the federal and state levels are throwing their energy behind the issue, introducing legislation and fall ballot measures. The activity ensures the issue will remain at the forefront of voters minds in the months ahead. Republicans in Congress are pushing a bill called the SAVE (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility) Act that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote. Meanwhile, Republican legislatures in at least six states have placed noncitizen voting measures on the Nov. 5 ballot, while at least two more are debating whether to do so. American elections are for American citizens, and we intend to keep it that way, House Administration Committee Chairman Rep. Bryan Steil of Wisconsin said during a hearing he hosted on the topic this past week. Democrats on the committee lambasted their Republican colleagues for focusing on what they called a nonissue, arguing it was part of a strategy with former President Donald Trump to lay the groundwork for election challenges this fall. It appears the lesson Republicans learned from the fiasco that the former president caused in 2020 was not Dont steal an election it was just Start earlier, said New York Rep. Joe Morelle, the committees top Democrat. The coup starts here. This is where it begins. The concern that immigrants who are not eligible to vote are illegally casting ballots has prevailed on the right for years. But it gained renewed attention earlier this year when Trump began suggesting without evidence that Democrats were encouraging illegal migration to the U.S. so they could register the newcomers to vote. Republicans who have been vocal about voting by those who are not citizens have demurred when asked for evidence that its a problem. Last week, during a news conference on his federal legislation to require proof of citizenship during voter registration, House Speaker Mike Johnson couldnt provide examples of the crime happening. The answer is that its unanswerable, the Louisiana Republican said in response to a question about whether such people were illegally voting. We all know, intuitively, that a lot of illegals are voting in federal elections, but its not been something that is easily provable. Election administration experts say its not only provable, but its been demonstrated that the number of noncitizens voting in federal elections is infinitesimal. To be clear, there have been cases over the years of noncitizens illegally registering and even casting ballots. But states have mechanisms to catch that. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose recently found 137 suspected noncitizens on the states rolls out of roughly 8 million voters and is taking action to confirm and remove them, he announced this past week. In 2022, Georgias Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, conducted an audit of his states voter rolls specifically looking for noncitizens. His office found that 1,634 had attempted to register to vote over a period of 25 years, but election officials had caught all the applications and none had been able to register. In North Carolina in 2016, an audit of elections found that 41 legal immigrants who had not yet become citizens cast ballots, out of 4.8 million total ballots cast. The votes didnt make a difference in any of the states elections. Voters must confirm under penalty of perjury that they are citizens when they register to vote. If they lie, they can face fines, imprisonment or deportation, said David Becker, founder and executive director of the nonprofit Center for Election Innovation and Research. On top of that, anyone registering provides their Social Security number, drivers license or state ID, Becker said. That means they already have shown the government proof of citizenship to receive those documents, or if they are a noncitizen with a state ID or Social Security number, they have been clearly classified that way in the states records. What theyre asking for is additional proof, Becker said of Republicans pushing Johnsons bill. Why should people have to go to multiple government agencies and have them ask, Show us your papers, when theyve already shown them? Democrats fear adding more ID requirements could disenfranchise eligible voters who dont have their birth certificates or Social Security cards on hand. Republicans counter that the extra step could provide another layer of security and boost voter confidence in an imperfect system in which noncitizen voters have slipped through in the past. The national focus on noncitizen voting also has brought attention to a related, but different phenomenon: how a small number of local jurisdictions, among them San Francisco and the District of Columbia, have begun allowing immigrants who arent citizens to vote in some local contests, such as for school board and city council. The number of noncitizen voters casting ballots in the towns and cities where they are allowed to do so has been minimal so far. In Winooski, Vermont, where 1,345 people cast ballots in a recent local election, just 11 were not citizens, the clerk told The Associated Press. Still, the gradually growing phenomenon has prompted some state lawmakers to introduce ballot measures that seek to stop cities from trying this in the future. In South Carolina, voters in November will decide on a constitutional amendment that supporters say will shut the door on any noncitizens voting. The states constitution currently says every citizen aged 18 and over who qualifies to vote can. The amendment changes the phrasing to say only citizens. Republican state Sen. Chip Campsen called it a safeguard to prevent future problems. California has similar wording to South Carolinas current provision, and Campsen cited a California Supreme Court decision that ruled every didnt prevent noncitizens from voting. Democratic state Sen. Darrell Jackson asked Campsen during the debate last month, Do we have that problem here in South Carolina? You dont have the problem until the problem arises, Campsen replied. On Friday, legislative Republicans in Missouri passed a ballot measure for November that would ban both noncitizen voting and ranked-choice voting. I know that scary hypotheticals have been thrown out there: Well, what about St. Louis? What about Kansas City? said Democratic state Sen. Lauren Arthur of Kansas City. It is not a real threat because this is already outlawed. Its already illegal in Missouri. Asked by a Democrat on Thursday about instances of noncitizens voting in Missouri, Republican Rep. Alex Riley said he didnt have specific data or a scenario that it has happened, but wanted to address the concern that it could happen in the future. In Wisconsin, an important presidential swing state where the Republican-controlled Legislature also put a noncitizen voting measure on the ballot this fall, Democratic state Rep. Lee Snodgrass said during a hearing earlier this week that she couldnt understand why someone who is not a legal citizen would vote. Im trying to wrap my brain around what people think the motivation would be for a noncitizen to go through an enormous amount of hassle to actively commit a felony to vote in an election thats going to end up putting them in prison or be deported, she said. (AP) BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. So far, search teams have not reached the place where the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi from Khudaferin to Tabriz made a hard landing, Iranian Interior Minister Ahmed Vahidi said, Trend reports. According to him, all forces were mobilized after the helicopter made a hard landing. All groups, including the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the military, law enforcement, the Red Crescent Society, social groups and all villagers, volunteered to find the crash site of the helicopter carrying the Iranian President. The Iranian minister noted searches are difficult due to the terrain. It is also raining heavily and visibility is very limited. Today, a helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in Tabriz Mohammad Ali Ali Hashemi, and East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malik Rehmati made a hard landing on its way from Hudafarin to Tabriz. Due to weather conditions and difficult terrain, search and rescue teams have not yet reached the crash site. Texas officials say power outages could last weeks in parts of Houston after thunderstorms with hurricane-force winds tore through the city and killed at least four people. The storm knocked out electricity to nearly 1 million homes and businesses in the region as temperatures hover around 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32.2 Celsius). Multiple transmission towers were downed, and thousands of utility workers have headed to the area, said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the countys top elected official. What should you do to stay cool and safe at home when summer power outages prevent you from using fans and air conditioners? Emergency response and medical experts share their tips. HOW TO STAY COOL To avoid overheating, its key to stay hydrated. If your home is without water during a power outage, be sure to stock up on bottled water. Its also important to refrain from exertion, if possible. Avoid the sun, especially during the hottest part of the day, and stay in the shade when outside. When its hot, the body cools off by sweating. Soaking T-shirts or other clothing with water, or frequently spraying your skin with water, can help boost this effect, said Zachary McKenna, post-doctoral fellow in the department of internal medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern. That does two things that are pretty beneficial: One, you have the potential for all of that water to evaporate off the skin and actually cool the body. And two, it lowers the need for your own body to produce that sweat, he said. McKenna says such strategies could be particularly helpful for older people because our bodies produce less sweat as we age. If the temperature inside your house during the day is the same, or warmer, than it is outside, you can open windows to increase air flow but make sure to keep curtains closed, especially if windows are receiving direct sunlight, he added. At night, if temperatures drop, open windows help increase the flow of cooler air. FOOD SAFETY If the power goes out, the food thats in your refrigerator can keep cold for about four hours, and whats in your freezer can keep cold for up to two days, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. You can transfer food to a cooler. But make sure there is enough ice and cold packs to keep the cooler temperature below 40 degrees (4.4 C), says the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Add more ice as it melts. If food that must be kept cold has been exposed to temperatures of at least 40 degrees (4.4 C) for longer than four or 48 hours, depending on whether it was refrigerated or frozen, it should be thrown away so that you dont give yourself food poisoning, according to FEMA. If food in your fridge starts to have an unusual odor, texture or color, it should also be tossed. People should seek out nonperishable foods, such as canned goods, that dont require refrigeration. If using camp stoves or charcoal barbecues to cook, make sure to use them outside and at least 20 feet away from windows, FEMA says. HOW TO CHARGE PHONES AND DEVICES One way to preserve your cellphones battery is to limit calling, texting and app use. Dimming the brightness of the display screen, or putting a phone in low power mode, can also help. Turning it off can also help save battery. A number of vendors offer affordable solar-powered chargers for phones and other devices. You can also charge your phone in your car. But FEMA warns that you should always run your car outside, and not in an enclosed space like a garage, to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Generators, which are largely fueled by gasoline and diesel, can be used as an external power source during an outage. But it is essential to know how to use one safely. Generators should always be used outdoors, at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and garages, according to FEMA. Those who use generators should install battery-powered carbon monoxide alarms inside their home, FEMA says, as the gas is odorless and colorless. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly. Generators should be kept dry and protected from rain or flooding, as FEMA warns that touching a wet generator can cause electrical shock. Before refueling, make sure they have cooled down. Heavy-duty extension cords should be used to connect appliances or devices to generators. And extra precaution should be taken when hooking up a generator to a home power source, as doing so could cause a dangerous surge in electricity, according to FEMA. You dont want to hook your generator into your system without having an isolation switch to keep it from charging the power lines going out from your house, said Kenneth Gray, a senior lecturer at the University of New Haven. Because you may, as a result, electrocute people working in the area, such as crews restoring downed power lines, he said. Generator transfer switches and any other necessary equipment should be installed by an electrician, per FEMA recommendations. OTHER SAFETY TIPS Officials recommend unplugging electronics in your home so as to avoid damage from electrical surges. And battery-powered flashlights and lanterns should be used for lighting instead of candles, which can be a fire hazard. Its also important to check in on older people and those with disabilities or living alone when you can, McKenna said. Make sure that they know the strategies and that they have somebody that they can reach out to and if they need help, he said. (AP) The Toronto police hate crimes unit is investigating after a local shul was vandalized for the second time in four weeks. Kehillat Shaarei Torah in the citys north end was targeted in the early hours of Friday morning, with windows and glass doors smashed. Rabbi Yosef Kanofsky, who leads the shul, condemned the attack, noting that it was previously vandalized in late April, with no injuries reported in either incident. He praised the quick response of the police, who collected surveillance video from the scene. The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center denounced the attack on social media, expressing horror at the repeat incident. Jews deserve to feel safe at their places of worship, and not be targeted with such acts of violence, the organization wrote. Following the April attack, the shul took proactive measures by purchasing reinforced windows and improved lighting. However, the upgrades have not been installed yet. The April attack also made the shul eligible for a fast-tracked federal grant, known as the Severe Hate-Motivated Incident Support program. This program offers expedited funding with reduced paperwork and is distributed on an ongoing basis. The shul applied for a grant ranging from $50,000 to $75,000 last week. Although the regular SIP grant program expired at the end of March, Canadas 2024 federal budget allocated an additional $1 million to the program, bringing the total to $21.5 million. Its important to note that federal grants only cover 50% of the costs, and matching funds are required from the institution. To address this, the shul launched a fundraising campaign which has raised over $35,000 so far. The attacks on the shul are part of a larger trend of increasing anti-Israel riots and acts of antisemitism in Toronto since the start of Israels war against Hamas on October 7. Recent incidents include the vandalism of an Indigo book store, a Jewish-owned grocery store, and posters depicting kidnapped Israeli children. Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw reported a surge in hate crimes since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, with over half targeting the Jewish community. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Iranian Jew Arvin Netanel Ghahremani, 20, was slated to be executed by the Islamic Republic on Monday but Baruch Hashem, his execution has been delayed for a month. The postponement was announced by Rabbi Moshe Margaretten of the Tzedek Association. Excellent news! he wrote. The court system in Kermansha Iran, has granted a temporary reprieve to the wrongly accused Jewish man, postponing his execution by approximately one month. We remain hopeful that justice will ultimately prevail, leading to his timely release and exoneration. Rabbi Margaretten held a meeting on Friday about the case with New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand at the home of Jewish billionaire and philanthropist Alex Rovt. A New York Post article revealed further details of the case. Avrin was exercising at a gym in the city of Kermanshah, located 326 miles (525 kilometers) from Tehran in the western part of Iran. when he was ambushed by seven men, including a 40-year-old man who owed him money, said Rabbi Danny Yiftach, who translated Iranian court documents for The Post. The purported victim, Amir Shokri, pulled out a large knife and stabbed Ghahremani. Arvin fought back in self-defense and fatally stabbed him. Ghahremani was convicted of being an accomplice to the intentional murder of a Muslim and for intentionally inflicting nonfatal injuries. Dr. Homayoun Sameyah, the Jewish MP in Irans Parliament, has tried to intervene by asking multiple lawmakers to mediate with Shokris family, even offering to build a mosque in his name. All his efforts were unsuccessful. This morning I spent an hour responding to all the WhatsApp messages Im receiving about this issue, Yitach said. This has gotten everybody very nervous in Iran. Im confident that if this case would have been in Tehran it wouldnt have turned out this way because I do believe in the goodwill of the central government, Yiftach said. Ever since the revolution Iran has said theyre not against the Jewish people theyre just anti-Zionist. Now is their chance to prove that. Until the last moment, efforts continued via international organizations to prevent the execution. Various parties appealed to several countries to intervene, including Russia and Germany. Additionally, lawyers and officials in Iranian Jewish communities in the US made efforts to try to influence the family of the victim to commute the death sentence and accept financial compensation. Please continue davening for Arvin Netanel ben Sonia Tziyona. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) by Rabbi Yair Hoffman Photo Credit to Nechama R. Original acrylic painting is available for sale: Contact author for details [email protected] On the 28th of Iyar of 1968 (and possibly of 1969), Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zatzal recited the Hallel. He did not continue reciting it, however, in subsequent years. Why did he recite the Hallel? It was because on that momentous day, almost 57 years ago, for the first time in nearly two millennium, the Temple mount came back under Jewish control. There were open miracles in the battle, where enemy forces threatened to annihilate Eretz Yisroel and its people. A bomb landed on the Mirrer Yeshiva in Yerushalayim. Miraculously it did not detonate. And of course, we got the Kosel back a place we could not even visit for nineteen years since the Jordanians captured it in 1948. The Temple Mount is the holiest place on earth where Hashems Divine Presence was and is still most concentrated. The Kosel is the last remaining wall that surrounds Har HaBayis, the Temple mount and is called the Wailing Wall because Jews have gathered before it to cry over the loss of the Temple, the Beis HaMikdash. The day that we got back the Kosel and the eastern half of Jerusalem is known as Yom Yerushalayim and is commemorated on the 28th of Iyar each year. It might therefore be beneficial for us to review some aspects and halachos of the Kosel and how we must relate to it now in its current state. SAVES THE WORLD Firstly, let us note the significance of the Bais HaMikdash and its ever relevant enormity in our own times as well. There is a verse in Ovadiah (1:17) that states, And on the Mountain of Zion shall be the salvation. The Emek HaMelech (14:134) writes that this verse teaches us that the prayers of the righteous and great people of Yerushalayim at the Western Wall are what saves the world. He writes that their tears and supplications keep the world intact, and were it not for their prayers at this most holy of places the world would be destroyed. PRESENCE OF SHECHINA The Midrash tells us (Shmos Rabbah 2:2) that the Shechina, the Divine Presence, has not budged from the Western Wall. The presence of the Shechina, according to the Alshich (VaYikra 25:29), is the surety the promise, that Hashem will ultimately redeem us. SIGN OF HOPE These two sources indicate to us a positive, hopeful aspect of the Makom HaMikdash, in our times. It is a place of enormous Kedusha holiness, and one which brings current salvation to the world now, and the hope and promise of the ultimate future redemption of the Jewish people. This is remarkably inspiring and uplifting. SADNESS AND PAIN Yet at the same time, the destruction of the Bais HaMikdash evokes deep feelings of sadness and pain. We rip Kriyah when we see it. It is not just a regular Kriyah but the more serious one that occurs near the heart itself. When we rip Kriyah, the ripping should never be repaired completely. The destruction should move us. Indeed, the Mishna Brurah (561:4) writes that on the day that a person first sees Yerushalayim in its state of disrepair it is proper and appropriate for that person to refrain from eating meat and drinking wine. OBLIGATION TO MAINTAIN SANCTITY The fact that we do have sovereignty over the Temple Mount and its regions obligates us in maintaining its sanctity. Technically, gentiles should not be allowed to enter the inner section of the Temple Mount from the Chayil and further in (See Mishna Keilim 1:8 and Tzitz Eliezer 10:1:10 for the contemporary application). Indeed, in 1871, Charles Clermont Ganneau, a French archaeologist and diplomat, found a stone with an inscription in Greek which forbade entry to all gentiles past that point. Thus a travel agent should not promote a tour to Israel for gentiles who will ascend to the inner section of the Temple Mount. Indeed, it is even forbidden for a videography editor to request a gentile to film sections of the Temple Mount because he will stay there longer on account of the request. WHEN PRAYING THERE It is important to note that when dealing with the Bais HaMikdash and davening at the Kosel ,our focus must on HaKadosh Boruch Hu and not on the physical aspect of the Kosel itself. Indeed, a fascinating point, confirmed by Rav Chaim Kanievsky ztl, is that when davening at the Kosel one should not face completely toward the Kosel. Rather, one should face left toward the Kodash HaKadoshim. Another question arises as to whether there exists a Mitzvah to go to Eretz Yisroel during the Shalosh Regalim even in its current state of destruction. The Rambam in Hilchos Chagiga (1:1) states that there is no Mitzvah because the obligation is only to bring a Korban Chagigah and Olah and to appear in the Temple. The opinion of the Tashbatz (Responsa III # 201), however, at least according to the way most achronim understand him, is that there is indeed a Mitzvah of Aliyah lregel, even nowadays when there is no extant Beis HaMikdash. This is also the view of the Sdei Chemed, the Chasam Sopher (Yevamos 44a), and the Aruch LaNer. The RaN in Taanis (first Mishna) also writes this. Rav Elyashiv zatzal was careful to observe this Mitzvah and go to the Kosel every Yom Tov. When he got older and could no longer make the walk he would do so during the latter days of the Yom Tov the 7 days of Tashlumim. [Once, my brother-in-law accompanied him on the way back from the Kosel on Yom Tov and had asked him where one puts up a Zecher lChurban in a house if there is no place to put it opposite the door. He responded that one should place it above the door in such an instance.] The fact that we currently have access to the Kosel, thus has remarkable relevance, as we can now fulfill this Mitzvah of the Tashbatz, The ideal method of performing the Mitzvah, however, is on the first day of the Yom Tov as Rav Elyashiv had observed it. This can be seen from the words of the Rambam in Chagiga 1:1. So, whoever is in Yerushalayim and can make the walk to the Kosel on the first day of the Yom Tov should definitely do so. If one can afford to go to Eretz Yisroel for Yom Tov from Chutz LaAretz, then one should do so as well. Affording it, however, is quite another story. The author can be reached at [email protected] The Jewish-Iranian man who was slated to be executed by the Islamic Republic on Shabbos was identified as Arvin Netanel Ghahremani, 20. For unknown reasons, his execution was postponed until Monday. Two years ago, when Arvin was 18, he lent money to an Iranian man. When he asked for the money back, the man attacked him with a knife. Arvin fought back in self-defense in an altercation that ended with the mans death. According to Sharia law, the fact that Arvin is Jewish allows the Iranian mans family to demand the death penalty without evidence or a trial. The law allows the death sentence to be commuted to reparations only with the consent of the victims family. Arvins family has begged the Iranian mans family to reverse their decision and offered them generous reparations but the family has refused and insists that Arvin be put to death. Arvins mother is begging for Jews to daven for her son, Arvin Netanel ben Sonia Tziyona, to be spared: (YWNs Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis haShabbos in Israel) Benny Gantz, a member of Israels three-member War Cabinet, threatened on Motzei Shabbos to resign from the government if it doesnt adopt a new plan in three weeks time for the war in Gaza. His announcement escalates a divide within Israels leadership more than seven months into a war in which it has yet to accomplish its goals of dismantling Hamas and returning hostages abducted in the Oct. 7 attack. Gantz spelled out a six-point plan that includes the return of scores of hostages, ending Hamas rule, demilitarizing the Gaza strip and establishing an international administration of civilian affairs. It also supports efforts to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia. He says if it is not adopted by June 8 he will quit the government. 1) Bring the hostages home. 2)Topple Hamas rule, demilitarize the Gaza Strip and gain Israeli security control [over Gaza]. 3) Alongside that Israeli security control, create an international civilian governance mechanism for Gaza, including American, European, Arab and Palestinian elements which will also serve as a basis for a future alternative that is not Hamas and is not [Palestinian Authority President] Abbas. 4) Return residents of the north to their homes by September 1, and rehabilitate the western Negev (adjacent to Gaza, targeted by Hamas on October 7). 5) Advance normalization with Saudi Arabia as part of a comprehensive process to create an alliance with the free world and the West against Iran and its allies. 6) Adopt a framework for [military/national] service under which all Israelis will serve the state and contribute to the national effort. In a sharp statement released through his office, Netanyahu accused his coalition partner of issuing an ultimatum to the prime minister instead of to Hamas. Gantzs demands, the statement claimed, would lead to an end to the war and defeat for Israel, abandoning the majority of the hostages, leaving Hamas in power, and creating a Palestinian state. The Prime Ministers Office argued that if Gantz truly prioritizes national interests over toppling the government, he must answer three questions: 1. Does Gantz want to see the Rafah operation through to its end, and if so, why is he threatening to topple the unity government during the IDF operation? 2. Does he oppose Palestinian Authority rule in Gaza, even if Mahmoud Abbas is not involved? 3. Would he support a Palestinian state as part of a normalization process with Saudi Arabia? Prime Minister Netanyahu is determined to eliminate the Hamas battalions, the statement continued. He opposes bringing the Palestinian Authority into Gaza and establishing a Palestinian state that would inevitably become a terror state. Netanyahu, the statement added, believes the unity government is crucial to achieving war aims and expects Gantz to clarify his positions on these issues to the public. Gantz quickly responded to Netanyahu, addressing the prime ministers questions in a statement from his office. If the prime minister had listened to Gantz, said the office of the former defense minister and chief of staff, we would have entered Rafah months ago and completed the mission. We must finish it and create the necessary conditions for that. On Sunday morning, a terrorist attempted to stab Border Police officers at a checkpoint near the Palestinian village of Abu Dis, near Maale Adumim. The terrorist pulled out a sharp object and ran toward the officers while shouting Allahu Akbar. The officers responded quickly, opening fire and neutralizing him. BChasdei Hashem, there were no injuries among Israeli security forces. On Thursday, an IDF non-commissioned officer was injured in a stabbing attack at the Yitzhar intersection in the Shomron, south of Shechem and near Huwara. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the countrys foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray. The likely crash came as Iran under Raisi and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei launched an unprecedented drone-and-missile attack on Israel last month and has enriched uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels. Iran has also faced years of mass protests against its Shiite theocracy over an ailing economy and womens rights making the moment that much more sensitive for Tehran and the future of the country as the Israel-Hamas war inflames the wider Middle East. Raisi was traveling in Irans East Azerbaijan province. State TV said what it called a hard landing happened near Jolfa, a city on the border with the nation of Azerbaijan, some 600 kilometers (375 miles) northwest of the Iranian capital, Tehran. Later, state TV put it farther east near the village of Uzi, but details remained contradictory. Traveling with Raisi were Irans Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, the governor of Irans East Azerbaijan province and other officials and bodyguards, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. One local government official used the word crash, but others referred to either a hard landing or an incident. Neither IRNA nor state TV offered any information on Raisis condition in the hours afterward. However, hard-liners urged the public to pray for him. State TV later aired images of the faithful praying at Imam Reza Shrine in the city of Mashhad, one of Shiite Islams holiest sites, as well as in Qom and other locations across the country. State televisions main channel aired the prayers nonstop. The esteemed president and company were on their way back aboard some helicopters and one of the helicopters was forced to make a hard landing due to the bad weather and fog, Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said in comments aired on state TV. Various rescue teams are on their way to the region but because of the poor weather and fogginess it might take time for them to reach the helicopter. IRNA called the area a forest and the region is known to be mountainous as well. State TV aired images of SUVs racing through a wooded area and said they were being hampered by poor weather conditions, including heavy rain and wind. A rescue helicopter tried to reach the area where authorities believe Raisis helicopter was, but it couldnt land due to heavy mist, emergency services spokesman Babak Yektaparast told IRNA. Long after the sun set, Iranian government spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi acknowledged that we are experiencing difficult and complicated conditions in the search. It is the right of the people and the media to be aware of the latest news about the presidents helicopter accident, but considering the coordinates of the incident site and the weather conditions, there is no new news whatsoever until now, he wrote on the social platform X. In these moments, patience, prayer and trust in relief groups are the way forward. Khamenei himself also urged the public to pray. We hope that God the Almighty returns the dear president and his colleagues in full health to the arms of the nation, Khamenei said, drawing an amen from the audience he was addressing. Raisi, 63, a hard-liner who formerly led the countrys judiciary, is viewed as a protege of Khamenei and some analysts have suggested he could replace the 85-year-old leader after Khameneis death or resignation from the role. Raisi had been on the border with Azerbaijan early Sunday to inaugurate a dam with Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev. The dam is the third one that the two nations built on the Aras River. The visit came despite chilly relations between the two nations, including over a gun attack on Azerbaijans Embassy in Tehran in 2023, and Azerbaijans diplomatic relations with Israel, which Irans Shiite theocracy views as its main enemy in the region. Iran flies a variety of helicopters in the country, but international sanctions make it difficult to obtain parts for them. Its military air fleet also largely dates back to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. IRNA published images it described as Raisi taking off in what resembled a Bell 412 helicopter, with a blue-and-white paint scheme previously seen in published photographs. Raisi won Irans 2021 presidential election, a vote that saw the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republics history. Raisi is sanctioned by the U.S. in part over his involvement in the mass execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988 at the end of the bloody Iran-Iraq war. Under Raisi, Iran now enriches uranium at nearly weapons-grade levels and hampers international inspections. Iran has armed Russia in its war on Ukraine, as well as launched a massive drone-and-missile attack on Israel amid its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It also has continued arming proxy groups in the Mideast, like Yemens Houthi rebels and Lebanons Hezbollah. Meanwhile, mass protests in the country have raged for years. The most recent involved the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, a woman who had been earlier detained over allegedly not wearing a hijab, or headscarf, to the liking of authorities. The monthslong security crackdown that followed the demonstrations killed more than 500 people and saw over 22,000 detained. In March, a United Nations investigative panel found that Iran was responsible for the physical violence that led to Aminis death. President Joe Biden was briefed by aides on the Iran crash, but administration officials have not learned much more than what is being reported publicly by Iran state media, said a senior administration official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. (AP) Tesla's chairman has dismissed as 'c**p' claims she is too close to Elon Musk as his 44billion pay deal hangs in the balance. Robyn Denholm is trying to convince shareholders to support the billionaire's pay package after a Delaware court struck it down in January. The court found that Musk's compensation as Tesla chief executive was inappropriately set by the company's board. Kathaleen McCormick, from Delaware's Court of Chancery, said Musk controlled the board through his personality and influence meaning that his pay package could not be set through a fair process. Denholm, who has been chairman since 2018, was also accused of a 'lackadaisical approach to her oversight obligations'. Big bucks: The pay deal, which was set in 2018, was the biggest ever in US corporate history But she is battling to convince investors ahead of Tesla's annual meeting on June 13 to vote in favour of the pay package. She argues that the bumper payout is critical to the electric car maker's future growth. Denholm, 60, told the Financial Times: 'The vote's pretty important for us as a company, but I also think it's important for corporate America as well.' She also dismissed the court's findings about her relationship with Musk as 'absolute BS' and 'c**p'. The pay deal, which was set in 2018, was the biggest ever in US corporate history. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. The Yemeni rebel movement Ansar Allah (Houthis) fired an anti-ship ballistic missile at the M/T Wind oil tanker sailing through the Red Sea, US Central Command (CENTCOM) wrote X page, Trend reports. According to the information, the oil tanker, owned and operated by Greece, previously stopped in Russia and then headed to China. "The impact of the anti-ship ballistic missile caused flooding which resulted in the of loss propulsion and steering," the statement said. It is reported that the crew of M/T Wind was able to restore propulsion and steering, and no casualties were reported. M/T BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. A member of the Israeli military cabinet, Minister Benny Gantz, called on his colleagues to approve an action plan to achieve goals in the Gaza Strip by June 8, threatening otherwise to leave the government, Trend reports. According to information, Gantz presented six strategic goals that the coalition must adopt, otherwise his party will leave the government. According to Gantz, the goals include the return of hostages held in Gaza, the overthrow of Hamas rule, the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, control of the security of Gaza, the creation of an international civilian mechanism for the governance of Gaza with the participation of American, European, Arab and Palestinian representatives, as well as the return of the inhabitants of the north of the enclave to their home by September 1. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. An explosion occurred in a country house in the Turkish province of Tokat, Trend reports. According to information, the incident occurred in the Erba district. It is reported that gendarmerie officers arrived at the address in connection with a complaint from residents of other houses about noisy neighbors. After the arrival of the gendarmerie brigade, an explosion occurred for an unknown reason. During the incident, 7 people were injured, including 5 gendarmerie officers. The injured were hospitalized. The fact is under investigation. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. At the request of official Tehran, the Turkish government sent rescue teams with night vision helicopters to the area of the helicopter crash with Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi on board, Turkiye's Emergency Management Agency (AFAD), Trend reports. According to the information, a request for support from the Iranian side was received by AFAD through the channels of the Turkish Foreign Ministry. 32 rescuers and 6 vehicles were sent to the incident area from the provinces of Van and Erzurum in Turkiye. In addition, a total of 45 rescuers from the provinces of Ankara, Diyarbakir and Konya were trained. Today, a helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in Tabriz Mohammad Ali Ali Hashemi, and East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malik Rehmati made a hard landing on its way from Hudafarin to Tabriz. Due to weather conditions and difficult terrain, search and rescue teams have not yet reached the crash site. Researchers at University of Galway have called on people to support the monitoring of more than 500 wild and native honey bee colonies, to mark World Bee Day on Monday. The team of academics at the Galway Honey Bee Research Centre will use the data being recorded and reported about the free-living bees as part of efforts to devise better strategies for their conservation. Citizen science has already supported the recording of 541 nests of wild and native honeybees, or Apis mellifera mellifera, across the island of Ireland. Now researchers need data from ongoing monitoring which will be submitted to the National Biodiversity Data Centre and the help further understand the survival of bees once thought to have been wiped out by the invasive parasite Varroa destructor. The project, funded by Science Foundation Ireland, involves samples from wild colonies being compared with those from managed and historical ones, as well as studies of the ecology of the colonies, pathogen type and load and the genetics of the bees. Professor Grace McCormack, head of the School of Natural Sciences at University of Galway, said: When I first tried to embark on research into Irelands wild native honey bee, I was told they dont exist. But they do and Ireland is the last stronghold for the black bee in Europe, which has been under threat from parasites, loss of natural habitat and biodiversity, climate change and hybridisation from imported bees. Our quest now is to learn as much as we can about our bees, to monitor colonies and confirm that they have survived in the wild for more than two years. With the data that is provided by the public, our citizen scientists, we can devise conservation strategies. The Galway Honey Bee Research Centre, based at University of Galway, is asking would-be citizen scientists to locate colonies, but not to report individual bee sightings, and for some people to become colony custodians by regular monitoring and reporting on the survival of the colonies. Black bees are smaller than a bumblebee. They are dark brown, almost black, with narrow or no bands on the abdomen and can be seen foraging in damp or drizzly weather. Free-living bee colonies are classed as having survived for more than two years in the wild, nesting outside a man-made hive/box. Wild honey bees are cavity dwellers and colonies can usually be found by observing the activity and noise of a large number of bees at a small entrance. Colonies are usually seen in elevated positions, a few metres above the ground, in trees in old woodlands or in walls and roofs of buildings, which is common in Ireland. Hive entrances have been found in unlikely places, such as hollow statues, compost bins, bird boxes and graveyard crypts. For more information or to report a colony visit galwayhbrc.com. Thankfully, nobody was hurt . . . However, we notice that local students are threatened by a trend more serious than political commentary and moralizing when it comes to commencement activities. Check-it . . . "The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department received a report of shots fired at 1:40 p.m. near DeLaSalle Education Center, located at 3737 Troost Avenue. "The education center was holding a graduation ceremony at the time, police confirmed. The shots fired incident did not involve the graduation, per KCPD." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . You are here: China China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters activated a Level-IV emergency response on Saturday due to anticipated heavy rainfall in parts of Guangdong, Guangxi and the Pearl River over the next three days. From Saturday to Tuesday, China's southwestern and southern regions may experience heavy rain, accompanied by thunderstorms, gales and hail, the country's meteorological authorities have forecast. Work teams have been dispatched to Guangdong to provide guidance on rainfall prevention efforts. Chinese authorities have urged local departments to strengthen early warning systems and contingency measures to prevent floods in small and medium-sized rivers, as well as potential geological disasters. China has a four-tier flood-control emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe response. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 20. An Aknc UAV and a helicopter with a Cougar night vision system are involved in the search for a crashed helicopter in Iran, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense wrote on its X page, Trend reports. The ministry said that at the request of the Iranian authorities, an Aknc UAV and a helicopter with a Cougar night vision system were deployed to help search for the crashed helicopter carrying the Iranian President and his delegation. Today, a helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in Tabriz Mohammad Ali Ali Hashemi, and East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malik Rehmati made a hard landing on its way from Hudafarin to Tabriz. Due to weather conditions and difficult terrain, search and rescue teams have not yet reached the crash site. Earlier today a neighborhood fight resulted in deadly gunfire and the latest addition to the rising homicide count. Here's the trend that most local news outlets don't have time to track . . . Again . . . Last week local boosters were touting a 25% drop in homicides year-to-date. However . . . A week of exceptionally nice weather has boosted the quotient of local killing. Last year, when KC achieved it's deadliest homicide count in recorded history, homicides totaled 60 at this point on the calendar. And so . . . Today's deadly spate of gunfire narrows this year's decline in homicides to only around 11.6% so far. Here is the first report and more TV news coverage . . . Homicide 3400 block of Wyoming This afternoon at about 1:50 PM officers were dispatched to the 3400 block of Wyoming on a recovered stolen auto. The call was later upgraded to a shooting. Upon arrival officers discovered an adult male victim suffering from apparent gun shot wounds. They attempted to render aid and ordered an ambulance. EMS pronounced the victim deceased at the scene. This is being investigated as a homicide. There was an altercation that involved multiple individuals. Several individuals were involved in firing shots which led to the victim being struck. Three subjects of interest were taken into custody on scene pending further investigation. Detectives and crime scene investigators are continuing to talk to witnesses and process the scene for physical evidence in order 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 . . . Attempted car theft in Kansas City ends with 1 dead, 3 in custody Three suspects are in custody after an attempted car theft left one individual deceased near a Kansas City, Mo., apartment complex. Man dead after shooting Saturday afternoon in 3400 block of Wyoming Street An adult male is deceased after a shooting Saturday afternoon in Kansas City, Missouri. Developing . . . Today's reminder that Spring/Summer danger spikes on local streets and drivers who speed away from police endanger themselves and, more importantly, innocent people. The aftermath . . . "After striking the two vehicles, police said the Chevrolet ran off the road, over a sidewalk, through an iron fence, went up a grassy embankment and struck a large tree. "Police said the driver was transported to an area hospital and later pronounced dead." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Vehicle involved in IPD pursuit enters KCMO city limits, collides with 2 vehicles Saturday An Independence Police Department pursuit of a Chevrolet Z71 pickup truck Saturday afternoon entered the city limits of Kansas City, Missouri, per KCMO police. Developing . . . A setback for conservatives in Missouri and a reminder that any political party worth having helps weed out fringe politicos doing damage for nothing more than self-promotion. Here are the basics . . . The Missouri GOP accepted his party dues but denounced him after a former state lawmaker posted photos on social media that appear to show McClanahan making the Nazi salute. McClanahan confirmed the accuracy of the photos to the St Louis Post-Dispatch. In his decision, Walker wrote that the Republican party has made clear that it does not endorse his candidacy, and it remains free to publicly disavow McClanahan and any opinions the plaintiff believes to be antithetical to its values. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Missouri Republican party fails to boot KKK-linked candidate from gubernatorial ticket Judge declines to remove Darrell McClanahan, who claims one-year honorary membership in terror group, from GOP primary race Candidate with KKK ties can stay in Missouri governor race, judge rules Darrell McClanahan previously ran for the US Senate in Missouri Developing . . . Downplayed by local media . . . We notice that KCPBS "Senior Reporter" documented an Israeli flag on the Plaza targeted by some protesters. Sure . . . It's Sunday and TKC hopes for world peace as much as anyone else . . . This blog community is NOT indifferent to the tragic casualties of war that are typically confronted by women & children and so many other innocent civilians. However . . . There are a lot of locals who need help that we might want to think about before Kansas City, Missouri starts sending international relief. In fairness, here is the argument to the contrary led by hundreds of local activists who gave the weekend dinner crowd a bit of a scare last night . . . "Al-Hadaf KC, a local Palestinian-led organization, says that on Saturday, May 18, members met up with those from KC Tenants, JVP and Free Palestine KC to join around 570 individuals to march on Country Club Plaza in Kansas City. "The organizations called for support of Palestinian rights, a ceasefire, self-determination and for the rescue of healthcare workers trapped in Gaza. The event follows weeks of effort to raise awareness and petition the City Council for support of the Palestinian American Medical Association - a local organization that offers emergency medical services in Gaza." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . An important story to follow given a great deal of advocacy with much slower legislative process in Jeff City and at the Courthouse . . . Here are the basics with a link to more reporting . . . One year after they passed the original legislation, Missouri legislators have approved a fix to a law allowing property tax freezes for seniors. Members of the House voted 139-0 Friday to pass the bill. Since it has already gone through the Senate, it now goes to Gov. Mike Parson. The current law allows local governments to pass ordinances that would freeze property taxes for seniors. It also would allow voters to approve such an ordinance. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . A reminder . . . Most of what people on social media is garbage and a lot of it is outright lies. Readers with a modicum of media literacy can navigate without falling prey to so much junk but let's not forget that overall American literacy rates are horrific. There are a couple of bright spots but, generally, the apps have FAILED to reliably connect the world and mostly work to serve their own engagement & user stats solely for the benefit of investors and top tier advertisers. Here are a couple of examples that don't merit much attention BUT might provide an excuse for locals to gently correct loved ones for sharing on apps that are starting to lose their appeal as legit information sources . . . "This item was not a factual recounting of real-life events. The screenshot in X user @ArdorNew's post displayed a different post originating on a Facebook page named America - Love It Or Leave It, which is one of several Facebook pages and websites making up the America's Last Line of Defense network of satire and parody. In other words, Reid never made any of the remarks mentioned in the post." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Chiefs Coach Andy Reid Defended Harrison Butker and Said, 'If Harrison Goes, I Go with Him'? An online rumor claimed, "Andy Reid let the Chiefs organization know where he stands when he heard rumors they were planning to fire Harrison Butker." We're actually kinda surprised the bigger online outlets and celeb sites have picked up this hot mess that deserves a lot of skepticism, an eyeroll and more than a grain of salt . . . Bombshell Accusation Claims Harrison Butker Hooked Up With Male Cheerleader In College Kansas City Chiefs player Harrison Butker is being accused of hooking up with a male cheerleader while he was in college. Developing . . . Much has been said about Palawan, a province in the Philippines that is known all around the world for its scenic, picture-perfect beach destinations. Coron and El Nido, in particular, have been favored by locals and foreign travelers alike. But there is one municipality in Palawan that is quietly making waves when it comes to being a must-visit beach destination. It is none other than San Vicente. San Vicente is best known for Long Beach, a 14.7 kilometer (around 1.24 miles) stretch of golden sand and pristine waters. There is barely any resort or hotel developments in the area yet, as of writing, which makes it a perfect choice for anyone who wants to avoid crowded beaches. One of the first few resorts in San Vicente is The Hotel Elizabeth Resort and Villas. Promising guests a luxurious, comfortable stay where all your needs are met, here's why this resort is the best pick when looking for accommodations in San Vicente. Full Board and Lodging When you stay at The Hotel Elizabeth Resort and Villas, you won't need to go out to look for food and drinks. This is because the package you are paying for already includes full board and lodging. As of writing, the resort offers luxury villas that give a breathtaking view of the beach right outside. Each villa can comfortably accommodate four people. Two single beds can be found on the ground floor, while a double bed is found on the loft. Each villa has a living room area as well as a dining room area as well. While there are a limited number of villas available as of press time, the resort is nearing the completion of its 101-room hotel that will offer rooms of different sizes and rates. The first 24 rooms is scheduled to open in September 2024, while the rest of the rooms will be available by next year. As for the food, the resort will take care of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even afternoon snacks. Expect fresh seafood and well-loved Filipino dishes during your meal, including Filipino desserts and kakanin (rice cakes). In the future, the resort plans on opening a restaurant within the hotel as well as a beach bar. Tour San Vicente You will never have to worry about getting bored or running out of things to do while at The Hotel Elizabeth Resort and Villas. Packages that the resort offers include both an island hopping as well as a land tour that will take you to different tourist destinations in San Vicente. Going island hopping is a delight for anyone who likes to snorkel. San Vicente's clear, pristine waters make it possible for you to watch fish swimming even while you're still in the boat. The tour includes Twin Reef, which is teeming with enormous corals and different fishes. The tour will also take you to see sea turtles, but do take note that you are not allowed to go near or touch them. The land tour, on the other hand, is a joy to experience for anyone who loves panoramic views. Expect to see the untouched beauty of San Vicente, from the mountains down to the sea. Exceptional Service While the accommodations and tours deserve the spotlight, the topnotch service of its staff is worth its fair share of praise as well. Courteous, warm, welcoming, and always smiling, the staff will promptly cater to all your needs. You can even request for fruits from the kitchen that are not part of the meal's menu or for hotdogs and marshmallows to roast in a bonfire. Getting to San Vicente can be difficult, especially if you're entering Palawan via Puerto Princesa. Puerto Princesa is a three-hour drive away from San Vicente, but you don't have to worry about looking for transportation. The resort provides transportation to and from the Puerto Princesa airport. If you're flying from Clark, the resort can likewise provide accommodations from your home to the airport in Clark and vice versa. Worth the Splurge It cannot be denied that a stay at The Hotel Elizabeth Resort and Villas is a splurge. A stay for four people for five days costs PHP 125,500 (approximately US$2,169). However, you will definitely get your money's worth during your stay. From lobsters and crabs during meals to the untouched beach with crystal clear waters just a couple of steps away, it's not hard to feel that you're in paraise when you're at The Hotel Elizabeth Resort and Villas. To learn more about The Hotel Elizabeth Resort and Villas, you can visit their official website. In 2016, Kate Middleton's eldest son, Prince George, broke protocol twice when he had the opportunity to meet with then-U.S. President Barack Obama. Royalty is obliged to follow strict rules almost from birth: from the length of their pants to the way they move. ADVERTISIMENT At the age of almost three, Prince George showed up at a meeting with Obama at his home, sleepy and wearing a cute personalized bathrobe and pajamas. The boy was hardly expecting guests. As HELLO! points out, royal young children are not allowed to meet with heads of state in the first place, although this was not the first time that this obligation was violated. It was not the event that was fatal at all, but Prince William's home image, which was a "transgression" of the mandatory dress code protocol. The boy appeared in front of the public in cute plaid pajamas, a white robe with the name George embroidered on it, and slippers with airplanes on them. ADVERTISIMENT The child in the photo posted by the White House on social network X, although he does not understand what is happening, extends his small hand to say hello. Obama then tried to joke about the incident, casually calling it a "slap in the face." "Last week, Prince George showed up to our meeting in his bathrobe. It was a slap in the face. A clear violation of protocol," Obama said. It is worth noting that the royal dress code contains only three options: A suit with a white tie. Such outfits are worn only for state banquets or royal events. Women are required to wear a long evening dress. A suit with a dark tie. This dress code is usually required for most events, as they are less formal. Ladies are allowed to choose any pantsuit or cocktail dress. Loose clothing. This is the same dress code for all informal events and on normal "home" days. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Strategic Services Agency, which is presently under an audit by its acting Director, has Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska have visited the Bykivnia Graves National Historical and Memorial Reserve and honored the memory of the victims of political repression. A video of their visit was posted on the Facebook page of the head of state, Ukrinform reports. "Today, in the Bykivnia Forest, we commemorate all victims of Soviet political repression. And we remind ourselves how important it is to hold out in our current battle. To hold out against the modern Russian system, which is a descendant of that totalitarian regime," Zelensky said. He noted that the Soviet system had broken lives that could have achieved so much more for future generations. Video: Official Telegram channel of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky "Eternal memory to all victims of Soviet repression. Respect and gratitude to all those who defend life," Zelensky added. According to the presidential press service, the presidential couple honored the memory of those killed by the totalitarian Soviet regime at the mass grave and the memorial sign of the Polish burial sites. "The memory of the victims of political repressions and those who fought for our independence will always be with us. Honor to all who defend Ukraine today," Zelensky said. Between 1937 and 1941, the Bykivnia Forest near Kyiv was the secret burial site for those executed by NKVD officers in Kyiv prisons. It is the largest burial site of victims of mass political repressions in Ukraine. Photos: Office of the President of Ukraine Absolute world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) could not immediately attend the press conference after his fight against Tyson Fury. Our compatriot was sent to a hospital with a suspected broken jaw. ADVERTISIMENT Only later was the Ukrainian and his team able to take part in a traditional chat with journalists, showing what he looked an hour after the match. According to the statistics of the fight, the British heavyweight threw 496 punches, of which 157 reached the target. At the same time, 46 of them were on the body. ADVERTISIMENT After the fight, Usyk looked tired, with a few bruises on his head. There was a noticeable taped incision above his right eyebrow. As previously reported, the Usyk-Fury fight lasted 12 rounds and ended in a split decision. Our compatriot became the first ever absolute champion in the heavyweight division in the era of four belts. ADVERTISIMENT At the moment when ring announcer Michael Buffer shouted "From Ukaine!" in English when declaring the winner, Usyk lost his breath out of excitement. Oleksandr is the third ever absolute champion in two weight categories. Before that, he held all the titles in cruiserweight. Before the Ukrainian fighter, only Naoya Inoue and Terence Crawford had become absolute champions in two divisions. It should be noted that the Ukrainian anthem received a standing ovation from the audience in Riyadh. The spectators in the stands of the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh enthusiastically applauded both Oleksandr and our country. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! (@FahadShabbir) PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2024) Pakistan Institute of Development Economics hosted a day-long conference on Revitalizing Pakistans Automobile Industry: Moving towards Consumer Welfare, Global Integration & Sustainable Mobility. Representatives of Automobile Companies in Pakistan, Automobile parts manufacturers, policymakers and academicians participated in the conference, which was held in Lahore sharing their experience and knowledge regarding the issues and the future outlook of the automobile industry in Pakistan, said in an official statement here on Sunday. The conference was well attended by a large number of students from the local universities as well. The discussion at the conference was focused on three sub-themes, Localization Obsession and Supply Chain Constraints, Policy, Reforms and Industry Development, and Electrification and the Future of Mobility. Extensive and in-depth analysis and views were shared on all the themes by the experts, while students also actively participated in the discussion sessions as well. Vice Chancellor Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Dr Nadeem Ul Haque in his opening address to the conference expressed that the Primary agenda of this conference is to explore why Pakistan's automobile industry is not progressing and to discuss strategies for its revitalization. "The aim of our institution is the economic prosperity of Pakistan, and this conference is a step towards achieving that by focusing on the automobile sector. The key issues to address include the reasons behind the lack of exports from the automobile industry, the delayed introduction of hybrids and EVs, and the future of the industry in terms of research and development", he said. He said that despite 50 to 70 years of protection, the sector has failed to export, which a significant concern is given the country's economic crisis. He said that the objective is to have a constructive dialogue to develop policies and understand issues that will drive the development of Pakistan's automobile industry. Dr Nadeem concluded his remarks by reaffirming PIDEs efforts towards always taking new steps forward, aiming to conduct research and stimulate debate on important topics as the goal is to foster real, productive conversations that lead to actionable outcomes for the sector's growth and integration into the global market. Later, the PIDE team presented the findings of their ongoing research on the state of the automobile industry in Pakistan and the future outlook. A second presentation focusing specifically on the potential of Electric Vehicles in Pakistan, as well as the challenges in its adoption was also presented by the PIDE team at the conference. The participants lauded the work done by PIDE and also the organizations efforts to bring together all stakeholders to develop and promote a unified reform plan for the revitalization of the automobile industry in Pakistan. The message from the conference was clear Pakistan needs a policy shift if it wants to develop its automobile industry. Senior Research Economist at PIDE, Dr Usman Qadir in his closing remarks expressed gratitude to all the attendees for their participation and feedback on this pressing matter. APP/ijz/1515 MULTAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2024) Polling process for by-polls in NA-148 is in progress peacefully . The polling commenced amid tight security arrangements at 8 a.m. and would continue until 5 p.m.. Supporters of different political parties, including the Pakistan People Party, Sunni Ittehad Council, Jamat-e-Islami, and Tehreek-e-Labaik, are being seen visiting different camps organized near polling stations for the facilitation of the voters. The citizens are also facing the brunt of severe weather, as over 40 degrees Celsius with scorching heat waves are being noticed. The workers of different political parties are also found serving chilled water and possible shelter under temporary shades to the voters. However, a tough contest is likely between PPP candidate Syed Ali Qasim Gilani and Sunni Ittehad Council's Taimur Malik Altaf Mahay. The national assembly seat became vacant after Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani assumed charge of the Senate. In the general elections, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani defeated Malik Taimur Altaf Mahay by a narrow margin. However, once again, tough competition is being expected between Ali Qasim Gilani, the son of Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, and Malik Taimur Altaf Mahay. About 444,000 voters will cast their votes in the bye elections. Out of 275 polling stations, 69 are termed sensitive polling stations. CCTV cameras have also been installed at these polling stations. The management of the oil refinery in Slavyansk-on-Kuban (Russia) has announced that it is shutting down the enterprise after a nighttime drone attack. Currently, Slavyansk ECO is assessing the damage caused by the explosions at the refinery. ADVERTISIMENT It is noteworthy that at the same time, Russian officials report "successful operation of air defense" and the absence of destruction. This is reported by propaganda Telegram channels. Eduard Trudnev, Director of Integrated Security at Slavyansk ECO Group, complained that the Slavyansk-on-Kuban refinery had suspended operations after drone "crash". He also said that law enforcement agencies are working on the territory of the enterprise and the management is assessing the damage. According to Kremlin propagandists, six drones "crashed" on the territory of the refinery in Slovyansk-on-Kuban. The Russian Federation also claims that the "crash" caused two explosions on the territory of the plant. The Slavyansk-EKO refinery is located in the city of Slavyansk-on-Kuban, Krasnodar Territory of the Russian Federation. The company processes about 4 million tons of products per year. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, on the night of May 19, explosions and fires broke out in a number of regions of the aggressor country Russia, including near airfields and oil refineries. In particular, it was loud near Belgorod, in the Krasnodar Territory and Leningrad region. Earlier, it was reported that drones of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine attacked the Volgograd oil refinery in Russia on the night of May 11. As a result, the primary oil processing unit and other equipment were damaged. As reported earlier, according to the Pentagon's intelligence agency, Ukrainian drones disabled 14% of Russia's oil refining capacity in early 2024. This led to an increase in domestic fuel prices. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2024) Federal Minister for Petroleum, Senator Musadik Masood Malik on Sunday said the Prime Minister had directed to ensure all out support to assist the repatriated students from Bishkek for reaching their hometowns safely. Addressing the students returning from Bishkek and media here at the Islamabad International Airport, the Minister expressed his heartfelt sympathies to the students for facing violence in Kyrgyzstan. Malik said the government made efforts but due to limited mission in Kyrgyzstan, it was unable to make extraordinary interventions. He added that due to limited capacity, the Pakistani mission abroad was not to remain all-prepared for such emergencies. "The Federal Cabinet on behalf of the government extend an apology for the predicament the Pakistani students faced. We are running special flights to bring back all those who want to return and would not force the senior students who intend to stay as their final examinations were ahead," he said. The Minister said the government had demarched the Kyrgyzstan government and got the surety from them that no more mob attacks would be allowed on Pakistani students. "People made personal calls to me, the ambassador and we established a hotline at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy in Kyrgyzstan with four to five people operated the hotline to assist our students," he said. Musadik Malik vowed that the government of Pakistan would support its children in distress all over the world. "Our Foreign Minister is also in contact with the Krgyz counterpart and our embassy is also engaged with them as well. We will bring every children through special flights and two more are ready to repatriate them with safety," he said. The Minister underlined that the government was taking commitment from the Kyrgyzstan government for the protection of Pakistan students staying in their country. He announced that it was the government's responsibility to send the students to their homes and would ensure all the required arrangements in that regard. "In case of any problem, the students can reach out to us and the government will do the rest. I welcome you with a painful heart as I share the feelings what your parents had been going through due to the tragedy abroad and. The students have passed through great pain and distress and my heart goes out with them," he added. (@FahadShabbir) Rafah, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2024) An Israeli strike in Gaza killed 31 people Sunday, the Palestinian civil defence agency said, as US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan was visiting for talks on the brutal conflict and post-war scenarios. Army troops have moved in on Gaza's crowded far-southern city of Rafah, which they describe as the last Hamas stronghold and where the UN says 800,000 civilians have been newly displaced by the fighting. But Israel has also fought and bombed resurgent Hamas forces in northern and central areas of Gaza previously considered to be under army control, sparking US warnings that the military could become mired in a lengthy counterinsurgency campaign. In the latest aerial bombardment overnight, Gaza's civil defence agency said that a strike had killed 31 people and wounded 20 more in a family house in the central Nuseirat refugee camp. The wounded included several children and rescuers were searching the rubble for missing people, said the Palestinian official news agency Wafa, while the Israeli army said it was checking the reports. On Saturday, Palestinian relatives wailed with grief as victims including an infant were rushed to Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Beit Lahia, following Israeli strikes and heavy clashes in Jabalia. Abu Nabil, a Jabalia resident, said "tanks and bulldozers approached our homes, forcing us to leave, after they struck a neighbouring house, injuring us. "I call upon all free people in the world, to anyone with a shred of humanity... there are massacres happening here. Children are being torn to pieces. What's the fault of these children and women?" MAKKAH AL-MUKARRAMA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2024) Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain visited the Rehlat Manafea Company, a service provider, on Sunday to review the arrangements made for Pakistani Hujjaj, particularly during the five Hajj days in Mashair from 8-12 Zilhaj. Upon arrival, the company's CEO, Ahmed Abdullatef Tammar, along with his team, welcomed the Pakistan delegation, led by the religious minister. Secretary, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Dr Syed Ata-ur-Rehman, Director General (Hajj), Jeddah/Head of Pakistan Hajj Mission, Abdul Wahab Soomor, Director Makkah, Faheem Afridi, Head of Medical Mission, Brigadier Jamil Ahmed Lakhiar, Director Mouavneen Asghar Yusufzai and other officials assisted the minister in the meeting. Minister Salik Hussain appreciated the company for making timely and elaborate arrangements, including transport, accommodation, and catering in Mina, Arafat and Muzdalfa. He stressed the need to explore ways and means for further collaboration in Hajj-related matters aimed at extending maximum facilitation to the guests of Allah Almighty at the holy land. During the meeting, CEO Ahmed Abdullatef Tammar said the company, which has a team of highly skilled professionals, has finalized 100 percent arrangements well before time. The minister invited the CEO to visit Pakistan for increased cooperation and collaboration in future Hajj-related plans. Accepting the invitation, the CEO said he would visit Pakistan in August. Later, Chaudhry Salik Hussain took a round of Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalfa to witness the arrangements on the ground. The minister expressed satisfaction over the arrangements. The visit of Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain to Rehlat Manafea Company demonstrated the government's commitment to ensuring a smooth and spiritually fulfilling Hajj experience for Pakistani pilgrims. The minister's appreciation for the company's efforts and his invitation to the CEO to visit Pakistan reflect the government's desire for continued collaboration and improvement in Hajj-related services. Riyadh, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2024) Saudi Arabia on Sunday voiced "great concern" after Iranian state media reported that a helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi had gone missing, and offered to help with the response. "We affirm that the Kingdom stands by the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran in these difficult circumstances and its readiness to provide any assistance that the Iranian agencies need," the foreign ministry of the Gulf kingdom, a longtime rival of Iran, said in a statement. Iranian search and rescue teams were scouring a fog-shrouded mountainside as Iranian state media said "an accident happened to the helicopter" transporting Raisi, a 63-year-old ultraconservative. Shiite-majority Iran and Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia have long been on opposing sides of regional conflicts, including in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen. In 2016 bilateral ties were severed after attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran during protests over Riyadh's execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr. But in March 2023 the middle East heavyweights announced a surprise rapprochement brokered by China, and they have been in relatively frequent contact in recent months as they worked to contain the war triggered in Gaza by Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel. That diplomatic outreach included the first phone call between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler, and Raisi -- just five days after the war broke out -- and a visit by Raisi to Riyadh in November for a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. A powerful ethnic armed group fighting Myanmar's military government in the country's western state of Rakhine claimed Saturday to have seized a town near the border with Bangladesh, marking the latest in a series of victories for foes of the country's military government. Members of the state's Muslim Rohingya ethnic minority, targets of deadly army-directed violence in 2017, appear to have been the main victims of fighting in the town of Buthidaung, where the Arakan Army claims to have chased out forces of the military government. There are contradictory accounts of who is to blame for the reported burning of the town, compelling its Rohingya residents to flee. The competing claims could not be verified independently, with access to the internet and mobile phone services in the area mostly cut off. Khaing Thukha, a spokesperson for the Arakan Army, told The Associated Press by text message from an undisclosed location that his group had seized Buthidaung after capturing all the military's outposts there. The Arakan Army is the well-trained and well-armed military wing of the Rakhine ethnic minority movement, which seeks autonomy from Myanmar's central government. It is also a member of an armed ethnic group alliance that recently gained strategic territory in the country's northeast on the border with China. The group said in a Saturday statement on the Telegram messaging platform that fighting was ongoing on the outskirts of Buthidaung as its fighters chased after the retreating army soldiers and local Muslims it said were fighting alongside them. Khaing Thukha said the Arakan Army's troops were caring for Muslim villagers fleeing the fighting. He denied allegations by Rohingya activists on social media that the Arakan Army had set fire to the town, which is mostly populated by Rohingya. Rohingya have lived in Myanmar for generations, but they are widely regarded by many in the country's Buddhist majority, including members of the Rakhine minority, as having illegally migrated from Bangladesh. The Rohingya face a great amount of prejudice and are generally denied citizenship and other basic rights. The Rohingya were the targets of a brutal counterinsurgency campaign incorporating rape and murder that saw an estimated 740,000 flee to neighboring Bangladesh as their villages were burned down by government troops in 2017. Ethnic Rakhine nationalist supporters of the Arakan Army were also among the persecutors of the Rohingya minority. However, the 2021 military coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi shifted political alignments, with a resistance movement against military rule, a position shared by the Arakan Army, counting the Rohingya population among its allies. Lingering tensions between the ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and the more than 600,000 Rohingya who are still living in Rakhine flared when the government in February recruited Rohingya living in displacement camps to do military service. Both coercion and promises of citizenship were reportedly employed to get them to join. Nay San Lwin, a co-founder of the Free Rohingya Coalition group based outside of Myanmar, said in a Friday email to the AP that the Arakan Army had warned Buthidaung's Rohingya residents to evacuate the town by 10 a.m. Saturday, and that more than 200,000 Rohingya seeking refuge there in houses, government buildings, a hospital, and schools, were in an extremely dangerous situation. He also alleged that the Arakan Army had fired on a school and a hospital where displaced Rohingya are sheltering, resulting in deaths and injuries. Aung Kyaw Moe, a Rohingya who is deputy minister for human rights in the resistance movement's shadow National Unity Government, wrote on his Facebook page on Saturday that Buthidaung had been burned to "a pile of ash" and that its residents had fled to rice fields outside of town. He did not clearly lay blame for the arson, but said the situation was dire for those who fled. "A comprehensive and impartial investigation needs to be carried out and those responsible must be held accountable," he wrote. "Revolution against the military dictatorship is not a license to do anything you want. 'War has rules.'" The Arakan Army's Khaing Thukha described the allegations his group was responsible were baseless, claiming the houses caught fire due to the airstrikes by the military government. He also said retreating army troops and what he called their allies in "terrorist organizations" meaning Rohingya guerrilla groups and local Muslims inducted into the military also set fire to houses as they retreated. The military government has a well-established record of burning down villages as it battles pro-democracy and ethnic separatist groups opposed to military rule. Ella Anthony knew it was time to leave her native Nigeria when she escaped an abusive, forced marriage only to face angry relatives who threatened to turn her in to police because she was gay. Since Nigeria criminalizes same-sex relationships, Anthony fled a possible prison term and headed with her partner to Libya in 2014 and then Italy, where they both won asylum. Their claim? That they had a well-founded fear of anti-LGBTQ+ persecution back home. While many of the hundreds of thousands of migrants who arrive in Italy from Africa and the Mideast are escaping war, conflict and poverty, an increasing number are fleeing possible prison terms and death sentences in their home countries because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, advocates say. And despite huge obstacles to win asylum on LGBTQ+ grounds, Anthony and her partner, Doris Ezuruike Chinonso are proof that it can be done, even if the challenges remain significant for so-called rainbow refugees like them. Certainly life here in Italy isnt 100% what we want. But lets say its 80% better than in my country, Chinonso, 34, said with Anthony by her side at their home in Rieti, north of Rome. In Nigeria, if youre lucky you end up prison. If youre not lucky, they kill you, she said. Here you can live as you like, she said. Most European countries dont keep statistics on the number of migrants who claim anti-LGBTQ+ persecution as a reason for seeking refugee protection under international law. But non-governmental organizations that track the phenomenon say the numbers are rising as countries pass or toughen anti-homosexuality laws a trend being highlighted on Friday's observance of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. To date, more than 60 countries have anti-LGBTQ+ laws on the books, most of them in Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia. The ultimate result is people trying to flee these countries to find safe haven elsewhere, said Kimahli Powell, chief executive of Rainbow Railroad, which provides financial, legal and logistical support to LGBTQ+ people needing asylum assistance. In an interview, Powell said his organization had received about 15,000 requests for assistance last year, up from some 9,500 the year before. One-tenth of those 2023 requests, or about 1,500, came from Uganda, which passed an anti-homosexuality law that year that allows the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality, and up to 14 years in prison for attempted aggravated homosexuality. Nigeria also criminalizes consensual same-sex relations between adults and the public display of affection between same-sex couples, as well as restricting the work of groups that advocate for gay people and their rights, according to Human Rights Watch. In regions of Nigeria where Sharia law is in force, LGBTQ+ people can face up to 14 years in prison or the death penalty. Anthony, 37, said it was precisely the threat of prison that compelled her to leave. She said her family had sold her into marriage, but that she left the relationship because her husband repeatedly abused her. When she returned home, her brother and uncles threatened to turn her into police because she was gay. The fear and alienation drove her first to attempt suicide, and then take up a traffickers offer to pay for passage to Europe. At a certain point, I couldnt take all these sufferings, Anthony said through tears. When this man told me that I should abandon the village, I immediately accepted. After arriving in Libya, Anthony and Chinonso paid traffickers for the risky boat trip across the Mediterranean Sea to Italy, where they both claimed asylum as a member of a group LGBTQ+ people who faced persecution in Nigeria. According to refugee norms, applicants for asylum can be granted international protection based on being a member of a particular social group. But the process is by no means easy, straightforward or guaranteed. Privacy concerns limit the types of questions about sexual orientation that migrants can be asked during the asylum interview process. Social taboos and a reluctance to openly identify as gay or transgender mean some migrants might not volunteer the information immediately. Ignorance on the part of asylum interviewers about anti-gay laws in countries of origin can result in unsuccessful claims, according to the EU Agency for Asylum, which helps EU countries implement asylum norms. As a result, no comprehensive data exists about how many migrants seek or win asylum in the EU on LGBTQ+ grounds. Based on estimates reported by NGOs working with would-be refugees, the numbers in individual EU countries ranged from two to three in Poland in 2016 to 500 in Finland from 2015-2017 and 80 in Italy from 2012-2017, according to a 2017 report by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights. An EU directive grants special protection for people made vulnerable due to sexual discrimination, prescribing special procedural guarantees in countries that receive them. However, it doesnt specify what those guarantees involve and implementation is uneven. As a result, LGBTQ+ asylum seekers dont always find protected environments once in the EU. Were talking about people who are unfortunately victims of a double stigma: being a migrant, and being members of the LGBTQIA+ community, said lawyer Marina De Stradis. Even within Italy, the options vary widely from region to region, with the better-funded north offering more services than the less-developed south. In the capital Rome, there are only 10 beds specifically designated for LGBTQ+ migrants, said Antonella Ugirashebuja, an activist with the Arcigay association. She said the lack of special protections often impacts female migrants more negatively than male, and can be especially dangerous for lesbians. Lesbians leaving Africa often, or more frequently, end up in prostitution and sexual exploitation networks because they lack (economic) support from their families, she said. The family considers them people to be pushed away, to be rejected ... Especially in countries where this is punishable by law. Anthony and Chinonso consider themselves lucky: They live in a neat flat in Rieti with their dog Paddy, and dream of starting a family even if Italy doesnt allow gay marriage. Chinonso, who was studying medicine in Nigeria, is now a social and health worker. Anthony works at the deli counter in a Carrefour supermarket in Rome. She would have liked to have been able to continue working as a film editor, but is happy. It gave me the opportunity to grow, she said. President Joe Biden on Sunday told the graduating class at Morehouse College that he heard their voices of protest over the Israel-Hamas war, and that scenes from the conflict in Gaza have been heartbreaking. "I support peaceful nonviolent protest," he told students, some who wore keffiyeh scarves around their shoulders on top of their black graduation robes. "Your voices should be heard, and I promise you I hear them." The president told the crowd that it was a "humanitarian crisis in Gaza, that's why I've called for an immediate cease-fire to stop the fighting" and bring home the hostages taken when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7. The comments, toward the end of his address that also reflected on American democracy and his role in safeguarding it, were the most direct recognition to U.S. students about the campus protests that have swept across the country. Morehouse's announcement that Biden would be the commencement speaker drew some backlash among the school's faculty and supporters who oppose Biden's handling of the war. Some Morehouse alumni circulated an online letter condemning school administrators for inviting Biden and soliciting signatures to pressure Morehouse President David Thomas to rescind it. The letter claimed that Biden's approach to Israel amounted to support of genocide in Gaza and was out of step with the pacifism expressed by Martin Luther King Jr., Morehouse's most famous graduate. The Hamas attack on southern Israel killed 1,200 people. Israel's offensive has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to local health officials. Some members of the graduating class showed support for Palestinians in Gaza by tying keffiyeh scarves around their shoulders on top of their black graduation robes. One student draped himself in a Palestinian flag. On the stage behind the president, academics unfurled a Democratic Republic of Congo flag. The country has been mired in an ongoing civil war that has plunged the nation into violence and displaced millions of people. Many racial justice advocates have called for greater attention to the conflict and for greater attention in the US to the conflict as well as American aid in ending the violence. "Thank you God for this 'woke' class of 2024 that is in tune with the zeitgeist, the spirit of the times," the Rev. Claybon Lea Jr. said during a prayer at the start of the commencement. The class valedictorian, DeAngelo Jeremiah Fletcher, said at the close of his speech that it was his duty to speak on the war in Gaza and that it was important to recognize that both Palestinians and Israelis have suffered. "From the comfort of our homes, we watch an unprecedented number of civilians mourn the loss of men, women and children, while calling for the release of all hostages he said. "It is my stance as a Morehouse man, nay as a human being, to call for an immediate and permanent cease-fire in the Gaza Strip." Biden stook and shook his hand after Fletcher finished. The speech, and a separate one Biden is giving later Sunday in the Midwest, is part of a burst of outreach to Black constituents by the president, who has watched his support among these voters soften since their strong backing helped put him in the Oval Office in 2020. After speaking at Morehouse in Atlanta, Biden will travel to Detroit to address an NAACP dinner. Georgia and Michigan are among a handful of states that will help decide November's expected rematch between Biden and Republican former President Donald Trump. Biden narrowly won Georgia and Michigan in 2020 and needs to repeat with a boost from strong Black voter turnout in both cities. Biden spent the back end of the past week reaching out to Black constituents. He met with plaintiffs and relatives of those involved in Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark 1954 Supreme Court decision that outlawed racial segregation in public schools. He also met with members of the "Divine Nine" Black fraternities and sororities and spoke with members of the Little Rock Nine, who helped integrate a public school in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957. In Detroit, Biden was set to visit a Black-owned small business before delivering the keynote address at the NAACP's Freedom Fund dinner, which traditionally draws thousands of attendees. The speech gives Biden a chance to reach thousands of people in Wayne County, an area that has historically voted overwhelmingly Democratic but has shown signs of resistance to his reelection bid. Wayne County also holds one of the largest Arab American populations in the nation, predominantly in the city of Dearborn. Leaders there were at the forefront of an "uncommitted" effort that received over 100,000 votes in the state's Democratic primary and spread across the country. A protest rally and march against Biden's visit are planned for Sunday afternoon in Dearborn. Another protest rally is expected later that evening outside Huntington Place, the dinner venue. After a nearly two year hiatus, Blue Origin flew adventurers to space on Sunday including a former Air Force pilot who was denied the chance to be the United States' first Black astronaut decades ago. It was the first crewed launch for the enterprise owned and founded by Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos since a rocket mishap in 2022 left rival Virgin Galactic as the sole operator in the fledgling suborbital tourism market. Six people including the sculptor Ed Dwight, who was on track to become NASA's first ever astronaut of color in the 1960s before being controversially spurned, launched around 09:36 am local time (1436 GMT) from the Launch Site One base in west Texas, a live feed showed. Dwight at 90 years, 8 months and 10 days became the oldest person to ever go to space. "This is a life-changing experience, everybody needs to do this," he exclaimed after the flight. Dwight added: "I thought I didn't really need this in my life," reflecting on his omission from the astronaut corps, which was his first experience with failure as a young man. "But I lied," he said with a hearty laugh. Mission NS-25 is the seventh human flight for Blue Origin, which sees short jaunts on the New Shepard suborbital vehicle as a stepping stone to greater ambitions, including the development of a full-fledged heavy rocket and lunar lander. To date, the company has flown 31 people aboard New Shepard -- a small, fully reusable rocket system named after Alan Shepard, the first American in space. The program encountered a setback when a New Shepard rocket caught fire shortly after launch on September 12, 2022, even though the uncrewed capsule ejected safely. A federal investigation revealed an overheating engine nozzle was at fault. Blue Origin took corrective steps and carried out a successful uncrewed launch in December 2023, paving the way for Sunday's mission. After liftoff, the sleek and roomy capsule separated from the booster, which produces zero carbon emissions. The rocket performed a precision vertical landing. As the spaceship soared beyond the Karman Line, the internationally recognized boundary of space 100 kilometers above sea level, passengers had the chance to marvel at the Earth's curvature and unbuckle their seatbelts to float or somersault during a few minutes of weightlessness. The capsule then reentered the atmosphere, deploying its parachutes for a desert landing in a puff of sand. However, one of the three parachutes failed to fully inflate, possibly resulting in a harder landing than expected. Bezos himself was on the program's first ever crewed flight in 2021. A few months later, Star Trek's William Shatner blurred the lines between science fiction and reality when he became the world's oldest ever astronaut aged 90, decades after he first played a space traveler. Dwight, who was almost two months older than Shatner at the time of his flight, became only the second nonagenarian to venture beyond Earth. Astronaut John Glenn remains the oldest to orbit the planet, a feat he achieved in 1998 at the age 77 aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. Blue Origin's competitor in suborbital space is Virgin Galactic, which deploys a supersonic spaceplane that is dropped from beneath the wings of a massive carrier plane at high altitude. Virgin Galactic experienced its own two-year safety pause because of an anomaly linked with the 2021 flight that carried its founder British tycoon Richard Branson into space. But the company later hit its stride with half a dozen successful flights in quick succession. Sunday's mission finally gave Dwight the chance he was denied decades ago. He was an elite test pilot when he was appointed by President John F Kennedy to join a highly competitive Air Force program known as a pathway for the astronaut corps, but was ultimately not picked. He left the military in 1966, citing the strain of racial politics, before dedicating his life to telling Black history through sculpture. His art, displayed around the country, includes iconic figures like Martin Luther King Jr, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman and more. Five people were killed by Russian ballistic missiles in Cherkaska Lozova, Kharkiv region, as of 14:00 on Sunday, May 19, three of them were identified by documents. Among the victims was a local resident who was fishing 100 meters from the recreation center. ADVERTISIMENT A pregnant woman also died. The details were shared by the head of the Kharkiv Police Investigation Department, Serhiy Bolvinov, Suspilne reports. The search team divided the area into squares because the area was overgrown and searched for victims and wounded."One of the victims died 100 meters from the base, he was fishing. He washit in the heart by a piece of shrapnel," said the law enforcement officer. ADVERTISIMENT Russian troops fired two missiles at the base. The second arrived 15-20 minutes after the first. "At the time of the strike, there were only residents of the city who were on vacation. During the full-scale invasion, there were never any military personnel here," Bolvinov emphasized. Caution, photo 18+! As a reminder, as of 13:40 on Sunday, five civilians were killed and 16 others injured in Cherkaska Lozova. Among the wounded are a police officer, a paramedic, and an 8-year-old child. A woman who was seven months pregnant sustained fatal injuries. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZ.UA wrote, the invaders have not yet been able to realize their tactical intentions during the offensive in Kharkiv region. Defense forces are holding them back along the contact line. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Near the towering border wall flanked by a U.S. Border Patrol vehicle, botanist Sula Vanderplank heard a quail in the scrub yelp chi-ca-go, a sound the birds use to signal they are separated from a mate or group. Then silence. A quail on the Mexican side called back, triggering a back-and-forth soundtrack that was both fitting and heartbreaking in an ecosystem split by an artificial barrier. Vanderplank was among several botanists and citizen scientists participating in the Border Bioblitz near the Mexican community of Jacume, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) east of Tijuana. Roughly 1,000 volunteers armed with the iNaturalist app on their smartphones are documenting as many species as possible along the U.S.-Mexico border in May. Uploading photos to the app helps identify plants and animals, and records the coordinates of the location. The hope is the information could lead to more protections for the region's natural richness, which is overshadowed by news of drug trafficking and migrant smuggling. On a recent day, Bioblitz volunteers scrutinized a bright yellow blooming carpet of common Goldfields, a sharp contrast to the imposing steel bollards of the border wall topped with rolls of razor wire. Some navigated their way around piles of empty water jugs, a gray hoodie and empty cans of tuna fish left under the branches of native flora like the Tecate Cypress. Theres a fabulous amount of biodiversity here thats traditionally been overlooked, Vanderplank, of the binational program Baja Rare, said. The efforts started in response to former President Donald Trump adding hundreds of miles of border walls that toppled untold numbers of saguaro cactuses in Arizona and passed through the biodiversity hotspot of Baja California. When the border wall construction began, we realized how little hard data we had, especially when it came to plants and small organisms, Vanderplank said. We dont know what all we could lose. Since then, there has been a groundswell of initiatives to document the borderlands flora and fauna as climate change coupled with habitat loss, pollution and development have hammered the worlds biodiversity. One estimate in 2019 warns that a million plant and animal species face extinction within decades, a rate of loss 1,000 times greater than expected. The United Nations is expected hold a high-level meeting in Colombia of signatories to the Convention on Biological Diversity in October aiming to protect 30% of land, freshwater and oceans considered important for biodiversity by 2030, known as 30 by 30. Representatives from nearly 200 countries are expected to present plans on how they will meet conservation targets agreed upon in 2022. Currently, 17% of terrestrial and 10% of marine areas are protected. Baja California peninsula, which borders California and is home to Tijuana with one of Mexico's highest homicide rates, has more than 4,000 species of plants. A quarter of them are endemic and at least 400 plants are considered rare with little to no protection. Flora and fauna that have gone extinct or are in danger of disappearing in the U.S., like the California red-legged frog, are thriving south of the border, producing specimens that are being used to bring back populations. But the regions crime deters many U.S. scientists from crossing the border. Mexico also is restricting permits for botanists and not allowing seeds to be collected, further curtailing the work, scientists say. Bioblitz organizers work with local communities and say they take people only to areas deemed safe. You have to be really careful because of the violence, said Jon Rebman, a curator of botany at the San Diego Natural History Museum, who has named 33 new plants for science from the southern California and Baja California region. Its scary from that standpoint, yet those are the areas where we really need more information because theres hardly any protected area on the south side, he said. Using the museums collection, Rebman made a list of 15 plant species endemic to Baja California and not seen since being collected nearly a century ago. He created a binational team to find them. So far, they have located 11. Rebman also discovered two new plants to science in 2021 in a canyon off a Tijuana highway: the new species, Astragalus tijuanensis, and a new variety of the Astragalus brauntonii named lativexillum. I was worried they would go extinct before we even got them named, Rebman said. That tells you what type of area were working in. Tijuana-based botanist Mariana Fernandez of Expediciones Botanicas periodically checks on the plants. Working with Rebman, she is pushing Baja California to adopt more protections for its native plants. Currently only a fraction are on Mexicos federal protection list. She hopes the state will step in, while she also tries to build support by taking Tijuana residents and Baja officials on hikes. People are amazed that these things exist in Tijuana, and I hope to show more and more people so they can see the beauty, because we need that, Fernandez said. Its important to not be impeded by the barriers that humans create. As border security increases with the number of people being displaced by natural disasters, violence and wars at record levels worldwide, more migrants are traipsing out to areas like the stretch near Jacume. The tiny community of about 100 families includes members of the Kumeyaay tribe and sits across the border from an equally sparsely populated desert near the California town of Jacumba Hot Springs. Population: about 1,000. The area has seen thousands of asylum seekers who wait for an opportunity to cross, usually in the cloak of darkness, and then camp again on the U.S. side after turning themselves in to U.S. Border Patrol agents. Fernandez was among the botanists helping Bioblitz volunteers on the Mexican side near a crumbling crossing station from the 1920s. I never would have thought that there would be so much biodiversity on the border, said Jocelyn Reyes, a student of Fernandez at La Universidad Autonoma de Baja California who stopped every few feet to hover over a plant and photograph its details. Its so interesting and makes you realize theres so much worth saving. Two Chinese warships docked Sunday at a commercial port in Cambodia, in preparation for joint naval exercises between the two countries. The Jingangshan amphibious warfare ship and the Qi Jiguang training ship sailed into the Sihanoukville Port as onlookers waved Cambodian and Chinese flags from the piers. The port is north of the Ream Naval Base, where China has funded a broad expansion project that has been carefully watched by the United States and others over concerns it could become a new outpost for the Chinese navy on the Gulf of Thailand. The Gulf is adjacent to the South China Sea, which China claims virtually in its entirety, and would give easy access to the Malacca Strait, one of the most important shipping lanes in the world. Wang Wentian, China's ambassador to Cambodia, dismissed concerns about Ream, telling reporters at Sihanoukville that wherever the Chinese navy sails "we bring friendship, we bring cooperation" and nothing else. "The cooperation between the two armies, between China and Cambodia, is conducive to the security of both countries and the security of the region," he said, standing on the pier. The Jingangshan and the Qi Jiguang are due to take part in naval exercises from the Ream base from May 24-27, along with two Chinese corvettes that have been docked at Ream's new pier for more than five months. The joint training is the naval component of the ongoing Golden Dragon exercises, which are regularly held between the two countries. Controversy over Ream Naval Base initially arose in 2019 when The Wall Street Journal reported that an early draft of a reputed agreement seen by U.S. officials would allow China 30-year use of the base, where it would be able to post military personnel, store weapons and berth warships. Cambodia's then-Prime Minister Hun Sen denied there was such an agreement. He pointed out that Cambodia's constitution does not allow foreign military bases to be established on its soil but said visiting ships from all nations are welcome. As the Golden Dragon exercises opened on May 16, Cambodian army Commander in Chief Gen. Vong Pisen thanked China for providing new equipment and helping to upgrade military facilities, including the Ream Naval Base. At the same time, he underscored Cambodia's official position, saying the country would "not allow any foreign military base on our territory." Following are reactions from foreign governments and officials to the news that a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister crashed as it flew over mountainous terrain in heavy fog on Sunday. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "The secretary-general is following reports of an incident with Iranian President Raisi's aircraft with concern. He hopes for the safety of the president and his entourage," a U.N. spokesperson said in a statement. Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry "We are closely following with concern the reports regarding the helicopter carrying the Iranian president and his accompanying delegation. Kuwait expresses its wishes for their safety and its support for the Islamic Republic of Iran in this critical situation." Russian Foreign Ministry "Russia is ready to extend all necessary help in the search for the missing helicopter and the investigation of the reasons for the incident," foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said in a comment carried by Russia's RIA news agency. Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirms that it stands by the Islamic Republic of Iran during these difficult circumstances and is prepared to provide any assistance the Iranian services need," the ministry said in a statement. It also said the Saudi government was following news reports regarding Raisi's helicopter with "great concern." Turkey "We hope that the Iranian officials, including Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian are safe and healthy," Turkey's foreign ministry said in a statement. Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority said Iran had requested a night vision search-and-rescue helicopter from Turkey. Qatari Foreign Ministry "We express the State of Qatar's deep concern regarding the Iranian president's helicopter experiencing a difficult landing incident. We affirm the State of Qatar's readiness to provide all forms of support in the search for the Iranian president's aircraft. We express the State of Qatar's wishes for the safety of the Iranian president, the foreign minister and their companions," a ministry spokesperson said in a statement. European Commission The European commissioner for crisis management, Janez Lenarcic, said the commission had activated its satellite mapping service to aid search efforts, following a request for assistance from Iran. The Copernicus Emergency Management Service provides mapping products based on satellite imagery. US State Department "We are closely following reports of a possible hard landing of a helicopter in Iran carrying the Iranian president and foreign minister," a State Department spokesperson said in a statement. US President Joe Biden A spokesperson for President Biden, Karine Jean-Pierre, told reporters aboard Air Force One that the president had been briefed on the situation. She did not elaborate. Azeri President Ilham Aliyev (Raisi was returning from Iran's border with Azerbaijan when his helicopter crashed). "Today, after bidding a friendly farewell to the (visiting) President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, we were profoundly troubled by the news of a helicopter carrying the top delegation crash-landing in Iran." "Our prayers to Allah Almighty are with President Ebrahim Raisi and the accompanying delegation. As a neighbor, friend, and brotherly country, the Republic of Azerbaijan stands ready to offer any assistance needed." Iraqi government The Iraqi government said in a statement it had instructed its interior ministry, the Red Crescent and other relevant bodies to offer help to neighboring Iran in the search mission. Mexican farmer Floriberto Matias carefully picks up a honeycomb teeming with bees, as he and fellow activists in southern Mexico carry the delicate structures to a nearby apiary for the buzzing creatures. In the town of Santa Ana Zegache, in the state of Oaxaca, Matias and other farmers are worried that an ongoing drought and the resulting loss of local flora could hurt the local bee population. Such a turn would threaten the farmers themselves, said beekeeper Eloy Perez, who is part of the town's rescue efforts. "Without the work of pollination, which is what bees do, there would be no type of food production, from the smallest grass to the gigantic watermelons," he said. Scientists are warning of declining bee populations in different parts of the world, with vast implications for ecosystems and agricultural production. Studies have shown that habitat loss, pesticides, monoculture agriculture, and the spread of pathogens are all risks to Mexico's bee populations. While there's a need for more research into the effects of Mexico's drought on bees, the farmers in Oaxaca see a clear connection. Matias explained that a lack of water has led to the growth of fewer plants and flowers in the area, which in turn has decreased the available nectar and pollen for the bees to feast on. The group transports the honeycombs to apiaries stocked with food and water in what farmer Bernardino Blas calls a labor of love. "It's our mission in this world: to rescue the bees," he said. After 30 years of dominating South African politics, the ruling African National Congress will face its toughest election this month as most opinion polls predict it will lose its parliamentary majority for the first time. Once admired under the leadership of Nelson Mandela, and regarded as a beacon of hope by the Black majority following the fall of apartheid in 1994, the ANC's reputation has been battered by record levels of unemployment, widespread poverty, the collapse of some government services and more than a decade of corruption scandals, leaving voters disillusioned. President Cyril Ramaphosa hopes the May 29 ballot will lead to his reelection. But if the ANC does lose its majority, it will force it into a coalition to form a government also a first for the country and something that may complicate policymaking in Africa's most advanced economy. South Africans don't elect their president directly, but instead vote for parties that get assigned seats in Parliament according to their share of the ballot. Lawmakers then choose the head of state. As South Africa braces itself for the possibility of its most important change since the end of apartheid, here are the main parties and players in the election: A president under pressure Ramaphosa was a senior figure in the ANC in the early 1990s and was once seen as a protege of Mandela. He left politics to become a successful businessman before returning as deputy president of South Africa in 2014. He became president in 2018 after Jacob Zuma resigned under a cloud of corruption allegations. Ramaphosa has tried to rebuild the reputation of the ANC by cracking down on government graft. However, unemployment has risen to 32% during his presidency the highest in the world while he has struggled to curb poverty. An electricity crisis has led to power outages across the country of 62 million due to failures at the state-run electricity supplier. It badly damaged the economy and Ramaphosa's reputation as someone who could fix South Africa's problems, even if the blackouts are viewed as a result of mismanagement during the Zuma administration. The ANC is still expected to win the largest share of votes, but if it receives less than 50% as predicted, it will need the help of coalition partners to reelect the 71-year-old Ramaphosa. The main opposition leader John Steenhuisen is the leader of the main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance. The centrist DA has promised to "rescue" South Africa from what it says is the corruption and mismanagement of the ANC but has never come close to winning a national election. The DA won 22% in the last general election in 2019 to the ANC's 62%. The DA entered a preelection agreement with smaller opposition parties, hoping their combined vote might clinch a majority and remove the ANC. But they would all have to increase their share significantly and it's seen as unlikely. Steenhuisen, 48, is the only white leader among South Africa's main political parties. In a country where race is still at the forefront of the national consciousness, that has led to detractors saying the DA represents the interests of the white minority more than the 80% of South Africans who are Black. A firebrand marxist The Economic Freedom Fighters has risen rapidly to become South Africa's third biggest party in Parliament since it was formed in 2013 by Julius Malema, a former ANC youth leader who was expelled from the ruling party. His fiery, far-left rhetoric has made the 43-year-old South Africa's most contentious politician but his message that the ANC has failed poor, Black South Africans has gained traction, especially with unemployed and disaffected young people. The EFF has called for the nationalization of mines and the redistribution of land to poor Blacks. The party, which follows a Marxist ideology, says an economic inequality based on race persists decades after apartheid, with whites generally rich and Blacks still poor. Malema and other EFF lawmakers have regularly interrupted speeches by opponents in Parliament and been involved in scuffles with security guards in the chamber, bringing a militant brand of politics to the heart of South Africa's democracy. The EFF is a possible coalition partner for the ANC, although neither party has said if there is any agreement. Zuma returns Former President Zuma added a new dimension when he announced in December that he was turning his back on the ANC he once led and returning to politics with a new party. Zuma's MK Party is not expected to challenge the top three, but it is expected to further erode the ANC's vote just as the ruling party faces its sternest election test. The 81-year-old former leader still commands support, especially in his home KwaZulu-Natal province. His reemergence also raised security concerns for the election after his conviction for contempt of court and prison sentence in 2021 sparked a week of rioting and looting that led to the deaths of more than 350 people in the worst violence in South Africa since the troublesome last days of apartheid. Zuma is involved in a court battle over whether his criminal conviction prevents him from standing as a candidate for Parliament. There are concerns over unrest if he is disqualified. Even if he isn't, his new reputation as an agitator is likely to increase tensions around a pivotal election. Pakistans minister for planning and development, Ahsan Iqbal, says his country is not opposed to Afghanistans inclusion in a Chinese-funded mega-development project, but would like Beijing to persuade Kabul to crack down on terrorist groups operating on its soil against Islamabad. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs new government, which took office in March, is anxious to revive the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor or CPEC a roughly $62 billion flagship project that is part of Beijings Belt and Road Initiative which has suffered a slump in recent years due to political, economic, and security problems in Pakistan. Iqbal recently met officials in China to prepare for Sharifs upcoming visit aimed at quickening the pace and broadening the scope of CPEC. Securing CPEC Threats against Chinese nationals have emerged as a major impediment to CPECs progress in recent years. Since 2021, at least 17 Chinese nationals have died in targeted attacks in Pakistan. In late March, five Chinese workers and their Pakistani driver were killed when a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into their bus. Pakistani authorities identified the attacker as an Afghan national and claimed the attack was planned in Afghanistan. "I think this is a cause for concern," Iqbal said about the alleged use of Afghan territory for attacks on Chinese citizens in Pakistan. Speaking exclusively to VOA, Iqbal said his government would like Beijing to use its influence to push Kabul to take action against cross-border terrorists. "We also hope that China would also persuade Afghanistan because Afghanis [Afghans] also listen to the Chinese government in the region," he said. The Afghan Taliban deny giving space to terrorists, but research suggests terrorist groups have a presence there. When asked if Islamabad had formally requested Beijing to push the Afghan Taliban to curb anti-Pakistan terrorist groups, Iqbal referred VOA to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The minister rejected the idea that attacks on Chinese nationals were a failure on Pakistans part, where a special military unit as well as local law enforcement are tasked with ensuring their safety. "When youre fighting a war against terrorism, terrorists always find a way," Iqbal said, adding that major powers like the United States and Russia were also victims. Chinese officials are pressing Pakistan publicly to ensure better safety of their workers and to hold those responsible for the killings accountable. Iqbal said Beijing was right to demand better security for its nationals and that it knows Pakistan is doing more. "But the Chinese government has said it very clearly that such cowardly incidents will not deter them from pursuing CPEC," he added. Washington vs. Beijing Chinese funding, while welcome, comes largely in the form of expensive loans. According to AidData, a research unit based at the College of William and Mary in the U.S. state of Virginia, between 2000 to 2021, Pakistans cumulative debt to China stood at $67.2 billion. Islamic State on Sunday claimed responsibility for an attack by gunmen on tourists in Afghanistan's central Bamiyan province, the group said on its Telegram channel. Three Spanish tourists were killed and at least one Spaniard was injured in the attack, Spain's foreign ministry said on Friday. Taliban interior ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qaniee four people had been arrested over the attack in which gunmen opened fire. In addition to the three foreign tourists, one Afghan citizen had been killed in the attack. Four foreigners and three Afghans were also injured, he added. Mountainous Bamiyan is home to a UNESCO world heritage site and the remains of two giant Buddha statues that were blown up by the Taliban during their previous rule in 2001. Since taking over Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have pledged to restore security and encourage a small but growing number of tourists trickling back into the country. They have sold tickets to see the site of the destroyed Buddha statues. Friday's attack was among the most serious targeting foreign citizens since foreign forces left and the Taliban took over in 2021. The Islamic State claimed an attack that injured Chinese citizens at a hotel popular with Chinese businessmen in Kabul in 2022. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan is expected to press Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Sunday to wage a more targeted military operation against Hamas in Gaza as Israeli forces pound the enclave from the air and on the ground leaving no haven for fleeing civilians. Sullivan was expected to urge Israel not to wage a full-scale assault on the southern border city of Rafah and push to secure a cease-fire deal, the White House said before the discussions. Israel considers Rafah to be the last bastion of Hamas forces, but it is also a hub of displaced refugees from across the strip. About 1.4 million Palestinian civilians were sheltering there, before the operation began two weeks ago. Since then, an estimated 800,000 people have fled the city with nowhere safe to go, the head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees said Saturday. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini wrote on the social media site X, formerly Twitter, that civilians who had been displaced before are leaving Rafah and heading to "the middle areas and Khan Younis including to destroyed buildings." Lazzarini said people were fleeing to places lacking water or adequate sanitation, including Al-Mawasi, a coastal town, and the city of Deir al-Balah, which are full of recently displaced people, he added. "Across the Gaza Strip, there is no safety," said Majid Omran, a Gaza civilian who told Reuters his family had fled Rafah and just returned to what was left of their home in the southern city of Khan Younis that they had fled nearly five months ago. Battles near the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings in Gaza's south have also "effectively blocked" the humanitarian aid routes there, Martin Griffiths, the U.N.'s undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator said. "So, aid getting in through land routes to the south and for Rafah, and the people dislodged by Rafah is almost nil," Griffiths pointed out, calling the humanitarian crisis near apocalyptic. He said, if aid does not reach the people who need it, that famine, which we have talked about for so long, and which is looming, will not be looming anymore. It will be present." Israeli strikes in Gaza killed 31 people Sunday, the Palestinian civil defense agency said, as Israel keeps pounding Gaza from the air and on the ground to weed out re-emerging Hamas cells. The Israeli military said it was "operating to identify armed terrorist cells and ... conducting dozens of strikes to assist the forces operating on the ground" in northern Gazas Jabalia area. The Israeli military has said its operations in Jabalia the largest of Gaza's eight historic refugee camps target Hamas from reestablishing its grip there. Fighting with Hamas raged across the north on Sunday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed not to let up the fight until the Islamist group is defeated and all remaining hostages are brought home. However, his Cabinet is facing an internal rift on a postwar Gaza governance plan. Benny Gantz, one of the ministers of his War Cabinet, threatened to quit the governing coalition Saturday, unless Netanyahu approves a postwar "action plan" by June 8. Gantz said this must include steps to defeat Hamas, to bring home the hostages and take steps toward the formation of an "American, European, Arab and Palestinian administration that will manage civilian affairs in the Gaza Strip." Netanyahu called Gantz's comments as "washed-up words" and said they would lead to "a defeat for Israel, the abandoning of most of the hostages, leaving Hamas intact and the establishment of a Palestinian state," which the Netanyahu opposes. In what Israeli media said was the result of intelligence gleaned during the latest incursions, the military announced the recovery of the body of a man who was among about 250 hostages taken by Hamas militants in their October 7 attack. Ron Binyamin's remains were found along with those of three other hostages, whose recovery was announced Friday, the military said. It did not provide further details. There was no immediate comment from Hamas. 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. Some information for this report was provided by Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse. An alliance of separatist rebel groups fighting Malian government forces on Saturday accused the army and Russian paramilitary group Wagner of killing 11 civilians earlier in the week. The Malian authorities did not respond to a request for comment from AFP about the allegations posed in a statement from the Permanent Strategic Framework for the Defense of the People of Azawad (CSP-DPA), an alliance of predominantly Tuareg armed rebel groups. The CSP-DPA said that Wednesday, the village of Tassik in the northern Kidal region "was targeted by a patrol of mercenaries from the Russian Wagner group and the Malian army, who committed serious violations against the population." The separatist alliance put the death toll at 11 civilians, whose bodies were discovered "burned," with two more civilians reported missing. It added that the patrol had ransacked several stores and vehicles. "The CSP-DPA unreservedly condemns these terrorist operations programmed with the aim of carrying out a targeted ethnic cleansing and accelerated depopulation of the Azawad territory of its Indigenous people," the statement said. Azawad is the name of the territory claimed by separatists in northern Mali. Fighting between the separatists and Mali government troops broke out last August after eight years of calm, as both sides scrambled to fill the vacuum left by the withdrawal of United Nations peacekeepers (MINUSMA), ordered to leave by the ruling junta in Bamako. The offensive in northern Mali has been marked by numerous allegations of abuses against civilians by Malian forces and, since 2022, their Russian allies, which the Malian authorities systematically deny. Since seizing power in 2020, Mali's junta has broken ties with France and turned politically and militarily toward Russia. Elon Musk and Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin launched SpaceX's satellite internet service for the nation's health sector on Sunday, aiming to improve access in remote parts of the sprawling archipelago. Musk, the billionaire head of SpaceX and Tesla TSLA.O, arrived on the Indonesian resort island of Bali by private jet before attending the launch ceremony at a community health centre in the provincial capital, Denpasar. Musk, wearing a green batik shirt, said the availability of the Starlink service in Indonesia would help millions in far-flung parts of the country to access the internet. The country is home to more than 270 million people and three different time zones. "I'm very excited to bring connectivity to places that have low connectivity," Musk said, "If you have access to the internet you can learn anything." Starlink was launched at three Indonesian health centers on Sunday, including two in Bali and one on the remote island of Aru in Maluku. A video presentation screened at the launch showed how high internet speeds enabled the real-time input of data to better tackle health challenges such as stunting and malnutrition. Asked about whether he planned to also invest in Indonesia's electric vehicle industry, Musk said he was focused on Starlink first. "We are focusing this event on Starlink and the benefits that connectivity brings to remote islands," he said, "I think it's really to emphasize the importance of internet connectivity, how much of that can be a lifesaver." Indonesia's government has been trying for years to lure Musk's auto firm Tesla to build manufacturing plants related to electric vehicles as the government wants to develop its EV sector using the country's rich nickel resources. The tech tycoon is scheduled to meet Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday, where he will also address the World Water Forum taking place on the island. Communications Minister Budi Arie Setiadi, who also attended the Bali launch, said Starlink was now available commercially, but the government would focus its services first for outer and underdeveloped regions. Prior to Sunday's launch, Starlink obtained a permit to operate as an internet service provider for retail consumers and had been given the go-ahead to provide networks, having received a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) permit, Budi Setiadi told Reuters. SpaceX's Starlink, which owns around 60% of the roughly 7,500 satellites orbiting earth, is dominant in the satellite internet sphere. Indonesia is the third country in Southeast Asia where Starlink will operate. Malaysia issued the firm a license to provide internet services last year and a Philippine-based firm signed a deal with SpaceX in 2022. Starlink is also used extensively in Ukraine, where it is employed by the military, hospitals, businesses and aid organizations. Ukrainian defenders continue to effectively destroy the enemy with the help of weapons from Western partners. German Leopard 2 tanks are helping the fighters reduce the size of Putin's army. ADVERTISIMENT The tanks are equipped with 120-mm Rheinmetall guns, which instantly open a portal to hell for the occupiers. This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The effective use of Leopard tanks on the battlefield was demonstrated by the fighters of the 21st separate mechanized brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "The command "Fire!" is heard. A flaming cloud bursts from the barrel of the Leopard 2A6 tank's gun, and a real portal to hell opens up for the enemies," the Ukrainian defenders wrote. The soldiers note that the powerful, accurate, reliable Rheinmetall gun mounted on the Leopard tank does its job well and throws 120-mm shells exactly where the gunner aims. "A tank shot is a magical sight for all of us and a nightmare for the enemy," the soldiers said. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier it was reported that the Ukrainian Defense Forces neutralized 236 pieces of military equipment and weapons of the Russian army on May 18, including a cruise missile. In the battles at the front, the defenders eliminated 1210 Russian occupants. As reported by OBOZ.UA, on May 18, the Ukrainian Defense Forces did not allow the occupiers to capture Chasiv Yar, repelling an enemy assault. During the battle, the defenders destroyed 20 units of military equipment of the Russian army. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Kola Bah used to earn a living as a tour guide in Mali's historic city of Djenne, once a center of Islamic learning known for the sprawling mud-brick mosque that has been on the UNESCO World Heritage in Danger list since 2016. The Grand Mosque of Djenne the world's largest mud-brick building used to draw tens of thousands of tourists to central Mali every year. Now it's threatened by conflict between jihadi rebels, government forces and other groups. Bah says his income was enough to support his family, which now numbers nine children, and to pay for a small herd of cattle. But these days, few visitors come to the city, and he has been largely out of work. When he needs cash, he sells some of his cattle. Speaking to The Associated Press outside his home in Djenne's old town, Bah said locals believed the crisis would come to an end eventually, and that business would pick up as before. "But the more time passed, the more this dream proved illusory," he said. "Things are really difficult now." Djenne is one of the oldest towns in sub-Saharan Africa and served as a market center and an important link in the trans-Saharan gold trade. Almost 2,000 of its traditional houses still survive in the old town. The Grand Mosque, built in 1907 on the site of an older mosque dating back to the 13th century, is re-plastered every year by local residents in a ritual that brings together the entire city. The towering, earth-colored structure requires a new layer of mud before the rainy season starts, or it would fall into disrepair. Women are responsible for carrying water from the nearby river to mix with clay and rice hulls to make the mud used to plaster the mosque. Adding the new layer of mud is a job reserved for men. The joyful ritual is a source of pride for a city that has fallen on hard times, uniting people of all ages. Bamouyi Trao Traore, one of Djenne's lead masons, says they work as a team from the very start. This year's replastering took place earlier this month. "Each one of us goes to a certain spot to supervise," he said. "This is how we do it until the whole thing is done. We organize ourselves, we supervise the younger ones." Mali's conflict erupted following a coup in 2012 that created a power vacuum, allowing jihadi groups to seize control of key northern cities. A French-led military operation pushed them out of the urban centers the following year, but the success was short-lived. The jihadis regrouped and launched relentless attacks on the Malian military, as well as the United Nations, French and regional forces in the country. The militants proclaimed allegiance to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. Sidi Keita, the director of Mali's national tourism agency in the capital of Bamako, says the drop in tourism was sharp following the violence. "It was really a popular destination," he said, describing tens of thousands of visitors a year and adding that today, tourists are "virtually absent from Mali." Despite being one of Africa's top gold producers, Mali ranks among the least developed nations in the world, with almost half of its 22 million people living below the national poverty line. With the tourism industry all but gone, there are ever fewer means for Malians to make a living. Anger and frustration over what many Malians call "the crisis" is rising. The country also saw two more coups since 2020, during a wave of political instability in West and Central Africa. Col. Assimi Goita, who took charge in Mali after a second coup in 2021, expelled French forces the following year, and turned to Russia's mercenary units for security assistance. He also ordered the U.N. to ended its 10-year peacekeeping mission in Mali the following year. Goita has promised to beat back the armed groups, but the U.N. and other analysts say the government is rapidly losing ground to militants. With Mali's dire economic situation getting worse, Goita's ruling junta ordered all political activities to stop last month, and the following day barred the media from reporting on political activities. Moussa Moriba Diakite, head of Djenne's cultural mission which strives to preserve the city's heritage, said there are other challenges beyond security including illegal excavations and trash disposal in the city. The mission is trying to promote the message that security isn't as bad is it seems, he said, and also get more young people involved in the replastering ritual, to help the new generation recognize its importance. "It's not easy to get people to understand the benefits of preserving cultural heritage right away," he said. Houston area residents affected by deadly storms last week received some good news as officials said power had been restored Sunday to a majority of the hundreds of thousands who had been left in the dark and without air conditioning amid hot and humid weather. The widespread destruction of Thursday's storms left at least seven dead and brought much of Houston to a standstill. Thunderstorms and hurricane-force winds tore through the city, reducing businesses and other structures to piles of debris, uprooting trees and shattering glass from downtown skyscrapers. A tornado also touched down near the northwest Houston suburb of Cypress. By Sunday evening, 88% of customers in the Houston area had their power restored, said Paul Lock, a spokesperson for CenterPoint Energy. "We expect everyone to be back on by end of business Wednesday," Lock said. More than 289,000 homes and businesses in Texas remained without electricity Sunday evening, mostly in the Houston area. More than 3,900 customers remained without power in Louisiana, which had also been hit by strong winds and a suspected tornado. CenterPoint Energy said 2,000 employees and more than 5,000 contractors were working in the Houston area to restore power. "We understand the higher temperatures we are experiencing across Houston and surrounding communities make getting the lights and air conditioning back on even more important," Lynnae Wilson, CenterPoint's senior vice president of electric business, said in a statement. At one of five cooling centers for people still without power in their homes, residents took shelter from the heat at a community center in the Cloverleaf neighborhood and wondered when their power would come back. Carolina Sierra and her 6-year-old son, Derek, enjoyed the air conditioning for a couple of hours Sunday. She said they have been without electricity since the storm hit Thursday, and their home has been stifling. Derek passed the time coloring a picture of a dragon while his mother charged her cellphone and a portable lamp they planned to use Sunday night if the power was still not restored. Sierra said she gives her son multiple baths to try to keep him cool but he tosses and turns at night and struggles to sleep. "We are desperate," Sierra said. "We hardly sleep at night because of the heat." Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia stood outside the center Sunday, helping load water and ice onto vehicles while offering words of encouragement to residents still waiting for power to be restored. "We are seeing a bit of the recovery come through," Garcia said. "But we can't see enough of it fast enough." Disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and loans from the Small Business Administration were on the way, said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the top elected official in the county where Houston is located. The federal assistance, which can help pay for temporary housing and repairs, will help residents affected by last week's storms as well as by flooding from heavy rainfall in late April and early May in parts of Houston, Harris County and several counties north of Houston. Mayor John Whitmire said a six-block area in downtown Houston would be closed Monday to allow crews to continue repairs after various high-rise buildings had their windows blown out. Residents broke into cheers as lights and air conditioning kicked on at the eight-story Houston Heights Tower, a senior housing facility, Sunday morning. The nearly 200 residents had been living on emergency power since Thursday evening, with generators providing enough electricity to run just one of the building's elevators and a handful of fans in the community room, leaving apartments in darkness. Volunteers and city workers had been ensuring residents received a steady supply of water, food and essentials like toilet paper. "It just goes to show you how people come together," resident Joseph Torregrossa said, choking back tears. The National Weather Service said in a post on the social platform X that residents should expect "sunny, hot and increasingly humid days" in the Houston area. Highs of about 32 Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit) were expected this week, with heat indexes likely approaching 39 Celsius (102 F) by midweek. With the temperature at 33 Celsius Sunday afternoon, Lisa Reed sat in a folding chair outside her home in the Cloverleaf neighborhood because she was still without electricity. A volunteer crew had just cut up a large tree in her front yard that had come crashing down on two vehicles in her driveway and stacked the wood neatly in two large piles. Reed said no home on her street where branches and other debris were piled along the sidewalk escaped damage from last week's storms. "It's nothing I can do," said Reed, a fifth-grade teacher. "Take it all in stride. I'm a firm believer that God will work it all out." Houston area school districts canceled classes for more than 400,000 students Friday. The Houston Independent School District, the state's largest, said 215 of its 274 campuses would be open Monday. Two other large school districts in the Houston area Cypress-Fairbanks and Spring Branch planned to be closed. Fear and worry weighed on Iran Sunday as the Islamic Republic waited for news on the fate of President Ebrahim Raisi after his helicopter went missing in a foggy mountain area. Thousands of Muslim faithful prayed for his safe return in mosques nationwide including amid the minarets of 63-year-old Raisi's hometown, the shrine city of Mashhad. Tearful Iranians fearing the worst were also praying for Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, who was with him on the helicopter, in Valiasr Square in central Tehran. Iran has endured years of tensions and turmoil, most recently coming to the brink of war with arch enemy Israel in a series of tit-for-tat attacks sparked by the Gaza war. In recent times it has been shaken by waves of mass protests, while its people have endured economic pain deepened by U.S. sanctions over its contested nuclear program. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei took to the airwaves to comfort the nation, urging Iranians to "not worry" about the leadership of the Islamic Republic, saying "there will be no disruption in the country's work." One Tehran citizen, a 29-year-old journalist who only gave her name as Vakili, said she "feared" the worst and said it recalled previous tense moments in recent years. "I hope they are okay and that they are found," she said as a massive search effort continued for Raisi and others aboard the helicopter in the mist-shrouded hills of East Azerbaijan province. A strange feeling "It's a strange feeling, like we felt before with Haj Qasem Soleimani," she said, referring to revered Revolutionary Guards commander who was killed in a 2020 U.S. drone strike in Baghdad. Expressions of concern and offers to help the search effort poured in from regional powers, including Iran's regional rival Saudi Arabia. While U.S. President Joe Biden was briefed on the situation, the European Union activated its satellite mapping program to help in the effort to find the helicopter. "I am deeply saddened," said another resident of the capital, a private sector employee named Hadi. "We hope that he (Raisi) and his companions are found in good health." The helicopter suffered an accident as Raisi was heading to the northern city of Tabriz after he inaugurated a dam project on the border with Azerbaijan, state media said. The presidential convoy included three helicopters, of which two landed safely but one vanished. Poor weather conditions complicated communication with the helicopter carrying Raisi and the other officials. State media soon reported "an accident" over the province's Jolfa region, while some officials referred to a "hard landing." Iranians were glued to TV screens and their smartphones for updates, as footage showed rescue teams moving up a slope through dense fog and drizzling rain, using dogs and drones. Military personnel along with the Revolutionary Guards and police had also deployed teams to the area, said army chief-of-staff Mohammad Bagheri. As the nation waited, Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said rescue teams were dealing with a "steep and forested slope" where "visibility is very limited." "The rescue forces unfortunately have yet to reach the desired point," he was quoted by Tasnim news agency as saying. "We hope that with prayers of the dear people we reach the accident site as soon as possible." Rumors and speculation quickly swirled around social media in Iran over the fate of Raisi and his companions. Vahidi urged Iranians not to trust information relayed by channels hostile to the Islamic Republic and to get their information "from state television only." Hundreds of protesters rallied within sight of the U.S. Capitol, chanting pro-Palestinian slogans and voicing criticism of the Israeli and American governments as they marked a painful present the war in Gaza and past the exodus of about 700,000 Palestinians who fled or were forced from what is now Israel when the state was created in 1948. About 400 demonstrators braved steady rains to rally on the National Mall on the 76th anniversary of what is called the Nakba, the Arabic word for catastrophe. In January, thousands of pro-Palestinian activists had gathered in the nation's capital in one of the larger protests in recent memory. There were calls in support of Palestinian rights and an immediate end to Israeli military operations in Gaza. "No peace on stolen land" and "End the killings, stop the crime/Israel out of Palestine," echoed through the crowd. Protesters also focused their anger on President Joe Biden, whom they accuse of feigning concern over the death toll in Gaza. "Biden Biden, you will see/genocide's your legacy," they said. The Democratic president was in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday. Reem Lababdi, a George Washington University sophomore who said she was pepper-sprayed by police last week when they broke up an on-campus protest encampment, acknowledged that the rain seemed to hold down the numbers. "I'm proud of every single person who turned out in this weather to speak their minds and send their message," she said. This year's commemoration was fueled by anger over the ongoing siege of Gaza. The latest Israel-Hamas war began when Hamas and other militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking an additional 250 hostage. Palestinian militants still hold about 100 captives, and Israel's military has killed more than 35,000 people in Gaza, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Speaker Osama Abuirshad, executive director of American Muslims for Palestine, gestured at the Capitol building dome behind him. "This Congress does not speak for us. This Congress does not represent the will of the people," he said. "We're paying for the bombs. We're paying for the F-16s and F-35s. And then we do the poor Palestinians a favor and send some food." Speakers also expressed anger over the violent crackdown on multiple pro-Palestinian protest camps at universities across the country. In recent weeks, long-term encampments have been broken up by police at more than 60 schools; just under 3,000 protesters have been arrested. The demonstrators marched for several blocks on Pennsylvania and Constitution avenues, with police cars closing the streets ahead of them. One lone counter-protester, waving an Israeli flag, attempted to march near the front of the procession. At one point, one of the demonstrators snatched his flag and ran away. With tensions rising, members of the protesters' "safety team" formed a tight phalanx around the man, both to impede his progress and protect him from the crowd. The standoff was broken up when a police officer intervened, led the man away and told him to go home. Residents of the Canadian oil town threatened by an out-of-control wildfire can return home, authorities said Saturday, even as they warned the community will have to contend with the blaze for the foreseeable future. Thousands of residents of Fort McMurray, in northern Alberta, had been ordered to leave their homes earlier this month. But favorable weather made returning home possible. "With the current and forecast weather conditions, specifically the amount of rain that has fallen on the fire, combined with continued fire suppression and community protection efforts, I am pleased to announce it is now safe for us to end the current evacuation and allow people to return to their homes," said Sandy Bowman, mayor of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo that includes Fort McMurray. "We thank all of you for your patience, resolve and strength," he said. Fort McMurray is the hub for most of Canada's oil output. The wildfire season is getting an early start one year after a historically fiery 2023 left some remembering a devastating 2016 fire dubbed "The Beast" that forced the evacuation of 90,000 residents, burned down 2,400 buildings and idled more than 1 million barrels per day of oil production. But while conditions are now favorable and the community is not presently under threat, authorities warned they were not yet out of the woods. The fire "is not yet under control," said Alberta Wildfire information office Josee St-Onge. Fire behavior will likely increase when sunshine and warm weather return, she added. "While it is safe for evacuees to return, residents will have to live with an active wildfire near their community for weeks if not months. Bringing a wildfire of this size under control will take time and hard work," she said. At least 11 people were killed and scores wounded from Russian missile strikes on a crowded lakeside resort just outside Kharkiv city Sunday and on surrounding villages as Russian attacks have become a daily occurrence in northeastern Ukraine. "There were never any soldiers here," said Yaroslav Trofimko, a police inspector at the resort, said. "It was a Sunday; people were supposed to be here to rest. Children were supposed to be here, pregnant women, resting, enjoying a normal way of life." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy again pressed Western allies to provide additional air defense systems to protect Kharkiv and other Ukrainian cities. "The world can stop Russian terror and to do so, the lack of political will among leaders must be overcome," Zelenskyy said on the Telegram messaging app. "Two Patriots for Kharkiv will make a fundamental difference," he added, referring to Patriot missile defense systems. He also said that air defense systems for other cities and support for soldiers on the front line would ensure Russia's defeat. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military shelled two towns in Russia's southern Belgorod region on Sunday, injuring at least 13 people, including three children, and damaging residential areas, Regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Telegram. Several apartment buildings sustained damage, Gladkov said. The Reuters news agency could not verify the reports independently. Ukraine's military has launched frequent attacks on towns and villages on Russian border regions. Russia said Sunday that Ukraine launched 62 drones on Russian regions, forcing the Slavyansk oil refinery in Russias southern Krasnodar region to halt operations, the Interfax news agency reported. A Ukrainian intelligence source told Reuters in Kyiv that Ukraine's security service, SBU, and military drones struck the Slavyansk refinery and a military airfield in Krasnodar region in overnight attacks. The Ukrainian navy also said it had destroyed the Russian Black Sea Fleet's Project 266M Kovrovets minesweeper. Russia said its forces defeated Ukraine's 24th and 42nd mechanized brigades and the 125th Air Defense Brigade at Lukiantsi, Vesele and Radhospne in the Kharkiv region and repelled attacks by Kyiv's forces at other points in the area. Russia accused Kyiv's forces of firing U.S., French and Ukrainian missiles on Russia-held territory. Russian advances Russian forces took control of 278 square kilometers of Ukraine between May 9 and May 15, their biggest territorial gain since the end of 2022, according to Agence France-Presse, using data from the Institute for the Study of War. During a visit to China, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Moscows offensive in Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv region was a response to Ukraine shelling border regions. Putin said that he aims at building a buffer zone against Ukranian attacks, but that Moscow has no plans on capturing Kharkiv. I have said publicly that if it continues, we will be forced to create a security zone, a sanitary zone, he said. That's what we are doing. Russian troops were advancing daily according to plan," he said. To increase the number of Ukrainian troops, Zelenskyy signed two laws Friday allowing prisoners to join the army while imposing steep fines for draft dodgers. The controversial mobilization law took effect Saturday. Ukraine recently lowered the draft age for soldiers from 27 to 25 and stiffened punishments for those who avoid being called up. Ukrainian men are also obligated, under the new law, to update their personal data at military conscription centers across the country a measure aimed at streamlining army recruitment. Some information for this report came from Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's life is no longer in danger following an assassination attempt, Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kalinak said on Sunday. A lone gunman, who appeared in court Saturday, shot Fico four times and he was at one stage said to be fighting for his life. "He has emerged from the immediate threat to his life, but his condition remains serious and he requires intensive care," Kalinak, Fico's closest political ally, told reporters. The Slovak premier was shot as he was greeting supporters after a government meeting in the central town of Handlova. He underwent a five-hour operation on Wednesday and another on Friday at a hospital in the central city of Banska Bystrica. "We can consider his condition stable with a positive prognosis," Kalinak said outside the hospital, adding, "We all feel a bit more relaxed now." Kalinak added that Fico would stay at Banska Bystrica for the moment. The suspected gunman, identified by Slovak media as 71-year-old poet Juraj Cintula, has been charged with premeditated attempted murder and was ordered held in custody at a hearing on Saturday. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok said that if one of the shots "went just a few centimeters higher, it would have hit the prime minister's liver". The attempted assassination has highlighted acute political divisions in the country where 59-year-old Fico took office in October after his centrist populist Smer party won a general election. He is serving his fourth term as prime minister after campaigning on proposals for peace between Russia and Slovakia's neighbor Ukraine, and to halt military aid to Kyiv, which his government has done. Fico leads a coalition comprising his Smer party, the centrist HLAS and the small nationalist SNS party. Kalinak said the government would carry on without Fico "according to the program he has outlined". Slovakia was already sharply divided over politics since the 2018 murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee. Kuciak pointed at links between Italian mafia and Fico's then government, and his murder sparked nationwide protests that resulted in Fico's resignation in 2018. The divisions deepened further with the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Following the attack on Fico, outgoing President Zuzana Caputova and her successor Peter Pellegrini, a Fico ally who takes over in June, tried to quell the tensions. Following a proposal by Caputova and Pellegrini, several parties have suspended campaigning for European Parliament elections scheduled for June. But some politicians have been quick to blame the Fico attack on their opponents or media. SNS chairman Andrej Danko blamed the media just after the shooting, and Kalinak took on the opposition and media in an emotional speech on the Smer website on Friday. Pellegrini said Sunday that a meeting of parliamentary party leaders he was planning to host on Tuesday to help ease tensions would probably not happen. "The past few days and some press conferences have shown us that some politicians are simply not capable of fundamental self-reflection even after such a huge tragedy," said Pellegrini. "It has turned out that the time is not ripe for a round table with the representatives of all parliamentary parties yet," he added. In a debate on the TA3 news channel, Danko said it was "false to say that a meeting on Tuesday would reconcile society". Police have meanwhile charged several people who had approved of the attack on Fico on social media. Hundreds of Tunisians marched through the streets of Jebeniana on Saturday to protest the presence of sub-Saharan migrants who have found themselves stranded as the country ramps up border patrol efforts. Anti-migrant anger is mounting in impoverished towns like Jebeniana along the Tunisian coastline that have emerged as a launchpad for thousands of people hoping to reach Europe by boat. Chanting slogans to oppose settling migrants in Tunisia, protesters demanded the government act to assist agricultural communities dealing with thousands of migrants living in tarpaulin encampments among their olive groves. "You brought them here and it's your responsibility to send them back to their home countries," Moamen Salemi, a 63-year-old retiree from nearby El Amra, said at the protest. "There is a shortage of food throughout the city of El Amra, including sugar, flour, bread and many other items." A final stop for many before attempting to reach a better life in Europe, Jebeniana and El Amra reflect the compounding problems facing Tunisia, a key transit point for migrants from Syria, Bangladesh and a variety of sub-Saharan African nations. Law enforcement has expanded its presence in the two agricultural towns, where roughly 83,000 Tunisians live among a growing number of migrants from around the world. Protesters say they have borne the cost of Tunisia's effort to prevent migrants from reaching the European Union less than a year after the country brokered an anti-migration pact with the 27-country bloc to better police its sea border and receive more than $1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) in aid. The Tunisian Coast Guard has said it has prevented more than 21,000 migration attempts by land or sea this year. Fewer than 8,000 successfully traveled by boat from Tunisia to Italy in the first four months of 2024, a threefold decrease from 2023, according to the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR. More Tunisians have traveled by makeshift boat to Italy this year than migrants from sub-Saharan African countries. Anti-migrant protests erupted in the city of Sfax last year, months after Tunisian President Kais Saied called for measures to address violence and crime he said were caused by illegal immigration. But protests are a new development in Jebeniana and El Amra, where a similar one took place earlier this month. Encampments sprung up and expanded on the outskirts of the two towns after local authorities started increasingly clearing them from Sfax last year. The International Organization for Migration's Tunisia office has said roughly 7,000 migrants are living near Jebeniana and El Amra, though residents estimate the number could be much higher. U.S. President Joe Biden's national security adviser met early Sunday with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss what the kingdom described as the "semifinal" version of a wide-ranging security agreement between the countries. The announcement by the state-run Saudi Press Agency comes as the strategic deal had been upended after Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage back to the Gaza Strip. In the time since, a punishing Israeli airstrike campaign and ground offensive there has killed over 35,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry. The war has endangered the security deal that had included Saudi Arabia diplomatically recognizing Israel for the first time since its founding in 1948. Saudi state media released no images of Jake Sullivan and Prince Mohammed meeting in Dhahran, a city in the kingdom's far east that's home to its state-run oil giant, the Saudi Arabian Oil Co. known as Saudi Aramco. "The semifinal version of the draft strategic agreements between the kingdom and the United States of America, which are almost being finalized and what is being worked on between the two sides in the Palestinian issue to find a credible path were discussed," the statement released after the talks said. That included "a two-state solution that meets the aspirations and legitimate rights of the Palestinian people" and "the situation in Gaza and the need to stop the war there and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid," the statement added. Saudi Arabia has long called for an independent Palestinian state to be created along Israel's 1967 borders, with east Jerusalem as its capital. However, that likely may be untenable for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose government hinges on support from hardliners who oppose a two-state solution and support Israeli settlements on lands Palestinians want for that state. The White House had acknowledged Sullivan's trip and that he would later head on to Israel, where he's scheduled meet Netanyahu on Sunday. However, there was no immediate statement from the U.S. on the discussions, other than to say they would be "including the war in Gaza and ongoing efforts to achieve a lasting peace and security in the region." Saudi Arabia has long relied like other Gulf Arab nations on the U.S. to be the security guarantor for the wider Middle East as tensions over Irans nuclear program in recent years have spilled over into a series of attacks. The proposal now being discussed likely would deepen that, and also reportedly includes access to advanced weapons and possibly trade deals as well. Saudi Arabia has also pushed for nuclear cooperation in the deal that includes America allowing it to enrich uranium in the kingdom something that worries nonproliferation experts, as spinning centrifuges opens the door to a possible weapons program. Prince Mohammed has said the kingdom would pursue a nuclear weapon if Iran had one. Iran in recent weeks has increasingly threatened it could do so. Iran's mission to the United Nations in New York meanwhile confirmed that Tehran held indirect talks with U.S. officials in Oman last week. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency quoted the mission as describing the talks as "an ongoing process." "The negotiations have not been the first and will not be the last of their kind," the mission said, according to IRNA. Oman, a sultanate on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, has been the site of U.S.-Iran talks in the past, including under Biden despite the tensions between the two nations. The host of a news conference about WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's extradition fight wryly welcomed journalists last week to the millionth press briefing on his court case. Deborah Bonetti, director of the Foreign Press Association, was only half joking. Assanges legal saga has dragged on for well over a decade but it could come to an end in the U.K. as soon as Monday. Assange faces a hearing in London's High Court that could end with him being sent to the U.S. to face espionage charges, or provide him another chance to appeal his extradition. The outcome will depend on how much weight judges give to reassurances U.S. officials have provided that Assange's rights won't be trampled if he goes on trial. Here's a look at the case: What Assange is charged with Assange, 52, an Australian computer expert, has been indicted in the U.S. on 18 charges over Wikileaks publication of hundreds of thousands of classified documents in 2010. Prosecutors say he conspired with U.S. army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to hack into a Pentagon computer and release secret diplomatic cables and military files on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He faces 17 counts of espionage and one charge of computer misuse. If convicted, his lawyers say he could receive a prison term of up to 175 years, though American authorities have said any sentence is likely to be much lower. Assange and his supporters argue he acted as a journalist to expose U.S. military wrongdoing and is protected under press freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Among the files published by WikiLeaks was video of a 2007 Apache helicopter attack by American forces in Baghdad that killed 11 people, including two Reuters journalists. Julian has been indicted for receiving, possessing and communicating information to the public of evidence of war crimes committed by the U.S. government, his wife, Stella Assange, said. Reporting a crime is never a crime. U.S. lawyers say Assange is guilty of trying to hack the Pentagon computer and that WikiLeaks publications created a grave and imminent risk to U.S. intelligence sources in Afghanistan and Iraq. Why the case has dragged on so long While the U.S. criminal case against Assange was only unsealed in 2019, his freedom has been restricted for a dozen years. Assange took refuge in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London in 2012 and was granted political asylum after courts in England ruled he should be extradited to Sweden as part of a rape investigation in the Scandinavian country. He was arrested by British police after Ecuadors government withdrew his asylum status in 2019 and then jailed for skipping bail when he first took shelter inside the embassy. Although Sweden eventually dropped its sex crimes investigation because so much time had elapsed, Assange has remained in Londons high-security Belmarsh Prison while the extradition battle with the U.S. continues. His wife said his mental and physical health have deteriorated behind bars. Hes fighting to survive and thats a daily battle, she said. A judge in London initially blocked Assanges transfer to the U.S. in 2021 on the grounds he was likely to kill himself if held in harsh American prison conditions. But subsequent courts cleared the way for the move after U.S. authorities provided assurances he wouldnt experience the severe treatment that his lawyers said would put his physical and mental health at risk. The British government authorized Assange's extradition in 2022. What the latest hearing is about Assange's lawyers raised nine grounds for appeal at a hearing in February, including the allegation that his prosecution is political. The court accepted three of his arguments, issuing a provisional ruling in March that said Assange could take his case to the Court of Appeal unless the U.S. guaranteed he would not face the death penalty if extradited and would have the same free speech protections as a U.S. citizen. The U.S. provided those reassurances three weeks later, though his supporters are skeptical. Stella Assange said the so-called assurances were made up of weasel words. WikiLeaks Editor-in-Chief Kristinn Hrafnsson said the judges had asked if Assange could rely on First Amendment protections. It should be an easy yes or no question, Hrafnsson said. The answer was, He can seek to rely on First Amendment protections. That is a no. So the only rational decision on Monday is for the judges to come out and say, This is not good enough. Anything else is a judicial scandal. The possible outcome If Assange prevails, it would set the stage for an appeal process likely to further drag out the case. If an appeal is rejected, his legal team plans to ask the European Court of Human Rights to intervene. But his supporters fear Assange could possibly be transferred before the court in Strasbourg, France, could halt his removal. Julian is just one decision away from being extradited, his wife said. Assange, who hopes to be in court Monday, has been encouraged by the work others have done in the political fight to free him, his wife said. If he loses in court, he still may have another shot at freedom. President Joe Biden said last month that he was considering a request from Australia to drop the case and let Assange return to his home country. Officials have no other details but Stella Assange said it was a good sign and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the comment was encouraging. In the morning and first half of the day on May 19, Russian troops intensified their activity on the Siverskyi and Kharkiv directions. As of 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, 78 combat engagements have already taken place in Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT Assessing the situation in general, the enemy is most active in the Siversky and Pokrovsk sectors. Intense fighting continues along almost the entire front line. This was reported on Facebook by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the 815th day of the full-scale Russian invasion. Units of the Defense Forces are bravely resisting the Russian Armed Forces. "Thanks to confident and coordinated actions, Ukrainian warriors are doing everything to disrupt the enemy's plans. In some places, they are taking measures to improve the tactical situation," the press service noted. As of 13:30, seven combat engagements were registered in the Kharkiv sector. The situation is dynamic, the enemy is trying to push our units near Vovchansk, Starytsia, and Liptsy. Near Lukianytsia, the Russians attacked with five anti-aircraft gunships. Ukrainian troops are holding the line, returning fire and counterattacking in certain areas. ADVERTISIMENT In the Kupyansk sector, the aggressor's aircraft struck near Petropavlivka. As of 13:30, Ukrainian troops repelled four attacks, two more were ongoing. The fighting took place near Synkivka, Ivanivka, Berestove and Stelmakhivka. The invaders suffered casualties, information on which is being clarified. In the Lyman sector, the occupants carried out air strikes near Zarichne and in the area of Serebryansky forest. Since the beginning of the day, the enemy has become significantly more active in the Siversky sector. They are trying to break through our defenses near Bilohorivka, Verkhnekamianske and Rozdolivka. A total of 20 firefights have already taken place there. In the Kramatorsk sector, the militants conducted nine attacks, in particular, near Vasylivka, Kalynivka, Klishchiyivka and Ivanivske. Three combat engagements were still ongoing. Enemy aircraft were operating near New York, Pivnichne, Dachne and Druzhba. ADVERTISIMENT In the Pokrovsk sector, the enemy did not reduce the intensity of attacks. Occupants' aviation was active, striking in the areas of Vovche, Tymofiivka, Yevheniivka and Sokol. Five adjusted air bombs were used. In total, 19 attacks took place in this area. Ten of them were still ongoing. Fighting also continued in the Kurakhove sector. Since the beginning of the day, five firefights took place near Heorhiivka, Paraskoviivka and Novomykhailivka. Three of them were still ongoing. In the Vremivsk sector, Russians tried unsuccessfully to storm our positions near Staromayorske four times. An air strike was launched near Urozhayne. In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy did not conduct any offensive actions. Instead, he used aircraft to attack Mali Shcherbaky and Andriivka. In the Prydniprovsky sector, the enemy attacked Ukrainian troops three times near Krynky, without success. ADVERTISIMENT In other areas, the situation did not change significantly. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZ.UA previously reported, as of 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 19, 39 combat engagements were recorded in the frontline in Ukraine. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! [ST. PAUL, MN] Often times the multitude of bills being signed into law at the state capitol get lost in the wake of politics. As of last Friday Governor Tim Walz signed twenty-six bills into law this past week. Chapter 40, S.F. 1100: This bill empowers the Prairie Island Indian Community to exercise concurrent state law enforcement jurisdictional authority. Chapter 41, S.F. 328: This bill removes two restrictions placed on a hospital bed moratorium exception granted to Ridgeview Medical Center in Carver County. Chapter 42, H.F. 148: This bill permits community emergency medical technicians to be members of basic life support ambulance services. Chapter 43, H.F. 873: This bill repeals state protections against the unauthorized use of the word Portorama. Chapter 44, H.F. 892: This bill modifies pharmacy licensure requirements to allow manufacturers and distributors of dialysate or devices to perform home peritoneal dialysis on patients with end-stage renal disease. Chapter 45, H.F. 51: This bill allows homeowners to legally discharge restrictive covenants affecting protected classes from their property title. Chapter 46, S.F. 2081: This bill modifies the requirements for facility or organization participation in the volunteer health care provider program. Chapter 47, H.F. 359: This bill further prohibits the use of flame-retardant chemicals in certain household products and bans the use of certain firefighting foams. Chapter 48, H.F. 2097: This bill modifies the qualification requirements for the Hennepin County library director. Chapter 49, H.F. 637: This bill updates the provisions governing background checks conducted by health-related licensing boards and procedures related to temporary suspensions. Chapter 50, H.F. 1065: Revisors Bill; this bill makes miscellaneous corrections to existing laws and statutes and removes redundant, conflicting, and superseded provisions. Chapter 51, H.F. 2697: This bill settles claims against the state as related to the Department of Corrections and appropriates money. Chapter 52, H.F. 1262: This bill modifies provisions related to the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy. Chapter 53, H.F. 129: This bill requires compensation and expense reimbursement for public members of the Governors Council on Developmental Disabilities. Chapter 54, S.F. 573: This bill recodifies and makes technical changes to the chapter relating to elderly waivers. Chapter 55, S.F. 1003: This bill designates a section of U.S. Highway 61 near Jordan, Minnesota as the Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway. Chapter 56, S.F. 1261: This bill designates a segment of marked Trunk Highway 23 in Kandiyohi County between New London and Spicer as the "Ryane Clark Memorial Highway. Chapter 57, S.F. 2089: This bill modifies the membership of the Nonemergency Medical Transportation Advisory Committee. Chapter 58, H.F. 990: This bill adds an exemption to licensing requirements for residential mortgage originators and provides for conformity with federal truth in lending requirement Chapter 59, H.F. 1960: This bill makes technical changes to provisions administered by the Department of Commerce. Chapter 60, H.F. 90: This bill establishes licensure requirements for assisted living facilities and protections for residents of assisted living facilities. Chapter 61, S.F. 1257: This bill authorizes individuals who undergo required training to possess and administer epinephrine auto-injectors. Chapter 62, S.F. 316: This bill requires state agencies to provide an opportunity for user acceptance testing of new information technology software to a local government if the local government will be the primary user and if operations of the local government will be significantly impacted. Chapter 63, H.F. 400: This bill enacts a fee on opioid manufacturers and distributors and provides local communities with resources to combat opioid addiction, intervention, treatment, and recovery. Chapter 64, S.F. 2415: This bill provides a budget and policy changes for the Office of Higher Education, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and the University of Minnesota. Chapter 65, S.F. 973: This bill establishes an advisory council on rare diseases through the University of Minnesota. Photo: Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images for Sean Diddy Combs Following the release of graphic surveillance video on May 17 showing Sean Diddy Combs physically abusing Cassie at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016, the rapper has now apologized. In a video posted to his Instagram, Diddy says, Its so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that. I was fucked up I mean, I hit rock bottom but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. Im disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it. Im disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help, he continued. I got into going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. Im so sorry. But Im committed to be a better man each and every day. Im not asking for forgiveness. Im truly sorry. The brutal footage showed Diddy grabbing Cassie by the back of her neck and slamming her to the ground in the hallway of the hotel, before kicking her and dragging her by her clothing. As she begins to stand up, he then returned, shoving her and throwing an object at her. Diddy had previously denied the allegations made in Cassies lawsuit against him in November, which was settled out of court at the time. Zoe Saldana and Karla Sofia Gascon on making the Jacques Audiard movie that took this years film festival by storm. Photo: Shanna Besson Emilia Perez is an unbelievably audacious film that feels like if Pedro Almodovar remade Mrs. Doubtfire as a searing musical crime drama. Theres so much going on in this movie narratively, structurally, musically, theatrically, politically that it almost shouldnt work, which makes its quality all the more impressive. The story, which Jacques Audiard loosely adapted from Boris Razons novel Ecoute, begins with Zoe Saldana as Rita, a talented criminal defense attorney whos overwhelmed and underpaid and spiritually lost. One day, she gets a phone call from a powerful stranger, who turns out to be a cartel kingpin named Manitas (Karla Sofia Gascon). Manitas has a secret, extremely lucrative request for Rita: to help him disappear from his life including his children and his wife Jessi (Selena Gomez) and seek gender confirmation surgery to live as a woman. What follows is operatic in every sense, at turns melodramatic, heart-wrenching, and endlessly mutative. Manitas transitions in a quietly affecting series of scenes and becomes the luminous Emilia Perez, who, years later, finds Rita again to ask for help reconnecting with her family. Emilia, pretending to be one of Manitass distant relatives, invites a confused Jessi and her kids back into her life and home. Under this unorthodox new arrangement, all of the women and the children blossom. Rita and Emilia become like sisters and eventually open a nonprofit that seeks, in some ways, to right Emilias past wrongs by helping the families of Mexicos thousands of missing people find their relatives bodies and subsequent closure. Things are idyllic for a while, until they very much arent. Everyone is operating at their peak here: Audiard, who takes endless risks that nearly all pay off; Saldana, who has never been better, doing pitch-perfect vocal runs and hitting difficult choreo while emanating raw humanity; Gomez, whos bruised, vulnerable and tough, playing in a new key. Gascon, a 52-year-old Spanish actress, whos mostly done telenovelas up until now, is a total revelation. Her onscreen transformation from hardened, dysphoric crime lord to warm, loving matriarch, is so natural and magnetic that it should propel her to instant stardom. If the rapturous reception at last nights premiere is any indication, well be lucky enough to watch her onscreen for a long time. I sat down with Gascon (who spoke via a translator) and Saldana on a hotel rooftop in Cannes to talk about all of it. I loved this. I want to cry talking about it. Zoe Saldana: Mission accomplished. Just to tell and be part of a compelling story. You were both crying a lot during last nights premiere standing ovation. What was going through both of your minds? Z.S.: It was the journey, from being asked to be part of a Jacques Audiard movie to getting to meet him. His whole team. How we all kept our heads down and did the work to bring the story to life. I felt like I was a part of it. I didnt feel like I was just in it. I saw so many of my choices in the movie last night, so many of the ideas that Jacques had conveyed and Id tried to the best of my ability to interpret. Karla Sofia Gascon: First of all, the movie last night is not the one we shot. The film I shot was pleasant, funny and light. And then here all of a sudden he takes us on this roller coaster. From the very beginning, when the song starts and you hear Selenas voice, and then it turns all of a sudden to reality, I thought, Oh, gosh. Hes taking us somewhere. You both came to this movie from very different career points. Zoe, youre an established Hollywood actress, and save for Center Stage, this is so different from what youve become known for. Were you worried at all about the risks and the musicality and the maximalism of it? Theres a world where this movie really doesnt work but it works so well and I want to know how you knew that it would. Z.S.: I never feel established. As an actor, I always feel like, This is the last thing Im gonna do. When youre not working, youre watching other peoples stories and how cinema is evolving and you want to be a part of that. So in a way, Emilia Perez and a filmmaker like Audiard are much more aligned with who I am as an artist. How I curate art in my life, how I consume it, how I put it in my home, how I raise my children, how I love with my partner. It represents much more the sort of stories Id be reading in a book or watching when Im not working. Established is very kind, but I always feel like I havent grown enough. Im always curious about whats on the other side. Not because Im ungrateful. But Im thirsty! I dream a lot. Watching Jacques Audiards movies and thinking, I wish I could be a part of something like that. Theres gift of being able to step outside of a market that youve gotten to recognize, when youve always dreamed of working with masters in their own right. I just hadnt seen you do this sort of singing or dancing on screen before. I didnt know you had it like that! In another life you could be a popstar. Z.S.: [Laughs.] No, God. In my shower! Karla, was the experience similarly unbelievable for you? K.S.G.: Working with movie stars like Zoe and Selena, and Jacques, and Edgar Ramirez for me, its a complete dream. But I couldnt take it in in fan mode. It would have been dangerous. When you enter a movie like this, you need to prepare another way. So I am so grateful for Zoe for being really friendly with me from the very beginning. To open up and allow me to connect to her. We were really like friends. We get along well and sometimes we fight [laughs], but if I was 20 and I had been too impressed, or in fan mode, then it would have been an obstacle for me to give my best and to work on the project. I respected all of my comrades Im an actress, Zoes an actress, and we embarked on the same journey together. She was my partner on the set. She came home with me to celebrate my birthday, the only person on set who did that. Z.S.: Karla and Jacques are both masters. I dont think I ever interacted with Karla on set. I interacted with Emilia. The level of commitment The film is called Emilia Perez, and its the journey of this human being who, during the course of their lives, will be helped by individuals like Rita, but they have to fulfill their journey. Understanding that every day, there were moments Id come to work being like, I need to hold my cool. Everybody is intellectual, asking questions. My questions were more like, Is this my mark? Do I start on this beat? Theres so much more that you learn by observing them in their natural elements as artists than anything else. I always felt like I walked away learning from Karla and Jacques, every fucking day. Was there a specific scene or moment on set when you felt you actually bonded as friends? K.S.G.: What was magic on the set is there was a kind of transfer. The characters contaminated us as actors. The characters strong, mysterious bond, we could feel it between us. Some of the lines, for instance, when she insults me, I really felt it from her gut, that it came from her. Z.S.: But I think the bonding happened a year before. Because it was a really long process. Karla had already been given the role for both characters, first for Emilia, then for Manitas. And then I knew Jacques had chosen me, but for some reason, we had to stop for a year. And I came back to Paris and I was so nervous. I thought maybe hed take me out of the project. That I wouldnt have the role anymore. And hes really difficult to approach when hes creating. Hes extremely silent, hes not someone you can really get a firm answer from. I was so nervous and Karla was like, Thats the way he is. Dont worry. We have it. So we built this bond and this mutual trust. Karla, last night seemed like a really life-changing moment for you. Does it feel that way for you? What do you want next for yourself? K.S.G.: Im 52, and neither successes nor failures have changed my life. Ive been through so many things. Ups and downs, wonderful and disastrous things. Im having great fun here. Im really enjoying it. But no matter what happens, it wont change who I am inside. Zoe, in the press notes, you talked about doing away with the idea of representation, that you stopped thinking about it in order to relieve yourself of social responsibility and to instead prioritizing your own work and dreams. Im curious if both of you feel that way and want to elaborate on that as it relates to this movie. Z.S.: I dont put a label on my craft. My craft is gender-fluid, age-fluid, race-fluid, spirit-fluid. I need to keep that for myself so that I can have a journey that doesnt always entail carrying the weight of the world. And I think thats a strong message for younger artists: You do have the responsibility to live a life thats morally aligned with your core values, and so those who are looking up to you have a good example. But that cant be why you wake up every morning to make art. You have to fulfill your ego and your spirit. So I didnt join this movie because it was a trans story. I joined it because it was Jacques Audiard, who I believe to be a very decent human being, and who is aligned with the kind of art that moves me and changes me, makes me a better person. Because its a story about human beings and their most human, cellular selves, failing and hurting and struggling and finding strength. That is what drives me. If that becomes a positive message for those who need it, its a double win. But at some point you do have to choose a path that fulfills you. The actor sat down at Cannes to talk nude spas, fame, and his dreamlike character in Andrea Arnolds new film. Photo: Victor Boyko/Getty Images Andrea Arnolds latest film, Bird, which premiered in competition at Cannes this week, is another poetic drama about a complicated young woman coming of age on the fringes of society. This time, our protagonist is Bailey, a 12-year-old girl (newcomer Nykiya Adams) who lives with her distracted father (a boisterous, karaoke-loving Barry Keoghan), her soon-to-be stepmom Kayleigh (Frankie Box) and her adorable toddler, and her half-brother Hunter (Jason Buda), whos part of a local teen vigilante justice gang in North Kent. Bailey is constantly surrounded by people but alone and misunderstood; shes angry and unsure of where she fits into her family or society at large. Enter Bird, a mysterious stranger who appears out of nowhere, twirling in a field in a sweater and a long pleated skirt. He dances calmly in front of Baileys phone camera, which shes pulled out defensively to film him should he try to pull anything creepy. He doesnt. Hes just saying hello. Played by Franz Rogowski with a sweetness, gentleness, and otherworldly strangeness, hes hard to place, both for Bailey and those around her. Who is this person? Why does he live on the roof of a local apartment complex? Why does he stand sentinel, naked, on the roof each night? Is he a sort of guardian angel figure for Bailey, or is there more to him than meets the eye? Regardless, the unlikely pair begin to trust each other, and Bird steps in to help Bailey take care of her younger siblings who live across town with her mother (Jasmine Jobson) and eventually navigate an increasingly violent familial situation. A few days after the films Cannes premiere, I sat down at a hotel with Rogowski, who was emanating equally kind, calming energy in a flowy silk shirt. We talked about creating this dreamlike character with Arnold, going to nude spas in Berlin, what its like to feel himself becoming increasingly famous, and his karaoke song of choice. Andrea said that this was the hardest film she ever made. Did it feel hard for you? For me it was easy. But thats because she takes all the weight on her own shoulders. And makes sure the actors can live within this world that shes created. She feels responsible for everybody. Therefore it accumulates an amount of pressure that we cant even imagine. What did that look like from your perspective? She created a space in which we could just explore those houses, those meadows, those trees. We didnt have to prepare beforehand. She gave us the lines a day or two before wed shoot the scene. We werent exposed to the entire story, neither to the arc that she wanted to create nor to the peaks or turning points. All wed know would be the themes that wed play. We wouldnt even know where the others were coming from. For example, Im accompanying Bailey on her journey and I often didnt know where shed come from. Andrea would just tell me she was suffering or had a hard day. But Andrea knew why and shed know if a scene wasnt working. Shed prepared the film for so long. Even though she created all the freedom for us she had a lot of images in her mind as to what she wanted to achieve. And once she started working with humans, its a bit like painting with colors that change their own color all the time. Theyre not what you thought they would be and maybe the story also evolved. I guess thats why. What, if anything, did she tell you about your character beforehand? The first thing she did was, her producer was texting me that shed like to meet. I was like, Oh yeah, of course. I would love to meet her. Im shooting a movie in four weeks, otherwise Im free. And he said, Okay, shell be in Zurich tonight. [Laughs.] All of a sudden, I was eating a bowl of rice with her in Zurich. She told me that she had this fantasy of a naked man standing on a skyscraper. He has a huge penis, half-erected. And hes looking at a girl. And hes some kind of Mary Poppins figure accompanying and comforting this girl. I was like, Oh, wow. Okay, Im in. She gave me her number and said I could always call her when I had a question, but it was obvious to me she wanted me to just trust her, to be a part of what she wanted to explore. It wasnt about preparing or memorizing but surrendering to the moment. The days of shooting would often be us getting together, wed hang out in time and space, drink coffee, eat. Often there would be kids involved, and they would decide when to start shooting. Andrea would never tell them what to do. Shed rather sacrifice an entire day of shooting for a moment of truth when the kids would do their own thing. That set the tone for the two month shooting that we had. There were no trucks on set, no huge cranes. Nothing that would intimidate the working-class neighborhood. We wanted to blend in and be a part of our surroundings. Thats only possible when you take time and are willing to relate, not to go and conquer places and take the bits and pieces you need and then leave. The physicality of Bird, his clothes did you develop those by yourself?No, they brought me some clothes, and I was like, Oh no, I look like a pervert! But then it turned out to be the perfect costume. They wanted me to be a loner and a stranger and an outsider, and this costume has no attachments to the cultural references that we usually want to have, or what we want to wear, if we want to belong to a certain group of people. At least I want to belong to people I think are interesting and I choose the clothes I think represent those people. And that brown skirt was definitely not one of them. But it worked out. And the sandals, too. A little different than the costumes in Passages. Yes. Very! Those scenes where you stand on the roof naked are so fascinating and never explained. What was it like to film those, and how do you interpret those moments? I think hes there for her, guarding and protecting her, but on the other hand, hes also an extension of her and her journey. Bird is not a story about a bird that finally flies toward the bright future. Its also to do with your own spirit animal. It can be a bird, but it can be a naked man on a skyscraper. Or it can be a snake. In Germany, we love to go to the saunas. Everybody is naked in the saunas. Its a very liberating and democratic and unifying experience. When were naked we all look more or less the same. Incredible how many of the features that set us apart from each other are gone all of a sudden. One is a bit rounder, one is a bit more lean, but we look more or less the same. This tension between nature and culture is probably at the core of storytelling and the human condition, and why were here. Monkeys watching monkey stories on the big screen! Do you go to Vabali in Berlin? Thats one of my favorite nude saunas Ive ever been to. Yeah, Ive been there many times. Yeah, its great. I have to go again. I might go next week. When Im in town I go for a whole day. Sometimes two. Thats important. You want to eat at least two of the burgers there. What kind of teenager were you? Did you have a Bird, or the opposite? Sometimes its people who do things to you that dont necessarily feel good that help you grow. I started out as a contemporary dancer and performer in theater. There were inspirational encounters, but also power structures that were not very helpful. Directors that would make you feel small and manipulate you, or want to have sex with you, and if you dont then your part gets significantly smaller. Its very hard to overcome your life as a theater performer and start working in the film industry. You wonder how to get to know those people from another universe. But I learned a lot from those people who tried to make me feel small, to overcome those limitations, and I learned from friends on the stage in terms of movement and acting. And I still do every project comes with one or two encounters that change the course of your life. You dont need much. Sometimes just a conversation, a look, a dinner, or another thing. What was that moment while making this film for you? For me it was living on the campsite and talking to the campers who live in Gravesend. The level of poverty in Gravesend was pretty shocking to me. The struggle people go through. My neighbor on the campsite was a highly intelligent man who was living in a huge American truck, and was a mechanic and a cancer survivor who told me all kinds of incredible stories about how hed survived laying in the woods on cocaine, wondering how to get treatment. You only get treatment if you have family, which he didnt, so he asked a friend to pretend to be his brother. So he was high on cocaine trying to get chemo, doing drugs in the hospital. He survived it all and hes now clean. He told me that my brakes were actually close to collapsing and that I had some other serious issues on my car. We went to a parking lot on a Sunday afternoon and he worked on my car for six hours. And while doing that he was listening to a documentary about Hitler and Mussolini. It was so absurd. A wonderful person Id never have met in my bubble in Berlin. Ill never forget him. How do these interactions with these people in your early theater work affect the way you now work with people younger than you on set? I felt like my character was in between childhood and adulthood. I was floating between those realities. It was interesting to me because I could be a part of these real scenes, but at the same time, Andrea wasnt sure if I was really in that scene or if I was just accompanying Bailey as kind of an inner voice, like an extension of her, to empower her or give her agency when she has none. Therefore, I felt very free. We could play with the kids and build sandcastles on the beach. But I could also turn into a monster. Thats an interesting range to play with. In an interview last year, you said you rarely get starstruck but instead you feel sorry for the idea of a famous person. How is your relationship to fame shifting now that youre getting increasingly famous? I would never feel pity for someone. Maybe I said something stupid! [Laughs.] I think what Ive seen is that the more famous people become, the more effort they have to put into defending what is precious and important for a healthy person to survive: privacy and intimate relationships and the kind of honesty that most people take for granted. Once you become a public figure, sometimes its hard to tell whether people really like you or want to be around you or want a piece of you. Ive been lucky to work with a lot of directors who write their own films and keep it real and surround themselves with people interested in films that reach beyond blockbuster cinema. I think what protects me personally is my family, the way I was brought up. I come from a region in Germany called Swabia, and theyre very stubborn. They dont believe in the surface, but in things underneath the surface. Thats why theyre very scared of scratches on the car surface. Theyre very greedy and angry, but when you get to know them, theyre kind. Do you see yourself staying in Berlin? Will you do more Hollywood or bigger-profile films? Sure. All I need is an interesting part and an interesting movie. Its not like I decided, Im going to be international. Its just the way it is. The most interesting projects in the last few years have been in countries other than Germany. Every country comes with a new language, which is also a bit exhausting. I wonder. Im a bit lost. For now, Im in Berlin, but I might also move. Who knows. My last question for you is theres a lot of karaoke in this film. Whats your go-to karaoke? Chandelier. Wow. Can you hit those high belts? I cant. Im very shy. But I did it for Michael Hanekes Happy End. I forgot about that scene! I definitely cant hit those notes. But the worse you sing, the more fun it is to do. The director Guy Maddins latest, which just premiered at Cannes, has a glorious B-movie sheen. Photo: Bleecker Street With Rumours, the legendary Canadian director Guy Maddin, working with his regular collaborators Evan and Galen Johnson, has made what might be his funniest film to date. But, as always with Maddin, the humor is somewhat rarefied. Rumours follows the leaders of the G7 as they get lost in a German forest and are beset by mysterious ancient figures, while also being consumed by their own strange passions. Cate Blanchett plays the stylish, domineering German chancellor, intent on keeping the group together but also unafraid of a quickie in the woods with the hunky, man-bunned Canadian prime minister (Roy Dupuis), who himself is an indecisive milquetoast still carrying torches for his lost loves. The lordly Charles Dance plays the U.S. president and doesnt bother hiding his British accent. Alicia Vikander plays the president of the European Union as a feral witch muttering nonsense prophecies in Swedish. At one point a giant glowing brain the size of a hatchback appears in the woods. I swear to god I am not lying when I tell you that this is also the most accessible movie Maddin has made. The humor in Rumours does require some vague familiarity with the way these public international get-togethers be it the G7 summit, the NATO summit, or assorted UN gatherings never result in anything resembling real actions or solutions, instead issuing countless weak-willed joint statements and working papers and other forms of diplo-blather. (The fact that the film assumes its audience will get this also suggests that Rumours might be one of the most Canadian films Maddin has ever made, which certainly is saying something.) Early on, the German leader invites her colleagues to view a recent archeological find: a perfectly mummified, millennia-old corpse, a bog man whose penis has been severed and wrapped around his neck. The speculation is that this was a former leader, sacrificially murdered for failing to deliver on the promise of a good harvest. Well see more bog men later hanging from trees, lumbering in the woods, collectively masturbating in animalistic unison. Somehow, these gooey mummies covered in mud and shit and jacking off in the depths of a German forest serve as both a metaphor for and a counterpoint to these modern-day leaders ineffectiveness. Maddin gained renown at the start of his career for his layered and witty pastiches of silent film. Hes a mix-master of old-school melodrama and German expressionism, and Rumours similarly indulges in playful nods to the cinematic past. Theres a sick, pink, B-movie drive-in glow to much of the picture. When the Canadian and U.K. prime ministers (the latter played by Nikki Amuka-Bird) briefly discuss an old love affair, the music swells with saxy, bluesy longing. When Canada later relates, with histrionic anguish, the profoundly tiresome details of the carried interest scandal that has doomed his political future, a horror movie organ starts up on the soundtrack. A moment of mundane physical bravery is accompanied by triumphant bursts of Enyas Exile, like something out of Last of the Mohicans. There are also just funny random bits, like the Italian leaders constant passing around of salami he stole from the luncheon buffet, or lines such as: Germany caught up in dramatics. Weve seen this before. The danger of movies based on conceptual wit is that they will lose steam as things proceed and the filmmakers run out of ideas. Thankfully, Maddin and the Johnsons effectively develop their story goofy and absurd though it may be so that these constant digs at our ineffectual leaders do coalesce into something meaningful and alarming. Rumours starts off focusing on how the cocoon of leadership is both a privilege and a curse for these people. By the end, we understand that the ones who are truly doomed are the rest of us. But just because were choking on our laughter doesnt mean were not still laughing. Following the recent attack on actor Steve Buscemi in Kips Bay of all places, Saturday Night Live addressed New York Citys latest hyper-specific crime trend: attacks on character actors. As a police sergeant at a press conference, Jake Gyllenhaal pleaded with the city to stop punching character actors in the face, because Buscemi hasnt been the only victim. Unfortunately, this follows similar assaults on Rick Moranis and the shockingly versatile Michael Stuhlbarg. When asked to define what exactly he means by character actor, he explained, Actors whose faces you can remember, but names you cannot. Luckily, the department is offering protection to at-risk character actors, asking anybody who has played a girlfriend on Seinfeld or a boyfriend on Sex and the City to avoid the subway, and requested that Paul Giamatti shelter in place. But some actors are safe. When Jon Hamm showed up to ask if an actor like Jon Hamm, for example, should be worried, the sergeant assured him that hes fine. Related And their new movie Kinds of Kindness, an anthology of abject debasement starring fellow cult members Margaret Qualley and Willem Dafoe. Photo: Cannes Sicko Yorgos is back, declared our film critic Bilge Ebiri after seeing Lanthimoss latest, Kinds of Kindness, which premiered this week in competition at Cannes. This film feels definitively closer to the directors pitch-black, degradation-filled Dogtooth and The Killing of a Sacred Deer than it does to his more recent Poor Things and The Favourite, both of which offer up a semblance of hopefulness about the state of humanity. Theres no such assurance in Kinds of Kindness, which is an anthology of abject debasement that comprises three parts, all starring the same actors in a variety of roles: Jesse Plemons, Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Hong Chau, Joe Alwyn, and Mamoudou Athie, plus cameos from Hunter Schafer, among others. Plemons is the only actor who plays a lead role in all three sections, each of which explores themes of control, obedience, free will, cult-like idolatry, and the strange societal mores that most of us follow without questioning in a desperate attempt to belong to something, to be loved. His characters here are tormented and lost, one compelled by a godlike father figure to run over an innocent stranger, another convinced their wives are imposters, and, in two of the three segments, sexually and emotionally obsessed with Dafoe. The day after the films premiere, I sat down with Lanthimos and Plemons in a hotel room set up with some very intense microphones and cameras to talk about Kinds of Kindness. Yorgos Lanthimos: It should feel like were being interrogated. It does. Its very intense in here. Yorgos, we actually spoke a couple of months ago about Poor Things with Emma. Jesse Plemons: Its crazy thats just a couple of months ago. Im like, How did he just put out another movie? Y.L.: Well, Ill tell you. I know at the press conference you mentioned Caligula as inspiration for this. Im interested in the seed of the idea for you, and at what point you started thinking about it. Y.L.: First of all, whenever we finish something with co-writer Efthimis Filippou, because were working together for such a long time and were very good friends, we just start writing something new or we start searching for an idea. That started many years ago, right after we finished The Killing of a Sacred Deer together. We started writing this and the spark was me reading Caligula and going to Efthimis and saying, What if we made that on a very personal level? Like, one man having such control over another mans life. Then I think soon after we just had a need to experiment with form a little bit. We started thinking of a triptych. We made a list of ideas that he had and I had, and we combined them and then chose a couple that felt that they belonged in the same world, and started writing. Then the idea of the same actors playing a different part in each story came about, so that changed it. That happened over many years. We actually made Poor Things, and it allowed us to also revisit what were writing with Efthimis after some time and see it in a different light. Eventually when we were in post-production on Poor Things and we reached the final stage of the VFX, we already had this script that was very mature. We said, Instead of just me sitting around waiting for VFX shots, why dont we go and shoot this so we have it in the can, and then we can get back to it after we finish everything Poor Things-related? Thats how it came so soon after, but at the same time, it was a very long process to get it made. Jesse, can you tell me about receiving the script and your initial reactions to it? There are a lot of very strange, sort of depraved things that youre asked to do. What did you think when you first read it? J.P.: Ive been an enormous fan of Yorgos work since I saw Dogtooth years ago. I think, like Willem has said, I wasnt even really humoring the idea of potentially one day working with him. It came along and I was like, Sure, Ill read the script, but I dont see a scenario where I dont do this. I read the script and was amazed at how much it made me feel and how many sort of very intense, visceral emotions it brought up. Then at the end I was like, Why? What has happened to me? Now this is in me, and I dont know where to put any of this, and I feel very strange. I remember having that sort of conversation with my wife, just like, I am feeling all these things, and I dont know how to make sense of it. We spoke after I read it, and then not too long after I flew to New Orleans to rehearse. You guys hadnt worked together before, but Jesse, youre really the only person who has a consistent lead role across all three. Yorgos, how did you know, or what about him made you think, Okay, hes going to be the main guy? Y.L.: Id just seen his work over the years and it was always in my mind. Even for Poor Things I think we checked and he wasnt available. J.P.: [Shakes his head]. Thats crazy. Y.L.: He was always in my mind and I always wanted to work with him, and I had no question in my mind that, as an actor, at least, hed be great. But for us, its also that this kind of troupe is being created. Its also working with good people, and that you understand each other, and get along theres that aspect of it that is very important. Now that weve been working with Emma for so long, and Willem, and Margaret, and now Jesse all these people that you add to a kind of family of people where you understand each other, and can work comfortably, and have the same goal and not have different things in mind that are beyond what were actually creating. Just like the cult in the third section. Y.L.: [Laughs.] Yeah, like the cult in the third one. Exactly like that! Were a cult now. I read an interview with Willem where he was saying how, when he read the script, he wasnt exactly sure what it was about. Jesse, did you come away feeling like, Oh, I understand exactly what is going on here? J.P.: The first time I read it? No, no. Boy, I would love to talk to someone that felt that way. No, but then that is exciting, for it to evoke such strong feelings and then, on an intellectual level, to have very little clue thats extremely exciting. Over time, do you feel like you came to an understanding of it? J.P.: Yes, but its hard to articulate at the same time. Its like, fleeting, and then it changes, but its a constant discovery, and evolution, and constant stepping off the ledge and getting more comfortable with that. Like he said, this sort of troupe that hes built, not just with the actors but with the crew, creates an atmosphere that is palpable and you can feel when theres this going back to the cult analogy this group mind, you know? Y.L.: This is a group mind. Only one goal. The film is tonally similar across all of the three anthology sections, but youre playing someone just a little bit different. How did you tweak your performance slightly in each, but without really tweaking the tone at all? Y.L.: That was one of the few things Id actually talked about with you. J.P.: Basically, Dont go crazy. Y.L.: Dont go crazy with the different characters. For me, that was a thing I knew when I made the decision that it is going to be the same actors playing different parts in the different stories. It was very clear to me from the beginning although many things werent but it was clear that they shouldnt try and disguise themselves and do something totally different, because that kind of defeats the purpose of selecting the same actors. Because what I think is interesting in doing that is that, although the characters themselves dont really have any connection, the fact that you do follow one actor from one story to the next, it kind of brings a continuity that you cant explain literally. You cant understand it, but subconsciously it happens. So I think it enriches story after story, the fact that its the same actor. But then if they were trying to do something totally different, it would become more about the performance and how different they can be as actors rather than serving that kind of idea that there is a connection. We dont know what it is, but we feel this connection between the stories just because its the same people in different parts. Its almost like its a different life of the same character. J.P.: A reincarnation, almost. Y.L.: Yeah, like its a reincarnation. J.P.: I mean, Ive never thought that and dont want to put a title on it, but it kind of felt like that. Y.L.: No, I think that whenever I see the film. Especially with Jesse, because the next one starts with him. As soon as I see him with his police uniform when he goes to pick up his wifes dog tag, I go, Thats a different life of his. It does have that feeling. Were not saying it and we dont expect everyone to think that specifically, but there is a connection. So I think that was important and I shared it with all the actors. I mean, theres going to be all these tweaks in appearance or whatever so its separate enough, but to not go overboard and try and make it about how different we can be in the different stories. Jesse, was that stressful for you or more difficult? To play someone who was just subtly tweaked across the three stories. Yorgos, from talking to you previously I know you dont like to talk a ton about characterization and motivation, and Jesses characters here are all struggling with wanting to feel controlled and wanting to feel like someones telling them what to do, as well. So I thought that was an interesting parallel. J.P.: Well then youve got Andrew (of the cult section), who kind of feels slightly different, but is still looking to be Omis (the cult leader, played by Dafoe) number one, which is never going to happen. It was an exciting sort of balance to try and find. It doesnt feel like youre just playing dress up, I guess, but then also doesnt feel like youre making a show of it. That, in the beginning, was maybe something I was a little stressed about, but you just start and hope for the best. Theres a real darkness to this film that is different from Poor Things, and I think much more akin to your earlier work. The critical consensus is that this is sort of a return to form for you in that way. Some people have been saying that this is sort of like a fuck you to the idea that youve gone Hollywood, Yorgos. Does that resonate for you at all? YL: No, but I love the fact that people call J.P.: Hes so Hollywood. Y.L.: people now call Poor Things Hollywood, which was a film that were striving to make for 12 years and everybody was going like, Youre fucking crazy. Were never making that film. And now its Hollywood? Of course we didnt compromise on anything in that film, either. In the beginning, I was irritated. I was like, Oh, now Poor Things is the norm? But then I went, You know what? Thats not a bad thing, actually, that people think that Poor Things is kind of an everyday, normal Hollywood film. Anyway. I dont feel that because I dont feel Ive changed so much over this course. Now, again, we have another script with Efthimis. If it happens to be right after Kinds of Kindness because of the circumstances, or if I make this very different film actually, I am going to make a very different film. Were going to make it together. [Editors note: The film is Begonia, starring Plemons and Stone.] Everybody knows now. If I make something, its just a little bit random and circumstantial. I keep working on the stuff that I like and whatever feels ripe, we just go out and make it. The Favourite and Poor Things were things that I wrote with a different writer but also were one was based on a real story, the other one is based on a novel. Of course they feel different. But, I mean, they were still things I was very interested in making, and I had no compromise in making, and people were thinking I was crazy for wanting to make them. For me its just been a continuous kind of journey, and Ill just keep going wherever it feels right. On the afternoon of May 19, Russian occupants struck at Kupyansk district. They shelled two villages, Novoosynove and Kivsharivka, with MLRS fire. ADVERTISIMENT The attack killed five people and wounded nine others. This was stated by the head of the Kharkiv regional military administration Oleh Syniehubov. "Five civilians were killed and nine injured as a result of the shelling of Novoosynove and Kivsharivka villages with multiple rocket launchers," he said in a statement. Sinegubov clarified that Russia killed men aged 64, 65 and 58, and two women aged 56 and 72 were also victims of the aggressor. Five men and four women were wounded. All are being provided with medical care. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the invaders attacked the above-mentioned settlements with the Uragan system. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, on May 19, in Malodanylivka community on the northern outskirts of Kharkiv, the occupiers attacked a summer recreation center. There were civilian casualties, as of 12:00, there were 8 wounded, and at least four people were killed. By 3 p.m., 16 injured and five dead were reported, including a woman who was 7 months pregnant. Kharkiv also came under attack from the adjusted air bombs that day: the occupiers hit a cemetery and a park. It was also reported that the day before, on May 18, the Russian army attacked about 100 settlements in Ukraine and more than 100 infrastructure facilities in 14 regions. There are dead and wounded as a result of the enemy attacks. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! Dining chat: A waiter gave our anniversary bubbly to the table next to us. What should we have done? Mass for St. Cathaldus The annual Mass at the Shrine of St. Cathaldus (Cathal) was celebrated in very pleasant weather on Friday night, May 10, the feast day of the saint. The Mass, which was well attended, was celebrated by Fr. Conor Kelly, Admin, and Fr. Paddy Osborne and the weather on the occasion was very favourable. Local resident OBrien welcomed the people present and thanked those who had helped to prepare the area of the well for the celebration. He welcomed Fr. Kelly and Fr. Osborne and thanked Margaret OBrien for the lovely display of flowers which enhanced the altar. We know that there is a much bigger celebration taking place in Taranto, Italy where Cathal landed after being shipwrecked off the coast on his pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We are only a small gathering here celebrating our Saint, but we are united in prayer with the people of Taranto. I want to echo all those words of welcome and thanks and it is heartening to see so many come to this Mass this evening. Thank you for coming. In his homily, Fr. Kelly said that Cathal set out for the Holy Land and, on the way back, just like St. Paul, the Lord decided to turn him around. On the way back, he was shipwrecked, landed in Taranto and became their Bishop, later to be their Saint Protector. This was the Lords way, he has a plan for each of us. Sometimes it involves turning us around with means that we do not expect. A lot of the time we have to say Lord, how did this happen, why did this happen, what am I supposed to do now. The Lord always has a plan for each of us, and I have no doubt that the prayer of Cathaldus and our prayer too would be Lord, may Your will be done. Not my will, not what other people tell me, but may Your will be done. That was a lesson which was learned by many of the Saints of the Church. It is a lesson which is still being taught to us today. You have to ask the Lord to bring good out of every situation; to bring peace out of all the catastrophes in the world at the moment. If you go in to the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, there are four rows of pillars holding up the roof of the main hall there. On the third pillar in one of the rows, there is a dedication to St. Cathaldus. So, not only is he remembered here in his home place, not only is he remembered in Taranto in Italy where he was Bishop, he is remembered at the site of the Lords own birth. I find it very inspiring that his name is inscribed on a Pillar, because that is what the Lord chose for him, to be a Pillar in the Church, to help to hold up the faith of the people of Taranto; to hold up the Church in his own little spot; to inspire people to get closer to Christ, to place their trust in him. That Christ always knew what was best and that even despite setbacks and many things apparently going wrong, that God knows what he is doing. We were told long ago in College, that sooner or later, Gods river reaches the sea, in other words that Gods Will, will always be done, God always wins out in the end. By Jonathan McCambridge, PA A number of countries are likely to follow Ireland when it recognises the State of Palestine in the coming days, the Taoiseach has said. In Longford on Sunday, Simon Harris said Ireland will set out its position and processes in recognition in the "coming days", with recognition coming before the end of May. Government sources have said it is likely an announcement is made after Tuesday's Cabinet meeting. As the Irish Examiner reports, Mr Harris said that he had been working with "a number of countries" on recognition, and denied Israeli claims that doing so would be either rewarding Hamas or jeopardising hostages held in Gaza. "Ireland is working with a number of like-minded countries in relation to this. "We expect a number to move in the coming days and expect more to move in the coming weeks," he said. Mr Harris made the comments following reports of a diplomatic row with Israeli president Isaac Herzog over the Governments plan. The Taoiseach spoke by phone with Mr Herzog on Friday where he set out Irelands desire to see an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as well as urgent and unhindered access for humanitarian aid. The president of Israel, Isaac Herzog, had a phone conversation with Simon Harris on Friday (Justin Tallis/PA) RTE reported that sources close to the Israeli president said he warned Mr Harris that unilateral recognition of Palestine could jeopardise any hope of Hamas releasing the hostages it continues to hold in Gaza and encourage further attacks on Israel. However, Mr Harris said the action would not be unilateral and said he was not interested in getting involved in a back and forth with the president of Israel. He was speaking in Co Longford following the National Famine Commemoration event. Asked what had transpired in the call with Mr Herzog, Mr Harris said: I have less than zero interest in getting involved into some sort of back and forth between myself and the president of Israel. I had a good conversation with the president of Israel. We had a firm and respectful conversation. It is my job as the Taoiseach of this country to speak up for the Irish position, to speak out on behalf of the people of Ireland. The Irish position in relation to the Middle East, in relation to Gaza, in relation to Israel is very straightforward and very consistent. We need to see an immediate cessation of violence, we need to see unimpeded and unhindered access to humanitarian aid because there is a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in front of our eyes. We need to see a two-state solution. In order to see a two-state solution and to help bring one about you have to recognise the very existence of two states. In the coming days, Ireland intends to do just that. Mr Harris was asked whether the move could lead to the severing of diplomatic ties between Ireland and Israel. He said: It is not unilateral, Ireland is working with a number of like-minded countries in relation to this. I expect more to move in the coming days, I expect more to move in the coming weeks. Certainly Ireland doesnt wish to sever diplomatic relations. You can strongly disagree with a country, you can differentiate between the government of a country and the people of a country. I believe there are many people in Israel as well as many people in Palestine who want to live in peace, want to live in security, want to live in prosperity, want their children to be able to access food. Obviously we have a very different position to Israel in relation to this but a two-state solution is in my view, in the view of Ireland and I believe in the view of many people for many years, the way you bring about peace, stability, prosperity in the region. The Taoiseach said the date for the recognition of Palestine as a state had yet to be decided. He added: There is important sequencing that our country and other countries have to carry out. I mean political processes that have to be followed and they differ slightly from country to country. The specific date will be decided in the coming days. What I can tell you is that it is absolutely our intention to recognise the state of Palestine this month and there is not that long left in this month. The Annual General Meeting of Macra na Feirme took place in Farnham Estate, County Cavan recently, and it had very special significance. In addition to serving its regular, annual purpose, the meeting also served to mark the 80th anniversary of the organisation that is intrinsic to the success of the Irish farming sector. The AGM was well attended, with 82 delegates registered. This made for good debate and discussions throughout the day. The celebrations continued into the night with over 160 members and friends sitting down to an exceptional banquet. Speaking at the meeting Macra President, Elaine Houlihan said: At our AGM each year we see changes in our board with new board members elected by our delegates." "I would like to welcome Josephine ONeill as our new national chairperson, Stephanie Blewitt as our national secretary, Hugh Brown as our new treasurer, and Andrew Dunne and Shane Dolphin as new board members," she said. In welcoming the new board members, Ms Houlihan went on to thank all of the outgoing board members and former National County Representatives. She also highlighted how the success of the organisations relies heavily on the dedication of people who give their time voluntarily to keep everything on track. I cannot thank enough our members who so freely give of their time, who are the lifeblood of our organisation and who have kept the wheels on the wagon for the last 80 years," she said. Reflecting on 2023, Ms Houlihan said it was a year that was financially challenging for Macra na Feirme, as it was for many organisations. "Having said that, plans are in place to ensure the financial sustainability of Macra," she said. "The majority of the deficit that was experienced by Macra in 2023, was historical in nature," she added. Ms Houlihan went on to thank Cavan Macra for arranging the Annual General Meeting in the lovely surroundings of Farnham estate. We could have not been made more welcome, nothing was too big an ask for either Cavan Macra or the hotel," she said. She also acknowledged the fact the AGM was sponsored by Lakelands Dairies, and with that in mind she went on to comment: "Without the support of friends such as Lakelands, it would not be possible to run AGMs and other events at the high standards that they are ran." "This is the continuation of a relationship between Macra and Lakelands," said Ms Houlihan. In the final part of her address she quoted something she spotted on a poster designed by a Macra member and stated: "It started with farmers and continues with friends. If you ever wonder how your homes energy use is likely to shift as the world races to net zero emissions, a lofty warehouse west of London might offer a glimpse of the future. Octopus Energy, a rapidly growing British power outfit backed by Australias Origin Energy, has built two full-size model houses in the Slough Trading Estate, where it is testing innovative technology and training a burgeoning workforce of engineers in how to replace old gas boilers with custom-built heat pumps instead. Origin Energy CEO Frank Calabria (left) and Octopus Energy founder and CEO Greg Jackson. Replacing gas appliances with electric alternatives is touted as one of the key changes households can make to reduce their footprint of planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. Operating like a reverse fridge, electric heat pumps draw heat from the air and compress it to increase temperatures, instead of using a fossil fuel. Whats perhaps more notable is that the heat pumps Octopus Energy is deploying are smart heat pumps, powered by custom-built technology and artificial intelligence. Using AI linked to room sensors, the companys Kraken software platform automatically adjusts the temperature of the home and instructs the devices to draw power at times of low demand and wholesale prices, saving money on bills. Up to 60 per cent of new apartments in Australia are riddled with construction flaws including cracked foundations, water leaks, balcony defects and flammable cladding. Research by campaigners Australian Apartment Advocacy warned that shoddy workmanship in apartments had sparked a groundswell of special levies. Condensation in Ally Nallys apartment was so bad if Id stand in socks next to my window, I could actually hear squelching. Credit: Eddie Jim There had also been an explosion in owners being stung with bills totalling tens of thousands of dollars to fix faults or for urgent maintenance works after purchasing apartments, leaving some on the brink of financial ruin. People are saving up to buy a one-bedroom apartment because thats all they can afford, and now theyre copping this, the groups director, Samantha Reece, said. A Netflix boss misled British parliament over the truth about the series Baby Reindeer, an MP has claimed. John Nicolson, a Scottish National Party MP, will ask Netflix to substantiate its claims that a stalker who inspired the fictional character was convicted. Richard Gadd plays a bartender whose life is invaded by an obsessive, lonely patron in Baby Reindeer, which is based on his one-man show of the same name. Credit: Netflix Baby Reindeer is a dramatisation of the apparently true story of comedian Richard Gadd, who stars in the series as himself alongside Jessica Gunning. Gunning plays the character of Martha, based on his stalker, who is believed to be a woman called Fiona Harvey. Dubai: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, his foreign minister and others have been found dead at the site of a helicopter crash after an hours-long search through a foggy, mountainous region of the countrys north-west on Monday, state media reported. The crash comes as the Middle East remains unsettled by the Israel-Hamas war, during which Raisi, 63, under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, launched an unprecedented drone-and-missile attack on Israel last month. It followed an earlier Israeli attack on an Iranian consulate in Damascus. A screen grab captured from a video shows the wreck of the helicopter that had carried Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his delegation. Credit: Iranian Red Crescent Society/Handout Under Raisi, Iran enriched uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels, further escalating tensions with the West as Tehran also supplied bomb-carrying drones to Russia for its war in Ukraine and armed militia groups across the region. Meanwhile, Iran has faced years of mass protests against its Shiite theocracy over its ailing economy and womens rights making the moment that much more sensitive for Tehran and the future of the country. Since the morning of May 19, Russian terrorists have been massively shelling the Kharkiv region. Powerful explosions were heard on the territory of the Malodanylivka community. ADVERTISIMENT Several arrivals were recorded there. There are dead and injured among the civilians. This was reported by the head of the Malodanylivka community, Oleksandr Hololobov, on Telegram. According to him, there are victims of Russian shelling on the territory of the community. The official called on local residents to stay in safe places until the air raid alert is lifted. "Arrivals on the territory of the community. There are victims. Be careful," Gololobov wrote. ADVERTISIMENT In a commentary to Suspilne Kharkiv, the head of the community said that the Russian occupiers hit a summer vacation spot in the Malodanylivka community of Kharkiv region. The official noted that all the victims were civilians. The head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, Oleh Syniehubov, said that as of 11:50 a.m., six people were known to have been injured as a result of the shelling of the Malodanylivka community. Later, the regional administration clarified that the number of victims had increased to 8 people. Four more people died as a result of Russian shelling. At 13:00, the head of the RMA reported that the number of injured civilians had increased to 15. ADVERTISIMENT Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko said that Putin's terrorists had targeted a recreation center on the shore of a reservoir in Kharkiv district. As of 13:43, it is known that 5 people were killed and 16 injured, including an 8-year-old child. The regional police also clarified that a pregnant woman was among the Russian victims. A local resident who was fishing 100 meters from the recreation center also died. Among the wounded are a police officer and a paramedic who arrived to help people and were injured as a result of a second strike. Klymenko emphasized that the targeted killing of civilians has become a common practice for Russian invaders. Law enforcement officers are carefully recording every crime so that every war criminal receives a fair punishment. ADVERTISIMENT The Prosecutor General's Office emphasized that Russian troops attacked Kharkiv region using the "repeated strike" tactic. The terrorists struck the first blow at about 11:00 a.m. at a recreation center in the village of Cherkaska Lozova. Approximately 10 minutes later, the Russian army struck the same place again with a missile. According to preliminary data, the enemy attacked the village with two Iskander-M missiles from the territory of the Belgorod region of Russia. ADVERTISIMENT ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, the Russian occupation army continues its offensive in the north of Kharkiv region and is trying to capture the city of Vovchansk and other settlements. The village of Lyptsi remains one of the main targets of the enemy in the Kharkiv region. Earlier it was reported that the Russian occupiers failed to realize their tactical intentions during the offensive in the Kharkiv region. Defense forces are holding them back at the contact line. In some areas, Ukrainian soldiers are even driving the Russians out of their captured positions. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! The strengthening of ties and the formation of a kind of alliance between Russia and China is a threat to the West. This rapprochement should concern all countries that consider freedom and democracy to be of paramount importance, given that both countries have begun to claim that "nuclear tensions" with the West are on the rise ADVERTISIMENT An effective step to counteract the rapprochement between Beijing and Moscow on the part of Western powers is to increase military assistance to Ukraine, including the transfer of lethal weapons. This statement was made by British Defense Secretary Grant Shepps, as quoted by Bloomberg. In an interview with Sky TV channel "Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips," the official called the strengthening of the alliance between Russia and China a threat to Western countries, so he called on European countries to increase assistance to Ukraine with lethal weapons. "This is a direct threat to our way of life. If we value our freedom and democracy, we should be concerned that they are coming together," Shepps emphasized. He made these comments against the backdrop of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's trip to China. There, in Beijing, he and Chinese President Xi Jinping made statements promising to intensify cooperation against the US "containment" of their countries. The leaders of the two countries also announced an increase in nuclear tensions with the West. ADVERTISIMENT The publication reminds that during the Russian aggression against Ukraine, relations between London and Beijing and Moscow have deteriorated. The reason was "espionage, sabotage and intimidation." "The UK expelled a senior Russian official and imposed new restrictions on the country's diplomats earlier this month in response to what it called a coordinated spying campaign. Russia then expelled the UK's defense attache," the article says. Referring to the Russian offensive in the north of Kharkiv region, Shepps called on European countries to increase aid to Ukraine. "We are in an existential battle for how we manage the world order. We must stand up to this," the British Defense Secretary emphasized. As reported, on May 16, Putin arrived in China and began talks with Xi Jinping. The Russian dictator spent two days in China. ADVERTISIMENT He was accompanied by the newly appointed Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, as well as the new Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu and Foreign Policy Advisor Yuriy Ushakov. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber . Don't fall for fakes! By Rachel Vickers-Price and Rebecca Black, PA A 23-year-old man has been charged with the murder of 34-year-old Kathryn Parton, who was found dead at her home in Madrid Street in east Belfast on Wednesday. A 43-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man have also been charged in connection with Ms Partons death with the offences of assisting an offender and aiding and abetting a breach of bail. The woman has also been charged with the offence of attempting to pervert the course of justice. All three are due to appear at Belfast Magistrates Court on Monday, May 20th. Ms Parton, known as Kat, was found dead with head injuries in a house in the Madrid Street area on Wednesday afternoon. Detective Inspector Michelle Griffin said officers received a report of the death of a woman at 4.25 pm on Wednesday and, upon arrival at the house, discovered the body of a woman in a bedroom who had sustained serious injuries to her head. Kathryn Parton murder investigation update. pic.twitter.com/ZAPsCeM552 Police East Belfast (@PSNIBelfastE) May 19, 2024 Ms Griffin said her thoughts are first and foremost with Kathryns family, who are left trying to come to terms with their loss. Alliance East Belfast MLA Peter McReynolds said it was an extremely sad and distressing incident. I am deeply saddened to hear about the death of a woman in East Belfast, he said. This is an extremely sad and distressing incident and my thoughts and sympathies are with the family of the victim. This tragic event has shocked local residents and the wider community upon hearing this upsetting news. Congratulations to Anna Maughan on her outstanding achievement in obtaining the joint highest grade in Design and Communication Graphics in the Leaving Certificate 2023. Her dedication, hard work, and talent have truly paid off, setting a remarkable standard for excellence. Under the guidance of her teacher, Jimmy Kissane, and within the supportive environment of St Patrick's College, Lacken Cross, Anna exceeded the highest expectations. Her commitment to academic excellence is commendable and serves as an inspiration to her peers and educators alike. Currently, Anna is finishing a Level 5 in Castlebar at Mayo College of Further Education and Training in Software Development and is hoping to attend the University Of Limerick in the Autumn to study a Masters in Immersive Software Engineering. May this accomplishment be the first of many milestones in her journey ahead. Her achievement not only reflects her academic prowess but also her determination and perseverance in pursuing her goals. Everyone at St Patrick's College in Lacken Cross wishes Anna continued success and fulfilment in all her future endeavours. Tang Renjian, China's minister of agriculture and rural affairs, is under investigation for suspected severe violations of Party discipline and the law, an official statement said Saturday. Tang, also secretary of the leading Party members' group of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, is being investigated by the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision, according to the statement. Born in 1962, Tang formerly held positions at the country's now-defunct ministry of agriculture, as well as in the governments of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Gansu Province. He was appointed to his current position in December 2020. On Sunday, May 19, a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi crashed in the Iranian province of East Azerbaijan. He was also accompanied by the Imam of the Friday Prayer of Tabriz, Seyyed Mohammad Ali Al-Hashem, and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian. ADVERTISIMENT The breaking news was reported by the Associated Press, Al Arabiya, and Iran's semi-official Tasnim media outlet. It is noted that the helicopter made a hard landing. In total, there were three helicopters in the convoy, two of which were carrying ministers and officials, and they successfully arrived at their destination. According to the Tasnim news agency, the president's satellites on board were able to contact the central headquarters, so there is hope that the incident could have ended without casualties. ADVERTISIMENT According to media reports, the incident occurred near Jolfa, a city on the border with Azerbaijan, about 600 kilometers northwest of the Iranian capital Tehran. Iran's state television reported that rescuers allegedly tried to reach the scene but were hampered by bad weather conditions in the area. Heavy rain with little wind was reported. Iran's SNN news agency claims that the helicopter allegedly landed due to fog and the president's convoy is heading to the city of Tabriz in Iran . Later, Mehr news agency also confirmed this information, noting that Raisi was fine. Other media outlets report that the details and condition of the passengers are still unknown. ADVERTISIMENT 63-year-old Ibrahim Raisi won the 2021 presidential election in Iran. The elections recorded the lowest turnout in the history of the Islamic Republic. Raisi is under US sanctions in part for his involvement in the mass execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988 at the end of the bloody Iran-Iraq war. Under Raisi's leadership, Iran is now enriching uranium to near-weapons-grade levels and obstructing international inspections. Iran has armed Russia in its war against Ukraine, and launched a massive drone and missile strike against Israel during its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It also continues to arm proxy groups in the Middle East, such as Yemen's Houthi rebels and Lebanon's Hezbollah. As reported by OBOZ.UA: - In April, two Royal Navy helicopters collided in the air in Malaysia during a rehearsal for a military parade. At least ten people were killed in the crash. ADVERTISIMENT - Also in Kenya, the army commander-in-chief, General Francis Omondi Ogolla, was killed in a military helicopter crash. He was in the helicopter with 11 senior military personnel. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the allocation of 10 billion zlotys ($2.5 billion) for the Eastern Shield project. This initiative is aimed at strengthening the Polish border with Russia and Belarus. ADVERTISIMENT Tusk made this statement at a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino on Saturday, May 18. This was reported by the Polish portal RMF24. "We have decided to invest 10 billion zlotys in our security and, above all, in a secure eastern border. We are launching a huge project to build a secure border, including a system of fortifications, as well as landscape and environmental solutions that will make this border impassable for a potential enemy," Tusk said. The Polish Prime Minister also noted that in recent weeks the country has been facing provocations and sabotage. He promised to inform the public about the measures taken by the Polish state against those who commit them next week. "We are counteracting, detaining, and arresting those who are trying to attack our homeland, Poland, here on our land. The Polish state will be absolutely merciless to them," Tusk added. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, Poland's Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk said that his country will carry out a significant modernization of fortifications. The defense ministry representative emphasized that Poland is ready to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on these measures. Poland has begun construction of fortifications on the border with Belarus. According to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, this decision was made due to pressure from the regime of dictator Alexander Lukashenko. He also added that Poland decided to strengthen its borders due to the growing threat posed by Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the uncertain geopolitical situation. Earlier, the State Security Committee of Belarus said that Poland was allegedly preparing for "terrorist attacks and seizure of facilities" in Belarus. The Belarusian media claimed that the KGB knew the names of the curators, who were employees of the Polish special services. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! Two senior officials from the US presidential administration visited Oman this week to hold indirect talks with Iranian officials. The talks between the United States and Iran focused on avoiding an escalation of regional terrorist attacks. ADVERTISIMENT The United States was represented by Presidential Advisor for Middle East Affairs Brett McGurk and Acting U.S. Representative to Iran Abram Paley, Axios reported, citing two sources. It is not known who represented Iran. The talks in Oman took place on Tuesday. During the talks, the United States expressed its concern about the status of Iran's nuclear program. The Americans also tried to explain the possible consequences of the actions of Iran and its "partners" in the region. The neutral word "partners" refers to the Hezbollah terrorist group in Lebanon, militants in Syria and Iraq, including Hamas, and the Houthis in Yemen. And the words "Iran's actions" means large-scale air attacks on Israel and support for Hamas in Palestine and the Houthis in the Red Sea. Thus, it can be assumed that America has threatened Iran: in case of escalation of regional terrorist attacks, the United States will take action. It is believed that Iran does not want to have a direct conflict with America. ADVERTISIMENT The White House and the State Department refused to comment on the talks in Oman. Earlier, Deputy State Department Spokesperson Vedant Patel said that the Biden administration has the means to communicate with Iran "when necessary." However, he also said that Biden's team doubted the reliability of information about Iran's resumption of its nuclear weapons program. Iran officially shut down the program in 2003. However, unofficial sources, including the global intelligence community, report not only that the program is working but also that Iran has reached the finish line in creating a nuclear bomb. As reported, the United States and Saudi Arabia are approaching the conclusion of a historic pact that will provide the kingdom with real security guarantees and pave the way for the establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel. This agreement will dramatically change the Middle East, and will also deter Iran, China, and to some extent Russia. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Call for new strategy to address rural poverty This article is old - Published: Sunday, May 19th, 2024 A Plaid Cymru MS called for a rural poverty strategy, raising an economists warning that rural Wales is probably in more trouble than at any point in living memory. Cefin Campbell, who lives in the Tywi Valley, described rural Wales as a picture of decline, with banks, schools, post offices and pubs all closing, The Plaid Cymru politician told the Senedd young people are leaving to seek work, affordable housing, a better life or leisure facilities. Mr Campbell said an external view of relative wealth can hide poverty under the surface, warning significant poverty is hiding in the shadows in rural Wales. He raised the example of Ceredigion, which has among the highest house prices in Wales, yet 30% of children living in poverty the second highest rate in the country. Economic dysfunction Mr Campbell, who represents Mid and West Wales, said rural areas face the triple pressures of high costs, low incomes and poor access to public services. He quoted Calvin Jones, a professor of economics at Cardiff University, as warning rural Wales is in trouble probably more trouble than in living memory. Economic dysfunction is old hat here of course, said Prof Jones. The social problems consequent on poor wages, low value added, and a lack of economic opportunity and market income are many and longstanding. These include poverty, the hollowing out of towns, poor service provision for rural areas, and the out-migration of the young. Rural proofing Mr Campbell advocated following the example of Northern Irelands Rural Needs Act which places a legal duty on public bodies to carry out a rural-proofing test The former lecturer urged the Welsh Government to adopt a specific strategy, arguing urban and rural poverty must be addressed differently. He told the chamber he has commissioned research and developed a strategy, which will be published shortly, due to the lack of response from the Welsh Government. His Plaid Cymru colleague Mabon ap Gwynfor said: Theres one thing thats certain, which is that there is less investment in our rural areas, in the infrastructure. The Dwyfor Meirionnydd MS called for fair funding from Westminster, saying Crown Estate and HS2 money could transform rural Wales. Food deserts Sian Gwenllian highlighted a Bevan Foundation report on poverty in her Arfon constituency, warning of a cost-of-living premium in rural areas. She raised concerns about food deserts in communities such as Dyffryn Nantlle and Deiniole where there is no supermarket and public transport infrastructure is poor. Samuel Kurtz, who chairs the cross-party group on rural growth, raised a report on rural productivity which made 19 recommendations following an inquiry. The Conservative said: There are genuine opportunities within this report that do not require big money bags being spent to improve productivity in rural Wales. These are some small changes that can be implemented that can deliver real change in rural Wales, that would benefit people that we represent across Wales. Not convinced Responding to the short debate on May 15, Huw Irranca-Davies agreed it is a crucial issue, with 80% of Wales classified as rural and one in three people living in rural areas. The new rural affairs secretary told the chamber the Welsh Governments goal is to ensure equal access to support whether you live in a rural or urban area, or between the two. Mr Irranca-Davies said ministers firmly believe a strategic all-Wales approach is the best way forward while recognising the challenges in different communities, including rural areas. Im not convinced that a rural poverty strategy on its own is the right approach, said the former MP, who was environment minister in Gordon Browns UK Government. He battled away calls for legislation, saying rural proofing should form part of existing impact assessments and he will hammer this point home with cabinet colleagues. By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter Almost 2,000 has been donated to charities and organisations as part of a special fundraising evening. The event, held by the North Wales Freemasons, saw the presentation of cheques to several organisations that play vital roles in the community. Ian Gibbons, the Charity Steward, along with the Lodge Worshipful Master, James Gardner, led the proceedings, distributing funds to Nightingale House, 1st Kinnerton Scouts, Sandycroft Hub and Pantry, Ark Angels Pet Rescue, and Crossroads Carers Trust. A cheque was presented to the North Wales Provincial Team for the 2028 festival, a significant event held every six years to support both national and local charities and to fund clinical research. Phil James, Chairman of the North Wales Freemasons Charity, was present to receive the cheque, alongside Andrew Schofield. The event featured notable moments, such as Lesley Povey, Diane Jones, and Mike Jones from the Sandycroft Hub & Pantry accepting their donation. Beaver Leader Ryan Goodwin, accompanied by twins Leo and Oscar, received the cheque for 1st Kinnerton Scouts. Charlotte Brown, the Community Fundraiser for Nightingale House received her organisations cheque. Our Dee Estuary project launches new educational online hub This article is old - Published: Sunday, May 19th, 2024 A community conservation project working across the Welsh and English coasts of the Dee Estuary has launched a new website. The Our Dee Estuary project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and made possible thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, has brought together all the information it has gathered over the past two and a half years about this important coastal location for use by locals and tourists alike. Our Dee Estuary is a cross-border partnership project led by Cheshire Wildlife Trust, on behalf of the Tidal Dee Catchment Partnership. Project staff, together with the 11 core partner organisations said they wanted to create a website that would inspire, educate, and motivate people from the surrounding communities to become stewards of their local coastal environment and to help care for it now and into the future. Emily Lake, the Senior Project Officer for the Our Dee Estuary project says: I am very proud of then resource we have created through this website. I hope it will be used by the whole community to connect with their coastal and marine spaces. As a community conservation project, we know that getting people out into these spaces to connect with nature will encourage them to want to proactively care for nature, whether thats joining in on a beach clean or having their household plumbing checked for misconnections, it all contributes towards a healthier, richer marine environment. We worked closely with all 11 project partners to make sure that the website is a comprehensive, one stop shop, of information for the Dee Estuary whether you are a teacher or a parent looking for educational resources, a tourist looking for activities to do on your summer holidays at the beach, a local wildlife enthusiast seeking out new wildlife hotspots, or just a local resident wanting to know more about your local area. Neil Smith, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Senior Conservation Officer, said: A major focus of the Our Dee Estuary project has been to make the special habitats and species of the Dee Estuary more accessible and meaningful to the people who live, work, or visit the area. The new website will certainly help achieve this by providing an easily accessible route to help people both discover and value this truly unique area. Dr Graeme Cotterill, Head of Strategy and Operations for North Wales Wildlife Trust, said: This new website about the Dee Estuary is a great resource that showcases how all the different organisations and groups are working together to highlight this important natural feature in our region, help people to explore it and to see how they can help protect it for the future. Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: It is fantastic to see this milestone reached in the Our Dee Estuary project. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, this new website will be a wonderful resource for local people to learn about the wildlife-rich coastal landscape that is right on their doorstep. It is vital that we value, rebuild, and protect our natural heritage so it is sustained for the future, and this project has that at its core. The website will complement the wider work of the Our Dee Estuary project, which includes: Wildlife surveys on the English and Welsh sides of the estuary monitoring grayling butterfly and natterjack toad. Delivering a wide range of events across both sides of the Dee Estuary on topics such as geology, archaeology, and history. Protecting and managing Cheshire Wildlife Trusts only coastal nature reserve, Red Rocks Marsh on the Wirral. A clean water campaign, working alongside United Utilities and Dwr Cymru | Welsh Water, reaching out to local businesses and residents to help improve the water environment in and around the Dee Estuary. A teacher training programme to encourage schools and teachers to get their students learning about the Dee Estuary and its wildlife. A coastal recreation initiative to educate people on how to enjoy the coast safely alongside its resident wildlife. Photo credit Robin Rowe Julie Andrews once said that Shonda Rhimes changed the face of television. And, as cliche as it may sound, the legendary actress from The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins was won over by the catalog of stories starring characters of all ethnicities, skin colors, creeds, sexual orientations and gender identities that emerged from the imagination of a woman from Chicago. Their paths crossed just 20 years ago, when Andrews starred in the sequel to the successful The Princess Diaries, with a script written by an unknown thirty-something named Shonda Rhimes. It didnt take long for that young woman to make a name for herself as the most powerful force in the television industry: Greys Anatomy, Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder placed her on the throne of the global media kingdom. With more than 70 episodes a year broadcast under her supervision, she became by her own admission the highest-paid showrunner on TV. But, in 2017, she decided to change things up. I honestly have to admit that, for a long time, I suffered from big time exhaustion, Rhimes explains to EL PAIS via video call. At the peak of her success and while rejecting equally or more lucrative offers she signed a multimillion-dollar contract with Netflix. She sought in her own words to counteract the exhausting nature of her schedule and revive her passion for the profession. I couldnt find the time to be able to dedicate myself to stories. Thanks to the streaming model, I can have more creative thinking, she explains. The change didnt take long to bear fruit. Her first series for the platform Bridgerton became the companys biggest success to date. A period piece that has just released its third season, its expected to continue to break records. Producer Shonda Rhimes posing at an event in New York City in 2023 Ilya S. Savenok (Getty Images for Netflix) Julie Andrews serves as narrator in the series. And its precisely her fictional alter-ego who will be the main voice of the latest batch of episodes, which saw the first part begin streaming on May 16, with the second portion set to premiere on June 13. Meanwhile, actress Nicola Coughlan reprises the character of Penelope Featherington, one of the fans favorites. Her popularity stems from her ability to frighten the upper classes of London in the early-1800s, with her signed pamphlets under the pseudonym of Lady Whistledown. In season three, the young woman will embark on the search for a husband with the help of her childhood friend, Colin Bridgerton (played by Luke Newton). She will also have to decide if his love advice is of a purely friendly nature. Upon being placed at the center of the new installment of the highly-popular series, Coughlan had to take to social media to request an end to negative comments about her weight and appearance. Nicola is beautiful, the creator of the series affirms. Shes fantastic just the way she is and we love having the opportunity to celebrate both her and her character. We always knew we were going to tell the story of Colin and Penelope. Will putting the spotlight on Nicola encourage other women to finally feel like theyre the protagonists of their own stories? I feel like we all are, she replies. There are thousands of examples of beautiful women of all sizes living their lives to the fullest. Thinking that these women arent attractive is a strange stereotype, because there are many men who feel that they are. Penelope Featherington (played by actress Nicola Coughlan) will be the protagonist of the third season of 'Bridgerton.' Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection / Cordon Press The new season, once again, features a good number of fiery intimate scenes, which have already become one of the most distinctive characteristics of a fictional series that according to its chief executive has made the exploration of female desire its principal objective. In an industry that has seen explicit moments of sex or nudity diminish by leaps and bounds over the past couple of decades, Bridgerton stands out as a rare bird that combines the support of the audience and the blessing of the actors involved in these scenes. When asked about the reasons for becoming an exception to the prevailing rule, Rhimes assures EL PAIS that she plans each scene as if it were an action sequence. This is a job a literal job not someone hooking up with a random guy. We want everyone to feel safe and comfortable. We dont try to take advantage of anyones body and we have an intimacy coordinator on set who helps us plan everything, she details. This conviction has accompanied her since her beginnings as a producer. I remember telling the actresses of Greys Anatomy, If you want to film a sex scene with a snowsuit on, go for it. Well figure it out. Empire-style dresses, tiaras, corsets, gloves, pearl-and-feather headdresses... another effect that the series has had since its premiere has been to revolutionize the wardrobes of its viewers. Online searches for clothing related to the early-1800s skyrocket with the premiere of each new season. Fashion magazines from around the world have joined the trend, proposing looks inspired by the series. Yet, these modified outfits are perfectly suitable to be worn in 2024. Weve always wanted people to feel that fashion is another character. We pay a lot of attention to it, Rhimes notes. However, she does acknowledge her astonishment at the rise of this style on the streets and on the catwalks, a trend that has been coined as Regencycore, in reference to the British era that the series is set in. Its always surprising when something takes off so much but when they first showed me the styles and fabrics, it was really spectacular. I wanted to wear it myself. And, if I thought that, I was sure that other women would, too. Before ending her video interview with EL PAIS and admitting other journalists from the virtual waiting room, Shonda Rhimes briefly takes stock of her 20-year-long incontestable reign in the television industry. I think what Im most proud of is the opportunities weve created. We took a lot of people out of the writing rooms, gave them their own series and helped them advance in the industry. I love that. She concludes by giving three pieces of advice for those who are standing in front of the blank page and want to follow in her footsteps: Dont try to imitate anyone find your own style and be original. Never walk into a room thinking you dont deserve to be there. And dont give up: if you really want to be a screenwriter, never give up. Actors Luke Newton, Phoebe Dyvenor and Ruth Gemmell in a still from the second season of 'Bridgerton.' Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection / Cordon Press Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Dracula III: Legacy is a vampire movie directed by Patrick Lussier. It serves as the sequel film to Dracula II: Ascension and Dracula 2000. The story is set in the future, Uffizi and Luke go to Romania, which is at war, to save Elizabeth and defeat the vampire. During their journey, they meet a TV journalist and rebels who are fighting against the vampires in their country. Heres how you can watch and stream Dracula III: Legacy via streaming services such as HBO Max. Is Dracula III: Legacy available to watch via streaming? Yes, Dracula III: Legacy is available to watch via streaming on HBO Max. In a land torn by both war and vampires, Luke and Father Uffizi travel through Romania. Luke is on a mission to rescue Elizabeth Blaine from Dracula III, while Uffizi aims to rid the land of vampires. They meet a British journalist named Julia Hughes, who is reporting on the war. They face dangerous situations together with rebels and vampires. The film stars Jason Scott Lee as Father Uffizi, Rutger Hauer as Count Dracula / Judas Iscariot, Diane Neal as Elizabeth Blaine, and Jason London as Luke. Watch Dracula III: Legacy streaming via HBO Max Dracula III: Legacy is available to watch on HBO Max. HBO Max is a well-known streaming service; you can watch many film and TV series on the platform, such as Bad Education, RoboCop, Carrie, The Regime, and Tokyo Vice. You can watch via Max. formerly known as HBO Max by following these steps: Go to HBOMax.com/subscribe Click Sign Up Now Choose your plan: $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year (with ads) $15.99 per month or $149.99 per year (ad-free) $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year (ultimate ad-free) Enter your personal information and password Select Create Account Max With Ads provides the services streaming library at a Full HD resolution, allowing users to stream on up to two supported devices at once. Max Ad-Free removes the services commercials and allows streaming on two devices at once in Full HD. It also allows for 30 downloads at a time to allow users to watch content offline. On the other hand, Max Ultimate Ad-Free allows users to stream on four devices at once in a 4K Ultra HD resolution and provides Dolby Atmos audio and 100 downloads. Dracula III: Legacy synopsis is as follows: Dracula leads vampire hunters Father Uffizi and Luke back to Eastern Europe, and a country plagued by civil war. NOTE: The streaming services listed above are subject to change. The information provided was correct at the time of writing. Pinocchio Unstrungs Titular Character Will Go To Gory Lengths To Become a Real Boy The creators of the Poohniverse horror movie Pinocchio Unstrung have detailed a gory, gruesome scene where Pinocchio tries to become Movies Neil Bolt 14 hours ago Bill Nighy, Matt Smith, & More to Star in New Drama Movie Written by Sarah Polley & Sons, a new movie being written by Oscar-winning filmmaker Sarah Polley, has enlisted the names of Bill Nighy, Matt Movies Ryan Louis Mantilla 1 day ago 9 Underrated Home Invasion Movies to Watch After The Strangers: Chapter 1 The Strangers first hit theaters in May 2008, leaving a major mark in pop culture and scarring moviegoers as one Movies Jon Mendelsohn 1 day ago Forever, Interrupted: Laura Dern & Margaret Qualley to Lead Netflix & A24 Miniseries According to Deadline, Oscar winner Laura Dern and Emmy nominee Margaret Qualley will lead the cast of Netflix and A24s TV Maggie Dela Paz 1 day ago Read more The post Dracula III: Legacy Streaming: Watch & Stream Online via HBO Max appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Luis Ignacio Lula da Silva, three times president of Brazil, was born in 1945. He grew up poor in Sao Paulo and left school early to help support his family. Having trained as a lathe operator, he reached a milestone when he became the first member of his family to earn more than the minimum wage. Initially reluctant to get involved in politics, he was president of the steelworkers union by the time he was 30, leading a strike that achieved better wages that he saw were soon soaked up by a rise in rents. It was time for workers to think about ruling their own country, he says in voice-over in Oliver Stone and Rob Wilsons documentary, simply called Lula. It is a remarkable political career, achieved against every kind of odds, recounted with admirable thoroughness. He was working in the years when most kids are in primary school; he didnt learn to read until he was 10. In 1980, when the end of Brazils 21 years of military dictatorship meant that it was possible to form political parties, he helped start the Workers Party. In 2002, after running as a Workers Party candidate unsuccessfully three times, he was elected president. In a moving snippet of the films wealth of archive footage, the newly elected Lula is seen smoothing out the notification of his election. For people who denigrated his lack of a degree, he said, here was his first diploma. More from Deadline That was just the start, however, of what was turned out to be an exceptionally rocky political road. Lula was elected once more before he became the most prominent target of an anti-corruption inquiry that, according to this narrative, may have begun in good faith but became essentially a campaign against Lula and his chosen successor as president, Dilma Roussef. Lula was arrested and ultimately convicted on multiple counts of bribery and money laundering in 2017, sentenced to 26 years in prison. He actually served 580 days, returning immediately after his release to political campaigning. Last year he was elected president for a third time. It was close. Stone makes the countdown a real nail-biter even though, in real life, we know the result. Brazilians drenched in anti-Lula propaganda during the years of persecution by President Bolsonaros allies will find this film illuminating, since it tells Lulas story without the strident headlines that made him out to be evil incarnate in Brazils strident right-wing media. Those who were always on his side will feel the thrill of vindication. But this is really a film made for outsiders, with its prime target audience being Americans. Close attention is paid to American state agencies involvement in Latin American politics generally and Lulas destabilization in particular. President Obama doesnt come out of it very well. For everybody, it is terrifically accessible. You could come to this film with zero knowledge of Lula da Silvas existence and come out feeling you had a good grasp on his story. Americas role is calmly but forcefully described by investigative journalist Glenn Greenwald, who gives due praise to a local hacker who provided him with some incendiary raw material. Its partisan, obviously, but not hysterically so. Corruption has been endemic to Brazilian politics for decades, Greenwald admits readily. While Lula clearly isnt living the life of a cashed-up drug lord or even an American property developer, the charges are never comprehensively denied. Answering those old charges is not the directors priority, clearly. Their emphasis is on Lulas stated agenda lifting Brazilians out of poverty and personality. Oliver Stone believes in Lula as a good man, as evidenced by his commitment. He is now 78. His wife and comrade of 43 years, Marisa Leticia, died in 2017; he repartnered with Janja, a party member who worked at utility company Eletrobras. He could have spent his last years in happy domesticity, he tells Stone during what appears to have been a long interview. But I dont have the right to do that, because so many people are waiting for me to do something. The crucial weakness here, as in all Oliver Stones documentary interviews with the strong-man leaders he professes to admire, is Stone himself. He is an ingratiating interviewer; the questions we hear often amount to little more than tell me why youre so great. Lula da Silva is obviously a different beast from some of his other subjects, notably Vladimir Putin or Fidel Castro, with whom his chummy style felt like negligence. Even so, the fact he is coming as a declared political ally and personal admirer shouldnt stand in the way of asking more searching questions that might elicit more surprising answers. Not in order to grill his host or catch him out, but to take advantage of his exceptional access as a noted director to add to the historical record. As it is, he has combed through the existing record very effectively to tell a good story. It is also a story that may provoke questions among Americans complacent about the work of their security services, including during the Obama years. And in a democracy, as shown in this film dealing with a country where democracy has often been on shaky ground, raising those questions cannot be a bad thing. Title: Lula Festival: Cannes (Special Screenings) Directors: Oliver Stone, Rob Wilson Sales agent: Gersh Running time: 1 hr 30 min Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. When consulted by EL PAIS, activists, members of the Federal Police and local journalists confirm that its impossible to enter or leave Frontera Comalapa or Chicomuselo, two municipalities in the state of Chiapas. They also point out that moving around has become extremely difficult in recent months, as violence and clashes in both municipalities have worsened. Last Monday, a confrontation in the area between the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) left 11 people dead. Bullet holes on a sign in the municipality of Chicomuselo, on February 1, 2024. Monica Gonzalez Islas At least since 2021, the residents of these towns [have been kept] as hostages. The people weve been able to speak with tell us that these criminal structures control their electricity, telecommunications and even their food, because by having key access roads closed, businesses are running out of supplies, explains Dora Roblero, director of the Fray Bartolome de las Casas Human Rights Center, known in the region as Frayba. The Aurrera supermarket in Frontera Comalapa closed because it could no longer get access to food. Therefore, the population has to look for another place to find groceries. [This search for food] has to be done when the roads are open and this only happens when the criminal groups decide to do so, she adds. Both activists and some local press reports cite residents of these municipalities, who assure them that drug-trafficking organizations have signal blockers, which are used to prevent people from using their cellphones or the internet. This increases anxiety for both those who are inside the towns, as well as for their relatives who have managed to escape. A torched car in Nueva America, in the municipality of Chicomuselo, on February 1, 2024. Monica Gonzalez Islas The violence in both towns isnt exclusive to this region. At least since 2019, the two most powerful cartels in Mexico the Sinaloa Cartel and the CJNG have disputed the border state of Chiapas. According to information provided by the Ministry of Defense (SEDENA), the Sinaloa Cartel controlled the state for the last decade, but recently, the incursion of its opponent has caused clashes in which hundreds of innocent people have already died. The state of Chiapas is logistically important for organized crime in Mexico. At least nine drug-trafficking routes five by land, two by air and two by sea pass through it, according to data from SEDENA. Several routes used by migrants traveling to the United States from Central America also pass through here. The cartels see these vulnerable individuals as commodities. Regarding the events that occurred in Chicomuselo on May 13, the Attorney Generals Office of Chiapas released a statement, explaining that the authorities removed the bodies after carrying out a medical examination of them and going through the procedure of identifying the bodies with the help of their next of kin. The document also added that to guarantee peace in the area, investigations are being carried out. As a result of this, [there will be] patrols in the region, with the purpose of establishing [order]. So far, its unknown if theres been a rapid intervention by the army and the Federal Police. However, this strategy, which has been repeated on previous occasions in the area, hasnt produced results. The authorities come and go theres no real interest in the people, says Roblero from Frayba. In September 2023, state and federal security forces entered the municipality of Frontera Comalapa. Cuartoscuro Meanwhile, the residents of both municipalities remain under the total control of organized crime. According to 2020 figures from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), there were just over 80,000 inhabitants in the municipality of Frontera Comalapa and about 36,785 in Chicomuselo. However, activists warn that some 6,000 residents have fled from these two towns in the last two years. This scenario of violence also affects other municipalities in the border region, such as Motozintla and Ocosingo, where another 3,000 inhabitants have also fled, according to calculations by activists working in the region. Human rights defenders who work in the southern region of Chiapas tell EL PAIS that, if the situation in the state were to be compared to a hospital in crisis, Chicomuselo and Comalapa would be the emergency rooms. There are thousands and thousands of people displaced by the dispute between the cartels. Even if the government doesnt want to accept it, weve documented and estimated that, in the last two years alone, there have been about 9,000 displaced people, says Luis Abarca, from the Digna Ochoa Human Rights Committee. The NGO is named after a nun and human rights attorney who was killed in 2001 because of her work. For its part, the Mexican government doesnt acknowledge the crisis in Chiapas, nor the number of displaced people reported by the organizations. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has denied the figures and has said that only a few have been displaced. However, the secretary of civil protection in Chiapas, Luis Manuel Garcia Moreno, has accepted that at least 3,780 people have been displaced in Chicomuselo alone. According to Abarca, the cause of the crisis in Chicomuselo is that, in the municipality, theres mining activity thats controlled and defended by the CJNG, while the Sinaloa Cartel wants to take control of the territory. This is something thats already public knowledge, he shrugs. Both human rights activists agree that the situation in these two municipalities is ignored by the state. They predict that this neglect will continue. Were in an election cycle. [The politicians] interests are different. Right now, what theyre least interested in is knowing what the population is experiencing, Roblero concludes. Translated by Avik Jain Chatlani The Duke and Duchess of Sussex traditionally mark their special day by exchanging themed gifts Emmanuel Osodi/Anadolu via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Nigeria on May 11, 2024 Happy anniversary to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry! Shortly after returning home to California after their three-day visit to Nigeria, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex marked six years of marriage on May 19. Meghan, 42, and Harry, 39, had their royal wedding on May 19, 2018, at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. The fairytale ceremony was attended by the couple's family and friends including Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, the future King Charles, the future Queen Camilla, Prince William and Kate Middleton. Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, attended the event and exited the church arm-in-arm with her daughter's new father-in-law, who walked Meghan down the aisle during the ceremony. Following the church service, Meghan and Prince Harry took a horse-drawn carriage ride around Windsor to greet the crowds gathered along the streets. They then had an afternoon reception in St. Georges Hall of the castle before an outfit change Meghan in a sleek Stella McCartney gown for the occasion and Harry in a tuxedo for the evening reception. AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their royal wedding day on May 19, 2018 Related: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Wedding Album! See 15 Toast-Worthy Moments from Their Big Day 6 Years Ago In Harry and Meghan, released on Netflix in December 2022, the pair shared never-before-seen photos of the wedding festivities, including their first dance as husband and wife to "Land of 1,000 Dances" by Wilson Pickett. "I just really wanted the music to be fun. Even our first dance," Meghan said in the series. A source told PEOPLE at the time, "It was a huge dance party, everyone was letting loose and had a blast. Just a fun night and not stuffy at all." Harry & Meghan reminisce about their whirlwind first dance as husband and wife. Volume I: Now Streaming Volume II: December 15 pic.twitter.com/EKDx3hPmuS Netflix (@netflix) December 10, 2022 The book Finding Freedom shared details on how Meghan and Prince Harry celebrated one year of marriage in 2019 in a low-key way. Doria had traveled to the U.K. to meet her grandchild, Prince Archie, born just weeks earlier on May 6, and they shared a meal together. "On the anniversary of their first year of marriage, Harry and Meghan enjoyed a traditional Sunday lunch with Doria, her last meal before traveling back to L.A.," wrote authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand. Prince Harry also gifted Meghan an eternity ring, which she debuted at Trooping the Colour the following month. "Harry also surprised his wife of one year with a ring that he had created with the jeweler to the stars Lorraine Schwartz, a favorite of Meghan's," the authors said. DANNY LAWSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at their royal wedding on May 19, 2018 Related: On Tour with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in Nigeria: Read PEOPLE's Diary! The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who are parents to 5-year-old son Prince Archie and 2-year-old daughter Princess Lilibet, traditionally mark their wedding anniversary by exchanging gifts based on tradition. "They love to do their own take on traditional wedding gifts," a source previously told PEOPLE. "The first anniversary was paper, and Meghan wrote out the wedding speech and had it framed for him." Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Ben STANSALL - WPA Pool/Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at their royal wedding on May 19, 2018 On their second anniversary in 2020, shortly after they relocated to California after stepping back as working members of the royal family, "they both gave each other gifts based on 'cotton.' Undoubtedly, it was a very creative and romantic gesture as all their gifts are to one another." Leather is a traditional third-anniversary gift, followed by fruits and flowers for four years and wood for year five. According to The Knot, gifts of iron are traditionally exchanged on the sixth anniversary. KOLA SULAIMON/AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Nigeria on May 11, 2024 Meghan and Prince Harry traveled to Nigeria this month to champion their Archewell Foundation's mental health initiatives for young people and to promote Harry's Invictus Games, which Nigeria joined for the first time last year. "Im so happy with the growth of Invictus and to include Nigeria," the Duke of Sussex tells PEOPLE. "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." For Meghan, the trip also brought her closer to her roots. In 2022, she discovered through a genealogy test that she is 43% Nigerian. "It was incredibly memorable and special," Meghan says of their time in Nigeria. "That alone is the best souvenir to take with us all the memories weve made." KOLA SULAIMON/AFP via Getty Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in Nigeria on May 10, 2024 The parents of two are anticipating more travel opportunities to further their initiatives. "Theres only so much one can do from home and over Zoom, so we look forward to traveling more because the work matters. Whether it's 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 says. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Prince Harry and Meghan Markles camp spoke out following a report that the couple were allegedly welcomed in Nigeria by a wanted United States fugitive. On May 18, the Daily Mail reported that the Sussexes were flown around Nigeria for their three-day tour last week by Air Peace, which is founded by Dr. Allen Onyema. Onyema, 59, is the subject of a US federal indictment filed back in November 2019. He was charged in a $20 million bank fraud and money laundering case, according to the US Department of Justice. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrived in Nigeria on May 10, 2024. AFP via Getty Images Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visit the State Governor House in Lagos on May 12, 2024. AFP via Getty Images Prince Harry at the Giant of Africa Foundation at the Dream Big Basketball clinic in Lagos on May 12, 2024. AP Reacting to the allegations, a source close to Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, told the Daily Beast that the couples travel in Nigeria was organized by the Nigerian Chief of Defense Staff. The insider also noted that Air Peace is the largest airline in Nigeria and West Africa, and has daily flights from Lagos to Britains London Gatwick airport. It is still unclear if Meghan and Harry knew about the charges filed against Onyema. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at a charity polo game in Lagos, Nigeria on May 12, 2024. AFP via Getty Images Sources within the UKs Foreign and Commonwealth Office previously told the Daily Mail that Harry and Meghan were visiting Nigeria in a private capacity and that the UK government was not involved in arranging or facilitating their activities. The Post reached out to Harry and Meghans reps for comment. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at a polo event in Lagos. REUTERS Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Lagos, Nigeria on May 12, 2024. REUTERS Harry and Meghan spent 3 days in Nigeria last week after being invited by the West African countrys chief of defense staff its highest-ranking military official. They arrived in Lagos on May 12 and were greeted by a welcoming committee that included Onyema, who supplied his Nigerian carrier to the exiled royals during their trip. Prince Harry arrives at a charity polo game in Lagos, Nigeria on May 12, 2024. AFP via Getty Images In November 2019, the US Department of Justice released a statement saying Onyema was charged with bank fraud and money laundering for moving more than $20 million from Nigeria through United States bank accounts in a scheme involving false documents based on the purchase of airplanes. Onyema allegedly used the laundered money, in part, to buy a Lexus, a Rolls Royce, a Mercedes and designer goods at Prada and Louis Vuitton, CNN has reported. According to the DOJ, over $44.9 million was allegedly transferred into Onyemas personal and business bank accounts that he opened in Atlanta from foreign sources between 2010 and 2018. Prince Harry shaking hands in Nigeria on May 12, 2024. AP Onyema has maintained his innocence, saying back in 2019: Be rest assured that I also have my lawyers on this and these mere allegations will be refuted. I never laundered money in my life, neither have I committed bank fraud anywhere in the world, he further asserted. Every Kobo [Nigerian currency] I transferred to the US for aircraft purchase went through the Central Bank of Nigeria LC regime and all were used for the same purpose. Harry and Meghan traveled to Nigeria after the Duke of Sussex took a solo trip to London to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games. He stayed in a hotel instead of royal housing and did not see any of his estranged relatives, including his cancer-stricken father, King Charles III. Meghan and Harry counter free flight claims Sources in Prince Harry and Meghan Markles camp have defended the couple after claims were made in the Daily Mail that they were flown around Nigeria for free by an airline whose chairman is a fugitive wanted in the U.S. The Mail said that the founder of Nigerian airline Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema, which provided the Sussexes with air transport during their tour of Nigeria, is wanted in the US, facing multiple charges linked to millions of dollars worth of alleged fraud set down in a federal indictment filed in November 2019. Meghan Markle Opens Up on Why She Married Prince Harry The indictment accuses Onyema of using his status as a prominent business leader and airline executive to launder more than $20million from Nigeria through U.S. bank accounts, the Mail says. But a source close to Meghan and Harry, speaking to The Daily Beast, has now sought to put the allegations in context, noting that the couples travel within Nigeria was organized by the Nigerian Chief of Defense Staff. The source also pointed out that Air Peace is the largest airline in Nigeria and West Africa, and has daily flights from Lagos to Britains London Gatwick airport. The Mail also reports that at least one of the regional kings whom Harry and Meghan met has had major tussles with U.S. law enforcement; Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, the 56-year-old Oluwo of Iwoland in Western Nigeria, has been jailed and deported twice from the U.S. and convicted of fraud. William plays wedding usherHarry wont Prince William will be an usher at friend, Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminsters wedding next month, the Sunday Times reports. Prince Harry, also a close friend of the Dukeone of Britains richest men with an estimated inherited fortune of around $13 billion, who is also godfather to Harrys son, Prince Archiewont attend the wedding, and neither will Meghan Markle. Kate Middleton, currently receiving treatment for cancer, is not expected to attend, the paper reports, and neither will King Charles, who is Grosvenors godfather. The Mail recently reported that Charles and Queen Camilla had not confirmed their attendance. Their Majesties have not forgotten what happened at the wedding of Hughs sister, a source told the paper. There is still a lot of tension that exists. Prince William, Prince of Wales, gestures as he attends the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit in New York, U.S., September 19, 2023. Shannon Stapleton/Pool/Reuters The paper said the couple had turned down their invitations to the 2004 wedding of the dukes sister, Lady Tamara Grosvenor, and Edward van Cutsem, a godson of Charles. This was because Camilla would have been forced to sit apart from Charles as at the time the couple were unmarried (they wed the following year), and she had no official royal standing. Sitting together, shock horror, would have reportedly contravened protocol, with then Queen Elizabeth as one of the guests. There was also reported beef between Camilla and the grooms mother over criticism by both over the behavior of each others children, the Mail said. Of the Sussexes then-likely (now confirmed) absence from the Duke of Westminster's wedding guest list, a source told the paper last December: Its incredibly sad it has come to this. Hugh is one of the very few close friends of William and Harrys who has maintained strong bonds and a line of communication with both. He wishes they could put their heads together and patch things up, but realizes its unlikely to happen before the wedding. He wanted to avoid anything overshadowing the day, especially for Olivia, and doesnt want any awkwardness. What Charles did instead of seeing Harry The Mail on Sunday has identified one meeting that puts flesh on Prince Harrys snippy statement that his father was too busy and had other priorities when Harry was in the U.K. The paper reports one of the things taking up the kings time, rather than seeing his younger son, was Charles presenting the Duke of Norfolk, who masterminded Queen Elizabeths funeral and Charles Coronation, with a silver gilt Coronation Cup. King Charles and Queen Camilla stand on the Buckingham Palace balcony following their coronation ceremony in London, Britain May 6, 2023. Hannah McKay/Reuters The Duke, whose non-naming in the New Year Honors list had caused some raised eyebrows, told the Mail the gift has taken pride of place on the mantelpiece in his medieval family home, Arundel Castle in West Sussex. Inevitably for a British tradition, the presentation of the gilded cup goes back around 300 years; theyre handed out to Earls Marshal, holders of the hereditary office responsible for major ceremonial state occasions. After the Coronation, the King wrote a wonderful letter saying thank you, adding that a gift would be on its way, the Duke told the Mail. I am absolutely delighted with the Coronation Cup. Charles looks amazingly well his portraitist says Jonathan Yeo has been interviewed for the Sunday Times following the unveiling of his new, extremely red portrait of the king, which he began in 2021. Yeo told the paper that Charles, who is fighting cancer, looked amazingly well at the unveiling of the picture this week. A person looks at the new official portrait of King Charles III, painted by British artist Jonathan Yeo. Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty Images He clearly enjoyed spending time with Charles, saying: He was really relaxed and I think it helped that he is interested in the process. We spent a lot of time talking about art and artists, as well as the environment. Yeo had a near-fatal heart attack when he was midway through the project, and says it cleared any mist about his goals and he decided after it that finishing his portrait of Charles was worth doing. He didnt tell Charles much about his own health scare, saying: Hes a caring, thoughtful person, and you dont want the expression on the picture to change to one of concern for me. This week in royal history Today marks the sixth wedding anniversary of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. They were married on May 19, 2018, at St. Georges Chapel, Windsor. Unanswered questions What will King Charles do at the ceremonial Trooping the Color on June 15? Horse, oras now seems more likelycarriage? Aides are already exploring ways that Charles might be able to take part within the constraints of his ongoing cancer treatment, the Mail reports. This could include watching the military spectacular from a podium instead of on horseback as usual, having been driven from Buckingham Palace in a carriage as his late mother used to. No firm decision will be taken until nearer the time, given the nature of His Majesty's condition, and it will be dependant on medical advice. 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. Mexican culture is something thats dear to my heart. Ive lots of family still there, the actress said at the Cannes Film Festival Dominique Charriau/WireImage Zoe Saldana at the Cannes Film Festival in France on May 19, 2024 Zoe Saldana is giving fresh insight about Emilia Perez in France! During a 2024 Cannes Film Festival press conference that PEOPLE attended on Sunday, May 19, the actress, 45, opened up about how her new movie showcases Mexican culture. Ive been living in Los Angeles for about 20 years. Mexican culture is something thats dear to my heart. Ive lots of family still there, said Saldana, who is at the festival promoting Emilia Perez with Selena Gomez, Edgar Ramirez and other costars. Dominique Charriau/WireImage Selena Gomez, Edgar Ramirez, Zoe Saldana, Jacques Audiard, Karla Sofia Gascon and Adriana Paz at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19 Related: Selena Gomez Cries as Emilia Perez Film Earns Minutes-Long Standing Ovation at Cannes Film Festival The Avatar and Guardians of the Galaxy actress mentioned the injustices and corruption in Mexico, but noted, "I believe that's true of all countries in the world, and I still have this great respect and admiration for Mexican culture." In Emilia Perez, Saldana portrays Rita Moro Castro, an undervalued lawyer at a large firm who is hired to help cartel leader Manitas secretly complete a sex change operation to "become the woman he has always dreamt of being" as Manitas nears retirement. The upcoming movie directed and written by Jacques Audiard is described as a musical thriller and stars Spanish actress Karla Sofia Gascon, who is trans, as Manitas and Gomez as Manitas wife Jessi. Related: Zoe Saldana and Her Lookalike Sister Cisely Make a Glam Red Carpet Appearance Together Saldana praised Audiards work on the film, saying shes "very grateful" that he "used a lot of creative liberty and freedom" to tell the story. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! "He has this story which depicts a number of things that you can find in Mexico and which need to be improved in other countries," Saldana said. "But he celebrates the culture, which is so beautiful, and so rich, and so artistic." CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Zoe Saldana at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival on May 18 Related: Zoe Saldana and Her Lookalike Sister Cisely Make a Glam Red Carpet Appearance Together Emilia Perez made its world premiere at the festival on Saturday, May 18, where it received a standing ovation that lasted nearly 10 minutes, a moment that made Gomez cry and wipe away her tears. At the press conference, costar Gascon also championed trans rights. People who are trans are often the object of insults or death threats simply because they exist, Gascon said. In Mexico, we use very harsh phrases when addressing trans people, often people can be very gross. It is a real issue. I think trans people should be treated like just anybody else. I'm no better, no worse than somebody else, Gascon added. We have to continue fighting for our rights. We have to continue with our lives. ... We're allowed to change it because we want to, we can make decisions about our own body. I wanted to be a trans woman. 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. Gascon went on to discuss the character she plays in the film. "What I think is very important in this character [Manitas] and in the film made by Jacques is the following: It's quite clear that trans people, we trans people are just people. We're trans people, we're people, Gascon said. It's not as though we were a sort of a stain on the world. We are as human as others, and we have existed since the beginning of the world. Related: Selena Gomez Wows in Gorgeous Black and White Gown at Cannes Film Festival See Her Look! Following the movie's release, Saldana is expected to star in the next two Avatar movies, set for release in 2025 and 2029, respectively. The actress is also raising her three sons, twins Cy Aridio and Bowie Ezio, 9, and Zen Anton Hilario, 7, whom she shares with her husband Marco Perego-Saldana. In a 2023 interview with PEOPLE, the actress spoke about raising her boys without gender-specific roles and teaching them "to honor women and to celebrate women." She said its "very important to teach them to "honor themselves, their femininity, to celebrate their feminine self as well." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. (COLORADO SPRINGS) The City of Colorado Springs and several community partners launched the 1,000 Neighborhood Gatherings initiative on Saturday, May 18, featuring appearances by several elected officials. The 1,000 Neighborhood Gatherings Initiative encourages neighbors to connect with one another to address social isolation and loneliness. The initiative aims to help mental health and for individuals to build a support system in their own neighborhoods. Its one of my priorities to raise awareness about the importance of mental health while providing concrete action and resources for community members, said Mayor Yemi. Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs To mark the beginning of the initiative, Mayor Yemi Mobolade, First Lady Abbey Mobolade, Governor Jared Polis, and Councilmembers David Leinweber and Nancy Henjum attended three of the first gatherings held in the city on Saturday. These visits included a gathering in the southeast part of the city hosted by Kimberly Gold, president of the Colorado Springs Black Chamber of Commerce; a gathering held by Silver Key Senior Services at the North Hancock Apartments; and one in Stratton Meadows hosted by the Council of Neighbors and Organizations (CONO) interim executive director Kelly Bull, where neighbors gathered to beautify and landscape a yard to be water-wise and edible. Across the three events, about 100 people from ages 4 to 87 attended. Strong communities are built on the foundation of connectedness with our neighbors, and it was amazing to witness these connections being built and strengthened today, said Mayor Yemi. Each of todays events were unique and special, and Im so grateful to all the hosts and attendees for answering this call and showing up for your neighbors. Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs Elected officials will continue to attend select events throughout the summer. The initiative ends on Saturday, Sept. 28, National Neighbor Day. Individuals and businesses are encouraged to host their own neighborhood parties and register them with the initiative. Heres how to host neighborhood gatherings: Pick the Date: Gatherings will count through Sept. 28 as long as they are registered. Choose and Plan a Gathering: There are a variety of ways to host a party, click here for some ideas. Invite your neighbors: Knock on their door and mention it the next time you see them or post on social media sites like Nexdoor, ZonZon, or your neighborhood Facebook group. For more information, check out the website here. To all those who are planning to host or attend a Neighborhood Gathering this summer, I see you, said Mayor Yemi. And I thank you for helping us celebrate community as a way to combat mental health. 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. Lobster has come a long way for a food that used to be reserved for the poor. Once washed up on the shores of Massachusetts in two foot piles, today lobster can fetch as much as $18 per pound. Lobsters gained in popularity and price across the U.S. with the advent of the railway system in the 19th century. As the crustacean became more desired across the country, restaurants started taking notice and it wasn't long before lobster was viewed as a commodity instead of a pest. By World War II, lobster had already cemented its status as a delicacy in the country. Today, the U.S. harvests around 120 million pounds of lobster each year, with Maine and Massachusetts bringing in around 93% of this hefty haul. While some of this prized seafood is exported, much of it finds its way to seafood restaurants around the country. These eateries serve up lobster in various forms, from boiled, steamed, or broiled in-shell to lobster bisques, stews, rolls, and pasta dishes. To bring you a roundup of the best restaurants in the U.S. to satisfy your lobster craving, we have consulted consumer reviews and examined each establishment's menu and sourcing practices. For more information on how we made our selection, take a look at the final end of this article. These seafood restaurants are the real deal, so keep reading! Read more: The Best All-You-Can-Eat Buffets In Every State Sam's Chowder House - Half Moon Bay, California Sam's Chowder House lobster - Facebook / Sam's Chowder House, Half Moon Bay Sam's Chowder House is one of the few seafood restaurants in the U.S. that serves lobster ceviche. The indulgent treat comes with a passionfruit and pineapple vinaigrette and is served in a tortilla shell. Alternatively, hungry diners can opt for the cliff-side restaurant's 1.25pound whole Maine lobster with drawn butter. Finally, Sam's Chowder House also serves lobster rolls, which come either naked or dressed. The Naked Lobster Roll features chunks of warm lobster drizzled with a little butter and celery. Meanwhile, the Dressed Lobster Roll includes chilled lobster meat blended with lemon aioli, chives, and celery. While Sam's Chowder House lobster dishes have received positive reviews for being well-cooked and tasty, it's the restaurant's lobster rolls that have stolen the hearts of its customers. Josh, who reviewed the eatery for his blog California Through My Lens, was impressed with his sandwich, saying that it was jam packed with lobster pieces without too many other ingredients to overpower the crustacean's decadent flavor. Another customer agrees, saying, "The warm lobster mixed with butter has that addictive creamy taste. The amount of lobster meat that comes with it is so satisfying!" Portland Lobster Company - Portland, Maine Portland Lobster Company lobster - Facebook / Portland Lobster Company Open seasonally from April, the Portland Lobster Company is all about simplicity done right. Patrons can opt for the restaurant's lobster stew, buttered lobster roll, or a steamed lobster dinner served with sides like corn on the cob, baked potato, and slaw. To ensure the freshest possible seafood, the restaurant's owner, Ethan Morgan, also purchased the Bailey Island Lobster Pier in 2023. "With the purchase of our own lobster pound in the pristine environment surrounding Bailey Island, we can ensure that our lobsters are sourced directly from the productive and healthy waters of Casco Bay," Morgan told Mainebiz in an interview. Complementing the food is Portland Lobster Company's picturesque setting along a pier that overlooks the Portland Harbor. To make the most of its waterfront location, the restaurant has partnered up with a nearby company that takes tourists out on lobstering trips and is ready to cook up whatever the participants pull up from the lobster traps. Portland Lobster Company's crustaceans have been a hit with diners. For instance, one reviewer says: "On the first visit, I ordered a lobster roll that came with fries and a pickle. Delicious and filling! On the second visit, I had the steamed lobster dinner. I devoured it! The 1 lb lobster was juicy, tender and the shell was easy to crack." Another enthused diner gives the restaurant's lobster 4.5 out of 5, saying, "The lobster rolls were some of the best we've had." Truluck's - Multiple Locations Truluck's lobster tail - Facebook / Truluck's What makes Truluck's stand out from the pack is its range of lobster dishes. Some of these include lobster bisque, a variety of lobster tails, and lobster thermidor, a flavorful French classic dish with a lobster and Parmesan mornay. The restaurant chain also serves lobster mashed potatoes and lobster oscar, a decadent dish of lobster meat commonly topped with asparagus, crab meat, and Hollandaise sauce. Aside from Maine lobster, Truluck's also serves a lesser known crustacean the South African lobster. In fact, the chain is one of the few seafood restaurants in the U.S. that serve the cold-water specialty. While South African lobsters don't have large tails or claws, they more than make up for this with dense and sweet-tasting tail meat. The lobster dishes at Truluck's have received rave reviews from patrons, who have praised both its Maine and South African lobster. One diner says: "The lobster bisque truly lives up to its hype. It really is the best one I remember ever eating." Several other reviewers are also partial to the crustacean, describing it as "cooked to perfection," "delicious," and "amazing." The restaurant's South African lobster has also received its share of praise, with one patron saying: "I highly recommend the South African lobster tails. They have an excellent consistency and are not rubbery like at some other restaurants." Red Hook Lobster Pound - Brooklyn, New York Red Hook Lobster Pound lobster - Facebook / Red Hook Lobster Pound Red Hook Lobster Pound is known for its lobster rolls, served with two, three, or four ounces of Maine lobster. Just some of the options on the restaurant's menu include the cold Maine lobster roll with mayonnaise and the California lobster roll with lettuce, avocado, and cucumber. Perhaps the most unusual lobster item served at the restaurant is the Lobster Claw Bloody Mary, with Deep Eddy vodka, Bloody Mary mix, olives, pickles, and Maine lobster meat. Best of all, patrons can satisfy their lobster craving by adding two, three, or four ounces of the crustacean to any dish on the restaurant's menu. True to its name, Red Hook Lobster Pound keeps its Maine lobsters in pounds, or designated tanks. They are on open display at the restaurant's flagship location on Van Brunt Street, so you can catch a glimpse of your dinner before it becomes well dinner. Red Hook Lobster Pound also has seasonal outlets at Rockaway, at Beach 97th, and Smorgasburg, which are operational from April to October. Seafood-enthusiasts have given Red Hook Lobster Pound's crustaceans the thumbs up, with one diner saying: "This is still the best lobster roll I've had in the city, really reminds me of the great waterfront lobster shacks in Maine ... Lobster was perfectly prepared and you can choose between the traditional butter or mayonnaise versions." Another reviewer agrees with this assessment, commenting, "Wow! The quality of lobster is fantastic, probably the best in NYC!" Chatham Pier Fish Market - Chatham, Massachusetts Chatham Pier Fish Market lobster - Facebook / Better People, Food & Beer At the Chatham Pier Fish Market, you're mere steps away from the center of the action. In fact, you can watch fishermen bring in their daily catch from a perch at one of the restaurant's waterfront picnic tables along the Chatham Fish Pier. In addition, when dining at the restaurant, you become a part of history. A smaller version of the dine-in and take-out restaurant was founded in the 1950s as Nickerson's Fish and Lobster. While the restaurant has since changed its name and layout, it still serves freshly-caught seafood by the water. Chatham Pier Fish Market features a wide range of lobster dishes, including classics like steamed lobster and lobster bisque with sherry wine. There're also more modern takes on the crustacean, such as lobster salad and lobster mashed potatoes. However, the most popular choice from the eatery's lobster repertoire are the lobster rolls, which come with either poached or steamed versions of the ocean dweller. Reviewers complement Chatham Pier Fish Market's lobster rolls, with one diner noting: "This is probably the best lobster roll I've had. It was so worth the price and had huge chunks of fresh lobster. I got the warm butter version and my mom had the cold with mayo. Both were next level!" Another diner comments on the roll's generous lobster filling, saying, "We've tried to decide if there is a half lobster or a whole lobster in every Lobster Roll, can't decide, only know it's fabulous." Side Street Cafe - Bar Harbor, Maine Side Street Cafe lobster - Facebook / Side Street Cafe While Maine's Side Street Cafe doesn't serve lobsters in the shell, it incorporates the crustacean into a wide variety of dishes. Best of all, the restaurant's lobster is harvested daily in the area around Bar Harbor, where the eatery is located. This not only means a lower ecological footprint, but also the freshest possible bounty. Interestingly, USA Today once reported that Side Street Cafe's lobster mac and cheese has been called the best in the U.S. by none other than the television personality Martha Stewart. Aside from the creamy dish, the restaurant also serves a range of lobster rolls, stews, bowls, and quesadillas. Annie Fairfax, who reviewed Side Street Cafe for her blog, has rated the restaurant's Lobstah Mac and Cheese a perfect 10 out of 10, saying that it was the best lobster pasta dish she has ever tasted (via Annie Fairfax). She has also given the same score to the restaurant's Lobster Stew, adding that it was generously portioned and consisted of around 70% lobster meat. Other reviewers also seem impressed with Side Street Cafe's lobster offerings, with one diner saying: "We did lobster rolls and lobster Mac. My fav was the Mac. So cheesy and delicious. The fresh lobster is unbeatable. The lobster roll was super good too. It was loaded with lobster and very flavorful." The Lobster Shack - Westport, Connecticut The Lobster Shack lobster - Facebook / The Lobster Shack at Rizzuto's Westport The Lobster Shack only does take out, and unlike many other seafood joints, it doesn't just offer lobster rolls but entire lobsters to go. This said, the no-frills eatery does specialize in rolls filled with chunks of Maine lobster from the waters of Connecticut and Rhode Island. All the rolls feature a quarter pound of lobster meat served on a butter-toasted brioche bun. So what are the choices? Just a couple of the options include the Warm Connecticut-Style roll with lobster, Boston lettuce and melted butter, and the Maine-Style Chilled Lobster Roll with lobster chunks mixed with mayo, celery, and scallions and Boston lettuce. Diners can also order the Lobster Mac 'n Cheese and The Lobster Cobb salad. Customers wax lyrical about the quality and taste of The Lobster Shack's crustaceans. One reviewer calls the restaurant's lobster roll "a piece of heaven," adding, "The Lobster Shack definitely did not skip out on the lobster. HUGE pieces of lobster meat, fresh, and warm. Best part of the entire thing [is] it's fresh lobster." Another diner agrees, saying, "Amazing lobster rolls. The lobster was cooked perfectly. It was buttery, tender, and they gave a good portion. It was also priced well. I had a lobster roll twice the price for less than half the quality I got here the night before." Union Oyster House - Boston, Massachusetts Union Oyster House lobster - Facebook / Union Oyster House Inc Take a step back in time at the Union Oyster House, the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the U.S. Opened in 1826, the eatery has played host to such famous names as J.F.K. The restaurant even features "The Kennedy Booth" where the former president is said to have indulged in a hearty dish of lobster stew. Aside from the commemorative booth, the restaurant is decorated with historical memorabilia including newspaper clippings, photographs, and paintings. There's also a lobster tank where diners can get an idea of what their meal looked like while it was still in the ocean. While the lobster stew favored by J.F.K. may no longer feature on the menu, Union Oyster House continues to serve various takes on New England lobster. Diners can opt for a boiled or broiled lobster, which comes in medium, large, and jumbo. Alternatively, there's the Lazy Man's Lobster for those who can't be bothered with shelling, which consists of chunks of lobster baked with cream, sherry wine, and breadcrumbs. The Union Oyster House also serves lobster rolls and lobster salads. Diners have given Union Oyster House's lobster the thumbs up calling it "amazing," "delicious," and "perfect." One reviewer, who visited Boston on vacation, says: "We ate at several restaurants, and this was by far our favorite! The scallops and lobster dishes we had were amazing." Another diner calls the restaurant "a must stop," adding, "Best lobster in town! Food was great!" Oyster House - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Oyster House lobsters - Facebook / Oyster House Established in 1947, the Oyster House is still operated by the third generation of the same family. Specializing in seafood, the restaurant offers an ever-changing menu of aquatic delicacies based on seasonal availability. The eatery's changing lobster options include whole Maine lobster with citrus and tarragon butter. Diners can also opt for the restaurant's chilled Lobster Roll, with generous chunks of Maine lobster meat in a mayo sauce, served in a buttered bun. The crustacean also features in the Oyster House Seafood Tower, alongside prawns, mussels, clams, oysters, ceviche mixto, and crab dip. Oyster House's lobster dishes have received the seal of approval from diners. One patron says that their lobster dinner was "yummy," adding, "So our meal at Oyster House was a very pleasant surprise ... We both had the lobster dinner ... You get a 2 lb lobster drowned in well seasoned butter. It was delicious!" Another customer echoes this sentiment, saying, "Best lobster in town! Food was great ... A must stop if you're in town!" Several other happy diners also praise the restaurant's lobster, describing it as "spectacular," "amazing," and "the best they have ever eaten." Fiola Mare - Washington, D.C. Fiola Mare lobster and seafood - Facebook / Fiola Mare DC An epitome of fine dining, Fiola Mare offers both refined ambiance and meticulously crafted dishes. In fact, when the restaurant first opened in 2014, NBC Washington suggested that the restaurant might be "The best thing to happen to the Georgetown waterfront since ... ever." The Italian restaurant has certainly stood the test of time, and solidified its reputation as a top dining destination in Washington D.C. While Fiola Mare's lobster selection isn't vast, it has hit the spot with many patrons. Maine lobster is a part of the restaurant's seafood tower, taking its spot alongside other fresh seafood delicacies, including oysters, mussels, clams, tuna, and shrimp. Fiola Mare also serves lobster ravioli, which seems to have won over the crowd. Dontae from Savory Travels says that the Lobster Ravioli is his favorite dish at the restaurant, adding that the little pasta pockets come loaded with lobster, ginger, and chives. He also notes that the dish comes with huge lobster claws on the side. Another impressed diner concurs, saying: "I am not a lover of lobster but the lobster ravioli here is beyond spectacular! [The] lobster is sweet and [has a] perfect consistency. [...] Worth every single penny!" In addition, several other diners describe the dish as "delicious," "incredible," and "sublime." We are sold! Mignonette - Miami, Florida Mignonette lobster deviled eggs - Facebook / Mignonette Mignonette in Miami is ultra cool. Not only is the restaurant located in a refurbished gas station building from the 1930s, it's also decked out with comfortable booth seating, warehouse flooring, and oversized windows. The menu is also nothing to sneeze at. The seafood and oyster bar serves King Crab legs, Osetra caviar, scallops, octopus, and, of course, lobster. In fact, Mignonette might just be the only restaurant in the U.S. that offers lobster deviled eggs, complete with Maine lobster, chives, smoked paprika, and optional caviar. Also on the menu are lobster tails, lobster linguine with Calabrian chilis and San Marzano tomato, and lobster rolls with tarragon, celery salt, and drawn butter. Michelle Wallach, from Check Please! South Florida, calls Mignonette "a shellfish lover's dream come true," adding that her Lobster Deviled Eggs, each topped with lobster, were divine. In fact, the dish is a firm favorite, with another diner saying: "We especially loved the lobster deviled eggs (which we ordered twice and ALMOST a third time). Would definitely go back." The restaurant's lobster roll has also received praise, with one diner giving it five out of five and commenting: "The Lobster roll was terrific, melted in my mouth, rich and creamy on a brioche bun, and came with two very delicious sides." Methodology Woman eating lobster claw - Hxyume/Getty Images If you have a hankering for fresh, expertly-prepared lobster, our list of the best restaurants in the U.S. to order the aquatic delicacy has you covered. And we have done our due diligence to ensure that you only get the best of the best in terms of freshness and flavor. Firstly, we have read countless customer reviews to narrow down a selection of seafood restaurants that are favored by customers. Next, we looked at each establishment's lobster sourcing practices, where available. Finally, we took into account the range of lobster dishes served at each restaurant ... the more lobster the better, after all. Read the original article on Mashed ANDERSON, Mo. A community came out this morning to celebrate the start of strawberry season in style. The annual Berries, Bluegrass, and BBQ was held Saturday, at the Dabbs Greer Park in Anderson. Dozens of people came out to enjoy freshly picked strawberries from Jay, Oklahoma while listening to some bluegrass music by several bluegrass bands throughout the day. Multiple BBQ food trucks came out to offer food and 12 local vendors lined the park to show off their products and services. We welcome anybody to come mainly for our strawberries and our music. We have some of the freshest strawberries around and the best music. You might even be able to buy some, said Sunesis Sears, Anderson event coordinator. This event has happened every year since 2015. A Berries, Bluegrass, and BBQ shirt was also sold to raise money for the Anderson Veterans Clubs toward scholarship programs and future events. 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. By now, every dog owner and rescue advocate knows that animal shelters are overcrowded and underfunded. Some places can't keep up with the influx of new animals in their care, and it's no different in many other countries around the world. In fact, many places don't have the same amount of helpful resources as we do in North America, and street dog populations are even larger than they are here. Whether you're visiting remote towns or big cities, you may not even see the stray and homeless animals who sleep on the streets every night. Fortunately, some people do see them, and they're able to do something to help. That's why a group of rescuers from Sandy Dog Rescue in Southern California traveled to El Salvador to give a fighting chance to as many dogs as possible. On May 15, the rescue team posted a raw and real TikTok video with behind-the-scenes peeks at the life-saving work they did. There's no doubt just how thankful these street dogs were for the medicine and the meals! Thank you for looking out for these precious dogs! Their lives are just as valuable and worth saving as any other dog, but they have a much harder time catching a break simply because of where in the world they are. Related: Kind Rescuers Save Street Dog and Her Beloved Stuffed Animals Not only can it be difficult to get essential veterinary medication like flea and tick protection in rural areas of Central America, but it can also be an expense that people cannot afford--especially for dogs that aren't even their pets. When all these factors are considered, it's easy to see why so many animals are in need of help. This California dog rescue team was able to administer 10 doses of flea and tick prevention and 40 doses of deworming medication, as well as providing chicken dinners for dozens of dogs. This may be a small change in the grand scheme of things, but it may have been the boost these dogs need to keep surviving on the street. It can be hard enough to find dog food--or any food--as a homeless pet, but few animals have the chance to prevent themselves from getting sick. How to Help Animals in Need As inspiring as this life-saving rescue mission is to witness, it's also important to remember that not many people are able to drop everything to help stray dogs in another country. And that's OK! There are many ways a person can support animals in need, whether they're in another country or in their own neighborhood. If you're unable to volunteer your time at a local animal shelter or rescue organization, consider donating instead. You can often choose between one-time donations and recurring donations, or you can even see whether local rescues are in need of dog food, cat toys, or other essential pet items. The folks with Sandy Dog Rescue have done a wonderful thing for the dogs of El Salvador, but there's no single right or wrong way to help animals in need! 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) It was a celebration of New Mexicos Hispanic culture at the citys Civic Plaza on Saturday. From the lively music to the delicious cuisine, the event invited the community out to showcase everything that makes New Mexico so special. Police arrest man for deadly shooting in downtown Albuquerque parking lot Visitors could enjoy craft vendors, food trucks, local bands, and a car show highlighting the iconic rides one New Mexico city is most known for. Espanola, New Mexico is the lowrider capital of the world. New Mexico has some of the finest rides in the world, and were just here keeping the tradition alive, says participant Clarence Valdez. The New Mexico Heritage Celebration was the first event put on by Darren Cordova Y Calor at Civic Plaza to recognize the states Hispanic music and culture. 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. High-functioning anxiety can go unnoticed. Its a term that is often used to describe a person who struggles with symptoms of anxiety such as racing thoughts, body tension,, or frequent worrying however, this person can mask or hide these symptoms and appear fine on the outside. Its not a diagnosis, but rather someone who has anxiety but still goes about their day-to-day lives managing it, said licensed clinical psychologist Scott Lyons. They are typically someone who is successful and performs well but internally or at home experience this anxiety, rather than showing it in a work or public setting. Someone may experience anxiety at work for a lot of different reasons: deadlines, toxic work relationships, job security concerns,, and so much more. People with high-functioning anxiety often are successful at work but will mask this anxiety to others, Lyons explained. It also is a sign of compound stress, like theres too many things to focus on, and theres not enough resources or control of the future. On the outside, someone with high-functioning anxiety may appear to have it all together, and yet their internal world and even their mental health is suffering. They are constantly in the mode of something bad will happen if I do not get this done, which can be pretty difficult to handle day in and day out. Not sure if you actually show signs of high-functioning anxiety at work? We spoke with psychology and mental health experts to lay out six work habits that are secretly high-functioning anxiety: 1. Being a perfectionist and having to be the best at everything. Antonioguillem / Getty Images/iStockphoto Perfectionism is a huge sign of high-functioning anxiety as you work to be the best at everything, which is an impossible task, explained Erin L. Moran, a licensed mental health counselor in Jacksonville, Florida. A perfectionist often places a lot of shame and blame on yourself or others any time something is perceived as less than perfect, she added. The thought of your boss or co-worker being upset or disappointed in you, despite there being zero specific evidence that they actually are, may occur in your strides to be perfect. While youre doing well with your tasks at work, if your personal relationships with those in your office are seemingly not up to the standards of those with high-functioning anxiety, you may begin assuming the feelings and intentions of others and personalizing them. Someone with high-functioning anxiety may be a perfectionist with their work or conversations as they are anxious of how it will be perceived by others, Lyons said. 2. Having difficulty focusing on tasks due to stress and worry. Getting distracted and not being able to focus on your tasks at work are two very common occurrences for those who have high-functioning anxiety. Often, those who experience issues with concentration and focus will implement their own coping mechanisms to be able to work efficiently. For example, some people may wear headphones at work. A person with high-functioning anxiety may wear headphones because this helps them feel less distracted and more in control of the information they receive, Lyons said. The stress, worry, and anxiety are to blame for the lack of focus at work and will eventually lead you to have more difficulty staying present on your tasks, Moran said. When a person becomes overworked, over-stressed and places high pressure on themselves, there is an increased likelihood of their brain dropping some things due to the emotional energy drain attached to anxiety. 3. Seeking reassurance and validation from others. Freshsplash / Getty Images Reassurance and validation are two very important things for those with high-functioning anxiety in the workplace because it will dictate how they perform, their thoughts, and emotions every time they come to work. At work, people with high-functioning anxiety will often seek reassurance on their work or projects from others to ease their anxiety, Lyons said. Seeking validation often reflects a fear response. Validation is super important and helpful, but when you need your boss or co-worker to frequently provide this feedback without the ability to gauge your own success, this can create a sense of not being good enough when the likely reality is that other people are busy in their own work and will forget to praise or acknowledge you, which is not a reflection of doing anything wrong, Moran explains. Reassurance may also come in the form of interacting regularly with certain co-workers only. They find people safe and more reassuring than others and, outside of those select individuals, they may not socialize at all, said Michele Leno, a psychologist and founder of DML Psychological Services in Michigan. They may even shun others attempts to get to know them. 4. Overreacting to the slightest change in routine. A routine is predictable and not anxiety-inducing. However, when there is a slight change, it can really stir up the entire day for someone with high-functioning anxiety. The person with high-functioning anxiety may view change as total injustice and spend days talking about it, as they cant afford any disturbance to their routine, Leno said. 5. Comparing yourself to your co-workers. Xixinxing / Getty Images/iStockphoto Along with perfectionism and seeking validation, comparison is common in those with high-functioning anxiety. The root of this is insecurity attached to anxiety, Moran said. This is often associated with a fear of rejection, a desire to be seen as worthy, and overall pressure associated with attempting to be seen as good enough and not wanting to experience any negative feedback from others. 6. Keeping yourself super-busy throughout the workday. In efforts to feel worthy at work, its not uncommon for someone who has high-functioning anxiety to keep themselves extremely busy. This might include volunteering for extra projects, despite these additional projects creating additional stress and strain and not having the time to fully focus on them, Moran said. This often creates burnout due to the constant pressure and lack of balance in workload. Because of the overwhelming need to stay busy, these people will often arrive early to work and stay late in hopes to get ahead of any possible issues or changes. Theyll also rarely say no to things. Often people with high-functioning anxiety tend to be people-pleasers and will be hesitant to say no when theyre asked to do something, Lyons explained. What To Do If You Have High-Functioning Anxiety SDI Productions via Getty Images If these signs resonate with your work life, there are steps you can take to help you feel more at ease, mentally and physically, at work: Deep-Breathing Exercises Deep breathing is something that can help anxiety in the moment. Our bodies naturally respond to taking deep breaths and will calm down when the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, per the Cleveland Clinic. Consider Counseling And Therapy Speaking to someone else about what youre struggling with at work may help you immensely with your high-functioning anxiety. Not only will it help you talk about the things that cause you anxiety, it can help you learn to effectively manage your symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one option that helps people learn to reframe their thoughts about life and transform those behaviors that feed your anxiety. This could help you manage your thoughts, find solutions that work for you, and navigate your way through anxious moments. Medication Can Be Helpful Going on medication can help reduce your symptoms of high-functioning anxiety, and your doctor can work with you to find the right one for you, according to the Cleveland Clinic.This post originally appeared on HuffPost. KYODO NEWS - May 19, 2024 - 14:30 | All, Japan, Travel/Tourism Local residents in Yamanashi Prefecture, at the foot of Mt. Fuji, are striving to make their city Kofu a tourist magnet with extraterrestrial help from an alien. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of an incident in which two elementary school children claimed to have encountered unidentified flying objects and an alien. It is dubbed one of "three major UFO incidents" reported in Japan. Radio personality Kiichi Tokutake is among a group of people organizing events to celebrate the anniversary and boost the city's appeal. "I want to make Kofu a mecca for UFO enthusiasts," he said. Tokutake's passion grew after he was told by a guest during his show that the UFO sighting in Kofu had recently grabbed attention among some overseas enthusiasts. The alleged incident dates back to Feb. 23, 1975, when two boys playing near a vineyard in Kofu saw what they described as two saucer-shaped UFOs flashing in orange at around 6:30 p.m. They said a 120- to 130-centimeter tall alien with a big head, long ears and three fangs then descended, according to Tokutake. The alien reportedly had a brown face with no eyes or nose. The boys left the scene to call their family. When they returned, the objects started blinking and glared briefly before disappearing. Their family and local residents provided similar descriptions. Feb. 23 is now registered as Kofu UFO Day by the Japan Anniversary Association, an organization that registers anniversaries for companies, groups and individuals. "It scared the life out of me back then," Katsuhiro Yamahata, who was one of the two boys, recalled at a February event marking the 49th year since the sighting. Local organizers are planning to erect a monument at the site. "My hope is visitors interested in the UFO (incident) will take a liking to the city of Kofu and its people," Tokutake said. The other two sightings were reported in Kochi Prefecture in 1972 and in the country's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido in 1974. Other places seeking to draw visitors with the stories of alleged UFO sightings include Hakui of Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, and the Iinomachi area in Fukushima in the country's northeast. In the United States, known for UFO-related incidents like one in Roswell, a Department of Defense report released in March concluded that there was "no evidence" that UFO sightings for decades represented "extraterrestrial technology." Related coverage: FEATURE: Social media trends driving Britain's Japanese literature boom Former reporter traces how famous Ainu portraits wound up in France FEATURE:Hibagon hunters still pursuing mystery beast 50 yrs after sightings Editors note, May 21: Elite Exped has clarified the confusion around the permitting issues below to ExplorersWeb. See the update here. Nirmal Purja has made headlines again, this time not for a mountaineering achievement but for allegedly breaking the rules on Everest. Nepals Department of Tourism has started a probe after witnesses and officials said his company, Elite Exped, allowed one of its teams with a permit for neighboring Lingtren to climb to Everests Camp 3. According to The Himalayan Times, Purja also used a helicopter to fly from Kathmandu directly to Everests Camp 2, a shortcut forbidden on Everest. Nepals Civil Aviation Authority is currently investigating. Most of the climbers from an 11-member team [from a] Lingtren Peak expedition of Elite Exped, run by celebrated climber Nirmal Purja, illegally crossed the Icefall section of Mt. Everest and reached Camp III earlier this week, officials told The Himalayan Times (THT). Most of the members reached Camp III on Everest for acclimatization but they dont have a permit to use the Everest climbing route, unnamed eyewitnesses told these officials, per the newspaper. Camp 3, at 7,000m on the Lhotse Face, is actually higher than Lingtren. An uncommon peak choice Lingtren is a rarely attempted 6,713m peak above Everest Base Camp. Elite Exped never announced the expedition, nor did they update about fixing ropes, setting camps, or any progress on the mountain. Camp 3 on Everest, 2019. Photo: Justin Merle/Paul Pottingers blog Elite Exped counters, 7 Summit Treks explains Elite Exped wrote letters to ExplorersWeb and The Himalayan Times denying The Himalayan Times report. Robert Hutchinson and Kayla Perez [two members of the group] both had valid permits for Everest, the company told The Himalayan Times. The rest of the peopleonly trained at base camp for their preparation to climb Lobuche East. They had the correct permits for this. They did not climb Everest with Elite Exped. Their letter contained no explanation or clarification about the team supposedly climbing Lingtren. ExplorersWeb did see (but has no permission to share) an April 24 Everest permit granted to Seven Summit Treks (7ST) for a team of 15 people (the maximum allowed per permit). This SST permit included Perez and Hutchinson, two of the Elite Exped climbers listed above. Permit sharing We asked 7ST about it, and they kindly explained. These two people were indeed included in our permit as a sharing, said 7ST spokesperson Thaneswar Guragai. He said that sharing is a common practice among outfitters to maximize each permit. If a team has, lets say, a group of 17 climbers, and another company has a group of 13, its common and perfectly legal to add the two spare climbers from the 17-pax group [onto the group of 13s permit]. According to Guragay, this is what happened with Hutchison and Perez. But they were climbing with Elite Exped, he stressed. Kayla Perez is a regular client of Purjas expeditions and an ambassador of the Nimsdai Store, Purjas mountain gear brand: Lobuche or Lingtren? The rest of the peopleonly trained at base camp for their preparation to climb Lobuche East, Elite Expeds letter read. It is unclear why climbers planning to go up easy Lobuche East were training at Everest Base Camp. Lobuche East is a straightforward and accessible peak on the way to Everest, often used as a first acclimatization before Everest or Lhotse. It is barely more than a hike. Nirmal Purja posted a video from Lobuche last month, where his Annapurna team acclimatized: In a second Himalayan Times article, editor Rajan Pokhrel notes that non-Everest teams are not allowed to train or even stay at Everest Base Camp, as per this years mandate issued by the authorities of the Khumbu region. Lingtren climbers, on the other hand, share Base Camp with those climbing Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Pumori. But again, Elite Exped has not addressed whether those individuals with a permit for Lingtren ventured up the Khumbu Icefall toward Everests Camp 3. We will update as soon as we receive further information from Elite Exped. However, according to Everest Chronicle, Nepals Department of Tourism (DoT) has already opened an investigation. We received information that a group of climbers climbed Everest without climbing permits, Rakesh Gurung, chief of the mountaineering section at the DoT told the outlet. The Expedition Monitoring and Facilitation Field Office in the Base Camp is looking into the issues. The EMFFO is a field office of the Department of Tourism at Everest Base Camp. Rajan Pokhrel confirmed that the DoT had initiated a probe into this Elite Exped case. Until it finishes its investigation, the DoT will not brief the media further. Headquarters of the Field Office of Nepals Department of Tourism at Everest Base Camp. Photo: Gautam Khim Lal Cheaper permit At the beginning of May, there was only one team with a permit for Lingtren Elite Exped. The group permit cost $4,400, or $400 per person. Meanwhile, an Everest permit is $11,000 per person. (It will increase to $15,000 next year.) Climbing a peak in Nepal without a permit is serious. Individual climbers who break the law are, at the very least, immediately deported and banned from Nepal for at least two years. Throughout the history of alpinism, there have been cases of climbers venturing up peaks in Nepal without a permit. But these were mostly small teams with low budgets, aiming for adventurous climbs up difficult (usually new) routes on isolated peaks. However, showing up in the Base Camp of an 8,000er, Everest no less, and going up the normal route, with the ropes fixed by others, is another story. This breach of regulations was not done by a couple of young dirtbags but allegedly by a team of Westerners guided by an upscale outfitter. Helicopter to Camp 2 The permitting issue is not the only Everest controversy involving Nirmal Purja in the last few days. Today, THT published another piece alleging that Purja took a helicopter from Kathmandu straight to Camp 2 on Everest. The Base Camp Management Procedure 2024, approved earlier this year, forbids using helicopters above Base Camp. Nepals Supreme Court recently enforced the prohibition, which was confirmed by the Civil Aviation Authority. Nims took a heli flight from Kathmandu at around 8:30 am and he landed at Camp II on Everest at around 11:30 am, an eyewitness from Camp II told THT today. The paper states that Nims took off from Kathmandu with four other passengers. The others disembarked at Lukla, while Purja continued on his own. Nims was taken to Camp II from Lukla via EBC by manipulating the flight records in the name of rescue operations, sources confirmed, THT stated. Quoting unnamed eyewitnesses, THT mentioned Purja flew with Prabhu Helicopters and the pilot Sobit Gauchan. ExplorersWeb is trying to contact the helicopter company and Gauchan for comments, as well as Elite Exped. The Instagram portrait below shows Gauchan beside his helicopter. Everest is currently experiencing its busiest days of the year, with massive summit pushes and turmoil of activity everywhere on the mountain. THT alleges that Purja wanted to reach Camp 2 as quickly as possible to lead a team to the summit tomorrow. Gyanendra Bhul, information officer at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, said that his office would immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged flight. The post Purja, Elite Exped Accused of Breaking Everest Rules appeared first on Explorersweb. Think back to Grandma's kitchen when she would stay home on a Sunday and make her signature tomato sauce. Most of us just indulged in the fruits of her labor, ignorant of the sauce type we were enjoying, but did you know there is an array of sauces ranging from simple recipes to all-day affairs? Tomato tom-ah-to indeed. With this in mind, we decided it was a great idea to teach you about two of the main tomato-based sauces in the Italian pantheon: marinara sauce and spaghetti sauce. Yes, there is a difference -- a big one. And don't get us started on other types, such as bolognese or "gravy". Seemingly interchangeable, there is a world of Italian knowledge, history, and ingredients that flow between marinara and spaghetti sauce. Featuring their own signature ingredients and prep methods, marinara and spaghetti sauce diverge greatly on their road to sauce-dom. But what exactly sets them apart? Are there certain dishes where a specific sauce should be used? To answer these questions for you, we researched the origins, ingredients, and cultural significance of each sauce to bring you a guide that will help you understand their differences and what makes them each so great. From the charming kitchens of southern Italy to the bustling streets of New York City, every sauce tells a story, and we're here to relay their tales. Grab your wooden spoon and prepare to be schooled in the world of tomato sauces, where ingredients, textures, and maritime backgrounds create variety and flare. Read more: 12 Vegetables And Fruits That Used To Look Very Different The Origins Of Marinara Sauce Pot of marinara sauce & ingredients - Fcafotodigital/Getty Images With a strong foundation in Southern Italy, the origins of marinara are definitely murky, but we can trace some of its history back to Naples. In the 16th century, sailors returning from the New World brought tomatoes home with them, paving the way for a foundational aspect of Italian cuisine. Looking at the etymology of the word, it's amazing most never see the connection between marinara and mariner, hinting at its association with the sea. Derived from the Italian word "marinaro," meaning sailor, it's been said that Neapolitan sailors and merchants created marinara sauce as a quick and easy meal to enjoy during their travels. The truth is left unknown, but the clear connection to sea-faring life stands firm. However, marinara shifted from a staple in Italy back to its tomato roots in the United States, as Italian immigrants brought their culinary heritage with them. Today, marinara is a cherished aspect of Italian-American cuisine, acting as a star in dishes such as spaghetti, smothered over pizza, or used as a dipping sauce for delicious garlic and cheesy breads alike. Who knew such a simple fruit would change the course of Italian history and the world? The Origins Of Spaghetti Sauce Spoonful of spaghetti sauce - Zeljkosantrac/Getty Images Just like marinara, the story of spaghetti sauce is pretty similar, as we just learned tomatoes hit the shores of Italy in the 16th century. Also known as "ragu", spaghetti sauce has the same base as marinara, but this option offers a more complex treat. Over the years, it has evolved into something more than simply tomatoes and some spices, as family recipes have captured the essence of marinara and added their own unique twists. While Italian immigrants brought their marinara to U.S. shores, this shift in location also created a shift in the recipe. Spaghetti sauce became something akin to comfort food, with many adding in extras such as ground meat, onions, peppers, and atypical spices. Thicker, more robust, and far more complex to cook, spaghetti sauce made a name for itself in its new location. No matter the recipe or innovative twist, you'll find spaghetti sauce on heartier pasta, lasagna, and many more iconic dishes. However, it's important to note that spaghetti sauce should not be confused with bolognese, which is from northern Italy and focuses on the meat instead of the tomatoes. Spaghetti sauce is still tomato-centered, with the other additions merely adding to the acidity and quintessential flavors. How Are Spaghetti Sauce And Marinara Different? Woman making tomao sauce - Gahsoon/Getty Images The main distinction between marinara and spaghetti sauce lies primarily in their ingredients, but preparation methods play a factor, too. Marinara is the OG sauce with simple prep and fewer ingredients. It typically consists of tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil, with herbs such as basil and oregano. You may occasionally find other additions, such as onions, but for the most part, marinara is your basic girl. She doesn't take long to get ready for a night out either, as marinara is typically simmered gently for a short period of time to preserve the freshness of the tomatoes and herbs. This shorter cooking time makes for a lighter, brighter sauce with a thinner consistency compared to spaghetti sauce. With its simpler profile, marinara is often used as a base for pizza, certain pasta dishes, and seafood, allowing the natural sweetness of the tomatoes and herbs to shine. In contrast, spaghetti sauce is that friend who tries on a lot of outfits and takes forever to get ready. Typically a hearty, meat-based option, spaghetti sauce usually features ground beef or pork, onions, garlic, carrots, and celery within its tomato base, plus an array of herbs and spices depending on recipe and preference. This sauce takes its time, as it's simmered slowly over low heat for several hours. With a rich, chunky consistency, this sauce is heartier and way more substantial, making it a better choice for dishes like spaghetti (duh) or lasagna. What Is The Difference In Taste And Texture Between Spaghetti Sauce And Marinara? Bowl of chunky spaghetti sauce - Bhofack2/Getty Images While both tomato-based sauces, there is a world of difference in taste and texture between marinara and its successor. Marinara has fewer ingredients and is very tomato-focused. Its flavor profile is lighter, characterized by the bright acidity of tomatoes and the fragrant herbaceousness of basil and oregano. Its texture tends to be smoother and more liquid compared to spaghetti sauce, with a thinner consistency that coats pasta delicately rather than weighing it down. The same can be said of the flavor profile and your stomach, allowing you to eat more without feeling full. Spaghetti sauce differs greatly from marinara, with its thick consistency from the meat and added ingredients. These extras add more complexity to the flavor profile, as well, featuring a meaty richness embedded within the tomato base. The vegetables offer added texture, too, something you won't ever find within marinara's thin consistency. While marinara leans acidic, spaghetti leans savory, but that richness can weigh down a meal pretty quickly. While marinara can offer herbaceous flavors, spaghetti sauce is far more complex, especially when it comes to recipe variety. Depending on your palate and dish of choice, each can offer flavor and flare to your Italian favorites. What's The Nutritional Value And Price Of Spaghetti Sauce And Marinara? Spaghetti & sauce on a stove - Fcafotodigital/Getty Images We don't think of tomato-based sauces as healthy, as they're usually accompanied by a heavy helping of pasta, but overall, each sauce has its positives and negatives in the health world. Since marinara is essentially tomatoes and herbs, this sauce seems to be the healthier of the two when it comes to calories and fat content. Its spaghetti sauce counterpart can have more calories and fat from its meat additions, but also features added protein, along with vitamins and minerals from the vegetables. It's important to note that store-bought versions can contain a lot of sugar and preservatives, so be sure to check the label if you're not making a homemade sauce. In terms of pricing, these sauces can vary depending on factors such as brand, if you're buying in-store, and quality of ingredients and region if you're making homemade sauce. If you're cooking your own sauce, marinara tends to be more affordable since it features fewer ingredients and no meat. Additions to spaghetti sauce, such as ground meat and an array of veggies and spices, can increase your total at checkout. For store-bought options, the jury is out on which item is cheaper, as pricing varies between brands and additions within the sauce. Both sauces can be found for under $3 at some retailers and well over $10 at others. Read your labels and decide which brand is right for your dish and your budget. How Do You Store Spaghetti Sauce And Marinara? Jars of various tomato sauces - Anda U/Shutterstock While there are a ton of differences when it comes to marinara and spaghetti sauce, one similarity we can find is storage. Both sauces can be stored in airtight containers and refrigerated for short-term use. However, we don't suggest refrigeration for more than five to seven days. If you need your sauces to last longer, stick them in the freezer. Be sure to allow both sauces to cool before sealing them in freezer-safe containers or even resealable bags. We also suggest labeling your containers with dates to ensure they don't go bad. Frozen tomato sauces can typically last for three to four months if stored correctly. When you're ready to use your frozen sauce, the prep is easy. Thaw your container in the refrigerator overnight, allowing the sauce to naturally return to its liquid state. If you're in a pinch for time, you can also place your container in a bowl of cold water, then transfer it to a pot and warm it on the stove. Read the original article on Daily Meal Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Submit it here. Dear Care and Feeding, My 7-year-old is an at-home nudist. She isnt like this in public (e.g., she prefers to use a private stall when changing at the pool), but she has always felt comfortable enough around my husband and me to leave her room naked in the middle of changing her clothes because she needs to ask us something, or to find a toy. I havent cared much about the nudity, but Ive started wondering when and how I should tell her that she needs to stop before she starts puberty. I dont want her to feel like theres something wrong with her body, now or ever, but I know it will get pretty uncomfortable before long. My husband and I dont spend time naked in front of our daughterits just her. How should I/we approach this? Birthday Suit Dear Suit, Dont approach the subject at allit isnt necessary. Telling her in advance that before she starts puberty she should knock off the nakedness is a sure-fire way to let her know that theres something wrong with her body (or that there will be, in a matter of years). Let her be. She already knows the difference between out-in-the-world and at-home. How do you suppose she figured that out? It seems to me that if she feels at ease running around the house naked, youve done a good job up to now of not making her feel self-conscious. Dont undo that work. And in any case, chances are that at some pointat an age between 10 and 13shell develop her own self-consciousness about nudity in front of her parents right alongside all the changes in her body. For better or for worse, that sort of self-consciousness is a developmental stage. Theres no reason to rush that. (And in the exceedingly unlikely event that she does not become a self-conscious tween, and the sight of her unclothed body unnerves you and/or your husband, just tell her then that you would be more comfortable if everybody kept their clothes on. If she asks you why, tell her the truth: Theres nothing wrong with her, her body, or her nakedness. Its youyoure the [I dont mean this critically or cruelly, just as factual] problem.) Dear Care and Feeding, Im a white single mom and my 13-year-old daughter, Mila (also white) is working on a comic with a diverse cast (about half to three-quarters of the characters are nonwhite). The other day she came to me talking about how worried she is that shell get something wrong and itll be offensive without her realizing it, or shell accidentally use some kind of stereotype that will be hurtful, and she ended up in tears. I dont know how to handle this. She seems to feel like its a huge problem but to me, it seems like no big deal considering that 1) she is 13 years old! And 2) she isnt publishing this comic anywhere (shes just doing it for fun). But Im not sure if I should brush off her concerns and tell her she doesnt have to worry about it, that as long as she has good intentions, it doesnt matter if she makes a mistake, or if I should try to find her some sort of resource to help her with representation. If she were going to publish the comic, I would lean toward the latter, but seeing as she isnt, my opinion is that it doesnt matter much at this pointbut is that just because Im a white person and dont understand? Representation Issues Dear Issues, Telling your smart, sensitive child that her concerns are no big dealthat as long as she has good intentions, the result doesnt matteris a pretty terrible idea. Shes taking the making of this comic seriously. Its not about whether she publishes it or not; its about the process of making it. She made a conscious decision to include a diverse cast of characters (good for her!); her concern about whether she may be relying on stereotypes (without even being aware of it) or otherwise falling short when she writes and draws characters whose life experience is different from her own echoes the concerns of thoughtful, ethical, professional writers/artists. You should encourage that. But you dont have to hire a professional sensitivity reader for herthat would be overkill. Simply taking her concerns seriously is step one. Let her know that you admire her for thinking like a real writer, that her determination to do her characters justice is a worthy one, and that her awareness that theres much about the world she doesnt know (and about which she may indeed be mistaken) is a sign of maturity and wisdom. Step two is asking her what resources she believes might help her as she works on this project. If she wails that she has no idea, which is exactly the problem, thats when your own superior wisdom comes in. (So make sure youve got some. You might start here, with these excellent resources.) Talk to her about what grownup writers do. If you dont know, Im here to tell you: In my work on a new novel for children, which includes a character whos nonbinary, I asked several young people who identify as such to read an early draft and let me know what I got wrong. I also talked to NB people before I wrote that characters most important scene, and those conversations helped me write it more authentically and three-dimensionally than I could have without them. (For that matter, Id barely begun the book when I asked everyone I knew if they had a child or grandchild of age 10 to 12 who would be interested in talking to me about life today as a kid. I talked to a dozen or so about everything from playground games and rules to phones and clothes.) Does Mila know anyone she could ask frankly for help with this? (Would you read what Ive got so far and tell me if you think Ive got the character of X, Y, or Z right? And if I havent, how can I do better?) Are there also books she can read, movies she can watch, podcasts she can listen to, or better still, media that you two can check out and talk about together? If your white child of white parents lives in an all-white neighborhood and goes to an all-white school, the advice to seek out beta readers among people she already knows will not be useful. That doesnt mean you should shrug off whats troubling her. It means acknowledging that theres a problem. (You do see how thats a problem, dont you?) Put your heads together to find a solution. Dear Care and Feeding, My old friends have two kids who are 14 and 11. When the kids were little, I was an honorary auntie to them, spending lots of time with them and their parents. After they went to bed, we would partake in grownup drinks and smoke nothing crazy, just some fun. Right before the pandemic, I divorced my husband and then ended up moving to a city an hour or so away. I was not included in family bubble invitations during those years, and although I tried to come up with fun outdoor things to do, I got the impression that the kids were addicted to their screens (their parents would leave them home to meet up with me and my new partner). Now that the kids are older, I get the feeling I missed out on a good relationship with them. They both have anxiety issues, which worries me. And, in my opinion, they are negatively affected by their parents ongoing marijuana use. I want to be part of the kids lives, but I am not sure how to make inroads. I am still friendly with the parents, but we are not as close as we used to be. What should I do? Sad Aunt Dear Sad, Well, for starters, do your best not to make assumptions. (When your friends joined you for fun outdoor pursuits during the pandemic, leaving their kids at home, they might have made that choice, needing a break.) Whether these kids are negatively affected by their parents weed habit is neither here nor there. If you want to be a part of these kids lives, make an effort. Ask their parents if its OK with them if you offer to take the kids out (and if they say yes, ask the kids what they would like to dodont make assumptions about what they would think is fun). Write them letters afterwards. (You can text them, but only briefly and not too oftendont be demanding.) Hell, you can send them thoughtful, small gifts, but first be observant; make sure you know what will please them. As long as the parents are on board, theres nothing to prevent you from forming your own relationships with them, which, as they get older, will be more and more important to them, because every teenager and young adult can use some adult presence in their life who is not a parent. Now, if theres been an actual falling out between you and the parents, thats another matter. One of the great heartbreaks of my life is that a painful (alas, unavoidable) relationship-ending conflict with longtime friends also ended my close relationship to their three children. It would have been inappropriate for me to reach out to the kids, whom I loved dearly, when their parents had intentionally struck me from their lives. But if what youre describing is an ongoing, but no longer super-close, relationship, I encourage you to reach out to the kids whose lives you want to be a part ofwith permission. Dear Care and Feeding, In December, we moved to Central Virginia, very close to Liberty University (of Jerry Falwell infamy). Our family subscribes to a blend of Jewish/agnostic/Unitarian Universalist practices. We are on the political left. I recently found out that high school graduation for our district is always held at Liberty. This bothers me a lot. Theres no point complaining about this: I am 99 percent convinced no one in power in the district will care. So: Do we abandon our principles and quietly show up for this major life event, or do we explain to our kids why we are so solidly opposed to this and not attend when the time comes? Lost Near Liberty Dear Lost, I will admit that I am always surprised by questions like this. Does nobody do research before moving to a new place? But maybe you did do due diligence; maybe everything seemed great, and it just did not occur to you to ask about high school graduationfor which I cant fault you, so let me ask you this: Is there another venue large enough to host graduation ceremonies? (A cursory search led me to Central Virginia Community College and Randolph College, alsolike Libertyin Lynchburg.) If there is, why not register your concern to the powers that be and ask for commencement to be held on more neutral grounds? If the district administrators wave off your issues with Liberty, write a thoughtful, well-reasoned, devastating letter to the newspaper. Of course, its possible (even, as you say, likely) that this will change no ones minds, if this is a longstanding tradition and/or Liberty University offers the local public school district a favorable rental rate, but speaking up about it will set an example for your children: When you see something you believe is wrong, you try to do something about it. But if graduation will not be moved, and your kids still participate in it (who knowsmaybe they wont want to? I skipped mine, in 1972), then, for heavens sake, go and support them. Sitting in the audience and clapping for your kids when they reach a milestone is not a betrayal of your principles. Michelle My 13-year-old daughter just got her first smartphone and made an Instagram account (with permission). She followed her older cousin who is 23, and whom she admires. I also have Instagram and follow her cousin (my niece). My niece is great, but she occasionally posts inappropriate things. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) One person suffered life-threatening injuries in what police are calling a crash involving a pedestrian and a vehicle early Sunday morning, May 19 in East El Paso. Police say the crash happened at 1515 Lee Trevino Dr., near Vista Del Sol. Police sent out an alert to local media about the crash at about 4 a.m. but did not say when the crash happened. They described the victim as a female, no age given. Police did not say who was hurt or what led up to the crash. The Special Traffic Investigations Unit is looking into what led up to the crash. 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. Police in Savannah, Georgia, are investigating a shooting that injured 11 people in the city's downtown area on Saturday night. The shooting broke out just before midnight in Ellis Square, a fixture of Savannah's historic district and a popular tourist attraction. Several precincts responded at 11:55 p.m. to reports of gunfire in the area, the Savannah Police Department said in a news release issued Sunday morning. At the time, detectives were probing the incident and had interviewed witnesses as part of their investigation, which was still ongoing. Savannah police have not identified suspects or announced any arrests in the case. Everyone hurt in the shooting, including the people who suffered gunshot wounds, are adults, according to the police department, and some were transported from the scene to Memorial Health University Medical Center. Police did not share details about the nature or extent of those injuries but said in Sunday's news release that "as of now, no deaths have occurred because of the incident." They told CBS affiliate WTOC that at least 10 people were believed to be hurt as a result of the gunfire. All 11 people received treatment overnight for their injuries, which police said were not considered life-threatening, WTOC reported. Police have asked anyone with information about the shooting to contact Crime Stoppers at 912-234-2020. Behind the wheel of a $3 million car The plan for a new California city Building a medieval castle from scratch TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) An 11-year-old boy was arrested after he allegedly shot and killed his 55-year-old relative at a Florida home they shared Friday morning, according to reports. Just before 8 a.m., Ocoee police were called to a home near Clarke and Mims roads, where they found Sandra Pape King, 55, with a gunshot wound. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she later died. Motorcyclist killed after striking 2 street signs, large tree in early-morning St. Pete crash NBC affiliate WESH spoke with neighbors who said what happened was heartbreaking. Its heartbreaking for something to happen to somebody like that, kill somebody, somebody doing them like that, a neighbor, Gerald Ingram, told WESH. Another neighbor said they heard screaming and saw the 55-year-old woman shot to the ground in the driveway. Nearby neighbors also told WESH that the 11-year-old boy threw little tantrums here and there, but thought it was normal for children that age. Heartbreaking: Tampa man fatally shot while at home with girlfriend, her children He seemed like any other child, you know. You see, he had a little tantrum here and there. I figure that was normal for a kid his age, you know. I have two daughters his age, so I didnt think nothing of it, neighbor Jackson Genao said. The 11-year-old is now in custody, according to Ocoee police. At this time, its unclear what led up to the shooting and what charges the face may face. 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. CLEVELAND (WJW) Cleveland officials confirmed that multiple children and adults had to be rescued and some were taken to the hospital after a fire broke out at an apartment building Saturday morning. Firefighters and EMS responded to an apartment building on the 4300 block of Kennard Court around 5 a.m. following a report a fire had broken out. Painesville man charged with entering Capitol building on Jan. 6 Upon arrival, they learned the blaze had started on the first floor and that occupant was able to get out of the building. It was not clear how many people were in the building at the time of the fire. The Cleveland Division of Fire said two kids and two adults from the same family jumped from the second story. From the the third story, eight children and one adult (all from the same family) were rescued via ladder, while another adult was able to escape on their own. Cleveland EMS reported taking four adults and 12 children to MetroHealth Medical Center, but that they were all in stable condition. Cat rescue you have to see by local firefighters It is not yet being reported how the fire broke out and how extensive the damage is to the building. An investigation is underway. 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. A Bellefonte Area High School student died Saturday in a swimming accident at Raystown Lake, principal Mike Fedisson told families in a message. Nathan Dan was part of the Bellefonte Area School District community since elementary school and touched the lives of many, Fedisson wrote. He was an athlete who was a member of the lacrosse team. The passing of such a bright and energetic young individual is an immense loss that has left a void in all of us, Fedisson wrote. State police in Huntingdon County were dispatched to the 7000 block of Susquehannock Road in Penn Township at about 5:15 p.m. Saturday after a report that a 16-year-old boy went underwater while swimming and did not resurface. After a search that included Smithfield Fire Company, Marklesburg Fire Company, the coroners office, Fish and Boat Commission and the Army Corps of Engineers, the teens body was found in the water, state police wrote in a public information report. In the note to families, Fedisson said counseling services would be available at the school on Monday as students and staff grieve. Scheduled Keystone Exam testing on Monday will also be postponed. Parents who think their child needs extra support coping with the loss are encouraged to contact administration or guidance staff. We offer our deepest sympathies to Nathans family, Fedisson wrote. Please join us in remembering Nathan and keeping his family in your thoughts during this incredibly challenging time. THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) Two people were hurt in a Saturday evening stabbing south of Caledonia. Around 8:30 p.m., troopers with the Michigan State Police were sent to Noffke Drive near 108th Street for a stabbing. Responding troopers found a 64-year-old Thornapple Township man and a 41-year-old Grand Rapids woman with stab wounds. MSP said that their injuries were not considered life-threatening. The woman was arrested on numerous charges, including assault with intent to do great bodily harm, MSP said. The man has not been arrested at this time, MSP said. Its unclear what led up to the stabbing. This embedded content is not available in your region. The stabbing remains 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 WOODTV.com. The United States Department of Justice announced four men have been arrested for allegedly selling fentanyl pills and cocaine on the dark web. Authorities say Southern California natives, 21-year-old Alejandro Soto, and 21-year-old Austin Blanco, both from Burbank, and Las Vegas residents, 23-year-old Craig Rushton, and 20-year-old Christian McKibben have all been charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, two counts of distribution of fentanyl, and one count of distribution of cocaine. The investigation began in April of 2021. The DOJ says the four men conspired with 23-year-old Van Nuys native Brian McDonald, and 23-year-old Ciara Clutario, of Burbank, to traffic fentanyl and cocaine. McDonald and Clutario allegedly created vendor profiles on darknet marketplaces to sell fentanyl, cocaine, and other illegal narcotics in exchange for cryptocurrency. The pair maintained online dark web profiles and arranged drug listings and shipment options, tracking drug orders received through the profiles and offloading cryptocurrency received on the darknet marketplaces into cryptocurrency wallets that the co-conspirators controlled. Both McDonald and Clutario were charged last year. Their trials will begin on Aug. 6. The DOJ says Soto, Blacano, McKibben, and Rushton were directed by McDonald and others to package and ship the drugs sold on the darknet. The defendants allegedly took care of the packaging of the narcotics at McKibben and Rushtons home in Burbank. The defendants are accused of selling and shipping hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of narcotics, including fentanyl and cocaine, to drug purchasers across the country. If the four men are convicted, they face the mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory 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. KYODO NEWS - May 19, 2024 - 21:58 | All, Japan Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa on Sunday retracted her remark the previous day that was widely interpreted as questioning the worth of women who do not give birth, saying her choice of words was liable to cause misunderstanding. In a campaign speech Saturday in support of a Shizuoka gubernatorial election candidate, Kamikawa said she wondered "how can we women call ourselves women without birthing this person." In her retraction, Kamikawa told reporters that she merely meant to ask female voters to exercise their power to elect the candidate she supports just as she was "born" as a House of Representatives member in the 2000 election. "I sincerely accept the view that (my words) could cause my true intention to be misunderstood, so I retract them," she said. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters during his visit to Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture, on Sunday that "misleading expressions should be avoided." Kamikawa, who represents a Shizuoka constituency as a House of Representatives member, was making a speech in support of the candidate backed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. "Diplomatic issues could arise if we are unable to make measured statements," said Kenta Izumi, chief of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. "Such statements also call into question (Kamikawa's) qualifications as foreign minister." Kamikawa had met on Friday in Tokyo with Kirsi Madi, U.N. Women Deputy Executive Director for Resource Management, Sustainability and Partnerships, and discussed the importance of the United Nations concept that underscores women's equal and meaningful participation in peace and security, known as "Women, Peace and Security," or WPS. Related coverage: Japan minister queries women's worth without birth in election speech Twenty people in central Gaza were killed following an Israeli airstrike on Sunday as fighting continued to ravage the region over the weekend. Records from the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital showed that twenty people were killed in the airstrike in Nuseirat, which is a Palestinian refugee camp that has been around since the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, The Associated Press (AP) reported. The hospital, located in the nearby town of Deir al-Balah, recovered the bodies, which were mostly women and children. The Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service said that a separate strike in Nuseirat killed an additional five people, according to AP. The war in Gaza has killed about 35,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry that does not distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to eliminate Hamas following the militant groups Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people. Israel has faced widespread criticism for its actions in Gaza from world leaders, including President Biden, about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the territory. Biden warned Netanyahu repeatedly against launching a full invasion into the southern city of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians were seeking refuge at one point. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is traveling to Israel on Sunday to meet with senior officials, including Netanyahu, about the ongoing negotiations to get the hostages being held by Hamas released and to win a truce in the war. The Biden administration also said the officials will discuss the humanitarian crisis in the region and our shared objective for the enduring defeat of Hamas through both military pressure and a political plan. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. 2024 Donald and Marian Spencer Spirit of America Awards dinner tickets still available The Donald and Marian Spencer Spirit of America Awards celebrate the couples achievements and recognizes individuals and organizations that have demonstrated commitment to ensuring greater inclusion and diversity in the Greater Cincinnati community. There is still time to get tickets for the Ninth Annual Donald and Marian Spencer Spirit of America Awards dinner, presented by the Cincinnatus Association. The 2024 awards ceremony and dinner honors five Cincinnati-area nonprofits and businesses that exemplify the true spirit of community service and commitment. Marian Spencer, the first Black president of the Womans City Club of Cincinnati and the first Black woman elected to Cincinnati City Council, was a civil rights activist with a "spine of steel" who led local desegregation efforts. Her husband Donald was the first Black member of the Cincinnati Park Board, the first Black broker on the Cincinnati Board of Realtors and the first Black trustee at Ohio University. Donald and Marian Spencer in 2001. The Donald and Marian Spencer Spirit of America Awards celebrate and honor outstanding contributions to the community and acknowledge the honorees' remarkable achievements. WLW-TV anchor/reporter Courtis Fuller will serve as emcee. The Cincinnatus Association is partnering with the Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce and The Cincinnati Enquirer for this event. Who is being honored? The 2024 nonprofit honorees include Beech Acres Parenting Center, Findlay Market, Good Samaritan Free Health Center, and SuperSeeds. The for-profit honoree is First Financial Bank. When and where is the awards dinner? The Spirit of America awards dinner is at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati, 151 W. Fifth St. Tickets are still available For tickets, email susannoonan1943@gmail.com or call 513-378-4122. For more information about the Donald and Marian Spencer Spirit of America Awards and to purchase tickets for the event, please visit the Cincinnatus Association's website. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 2024 Spencer Spirit of America Awards tickets still available Up to 23,000 criminals will escape jail under plans by the Government to scrap prison sentences of less than a year for most offenders, according to an analysis of official data. The Governments sentencing bill will create a new legal presumption that offenders facing jail terms of under 12 months should instead be punished in the community through unpaid work such as cleaning up neighbourhoods and scrubbing graffiti off walls. Burglars, thieves, shoplifters, some violent offenders, drug dealers and drink drivers will be eligible to be placed on suspended prison sentences rather than being sent straight to jail. An impact assessment of the legislation by the MoJ calculates that some 63 per cent of the offenders could be expected to get suspended sentences under the most likely central scenario. This would mean 22,934 offenders who were jailed for under 12 months in the year to June 2023 could have benefited from the presumption against prison, according to the analysis by Rory Geoghegan, a former No 10 adviser on crime and founder of the Public Safety Foundation. This could have included: 3,852 convicted shoplifters sentenced on average to prison terms of 2.1 months; 1,658 found guilty of common assault (average sentence 2.7 months); 1,537 convicted of assault of an emergency worker (4.2 months); 1,597 burglars (5.2 to 8.1 months); and 345 drug dealers (8.2 months). Biggest overhaul in decades The bill represents the biggest overhaul of sentencing policy for decades with the most serious offenders locked up for longer and alternative community punishments to rehabilitate criminals with lesser offences. It comes amid a prison overcrowding crisis where the MoJ is close to running out of jail spaces. The legislation has been held back by the Government because of concerns over a backlash from Right-wing Tory MPs, including former home secretary Suella Braverman, who oppose the principle and have tabled amendments demanding tougher sentences for prolific offenders such as thieves and shoplifters. Ministers insist they remain committed to pushing through legislation although they may have to rely on Labour to secure its passage through parliament. It is thought unlikely Labour will oppose the plan but may abstain as it faces the same prisons crisis as the Tories if Sir Keir Starmer wins the election later this year. Rishi Sunak has already been hit by damaging criticism about prison overcrowding which has seen more than 1,000 offenders released up to 60 days early from jail. From Thursday, governors will be able to free offenders up to 70 days before their scheduled release dates. Writing for The Telegraph, Mr Geoghegan, a former police officer, said the short sentence plan was dangerous and misguided and should be abandoned, as it was when a version of it was originally mooted in 2019 by the then-justice secretary David Gaulke. We should expect this law to embolden criminals, to empower and encourage them to assault police, to lead them on dangerous pursuits, and to encourage or exploit others into doing the same safe in the knowledge that the only consequence will be an ineffectual suspended sentence, said Mr Geoghegan. As a police officer, I have seen the impact on victims when the system they put their faith in fails them. It happens too frequently as it is. Allowing even more criminals to dodge prison only adds insult to injury. There can be no denying that the criminal justice system is at breaking point but the answer must be to turn it around, not to press on with something akin to poorly-managed decline. Prison expansion He urged the Prime Minister to introduce emergency legislation to secure future prison expansion, convene Cobra to find a way to deliver Nightingale prisons, and overhaul the terms and working conditions of prison officers to recruit and retain more of them. Amendments to the sentencing bill by Mrs Braverman have the backing of more than 40 MPs and would impose automatic two-year jail sentences on criminals who have committed 45 offences and require immediate jail sentences to be the starting point for any criminal who committed a fifth successive offence. As Home Secretary I fought to make sure we were locking up more dangerous criminals and keeping the public safe. We cannot go soft on burglars, sex offenders and violent criminals, she said. The current plan to allow thousands of thugs, thieves and violent criminals to walk free instead of going to jail for sentences under 12 months will endanger the public. I urge the government to accept my proposals which put public safety first. We simply cannot fail victims of crime and I would not be able to look people in the eye knowing I hadnt tried to stop these dangerous plans to let criminals walk free into our communities. An MoJ spokesman said: The sentencing bill will ensure the most horrific murderers who kill with sexual or sadistic conduct face life in prison and force rapists to spend every day of their custodial sentence behind bars. Prisoners who serve less than a year in jail are twice as likely to reoffend than those who are given suspended sentences so our new presumption against them will cut crime further. Offenders who pose significant risk to individuals or breach courts orders will be automatically excluded and judges will always retain the power to lock people up if necessary for public safety. Law change will embolden criminals, and empower and encourage them to assault police By Rory Geoghegan The failure to expand prison places and to develop serious community sentences that we can all have confidence in has put the Government in an unenviable position. The sentencing bill currently before parliament proposes the near-total abolition of prison sentences of 12 months or less. The Governments own central estimate says nearly two-thirds of offenders will be eligible meaning nearly 23,000 convicted criminals who would have been sent to prison instead leave the courtroom, smirking at their victims and free to persist in their criminality. There are some attempts to exclude stalkers, domestic abusers, those already under supervision or who breach a court order from these measures but for most, including prolific offenders, it will be a virtual guarantee of a get out of jail free card. The sentencing data tells us this will include thousands of shoplifters, thousands of violent thugs who assault members of the public and police officers, right through to crack and heroin drug dealers, burglars, sex offenders and more. If you are currently on the receiving end of a prison sentence of a year or less, you will very likely have proven yourself to be a threat to public safety and often a repeat, persistent and unremorseful one. Where that isnt the case, and it was some sort of moment of madness, a prison term serves no less an important function: signalling our disdain for unprovoked out-of-character violent assaults, affray, or similar. Police officers who already feel on the back foot thanks to a mixture of weak leadership, a toxic anti-police climate among too many politicians, and a dangerously unfit accountability regime, will soon face a new threat. Criminals will know whether they are in the 63 per cent of offenders who are all but guaranteed a suspended sentence for their criminality. Theyll know better than anyone what amount of criminality would have earned them a 12-month prison sentence, and that they can now expect to get away with. We should expect this law to embolden criminals, to empower and encourage them to assault police, to lead them on dangerous pursuits, and to encourage or exploit others into doing the same safe in the knowledge that the only consequence will be an ineffectual suspended sentence. The Government accepts that some 40 per cent of criminals who stand to benefit from this change will find themselves back in prison within short order. Their claims that these measures will reduce crime ring hollow. The business case relies upon misleading and fundamentally flawed re-offending statistics.They fail to take account of the incapacitation effect of prison and only count re-offending where individuals have actually been caught. The abolition of short prison sentences has been a dream of prison abolitionists, some penal reformers, and Tory wets for many years. The last time we saw a government attempt it was in the dying days of Theresa Mays tenure. It was dangerous and misguided then and it is no less so today. Victims of crime who report their crime, support a prosecution, and attend court to give evidence are doing all the right things. They deserve the justice and protection afforded by a prison sentence, not to be made fools of. As a police officer, I have seen the impact on victims when the system they put their faith in fails them. It happens too frequently as it is. Allowing even more criminals to dodge prison only adds insult to injury. There can be no denying that the criminal justice system is at breaking point but the answer must be to turn it around, not to press on with something akin to poorly-managed decline. The Governments credibility on law and order as with immigration is in tatters, or close to. Theres not much time, but the Prime Minister should be acting decisively to protect the public. If that means emergency legislation to secure future prison expansion, convening Cobra to find a way to deliver Nightingale prisons, and overhauling the terms and working conditions of prison officers to recruit and retain more of them, he should be doing it. While he is at it, he should clear out those officials who have consistently proven themselves incapable of running our prisons. Those with good sense on the Left and Right should be in agreement on this. Margaret Thatcher remarked that to protect the citizen as he goes about his lawful business should be the prime duty of government, while Sir Tony Blair described it as a miscarriage of justice ... when courts dont have the secure places to put people. Running out of prison places should be a never-event. With a general election looming the Prime Minister doesnt have long to evidence his good sense on law and order. If now isnt the time for bold action to deliver on this core duty of government, when is? Rory Geoghegan is the founder of the Public Safety Foundation 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. Three people were hospitalized after a gunman opened fire at a supermarket in Claremont. The shooting happened Friday night at Super King Market located at 436 Auto Center Drive at around 5:11 p.m. The suspect was identified as Michael Abeyta, 27, from Pomona, according to the Claremont Police Department. Abeyta allegedly entered the grocery store with the intent to rob the business, police said. During the robbery, three adult victims were shot by the suspect. Abeyta then fled the store before officers could arrive. The victims were transported to a local hospital in stable condition. Through witness statements and surveillance videos, detectives were able to identify the suspect. Police also found the suspects clothing and a handgun which were believed to be used during the robbery. The items were found hidden under a vehicle at a nearby business. With help from an airship from the L.A. County Sheriffs Department, Abeyta was spotted walking on the 100 block of Meredith Avenue where he was taken into custody. He was arrested on multiple charges including assault with a deadly weapon, being a felon in possession of a firearm and criminal threats of robbery. He is being held on $2 million bail. Investigators also discovered an accomplice in the robbery, identified as Amanda Soto, 37, from Pomona. She was arrested on charges of robbery and having an active warrant. She is being held on $125,000 bail. The shooting remains 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. Around 300 union workers across Washington joined Boeing firefighters on the picket line in Seattle as workers urged the global aerospace company to provide better working conditions and pay. WASHINGTON STATE LABOR COUNCIL EFFORTS: Boeing firefighters have been on the picket lines across Puget Sound since May 4 when the company announced its lockout. The first responders have been picketing in six different locations, including Renton, Seattle, Auburn, Everett, and Frederickson. Representatives from more than 400 state and local unions took turns to join the efforts in Seattle near the intersection of East Marginal Way South and 14th Avenue South Saturday afternoon, leaders said. As dozens lined the street outside of Boeing, hundreds of others were preparing at a nearby site. This is really about safety. Its inconceivable to me and to a lot of people in the labor movement that Boeing would choose to lockout their firefighters at a time where the whole world is watching their failure to provide safety in the workplace, said April Sims, president of the Washington State Labor Council. Sims said they wanted to stand in solidarity with Boeing firefighters as they urge the global company to negotiate fairly with their firefighters. This fight is about not just about the firefighters who are doing the work at Boeing today, but future firefighters who want to join this profession. This is about pay equity, dignity, and respect. And Boeings decision to lockout their firefighters puts all of their employees and rest of the workers at their plants at risk, Sims said. It is the cornerstone of the work that we do to make sure when folks go to work, they can work in a safe environment and they can get home to their families that they love and care about, Sims added. BOEING FIREFIGHTERS: KIRO 7 News spoke with firefighters on the picket line in Seattle about their efforts. Our compensation level is far low than what theyre supposed to be, Casey Yeager, president of Boeing Fire Fighters Local I-66 said. Yeager said his team is understaffed and many workers are being stretched thin with the current workload, which is potentially putting thousands of Boeing employees in danger. That can mean the difference between life and death, he said. Running more with less has been something Boeing has used not for our organization, but everyone at Boeing. And there is a burnout with the firefighters training new firefighters every year, the revolving door, it gets exhausting. If Boeing calls on local firefighters, who are funded by the public, for help during emergencies, Yeager said it could put many people in danger, including families near Boeing plants. It can be dangerous for the outside jurisdiction as well because if we dont have enough people, we have to rely on our outside jurisdiction, he said. John Riggsby, a Lt. Boeing firefighter, said Boeing firefighters are specifically trained to handle all types of emergencies, involving Boeings planes, chemicals, and its massive buildings. Our job function here is a lot more specialized, he said. A response from the county could take up to 30, 40 minutes to assemble a hazmat response team, where here, we have techs on site, and our responses can be within five minutes for that, he said. Very well could be life and death. It could be loss of property and assets for the Boeing company as well. So having that quick response we have, and the training we have, greatly reduces that time for mitigation, he added. Boeing firefighters said they will continue to rally 24 hours a day until a fair contract is reached. BOEING: KIRO 7 News reached out to Boeing to get its response. A spokesperson said the company has been bargaining with the union since mid-February, adding it has presented the union with highly competitive contract offers that featured pay increases, outstanding healthcare coverage and one of the best 401(k) plans in the nation. Officials also said their contract offer aligns with industrial fire departments. The spokesperson shared the following statement: We once again returned to mediation on May 15 in the hopes of ending the lockout. After the union finally presented a proposal, our Boeing team responded with a counteroffer. Continuing their pattern of bad faith bargaining, the union refused to put our offer to a membership vote or even provide a counteroffer. While our team is ready to meet at any time, for reasons unknown to us, the union informed us they are not available to meet again until May 20. We remain committed to reaching a deal and urge the union to come back and respond in good faith with a counterproposal or allow our employees to vote on our offer. SALEM, Va. (WFXR) Saturday, May 18, was the 32nd year for Relay Life of Virginias Blue Ridge. Every year, about 5,000 relays benefit the American Cancer Society across five countries. On Saturday, local organizers hosted the event in Salem, Virginia. In a show must go on fashion, despite the rain outside, people from throughout the Blue Ridge gathered inside the Salem Civic Center to remember, celebrate and fight alongside those battling cancer. I lost both my parents to cancer, so its personal to me. Ive been able to grow and develop, and its given me a purpose Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society to fight back against cancer, said Suzy Lawrence, the mission lead for Relay for Life of Virginia Blue Ridge. With one step, one donation, and one team at a time organizers and attendees said the purpose of Relay for Life is to give hope and a community to those who survived and to those currently battling cancer. Its just the community atmosphere, and you grow those friendships. People who I wouldve never met in my life now friends. Thats what Relay gets you cause you have that common goal, said Lawrence. Power lines downed in crash on Cove Road NW in Roanoke Every lap was numbered by glow sticks. The goal was for the community to walk a total of 3,500 laps to represent 3.5 million lives that have been saved since the local chapter started in 1991. I started this team 10 years ago, well nine years ago. This is my 10th relay, and I do it for my angels with wings, said Christy Weddle, a cancer survivor and team captain of the relay team Angels Without Wings. This year, Weddles relay team was fundraising in honor of one of their past members who lost his battle with cancer last year. Cancer has no discrimination. It affects everybody, unfortunately. Everyones touched by cancer, so just please get out, fight, and help support a good cause, said Weddle. The money raised Saturday will go to the National American Cancer Society to then be distributed to different states for research. According to organizers, Virginia gets about $7.8 million for research at the University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University. When you hear those words, theyre probably the worst words you could ever hear. You start a fight where you dont know where youll end up, said Vicky Zimmerman, an event lead team member for the Relay for Life of Virginias Blue Ridge. Rocky Mount Firefighter completes 75th year of service Zimmerman was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia in January 2010. Two and a half years later, she went into remission. She said Relay became a passion for her, as she sought a way to eradicate cancer. Mine was lucky enough to go into remission, and of course, any money that can go into research, not just my form of cancer but any form of cancer, is why we do this, Zimmerman said. Her message for those currently battling cancer: Dont give up. Keep fighting. Come join us. Well help you fight. Well walk you through those journeys as you take them. With a goal of $100,000, organizers had already raised more than $86,000 before the event. They hoped the money raised Saturday would help them reach their goal. If youre looking to donate or for more information about the resources and research the donations provide, 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 WFXRtv. 6 People Dead, 10 Others Injured in Idaho Crash After Pickup Truck Going Wrong Way Hits Passenger Van Police say the truck "was driven left of center" before colliding with the van on May 18 Getty Stock image of a police car siren Six people are dead and 10 others are injured following a car crash on an Idaho highway involving a passenger van. On Saturday, May 18, at 5:29 a.m., an eastbound pickup truck on U.S. Highway 20 "was driven left of center" before colliding with a passenger van headed westbound, Idaho State Police confirmed in a release. The van's driver and five passengers died at the scene, according to authorities, while the pickup truck driver was transported to a local hospital. Nine other van passengers were transported to a local hospital as well, per police. The crash took place near the Lindsay Boulevard exit in Idaho Falls. "Idaho State Police was assisted by the Idaho Falls Police Department, Idaho Transportation Department and the Idaho Falls Fire Department," a police statement read. "Both lanes were blocked for approximately five and half hours with the westbound lane blocked an additional hour while crews worked to continue the investigation and clear the scene, the statement added. This crash is still under investigation by the Idaho State Police." Getty Stock image of police tape Related: 5 People, Including Infant, Killed in Crash After Car Crossed Double Yellow Line and Hit Tractor-Trailer The pickup truck was a Ram while the passenger van was a Chevrolet vehicle, per the police release. Images from the scene, shared by East Idaho News, show the van flipped on its side with back doors busted open and other obvious damage apparently resulting from the crash. Other photos shared by local network KIFI show the van's front smooshed with a shattered windshield. The truck appeared to be resting several feet away from the van, and its windshield was also shattered with a crushed hood. Debris could be seen scattered around the scene in the outlet's photos. 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 crash comes just a week after a May 11 crash in Pasadena, Calif., that killed three people after a Tesla carrying six people ran through a red light before hitting a curb and flying into a power pole, per multiple reports at the time. The driver of the vehicle and two passengers died, as three people were ejected from the car, according to reports. CBS News noted, according to police, that the 22-year-old driver was going at least double the 35 mph speed limit. The Los Angeles Times added that all six people involved in the accident were between 17 and 22 years old, and that the Tesla Model 3 was traveling westbound on Foothill Boulevard before it hit an unoccupied building. "Very tragic accident any day but especially on Mothers Day weekend, graduation and prom season with so many reasons to celebrate so many families will be mourning. Especially hard on our first responders to see the devastation and lives lost," City of Pasadena spokesperson Lisa Derderian told PEOPLE of the crash. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Here are the 7 states most likely to flip in the Biden-Trump race Here are the 7 states most likely to flip in the Biden-Trump race The looming November rematch between President Biden and former President Trump could be decided by just a handful of states. Six months out from Election Day, all eyes are on seven toss-up states Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin where 93 electoral votes will be up for grabs this fall. Biden won all but North Carolina back in 2020, but recent polling suggests Trump has an edge over the incumbent in several of those battlegrounds this cycle. The race for the White House could come down to these swing states: Arizona Biden won Arizona last cycle by roughly a third of a percentage point, making it the first Democratic presidential win in the Republican stronghold since the 90s. But Trump is now up roughly 6 points over Biden in Arizona, according to Decision Desk HQ/The Hill averages, where issues surrounding the border are set to play a key role in November. Meanwhile, Democrats are looking to the Grand Canyon State, where 11 electoral college votes are up for grabs, as one of several places where issues around reproductive rights could fuel turnout to boost the party. The state just repealed a Civil War-era, near-total abortion ban, and organizers are working to get a measure on the ballot that would enshrine protections for the procedure. Republicans make up the biggest group of registered Arizona voters, but voters unaffiliated with either major party outnumber Democrats in the state, according to voter registration statistics from last month. Rep. Ruben Gallego, the Democratic Senate candidate in the state, is leading his Republican rival Kari Lake in the closely watched race to replace Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and running ahead of Biden, according to New York Times polling. Gallego scored 45 percent to Lakes 41 percent, while Biden brought in 42 percent to Trumps 49 percent. Georgia Biden flipped Georgia blue for the first time in decades back in 2020, beating Trump by fewer than 12,000 votes. But as the pair ready for a rematch in the Peach State, the 2024 race lacks marquee down-ballot races and signs of big turnout that helped boost Biden four years ago. There are 16 electoral votes on Georgias table in November, and polling averages from DDHQ/The Hill put Trump up around 6 points, around 49 percent to Bidens 43 percent. The Times polling shows Trump with even more of an advantage, putting the Republican ahead by 10 points. Last cycle, Georgians surged to the polls to elect Democrat Jon Ossoff as the states first Jewish senator and the Rev. Raphael Warnock (D) as the states first Black senator. This year, the Republican primary saw double the turnout of the Democratic contest, and Biden will need to energize the states significant Black population amid signs that hes struggling with the bloc nationwide. Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan (R), whos one of a few prominent Republicans backing Biden in November, has called for fellow Republicans not to fall in line with Trump. But its unclear if Biden will be able to repeat his success in the Peach State this November. Michigan In Michigan, a battleground Biden won by nearly 3 points back in 2020, the incumbent saw a significant protest vote push in the Democratic primary from progressives and Arab Americans, which inspired similar ballot-box boycotts in other states, like Wisconsin. Arab Americans helped carry Biden to victory last cycle, and questions persist on whether the critical bloc will come back into his column after expressing anger in the primaries. First lady Jill Biden paid a trip to the Great Lakes State this week, with Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes saying the visit is proving the road to the White House runs through Michigan. Trump is up by 4 points in the state, according to DDHQ/The Hill averages. Fifteen electoral college votes are in play. With its significant Arab American population and big student numbers, strategists say the presidential race in the Great Lakes State has the chance to be a notable bellwether for the 2024 race more broadly. Nevada Along with Arizona, Nevada could be another major Sun Belt swing state this November. Both states have notable Latino populations, as both candidates make a play for voters of color this fall. Biden won by 2.4 percentage points in 2020. Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton beat Trump in Nevada in 2016, also by a tight margin. DDHQ/The Hills averages now show Trump with a lead of nearly 7 points. The New York Times polling put Biden behind by 12 points in a head-to-head, his worst showing among the battlegrounds in that survey. Like in Arizona, a third-party contender in the Silver State could further erode support for the major-party candidates. Its also another battleground where Democratic Senate candidates are doing better than the president: Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) holds a 2-point advantage over Republican Sam Brown. There are 6 electoral college votes on the table. North Carolina Though Biden swept most of the swing states in 2020, Trump won North Carolina by roughly 1.5 points after taking the state by a slightly bigger margin in 2016. Bidens campaign is now looking to flip North Carolina back into Democrats column, but it has acknowledged that relentless effort is needed to do so over the next six months. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) said last month that he thinks Biden has a shot at winning the Tar Heel State. Former President Obama was the last Democrat to win it back in 2008. And Republicans are grappling with a potential political liability in gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who has faced scrutiny for past controversial comments. The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates North Carolina as Republican-leaning, while the other swing states are toss-ups. There are 16 electoral college votes up for grabs. DDHQ/The Hill averages show Trump with a 4.6 point lead. Pennsylvania Last months primaries in Pennsylvania highlighted weak points for both Biden and Trump as they hurtle toward their November showdown. Nikki Haley, who had dropped out of the race nearly two months earlier, received more than 150,000 Keystone State votes, coming close to 20 percent in several counties. Though her numbers didnt keep Trump from clinching the winner-take-all primary delegates, they served as a red flag for the former president in the key battleground. On the other side of the aisle, Biden faced his own protest vote push, with Abandon Biden rallying voters to boycott the incumbent at the ballot box over concerns about the administrations handling of the Israel-Hamas war. But, as with Nevada, there is a relatively popular Democratic senator running for reelection in this case Bob Casey, who has consistently run ahead of Biden in polls, as well as his GOP rival, David McCormick. DDHQ/The Hill averages put Biden behind by 1.7 points in the state he won by 1.2 points in 2020. Recent polling from The New York Times/Siena College/Philadelphia Inquirer shows Trump with a little more of an edge, up three points. There are 19 electoral college votes up for grabs in Pennsylvania. Wisconsin Biden won Wisconsin by less than a percentage point during the 2020 cycle, and Trump now leads by less than 1 point, according to DDHQ/The Hills averages. A Quinnipiac University poll released this month showed Bidens lead over Trump in a Wisconsin head-to-head shrink from 6 points to just 1 point when third-party candidates were added into the mix, suggesting Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other contenders could serve as major spoilers. Biden traveled to the Badger State earlier this month to tout a $3.3 billion investment by Microsoft to build a new artificial intelligence data center in the state and to draw a contrast with a planned Trump-era investment that never materialized. The Republican National Convention will be held this summer in Milwaukee, where Trump has hinted he could announce his running mate for 2024. It really is an important state for us. Wisconsin has to be won by us, Trump told Scripps News in an interview this week. We want to win it. If we win Wisconsin, I think we win the whole thing. Ten electoral college votes are in play in Wisconsin. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Pasadena High School (Stella Kalinna for The 19th) PASADENA, Calif. After starting elementary school in the late 1960s, Naomi Hirahara and three other girls formed a clique called the CLAN, an acronym that represented each of the girls first initials. Hirahara said she and her friends didnt consider the racial implications of their groups name until one of their fathers objected: The Klan is very bad! The group consisted of Hirahara, who is Japanese-American, two Black girls and a white Jewish girl. They attended Loma Alta Elementary, a racially diverse school in Altadena, Calif., that stood out from many others in the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD), especially its high schools, which were more racially homogenous. I really treasured the fact that we could form these interracial and intercultural relationships, Hirahara said of her school, where, she recalled, students acknowledged racial differences, but werent fixated on them. Originally published by The 19th By 1970, the racial makeup of PUSD schools would command the attention of the entire country. A U.S. district court judge determined the school system had knowingly assigned students to schools by race and ordered it to desegregate based on the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision that separate but equal schools were unconstitutional. To racially integrate, PUSD launched what CBS News and The New York Times described then as the most substantial busing program outside the South. Seventy years after the Brown decision on May 17, 1954, PUSD is still rebounding from the white flight that followed its desegregation order. More than 27,700 school-age youth live in Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre, the communities served by the district, but only about half of them attend public school. With 133,560 residents, Pasadena has one of the densest concentrations of private schools in the country, according to school officials. But the moms in the community who support public schools have organized to create a more equitable and diverse educational landscape. An exterior courtyard and walkway at Pasadena High School. ((Stella Kalinina for The 19th) They have teamed up with local educational organizations to advocate for the school district, and by extension, for racially and economically diverse schools. They have reached out to families with preschoolers, joined public school tours and gone door-to-door to reframe the narrative around PUSD. District officials, for their part, have expanded magnet and dual language immersion offerings, among other competitive programs, at schools to attract families from a wide range of backgrounds. Families and officials have also worked together to educate realtors. It turns out that some of them dissuaded homeowners from enrolling children in PUSD, contributing to the exodus to private schools and, more recently, charter schools. Changing negative perceptions that date back to school desegregation during the 1970s hasnt been easy, they said. Back then, the backlash to the busing program occurred almost as soon as it started, with a recall campaign against school board members and a near 12-percentage-point drop in White student enrollment. Ronald Reagan, who was Californias governor at the time, stoked the fire when he signed legislation that prohibited busing without parental consent. Today, advocating for Pasadenas public schools is all the more challenging when considering that more than 40 private schools have been established in PUSDs boundaries; the district has 23 public schools. In interviews, community members told The 19th that the proliferation of private schools has enabled white, middle- and upper-class families to evade public schools in the five decades since court-ordered desegregation. We really, truly havent recovered from the very pervasive belief in the area that PUSD schools are not up to snuff, said Brian McDonald, who served as PUSDs superintendent for nine years before stepping down in 2023. Brian McDonald, superintendent of Pasadena Unified School District from 2014 to 2023, stands in front of Pasadena High School on Monday, May 13, 2024. (Stella Kalinina for The 19th) California is not usually a place associated with segregation, though segregation has historically been a problem in the state. A 1973 report by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights concluded that school segregation there and elsewhere in the West is frequently as severe as in the South. A report released last month by the Civil Rights Project at UCLA The Unfinished Battle for Integration in a Multiracial America from Brown to Now ranked California as the top state in the country where Black and Latino students attend schools with the lowest percentages of white students. California has gone through a major racial transition, said Gary Orfield, one of the authors of the report and the co-director of the Civil Rights Project at UCLA. It was an overwhelmingly white state in terms of school enrollment at the time of the Brown decision, but its now, of course, a state that is overwhelmingly non-White in terms of student enrollment. Thats basically caused by tanking birth rates and immigration. Fueling segregation, Orfield said, is the fact that California has largely lacked state policies designed to racially balance schools since the 1960s and 1970s, when court orders brought about change. In Pasadena, some residents say that the school districts reputation is improving and more people want to invest and enroll their children in public schools. Although White and Asian-American students remain underrepresented in PUSD, the white student population has slightly increased over the past 20 years despite the drop in the citys white population during that period. After failed attempts, Pasadena voters have approved ballot measures to increase funding for local schools in recent years, enabling the district to make millions of dollars in upgrades. The district has also received national recognition for its academic programs, school tours are packed and young parents now tend to view diversity as an asset, its supporters say. Most school districts across the country have given up on integration. Its not on the radar screen, said Richard Kahlenberg, who has authored studies on PUSD and is director of housing policy at the Progressive Policy Institute, a think tank in Washington, D.C. Pasadena, along with a number of other forward-looking communities, is trying to do something about that. They havent reached all their goals, but Im inspired that there is a critical mass of parents who recognize the benefits of diversity for all students. During a recent information session for prospective public school parents, Nancy Dufford, executive director of the Pasadena Education Network (PEN), which works to get families involved in district schools, told the audience: Probably, a lot of you were told when you moved here that you couldnt send your kids to public school. She was stunned to find out that none of the families had actually heard such comments. It was the first time she had spoken to a group of parents who hadnt been warned away. In Pasadena, Dufford said, it has been tradition for established families not to send their children to public schools. So many people live here for long periods of time, she said. So you have generations of families here who have that message. The message ends up making its way to newer Pasadenans. Dufford said she heard it herself after becoming a mother in the 1990s, shortly after relocating to the city. In fact, PEN, the group she runs today, was started in 2006 by a group of preschool parents who had heard the same thing yet refused to listen. They were among the parents who asked questions like, Why do people say the schools arent good? Kimberly Kenne, president of the PUSD Board of Education and one of the founding members of PEN, said that she also wondered about this pervasive narrative when she moved to town in the early 1990s. She wasnt aware of the bias against public schools in Pasadena, though her husband, who was raised in the city, attended private school when the desegregation order came down. After their first child was born in 1997, Kenne considered enrolling him in the neighborhood public school only to be admonished by fellow parents. Are you sure youre going to share the values of the other parents at public school? she recalled them asking. She enrolled her son in a private school, but changed her mind. One reason is that the school wasnt equipped to meet his needs as a neurodivergent child. Another is that the private school lacked racial diversity in the student body, something that mattered to her. Jennifer Hall Lee, vice president of PUSDs Board of Education, also enrolled her daughter, who is now 20, in private school regretting the decision when she realized her daughter didnt seem comfortable interacting with people from a wide range of backgrounds. Lee herself had gone to a public high school in Atlanta in the 1970s that had equal percentages of Black and white students. After switching her daughter to public school, Lee noticed that the childs worldview changed. She would talk to me about the kids in the schools, from first-generation immigrant kids to foster youth, Lee said. She began to really understand the differences in socioeconomic status and understand that people lived in apartments and not everybody owned a home. She started understanding the full breadth of her community. In a city where the median home sale price is $1.1 million and the median household income is almost six figures, its confusing for newcomers to understand why the school system has a poor reputation since affluence in a community typically translates into quality in its public schools. Pasadena, however, has become known as a tale of two cities, a place where the gap between the rich and the poor has only widened and the two groups dont mingle socially or academically. At $97,818, the median household income is just above the states and $23,000 above the nations. At the same time, the citys poverty rate of 13.4% is slightly higher than the state and national rate. When the school districts critics mention that its test scores are lower than those in surrounding school systems, supporters respond that the city has a wealth gap thats largely absent from the more homogeneous neighboring suburbs. Many of the detractors, Dufford said, are also unaware that PUSDs bad reputation coincided with the 1970 desegregation order that accelerated the departure of white, middle- and upper-income families from the district. White flight out of Pasadena has been traced back as far as the 1940s. The reasons include lower birth rates among white families, an economic downturn in the aerospace industry that limited employment opportunities and the restructuring of neighborhoods to make way for freeways. By 1960, the racial demographics of the city were also changing, with communities of color expanding rapidly. The next year, PUSD lost about 400 students when the mostly white community of La Canada broke away from the district to form its own separate school system, which to this day is ranked as one of the states best. In 1976, La Canada Flintridge became its own city. The fact that people are willing to create whole new municipalities, so they dont have to integrate that should really wow people, said Shannon Malone, PUSDs senior director of principals, who added that her views were not the school districts but her own. You would rather create a whole new city than to let your child sit next to a person of color. I dont think people have a full understanding of that at all. Having lived through the desegregation order, Hirahara, who is now an award-winning mystery writer, wishes more people knew about the history of the citys schools. In 2016, she received a grant from the Pasadena Arts & Culture Commission and the City of Pasadena Cultural Affairs Division to present Loma Alta: Tales of Desegregation, a talk at a public library that featured her and two other district alumni sharing their experiences. So many people dont even know that it was the first West Coast school district to get the order to desegregate, so its a very unique and telling experience of why were still dealing with issues of race today, Hirahara said. When Hirahara was enrolled in Loma Alta, about half of its students were Black. It was one of Pasadenas top-performing elementary schools, which the 1973 report from the Civil Rights commission attributed to the fact that many of the students came from middle-class households. Other high-achieving schools in the district with large Black populations included Audubon Primary School and John Muir High School. Six students at John Muir were accepted into the elite California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 1972, a rare feat that prompted Caltechs then-president to write about the accomplishment in the local newspapers. The Brown v. Board decision had the unintended consequence of costing tens of thousands of Black educators their jobs as many White schools did not want to employ these teachers and principals after integration. The consequences have endured for decades. In 2021, about 15% of public school students nationwide were Black, but only 6% of public school teachers nationwide were, according to a forthcoming report by the Southern Education Foundation, a nonprofit that works to advance equitable education policies. Malone, who is Black and was bused to schools in Los Angeles, underscored the results of studies that show that students of color excel when they have Black teachers, demonstrating better academic and behavioral outcomes. But when Black children attend integrated schools, their support systems dont usually accompany them, she said. The achievements of students at racially diverse schools in the district didnt stop the parents bent on leaving PUSD from doing so, administrators complained to federal officials in 1973. The biggest obstacle preventing the district from truly becoming integrated, the administrators said, was white flight. The Civil Rights commissions report quoted one administrator making a remark that could have come from a PUSD supporter today: White parents dont take time to see whether the system is bad or not. They simply listen to people who criticize the district without foundation. Whats different is that now the district has an army of moms actively challenging these attitudes. Victoria Knapp is one of them, but it took time and trust in herself before she became a public school crusader. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE When Knapp entered grade school in Pasadena in the 1970s, she heard that children her age were being bused from one neighborhood to another, but she didnt understand why it was being done or what it was like. Knapp did not attend the citys public schools. My schools were predominantly white, predominantly Catholic and predominantly middle class or above, she said. She had some familiarity with public schools because her mother taught for the Los Angeles Unified School District, but she didnt know that a contentious debate about integrating them had unfolded in her own community. Years later, after the birth of her older son, she felt pressure from fellow moms to send her children to private school. The aversion to public school in her moms group made her reflect on her citys past. She thought to herself: You mean to tell me that whatever was going on here 40 years ago is still going on? Still, her Catholic school upbringing and the nudging from the private school enthusiasts led Knapp, chair of the Altadena Town Councils executive committee, to rule out PUSD. First, she and her husband enrolled their eldest son in a parochial school. Then they tried a nonsectarian private school. The couple felt that both schools exposed their children to experiences and behaviors they did not appreciate, like the sense of entitlement expressed by some of their classmates. Knapp, for the first time, began to consider an alternative. It did seem counterintuitive to me that I was going to have this relatively homogenous group of moms dictate what we were going to decide for our own kid, she said. Victoria Knapp, PUSD mom and volunteer and advocate for the communitys public schools through the Pasadena Education Network, poses for a portrait in the backyard of her home in Altadena on Monday, May 13, 2024. (Stella Kalinina for The 19th) After touring PUSD schools, Knapp questioned the idea that they were inferior to the citys private schools. She wondered, Whats not good? Is it that our public schools are predominantly Black and brown children? When some parents raised safety concerns, she responded that elementary schools arent typically dangerous and that fights, gun violence and truancy occur at private and public schools alike. They could never really articulate what safety meant, Knapp said. What safety meant was they didnt want their child in an integrated, diverse school. They just didnt. And thats exactly where I wanted my privileged white sons to be. Both of her sons, a 6th grader and an 11th grader, have now attended public school for years. Her younger son attended Hall of Famer Jackie Robinsons alma mater, Cleveland Elementary School. Knapp became an active PUSD parent, serving as a PTA president at Altadena Arts Magnet, the school her younger son attended next, and an ambassador for the Pasadena Education Network, a role that has her regularly participate in school tours. Going on tours allows her to field questions from prospective parents. What the families see often surprises them, Knapp said. They think theyre going to see chaos and mayhem, then they come in, she said. Altadena Arts is an inclusion school, so kids of all neurodiversities are included in the same classroom. Its socioeconomically diverse, its racially diverse, its gender diverse, its very integrated. You walk up there and its like, This is what a school should look like. Karina Montilla Edmonds, who moved to Pasadena in 1992 to attend Caltech, never doubted the citys public school district. When her now 22-year-old daughter was entering kindergarten, Edmonds and her former husband turned down the chance to send her to the neighboring San Marino Unified School District (SMUSD), which ranks as one of the states Top 10 school systems. Her then-husband taught for SMUSD, qualifying their eldest daughter for an interdistrict transfer to the suburb where the median household income is $174,253 and more than 85% of students are proficient in reading and math. Edmonds wasnt interested. At the time, I was like, Thats not my school. Thats not my community. I have a school two blocks away. Why wouldnt I go there? The decision appalled many of her fellow parents. People thought I was nuts, she said. Luckily, I have a Ph. D in aeronautics from Caltech, so they knew I wasnt stupid, but they definitely thought I was crazy. The mom of three from Rhode Island didnt fear that her children wouldnt get a good education in Pasadenas public schools because she excelled in the public education system in her state while growing up in a household of few resources, raised by parents with limited formal education. I thought I was rich because everybody around me was on public aid, she said. When she attended a competitive public high school, she learned just how economically disadvantaged her family was. I was like, Oh, wait, Im poor. She now serves on the board of the Pasadena Educational Foundation, a nonprofit focused on developing community partnerships to help the citys public schools excel. The organization also works with the Pasadena-Foothills Association of Realtors to educate real estate agents about the public schools since some realtors had a history of discouraging homebuyers from enrolling their children in PUSD. McDonald, the former superintendent, said that it happened to him when he was buying a home several years ago. Karina Montilla Edmonds is a PUSD parent and board member of the Pasadena Educational Foundation. (Stella Kalinina for The 19th) She advised me to put my kids in every other school and district except for PUSD, he said. But Im happy to say that through the efforts of the district and the Pasadena Educational Foundation, primarily utilizing the realtor initiative, we were able to change a few minds. Edmonds agrees that educating realtors is an important step. Her perspective on public schools and the surrounding communities, she added, also comes from the fact that her ex-husband taught in Pasadena before San Marino. Was he suddenly a better teacher because he moved from a less affluent school district to a more affluent one? She didnt think so. She also didnt compare the two districts test scores because their populations are different. Pasadena Unified has significantly more low-income students, foster youth, English language learners and Black and brown students than San Marino Unified, which is predominantly white and Asian American. To me, thats part of the enrichment of getting to be with and learn from a broader part of our community, she said, adding that children dont suffer because they attend school in diverse environments. The idea of seeking out or avoiding schools based on demographics concerns her. I feel like our democracy depends on an educated population, she said. I think every child should have access to excellent education and have an opportunity for success because I know the opportunities that I had given to me through the public school system. The year after McDonald became the PUSD superintendent in 2014, he wrote a column in the local paper describing the difficulties the district was experiencing because of the high percentage of parents sending their children to private school. He estimated that the district was losing out on about $14 million because of declining enrollment, money that could help PUSD prevent school closures, teacher layoffs and cuts to student services. But he also touted the districts variety of programs for students such as dual language immersion schools and International Baccalaureate, as well as the piloting of a dual enrollment program with the local community college. Since then, the district has expanded its initiatives and created new ones. In addition to Spanish and Mandarin, the districts dual language immersion tracks now include French and Armenian. From 2013 to 2022, PUSD also received three federal magnet assistance program grants that allow it to bring more academic rigor to its schools. We lose enrollment because people have a negative perception of our schools, so I think the idea of a magnet theme, whether its arts or early college, or a dual-language program, can really get people excited about something that their students are really interested in or maybe a value that their family has, lets say, around the arts, said Shannon Mumolo, PUSDs director of magnet schools, enrollment, and community engagement. Schools with themed magnet programs, she added, can sway families who werent interested in PUSD to consider at least going on a school tour. Enrollment at PUSDs John Muir High School has increased since it became an Early College Magnet in 2019, Mumolo said. Across the board, enrollment of students from underrepresented groups white and Asian American have gone up since the school district expanded its academic programs over the past decade. But I also want to make sure to emphasize that the schools have maintained their enrollment of their Black and Latino students, Mumolo said. We want to make sure that were keeping our neighborhood students and maintaining enrollment for those groups. The former superintendent also touts PUSDs Math Academy, which The Washington Post in 2021 lauded as the nations most accelerated math program. The course allows gifted middle school students to take classes, such as Advanced Placement Calculus BC, that are so rigorous that only a small percentage of high school seniors take them. Kenne, the school board president, said that her children, now both in their 20s, were gifted math students. The Math Academy was not available when they were in grade school. She and her husband switched them out of PUSD in high school, in part, because at the time they had more opportunities to excel in math in private school, she said, acknowledging that it was a controversial choice for a parent who advocates for public education. People do have reasons, Kenne said of some parents who choose private school. But she also said that private school overall wasnt especially rigorous for her children. My son calculated that he didnt need to do homework for some classes to get a decent grade, she said. By introducing a wide variety of academic programs, including in math, PUSD has challenged the gap between what outsiders perceive it to be and what the district actually is, according to McDonald. I think if we had not implemented those programs, the declining enrollment would have been much more acute, he said. Kahlenberg, the researcher, agrees. He said data suggests that when middle-class families get the right incentives to go to a public school, even one thats outside their neighborhood, they do. Since the busing integration program did not succeed in the district, Kahlenberg, in his studies of the school district, recommended that PUSD take creative approaches to lure in middle-income families. That includes introducing unique academic programs as well as developing or deepening partnerships with institutions in or around Pasadena Caltech, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Pasadena Playhouse, ArtCenter College of Design, the Norton Simon Museum, the Huntington Library. But the focus on winning parents back has led to some tensions, Kenne said. Sometimes a message that weve heard in the last 10, 20 years is do we care more about marketing to the people who dont come to our district, or working hard for the people who are already here? Kenne said. Because sometimes the public-facing message seems to be all about getting kids back, and it makes the people in the system go, Am I not important to you? Im already here. Nationwide, Black students who attended school in the late 1960s were more likely to be in integrated classrooms than Black youth today. Supreme Court decisions, such as 1991s Board of Education of Oklahoma City v. Dowell and 2007s Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1, have contributed to the resegregation of the nations schools by phasing out court-ordered busing and making it harder to racially balance schools, according to experts. Kahlenberg said schools nonetheless have a duty to continue trying to integrate if not by race, then by class. The children of engineers and doctors bring resources to a school, but so do the children of recent immigrants or children whose parents have struggled, Kahlenberg siad. The more affluent kids benefit as well from an integrated environment. When people have different life experiences they can bring to the discussion novel ideas and new ways of thinking, and that nicely integrated environment is possible in a place like Pasadena. Hirahara, for one, still cherishes her childhood in the school district, back when she befriended the girls in the CLAN. As schools across the nation have largely re-segregated, she fears that too few young people get to experience what she did. Im so glad that I had that kind of upbringing, she said, and I think it prepared me better for life. The post 70 years later, schools and moms are still fighting segregation appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. UPDATE: OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY) Mykayla Savoy has also been arrested in connection with the incident. The suspect was charged with obstruction of justice. ORIGINAL: OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY) Eight people were arrested after a response to an assault call led to the discovery of firearms and drugs in Opelousas Saturday. Around 1:14 p.m., the Opelousas Police Department was sent to the 1700 block of Ross Street in reference to an aggravated assault with a firearm complaint. After authorities arrived and investigated, they came to the conclusion that a male suspect had pointed a firearm at a female victim before going to a neighboring home and passing the firearm to another man. Police engaged with eight men at the home, who all said they did not know about the incident. After obtaining and executing a search warrant for 1729 Ross Street, five handguns, one Draco firearm, several grams of marijuana, digital scales, plastic bags, a drum magazine and a bottle of promethazine was discovered, according to OPD. The following were arrested and charged: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest A 17-year-old male, Obstruction of Justice Mikel Jones, 20, Aggravated assault with a firearm, obstruction of justice James Malveaux, 21, Obstruction of justice Darren Johnson Jr., 27, Obstruction of justice, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) (3 counts), possession of Schedule I drugs Qwadadrian Fields, 19, Obstruction of justice, possession of Schedule I drugs Shane Castille, 20, Obstruction of justice Aaron Savoy, 18, Obstruction of justice Davaska Savoy, 25, Obstruction of justice, possession with intent to distribute Schedule I drugs, possession of a firearm in the presence of a CDS The Opelousas Police Department remains committed to the safety and security of our community, Police Chief Graig Leblanc said. The swift response and thorough investigation by our officers in this incident underscore our dedication to reducing gun violence and drug-related crimes in our city. Latest Posts 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 KLFY.com. People visit the Russian pavilion during the 8th China-Russia Expo in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, May 18, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei) HARBIN, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The rich aroma of coffee brought visitors to a corner of the eighth China-Russia Expo exhibition area in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, where Russian cream cakes are on display in the cake bar of the Alyonka Cafe. "It is the first cafe that we opened on China's mainland, where consumers are already familiar with the Alyonka chocolate brand," said Evgeny Bazhov, general manager of United Confectionery (Uniconf) China subsidiary company, at the expo. The expo's activities are being held in Harbin, the capital city of Heilongjiang, from May 16 to 21. Over 5,000 overseas buyers registered at the expo and representatives from 44 countries and regions participated in the expo. The exhibition area spans 388,000 square meters, showcasing more than 5,000 products in over 20 major categories from 10 sectors. "This time, we brought not just chocolate but coffee and Russian desserts. The cafe is located in the permanent exhibition area of Russian specialties," said Bazhov, who has rich experience doing business in China. "With so many visitors, the expo is a sound opportunity to launch the cafe business in China. We plan to open 10 Alyonka cafes in Harbin this year. The city boasts a rich history of China-Russia exchanges and a high public recognition of traditional Russian food," said Bazhov in Chinese. He said Uniconf is a leader in the Russian confectionery market. The company owns several well-established brands, including the chocolate brand Alyonka. "China is currently the fifth largest export market for Alyonka chocolate, so there is still a lot of growth potential. In addition to the new business models such as cafes, the company has made a number of new products catering to the taste of Chinese consumers, such as chocolates with less sugar and high cocoa content," said Bazhov. The expo, first launched in Harbin in 2014, coincided with the 75th anniversary of China-Russia diplomatic relations this year. According to the organizer, the expo features a significant lineup of Russian enterprises organized by Russia's Ministry of Industry and Trade. "The expo is not only a celebration of the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the two countries but also an important platform to deepen cooperation and expand new opportunities," said Liu Chunsheng, an associate professor with the Central University of Finance and Economics. Pavel Semerna, head of the Chinese office of the Russian company Belyov Pastila Manufacture, made his first trip to the expo. His company has brought the snack of apple cakes, mainly composed of natural fruits, to the expo. "The Chinese market is dynamic and open, and the consumption potential of healthy food is huge," said Semerna. His company has sought business opportunities by participating in various trade promotion events in China, such as the China International Import Expo. It has also used the online platforms of Taobao and Douyin to promote the sales. Currently, the company's products have appeared on supermarket shelves in over 20 Chinese cities, including Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou. Zhang Dekun, chairwoman of Kunpeng Bio-Technology Co., Ltd., marveled expo visitors with the company's soybean-flavored ice cream, which has already been an "Internet celebrity" product in China. She told visitors that "we have combined modern biotechnology with innovative processes to produce a wide range of soy-based foods." The soybeans are produced in the city of Heihe, about 600 km north of the expo venue. Lu Guilan, director of Heilongjiang Jialand Russian Art Gallery, is an acquaintance of the expo. She said she has been collaborating with young Russian artists to exhibit and sell Russian paintings in China for many years. "Oil painting collection requires a certain aesthetic ability. I saw a business opportunity to get to know potential customers at the expo," she said. Russian tour guide Polina Mitina said many Russian exporters hired her to promote their products at the expo because of her Chinese language skills. "I have been participating in the expo for a number of sessions, and I feel the expo not just provides business opportunities but also tightens the bond of friendship across the borders of countries," she said. The host city of the China-Russia Expo alternates between the two countries. The previous expo was held in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg in July 2023. The site of the music festival in Israel near the Gaza border after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants. (Ohad Zwigenberg / Associated Press) Rape is a well-documented tool of war. So its hard for me to understand the raging controversy over whether Hamas terrorists who killed more than 1,100 Israelis on Oct. 7 also inflicted rape and other sexual crimes on their victims as a "practice." If soldiers are depraved enough to tie families together and burn them, to behead corpses and kidnap helpless civilians, why, despite repeated denials from Hamas, would anyone think they would refrain from sexual violence? There is general consensus that women were raped during the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas militants, although many have questioned whether the sexualized violence was systematic, as an explosive New York Times investigation put it in December, and have accused Israel of weaponizing rape allegations to justify its extreme response in Gaza. A tremendous amount of journalistic energy has been devoted to debunking stories about the rape-related carnage of the Oct. 7 attacks. The Intercept ran a long, and in my view misguided, piece that tried to undercut the New York Times report, mainly by attacking one of the reporters, who had liked pro-Israel social media posts. In February, the United Nations weighed in, finding reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related sexual violence occurred during the 7 October attacks in multiple locations across Gaza periphery, including rape and gang rape, in at least three locations. Two widely circulated reports of rape and sexualized violence, the U.N. report noted, were misinterpretations by untrained observers. In one case, a first responder said a pregnant womans baby had been cut out of her womb. As it turned out, the woman was not pregnant but had been disemboweled. There is a sentiment in pro-Palestinian quarters that any accounting of Hamas sexual atrocities is being used by Israel to gin up outrage to justify the destruction of Gaza and the killing of so many thousands of civilians. And that a wave of stories calling out feminist groups for failing to condemn the sexual crimes of Oct. 7 was orchestrated by the Israeli government. An open letter signed by more than 1,000 feminists accused Israel of a cynical attempt to incite public fury and deflect attention from the genocide it is perpetrating. On Tuesday in Santa Monica, I had coffee with two women from the Assn. of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel Orit Sulitzeanu, the groups executive director, and Tanya Gilboa, its director of community relations. They were here to visit the pioneering Santa Monica Rape Treatment Center and to meet with the centers founder, Gail Abarbanel. They wanted to learn about how she has helped change laws in California, including ending the statute of limitations on rape. Inevitably, our conversation turned to their recent report, Silent Cry: Sexual Violence Crimes on October 7, and its conclusion that sexual abuse was not an isolated incident or sporadic opportunistic case but rather a clear operational strategy. Sulitzeanu vehemently rejected the idea that the report was part of an Israeli government plot to justify the destruction of Gaza and the death of thousands of Palestinian civilians. We see it as our mission to tell the story, to fight for this narrative, to explain the complexities and to tell the story of the victims who will never speak," she said. "We dont represent the country. We are in the human rights business. As reports of sexual violence began flooding in, she and her colleagues decided they had a responsibility to compile all the information they were getting: What happened, and how did it happen and where did it happen? Their sources were local and international news reports, interviews with first responders and other professionals and, because of their unique position, lots of confidential information. To be considered a practice, Sulitzeanu said, a particular behavior gang rape, rape in presence of family members, mutilation of sexual organs had to have been reliably reported taking place at least three different times. There is a lack of forensic evidence of sexual violence on Oct. 7, but that has been plausibly explained: In the chaos that followed the attacks, the imperative was to identify slain victims and bury them as soon as possible in accordance with Jewish tradition. Rape kits, which generally are effective for only 72 hours after an assault, were never going to be a viable way of collecting evidence. But there are abundant reports from people who witnessed sexual violence. And while Sulitzeanu said she believes there are dozens of actual rape survivors, she has not made an attempt to find them because to do so would violate her principles and the Murad Code, a global voluntary code of ethics and conduct for those who interview and work with survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. It was developed by Nadia Murad, an Iraqi-born Yazidi human rights activist who was kept as an Islamic State sex slave for three months in 2014, and who won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2018. Horrific things happened, people are embarrassed, people dont want to share, said Sulitzeanu, who was deluged with requests from reporters around the world to produce victims for interviews. Usually, I am very patient and I understand what a journalist needs, she said. But sometimes I became very angry. I said to them, Why do you think a survivor should talk to you? A survivor who has suffered the most terrible trauma ever has to heal. It will take her weeks, months, years. So far, only one survivor of alleged sexual assault, a freed hostage, has stepped forward to tell her story. Amit Soussana, a 40-year-old Israeli lawyer who was held for 55 days, told the New York Times she was beaten and sexually assaulted while in captivity. She was also interviewed by Sheryl Sandberg for the documentary "Screams Before Silence," which focused on accounts of sexual assault by Hamas. The focus of the world right now is rightfully on the horrific conditions in Gaza and the suffering of its civilian population and Israel's human rights abuses. But to minimize the trauma that Hamas inflicted on Oct. 7, including reports of sexual violence, is to forswear one's very humanity. As Sulitzeanu told me, How can I be a human being if I only see one side? @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. Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene speaks at a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 19, 2023. DelBene spoke to reporters Friday, May 17, 2024, about how abortion will affect U.S. House races in November. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene told reporters Friday that ballot questions on abortion access, which will go before voters in several states this November, can help vulnerable Democratic candidates in swing districts potentially increasing the odds the U.S. House flips from red to blue. Weve seen huge turnout as a result of that over and over in elections since November of 2022, DelBene said during a breakfast hosted by the Christian Science Monitor. And I have no doubt were going to continue to see that all the way through. The Washington state Democrat, who was elected to Congress in 2012 and leads House Democrats campaign arm this election cycle, said that reproductive rights will also be a crucial issue for voters in swing districts that dont have a ballot question on access. Folks support womens reproductive rights across the country, DelBene said. And thats going to be a huge issue. And for some people, it is the issue. Democrats in Congress have been unable to restore nationwide abortion protections that existed for nearly 50 years under the U.S. Supreme Courts 1973 Roe v. Wade case and the 1992 Planned Parenthood v. Casey ruling. Conservative Supreme Court justices voted to overturn those two rulings in the Dobbs decision that was released in 2022, writing that the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives. The court is expected to rule this summer on two additional cases related to abortion access, just months before voters head to the polls. One originally filed in Texas will determine whether access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortion, can remain available as it is now or revert to prescribing instructions in place before 2016. The court heard oral arguments in March. The second case, out of Idaho, has to do with whether doctors who provide abortion as stabilizing care when the pregnant patients life or health is at risk are protected from prosecution under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act. Since the Supreme Court ended nationwide protections for abortion access, voters in several states including Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio have voted to keep or instill abortion access as a right. Voters in numerous other states, including Arizona, Florida and Montana, are likely to have the issue directly on their ballots later this year, as well as candidates from president on down. Federal legislation DelBene said Friday that Democrats will bring legislation to the floor to restore nationwide protections for abortion, should they retake the House. That will be one of our top priorities, to make sure that we pass the Womens Health Protection Act again, DelBene said. But Im also hopeful that we will keep the Senate and be able to move forward. The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter projects that Republicans are on track to pick up between one and four seats in the Senate, likely moving that chamber of Congress from blue to red. Should Democrats flip the House, that would mean a continuation of divided government, regardless of who wins the presidential contest. The Cook Political Report forecasts 203 seats are at least leaning toward Democratic control while 210 are rated as solid, likely or lean Republican. That leaves 22 seats in the toss up category, with a total of 218 needed for one party to control the chamber. Jessica Taylor, editor for U.S. Senate and governors at CPR, wrote in an update released Friday that the upper chamber remains beyond precarious for Democrats. There is no room for error and if President Joe Biden loses reelection, they will have already lost the majority whether they run the table in all the competitive seats or not, Taylor wrote. Young voters DelBene said during the breakfast at a hotel in Washington, D.C., that turnout will be critical and that Democrats will be especially focused on younger voters showing up at the polls. Traditionally, younger voters havent turned out as much, she said. So that absolutely is a top priority. DelBene took several questions about whether those younger voters would actually back Democratic candidates or Biden, given the increase in protests on college campuses and concern within the progressive wing about the increasing civilian death toll from the ongoing war in Gaza. The top issues for younger voters, DelBene said, are making sure that they are going to have economic opportunity going forward and that theyre going to be in a position where they can have the same opportunities that their parents said that theyre going to have, the same rights and freedoms that their parents did. Candidates in purple districts should speak authentically with voters when theyre asked about their stance on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, she said. My advice for candidates has always been, Its important for you to have an authentic voice and talk about what you would do, how you feel on issues. Because people can tell if someones scripted and not really talking about their feelings, DelBene said. And on such an important issue, I think, its really important that people talk authentically about their positions, what they think needs to happen. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Abortion ballot measures could lift Dems in U.S. House races, campaign chief says appeared first on Maine Morning Star. Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene speaks at a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 19, 2023. DelBene spoke to reporters Friday, May 17, 2024, about how abortion will affect U.S. House races in November. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) WASHINGTON Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene told reporters Friday that ballot questions on abortion access, which will go before voters in several states this November, can help vulnerable Democratic candidates in swing districts potentially increasing the odds the U.S. House flips from red to blue. Weve seen huge turnout as a result of that over and over in elections since November of 2022, DelBene said during a breakfast hosted by the Christian Science Monitor. And I have no doubt were going to continue to see that all the way through. The Washington state Democrat, who was elected to Congress in 2012 and leads House Democrats campaign arm this election cycle, said that reproductive rights will also be a crucial issue for voters in swing districts that dont have a ballot question on access. Folks support womens reproductive rights across the country, DelBene said. And thats going to be a huge issue. And for some people, it is the issue. Democrats in Congress have been unable to restore nationwide abortion protections that existed for nearly 50 years under the U.S. Supreme Courts 1973 Roe v. Wade case and the 1992 Planned Parenthood v. Casey ruling. Conservative Supreme Court justices voted to overturn those two rulings in the Dobbs decision that was released in 2022, writing that the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives. The court is expected to rule this summer on two additional cases related to abortion access, just months before voters head to the polls. One originally filed in Texas will determine whether access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortion, can remain available as it is now or revert to prescribing instructions in place before 2016. The court heard oral arguments in March. The second case, out of Idaho, has to do with whether doctors who provide abortion as stabilizing care when the pregnant patients life or health is at risk are protected from prosecution under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act. Since the Supreme Court ended nationwide protections for abortion access, voters in several states including Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio have voted to keep or instill abortion access as a right. Voters in numerous other states, including Arizona, Florida and Montana, are likely to have the issue directly on their ballots later this year, as well as candidates from president on down. Federal legislation DelBene said Friday that Democrats will bring legislation to the floor to restore nationwide protections for abortion, should they retake the House. That will be one of our top priorities, to make sure that we pass the Womens Health Protection Act again, DelBene said. But Im also hopeful that we will keep the Senate and be able to move forward. The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter projects that Republicans are on track to pick up between one and four seats in the Senate, likely moving that chamber of Congress from blue to red. Should Democrats flip the House, that would mean a continuation of divided government, regardless of who wins the presidential contest. The Cook Political Report forecasts 203 seats are at least leaning toward Democratic control while 210 are rated as solid, likely or lean Republican. That leaves 22 seats in the toss up category, with a total of 218 needed for one party to control the chamber. Jessica Taylor, editor for U.S. Senate and governors at CPR, wrote in an update released Friday that the upper chamber remains beyond precarious for Democrats. There is no room for error and if President Joe Biden loses reelection, they will have already lost the majority whether they run the table in all the competitive seats or not, Taylor wrote. Young voters DelBene said during the breakfast at a hotel in Washington, D.C., that turnout will be critical and that Democrats will be especially focused on younger voters showing up at the polls. Traditionally, younger voters havent turned out as much, she said. So that absolutely is a top priority. DelBene took several questions about whether those younger voters would actually back Democratic candidates or Biden, given the increase in protests on college campuses and concern within the progressive wing about the increasing civilian death toll from the ongoing war in Gaza. The top issues for younger voters, DelBene said, are making sure that they are going to have economic opportunity going forward and that theyre going to be in a position where they can have the same opportunities that their parents said that theyre going to have, the same rights and freedoms that their parents did. Candidates in purple districts should speak authentically with voters when theyre asked about their stance on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, she said. My advice for candidates has always been, Its important for you to have an authentic voice and talk about what you would do, how you feel on issues. Because people can tell if someones scripted and not really talking about their feelings, DelBene said. And on such an important issue, I think, its really important that people talk authentically about their positions, what they think needs to happen. The post Abortion ballot measures could lift Dems in U.S. House races, campaign chief says appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch. A rally in support of abortion rights drew hundreds to downtown Nashville on Saturday, May 14, 2022. (Photo: John Partipilo) In the 18 months since the Supreme Court Dobbs decision ushered in abortion bans or restrictions in nearly half the country, the volume of abortions across the United States has slightly risen, according to new data released last week by the Society for Family Planning. Among the factors driving the increase are more patients, who in their first trimester of pregnancy turned to telemedicine, in which abortion-inducing pills are being prescribed and sent through the mail among them a rapidly growing number of pregnant women who live in states with strict abortion bans. In total, nearly one-in-five abortions in the U.S. sought in the latter half of 2023 were medication abortions via telemedicine accounting for nearly 17,000 abortion each month, the #WeCount report found. A main takeway from the #WeCount Report is that banning abortion does not eliminate the need for abortion care. Dr. Ushman Upadhyway, University of Calififornia-San Francisco Of these, 8,000 were sought monthly by women living in states with abortion bans who had virtual appointments with healthcare providers located in a handful of states that have enacted so-called shield laws laws that first began appearing in 2023 and that are designed to provide legal protections from criminal or civil actions for healthcare providers prescribing abortion pills to women in states with bans or severe restrictions. A main takeway from the #WeCount Report is that banning abortion does not eliminate the need for abortion care, said Dr. Ushman Upadhyway, professor and public health scientist at the University of California, San Francisco who co-chaired the research study. The studys authors said they are not sharing data that would reveal numbers of women obtaining telehealth abortions with providers operating under shield law. In Tennessee, abortion has been virtually banned since August 2022. Earlier the same year, and just weeks before the Supreme Courts June 2022 Dobbs decision ending a constitutional right to abortion, Gov. Bill Lee signed into law a measure that made telehealth abortion a Class E felony for providers. The law does not apply to patients. A recent study found that the number of abortions sought nationally increased from an average of 82,000 per month in 2022 to 86,000 in 2023, after the U.S. Supreme Court ended the constitutional protections for abortion. There have been no legal challenges to abortion providers operating in states with shield laws. Currently, California Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont and Washington have adopted some form of shield law protecting medication abortion prescribers from legal action and liability. The study found that the number of abortions sought nationally increased from an average of 82,000 per month in 2022 to 86,000 in 2023, a slight increase that nevertheless surprised the researchers who expected abortion numbers to dip. Some states saw significant increases in abortions in the 18 months since the Supreme Court ruling among them California, Florida and Illinois. Illinois is among the closest destinations for Tennessee women seeking abortions and the site of CHOICES Center for Reproductive Health, a clinic opened by Memphis providers to provide abortions to the increasing number of women traveling to Illinois from states with abortion bans, including patients in Tennessee. Not surprisingly, the data which lists state-by-state abortion tallies by month shows no abortions performed in Tennessee since July 2022, when a legal challenge to a then-six week abortion, then tied up in court, was immediately implemented and quickly followed by the total ban a month later. We are grateful to live in a state that respects the right to life of its citizens, even the most vulnerable, Will Brewer, legal counsel for Tennessee Right to Life, said in response to a request for comment about the report. We are proud that Tennessee law is protecting women and their children from the tragedy of abortion and that there are children alive today because of our protections. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Abortions rise slightly since Roe v Wade was overturned, driven in part by telemedicine appeared first on Tennessee Lookout. All 37 Shahed-131/136 drones launched by Russia overnight were shot down by the air defense, Ukraines Air Force reported on May 19. Russian forces targeted eight regions across Ukraine overnight, Kyiv, Odesa, and Vinnytsia oblasts, according to the Air Forces report. While the drone attacks were reportedly repelled, regional governors said other deadly weapons ranging from KAB aerial guided bombs to artillery threatened and killed civilians over the past day. Throughout the full-scale war, Russia has regularly attacked both front-line areas and Ukrainian cities far from the battlefield. The Ukrainian authorities are urging evacuation to the civilians remaining in regions under heavy attacks, trying to reduce the casualties. In southern Kherson Oblast, two people were killed and two wounded over the past day, regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported on May 19. He added that Russian troops had struck an unidentified port infrastructure, and damaged a multi-story building, eight houses, and a warehouse in the region. In eastern Donetsk Oblast, one person was killed in Kurakhove, roughly 50 kilometers southwest of the Russian-occupied city of Avdiivka, according to regional governor Vadym Filashkin. In Ukraines second-largest city of Kharkiv, six were wounded on May 18 by a Russian KAB attack, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. The victims included two children aged 13 and 16, he added. In northeastern Kharkiv Oblast, a 60-year-old woman was killed in the fiercely contested city of Vovchansk, and five people were wounded across the region. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) An Israeli airstrike killed 27 people in central Gaza, mostly women and children, and fighting with Hamas raged across the north on Sunday as Israel's leaders aired divisions over who should govern Gaza after the war, now in its eighth month. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces criticism from the other members of his War Cabinet, with main political rival Benny Gantz threatening to leave the government if a plan is not created by June 8 that includes an international administration for postwar Gaza. His departure would leave Netanyahu more reliant on far-right allies who support full military occupation of Gaza and rebuilding of Jewish settlements there. U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met with Netanyahu to discuss an ambitious U.S. plan for Saudi Arabia to recognize Israel and help the Palestinian Authority govern Gaza in exchange for a path to eventual statehood. Netanyahu's office in a statement said they focused on Israel's military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, humanitarian aid and hostages held in Gaza. Netanyahu opposes Palestinian statehood, saying Israel will maintain open-ended security control over Gaza and partner with local Palestinians unaffiliated with Hamas or the Western-backed Palestinian Authority. The U.S. said Sullivan said Israel should connect its military operations to a political strategy and proposed measures to ensure more aid surges into Gaza. In recent weeks, Hamas militants have regrouped in parts of northern Gaza that were heavily bombed in the war's early days. The airstrike in Nuseirat, a built-up Palestinian refugee camp in central Gaza dating back to the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, killed 27 people, including 10 women and seven children, according to records at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in nearby Deir al-Balah, which received the bodies. A separate strike on a Nuseirat street killed five people, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service. In Deir al-Balah, a strike killed Zahed al-Houli, a senior officer in the Hamas-run police, and another man, according to the hospital. Palestinians reported more airstrikes and heavy fighting in northern Gaza, which has been largely isolated by Israeli troops for months and where the World Food Program says a famine is underway. The Civil Defense said strikes hit several homes near Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, killing at least 10 people. And in the urban Jabaliya refugee camp nearby, residents reported a heavy wave of artillery and airstrikes. Abdel-Kareem Radwan, 48, said the whole eastern side has become a battle zone where the Israeli fighter jets strike anything that moves." Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesman for the Civil Defense, said rescuers had recovered at least 150 bodies, more than half of them women and children, since Israel launched the operation in Jabaliya last week. Israel launched its offensive after Hamas Oct. 7 attack in which militants stormed into southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting about 250. Mourners gathered Sunday for the funeral of one of four hostages killed in the attack whose bodies were recently found by Israeli troops in Gaza. The war has killed at least 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between combatants and civilians. Around 80% of the population of 2.3 million Palestinians have been displaced within the territory, often multiple times. We need a decent life to live," said Reem Al-Bayed, who left Gaza City and shelters with thousands in the gritty coastal Muwasi camp in the south without basic facilities like wells. "All countries live a decent life except us. She took a quick mouthful of bread before tearing the rest into pieces for half a dozen children, then poured them a can of beans. Israel says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames the high death toll on Hamas, which it says operates in dense residential areas. Netanyahu's critics, including thousands of Israeli protesters, accuse him of prolonging the war and rejecting a cease-fire deal so he can avoid a reckoning over security failures. They also seek early elections in which polls show that Gantz, a political centrist, would likely succeed Netanyahu. That would expose Netanyahu to prosecution on longstanding corruption allegations. Netanyahu denies any political motives and says the offensive must continue until Hamas is dismantled and the estimated 100 hostages still held with the remains of more than 30 others are returned. Netanyahu also faces pressure from Israel's closest ally, the United States, which has provided military aid and diplomatic cover for the offensive while expressing growing frustration with Israel's conduct of the war and the humanitarian crisis. President Joe Biden's administration recently held up a shipment of 3,500 bombs and said the U.S. would not provide offensive weapons for a full-scale invasion of Rafah, citing fears of a humanitarian catastrophe. But last week, after Israel launched what it called a limited operation in Rafah, the Biden administration told legislators it would move forward with the sale of $1 billion worth of arms, according to congressional aides. The Palestinian Crossings Authority in a statement said humanitarian aid has not entered through the vital Rafah border crossing with Egypt since the military operation began almost two weeks ago. ___ Magdy reported from Cairo and Krauss from Jerusalem. Associated Press writer Darlene Superville in Washington contributed. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war Editors Note: Alan Rusbridger is editor of the UK political monthly Prospect Magazine and was editor-in-chief of the Guardian from 1995 to 2015. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more CNN Opinion. Imagine this. A determined American journalist, lets call her Gillian, is sleuthing away at a story about Indias nuclear weapons program. But theres a problem: the Indian Official Secrets Act of 1923. Though Gillian is based in London, when she finally gets to publish her story, the Indian government is bent on revenge. Alan Rusbridger - Simone Padovani/Awakening/Getty Images Gillian has to be made an example of, so that no other journalist would dare follow in her footsteps. So, the Indian government applies for her to be extradited to stand trial in Delhi. She faces up to 10 years in jail. Is London going to hand Gillian over? Is Washington going to stand idly by and meekly accept the possibility of an American journalist languishing in an Indian jail? Dream on. It would never happen. There would be a global howl of rage from journalists. And the UK and US governments would quietly make sure the whole thing went away. Now, forget Gillian and think about Julian. Hes an Australian journalist living in London. Only its not Indian state secrets hes intent on spilling: its American ones. The Americans are at least after a while furious and threaten to extradite and jail him. But, with Julian, theres no howl of rage, just a mumble of vague disapproval. The clue is in the inverted commas around journalist. To my mind, Julian Assange is in some ways recognizably a journalist. Hes also a publisher, an entrepreneur, an activist, a whistleblower, an information anarchist and a hacker. Thats true of many of this new breed of net warriors. But in the work we did together when I was editor of The Guardian and he was editor of WikiLeaks we collaborated on a series of groundbreaking stories which were absolutely journalistic. However, to many journalists Assange is not a proper journalist, and they cant really see what his fate has to do with theirs. I think thats a mistake. This week Assange may learn his fate when judges in the UK High Court consider final representations from lawyers on both sides over the bid to extradite him to the US where he could face a lengthy spell in a maximum security prison. Demonstrators gather in support of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange at the Place de la Republique in Paris, on the day Assange appeals in a British court against his extradition to the US, February 20, 2024. - Stephanie Lecocq/Reuters I first came across Assange in 2007 when he was a relatively unknown figure on the internet living in Kenya and experimenting with the possibilities the digital space allowed dissidents and whistleblowers to release valuable, if embarrassing, information. It was an age of optimism about how the internet could challenge how power worked. In January 2010 Hillary Clinton, then secretary of state, spoke about the potential of what she termed a new nervous system for the planet. She described a vision of semi-underground digital publishing the samizdat of our day that was beginning to champion transparency and challenge the autocratic, corrupt old order of the world. But she also warned that repressive governments were targeting independent thinkers who use these tools. She had regimes like Iran in mind. It wasnt long before Clinton realized that this new samizdat publishing system was literally uncontrollable. Even by her own government. Along with The Guardian, a handful of other established news organizations around the world The New York Times, El Pais, Le Monde and Der Spiegel worked with Assange on the vast spill of documents that Chelsea Manning collected while working for the US Army. It was often a bumpy ride even Assanges greatest supporters agree he is not the easiest person to work with but we did valuable journalism together. Sarah Ellison, writing in Vanity Fair, concluded: Whatever the differences, the results have been extraordinary. Given the range, depth, and accuracy of the leaks, the collaboration has produced by any standard one of the greatest journalistic scoops of the last 30 years. Clinton did not agree, and nor did the prosecuting authorities. Manning ended up in jail, and Assange in a form of exile. But the US government at the time maintained a sense of proportion about the harm done. One of then-President Barack Obamas last acts was to commute Mannings prison sentence so that she served only seven of the 35 years she was sentenced to. I continue to believe there was a genuine public interest in publishing details of the killing of civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq and in the American authorities turning a blind eye to systemic torture and murder by their Iraqi allies in 2009. Any mainstream news organization would have gladly broken the 2010 collateral murder video, with its footage from an Apache helicopter that captured the killing of a dozen innocent people, including two Reuters news staffers. Now it is true that Assange went further than his mainstream news collaborators in the extent of what he published via WikiLeaks. Its also true that he forfeited a lot of sympathy with his role in the subsequent leaks of emails stolen from the DNC and from Clintons campaign chair John Podesta in 2016. But 52-year-old Assange is not being pursued for his leaks of 2016. Instead, the attempt to extradite him for espionage after nearly five years spent in a maximum security prison in the UK looks like a very belated attempt to punish whistleblowers and discourage journalists, whether conventional or not, from poking their noses where theyre not welcome. More than 50 years ago history was made when the US Supreme Court rejected attempts by then-President Richard Nixon to prevent The Washington Post and The New York Times from publishing the so-called Pentagon Papers. Daniel Ellsberg the Chelsea Manning or Edward Snowden of his time was, by the time of his death last year, considered something of a hero for exposing a hidden truth about the Vietnam War. Daniel Ellsberg, co-defendant in the Pentagon Papers case, talks to media outside the Federal Building in Los Angeles, April 28, 1973. - Wally Fong/AP Who knows how Assange will be seen in a generations time, but his cause is one that should galvanize journalists in support if only because the significance of the Pentagon Papers case could so easily be reversed. The Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has told President Joe Biden, enough is enough. I hope the UK courts, who are about to hear the latest case, agree. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) An Albuquerque brewery held an event on Sunday to benefit the Turtle Survival Alliance. The New Mexico Herpetological Society, Amigos de la Sevilleta, and Canteen Brewhouse hosted the event at the brewhouse. There was live music by The Squash Blossom Boys, a specialty beer release, and new merchandise. Hottest weather of the year so far for some Proceeds from the sale of Low n Slow Kolsch and Low n Slow merchandise went to support the Turtle Survival Alliances mission to protect and restore populations of turtles around the world. Pretty much wherever theres water, youre going to find turtles. But box turtles are pretty ubiquitous throughout the state, said Josh Butler, a volunteer for the Turtle Survival Alliance. But mostly its the freshwater turtle species that are in dire need. Butler added that Big Ben Slider and Western River Cooters are in need of conservation efforts, especially in New Mexico. 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. Chase Robinson, the director of the National Museum of Asian Art in the United States, visits an archaeological site of royal tombs of Shang Dynasty (1600 B.C.-1046 B.C.) in Anyang, central China's Henan Province, May 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Yuan Yueming) ZHENGZHOU, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Nestled beside the tranquil Huan River in Anyang of central China's Henan stands the new hall of the Yinxu Museum, a striking structure in the shape of a bronze square ding. Its exterior walls are adorned with classic Shang Dynasty (1600 B.C.-1046 B.C.) bronze decorations, and the lintels above its three main doors feature the characters "Da Yi Shang" in bronze. Anyang, the last capital of Shang, China's second dynasty, has been a focal point of archaeological significance since work began at the Yin Ruins in 1928. The site has yielded a wealth of exquisite bronzes, oracle bone inscriptions, and other cultural relics that highlight Chinese civilization's enduring charm and grandeur. "The characters stand for the Great Settlement of Shang. At that time, this was the most populous and prosperous city in China, proudly referred to by the Shang people by this name," Tang Jigen, one of China's most senior archeologists on Shang, explained the meaning of "Da Yi Shang" derived from oracle bone inscriptions to three visiting American scholars on Friday. The Director of the National Museum of Asian Art in the United States, Chase Robinson, Deputy Director Lori Duggan Gold, and Curator of Ancient Chinese Art, Keith Wilson, traveled to this ancient city for inter-museum exchanges. In a single day, they explored the museum, visited archaeological sites of Shang's largest palace ruins discovered so far and royal tombs, and held in-depth discussions with their Chinese counterparts. As the sun set, they found it difficult to leave, moved by the deep cultural connections they had forged. America's National Museum of Asian Art consists of the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and is part of the Smithsonian Institution, the largest museum complex in the world. The Freer Gallery of Art, founded in 1923, is the Smithsonian's first art museum and sponsored China's early work of the Yin Ruins archaeological excavation that began in 1928. In February 2023, to commemorate the centennial of the Freer Gallery, the National Museum of Asian Art held a special exhibition titled "Anyang: China's Ancient City of Kings," which displayed over 200 artifacts from Shang. The exhibition continued until April 28, 2024. "The exhibition was one of three major exhibitions that we mounted for our centennial. It's the only one that was up for 13 months. It occupied the main exhibition space in our museum. It was very popular, not only with the public but also with critics and museum professionals." Robinson added that it narrated a story of Shang civilization, technology, industry, city planning, archaeology, and collaboration. The exhibition's popularity in the US also inspired Chinese archaeology and cultural heritage scholars to bring the exhibition closer to Chinese audiences in Anyang by displaying several photos during the planning of the new hall of the Yinxu Museum. The American scholars were delightfully surprised by the design of their Chinese counterparts in exchanges and mutual learning. Worldwide, we work together. It's very exciting for us to be featured right here. Gold said her museum regards exchanges in arts as a big responsibility and takes very seriously how to share works and form partnerships and collaborations with the world. "Seeing your exhibition was a stunning experience. Having more people see the Yin Ruins and sharing the discoveries with a broader audience is our shared mission," Zhao Qingrong, Executive Deputy Director of the Yinxu Museum, told Gold. "Over a century, the museum has been committed to the understanding of ancient Chinese civilization." Robinson expressed his wish to continue this tradition and carry out joint exhibitions, research projects, and staff exchanges. In 1977, Wilson visited China for the first time while attending college. Experiencing China's history and culture in person strengthened his determination to study it. Today, he has become a revered Sinologist in the US. He believes that Shang's most notable contribution to world civilization was the technology to produce bronzes, jades, and ceramics of "incredible beauty and technical complexity." Wilson refers to his visit to Anyang as "coming home." During his first visit to Anyang in the 1990s, he made a good friend with Tang. This visit showed not only friendship but also the power of the international attraction of the Anyang studies, Wilson said. "The symbolism of having the Anyang exhibition at the time of our centennial was also very rich," said Wilson, adding that the centennial was a moment to look forward and to identify goals important for the next century. Reflecting on his experiences since joining the National Museum of Asian Art in 2006, Wilson mentioned that he has curated exhibitions on Xiangtangshan Grottoes, Houma Bronzes, and ancient Chinese music. He looks forward to continuing to introduce the American audiences to important moments in Chinese cultural history. Digital products at the Yinxu Museum, such as 3D artifact short films and immersive digital exhibitions, left a deep impression on the American scholars. "Many museums around the world hold artifacts from the Yin Ruins. We could bring together artifacts collected in different places in the form of the digital return of Yin Ruins artifacts," said Niu Shishan, a senior archeologist on Shang's royal tombs. Li Xiaoyang, Director of the Anyang Municipal Bureau of Cultural Relics, proposed various collaborative efforts, such as exchanging information on cultural relics, sharing digital projects, and co-producing documentaries. In response, Robinson said that these proposals are attractive, and research projects, collaborations, and exchanges can be outlined through a memorandum of understanding. Archives concerning the archeological projects of the Yin Ruins, housed at Freer, can also be made available. Gold congratulated her Chinese counterparts "on the beauty of the building and the excellent interpretation for the visitor in the gallery." She added, "I took many photographs today of how you designed the spaces to share knowledge with the audience." "You have an extraordinary facility, an extraordinary collection, and a wonderful story to tell," said Robinson. As Robinson concluded his first visit to the Chinese mainland, he reflected on the importance of building trust and exploring possibilities together: "I'm very pleased that we've gotten such a good start." "What most impressed us was the great expertise that's gone into the creation of this museum. Second, there is great expertise on the part of the archaeologists working on the site," Robinson told Xinhua. May 18 marks International Museum Day, with this year's theme being " Museums for Education and Research." Robinson said America's National Museum of Asian Art owns a digital platform, "Teaching China," devoted to middle school kids and teachers. "It's been immensely successful. And my point is that there is a real appetite on the part of Americans to understand Chinese culture, history, and Chinese civilization," he said. "Expertise and knowledge are the foundation for great museums. It's the foundation with great archeology, and you have a very strong foundation," Robinson said. Tang Jigen, one of China's most senior archeologists on Shang Dynasty (1600 B.C.-1046 B.C.), introduces Simuxin Ding, an ancient bronze vessel, to Chase Robinson, the director of the National Museum of Asian Art in the United States, at the Yinxu Museum in Anyang, central China's Henan Province, May 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Xiang) Alice Stewart, a veteran CNN commentator and a political adviser who has worked on many Republican campaigns, is dead at 58, the network announced Saturday. Her body was found outdoors in a neighborhood in northern Virginia on Saturday, law enforcement told the outlet. Officers said no foul play occurred and said her death was likely due to a medical emergency, CNN reported. Stewart, who kicked off her career as a local reporter, joined CNN as a contributor in 2016. She worked for a variety of Republican politicians, from former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) to more recently being a communications director for Sen. Ted Cruzs (R-Texas) 2016 presidential campaign. Alice was a very dear friend and colleague to all of us at CNN, CNN CEO Mark Thompson told the networks staff on Saturday, per the outlet. A political veteran and an Emmy Award-winning journalist who brought an incomparable spark to CNNs coverage, known across our bureaus not only for her political savvy, but for her unwavering kindness, Thompson added. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn such an extraordinary loss. Stewart, who was born in Atlanta in 1966, was on the senior advisory committee at the Institute of Politics at Harvard Universitys Kennedy School. She also co-hosted a podcast called Hot Mics from Left to Right with CNN commentator Maria Cardona. The last time she appeared on the network was Friday on The Situation Room with anchor Wolf Blitzer. We always invited her to come on my show because we knew we would be a little bit smarter at the end of that conversation, Blitzer told Jessica Dean Saturday on CNN Newsroom. She helped our viewers better appreciate what was going on and thats why we will miss her so much. CNN anchor Jake Tapper took to social media platform X to give his condolences after the news broke. Unbelievably kind, smart, astute, Alice was beloved by everyone at CNN, he wrote. I am so sorry for her family. What a loss. Fellow commentator David Axelrod, who also serves on the Harvard committee, said he was devastated by the news of her untimely passing. Youd be hard put to find a nicer, kinder person, he posted on X. She will be missed by all who knew her. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Alice Stewart, a CNN political commentator who worked on several GOP presidential campaigns, has died. She was 58. Stewarts body was found outside in the Bellevue neighborhood in northern Virginia early Saturday morning, law enforcement told CNN. Officials said no foul play is suspected, and believe a medical emergency occurred. Her cause of death wasnt immediately available. More from The Hollywood Reporter CNN reported that network CEO Mark Thompson wrote in an email to staff Saturday, Alice was a very dear friend and colleague to all of us at CNN. A political veteran and an Emmy Award-winning journalist who brought an incomparable spark to CNNs coverage, known across our bureaus not only for her political savvy, but for her unwavering kindness. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn such an extraordinary loss. Born on March 11, 1966, in Atlanta, Georgia, Stewart started her career as a local news reporter and producer. She eventually moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, to pursue being a news anchor, she told Harvard International Review in 2020. Stewart later served as the communications director in then-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabees office, and then worked in a similar capacity during his 2008 presidential run. In the years that followed, she served as the communications director on several other GOP campaigns, including ones for former Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. Stewart later joined CNN as a political commentator ahead of the 2016 election, where she frequently appeared on air. She was also a co-host of the podcast Hot Mics From Left to Right, with fellow CNN commentator Maria Cardona. When speaking about her role as a commentator for the network, she previously told Harvard Political Review in 2020 that she brings a perspective that I think CNN appreciates. My position at CNN is to be a conservative voice yet an independent thinker, Stewart continued at the time. Im not a Kool-Aid drinker; Im not a never-Trumper, and I didnt check my common sense and decency at the door when I voted for (Trump). Her last appearance on the network was Friday on The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Alice Stewart, a longtime GOP adviser and CNN political commentator, has died. She was 58. Stewarts body was found outdoors in a northern Virginia neighborhood Saturday morning, law enforcement told CNN. Officers said no foul play was suspected and that a medical emergency likely occurred. Stewart, who was born March 11, 1966, in Atlanta, launched her career as a local reporter in Georgia before moving to Little Rock, Arkansas, to work as a news anchor. She later worked for then-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabees office as communications director and for his 2008 campaign for president. She also served as communications director for GOP presidential candidates, including former Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and Sen. Ted Cruz. She began working as a political commentator for CNN in 2016. Her last appearance was Friday on The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer. Stewarts colleagues and politicos who have worked with her reacted to Saturdays news, calling it devastating and shocking. They said she will be remembered for her kindness and intelligence. Alice was a very dear friend and colleague to all of us at CNN, CEO Mark Thompson said in an email to staff Saturday. A political veteran and an Emmy Award-winning journalist who brought an incomparable spark to CNNs coverage, known across our bureaus not only for her political savvy, but for her unwavering kindness. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn such an extraordinary loss. American citizens appear to be among a group detained in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for their alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt, authorities in the African nation said Sunday. The arrests were made after a deadly shootout near a government officials home in the capital Kinshasa, which killed three people. Congolese army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Sylvain Ekenge said the coup, which was enacted by both Congolese and foreigners, had been quickly thwarted by national security forces. The U.S. ambassador to the country, Lucy Tamlyn, said on X that she had been informed of the alleged involvement of American citizens and said the embassy was cooperating with the Congolese government. I am shocked by the events of this morning and very concerned by reports of American citizens allegedly involved, she wrote in French. We will cooperate with DRC authorities to the fullest extent as they investigate these criminal acts and hold accountable any U.S. citizen involved. Footage of two men under arrest quickly made the rounds on social media. One of the men in the video was identified as the American son of the coups Congolese ringleader, Christian Malanga. Also in circulation were pictures of a U.S. passport apparently belonging to Benjamin Zalman-Polun, a 36-year-old born in Maryland. Zalman-Polun is reportedly a cannabis entrepreneur who has been linked to the suspected leader Malanga. Malanga is the founder of a political organization for Congolese people in the U.S., and he posted a livestream Sunday afternoon that appeared to show him leading the charge. Israel in Secret Talks to Resettle Palestinians in Congo, Report Says The coup reportedly began around 4:30 a.m. Sunday morning near the residence of Vital Kamerhe, who is running to be speaker of the national legislature. The attackers were met with gunfire, an exchange that killed a coup member and two police officers, a spokesman for Kamerhe wrote on X. The attackers then moved on to the presidential palace, Congolese media said, which is just a mile away. But they were arrested by security forces there, and the coup was shut down. Ekenge, the Congolese army spokesman, told the Associated Press that the likely ringleader Malanga had been killed during the clash. The target of the coup was believed to be President Felix Tshisekedi, who won a second term in a chaotic December vote. Tshisekedi was unharmed, and multiple U.S. news outlets characterized the plot as a poorly organized scheme that relied on amateur tactics. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is frequently rocked by political corruption and civil wars, and it remains a focus of U.S. African policy because it contains huge stores of cobalt and other minerals crucial to a global green energy transition. The humanitarian situation in Congo has sometimes been described as a silent genocide because of the brutal effects of resource extraction. 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. AUSTIN (KXAN) The Austin Police Department hosted its latest recruiting event at its training center in south Austin Saturday in an effort to fill some of its vacancies. Sgt. Destiny Silva in APDs recruiting division said attendees spent the day hearing from the departments different divisions to get a better idea of what the job entails. She said currently the department has 326 officer vacancies. We really need to get the right people here to help us. If we get the right people here, that will reduce workload, officer burnout, contribute to the overall effectiveness of the Austin Police Department, Silva said. Roughly 40 people attended the event, one of them being Adela Melendez of Cedar Park. She said shes always felt drawn to working in criminal justice as an officer or a lawyer and has already submitted an application to APD. Im waiting to hear back, my application is under review. And then from there well be setting up the civil service exam. It feels good to already have kind of a foot in the door, Melendez said. Along with building ranks in general, Silva said APD is also working to fulfill its 3030 Initiative. She said by the year 2030, the department wants to have added 30% more female officers to its force. APD: Female recruitment increasing faster than anticipated under Chief Henderson I know firsthand how important representation is how important it is to have strong females contribute to this profession. We bring a unique perspective, Silva said. The latest graduating class of APD cadets boasted the departments largest number of female cadets last month. Out of 39 cadets, 10 are women. 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. Arab and Palestinian Americans left a meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday night frustrated they did not have a clear understanding of how the Biden administration might act upon their concerns as the Israel-Hamas war devastates the civilian population in Gaza, participants told CNN. There wasnt a plan that was shared that instilled any confidence that the administration is prioritizing an immediate solution, Bilal Hammoud, executive director of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce, adding the discussion was disappointing because we wanted more concrete next steps. The emotional and heated meeting comes as the Palestinian and Arab American community is divided over engagement with the White House, as members harbor sadness and anger over the administrations policy toward the Israel-Hamas war. White House officials have held several meetings with prominent Arab Americans across the country since Hamas October 7 attacks, but some of the invited participants have declined to attend, often making their rejection known in open letters and press interviews. Many members of the community agree Biden would have to made significant policy changes to win back this key part of his political coalition including Arab and Muslim Americans and progressive voters ahead of the November elections while his administration largely refuses to use its leverage over Israel to halt the fighting in Gaza. The groups went in Friday with specific demands for the administration, including calling for an immediate ceasefire, the return of all hostages and prisoners held without charges, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, unimpeded humanitarian assistance to reach the Palestinian population, the end to US arms shipments to Israel, and the rebuilding of devastated Palestinian communities. Yet the attendees did not leave the meeting, which lasted more than 90 minutes, with any commitments to take action on those fronts. I believe the meeting was a failure; we were not able to agree on any change in US policy towards the situation in Gaza, said one attendee. John Dabeet, the president of the US Palestinian Council, said he feels cautiously optimistic after the meeting. But he said it was too hard to predict which actions the administration might take. We are not naive. We did not go there thinking we can turn the ship completely in the opposite way, but any change we can create will be seen as a positive thing to help the people in Gaza to lower their suffering, Dabeet said. More than 35,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October 7, according to the regions health ministry. The Arab and Palestinian American leaders requested the meeting, which included the heads of five national organizations: the American Federation of Ramallah Palestine, the American Arab Chamber of Commerce, Arab America, the Arab American Institute, and the US Palestinian Council. The State Department did not provide a readout of the meeting or respond to an inquiry about the lack of commitments made during the gathering. The Biden administration this month paused a shipment of bombs to Israel amid concerns over their potential use in an incursion into Rafah, where more than a million civilians are sheltering. But the meeting attendees did not view that step as significant enough to amount to a powerful policy change that could force an end to the conflict. They went into the meeting already frustrated by the callous neglect they say the Arab American community has received from the Biden administration. But they also approached the meeting with the belief that engagement is necessary to drive policy change. I am a firm believer that engagement is important. Being around the table is important because at least our voice will be heard this way, Dabeet said. But for the attendees with whom CNN spoke, returning to the table with Biden administration officials would come only after significant policy changes. I would not attend another meeting until there is action, Hammoud said. At this point, there is nothing left to be said. I think the administration knows fully what needs to happen. Bilal is not alone in feeling the Biden administration knows what it must do to win over or win back the Palestinian and Arab American support domestically. I think the administration has ample chances to make real change and I have not seen change, real change in policy. So that is why I think theyre checking the boxes at this moment, said Ghada Elnajjar, a Palestinian American who has lost more than 80 members of her extended family to the Israel-Hamas war, which she calls Israels ongoing genocide. Elnajjar added that perhaps the messages will eventually be heard as Novembers election approaches. They are risking the elections, she said. Elnajjar helped organize for the Biden campaign in 2020 as part of the Arab Americans for Biden. The group has now removed Bidens name, becoming Arab Americans Forward. Elnajjar said shes not sure what she will do in November when it comes to her presidential ballot. Attendees at the meeting with Blinken made the point that it is not just Arab Americans who Biden is losing, but also allies from other ethnic backgrounds who are standing in solidarity with Arab, Palestinian and Muslim Americans. This was a last-ditch effort with this administration so they cant say they didnt hear from us or our demands, a meeting attendee said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Janet Napolitano left office a record-breaker. When the Democrat departed halfway through a second term as Arizona governor in 2009, Napolitano had racked up 181 uses of her veto stamp to block bills backed by the Republican-majority Legislature. Once dubbed the states veto queen, she holds the title no more. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs bested that record in less than two years in office. And she did it using the stamp she inherited from Napolitano. "That's great," Napolitano said with a laugh. It was used a lot in my day." Napolitano, who now leads the University of California Berkeley's Center for Security in Politics, sat for an exclusive interview with The Arizona Republic last month during a return trip to the state she led as U.S. attorney, attorney general, and governor. She maintains ties in the Grand Canyon State and was invited to headline the Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest's 50th-anniversary fundraiser, which drew hundreds to the Phoenix Art Museum. The nonpartisan legal advocacy group has, over the years, fought for safer school facilities and battled giveaways of taxpayer dollars to special interests. "I love Arizona. I loved living here, and I always love coming back," she said, though she noted the quick overnight trip left her no time for a favorite hobby: hiking. Napolitanos decadeslong career in public service has given her a distinctive lens into some of todays preeminent political issues. Her reflections on each leadership role further revealed how intense polarization has changed governance and politics. As Arizona's 21st governor, she guided the state during its last period of divided government. She led the U.S. Department of Homeland Security before the agency was consumed by border politics. She was president of the University of California system as the embers landed, igniting debate over free speech on campuses. Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor swears in Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano at the state Capitol on Jan. 4, 2006. "They've all been challenging and great and hard," Napolitano said of the roles on her resume. "I loved being governor. It's a tough job. I loved being attorney general. It's a tough job. Secretary of Homeland Security is a really tough job, and it's gotten tougher over time as the politics of immigration have become more intense." In her view, she has helped improve the lives of Arizonans, kept Americans safe, and educated the next generation. "They've all had a great mission associated with (them), and that's kind of what drives you," she said. Divided government before intense polarization Napolitano was the states last Democratic governor to work alongside a Republican-majority Legislature before Hobbs took office in early 2023. Known as a pragmatist who at times angered Republicans and her fellow Democrats, Napolitano viewed the Legislature as a family: The governor is the matriarch, she said, the Senate and House leaders the aunts and uncles. "Families have fights, but ... there's a unity of something there," Napolitano said. When you translate that into a Legislature and a governor, you're not going to agree on everything. You can't. But how do you resolve family squabbles? Somebody gives a little, somebody gets a little, and you move on. That attitude helped Napolitano win state funding for all-day kindergarten and settle a massive budget hole of over $1.2 billion as the Great Recession hit the state. At the time, the budget was just shy of $10 billion. Today, the budget has nearly doubled as lawmakers face similar deficit projections. Yet during the past two decades, Napolitano has watched that sense of unity fade in American politics and in Arizona. Former Gov. Janet Napolitano is interviewed in the newsroom of The Arizona Republic in downtown Phoenix on April 28, 2024. "The idea that we are here to govern for the people of Arizona has kind of crumbled, and so little fights become big fights, things that should be negotiable become non-negotiable, and it makes the whole thing much more difficult," she said. Napolitano said she tried to build personal relationships with GOP leaders. She recalled going horseback riding with then-House Speaker Jake Flake on his ranch. She agreed to then-Senate President Ken Bennett's request to negotiate the massive state budget line by line. She was "not only willing," but she personally knew the details of the budget, said Bennett, a Prescott Republican who returned to the Senate. Once, they conspired to dismiss staff from the meeting to get down to brass tacks, he said, and had the budget done in an hour. Bennett and Napolitano each said they shared a desire to get their jobs done, even if they disagreed on most everything. That's more difficult as the number of lawmakers who are political hardliners has increased, Bennett said. He faulted public perception that working across the aisle was bad. Bennett, who has split from the Republican majority multiple times this year, said his choice to do so has provided lines of attack for his political opponents as he campaigns for reelection. I do not vote with Democrats, he explains to constituents, but I also don't blindly vote with Republicans. I vote on the merits of a bill. The moderate approach was the playbook underwriting the success of many notable Arizona politicians, regardless of political party. In November 2002, just weeks after Arizonans had narrowly elected Napolitano as governor, The Republic asked readers to weigh in on the states political future: Would you rather state government be entirely in the hands of one party? Annette Zaccari said no. She did not want one party's ideal to prevail; she preferred that all facets of state government work together for the greater good. She wouldnt answer the same way today. Zaccari, now 65 of Scottsdale, still believes divided government is the goal, but she doesnt see compromise happening in state or national politics. An independent voter, she said she would like to see one party in control to move the state forward. I find it very distressing that there is this hostility and this anger, and it's changed from a healthy debate with a give and take, and a respect of each other's perspectives, but also recognizing that the good of the many are greater than just party politics, she said. I miss that. Matthew Whitaker's answer is similar 22 years later. The 53-year-old from Mesa still values multiple parties playing a role, because it brings "institutional and ideological checks and balances." He said a divided government isn't working for Arizona today. "We have a lot of ideologues," Whitaker said. "I think a healthy democracy is secondary to their own political and personal concerns. And I think that's the danger." Napolitano left Arizona after being nominated as secretary of Homeland Security by then-President Barack Obama. The intensity of politics has seeped into that policy arena, too, she said, gripping Washington, D.C. It was pure political theater, she said of the GOP-backed impeachment charges against current Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas this year. "Every hearing about Homeland Security wasn't about immigration, Napolitano said, reflecting on her leadership of the agency until 2013. And in terms of the remit of the Department of Homeland Security, it is much broader than the border and much broader than immigration. Those are important parts of the mission, but not the totality of the mission." 'When is a protest a protest?' Napolitano exited the Beltway to head the expansive University of California system. There, she dealt with pushback, including after the university shut down an appearance by the far-right commentator Milo Yiannopoulos in 2017. The decision came amid violent protests on university campuses and prompted a threat from then-President Donald Trump to cut off federal funding. Since then, the First Amendment debate on college campuses has only intensified. The weekend of Napolitanos recent return to Arizona, 15 students opposing the Israel-Hamas war had been arrested at Arizona State University. University of Arizona officials had threatened to arrest pro-Palestinian protesters. Free speech rights are one of the underlying themes of U.S. universities and colleges," Napolitano said. "The difficult decision for university leadership is ... that line. When is a protest a protest, or have they crossed the line into making other groups of students, in this case, Jewish students, feel unsafe and marginalized? Leaders need to consider whether academics are disrupted and appropriate steps to take in response, she said. Its tough, she said of the role. Im kind of glad Im not a university president today. Napolitano is still in academia, in a different role attuned to her expertise. She founded the Center for Security in Politics at the University of California Berkeley in 2021. The school studies, among other angles, the national security impacts of climate change, artificial intelligence and misinformation from foreign sources. That includes examining the role of foreign adversaries intruding into elections, often through the use of social media, she said. Those nations, such as Russia and China, know what pokes at the cracks within our democracy, and they're good pokers," she said. A 'courageous approach' to abortion Arizona's Democratic governor had a succinct pitch for voters on the issue of abortion. It's about who decides, you or 90 other people, she said, referencing the states 90 lawmakers. That's how Napolitano described it in a 2005 profile in The Atlantic. It's a pitch echoed by Hobbs nearly 20 years later. That choice is at the forefront this November as Arizonans are likely to vote on a ballot measure creating a constitutional right to abortion. Here's the thing. You have hundreds, if not thousands, of women whose rights are now subject to challenge and subject to fooling around by the Legislature, whichever Legislature you have," Napolitano said. It "makes a lot of sense," she said, to amend the constitution to protect abortion rights. In the interim, Arizona court rulings have left abortion access in limbo. In 2023, Hobbs and Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes executed a legal maneuver to thwart elected county prosecutors from bringing abortion cases. Mayes, a former Republic reporter who worked as Napolitanos press secretary, pledged to never prosecute an abortion case. Mayes recommitted to that position last month when the Arizona Supreme Court upheld a near-total ban on abortion that first appeared in law 160 years ago. The Legislature repealed the ban in May, but that has yet to take effect, leaving Hobbs and Mayes maneuver to bridge the gap. "It's a courageous approach, Napolitano said of Hobbs and Mayes action. It's the right approach. Hobbs said in an interview she looked to Napolitanos leadership in the Governors Office for examples to follow. Hobbs now holds the title for most vetoes of any Arizona governor. As of last week, shed pumped Napolitanos red-letter stamp 200 times in less than 18 months as governor. I would much rather be signing legislation that moves our state forward, but I said I would be the backstop, Hobbs said. The Legislature has certainly given me a lot of chances to do that. I hope that I can retire the veto stamp after this session. From flyover country to center of the political universe Last month, the news website Politico published a story detailing, as the headline said, How Arizona became the center of the political universe. Its a story Napolitano knows well. The state was the center of my political universe, Napolitano said, conceding that when she was on the ballot here, Arizona was kind of flyover country for national campaigns." That is no longer the case, and the Grand Canyon State is one of a handful of battlegrounds that could decide the 2024 presidential election. "It's ground zero, I think, with the presidential race probably being close, with the Senate race, with abortion and immigration both key issues in the state, she said. And those two issues may decide who wins the presidency in a rematch between two unpopular candidates: President Joe Biden, a Democrat, and Trump, a Republican. I think you're going to see a lot of ads, unfortunately," Napolitano said with a laugh. Sorry about that." Reach reporter Stacey Barchenger at stacey.barchenger@arizonarepublic.com or 480-416-5669. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How Arizona shifted to political 'ground zero' French lacquer artist Vincent Cazeneuve has lived in China for 15 years and has become renowned for his mastery of the traditional local lacquer craft. What is the story behind his success and why does he believe this ancient art form is so exceptional? What do Arizonans care about? Affordable housing and immigration reform, poll says Arizona voters overwhelmingly agree that there is a need for more affordable housing in their communities, support comprehensive immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship and believe private schools receiving state funding should be held to the same standards as public ones, according to a new poll. The survey, from the Center for the Future of Arizona in conjunction with HighGround Public Affairs, aims to counter narratives of political division by finding topics and policies that voters across the political spectrum agree should be priorities. It resulted in the Arizona Voters' Agenda, a list of policy points reflecting key issues for voters. Sybil Francis, president and CEO of the Center for the Future of Arizona, said the agenda is designed to prompt candidates for elected offices to consider how they might address issues of public consensus. "What we're very focused on is: How do we bring the voices of Arizonans to our election cycles," she said. "We hear a lot from candidates; we hear a lot from national media about all sorts of issues. But what is it that Arizona voters really care about? And that's really at the heart of why we've done this voters' agenda." Jonah Trevino holds a sticker showing he voted in the Arizona Democratic Primary election at the Burton Barr Central Library in Phoenix on March 17, 2020. For a policy point to make it onto the list, it needed a majority of respondents to indicate that they strongly supported the issue. In addition, the issue needed more than 50% support among every political affiliation and age group surveyed. The survey establishes outcomes that voters largely agree with, but in most cases, don't address the different ideas voters might have about how to accomplish them. Issues such as investing more in child care assistance programs and doing more to provide safe, affordable housing for homeless people made the list. Proposals around specific funding levels for education vouchers, using money from Arizona's rainy-day fund to balance the state budget and reducing restrictions on multifamily development did not meet the support thresholds. The new findings add to a previous Center for the Future of Arizona poll. That survey, conducted in 2022, found likely midterm voters agreed on increasing teacher pay, creating a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients and the importance of securing the state's water future. It also showed voters across the political spectrum largely trusted the election system. The recent poll was conducted in March and recorded responses from 500 likely voters with a history of electoral participation, balanced to model the likely turnout of voters in the 2024 general election across party, age, region and gender. Based on previous election year trends, the partisan advantage was set at 4 percentage points for Republicans. The margin of error was plus or minus 4.3 percentage points. Francis said another survey focused on water, elections and other issues is planned for later this year. Here are the areas where the new poll found common ground. Top concerns and voter viewpoints Paul Bentz, senior vice president of research and strategy at HighGround, said survey respondents ranked immigration and border security, long-term water supplies and education as top issues. He noted the survey was conducted prior to the Arizona Supreme Court upholding a pre-statehood abortion ban on April 20. Only about 6% of respondents listed abortion as the top issue facing the state, putting it around the middle of the pack compared to other topics. "I would suspect if we were to go out in the field right now and ask an abortion question or ask this issue that abortion would be higher," Bentz said. "But, you know, polls are a snapshot in time." The results roughly align with other recent surveys of Arizona voters, including a poll from Emerson College Polling and a survey from the Arizona Citizens' Clean Elections Commission in conjunction with Noble Predictive Insights. A majority of voters surveyed for the Center for the Future of Arizona poll said they weren't confident that Arizona is prepared for future growth. About 62% said they prefer candidates who are willing to work across the aisle to find bipartisan solutions to issues facing Arizona. Roughly 85% also said they believe news coverage of candidates has created more political division among Arizonans. That survey question simply asked respondents about the "news media," and didn't make any distinction between national, local, broadcast, radio, print, for-profit or nonprofit outlets. Previous research on Americans' attitudes toward news sources by numerous polling outlets found that local news is generally more trusted than national media. Student teacher Mary Pierce (left) and lead teacher Taylor Murphy teach together at the front of their kindergarten classroom at Stevenson Elementary on April 15, 2024, in Mesa. Education Large majorities of surveyed voters support investing in K-12 public schools. Other education findings included: 80% of those surveyed support holding private schools receiving state funding to the same financial and academic reporting standards as public schools 94% are concerned about literacy rates and say teachers should be trained in the most effective approaches to teach reading 93% say the state should ensure every high school student can access dual-enrollment courses or other opportunities to earn college credit 77% support increasing need-based state financial aid to encourage more students to pursue higher education The U.S.-Mexico Border wall can be seen stretching across Nogales, Sonora, and the neighboring town of Nogales, Arizona, on June 9, 2023. Immigration A majority of survey respondents said Arizona needs immigration reform and solutions to issues at the U.S.-Mexico border. The new data shows: 77% support enacting comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship 89% say creating a functioning border for commerce and immigration should be a priority for political leaders 82% say the influx of migrants at the border is a humanitarian crisis and leaders should find a bipartisan solution to the problem A copper dome sits on top of the historic Arizona Capitol building, with a Winged Victory weather vane. State spending The new poll shows voters overwhelmingly oppose spending cuts to essential services. Among the findings: 87% oppose cuts to K-12 education 82% oppose cuts to public safety 81% oppose cuts to health care 90% support investments in transportation infrastructure, including freeways, streets and transit systems throughout the state 77% support investing more in child care assistance programs Phoenix will begin cleaning up the first block of "The Zone" homeless encampment area starting on May 10, 2023. Housing The poll found voters have deep concerns around housing affordability. Findings included: 84% said rents are too high in Arizona 80% said home prices are too high statewide 71% said homelessness in Arizona is a crisis 78% said more affordable housing was needed in their community 82% said state and local governments should ensure affordable housing was available to middle- and low-income earners 81% said political leaders should do more to ensure homeless people can access safe, affordable housing 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. Quicker AZ election results? GOP measure asks voters to swap voting convenience for speed This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Immigration, education, housing: Poll shows voters' common concerns Atlanta police looking for man suspected of breaking into car, stealing credit cards Atlanta police are looking for a man suspected of breaking into a car, stealing credit cards, and then using at least one of them at a nearby convenience store. On Friday, May 3, at approximately 8:34 p.m., Atlanta police say someone broke into a car at 135 Chastain Park Avenue NW. Officers spoke with the victims, who said their car had been broken into and a purse containing various banking cards had been stolen. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] One of the credit cards was used at the Power Package store at 3196 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. Employees from the store gave police surveillance footage showing the person who fraudulently used the credit card. If you recognize him, you can anonymously submit a tip to Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477 or online at www.StopCrimeAtl.org. Tipsters are eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 for the arrest and indictment of a suspect. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: (Reuters) - Workers in Baltimore were preparing to clear a crashed cargo ship nearly as long as the Eiffel Tower from the channel it is blocking, officials said on Sunday, almost two months after the vessel downed the Francis Scott Key bridge, paralyzing a major eastern U.S. port. The unified command organizations overseeing the response said work would begin early on Monday to move the cargo ship Dali to a local marine terminal. Maryland Governor Wes Moore told NBC's Meet the Press that workers were on track to completely clear the channel this month, which would restore full access to the busiest port for car shipments in the U.S. "By the end of May, we'll have that federal channel reopened and within days, we're going to have that massive vessel, the Dali, out of that federal channel," Moore said. Federal investigators said in a preliminary report last week that the Dali had lost power several times before crashing into the Key Bridge. The impact caused the bridge to collapse, killing six road construction workers and hindering vessel traffic through the channel and vehicle traffic along the I-95 corridor in the U.S. Northeast. Authorities have opened four temporary channels since the crash, allowing some shipping to resume. Crews set off controlled explosions last week to allow them to remove a portion of the fallen bridge from the bow of the Dali, which was necessary to next allow salvage crews to haul away the twisted metal wreckage using cranes and barges, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said. Maryland state officials estimate it will cost $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion to rebuild the bridge and anticipates completion by fall 2028. (Reporting by Gabriella Borter; Editing by Scott Malone and David Gregorio) TechCrunch Fidelity Investments, one of the world's largest asset managers, has confirmed that over 77,000 customers had personal information compromised during an August data breach, including Social Security numbers and driver's licenses. The Boston, Massachusetts-based investment firm said in a filing with Maines attorney general on Wednesday that an unnamed third party accessed information from its systems between August 17 and August 19 "using two customer accounts that they had recently established. We detected this activity on August 19 and immediately took steps to terminate the access, Fidelity said in a letter sent to those affected, adding that the incident did not involve any access to customers Fidelity accounts. By Joey Roulette (Reuters) -Jeff Bezos' space company Blue Origin launched a six-person crew - including the first U.S. Black astronaut candidate from the 1960s - from West Texas to the edge of space on Sunday, resuming its centerpiece space tourism business for the first time since its suborbital New Shepard rocket was grounded in 2022. "I am ecstatic," Ed Dwight, who at age 90 years and eight months became the oldest person in space, said upon landing. Dwight and the other passengers, seated in a gumdrop-shaped capsule atop the rocket, were launched from Blue Origin facilities near the remote desert town of Van Horn. The rocket separated from the capsule, which then ascended further beyond the boundary of Earth's atmosphere to 65.7 miles (105.7 km), while the booster returned to land as planned. The capsule then returned to Earth under parachutes, capping a mission lasting roughly 10 minutes. One of the capsule's three parachutes did not fully inflate, a hitch that may draw scrutiny before the rocket's next flight. Dwight was the first Black astronaut candidate who was picked by former U.S. President John Kennedy in 1961 to train as an astronaut, but until now had never flown to space. Dwight stepped out of the capsule once it landed and thrust his fists into the air in celebration. "I thought I really didn't need this in my life, but now I need it in my life," Dwight told a Blue Origin interviewer upon landing. Blue Origin has now flown 37 private astronauts, including in 2021 "Star Trek" star William Shatner, who was 90 years and six months old at the time. The passengers, also including a venture capitalist and a pilot, were paying customers of Blue Origin's space tourism business, though Dwight's seat was sponsored by a space-focused nonprofit and a private foundation. Blue Origin has not disclosed how much it charges customers. CORRECTIVE ACTIONS The grounding of New Shepard, Blue Origin's only active rocket, came after a mid-flight failure in September 2022 during an uncrewed research mission. A structural failure in the rocket's engine nozzle, the company concluded, forced the capsule full of science experiments to abort. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, which oversees launchsite safety and commercial rocket mishaps, examined Blue Origin's probe into the failure and required the company to take 21 corrective actions, including an engine redesign and "organizational changes." New Shepard returned to flight in December 2023 with an uncrewed mission, carrying 33 science and research payloads to the edge of space. The FAA did not immediately respond to questions about the New Shepard capsule's parachute and whether the agency would investigate. Without specifying whether the company would investigate the matter, a Blue Origin spokesperson said the crew capsule is "designed to safely land with one parachute" and called the mission an overall success. Resuming New Shepard's routine missions was a top priority for Blue Origin's new CEO Dave Limp, plucked from Amazon.com's devices unit late last year by Bezos, the billionaire founder of both companies. Bezos is working to boost his space company's competitive footing with Elon Musk's SpaceX. While New Shepard is back to flying people, other pressing priorities remain at the company. Chief among them is debuting Blue Origin's much larger rocket, New Glenn, a reusable heavy-lift rocket designed to compete with SpaceX's Falcon 9 in the business of launching commercial and government satellites into Earth's orbit and beyond. Development of New Glenn and its BE-4 engines has been delayed for years, though Blue Origin expects a debut launch from Florida by the end of this year. Limp, who started as CEO in December, has sought to speed up the company's production line for BE-4, which is also used by the Boeing-Lockheed joint venture United Launch Alliance's new Vulcan rocket. In the suborbital space tourism business, Blue Origin faces competition from Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic, whose VSS Unity spaceplane sends passengers to space horizontally much like a traditional aircraft. Sunday's New Shepard launch marked Blue Origin's seventh crewed mission. Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity is due to launch its seventh commercial mission next month before the company pauses its spaceflight program until 2026 to upgrade its fleet. (Reporting by Joey Roulette in Washington; Editing by Will Dunham and Franklin Paul) President Biden delivered the commencement speech at Morehouse College in Atlanta on Sunday morning, taking the opportunity to connect with college students amid the backdrop of tumultuous pro-Palestinian demonstrations over the Israel-Hamas war that have erupted in recent weeks at several American universities, including Morehouse. While campus protesters have specifically called for their universities and colleges to divest from Israel, they have also expressed their opposition to the White Houses financial and military support of Israels offensive against the Hamas militant group as the operation has created a dire humanitarian situation for Palestinians in Gaza. President Biden, right, congratulates valedictorian DeAngelo Jeremiah Fletcher at the Morehouse College commencement on Sunday. (Alex Brandon/AP) What Biden said on the Israel-Hamas war The president took the opportunity on Sunday to address students concerns over the Israel-Hamas war. Whats happening in Israel and Gaza is heartbreaking, Biden said. He acknowledged the deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, who also kidnapped nearly 250 hostages that day. Biden also underscored the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which is on the brink of famine and in desperate need of medical supplies. In his address, Biden called for an immediate ceasefire and said his administration is working on a deal as we speak so that Israelis taken hostage can be returned home and more humanitarian aid can get into war-torn Gaza. Bidens national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, is in Saudi Arabia and Israel this weekend to talk with top leaders. The president said hes also working on a two-state agreement to create everlasting peace between the Israelis and Palestinians in the region in a post-Hamas era so that both sides can have security and dignity. Its one of the most hardest, complicated problems in the world, Biden said of the ongoing conflict. Biden expressed empathy with student and faculty members whove participated in the pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus, saying, I know it angers and frustrates many of you, including my family. (First lady Jill Biden has reportedly been urging her husband to stop the suffering in Gaza.) But most of all, I know it breaks your heart. It breaks mine as well, Biden said. What happened while Biden was onstage Leading up to the commencement, there were mixed reactions within the Morehouse community over Bidens planned appearance. Some students and faculty at the college called for the presidents invitation to be rescinded, but that request was declined by Morehouse President David Thomas. Thomas told CNN last Thursday that the graduation ceremony would be shut down on the spot if there were any disruptions during Bidens speech, instead of having police remove protesters in zip ties. A graduating student holds a Palestinian flag as he turns his back on President Biden as Biden delivers a commencement address during Morehouse College's graduation ceremony on Sunday. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images) But on Sunday, Biden delivered his address without any notable disruptions. One student unfurled a Palestinian flag and held it up, according to CNN. Other students turned their chairs so their backs were facing Biden while he spoke. An attendee faces away from President Joe Biden as Biden speaks to graduating students at the Morehouse College commencement on Sunday. (John Bazemore/AP) Following his speech, Biden was presented with a Morehouse College honorary doctorate degree. At this point, several students walked out in protest, while another held up a fist, with their back to the stage, according to the New York Times. Additional reactions to Biden's speech Following Bidens speech, the New York Times reports, a group of about 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators outside Morehouse campus, including students and faculty, blocked traffic on Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard named for a late civil rights leader and minister. Asylum seekers board a bus en route to a shelter in New York City on May 18, 2023. The Biden administration announced changes Thursday, May 16, 2024, meant to speed processing of asylum claims. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The Biden administration will start a new system Friday to hasten asylum claims for single adults, administration officials said Thursday. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Justice will launch a new expedited docket for migrants who arrive alone at ports of entry and turn themselves in to border authorities, senior administration officials said on a call with reporters previewing the changes. Those single adult migrants will have their asylum cases processed first, rather than have their case go to the back of the line, which can take years. The new recent arrivals docket will more swiftly impose consequences, including removal, on those without a legal basis to remain in the United States, a senior administration official said. Administration officials briefed reporters on the changes on the condition they not be named. Today, we are instituting with the Department of Justice a process to accelerate asylum proceedings so that individuals who do not qualify for relief can be removed more quickly and those who do qualify can achieve protection sooner, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement. The recent arrivals docket will allow asylum cases to be decided in 180 days, or six months, rather than years, a senior administration official said. As of April, there is about a 3.6 million-case backlog in U.S. immigration court that will take years to process, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, or TRAC, which is a research center at Syracuse University that collects data on immigration. There are roughly 600 immigration judges in the country. Average asylum processing time nearly 3 years Currently, when a migrant arrives to claim asylum, they are processed and, if they are not detained, they are allowed to live in the country while they await their court date. The average processing time for asylum cases for fiscal year 2023, was 1,016 days or about 2.8 years, according to TRAC. The recent arrivals docket is designed to decrease the amount of time it takes for certain noncitizen single adults to have their cases efficiently adjudicated by (the Executive Office for Immigration Review), a senior administration official said. A senior administration official said single adult migrants placed in the recent arrivals docket will have their cases processed before immigration judges in five cities: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York. There will be 10 immigration judges dedicated to the docket, a senior administration official said. The new arrivals docket will go into effect Friday, a senior administration official said. The DOJ and DHS announced a similar process in 2021 where a dedicated docket applied to migrant families that arrived between ports of entry at the Southwest border. The changes build upon the Biden administrations announcement last week of a proposed rule that would allow immigration officials to reject asylum seekers who have a criminal record that poses a threat to national security or public safety and quickly remove them. As the White House deals with the largest number of migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border in 20 years, the Biden administration has faced continued intense criticism about its immigration policies from GOP lawmakers and the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Donald J. Trump. The post Biden administration seeks to speed some asylum cases with new immigration docket appeared first on Michigan Advance. Researchers have spotted the Yangtze sturgeon, an endangered species under first-class national protection, in a tributary of Yangtze River in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality while carrying out a fish stock monitoring. Measuring 183 km in length, Modaoxi is a major tributary of the Yangtze River. This is the first sighting of the Yangtze River sturgeon in the Yunyang County section of the river in six years, highlighting the positive impact of a comprehensive fishing ban in the area. Zhu Qiguang, from the Institute of Hydroecology, under the administration of both the Ministry of Water Resources and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, reported that they have also observed some fish species under second-class national protection. "Judging from the monitoring results, the frequency of rare protected species has increased significantly compared to previous years," he said. Nearly 150 species of fish inhabit the county, and the recovery trend of local aquatic biodiversity is positive, with a significant increase in the number of key protected aquatic wild animals, according to the monitoring results. To restore the biodiversity along the Yangtze River, China implemented a complete fishing ban in 332 conservation areas of the Yangtze River basin in January 2020. The move has since been expanded to a 10-year moratorium along the river's main streams and major tributaries, effective Jan. 1, 2021. SYDNEY, May 19 (Xinhua) - A police officer from the Australia's New South Wales (NSW) police force was injured in a stabbing incident in the city center of Sydney on Sunday afternoon. The NSW police said on social media that the officer was treated for non-life-threatening head injuries before he was taken to hospital. A man, aged 33, has been arrested and taken to hospital for assessment, said the police. The police said there is no ongoing threat to the public. Morehouse College valedictorian DeAngelo Fletcher called for a cease-fire in Gaza during his commencement speech on Sunday, receiving applause from both fellow students and guest President Joe Biden as his administration continues to face pushback from college students across the U.S. over his support for Israel. Biden sat behind the valedictorian during the ceremony at the historically Black college in Atlanta, where Fletcher spoke about the conflict between Israel and Hamas and the devastation its wrought. Fletcher, who had the Palestinian flag pinned to his stole and another symbol of solidarity decorating his cap, said, The Israel-Gaza conflict has plagued its people for generations, noting how both sides have suffered heavy casualties following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. From the comforts of our homes, we watch an unprecedented number of civilians mourn the loss of men, women and children while calling for the release of all hostages, he continued. For the first time in our lives, weve heard the global community sing one harmonious song that transcends language and culture. It is my stance as a Morehouse man, nay as a human being, to call for an immediate and permanent cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, he declared to applause, with even Biden seen clapping behind him. Biden shakes hands with Fletcher during Morehouse's graduation ceremony in Atlanta on May 19, 2024. Fletcher called for a cease-fire in Gaza during his commencement speech. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS via Getty Images Hear the people of this world. Sing the song of righteous justice, the graduate concluded. After Fletcher turned away from the lectern, he hugged Morehouse President David Thomas before exchanging a handshake and several words with Biden. During his own speech at the ceremony, Biden addressed the waves of student protests on university campuses throughout the country, saying he supports peaceful, nonviolent action. Whats happening in Gaza and Israel is heartbreaking, he added, saying that his administration has called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. Last week in Washington, D.C., it was reported that members of the Biden administration told key lawmakers they plan to send more than $1 billion in additional arms and ammunition to Israel. As Biden addressed graduates, their friends, families and educators, some students turned their backs toward him, and at least one held up a Palestinian flag, according to Axios. Others in the audience, however, chanted the words four more years as he took the stage. Watch Fletchers remarks here: It is my stance, as a Morehouse Man nay, as a human being to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. - DeAngelo Fletcher, valedictorian of Morehouses class of 2024 Peep the Palestinian flag atop his graduation cap. https://t.co/wZ7ypqwOVhpic.twitter.com/4HLfvQEDXm Big Mike from The Wood. (@oluwaburnerboy) May 19, 2024 Related... President Biden decried the humanitarian crisis in Gaza in his commencement address at Morehouse College on Sunday, which marked his first appearance on a college campus since student protests erupted nationwide over the Israel-Hamas war. Whats happening in Gaza and Israel is heartbreaking. Hamass vicious attack on Israel, killing innocent lives and holding people hostage innocent Palestinians caught in the middle of all this, Biden told the crowd of graduates at the historically Black, all-male college in Atlanta. Its a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Thats why Ive called for an immediate cease-fire, an immediate cease-fire to stop the fighting. Bring the hostages home, Biden said, prompting applause. The president took the Sunday stage to applause and some cheers after concerns had swirled ahead of time that the event could see protests similar to recent campus demonstrations over the administrations handling of the Israel-Hamas war. Bidens announcement as the Morehouse commencement speaker had drawn backlash from some students over worries that the remarks would resemble a campaign speech. The event was seen as a key opportunity for Biden to engage with young voters and Black voters two critical blocs that some polling suggests may be souring on the Democratic party as Biden runs for reelection this November. Some graduates and faculty sported keffiyeh scarves along with their graduation garments and Biden applauded after the class valedictorian, DeAngelo Jeremiah Fletcher, called for the release of hostages and an immediate and permanent cease-fire in the conflict. One graduate appeared to stand with his back turned to the president and his right first raised. I support peaceful, nonviolent protest. Your voices should be heard. And I promise you, I hear them, Biden said during the speech. The president said hes been working around the clock to get more aid into Gaza and for a two-state solution, more than just one cease-fire. The question is What after? What after Hamas? What happens then? What happens in Gaza? What rights do the Palestinian people have? Biden said. The president has previously pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toward a cease-fire deal. Jake Sullivan, White House national security adviser, traveled to Saudi Arabia on Saturday and is in Israel on Sunday, where hell meet with Netanyahu amid the rising tensions. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Biden appeals to Black voters and says hes working toward an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during Morehouse commencement President Joe Biden touted his administrations efforts to place Black Americans into the highest echelons of political power during a Sunday commencement address at Morehouse College, while also acknowledging the anguish simmering among young people across the US over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The president, speaking to graduates at a preeminent college for Black men, delivered a forceful call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza paired with the release of Israeli hostages while urging a long-term political solution to the crisis. Whats happening in Gaza and Israel is heartbreaking: Hamas vicious attack on Israel, killing innocent lives and holding people hostage; innocent Palestinians caught in the middle of all this men, women and children killed or displaced and in desperate need of water, food and medicine, the president said. Biden faced a delicate balancing act ahead of his speech at Morehouse, where some students and faculty members opposed the presidents presence on campus because of his stalwart support for Israels campaign against Hamas. The White House worked for weeks to quell concerns, and it hoped the address would give Biden an opportunity to better connect with young Black men, a group that has been increasingly moving away from the president, according to recent polls. Biden and his campaign know the support of Black Americans will be critical for his chances of returning to the White House especially in battlegrounds such as Georgia, where the president delivered Morehouses commencement, and Michigan, where he cast former President Donald Trump as unhinged during remarks at an NAACP dinner later Sunday. Prior to Bidens commencement address, the schools valedictorian in his speech invoked the name of one of its most famous alumni, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., to call for an end to the violence in Gaza. DeAngelo Fletcher said it was his stance as a Morehouse Man nay, as a human being to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. And as Biden began speaking, some graduates took part in a silent protest; one unfurled a Palestinian flag, while a handful of others turned their backs to the president. But Biden delivered his speech without any noticeable interruptions. Biden acknowledged young Americans frustrations about the crisis in the Middle East and said the issue hits close to home. Its one of the hardest, most complicated problems in the world, and theres nothing easy about it I know it angers and frustrates many of you, including my family, Biden said. CNN has previously reported first lady Jill Biden has privately expressed concern over the humanitarian toll in Gaza. He added: I know it breaks your heart. It breaks mine as well. Democratic presidential candidates have enjoyed the support of Black Americans since the Civil Rights Movement, and Bidens history with the community runs deep. But polling has shown an erosion in support for the president from Black voters dissatisfied with his handling of the economy and his support for Israel. Spending much of his speech focused on democracy, Biden said there has been a recent national effort to obfuscate Americas historical wrongs against its Black citizens. I never thought Id be a president at a time when theres a national effort to ban books, Biden said. Not to write history, but to erase history. They dont see you in the future of America. But theyre wrong. To me, we make history, not erase it. We know Black history is American history. Extremist forces, Biden told the group of male graduates, peddle falsehoods about what masculinity is about. Their idea of being a man is toxic. I ran into them all the time when I was younger. But thats not you, thats not us. You all know and demonstrate what it really means to be a man, he said. Trumpeting his support for the nations historically Black colleges and universities, Biden said he had no doubt a Morehouse man will be president one day just after an AKA from Howard. The remark seemed to demonstrate Bidens hopes for the political future of Vice President Kamala Harris, a member of the historically Black Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority who graduated from the Washington, DC, HBCU. Over the last several months, Biden has largely shied away from addressing large crowds of young people on college campuses, a change that came shortly after his January remarks on abortion rights at Virginias George Mason University were interrupted more than a dozen times by protesters outraged at his continued support for Israel in its war in Gaza. Since then, and as the death toll in Gaza of civilians, aid workers and journalists has continued to rise, that anger has only spread. More than 1,360 student demonstrations have taken place on campuses across the country from October 7 to May 3, according to data compiled by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project. The overwhelming majority of those demonstrations 97% have been peaceful, though isolated cases of property destruction and violence have gained widespread attention. Those instances reached a crescendo in late April and early May, when students at Columbia University overtook some university buildings, an encampment at the University of Texas in Austin was forcefully dispersed by police, and counterprotesters at UCLA launched an hourslong attack on a pro-Palestinian encampment. Those cases of campus turmoil prompted Biden, in brief remarks from the White House earlier this month, to denounce some of the actions of campus protesters. I understand people have strong feelings of deep convictions, Biden said at the time. In America, we respect the right and protect the right for them to express that. But it doesnt mean anything goes. While dissent is essential to democracy, Biden said in those remarks, it must never lead to disorder, or to denying the rights of others. Bidens Morehouse commencement was the latest in a series of efforts undertaken by the president in recent days to both acknowledge the nations historic racial shortcomings while simultaneously addressing its next generation of Black leaders. Speaking at the NAACP dinner in Detroit on Sunday evening, Biden sought to send a warning about his opponent, saying the presumptive GOP nominee poses a bigger threat in a second term than a first. Its clear when he lost, something snapped in him, the president said of Trump, reiterating remarks he has previously made off-camera at campaign fundraisers. Noting that the former president has vowed to pardon January 6, 2021, rioters, Biden questioned how Trump would have responded if many of those storming the US Capitol were Black: Let me ask you: What do you think he would have done on January 6 if Black Americans had stormed the Capitol? No, Im serious. What do you think? I can only imagine. Last week, the president met with the plaintiffs of the historic Brown v. Board of Education case that overturned racial segregation in schools 70 years ago. During that Thursday meeting, some of the plaintiffs relatives urged him to make the cases anniversary a national holiday. On Friday, Biden delivered remarks at the National Museum of African American History and Culture and spoke with members of the Divine Nine, a group of historic Black fraternities and sororities. Bidens stop at Morehouse is the second time he visited the college during his presidency. In 2022, both Biden and Harris delivered a speech on voting rights at the college. This story and headline have been updated with additional information Sunday. CNNs Kevin Liptak and Betsy Klein contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Recorded earlier President Biden is delivering the commencement address at Morehouse College on Sunday, setting foot on a college campus for the first time since universities around the country became hotbeds for protests over the Israel-Hamas war. The White House last hinted that Biden would reference the concerns of students and faculty at the male-only, historically Black college over his approach to the war. Bidens remarks are scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. EDT Watch the video above. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. ATLANTA President Joe Biden decried the humanitarian crisis in Gaza while delivering a commencement address at Morehouse College on Sunday that featured mild applause but no interruption. Speaking before the historic Black, all male college, the president addressed head on the Israel-Hamas war that is causing campus strife across the country. He told graduates and alumni that he was pushing for an immediate ceasefire to stop the fighting" and "bring the hostages home. He called for a two state solution and deplored the violence on Oct. 7. I support peaceful nonviolent protests. Your voices should be heard and I promise you I will hear them, he added, noting that his own family members were angry and frustrated over the situation too. Biden has grown accustomed to being confronted by protesters criticizing his support of Israel. But there was intense anticipation for the speech at Morehouse, as it was the first time he ventured onto a college campus which have become the epicenter of pro-Paletinian protests and the site of tense, occasionally violent confrontations. The day featured its moments of political expression. DeAngelo Jeremiah Fletcher, the class valedictorian, used part of his speech to call for a permanent ceasefire, earning a standing applause from parts of the crowd. Biden himself clapped. A select number of students turned their back on the president. Some walked out when Biden was presented with an honorary degree. Many kept their heads down as he spoke and declined to stand or applaud. But there were no fireworks or even memorable disruptions, allaying fears from Democrats that the ceremony would have produced a politically embarrassing scene. The president, wearing a Morehouse-maroon graduation gown and tie, dedicated much of his speech to talking about the threats to democracy and the challenges that Black men in America face. He spoke of the poison of white supremacy and the need to root out systemic racism. He talked about investing in black communities, reducing Black child poverty, removing lead pipes, connecting communities torn apart by racist infrastructure projects and even expanding access to high speed internet. His nod towards pushing for student debt relief got the biggest applause. But perhaps the main thrust of the speech was autobiographical. Biden ticked through his own story, from his home states tortured history on civil rights to his early career interest in the movement. He talked about the bust he keeps of Martin Luther King Jr. in the Oval Office. He spoke of his son Beau Bidens death and how it inspired him to keep involved in public service. And he brandished his credentials: his service as the vice president to the first Black president, his appointment of the first Black vice president and his nomination of the first female Black Supreme Court Justice. Ive got more Morehouse men in the White House telling me what to do than I know what to do with, Biden joked. I have no doubt that a Morehouse man will be president one day, he later added, before nodding to his VP, Kamala Harris, a Howard alumna. Just after an AKA from Howard Shes tough, guys. The crowd, having sat there relatively staid, gave him a rare laugh. The speech was a difficult threading of the needle for Biden, whose team had been paying close attention to the slate of pro-Palestinian protests across the country. Those protests have been more muted at historically Black colleges and universities compared to other schools. But the administration still took steps in the lead up to Sunday to avoid public embarrassment. A White House official said that Biden has touched on current events in past commencement addresses and that it made sense for him to talk about Gaza on Sunday. Ahead of the speech, the official said that the White House solicited input from a wide range of people, including Morehouse alumni. When Harris was in Atlanta recently, she paused to ask the Morehouse student government president about campus reaction to Bidens visit. Steve Benjamin, director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, was dispatched to Morehouse earlier this month to meet with students and faculty. And when Biden touched down in Atlanta on Saturday, a group of prominent Morehouse alumni were waiting on the tarmac to welcome him. He spent the afternoon meeting with Morehouse students and alumni at Mary Macs Tea Room in downtown Atlanta, a local Southern eatery also owned by a Morehouse graduate. Bidens Morehouse address comes as polls show his support softening among Black voters. Some prominent Black Democrats close to the White House had hoped that the president could use the Morehouse speech as a moment to recommit to engaging with Black voters, who were critical in delivering Biden the White House in 2020. As president, Biden has emphasized the importance of HBCUs. His administration has invested more than $16 billion in HBCUs, which the White House says is the most by any administration. But Bidens standing among young voters has also been deeply impacted by a variety of issues. Some of it has related to his handling of the Israel-Hamas war, where he has been largely supportive of the Israeli government until recently warning against a full-scale invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah. But much of the anger and antipathy young voters have towards the president is due to issues like inflation, according to public opinion polls. Speaking about the conflict in the Middle East, Biden offered his reflections on leadership to the graduating class. Leadership, he said, was sometimes about doing whats right even when its hard and lonely and fighting through some of the most intractable problems. President Joe Bidens commencement speech at Morehouse College on Sunday went off mostly without a hitch, though a handful of students and faculty turned their backs on him as he spoke while some walked out altogethera muted response for a modern president as pro-Palestinian sentiments continue to roil higher education. Bidens speech at the historically Black mens college touched on many of his campaigns pillars, including his economic wins and his calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, while acknowledging policies that have boosted Black Americans. The speech was Bidens first direct interaction with college students after a month of protests across U.S. college campuses, including Columbia, the University of California-Los Angeles, and the University of Florida. Students Walk Out on Jerry Seinfelds Duke Commencement Speech Biden was greeted with a standing ovation from multiple Morehouse alums as he took the stage, according to a video posted on social media, though students largely remained seated. About six students turned their backs towards Biden as he spoke, according to NBC News, in a continuation of various protests at commencements nationwide over the war. Biden did not acknowledge the action, though he noted what was happening in the Middle East was heartbreaking and reiterated his support for a ceasefire, increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, and a two-state solution. I know it angers and frustrates many of you, including my family, Biden said. But most of all I know it breaks your heart, breaks mine as well. Leadership is about fighting through the most intractable problems. Its about challenging anger, frustration and heartbreak to find a solution. Its about doing what you believe is right, even when its hard and lonely. Some graduates also walked out as Biden was awarded an honorary degree, according to The New York Times. Morehouse President David Thomas commended the president for a thought-provoking speech that outlined Bidens visions for the future. You spoke to the hard issues confronting our nation and the world at this moment, Thomas said. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Recorded earlier President Biden will set foot on a college campus Sunday for the first time since universities around the country became hotbeds for protests over the Israel-Hamas war. Biden is delivering a commencement speech at Morehouse College, an historically Black college in Atlanta, a move that roiled students and faculty of the school, whose president said he would end the ceremony before letting police intervene to stop any potentially disruptive behavior. The speech will see several issues plaguing Biden converge: the uproar over his unpopular foreign policy on Israel among Democrats coupled with his struggles to retain young and Black voters, who will be key to his reelection. And all while in a battleground state he narrowly won in 2020. The president giving the commencement speech at Morehouse, before the preeminent Black male college in the country, is a nod to the fact that Black men and young voters are really looking at not voting this election and he realizes, and the campaign realizes that he has to do something to try to bring them back, bring us back into the fold, said Georgia-based Democratic strategist Fred Hicks. Some strategists are skeptical that the crowd at Morehouse might break out into protests on Sunday, but Hicks said he wouldnt be surprised if there were demonstrations or heckling around the graduation, if not during. Its fraught with risk, Hicks said of Bidens appearance, arguing that any protests would also open up the potential for the presidents positive messaging to be drowned out. Many Black Americans, though, have expressed solidarity with the Palestinian cause as the conflict in the Middle East rages on. A March survey from the Carnegie Endowment for Peace found nearly 7 in 10 Black Americans would have liked the U.S. to call for an immediate cease-fire and while 42 percent of Black respondents said they didnt feel connected to either Israelis or Palestinians, 45 percent said they felt connected to Palestinians over Israelis. The Biden administration, while remaining confident that issues during the commencement speech likely wont arise, has attempted to get ahead of any potential problems. Steve Benjamin, head of the administrations Office of Public Engagement, met with students and faculty at Morehouse College earlier this month. Students during the meeting expressed concern that the president could overshadow the graduation, NBC News reported, and that his address could come off as a campaign speech amid the recent campus controversy across the country. Benjamin told reporters Thursday that he talked about everything with the Morehouse students, and that the common thread was they wanted to make sure we were centering the young people. People have different thoughts about what they might want to hear, Benjamin said. We listened very closely. We received those messages and we shared those with the president and his speech-writing team. Benjamin said hes not concerned about Bidens address overshadowing the commencement. Im sure the president will have a chance to engage with faculty, staff and students while hes there, and I know that he looks forward to it, he said. Morehouse President David Thomas, though, told CNN that the school wont allow disruptive behavior that prevents the ceremony or services from proceeding in a manner that those in attendance can partake and enjoy, and he said hed halt ceremonies on the spot rather than let police intervene and take people out of the event in zip ties. But Thomas also told The Associated Press that in many ways, these are the moments Morehouse was born for. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden viewed his speech as a pivotal moment for graduates who entered college amid the coronavirus pandemic and are now graduating under the cloud of protests. We understand how deeply personal this moment is for many Americans across the country. Weve been very clear about that, Jean-Pierre told reporters. In speaking at Morehouse, Biden will come face-to-face with a voting bloc he needs if hes to have any chance at winning the White House again. A New York Times poll published earlier in the week found Biden leading former President Trump among Black voters, 63 percent to 23 percent, a significant decrease from the 87 percent of Black voters who voted for Biden in 2020. The poll also found Trump and Biden are only narrowly separated among voters aged 18-29, a group Biden won by double digits in 2020. The campaign has been making a concerted effort to reach both critical blocs. And in Georgia, a state Biden flipped to blue in 2020 for the first time in decades, polling averages from Decision Desk HQ/The Hill indicate Trump is up there by 6 points, six months out from Election Day. Bidens speech comes just as a range of college campuses from Columbia University to the University of California, Los Angeles took center stage this spring in demonstrating against the conflict in Gaza, with some demanding their universities divest from entities that support Israels military. Protests have also centered on the tens of thousands of Palestinians who have been killed in Gaza since October, when Israel launched its offensive after that months deadly terrorist attacks by Hamas, who killed roughly 1,000 Israelis. Biden has said demonstrators have a right to protest peacefully, but he has condemned more extreme aspects of the protests, speaking out against vandalism, taking over buildings and canceling commencement ceremonies, which was the case at Columbia University. Strategists said Biden will have to find the right balance between striking a celebratory tone for the graduates and acknowledging the fraught political moment. Hes got to address the tone of the country in general, and that theres an underlying frustration, an unfinished business, Hopkins said, when it comes to addressing civil rights in this country and frankly, around the world. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. GAZA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 35,456, Gaza health authorities said in a press statement on Sunday. It said that during the past 24 hours, the Israeli army killed 70 Palestinians and wounded 110 others, bringing the total death toll to 35,456 and injuries to 79,476 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in October 2023. The statement noted that some victims remained under the rubble amid heavy bombardment and a lack of rescue crews. 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 around 250 were taken hostage. It was, in the end, an artful compromise. Joe Biden got to speak uninterrupted and renew his pitch to Black voters. Protesters got to make their point by wearing keffiyehs or raising a fist. Even the skies were merciful, hinting at but never quite unleashing rain. And through it all, Sundays 140th commencement at Morehouse College, a historically Black mens college in Atlanta, preserved not only its dignity but a sense of joy. Music played, parents wept and graduates who had weathered a global pandemic could savour their big day without being upstaged. Thank you God for this woke class of 2024 that is in tune with the zeitgeist, the spirit of the times, the Rev Claybon Lea Jr said during a prayer at the start of the commencement, held on a lawn on the colleges century campus, surrounded by trees and red-brick academic buildings. The urgency of the daily news agenda will the US president be heckled over Gaza? collided here with storied traditions dating back a century and half. Accompanied by organ music, the 2024 graduating class processed in black mortar boards with gold or black sashes. Most wore Kente stoles with the Morehouse seal. Related: Biden vows to fight poison of white supremacy at Morehouse speech Morehouse alumni followed, many wearing maroon jackets and straw hats with maroon bands. Some went all the way back to 1954. The alumni seemed more enthusiastic about standing to applaud Biden than the fresh wave of graduates. They took their seats and looked at a stage that had been erected with a black awning with a maroon backdrop that said Morehouse in giant letters. Two big screens were showing the event, including closeups of graduates who smiled, waved or made goofy faces. The programme began with the solemn ringing of a bell, an evocation and the Army Color Guard Corps performing the presentation of colours. The Morehouse College Glee Club performed the The Star-Spangled Banner and Lift Every Voice and Sing the swelling chorus resonant, resilient and transcending concerns of the moment. The emotion of the day was evident in David Thomas, president of Morehouse College, who choked up a few times. He paid tribute to students who got through the pandemic with perseverance: You have demonstrated unparalleled fortitude in the face of adversity. When Biden took the stage, wearing a maroon gown with three black stripes on the arms and maroon tie, there was polite applause, though it could hardly be described as fierce. There had been much hype around his Morehouse commencement address and whether, in light of unrest on other campuses around the country, it would be disrupted by protests over his handling of the war in Gaza. Some staff and students had called for Bidens invitation to be rescinded over his support for Israel and their discomfort with an address during election campaign season. But not for the first time, Biden benefited from low expectations and will count the relatively modest dissent as a win. Outside the college, a lone protester brandished a handwritten Genocide Joe sign, watched closely by a police officer. Inside, a small number of graduates wore keffiyehs the black-and-white head scarf which has become an emblem of solidarity with the Palestinian cause around their shoulders on top of their black graduation robes. In his evocation, Lea cited a Palestinian Jew named Jesus, and said all children matter, from Israelis to Palestinians and beyond. DeAngelo Jeremiah Fletcher, the class valedictorian, wore a small Palestinian flag pin and decorated his mortarboard with another Palestinian emblem. First he spoke movingly of the dehumanisation that African Americans have long endured and said Morehouse has instilled pride in our combined identities as Black and human. He turned to global politics and referenced the Morehouse graduate Martin Luther King, whose civil rights activism overlapped with opposition to the Vietnam war. Fletcher said: From the comfort of our homes, we watch an unprecedented number of civilians mourn the loss of men, women and children, while calling for the release of all hostages. Biden was staring ahead. Fletcher added: It is my stance as a Morehouse man, nay as a human being, to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Biden joined the applause and shook Fletchers hand. When it was Bidens turn to speak, some students turned their chairs around to turn their backs to him and one graduate appeared to briefly hold aloft a Palestinian flag. A lone figure at the back, wearing a mortar and blue gown, remained still with her back turned to Biden and her right fist raised throughout the entire address. It was perhaps a more powerful statement than any number of disruptions or sign waving. Biden, who has lavished attention on historically Black colleges and universities, sought to assure his audience: I support peaceful nonviolent protests. Your voices should be heard, and I promise you I hear them. He described the war in Gaza as heartbreaking and acknowledged: Innocent Palestinians are caught in the middle of this Its a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Thats why Ive called for an immediate ceasefire. I know it angers and frustrates many of you, including my family. Opinion polls suggest that some African American men in Georgia, a crucial swing state, are tilting away from Biden towards his election opponent Donald Trump. But it was hard to imagine the former president coming to speak here, getting the same kind of reception or speaking out against extremist forces, as Biden went on to do. An honorary doctorate was bestowed on Biden, who wore a mischievous expression, then smiled and laughed and pointed at someone in the audience. He joked: Im not going home! And for the first time that morning, the audience began chanting. Not Genocide Joe but Four more years! Biden reaches out to Morehouse grads on Gaza, warns of risk to democracy By Trevor Hunnicutt ATLANTA (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden urged Morehouse College graduates not to give up on democracy in a somber commencement address on Sunday, acknowledging their anger over the war in Gaza while warning about risk to American freedoms. The speech, which would typically be a low-profile event, drew scrutiny as college campuses nationwide erupted in sometimes-violent protests over Biden's support for Israel's war against Hamas following the militant group's Oct. 7 attack. But the campus of the historically Black men's college remained calm, with only small and silent shows of protest. Biden said he shared graduates' concerns over the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and was continuing to push for a deal to pause the conflict in exchange for the release of hostages. He said leadership can be "hard and lonely" and said frustration and anger about the conflict permeated his own family. "This is one of the hardest, most complicated problems in the world. I know it angers and frustrates many of you," he told the crowd. "It's a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, that's why I've called for an immediate ceasefire," Biden said to applause. A generational divide was apparent at the decorous commencement, as older alumni at times stood and cheered the president while current graduates sat in silence or offered polite applause. Some students wore keffiyehs - the black-and-white head scarf that has become an emblem of solidarity with the Palestinian cause - around their gowns. A handful of students turned their backs to Biden in silent protest. Morehouse's valedictorian also called for a permanent and immediate ceasefire, garnering Biden's applause. Biden used the address, an election-year platform ahead of the Nov. 5 contest against Republican candidate Donald Trump, to highlight his support for Black Americans and his push against racism and division that he says threatens the nation's foundation. "It's natural to wonder: Does the democracy you hear about actually work for you?" he said. Even so, he added, Americans must continue "to call out the poison of white supremacy, root out systemic racism. Democracy is still the way." Biden is selling his vision to jaded voters who back his policies but are not sold on the 81-year-old candidate himself, including younger Black men, as he faces a rematch against former president Trump, who has used increasingly authoritarian language and already stoked doubts about the election's legitimacy. Biden challenged graduates to build on their historic education to lead and fight for freedom at home. Morehouse was founded in 1867 to educate Black people newly liberated from slavery. Alumni include the civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. Without citing Trump by name, Biden invoked the Jan. 6, 2021, attack by Trump supporters, some carrying Civil War-era Confederate flags, as well as attacks on Black election workers, attempts to restrict voting and extremists' rhetoric toward immigrants. Later on Sunday while speaking at the Detroit NAACP's Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner in the competitive state of Michigan, Biden mentioned Trump when he spoke about the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. "What do you think he would have done on January 6 if Black Americans had stormed the Capitol? No I'm serious. What do you think? I can only imagine," Biden said. A Reuters/Ipsos poll this month showed Biden and Trump nearly tied for voters under 40, a group Biden carried by double-digit percentage points in 2020. A Washington Post/Ipsos poll last month found just 62% of Black voters say they are absolutely certain to vote, down from 74% roughly four years ago. Nine in 10 Black voters supported Biden in 2020, surveys found. Sunday's speech comes amid of a flurry of Biden actions and engagements focused on African American issues. Biden noted the billions in funding his administration has granted historically Black colleges and universities, praising them as tools of enhanced economic mobility. Trump has vowed to fight an "anti-white feeling" in the U.S. while also pitching himself to Black voters. "There has been no president since Abraham Lincoln that's done more for the Black individual in this country than Donald J. Trump," he said at an event on Saturday, citing the Civil War-era president who abolished slavery. It was not the first time that Trump compared himself to Lincoln. In the second debate between Trump and Biden in 2020, Trump said, "With the exception of Abraham Lincoln, possible exception ... nobody's done what I've done" for Black Americans. CAMPUS MOOD Morehouse sits on a leafy campus near downtown Atlanta, the biggest city in Georgia, one of the most competitive battleground states in the 2024 race. In 2020, Biden became the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry Georgia since Bill Clinton in 1992. Many Black men consulted in Democratic focus groups report being underwhelmed by their economic prospects and progress on issues from student loans to criminal justice reform after delivering the Democratic party control of the two houses of Congress and the White House in 2020. Democrats lost control of the House of Representatives in 2022 midterm elections. Some Black students have drawn parallels between the experience of stateless Palestinians, apartheid South Africa and the Jim Crow South, which motivated earlier generations of protest. Israeli and U.S. officials reject those comparisons. But Morehouse and other historically Black colleges and universities have not been as convulsed by protests like those at Columbia University and the University of Southern California. Many of Biden's top aides regard the protests as not reflective of the majority view of voters. In a statement after the ceremony, Morehouse said peaceful protests were part of its social justice tradition. Calvin Bell III said fellow graduates demonstrated a range of reactions and that he periodically put his own head down when he disagreed with some of the president's statements. "I appreciated at least that he said that he wants a ceasefire," Bell told Reuters. "The speech missed at times. ... However, I'm glad that we still got to listen because this has major implications come November." Biden, who speaks next week to graduates at the United States Military Academy, has maintained longstanding U.S. arms support for Israel despite the mounting death toll of its campaign in Gaza. But he has threatened to cut off aid if Israel pursues its offensive in Rafah, where many civilians are taking refuge. (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Additional reporting by Nandita Bose and Alyssa Pointer; Writig by Susan Heavey; editing by Deepa Babington, Heather Timmons, Leslie Adler and David Gregorio) President Biden during a campaign reception in Atlanta urged his supporters to stand up against former President Trump, as the two party front-runners head toward a rematch in November. Biden in remarks Saturday at Mary Macs Tea Room, argued that Trump is only running for revenge. Folks, Trump isnt running to lead America. Hes running for revenge, Biden said Saturday, according to pool notes. And look, revenge is no way to lead a country. Biden, who traveled to Atlanta to give the commencement address at Morehouse College Sunday, courted Georgia voters in the states capital city on Saturday, warning that unhinged Trump is a threat to democracy. He also praised The Peach State electorate for being the reason behind his 2020 election win. The president, who won the state by a razor-thin margin in 2020, showered praise on the states voters and projected that with their help, he would secure the battleground state once again in November. Tell people that if you doubt the power of the vote, come visit Georgia, Biden added, per the pool. What youve all done is incredible. Youre the reason not a joke Georgia is the reason Im president of the United States. Recent polls, however, have shown the president trailing Trump in Georgia, a state crucial for his reelection effort. A recent survey from The New York Times brought more headaches to the Biden campaign as it showed him falling behind the former president by 10 points in the state the second-highest margin out of the battleground states polled, behind Nevadas 12-point gap. We feel good about the state of the race, Biden said, despite the numbers. Theres a lot to do. We know were far from over. But we know the race is close. Polls vary from moving up to down to tied but its hard to make any poll rational these days. He reiterated the importance of the upcoming election, stating that Trump cannot be back in the Oval Office again and that freedoms are on the line. We cannot let this man become president, Biden said. Our childrens future is at stake. Not a joke. If youll allow me to make the case We have to win this race, not for me but for America. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Joe Biden made an impassioned plea for the backing of African-American voters on Sunday, hailing his achievements for the Black communities whose support helped him win in 2020. The US Presidents commencement speech at Morehouse College in Georgia, where alumni include Martin Luther King, came against the backdrop of a wave of campus protests over the war in Gaza. It also came with polls showing a decline in support from African-Americans that Democrat strategists fear could deal a fatal blow to Mr Bidens hopes of re-election in November. A New York Times/Sienna College poll last week predicted Donald Trump would win the support of 20 per cent of Black voters in November, roughly double what he achieved in 2020. Mr Biden said his administration had delivered to African Americans. He said: Weve connected Black neighbourhoods cut off by the highway with decades of disinvestment. Weve delivered cheques in pockets to reduce Black child poverty to the lowest rate in history. A handful of graduands turned their backs on Mr Biden in protest at his handling of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza - Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP Mr Biden also said his administration had delivered clean water a reference to the pollution scandal in the largely Black area of Flint, Michigan. He added: Weve delivered affordable housing and high-speed internet so no child has to sit in a friends car and do their homework on a parking lot outside of McDonalds. Today, record numbers of Black Americans have jobs, health insurance and more than ever. To applause, Mr Biden said he had appointed the first Black female judge to the Supreme Court. There had been fears that the speech would be disrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters. A march of around 100 demonstrators was stopped by police outside the campus. But apart from a handful of students turning their back on the president, he was heard in respectful silence, punctuated by occasional bursts of applause. Hoping to defuse the issue, Mr Biden told his audience: I want to say this very clearly. I support peaceful nonviolent protests. Your voices should be heard and I promise you I hear them. What was happening in Gaza was heartbreaking, he added, as he called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of the Israeli hostages and a two-state solution to settle the decades-long conflict. Meanwhile, Donald Trump pledged to roll back Joe Bidens gun control measures as he pitched for support from the National Rifle Association (NRA). Mr Trump addressing the National Rifle Association - Carlos Barria/Reuters Speaking at the NRAs annual meeting, he painted himself as an ally of gun owners and those who sell firearms. If the Biden regime gets four more years, they are coming for your guns, he told his audience in Dallas on Saturday. In my second term, we will roll back every Biden attack on the Second Amendment, he said to a delighted response. In all, President Biden has taken 21 executive actions to tackle gun violence since coming to office, including cracking down on ghost guns, homemade weapons without serial numbers which make them untraceable. Restrictions have also been placed on devices which can convert pistols into short-barrelled shotguns. Mr Bidens administration has also tightened up the regulations requiring safe gun storage and he is pushing Congress to step up requirements for background checks on purchasers. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 161 mass shootings so far this year, defined as incidents in which at least four people, excluding the shooter, have been shot. While in office, Mr Trumps administration banned bump stocks, devices which enabled rifles to fire hundreds of bullets a minute. He made the move after the deadliest mass shooting in US history, when 60 people were killed and at least 400 wounded in Las Vegas. Sixty-four-year-old Stephen Paddock used a bump stock to fire off a high-speed fusillade of bullets. 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. Protesters march outside Huntington Place on May 19, 2024, where President Joe Biden is expected to speak to a crowd gathered for the NAACP's 69th annual Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner. Ahead of President Joe Biden's campaign stop at the 69th annual Detroit Branch NAACP Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner, protesters gathered outside Huntington Place Sunday, advocating for the U.S. to divest from Israel. Were saying [Biden] does not get to campaign like business as usual," said Kate Stenvig, an organizer with advocacy group By Any Means Necessary. "The movement of young people that have been fighting for liberation is strong, growing and not stopping. We're here to make it clear that here in Detroit and in Michigan we stand with the people and their struggle. Protesters started off at Hart Plaza, numbering in the dozens and with many waving Palestinian flags and carrying signs. The group marched to Huntington Place to centralize two groups of protesters in the downtown area. They were quickly met by police officers and barriers were immediately enforced to ensure event guests could enter. At least one arrest was made. Protestors marched in a circle shouting, "Say it loud, say it clear, Biden we don't want you here." Other chants at the event included, "free, free Palestine" and "Biden, Biden you're a liar, we demand a cease-fire." Pro-Palestinian protesters gather in Detroit ahead of a campaign stop from President Joe Biden. Stenvig believes if the U.S. stopped funding Israel in the war, "The fight would not be over, but it would be a great victory and a first step for the Palestinian people.Earlier Sunday, in Dearborn, protesters in support of Palestinians and against President Joe Biden outside the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center. Waving Palestinian flags, they chanted Genocide Joe and From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. Some cars and trucks passing by on Michigan Avenue honked their horns in support. Dearborn police monitored the rally, which was peaceful with no arrests. The rally was organized by several Arab American groups in Dearborn. Organizers and attendees interviewed said they will not support Biden. The rally is an annual event held around the anniversary of the Nakba, or catastrophe, which is marked May 15 by Palestinians to remember being removed in 1948. Todays rally is called No votes for genocide, said Amer Zahr, a Dearborn attorney of Palestinian descent who helped organize the protest. This community will be the community who unseats Joe Biden. A president who has fostered an atmosphere of hate against our community, who has lied, and who has supported this genocide is going to be someone who is not going to get any votes from our community. Zahr said they learned Biden was coming to Detroit after the rally had been planned. Sufian Nabhan, executive director of the Islamic Center of Detroit, also said that he and others will not back Biden. In November we will not support Joe Biden, Nabhan said. Even if the result is going to be very bad for us by having Trump as president, we are insisting not to vote for Biden. Michigan is expected to be a closely-contested state and play a pivotal role in this year's presidential election. This visit from Biden marks his third time visiting Michigan this year with visits to Warren in February and Saginaw County in March. Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, has visited Saginaw County and Waterford Township. Jalen Williams is an intern at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Pro-Palestinian protestors greet President Joe Biden in Detroit Democrats must have known changing their party symbol from a docile donkey to a fierce Florida panther would evoke some condescending snickers from the confident conservative Republicans who have dominated state politics for the past quarter-century. A Florida panther will serve as the 2024 campaign mascot for the Florida Democratic Party The panther is, after all, on the endangered species list. Maybe the party thought a new emblem could change its luck, and the giant Burmese python was already taken. Florida panthers are making a comeback, they are resilient, and they dont back down from a fight, state Democratic Chairwoman Nikki Fried said at the partys annual gala. They embody our spirit as Democrats. Spirit is wonderful and Fried, a former agriculture commissioner whos the last Democrat to win a statewide race, had to give a fired-up pep talk to the donors and party activists at the gala. Like President Joe Biden, she optimistically predicted that Floridas 30 electoral votes are in play. And just as confidently, Gov. Ron DeSantis and state GOP chairman Evan Power scoffed at that notion. Much remains to be seen on both sides. If pro-Palestinian demonstrators at the Democratic National Convention this summer evoke memories of Chicago 1968, Biden will look ineffectual. And if Donald Trump continues to behave like Donald Trump, a lot of voters will be tired of his shtick. But whether the disillusioned or disgusted will switch their votes or just skip the top race on the ballot it probably wont be enough to move Florida to the blue column. New mascots dont win elections. Money, messaging and membership do, and the Democrats have a knack for falling short in all three categories. Lets start with membership. The National Wildlife Federation estimates a bit more than 200 Florida panthers are trying not to get hit by cars in our state. More Democrats lurk, many from Palm Beach County southward, but their number has been dwindling at a faster pace than the panther population in recent years. For generations, Democrats controlled all, or virtually all, statewide offices and both chambers of the Legislature. Winning Democratic primaries meant winning general elections, so most people registered that way. A rare Republican governor or U.S. senator like Claude Kirk in 1966, Ed Gurney in 1968 and Bob Martinez in 1986 could win only when Democrats couldnt reunite after divisive primaries. For many reasons, everything turned upside-down over the past 30 years, and the pace of change has accelerated in the last decade or so. By November, the Republican advantage in voter registration will probably top 1 million. The state also has a few million no-party voters who, if they turn out, can swing a lot of contests. Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried speaks to the media following a hearing held by the Florida Supreme Court on the proposed abortion amendment on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. Democrats are counting on severe new abortion restrictions, imposed by Republicans, to motivate women and younger voters to show up at the polls. But abortion is not a first-rank issue for many voters, compared to the economy and immigration. Messaging matters in any campaign, and here the parties play the same game in different leagues. Democrats straddle, trying to respect feelings of all factions of their party, while Republicans put their heads down like stampeding elephants and charge straight ahead. Democrats think no issue is so simple that it doesnt need six months of analysis by an ethnically diverse task force, while Republicans believe no topic is so complicated that Kristi Noem cant solve it with a gravel pit and a shotgun. Messaging depends on messengers and, again, Republicans have an advantage. Trump has carried the state twice, and Our befuddled octogenarian is not as creepy as your lecherous old goat doesnt seem like a winning slogan for Democrats. In the other top-of-ticket race, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott has won statewide three times however narrowly and expensively while Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell couldnt hold on to her Miami-area seat in the U.S. House. Then theres money, the mothers milk of all politics. Division of Elections records indicate the Republican Party of Florida raised a little more than $8 million in the last quarter of 2023 and first quarter of this year. The Florida Democratic Party collected a bit more than $1.5 million over the same six months. And thats not counting millions more spread around to various campaign committees and individual candidates. Whomping the same old mule hasnt worked for the Democrats. Maybe the new kitty cat can change their fortunes. Bill Cotterell Bill Cotterell is a retired Capitol reporter for United Press International and the Tallahassee Democrat. He writes a weekly column for The News Service of Florida and City & State Florida. He can be reached at wrcott43@aol.com. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Send letters to the editor (up to 200 words) or Your Turn columns (about 500 words) to letters@tallahassee.com. Please include your address for verification purposes only, and if you send a Your Turn, also include a photo and 1-2 line bio of yourself. You can also submit anonymous Zing!s at Tallahassee.com/Zing. Submissions are published on a space-available basis. All submissions may be edited for content, clarity and length, and may also be published by any part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Bill Cotterell: Will Dems be panther or kitty? Blackstone is Fresnos glorious street. It may not be pretty, but it has everything | Opinion Blackstone, Fresnos glorious street Thank you, Mr. Warszawski, for your walk and report on Blackstone Avenue. I love that street! It may not be pretty, but it has everything you need. You didnt mention the sewing machine and vacuum repair places; or the upholsterers, thrift stores, Mexican restaurants, etc. If a Fresnan needs something, I think they wont find it in River Park, but on Blackstone. May it live long and prosper! Nancy Schultz, Fresno No streetlights, lots of crime A while back, I submitted a letter to the editor alluding to all the times I and others have called the police to report a crime, only for our calls to go unanswered. Last Saturday, I saw firsthand that the situation hasnt improved; in fact, its gotten worse. My friend and her elderly mother own a small home in the Tower District, and several thieves took advantage of the fact that this city of half a million people effectively has no streetlights to attempt to steal one of their cars. They were scared off by a neighbor, but because the police didnt bother answering the call, the thieves simply returned a few hours later and tried again. Sadly, that wasnt the first time. My friend and her mother have already dealt with this repeatedly presumably from the same thieves. Somehow, again, theyll have to scrape together money they dont have to fix cars thatll probably only be vandalized or stolen shortly after. Ive said it before and Ill say it again: In a city where most of us effectively have no streetlights and no law enforcement, what are we paying for? Michael Meyerhofer, Fresno Valley Childrens has lot its focus We agree with Marek Warszawski regarding Valley Childrens Hospital. This nonprofit has lost focus on health care funding and prioritizes spending on naming rights at Fresno States stadium and over the top salaries for senior executives. All the fundraising by volunteers that includes The Fresno Bee gives the impression that Valley Childrens Hospital is the Central Valley version of St. Judes, and is sadly not the case. We appreciate Councilmembers (Miguel) Arias and (Garry) Bredefeld for their efforts to seek accountability in this serious matter. Through it all we must continue to support the doctors, nurses, staff and technicians for their lifesaving efforts. Our goals should always be to make Valley Childrens Hospital No. 1 in pediatric care. Thomas and Eileen Ruppert, Fresno Stop glorifying Hamas terrorists Im tired of anti-Israel protesters being called courageous and brave as in a recent Bee article. Theyre neither. Theyre shallow, bigoted cowards who hide behind scarves and masks while screaming hateful antisemitic language. Even worse are their apologists, adults who should know better. If those kids shouted hatred towards Blacks or gays, theyd be gone in an hour, but its all right to denigrate and harass Jews while glorifying Hamas. They must be so proud of a terrorist organization that rapes women, burns babies, uses children as human shields, and hospitals and schools as military centers. These kids want to make a difference, so heres how to do it: denounce the Oct. 7 massacre and demand that Hamas surrender. Otherwise, theyre actually pro-war and pro-death, encouraging Hamas to continue barbarities that violate every known international law. Hamas, not Israel, is responsible for the Palestinian deaths, but, sadly, it doesnt care; it wants more and the protesters either dont understand that or also dont care. Israel does, and wants to end it, and it should be ended, but on Israels terms. Any other way will simply lead to more death and destruction, encouraged by shirkers who never learned right from wrong. Larry Parmeter, Fresno An aerial drone photo taken on May 16, 2024 shows several Philippine ships gathering illegally and conducting activities irrelevant to legitimate fishing in the surrounding waters of Huangyan Dao. (CCG/Handout via Xinhua) 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. Relevant responsibilities and consequences shall be borne solely by the Philippines. BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Some Philippine politicians have been actively provoking China in issues related to the South China Sea regardless of continuous restraint and goodwill from China. In latest provocative moves, backed by some politicians, organized fishing vessels have attempted to trespass into the waters of Huangyan Dao. High-ranking officials such as the Philippine Senate president and the defense chief have also visited Zhongye Dao, which the Philippines illegally occupies. These provocations disregard China's goodwill and restraint. They are driven by unreasonable ambitions and are surely not to serve the Philippines' own long-term interests. Once again, Filipino fishermen, among the country's poorest groups, have been ruthlessly exploited to serve some politicians' agenda. As noted by Rod Kapunan, a columnist for Philippine newspaper Manila Standard, the latest provocation is "one of the most cynical displays of opportunistic exploitation of the Filipino poor by the U.S.-Filipino proxy clique for the propaganda purposes of the U.S." ASEAN and China are working for shared benefits regarding resources in the South China Sea. If the Philippines continues to disrupt regional peace and stability, it will miss out on this opportunity. Several Philippine ships gather illegally and conduct activities irrelevant to legitimate fishing in the surrounding waters of Huangyan Dao, May 16, 2024. The China Coast Guard (CCG) are intensifying monitoring and evidence collection concerning these ships. (CCG/Handout via Xinhua) China will continue to properly handle maritime issues with relevant parties through dialogue and consultation and jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. At the same time, China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests must not be violated, and China's determination to safeguard its lawful rights remains unwavering. At a regular press conference on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that 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. 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. Relevant responsibilities and consequences shall be borne solely by the Philippines. The recent tension in the South China Sea is not possible without U.S. meddling. Washington has clearly stepped up its game of making Manila a pawn in its scheme to contain China. As noted by Koh King Kee, president of the Center for New Inclusive Asia, the confrontational approach the Philippines takes in handling the South China Sea issue aligns with the U.S. strategy to contain China. The collusion between the United States and the Philippines, which threatens regional peace and stability, remains unpopular in the region. A recent list compiled by the Philippines of countries worldwide that publicly support its claims in the South China Sea does not include a single ASEAN country. Several Philippine ships gather illegally and conduct activities irrelevant to legitimate fishing in the surrounding waters of Huangyan Dao, May 16, 2024. (CCG/Handout via Xinhua) "Intervention by countries outside the region, like the U.S., will only aggravate the situation in the South China Sea," said Veronika Saraswati, senior researcher at Indonesia's leading think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies. By supporting the Philippines' provocative behaviors in the South China Sea, the United States and its allies are creating chaos, uncertainty and insecurity throughout the Asia-Pacific region, said Joseph Matthews, a senior professor at the BELTEI International University in Phnom Penh. Those Philippine politicians who are fanning dispute and distrust must realize that China would not compromise on issues regarding its core interest. By colluding with the United States, this will backfire on the Philippines' own interests and harm regional peace and stability. Rather than fostering a confrontational and provocative approach, the Philippines should prioritize diplomatic dialogue and regional cooperation to ensure lasting peace and mutual prosperity. Ignoring this path risks exacerbating disputes and eroding the trust necessary for regional harmony. Police are investigating an early morning shooting in which dozens of shots were fired, some of them striking homes and vehicles. According to a Caldwell Police Department news release, the shooting happened around 12:30 a.m. near a mobile home park on Ustick Road. Officials said about 25 shots were fired. While gunfire hit some vehicles and homes in the area, police said no one has been reported injured. The department urged anyone with information about the shooting to call 208-343-COPS or non-emergency dispatch at 208-454-7531. We will not tolerate this blatant act of violence in our city or anywhere in our great state, said Rex Ingram, Caldwell police chief, in the news release. Secretary of State Antony Blinken directed his top staff to crack down on leaks about diplomacy relating to the Israel-Hamas war, saying clearly that he was angry with the constant stream of press reports revealing sensitive information. Not only did classified materials make it into press reports, he chided State leadership earlier this month in a small team meeting, but also fresh proposals to broker a cease-fire and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. Those leaks made tricky negotiations even harder, he said, and eroded trust within the State Department that documents or details of closed-door conversations wouldnt find their way to a reporter. In the meeting, Blinken urged those who report directly to him to help plug the leaks, particularly those related to the conflict in Gaza, according to three State Department officials. One of the State officials, granted anonymity to detail yet another private discussion, said Blinkens message has since been sternly delivered throughout the department. Matthew Miller, the State Departments top spokesperson, didnt directly confirm the details of the discussion but said in a statement: The secretary has been clear that leaks about sensitive diplomatic discussions dont advance the interests of the United States and can make it difficult to engage in the sort of broad internal consultations that enrich the policymaking process. The secretarys warning signals an increasing unease within the Biden administration that a constant stream of leaks complicates the State Departments work, coming at a time when some officials have resigned in protest over Israel policy. It also underscores the intense frustrations gripping Bidens team as theyve hit walls getting hostages out of Gaza and increasing the amount of humanitarian aid for thousands of suffering Palestinians. And while no administration likes unsanctioned leaks, Blinken, a decades-long aide to President Joe Biden, fiercely guards his boss decision space. Senior State officials were particularly displeased to see some reports that lower-level aides believed Israel wasnt using U.S.-provided weapons in accordance with international law. Mandated by a new arms-transfer policy to report on such matters, the administration last week announced it was reasonable to assume that Israel wasnt complying with the law but didnt formally make that assessment. Besides Blinkens involvement in the cease-fire and hostage talks, both currently stalled amid Israels push into Rafah, hes also a key player in efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, as well as put the Palestinian people on a sustainable path to their own state. National security adviser Jake Sullivan was just in the region to continue those negotiations, namely a pact that would see the U.S. offer defensive support to Saudi Arabia in exchange for formalizing diplomatic ties with Israel. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a Sunday statement that Sullivan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed the nearly final version of draft strategic agreements and reviewed the work of the two sides on the Palestinian issue. But a major sticking point is that Israels far-right government is resistant to a Palestinian state, making any U.S.-Saudi deal harder to complete. Burnt vehicles can be seen at an independantist roadblock at La Tamoa. The capital of the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia was rocked by riots after France's National Assembly approved contentious voting reforms to the territory that angered independence supporters. Delphine Mayeur/AFP/dpa After days of serious unrest in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia, the situation appeared to be easing slightly on Sunday. Several hundred police officers cleared the road from the capital Noumea to the international airport of the archipelago in the South Pacific on Sunday, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced on the social media platform X. Independence supporters had set up over 70 roadblocks in New Caledonia in the past few days, for example with burnt-out car wrecks. Several grocery shops have also been able to reopen, according to Darmanin. However, the road is currently not passable as normal and it could be some time before the airport reopens. Schools will remain closed until next Friday, he added. Order will be restored "whatever the cost," French High Commissioner Louis Le Franc said at a press conference. "I would like to say to the rioters: Stop, return to calm, hand in your weapons." The previous night had already been calmer, he said. Six people have been killed so far in the riots on the island 1,500 kilometres east of Australia and over 200 people have been detained. The background to the protests by those in favour of independence for the archipelago is a planned constitutional reform by the government in Paris, which is intended to give thousands of citizens of French descent the right to vote and therefore more political influence. However, the Kanak population group in particular - New Caledonia's Indigenous inhabitants - have long hoped for their own state. The national council of the Kanaks accused Paris of pushing ahead with the controversial reform without taking into account the resistance of the vast majority of the Indigenous population. The former French colony had already gained extensive autonomy through the Noumea Agreement of 1998. Paris is currently trying to conclude a new agreement with the political forces in the geopolitically and militarily significant territory. Armored vehicles of the French gendarmerie block the roadway. The capital of the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia was rocked by riots after France's National Assembly approved contentious voting reforms to the territory that angered independence supporters. Delphine Mayeur/AFP/dpa A Kanak flag waves next to a burning vehicle at an independantist roadblock at La Tamoa. The capital of the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia was rocked by riots after France's National Assembly approved contentious voting reforms to the territory that angered independence supporters. Delphine Mayeur/AFP/dpa Boy, 14, dies and another critical after playing on rope swing by River Tyne A 14-year-old boy has died and a 13-year-old was left in a critical condition after they got into difficulties in the River Tyne while playing on a rope swing by the water. Locals claimed the older boy might have been trying to rescue the younger one after he fell into the water on Saturday afternoon. Emergency services were called to Ovingham in Northumberland just after 3.30pm amid reports that two boys had gone into the water. The 13-year-old was rescued from the river while the body of the older child was recovered later. It is believed the victims may have been part of a bigger group who had travelled from the west end of Newcastle, about 12 miles away, and had been playing on a rope swing over the water. Police officers and fire crews at the scene on Sunday cut down a rope next to the river bank while forensic officers examined the area. During the heatwave in 2022, a 13-year-old boy lost his life on the same stretch of river. The rope swing was on the banks of the river - Scott Heppell/North News One local woman said: I heard the first boy went into the river from the swing and he showed he was in trouble so the second one went in after him, which I believe is the one who died. There was a group of about eight teenage girls and boys so they must have travelled here together. Its very common to see kids travelling from the Newcastle area. They think its a calm spot to jump in the river but they dont realise the dangers. Its absolutely devastating. She added: My kids used to play down there and I would always say please, please be careful. Ive even been down there and cut the swing down before, but the kids put it back up. The river is very deep and the kids dont realise how deep and dangerous it is. Another local whose house backs onto the police cordon said: On a still day you can actually see small circles of water being made by the currents. Below the water is full of great big holes and boulders. A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: Shortly after 3.30pm on Saturday, police received a report of concern for the welfare of two teenage boys who were in the river near the bridge at Ovingham. Emergency services were immediately deployed to the area and one of the boys, aged 13, was rescued from the water. He was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition. The parents of both boys are being supported by specially trained officers, the force said. Chief Superintendent Helena Barron said: This is an absolutely tragic incident and our thoughts are with the families of both boys at this difficult time as we continue to support them. It is with great sadness that we could not provide a more positive update. RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) More than a week after the son of Rutherford Countys director of schools got caught in a storm drain and was swept under the streets following severe weather, the boys family announced he has officially passed away. PREVIOUS: Boy injured in storm-related accident in Christiana Dr. James Sullivan posted the following update about his son, 10-year-old Asher Sullivan, on Facebook, at 10:08 p.m. on Saturday, May 18: Asher officially passed away this afternoon around 1:20 pm. I say officially because of the events of the last 36 hours: Asher had one brain stem reflex remaining the last few days that kept him from officially being declared brain dead/deceased. The doctors had told us that they didnt expect that reflex to go away, but that further improvement beyond maybe a finger moving was not possible. That left Kaycee and I with an impossible decision that deep down we knew we wouldnt make. We asked for an additional MRI and that was conducted late Thursday. Kaycee and I met with the neurologists a few rooms away from Asher around 11 yesterday (Friday) morning to have an in-depth discussion. The MRI actually showed further progression of brain damage from five days earlier. While we were away, Ashers vitals crashed. His pulse and blood pressure became erratic, he lost the ability to control temperature, and the eye response ceased. Our sweet boy did what Asher has always done, he put others first. No longer did Kaycee and I have to make an impossible decision. Instead, he made it for us while we were out of the room. The doctors performed two extremely in-depth tests that Kaycee and I watched separated by 24 hours. No parent should have to watch this, but we knew for our hearts, we had to. The results showed us what we already knew, that our sweet Asher was already gone. We are broken-hearted, mad, and every other emotion at the same time. We are still at Vanderbilt as weve decided to have Asher bring life to others as an organ donor. He remains on life support bc of that decision for a few days. Its 100% an Asher type thing to do in continuing to be selfless. He will have an honor walk at the hospital in the next few days and be celebrated as he is, a hero! RELATED: #SullivanStrong movement spreads across country Rutherford County Schools posted the following statement on Facebook shortly after Dr. Sullivan made his announcement Saturday night: Director of Schools Jimmy Sullivan has shared an important update about Asher. We are all heart-broken for Jimmy, Kaycee and Declan Sullivan in the loss of Asher. We mourn with them during this difficult time, and we will rally around them in the difficult days to come. It has been incredible to witness our community come together to support the Sullivans with prayer vigils, neighborhood cleanups, and with empathy for one another. We know they will need our continued support, and we have no doubt our community will continue to surround them with love and will be there to help share the burden of this tragic loss. #SullivanStrong Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland also shared his condolences with the Sullivan family, saying, Our prayers are with Jimmy, Kaycee and Declan. The Murfreesboro and Rutherford County community is special and I have no doubt will continue to give them prayers, love and support. #Sullivanstrong. SEE ALSO: Middle TN honors 10-year-old storm victim with helmet stickers This news came just hours after dozens of peopleincluding Ashers fourth grade teachers from Christiana Elementary, who described him as an amazing studentgathered at a Murfreesboro prayer vigil to show their support for the Sullivan family. Weve talked a lot about Asher this week in the classroom, of course, and the kids would tell you that they loved his silly side, that they miss his funny, silly side, said one of Ashers teachers, Amber Peneguy. He was just that kid that if somebody was having a hard time or upset, he would do something funny to make them laugh. Ashers teachers told News 2 that despite his severe brain injury, his friends and classmates had still been hoping for a miracle. He became a writer this year and he had lots of things to say in his writings, said Donna Damron, another one of Ashers teachers. His classmates even shared some of his writing most recently as a way of just rallying behind him and loving on him. Several close friends of Ashers grandmother also showed up to the vigil, saying they wouldnt give up hope and they were praying for God to heal Asher. Were not really family, we are family, and were there for them and they know that and were thankful for that, said Gina Baker from Tullahoma. Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts A number of local softball and baseball players already honored Asher earlier in the week by decorating their helmets with a sticker of a gold star with the letter A inside. The woman printing the stickers said it was inspired by the Vanderbilt University logo since Asher was a big Commodores fan. The day after Dr. Sullivan announced Ashers passing, both Mt. Juliet League, Inc. and Nolensville Youth Softball posted this statement on Facebook: This Friday, May 24th, Please put your bats out, and snap a photo of the bat with or without your player, and upload it with the hashtag #bats4asher. Lets show Kaycee, Jimmy, Declan and all their extended family and Ashers friends that they remain in our hearts and prayers. Asher is hero, his organs are being donated to save lives of others. His father said, Asher lived more of a life in ten years than most do during a full lifetime. He visited all 50 states (something he was so proud of), visited four countries, played every sport imaginable, was the kindest/gentless soul Ive ever met, loved EVERYONE, and lived his life on GO at all times. Our nicknames for each other were squirrel and papa squirrel because we always had to go, go, go and could not focus on one thing. He loved his brother and wanted to be just like him. He was obsessed with his mom and worshiped the ground she walks. His mom was his hero. Lets Lift this family up yall. | READ MORE | Latest headlines from Murfreesboro and Rutherford County On Sunday, May 19, Dr. Sullivan posted another update about Asher: Words arent as eloquent today: The feeling is surreal. Asher is officially deceased with the lack of brain function, but due to organ donation, we are still in the room with him and his heart still beats. TDS is lining up donors so that Asher can promote life in others, but this is painful. We will conduct an honor walk within the next day or so as we walk Asher down the halls of the hospital to the OR to see him one final time. To add insult to injury, the Davidson County Medical Examiner will be conducting an examination of Ashers bodyno words Read todays top stories on wkrn.com According to Dr. Sullivans first social media post about the incident that sent Asher to the hospital, while neighbors in Christiana were helping to clean up after the storm on Wednesday, May 8, the kids were playing in the water in the streets: Somehow, Asher got caught in the storm drain and was swept under the neighborhood streets. He eventually came out in a drainage ditch and CPR was administered for quite some time. His heart beat was reestablished but the damage is substantial. For more than a week, the director of Rutherford County Schools provided updates at least once a day on social media about Ashers condition, especially his brain, and continued to ask for prayers from the community. Not only did the Rutherford County community show its support for Asher and his family, but the movement made waves across social media with #SullivanStrong, reaching people across the country. A GoFundMe has been set up for Sullivan family. If youd like to donate, follow this link. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. 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. As the UK prepares to honour the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, we can never forget the sacrifice that many service men and women made on that day and throughout the Second World War for our freedom. It was a privilege to have met Peter Kent a veteran who fought on that fateful day 80 years ago at a torch lighting ceremony for our D-Day anniversary celebrations this year. Indeed, more than 25,000 Commonwealth war graves will be lit up throughout the year, in recognition of the lives lost in the landings. Their bravery lives on through the 2.2 million veterans across the UK an incredible group of people who I am proud to represent and speak up for in Cabinet. My mission for these heroes could not be clearer: I want to make the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran. Since the creation of the Office for Veterans Affairs, we have made great strides. Through Op RESTORE, we are providing more veteran-focused physical health support to improve quality of life, and Op COURAGE is ensuring that more veterans have access to bespoke mental health support. Indeed, it is good news that veteran employment is up with 89 per cent who engage with support employed within six months but still too many veterans end up in jobs that dont fully harness their unique talents and abilities. This needs to change, and change it will under Op PROSPER, our first-of-its-kind employment initiative. This scheme will ensure that veterans can best utilise their skills within sectors that are helping to boost our economy. In fact, this week I will be hosting a summit with veterans and industry representatives, where I will share more about what I believe to be the start of a new era of veteran employment. Of course, in this country, we take our military and security responsibilities seriously, demonstrated by the Prime Ministers recent announcement to increase defence spending. Just like in the Second World War, Britain needs to lead the way and show that this new axis of evil cannot get away with it. Sadly, this commitment was not matched by Sir Keir Starmer, a man lacking any principles who has no plan to tackle one of the biggest challenges of our generation. Our nations security is the first and most important duty of a prime minister. What it takes is bold action, going against the grain and sticking up for what is right. We need a leader not a follower, and it cant be trusted in the hands of a human weathervane. Being serious about these responsibilities means we have to treat all of our military personnel with the respect and admiration they deserve, given the great risk they put themselves under. And that goes double for our veterans. They deserve nothing but the very best from us, after they have given their all to keep us safe. So on this D-Day anniversary, lets celebrate our military heroes past and present and lets continue to do everything we can to create a brighter future for our veterans. Johnny Mercer is the veterans affairs minister 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. Brazils floods smashed through barriers designed to keep them out, trapping water in for weeks and exposing social woes Karine Pitana had just paid off the last installment on her new couch when floods tore through her hometown of Canoas in southern Brazil nearly two weeks ago. It was just a piece of furniture, but for the 42-year-old nurse, theres a pride in having worked hard for everything she owns. Its very hard, you work, you buy things with such love, she told CNN, sobbing, from her brothers home, where shes now staying. She worries about all the precious things she might lose. All the priceless mementos, my childhood photos, my daughters photos, she said. Its heartbreaking. The picture is a little different in Porto Alegre, the state capital of Rio Grande do Sul. It oozes a rich colonial history in its grand architecture and a sense of luxury in its large marinas. Landing pads for private helicopters are not an uncommon site. Weeks of deadly floods triggered by record-smashing rainfall have left parts of southern Brazil in disaster, also laying bare some of the countrys persistent social problems: inequality in the emerging economy is still rife; crime rates remain high; and local governance is often dogged by mismanagement and, sometimes, corruption. Karine Pitana, 42, holding her small dog, when she left her home. Two weeks later, parts of her home remain underwater and shes still not able to go back. - Courtesy Karine Pitana Flores da Silva Pitanas kitchen the day she evacuated her home. I simply dont know what I am going to find when I return home, she says. - Karine Pitana Flores da Silva There is stark inequality between the countrys north and its more affluent south. But even in Rio Grande do Sul, one of the wealthiest of Brazils states, affluent parts of Porto Alegre stand in sharp contrast with the rundown towns on its periphery, like Canoas. Nearly three weeks after the first rains hit southern Brazil, water levels are still too high for Pitana to return home. With the waters receding very slowly, Pitana is now stuck with her brother and his family in a neighborhood on higher ground. Shes also unable to commute to work, despite hospitals desperately needing nurses like her. I try to move around, my brother and my sister-in-law take me to the shelters, me and my daughter, and we end up helping some of the people there, she said. Theres no point in me staying at home, with my hands tied. It also keeps our minds busy, when were helping others. Ironically, the name Canoas comes from the Portuguese word for canoes, but that didnt spare the city from the worst of the floods it was, in fact, one of the hardest hit. Pitana is considered lucky to have relatives to turn to. Around a quarter of Brazilians housed in temporary shelters come from Canoas, according to state government data. Porto Alegres population is four times larger than Canoas, but fewer than a fifth of those in temporary accommodations are from the capital. Many gauchos as the people of Rio Grande do Sul are known can fall back on second homes away from the city. These inequalities remain in Brazil, despite economic growth that, over the first two decades of this century, lifted millions of people out of poverty. The number of people living in extreme deprivation has been reduced from around 15% in 2001 to under 6% of the population in 2022. And just before the Covid-19 pandemic, it had fallen to its lowest level since 1980. Yet income inequality has remained stubbornly high. Since the early 1990s, the gap between the richest and poorest Brazilians has narrowed, but not by much, and Brazil remains the worlds eighth-most unequal country, World Bank data shows. It ranks second-last for equality of all Latin American nations, ahead only of Suriname. That problem also feeds Brazils issues with crime. As the floods came into the glitzy state capital, so too did criminals ready to loot. In the past couple of weeks, Brazilian authorities have arrested 97 people for crimes linked to the floods, mostly for theft of items, including jet skis, and looting, the Rio Grande do Sul Public Safety department told CNN. Of those, 34 were arrested inside temporary shelters. Reports of sexual abuse inside some of the shelters also led to at least six arrests, according to authorities, forcing the local government to set up women- and- children- only shelters. Police and military officers were also given special training to provide adequate security inside the shelters. In Rio Grande do Sul, crime rates are below the national average and violent crime has been on a downward trajectory, reaching a historical low in 2023, although drug trafficking and theft are still problems. Brazil as a whole, however, is still one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Even though homicide rates have fallen, it still has the most in the world, with more than 45,000 cases, UN data shows. A man is rescued by military firefighters after the floods in Canoas on May 4, 2024. - Renan Mattos/Reuters Lulas Hurricane Katrina moment Rio Grande do Sul was hit with so much rain over so long, authorities are saying it could be weeks until the floodwaters recede, especially if more rain falls. More than 30 inches of rain (750 mm) fell on parts of the state in two and a half weeks from the end of April. Thats just a few inches shy of what a city like Chicago or Dallas typically records in an entire year. That rain and flooding have led to more than 150 deaths, and weeks on, 500,000 people remain displaced. Its the kind of extreme weather event thats only going to become more frequent and intense as the climate crisis bears down, science shows. A massive operation to get the state back on its feet is underway, with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva disbursing an eye-watering $10 billion for the region to help it rebuild. But anger is growing over how slowly the help came initially, as residents complain of inadequate spending on infrastructure that could have made this disaster less destructive. They are bracing for weeks of more disruption as floodwaters just wont go away. The outdated dikes built decades ago to keep rivers and lakes from overflowing, are now, ironically, trapping the water in, keeping much of the state, including Canoas, inundated. The water came into this side of the barriers, now itll take a long time, maybe 45, 60 days to take it to the other side, Canoas Mayor Jairo Jorge da Silva said in an interview with Brazilian broadcaster Globo last week. Weve got ourselves a big pool. The barriers, they end up preventing water flow in the opposite direction, the draining of the city, said Pedro Cortes, an Environmental Science professor at the University of Sao Paulo. They may not have thought about a drainage system in the case the barriers were not enough, said Cortes, who is also a climate analyst for CNN Brasil, a CNN affiliate. It may not be quite the same scale, but some observers are saying the floods are Lulas Hurricane Katrina moment. A road in Canoas on May 13, 2024. Authorities say the floodwaters could take weeks to recede. - Nelson Almeida/AFP/Getty Images Cortes says the combination of a lack of funding, planning and the unprecedented situation meant authorities were caught off guard. Unfortunately, investment in mitigation of the impacts of climate change and in tackling emergencies have been well below what is needed, Cortes said. The state of Rio Grande do Sul wasnt prepared for this kind of tragedy it was obviously an exceptional volume of water, but the state didnt have an adequate strategy to deal with it. And the government has had plenty of time to prepare. Research by Brazilian fact-checking website Lupa showed that 90% of all the areas affected by the devastating rain had experienced at least one flood or heavy rain-related emergency situation in the past decade. Despite the warning signs, investment in flood prevention systems by Porto Alegre actually went down from 2021 to 2022, and did not even feature in the yearly budget in 2023. At the state level, funding for disaster response represents only 0.2% of the budget for 2024, despite numerous emergencies the previous year. Floods, not with this volume but with considerable volumes of water, have taken place in Porto Alegre in the last few years, Cortes explains. This was a completely unusual situation, a record situation, but unfortunately, because of what we know about climate change, it could repeat itself in the next few years unfortunately. Left to swim for survival In the absence of professional help at the onset of the floods, volunteers had to take matters in their own hands. One volunteer was Fabiano Saldanha, a 48-year-old businessman from Porto Alegre, who used his jet ski to rescue people trapped in their homes. It was mostly the population, us volunteers, that were rescuing people, Saldanha says. It was the people helping the people. He banded with other volunteers and coordinated teams on jet skis and small boats, navigating through narrow and debris-cluttered lanes to reach some of those trapped. Saldanha says he spent 10 days without seeing his family. Cars on the streets of Canoas after heavy rains, on May 9, 2024. - Carlos Macedo/AP One thing I kept repeating was, No-one will be left behind, he recalled. He also said he believed authorities struggled to deal with the disaster in the first few days. They wanted to do it the fire department, Civil Defense, the police but I think it was all a bit bureaucratic, he told CNN. I think they were lacking a bit of logistics and organization. Even when authorities were organized and ordered evacuations, some people chose not to listen, believing the water wouldnt reach them. One of those people was me, Pitana admitted. My mother, my father and my daughter evacuated beforehand, and they asked me to go with them, but I told them I was going to stay. Overnight, her home began to flood, first through the bathroom drains. Within an hour, the water was up to her knees. Then up to her waist. Thats when we started to panic, it was very fast, she said, referring to herself and her husband. We strapped some of the furniture, closed some doors and then we left outside the water was higher, already up to our chest. She shared with CNN a photo of her in the chest-high floods, clinging onto her pet terrier with a packed suitcase and bag hanging on her fence to keep dry, just before she was forced to flee. Pitana was rescued by two young men who helped her and an elderly neighbour onto their rowboat but it was too small to fit her husband as well. They had a vest in the boat and gave it to him, he put it on so he could swim along, she said. [The current] was very strong and the water was very deep already, maybe more than 2 meters I think. Pitana says she cried for help, but emergency services were nowhere to be found. Thousands of people in the area have stories like Pitanas. As Lula touched down in Canoas on Wednesday, for his third visit to the flood-hit areas, he tried to quell the discontent, telling reporters, Everyone who lost their house, will have their home. He later announced a support package to help around 200,000 of those impacted by the floods totalling just over $200 million. In addition to the $10 billion pledged to rebuild the state, Brazil is seeking more support from international institutions, like the IMF and World Bank. Cortes says that both state and federal governments need to resist the urge to build quick and fast, and, rather, plan more thoughtfully for the future and its changing climate. The tendency is to try and rebuild what you lost. If you do that, cities will only be as resilient as they were before, and that is not enough, he explained, calling for a deep risk analysis. Any attempt to rebuild will need to think about preparing cities to be able to withstand these extreme weather events. Pitana cant quite think about life in the future, shes just focusing on the present, finding her new reality all-consuming. But she hopes authorities will do what they can to prevent this kind of disaster happening again. I think given the severity of this situation, they will do something they have to, she said. We dont want to think about it, but this will happen again. CNNs Mary Gilbert contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Girls participate in a procession in the Cavalhadas festival in Pirenopolis, Goias, Brazil, Sunday, May 19, 2024. A Portuguese priest brought the tradition to Brazil in the 1800s to celebrate the Holy Spirit and to commemorate the victory of Iberian Christian knights over the Moors. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) PIRENOPOLIS, Brazil (AP) People in the heartland Brazilian city of Pirenopolis took to the streets on Sunday in a procession of the traditional Cavalhadas festival. The tradition began in the 1800s with a Portuguese priest who wanted to celebrate the Holy Spirit one of the entities of the Roman Catholic Church's trinity and also commemorate the victory of Iberian Christian knights over the Moors. The Emperor of the Divine Holy Spirit procession started in the early hours in Pirenopolis, a city of 25,000 residents 150 kilometers (93 miles) west of the Brazilian capital Brasilia. Other countryside cities across the South American nation also celebrate the Cavalhadas festival. The festivities include an open air reenactment of a battle between Christian warriors and Muslims. At the end, the defeated Moors are converted to Catholicism. One of Charles de Gaulles most famous rhetorical flourishes was that France has no friends, only interests. His dogged pursuit of those interests, at the expense of the Entente Cordiale, regularly brought him into conflict with British prime ministers whether over the Common Market or Nato. He believed that was a price worth paying: protecting Frances power and autonomy was a duty he was bound to elevate above all else. Today the conditions are ripe for a Gaullist reawakening in this country. A century prior to de Gaulle, it was Lord Palmerston who channelled a similar realism: We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow. When was the last time you heard a politician define British interests, never mind in a way that chimes with the public? Instead we are peppered with appeals to our reputation and standing in the world, usually in defence of policies that leave us poorer and less secure. In fact, we are now seeing an inversion of this proud tradition. In David Lammys world view, the UK has only relationships to preserve, not interests. In Washington this month, he lamented Tory prime ministers undermining the UK-US relationship by generating senseless rows over Northern Ireland. I can only assume that he would rather we capitulated to the Irish Lobby than defend our territorial integrity. He demanded the UK renewed its alliances ignoring our steadfast contributions to Nato, in stark contrast to the free-riding of our European neighbours. And he argued we should bind ourselves into a geopolitical partnership with the EU, despite Brussels consistently refusing to seize small boats equipment. Lammys vision of progressive realism a hackneyed take on Robin Cooks ethical foreign policy will collapse under the weight of its contradictions. In a more contested world, where the Wests economic and military advantage is slipping, the tension between values and interests only becomes more strained. The latter must prevail, but Lammys obsession with climate leadership and being an aid superpower is a recipe for putting Britains security interests last. Last week, the Prime Minister articulated a more clear-eyed analysis of the threats we face. But practical actions to advance the national interest lag behind. If, as he argues, the next five years will be more consequential than the previous 30, why wait until 2030 to elevate defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP? If we live in an age of mass migration, as he and I agree, why isnt improving some of the appalling returns cooperation the UK receives from foreign governments one of the top priorities of the Foreign Office? A foreign policy grounded in the UKs interests would halve the overseas aid budget to give our Armed Forces the funding uplift desperately needed. It would prioritise the ability to remove dangerous criminals and surveil suspected terrorists over supranational entities like the Strasbourg Court. We must go back to first principles, starting with a full-throated defence of British sovereign territories. Take the British Indian Ocean Territory, a strategically important archipelago claimed on spurious grounds by Mauritius, which the Government wont rule out conceding. Or the Falklands, whose defence is compromised by our perilously small naval fleet. In our generosity abroad, weve neglected our own defence. As we have pursued a naval tilt to the Indo-Pacific, we have overlooked the patrol boats that protect our submarine cables in the North Sea from being compromised by Russian spy ships. We can never forget our immutable security interests lie in Europe, the High North, and the free supply of energy and commerce. We cant punch our weight abroad if we are compromised at home. Yet Iranian agents have been allowed to run amok, including attempting to assassinate dissidents on UK soil, and still the IRGC isnt proscribed. The Chinese espionage threat is unprecedented, yet the Government refuses to place China on the Enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme. A luxury beliefs-based foreign policy is the road to irrelevance. Our leaders need to summon up the spirit of Lord Palmerston and focus on the sovereignty and security of the British nation and its citizens. Anything less is a profound failure of public duty. 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. Winners of the Cameroon Finals of the 4th "Chinese Bridge" Competition for foreign primary school students cheer in Soa, Cameroon, May 18, 2024. The competition was held on Saturday in the Confucius Institute at University of Yaounde II in Soa, Cameroon, with 12 primary school students participated in the event. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua) A contestant competes in the Cameroon Finals of the 4th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Show Competition for foreign primary school students in Soa, Cameroon, May 18, 2024. The competition was held on Saturday in the Confucius Institute at University of Yaounde II in Soa, Cameroon, with 12 primary school students participated in the event. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua) A contestant competes in the Cameroon Finals of the 4th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Show Competition for foreign primary school students in Soa, Cameroon, May 18, 2024. The competition was held on Saturday in the Confucius Institute at University of Yaounde II in Soa, Cameroon, with 12 primary school students participated in the event. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua) A white teenage boy puts his fingers in his ears as students demonstrate for civil rights during the desegregation of Little Rock's Central High School in 1957. (Photo by Paul Slade/Getty Images) The promise of an equal education for Black students didnt come to my Louisiana high school until my junior year in 1966, more than a decade after the U.S. Supreme Courts landmark Brown v. Board decision outlawing school segregation. As President Joe Biden and civil rights leaders marked the 70th anniversary of that historic ruling on Friday, May 17, we should recognize the bittersweet history and take note of the unfulfilled promise. I grew up on a Louisiana sugar plantation and vividly remember Black children who lived in the segregated quarters waiting on their school bus to take them to the only school for Black students about 10 miles away while my bus trundled through on its way to a much closer elementary school for white kids. Even after a federal judge ordered our schools desegregated, no Black children would ride that bus until years after I graduated in 1968. Massive, often violent, white resistance to desegregation delayed enforcement of the 1954 Brown ruling across much of the South. A culture indoctrinated in the belief that Black people shouldnt mix with whites didnt willingly accept what was a morally just thing to do. New Orleans schools werent desegregated until 1960, by a Black 6-year-old girl named Ruby Bridges and three other girls. Three years before New Orleans desegregation crisis, Little Rock of course endured its Lost Year, and saw the bravery of the Little Rock Nine. Little Rock Central High School students pack the schools courtyard during a 20-minute walkout on Friday, March 3, 2023. Several student organizations protested Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders invocation of the school in promoting the LEARNS Act, a new law that changes several aspects of the states education system. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate) The most obnoxious result of court-ordered desegregation in Louisiana, Arkansas and much of the South was the creation of segregation academies, private schools for white kids only. Those schools persist today, even if many of them have loosened their admission rules to enroll some nonwhite students in order to get state education money. The enduring legacy of Brown v. Board in Arkansas and across the South is one of resistance, dodgy state laws that tried to circumvent the ruling, federal court orders, reluctant acceptance, and a slide toward resegregation resulting from white flight and the adoption of universal school voucher systems in many states, most in the South. Yes, we should definitely celebrate the importance and impact of that 1954 Supreme Court decision. We should also celebrate the brave district federal judges who for years afterward did the hard work of making sure school districts complied with the abolition of the separate but equal doctrine. Yet the struggle to provide an equitable education for all children continues. At the federal level, a more conservative U.S. Supreme Court has dismantled affirmative action. In Arkansas, the state Supreme Court ruled in 2004 that the states system of funding public education was unconstitutional and ordered the Legislature to create a system of equitable and adequate education funding. While that ruling had no direct racial dimension, it nonetheless meant potential improvement for poor and majority Black districts. But eight years after that decision, the same court ruled that school districts could keep any property tax revenue in excess of that required by law, essentially assuring that rich districts would stay rich and poor districts would continue to struggle. More recently, Attorney General Tim Griffin has argued in federal court filings that consent decrees resulting from Brown v. Board litigation in some school districts are outdated and violate state school choice laws. In March, a judge denied Griffins motions to intervene in those cases. He has notified the court of his intention to appeal to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. And of course, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders vaunted LEARNS Act created a voucher system that in another year will extend to all Arkansas students. The governor and her legislative enablers argue that this system will make a more equitable education available to all, but the evidence from other states is less than convincing. What remains 70 years after the Warren court decided that public education should be equitable and equally available to all children is a public education system that struggles to deliver on that promise. Not because it cant deliver but because social and legal barriers continue to stand in its way. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Brown v Board: Progress but still an unfulfilled promise appeared first on Arkansas Advocate. More from Footwear News Im a shoe dog. I say that with all my heart. That doesnt sound like a complimentary title, but thats me, declared Bruce Nordstrom onstage at the FN Achievement Awards in December 2018. Nordstrom, the ultimate shoe dog, died on Saturday at age 90. It is with deep sadness we announce our dad passed away comfortably at home on May 18, with his wife Jeannie by his side, said Pete and Erik Nordstrom, in a joint statement. Our dad will be remembered not only for his significant contributions to Nordstrom, but also for his unwavering dedication to his family and friends. His passion, integrity and tireless work ethic served as an inspiration to everyone around him. But perhaps his greatest achievement was being an amazing father, husband and grandfather. Our dad leaves a powerful legacy as a legendary business leader, a generous community citizen and a loyal friend. Bruce Nordstroms storied career began at the tender age of 9, when he started working at the family shoe store, and his love for his family defined his life and his work. In 2018, a few months before he received FNs Lifetime Achievement Award, Nordstrom admitted that being in the business wasnt a mandate for the third-generation Nordstrom. Bruce Nordstrom graces the Dec. 3, 2018, cover of FN. My daddy [Everett] said, If you dont want to do this, go do something else, but I never did, said Bruce at the time. It was the Second World War, and I was sweeping floors, emptying shoeboxes, breaking them up, flattening them and tying them into bundles. It was hard work, as I was a skinny little guy. That skinny kid, who absolutely loved retail and its simplicity at the time, inherited a tireless family work ethic. Driven and detail-oriented, Bruce was asked to be president at 30. Amid a period of great growth, Bruce and team took the company public in 1971, debuted the first Nordstrom Rack in 1973 and continued major expansion throughout the U.S., including the lucrative California market, before he officially retired in 1995. The three sons and their dad: Erik, Pete, Blake and Bruce Nordstrom in 2008. His retirement was somewhat short-lived, as he returned to the chairman role in 2000 during a rocky time for the company and then he retired for good in 2006. More than a decade later, Bruce who proudly handed the reins to his sons, Erik, Pete and the late Blake Nordstrom relished any opportunity to be on the retail floor. I still like to go around and ask about everything, Bruce said in 2018. I get to know the store manager and look around different departments. Of course, I cant know everyone now, but they know Mr. Bruce. Erik Nordstrom, then co-president of the family business (and now CEO), told FN that same year that his dads vision for retail was best exemplified on the shoe floor. You literally are on your hands and knees in front of the customer trying to take care of them. This spirit of service and healthy humility is a great lesson for us wherever we are serving customers, the younger Nordstrom said. His brother Pete added: [His best advice was to] get on the floor the sales floor. All the answers to your business are on the floor. The late Blake Nordstrom, who also served as co-president with his brothers at the time, recalled how fortunate he and his brothers were to spend their earliest years in the shoe division. We were extremely fortunate to work with a number of terrific managers. They, in turn, were supported by our dad, who was unwavering over the years in his true north of how to be a good merchant and be successful in the shoe business, Blake said in 2018. Erik also spoke about his fathers love for his family. Loyalty has always been of the utmost importance to my dad, and nowhere does this show more than when he talks about family, he said. Bruce Nordstrom is survived by his wife Jeannie; his sister Anne Gittinger; his sons Pete and Erik; daughter-in laws Brandy, Julie and Molly; and seven grandchildren, Alex, Andy, Leigh, Sam, Sara, Micki and Chet. Launch Gallery: Remembering Bruce Nordstrom: 1933 to 2024 Best of Footwear News Sign up for FN's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. BROCKTON Brocktonians buckle up way less than the state average. A grass-roots campaign aims to change that, complete with a mural and billboards in five languages. The 74-foot mural features families and friends and promotes the message: "Protect who you love. Buckle up, Brockton." You can see it on the side of Boulangerie Saint Antoine Bakery at 364 N. Main St. That's right around the corner from where the muralist, Jessica Picanzo, grew up on the North Side. The 2017 Brockton High grad designed the mural with help from Brockton Public Schools and the Cape Verdean Association of Brockton. The whole thing is done in spray paint, said the artist, who continued her studies at Massasoit Community College and is currently at UMass-Dartmouth. You can see an 8-second drone video of the mural here. The colors and font Picanzo used will carry through on billboards that you'll soon see sprouting up around the city, said Jeff Larason, director of road safety communications for Travelers Marketing. He was in Brockton Thursday for the campaign kick-off with Mayor Robert F. Sullivan and other community leaders. Brockton artist Jessica Picanzo stands in front of her mural promoting seat belt use under the campaign name "Buckle Up, Brockton," which stands at 364 North Main St. in Brockton, seen on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Brocktonians wear seat belts less than half the time The need couldn't be more clear. The state average for seat-belt use is 77%, according to the most recent data from the UMass Traffic Safety Research Program. In Brockton, it's 48%. Larason said project organizers did their own, more in-depth survey and found further cause for alarm. They spent two days observing drivers and passengers in more than 2,500 vehicles around Brockton. They found just 42% of people were buckling up. Larason knows Bay State transportation issues inside and out, having served as the state's head of highway safety for eight years. The Brockton initiative comes on the theory that the national safety message "Click It Or Ticket" hasn't been resonating since it is enforcement-based. "Buckle Up, Brockton" takes a different approach. "This is a community-led initiative," Larason said, "in people's own words, own languages, own arts." Jeff Larason, of the road safety communications departmnt with Travelers Marketing, introduces the event which officially unveiled the new "Buckle Up, Brockton" mural at 364 North Main St. in Brockton on Thursday, May 16, 2024, created by local artist Jessica Picanzo. To the left of Larason are Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan and Mass. DOT Undersecretary Hayes Morrison. The billboards will be in English, Haitian, Cape Verdean, Portuguese and Spanish. 22 traffic deaths since fall 2021 Anyone who has driven, walked or biked through Brockton knows the streets can be dangerous. To take just the block by the mural into account, there were at least 13 crashes at the corner of North Main and West Ashland in the last three years, according to state crash data. Those wrecks include a car hitting a utility pole, a vehicle failing to yield, a car hitting a bicyclist and several sideswipes and rear-endings. On the other opposite side of the mural, pedestrian Joao Fernandes, 54, died when he was hit by an ice cream truck at Huntington and North Main on Oct. 14, 2021. Since then 21 other people have died in wrecks citywide, according to state crash data. Later this summer, the plan is to do the survey again and see if the effort has moved the needle on convincing Brocktonians to use their seat belts. Who's buckling up the most? Researchers fanned out across the state to eyeball who was wearing their seat belts and who wasn't. Here's what they found: Overall, 77% of vehicle occupants appeared to be wearing seat belts. Brockton (48%) came in much lower. Judged by apparent sex, women (84%) tended to belt up more than men (71%) . Looking at apparent age, children (89%) were most likely to be buckled up, then seniors (82%) , followed by teens (81%) and adults (76%.) Researchers guessed the apparent race of motorists and passengers. About 77% of whites wore seat belts, compared with 76% of Blacks and 65% of Hispanics . Drivers and passengers in vehicles with out-of-state plates (82%) buckled up more than those in vehicles with Massachusetts (77%) or New Hampshire (74%) registrations. Sources: 2022 Massachusetts Safety Belt Usage Observation Study and Jeff Larason. Send your news tips to reporter Chris Helms by email at CHelms@enterprisenews.com or connect on X at @HelmsNews. This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: 'Buckle Up, Brockton' campaign begins with mural and billboards LOWER SWATARA TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WHTM) Police in Dauphin County are investigating a robbery in which they say the suspects broke into a home and restrained the resident. Lower Swatara Township Police said they were called to the Hollywood Trailer Park around 6 p.m. Tuesday. There, they were told the victim had been restrained by an apparent burglar. That burglar stole several items and the victims car. The car was found in Harrisburg. Anyone with information should call Lower Swatara Township Police at 717-558-6900. 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. California commission approved new I-80 toll lanes. Could you be charged $1 per mile? New toll lanes moved one step closer to hitting capital-region commuters in the wallet last week when the California Transportation Commission approved one east- and one westbound lane with fluctuating tolls for vehicles with one or two occupants on Interstate 80 through Yolo County. Autumn Bernstein, the executive director of the Yolo Transportation District, told KDRTs Bill Buchanan in December that the actual prices had not yet been determined, but similar lanes in the Bay Area charge around $1 a mile at peak traffic times. The 13-member California Transportation Commission met in Orange on Thursday and Friday and, as part of a broader agenda, discussed the planned lanes, which are part of the Yolo 80 Corridor Improvements Project. Caltrans, the Yolo Transportation District and the Sacramento Area Council of Governments are coordinating on the I-80 project. The agencies plan to add 17 miles of new lanes, tolled for vehicles with one or two people in them from Richards Boulevard to Highway 50. In the memorandum to the California Transportation Commission requesting approval of the tolling lanes, staff acknowledged that at a West Sacramento public hearing last month, commissioners heard members of the public expressing concerns about potential increases in vehicle miles traveled due to expanded capacity. Susan Handy, a UC Davis professor who studies transportation, previously told The Sacramento Bee that research has shown conclusively that widening highways increases traffic in the long-term. We have a lot of very robust evidence that is very consistent in showing that when highway capacity is expanded, the vehicle miles of travel also expands, Handy said. Adding lanes doesnt work because of human behavior. Because when the conditions in the roadway system change, we as individuals start to make different choices about our daily travel. A 2011 American Economic Review article explained that there is a fundamental law of highway congestion: people drive more when the stock of roads in their city increases. The memorandum to the commission noted that $28 million had been earmarked for further traffic mitigation measures, such as increased transit services. Responding to Buchanans questions about induced demand in December, Lucas Frerichs, who serves on the Yolo County Board of Supervisors, and Bernstein both said that the toll fees would help fund more transit services. Bernstein argued that the managed toll lane would not have the same effect as adding a standard lane. Buchanan also said, No ones gonna like the idea that wealthy people get a lane essentially for them, except for a bus once in a while they have to share it with. Bernstein said the freeway project would address the concern that primarily wealthy people would use the lane by developing equity programs. California voters will be considering a number of statewide ballot measures in November. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) California Democratic Party leaders at their annual executive board convention this weekend took positions on a host of statewide measures that will or may appear on the November ballot. In a state where Democrats vastly outnumber Republicans, state party backing will be a boon for endorsed propositions during the costly campaign slog ahead. Party stances were recommended during a sometimes contentious committee meeting that sprawled through most of Saturday afternoon, with high-profile speakers including civil rights leader Dolores Huerta and Rep. Maxine Waters of Los Angeles appearing to throw their support behind certain measures. The party officially endorsed their choices in a vote Sunday morning. Party leaders backed Assembly Constitutional Amendment 1 , a measure put on the ballot by Democrats in the state Legislature that will ask voters whether to lower the vote threshold on new taxes and bonds that increase funding for affordable housing and public infrastructure projects. California currently requires approval from two-thirds of voters on certain special tax increases and bond measures. This amendment would lower that threshold to 55% for approving new special taxes and bonds for local affordable housing and public infrastructure projects. The party also supported Assembly Constitutional Amendment 5 , which would amend the state constitution to remove outdated language from Proposition 8, passed by California voters in 2008, that characterizes marriage as being between a man and a woman and reaffirm the right of same-sex couples to marry. The outdated state definition has been deemed unenforceable and unconstitutional thanks to federal law, but LGBTQ+ advocacy groups are asking voters to repeal it and amend the California Constitution to explicitly state that marriage is a fundamental right. The state party voted to support Assembly Constitutional Amendment 13, a third measure put on the ballot by the Democratic-led Legislature. This measure is a response to a business-led initiative to make it harder to pass new taxes in California. Read more: California Democrats pass measure to thwart business effort to block tax increases If passed, Amendment 13 would require ballot initiatives that seek to increase the voter threshold on statewide measures to meet that same higher bar in order to take effect (so, if a measure seeks to raise the voter approval threshold from 50% to a two-thirds majority, that measure would also have to pass with a two-thirds majority in order to take effect). The party also took positions on a number of measures that have gathered the signatures necessary to be eligible for the November ballot but won't officially qualify until the state's late June deadline. The party voted to: Endorse a contentious AIDS Healthcare Foundation-sponsored measure that would repeal a major restriction on rent control. Approval came after a lengthy debate, with opponents raising fears about the measure being a Trojan horse that would undermine new housing construction. Endorse a referendum challenging a 2022 law that prohibits new oil and gas wells near homes, schools and hospitals in effect, the party endorsed keeping the law. Oppose an initiative that would replace the Private Attorneys General Act, a unique state law that lets California workers who believe they have been victims of wage theft or other workplace abuses sue employers on behalf of themselves and other workers. Oppose a controversial business-backed initiative dubbed the "Taxpayer Deception Act by opponents and the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act by its advocates. Endorse initiatives that would add a one-semester personal finance course to high school requirements and raise the minimum wage to $18 per hour. 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. Then-President Trump points at Harold Hamm, head of North Dakota's largest oil company, Continental Resources, at an event in 2019. Hamm is co-hosting a fundraiser for Trump in Texas this week. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) What better sign could there be that were drowning in political outrage, that were inured to it, than this: A national newspaper scooped this month that Donald Trump gathered about two dozen oil industry executives for a chopped steak dinner at his Mar-a-Lago playground in April and suggested a deal: They should raise $1 billion for his presidential campaign because, once reelected, hed slash their taxes and federal regulations and, as hed said many times before, let them drill, baby, drill. That story came and went, with little commentary or follow-up in the media. After all, there was the first criminal trial of a current or former president to cover in Manhattan. Or new polls on the 2024 presidential horse race. Or Justice Clarence Thomas bellyaching about criticism of his ethical trespasses. Or congressional Republicans showing up at Trumps trial to malign the fair proceedings as a travesty of justice and a sham on Trumps behalf, their red ties matching his in a fitting metaphor for their tethers to him. But back to the oily story about oil money. Read more: Calmes: The Supreme Court's conservatives onstage, unplugged, unrepentant That was $1 billion, with a B, that Trump sought, according to the Washington Post. And he was soliciting that sum from energy honchos for what he considers due compensation for his plans, if elected, to wipe out President Bidens climate change agenda. Bidens historic achievement is still not commensurate with the existential threat that the nation and the world face, but then again, Trump has called global warming a hoax invented by the Chinese. Yet this roundtable of plutocrats and the once and perhaps future president was essentially a one-day story, as journalists say. Later generations will wonder at our general complacency about global warming, as theyre contending with the costly consequences and natural disasters weve only begun to experience. By then, the rising waters already eroding Floridas coastline perhaps will have swamped Mar-a-Lago. And Trump, who prattles on about draining the swamp but in fact is the master of it, will be history. Read more: Calmes: Our elections have integrity. These politicians do not It was reportedly near the end of dinner when Trump told his guests from companies including Exxon, Chevron, Occidental Petroleum, Continental Resources, EQT Corp., Chesapeake Energy, Cheniere Energy and Venture Global, as well as their lobbying arm, the American Petroleum Institute that they should help him catch up with Biden in the campaign money chase. To underscore this less-than-subtle shakedown, the head of Trumps main super PAC was among the attendees. The disgraced former president told the diners that his second-term policies on Day 1 would make for a good return on their investment: An immediate end to the Biden administrations freeze on permits for new terminals to export liquefied natural gas. (Youll get it on the first day.) No more restrictions on drilling in the Alaskan Arctic. New leases to drill in the Gulf of Mexico. More corporate tax cuts. And, by inference, revoking Californias authority to enforce clean air regulations that are stronger than the federal governments. Read more: Wildfire weather is increasing in California and much of the U.S., report finds Trump even dangled things the energy moguls don't care that much about. He ranted, as he does routinely in his stream-of-consciousness MAGA rally performances, about scrapping federal incentives for wind power and electric vehicles. Apparently the industry is about to make a down payment on Trumps proposed deal. Billionaires Kelcy Warren, head of Energy Transfer Partners, and Harold Hamm, the Continental chair who helped organize the Mar-a-Lago confab, this week are hosting a fundraiser for Trump in Texas. Yes, both political parties take in huge hauls from special interests, much of it dark money. And Biden is leading Trump in the cash contest, if not the battleground state polls. Yet Trump is uniquely and brazenly transactional, grasping and explicit about quid pro quos. At his dinner, even some of his guests were stunned, according to the Post. Read more: Summer of 2023 was hottest in 2,000 years, study finds Its not as if the oil barons are hurting under Biden. They must know Trump is lying when he talks about Joe Bidens war on American energy. U.S. oil production is setting records and industry profits are gushing . Despite Bidens moratorium on permits for export terminals, the nation leads the world in natural gas exports and has enough permitted construction underway to double capacity. To the chagrin of environmentalists, Biden has authorized oil projects in Alaska, West Virginia and Texas, among others. In fairness to the industry, most of its chieftains arent pressing to repeal Bidens landmark clean energy law, as Trump and many congressional Republicans call for. For one thing, the law includes tax credits that benefit their companies. They also recognize , if Trump doesn't, that climate change is real and that the fossil fuel industry must adapt if only because market forces and government policies, not only in the United States but globally, demand it. Read more: Anger builds over sweeping change in the way most Californians will pay for electricity Even without Trumps obscene ask, the nations oil, gas and coal tycoons would likely be opening their wallets for him. Theyre almost uniformly Republicans, as industry leaders have been for many decades, allergic to the taxes and regulations that Democrats generally favor. Still, Id like to think that at least some of those moguls at Trumps table last month felt the need to retire to their gilt-trimmed rooms at Mar-a-Lago for a long, hot shower. Remember, the scandal a century ago that became synonymous with Washington corruption and remains a staple of American history textbooks Teapot Dome was about oil bribes. But, as has often been said about campaign finance, these days its not whats illegal thats the problem; its whats legal. Even so, Trumps unethical actions should shock. For more than one day. @jackiekcalmes 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. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Lots of moves recently in Arkansas as a new Speaker-designate was chosen for the Arkansas House and an iconic Arkansan was honored at the U.S. Capitol. Capitol View host Roby Brock met with Arkansas Republican Speaker-designate Rep. Brian Evans to talk about taking the reins in the future, as well as the budget issues concerning the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. MLK Commission, students in awe at unveiling of Daisy Bates statue in Washington D.C. Then, Roby meets with Daisy Bates Museum President Charles King to talk about her legacy and the recent unveiling of her statue at the U.S. Capitol. Capitol View airs on Sundays at 8:30 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 KARK. BUDAPEST, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and five others went missing after two boats collided on a river near Hungarian capital Budapest, local police said Sunday. A hotel ship collided with a small boat on the Danube River near the village of Veroce, 55 km north of Budapest, causing the fatalities, the police said. The incident came to light Saturday night when a man with a head injury was found near Veroce. Police then initiated a search operation using drones and found a man's body on the shore south of Veroce, said Soma Csecsi, spokesperson for the Budapest Police Headquarters. A woman's body was found later in the Danube River near the Megyeri Bridge. Among the eight adults on the small craft, five went missing, Csecsi added. An investigation into the accident remains ongoing. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) A pastor with St. John the Apostle Catholic School in Virginia Beach is on temporary leave amid allegations of sexual abuse by a parent at the school, who is now deceased. According to a May 10 letter from Miriam Cotton, the principal of the school at the time, the accusations made against the adult were not made on school grounds, and the information was reported to Child Protective Services. The statement, in part, reads: As your principal, I feel this is a suitable moment to remind our parents of the importance in speaking with your children about appropriate touch, what are safe boundaries, and talking to your child about the importance of communicating with you any concerns they may have about inappropriate touch. I understand these conversations are never easy. But, they are necessary. Each one of us play an important role within our community to safeguard the youngest and vulnerable among us. Miriam Cotton, Principal A separate statement from the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Michael Riley, released on May 17, states the appropriate civil authorities and law enforcement agencies are involved regarding the sexual abuse allegations. While the Diocese investigates whether the Dioceses Safe Environment regulations were properly followed, Fr. Rob Cole, Pastor of St. John the Apostle parish, has been placed on temporary leave, according to the statement. While the investigation is ongoing, Bishop Barry Knestout appointed Reverend Esteban De Leon, pastor of Star of the Sea Catholic Church, as the temporary administrator of the parish. The statement also reveals Cotton retired as principal of St. John the Apostle Catholic School, although as of May 20 she is still listed as principal on the schools website. The letter states that Assistant Principal Jennifer Davey will serve as interim principal in the meantime. The Catholic Diocese of Richmond released the following statement regarding sexual abuse allegations involving St. John the Apostle School in Virginia Beach. The statement, in full, can be found below: The Catholic Diocese of Richmond recently learned of allegations of sexual abuse committed against students of St. John the Apostle School by an adult (now deceased). The appropriate civil authorities and law enforcement agencies are involved. The Diocese is also investigating to confirm whether the Dioceses Safe Environment regulations or other policies were properly followed. The protection of our children is of the upmost importance to the Diocese. Fr. Rob Cole, Pastor of St. John the Apostle parish, is on temporary leave from the parish while this matter is investigated. The Diocese will not reach any conclusions until the investigation is completed. Know, however, that the Diocese is committed to ensuring that our institutions provide an environment where our children are safe and thrive. During this time, Bishop Barry Knestout has appointed the Very Reverend Esteban De Leon, VF, pastor of Star of the Sea Catholic Church, as temporary administrator of the parish. Similarly, the Office of Catholic Schools will provide additional support to the school administration. Please keep all involved in your prayers. Catholic Diocese of Richmond 10 On Your Side is working to gather more information about this incident. 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. A Cherokee County man is set to be sentenced at the end of the month after he was found guilty of multiple sexual abuse crimes against a child, officials say. Bryan Lamar Gay, 52, of Holly Springs was convicted of two counts of aggravated sexual battery, two counts of aggravated child molestation, and three counts of child molestation. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The allegations arose in January 2023 after a child in middle school disclosed sexual abuse. The child first told her mother, who reported the allegations to law enforcement. The victim and her younger sibling participated in forensic interviews. Other family members were also interviewed. After a four-day trial where multiple experts, the childs mother and the victim testified, the jury returned a guilty verdict against Gay. TRENDING STORIES: Chief Superior Court Judge Ellen McElyeas set Gays sentencing for May 28. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: As the spiritual leader of the Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine, I want to reflect on some recent developments regarding the Florida Heartbeat Protection Act and the upcoming abortion amendment. The Florida Heartbeat Protection Act went into effect on May 1, marking a significant milestone in Floridas efforts to protect the lives of unborn babies. This law underscores the intrinsic value of every human life, from the moment of conception, and affirms the sanctity of life as a foundational principle of our society. Contrary to certain narratives in the media, the Florida Heartbeat Protection Act does not disregard the well-being of women. Rather, it recognizes that supporting women begins from the moment of conception and continues throughout their pregnancy ensuring that the child is allowed to thrive and fulfill their potential. At the same time, it's crucial to acknowledge the complex and often challenging situations that women and their families may find themselves in when facing an unexpected or difficult pregnancy. Our hearts go out to those who are navigating such circumstances, and our response as a community must be one of compassion and ongoing support. The Catholic faith community is committed to supporting initiatives that promote life and offer practical assistance to those in need. Crisis pregnancy centers play a vital role in providing compassionate care, resources and guidance to individuals and families facing pregnancy-related challenges. We stand in solidarity with these centers and their dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to support members of our community during such vulnerable times. As discussions continue regarding the abortion amendment, slated for the November general election ballot, it is essential to approach this issue with empathy and understanding. The Diocese of St. Augustine, in collaboration with the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and other agencies, is working diligently to educate and mobilize our community in a manner that upholds human dignity and promotes a culture of life. Letters: Jacksonville getting in its own way again with Trio, other downtown development In the coming weeks, our diocese will be conducting training sessions to equip individuals with the necessary tools to engage meaningfully in this critical dialogue. We invite every member of the community to join us in advocating for life-affirming measures and providing support to those in need. Voters must examine the reality of Amendment 4 and study its language carefully as many voices compete for your attention. Please look at the information already available by visiting flaccb.org/abortion-amendment. More information and resources will be added to this site in the coming weeks. I urge everyone to approach this issue with empathy and sensitivity, recognizing the diverse experiences and challenges that individuals and families may face. Let us stand together in prayer for the protection of every life and for the strength to foster a society where every person is valued and supported. Pohlmeier Most Rev. Bishop Erik T. Pohlmeier, Diocese of St. Augustine This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: St. Augustine Diocese bishop talks Heartbeat Act, abortion amendment NEW YORK (PIX11) A new bill would require the NYPD to place social workers in all police precincts. The goal is to assist the NYPD with mental health emergencies, bringing the unique skill set of social work right to where its needed most. More: PIX on Politics One of the City Council members who supports the legislation, Erik Bottcher (District 3), joined PIX on Politics to talk about the bill and how it could help communities. Watch the video player for the full interview. 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. City to open spray parks during Memorial Day weekend EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The City of El Pasos spray parks will be opening up during Memorial Day weekend, the City said in a news release on Sunday, May 19. The City owns and operates nine spray parks in different parts of El Paso. The spray parks will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations: Sue Young Spray Park, 9730 Diana Dr. Hidden Valley Spray Park, 200 Coconut Tree Ln. Grandview Spray Park, 3100 Jefferson Ave. Pavo Real Enhanced Spray Park, 9301 Alameda Ave. Westside Community Spray Park, 7400 High Ridge Dr. Marty Robbins Spray Park, 11600 Vista Del Sol Dr. Braden Aboud Memorial Spray Park, 4325 River Bend Dr. Salvador Rivas Jr. Spray Park,12480 Pebble Hills Blvd. Chamizal Community Spray Park, 2119 Cypress Ave. Dog parents can also take their pets to the Citys only spray park for dogs, K-9 Agent Bulder Memorial Dog Spray Park, which is part of the Pavo Real Spray Park located at 9301 Alameda. In addition to spray parks, the City operates two splash pads located at: San Jacinto Plaza, 114 W Mills Ave. El Paso Zoo Hunt Family Desert Springs, 4001 E. Paisano Dr. (Now Open with paid admission at the zoo) Spray parks are activated by visitors accessing water flow controls on the playground. The spray parks are free and open to the public. Swimming attire is not necessary but is recommended. Residents who notice non-functioning spray parks or facilities that need maintenance are asked to call 311 or send an email to ParksAndRecreation@elpasotexas.gov. Visit www.ElPasoTexas.gov/parks-and-recreation for more 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 KTSM 9 News. Troy resident and city council candidate Ed Ross flashes a smile on May 6, 2024 at Troy City Hall, after turning in his firefighting gear. That followed Ross's termination by the fire chief from his volunteer firefighting position because he's running for office. In Michigan, there's a state law that says public employees must resign from their jobs if they win an election and wish to serve in that office. But what about volunteers? And what about those who run for office but have yet to be elected? Both of those questions arise from actions by the city of Troy. The city recently fired one of its volunteer firefighters, a 12-year resident who decided to run for office. This year is the second time that Ed Ross has run for Troy City Council. The first time he ran, last fall, the city threatened to fire him, but he protested, arguing that his volunteer status wasnt covered by the citys rule. And the city relented. So Ross stayed in the race, polling a respectable 4,946 votes. Still, he lost to a candidate who received 5,600 votes, and thus won the election's last-place seat, in a council race of seven contenders for three seats. This year, Ross is running again. But this time, the city fired Ross from his volunteer position on May 1 shortly after he filed to run for office. His firing came after city officials and the fire chief saw Ross lead an unsuccessful effort last year at unionizing the fire department. And it came after they heard him make statements during his first campaign that were critical of some city practices, calling them wasteful of tax dollars. Furthermore, his termination came after the city changed its rule, making it apply to volunteers and, in particular, to him, Ross contends. Last week, on May 16, Ross filed a Complaint of Unlawful Political Retaliation against the city, an unusual legal pleading lodged with the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules in Lansing. Troy City Attorney Lori Grigg Bluhm said she thought Ross might file a conventional lawsuit. His complaint with a regulatory agency took her by surprise. "I must say, in my 30 years of doing this, I've never seen one of these," Grigg Bluhm said on Friday. That was before, in fact, she'd had a chance actually to see the paperwork. Grigg Bluhm said it had seemed obvious all along that there would be a conflict of interest if Ross were to join the City Council while continuing to serve on the fire department, even in a volunteer position. On the council, he'd be voting on policies that directly affect the fire department, including compensation plans that include Troy's locally famed volunteer staff, Grigg Bluhm said. "We have an incentive plan for the volunteers. They need 10 years of seniority and they have to show that they've made a certain number of runs, and qualified with all the training," she said. A reduction in that benefit last year was cause for a temporary uproar among the firefighters. Dozens of them, including Ross, appeared before the Troy City Council on April 17, 2023, to object to the benefit reduction. Still, Troy's councilmembers voted 7-0 to make the change, largely they said to comply with IRS rules. Court decisions have supported local governments that forbid even volunteers from seeking elective office if those volunteers receive any form of compensation, Grigg Bluhm said. Then she added, referring to Ross: "But I'm not sure that his termination is solely related to his running for office." On that point, Ross agrees. He believes he was fired in retaliation for what he'd been saying as a candidate and doing as a self-appointed union organizer. He believes that Troy amended its city rule about who can run for office just before firing him, to make his termination stick. A letter that Ross received at his termination meeting with Troy Fire Chief Peter Hullinger, and signed by Hullinger, states: "On March 27, 2024, the City of Troy released an updated version of Administrative Memo 1-P-23." Once that went out to firefighters, via email, that meant that Ross as a council candidate was suddenly in violation of that updated Administrative Memo 1-P-23, entitled "Regulation of Political Activity City Personnel and Resources." Ross declined to sign his termination statement but he did agree to turn in his considerable collection of firefighting gear. The firing has hurt his election chances, he said. "All the firefighters support me but no one will put a sign out for me because they're afraid of being retaliated against," he said. The election, on Aug. 6, is a special election, being held to fill the remaining three years of a vacancy created when former Troy councilmember Anne Erickson Gault left the council, shortly after being reelected last fall. Erickson Gault left because she was appointed by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners to fill its vacancy. Now, Ross is running against one opponent, who has the benefit of already being on the Troy City Council because he was appointed to fill the vacancy created when Erickson Gault left. He is Hirak Chanda, who ran last fall in the same election as Ross' first political try. Although Chanda didn't win a seat, he lost by the fewest votes just 43, out of 36,804 cast. Thus, Chanda was appointed to fill Erickson Gault's spot, according to the Troy City Charter's rule for filling a vacancy until the time when a special election can be held. It's unusual for a government unit to block an employee from running for office, said Ed Zelenak, the veteran in-house city attorney for Lincoln Park and the legal counsel for Southgate as well. What's usual is to follow state law, and most city charters do, Zelenak said. State law allows public employees to run for office and then, if and only if they're elected, requires that they make a choice: Either resign from the public job to serve in office or immediately quit the office to keep the job, Zelenak said. In Lincoln Park, he said, "Our Councilmember Tobin was on the city recreation staff. She ran and won, so she had to give up her council position to keep her job. Then, she ran again, won again, and that time she resigned her job to become a councilmember." This year, Councilmember Maureen Tobin is running for Lincoln Park mayor, against incumbent Michael Higgins. The state law offers one additional but rarely used option: the employee "may be granted a leave of absence" from the public job, so as to serve in office, but that option relies on the employer offering the leave. Ross has a family with an adult stepdaughter, and he works from home as a software developer. He has a four-year degree, from Wayne State University and a master's of business administration from a European university. Beyond that, he said he gained unusual insights from being a firefighter about how to improve Troy's public safety, including police and EMS, as well as the fire service. He said he's intent on running for office while he misses the tangible contribution of being a firefighter. Ross said he bought yard signs from a union printer in Pontiac, using the same blue and yellow as on the city's fire trucks. "I think I have a shot at being elected but, if nothing else, I'll make people more informed," he said. Contact Bill Laytner: blaitner@freepress.com This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Troy claims conflict of interest if firefighter runs for city council After a century of caring for patients, including more than three decades in Florida, Cleveland Clinic knows what matters most to patients facing a cancer diagnosis. Patients want to have access to high-quality, comprehensive cancer services close to home. Cleveland Clinics five-hospital regional health system spanning southeast Florida is part of a global, physician-led organization that provides outstanding patient care guided by a Patients First philosophy. The nonprofit, multi specialty, academic medical center integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Commitment to industry standards Cleveland Clinics three cancer centers in Florida include the Maroone Cancer Center at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital, the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center at Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, and the Scully-Welsh Cancer Center at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital. They work together to ensure patients receive the care they need, including access to leading treatment options and clinical trials. The Florida-based cancer care team also harnesses the full resources of the Cleveland Clinic enterprise, including collaboration with the Taussig Cancer Institute in Cleveland, Ohio, which is one of the top cancer centers in the country. Each Florida cancer center has independently earned recognition for providing quality cancer care, including accreditation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and designation as Radiation Oncology Accredited Facilities by the American College of Radiology. In addition, the Maroone Cancer Center has received designation as a cancer center of excellence and QOPI (Quality Oncology Practice Initiatives) certification, an acknowledgment that the practice meets quality and safety standards in the administration of cancer care. Collaboration across specialties Comprehensive cancer care is delivered by experts and clinicians representing multiple specialties from medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, pathology, surgery and multiple sub-specialties, plus experienced technicians, registered oncology nurses, social workers, patient navigators and support staff working together to provide patient-centered care. Teams of specialists conduct weekly cancer conferences to review and discuss cases and develop personalized treatment plans that may include: Expert surgical care with access to minimally invasive and robot assisted approaches Chemotherapy or immunotherapy treatments delivered in infusion suites focused on patient safety and comfort Advanced radiation therapies using state-of-the-art technology, including intensity modulated radiation therapy and intraoperative radiation therapy Participation in clinical trials and cancer research under the direction of leading physician scientists Research-driven, personalized breast cancer care The introduction of targeted precision therapy and immunotherapy has led to a new era of tailored breast cancer therapies that consider a patients genetic makeup; tumor composition at the detailed biological level; medical history; and response to therapy. Many drugs have been developed in the last decade that target specific types of breast cancer, including Hormone Receptor positive, HER2-positive or triple negative breast cancer with several sub-types within each group. We now know we can achieve better outcomes by treating patients at the molecular level based on the specific genetic mutations of the tumor and unique characteristics of each individual patient, says Zeina Nahleh, MD, FACP, Vice Chief, Cancer Institute, Regional Chair, Hematology-Oncology Division and Medical Director, Maroone Cancer Center at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital. Advances in personalized therapies have led to a paradigm shift in the management of breast cancers and hold the promise of more to come. Compassionate, holistic care Cleveland Clinic patients across Florida have access to an array of integrative cancer support services such as psychotherapy, oncology nutrition, art and music therapy, massage and fitness therapy. Advanced cancer treatments Cleveland Clinics multidisciplinary team of cancer specialists in Florida work together to address malignancies in virtually every part of the body using evidence-based modalities and the latest research. They treat most forms of solid tumors and blood cancers, including: Breast cancer Lung cancer Prostate cancer Colorectal cancer As a leading cancer care team serving South Florida and the Treasure Coast, Cleveland Clinic Florida provides patients the compassionate, personalized care they deserve close to home. And that makes all the difference. Learn more at ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/CancerExperts Two activists have glued themselves to an access road for runways at Franz-Josef-Strau Airport. The activists had reached the inner area of the airport grounds. According to their own statements, members of the 'Last Generation' activism group had planned to enter the airport grounds in order to block at least one of the two runways. Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa The climate activists who temporarily paralysed Munich Airport with a protest action on Saturday have been released following their temporary arrest. A police spokesman told dpa on Sunday that an investigating judge saw no reason to remand them in custody. The police detained eight activists on Saturday. The personal details of two others who did not enter the airport grounds were established and a connection with the protest action was investigated. The climate activists have been charged, the spokesman added. The police are assuming dangerous interference with air traffic. On Saturday, eight activists gained access to the airport site, some of them glued themselves to the runway. Airport operations had to be suspended for around two hours and 14 aircraft had to land at other airports. Hundreds of thousands of passengers were affected by delays that lasted throughout Saturday. Politicians from various parties condemned the action. The climate activists themselves justify their action with the high proportion of climate-damaging greenhouse gas pollution caused by air traffic. Airplanes are parked at Franz-Josef-Strauss Airport before sunrise. Climate protection activists paralysed Munich Airport early 18 May. The activists had reached the inner area of the airport grounds. According to their own statements, members of the 'Last Generation' activism group had planned to enter the airport grounds in order to block at least one of the two runways. Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa Airplanes are parked at Franz-Josef-Strauss Airport before sunrise. Climate protection activists paralysed Munich Airport early 18 May. The activists had reached the inner area of the airport grounds. According to their own statements, members of the 'Last Generation' activism group had planned to enter the airport grounds in order to block at least one of the two runways. Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa Police and firefighters stand on a runway access road at Franz-Josef-Strauss Airport around climate activists who have stuck themselves there. Climate protection activists paralysed Munich Airport early 18 May. The activists had reached the inner area of the airport grounds. According to their own statements, members of the 'Last Generation' activism group had planned to enter the airport grounds in order to block at least one of the two runways. Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa GAZA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 20 people were killed and several others injured on Saturday night by an Israeli airstrike targeting the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported. A number of wounded Palestinians, including children, were rescued from under the rubble, with search and rescue work underway, it said. The Israeli army has repeatedly struck the Nuseirat camp. In a recent attack in mid-May, Israeli warplanes bombed a residential building owned by the Karaja family in the south of the camp, killing at least 40 people. CNNs Alice Stewart has been remembered as a beloved and gifted commentator by her colleague Jake Tapper, who tweeted, We are all gutted by her loss. Tapper was far from the only person surprised and devastated by Stewarts death. Stewarts death has been keenly felt by her colleagues at CNN. As Kaitlin Collins put it, Just devastating news about our colleague Alice Stewart. She will always be remembered by her kindness above all. Former network anchor Poppy Harlow said, Sending my love and support to Alice Stewarts family tonight. She was a remarkable woman who I always loved having on our shows. She was whip smart, deeply thoughtful, and always kind. She will be so missed. Sending my love and support to Alice Stewarts family tonight. She was a remarkable woman who I always loved having on our shows. She was whip smart, deeply thoughtful, and always kind. She will be so missed.https://t.co/ZXPx6FFlYw Poppy Harlow (@PoppyHarlowCNN) May 18, 2024 David Axelrod wrote, Im devastated by the news of Alice Stewarts untimely passing. We were colleagues at @CNN and on the senior advisory board of the @HarvardIOP. Youd be hard put to find a nicer, kinder person. She will be missed by all who knew her. Ana Navarro-Cardenas tweeted, Im very sad about this news. Alice was kind, decent, hard-working and a woman whose faith sustained her. She was a breath of fresh air -always professional- at a time when lack of decorum and civility reign in political discussions. May she rest in peace. My heart is broken over the passing of our dear colleague Alice Stewart, Jim Acosta shared. Weve been friends going back to the 2012 campaign. We spent so many weekends talking politics with the wonderful @MariaTCardona they always spoke so passionately but with kindness and civility. Alice was my friend and I loved her. RIP. My heart is broken over the passing of our dear colleague Alice Stewart. Weve been friends going back to the 2012 campaign. We spent so many weekends talking politics with the wonderful @MariaTCardona they always spoke so passionately but with kindness and civility. Alice was pic.twitter.com/fv97A2LP7w Jim Acosta (@Acosta) May 18, 2024 Dana Bash described Stewart as a womans woman and added that she brought kindness and support along with smarts and expertise. I met her in Iowa in 2007 covering the Huckabee presidential campaign and worked with her in politics before I got to call her a CNN colleague. I cant believe shes gone. Alice Stewart was a womans woman who brought kindness and support along with smarts and expertise. I met her in Iowa in 2007 covering the Huckabee presidential campaign and worked with her in politics before I got to call her a CNN colleague. I cant believe shes gone. pic.twitter.com/GfReopigt7 Dana Bash (@DanaBashCNN) May 18, 2024 Wolf Blitzer, who hosted Stewart on The Situation Room on Friday, tweeted, Im so sad that my friend and @CNN colleague @AliceStewartDC has passed away. It was only yesterday when she joined Maria Cardona and me for her always excellent political analysis. She was a very special person and we will miss her. May she Rest In Peace and may her Memory Be A Blessing. Several people who encountered Stewart professionally noted that she had the ability to agreeand disagreegraciously. As Keith Boykin tweeted, Im shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of @CNN political commentator Alice Stewart. Alice and I worked together at CNN for years, and she was my favorite Republican. We disagreed on nearly every issue, but she was always civil and respectful. May she rest in peace. Former Sen. Doug Jones echoed Boykins sentiment. He wrote, I am shocked and saddened over the death of Alice Stewart. We were on a number of CNN panels together and she was always so gracious to me and her interactions with everyone regardless of which side of the political aisle they were on. She believed we can disagree while still being civil. We need more of that these days. I am shocked and saddened over the death of Alice Stewart. We were on a number of CNN panels together and she was always so gracious to me and her interactions with everyone regardless of which side of the political aisle they were on. She believed we can disagree while still https://t.co/2TBohAqtQg Doug Jones (@DougJones) May 18, 2024 Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie also tweeted about Stewart. He wrote, I am stunned and saddened by the news of Alice Stewarts passing. She was a political pro and a wonderfully nice person to just have a conversation with on any topic. I will miss Alice and will pray for her family. Political commentator Megyn Kelly added, So sad to hear this. Alice came on the Kelly File many times and she was always smart, kind, savvy and had a way of humanizing politics and politicians. Im so sad for her family, and for us. May she rest in peace. The post CNNs Alice Stewart Remembered by Jake Tapper, Megyn Kelly and Media Colleagues After Sudden Death: Beloved and Gifted appeared first on TheWrap. CNN commentator and political reporter Alice Stewart has died at 58. CNN confirmed Stewarts death with law enforcement on Saturday, May 18, who said Stewart was found dead inside her home in Virginia that morning. Officers believe her death was the result of a medical emergency, and no foul play is suspected. An official cause of death has yet to be determined. Alice was a very dear friend and colleague to all of us at CNN, network CEO Mark Thompson wrote in an email to CNN staff on Saturday. A political veteran and an Emmy Award-winning journalist who brought an incomparable spark to CNNs coverage, known across our bureaus not only for her political savvy, but for her unwavering kindness. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn such an extraordinary loss. Stewart was hired at CNN as a political commentator in 2016 ahead of the presidential election between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. She cohosted the podcast Hot Mics From Left to Right with Maria Cardona, another CNN commentator. She also appeared on air as recently as Friday, May 17, for an episode of The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer. Celebrity Deaths of 2024: Stars We Lost This Year She was really, really a special woman, Wolf Blitzer told CNN on Saturday. There was always something good to talk about with her. Thats why we always invited her to come on my show because we knew we would be a little bit smarter at the end of that conversation than we were at the beginning of that conversation. CNN anchor Jim Acosta also shared his condolences via X on Saturday. My heart is broken over the passing of our dear colleague Alice Stewart, he wrote. Weve been friends going back to the 2012 campaign. We spent so many weekends talking politics with the wonderful @MariaTCardona - they always spoke so passionately but with kindness and civility. Alice was my friend and I loved her. RIP. Born in Atlanta on March 11, 1966, Stewart started her career in journalism as a local reporter and producer in her home state of Georgia before she made the move to Little Rock, Arkansas for a job as a news anchor. I always wanted to be in news, Stewart told the Harvard International Review in an October 2020 interview. So, I started out as a reporter and producer in Savannah, Georgia, and then I went to work in Atlanta behind the scenes as a producer and then to Little Rock, Arkansas, where I was a news anchor and reporter. I loved, you know, learning new things. I loved covering politics. I loved courts; I loved breaking news. Most Shocking Celebrity Deaths of All Time Before landing at CNN, Stewart worked as communications director for several presidential campaigns, including Sen. Ted Cruz, Gov. Mike Huckabee, Sen. Rick Santorum and Congressman Michele Bachmann. She also served as a surrogate for the Republican National Committee. In an interview with the Harvard Political Review in December 2020, Stewart described her role at CNN as a conservative commentator meant to provide my perspective on the politics of the day from my conservative viewpoint. My position at CNN is to be a conservative voice yet an independent thinker, she said at the time. Im not a Kool-Aid drinker; Im not a never-Trumper, and I didnt check my common sense and decency at the door when I voted for [Trump]. The network reported that the commentator and longtime Republican adviser died of what police believe was a medical emergency early on May 18 Alice Stewart CNN political commentator and longtime Republican adviser Alice Stewart has died. She was 58. According to a report from the outlet, Stewart was found outside in a residential neighborhood near Richmond, Va., early in the morning on Saturday, May 18. Law enforcement told CNN that no foul play is suspected, and it is believed that she suffered a medical emergency. Her cause of death was not immediately reported. Born in Atlanta, Stewart began her career as a journalist at local outlets across the South, and later served in communications roles for a number of Republican political campaigns and offices. "Alice was a very dear friend and colleague to all of us at CNN," CNN CEO Mark Thompson told staff in an email on May 18. "A political veteran and an Emmy Award-winning journalist who brought an incomparable spark to CNNs coverage, known across our bureaus not only for her political savvy, but for her unwavering kindness. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn such an extraordinary loss." Alice Stewart Stewart also appeared as a commentator on many CNN shows including The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, which she appeared on just one day before her death. In an Instagram post on Friday, May 17, Stewart shared a photo of herself, fellow CNN personality Maria Cardona and Blitzer posing behind his desk. "Its always a sunny day when you can join the great @wolfblitzer on #CNN with @mariacardonadc," she wrote in what would be her final social media post. Throughout her career, Stewart served as communications director for a number of Republican figures, including Mike Huckabee for his 2008 presidential run, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and, in 2016, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. 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. Stewart joined CNN ahead of the 2016 presidential election, offering her insights on multiple network shows. Outside of CNN, she and Cardona also co-hosted the podcast Hot Mics from Left to Right. Cardona told CNN that the pair were planning to record an episode of the podcast on Saturday. "I just cant believe that shes gone," Cardona said. "I want everyone to know what a special person she was, especially in this industry. As you know, todays politics can be indecent and so dirty, and Alice was just such a loving, shining light." CNN host Jake Tapper also reflected on Stewart's death, writing in a post on X (formerly Twitter): "Horrible news about our beloved and gifted commentator Alice Stewart. Just awful. We are all gutted." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. People walk by the CNN logo in Atlanta. Veteran CNN political commentator Alice Stewart died Saturday due to a presumed medical emergency, according to police. She last appeared on air Friday on "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer." File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI May 19 (UPI) -- Alice Stewart, longtime CNN contributor and GOP adviser died Saturday. She was 58. Police told CNN they found Stewart's body Saturday morning outdoors in a northern Virginia neighborhood. Officers said they did not suspect foul play, and her death was likely the result of a medical emergency. "Alice was a very dear friend and colleague to all of us at CNN," CEO Mark Thompson said in an email to staff. "A political veteran and an Emmy Award-winning journalist who brought an incomparable spark to CNN's coverage, known across our bureaus not only for her political savvy, but for her unwavering kindness. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn such an extraordinary loss." Born March 11, 1966, in Atlanta, Stewart cut her teeth as a local reporter before moving to Little Rock, Ark., to work as a news anchor. She broke into politics when she served as communications director for then-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's office and for his 2008 presidential campaign. She also served as the communications director for former Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, and later for former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum in their 2012 presidential runs. She most recently was communications director for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz when he ran for president in 2016. Cruz in a post on X called the news of Stewart's death "heartbreaking." "Alice was wonderful and talented and a dear friend. And she loved America fiercely," the post read. "She lived every day to the fullest, and she will be deeply missed. May God's comfort and peace be upon her loved ones. RIP." Stewart joined CNN as a political commentator prior to the 2016 election and appeared on air frequently to comment on the political news of the day. Her last on-air appearance was Friday on "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer." "We always invited her to come on my show because we knew we would be a little bit smarter at the end of that conversation," Blitzer said on "CNN Newsroom." "She helped our viewers better appreciate what was going on, and that's why we will miss her so much." Stewart also was a fellow of the Institute of Politics at Harvard University's Kennedy School and served on its senior advisory committee. 4 arrested after police respond to shots fired in Austell neighborhood The Cobb County Police Department investigated a shots fired call in Austell on Saturday night, the department confirmed to Channel 2 Action News. Police say the incident occurred in a neighborhood off of Pine Creek Drive in Austell. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Multiple officers responded to the neighborhood where they say at least one suspect fled the area on foot. The suspect(s) got into a car and tried to run from police, but officers were able to box the car in and stop it. TRENDING STORIES: Four people inside the car were arrested. There were no injuries reported. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Columbus City Schools could close up to 20 schools. Here's what to know about each of them This month the Superintendent's Community Facilities Task Force presented a plan where up to 20 possible Columbus school buildings face the possibility of closure under nine different recommended scenarios. While there are nine proposals, some are alternates of each other and the Board of Education may or may not approve any or all of them. Over a number of meetings earlier this year, the task force considered factors such as building utilization, or how full a building is, transportation data and whether a building has been aging without substantial renovation, The Dispatch previously reported. A tale of two schools: Columbus City Schools board highlights potential for consolidation Under some of the task force recommendations, specialty programs like Columbus Alternative High School or Duxberry Arts Impact Elementary may move to a different building or may consolidate at another school. Columbus City Schools maps showing proposed school closure simulations during a Thursday open house walkthrough of the nine proposals from the Superintendent's Community Facilities Task Force, which could close up to 20 schools. Also included is each school's Ohio Department of Education state report cards, including how many stars out of five possible each school received overall and how many they received in the progress category, which measures how well a school is improving year-over-year. You can see each scenario broken down in full on the CCS website, where you can also offer feedback on individual proposals. Here's your guide to each of the schools facing potential closure: Broadleigh Elementary Under one proposal, Broadleigh Elementary, on the East Side, would close and consolidate with area schools. Year opened: 1952 Utilization: 66.5% (266 students of 400 capacity) State report cards: Three stars overall; three stars in progress CCS Preparatory School for Boys Under a proposal for the Boys Preparatory program, the school would close the current location at the former Eastmoor Middle School and begin operating as a separate school located within the CCS Preparatory School for Girls, on the Near East Side. At just 23.2% full, the CCS Preparatory School for Boys is the the most under-utilized CCS school. Year opened: 1962 Utilization: 23.2% (100 students for 431 capacity) State report cards: Two stars overall; three stars in progress Buckeye Middle School Under one proposal, Buckeye Middle School on the South Side would close and middle school students would attend a new Marion Franklin Middle School. Year opened: 1962 Utilization: 72.6% (365 students for 503 capacity) State report cards: Two stars overall; two stars in progress Cranbrook Elementary Under proposals, Cranbrook Elementary, on the Northwest Side, would close and consolidate with area schools. Year opened: 1957 Utilization: 79.7% (259 students out of 325 capacity) State report cards: 3.5 stars overall; three stars in progress Columbus Alternative High School (building) Columbus Alternative High School is included on a proposal of potential closures for the district. Under one proposal, Columbus Alternative High School would close its current location on McGuffey Road in North Linden and move to the current site of Downtown High School, which would merge with Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center. Another proposal has Columbus Alternative High School moving to the current East High School site. Columbus Alternative High School was recently named among the top in the state by U.S. News and World Report. Year opened: 1926 Utilization: 84.5% (764 students out of 904 capacity) State report cards: Four stars overall; four stars in progress; four stars in graduation Columbus Gifted Academy Program In one proposal, the Columbus Gifted Academy would move to Dominion Middle School and Oakland Park Elementary School. In another scenario, the Columbus Gifted Academy would moved to Ridgeview Middle School after that school consolidates with Dominion Middle School. The current location in Italian Village would close. Year opened: 1898 Utilization: 43.2% (329 students out of 761 capacity) State report cards: N/A Duxbery Park Arts Impact Elementary Under one scenario, Fort Hayes would take on students from Duxberry Park Arts Impact Elementary, creating a K-12 arts program on the Fort Hayes campus. In another proposal, Duxberry students would return to their home school or combine with Fort Hayes. The current Duxberry school is on the Northeast Side. Year opened: 1959 Utilization: 46.5% (186 students out of 400 capacity) State report cards: Two stars overall; two stars in progress Fairwood Elementary Under proposals, Fairwood Elementary, in Driving Park, is expected to close and consolidate with other area K-6 schools. Year opened: 1924 Utilization: 46.5% (186 students for 400 capacity) State report cards: 2.5 stars overalll; three stars overall Hubbard Elementary Under proposals, Hubbard Elementary, built in 1896 in Victorian Village, would close alongside Cranbrook Elementary and consolidate with area schools. Year opened: 1896 Utilization: 62.1% (233 students for 375 capacity) State report cards: Three stars overall; three stars overall Innis Elementary Under one proposal, Innis Elementary, on the city's Northeast Side, would be consolidate with other schools in the area. Year opened: 1974 Utilization: 55.3% (235 students for 425 capacity) State report cards: Two stars overall; two stars in progress Johnson Park Middle School Under one proposal East High School would take on Eastmoor Academy, and the boundary of East High School would be adjusted. The current Eastmoor Academy building would become a middle school taking students from Johnson Park and Sherwood Middle Schools, which would both eventually close. Year opened: 1958 Utilization: 61.4% (353 students for 575 capacity) State report cards: Two stars overall; two stars in progress Lindbergh Elementary Lindbergh, alongside West Broad and Valleyview Elementary Schools, would consolidate with other area elementary schools under one proposal. Lindbergh is located on the West Side. Year opened: 1958 Utilization: 78.7 (236 students for 300 capacity) State report cards: 3.5 stars overall, five stars in progress North Linden Elementary North Linden Elementary would close and consolidate with other area schools under one proposal. Year opened: 1949 Utilization: 82.5% (330 students for 400 capacity) State report cards: 2.5 stars overall; three stars in progress Northtowne Elementary Northetowne Elementary, in Northland, would close and consolidate under one proposal. Year opened: 1968 Utilization: 96.3% (289 students of 300 capacity) State report cards: 2.5 stars overall; three stars in progress Marion-Franklin High School Marion-Franklin High School is a Columbus City School on the South Side at 1265 Koebel Road. Marion-Franklin is one of 17 traditional high schools in the Columbus City Schools district. Under one proposal, South High School becomes the regional high school taking high school students from Marion-Franklin. Marion-Franklin High School, on the South Side, would eventually close. Year opened: 1951 Utilization: 43.8% (443 students for 1,012 capacity) State report cards: 1.5 stars overall, one star in progress, 1 star in graduation Moler Elementary Under two different proposals Moler, Siebert and Fairwood elementary schools are expected to consolidate with other area elementary schools. Moler is on the South Side. Year opened: 1967 Utilization: 65.5% (311 students out of 475) State report cards: 2.5 stars overall, 3 stars in progress) Sherwood Middle School Under one proposal, East High School would take Eastmoor Academy, and the boundary of East High School would adjust. The current Eastmoor Academy building would become a middle school, taking on students from Johnson Park and Sherwood middle schools, which would both eventually close. Year opened: 1965 Utilization: 69.2 (461 students of 666 capacity) State report cards: 3.5 stars overall; four stars in progress Siebert K-6 Elementary Under two different proposals, Siebert, Fairwood and Moler elementary schools are expected to consolidate with other area elementary schools. At 120% occupancy, Siebert Elementary, in Merion Village, is the most over-capacity school in the district. Year opened: 1975 Utilization: 120% (330 students for 275 capacity) State report cards: Three stars overall; three stars in progress Valleyview Elementary Valleyview, alongside Lindbergh, and West Broad elementary schools, would consolidate with other area elementary schools under one proposal. Valleyview is on the city's Far West Side. Year opened: 1957 Utilization: 89.3% (268 students for 300 capacity) State report cards: 3.5 stars overall; four stars in progress West Broad Elementary West Broad, alongside Lindbergh and Valleyview elementary schools, would consolidate with other area elementary schools under one proposal. West Broad Elementary is on the West Side. Year opened: 1914 Utilization: 65.5% (360 students of 550 capacity) State report cards: 2.5 stars overall; three stars in progress @Colebehr_report Cbehrens@dispatch.com This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Your guide to the 20 proposed Columbus City school closures Column: Don't cancel those summer plans yet. Who knows if the presidential debates will come off Rather than go with plans laid out by the bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates, Donald Trump and Joe Biden have set up their own schedule for two face-to-face meetings this summer. However, details remain to be worked out. (Photo Illustration by Los Angeles Times, Photos by Associated Press) Today we discuss travel, leisure, sunsets and presidential debates. Goody! Looks like well have two Biden-Trump debates to tide us over this summer. It seems that way. But who knows. Wait. I shouldnt cancel my dream vacation just yet? I wouldnt. I mean, I dont want to pop your party balloon. If a political debate is your idea of a good time rather than, say, sitting on the sugary sands of some beach watching a dappled sunset play on the water, more power to you! But were still a long way from the moment President Biden and former President Trump share a debate stage. I thought it was all settled. The prospective debates did come together rather quickly after Biden issued a taunting challenge and Trump immediately agreed to two face-to-face meetings. The first is scheduled for June 27 on CNN. The second is set for Sept. 10 on ABC. However, there are still a lot of details to be worked out, and plenty of opportunity for one party or the other to walk away. Remember, in 2020 Trump bailed on a debate with Biden because the terms a remote set-up, taken as a precaution during the COVID-19 pandemic werent to his liking. Read more: Column: Champagne wishes and caviar dreams ... of a Senate seat in Wisconsin? I thought all the details were ironed out by an independent debate commission. That's how it used to work. Starting in 1987, the Commission on Presidential Debates a nonprofit entity with a bipartisan board of directors worked with the television networks to set up three presidential and one vice presidential debate each election cycle. Matters such as the format, the choice of moderators and the seating (or standing) arrangements were settled ahead of time. All the candidates had to do, apart from cramming for the 90-minute sessions, was show up. So what happened? The commission laid out its plans for four debates this fall, starting on Sept. 16 and ending on Oct. 9. But Biden and Trump chose to disregard the commission and ignore its proposed schedule. They can do that? Yes, indeed. There's absolutely no requirement the candidates abide by the commission's recommendations, or debate at all. Jeepers. Actually, the move wasn't all that startling. Trump was unhappy with the commission for several reasons. He complained about the moderators chosen in 2016 and again in 2020. He also didn't like a decision to mute candidates microphones during parts of the second 2020 debate after he persistently talked over Biden in their first meeting. Two years ago, at Trump's behest, the Republican National Committee officially withdrew from the debate commission. So Trump blew it up. No. Biden had issues with the commission as well. Two of his top political advisors, Anita Dunn and Ron Klain, were part of a bipartisan panel that issued a 2015 report calling for an overhaul of the presidential debate process by, among other things, expanding the pool of potential moderators and eliminating on-site audiences. The bottom line is both campaigns thought it better suited their interests to bail on the commission and work out a debate schedule by themselves. So it's a win-win for Biden and Trump? You could look at it that way. Biden doubtless would have preferred to come nowhere near Trump. If he was running away with the contest, the president might have gotten his wish. But debates have come to be expected of the two major party candidates, and if Biden refused it would have invited further unwanted questions about his health and stamina. Read more: Column: No graveyards, no ice cream shops. Some experienced advice on how Biden should handle the age issue By agreeing to two debates, and no more, Biden limits the risks of a campaign-jeopardizing stumble. Also, by holding the debates earlier than usual the last takes place nearly two months before election day it allows the president plenty of time to recover politically if he turns in a less than stellar performance. That said, Biden could be boffo or at least perform decently enough. He's shown a penchant for rising to important occasions, such as his well-received State of the Union speech in March. What's in it for Trump? He's been salivating to get onstage with Biden, repeatedly saying he'd debate the president anytime, anywhere. So Trump couldn't very well refuse when Biden replied, OK, let's do it. More than that, Trump and his strategists are thoroughly convinced that Biden is a walking, or rather, doddering disaster. In fact, while it's typical for a candidate to downplay expectations the better to crow about their performance once the debate is over Trump has done the opposite. He's described Biden as the WORST debater I have ever faced and a man who cant put two sentences together. So if he puts two sentences together, Biden wins? I wouldn't say so. It doesn't matter how high, or low, Biden or Trump set expectations. Voters can watch and judge their performances independent of any pre-debate spin. That's why tens of millions of people tune in. The debates offer one of the few occasions during a campaign where the candidates can be seen unscripted and thinking and acting on their feet. Read more: Column: What a surly California governor's race can and can't tell us about the Biden-Trump rematch What about other candidates? Trump and Biden would both be happy to exclude Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the leading independent candidate, since neither side is certain whom he helps or hurts more. Regardless of how Kennedy performed, standing on the same stage as Biden and Trump would automatically elevate his candidacy. That's another reason the two major party candidates agreed to their own arrangements though Kennedy could still qualify under the criteria put forth by CNN and ABC. His participation is among the open questions surrounding the debates and something that could end up nixing one or both. So should I stick with or cancel my summer plans? Go ahead. Get out there and see the world. It's summertime! If you're that concerned about missing the political action, just make sure your cabana or mountain aerie has reliable Wi-Fi. Get the latest from Mark Z. Barabak Focusing on politics out West, from the Golden Gate to the U.S. Capitol. Sign me up. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The El Paso community is invited to a meeting to discuss the future of Bond and Roberts elementary schools, which are both vacant, El Paso Independent School District (EPISD) announced in a news release. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 23 at the Don Haskins PK-8 School, 500 Mulberry Ave. As stewards of our educational landscape, it is essential that we engage in open dialogue about the future of these vacant campuses. Your attendance will ensure that your voice is heard and considered in the decision-making process, read the news release. EPISD said this meeting is an opportunity for all members of our community to gain insight, ask questions and share perspectives about these campuses future. 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. Palestinians inspect the rubble after an Israeli airstrike on the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, May 19, 2024. At least 31 Palestinians were killed on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike in the central Gaza Strip while the Israeli army announced the killing of two of its soldiers in battles in the enclave. Local sources and eyewitnesses told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes targeted at dawn an inhabited house for the Hassan family in the Nuseirat Palestinian refugee camp, which led to its destruction. (Palestinian News Agency/Handout via Xinhua) GAZA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 31 Palestinians were killed on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike in the central Gaza Strip while the Israeli army announced the killing of two of its soldiers in battles in the enclave. Local sources and eyewitnesses told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes targeted at dawn an inhabited house for the Hassan family in the Nuseirat Palestinian refugee camp, which led to its destruction. Medical sources told Xinhua that the Israeli raid resulted in the killing of 31 people, including children and women, and the wounding of several others with varying injuries, all of whom have been transferred to hospitals. Meanwhile, the Israeli army said in a press statement that two soldiers were killed in an incident in the southern Strip, while three others were injured, one of them seriously. Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza 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. Meanwhile, the Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 35,386, and 79,366 were injured, according to Gaza health authorities on Saturday. A Palestinian child stands on the rubble after an Israeli airstrike on the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, May 19, 2024. At least 31 Palestinians were killed on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike in the central Gaza Strip while the Israeli army announced the killing of two of its soldiers in battles in the enclave. Local sources and eyewitnesses told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes targeted at dawn an inhabited house for the Hassan family in the Nuseirat Palestinian refugee camp, which led to its destruction. (Palestinian News Agency/Handout via Xinhua) A Palestinian inspects the rubble after an Israeli airstrike on the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, May 19, 2024. At least 31 Palestinians were killed on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike in the central Gaza Strip while the Israeli army announced the killing of two of its soldiers in battles in the enclave. Local sources and eyewitnesses told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes targeted at dawn an inhabited house for the Hassan family in the Nuseirat Palestinian refugee camp, which led to its destruction. (Palestinian News Agency/Handout via Xinhua) A Palestinian stands in a destroyed building after an Israeli airstrike on the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, May 19, 2024. At least 31 Palestinians were killed on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike in the central Gaza Strip while the Israeli army announced the killing of two of its soldiers in battles in the enclave. Local sources and eyewitnesses told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes targeted at dawn an inhabited house for the Hassan family in the Nuseirat Palestinian refugee camp, which led to its destruction. (Palestinian News Agency/Handout via Xinhua) Palestinians inspect the rubble after an Israeli airstrike on the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, May 19, 2024. At least 31 Palestinians were killed on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike in the central Gaza Strip while the Israeli army announced the killing of two of its soldiers in battles in the enclave. Local sources and eyewitnesses told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes targeted at dawn an inhabited house for the Hassan family in the Nuseirat Palestinian refugee camp, which led to its destruction. (Palestinian News Agency/Handout via Xinhua) Let me see if I got this right. We dont have enough money to pay teachers properly, but weve got a billion dollars that were thinking of doling out to taxpayers? And we cant adequately fund traditional public schools, but our lawmakers are going to appropriate $450 million more dollars to give parents vouchers to go to private schools? Am I missing something here? North Carolina ranks 41st in average teacher pay. Perhaps that helps explain why the teacher turnover rate has soared by 47 percent with one in nine educators leaving the profession, according to the NC Department of Public Instruction. Starting teachers are paid $40,136. Thats 42nd in the nation. No wonder schools of education are having so much trouble recruiting education majors. And theres no mystery why so many parents are on wait lists for private school vouchers. Most are affluent parents, and the vouchers they receive wont come close to paying for tuition, transportation, meals and other amenities. If they are honest, these parents mostly want their children to mingle with others of their income, race and education status. Republican-led lawmakers and a cadre of right-wing advocates have bad-mouthed traditional education for so long that many parents, without getting adequate explanations or facts, shun public schools. Trying to conduct side-by-comparisons of traditional public schools, charters and private schools is like trying to compare apples to pineapples. Private and charter schools dont have to accept ANY child who comes to their doors. Private schools and charter schools operate with different rules, curriculum and testing requirements, teacher certifications or the long list of regulations our legislature has heaped on traditional schools. But the ultimate comparison is education outcomes (test scores). Private schools are so loosely regulated and reported that it is difficult getting meaningful data. But comparisons between charters and traditional public schools show mixed results. Some are better, some arent. The data doesnt prove charters are educating our children better.especially since charters pick and choose who they admit. Why are Republicans (or anyone) trying to destroy public schools? They vow they arent, but their actions speak louder than their words. Ive researched this question and cant find any real answer, other than the extremists who seem to want to discredit almost every institution that got us here. We see the same efforts of discreditation applied to government. Never mind that we drive on government provided roads and bridges, use government funded water and sewer systems, go to government funded colleges and universities, along with fire and police protection. Politicians pander to whoever they can in order to divide us, get donations and votes. Last week, Catherine Truitt, outgoing State Superintendent of Public Instruction spoke to the Public School Forum, stating that public education has become too politicized. Education has emerged as a contentious wedge issue in our political discourse, Truitt said. Both Democrats and Republicans are using education to appeal to their respective bases, framing campaigns and policies around buzzwords that inspire clicks, and drive donations. These buzzwords include critical race theory, indoctrination centers, school choice, wokeness, racism, book banning, Leandro, accountability, DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) and opportunity scholarships, among others. Truitt continued, The stakes are high, because we're trying to recover from the greatest disruption to education in our country's history, while the very nature of what it means to be workforce ready is changing by the day. But as someone who has had the privilege to lead public education for the last nearly four years, I want to underscore the need for our leaders to take their eyes off the buzzwords and hot topics that drive news and viral videos. This will mean doing away with what sounds good in favor of doing good for students. Well said, Superintendent Truitt. But where was your voice when some of these harmful laws were being considered? We get it. You stand a better chance of being effective if you work within the environment rather than in stirring up controversy. But public education needs champions and, as superintendent, it is your job to stand up for public education. We needed to hear your voice. We ask again: why are so many willing to throw in the towel on traditional public schools instead of doing the admittedly difficult work of fixing problems? It is easy to place the blame for the attacks on public schools on lawmakers, the State Board of Education members, parents with partisan agendas and even teacher organizations, but the scary truth is that the finger of blame ultimately needs pointing toward ourselves. We voted for the people making the rules, appropriating the funds and administering our schools. If we are dissatisfied with their actions (and we have every right to be), you and I have the power to change things with our votes in November. Tom Campbell is a Hall of Fame North Carolina broadcaster and columnist who has covered North Carolina public policy issues since 1965. Contact him at tomcamp@carolinabroadcasting.com. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Tom Campbell writes about teacher pay, public education in nc Contempt has always been Trumps brand. But it doesnt have to be ours. U.S. Sens. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, and Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., listen as former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media outside Manhattan Criminal Court on May 13, 2024, during his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments U.S. Sens. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, and Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., listen as former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media outside Manhattan Criminal Court on May 13, 2024, during his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Is anyone above the law? Those who have followed Donald Trumps criminal trial know the answer is a qualified one. Trump is not above the law, because he sits before a jury in a federal courtroom in New York, but he is more equal under the law than most of us. Trump has been found in contempt of court 10 times for violating the gag order in the case, behavior that would get you or me thrown in the tank, but for which the former president has been fined $10,000. That is real money for most folks, but for Trump its chump change. In social media posts and public comments violating the gag order, Trump has questioned the integrity of the jury, verbally attacked witnesses, and suggested the trial was politically motivated. This is the kind of thuggish behavior weve come to expect from Trump, who has consistently acted more like a two-bit hoodlum than a former commander-in-chief. There have been comparisons to Tony Soprano, the fictional New Jersey crime boss in the 1999-2007 HBO series, but the Donald is well, hes no don. In explaining his May 6 decision on the 10th gag order violation, Judge Juan Merchan lamented that he did not have the statutory authority to impose stiffer fines and suggested that jail time might be in order if Trump continued. Previously, in an April 23 post, Trump had called Merchan highly conflicted and said he was presiding over a kangaroo court, comments which sparked calls for violence from his followers. Although Merchan mentioned the possibility of jail time, he also displayed an amount of deference that no other defendant would receive. Mr. Trump, its important you understand, the last thing I want to do is put you in jail, Merchan said. You are the former president of the United States and possibly the next president as well. Such deference is proof that Trumps attacks are having their desired intimidating effect. It is difficult to imagine another scenario in which a judge, in finding a defendant guilty of contempt of court for the 10th time, would mention not only the offenders previous job, but his further political aspirations as well. Merchan needed only to say, Go directly to jail. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. It wasnt as if Merchan did not know the seriousness of Trumps actions. He said Trump had mounted a direct attack on the rule of law and had raised the specter of fear for the safety of the jurors and their families. The hush money case is the only one of four criminal cases Trump is facing that has yet made it to trial. The others are classified documents and election cases. In the New York criminal case, Trump is accused of falsifying business records about hush money allegedly paid to an adult film star to mislead voters prior to the 2016 president election. Trump is the first American president to be charged with a crime in state or federal court, although Richard Nixon might have been first had it not been for his 1974 pardon. Although Nixon was never charged, he did face impeachment for abuse of power in connection with the Watergate scandal. David Frost interviewed him in 1977 for a televised special, in which Nixon claimed, without foundation, that he had immunity from prosecution: Well, when the president does it that means that it is not illegal. Such thinking reveals a contempt for the rule of law, both then and now. It also harkens back to a time, apparently longed for by some Americans, in which rulers were thought to have been placed in positions of power by divine authority. The idea that no person can hold themselves unaccountable to the law is a cornerstone of American democracy. Our Constitution and Bill of Rights refined an idea that had been kicking around for 600 years, since the Magna Carta, which placed limits on royal authority. Simply put, it said the law is a power in itself, denied the divine right of kings, and paved the way for modern representative democracy. Humanity had made previous attempts at democracy, most famously in Athens during the fifth century. That experiment lasted only 180 years and had some misfires, including the state-sanctioned poisoning of Socrates for encouraging his pupils to distrust authority. A later and more romantic example were the pirates of the Spanish Main, who elected their leaders and shared equally in the spoils. Of course, whether under the Greeks or the founders Washington, Jefferson and Adams, to be a vote-casting citizen you had to be white and male. But not if you were a pirate. Really. Putting daydreams of plundering distant shores aside, the reality of the Trump era is that American democracy is being tested as it has only a few times before in our relatively short history. It survived the last Civil War, but filmmaker Alex Garland thinks it may not withstand the next. His dystopian view of the immediate future or perhaps an alternate present is an America torn into four factions. In the film Civil War, we see events unfold through the lens of a young photojournalist, Jessie, who has been taken in by her reluctant mentor, a veteran combat photographer who is slowly unraveling. The images Jessie captures are stark: tortured men dangling by their hands from a car wash, strangers shot because theyre from places that dont sound American, mass graves. We dont know why the country has split apart in the movie, but we see the result. In Garlands movie, America is obviously a failed state. Nations fail, according to Robert I. Rotberg, president of the World Peace Foundation, because they are convulsed by internal violence and can no longer provide positive political benefits to their inhabitants. Their governments lose legitimacy, Rotberg wrote for the Brookings Institute, and the very nature of the particular nation-state itself becomes illegitimate in the eyes and in the hearts of a growing plurality of its citizens. We are not at that point. We are, thankfully, free of the chaos and violence depicted in Garlands film. But our government our institutions, our courts, our elections have become illegitimate in the eyes of a significant fraction of Americans who follow a former president and presumed presidential nominee who stokes such fears. Contempt has always been Trumps brand. Before he became a politician, he showed contempt by defrauding those who enrolled in his real estate university. His contempt for women was captured when he bragged about groping them on the Access Hollywood tape. And he continued to indulge his general contempt by mocking the disabled, using demeaning names to refer to his rivals, and making more than 30,000 false or misleading claims while in office. Nobody knows the future, but the Trump trial gives us some disturbing insight into just what might eventually undo us. Contempt for the rule of law is the poison within. That contempt is the defining feature of Trump and his cult-like following. It goes far beyond disdain for a New York courtroom and is foundational for the election denial on which Trump, and his Republican party, have staked their hopes. To be part of a functioning democracy, one must be willing to accept that sometimes you lose and engage in the peaceful transfer of power. Instead, the GOP remade in Trumps image has broken this social contract by repeating his election lies and sending party leaders on pilgrimages to the courtroom. Those who have genuflected at Trumps altar include Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican and current House speaker; Tommy Tuberville, a Republican senator from Alabama whose specialty has been legislative obstruction; and J.D. Vance, the Hillbilly Elegy author and Ohio senator whose appearance in the courtroom was an audition to be Trumps running mate. The problem is not so much whether these influential figures really believe the hot air that blows from Trumps direction, but what their appearances signal to a swath of the American public: That Trump truly is the victim of political persecution, Merchan is indeed running a kangaroo court, and its all part of a deep state plot to keep Trump out of the White House, which he won in 2020. There is, apparently, no longer any sense of shame in the gravel pit of conservative politics. Such are the politics of grievance. Any institution, any process, any law that blocks the path to power is deserving of contempt. And Trump and his ilk have contempt not just for the rule of law. Their contempt is for the rest of us. Adherence to the rule of law is necessary for a democracy. Volumes have been written on the nature of law, but it really comes down to a society choosing to obey established limits on power. Some of our laws change those from Congress and state legislatures, for example but the founders considered some so important that they put them in the Constitution, a document thankfully difficult to change. It is our Magna Carta, our bedrock for the rule of law. Trump claims its his constitutional right to comment on the hush money trial. But his posts and comments amount to witness intimidation, speech that is unprotected by the First Amendment. Being the target of Trumps public invective would be chilling for any witness or judge, juror or prosecutor in any case hes involved in. Trump could restrain himself, but he wont, because it meets his political goal of creating a false narrative of persecution. If Merchan attempts to restrain Trump by sending him to jail, the former president will be treated with a level of deference and protection no criminal defendant has ever enjoyed. It might even burnish his street cred in the eyes of his followers and lend support to his false claims of persecution. With the Secret Service to protect him, what would Trump really have to fear? Nothing, and thats the problem. Merchans in an impossible position in regard to Trump. There is simply no way to deal with his contempt that doesnt involve treating him with more deference than any other defendant. After all, when youre a star theyll let you do anything. In the years since Trump rode down the golden escalator to announce his candidacy, we have become desensitized to assaults on democracy. Phrases such as rule of law and peaceful transition of power have been used so much that they are in jeopardy of losing their power, if not their meaning, through the process of semantic bleaching. Remember when literally meant, well, literally? Trumps use of language is not to convey ideas but to project power. His word chipper of insults, slurs and lies in posts and public utterances are calculated for effect, not meaning. He claims freedom of speech for himself but would deny it to others, including the porn star whose silence he attempted to buy. The antidote to Trumps assault on the English language and his contempt for the rule of law is thoughtful and careful speech. It will take courage and imagination to reframe the argument for democracy in a way that will reach those who have become disenchanted with liberal society. It will take dedication to a system of law and the institutions that administer it, even if imperfect, to have any chance of navigating these dangerous waters. It will also take small acts of civic responsibility. Go see Civil War, but take it as a cautionary tale and not a prediction. Become an informed member of your community, take your civic responsibilities seriously, and encourage others to do the same. And if you get a summons for jury duty in the mail, dont try to get out of it. Do your duty. Every case is important to the rule of law and that, ultimately, may be the greatest equalizer between Trump and the rest of us. Max McCoy is an award-winning author and journalist. Through its opinion section, the Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here. The post Contempt has always been Trumps brand. But it doesnt have to be ours. appeared first on Kansas Reflector. A security cordon in Kinshasa on Sunday after the reported coup - Samy Ntumba Shambuyi/AP The army of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) says it has thwarted an attempted coup involving foreigners and Congolese. The coup bid took place in the early hours of Sunday in Kinshasa, outside the residence of Vital Kamerhe, the economy minister, and near the offices of President Felix Tshisekedi. An attempted coup detat has been stopped by the defence and security forces, said General Sylvain Ekenge in a message broadcast on national television. He added that the foreigners and Congolese behind the attack, including their leader, would all no longer cause any harm. Gen Ekenge did not give any more details on the incident, which took place in the Gombe region in the north of the capital city. Shots were also heard near the Palais de la Nation, according to a number of sources. Vital Kamerhe, the economy minister, was said to be unharmed - Arsene Mpiana/AFP Lucy Tamlyn, the US ambassador to the DRC, said: I am shocked by the events this morning and very worried by the reports of American citizens allegedly involved. Rest assured that we are cooperating with authorities in DRC to the fullest extent possible, as they investigate these criminal acts and hold accountable any American citizen involved. A number of people were also injured when a shell from Kinshasa fell in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo, which sits just across the Congo river from the DRC. A few people have been lightly injured, one of whom has been transported to the army hospital of Brazzaville for treatment by the health service, said Thierry Moungalla, the Republic of Congos communication minister. Reports began to circulate on social media early on Sunday morning of an attack on Mr Kamerhes home by armed men, some of whom then went to the Palais de la Nation. Mr Kamerhe (L) campaigning with Felix Tshisekedi, who is now president - John Wessels/AFP Japans ambassador to Kinshasa, Hidetoshi Ogawa, said there had been an armed attack at the ministers residence. He added: Mr Kamerhe was not harmed [but] two policemen and an assailant were killed, according to sources. Frances ambassador reported automatic weapons fire in the area and urged French nationals to stay away. Videos on social media appeared to show men in fatigues at the Palais de la Nation, brandishing the flag of Zaire. The DRC was known by that name under dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, who was overthrown in 1997. Mr Tshisekedi was re-elected at the end of December with more than 70 per cent of votes in the first round but is yet to form a government, some five months after the elections. 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 passenger is fed up after his airline didn't immediately cover the cost of a hotel room for a cancelled flight. This was likely not the extra vacation he had hoped for. A travelers trip turned sour after an airline stuck him with the hotel bill after a canceled flight. London area resident Ian Field and his companion Jane had been enjoying a trip to St. Lucia in the Caribbean before their May 15 flight was canceled for what Virgin Atlantic called operational reasons, according to The Independent. It took another two days to get Field and Jane who suspected the cancelation was from a lack of passengers on another flight. The man alleges both Virgin Atlantic and their travel company, Blue Bay Travel, left them on their own to find and pay for two more nights on the island. We feel completely abandoned and let down terribly, Field told The Independent. No response from Virgin, and the attitude of the travel agent is hopeless. Both entities reportedly left Field paying an extra $520 in unexpected lodging that he would have to later claim reimbursement to get back. However, Field said that they were told to call family for financial help should they need it. Field was furious with the response to his canceled flight. Absolutely appalling response all round, Field said. Your problem, not ours just sort it out yourself and claim back your costs from Virgin. And if you dont have any funds available to pay for the extra two nights, then ask your family to bail you out. A Virgin Galatic spokesperson told the outlet that they will be fully reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred along with both travelers getting $660 for their stay. Wed like to apologize to our customers for the delay in completing their journey and any inconvenience caused, the spokesperson added. Field feels abandoned by Virgin for having to pay out of pocket for a hotel after his flight was canceled. REUTERS Small words for Field though, who still cant wrap his head around the approach. Luckily, were in a position to pay the extra $520 to the hotel, he said. But what about those who cant pay? Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) warned Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) to not come after her after the two lawmakers clashed during a House committee hearing Thursday night. Dont come for me, Crockett told MSNBCs Katie Phang when asked if she had any other messages to share with Greene. That is all that I need to tell her. Dont come for me with it. Chaos erupted during a House Oversight Committee hearing Thursday night after Greene asked Democratic members of the committee whether any of them are employing the daughter of the judge overseeing former President Trumps hush money case. Please tell me what that has to do with Merrick Garland, Crockett asked, referring to Attorney General Merrick Garland. Do you know what were here for? I dont think you know what youre here for, Greene responded. I think your fake eyelashes are messing up what youre reading. Greenes comment prompted outrage from Democrats, and Crockett later said the Republicans behavior was absolutely racist. In her interview Saturday, Crockett blasted the House Republicans for postponing the hearing from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday so that some Republican lawmakers could attend Trumps hush money trial in Manhattan earlier that day. The exchange came during a markup to hold Garland in contempt of Congress. You know, we showed up ready to work, and unfortunately, we cannot have our hearing at 11 oclock. Even though this is a pointless hearing and its, its ridiculous, in and of itself that we needed to have it, but we showed up, Crockett said in remarks highlighted by Mediaite. Theyre in the majority. They set the agenda And they decided that they would skip work and go to New York to be involved in Trumps trial, Crockett added. And so then we get back at 8 p.m. and instead of focusing on what the task at hand was, which was whether or not AG Merrick Garland was going to be held in contempt of Congress, Marjorie Taylor Greene started talking about Judge [Juan Merchan], which is why I asked her, Do you know why were here? And ultimately, it devolved into the debacle that it did. The Hill has reached out to Greenes office for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) is launching a Crockett Clapback Collection of T-shirts meant to raise money for Democratic candidates following the attention on her clash with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). Crockett wrote on the social platform X on Friday that she will be launching a merchandise collection that will feature various swag that includes random things she has said. This will include her comment that appeared to target Greene during a House Oversight Committee hearing last week. Crocketts post on X also included a photo of a T-shirt that reads, Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Body, which she said will be available first. She said she needs a little time to get the merchandise available online, noting that the money will go to ensuring that we have a Democratic House. Crockett and Greene fell into a heated exchange at a Thursday hearing after the Georgia Republican made a comment about Crocketts appearance. I think your fake eyelashes are messing up what youre reading, Greene said to Crockett, triggering a furor and insults back and forth. Crockett later asked what she said was a hypothetical question about what might violate congressional protocol. Im just curious, just to better understand your ruling, Crockett said, referring to a decision made by Chair James Comer (R-Ky.). If someone on this committee then starts talking about somebodys bleach blonde bad built butch body, that would not be engaging in personalities, correct? Crockett defended her comments during the hearing on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday, saying she does not regret her words. I dont, because heres the thing. I signed up to be a member of Congress. That didnt mean that I was supposed to walk into a position where Im going to walk in and be disrespected, she said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (COLORADO SPRINGS) An armed suspect died after an officer-involved shooting in southeast Colorado Springs on Saturday night, May 18. According to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) at around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, officers were called to the 4200 block of Deerfield Hills Road, near the intersection of South Academy Boulevard and Hancock Expressway, in response to a suicidal man with a gun. Courtesy: FOX21 News Photographer, Lilia Onstott Courtesy: FOX21 News Photographer, Lilia Onstott Courtesy: FOX21 News Photographer, Lilia Onstott Courtesy: FOX21 News Photographer, Lilia Onstott Courtesy: FOX21 News Photographer, Lilia Onstott Courtesy: FOX21 News Photographer, Lilia Onstott Before officers arrived, they were told a shot had been fired inside the home, but that others living there were able to exit safely. When police were on scene, they tried to check on the welfare of the suspect, but more shots were fired from the home into the surrounding neighborhood. Patrol officers requested tactical support, however, before they were able to respond, the suspect exited the front door of the home with a gun. Officers attempted to talk to the suspect to peacefully resolve the situation and ordered him to drop the weapon, but he refused. According to CSPD, at that time at least one officer fired at least one round, striking the suspect. Once it was safe to do so, officers attempted emergency medical aid and took the suspect into custody. He was then taken to the hospital, where he later died. No officers or other community members were harmed during the incident. Per CSPD policy, the El Paso County Sheriffs Office will investigate this officer-involved shooting. A list of mental health resources in southern Colorado can be found here: Lets Talk Mental Health: Sponsors, Resources & Forums The National Suicide Hotline, a prevention network of over 200+ crisis centers, can be reached 24/7 at 988. 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. It was a combination soap company and fertilizer store where the trademarked Sapone brand of granulated soap was manufactured by the T. Hersom Co, in New Bedford. Thomas Hersom registered the soap under the brand name Thos. Hersom & Co.s Sapone on Oct. 1, 1889, according to Library of Congress records. The trademark for Thos. Hersom & Co.'s Sapone is registered with the Library of Congress. Soap manufacturer Thomas S. Hersom would later add fertilizer and stock feed sales to his business. Advertisements regularly referred to T. Hersom & Co.'s soap and Italian Sapone, including one identifying Borax as an ingredient. Why Sapone? Sapone is an Italian word that means soap. It also refers to a maker or seller of soap. The T. Hersom Co. opened in 1876 when Thomas Hersom Sr. bought the soap manufacturing plant of Otis A. Sisson located at Middle and Water streets, according to Massachusetts Historical Commission records from the Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System database. MACRIS collected the information from the Standard-Times and building records from the New Bedford assessor's office and the Water Department. What was 'Holy Acre'? New Bedford neighborhood had a reputation and possibly was haunted "Try a Box of Hersom's Best Soap" from Thomas Hersom & Co. of New Bedford. New Bedford soap manufacturer made several moves While it was the first of four locations for the company, from 1882 until 1890 he operated his soap company on leased property on Fish Island. When his lease expired, his next move was to purchase a paper mill on Acushnet Avenue, north of Lunds Corner. A fire in 1909 destroyed the plant, and that same year he built a new complex at the foot of Howard Avenue. That would later become the site of an industrial laundry owned by Coyne International Enterprises. The main structure was three stories with several smaller storage sheds, all made of wood. There was also a water tower with a capacity of 30,000 gallons. Hersom reportedly maintained an active interest in the enterprise he founded up to the time of his death in 1926 at the age of 90. Curious SouthCoast: How New Bedford celebrated its first 50 years in a repair shop The T. Hersom Co. manufactured its soaps in New Bedford starting in 1876. Fertilizer was a change in scent While soapmaking was the companys stock and trade, the company started selling fertilizers and stock feed as well. He sold sperm, neatsfoot, castor and palm oils as well as tallow, grease and caustic soda along with pure bone meal and meat for hen foot, according to a photo from the Spinner Publication archives. Based on records from that time, the T. Hersom Co. was the only firm in New Bedford to produce fertilizer. Signs Read: The T. Hersom & Company office at Northwest corner of North Front and Commercial streets was a soap manufacturer and sold fertilizer and feed. It's a Thos. Hersom & Co. matchbox advertising lawn seed and other products. In 1938, New England Overall Dry Cleaning & Supply Co. out of Westport, owned and operated by Alexander Montminy, bought the T. Hersom Co. and worked there until his semi-retirement in 1960. Thats when Coyne Enterprises took over and for a time operated out of the soap factory. Standard-Times staff writer Kathryn Gallerani can be reached at kgallerani@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @kgallreporter. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today. This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Curious SouthCoast: History of New Bedford soap maker Thomas Hersom Iran on Saturday unveiled a selection of ancient clay tablets brought back to the country last year from the United States. Dad of Boy, 10, Who Was Swept into Storm Drain in Tennessee Says He Has Died: 'We Are Broken-Hearted' Asher Sullivan, 10, was sent to the Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville after falling into the storm drain on May 8 Rutherford County Schools Asher Sullivan. The 10-year-old boy who was swept away in a storm drain in Tennessee on May 8 has died, according to his father. Jimmy Sullivan confirmed the death of his son Asher in an emotional post on Facebook on Saturday, May 18. He said his son had suffered an anoxic brain injury (ABI) due to lack of oxygen to his brain following the incident, which he said also caused severe brain damage that progressively worsened over the last 36 hours. Asher officially passed away this afternoon around 1:20 pm, Sullivan, the Director of Schools at Rutherford County, wrote. Then detailing the events of the last 36 hours, Sullivan said, "Asher had one brain stem reflex remaining the last few days that kept him from officially being declared brain dead/deceased. The doctors had told us that they didnt expect that reflex to go away, but that further improvement beyond maybe a finger moving was not possible. That left [my wife] Kaycee and I with an impossible decision that deep down we knew we wouldnt make," he continued. Related: Dad of 10-Year-Old Boy Who Was Swept Into Storm Drain Says to Keep the Prayers Coming Sullivan further explained that he and his wife had requested an additional MRI on May 16 and met with the neurologists the next day, as they were told the MRI results showed further progression of brain damage from five days earlier. While we were away, Ashers vitals crashed. His pulse and blood pressure became erratic, he lost the ability to control temperature, and the eye response ceased, the father of two next explained. Our sweet boy did what Asher has always done, he put others first. No longer did Kaycee and I have to make an impossible decision. Instead, he made it for us while we were out of the room," he added. Sullivan also said that the doctors performed two extremely in-depth tests" that he and his wife "watched separated by 24 hours. Related: Dad Says 10-Year-Old Son 'Needs a Miracle' After Being Swept Into Storm Drain: 'The Damage Is Substantial' No parent should have to watch this, but we knew for our hearts, we had to. The results showed us what we already knew, that our sweet Asher was already gone, he said. We are broken-hearted, mad, and every other emotion at the same time. According to Sullivan, Asher remains on life support at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, as doctors prepare him for the organ donation process. Its 100% an 'Asher' type thing to do in continuing to be selfless. He will have an honor walk at the hospital in the next few days and be celebrated as he is, a hero! Sullivan said. Earlier this month, Sullivan shared a post on Facebook that said Asher "got caught" in a storm drain and "was swept under the neighborhood streets." After being rescued from the ditch, he received CPR and was taken to the hospital, where he initially was in stable but critical condition, per WGNS. A neighbor told WSMV that Asher had grabbed his shoe when he got swept into the drain. In the days that followed, Sullivan shared daily updates on his sons condition. 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. On Thursday, May 16, a vigil was held by the local community at the RCS District Office in honor of Asher. The students and faculty wore Ashers favorite colors, blue and green, as they attended. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. DARLINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) A Darlington County man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the attempted murder of his girlfriend, the Fourth Circuit Solicitors Office said Friday. Jesse Washington pleaded guilty to attempted murder. He shot and injured his girlfriend in a domestic violence incident. The incident happened when the woman was in a car with her children, aged 2 and 9, the solicitors office said. While she was calling 911, Washington jumped in the car, disabled it and put a gun to the womans head. Dispatchers heard screaming when the line went dead after the woman was shot in the face, according to the solicitors office. Despite being shot, the woman was able to get her children out of the car and flee while Washington continued shooting in her direction. The woman lost an eye in the shooting but recovered to appear in court. An attempted murder charge carries up to 30 years in 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 Queen City News. Was death of a doctor's wife an accident or staged to look like one? On Nov. 13, 2016, Dr. Eric "Scott" Sills, a renowned California fertility doctor, called 911 and reported finding his wife and business partner Susann Sills unresponsive at the bottom of the stairs. An initial investigation revealed some evidence that was consistent with an accidental fall. But as "48 Hours" correspondent Tracy Smith reports, other evidence pointed to something more sinister. A PUZZLING SCENE On that Sunday morning, Orange County Sheriff's Homicide Detectives Eric Hatch and Dave Holloway had more questions than clues. Tracy Smith: At that point in time that morning November 13th, was Scott Sills a victim or a suspect? Det. Dave Holloway: To us he was a victim. We were going to a house where two kids and a husband just lost their wife and mother. Tracy Smith: Is it a steep stairway? Det. Eric Hatch: Yeah, it's pretty high. I believe it was 13-and-a-half feet from the floor to the top of the stairs. Tracy Smith: Did it seem plausible that a 45-year-old woman, in pretty good shape, would've fallen down the stairs to her death? Det. Eric Hatch: At the time, it sounded believable. Det. Dave Holloway: Susann had injuries to pretty much her whole body. Her face was all bruised up. Her back was bruised up. Both arms and legs were had bruising and abrasions. And around her body was an odd collection of items a stainless steel soup pot, a purse and an empty medication bottle. A scarf was found off to the side. Det. Eric Hatch: They definitely stood out especially that steel pot. It almost looked like it was placed there. It wasn't upside down or leaning against anything. Det. Dave Holloway: We had to figure out why those things were there. The detectives say Scott Sills didn't seem nervous that a homicide team was in his home asking questions. Det. Eric Hatch: He was just kind of going with the flow. Tracy Smith: How cooperative was he? Det. Dave Holloway: Oh, very. Everything we asked of him he, he gave us. Det. Eric Hatch: He signed a consent form, that gave us the permission to search his house. And when they interviewed the Sills' children, 12-year-old twins Mary-Katherine and Eric, each told a similar story to their dad that Susann Sills had not been feeling well that night. Det. Dave Holloway: Susann had a history of migraines. They were typically debilitating requiring a dark room, quiet and bed rest. And she had been suffering from a migraine that weekend. The migraine seemed to explain that large pot. Det. Dave Holloway: Sometimes she carried around a bowl in order to have it near her bedside in case she threw up in the middle of the night. And the empty pill bottle was for a pain medication Scott Sills said his wife took to treat her migraines. Tracy Smith: So, did that make it sound more possible that she could've fallen down the stairs because she was suffering from a migraine? Det. Eric Hatch: Maybe. And there seemed to be nothing in the couples' relationship to suggest another reason. Tracy Smith: What did you learn about the Sills' marriage? Det. Eric Hatch: According to Scott, everything was fine. They had a, you know, a good relationship. Both children attested that their parents loved each other and said they rarely argued and were never violent. Detectives started piecing together a timeline of the weekend. Det. Dave Holloway: Saturday night she was on the couch. Eric came down to see her, check on her, make sure she was OK. It was around midnight when Eric Sills and his mom went back upstairs, after Eric said she put the dogs away in their crate. Mary-Katherine had gone to bed in her parents' bedroom. Susann Sills was going to spend the night in Mary-Katherine's room, which was the quietest. Det. Dave Holloway: It was Mary-Katherine's idea for Susann to spend the night in that room. It was clean according to Mary-Katherine and done up like a little hotel suite for Susann to convalesce in there. Mary-Katherine had left a note on her door with what would be her last words to her Mom. "I know you are tired," she wrote, "but you need to know that I love you ..." Dr. Eric Scott Sill and Susann Sills / Credit: Sandi Roberts Around 4 a.m., Eric Sills said he woke to the sound of his parents arguing in the next room. Det. Dave Holloway (pointing up at windows outside Sills home): The two windows, that's Eric's room. Tracy Smith: So Eric is right next (to) Mary-Katherine's room where his mom was. Det. Dave Holloway: Yeah. Tracy Smith: And what did he tell you he heard? Det. Dave Holloway: Well, he heard loud voices arguing, but he didn't describe hearing any physical confrontation. Eric Sills told detectives that after about five minutes he decided to go to sleep in the main bedroom with his sister. According to Mary-Katherine's statement, she thought he'd come in around 3:40 a.m. and told her their parents were arguing about a work email. DETECTIVE: How do you know she she got an email? MARY-KATHERINE SILLS: Because Eric said they were talking about that. DETECTIVE: Oh, OK. So Eric told you that she got an email and that she was, it was about something MARY-KATHERINE SILLS: Something about work. Scott Sills told detectives he had argued with his wife because he found her working late on her laptop, which made her migraines worse. Tracy Smith: When you heard that they had an argument shortly before she was found at the bottom of the stairs dead, what was going through your mind? Det. Dave Holloway: Well, again that's one more piece of data that we're gonna collect. It doesn't mean one way or the other that it was a murder. But that's definitely an avenue that we would have to pursue. Neither Eric nor Mary-Katherine heard their dad return to the bedroom. MARY-KATHERINE SILLS: I woke up and my dad was just like on the covers just laying there like there wasn't enough room to get in I guess. So, he was just laying there. DETECTIVE: On top of it? MARY-KATHERINE SILLS: Yeah. It was around 6:30 a.m. the next morning when Scott Sills and the twins woke up. He asked them if they wanted to go to the pool and get some doughnuts. Mary-Katherine said when she left the bedroom and looked over the banister, she saw her mom's body at the bottom of the stairs that long red and white scarf around her neck. Det. Dave Holloway: That was Mary-Katherine's scarf It was found in the same room as Susann's body. Tracy Smith: But the scarf wasn't on her body? Det. Dave Holloway: When we arrived, it was not. Mary-Katherine told us that she had to remove the scarf. And she did that not to impede mom's breathing. Mary-Katherine Sills said when she saw her mom's body at the bottom of the stairs a red and white scarf was around her neck. She told police she removed it. / Credit: Orange County Superior Court Adding to the mystery were the injuries to Susann Sills' neck the deputy coroner had noticed during a preliminary examination of the body earlier that morning. Det. Eric Hatch: Especially with the ligature mark across her neck it just didn't make sense. Tracy Smith: Is it possible that she could have fallen down the stairs and then somehow the scarf strangled her? Det. Dave Holloway: Could have caught on a banister sure I suppose so, but we didn't have any evidence of that. As detectives continued their investigation, the questions mounted. Tracy Smith: Did anybody in the house hear a fall down the stairs? Det. Dave Holloway: No. Nobody described hearing a fall down the stairs. Or, if Susann had been carrying that stainless steel pot, no one heard that bounce down the stairs or land on the tile floor. Det. Dave Holloway: There was no evidence on the stairs of someone going down, uh, like broken baluster or anything like that. And something else the detectives thought was strange. Det. Eric Hatch: It was a warm day even though it was November. But when we spoke with Scott, and during the whole time we were in the house doing our investigation, he was wearing a beanie over his head. And he said that he slept with it 'cause it was cold. Tracy Smith: Did you ask him to remove the beanie? Det. Eric Hatch: Yes. As it turned out, Susann wasn't the only one with injuries that morning. BLOOD FOUND IN A BEDROOM Det. Dave Holloway: We discovered that Scott had some injuries He had a cut up here on his forehead. and on his arm, he had a bruise. Scott Sills said there was a simple explanation for the injuries. He had hurt himself while working on his car in the garage with his son, Eric. There was just one problem. Det. Dave Holloway: Eric told us dad didn't hurt himself. Tracy Smith: Did he say to you, I left the garage so maybe he hurt himself while I was gone? Det. Dave Holloway: No. He told us they came in the house together. And investigators said they found something Scott Sills couldn't explain on that day. Tracy Smith: You found blood? Det. Eric Hatch: Yes. Blood can be seen on curtains in Mary-Katherine's bedroom where her mom had been sleeping. Blood was also found on the wall and nightstand. / Credit: Orange County Superior Court Blood in Mary-Katherine's room where Susann Sills had been staying on the curtains, the wall, and the nightstand. Tracy Smith: So, that morning when you asked Scott about the blood, what did he say? Det. Eric Hatch: He didn't know where it came from. He was unaware of it. Mary-Katherine told investigators the room was "perfect" when she left it. She also said she'd turned down the bed, but now it was made. Det. Eric Hatch: It didn't really make sense. Why would Susann take the time to make the bed in the middle of the night? Tracy Smith: So if you found blood in Mary-Katherine's bedroom, you know that there are ligature marks on Susann why not take him down to the station at this point and question him? Det. Dave Holloway: Once you arrest somebody that starts processes that you can't stop. Besides the blood in the bedroom we didn't really have enough evidence of a fight occurring. So, at the end of the day, there wasn't enough probable cause legally to arrest him. Susann Sills' autopsy four days later didn't provide any definitive answers. The forensic pathologist noted that Susann Sills had injuries all over her body that could have resulted from a fall, including a fractured C3 vertebra near the base of her neck, which can be fatal. Then there was that ligature mark across her neck and hemorrhaging of the blood vessels in her eyes, which pointed to strangulation. It would take months to make an official ruling. Det. Dave Holloway: It's not something they wanna rush into. It's not something they wanna make a rash judgment on. The doctor wanted to examine the whole case more clearly. In the meantime, detectives requested DNA testing on evidence collected from the Sills home, and forensic analysis on Susann Sills' phone and laptop. They also dug deeper into who the Sills were. Det. Dave Holloway: None of their immediate neighbors knew anything about the family. Eventually we contacted whoever we could out of their contact list to try and find out more. Sandi Roberts: In high school I thought this must be what genius means his humor, his quick wit. Sandi Roberts and Jamie Aikens have known Scott Sills since their high school days in Harriman, Tennessee. Sandi Roberts: He was something we had never seen before. In a small town in Tennessee at that age He was very special. Jamie Aikens: He was hilarious How many people come to class in a three-piece suit and it's not dress-up day. Sandi Roberts: He's flamboyant. He's bigger than life. He was very, very kind. Jamie Aikens: I grew up, uh, pretty poor, I didn't have a car in high school or anything like that and a lot of times no lunch money. And he always pulled out his wallet and paid for it. It just wasn't a question. His future seemed limitless. He was accepted to both law school and medical school. Sandi Roberts: We were kind of all on the edge of our seat, wondering what he was going to decide to do. Dr. Eric Scott Sills was a beloved infertilty doctor. / Credit: Scott Sills/Facebook And it was no surprise when the hometown boy became a renowned IVF specialist a profession that would lead him to Susann. Chris Solimine: Susann was going through fertility treatment, trying to get pregnant with her first husband. Chris Solimine met Susann Arsuaga in business school, where she earned an MBA. She had confided in him about her struggles to get pregnant. Chris Solimine: Having kids was everything to Susann. She'd cry about it. I mean, it was so important to her. And Eric Scott Sills was her fertility doctor. But soon, Solimine says, they were a couple. Chris Solimine: She started talking about Dr. Sills after she had told me she was getting divorced and that she was now dating him. I just remember her saying he's a brilliant doctor. Scott Sills, who was also coming out of a previous marriage, seemed to have met his match. Chris Solimine: Susanne was smart, witty, sarcastic, but not in a mean way, you know, just enough to to dig at you. incredibly driven, a loyal friend. Sandi Roberts: She was so classy, so beautiful very engaging. Jamie Aikens: Seemed like to me he found one that it was a good fit. Susann Arsuaga fit right in at Scott's 20th high school reunion. Sandi Roberts: She danced the whole time. They were lovely together. He just seemed really happy. Scott and Susann Sills with twins Eric and Mary-Katherine and dogs Annabelle and Buddy. / Credit: Susann Sills/Patrick.net The couple married and welcomed twins through IVF, adding to Dr. Sills' two older kids. And eventually, Susann Sills' business acumen would lead them to start their own IVF practice in April 2015. Chris Solimine: She started the business She built it. Susann pretty much ran everything with the exception of actually doing the procedures. The practice soon took off. And Dr. Sills was often featured on the TV program "The Doctors," which was distributed by CBS. Dr. Julio Novoa: He was in many eyes, a saint. He was loved by his patients. Dr. Julio Novoa is an OB/GYN who co-authored a book with Dr. Sills. Dr. Julio Novoa: Dr. Sills was a great doctor And Susann was a a great advocate for women as well. They were a team not just married, but a team and working well together. But about a month before her death, Rick Leeds, another of Susann Sills' friends, says she left him a troubling message. Rick Leeds: She sounded like she was whispering It was so different from the happy, jovial, excited voicemails I got before. This one was definitely things weren't good. When they spoke, Leeds says it sounded like there was tension over a photo. Rick Leeds: She said it was a topless photo of her that had appeared on a blog. this was some discussion she didn't wanna have. IN SEARCH OF A MOTIVE When news of Susann Sills' death reached her friends, they were stunned. Rick Leeds: It was devastating. Chris Solimine: I couldn't believe it. It didn't seem plausible to me that she just fell down the stairs with a migraine headache. It didn't sound like the vibrant Susann they knew. Scott Sills' friends say they were equally perplexed. Sandi Roberts: Scott would not discuss anything with us. Jamie Aikens: He quickly changed the subject. We never spoke again. you don't know how tragedies affect people. Tracy Smith: What were your impressions of Scott Sills throughout the investigation? Det. Dave Holloway: I would describe him as emotionless. He never acted as though Susann was even his wife He talked about what a good manager she was and how she kept their business flowing. But he never once mentioned that she was a good mother or that he loved her Tracy Smith: All very businesslike? Det. Dave Holloway: Yeah. In fact, the day after Susann Sills' death, the doctor had gone to work. Joanie Rickers: I was shocked. Who goes to the office the next morning when your wife died. Joanie Rickers' daughter was a nurse at the Sills' IVF clinic and had called her in a panic. Joanie Rickers: She said her patients are in cycle and they have to be treated. Rickers volunteered to help manage the office something Susann Sills did and ended up working there for two years. Tracy Smith: Did Dr. Sills talk about his wife? Joanie Rickers: Oh, never. Tracy Smith: Didn't ever say how she died? Joanie Rickers: Oh, we it was never discussed. Pretty soon, she says the doctor started changing his appearance. Joanie Rickers: He started to dress like a movie star. I mean, he was very simple before. And she says the once-balding doctor now had a full head of hair. Sandi Roberts: We definitely noticed, um, new hair. Scott Sills' changing behavior and new appearance raised red flags. / Credit: Scott Sills/Facebook They also noticed Dr. Sills' flashier online persona. Sandi Roberts: I said to one of my friends, now is Sills a doctor or a model? I personally don't know any doctors on social media that are takin' selfies in the gym in their blazers and their sunglasses and in their Porsches I mean, it was a little much. Rick Leeds: All of a sudden, there started to be another woman in photos, and he was out on dates and they were going around town. The behavior raised eyebrows, but it was hardly evidence. Then, in November 2017, a year after Susann Sills' death, there was finally news from the coroner's office: Susann's cause of death was cited as ligature strangulation and the manner a homicide. Dr. Sills was now the prime suspect. DNA results on the blood in Mary-Katherine's room showed a mixture of his and Susann's DNA. Det. Dave Holloway: They were both there. Tracy Smith: There was a fight. Det. Dave Holloway: There's a fight. And he killed his wife. On Aug. 8, 2018, nearly two years after Susann Sills' death, Detectives Holloway and Hatch made a surprise house call at the doctor's home. Tracy Smith: Did you ask Dr. Sills at this point, just flat out, did you kill your wife? Det. Eric Hatch: Yes. He started stressing started sweating. He became more defensive. They say the doctor denied killing his wife. And he now offered an explanation for his blood in Mary-Katherine's room: he said he had injured himself replacing a window screen. Tracy Smith: Wouldn't Mary-Katherine have seen the blood that he left from replacing the screen? Det. Eric Hatch: For sure. Tracy Smith: And she didn't mention it? Det. Eric Hatch: Nope. Despite the death being ruled a homicide, detectives said they still had more investigating to do, like finding a motive. A search of Susann Sills' phone provided some clues. Text messages hinted at problems in the marriage. Det. Dave Holloway: There was one in particular where she had some pretty strong words towards Scott. In texts sent in late August, less than three months before her death, Susann Sills wrote, "I am trapped"... "You are killing me"... "I just want out" and "We just aren't right for each other. And about a month before her death, Susann had confided in Rick Leeds. Rick Leeds: She and Scott were in a really rocky place and she was thinking about leaving him. Susann Sills / Credit: Susann Sills/Patrick.net He said Susann Sills was also upset about a photo she had posted online. Rick Leeds: Whatever was going on between her and Scott and this picture was just a pivotal point for her. Susann Sills had posted a topless photo after making a bet in a political chatroom called Patrick.net. Det. Dave Holloway: Susann apparently was one of the few women who was involved in this forum. She kind of threw out that if Donald Trump won the presidential nomination, that she would post a picture of her bare breasts. And on the day of her death, detectives had found a printout in Dr. Sills' home office of an exchange between Susann and another Patrick.net member from Aug. 30, 2016, discussing the photo. The man, who went by "tenpoundbass" wrote: "All I've got to say is you must have a super cool husband." Susann Sills aka "turtledove" replied, "He's exhausted, actually. It isn't easy being married to a woman who is partially naked and posing alluringly, all the time ..." Dr. Sills denied that he had printed that chat. But when investigators later searched his phone, they found a photo of the same exchange. Tracy Smith: Does this sound like this could lead to motive? Det. Dave Holloway: Yes, if it's something that's building up in him, some kind of anger or jealousy about what his wife's doing online without him Tracy Smith: Enough to kill her? Det. Dave Holloway: Mm-hmm. Detectives also learned that Dr. Sills had tried to collect on a $250,000 life insurance policy on Susann, but he claimed the insurance company had called him. Det. Eric Hatch: He wasn't able to collect because 'cause that death certificate was ruled as a homicide. Tracy Smith: Do you think Scott Sills thought he'd gotten away with it? Det. Eric Hatch: I think so. Det. Dave Holloway: Every day that went by, he felt a little bit more at ease, I think. On April 25, 2019, nearly two-and-a-half years after Susann' Sills' death, Dr. Sills was arrested for her alleged murder on his way to surgery. He quickly posted a million dollar bond. But investigators were about to get an unexpected tip from a woman who said she had met Dr. Sills while Susann was still alive. Det. Eric Hatch: They met through Facebook He was infatuated with her. She shared an email Scott Sills had sent her about two weeks after Susann Sills' death. Tracy Smith (reading email): "Pour ma chere Marie." Det. Eric Hatch: Yes. Tracy Smith: So it's in French: "This is probably the most important manuscript I have ever written....I am asking you to seriously rethink our suspended, but once intense relationship." Tracy Smith: When you first read that email what was your reaction? Det. Eric Hatch: I thought I was shocked This is a motive. Tracy Smith: So could Dr. Sills have killed his wife to get her out of the way? Jack Earley: Oh, I just don't see that at all. Dr. Sills' defense attorney Jack Earley denies that there was a romantic relationship. And he says that email was merely a devastated father's desperate attempt to find a new mother for his children. Tracy Smith: Did you feel in your gut that you could win this case? Jack Earley: Oh, yes. THE DEFENSE OFFERS A UNIQUE THEORY In November 2023, just over seven years after Susann Sills' death, Scott Sills now stripped of his medical license went on trial for her murder. The Orange County District Attorney's Office declined our request for an interview, but cameras were allowed in court for portions of the trial where Senior Deputy D.A. Jennifer Walker laid out her case to the jury. JENNIFER WALKER (in court): November 13th of 2016 this man killed his wife and hid it. Walker argued that Scott Sills beat, and then strangled, Susann Sills to death before staging the scene to make it look like she had fallen down the stairs. JENNIFER WALKER (in court): This is a murder, not an accident. The prosecution's case relied heavily on Susann Sills' autopsy. But Scott Sills' defense attorney, Jack Earley, came to court armed with a unique theory. He suggested that Susann fell either going up or down the stairs and that one or both of the family dogs then tugged on the scarf that was wrapped around her neck. Tracy Smith: Do you honestly think that the dogs pulled hard enough to strangle her to death? Jack Earley: No, no I didn't. That was not the main theory that the dogs actually strangled her to death. Instead, Earley focused on another injury identified in Susann Sills' autopsy: that fractured C3 vertebra. He says that injury is consistent with a fall, and that it would have left Susann incapacitated. Jack Earley: Let's assume that someone trips and falls and fractures their C3 their breathing is compromised. If they're then choked, it doesn't take much to kill 'em. Home video of Susann Sills playing tug-of-war with family dogs Buddy, left, and Annabelle. / Credit: Orange County Superior Court The defense had the scarf tested for dog DNA and it came back positive. And there was testimony that the dogs were known to play tug-of-war. as seen in this video. And when Susann and Scott Sills' now-19-year-old daughter Mary-Katherine took the stand for the prosecution, her testimony supported the defense's theory. Investigator Dave Holloway was at the trial. Det. Dave Holloway: Mary-Katherine testified that she saw the dogs pulling at the scarf around her neck. And none of that came up duringthethe day we interviewed her the first time. Tracy Smith: How did that strike you? Det Dave Holloway: Well, (sighs), um, I know that she was still close with her father Tracy Smith: Do you think she's trying to protect her dad? Det. Dave Holloway: I would say so. Earley denies that. He says the reason Mary-Katherine didn't tell investigators is simple. Jack Earley: It wasn't asked. Why would she think the dogs were important? She doesn't even know that there's any question of being choked. He says Scott Sills did tell first-responders. And he argued that Susann Sills' toxicology tests point to an accidental fall. She had a muscle relaxant and pain medication in her system. And Earley told the jury that Susann suffered from a fainting disorder and that vertigo would accompany her migraines. But the prosecution said the defense's theory just doesn't make sense. JENNIFER WALKER (in court): Strangulation is a silent killer. You know what's not a silent killer? Falling down multiple stairs You have to believe she bounced her head, neck, back, shoulders, inside of her arms, legs and feet, multiple ways against approximately six stairs. Like being in a soundproof pinball machine. Then was strangled by her dogs. Not reasonable. And why would Susann Sills have a scarf around her neck that early in the morning to begin with? Prosecutors suggested that Scott Sills used it to strangle her and then left it around her neck to cover the marks. But Earley told the jury it wasn't unusual for Susann to wear a scarf, especially when she wasn't feeling well. Jack Earley: Because if she got sick, that was something that she would wear a scarf to wipe your mouth with it. But the prosecution also pointed out that Susann and Scott Sills' son Eric told investigators he saw his mother put the dogs away in their crate in the hours before she died. Tracy Smith: Eric said that his mom put the dogs in the crate. Jack Earley: Yes. Sometimes, dogs, when they're crate-trained, when they go to bed, will go lay in the crate, even with the door open. A lone shoe on the staircase of the Sills family's San Clemente, California, home. / Credit: Orange County Superior Court There was also no blood on the stairs or damage to them. Tracy Smith: There are all these injuries that you say come from the fall down the stairs, all over her body, but she leaves no marks on the stairs. Jack Earley: But there's no marks anywhere in the house But there was that blood in Mary-Katherine's bedroom, and the prosecution argued it was evidence that a fight occurred. A forensic scientist testified that the stains on the nightstand and drapes were consistent with Scott Sills' DNA. Earley did acknowledge that his client's blood was in the room, but he told the jury about Scott's claim that he hurt himself there on an earlier date. Tracy Smith: From Scott replacing a screen? Jack Earley: Yeah. From getting cut on a nail that was in the back of the nightstand that was there. That forensic scientist though testified that one of the stains on the wall was a mixture of DNAand Scott and Susann Sills were likely contributors. Earley says that doesn't mean it was Susann's blood and that it could have been her touch DNA that was picked up. Jack Earley: Susann had touched that area before at some point in time. And she lived there. But the prosecution pointed out that there were also clumps of Susann Sills' hair found in Mary-Katherine's room, and there were blood stains on Susann's clothing that were found to be consistent with Scott Sills' DNA, too. Earley had a rebuttal to it all, starting with the hair. Jack Earley: She has hair extensions. And you know what hair extensions cause? Loss of hair. And the blood on the clothes? Jack Earley: You don't know how old it is. The jury was also shown pictures of those injuries that were observed on Scott Sills. Remember how he told investigators that he hurt himself while working on his car with his son? And how, according to investigators, Eric Sills said that his father didn't get injured? Well, when Eric Sills took the stand, his testimony allowed for the possibility. Jack Earley: What he testified is, well, I didn't stay there the whole time he fixed the car. Tracy Smith: Does that seem like a discrepancy to you? Jack Earley: Well it's not a discrepancy. nobody's asking him that full story at at the age 12. Tracy Smith: So he didn't necessarily say at age 12, dad didn't get the injury from the car? Jack Earley: No he basically said I wasn't there when he got the injury. While Eric Sills did testify that a loud discussion between his parents had woken him up shortly before his mother's death, the defense told the jury that there was nothing to it. And those texts between Scott and Susann Sills in the months before Susann's death? Jack Earley: If you have 40,000 texts and there's five of them with hard language in it, that's a perfect marriage. The jury didn't hear about the life insurance policy, that e-mail Scott Sills sent to another woman or his social media photos in the wake of his wife's death, but they were told about the Patrick.net posts. And the prosecution argued that topless photo that Susann Sills posted on the site enraged Scott Sills. Jack Earley: It wasn't a big deal. Tracy Smith: It's not striking to you that he had this photo in two places on his phone and then on the printer? Jack Earley: No, first of all, I don't know really who printed this stuff up. Earley maintains there is no motive for murder. Jack Earley: There was never any physical violence. Their working and marriage relationship everybody looked at it as loving. Scott Sills chose not to take the stand. The trial spanned three weeks, and then the case went to the jury. Erin Ellis: My heart was just pounding. A JURY DECIDES .. BUT QUESTIONS REMAIN Jurors Erin Ellis, Jack Van Camp, and Susan Blaho say that when deliberations began, they felt the pressure. Jack Van Camp: It's just so intimidating that you got someone's life on the line Tracy Smith: It weighs on you. Erin Ellis: Oh, yeah. And the ripple effect Jack Van Camp: The kids, and uh Erin Ellis: Yeah. Tracy Smith: Did you think about that? That these kids didn't only lose their mom? That if you convict him, now they're losing their dad. Erin Ellis: Of course. Jack Van Camp: Yeah. They say they also felt a clear motive was lacking. Erin Ellis: I mean, it's hard to imagine why something like this would happen. Jack Van Camp: Somebody would do that. Erin Ellis: Yeah. After about three hours, they came to a decision. The clerk read the verdict: COURT CLERK: We the jury in the above-entitled action find the defendant, Eric Scott Sills, not guilty of the crime of first-degree murder We the jury in the above-entitled action find the defendant, Eric Scott Sills, guilty of the crime of second-degree murder. Eric Scott Sills was found guilty of second-degree murder. / Credit: Getty Images Guilty of second-degree murder. Scott Sills, who gave the gift of life to so many through his IVF practicenow convicted of taking the life of his wife, the mother of his kids. Erin Ellis: I just felt sad. I mean, I was tearing up on the way out This whole family had been through so much, you know now this is the next phase of it. Susan Blaho: It was finality. Jack Van Camp: But he did that. The jurors we spoke to say that no one on the jury bought the defense's theory about the dogs. Jack Van Camp: The dogs would have to choke her on the stairs. And my dog was as big as hers and my dog cannot get a grip on wooden stairs with their nails to do anything. They just slide. Erin Ellis: The scarf had no puncture wounds either. I would've expected holes. Jack Van Camp: And the fall down the stairs wouldn't create that scenario on her body. Instead, what they spent the most time grappling with was whether Scott Sills was guilty of first-degree or second-degree murder. First-degree murder requires premeditation and deliberation. Jack Van Camp: I just didn't think he planned it. Erin Ellis: I don't. Jack Van Camp: If he had planned it or done any kind of forethought, it wouldn't be a hot mess crime scene that it was. Susan Blaho: It was kind of like a snap. But investigator Dave Holloway says while Scott Sills may not have planned his crime, he certainly had the time to think about what he was doing. Det. Dave Holloway: He had plenty of time from when he applied pressure to Susann's neck, till she died to stop what he was doing. And he still did it. I was a little disappointed that it was a second degree. On March 15, 2024, about three months after the verdict, court reconvened for sentencing. Susann Sills' mother, Theresa Neubauer, addressed the court, and kept the focus on her daughter. Theresa Neubauer: She was a dynamic person. She had hopes and dreams Hopes and dreams, Neubauer said, that one day Susann would see her daughter, Mary-Katherine, walk down the stairs of the family's San Clemente home on her wedding day. Theresa Neubauer: It was a very painful, uh, thing for me to learn of the role the staircase eventually played in real life. Mary-Katherine Sills addresses the court at her father's sentencing / Credit: CBS News Mary-Katherine also addressed the court and spoke of all the loss she had endured at such a young age. She and her brother were taken in by a family friend after their father's arrest and that family friend died suddenly of a health condition around the end of the trial. She asked the judge to show her father mercy. MARY-KATHERINE SILLS (in court): I want my father to walk me down the aisle at my wedding someday. When I have a family and children, I want my father to be there to hold my baby. I have been left orphaned and I feel so lost without my parents. Judge Patrick Donahue sentenced Scott Sills to the mandatory sentence under California law: 15 years to life in prison. His fate was decided, but for so many, questions remain. Exactly what led up to Susann Sills' death? Tracy Smith: Do you think we'll ever know exactly how it happened? Det. Dave Holloway: I don't think so. Det. Eric Hatch: No. Scott Sills declined "48 Hours"' requests for an interview. But in the end, no explanation will suffice or ease the profound sense of loss that lingers. Patients now without their doctor Dr. Julio Novoa: Thousands of women felt him to be a saint. From the saint all the way down to the devil, that's how it ended up being. and children without their father or their mother. Susann Sills / Credit: Legacy.com Chris Solimine: Her kids were so important to her and everything she did revolved around her children. She was an incredible human being. You know, II miss her (emotional). Scott Sills will be eligible for parole in 2033, though it could be sooner with good behavior. He is appealing his conviction. "48 Hours" Post Mortem Podcast Correspondent Tracy Smith and producer Gayane Keshishyan Mendez discuss the 911 call made by Dr. Sills, the police interview with a woman investigators believed he was courting, and the defense's unusual theory that the family dogs were involved in Susann Sills' death. This embedded content is not available in your region. Produced by Gayane Keshishyan Mendez and Stephanie Slifer. Alicia Tejada is the coordinating producer. Chelsea Narvaez is the associate producer. Michelle Fanucci, Cindy Cesare and Michelle Sigona are the development producers. Danielle Austen is the development associate producer. Gary Winter, Atticus Brady, Michelle Harris, Jason Schmidt and Michael Baluzy are the editors. Lourdes Aguiar is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the executive story editor. Judy Tygard is the executive producer. The Dish: Spaghetti stir fry is a family favorite Broadcast legend James Brown receives lifetime achievement award How the cicada phenomenon is capturing our collective attention A man in military fatigues speaks inside the Palace of the Nation during an attempted coup in Kinshasa A man in military fatigues speaks inside the Palace of the Nation during an attempted coup in Kinshasa By Ange Kasongo and Sonia Rolley KINSHASA (Reuters) -The leader of an attempted coup on Sunday in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been killed and some 50 people including three American citizens arrested, a spokesman for the Central African country's army told Reuters. Gunfire rang out around 4 a.m. in the capital Kinshasa, a Reuters reporter said. Armed men attacked the presidency in the city centre, according to spokesman Sylvain Ekenge. Another attack took place at the nearby home of Vital Kamerhe, a member of parliament who is tipped to become speaker, Kamerhe's spokesman, Michel Moto Muhima, and the Japanese ambassador said in posts on X. Moto Muhima said two guards and an attacker had been killed in that incident. Ekenge also said one attacker was killed there. A shell fired from Kinshasa hit the city of Brazzaville in neighbouring Republic of Congo, injuring several people, that country's government said in a statement, adding that one person had been hospitalised. Ekenge named Christian Malanga, a U.S.-based Congolese politician, as the leader of the attempted coup. "Malanga was definitively neutralised during the attack on the Palais de la Nation, a certain Aboubacar was neutralised during the attack on the residence of Vital Kamarhe [and] the others - around 50 including three American citizens - were arrested and are currently undergoing interrogation by the specialised services of the Armed Forces," Ekenge told Reuters. He said Malanga first attempted and aborted a coup in 2017 and that one of the American citizens arrested was Malanga's son. A Facebook page appearing to belong to Malanga posted a live-streamed video of what appeared to be the attack. "We, the militants, are tired. We cannot drag on with Tshisekedi and Kamerhe, they have done too many stupid things in this country," Malanga said in Lingala in the video, which has not been independently verified by Reuters. U.S. Ambassador Lucy Tamlyn said in a post on social media that she was "very concerned" by reports that American citizens had allegedly been involved in the events. "Please be assured that we will cooperate with the DRC authorities to the fullest extent as they investigate these criminal acts and hold accountable any U.S. citizen involved in criminal acts," she said. The U.S. embassy had earlier issued a security alert warning of "ongoing activity by DRC security elements" and reports of gunfire in the area. The United Nations' stabilisation mission in the DRC said that its chief, Bintou Keita, condemned the incidents in the strongest terms and offered her support to the Congolese authorities in a post on X. Tshisekedi was re-elected for a second term as president in December, but has yet to name a government, six weeks after appointing a prime minister. Kamerhe was a candidate for speaker of parliament in an election that had been scheduled for Saturday but was delayed by Tshisekedi. (Additional reporting by Erikas Mwisi Kambale, Benoit Nyemba, Djaffar Al Katanty, Yassin Kombi and Fiston Mahamba, and Christian Brice Elion in BrazzavilleWriting by Portia CroweEditing by David Goodman, Frances Kerry and Giles Elgood) Democrats argue Biden and his record will help him win backing of Black voters Democrats on Sunday fanned out on the major cable TV talk shows in defense of President Joe Biden's record with predictions that by November he would win a second term behind the support of Black voters. Recent polling in a handful of swing states shows support for the incumbent Democratic president slipping with a voting bloc that was crucial to electing him in 2020. In Pennsylvania, for example, 69% of Black voters said they favored Biden over Donald Trump, the former president and presumptive Republican nominee. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who earned 91% percent of the Black vote during his 2022 Senate run, said during an appearance on CNN that he still thinks the president will "prevail" in Pennsylvania. "Joe Biden is showing up again and again," Fetterman said. "I can't speak specifically about the Black (voters) and their own opinions. I can't speak to their experience. But I do believe that Joe Biden is going to carry those kinds of margins and I think he is going to win Pennsylvania. But it's going to be very close." President Joe Biden delivers a commencement address during Morehouse College's graduation ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia on May 19, 2024. While Fetterman appeared on the Sunday show, Biden took the stage in Atlanta as the commencement speaker for Morehouse College, a historically Black men's college. The Biden speech follows a series of events by the president aimed at engaging Black voters, including marking the 70th anniversary of the Supreme Court's landmark civil rights case Brown v. Board of Education. Biden met with families of the plaintiffs in the Oval Office on Thursday and on Friday, the day of the anniversary, gave remarks at the African American History Museum in Washington, D.C. The president will also be in Michigan, another swing state, later Sunday to speak at the Detroit Branch NAACP's annual Fight for Freedom Fund dinner. WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 16: Plaintiffs and family members of plaintiffs in the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case Cheryl Brown Henderson (2nd R), John Stokes (2nd L) and Nathaniel Briggs (R) speaks outside the White House with NAACP President Derrick Johnson (L) after meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden on May 16, 2024 in Washington, DC. This week marks the 70th anniversary of the landmark case that ended the segregation of students based on race in the United States. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776147573 ORIG FILE ID: 2153263283 Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, suggested that better messaging on what the Biden administration has done for Black Americans may help his reelection campaign. "It's about whether or not people understand what he has done for them. It's tough to kind of connect the dots sometimes. And honestly, this administration has done so much," Crockett told CNN Sunday. "They've done so much, but I don't think that the information has been pushed out continually." Among the list of achievements, Crockett said, is a historic investment in historically Black colleges and universities, like Morehouse. "I think that Black folk need to know that this administration has actually invested in them," Crockett said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Democrats defend Biden and his record with Black voters A Bartow County deputy and K9 officer were recently presented with the Valor Award for bravery and heroism in the line of duty. Deputy Nick Henderson and K9 Athos were presented the award on Thursday, May 9 by the North American Police Work Dog Association. Henderson and Athos were involved in a shooting on October 12, 2023, while stopping a kidnapping suspect. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Athos was shot in the back of his head, but thankfully was quickly treated and fully recovered. The suspect, Geoffrey Walker, 30, of Bremen, Georgia, was shot and killed during that incident. Deputies said Walker, who had multiple active felony warrants for his arrest, was told by deputies to drop his gun while they were chasing him through the woods off Leroy Scott Drive in Decatur, but did not and fired at deputies. Deputies returned fire, killing Walker. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: How did housing 3 inmates in Madera County cost $2.2 million? Here are the details Reality Check is a Fresno Bee series holding those in power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a tip? Email tips@fresnobee.com. A potential $2.2 million cost impacting Madera Countys budget projected to end the fiscal year with a deficit of more than $6 million is being attributed to an increase in inmate care expenses. Specifically, the county spent unexpected amounts to monitor three high-needs inmates in skilled-care facilities between January and March of this year, staff said during a Board of Supervisors meeting May 7. Their care contributed significantly to the growth of a deficit that started at $8 million when the county passed the current years budget. Through hiring controls, the county reduced that shortfall and a few weeks ago thought it would end the fiscal year in June with a deficit of $5.2 million. Now, that projected year-end deficit is $6.4 million. La Abeja, a newsletter written for and by California Latinos Sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter centered around Latino issues in California. Its something that we cant necessarily predict because of the inmates that we get and the level of care that they will need, Joel Bugay, the assistant county administrative officer, said during the board meeting. In a follow-up email to The Fresno Bee, Bugay said that the cost of private security to the county increased three-fold this year compared to last year. That is driven by the number of inmates requiring stays in medical facilities and their actual lengths of stay. The three high-needs inmates an 85-year-old charged with murder, a 39-year-old charged with murder and a 32-year-old charged with sex crimes against a minor were in skilled-care facilities at the same time between January and March. The county paid for private security to monitor them while they were in those facilities. The countys 2023-2024 budget allocated $300,000 to the Sheriffs Office to pay for private security for inmates in health-care facilities. Madera County Assistant Sheriff Brian Esteves said in an interview with The Bee that the county is obligated by state law to provide this care. I know these costs are high, but anytime someone dies in our custody, we typically get some sort of claim of wrongful death, he said. The fees to defend the county against those claims typically run just as much, if not higher, than the treatment you need to give them in the first place. Citing the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, which protects citizens privacy regarding medical issues, Esteves said he could not reveal why the three suspects needed to be in skilled-care facilities. He said paying for private security is cheaper than having correctional officers monitor inmates at health-care facilities long-term. None of the three inmates remain in the skilled-care facilities, and only one remains in the custody of the Madera County Sheriffs Office, Esteves said. A $6.4 million year-end budget deficit The Board of Supervisors on May 7 voted to use $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to help offset the $6.4 million that the county expects to be facing by the end of the year. The county also implemented a selective hiring freeze on county jobs, with the following allowable exemptions: The vacant positions are 100% funded by state, federal or other third-party sources. The vacancy is a department head. The vacancy, if not filled, will result in the county not meeting a state or federal mandate. The vacancy, if not filled, will cause unexpected costs that undermine the benefits of keeping the job unfilled. The vacancy, if not filled, will have a direct negative impact on public safety. Also, were identifying budget reduction options with each department, said Bugay, the assistant county administrative officer. We have been doing that ongoing as part of budget negotiations so that those can be considered in an in a systematic manner as part of the proposed (2024-2025) budget. Digging Deeper: Thousands of doses of narcotics seized in Raleigh firefighter, wifes drug trafficking stash, expert says RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) Potentially thousands of doses of narcotics were taken off the streets of Raleigh in a recent drug bust. Were happy that theyre getting them off the streets, thats why the police are here, said Larry Miller, President of the Glenwood South Neighborhood Collaborative. After receiving complaints of two people selling drugs in and around Glenwood South, North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement launched an investigation into Nicholas Banister and his wife Amanda. Teen found with more than five pounds of marijuana in Ashe County, charged: Sheriff The agency says the couple sold several different types of drugs to undercover agents. Agents said a subsequent search of their home yielded a stockpile of them. The amount that was confiscated and the list of the drugs is just like a pharmacy, Miller said. According to the ALE agents seized the following: 884 grams of cocaine 540 grams of ketamine 325 grams of MDMA 16 pounds of marijuana 13.6 ounces of psilocybin mushrooms 3,383 methamphetamine pills 9,283 Xanax pills 216 dosage units of LSD Theres so many variables involved. The purity of the drug is one of the most important things, you dont know how much is in there of the actual active substance, said local forensic toxicologist Dr. David Burrows. Despite this, Burrows says the 884 grams of cocaine could have potentially been used for thousands of doses. You know, any drug can be fatal if taken in high enough concentrations, he explained. Glenwood South (Harrison Grubb/CBS 17) Following this investigation, Miller is praising the continued presence of officers in the area. The ones that are here to cause problems will hopefully stay away, he said. If you make a couple of busts like that, more people that are so inclined will stay away. Raleigh Polices Hospitality Unit has also been actively confiscating drugs and firearms in and around Glenwood South. 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 block around the Governors Mansion was deserted around 9:30 p.m., apart from the half-dozen protesters who peeled off from the rest of the group at Lavaca Street. A few had flashlights. Three were in wheelchairs. Everyone assumed Gov. Greg Abbott was home for the night, tucked behind the white brick walls and black iron gates. So the question on the flyers that protesters posted Tuesday night on walls, benches and sidewalks was really a statement, an assertion that members of the disabled community felt abandoned by the state leader who should have the greatest empathy for their plight: Wheres Gov. Abbott? The flyers showed Abbotts face with Wheres Waldo? attire. Red-and-white striped shirt. White knit cap. Youve got to have some fun, said Cathy Cranston, a caregiver and one of the protest organizers, her focus never straying far from the difficulties facing hundreds of thousands of disabled Texans. Its so heavy. Disabled people, along with their personal attendants and allies, protest Tuesday on Lavaca Street behind the Governors Mansion to demand a meeting with Gov. Greg Abbott to discuss improving wages and benefits for personal attendants. Some of the protesters continued the vigil until Thursday morning. For eight years, members of the disability rights group ADAPT of Texas and their sister organization, the Personal Attendant Coalition of Texas, have been trying to get a meeting with Abbott, who uses a wheelchair. Their chief concern is the pitifully low pay for caregivers, which leaves some disabled Texans without the in-home care they need to prepare meals, use the bathroom, shower and handle other daily tasks so they can safely live at home. Danny Saenz, who gets a few hours of caregiver help on weekdays in his South Austin home, told me he sometimes sleeps in his wheelchair, especially during holidays or storms, when help might not reach him for a while. He also keeps protein bars and trail mix by his bed. I have a phobia of being stuck in bed, said Saenz, who has cerebral palsy. Im afraid no one will come get me up. He and other protesters have been hoping for years that Abbott would hear them out. A flyer asking, "Where's Gov. Abbott?" was left outside the Governor's Mansion at the 44-hour vigil. For years, disability rights advocates have been seeking a meeting with Abbott. In 2016, they held a sit-in at the Capitol. Since then, theyve called the governors office. Theyve sent countless emails. Theyve delivered a giant 3-foot-by-4-foot letter. Theyve folded their requests into paper airplanes and sent them soaring over the Governors Mansion gates. Abbotts office has responded to ADAPT in polite form letter fashion: At this time, we must respectfully decline your invitation to meet. (The governors office did not respond to my questions on the matter.) Undeterred, about 25 protesters from Austin and El Paso held a 44-hour vigil this past week across the street from the Governors Mansion. They stayed on the sidewalk, careful not to block it. They were out there from 1 p.m. Tuesday to about 9 a.m. Thursday. Even with staggered breaks, most folks got less than 2 hours of sleep each night, said Josue Rodriguez, an organizer with the Desert ADAPT group from El Paso. Weve waited a couple of years for the governors response, he said. Whats a couple of hours? Its nothing. Nearby, Austin ADAPT organizer Bob Kafka had a bright green poster taped to his wheelchair: Gov. AbbottCome on outWe wont bite Disability rights advocate Thor Armbruster participates in this week's protest by Texas ADAPT and the Personal Attendant Coalition of Texas. The groups say low caregiver wages make it difficult for people with disabilities to find the personal attendants they need to continue living at home. But the group has a tenacious grip on an issue that Texas and Abbott cant afford to ignore. Texas has a massive demand for home- and community-based services, in which a caregiver comes to you instead of you going into an institution, such as a nursing home. According to KFF, a health policy nonprofit previously known as the Kaiser Family Foundation, Texas last year had 343,000 people on waiting lists or interest lists for such services. More than two-thirds of them are seeking support for intellectual or developmental disabilities, sometimes in group homes. Yet in the face of that crushing demand, Texas ranked 49th in the nation last year in terms of offering competitive wages for home care workers, according to the AARP Foundation's Long-Term Services and Supports State Scorecard. Only Louisiana and the District of Columbia had a greater gap between what people could earn as home care workers versus other jobs with comparable or lesser skill requirements. That same report ranked Texas 40th in the nation for support for family caregivers. And while the Texas Legislature last year bumped up home care worker pay to $10.60 an hour, a recent survey from a coalition called Time to Care found 94% of home- and community-based service providers said that pay isnt enough to address the workforce shortage. Socorro Escarcega, a personal care attendant from El Paso, joins the demonstration outside the Governor's Mansion. Texas ranked 49th in the nation last year in terms of offering competitive wages for home care workers, according to the AARP Foundation. Abbott "keeps ignoring us because he's not going through the issues that we're bringing up, Kika Grajeda, a caregiver from El Paso, said in Spanish, as Rodriguez translated. He doesn't have any trouble finding attendants. Advocates are frustrated these problems seem so removed from Abbotts list of priorities, especially because addressing them should not be a partisan issue. Disabilities touch families across the political spectrum. Caring for our fellow Texans should be a matter of common cause. So ADAPT brought the issue to the governors doorstep, with signs and chants and Wheres Gov. Abbott? flyers. Those who were physically able to travel and sit outside for all those hours did so, knowing others have difficulty leaving their homes. They didnt get the meeting they wanted with Abbott. But its hard to imagine he didnt hear them. 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: Texas disabled advocates hold vigil at Governor's Mansion for help Incumbent presidential candidate Luis Abinader, center, waves to supporters alongside vice presidential candidate Raquel Pena, left, and wife, Raquel Arbaje, after the first vote count showed him leading in general elections in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Sunday, May 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix) SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader is headed to a second term following Sundays general elections, declaring victory after his top competitors conceded early in the night as he held a strong leader in early vote tallies. The outcome reinforced both Abinaders anti-corruption agenda, the governments crackdown along its shared border with Haiti and the expulsion of hundreds of thousands of migrants fleeing the Dominican Republic's violence-stricken neighbor. Such policies are only likely to continue in his next term. Abinader, one of the most popular leaders in the Americas, and the early results showed him with nearly 60% of the votes. His competitors, former President Leonel Fernandez and Mayor Abel Martinez, conceded early in the night. Abinader supporters in his campaign headquarters started celebrating early on, blowing horns and cheering. In his victory speech, Abinader delivered a nationalistic message promising change and anti-corruption measures. He notably spoke little about of the governments harsh measures on Haitian migrants and the crisis in its island neighbor. The message from the results is clear, the changes that weve made are going to be irreversible, Abinader said. In the Dominican Republic, the best is yet to come. While opposition parties reported a number of small irregularities, voting largely ran smoothly. Many of the 8 million eligible voters are still traumatized by an electoral authority decision to suspend the 2020 municipal elections due to a technical glitch, prompting what appears to be high voter turnout. The presidents Modern Revolutionary Movement was also expected to win a majority in the Dominican Republics congress, which would allow him to push through changes to the constitution. It also would allow him to further his anti-corruption and economic agendas, which have earned him the approval of many in the Caribbean nation. Willy Soto, a 21-year old economics student, was among those in the crowd. He said Abinader's anti-corruption measures and economic and educational reforms gave him hope for the future of the country long plagued by political corruption. We young people, we see a different kind of government, Soto said. Much of the president's popularity, however, has been fueled by the crackdown on Haitian migrants. The Dominican Republic has long taken a hard line with Haitian migrants, but such policies have ramped up since Haiti entered a free fall following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. As gangs have terrorized Haitians, the Dominican government has built a Trump-like border wall along the 250-mile (400-kilometer) border. He has also repeatedly urged the United Nations to send an international force to Haiti, saying such action cannot wait any longer. Soto also voiced approval for the migrant crackdown. While saying he knows the policies against (Haitians) are very strict and many migrants worried Abinader would win, he said the steps the president has taken are important in guaranteeing the security of Dominicans like him. This isnt a problem that gets resolved one day to the next, Soto said. The policies hes implemented, how hes cracked down, closed the border and built a wall, I feel like its a good initiative to control the problem of Haitian migration. While the policy is popular among Dominicans, it has drawn sharp criticisms from human rights groups that call it racist and a violation of international law. The government has rejected calls to build refugee camps for those fleeing Haitis violence, and it conducted mass deportations of 175,000 Haitians last year, according to government figures. These collective expulsions are a clear violation of the Dominican Republics international obligations and put the lives and rights of these people at risk. Forced returns to Haiti must end, Ana Piquer, Americas director at Amnesty International, wrote in an April report. Now, as Abinader enters his second term, the president has promised to finish the wall dividing the two countries. He is also likely to continue deporting people back into Haiti at a time that violence has spiked. The thought of continued crackdowns has stirred fear in many Haitians, both those who have recently fled the crisis and those who have long called the Dominican Republic home. Dominicans like Juan Rene said they, too, have been left suffering the consequences. Rene and his cousin sat at the gates of a detention center on the outskirts of the countrys capital this past week, pleading for authorities to help his partner, Deborah Dimanche. Dimanche, a Haitian who has been living in the Dominican Republic for two years, was detained by immigration officers while on her way to work. She was taken to the detention center and has not been allowed to communicate with her loved ones as she faces deportation. Trying unsuccessfully to talk with camp officials, Rene spoke with an increasing sense of helplessness. They said they wont hand her over, that theyre going to get rid of her and send her to Haiti, Rene said. Theres no one to even talk to. Janetsky reported from Mexico City. Associated Press photojournalist Matias Delacroix in Santo Domingo contributed to this report. BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Cao Jun, born blind, now has more ideas that previously seemed like wild wishes, such as shooting like a photographer and driving to work. "This picture displays a spacious, bright office with exposed ducts all over the ceiling and long chandeliers. The walls and floors are painted white, giving a sense of simplicity..." Cao, founder of Protection and Ease, a tech company in Beijing, heard an audio announcement describing the photo he took in his office. The software, which can interpret photos, was newly developed by Cao's company. According to Cao, it integrates AI models of picture understanding and adjusts the mobile phone view algorithm for the visually impaired. "This is my favorite function. Especially when I go to a park with my family, I hear green trees, red flowers, and blue sky around me through the application, it's like all of a sudden my world is colored," said Cao, adding that many of his blind friends shed tears when trying it for the first time. "No one understands the needs of the blind people better than I do," Cao said. "I want to use sci-tech based on general technologies like AI to help the visually impaired so that they can enjoy the same life as sighted people." Like many with visual impairments in China, the 50-year-old made a living as a masseur when he was young. After years, he owned several massage parlors and earned his "first bucket of gold." In 1999, Cao heard what enlightened his future on the radio: "In the 21st century, people who don't understand computers are equivalent to illiterates." "I'm already blind, and I told myself that I absolutely cannot also be illiterate," Cao said. Despite not having received a higher education, Cao learned computer input methods by listening to relevant books. It took him more than a year to type his first sentence -- "I can really type." Later, Cao also learned to develop web pages and even set up his own website. Hoping to share the happiness and horizons brought by computers and the Internet, he started a nationwide online and offline computer training program for the blind with the help of his family, benefiting more than 20,000 people. The popularity of smartphones has reshuffled people's everyday life, including Cao's. "Can smartphones be used as guides for us?" He proposed developing software for the blind to solve their problems in life, such as traveling, reading, and texting. "In addition to a barrier-free environment, the blind also need new technologies to remove information barriers," Cao said. In 2008, Cao closed his well-run chains, sold his newly bought house, recruited professional programmers after several twists and turns, and began investing in the R&D of screen-reading applications for mobile phones. Over the years, his team has developed a series of software products tailored to the visually impaired. These apps can transform contents on the screen into audio instructions and enable blind people to "read" books, use WeChat, Alipay, GPS, and online meal ordering, and even play mobile games, almost everything that sighted people enjoy in the information age. "Although the technology is not complicated, it can help solve big problems when applied in this new area," Cao said. When Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates visited China in 2015, Cao demonstrated his products to him. "He said what I'm doing is great and encouraged me to keep it up," Cao recalled. "Although our business back then was not very profitable, his words reinforced my confidence." According to the China Disabled Persons' Federation, there are more than 17 million visually impaired people in the country, among which about 5 million are completely sightless. Cao's products have reached about 1 million blind users, bringing them a brand-new life. Cao's company now boasts 43 employees, about 70 percent of whom are visually impaired. Most of them work from home, answering after-sales calls, testing products, selling, and doing other work. Wang Chao, a visually impaired young man who has been using Cao's products since he was a child, is now in charge of the after-sales service and some training programs at Cao's company. Earlier this month, he was invited to give an AI programming class to visually impaired children at the Beijing School for the Blind. The AI programming class is a public welfare project jointly launched by Chinese internet giant Tencent and the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation in 2023. It aims to help visually impaired youth nationwide receive equal access to AI and programming education so that they can better embrace the AI era. "Though I can't see the world, I always want to help others through my own efforts, make some contributions to society, and realize my self-worth," Wang said. Recently, Cao purchased a car for his family, and he has a bolder dream. "I believe in the near future, I will be able to drive a self-driving car from home to work," he smiled. "It will definitely be thrilling to control a vehicle like an able-bodied person." Can journalists please stop repeating the term election integrity just because Republicans insist on saying it? Heck, if they don't offer credible evidence (because there is none), I wouldnt even quote Republicans when they use the term, at least not without setting the record straight. Election laws being put into place in Republican-controlled states have nothing to do with integrity and everything to do with denying citizens their right to vote and intimidating election officials and volunteers. The second most crucial Republican policy after cutting taxes for the already wealthy has long been to make voting more difficult for populations that tend to vote Democratic. They accomplished this in recent decades by gerrymandering, limiting polling places and hours, using scare tactics and dishing out election disinformation. Now, the MAGA party insists on further cheating its way to permanent minority rule by denigrating the idea that voting can be fair if the other side wins. If the idea that Joe Biden stole the 2020 election which he won by more than 7 million votes, with a 306-232 electoral vote victory is Trumps big lie, then Republican efforts to ensure election integrity around the country are lies metastasizing from the malignant tumor Trump introduced into our democracy. Trumps con about election fraud is intended to succeed where his multifaceted effort to overturn the 2020 election failed. Led by disgraced attorney and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani who claimed the election was stolen way back in 1989, when he lost his first mayoral race against Democratic incumbent David Dinkins the Trump campaign brought 62 lawsuits claiming some kind of voter fraud or voting improprieties in the 2020 election. Trump's apparatchiks lost 61 of those, either because they lacked standing to sue or because they had no real evidence to offer. (As actual attorneys involved no doubt understood, presenting false evidence in court of law can get you in serious trouble.) Oh, and that one case they won, in Pennsylvania? It was about whether voters should be allowed to correct the identification on their ballot within three days of the election, and did not affect the outcome. No evidence of significant voter fraud has existed in any recent American election. The most noteworthy instances in recent years have involved individual Republicans attempting to cast false votes, probably because Fox Newsstyle propagandists and right-wing politicians tell them every day that Democrats are cheating. As usual for Trumpists, every accusation is an admission. Who cheats at elections? You might ask the phony Republican electors charged in Michigan, Georgia and Nevada, or the 10 Republicans who admitted to what they did in the Wisconsin civil case. Ask the 11 phony electors indicted in Arizona, along with officials in the Trump White House who urged them to cheat the American people. You might ask Trumps former chief of staff, Mark Meadows, who has been indicted both in Arizona and in Georgia for trying to help Trump overturn the 2020 presidential election. Meadows demanded an end to election fraud and, oh yeah, also registered to vote in three states. Since 2021, more than half the states have passed new election integrity laws that place more responsibilities and potential liabilities on poll workers. Republicans are now bragging or threatening about how many poll watchers they are training to contest all aspects of the upcoming election in swing states. To borrow one of Trumps con-man locutions, everybody knows this announcement is about scaring voters away and undermining the publics trust in elections. I could pause a moment here to mention that a man came up to me the other day big man, strong man with tears welling up in his eyes, and he asked me, Kirk, sir, why do Republican-controlled legislatures pass laws about election integrity when there has been no evidence of voter fraud? (Well, I could mention it but I wont, because it didn't happen. Just as it never happens to Trump.) Trump has been talking up voter fraud since before the 2016 election, claiming at rallies that the only way he can lose is if the other side cheats, repeating the lie to brainwash his followers. Every legitimate study of elections in the U.S. has shown that it's nearly impossible to cast a false ballot without getting caught. While theres vanishingly little fraud in voting, Trumps brand is fraud: Trump allegedly falsified business records about payments made to his lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, to reimburse him for the hush money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to quash her story about having sex with Trump in 2006 when Melania was at home with their infant son in an attempt to hide his infidelity from voters before the 2016 election. Trump and his accomplices strong-armed election officials in battleground states to change vote counts. Look, fellas, I just want 11,780 votes, he said while haranguing the Georgia secretary of state in an infamous phone call. Fox News pushed Trumps Big Lie about the 2020 election and was sued for defamation by Dominion Voting Systems, eventually settling the case for $787.5 million. Fox Corporation was also sued by Smartmatic, another voting technology company, for more than $2 billion for allegedly making more than 100 false claims about vote rigging. In January, a New York judge ruled that case should proceed. Trump sycophants Giuliani and John Eastman hatched the fake elector scheme, intended to throw the 2020 election to Trump by defrauding Biden voters in seven swing states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin (and, by extension, defrauding Biden voters in all 50 states). And of course, Trump and many of his supporters and followers, including his stand back and stand by pals the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, perpetrated the violent insurrection and attempted coup of Jan. 6, 2021. Since leaving the White House, Trump has been indicted in four venues on 88 felony counts. He lost two civil cases for sexually assaulting and then defaming the writer E. Jean Carroll, and another civil case for fraudulent financial statements in New York. Judges have repeatedly issued gag orders against Trump, because he cannot stop himself from publicly criticizing witnesses, jurors, prosecutors and the judges themselves, putting them in harms way. (As I recently wrote, we could use a nationwide gag order on Trump's calls for violence against others.) Parroting Trump, an increasing number of Republicans are refusing to say whether they will accept the results of this year's presidential election. Even some slightly saner Republicans are saying that MAGA-friendly members of Congress are spouting Russian propaganda. Ive contended for years that if Trump isnt working for Vladimir Putin, he might as well be. But that also applies to an unknown number of Republicans in Congress, not just Marjorie Taylor Greene and her friends on the far-right fringe. As Anne Applebaum writes in her new book "Autocracy, Inc.," recently excerpted in The Atlantic, autocrats around the globe are banding together with MAGA Republicans to manipulate people into believing that democracies cannot work: This is the core problem for autocracies: The Russians, the Chinese, the Iranians, and others all know that the language of transparency, accountability, justice, and democracy appeals to some of their citizens, as it does to many people who live in dictatorships. Even the most sophisticated surveillance cant wholly suppress it. The very ideas of democracy and freedom must be discredited especially in the places where they have historically flourished. Meanwhile, threats against election officials continue. The Brennan Center for Justice reports that large numbers of election officials report having experienced threats, abuse, or harassment for doing their jobs and that those officials have taken steps since the 2020 election to secure the safety of staff and volunteers. When Republicans talk about fighting for election integrity, you know the opposite is true. By buying into Trumps lies about elections, Republicans are cheating the rest of us. As a pathological narcissist (as well as the worlds biggest crybaby), Trump cannot allow himself to admit defeat, and Republicans are willing to tear the country apart to appease his toddler-like tantrums. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Republican propaganda around voting happens so often that another glaring example occurred within the last week, while I was finishing this article. House Speaker Mike Johnson held a press conference to announce a bill that would keep non-citizens from voting. But since it's already illegal for non-citizens to vote, journalists immediately called him out on it. Media outlets must strive not to repeat any Republican permutation of election integrity and must patiently spell out the truth again and again and then again, as tiresome as that may be. They should also report on the larger Republican effort to undermine confidence in elections, pass more rules that make it harder for Democratic constituencies to vote and intimidate those voters who show up anyway. While the Biden administration is doing what it can to promote voting, Republicans are working diligently to create the illusion that they support free and fair elections, all while creating a system of roadblocks and intimidation. They hope to create a system where voting takes place but the outcome is guaranteed. Trump and his enablers have taken that even further by claiming the only way they can lose is if the other side cheats. As Timothy Snyder writes in "On Tyranny": We believe that we have checks and balances, but have rarely faced a situation like the present: when the less popular of the two parties suppresses voting, claims fraud when it loses elections, and controls the majority of the statehouses. The party that exercises such control proposes few policies that are popular with society at large, and several that are unpopular and thus must either fear democracy or weaken it. Seattle Police are looking into two drive-by shootings that happened in West Seattle early in the morning on Wednesday, May 15. Officers first responded to a shooting at Beach Drive Southwest and Southwest Andover Street at 12:38 a.m., finding a 27-year-old man unharmed. According to officers, the man was being followed by suspects brandishing guns as he was driving home. When he tried to evade them, his vehicle was shot at. The suspects fled and were not found, but police did find multiple shell casings at the scene. Then at 12:40 a.m., officers responded to multiple 911 calls of shots fired near the 1100 block of Harbor Avenue Southwest. Officers found a 42-year-old man with a bullet wound in his foot. Police took care of him until Seattle Fire Department medics arrived, and he later got personal transportation to a hospital in stable condition. Police found several shell casings at the scene of this shooting as well, determining the suspect vehicle was following and weaving in front of the mans car before he confronted them. The suspects shot at the man and then ran off and were not found. Gun Violence Reduction Unit detectives are investigating both incidents, and ask anyone with information to call the SPD Violent Crime Tip Line at (206) 233-5000, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. TUNKHANNOCK, WYOMING COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A community that wants to make change is taking action to try and lessen the number of overdose deaths. It held an overdose-reversal drug distribution event on Sunday. The Wyoming County District Attorney says the goal of this distribution is to educate people and to save lives. More than 100 boxes of Narcan were handed out to people at Lazybrook Park in Tunkhannock. Womens military monument dedication held in Wayne County The Wyoming County District Attorneys office partnered with local organizations to help combat opioid-related overdoses. It is free, it is anonymous. Were doing it on purpose as a drive-through so that people dont have to stop, dont have to get out of the car, dont have to identify themselves. Our purpose, our goal is to get Narcan into the hands of people, said Wyoming County District Attorney Joe Peters. According to the American Addiction Centers, Pennsylvania is one of the top ten states with the highest rate of overdose deaths. Its about accountability were going to save your life. We want to get you into treatment not excuse the decision to use drugs but realize that we need to deal with it as a health issue and it would be unconscionable to watch someone die, Peters explained. Decreasing the amount of overdoses will help in more ways than one. At the same time that frees up the police and the prosecutors to focus on the drug trafficker and the predators, Peters added. With some seeing Narcan distributions as a way to promote drug use, D.A. Peters wants people to know thats not the case. You never know a child a two-year-old can get into her mothers prescription medicine a senior citizen might forget that he or she has taken their medication already and then take more, Peters stated. Each bag of Narcan that was handed out came with instructions on how to use it, and how to get help if you or someone you know struggles with an opioid addiction. Narcan is good for a year and can be administered to people of all ages. If Narcan is used, immediately call 911 for assistance. 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. Driver in critical condition after crash into utility pole on Saw Mill Run Boulevard in Pittsburgh A driver was taken to a hospital in critical condition after a crash in Pittsburghs Duquesne Heights neighborhood early Sunday morning. CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTOS OF THE SCENE Pittsburgh Police say a pickup truck crashed into a utility pole on the 900 block of Saw Mill Run Boulevard (Route 51) outside the BP gas station around 2:30 a.m. Medics took the driver to the hospital in critical condition. Medics also transported a passenger for the evaluation of minor injuries. Part of Saw Mill Run Boulevard closed while detectives investigated and crews repaired the utility pole. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: LATEST: National Weather Service confirms tornado touched down near Allegheny County Airport He was very much deceased: Homeowner defending wife uses knife to fatally cut gunman Teen boy hospitalized after shooting in Pittsburgh VIDEO: Rush to Crush Cancer kicks off with a walk of cancer survivors and supporters DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Driver killed after truck crashes, becomes fully engulfed in flames in American Fork AMERICAN FORK, Utah (ABC4) A driver was killed in a crash that caused his pickup truck to become fully engulfed in flames in American Fork early Sunday morning, according to the Utah Dept. of Public Safety. At around 12:51 a.m., Utah County troopers received information of a single-vehicle crash on I-15 in American Fork. The driver crashed head-on into the crash attenuator near mile marker 278 (Pioneer Crossing off-ramp) while northbound on the highway, according to DPS. Six killed, nine injured in Idaho Falls passenger van crash Courtesy of Utah DPS Courtesy of Utah DPS Courtesy of Utah DPS Courtesy of Utah DPS For an unknown reason, the vehicle drifted right, from the left lanes and crashed into the attenuator, a DPS press release states. The Ram caught fire from the impact and was fully engulfed when fire and EMS arrived on scene. First responders suppressed the fire quickly enough to extricate the driver out of the vehicle, according to DPS. The male, who was driving a white Ram 1500, was reportedly in serious, life-threatening condition after extrication. The male was airlifted via Life Flight to the hospital. Hospital staff then contacted investigators and advised that the victims injuries were not survivable, DPS said. Further details surrounding this incident have not been made available at this time. All northbound traffic was shut down for two hours and diverted off 500 East following the incident. No further information is currently 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 ABC4 Utah. A 34-year-old driver is facing several charges after deputies said he was caught driving recklessly on a Georgia highway. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Friday, just before 3 p.m., Rabun County received multiple calls regarding a grey 2014 Nissan Sentra with an overside load banner speeding and driving recklessly southbound on Georgia State Route 15. The driver was identified as Ricardo Burgos-Moreno, 34, of Conley. One caller told dispatch that Burgos-Moreno was running other drivers off the road. According to Rabun deputies, the vehicle continued southbound into the city of Clayton, where officers noticed Burgos-Moreno speeding, following other cars too closely, and driving without headlights in the rain. A Clayton officer tried to catch up to the car that was still southbound on GA 15 near the intersection of the Clayton Walmart. TRENDING STORIES: According to the sheriffs office, when a Rabun County investigator tried to stop Burgos-Moreno he sped up within inches of another car, changed lanes without a blinker into the left lane, and sped up again. The investigator and an RCSO deputy were able to force Burgos-Moreno into the median just inside the school zone on GA 15, approaching the Hollifield Connector. Burgos-Moreno was arrested and taken to the Rabun County Detention Center. He was charged with DUI and issued citations from Rabun County Sheriffs Office and Clayton police for his dangerous driving. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: MOSCOW, May 19 (Xinhua) -- At least ten Ukrainian drones were suppressed overnight as they attempted to attack civilian targets in Russia's Krasnodar region, the regional operational center said on Sunday. The center said on its Telegram channel that the incidents occurred in Slavyansky and Kushchevsky districts in the southern Russian region of Krasnodar, causing no casualties or structural damage. "In Kushchevsky, the downing of a drone resulted in a localized fire, which was quickly contained without affecting residential areas," said the center. "Meanwhile, in Slavyansk, a drone fell within the territory of an oil refinery, but did not cause any injuries, destruction, or fires," it added. Drones of Ukraine's Security Service attack and set airfield and oil refinery on fire in Russia's Krasnodar Oblast SSU source On the night of 19 May, drones of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) attacked the Kushchevskaya military airfield and the Slavyansk oil refinery plant in Russia. Source: source of Ukrainska Pravda in the SSU Details: The SSU worked jointly with Ukraines Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to attack the airfield with UAVs. At night, Russians complained on social media about a series of explosions and a fire. Dozens of different aircraft attacking Ukrainian positions on the contact line were stationed at this airfield: Su-34, Su-25, Su-27, MiG-29, the source said. The management of the Slavyansk oil refinery said that after several noisy explosions, the plant stopped its work and they are now assessing the damage. This is SSUs second drone attack on the Kushchevskaya military airfield and the Slavyansk oil refinery in the last three weeks. Several aircraft were hit at the airfield, and the distillation and atmospheric columns at the refinery were struck as well. The source reported that the aftermath of the current attacks are being established. Support UP or become our patron! Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) delivered a letter to the White House on Sunday calling on President Joe Biden to use his full influence to secure the safe exit of American and international medical personnel trapped in Gaza in anticipation of an escalating military campaign in Rafah. The letter, shared with POLITICO, was written by Dr. Adam Hamawy, a U.S. Army combat surgeon who Duckworth credits with saving her life after she was shot down in Iraq in 2004. Hamawy is among the group of World Health Organization-coordinated doctors and aid workers stranded in Gaza and unable to fully evacuate. On May 13, in violation of international law, our team of medical professionals were denied exit by Israel, Hamawy writes. When the call finally came to evacuate only U.S. citizens, I chose to stay. As a doctor, I could not, in good conscience, leave my team behind. While they planned to rotate out after two weeks, Hamawy says Israeli authorities have blocked their exit from Rafah, trapping them inside Gaza. Israeli forces took control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt on May 7, setting the stage for what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised will be a major military offensive against Hamas in the southern city though a large contingent of civilians remain. A screenshot of an email shared with POLITICO shows Duckworths office sent the letter to the White House, National Security Council and State Department on Sunday. The senators team did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The letter calls on the White House to use its power to immediately establish a "protected humanitarian corridor" allowing the remaining medical personnel to evacuate safely and be replaced by teams waiting to enter Gaza. The people of Gaza deserve access to medical and humanitarian services, Hamawy wrote. They deserve more than their burnt out and decimated healthcare system. I have never in my career witnessed the level of atrocities and targeting of my medical colleagues as I have in Gaza, the letter added. Over the course of the war, Biden has come under fire from a number of lawmakers, humanitarian groups and student protesters for not taking a harder line against the Israeli military campaign. The United Nations reports that nearly 500 health workershave been killed in Gaza since October. The White House said Hamawy's goals were in line with their own. "We continue to engage with Israeli officials and NGOs to help the doctors in Gaza who want to leave but have been unable to do so," National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement. "Last week, we assisted in the departure of 17 American doctors who had sought to leave Gaza and were unable to previously." Around the time the letter was sent out, Biden was delivering the commencement speech to Morehouse Colleges graduating class in Atlanta, where he called for an immediate cease-fire, to stop the fighting and to bring the hostages home. I support peaceful nonviolent protests, Biden said to graduates and alumni Sunday. Your voices should be heard and I promise you I will hear them. Disability Rights UK has said extending fraud detection to bank accounts could lead to a situation comparable to the Horizon IT debacle. Supporters of Disabled People Against Cuts and Winvisible protest against deaths caused by benefit cuts and sanctions at the Department for Work and Pensions earlier this year. (Getty Images) A disability rights charity has said the governments benefits crackdown is a scandal in waiting akin to the Post Office Horizon IT system debacle. This week, the government updated its welfare system fraud plan with an announcement of 70m funding for advanced data analytics and new data sources to prevent fraud. This will be used in conjunction with the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, which is set to give the government better access to vital data held by third parties, like banks to detect fraud. Aside from privacy concerns, Disability Rights UK has warned an unaccountable digital system is likely to result in claimants bank accounts being incorrectly flagged, meaning they could temporarily lose access to vital benefit payments. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has already been using machine learning since 2021/22 "to flag potentially fraudulent claims for universal credit". The National Audit Office said this creates "inherent risk that the algorithms are biased towards selecting claims for review from certain vulnerable people or groups with protected characteristics". Disability Rights UK has now said extending fraud detection to bank accounts could lead to a situation comparable to the Post Office scandal, where Fujitsus faulty Horizon IT system made it appear as though money was missing at its branches. It led to 700 subpostmasters being wrongly prosecuted and handed criminal convictions between 1999 and 2015. The DWP, which says it has saved 1.3bn from addressing benefit fraud and error in the past year, has rejected this comparison as "completely misleading" and said staff members will "always" make decisions relating to benefits being suspended. But Mikey Erhardt, Disability Rights UK's policy officer, told Yahoo News UK: The reason it is akin to the Horizon scandal is the reliance on automation, digital systems, unaccountable technology and algorithms. The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy. (Getty Images) When someone gets flagged up on the system, it can take a long time for [a staff member] to monitor it. More than 20 million people claim benefits in the UK, including 3.3 million who claim personal independence payment (PIP), which is for people who need help with daily activities or getting around because of a long-term illness or disability. Erhardt continued: To scan 20 million bank accounts, which is roughly the scope and reach of this, and you have an error rate of, say, 1%, thats 200,000 peoples accounts flagged to the Department for Work and Pensions. It doesnt have the staff power to monitor that. There will be lots of peoples accounts flagged in error, meaning it is quite likely their support will stop for that time until staff assess whether or not it is [correct]. Thats why were so worried about it, its an unaccountable digital system, like Horizon was. We dont know how it is developed, we dont know anything about the system they are using. What needs to be made clear is there is no way of making something like this safe because there will always be errors which can lead people to incredibly stressful circumstances. The PIP process is already incredibly difficult to go through. 'Scandal in waiting' The MS Society has said 65% of claimants report the application process as having a negative, or very negative, impact on their physical and mental health. Erhardt added: "Trying to make a group of [claimants] smaller and smaller using an unaccountable digital system to achieve that... its a scandal in waiting. "The best we are seeing is mutterings about safeguarding and guidance but Im sure when Fujitsu was selling tech to the Post Office, there were points made about how robust the system was going to be. "But there isnt a way of making digital surveillance like this safe." A DWP spokesperson responded: This is a completely misleading comparison. Under these rules, a member of staff will always take any decision related to suspending benefits, and any signals of potential fraud or error will be looked at comprehensively before action is taken. We have a duty to treat taxpayers money responsibly, which is why we are cracking down on fraud backed up by our 900m fraud plan, to bolster our counter-fraud operations and root out those who steal from the most vulnerable. 'DWP causing thousands of carers to rack up debt' A senior MP this week called for the DWP to get a grip amid overpayments to carers which have led to many unwittingly racking up debt. Work and pensions committee chairman Sir Stephen Timms said the government has allowed many unpaid carers to build up debt, having known about the issue for years. A DWP research report, written in 2021 but only published this week, said 3% of its sample of claimants had received an overpayment of carers allowance. With about 1.3 million people receiving the allowance, the Carers Trust said this could equate to tens of thousands of people having been overpaid. Timms said: The government has known for years about flaws that have plagued the payments system for carers allowance but has just allowed many unpaid carers to unwittingly rack up unmanageable levels of debt. The DWP must now move without delay to get a grip of the problem and ensure carers are no longer subjected to the distress that such overpayments can cause. Read more Who was Ebrahim Raisi? The hardline Iranian president with a vice-like grip on power Mr Raisi was a member of the three-member 'death committee' that decided the fates of political prisoners in 1988 - Reuters Ebrahim Raisi, Irans hardline president, quickly ascended the ranks of the Islamic Republic and ultimately positioned himself as a potential successor to Ali Khamenei, supreme leader. Mr Raisi, who died aged 63 after a helicopter crash on Sunday, failed to win the 2017 presidential election as the main ultra-conservative candidate, instead being handed a post as head of the judicial branch of the Islamic Republic. But when he ran for president again in 2021, he easily won partly due to the disqualification of many viable opponents and moderate candidates. Mr Raisi lacked political experience. But his role as a member of the three-member death committee that decided the fates of political prisoners in 1988 had helped propel him up the ranks, winning him the support of powerful figures among Irans theocratic rulers. Thousands of political prisoners were executed that summer, as Irans eight-year war with Iraq came to an end. In 2019, the US sanctioned Mr Raisi, in part for this, as well as for his administrative oversight of executions of juvenile offenders and torture including amputations inflicted on prisoners in Iran. Under Mr Raisi, Iran has become closer to Russia - Reuters After the bloody summer of 1988, Ayatollah Khomeini assigned Mr Raisi to resolve several critical judicial cases. He was instructed to carry out Gods decree on cases that had stalled in the Supreme Judicial Council. Most of them ended up at the gallows. A series of promotions after that saw him become the first deputy head of the judiciary in 2003 effectively becoming the second-most powerful figure in Irans judicial system a position he held for a decade. It was in this role that he was tasked with investigating allegations of the rape of prisoners following the contested 2009 presidential election. His panel of investigators declared the claims false and baseless. Mr Raisi won Irans closely stage-managed 2021 presidential election, a vote marked by the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republics history. Tightened enforcement His victory brought all branches of power under the control of hardliners, after eight years in which the presidency had been held by Hassan Rouhani, a pragmatist who entered into a nuclear deal with Washington. He has continued his hardline stance as president. A year after his election, he ordered authorities to tighten enforcement of Irans hijab and chastity law restricting womens dress and behaviour. Within weeks, a young Kurdish Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini, died in custody after being arrested by morality police for allegedly violating that law. The resulting months of nationwide protests presented one of the gravest challenges to Irans clerical rulers since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. More than 500 people were killed and upwards of 22,000 were detained in the months-long crackdown by the morality police and security services that followed. The protests, alongside a failure to turn around Irans struggling economy hamstrung by Western sanctions and mismanagement may have diminished Mr Raisis popularity at home. But he retained the support of his mentor, the supreme leader, Irans most powerful man. 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. Ed Dwight, the United States' first Black astronaut candidate, became the oldest person to go to space on Sunday as Blue Origin launched its New Shepard NS-25 spacecraft and completed its first human flight since 2022. The 90-year-old Dwight took his first trip to space more than six decades after President John F. Kennedy appointed him in 1961 to the elite Aerospace Research Pilot School -- the Air Force program from which NASA astronauts were chosen. Despite being recommended by the Air Force, Dwight was not chosen for the NASA astronaut corps in the aftermath of Kennedys assassination. New Shepard NS-25 was Blue Origin's seventh human flight to space. The flight made Dwight the oldest person to make the journey to space and back. PHOTO: This screen grab taken from a Blue Origin broadcast shows the Mission NS-25, with the New Shepard 4 rocket and crew capsule, taking off from the Blue Origin base near Van Horn, Texas, on May 19, 2024. (Handout/BLUE ORIGIN/AFP via Getty Images) "Long time coming," Dwight said as he emerged from the capsule Sunday, pumping his fist in the air after landing in the remote Texas desert "It was absolutely terrific. I thought I really didn't need this in my life but now I need it in my life. I am ecstatic," Dwight said. "It was a life-changing experience. Everybody needs to do this." The New Shepard NS-25 with five other passengers aboard lifted off from Texas at 10:36 a.m. ET. It was the seventh human flight for Blue Origin but the first since the Federal Aviation Administration grounded the space tourist program after a mid-flight failure in September 2022 during an uncrewed research mission. MORE: Blue Origin recap: William Shatner 'overwhelmed' by 'moving' trip to space After entering private life in 1966, Dwight spent a decade as an entrepreneur before later becoming a sculptor of historic Black figures. Dwight's seat on the flight is sponsored by the nonprofit Space for Humanity. PHOTO: In this March 31, 2022, file photo, a Blue Origin New Shepard rocket launches from Launch Site One in West Texas. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images, FILE) Charles Bolden, the first Black NASA administrator and an astronaut who flew on four missions himself, wished Dwight good luck on his flight late Saturday. "Youve waited a long time for this opportunity and all of us who stand on your shoulders could not be happier," Bolden told ABC News, emphasizing the word "long." "I know how much you have dreamed about this and I want you to take some time while you are flying to suck it all up and take it all in. You deserve every moment of this. Youve been a role model and mentor for many of us for so long and we're with you there in spirit." PHOTO: NS-25 astronauts (from left) Sylvain Chiron, Ken Hess, Ed Dwight, Gopi Thotakura, Mason Angel, and Carol Schaller, at the Astronaut Village on May 17, 2024. (Blue Origin) The launch window opened at 8:30 a.m. central time from west Texas. Dwight was joined by Mason Angel, the founder of venture capital fund Industrious Ventures; Sylvain Chiron, the founder of Brasserie Mont Blanc; Kenneth Hess, a software engineer and entrepreneur; Carol Schaller, a retired accountant; and Gopi Thotakura, an aviator and founder of Preserve Life Corp. PHOTO: In this April 13, 1963, file photo, Captain Ed Dwight stands in front of the F-104 jet fighter. (Bettmann Archive/Getty Images, FILE) Actor William Shatner was previously the oldest to fly to space. He was 90 years and 206 days old when he flew on a previous Blue Origin flight on Oct. 13, 2021. Dwight will be 90 years and 253 days old on Sunday. John Glenn, at 77, remains the oldest person to actually launch into orbit. Blue Origin travels just above the Karman Line, about 62 miles above Earth and NASA's definition of space, while Glenn went 100 miles higher on the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1998. ABC News' Gina Sunseri contributed to this report. Blue Origin launches historic flight to space originally appeared on abcnews.go.com El Paso to be at center of Border Patrol centennial celebration EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The U.S. Border Patrol is celebrating its centennial and El Paso will be at the center of the celebration, the agency said in a news release. From mid-May to early June, the U.S. Border patrol will commemorate this important milestone with events across sectors nationwide, the Border Patrol said. The central location for the celebrations will be in El Paso, Texas, where Border Patrol Station One opened its doors in 1924. The Border Patrol and El Pasos histories are interwoven for a century, the U.S. Border Patrol, El Paso Sector has been largely comprised of locals who have made the noble choice to serve and protect their communities., the Border Patrol said in its news release. U.S. Border Patrol Parade route for Saturday, May 25. Courtesy of USBP The Border Patrol will have two events in El Paso to mark the centennial. The annual Fallen Agent Memorial Service will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, May 24 at the U.S. Border Patrol Museum, 4315 Transmountain Road. Then at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, the Centennial National Parade will be held in Downtown El Paso. The parade starts and stops at the El Paso Convention Center and circles San Jacinto Plaza. El Paso is such a fitting place to commemorate this significant milestone. It is where the legend began, said El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Anthony Scott Good. So many foundational events in the Border Patrols history occurred right here in El Paso like advancements that have impacted our operations nationwide to this 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 KTSM 9 News. The El Paso Times sent questionnaires to the candidates in contested races in the March , 2022, primary election. Following are the answers to the questionnaire submitted by Oscar Ugarte and Robert "Bobby" Flores remaining candidates for El Paso County Sheriff in the May 28 runoff election. Ugarte had 15,404 votes (43.4%), Flores had 8,500 votes (24%) The winner will face the lone Republican candidate, retired FBI Special Agent Minerva Torres Shelton, in the general election on Nov. 5. The candidates' responses are being published largely as they were submitted. More: Oscar Ugarte, Robert Flores head to runoff in El Paso County sheriff Democratic race Oscar Ugarte, candidate for El Paso County sheriff speaks to the media at his watch party at Stiller and Godinez law office in El Pasoas hes on the lead on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, primary election day in Texas. Oscar Ugarte Age: 40 Please describe your personal and professional background. I am a first-generation American. I was born to Mexican parents and raised in El Paso, Texas and graduated from Ysleta High School in El Paso. While still attending High School, I joined the schools law enforcement program, where my passion for law enforcement continued. At the young age of 19, I joined The Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Institutional Division, as a Corrections Officer. In 2005, I obtained my peace officer license from the State of Texas and became a police officer for the City of Socorro, Texas. In 2007, I sought an opportunity to further my law enforcement career and became a court bailiff for the El Paso County Council of Judges. Then, in 2011, I joined the El Paso County Constables Office as a Deputy Constable. In March 2016, I decided to enter a leadership position in my career to serve our community and constituents better. Shortly after, I ran for and was successfully elected as Constable, Precinct 1, and was re-elected in 2019. How do you earn a living? Do you plan to continue if elected? I am the current Constable for Precinct 1. That race is also taking place so, no I will not continue if elected. Please describe your education. Where did you get your high school diploma? What higher education degrees and certificates have you earned from where? I am a proud Ysleta High School graduate. I earned my bachelors degree in business administration from Park University and my masters degree in criminal justice with a certificate of administration of justice and a cyber security-threat detection certificate from Webster University. What experiences in leadership do you have that qualify you for this position? I am the ONLY candidate in the Sheriffs race that has been elected and entrusted by El Pasoans to run a county law enforcement office. I have been Constable for Precinct 1 since 2016. Have you ever been arrested or charged with a crime? Have you ever had a civil judgment against you? Have you ever been in arrears on local, state or federal taxes? If so, please provide an explanation. No. If elected, would you have any potential conflicts of interest that you are aware of that would impair your ability to serve? Please explain what they are and how you would avoid the conflict. No. What does transparent government mean to you? Will you be personally accessible to answer questions while in office? Transparent government, to me, is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. It means being open and honest with the community, fostering trust through clear communication, and being accountable for our actions. I believe in a transparent sheriff's office that operates with integrity and keeps the public informed. The community has a right to know how the sheriff's office operates, and I am committed to making this information easily accessible. I also recognize the importance of being personally accessible. If elected, I will be readily available to answer questions from the community and from the media. Accessibility means actively engaging with residents, listening to their concerns, and incorporating their feedback into my practices as your Sheriff. Town hall meetings, community forums, and open-door policies will be integral to ensuring that I remain connected with the people I serve. Additionally, I am committed to utilizing various communication channels, such as social media, newsletters, and community outreach programs, to keep the public informed about the sheriff's office's activities, achievements, and challenges. It's vital that our residents are not only aware of what we are doing but also feel empowered to voice their opinions and hold us accountable. Issue related questions What motivated you to run for sheriff of El Paso County? I believe it is time for a new generation of leadership with fresh perspectives for the El Paso County Sheriffs Office. I have been working in law enforcement for over 20 years and have a great understanding of the complexities of the job. My focus is on making sure taxpayer resources are efficiently used and on addressing mental health in policing. I am dedicated to the safety and well-being of the people of El Paso and will use my experience to ensure that justice is served. Why should voters choose you over your opponents in the race for sheriff? I am the ONLY candidate who has been elected and entrusted by voters to run a county law enforcement office and the ONLY candidate with a lifelong Democratic record. I have over 20 years of law enforcement experience in our community, and I am just 40 years old. I still have the drive, passion, energy, and heart to run the Sheriffs office. My fresh perspectives such as the creation of a Civilian Social Services Unit and Youth Advisory Council have earned me the support of Democratic leaders such as U.S. Rep Veronica Escobar, former U.S. Rep Beto ORourke, former State Senators Jose Rodriguez and Eliot Shapleigh, State Reps Joe Moody and Lina Ortega, County Commissioner David Stout, and City Rep Chris Canales. What do you feel are the largest challenges facing the El Paso County Sheriffs Office? As sheriff, what would you do to address those challenges? Currently, the Sheriffs office lacks a Civilian Social Services Unit. My campaign centers around the idea that every individual, regardless of their background, deserves access to resources for well-being and success. As your next Sheriff, I'll establish a Civilian Social Services Unit (CSSU) to collaborate with existing organizations dedicated to addressing mental health, homelessness, food insecurity, and youth development. Connecting residents with these vital resources prior to them entering the criminal justice system aims to foster stability and promote personal growth. Additionally, just a few weeks ago the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) issues two notices of non-compliance after their review of documentation and video of inmate deaths in El Paso jails. As Sheriff, I will put a premium on officer training and accountability. I will ensure every detention officer and deputy has the proper CIT training to address mental health situations and will provide ongoing training to jail staff regarding proper inmate checks. What do you see as the most pressing crime concern in El Paso County? How would you handle it as sheriff? In my conversation with voters while out block-walking the most pressing concerns are youth gun violence and drunk driving. As Sheriff, I intend to increase the departments presence in unincorporated areas that are not serviced by municipal law enforcement agencies, where most of these shootings are taking place. Desert areas like Red Sands pose a challenge due to the lack of roadway infrastructure for emergency vehicles, but that does not take away from the responsibility of law enforcement to respond to criminal activity. Mobile Command Posts are strategies worth investing in to increase law enforcement visibility in large group gatherings, where it is currently inexistent, provoking the level of crime recently seen. I am committed to working with regional law enforcement agencies to combat these challenges together and believe that a Sheriffs office more heavily involved with our youth and out in the community will serve as a deterrent for a lot of these crimes taking place within our region. Should the El Paso County Sheriffs Office be involved in the enforcement of immigration law? Why or why not? No. Immigration is a federal responsibility, and the state legislative process should not require local law enforcement agencies to engage in deportations. The concept of SB4 was questionable from the get-go, and I am happy to see that the recently signed law is being challenged by the U.S. Department of Justice. I am confident that it will be deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. Arresting and deporting migrants will not be a priority under my leadership. Local law enforcement agencies are already short staffed and constituents in rural parts of El Paso County already experience long response times, so under my leadership, deputies will focus on more serious criminal offenses and leave federal issues to federal agencies. Robert "Bobby" Flores, candidate for El Paso County sheriff, talks to volunteers at El Crucero Mexican Grill, where they met for his "Socorro Day" campaign on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Socorro, Texas. Robert "Bobby" Flores Age:53 Please describe your personal and professional background. I retired from the El Paso Co. Sheriff's Office as the Assistant Chief of the Jail Annex in 2023. I served for over 33 1/2 years, starting as a Detention Officer and promoting to every rank in the agency, with the exception of Detective. My assignments included: Patrol Deputy, Full Time Academy Instructor, Patrol Sergeant, Criminal Investigations Sergeant (Property Crimes/Public Integrity Crimes), Patrol Lieutenant, Academy Training Director, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area ( HIDTA) Lieutenant on detached duty to the Drug Enforcement Administration. I also served on the Sheriffs Office SWAT Team for 17 years, and served as the Tactical Commander before leaving the team. I promoted to Commander of the Jail Annex, Commander of Accreditation and Planning/Research, Commander of Criminal Investigations and finally, Assistant Chief of the Jail Annex. I currently serve as the Course Coordinator/Instructor at the El Paso Community College (EPCC) Law Enforcement Academy and have been there for over 20 years. How do you earn a living? Do you plan to continue if elected? I retired from the Sheriffs Office and receive my pension from the County of El Paso. I work part time at the EPCC Law Enforcement Academy. I will remain involved with the EPCC Law Enforcement Academy, if elected. Please describe your education. Where did you get your high school diploma? What higher education degrees and certificates have you earned from where? I graduated from Eastwood High and attended the University of Texas at El Paso. While employed with the Sheriffs Office, I completed my Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration Degree from Park University. I graduated from the FBI National Academy, session 257. I hold the following Proficiency Certifications: Advanced Jailer Proficiency, Advanced Peace Officer, Basic Instructor Proficiency, Basic Jailer, Basic Peace Officer, Firearms Instructor Proficiency, Intermediate Jailer Proficiency, Intermediate Peace Officer, Master Jailer Proficiency, Master Peace Officer, Mental Health Officer I have 2 licenses through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement: Peace Officer, Jailer What experiences in leadership do you have that qualify you for this position? Of my 33-year career, 26 years were served in the following Supervisory, Management, and Leadership Roles: Patrol Sergeant, Criminal Investigations Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, Academy Training Director, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Unit Lieutenant, assigned to DEA; Jail Annex Commander, Accreditation/Research and Planning Commander, Criminal Investigations Commander, Jail Annex Assistant Chief, EPCC Law Enforcement Academy Course Coordinator, Texas Tactical Police Officers Association Board Member/Past President, El Paso County Sheriffs Officers Association Vice President Have you ever been arrested or charged with a crime? Have you ever had a civil judgment against you? Have you ever been in arrears on local, state or federal taxes? If so, please provide an explanation. NO If elected, would you have any potential conflicts of interest that you are aware of that would impair your ability to serve? Please explain what they are and how you would avoid the conflict. NO What does transparent government mean to you? Will you be personally accessible to answer questions while in office? As a governmental agency, it is important that we provide the community any answers to questions that they are seeking. It is equally important to be forthcoming and provide the community information that may negatively affect the organization. Its easy to tout the organizations successes, however shortcomings should also be disclosed, especially if they affect the community. Accountability begins with the Sheriff and I will ensure that I am accessible to answer any community or media inquiries. Issue related questions What motivated you to run for sheriff of El Paso County? I have dedicated my entire adult life to the El Paso County Sheriffs Office. I have progressed through the organizational ranks and developed my leadership and skillset to provide the community with an experienced, qualified Sheriff. I did not retire last year to stop serving my community, I retired for an opportunity to continue serving our citizens in a higher capacity. Why should voters choose you over your opponents in the race for sheriff? I am the only candidate who has dedicated over 33 years of vast and extensive experience in Law Enforcement to the El Paso Community. My background in Patrol, Investigations, Special Operations, Training, and Jail Management, make me the most qualified candidate. I care about the El Paso County Sheriffs Office and the quality of Public Safety that it provides to our citizens. I am the only candidate who has Executive Work Experience in Jail Operations and Management. I will provide strong leadership to the Sheriffs Office and I am beholden to nobody other than the citizens of this community. Im not seeking this office to fulfill another politicians legacy or agenda. What do you feel are the largest challenges facing the El Paso County Sheriffs Office? As sheriff, what would you do to address those challenges? The Sheriffs Office has not grown with the areas of the County that have experienced significant population growth. The far east side of El Paso County lacks sufficient patrols and investigative follow up for citizens reporting crimes. I will restructure our existing Patrol and Investigative Personnel and evaluate the staffing needs to assure quality public safety in those growing areas. The Jail System has a significant challenge in dealing with inmates who suffer from mental health conditions. I want to work with the local mental health community to provide treatment options to incarceration for low level, nonviolent crimes, while they await trial. What do you see as the most pressing crime concern in El Paso County? How would you handle it as sheriff? Addressing the growing gun violence in our community is a major challenge. I will collaborate with police agencies and the courts to remove weapons from those who are convicted of felonies. As convicted felons, they are prohibited by law from possessing firearms. Removing these firearms, upon conviction will prevent guns from potentially falling into the hands of kids and criminals. Should the El Paso County Sheriffs Office be involved in the enforcement of immigration law? Why or why not? I dont support the El Paso Co. Sheriffs Office being involved in immigration enforcement action. Our local resources should be prioritized towards keeping our community safe. I dont want to utilize Patrol Personnel exclusively to make immigration arrests nor do I want our jail space used for holding undocumented individuals not charged with any other crimes. These actions will drain our resources and impact the safety of our community. Immigration on its own, is a Federal Issue that needs to be resolved by the Federal Government. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso County sheriff candidates Ugarte and Flores answer questions on issues One of two Rices whales observed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the western Gulf of Mexico during an aerial survey on April 11, 2024. One of two Rices whales observed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the western Gulf of Mexico during an aerial survey on April 11, 2024. (Paul Nagelkirk/NOAA Fisheries) Evidence is mounting that an exceedingly rare whale, unique to the Gulf of Mexico, ranges farther west than previously thought, prompting new worries about the dangers it faces from heavy ship traffic and other industrial activities near Louisiana and Texas. Scientists spotted two of the approximately 75 remaining Rices whales during an aerial survey of marine animals in the western Gulf last month. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration researcher Laura Dias saw one of the bus-size whales breaching the surface about 55 miles from Corpus Christi, Texas on April 11. I felt a wave of excitement and relief, she said, describing the culmination of an intense effort to photograph the endangered whale species west of Louisiana. Found to be a distinct species just three years ago, the shy, deep-diving Rices whale remains largely a mystery. Scientists are racing to learn the basics, including how the whale eats, breeds and communicates, before the species goes extinct. Recent audio recordings have also offered proof of the whales frequent travels in the western Gulf. A NOAA-led analysis of underwater sounds detected the whales distinctive long moan several times off the coasts of Louisiana and Texas, and offered the first evidence of the whale in Mexicos waters. This is new knowledge and is critical for our understanding [of the whales] given how heavily industrialized that portion of the Gulf is, said Melissa Soldevilla, a NOAA scientist who led the acoustical research. The photos and recordings have upended the theory that the Rices whale rarely strayed from DeSoto Canyon in the eastern Gulf near Alabama and Florida. Ships, oil and plastic The new evidence was troubling for Michael Jasny, a marine mammal protection expert with the Natural Resources Defence Council. The vast majority of the risk this species faces is from vessel strikes, he said. Theres so much more vessel traffic in the central and western Gulf than there is in the east. Texas and Louisiana have several busy shipping hubs, including Houston, the U.S.s fifth-largest container port, and Port Fourchon, which serves nearly all of the Gulfs 3,200 active oil and gas structures. Rices whales are severely vulnerable to ship strikes because they rest just below the surface at night, Jasny said. This behavior contrasts with most whales, which tend to be nocturnal. A dozing whale is less likely to notice an oncoming vessel, and the vessels crew is less likely to spot the whale in the dark. In 2021, environmental groups petitioned NOAA to set a 10-knot speed limit around DeSoto Canyon. The proposal drew about 75,500 comments and strong opposition from the shipping and oil industries. In October, NOAA denied the petition in favor of an effort to get vessels to slow down voluntarily. Jasny noted that NOAA adopted a similar 10-knot speed limit along the East Coast to protect the North Atlantic right whale, a species thats also endangered but has a population thats likely three times larger than the number of Rices whales. Gulf Coast political leaders have expressed opposition to other measures to protect the whale, including a NOAA proposal to designate 28,000 acres in the Gulf as a new critical habitat. On May 1, U.S. senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Cindy Hyde-Smith and Roger Wicker of Mississippi wrote a letter to NOAA warning against unnecessary measures for the Rices whale at the expense of communities along the Gulf of Mexico. The Republican senators believe whale-related restrictions on shipping and oil and gas development would directly harm the economic activity and jobs. Rices whales are also threatened by oil spills, ocean trash, entanglement in fishing gear and noise, especially blasts from seismic airgun surveys that companies use to find offshore oil deposits. BPs Deepwater Horizon oil disaster in 2010 killed nearly 20% of the Rices whale population and likely caused widespread health problems and pregnancy failures, according to a NOAA-led assessment. The growing problem of plastic pollution has also proved fatal for at least one of the whales. In 2019, a 38-foot-long male that washed up on a Florida beach was found to have been killed by a jagged piece of plastic that became lodged in its stomach. A dead Rices whale washed up on a Florida beach in 2019. It was found to have been killed by a plastic fragment lodged in its stomach. (National Park Service) Discovering a new species The whales death had a silver lining, though. The carcass was a treasure trove of information for scientists and helped prove that the Rices whale is a distinct species. Scientists had long thought Rices whales were a Gulf-dwelling variety of Brydes whales, another endangered species that ranges widely in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Rices and Brydes whales look almost identical. They grow to around 55 feet, weigh about 30 tons, use baleen to filter-feed and are part of what NOAA calls the great whales, a group that includes humpback, sperm and blue whales. But the dead specimen offered a rare opportunity to get a close look at the Rices whales organs, skeleton and DNA, all of which revealed clear differences. A growing body of research indicates the whales behavior also sets them apart. While Brydes whales feed near the surface on a range of seafood, including krill, shrimp, herring and other small fish, Rices whales like to dive deep for one particular menu item: the silver-rag driftfish. And, unlike the free-ranging Brydes whales, Rices whales are homebodies, preferring to stick to the Gulfs warm waters. Some scientists wanted to name the newly-discovered species the Gulf of Mexico whale or the American whale, because it lives almost entirely in U.S. waters. In the end, the NOAA scientists who confirmed the whale was a distinct species decided to name it in honor of Dale Rice, a biologist who first recognized some 60 years ago that the Brydes whales in the Gulf seemed different from other Brydes whales. Regardless of what theyre called, Jasny hopes more Americans especially Gulf Coast residents come to appreciate this massive and mysterious animal, and understand how close it is to vanishing forever. This is a really remarkable species, he said. Theyre unique to the Gulf and even the U.S. We want to make sure people realize how unique they are and how dependent they are on the habitat of the Gulf. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE This article first appeared on Verite News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. The post Endangered whale spotted in western Gulf faces industrial dangers appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. Energy workers came under a Russian Lancet drone attack in eastern Donetsk Oblast during repair work, the Energy Ministry said on May 19. There were no casualties and the workers halted their work to be transferred elsewhere, according to the ministry's statement on Facebook. The latest drone attack on energy workers comes as Russia continues to target Ukraine's energy infrastructure with various types of weapons across the country. Russia aims to destroy Ukraine's power grid, a brutal campaign condemned by Kyiv and Western allies. According to the Geneva Convention, attacking vital public infrastructure constitutes a war crime. The ministry did not specify the location of the attack. Throughout over two years of the full-scale war, Russia has repeatedly targeted energy workers who are repairing power lines in front-line areas and rescuers working to save lives making it dangerous to help the remaining civilians in regions like Donetsk Oblast, where fierce fighting rages on. Russia initially began its campaign of striking energy infrastructure across the country in October 2022, causing power outages and killing civilians. In April 2023, the state-owned power grid operator Ukrenergo reported that Russian forces had used over 1,200 missiles and kamikaze drones to attack Ukraines energy system since October 2022. March and April 2024 were also a difficult month for Ukraine's energy grid. Moscow launched large-scale attacks on energy facilities across the country on March 22, March 29, April 11, and April 27. The most damage was caused by the attacks on thermal, and hydroelectricity generation facilities. Russian troops have been attacking other energy infrastructure facilities on a daily basis as well, using drones, artillery, and missiles, the minister added. Russian strikes against Ukraine's energy infrastructure have cost the state over $1 billion in damage, Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said on May 5 on national television. In late March, Russia launched another large-scale, significantly damaging one of the two power stations of Zaporizhzhia's Dnipro Dam. Read also: Surviving through the darkness: How Kharkiv endures new wave of brutal Russian attacks (Photos) Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. TEHRAN, May 19 (Xinhua) -- A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Sunday suffered an accident and made a rough landing in the northwestern province of East Azarbaijan, reported state IRIB TV. It added rescue teams were on their way to the scene of the incident, but unfavorable climatic conditions and heavy fog were slowing their efforts. Meanwhile, the official news agency IRNA said that an accident had occurred to one of the helicopters of the convoy carrying Raisi and his teams. Europe's far right groups launch unofficial campaign for the European Union elections Santiago Abascal, leader of the far right VOX party gestures as he delivers a speech on stage during the Spanish far-right wing party Vox's rally "Europa Viva 24" in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 19, 2024. VOX has invited speakers from across the right wing spectrum including Marine Le Pen, Viktor Orban and Argentine President Javier Milei who has been visiting Spain since Friday. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) MADRID (AP) Europes far-right political parties unofficially launched their campaign Sunday for European Union elections in Spain with strong messages against illegal migration and the blocs climate policy while declaring their support for Israel in its war against Hamas. French National Rally party leader Marine Le Pen and Italys Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni tried to rally voters at an event organized by Spains far-right Vox party in Madrid ahead of the European Unions parliamentary elections June 6-9. Analysts say the vote across the blocs 27 nations could see a strong rise of the far right. We are in the final stretch to make 9 June a day of liberation and hope, said the French presidential candidate. We have three weeks left to convince our respective compatriots to go out and vote. Meloni, whose Brothers of Italy party has foundations in Benito Mussolinis fascism, spoke in Spanish via video conference and called for young people to vote. You are the only possible future for Europe, Meloni told them. The defense of the EUs borders was another main theme of the last of two days of a meeting organized by Vox in an arena in the outskirts of the Spanish capital. We are not against human rights, but we want strong borders in Europe... because it is ours,said Andre Ventura, leader of Chega, a party that won the third largest number of parliamentary seats in Portugal earlier this year. We cannot continue to have this massive influx of Islamic and Muslim immigrants into Europe, he added. Meloni defended her countrys policy of reaching agreements with third countries to try to curb illegal immigration, while Le Pen advocated for reform of the Schengen area which allows free movement of people within most of the blocs borders so that Europe allows each country to choose who enters and who leaves its territory. Voxs president, Santiago Abascal, called for unity of the far-right ahead of the European election. In the face of globalism we must respond with a global alliance of patriots in defense of common sense, economic prosperity, security and freedom because we share the threat, and that leads us to solidarity, Abascal said. The vote will indicate whether the continental political drift will match the rightward swing seen across much of the globe from the Netherlands to Slovakia to Argentina. Argentinas fiery libertarian president, Javier Milei, who was welcomed like a star amidst chants of Freedom," used the spotlight to bash Pedro Sanchez, Spain's socialist prime minster, and his wife something unthinkable for most heads of state visiting a historic ally. They dont know what type of society and country (socialism) can produce and what kind of people chained to power and what levels of abuse it can generate," Milei said in his speech, before weighing in on the corruption allegations against Sanchez's wife, Begona Gomez. "Even if he has a corrupt wife, he gets dirty and takes five days to think about it, he said, referring to the time Sanchez took considering whether to step down after the accusations came to light. In response, the Spanish government demanded an apology from Milei and said it was recalling its ambassador from Buenos Aires over the remarks, which Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares condemned as bringing relations between Spain and Argentina to the most grave point in our recent history. To hospitality and good faith, he responded with a frontal attack on our democracy, on our institutions and on Spain, Albares said. Over the course of Sunday's event, supporters who packed the Palacio de Vistalegre arena cheered messages against the European Green Deal and in favor of farm workers, whose protests brought several cities in the continent to a standstill in recent months. They also applauded every speakers message in solidarity with Israel in its devastating war against Hamas in Gaza following the militant group's Oct. 7 attack. Israel was represented at the meeting by its Minister for Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli. Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary and the former prime minister of Poland, Mateusz Morawiecki, also spoke from a video screen. Meanwhile hundreds of left-wing activists were demonstrating against fascism in Madrid's city center. I am here because in Vistalegre we have a summit of hate and we must fight against fascists, said Frank Erbroder, a Polish activist at the gathering. I am worried because Hitler won because of democracy, and I think that maybe well have the same situation. ___ Associated Press writers Iain Sullivan and Alicia Leon in Madrid and Isabel DeBre in Buenos Aires, Argentina, contributed to this report. ___ Follow AP's global elections coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/global-elections/ Timothy Parlatore, former President Trumps ex-attorney, weighed in on the appearance of several political figures at the former presidents hush money trial in New York City. Parlatore signaled that the visit from high-profile Republicans including lawmakers and some on Trumps running mate shortlist and their matching attire could send the wrong message to the jurists. I always tell clients that when it comes to a criminal trial, there are only 12 opinions that matter. And yours is not one of them, he said Saturday in an interview on CNN Newsroom. And so what impact is that going to have on the 12 people in the box? I am concerned that by parading these fingers in and out, that that would have a negative impact on the jury, Parlatore continued. I know that there was an incident where a couple of members of Congress came in, not during a break, and they were somewhat disruptive and the judge was looking angrily down. Thats the kind of thing that jurors notice. The attorney added, So, you know, its not something that I would be encouraging. Parlatore, who represented the former president in his classified documents case before stepping down, acknowledged that juries are funny things, and could also brush off the appearances. His remarks come after at least nine Republican lawmakers made their way to the New York courthouse Thursday to stand in solidarity with the former president, including Reps. Lauren Boebert (Colo.), Matt Gaetz (Fla.), Bob Good (Va.) and Andy Biggs (Ariz.), among others. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) joined Trump in Manhattan Tuesday, and slammed the case against the former president. In his remarks, he called the ongoing trial election interference, and said prosecutors just wanted to keep him off the campaign trail. GOP Sens. J.D. Vance (Ohio) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) also made the journey, with the latter calling the courtroom depressing. The former president is facing 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 hush money payment his ex-fixer Michael Cohen made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence about an alleged affair with Trump ahead of the 2016 election. He has pleaded not guilty. The trial will resume Monday with further cross-examination of Cohen, seen as the star witness in the case, who finished his testimony last week. Parlatore said Saturday that he thinks the case will ultimately come down to how the jurists perceive Cohens credibility. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. My ex turned into my stalker when we broke up and even used Alexa to spy on me A woman whose obsessed ex spied on her using her Amazon Alexa says Netflixs Baby Reindeer is insensitive and unrealistic. Shelby Laidlaw, 34, spoke out after Netflixs new controversial show, Baby Reindeer, which details creators, Richard Gadd, real-life experience with his own stalker. Mum-of-four, Shelby, says she found the series shocking and unrealistic after being subject to a campaign of harassment by Hassan Mehmet, 35. The pair had been together for 13 years but she ended things in April 2022, triggering Hassans campaign of abuse including threatening to throw acid in her face. Shelby Laidlaw said Baby Reindeer is unrealistic. Shelby Laidlaw / SWNS In the space of a month, he showed Shelby a knife and threatened to use it on her male friend, listened into private conversations in her home after hacking into her Alexa and smashed up her car on the M20. Despite being arrested on May 5, 2022, Hassan was released 10 days later and continued to threaten to stab Shelby and to pay someone to beat up her then-boyfriend. He was eventually remanded into custody after sending messages in which he threatened to plunge a knife into her throat. On Friday January 13, 2023, Mehmet, from Southwark, South London, appeared at the Old Bailey and pleaded guilty to stalking, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving without a licence. He was handed a two-year suspended sentence and a 10-year restraining order. Shelby, a carer, from Greenwich, London, said: I watched the series as soon as it came out because, like everyone else, I was intrigued. Laidlaws ex became her stalker after their breakup. Shelby Laidlaw / SWNS I found it hard to watch at times because of how dramatised it was. I thought Donny going to Marthas house and then later dreaming about sleeping with her, was insensitive to victims of stalking. When youre being harassed, you wouldnt put or think of yourself in that situation. I wouldnt have thought to follow Hassan home when he was harassing me because I was so stressed out and terrified. The only good thing to come out of our relationship is our children and I feel for them too. I did think that Baby Reindeers depiction of how the police handle stalking cases was accurate. Sadly more often than not, the police dont act quick enough and its too late. Thankfully nothing happened to me but not everyone escapes their stalkers. The former couple met when Shelby was just 17 through mutual friends in 2009. After hitting it off at a house party, Hassan took Shelbys number and the pair went on to date. The mum-of-three said: He seemed really taken with me and he was older than me it was all a bit exciting at 17. But his behaviour would especially change under the influence of alcohol. In December 2011, the couple had their first child and their second in April 2016. Despite being a good father at first, Hassan slipped back into old habits and Shelby found herself having to look after the children as well as work part-time as a hairdresser. Hassan Mehmet spied on Laidlaw through her Alexa. Shelby Laidlaw / SWNS I really thought hed get his act together when we had our first child, Shelby said. But hed prefer to go out drinking with his mates after work then come home and be with his family. In April 2022, the couple called it quits but Hassan didnt let that stop him from interfering in Shelbys life. On 19 April, she found Hassan was spying on her via the Alexa. Not content to just eavesdrop, he would even hijack the technology and play loud music at inconvenient times as another means of control. Despite this, Shelby allowed him to accompany her to a hospital appointment but in the car afterwards he showed her a knife and threatened to use it on her male friend. On 22 April Hassan sent her 118 messages, came to Shelbys address and threatened to throw acid in her face before driving off in her car. Later that day, Mehmet drove Shelbys Jaguar on the M20 and deliberately crashed it. Despite being arrested shortly afterwards, Hassan was then released 10 days later and continued to threaten to stab Shelby and to pay someone to beat up her then-boyfriend. In October 2022 he pleaded guilty to stalking, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving without a licence. Following the provision of psychological and probation reports, Judge Philip Katz KC said he was just persuaded to avoid handing out a prison sentence. He said: Its an appalling course of conduct against your partner between April and July 2022. Mehmet smashed up Laidlaws car after their breakup. Shelby Laidlaw / SWNS You were repeatedly messaging, calling, threatening, posting on Facebook, spying on her with an Alexa device. It is appalling. The whole thing was simply a disgusting course of conduct. Shelby said: If I could tell 17-year-old me anything I would tell her to have the strength to leave sooner rather than later. Im doing okay now; Ive become a mum again and Im in a new relationship. I wouldnt have been able to watch the series if I wasnt in a good place. Anyone affected by this story can reach out to Womens Aid on 0808 2000 247 or by visiting http://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk. Explosions were heard in Odesa Oblast on the night of 18-19 May, and a media outlet reported that air defence was responding. An air-raid warning had been issued prior to the incident. Source: Dumska, a local news outlet in Odesa Details: An explosion was heard in Odesa Oblast at 03:00. At 03:01, the media outlet noted that efforts were underway to combat Russian Shahed UAVs. Later, Dumska reported on a series of explosions in Odesa Oblast. At 03:32, the media outlet reported new explosions in Odesa Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! Fact check: Baldwin's claim about her role in the Affordable Care Act mostly true U.S. Sen Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc. Statement: When I worked on the Affordable Care Act, I wrote the amendment that allows all young people to stay on their parents health insurance until they turn 26. Overnight, millions of young Americans got healthcare. As Election Day creeps closer, the race between Wisconsin's Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and challenger Eric Hovde, a Republican businessman, remains closely watched. Hovde who is trailing Baldwin slightly among registered voters according to an April 17, 2024 Marquette Law School poll has sought to tie his opponent to President Joe Biden, who has faced tough polling numbers in recent days. Baldwin, meanwhile, is touting past accomplishments. Lately, that has included the role she played in the passage of the Affordable Care Act, which occurred when she was serving in the U.S. House. When I worked on the Affordable Care Act, I wrote the amendment that allows all young people to stay on their parents health insurance until they turn 26. Overnight, millions of young Americans got healthcare, she wrote in a May 5, 2024, X post, saying Hovde wants to rip it all up. Well focus on the first two parts of that statement. Did Baldwin author that amendment, a highly popular part of the overall law? And did the change take place overnight? Lets take a look. Baldwin gets credit for authoring the under-26 provision A spokesperson for Baldwins campaign said that while members names dont get attached to the thousands of provisions that make up a big bill like the Affordable Care Act, the senator (then House member) was credited with the idea on several occasions. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin speaks Monday, January 22, 2024, in Big Bend, Wis. That includes a Feb. 7, 2012, letter from former U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., then chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, thanking Baldwin for being the committees leading voice on the issue of young adults having access to health insurance. I was pleased that the amendment you drafted to allow young adults to gain access to their parents or guardians health insurance was included in the final House version of the legislation, Waxman wrote. Prior to its inclusion in the House version of the legislation, Baldwin and three colleagues from Maryland and Pennsylvania were credited with pushing House leadership to make the change. When the House and Senate versions of the bill were meshed to create what is today the Affordable Care Act, that provision remained, and Baldwins role in it is often mentioned among her achievements, particularly during her first run for the U.S. Senate against former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson. An Oct. 21, 2012, Wisconsin State Journal article on that race mentions Baldwin authored the provision that allows children up to age 26 to stay on their parents health insurance plans. A Nov. 5, 2012, story in the Guardian says she supported and even wrote part of the healthcare bill the section enabling children to remain on their parents insurance until age 26. And former President Bill Clinton, stumping for Baldwin in November 2012, said, It was her amendment that guaranteed in (former President Barack Obamas) health care reform law that young people under 26 would be able to be carried on their parents insurance plans for the first time in history. On this part of the claim, shes spot-on. Overnight exaggerates, but the change did happen fast Turning to the second part of Baldwins claim: did millions of young Americans get health care overnight? The millions part is easy. A June 8, 2012, report from the Commonwealth Fund estimated that in 2011, 6.6 million young adults ages 19-25 stayed on or joined their parents health plans who would not have been able to do so prior to the provision taking effect. But in politics, things rarely happen overnight. This phrasing was an exaggeration, said Gerald Kominski, senior fellow at the University of California, Los Angeles Center for Health Policy Research although not too far off. Obama signed the Affordable Care Act on March 23, 2010, Kominski said, and the provision letting young people under 26 stay on their parents health insurance was set to take effect six months later, on Sept. 23, 2010. On that date, insurance companies that offered dependent health benefits had to expand those benefits to adult children up to age 26, he said. In the meantime, former Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius was pushing insurance companies to make the change faster, as soon as May of that year. More than 60 insurers agreed. Once the provision took effect, though, parents had to notify their insurers or employers that theyd be claiming their children as dependents and add those children to their policies, Kominski said making the process a bit less immediate than Baldwins post asserts. Still, he said, in political time, the change did happen fast. Our ruling Baldwin claimed: When I worked on the Affordable Care Act, I wrote the amendment that allows all young people to stay on their parents health insurance until they turn 26. Overnight, millions of young Americans got health care. Multiple sources credit her with authoring the draft of that provision. And it did give millions of young Americans access to health insurance though not quite as speedily as she contended. Our definition of Mostly True is a statement that is accurate but needs clarification or additional information. That fits here. Sources This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Baldwin's claim about her Affordable Care Act role is mostly true Factbox-High-profile US trials where defendants took the stand FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. President Trump's criminal trial on charges of falsifying business records continues in New York By Jody Godoy (Reuters) - Donald Trump's lawyer said last week the former U.S. president had not decided whether to testify at his criminal trial stemming from hush money paid to a porn star, which would be an uncommon and risky move that some high-profile defendants have made at their own recent trials. Here are five criminal cases where the defendant testified: FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried The once high-flying fintech mogul testified in his own defense at his New York trial last year on charges of defrauding customers, investors and lenders to his cryptocurrency exchange, FTX. Prosecutors said Bankman-Fried stole $8 billion in customer deposits to plug losses at his crypto-focused hedge fund, Alameda Research. Bankman-Fried admitted he had made mistakes that ultimately hurt investors but said he believed that Alameda had the assets to repay FTX. Bankman-Fried was convicted on seven fraud and conspiracy counts and sentenced to 25 years in prison. He is appealing his conviction and sentence. Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes The Theranos founder took the stand at her criminal trial in 2021, testifying over several days that she did not intend to defraud investors in the now-defunct blood-testing startup. Prosecutors accused Holmes of making false claims about Theranos, including that its technology could run a wide range of diagnostic tests using just a drop of blood from a finger prick, more quickly and accurately than conventional laboratory testing. Holmes said on the stand that she was focused on the long-term potential of the company in her communications with investors. She was convicted in January 2022 by a jury in San Jose, California, on four of 11 counts and sentenced to more than 11 years in prison. She is appealing her conviction and sentence. Colony Capital founder Tom Barrack The onetime private equity executive and Trump fundraiser testified at his 2022 trial on charges of unlawfully acting as an agent of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He said on the stand in New York that he had sought to promote dialogue between the U.S. and Arab countries and denied taking direction from the UAE. Barrack, who chaired the former president's 2017 inaugural committee and served as an informal adviser to the campaign, was acquitted of all nine counts he faced. Former KPMG partner David Middendorf Middendorf took the stand in 2019 and denied taking part in a scheme to obtain confidential information from an audit regulator to help the KPMG accounting firm pass inspections. Middendorf, who was head of a KPMG department, testified at the trial in Manhattan that when he learned another employee had obtained the information, he reported it to his boss. He was convicted at trial but prosecutors dropped the charges after a 2020 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court limited their use of the wire fraud statute. Privinvest executive Jean Boustani The lead salesman for a Lebanese shipbuilding company was cleared in 2019 of charges he helped defraud U.S. investors in bonds backed by the Mozambican government. Prosecutors in New York said Boustani, a Lebanese citizen, paid hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks to Mozambique officials and Credit Suisse bankers to secure the contracts and loans. Boustani, who testified in his own defense at the trial, never disputed that he paid officials, but said he had no role in packaging the loans for investors. (Reporting by Jody Godoy in New York; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Rod Nickel) BAGHDAD, May 19 (Xinhua) -- A Shiite militia in Iraq on Sunday 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 vital site in Eilat at dawn on Sunday." 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." The statement did not provide additional details about the specific location targeted or any resulting casualties. 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. CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW) Cleveland police are investigating after a Family Dollar employee allegedly shot a person who refused to show a receipt. According to officials, at about 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, officers were called to the 3100 block of W. 110th Street for a report of a 20-year-old man shot in the ankle. Deadly motorcycle crash in Cleveland Police say the suspect is an employee of a Family Dollar store located at 10820 Lorain Avenue, about a half-mile from where the victim was found. This embedded content is not available in your region. Based on an initial investigation, police report, the suspect attempted to verify a receipt from the victims purchase and when the victim refused to show the receipt, the suspect followed the victim outside where they were involved in a physical altercation and the store employee shot the victim. A true hero: Thousands honor fallen officer The victim was transported to a nearby hospital. Police said the 41-year-old suspect was arrested. A name has not yet been released. Officials note: This information is preliminary and subject to change as the investigation evolves. 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. Family of slain NYC hero fights cop killers parole every two years: Were forever in our life sentence The state is poised to spring a cop killer from prison the 42nd in the past seven years as the officers family fights to keep the career criminal behind bars, The Post has learned. Police Officer James Whittington was off-duty in Brownsville, Brooklyn, on Oct. 30, 1982, when he encountered felon Mitchell Martin, who was armed and fighting with a woman. Whittington chased after Martin while trying to arrest him before Martin fatally shot the police officer at close range. Nicole Demby, killed Officer James Whittingtons daughter, and her family endure having to implore the parole board not to release her fathers killer every two years. Helayne Seidman Police Officer James Whittington was off killed by Mitchell Martin in 1982. Martin was sentenced to 25 years to life and has been in prison since August 1983. The parole board is set to consider the 66-year-olds release from Elmira in June. The police officers daughter, Nicole Demby, plans to implore the release-happy parole board to keep Martin behind bars a laborious chore the family endures every two years. You know, my fathers life sentence began 42 years ago, the 48-year-old mom said. Hes in Green-Wood Cemetery and thats his place. My mothers life sentence began at that time too. Shes 83 and she never remarried. Were forever in our life sentence. Martin first came up for parole in 2014. We had peace of mind before that, said Demby, who works for Amazon in Manhattan. We thought life meant for life. Now, every two years were reopening a wound that were constantly trying to mend. Were forever in our life sentence, Whittingtons daughter told the Post. Helayne Seidman For a person to take the life of a police officer it means they not only have a disregard for human life, but they also have a disregard for society. Because of that, there really is no place for them in our society. The surge in freeing cop killers is due in large part to a revision in 2017 to the rules governing how the 17-member parole board weighs a prisoners release, in part because of lobbying by prison reformers and legal groups, a law enforcement source said. The board gives more weight to an inmates age and record while in prison and less to the crime they committed, the source said. Board members are appointed by the governor and approved by the state Senate and have increasingly been left-leaning. If they let this vicious cop killer out of jail, its an insult to our hero police officer and his family, Police Benevolent Association Patrick Hendry said. He gave his life that day. This family lost everything and this vicious cop killer should stay behind bars where he belongs. Member of the Bundestag Petr Bystron of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) speaks in the plenary session of the German Bundestag. Christoph Soeder/dpa The number of offences classified by the police as "anti-Christian" is increasing, the German government said in response to questions from Petr Bystron, a politician from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Bystron has been more well-known of late not for his queries to the government but because he is under investigation on suspicion of bribery and money laundering in connection with possible Russian propaganda activities. The Bundestag, or lower house of parliament, has waived his immunity and his offices and private spaces were searched on Thursday. Bystron denies the charges. He is the second candidate on the AfD's ticket for the European elections on June 9. The government information, which came after Bystron submitted written questions to the Bundestag's Foreign Affairs Committee, showed that 135 anti-Christian offences nationwide were included in the police statistics on politically motivated crime in 2022. According to preliminary figures, 277 such cases were recorded in 2023, including 55 incidents involving damage to property. There is no overall explanation for the rise, an Interior Ministry spokesman told dpa. The rise in cases could be partly explained by multiple sharing or publication of criminally relevant posts on the internet. Such posts had become known to the Federal Criminal Police Office's Central Reporting Centre for Criminal Content on the Internet. Another explanation is "the tense global political situation, especially in the context of the Middle East conflict as a result of the attacks by the terrorist organization Hamas against the state of Israel." Given that situation, there had been a large number of threats of attack, which had mainly been sent by email. The spokesman explained: "Some of these threatening emails were sent to Christian institutions or contained statements directed against the Christian religion or people of the Christian faith," the spokesman explained. Former White House communications director Alyssa Farah Griffin said Sunday that Republicans would be demanding resignations from liberal justices if they were reported to have displayed upside-down flags on their lawns after former President Trump was elected in 2016. New reporting from the New York Times revealed an upside-down flag had been on display outside Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alitos house briefly on Jan. 17, 2021, days before President Bidens inauguration and less than two weeks after the deadly Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. The upside-down flag had largely been associated at the time with the Stop the Steal movement and efforts to stop the transfer of power based on false claims of election fraud. Alito has said his wife was responsible for the flag. In a panel discussion on CNNs State of the Union, the former Trump aide-turned-CNN pundit criticized the Republican response to the reporting, which she called deeply disturbing. If after Donald Trump won in 2016, Justice [Sonia Sotomayor] hung a flag upside down on her front lawn, we, Republicans, would be calling for her resignation, Farah Griffin said Sunday. I find it deeply disturbing, and I dont think we can gloss over it, she added. The reporting has been met with widespread criticism from Democrats, many of whom have also called on Alito to recuse himself from all Jan. 6-related cases before the Supreme Court. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Friday called on Alito to apologize for disrespecting the American flag and sympathizing with right-wing violent insurrectionists. He must recuse himself from cases involving the 2020 election and [former President Trump], Jeffries continued, referring to Alito. He added that Congress should consider new ethics reform legislation for the high court. Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) also called on Alito to recuse himself from cases related to Jan. 6, 2021, and the 2020 election, saying, Flying an upside-down American flag a symbol of the so-called Stop the Steal movement clearly creates the appearance of bias. In a statement to the Times, Alito said, I had no involvement whatsoever in the flying of the flag, adding, It was briefly placed by Mrs. Alito in response to a neighbors use of objectionable and personally insulting language on yard signs. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Monday, May 15, 2023, was supposed to be her day off from her job at the Bonnie Dallas Senior Center in Farmington, Susan Saiz said, so, ordinarily, she wouldnt have been anywhere near North Dustin Avenue that fateful morning. But Saiz had been called into work unexpectedly. After finishing her duties shortly before 11 a.m. that day, she climbed into her silver Toyota SUV and headed for home. Just a few blocks north of East Apache Street, her routine drive up Dustin Avenue quickly took an unexpected and harrowing turn. Saiz saw several police vehicles stopped in the street ahead of her, lights flashing, then heard what she thought were several firecrackers exploding to her left. Moments later, she heard the sound of two distinct dings in her car. Worried that she had struck something with her vehicle, she instinctively slowed down, but sped up again when she saw police officers rushing toward her, their weapons drawn. Thats when I knew I was in the middle of a crossfire, she said. The officers told me to get out of there. Farmington resident Susan Saiz poses next to the gunshot hole in one of the doors of her Toyota SUV, which was struck while she was driving on North Dustin Avenue in Farmington on May 15, 2023. Saiz lurched her wheel to the right, jumping a curb, then took the first right turn she came to, quickly encountering another driver from the other direction headed toward the shooting. Badly shaken, Saiz rolled down her window and warned the other driver, then drove to her mothers house on the east side of Farmington, understanding only partially the predicament from which she had escaped. When she arrived, she began explaining to her sister Gloria Montoya, who was visiting, what she had encountered. Coincidentally, Montoya had been monitoring the police scanner that morning and had heard the chatter about the incident, becoming concerned enough to try to call Saiz and warn her to avoid the area on her drive home. That call went unanswered, reaching Saiz just as she was headed north through the scene. A bullet hole is visible in the interior of the passenger side door of a Toyota SUV driven by Farmington resident Susan Saiz, who found herself in the middle of the May 15, 2023, mass shooting in Farmington. As the two continued to piece together what had happened, they decided to drive to a nearby convenience store to get Saiz a soft drink, thinking it might calm her nerves. It wasnt until they walked up to Saizs Toyota that they saw the damage to her vehicle. In the left, back-seat door, there was a bullet hole. Oh, my God, Sue, you were hit! Montoya exclaimed. Saiz opened the door and saw that the projectile had come out the interior panel of at an angle, leaving a jagged, much larger hole in the plastic and vinyl beneath the door handle. Farmington resident Susan Saiz points to the location where a bullet pierced the passenger seat of her Toyota SUV after she and her vehicle were caught in the May 15, 2023, mass shooting in Farmington. Following that angle, Saiz and Montoya quickly discovered another hole in the front passenger seat, followed by a hole in the interior of the front passenger-side door and, finally, a small protrusion and paint chip in the doors exterior, just to the right of the door handle. All of that damage apparently was caused by a single projectile, a shot presumably fired at Saizs passing vehicle by 18-year-old Beau Wilson, the shooter who killed three women and wounded two police officers during his deadly rampage that morning. I have to believe I was the last person I was his last target before they took him down, Saiz said, noting that from her understanding of incident, Wilson was shot and killed by Farmington police only seconds after she drove through the scene. More: One year later, Farmington Police reflect on 2023 mass shooting Saiz said she doesnt enjoy dwelling on the incident, especially after she filed a police report and was told by a Farmington officer that she likely would have been struck by the gunshot if she had been driving only slightly slower that morning. But she hasnt been able to get the damage to her SUV fixed because she didnt carry comprehensive or collison insurance on the Toyota, and her insurer told her the damage was classified as vandalism. Saiz said she also applied for financial help from a fund that was established to help people who had suffered property damage during the shooting. But she said she was told her application was rejected because the money was only intended to help people with the amount of their deductible, not the fully amount of the damage. A chip in the paint next to a door handle marks the spot where a shot fired during the May 15, 2023, mass shooting in Farmington remains lodged in the door of Farmington resident Susan Saiz's Toyota SUV Saiz said she has taken the vehicle to two body shops for estimates, with one coming in at $8,500 and another one at $9,000 neither of which is affordable for her, she said. Fortunately, the gunfire did not strike the SUVs engine, so it the vehicle is fully operational. But Saiz said it is difficult to routinely be reminded of how close she came to being another one of Wilsons victims that day. Everyday, she said, responding to a question about how often she thinks about those events. Everyday when I go to get in my car. Its just awful. Support local journalism with a digital subscription: http://bit.ly/2I6TU0e. This article originally appeared on Farmington Daily Times: Farmington's Susan Saiz narrowly avoided being shot on May 15, 2023 The Welcome Home Village project which could break ground as soon as this fall and open in 2025 calls for 80 units of homeless transitional shelter space to be built on the San Luis Obispo County Health Agency Campus at the intersection of Bishop Street and Johnson Avenue. Haphazardly fast-tracked SLO to get 80-unit cabin homeless shelter project in 2025, (sanluisobispo.com, April 26) SLO County doesnt play fair. The Welcome Home Village Project will almost certainly be approved at the Board of Supervisors Meeting on May 21 so that the $13.4 million state grant funding this project is not lost. Due to poor planning and unexpected pushback, the county is facing a very short window to spend millions of dollars on this project in spite of the fact that the public has known about it for less than a month. Normal procedures used to plan such an ambitious project have been thrown out the window as the county will use its might through self permitting and relaxed standards to advance this project at a speed that no private sector project could hope to see. The board will be approving contracts into the future that have no budgets and no timelines. Poor planning and unforeseen road blocks should not create a budgetary emergency that prevents the countys constituency from having a timely mechanism in having due process and appropriate voice in the location,design and management of this overly rushed project. Please urge the board to allow us to have a fair say on whether and where we have the Welcome Home Village. Alan Martin San Luis Obispo Opinion Electricity bill increase Will future increases in PG&E bills be tied to personal income? Heres the latest | Opinion, (sanluisobispo.com, April 10) Twenty years ago, I had rooftop solar panels installed. Several months ago, they were updated. Ive been paying $0 for electricity. But now Im going to have to pay because of a stupid policy by the state of California that didnt consider people like me. I was hoping the bill wouldnt pass, or at least it would take people like me into account. Rosalie Valvo Morro Bay The sounds of fresh produce Farm wind machines sound like Vietnam-era choppers. Should SLO County muzzle them? | Opinion, (sanluisobispo.com, May 10) My family has farmed citrus for four generations, first in the San Fernando Valley and now, since 1955, in the San Joaquin Valley. When I was young, frost protection was provided by lining the orchards with smudge pots that burned fuels such as kerosene, diesel or sump oil. One can imagine the soot in the air, making some really thick, nasty smog. Then came towers with propellers wind machines to help circulate the air to try to protect the fruit. A matter of a degree or two could make all the difference. Some of our neighbors use timers, others are roused by a frost alarm by the bed and spend the night roaming the fields, checking thermometers around the orchards, turning machines up or slowing them down as needed in each section. When I heard the wind machines in the night, I knew Daddy was out working, and I felt safe. When I visited this past winter and heard the machines turn on in the night, I had a feeling of comfort. San Luis Obispo is highly regarded as an agricultural county. Ag can be noisy, smelly and loud. If one finds that bothersome, dont move to the countryside. And certainly dont expect to have a large variety of fruits and vegetables. Christine Mulholland San Luis Obispo The price of good administration SLO County CAO pick was convicted of grand theft, (sanluisobispo.com, April 19) I note that Matt Pontes, former administrative officer of Shasta County, has now been hired as administrative officer of San Luis Obispo County, to the tune of a $293,946 salary plus $126,023 in benefits. Thats quite a payout. Is Pontes paid that much because, to buy a house here, hell now need almost a million dollars (approximately $975,000) to find a median-priced one in SLO County? Is that what it takes to get good administrative help here in SLO-town? John Winthrop Cayucos Realtors remain valuable How commission changes will affect SLO County home sales, (sanluisobispo.com, March 29) There has been a lot of misinformation in the news lately about pending changes coming to the real estate industry and what they mean for homebuyers and sellers. As a dedicated realtor on the Central Coast, Id like to clarify. Because of a recent settlement by real estate brokerages and the National Association of REALTORS, two things are changing: First, properties listed on the multiple listing service will no longer include an offer of compensation to buyers agents. Second, homebuyers who want to work with an agent will need to sign a written agreement before touring a home (meaning a buyer will need to discuss and agree what the agent will do on their behalf, and how much the agent will be paid). Historically, nearly nine in 10 homebuyers have opted to work with a real estate agent or broker in what is possibly the most important purchase of their lives. Thats because we help buyers and sellers navigate a maze of forms and complex paperwork; coordinate with lenders, inspectors, escrow companies, title companies and appraisers; and ensure that our clients interests are represented in pricing, negotiation and closing. The pending changes will not affect what makes realtors valuable: a commitment to work in their clients best interests. Joe Prian San Luis Obispo Coastal Association of Realtors LAS VEGAS (KLAS) One person died, and two others were injured in a reported shooting in the northwest Las Vegas valley on Saturday, police said. The shooting occurred just after 4 p.m. on Saturday near the intersection of Prairie Falcon Road and Tenaya Way in the northwest Las Vegas valley. There, first responders found three shooting victims. Police say one of the victims had numerous gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other victims were taken to area hospitals with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. A crime scene near the intersection of Prairie Falcon Road and Tenaya Way in the northwest Las Vegas valley where 3 were shot Saturday afternoon. (Mark Mutchler/KLAS) Investigators believe many people were in the street fighting before the tussle escalated into a deadly shooting. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officials did not say whether there were any outstanding suspects. Investigators ask anyone with information on the shooting to contact the LVMPD Homicide Section at 702-828-3521 or via email at homicide@lvmpd.com. Additionally, those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or via the organizations 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 KLAS. Pride events are about to kick off in cities nationwide. But this year, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security warn foreign terrorist organizations and their supporters may target these LGBTQ+ venues and gatherings. >> Daycare workers accused of sprinkling melatonin in childrens food without parents permission And its not the first time, theyve threatened these events in the past. Officials say three alleged ISIS sympathizers were arrested in Austria last summer for attempting an attack during a Pride parade. As a community especially as the Black LGBTQ community, we are constantly walking around with the free of threat and danger, said Kenya Hutton, Deputy Director at the Center for Black Equity. Kenya Hutton is one of the organizers of DC Black Pride, the nations largest celebration for the Black LGBTQ+ community. He said its not uncommon for them to receive hate mail leading up to the event but this year, hes noticing a shift. This year in particular Ive noticed some actual physical threats, people saying, you know, we need to take up arms and disrupt these pride events. These are comments that have been coming, said Hutton. Federal authorities say theres a heightened risk of violence. They also specifically point to the upcoming eighth anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando where a shooter killed 49 and wounded 53 people. Officials say supporters of foreign terrorist groups praised the tragedy. We remember and we never forget but now we have to walk around with concern that it might happen again, he said. >> Bullets coming out of a car; Police investigating shots fired incident in Trotwood Hutton said DC Black Pride works with local and federal police agencies to keep crowds safe. He said there are also security briefings with volunteers and staff. And despite these threats, he said organizers encourage everyone to keep showing up. Its our human right to be celebrated, said Hutton. We are resilient, we have always overcome and pushed back to create space, right, thats what we do. Federal authorities say certain behaviors could be signs of potential threats including people trying to get into restricted areas or get around security. The FBI says to report a threat, contact your local FBI field office (https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices) or closest international office (https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/international-offices) or call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324). HRC National Press Secretary Brandon Wolf on the joint FBI and DHS threat assessment: At its core, Pride is a defiant demand for a world where everyone is free to be themselves without fear of hate and violence. Ive seen the cost of that hate and violence up close but Ive also seen the power of LGBTQ+ people and our allies to rise above it. This alert, on the eve of 8 years since Pulse, is a good reminder to stay vigilant. But the greatest antidotes to the threat of hate are living out loud, celebrating Pride defiantly, loving without apology, and waving our flags higher than ever before. PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) Firefighters say a vehicle fire on US-131 in Plainfield Township Saturday evening caused a gas and oil spill. It happened on southbound US-131 between Post Drive and Pine Island Drive, according to the Plainfield Township Fire Department. A photo provided by the Plainfield Township Fire Department from the scene of a May 18, 2024, vehicle fire and oil spill. A photo provided by the Plainfield Township Fire Department from the scene of a May 18, 2024, vehicle fire and oil spill. All lanes were open by around 10:25 p.m., according to the Michigan Department of Transportation, but firefighters say the freeway was previously down to one lane as crews worked to clean up the scene. This embedded content is not available in your region. The Plainfield Township Fire Department said the Alpine Firefighters Association, Algoma Township Fire Department, Kent County Sheriffs Office and Kent County Emergency Management assisted on scene. 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. Fico assailant may not have not acted alone, interior minister suggests Suspect accused mua J.C. is of attempting to assasinate Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico is getting transported to the specialised criminal court (TS) in Pezinok. The prosecutor is proposing detention for the suspect. The TS will decide on the motion to take the accused into custody. Martin Baumann/TASR/dpa The assailant who critically injured Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico in an attack on Wednesday may not be a lone offender after all, a government official said on Sunday. There are indications that the man may have not acted alone, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok told journalists in Bratislava. "We have put together a team of investigators who will also work with the version that it was not a lone wolf," the minister said. One of the indications is that content on the perpetrator's Facebook page was deleted at the time when he was in the hands of the police. He himself did not have access to the page at that time. Fico is out of danger following the attempt on his life on Wednesday, Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kalinak told the news agency TASR earlier Sunday. A gunman attempted to kill him in what Slovakian officials have said was a politically motivated crime. The prime minister is currently recovering in the university hospital in Banska Bystrica, close to the small town of Handlova where he was shot. Police officers stand guard at the Specialized Criminal Court, where the interrogation of the accused of the assassination of Prime Minister Robert Fico should take place. alek Vaclav/CTK/dpa Police officers stand guard at the Specialized Criminal Court, where the interrogation of the accused of the assassination of Prime Minister Robert Fico should take place. alek Vaclav/CTK/dpa JERUSALEM, May 19 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday announced the killing of a leading Hamas operative Azmi Abu Daqqa. The IDF said in a statement that Israeli Air Force (IAF) aircraft, guided by intelligence, on Saturday attacked and killed Abu Daqqa, a prominent figure in Hamas' procurement department. It noted that Abu Daqqa was actively involved in the "smuggling of weapons and funds in the Gaza Strip." The statement added that over the past day, the IAF struck dozens of targets, including the killing of two tactical-level Hamas commanders who were preparing to attack IDF troops in Rafah. The attack on the two commanders was carried out under the guidance of the Artillery Corps' Division 215, which consists of two regular battalions and a reserve one. Fico gunman may not have acted alone, interior minister suggests Suspect accused mua J.C. is of attempting to assasinate Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico is getting transported to the specialised criminal court (TS) in Pezinok. The prosecutor is proposing detention for the suspect. The TS will decide on the motion to take the accused into custody. Martin Baumann/TASR/dpa The assailant who critically injured Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico in an attack on Wednesday may not be a lone offender after all, a government official said on Sunday. There are indications that the gunman may have not acted alone, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok told journalists in Bratislava. "We have put together a team of investigators who will also work with the version that it was not a lone wolf," the minister said. One of the indications is that content on the perpetrator's Facebook page was deleted at the time when he was in the hands of the police. He himself did not have access to the page at that time. Fico is out of danger following the attempt on his life on Wednesday, Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kalinak told the news agency TASR earlier Sunday. A gunman attempted to kill him in what Slovakian officials have said was a politically motivated crime. The prime minister is currently recovering in the university hospital in Banska Bystrica, close to the small town of Handlova where he was shot. Sutaj Estok issued a warning to "all the trolls" on the internet who condoned the assassination attempt on the 59-year-old prime minister or spread other hate messages and calls for violence. The police would take ruthless action against all such agitators, find them and ensure that they are punished, Sutaj Estok asserted. Meanwhile, it is becoming increasingly unlikely that a round table of parliamentary parties planned by President Zuzana Caputova and her elected successor Peter Pellegrini planned for Tuesday will materialize. The round table was intended to reduce political tensions between the governing and opposition parties and help to reduce the polarization of society. In a video message to the public, Pellegrini said that apparently "the time is not yet ripe for this." Some politicians had "shown that they are not capable of self-reflection even after such a tragedy." Pellegrini was referring to "unsavoury attacks" by politicians on rivals - these had contributed significantly to the tensions in society. Pellegrini, a Social Democrat, won the presidential election at the beginning of April and will succeed the outgoing liberal president Caputova in June. The Slovak Republic gained independence in 1993 with the division of Czechoslovakia. Pellegrini has condemned the attack on the prime minister 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," he wared after the attack on Wednesday. Political divisions in Slovakia can be traced as far back as 2018 when a journalist investigating high-level corruption claims was murdered. The journalist, Jan Kuciak, was killed execution-style at his home in Velka Maca. Anger at his murder - and at the government's reaction to it - prompted widespread protests, leading Fico - who was prime minister at the time - to resign along with then-interior minister Robert Kalinak. Police officers stand guard at the Specialized Criminal Court, where the interrogation of the accused of the assassination of Prime Minister Robert Fico should take place. alek Vaclav/CTK/dpa Police officers stand guard at the Specialized Criminal Court, where the interrogation of the accused of the assassination of Prime Minister Robert Fico should take place. alek Vaclav/CTK/dpa Media representatives and police stand outside the hospital where Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico remains in intensive care two days after the assassination attempt on his life and it is unclear if he will make a full recovery. Jan Krolak/TASR/dpa First lady Jill Biden claims Trump would destroy public education if president in speech to teachers union US First Lady Jill Biden speaks about the upcoming National World War I Memorial and the people who helped in its creation, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, May 7, 2024. First lady Jill Biden claimed Saturday the future of public education in America will remain bright if her husband Joe Biden is re-elected president while Donald Trump would only bring chaos and division. I always believed that Joe would be the best education president, Biden, 72, told a crowd of 1,200 at the United Federation of Teachers yearly spring conference in Manhattan. Trump, on the other hand, wakes up every morning caring about one person and one person only himself, the Ph.D. educator added, drawing boos from the lefty crowd at the mere mention of the ex-president and presumptive Republican frontrunner. First lady Jill Biden claimed the future of public education in America will remain bright if her husband Joe Biden is re-elected president while Donald Trump would only bring chaos and division. AFP via Getty Images Donald Trump doesnt want to strengthen our public education system he wants to destroy it, she continued in a barely camouflaged campaign screed. If Donald Trump is re-elected, we get chaos and division, she claimed. A world in which public schools are privatized and their funding is gutted, teachers unions are marginalized and lesson plans are censored and books are banned. In America, we dont ban books. Others in attendance included Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and UFT President Michael Mulgrew. Bidens pitch to members of the teachers union, long a tool for the Democratic Party, to keep Biden, 81, in the White House came five days before Trumps scheduled campaign rally in the South Bronx. Donald Trump doesnt want to strengthen our public education system he wants to destroy it, she continued in a barely camouflaged campaign screed. Getty Images The May 23 gathering at Crotona Park will mark the 77-year-olds first rally in his birth state since 2016 and comes on the heels of a record-breaking event his campaign held at the Jersey Shore last Saturday. The first lady trekked to New York after spending the past week stumping for the commander in chief in Detroit and other parts of the battleground state of Michigan. A Florida man will spend the next 50 years in prison after being convicted of trafficking a woman in Norcross, DeKalb and Florida, officials say. On Wednesday, a jury found 34-year-old Max Francois Joseph guilty on three counts of trafficking persons for sexual servitude, two counts of keeping a place of prostitution and one count of misdemeanor pimping. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Joseph was sentenced to serve 50 years in prison, followed by 10 years on probation. He must also register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Officials say Joseph, who is from Florida trafficked his 18-year-old victim by making her perform sex acts for money at two Norcross motels. He also photographed his victim in lingerie and advertised her on multiple websites in 2022. Evidence also showed he trafficked the victim at motels in DeKalb County and in Florida, officials said. TRENDING STORIES: Joseph testified and told jurors he was a pimp, officials said. The jury deliberated for only about an hour before finding this man guilty of exploiting this young woman, Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. Our Special Victims Unit prosecutors made a clear and compelling case against this defendant. We are grateful to take this man off the street and stop the havoc he has brought to this family and to other victims. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: On May 8, 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 Col. 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 World War II, 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 U.S is instead, to many of its critics, 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 Dec. 1, 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 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 homes obliterating 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 30mm machine guns. Israel's Apache helicopters very likely killed an unknown number of Israelis during the Hamas attack of Oct. 7, 2023 a tragic day that Israel and the U.S. continue to exploit as a pretext for their own violations of international humanitarian law. Israels main artillery weapons are its 600 Paladin M109A5 155mm 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, 155mm gun to fire at longer range. Israel assembles its 155mm artillery shells from U.S.-made components. One of the first two U.S. arms shipments that the administration notified Congress about after Oct. 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 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 Dec. 9, 2023, that it had notified Congress of an emergency shipment of 14,000 120mm tank shells worth $106 million to Israel. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. 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 U.S. 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 U.S., 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 and more heavily-armed German-built Saar 6 corvettes, with 76mm main guns and new surface-to-surface missiles. Campus activists vs. 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 Jr. 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 Dwight Eisenhower warned 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. 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 who have occupied college campuses across our country are calling on their institutions to divest from these merchants of death, as well as from Israeli companies. The mainstream 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, 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 several U.S. institutions, including Brown University, Northwestern University, Evergreen State College in Washington, Rutgers University, the University of Minnesota and the University of 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. The gradual expulsion and emigration of Palestinians from their homeland has created a large 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. Their close links with extended families in Palestine have given them a visceral grasp of the U.S. role in this carnage and an authentic voice that is persuasive to many other young Americans. The larger question is whether Americans of all ages will follow our young leaders and demand not just an end to the killing in Palestine but 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 in so many parts of the world for so long. Former NATO commander James Stavridis criticized the pro-Palestinian protestors Sunday, claiming they should not be the ones who are applauded. The young men and women who built that pier are the young Americans who should be applauded, Stavridis told host John Catsimatidis in an interview Sunday on The Cats Roundtable, adding Not these protesters on campuses. During the annual State of the Union address in March, President Biden announced the U.S. would build a floating pier in Gaza to help deliver more humanitarian aid to the civilians affected by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The temporary pier was completed in the region earlier this month. The U.S. military said the first aid shipment was driven across the pier Friday and more would be coming. Stavridis called it a maritime miracle, and highlighted the United States efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to civilians but also said its the bare minimum. In the weeks since Bidens address, students on college campuses across the country have protested the U.S.s continued involvement in the war and asked their universities to divest from companies with ties to Israel. There have been more than 400 protests nationwide from Ivy League schools to small colleges and more than 2,000 people arrested for demonstrating. Stavridis argued that if the students want to do something for the Palestinians, they should do it in ways that directly support humanitarian aid, raise money for the Palestinians, support those Americans on the frontlines of that good thing that America is doing for the crisis. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Dan Rayfield stepped down as Speaker of the Oregon House to step into the race to become Oregons top lawyer. Hes looking to replace current Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum who is not seeking another term. A Democrat from Corvallis and lawyer by trade, Rayfield graduated from Western Oregon University and holds a law degree from Willamette University. Making his return to Eye on Northwest Politics, Rayfield voices the reasoning behind his decision to leave one of the most powerful legislative positions in Oregon to run for Attorney General. With the fentanyl crisis getting worse, especially in Multnomah County, Rayfield adds what role he would play in mitigation, how his experience as a trial lawyer prepares him for the role, his plan to curb the statewide increase in gun violence and other priorities should he be elected. Under Ellen Rosenblum, the Attorney Generals office either sued or joined in major lawsuits against major corporations including Monsanto, Apple and Google, among others. So Rayfield discusses whether he would continue on that trend and if there are any industries that would particularly receive his focus. Rayfield additionally discloses his perspective on the AGs office consulting on internal issues, such as former Secretary of State Shemia Fagans contract with a cannabis company her office was auditing. Further, with abortion rights being a large issue nationally but still protected by law in Oregon Rayfield details how secure we are in Oregon when it comes to those rights. 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. RAMALLAH, May 19 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian man was killed by Israeli gunfire after he attempted to carry out a stabbing attack at a military checkpoint in Jerusalem on Sunday, according to Palestinian and Israeli sources. The 44-year-old Rami Taqatqa was killed by Israeli gunfire near the "Container" checkpoint southeast of Jerusalem, Palestinian sources told Xinhua. The sources added that Israeli police forces opened fire on Taqatqa as he passed through the checkpoint, and "prevented ambulances from reaching him or providing first aid to him." Later, the forces handed over Taqatqa's body to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society crews, who transported him to Al-Hussein Hospital in the city of Beit Jala. Meanwhile, Israeli police said in a press statement that an attacker arrived at a military checkpoint near the town of Abu Dis and tried to stab the soldiers at the checkpoint with a knife. The statement added that the soldiers opened fire on the attacker and neutralized him, while there were no casualties among the soldiers. The West Bank has witnessed escalating tension between Israeli troops and Palestinians in various cities, villages and camps since the start of the deadly conflict in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023. Since then, Israeli troops have killed nearly 500 Palestinians throughout the West Bank and East Jerusalem, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Forty-seven dead in heavy rain, floods in northern Afghanistan, official says KABUL (Reuters) - At least 47 people have died after continued heavy rain and flooding in northern Afghanistan, an official said on Sunday, a day after a similar number were killed in a central province. Shamsudden Mohammedi, head of the information department for Faryab province in the north, told Reuters at least 300 hundred houses were destroyed, based on initial reports. On Saturday, at least 50 died in the central province of Ghor, said Mawlawi Abdul Hai Zaeem, the head of the province's information department. Afghanistan is prone to natural disasters, and the United Nations considers it one of countries most vulnerable to climate change. Last week, flash floods caused by heavy rains devastated villages in northern Afghanistan, killing 315 and injuring more than 1,600, authorities said on Sunday. On Wednesday, a helicopter used by the Afghan air force crashed due to "technical issues" during attempts to recover the bodies of people who had fallen into a river in Ghor province, killing one and injuring 12, the defence ministry said. Afghanistan has faced a shortfall in aid after the Taliban took over as foreign forces withdrew in 2021. Development aid, which formed the backbone of government finances, was slashed. The shortfall has worsened in subsequent years as foreign governments grapple with competing global crises and growing condemnation of the Taliban's curbs on Afghan women. (Reporting by Mohammad Yunus Yawar in Kabul; Writing by Ariba Shahid in Karachi; Editing by William Mallard) BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A Franklinville man was killed in a tree trimming incident on Saturday morning, according to New York State Police. Police responded to Elm Street in Franklinville just before 10:30 a.m. Saturday, where 43-year-old Justin Howard was on a boom lift that tipped over while he was trimming a tree. Howard was conscious and alert when police were on scene and was transported to ECMC, but he died from his injuries. Police said that there are no signs of foul play. Latest Local News Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. 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 News 4 Buffalo. Salman Rushdie was speaking at a literary festival in Berlin, Germany about his new book - TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images A free Palestine would be a Taliban-like state, Salman Rushdie has said. Speaking during a literary festival in Berlin, Rushdie said: I have been in favour of a separate Palestinian state most of my life, since the 1980s. But if there were a Palestinian state now, it would be run by Hamas and we would have a Taliban-like state a satellite state of Iran he told local broadcaster RBB on Thursday. Is this what the progressive movements of the Western Left want to create? Rushdie, who met German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Sunday, said he understood concerns over the suffering in Gaza. But he added: I would like some protesters to mention the role of Hamas, and thats a terrorist organisation. Its quite strange that political progressives support a fascist terrorist group. The attack on Salman Rushdie who had a fatwa imposed on him was praised by Taliban - EPA/MK CHAUDHRY Turning to the pro-Palestinian protests that have swept university campuses around the world, he said it is also necessary to ensure that other students do not feel unsafe as a result, or that the protests slide into anti-Semitic discourse, which has happened in many cases. Rushdie, who won the Booker prize for his novel Midnights Children in 1981, had a fatwa calling for his death put on him for blasphemy by Ayatollah Khomenei due to his fourth book The Satanic Verses, which portrayed the Prophet Mohammed as being swindled. The publication caused huge controversy and sparked violent demonstrations in Mumbai and Islamabad, where at least 18 people were killed. Its Japanese translator was murdered. In 2022, Rushdie was attacked by a 24-year-old Islamic extremist at a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in New York, who stabbed him 15 times in 27 seconds, putting him in critical condition and causing the writer to lose his right eye. The Taliban praised the attack on Rushdie, with a spokesman saying on Twitter: In whichever corner of the world the blasphemer of the Prophet may be, his fate will be a dreadful death. The Indian-born British writer recently told 60 Minutes that he had a premonition of being attacked just days before the stabbing. Rushdie was in Berlin presenting his newest book Knife, a literary interpretation of the stabbing to the International Literature Festival. 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. French security forces launched a major operation to retake control of the road to the main airport in New Caledonia after deadly riots. Armoured vehicles smashed through dozens of barricades in a bid to retake the road, with a top official saying that Paris would reclaim all of the Pacific territory from independence militants whatever the cost. Gerald Darmanin, Frances interior minister, said he had dispatched more than 600 gendarmes to secure Route Territoriale 1 in the capital of Noumea. Gendarmes said it could be several days before access is fully restored. An estimated 3,200 travellers are currently stranded on the island. With the forces that I have at my disposal we will be able to re-establish Republican order, Louis Le Franc, the high commissioner for New Caledonia, told AFP. Security officials and armoured vehicles of the French gendarmerie stand guard on the RT1 - DELPHINE MAYEUR/AFP via Getty Images More than 600 gendarmes have been sent to secure the road to the main airport - DELPHINE MAYEUR/AFP via Getty Images Deadly violence erupted last week over a proposed change to Frances constitution that would grant voting rights to a number of people who are non-indigenous to the former French Pacific colony, located about 10,000 miles from Paris. The proposal has awakened tensions between the largely pro-independence Kanak population and the European population. Emmanuel Macron, the French president, has called for calm in the archipelago, which is currently under a state of emergency with a nighttime curfew. A temporary ban on TikTok has also been put in place, with hundreds of security forces sent from the French mainland. Protesters have caused an estimated 172 million worth of damage after looting shops and setting vehicles and buildings on fire. Pro-independence protesters criticise the proposed change as undermining the indigenous Kanak population. Kanaks make up around 41 per cent of the territorys population of 270,000 people, while about a quarter identify as European. Under current law, more than 40,000 French citizens living in the territory are not eligible to vote in local elections. The current voting rules stem from a 1998 agreement, known as the Noumea Accord, in which the French government agreed to restrict local voting rights to people who met certain conditions, which largely favours the Kanak population. Those currently eligible to vote must have been born before 1989, or have at least one parent born in New Caledonia. The bill, which Mr Macron is set to sign into law in June, would let all citizens who have lived in New Caledonia for at least ten years vote in local elections. 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. Frustration with Netanyahu boils over on plans for Gaza after Hamas Frustration is growing in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus handling of the war against Hamas and his growing split with President Biden, raising fears that the public tensions could invite increased attacks from Iran and its proxies across the region. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is the most senior official to call out his premier, demanding that Netanyahu decide on a day-after plan for the Gaza Strip after defeating Hamas. 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 raised immediately, Gallant said in rare, blunt remarks while commemorating Israels Memorial Day on Wednesday. It was the second time Gallant had issued such a direct challenge to Netanyahu, having warned in March 2023 that the prime ministers pursuit of widely controversial judicial reforms was threatening the security of the country. The division in the country at that time, some analysts say, fed into Hamass calculation to launch its massive terrorist attack on Oct. 7. Gallants latest remarks came at the same time five Israeli soldiers were killed in friendly fire amid a renewal of Israeli military operations in the north of Gaza against a reconstituted Hamas. He also pointed to the need for Israels military to focus on the fight with Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, which has increased in intensity; an estimated 60,000 Israelis have been displaced from communities in the north. Israel cant handle staying in Gaza, its a lot of effort, a lot of money, a lot of death and casualties, said Neomi Neumann, a visiting fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and former head of the research unit at the Israel Security Agency, or Shin Bet, and with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We dont have a good solution, but to stay in the Gaza Strip, this is between the worst things that you can pick. Mind you that we also have another war in the north So we need to focus there, where the danger is much higher, Neumann said. Gallants comments echo frustration in Washington that Netanyahu is bucking hard decisions to conclude the war against Hamas. We share the Defense Ministers concern that Israel has not developed any plans for holding and governing territory the [Israel Defense Forces] clears, thereby allowing Hamas to regenerate in those areas. This is a concern because our objective is to see Hamas defeated, a senior administration official told The Hill. So far he seems to be defiant, Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told The Hill regarding Netanyahus actions in the face of demands from President Biden, in particular to hold off a major military operation in the southern Gazan city of Rafah. Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), a senior member of the Foreign Affairs panel, was critical of Netanyahus position. If Netanyahus plan is permanent occupation of Gaza, thats a worse plan than Ive heard from anyone else, he said. And Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued a warning when asked if Netanyahu is an obstacle to U.S. interests in the region. Im hoping that he will not be, he told The Hill. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in an interview with CBSs Face the Nation last week, criticized Israel for failing to engage in planning with the U.S. and Arab countries on a solution for Gaza after Hamass defeat. We havent seen that come from Israel, Blinken said. We have the same objective as Israel. We want to make sure that Hamas cannot govern Gaza again. We want to make sure its demilitarized. We want to make sure that Israel gets its leaders, he continued. We have a different way. And, we think, a more effective, durable way of getting that done. We remain in conversation with Israel about exactly that. The Biden administration is pursuing a grand strategy that includes a determination of what authority can govern Gaza post-Hamas, and which is part of a so-called mega-deal of establishing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Included in that is a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel that allows for the release of more than 130 hostages held in Gaza since they were kidnapped on Oct. 7. The administration is betting on a weeks-long cease-fire to allow for Gulf and Arab countries to participate in negotiations for how to stabilize Gaza without Hamas. Saudi Arabia, while keen on deeper ties with Israel, has said it cannot recognize the Jewish state until there is a pathway to a Palestinian one. National security adviser Jake Sullivan is headed to Saudi Arabia and Israel this weekend to continue talks on the mega-deal. Sullivan is also likely to raise serious U.S. concerns about Israels military operations in Rafah, where its seizure of a key crossing with Egypt, used for humanitarian aid deliveries, and its deepening offensive operations in the city prompted unprecedented action from Biden last week: holding back a shipment of heavy bombs to Israel. We need to consider the tactical battlefield situation in Gaza in light of the bigger strategic picture, Sullivan told reporters Monday at the White House, explaining Bidens position. Israels long-term security depends on being integrated into the region and enjoying normal relations with the Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, he said earlier. Biden has sought to balance unprecedented support for Israels security needs while grappling with domestic blowback over the massive Palestinian civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza strip. While Biden held back a shipment of heavy bombs for Israel over his opposition to a large-scale military offensive on Rafah, the administration has preserved the vast majority of weapons deliveries to Israel. The president this week transmitted to Congress for review a $1 billion arms sale proposal for Israels long-term needs. Even before being the ranking member of the committee, the hardest decisions that one makes as a member of Congress is when human lives are at stake, said Meeks, who has the power to hold or delay the weapons sale from proceeding as the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs panel. The $1 billion sale is for armaments likely to be delivered within two to three years, Meeks pointed out. Even as Biden and Democrats are trying to limit U.S. weapons that can contribute to Palestinian civilian deaths and wide-scale destruction in Gaza, they are hyper-aware of the threat posed by Iran and its proxy groups, particularly Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. The U.S. helped lead an international coalition to defend Israel from an unprecedented attack from Iran on April 13, with cooperation from Jordan, France, the United Kingdom and reportedly Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries as well. The combined air defense succeeded in shooting down nearly all of Irans 300 drones, ballistic and cruise missiles. But the continued success of such a coordinated defense is not guaranteed if relations are strained further between the U.S. and Israel, and by extension Arab and Gulf countries. Discussing Gazas future is viewed as necessary to preserve regional cooperation. The U.S. has a strong interest in having a Day After plan proposed by Israel and agreed by Jerusalem, Arab capitals and key international organizations, Robert Satloff, executive director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, posted on the social platform X. This requires leadership, creativity, vision and quiet diplomacy. Failure to achieve this risks consigning both the people of Gaza and the soldiers of Israel to endless and sadly unnecessary war. Gallant, in his remarks earlier this week, reinforced the importance of the U.S. and Israel projecting strong ties. There are some disagreements, yet I emphasize in this war too, the United States was the first to stand by us, in actions, not [just] in words, and the U.S. continues to stand by us now, he said. We solve our disagreements behind closed doors, not via interviews or tweets. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Dr. Mark Perlmutter, a Rocky Mount orthopedic surgeon, is home from his recent medical mission to Gaza, but when he sleeps nightmares take him back. Its much worse than I expected, he told me. A thousand times worse than what I expected. Perlmutter, 68, is a past president of the International College of Surgeons and current president of the World Surgical Foundation. He has gone on medical missions in the U.S., South and Central America and the Caribbean islands during his 36 years as a doctor, but nowhere like Gaza. That mission was sponsored by the Palestinian American Medical Association in collaboration with the World Health Organization. If you combine Ground Zero and you combine Katrina and what I saw on four trips to Haiti, combine to it all the carnage I saw from ugly accidents in all the countries Ive ever been to, all that combined isnt equal to what I saw in Gaza in the first week just the first week it doesnt come close, not even close, he said. After a 15-hour bus ride from Cairo, he and others on his mission crossed into Gaza at Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fleeing the conflict between Hamas and Israel have gathered. The first thing you smell is sewage because its backed up. The second thing you smell is gunpowder through the air that leaves a taste on the side of your tongue thats unforgettable because its pervasive. And then you see tent after tent after tent as far as your eye can see, nothing but tent cities, and thats Rafah. So when they drop a bomb on a tent city, people die for thousands of yards around. The images that return to him most at night are of wounded children. Working 20-hour days at the European Hospital in Gaza at the end of April and into May, he said 80 percent of his surgeries were on children, most of them with fractures and deep lacerations from bombs dropped by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Some children appeared to have been deliberately shot by snipers, he said. Its the baby that has a bullet hole in its head that you cant forget. That keeps me up at night. Its the kids that are burnt to a crisp that keep me up at night. They would have been better off if they didnt survive, he said. The wounded adults haunt him, too. Its a woman with a pelvis that was in 50,000 pieces that we knew we couldnt fix. And we watched her die over my first couple of days there when I knew that in the United States I could have saved her life. Its the brother of one of the physicians in town who got hit by a cluster bomb whose body had 74 holes in it 74 that we could see 74 holes in his body. We knew that we couldnt tell his brother we could save his brothers life. Even though we knew how to, we didnt have the facilities to. But its mostly the children. There was no need for tens of thousands of children to die. Dr. Feroze Sidhwa, a trauma and critical care surgeon at San Joaquin General Hospital in Stockton, Calif., was among the group of 11 doctors and nurses who served with Perlmutter. He said Perlmutter took the experience especially hard. Hes a very decent human being, Sidhwa said. He took it to heart. Both doctors are angry about what they saw. They say Israel has overreacted, and that U.S. tax dollars are funding the assault has made them complicit in the carnage. Its my money that bought the bombs, Perlmutter said. Perlmutter, whose father was Jewish and whose siblings practice the faith, said criticism of whats happening in Gaza is unfairly labeled as antisemitism. He said the war victims he saw were innocents. Despite the psychological toll, Perlmutter plans to go back when Gaza is reopened to medical missions. When you make an oath to take care of people in your community, then the only thing thats left is to define what your community is, he said. My community is not Rocky Mount, North Carolina. My community is every place where I could be of more help than if I wasnt there. Associate opinion editor Ned Barnett can be reached at 919-404-7583, or nbarnett@ newsobserver.com General Staff: Russia has lost 492,290 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022 Russia has lost 492,290 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on May 19. This number includes 1,210 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day. According to the report, Russia has also lost 7,576 tanks, 14,630 armored fighting vehicles, 17,251 vehicles and fuel tanks, 12,687 artillery systems, 1,074 multiple launch rocket systems, 803 air defense systems, 354 airplanes, 326 helicopters, 10,155 drones, 26 ships and boats, and one submarine. Read also: Glide bombs help Russia gain land in Ukraine. What makes them so effective? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Jack Greiner, partner of Faruki PLL Two Florida poll workers have asked a bankruptcy court to enjoin Rudy Giuliani from continuing to make statements previously ruled defamatory in their libel suit against him. Given the previous ruling, the poll workers argue the court may enjoin Giuliani without violating the First Amendment. The two poll workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea ArShaye Shaye Moss had previously sued Giuliani in a libel suit in the District of Columbia. In that case, according to the filing in the bankruptcy court, Guiliani was held liable, for claiming Freeman and Moss deliberately threw people out and counted the ballots in private[;] and counted [ballots] more than one timethree, four, five, six, seven times, eight times. Undeterred, Giuliani emerged from the first day of the libel trial telling reporters his statements were all true. Following the verdict, Freeman and Moss filed an action for an injunction to stop Giuliani from continuing to make such statements. But Giuliani filed for bankruptcy in New York, and that filing automatically stayed the D.C. proceeding. Freeman and Moss have now asked the bankruptcy court to stop Giuliani from repeating the statements which have already been deemed defamatory. And they are pulling no punches. In their complaint, they contend [u]ndeterred by facts, logic, decency, professional discipline, court orders in multiple jurisdictions, a criminal indictment, a multimillion dollar jury verdict, or declaring bankruptcy as a result, Giuliani has entered year four of intentionally defaming Ms. Freeman and Ms. Mossrepeating the very same lies that Plaintiffs engaged in fraud during their service as election workers during the 2020 presidential election. The complaint continues [c]ontrary to his delusions of grandeur, the law does apply to Mr. Giuliani, and it is beyond time to make him follow it. Freeman and Moss claim in their complaint that Giuliani has repeated the defamatory statement on a number of occasions, including: On Jan. 8, Giuliani appeared on his second Twitter live cast, Americas Mayor Confidential, and said: I was not allowed to put it in a defense. I was not allowed to take the videos of the women of the woman, one of the women, I had a clear video of her quadruple and triple-counting the same ballots. You can look at it 100 times you can analyze it 50 ways to Sunday thats exactly what she was doing. On April 30, Giuliani appeared on Americas Mayor Live and showed clips of security footage from State Farm Arena. He told viewers: So they take the ballots and they put it in. The ballots get finished, they take them out. And theyre supposed to do that with it. They put them in again. And they do it four times. Injunction in libel suits are tricky. On the one hand, courts are reluctant to impose any type of injunctive relief for fear of imposing a prior restraint. A prior restraint shuts down speech before it is even uttered. In our tradition, courts do not want to stifle speech. The preferred remedy is to assess liability after the fact. This avoids shutting down protected speech or creating a chilling effect. But once a jury has heard the specific statements and found the defendant liable for defamation, a court can enjoin the defendant from repeating those specific statements. Giuliani dodged the bullet initially by filing for bankruptcy effectively stopping the D.C. court from imposing injunctive relief. Now that the matter is before the Bankruptcy Court, he may have to face the music. Jack Greiner is a partner at Faruki PLL law firm in Cincinnati. He represents Enquirer Media in First Amendment and media issues. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Georgia poll workers seek to enjoin Rudy Giuliani | Strictly Legal JOHANNESBURG, May 19 (Xinhua) -- The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), which is responsible for coordinating all security and law enforcement operations throughout South Africa, said on Sunday that it is ready to ensure that the country's upcoming general elections will be conducted in a safe and secure environment. Tebello Mosikili, deputy national commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), made the remarks on Sunday while briefing the media in Pretoria, the country's administrative capital, about the preparedness of the NATJOINTS for the 2024 elections on May 29. The NATJOINTS comprises the SAPS, the South African National Defense Force (SANDF), and the State Security Agency (SSA). "As the NATJOINTS, we are confident that the measures that have been put in place are sufficient to ensure that the country's upcoming general elections proceed without any incidents of crime and disruptions," said Mosikili. According to her, the NATJOINTS has conducted a national security assessment with key players in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster. "We are satisfied with the operational plan that is currently being implemented. We can assure South Africans that a conducive environment for peaceful elections has been prepared," she said. A total of 50 election-related cases have been reported, and 45 suspects have been arrested in the country, said Mosikili, adding that 23 cases were reported during the period after voter registration weekend. Therefore, the senior police official urged South Africans to maintain peace before, during, and after elections and cooperate with the police and electoral officials. "While measures have been put in place, the ultimate responsibility for safe and secure election lies with each one of us. A partnership is required to create harmony, respect for self and others as we make our way to the polls and back home," she added. Georgias President Salome Zourabichvili has vetoed a controversial foreign agents bill that sparked weeks of widespread protests across the country. Zourabichvili had previously vowed to torpedo the bill, but her veto could still be overruled by a simple majority in parliament, which approved the bill on Tuesday with 84 lawmakers voting in favor and 30 against. The divisive legislation would require organizations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as agents of foreign influence or face a fine. Opponents say the bill was modeled after similar laws in Russia that the Kremlin has used to snuff out opposition and civil society. This law, in its essence and spirit, is fundamentally Russian, contradicting our constitution and all European standards, President Zourabichvili said after vetoing the bill on Saturday. She said the bill must be repealed, suggesting it could prevent the country from joining the European Union. The EU had given similar warnings. Demonstrators protest against the foreign agents bill in Tbilisi, Georgia on May 13, 2024. - Zurab Tsertsvadze/AP Georgia applied for EU membership in 2022 and was granted candidate status in December, a move seen as an effort to reverse the former Soviet republics drift toward Russia. Georgia has long been caught between Russia and the West. Despite gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and polls showing that an estimated 80% of Georgians want to join the EU, its history with Moscow is hobbling its relationship with Europe. Georgias stance towards Russia is decidedly mixed. The two countries have had no formal diplomatic relations since Russia invaded Georgia in 2008 but Russians living and working there enjoy lax visa requirements, making it an easy choice for those who fled from Russias conscription into the war in Ukraine. With previous reporting from CNNs Ekaterine Kadagishvili, Joshua Berlinger, Jessie Gretener, Amy Cassidy and Christian Edwards. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Germany agrees to allocate additional funds to help Ukraine Germany's Finance Ministry has unofficially approved a request from Germany's Defence Ministry for additional funds to help Ukraine. Source: German tabloid Bild am Sonntag, citing sources in the ministry; European Pravda Details: The newspaper reported that the ministry took this step after German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius requested 3.8 billion to support Ukraine. The article states that nearly all of the 7.1 billion allocated has been spent, leaving only 300 million for the purchase of new weapons and ammunition. Unforeseen expenditures in the budget will be submitted to the German parliament for approval in June, the newspaper noted. Berlin is to supply more weapons to Kyiv this year, an unnamed source in the German Finance Ministry said. "If we manage to reach a consensus in the government, we will find ways [to do this] in the current fiscal year," the source said. Background: This week, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the heads of government of Nordic countries pledged to continue supporting Ukraine. Robert Habeck, Germany's Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economy, believes that the German government should do more to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. Earlier, Scholz called on European countries to provide Ukraine with more military equipment from their stockpiles. In late April, Scholz and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak discussed further cooperation to support Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! Salome Zourabichvili, President of Georgia, speaks on the last day of the 60th Munich Security Conference (MSC) at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof. Tobias Hase/dpa Germany and France have expressed their "deep concern" about the situation in Georgia. In a statement published on Sunday, the two countries said they took note with deep regret of the decision by the Georgian government and ruling party to deviate from the European path. The background to this is the adoption of a controversial law restricting foreign influence on civil society in Georgia. Georgia has had the status of an EU candidate country since the end of last year. The Franco-German declaration states: "Our two countries have always been in favour of Georgia's European path and actively supported the decision of the European Council of December 2023 to grant candidate status." With regard to the controversial law, it states that the Georgian government and ruling party are acting against common European values and the aspirations of the Georgian people. "Georgia's European path has been mapped out - but it is Georgia that decides how quickly and in which direction it progresses," the statement said. Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili vetoed the law passed by parliament. The president, who is considered pro-European, described the law on Saturday as "Russian in its essence and spirit." However, her veto can be overruled by parliament. The law on restricting foreign influence on civil society in Georgia was passed by parliament in Tbilisi in its third reading at the beginning of last week, despite weeks of massive protests by tens of thousands of people in Tbilisi. The law is intended to limit foreign influence on non-governmental organizations (NGO). Accountability will be tightened for aid organizations and independent media that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) is readying legislation to sanction government officials in the country of Georgia over their pursuit of a Russian-inspired bill that has triggered unprecedented protests and drawn condemnation from U.S. and European Union officials. The bill would require the administration to identify for sanctions and visa bans Georgian government officials responsible for passing the so-called foreign agents law, which critics say is designed to silence civil society, non government organizations (NGOs) and opposition groups. Georgian Dream, the ruling party, passed the law in Parliament last week, and has vowed to overrule a veto that was signed by the president on Saturday. Wilsons legislation and similar efforts being drafted in the Senate are aimed at putting Georgian Dream on notice to abandon the foreign agents law or risk consequences from the U.S. The situation in Georgia is heartbreaking. The Georgian people are an embodiment of freedom and continue to inspire Americans, Wilson said in a statement to The Hill. Sadly, the pro-Russian [Georgian Dream] government is going against patriotic Georgians who reject life in the Kremlins dark ages. The repression of freedom-loving Georgians must stop, and the U.S. stands firm in calling for a return of democratic norms and values. Georgians have taken to the streets in Tbilisi and around the country for weeks in protest against the foreign agents law. The bill, if enacted, requires individuals or organizations that receive 20 percent of their funding from a foreign government to register with the internal security services as a foreign agent and as promoting the interests of a foreign power. Some groups that would fall under the category of foreign agent have declared they will refuse to register, but fear being a target of the police and courts that could ransack and shut down their operations and possibly jail individuals. The legislation mirrors a 2012 Russian law that has been used to criminalize pro-democracy groups, opposition figures, journalists and news outlets. EU officials have spoken out against Georgian Dreams pursuit of the law as incompatible with Georgias aspirations to join the bloc, warning its candidate status is in jeopardy. And lawmakers in Washington had warned that passing the foreign agents law would require a fundamental shift in U.S. relations with Georgia. Wilsons draft is a first step in telegraphing those consequences. The bill is likely to be introduced Monday, and could relatively easily pass through the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The panels chair, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), wrote earlier to Georgias prime minister warning against advancing the foreign agents bill. Wilsons bill, while scrutinizing individuals for visa bans and sanctions, also calls for the Biden administration to report on Russian intelligence assets in Georgia and the extent of Chinese influence, and any malign, Sino-Russian collaboration in Georgia. It also calls for the executive branch to report to Congress on nodes of improper political influence, kleptocracy, and elite corruption in Georgia, in particular if it serves to support Russia. The measure also requires information on whether individuals in Georgian have evaded international sanctions on Russia, imposed after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in Feb 2022. Additionally, it calls for sanctions on individuals working on behalf of the government that are found to have engaged in human rights violations. And the draft bill seeks to lend support to Georgias opposition movement if the foreign agent law is put into effect. Georgian protesters have said October elections in the country are the best chance to oust Georgian Dream. Wilsons bill calls for the establishment of a democracy monitoring task force to monitor the pre-election democratic environment. But Wilsons draft text also offers carrots if the foreign agents law is revoked. The bill offers elevated trade ties with Georgia; allows for more Georgians to visit the U.S. for travel and study; and economic assistance, among other benefits. The bill calls for the president to provide training, support and defense equipment ideally suited for territorial defense against Russian aggression. Russian forces occupy about 20 percent of Georgian territory, having invaded the country in 2008, backing separatist movements in the territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The benefits Wilson outlines can only be enacted if the executive branch can verify that Georgia is making significant and sustained progress towards reinvigorating its democracy, evidenced at minimum by substantially fair and free elections and a balanced preelection environment. The progress made by the Georgian people and civil society in forging an innovative and productive society, imbued with democratic spirit, should be acknowledged, Wilsons bill text reads. The United States interest in protecting and securing democracy is borne by a close friendship and support for the Georgian peoples continued democratic and Euro-Atlantic choice. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. West Boises longtime state Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder faces a Republican challenger in this months primary after a legislative session replete with clashes with his partys most conservative wing. Winder, of District 20, faces Josh Keyser, a former Marine, Boise Police Department employee and school administrator, in the May 21 primary. The challenge to Winder, who is seeking his ninth term, comes as the Republican faces the ire of his partys right flank. In the waning days of this years legislative session in April, Winder rebuked his caucus for trying to cancel a real estate deal to sell the Idaho Transportation Departments State Street campus to developers. Winder narrowly lost that fight, but whether the new law that nixed the deal stands is still unclear after the developers challenged it in the Idaho Supreme Court. Before the session, Winder also butted heads with members of the Idaho Freedom Caucus, the partys most far-right members, over their vocal public campaigns against other lawmakers. Winder stripped two of those senators Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld, R-Twin Falls, and Sen. Brian Lenney, R-Nampa of their vice chair positions on committees and disciplined a third, Sen. Scott Herndon, R-Sagle, over online posts or cartoons lambasting their colleagues. Winders actions outraged the Freedom Caucus and led the newly elected leadership of the Ada County Republican Central Committee to censure him shortly before the session began. The Senate has always taken the position you debate the bills and you dont attack the people, he told the Idaho Statesman, noting that he took action because he had received complaints from other members of the Senate Republican caucus. Winder fears dark money, supporters of weed In campaign fundraising, the eight-term senator remains the frontrunner. Winder has raised over $88,000, while Keyser has raised $28,000, according to campaign records. Thousands of dollars on independent expenditures have also been spent on the District 20 race, including thousands spent against Winder by a political action committee called Make Liberty Win, which is based in Alexandria, Virginia, and receives much of its money from the Austin, Texas-based Young Americans for Liberty, a libertarian student group, according to campaign finance records. Winder has received support from groups like WinAg PAC, an agricultural political action committee, and another called Hometown Heroes, which has money from firefighters and carpenters unions, as well as Lift Local Idaho, a group pushing for a shift in local sales tax collection. Winder said he is concerned about the dark money coming into Idaho races, including from the Young Americans for Liberty, which he said supports marijuana decriminalization. Winder said such groups could destroy true Idaho conservatives by leading to reduced minimum drug sentences and higher crime rates. He said the amount of money coming into the state this election cycle is unprecedented, and that ads and political brochures have falsely portrayed him as opposing border security and restrictions on pornography in libraries. Winder co-sponsored a bill to restrict harmful materials for minors at libraries and voted for a Senate memorial that asked President Joe Bidens administration to stop illegal immigration. Winder has also voted in recent years for bills to impose mandatory minimum sentences for fentanyl crimes, cut some taxes and increase funding for education and state infrastructure. Earlier this month, 16 of the Legislatures most conservative lawmakers withdrew their membership from a Young Americans for Freedom coalition, citing the groups misleading advertising, according to a letter posted online. GOP challenger supported by IFF Keyser has been endorsed by Stop Idaho RINOs, a group that has endorsed several members of the Freedom Caucus around the state, and the Idaho Freedom PAC, the political spending wing of the Idaho Freedom Foundation. Hes hiding behind the people that are supporting him, Winder said, in reference to Keyser. Keyser in the Statesmans Voter Guide said he was running with a fresh perspective on issues affecting the state. In an email, Keyser said the community is excited for a change in leadership and said on his donors are listed on the Secretary of States website. He added he is grateful for Sen. Winders many years of service and wish him well in retirement. His website lists that he supports parental choice for education and health care free from government overreach. His biography also notes he was valedictorian of his academy class at the Boise Police Department. Keyser joined the department in January 2019 but resigned 10 months later after a dispute with the departments leadership over alleged retaliation against a colleague that led to a lawsuit, according to previous Statesman reporting. Haley Williams, a spokesperson for Boise police, told the Statesman in an email that there is no official ranking of academy graduates but that each group of graduates picks a graduation speaker. She said she didnt know whetherKeyser was his years speaker. Only registered Republicans can vote in Idahos Republican primary. Gov. DeSantis reports record-breaking Florida tourism numbers with over 140 million visitors in 2023 Governor Ron DeSantis announced on May 16 that tourism in Florida has reached record levels, solidifying the state as a top destination for global travelers. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Revised figures for 2023 indicate that Florida welcomed over 140.6 million visitors, surpassing previous records. Additionally, the first quarter of 2024 saw 40.6 million visitors, the highest number ever recorded for a single quarter. Once again, Florida leads the nation as an unrivaled destination for tourists, said Governor Ron DeSantis. These record-breaking numbers show that our work has made the free state of Florida even more attractive to visitors. According to the revised 2023 figures, Florida saw a 2.3% increase in visitors from 2022, setting a new benchmark. The state hosted 129.1 million domestic visitors, 8.3 million overseas visitors, and 3.2 million Canadian visitors. The first quarter of 2024 continued this trend with a record 37.2 million domestic visitors, 2.1 million overseas visitors, and 1.3 million Canadian visitors. The total of 40.6 million visitors represents a 1.2% year-over-year increase and the highest number of visitors ever received in a single quarter. Florida continues to welcome visitors with open arms, said Dana Young, President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA. The record-breaking visitation seen in 2023 and continued through the first quarter of 2024 reaffirms Floridas status as a must-visit destination for travelers worldwide. Key Highlights from VISIT FLORIDAs Revised 2023 Estimates: Total visitation revised from 135.0 million (down 1.7% YoY) to 140.6 million (up 2.3% YoY). Domestic visitation in 2023 revised from a decrease of 3.8% YoY to an increase of 1.1% YoY, marking the highest level ever. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Highlights from VISIT FLORIDAs Q1 2024 Estimates: Total visitors in Q1 2024: 40.6 million, a 1.2% increase from Q1 2023, the highest on record for a single quarter. Domestic visitation in Q1 2024: 37.2 million, a 0.2% increase from Q1 2023. Preliminary air/non-air ratio for domestic, non-resident visitors in Q1 2024: 38.2%/61.8%. Overseas visitation in Q1 2024: 2.1 million, an 18.4% increase from Q1 2023. Canadian visitation in Q1 2024: 1.3 million, a 6.9% increase from Q1 2023. Total enplanements at 19 Florida airports increased by 9.4% in Q1 2024 compared to Q1 2023, reaching 30.2 million. Orlando International was the busiest airport with 7.6 million enplanements (+6.8%), followed by Miami with 7.5 million (+12.1%). VISIT FLORIDA regularly revises visitor estimates to ensure data accuracy as new information becomes available. As tourism in Florida continues to soar, these record-breaking figures highlight the states enduring appeal, bolstered by its natural beauty, world-class attractions, and welcoming environment for travelers seeking unforgettable experiences. [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. (COLORADO SPRINGS) Governor Jared Polis visited multiple Colorado Springs locations on Saturday, May 18, to sign five bills sponsored by local lawmakers into law. Polis started at Mitchell High School, where he signed three bills pertaining to education. The first bill, HB24-1282, the Ninth-Grade Success Grant and Performance Reporting, aims to increase the success rates of ninth-grade students in public high schools in Colorado. This bill will help more students access the support and resources they need to succeed in high school and beyond, said Governor Polis. With this bill, Colorado continues investing in our students and educators and I thank the bipartisan sponsors for their work on this bill. The second bill, SB24-164, requires more transparency from institutions of higher education, giving students the right to have more upfront information about total costs, seamless transfers of course credits, timely responses on whether credits will transfer, the right to appeal if credit transfers are rejected, and the right to know what work-related experiences are awarded credit at the institution where the student is enrolled. The Purple Star School Program, HB24-1076, was the third education-related bill Governor Polis signed at Mitchell. This bill creates a program to support schools in mitigating the academic and social-emotional challenges faced by students from military families due to frequent moves, new schools, parental deployments, and different social circles and experiences. Polis then went to OCC Brewing at 2316 West Colorado Avenue, where he signed SB24-231, a bill that adjusts several aspects of liquor laws, giving more flexibility to manufacturers, retailers, and venues in terms of purchasing limits, licensing options, marketing, and other factors. The last stop Polis made on his Colorado Springs tour was Colorado Early Colleges at 4405 North Chestnut Street, where he signed HB24-1154. This bill allows school districts to decide whether to take on debt for charter school facilities and construction costs and makes it necessary to get district voter approval. It also allows the school district to take first priority in recovering debts if the school becomes insolvent or closes, among other considerations. 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. Your guide to 2024 Memorial Day events and parades in and around Stark County Ruben Chaney and Boy Scouts pass out flags along the route of Cantons Memorial Day parade in this file photo from 2023. Memorial Day, which is observed on the last Monday in May, honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday through an act of Congress in 1971, and its roots date back to the Civil War era, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Unlike Veterans Day, Memorial Day honors all military members who have died in while serving in U.S. forces. Why do we observe Memorial Day? Here's the true history of the holiday This year, the holiday will be celebrated May 27. Here's a look at Memorial Day events and parades in the Canton area: Lynn Pritchard thanks veterans along the route of Cantons Memorial Day parade in this file photo from 2023. Canal Fulton The Memorial Day parade presented by Canal Fulton VFW Post 9795 will be 9 to 10 a.m. May 27. It will begin at Lindsay Concrete and travel along Erie Street, turn right onto Market Street, and end with a ceremony at City Hall. A Time to Remember: Free Memorial Day dinner and concert will be May 26 at Northwest High Schools Puffenberger Auditorium, 8580 Erie Ave. NW. Dinner begins at 6 p.m., and the concert begins at 7 p.m. The Canal Fulton Community Band is celebrating its 70th anniversary. Only 300 dinner tickets are available. Pick up tickets from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at City Hall or call 330-949-3520. No tickets are required for the concert. Any donations will benefit the All Veterans Memorial to purchase military banners for downtown streetlights. Canton The Greater Canton Veterans Council Memorial Parade will be May 27. The parade lineup will start at 8:30 a.m. on McKinley Avenue NW outside McKinley Early College High School (formerly Timken High School). The parade will begin at 10 a.m. The route is 1.2 miles, ending at the McKinley National Memorial. A memorial program will take place after the parade. East Canton Lowell D. Oberly American Legion Post 667's Memorial Day Parade will begin at 10 a.m. May 27. Participants should line up at the corner of Browning and Noble streets by 9:30 a.m. The parade will be west on Center Street; south on state Route 44; west on Church Street; north on Plum Street and east on Noble Street. For more information, contact parade Chairman Jack Spencer at 330-581-5199. Green The Memorial Day pancake breakfast, parade, ceremony, car show and picnic will be May 27. The Memorial Day pancake breakfast will be 7 to 10 a.m. at Fire Station 1, 4200 Massillon Road. Donations will be accepted to benefit Furnace Street Mission Safety Forces Support Center. The Memorial Day parade will begin at 10 a.m. from Green High School, 1474 Boettler Road. The tentative parade route travels east on Boettler Road to Massillon Road south (southbound lanes only) to Steese Road west to the Green Intermediate School, back to the Green High School parking lot via Bulldog Boulevard. For a parade route map, visit https://www.cityofgreen.org/569/Memorial-Day. The Memorial Day ceremony will begin at noon at the Green Veterans Memorial Park, 1900 Steese Road. The ceremony will honor fallen heroes and local veterans; two local veterans will be recognized. Parking for the Memorial Day ceremony will be at Fire Station 1 (handicap parking only), John Torok Senior/Community Center, Queen of Heaven Church, and the Anthony Funeral Home. Steese Road will be closed to traffic during the ceremony. The Memorial Day car show and picnic will begin immediately following the Memorial Day ceremony and will end at 3 p.m. Parking for participating vehicles begins at 7:30 a.m. at the John Torok Center, 4224 Massillon Road. Magnolia The Memorial Day parade will form at the Finefrock/Gordon Funeral Home parking lot at 10:40 a.m. May 27. Sandy Valley American Legion Post 432 will conduct memorial services at 11 a.m. at the Magnolia Cemetery, off Harrison Avenue. The speaker will be Capt. James Smith. The Sandy Valley High School Senior Band will perform. Massillon Massillons Memorial Day parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. May 27 at the corner of Eighth Street NE and Lincoln Way E. It will turn left on Erie Street and left on Tremont to conclude at Veterans Memorial Park. The parade will include color guards; veterans groups; dignitaries; special cars and vehicles festooned with red, white and blue; police and fire vehicles; and the Massillon Tiger Swing Band. Flags will be distributed for spectators to wave along the parade route. Political signs, handouts, and thrown candy will not be allowed. The annual Memorial Day ceremony will be held after the parade at about 10:30 a.m. at Duncan Plaza and Veterans Memorial Park. The speaker will be Col. Howard K. Marotto II. An ensemble from the Tiger Swing Band will perform. Veterans escorted by color guard members will place wreaths at monuments throughout Veterans Memorial Park to honor various branches of service. Minerva The memorial program at the Valley Street Cemetery will begin at 10 a.m. May. 27. A brief ceremony will be held by Donald G. Whetstone VFW Post 4120 at the cemetery with the three-volley salute and taps. Participants then will parade to East Lawn Cemetery. Services at East Lawn Cemetery on East Line Street will begin at 10:30 a.m. The program will include speaker Christopher Kinsey, a 30-year member of the U.S. Marine Corps. Minerva Middle School students Emery Sell and Everett Pancoast will recite the Gettysburg Address, and the Minerva High School Concert Band will perform patriotic music. Pastor Phil Rittenhouse will offer the invocation and benediction. VFW Post 4120 will provide the three-volley salute, taps and the laying of the wreath. Robert Hartenstein, 2004 Stark County veteran of the year, rides in Cantons Memorial Day parade in 2023. Moultrie The West Township Memorial Association will have Memorial Day services May 27 at Moultrie Chapel, 23577 state Route 172. The march to decorate the graves will begin at 2 p.m., after the salute from VFW Post 4120 of Minerva. Minerva Elementary School fifth grader Harmony Geiselman will recite the Gettysburg Address. The Minerva Community Band will provide patriotic music and will play taps. The program inside the chapel will include speaker and World War II veteran William Bill Pilati from Minerva. Attending veterans will be recognized. Special music will be provided by Isabella Gambone. Joseph Ellis will lead the congregation in group singing. Ice cream will be served after the program. Navarre The Memorial Day parade will start at 1 p.m. May 27. It will begin from the Navarre YMCA, traveling south on Market Street, turning left onto Wooster Street, turning left to Columbiana Street, turning left again and finishing at the cemetery. North Canton The Memorial Day parade, hosted by the North Canton Lions Club, will begin at 9 a.m. Lineup will be at 8:30 a.m. The new staging location is one of the parking lots at Hoover High School on Seventh Street NE. The parade will go along Seventh Street to Main Street, turn south onto Main Street and continue to Bitzer Park, where it will end. For more information about the parade, visit https://northcantonlions.com/contact-howard/. The Memorial Day ceremony will be at about 10 a.m. at Bitzer Park, 200 S. Main St. North Lawrence The Memorial Day parade on May 27 will form on Lawmont Street NW east of Alabama Avenue NW at 9 a.m. The parade will go north on Alabama Avenue, stopping at the North Lawrence Fire Station for a ceremony at the Memorial of Honor at 9:30 a.m. Pastor Phil Hoverstock will share a prayer, and Tuslaw Boy Scout Troop 933 will raise the flag. Chief Magistrate Matthew P. Kreitzer will be the guest speaker. North Lawrence Fire Department charter member Robert Eicher will be the parade marshal. The parade will continue to the Newmans Creek Cemetery behind Chapel of the Cross Global Methodist Church, where a memorial service will be held. Paris Township The memorial program will begin at 1:30 p.m. May 26 at Liberty Cemetery on Blade Road. The program will include speaker Minerva Mayor Tim Tarbet, a U.S. Army veteran. Minerva Middle School student Daniel Herstine will recite the Gettysburg Address. The Minerva Middle School Band will perform patriotic music. The Donald G. Whetstone VFW Post 4120 will provide the three-volley salute and taps. Pastor Clint Frazier of Dominion Reformed Fellowship in Robertsville will offer the invocation and benediction. Perry Township The Memorial Day ceremony will be at 9 a.m. May 25 at Perry High School, 3737 13th St. SW. Elizabeth Spence of Cleveland visits the grave of her grandfather Edward Spence U.S. Army World War II veteran at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery on Memorial Day in 2021. Spence said her grandfather, who died in 2019, was like a father to her. Seville The Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery will hold a Memorial Day commemoration ceremony at 2 p.m. May 26 at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery rostrum (main flagpole), 10175 Rawiga Road. The keynote speaker will be Wes Emch, a member of a Gold Star Family. The 122nd Army Band, 555th Honors Detachment will be providing rifle volleys and Soldiers Cross presentation. Local law enforcement and cemetery staff will coordinate parking. Those attending are encouraged to arrive early, bring a folding chair if possible and an umbrella if desired. Washington Township A ceremony will be at 2 p.m. May 26 at the townships veterans memorial. Folding chairs will be set up, but you may also bring your own lawn chair if you prefer, or a blanket to sit on the grass. There will be music, prayer, and a special guest speaker. Flags will be placed around our veterans monument as each name engraved upon it is read aloud. In case of inclement weather, gather indoors at the Washington Elementary School across the street. Waynesburg The Memorial Day parade will form at the American Legion Hall, 166 Lisbon St., at 8:45 a.m. May 27. Sandy Valley American Legion Post 432 will conduct memorial services beginning at 10 a.m. at the Sandy Valley Cemetery. The speaker will be Capt. James Smith. The Sandy Valley High School Senior Band will perform. Wilmot The Wilmot Cemetery Association will conduct the annual Memorial Day observance at Greenlawn Cemetery at 8:45 a.m. May 27. The observance will commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day on June 6, 1944. Beach City American Legion Weimer-Widder Post 549 will conduct ceremonies honoring all veterans and will include the reading of the Roll of Honor of Veterans who are buried in the cemetery. The Fairless High School Marching Band will provide music. Association board member and retired Stark County Family Court Judge David Stucki will pay tribute to Robert W. Andrews and Orion D. Zurcher, local men who participated in the D-Day invasion. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair. Parking within the cemetery grounds will be limited to vehicles with handicapped placards. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held at Faith Christian Academy, 511 W. Main St. This article originally appeared on The Repository: 2024 Memorial Day parades and observances in the Canton area After a gunman tried to shoot him, this pastor wants to make his church safer. But we dont have the money, he says In the years Pastor Glenn Germany has been leading the small congregation at Jesus Dwelling Place, keeping the Pennsylvania churchs doors open has been a struggle. Germany, a full-time bus driver and full-time pastor, knows how important this church is to its community. In addition to religious services, the church in the North Braddock borough southeast of Pittsburgh provides its primarily low and fixed-income congregants with housing advice, domestic violence and mental health awareness programs, and seminars on everything from improving health to credit scores. To keep it all running, Germany and his family give more than $1,000 out of pocket every month. And now, it seems theres another critical expense, though one this small church hardly could afford: security. Its been exactly two weeks since an armed intruder walked into Jesus Dwelling Place, pointed a gun at Germanys head and pulled the trigger, the horrific scene captured via a livestream of the Sunday service. When the gunman tried to fire, though, his weapon jammed, giving the pastor and a cameraman enough time to rush and subdue the suspect until authorities came. Police have not shared what may have motivated the gunman to target the pastor. Germany has said the shooter told him spirits got into his head. Then less than a week later, parishioners in south Louisiana helped remove a 16-year-old boy who walked into a Catholic church armed with a gun. The two incidents came roughly three months after law enforcement killed a woman who opened fire inside Lakewood Church in Houston; a 57-year-old man and the shooters 7-year-old son were wounded. Now, Germany wants to hire security experts to assess his churchs vulnerability and see how they can secure it. But in the two weeks since the thwarted attack, the church has only been able to raise just over $1,000 in donations, the pastor said. Experts told CNN safety additions such as vulnerability assessments, training, cameras and security personnel can cost several thousand dollars. It costs money to hire people, and we dont have the money, Germany said. Its a challenge for religious communities across the US as churches, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship face threats or come under attack in a nation with more guns than people and where shots often explode in places that should be safe. US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer this month announced an additional $400 million in federal money to help boost security at places of worship. Many places of worship have struggled to balance security while maintaining a warm, welcoming feeling for their attendees. And Germanys challenges highlight just how much harder conversations around security can be for smaller congregations. Pastor Glenn Germany in an undated image in his church in Pennsylvania. - Courtesy Glenn Germany Nothing is sacred, secure or safe In San Antonio, the faithful at Pastor Kevin Nelsons Calvary Baptist Church began new conversations around security after the attack on Lakewood Church, the megachurch of famed televangelist Joel Osteen. Nelsons church already has cameras and an alarm system but those were primarily installed to thwart car break-ins, he said. Calvary Baptist, with roughly 300 regular service attendees, also enlists deacons and other church members who carry concealed weapons to monitor the single entrance it keeps open during services, Nelson said. And it hosts active shooter trainings led by the local sheriffs office. But now, all that doesnt feel like enough. I dont want our church to become almost like a bank, to where you pull up and you see the police, so Im really wrestling, Nelson, a former deputy with the sheriffs department, told CNN. But in the same sense, Gods people and Gods house have to be protected. Not too far away is an ever-persistent reminder of the threat: Calvary Baptist is just about a 40-minute drive from Sutherland Springs, where a shooter killed 26 people inside a community church in 2017. It remains the states deadliest mass shooting. Nelsons church is now considering hiring armed guards, he said. Its leaders are also looking into the federal grant money Schumer announced, though it is a new process requiring time and research, Nelson said. And since the Lakewood Church shooting, during which the attacker walked in with her young son and a rifle, churchgoers at Calvary Baptist have been instructed to be watchful of families entering services, he said. What were discovering, Nelson said, is nothing is sacred, secure or safe. Donell Trusty Jr., who provides security and firearms training for places of worship in Maryland through his company Trusty Training Solutions, has seen an uptick in phone calls from churches since the attempted shooting in Pennsylvania two weeks ago, he said. Trusty, who is also an elder in his Baltimore church, said he also helps churches contract security officers. He also helps train church volunteers who are licensed to carry weapons in firearm safety, self-defense and situational awareness, he told CNN. Typically, Trusty said, hiring security personnel can cost between $35 and $50 per person hourly. Training courses usually cost $250 to $300 per person, he said. To help out local congregations, Trustys company has begun offering free active shooter training to places of worship. It is our way of giving back to the local assemblies because its whats needed, he said. We understand the financial crises of the pandemic, membership has been low in a lot of churches (and) they dont really have the finances to put out for some expensive training program. And active shooter training can help save lives. Donell Trusty teaches a Situational Awareness, Mindset and Emergency Preparedness class at Trusty Training Solutions. - Tramaine Trusty Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker has credited his training in this arena for helping him make a daring escape in 2022 after a hostage-taker joined a worship service at Congregation Beth Israel in Texas. As the attack approached its 11th hour, the rabbi spotted a key moment when the gunmans guard was down just as he had learned in training and told others to run, then grabbed a chair and threw it at the assailant, giving the hostages enough time to escape with their lives. Churches now should take an opportunity to renew conversations around safety, conduct risk assessments and reevaluate their security procedures, said Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, president and general secretary of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, which represents more than 100,000 congregations. Among factors to consider are identifying church members with a background in law enforcement, the military or security, McKenzie said. Other key steps include conducting drills, ensuring all church members know where the nearest exit is or where to go during an emergency, and knowing who would contact authorities if needed, McKenzie said. Surely, we would all love to believe that its not going to happen here, its not going to be us. But why take the chance? Lets prepare, she said. Every year, the Churches of Christ council hosts discussions including about security for leaders of Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Christian and other faiths, McKenzie said. In those spaces, she added, religious leaders have an opportunity to compare notes and learn from each other. A difficult balance for many pastors Nelson, in San Antonio, often thinks about nearby smaller congregations that typically dont have the financial or human resources to bolster security measures in the same way his church can, he said. He encourages churches to station at least one person to monitor each entrance, and he has tried to spread the word about the federal grant program. Schumer, too, noted the additional challenges smaller congregations face. FEMA has people who will help if youre a small synagogue or a small church or a small mosque and you dont have a grant writer, you dont know what to do, he said. Schumers May 5 news conference followed a series of hoax bomb threats the prior day against New York synagogues, he said. Places of worship that apply for federal money for bolstered security, such as guards and fences, may be able to get those resources within months, Schumer said, pointing potential grant recipients to the agencys website and urging them to apply by Tuesday. Pastor Kevin Nelson preaches in 2020 during a service at Calvary Baptist Church. - Calvary Baptist Church Florida-based security company SecureTek Service Group Inc. has been helping low-resource places of worship, including Germanys church, navigate applications for grants and other types of funding, its founder Rico Reed told CNN. Often, churches with little funding dont know what kinds of resources are available, and security additions can be costly, with vulnerability assessments in some cases reaching up to $2,000, while camera systems can cost several thousand dollars, he said. A House of Worship is supposed to be a safe place, Reed said. But its actually a soft target. And it takes a while for people that are part of the congregation to understand that times have changed. And its really dangerous. In Tennessee, Lori Morrison has long been talking about the importance of church security, on both her website and her podcast. A former private investigator and now a volunteer on her own churchs security team, Morrison said theres a tough balance between keeping a church secure and welcoming. You dont want to lock the doors and issue passes, she said. But you can take those common sense precautions. At her church, team members observe people as they arrive, while others check badges in sensitive areas, like the childrens section, to ensure only approved members enter. There are also trainings throughout the year on safety and preparation for medical emergencies, Morrison said. We are supposed to look out for (congregants) well-being, and so we have to make sure that were doing that at the same time that were maintaining that openness, she said. In Pennsylvania, Germany admits he worried before the attempted shooting some parishioners would feel uncomfortable with officers around, or added security could make the church less welcoming. But two weeks ago, someone tried to kill him, he said. And he worries it may happen again. Now, his focus is to make his church safe. He hopes to raise more money, get help to apply for grants, and take all the measures necessary to ensure his community can practice its faith in peace. He hopes other churches big and small do the same. I would encourage other churches to use our video as just a springboard to start having thoughts about church security, he said, because you never think its going to happen to you until it happens to you. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A soldier plays the tuba during a rehearsal. Taiwan's elected President Lai Ching-te is to be inaugurated on May 20. Johannes Neudecker/dpa Shortly before the inauguration of Taiwan's President-elect Lai Ching-te on Monday, a politician specializing in defence issues told dpa that there are growing concerns about hacker attacks from China. "I think they will definitely attack our infrastructure by May 20," Shen Po-yang, a lawmaker from Lai's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), told dpa in an interview on Saturday. The parliamentarian, also known as Puma Shen, expressed his concerns based on earlier incidents. When Nancy Pelosi, then speaker of the US House of Representatives, visited Taiwan in August 2022, much to Beijing's annoyance, hackers took control of digital boards in some convenience stores and a railway station and used them to spread messages against Pelosi. China usually rejects accusations of hacker attacks. Shen is one of the founders of the Kuma Academy, which aims to raise social awareness of possible warfare by offering courses about civil defence skills. Other Taiwanese politicians have also warned of the danger of hack attacks. Shen considers it possible that falsified videos targeting Taiwan's new president could emerge in the days following Lai's inauguration. "I think we should strengthen our cybersecurity because the hackers from China are pretty powerful," Shen said. "We also need to protect our information space and make sure that the Chinese propaganda and narratives could not be spread by bots here in Taiwan," Shen said. Shen suspects that Beijing's plan behind the disinformation campaigns is to persuade more people in Taiwan to give up in the event of an invasion. Taiwan has had an independent government since 1949, but China considers the self-governing democracy of over 23 million people part of its territory. Lai, who won the presidential election with around 40% of the vote in January, and his government are due to be inaugurated on Monday. However, his party lost its majority in parliament and has faced challenges in the current legislative session, which started in February. The Chinese Communist Party considers the independence-leaning DPP to be separatist and has threatened to invade Taiwan if the party makes any formal moves towards independence. The DPP says Taiwan already functions as an independent state and does need to make any formal declaration. However, Lai said on May 14 at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit 2024 that his administration will work to safeguard the status quo and "will not rule out dialogue with China on the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefits and dignity, with no preconditions." Taiwanese army soldiers stand in a group during a rehearsal. Taiwan's elected President Lai Ching-te is to be inaugurated on May 20. Johannes Neudecker/dpa Taiwanese army soldiers fire salutes during a rehearsal. Taiwan's elected President Lai Ching-te is to be inaugurated on May 20. Johannes Neudecker/dpa CHONGQING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- As night falls, more than 1,000 sets of lights on the Chongqing Baijusi Yangtze River Bridge illuminate instantly, dazzling tourists in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. The bridge, which gained popularity on multiple social platforms due to its unique sci-fi look, attracted tourists from all over the country during the May Day holiday. Chongqing Baijusi Yangtze River Bridge is 1,384 meters long, connecting districts of Dadukou and Banan in the city. The main tower of the bridge is 236 meters high, which is equivalent to the height of an 84-story building. It is the tallest bridge tower in the central urban areas of Chongqing. The bottom of the bridge tower is designed as a transparent circle, evoking the image of a science fiction movie under the play of light and shadow. In April this year, a press conference titled "This is Chongqing -- China's bridge capital" was held under the Chongqing Baijusi Yangtze River Bridge. According to the conference, there are more than 20,000 bridges in Chongqing, including 105 ultra-large bridges across the Yangtze River and Jialing River. Xi Hong, deputy director of Chongqing municipal commission of housing and urban-rural development, said that the Yangtze River, Jialing River, Wujiang River and other rivers divide Chongqing into many parts. As a result, its land transportation needs to cross these water obstacles and bridges have become important transport arteries in the city. In 2005, the bridge committee of Peking Mao Yi-sheng science and technology education foundation selected Chongqing as China's bridge capital at its annual meeting. "Chongqing's bridges have witnessed the rapid rise of China's construction," Xi Hong said, noting that Chongqing's bridge construction has contributed experience to the world and is a milestone in the history of bridges. She added that 60 percent of Chongqing citizens now have to pass more than two bridges every day during their daily commute, and the bridges have been very convenient for citizens. "It used to take at least 30 minutes to drive from Babin road to Dadukou on the opposite side, but the time has been reduced to five minutes since the Baijusi Yangtze River Bridge opened to traffic," said Liu Gongfeng, deputy head of Banan District. Liu said that the bridge has changed people's lives. In particular, the local government has seized the opportunity presented by the bridge's popularity to build infrastructures such as viewing trails, viewing platforms, convenience service points, and public toilets in response to the needs of citizens and tourists. According to statistics, since the beginning of this year, driven by the Baijusi Yangtze River Bridge, the passenger flow of several key business districts in Banan District has increased significantly. It has attracted more than 900,000 tourists and stimulated tourism revenue exceeding 270 million yuan (about 37.3 million U.S. dollars). During this year's May Day holiday, in order to improve the tourist experience, Chongqing Qiansimen Jialing River Bridge is closed to traffic. This provides tourists with a chance to stroll across the bridge and witness the beauty of Chongqing safely. In recent years, Chongqing has also continued to upgrade the space under the bridge, building all kinds of convenience facilities and slow traffic systems, supplementing social functions and increasing public activity areas, thus enhancing the sense of acquisition and happiness of citizens. For example, the vibrant Jiulongtan square lies under the E'gongyan Bridge, which spans the Yangtze River. Citizens can experience solar-charged fitness facilities in the 1,000-square-meter smart fitness area. They can also get close to nature and play and rest on the three connected riverside walks. "A few years ago, there was only an abandoned quay under the bridge, and it was overgrown with weeds and rugged nearby, which made it difficult to walk, so we hardly went to the riverside to play," said Wu Feng, a local resident. "Now the space under the bridge has been transformed, and we have another place close to nature," Wu added. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) criticized Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito for disrespecting the American flag and called for increased ethical standards for the high court. A report by The New York Times on Thursday revealed that an upside-down American flag could be seen flying outside Alitos home not long after the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the Capitol building. After Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election, the upside-down flag became a symbol of the Stop the Steal movement and was displayed by supporters of baseless election conspiracy theories. Samuel Alito should apologize immediately for disrespecting the American flag and sympathizing with right-wing violent insurrectionists, Jeffries said in a statement Friday evening, responding to the Times report. Alito told the Times that his wife put up the upside-down flag after their neighbors used objectionable and personally insulting language on yard signs. She hung the flag in response to a dispute with neighbors over a lawn sign that blamed her for the Jan. 6 riot, the justice told Fox News on Friday. Echoing a similar call made by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) following the release of the Times report on Friday, Jeffries said that Alito should recuse himself from cases involving the 2020 election and the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection and called for ethics reforms. Congress should immediately consider legislation to impose an ethical code of conduct on a runaway Supreme Court. The Constitution demands and the American people deserve more from a justice serving on the highest court in the land than baseless election denial, Jeffries said in the statement. In November, the Supreme Court adopted an ethics code for the first time following scrutiny over undisclosed gifts justices had received from wealthy political donors. The code calls for justices to recuse themselves from proceedings if their might reasonably be questioned, such as if they have a personal bias or prejudice concerning a party. But lawmakers said that the code has no enforcement mechanisms apart from the honor system. Several Democrats, including Sens. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), have also criticized Alitos display of the upside-down flag, with some also calling for his recusal and for establishing a way to enforce the courts ethics code. There is absolutely no way that Justice Alito can sit in judgment on the two cases where Donald Trumps interests and the insurrection itself is directly involved, Blumenthal told MSNBCs Chris Hayes on Friday. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), a member of the judiciary committee, said that he will introduce a resolution of censure against Alito for the flag incident, claiming that it demonstrates the justices political bias and constitutes a serious breach of judicial ethics. Many Republican lawmakers have not yet publicly commented on Fridays report, including those who had defended Alito last year after a bombshell ProPublica report revealed he accepted an undisclosed trip from a GOP megadonor who later had cases before the court. But at least one prominent right-wing Republican, Rep. Tom Cotton (R-Ark), hit back at the Times on Thursday, calling the report a smear meant to intimidate justices, harass them at home, or worse. Related... A pro-terror protester proudly waved the Hamas flag at a weekend rally in Brooklyn in a shocking and disturbing display of solidarity with terrorists. The green and white Palestinian terror groups flag was on display at the Nakba Day protest in Bay Ridge on Saturday as was that of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a Marxist-Leninist group also classified as a terrorist organization by the US State Department. The disgusting show of support drew fierce backlash from horrified lawmakers and local residents. Theyre criticizing police, but theyre for marching terrorists?! Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis, said of the demonstrators who rallied alongside the flags and violently clashed with NYPD cops. At least a dozen anti-Israel protesters were arrested at the raucous demonstration. Theyre criticizing the protectors, but theyre commending the murderers?! he seethed. A protester waves the flag of Hamas terrorists at a rally in Brooklyn. Paul Martinka Several Bay Ridge locals also admitted they were disturbed when interviewed by The Post on Sunday, when a Norwegian parade was taking place in the neighborhood. If this flag is about his country, it is OK, like a Norwegian [flag], said Dr. Sami Nagar, a native of Egypt. But Hamas is a very controversial organization, and in this time, thats not OK. To wave a Hamas flag on American soil is unacceptable for any reason. Resident Mary Owens called the waving of the Hamas flag infuriating and said the ruckus from the Nakba Day demonstration was over the top. It doesnt stop. The drums, the noise, she said. Our mayor has no control, Owens added. They are protesting a war that is thousands of mile away. They couldnt even point out Gaza on the map. Resident Mary Owens (middle) called the waving of the Hamas flag infuriating and said the ruckus from the Nakba Day demonstration was over the top. G.N.Miller/NYPost Protesters also could be seen waving the flag of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine at the Nakba Day protest. Paul Martinka Meanwhile, New Yorks Finest came under fire for their response to the ugly protest, with online videos showing cops pinning down and even slugging demonstrators while making more than a dozen arrests. Bay Ridge is home to the largest Palestinian community in New York City, city Councilman Justin Brannan (D-Brooklyn), told The Post on Sunday. There has been a Nakba Day demonstration here every year for the past decade without violence. I saw no evidence of actions by protestors yesterday that warranted such an aggressive response from NYPD, he insisted. Im still waiting on information and details about the arrests that were made, but from my vantage point the response appeared pre-emptive, retaliatory and cumulatively aggressive, Brannan added. Controversial City Council staffer Ember Ollum, who raised eyebrows when she urged Black Lives Matter demonstrators to attack cops and hurl bottles at them during George Floyd protests, also chimed in after Saturdays arrests. I dont remember this many helicopters and violent arrests when we close our avenues every other week during the summer for festivals, Ollum wrote on X. If people carry flags, suddenly pedestrians in the street are a threat? It wasnt known what flags she was referring to at the protest, which was held to commemorate Nakba Day, the start of the Arab-Israeli conflict in 1948 and viewed by Palestinians as the beginning of their displacement. If this flag is about his country, it is OK, like a Norweigan [flag], said Dr. Sami Nagar, a native of Egypt. But Hamas is a very controversial organization, and in this time, thats not OK. G.N.Miller/NYPost The flags were seen at a demonstration that turned violent, with arrests made. NYPD A protester and police scuffle at the demonstration. Getty Images A Palestinian man who did not want to give his name added, Yeah, I saw [the protester] carrying a Hamas flag. I also saw people with swastikas and Israeli flags. Whats the difference? However, critics were quick to fire back and support the NYPD and its officers, who have had their hands full with anti-Israeli protests in recent months. Isnt it outrageous to have that comparison and such a perverse value system? What the police do wrong? They should be condemning Hamas instead of criticizing the police, Rabbi Potasnik said. City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov a Ukrainian-born Jew who represents a heavily Jewish neighboring district that includes Gravesend, Midwood and Sheepshead Bay added, Proactive policing is not aggressive, it is necessary in the face of unhinged individuals who proudly wave terrorist flags on American streets while hurling both insults and objects at our cops. I applaud the NYPD for subduing violent, Hamas-supporting protesters as they blocked traffic on busy streets in Bay Ridge, the pol said. Anything short of a strong response wouldve put more innocent bystanders in danger. Watch the complete meltdown of the abolitionist free love, free crime crowd once they realize that actions have consequences. The NYPDs response to anti-Israel demonstrators in Brooklyn on Saturday has prompted criticism. Paul Martinka Images from the Nakba Day demonstration in Bay Ridge show cops scuffling with rowdy protesters. Paul Martinka Brannan, asked later by The Post whether it was acceptable for the Hamas flag to be waved at the protest, responded, Of course not. You have to be an actual sociopath to fly a Hamas flag. Lets be clear, he said. The councilman said this years rally turnout was smaller than past years. Video footage posted online shows police in intense confrontations with the protesters, including two instances where cops are seen hurling punches at demonstrators who are pinned to the ground. Officers are also seen trying to keep other demonstrators back during the raucous encounter. It is unclear what occurred before the confrontations seen on the videos. Some demonstrators were arrested at the Nakba Day demonstration in Bay Ridge on Saturday. Getty Images The NYPD has been kept busy by anti-Israeli protests in the five boroughs since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. Paul Martinka Protesters confront cops in Brooklyn on Saturday. Paul Martinka Several protests have erupted in the Big Apple since the Oct. 7 sneak attack on the Jewish state by Palestinian Hamas terrorists and the massive Israeli military response in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian flag has been a common sight at the protests, but the Hamas flag has rarely made an appearance. The majority of the people who participated in this protest were neither Palestinian nor residents of Bay Ridge, said GOP Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, whose district includes Bay Ridge in southern Brooklyn as well as Staten Island. These were mostly outside agitators, and I have confidence that the NYPD took the appropriate steps to keep the neighborhood businesses and residents safe, she told The Post. The NYPD did not respond to a Post request for comment Sunday. Hancock & Kelley: Jones says STL is in a renaissance, Cohen testimony, Butker kicks up controversy It was another Sunday morning of sometimes heated but always civil political debate on Hancock and Kelley for Sunday, May 19, 2024. Republican consultant John Hancock and Democratic consultant Michael Kelley discuss the following topics: With St. Louis losing population more quickly than almost any other city in America, Mayor Tishaura Jones says the city is in a renaissance and that shes running for a second term. Michael Cohen becomes the star of a debacle for the prosecution in the criminal trial of former President Donald Trump. President Joe Biden tells Trump, Make my day, pal, in calling for two debates. And our quote of the week is from Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who has kicked up a firestorm as a college commencement speaker with his thoughts on the roles of men and women. 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. Madrid has never hidden its designs on Gibraltar. A British Overseas Territory, it may have close economic links with Spain, but protecting the UKs sovereignty over the Rock has for centuries been a central pillar of Britains foreign policy. Now, however, Conservative MPs are warning about a sellout. The Government has been locked in negotiations with the EU over the management of Gibraltars border now that the wider Brexit deal has been completed. Proposals have been made for EU officials to carry out immigration checks at the airport, allowing the territory to join the passport-free Schengen zone. This, say the MPs, would be utterly unacceptable, partly because the airport is a joint civil-military facility that doubles as a RAF station. This is not just a matter of sovereignty, but also of control of a strategically significant British defence asset. The Government might take heart from an intervention by Gibraltars chief minister, Fabian Picardo, who said last week that it was wrong to claim that the deal would affect British sovereignty. He also criticised MPs for wanting to set themselves up as a greater guardian of Gibraltars sovereignty than the people of Gibraltar. But defence, foreign relations and security are matters reserved to the UK Government. There will therefore be occasions when the Government has to take action that goes against the wishes of Gibraltars elected representatives. Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, is due to be questioned by MPs on the European Scrutiny Committee on Monday, and it is vital that he is able to answer comprehensively any concerns about the implications of any new deal with the EU on Gibraltar. Brussels has a tendency to insist that third countries accept its diktaks on the management of its external frontiers, as seen most recently in the torturous negotiations over Northern Ireland. Then, there were creative alternatives that could have been adopted that would have avoided all the problems inherent in the Northern Ireland Protocol. The Government must be certain that it is not about to give in to the EU again. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Members of the Knights of Columbus place a wreath at the World War I memorial on Monday, May 29, 2017, during a Memorial Day service at Freedom Memorial Park in Fayetteville, N.C. | Andrew Craft Before they fire up the grill or jump in the pool at Memorial Day parties, many members of Knights of Columbus councils across the country take part in a more solemn event. The Knights Memorial Day worship services honor fallen soldiers with prayer and reflection, commemorating sacrifices made during battles long past. But this year, one such Memorial Day gathering is at the center of a growing legal battle, which pits the Knights of Columbus council in Petersburg, Virginia, against the National Park Service. For the past two years, the park service has barred the Knights from holding a Memorial Day Mass in Poplar Grove National Cemetery, saying the religious service must instead take place in a nearby free speech zone. The Knights and their attorneys say park officials have violated the First Amendment, as well as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. In a May 13 letter, they asked to be allowed back into the cemetery, arguing that a 2022 policy on special events is being misapplied. We assume that there must have been some kind of oversight or miscommunication, and that the park service is simply going to approve the permit. If they dont, well know that something else has happened something that bears the unmistakeable marks of religious discrimination, said Roger Byron, senior counsel for First Liberty Institute, one of the law firms representing the Petersburg Knights of Columbus. Religious services in National Parks Before their event permit was unexpectedly denied last year, the Petersburg council had held a Memorial Day service in Poplar Grove National Cemetery every year since at least the 1960s. The events were based on a published worship guide called the Blessing for visiting the cemetery on Memorial Day. Thats one reason why the Knights believe they actually need to be in the cemetery during the service, Byron said. They believe not being in there hinders their ability to pray, he said. National Park Service officials told the Knights that being in the cemetery is no longer possible due to a 2022 policy requiring demonstrations that will likely attract onlookers to take place elsewhere. Although the policy allows events with a special historic and commemorative significance to a particular national cemetery to be approved, Poplar Grove officials dont believe the Memorial Day Mass fits the bill. The Petersburg council and its attorneys believe its worship services should be covered by that exemption, and say that, even if they arent, theyre covered by religious freedom protections. Under this policy, a historical reenactment of the first Memorial Day Mass would apparently be allowed, but not a worship service, Byron said, adding that such an attitude toward religious events falls well short of what the law requires. Bladensburg Cross case The conflict between the Knights of Columbus council in Petersburg and the National Park Service calls to mind similar battles involving faith-related efforts to honor fallen soldiers, including a 2019 Supreme Court case. In that case, the justices were asked whether the government could use public money to fund the upkeep of a 40-foot-tall cross in Bladensburg, Maryland. The so-called Peace Cross, dedicated in 1925, honors those who lost their lives during World War I. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled 7-2 that the cross could remain standing, deciding that it didnt improperly entangle the government with religion since it held historical significance in addition to religious significance, as the Deseret News previously reported. The cross is undoubtedly a Christian symbol, but that fact should not blind us to everything that the Bladensburg cross has come to represent. For some, that monument is a symbolic resting place for ancestors who never returned home. For others, it is a place for the community to gather and honor all veterans. For others still, it is a historical landmark, wrote Justice Samuel Alito in the majority opinion. The Petersburg Knights of Columbus made a similar argument in their May 13 letter, noting that the Memorial Day Mass is both religious and commemorative, since the service is focused on fallen soldiers. The most sensible thing to do indeed, the right thing to do is for NPS to approve the permit for the Memorial Day mass as an historically significant commemorative event, the letter said. Visitors walk around the 40-foot Maryland Peace Cross dedicated to World War I soldiers on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019 in Bladensburg, Md. | Kevin Wolf What will happen next? The letter also pointed out that other National Park Service officials have allowed Knights of Columbus-led services to continue after the 2022 policy was put in place. For example, Knights in Andersonville, Georgia, will hold a Memorial Day Mass this year at Andersonville National Cemetery, just as they did last year. The Knights in Petersburg hope to have their conflict resolved in time to do the same. Im very confident with our position under the law, Byron said, noting that park service officials should anticipate a lawsuit if they dont change their minds. Hay Festival row as Labour MP pulls out over sponsors links to Israel Dawn Butler, the MP for Brent Central, has decided to boycott the festival Hay Festival has become embroiled in a row as a Labour MP pulled out of the literary event over accusations its sponsor firm profits from Israeli apartheid. Dawn Butler, the MP for Brent Central, was due to speak at Hay-on-Wye later this month, but has decided to boycott the festival over its sponsorship links with investment management firm Baillie Gifford. Hay Festival confirmed to The Telegraph that Ms Butler and four other guests - author and poet AK Blakemore, Bristol University lecturer Noreen Masud, Hong Kong climate justice activist Tori Tsui and stand-up comedian Ania Magliano - have decided to pull out of the festival this year. The Labour MP wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday: Today I am making the decision to withdraw from the Hay-on-Wye literary festival. I was due to speak at the festival later this month to promote my life affirming book A Purposeful Life. It has since come to my attention that Hay-on-Wye festival is sponsored by investment company Baillie Gifford who, according to Fossil Free Books, profit from Israeli apartheid, occupation and genocide with up to 10 billion invested in companies with direct or indirect links to Israels defence, tech and cybersecurity industries, and are also exposed in investments in illegal Israeli settlements. Hay Festival confirmed that a number of guests have decided to pull out It comes after hundreds of writers threatened to boycott literary festivals across the UK this year unless Baillie Gifford, which sponsors them, divests from Israel and fossil fuels. Authors including Sally Rooney - who turned down an Israeli translation of her novel in 2021 - social campaigner Naomi Klein, journalist George Monbiot and writer Robert Macfarlane, have signed a statement by Fossil Free Books (FFB) that demands Baillie Gifford withdraws all investment from Israel. Literary organisations can expect escalation, including the expansion of boycotts, increased author withdrawal of labour, and increased disruption until Baillie Gifford divests, an open letter signed by more than 200 writers last week said. The investment company came under fire last year at the Edinburgh International Book Festival by writers including Zadie Smith, Ali Smith and Katherine Rundell, while Greta Thunberg withdrew from her appearance at the festival. Ms Butler added: Of course Israel has the right to defend herself, it must however be within international law. I have been shocked and disgusted by the events in Gaza. With over 35,000 Palestinians now killed by the IDF - a majority of them women and children - and with Gaza on the brink of man-made famine, I cannot in good conscience participate in this festival. I repeat my call for an immediate ceasefire on both sides. Naomi Klein is among the authors who signed a statement by Fossil Free Books - KENA BETANCUR/AFP Julie Finch, the chief executive of Hay Festival Global said: This week, Fossil Free Books has issued a statement asking authors to boycott our next edition in protest over one of our sponsors, Baillie Gifford, and their investment portfolio. Their statement has been challenged by Baillie Gifford. We have requested additional information from Baillie Gifford and continue to work to safeguard our events as free and respectful platforms for exchanging ideas. We remain committed to reaching the widest possible audiences through our work and presenting one of a kind events in the heart of the Welsh countryside next week. Baillie Gifford told the Guardian in a statement last week that FFBs assertion that the company has nearly 10 billion invested in companies with direct or indirect links to Israels defence, tech and cybersecurity industries is seriously misleading, adding that the figure was based on conflating two different types of exposure. 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. Theyre healing the blind, the lame and the maimed and seeking more aid to further the cause Doug Jackson, left, Hugh West and Michael Nebeker, three Utah men united by their quest to alleviate human suffering through life-changing surgeries. | Lee Benson/Deseret News Im sitting in the iconic Red Iguana restaurant with three men who invited me to lunch. They want something, Im finding out. That something is publicity. Lunch, I can tell, is not their long suit. Not a leisurely one, anyway. Theres a lot of energy around the table thats not focused on the burritos and the fresh guacamole. They eat fast, they talk fast. Theyve got stuff to do. But they have a message they feel strongly that the world in general, and the United States government in particular, needs to hear: Every year, 17 million people around the globe die due to a lack of access to safe, simple surgical care. Seventeen million. Thats more than the annual toll from HIV, tuberculosis, polio and COVID-19 combined. Thats the entire population of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And many millions more live lives of misery due to what are called neglected surgical conditions. The three men, all Utah natives, know this because each one, independent of the other, has made it his lifes work to deliver simple, safe surgery to heal the blind, the lame and the maimed. Michael Nebeker is co-founder and president of Mobile Surgery International (www.msi-global.com.mx), a nonprofit that does cleft lip and cleft palate repair in Mexico. Doug Jackson is CEO of Charity Vision (charityvision.org), a nonprofit that removes cataracts in more than two dozen developing countries. Hugh West is chief medical officer of One World Surgery (oneworldsurgery.org), a nonprofit that performs orthopedic surgeries in Honduras and the Dominican Republic. The statistics of these charities are impressive. In the past seven years, Mobile Surgery International has performed more than 2,000 procedures and after-care for cleft lip and cleft palate. In the past 37 years, Charity Vision has performed nearly 1.5 million cataract surgeries in more than two dozen countries. In the past 15 years, One World Surgery has performed more than 20,000 orthopedic surgeries in Honduras and the Dominican Republic. But if Michael, Doug and Hugh have seen the life-changing value of simple, safe and relatively inexpensive surgery, theyve also seen that the overall need is so much greater. Every three minutes, a child is born somewhere around the world with a cleft lip or cleft palate. The World Health Organization estimates there are 94 million people suffering from cataracts. Broken arms, legs, shoulders, knees and backs are ubiquitous in any country. Access to safe surgery is a genuine global health crisis that has long gone unnoticed. Knowing all this firsthand is why the three have banded together to shout the same thing: Help! Drill down, and their histories are the same. All three served missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in their youth Michael to Thailand, Doug to Ecuador, Hugh to Mexico. All three saw plenty of poverty and deprivation. All three returned with a strong desire to help the poor, the diseased, the mistreated and the forgotten. I think a lot of missionaries return that are bitten with the bug to do something, says Nebeker. But with these three, the desire did not dissipate with age. It expanded until it became the end-all of what theyve chosen to devote their lives to. Charity work corrupted my mind, says Jackson. All of a sudden, doing anything else wasnt good enough. Serving other people lifts you higher and higher; you cant quit, says West. Nebeker likens charity work to scuba diving. Once you learn how to scuba dive, he says, you cant go to a beach and sit there ever again, because you know whats underwater; you know theres this incredible world with octopuses and rocks and fish and coral waiting for you to discover. So to go to a beach and just sit on a chair is completely worthless. What the three charity comrades would most like to see is more awareness, and contribution, from organizations that could really move the needle. Not to mention any names, but the United States of America is one of them. Every time we turn around, it looks like were spending more money on bombs and missiles and bullets and wed like to see more dollars spent on neglected surgical conditions, says Nebeker. The United States Agency for International Development has an annual budget of over $60 billion, with almost half of that dedicated to global health. Want to make these guys happy? Earmark a portion of those billions specifically to safe, necessary surgeries to be performed by local surgeons trained in their own countries. Not only would that save and improve lives, but it would improve international relations. Lets transform the lives of children all around the world, says Nebeker, and use medical diplomacy as a currency for peace. Gaining USAID budgeting, or similar consistent funding from established organizations that goes beyond the important private donations that currently keep the charities fiscally afloat, would allow many more countries, and people, to be served. After staying in their own lane the last several years, the three Utahns decided to combine forces. Theyre not merging their charities. Theyll all keep within their own specialty. But to get the message out about neglected surgical needs, theyve created what theyre calling the Humanitarian Surgery Alliance. The idea is that three voices shout louder than one. Taking me to lunch was one of the alliances first functions. Their message was as easy to understand as the bean and cheese burritos. The need is great. The cure, in the form of proven surgery, is proven. Seventeen million people a year dont need to die in vain. Three young Bolivian boys with their new glasses from CharityVision. | Charity Vision Dr. Castro, a partner doctor of CharityVision in Cusco, Peru, checks the eyes of a patient. | Charity Vision A picture of Gabriel following his cleft palate and cleft lip surgery by Mobile Surgery International. | Mobile Surgery International A child in Mexico, Gabriel, is pictured here prior to undergoing cleft palate and cleft lip surgery at a Mobile Surgery International clinic. | Mobile Surgery International Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi (L) during a meeting with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev during the inauguration ceremony of Qiz Qalasi, the third dam jointly built by Iran and Azerbaijan on the Aras River, on Sunday. Photo by Office of the President of Azerbaijan/UPI May 19 (UPI) -- A helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran suffered a crash landing Sunday, according to state-run media. Though Raisi's condition was uncertain, Pir-Hossein Kolivand, head of the Iranian Red Crescent, announcement Monday morning that rescue teams have arrived at the site of the wreckage and that "the condition is not good," Iran's official IRNA news agency reported. Some 73 recuse teams had been deployed to reach the site of the crash in the Varzaqan region of Iran. Raisi, 63, was returning Sunday from a visit to the Iranian border with Azerbaijan, where he inaugurated a dam on the Aras river with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, when his helicopter went down amid dense fog. "We hope Almighty God will return the respected, esteemed president and his entourage to the arms of the nation," Iran's spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement. Medical and rescue teams from Iranian town of Verzegan arrive at the accident site after one of the helicopters in Iranian President Raisi's convoy crashed following the inauguration of a dam on the border along with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Jabrayil district of Azerbaijan on Sunday. Photo by Islamic Republic News Agency IRNA/ UPI "Everyone should pray for the health of these people who are serving the Iranian nation," he added. "The nation doesn't need to be worried or anxious as the administration of the country will not be disrupted at all." Aliyev said he was "profoundly troubled" by news of the crash. The helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi takes off at the Iranian border with Azerbaijan after the inauguration of the dam of Qiz Qalasi, in Aras. A helicopter in the convoy of the Iranian president was involved in "an accident" in East Azerbaijan province on Sunday. Photo by Islamic Republic News Agency IRNA/UPI "Our prayers to Allah Almighty are with President Ebrahim Raisi and the accompanying delegation," he said on X. "As a neighbor, friend and brotherly country, the Republic of Azerbaijan stands ready to offer any assistance needed." Medical and rescue teams from Iranian town of Verzegan arrive at the accident site after one of the helicopters in Iranian President Raisi's convoy crashed following the inauguration of a dam on the border along with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Jabrayil district of Azerbaijan on Sunday. Photo by Islamic Republic News Agency IRNA/ UPI The president's convoy consisted of three helicopters, two of which landed safely, Tasnim News Agency reported. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and Friday prayers leader Tabriz Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Al-e-Hashem were also aboard the president's helicopter, the semi-official news agency said, adding that a number of people with the president have managed to make phone calls. Raisi, known as the Butcher of Tehran for his involvement in the 1988 mass execution of thousands of political prisoners, was re-elected president of the Middle Eastern country in 2021, in an contest widely regarded as influenced by Khamenei. In the event of Raisi's death, the presidency would pass to Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, with Khamenei's approval. A new president must be elected within 50 days. Most of the Iranian military's helicopters date to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and international sanctions make it difficult for the government to acquire parts for them. Raisi, himself, is under U.S. sanctions for his involvement in the 1988 massacre. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has been confirmed killed after his helicopter crashed over the weekend. State media had previously claimed Raisi's helicopter had experienced a "hard landing," but on Monday the official IRNA news agency confirmed that he died alongside Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. The confirmation of the deaths followed a day of murky reporting. On Sunday, Al Jazeera had reported that rescue crews were on their way to where they believe the helicopter crashed in a rural forest. Rescuers faced adverse weather conditions, including heavy fog. A local government official on Sunday described the incident using the word crash, but told an Iranian newspaper he hadnt been to the site to confirm this, AP News reported. Before the crash, Raisi was at the inauguration ceremony of Qiz Qalasi, the third dam jointly built by Iran and Azerbaijan on the Aras River. The Iranian president met with his Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev ahead of the ceremony. State TV claims that the incident occurred near Jolfa, a city bordering the nation of Azerbaijan, about 375 miles northwest of the Iranian capital Tehran. Later reports claim that it might be further east, near a village called Uzi. Iran's constitution dictates that the first vice president, who is currently Mohammad Mokhber, will become president with the approval of the supreme leader. In the Iranian political hierarchy, the head of state is Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei while the president is considered the head of the government or second in command. Once the vice president takes charge, the country will have 50 days to hold an election for the new president. Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi, his foreign minister and other officials are missing after a helicopter crashed on Sunday in a mountainous border region during heavy fog. The Bell 212 civilian aircraft went down between Jolfa and Varzaqan, a region on the border of Azerbaijani exclave Nakhchivan, around 600km (375 miles) northwest of the Iranian capital Tehran. It was carrying Raisi, 63, and Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, the governor of Irans East Azerbaijan province and other officials and bodyguards, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. The aircraft suffered what state TV called a hard landing after it got into difficulty during heavy fog following a visit with the Azerbaijani president to discuss an infrastructure project over the Aras River, which separates Iran and Nakhchivan. We are still hopeful but information coming from the crash site is very concerning, an Iranian official said. He added that Raisis life was at risk. Forty rescue teams including Irans Revolutionary Guards, ambulances, surgeons, drones and dogs were scrambled to locate the helicopter, which was hampered by rain, fog and dark conditions. Irans Revolutionary Guards, ambulances, surgeons, drones and dogs were scrambled to locate the helicopter (AP) The chief of staff of Irans army ordered all resources of the army and the elite Revolutionary Guards to be put to use in search and rescue operations. We are thoroughly searching every inch of the general area of the crash, state media quoted a regional army commander as saying. The area has very cold, rainy, and foggy weather conditions. The rain is gradually turning into snow. On Sunday, Iranian state TV reported the helicopter had been found and quoted an official claiming a passenger and crew member were contacted. However, Irans Red Crescent denied the reports. State media has yet to report on casualties or confirm the whereabouts or condition of the president but urged Iranians to pray for the president. Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate power with a final say on foreign policy and Irans nuclear programme, sought to reassure Iranians and urged them to pray for the presidents health. We hope that Almighty God will return the president and his companions to the nation, everyone should pray for their health. The people of Iran should not be worried, there will be no disruption in the work of the country, Mr Khamenei said. In Tehran, Iranian men and women were pictured publicly praying for Mr Raisi, with some kneeling down and some holding their hands to the sky. Meanwhile, many countries have offered their support to Iran, including allies such as Russia, neighbours such as Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the EU. Russia said it was ready to extend all necessary help in the search for the missing helicopter and it hoped the president was still alive. The EU also said it had provided a satellite mapping service to Iran in response to a request by Tehran for help. In Tehran, Iranian men and women were pictured publicly praying for their missing president (AFP) Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan added he was deeply saddened by the crash and was ready to provide assistance to Iran. I convey my best wishes to our neighbour, friend and brother Iranian people and government, and I hope to receive good news from Mr Raisi and his delegation as soon as possible, Mr Erdogan said. President Raisi is a hardliner who formerly led the countrys judiciary. He is viewed as a protege of Mr Khamenei and some analysts have suggested he could replace the 85-year-old leader after his death or resignation from the role. President Raisi won Irans 2021 presidential election, a vote that saw the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republics history. President Raisi is a hardliner who formerly led the countrys judiciary (Getty) He is sanctioned by the US in part over his involvement in the mass execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988 at the end of the bloody Iran-Iraq war. Iran now enriches uranium at nearly weapons-grade level and hampers international inspections. The country has armed Russia in its war on Ukraine, and launched a massive drone-and-missile attack on Israel amid its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It also has continued arming proxy groups in the Middle East, like Yemen's Houthi rebels and Lebanon's Hezbollah. RAMALLAH, May 19 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-installed pier in the Gaza Strip is an infringement on Palestinian sovereignty, a senior Palestinian official said on Sunday. Ahmed Majdalani, a member of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), told Xinhua that "the U.S.-installed pier was established based on U.S. and Israeli unilateral decision without consulting with the Palestinian Authority(PA)." It is "a real violation of the Palestinian sovereignty" as Gaza is a part of the Palestinian territories, Majalani said, adding that "it seems that the United States aims at putting us (PA and PLO) in an awkward position." Instead of establishing such a "controversial" pier, Majdalani noted, "the United States should pressure Israel to open the borders and allow the humanitarian aid to enter to our people in the Gaza Strip." Majdalani believed that there are political goals that the U.S. is trying to achieve through this port, expressing his fear that the pier will mark the beginning of the displacement of "Palestinian people from the Gaza Strip across the sea, which is tantamount to the implementation of an Israeli plan that Israeli governments have always worked to achieve." On Friday, a temporary floating pier built by the United States in the Gaza Strip started receiving humanitarian aid. Palestinian security sources said small boats unloaded the aid from a huge U.S. ship floating off the coast and shipped it to the pier. The pier was built as several land crossings into the Gaza Strip remain closed since Israel took control of the Rafah crossing in the southernmost Gaza city of Rafah last week. Rescuers are searching in the dark for a helicopter that crashed while carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in northern Iran on Sunday, according to Iranian officials. Raisis condition and that of Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, who was also on board, remain unknown as overnight temperatures drop in the mountainous area. The aircraft came down in the early afternoon in Irans East Azerbaijan province, sparking a massive search effort, including military drones and dozens of rescue teams, state media reported. Officials have said they were able to make contact with some of the passengers aboard the helicopter and Turkish drone has located a heat source. But despite hours of searching, emergency crews have not been able to reach the crash site amid reported fog and extreme cold. A regional commander for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced late on Sunday night that they had detected the exact location of the crash after receiving a signal from the helicopter and the mobile phone of one of the crew, IRNA reported. Military forces are heading to the location and hope to have some good news, the commander reportedly said. The incident comes at a sensitive time domestically for Tehran and seven months into Israels war against Hamas in Gaza that has sent tensions soaring throughout the Middle East and brought a decades long shadow war between Israel and Iran out into the open. Last month Iran launched an unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel its first ever direct attack on the country in response to a deadly apparent Israeli airstrike on Irans consulate in Damascus. Irans hardline leadership has faced significant challenges in recent years, convulsed by youth-led demonstrations against clerical rule and grim economic conditions. Iranian authorities have launched a widening crackdown on dissent since nationwide protests broke out over the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of Irans notorious morality police. In a still from a video released by Tasnim News, search and rescue teams continue their search in East Azerbaijan, Iran. - Tasnim News via X Raisis official Instagram account and state television have urged Iranians to pray for the president and his entourage. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, the countrys top leader, echoed in the call in a video statement, saying, Everyone should pray for the health of this group of servants. People of Iran, do not worry. There will be no disruption in the work of the country. Poor weather complicates search for helicopter The accident occurred as Raisi and Amir Abdollahian were returning from a ceremony for an opening of a dam on Irans border with Azerbaijan, IRNA reported. Seven other people were also in the helicopter, according to the IRGC-run media outlet Sepah, including a local imam, the provincial governor, security staff and the helicopters crew. Two other helicopters in the same convoy of dignitaries arrived at their destinations safely, officials said. Iranian authorities have identified a 2-kilometer radius for the crash site and believe the accident was not severe after speaking with two people who were traveling on the downed helicopter, Iranian Vice President for Executive Affairs Mohsen Mansouri told Iranian semi-official FARS news. Three helicopters were on this route, but the helicopter carrying the President lost contact with the other two. They began searching and established contact with one of the helicopters occupants and the flight crew, indicating the incident was not severe. The Red Crescent, FRAJA, Army, and IRGC rescue teams have arrived and divided tasks, he said. A screen grab from an IRIB via Tasnim News video shows Raisi on a helicopter in Iran on May 19. - IRIB via Tasnim News The crash site is believed to be somewhere in the Dizmar Forest area between the villages of Ozi and Pir Davood, according to IRNA, which reported that residents in the northern Varzeqan region said they heard noises from the area. Poor weather and low visibility are complicating rescue efforts in the rural area. Iranian Minister of Health, Bahram Eynollahi, has warned that the crash site is very foggy, making it difficult for rescuers to search. We have set up treatment facilities. We are now in the area and all rescue forces are busy searching, Eynollahi said on state TV Sunday. We have deployed all medical facilities, including emergency medicine, surgery and ambulance. A deployment of helicopters in the area has already failed due to the weather, Iranian military officials said. The helicopters of the 6th combat base of Tabriz Air Force arrived in the Varzeqan area according to the order to carry out relief operations, the Commander of Irans 6th Air Force Base said. These helicopters, along with the rescue team, were sent to the helicopter accident area of the presidents convoy from the early hours. Unfortunately, the operation failed due to unfavorable weather conditions. A helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi takes off, near the Iran-Azerbaijan border, May 19, 2024. - Ali Hamed Haghdoust/Islamic Republic News Agency/West Asia News Agency/Reuters Iraq and Azerbaijan have offered assistance to Iran in the ongoing search operation. In response to requests from Iranian authorities, the European Union said it was activating its satellite mapping service, and Turkey said it would send a night-vision search and rescue helicopter, plus 32 mountaineer search and rescue personnel. Russia has also pledged to send two planes with 50 professional mountain rescuers to help reach the crash site on Monday, IRNA reported. US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the incident, according to the White House. Who is President Raisi? Raisis powers as President are dwarfed by those of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who is the final arbiter of domestic and foreign affairs in the Islamic Republic. But Raisi is widely seen as a figure in which the Iranian clerical establishment has heavily invested and even as a potential successor to the 85-year-old Khamenei. Raisis election in 2021 was heavily engineered by the Islamic Republics political elite so that he would run virtually uncontested. He seemed to be made in the image of the 1979 Islamic Revolutions ideals, a guarantor of its continuation even as many chafed under its ultraconservative rules. A year into his tenure, he brutally quashed a youth-led uprising over repressive laws, such as the compulsory hijab, and continued to stamp out dissent in its aftermath. Unlike his predecessor, the moderate former President Hassan Rouhani, there has been no daylight between Raisi and Khamenei. This left no doubt in many Iranians minds that he has been groomed to be elevated to the Supreme Leadership. Any disruption to this vision of succession could sow further chaos in a country already buckling under significant economic and political strain. In this photo from ShahraraNews, pilgrims pray for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at Imam Reza Shrine in the city of Mashhad, Sunday, May 19, 2024. - Mohammad Hasan Salavati/ShahraraNews/AP Correction: This story has been updated to correct that the reported incident took place in East Azerbaijan Province of Iran. This is a developing story and will be updated. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com icon Semafor Signals Supported by Microsoft logo Insights from Al Jazeera, Shephard Media, and Qantana Arrow Down Title icon The News Irans President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian are missing after their helicopter suffered a hard landing on Sunday. The condition of those onboard or the craft are unknown, and the circumstances surrounding the incident are unclear. Later reports suggested rescuers may have found the helicopter, Reuters reported, citing state television. Earlier on Sunday, Tasnim news agency, a news wire associated with Irans Revolutionary Guard, reported that some of the presidents companions were able to communicate with authorities, raising the hope of survivors. State media released video footage of search and rescue teams scrambling to find the helicopter, which went missing in Irans East Azerbaijan province, but thick fog has complicated the search and rescue effort. The region is a bit (rugged) and its difficult to make contact. We are waiting for rescue teams to reach the landing site and give us more information, said interior minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli. Several other people were also reportedly on board the helicopter, including an imam and the governor of East Azerbaijan province, according to state media. Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khameni urged the country to pray for the presidents health, the Associated Press reported. icon SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Raisis death could give Israel an advantage in the Middle East Source icon Source: Islamic Theology of Counter Terrorism Various governments including those with historically contentious relations with Iran signaled they would support Irans rescue efforts, even as Hezbollah stepped up attacks on Israel amid the war in Gaza, a possible sign of Israels waning support abroad. Saudi Arabia which recently gave Israel intelligence on Iran and shot down Iranian drones said it stood beside the brotherly Iranian Islamic Republic in these difficult circumstances. A European Union official, meanwhile, said the bloc would provide satellite support to help locate the helicopter. But if Raisi dies, it could rebalance the region in Israels favor, some argued. If Raisi is indeed dead, this is going to be the biggest victory for Israel in the domain of psychological warfare, wrote Faran Jeffery, deputy director of the Islamic Theology of Counter Terrorism, a UK-based security think tank. Irans air force faces scrutiny Source icon Sources: Al Jazeera, Shephard Media Questions about the missing helicopter swirled on social media following the incident. Much of Irans air force hardware was procured before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and international sanctions make getting spare parts difficult, Al Jazeera reported. Thats why such accidents are quite frequent in Iran, wrote reporter Resul Serdar. But while outdated, Irans air force could still strike a significant blow if it were drawn into a war, according to Shephard Media, a defense analytics site. Iranian air force pilots are far better trained than their counterparts in neighboring countries, and the countrys other military branches are set up to coordinate and support an air offensive, Shephard reported. Disillusioned Iranians could face another election Source icon Sources: IranWire, Qantana If Raisi were to die, then Vice President Mohammad Mokhber would take his place, until a presidential election could take place within 50 days, according to IranWire. But parliamentary elections earlier this month showcased a clear indication of growing disillusionment with the political system, according to Qantana, Deutsche Welles Islamic affairs news outlet, and voter turnout was historically low. Raisis death would also trigger a succession crisis as only he and Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the Ayatollah Khamenei, are likely successors, according to Carnegie Endowment for Peace fellow Karim Sadjadpour. Mojtaba Khamenei is deeply unpopular, and his appointment may trigger popular unrest, Sadjadpour wrote. Semafor Logo Helicopter crash that killed Iran's president and others could reverberate across the Middle East JERUSALEM (AP) The helicopter crash in which Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the countrys foreign minister and other officials were killed is likely to reverberate across the Middle East, where Irans influence runs wide and deep. That's because Iran has spent decades supporting armed groups and militants in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and the Palestinian territories, allowing it to project power and potentially deter attacks from the United States or Israel, the sworn enemies of its 1979 Islamic Revolution. Tensions have never been higher than they were last month, when Iran under Raisi and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei launched hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles at Israel in response to an airstrike on an Iranian Consulate in Syria that killed two Iranian generals and five officers. Israel, with the help of the United States, Britain, Jordan and others, intercepted nearly all the projectiles. In response, Israel apparently launched its own strike against an air defense radar system in the Iranian city of Isfahan, causing no casualties but sending an unmistakable message. The sides have waged a shadow war of covert operations and cyberattacks for years, but the exchange of fire in April was their first direct military confrontation. The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has drawn in other Iranian allies, with each attack and counterattack threatening to set off a wider war. It's a combustible mix that could be ignited by unexpected events, such as Sunday's deadly crash. A BITTER RIVALRY WITH ISRAEL Israel has long viewed Iran as its greatest threat because of Tehran's controversial nuclear program, its ballistic missiles and its support for armed groups sworn to Israel's destruction. Iran views itself as the chief patron of Palestinian resistance to Israeli rule, and top officials for years have called for Israel to be wiped off the map. Raisi, who was a hard-liner viewed as a protege and possible successor of Khamenei, chastised Israel last month, saying the Zionist Israeli regime has been committing oppression against the people of Palestine for 75 years. First of all we have to expel the usurpers, secondly we should make them pay the cost for all the damages they have created, and thirdly, we have to bring to justice the oppressor and usurper," he said. Israel is believed to have carried out numerous attacks over the years targeting senior Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists. There is no evidence Israel was involved in Sunday's helicopter crash, and Israeli officials have not commented on the incident. Arab countries on the Persian Gulf have also long viewed Iran with suspicion, a key factor in the decision of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to normalize relations with Israel in 2020, and of Saudi Arabia to consider such a move. A PROXY WAR STRETCHING FROM LEBANON TO YEMEN Iran has provided financial and other support over the years to the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which led the Oct. 7 attack into Israel that triggered the Gaza war, and the smaller but more radical Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which took part in it. But there is no evidence that Iran was directly involved in the attack. Since the start of the war, Iran's leaders have expressed solidarity with the Palestinians. Their allies in the region have gone much further. Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group, Iran's most militarily advanced proxy, has waged a low-intensity conflict with Israel since the start of the Gaza war. The two sides have traded strikes on a near-daily basis along the Israel-Lebanon border, forcing tens of thousands of people on both sides to flee. So far, however, the conflict has not boiled over into a full-blown war that would be disastrous for both countries. Iran-backed militias in Syria and Iraq launched repeated attacks on U.S. bases in the opening months of the war but pulled back after U.S. retaliatory strikes for a drone attack that killed three American soldiers in January. Yemen's Houthi rebels, another ally of Iran, have repeatedly targeted international shipping in what they portray as a blockade of Israel. Those strikes, which often target ships with no apparent links to Israel, have also drawn U.S.-led retaliation. BEYOND THE MIDDLE EAST Iran's influence extends beyond the Middle East and its rivalry with Israel. Israel and Western countries have long suspected Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons in the guise of a peaceful atomic program in what they see as a threat to non-proliferation everywhere. Then-President Donald Trump's withdrawal from a landmark nuclear pact between Iran and world powers in 2018, and his imposition of crushing sanctions, led Iran to gradually abandon all the limits placed on its program by the deal. These days, Iran is enriching uranium to up to 60% purity near weapons-grade levels of 90%. Surveillance cameras installed by the U.N. nuclear agency have been disrupted, and Iran has barred some of the agency's most experienced inspectors. Iran has always insisted its nuclear program is for purely peaceful purposes, but the United States and others believe it had an active nuclear weapons program until 2003. Israel is widely believed to be the only nuclear-armed power in the Middle East but has never acknowledged having such weapons. Iran has also emerged as a key ally of Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, and is widely accused of supplying exploding drones that have wreaked havoc on Ukraine's cities. Raisi himself denied the allegations last fall in an interview with The Associated Press, saying Iran had not supplied such weapons since the outbreak of hostilities in February 2022. Iranian officials have made contradictory comments about the drones, while U.S. and European officials say the sheer number being used in the war in Ukraine shows that the flow of such weapons has intensified since the war began. By Parisa Hafezi and Elwely Elwelly DUBAI (Reuters) -A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister crashed on Sunday as it was crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog, an Iranian official told Reuters, and rescuers were struggling to reach the site of the incident. The official said the lives of Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were "at risk following the helicopter crash", which happened on the way back from a visit to the border with Azerbaijan in Iran's northwest. "We are still hopeful but information coming from the crash site is very concerning," the official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. State TV quoted an official as saying at least one passenger and one crew member had been in contact with rescuers. A Turkish drone identified a source of heat suspected to be the helicopter's wreckage and had shared the coordinates of the possible crash site with Iranian authorities, Anadolu news agency said on X. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate power with a final say on foreign policy and Iran's nuclear programme, sought to reassure Iranians, saying there would be no disruption to state affairs. Iranian state media said bad weather caused the crash and was complicating rescue efforts. State news agency IRNA said Raisi was flying in a U.S.-made Bell 212 helicopter. The chief of staff of Iran's army ordered all resources of the army and the elite Revolutionary Guards to be put to use in search and rescue operations. Earlier, the national broadcaster had stopped all regular programming to show prayers being held for Raisi across the country. In the early hours of Monday, it showed a rescue team, wearing bright jackets and head torches, huddled around a GPS device as they searched a pitch-black mountainside on foot amid a snowy blizzard. We are thoroughly searching every inch of the general area of the crash," state media quoted a regional army commander as saying. "The area has very cold, rainy, and foggy weather conditions. The rain is gradually turning into snow." Neighbouring countries expressed concern and offered assistance in any rescue. The White House said U.S. President Joe Biden had been briefed on reports about the crash. Turkey said it had assigned a drone, a helicopter, vehicles and a rescue team after a request by Iranian authorities. The European Union offered emergency satellite mapping technology. HARDLINER, POSSIBLE SUCCESSOR TO KHAMENEI The crash comes at a time of growing dissent within Iran over an array of political, social and economic crises. Iran's clerical rulers face international pressure over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme and its deepening military ties with Russia during the war in Ukraine. Since Iran's ally Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, provoking Israel's assault on Gaza, conflagrations involving Iran-aligned groups have erupted throughout the Middle East. Raisi, 63, was elected president in 2021, and since taking office has ordered a tightening of morality laws, overseen a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests and pushed hard in nuclear talks with world powers. In Iran's dual political system, split between the clerical establishment and the government, it is Raisi's 85-year-old mentor Khamenei, supreme leader since 1989, who holds decision-making power on all major policies. For years many have seen Raisi as a strong contender to succeed Khamenei, who has endorsed Raisi's main policies. Raisi's victory in a closely managed election in 2021 brought all branches of power under the control of hardliners, after eight years when the presidency had been held by pragmatist Hassan Rouhani and a nuclear deal negotiated with powers including Washington. However, Raisi's standing may have been dented by widespread protests against clerical rule and a failure to turn around Iran's economy, hamstrung by Western sanctions. Raisi had been at the Azerbaijani border on Sunday to inaugurate the Qiz-Qalasi Dam, a joint project. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, who said he had bid a "friendly farewell" to Raisi earlier in the day, offered assistance in the rescue. (Reporting by Elwely Elwelly and Parisa Hafezi; Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Kevin Liffey, Peter Graff, David Gregorio and Stephen Coates) SOCASTEE, S.C. (WBTW) Troops overseas will soon be getting a special treat, courtesy of a local nonprofit that spent Saturday packing boxes of Girl Scout cookies just for them. Blue Star Mothers of South Carolina were at American Legion Post 40 in Socastee, where they filled more than 130 packages with the snacks, donated by the Charleston-based Girl Scout Council. When you come out of Walmart and they are standing there and you say, no, I dont want any cookies, and they say, would you like to support the troops? and you say yes, this is where they end up, said Carol Dion, president of the Blue Star Mothers of South Carolina. Organizers said soldiers should get the packages in about two weeks. Blue Star Mothers have been sending cookies for about ten years. I had a couple of people who said, no, we dont need anything,' Dion said. Because I told them we were sending out hero boxes they said, well wait a minute, I could use some Girl Scout cookies. * * * Adriana Cotero is News13s weekend evening anchor and a morning reporter. She joined the team in July 2023 after working in the island of Guam. Adriana is from Saline, Michigan, and graduated from Central Michigan University. Follow Adriana on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram and read 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 WBTW. HOBBS, N.M. (KRQE) The Hobbs Police Department is asking for the publics help with information on a deadly crash involving a pedestrian. Officers with the Hobbs Police Department responded to the deadly crash on May 12 at 10:31 p.m. near the intersection of Broadway and Turner. The pedestrian, Leroy Gonzales was hit by a vehicle and taken to the hospital where he died. Through investigation, it was discovered that Gonzales was in the road when a maroon pickup, driven by a juvenile, collided with Gonzales, police said. Police investigate southeast Albuquerque shooting that left man dead Police said that there have been several search warrants executed, speed analysis is being investigated, videos reviewed, pedestrian traffic laws researched, and several other investigative techniques are being used. The Hobbs Police Departments Criminal Investigations Division is seeking the publics assistance with any information regarding this incident. If you or someone you know witnessed the incident or has information that may aid detectives, you are asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Division by calling 575-397-9275. You may also contact Lea County Crime Stoppers at 575-393-8005. You may be eligible for a cash reward. 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. Indiana and Ohio joined the growing number of states last year mandating teachers use the science of reading, but the neighboring states have gone in opposite directions with another reading strategy holding back struggling third graders. In Ohio, where students who scored poorly on state reading tests had to repeat third grade for the last decade, the state legislature ended the requirement last summer in a bill that also adopted the science of reading. In Indiana, state officials just restored mandatory retention of low-scoring third graders after a seven year absence. Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a law this month requiring students that dont score as proficient on the states IREAD-3 tests to be held back in third grade, with few exceptions. The state estimates the new law will hold back 18 times as many third graders when it takes effect in 2025 7,500 compared to just over 400 today. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Third grade retention and science of reading are two strategies for improving reading that have sparked similar excitement more than a decade apart and a rush of states to adopt them. Both Ohio and Indiana joined the third grade retention movement in 2012, though Indiana later backed away before rejoining it this spring and Ohio never fully embraced it. Both states have also seen reading scores drop on NAEP, the nations report card, even before the pandemic, then decline more after. Such results make it only natural for legislatures to shift gears, experts said. Third grade is obviously a critical moment, said American Enterprise Institute senior fellow Robert Pondiscio. Theres nothing to be gained by giving kids more of what hasnt worked. It should trigger different, intensive efforts. He and others like Timothy Shanahan, professor emeritus at the University of Chicago, said the key is not just adopting something that sounds good, but making sure it changes classroom instruction. Both Ohio and Indiana seem to be covering those bases, with more teacher training, new textbooks, and other student supports. Whether those are enough and how well they are used by teachers, schools and parents is still to be determined. Related Critics Call Consumer Reports of Curriculum Slow to Adapt to Reading Reforms Right now, the desire for immediate change, particularly in Indiana, is clear. About one in five students in Indiana cant read effectively by the end of third grade, said Indiana State Rep. Linda Rogers, one of the laws authors. This is not acceptable. If a child hasnt learned basic reading skills by that point in school, theyre going to struggle to learn almost every other subject. Both Ohio and Indiana are taking strong steps to change how reading is taught to young students, just in different ways. (Patrick ODonnell) Indiana education superintendent Katie Jenner told the legislature the state cant have 14,000 third graders scoring below proficient on Indianas IREAD-3 test, as happened in 2023, without taking real steps to catch them up. The students who are just moving on are never passing. Ever. Ever, Jenner said. Its hard to say that, but its honest. Indianas new law also requires more testing of second and third graders to identify struggling readers and for more interventions, such as l summer reading classes after second and third grade for students who are behind. Jenner said adding these interventions and the retention mandate is a natural second step in the states literacy plan after focusing on having the right reading lessons through the science of reading and training teachers to teach them last year. Requiring students to repeat third grade after not passing reading tests became law in California in 1998, rising to national prominence after Florida adopted the policy in 2002 under then-Gov. Jeb Bush. Since then, several states have passed similar laws, though with differing policies on which students such as special education, English Language Learners or students who have already repeated a grade are exempt. All shared a similar reasoning: Third grade is where students usually shift from learning to read to reading to learn, or needing to read well enough they can read and learn other subjects. Students need to master reading by then, backers argued, or they will fall behind in 4th grade and beyond or may never learn to read. Mandatory retention also gives students, parents and teachers a deadline for taking reading seriously. Related California Considers Science of Reading Bill, as 6 in 10 Students Lag Behind The strategy has promising early results, with some studies showing students making strong reading gains in the first few years after retention, though gains often faded by high school. Some of the most dramatic results came in Indiana under an earlier version of third grade retention that was dropped in 2017, a Brown University study showed. But opponents in multiple states raised objections each time bills were introduced, usually citing studies that show smaller gains and psychological damage to students who are held back because of teasing, feelings of failure and being separated from friends. The studies have also noted Black and Hispanic students are usually held back at higher rates than white students. Indiana was an early state in the third grade retention movement when former state superintendent Tony Bennett pushed for it in 2010. The legislature did not agree, but the state board of education mandated it with an administrative rule in 2012. The Indiana Department of Education eased that requirement in 2017-18, telling schools to consider student performance in all subjects, even if not scoring well in reading, to decide if a student should move to fourth grade. Third grade reading also had big changes in 2012 in Ohio, when then-Gov. John Kasich won approval from Ohios state legislature for his Third Grade Reading Guarantee that required more tests to identify students having trouble reading and for schools to hold back students who score poorly. Unlike Indiana, which always made proficiency the threshold for promotion, Ohio set a lower score that needed to be raised over time. That set off constant debates each time the state school board had to decide how much to increase the score. Over time, the score crept higher but too many board members had reservations for the needed score to ever reach the proficiency level. About 3,600 students were held back each year under Ohios retention law before several Republicans joined Democrats in opposing it last year. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach to literacy that currently exists, (a change) will give local and parental control to districts when deciding to retain a child, Republican Rep. Gayle Manning told legislators in pushing an opposition bill last year. In the end, a joint House and Senate committee chose to give parents the final say in holding back their children as part of a compromise state budget bill. Though many Ohio Senate Republicans wanted to keep the retention requirement, they relented because the bill included the shift to the science of reading and a requirement that students keep receiving extra reading help until they can catch up. I wasnt in favor of it (ending retention), but we put some things in that I wanted, said Senate Education Committee Chairman Andrew Brenner, also a leading backer of science of reading. I think that will help immensely to get kids back on track over the next couple of years. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce does not yet know how many students avoided retention this fall because of the law change. In Indiana, attempts by Democrats to give parents the final say in whether a child has to repeat third grade, like Ohio decided last year, were voted down by Republicans. Attempts to delay the law until the state could see how science of reading changes affect scores also were voted down. Homeless man accused of randomly punching Steve Buscemi sent to jail on $50K bail Accused Buscemi attacker Clifton Williams in composite photo on left being walked with his hands cuffed behind his back in between two detectives, inset upper right buscemi lower left inset, williams in court The homeless attacker who slugged Boardwalk Empire actor Steve Buscemi in the eye was sent to jail on $50,000 cash bail at his arraignment Saturday, court records show. Clifton Williams has been accused of walking up to Buscemi, 66, on Third Avenue in Kips Bay at 11:39 a.m. May 8 and randomly punching the actor, before casually walking away. Buscemi fell to the ground and suffered bleeding to his eye, swelling, bruising, and substantial pain, according to a criminal complaint filed against Williams. Clifton Williams is led out of the 13th Pct in Manhattan Friday, May 17, 2024, after his arrest for punching actor Steve Buscemi in an unprovoked attack. Robert Mecea Williams, 50, was hit with a felony count of second-degree assault because Buscemi is over 65. He was also charged with misdemeanor assault for allegedly attacking a 22-year-old Asian man 10 minutes before attacking the Fargo star. The suspect has significant criminal history in both Kentucky and Florida spanning many years including assaults and other crime of violence, Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Barry said during the proceeding in Manhattan Criminal Court. Wiliams has been in New York for less than a month, she added, requesting $100,000 bail. Williams, 50, faced charges Saturday for allegedly slugging the actor. Kevin C. Downs for NY Post Judge Marisol Martinez Alonso sent Williams, who stands 6-feet, 2-inches and weighs 197-pounds, to Rikers Island jail on $50,000 cash or $150,000 bond, court records show. The NYPD identified him from surveillance footage near the site of the attack and had been scouring the city for him, including at a Brooklyn homeless shelter believed to be his last known address, law enforcement sources said. When cops confronted Williams with the surveillance photo, he admitted he was the man in the photo and copped to both assaults, according to the criminal complaint. Actor Steve Buscemi was slugged in the eye while walking in Manhattan. FilmMagic Williams, clad in black jeans, a black long sleeve sweat shirt and gray high top shoes, said Yes, Your Honor in a loud and clear voice during his court appearance. In addition to the two May 8 attacks, another man claimed to the The Post that Williams tried to punch him and threatened to kill him around 12:30 Friday, the same day he was arrested, Plumber Mark Belli said the encounter occurred at 260 11th Avenue, where Belli works. The NYPD did a citywide search for Clifton Williams after they found surveillance photos of him. Obtained by the NY Post He threw a punch at me, the 54-year-old said. I ducked it. He went to kick me and his shoe came off. I took a picture of him because he was chasing me. He said, If I catch you, Im going to kill you. Belli said Williams has been living in a cardboard box right around the corner from the building and that he was angry someone took his box. Belli, whose account could not be immediately confirmed, believes the city took it while doing a sweep of homeless people. He said he snapped a photo of Williams and called 911 to report the harassment and was told to file a report, which he intends to do. House Democrat says cutting federal funds for Harvard needs to be on the table Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) on Sunday said cutting federal funds for Harvard University and other schools should be an option on the table over their handling of campus antisemitism. Auchincloss, who is an alum of Harvard, visited the Ivy League school earlier this month amid the ongoing pro-Palestinian protests and argued the schools handling of antisemitism might violate federal law. When asked on Fox News Sunday if he believes Harvard should lose federal funding, Auchincloss said, It needs to be on the table. Harvard and other universities have unfortunately become ransacked by antisemitism. I have seen it in my conversations with Israeli and Jewish students. I have seen the fact pattern. And they need to look at their culture from first principles and actually create a culture of open discourse, of free speech, of mutual respect, in which people can pursue truth, in which everybody, regardless of nation of origin, of sex, of race, can have a suitable learning environment, he added. Bream pointed to a report from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released last month that found Harvard, Tufts University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and 10 other schools received failing grades for their policies on antisemitism prevention. The schools grades on the report were based on antisemitic incidents, Jewish life on campus, and administrative actions taken to fight antisemitism and protect Jewish students. Right now, Harvard is failing, and that is why, after the ADL reported those failing grades, I sent letters to the eight universities in Massachusetts that got a C or worse and asked them for an action plan by May 17th, which they have returned and which we are now reviewing with the ADL, to make sure that over the summer that they get their house in order, Auchincloss told Bream. The Hill reached out to Harvard for further comment. The pro-Palestinians that took over college campuses for weeks called for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war and for universities and the U.S. to sever financial ties with Israel. Most of the protest groups rejected characterizations of their protests as antisemitic, pointing to some of the Jewish students participating in demonstrations. Some schools, however, have reported isolated incidents of antisemitic rhetoric and Jewish students feeling unsafe on campus. The House Education and the Workforce Committee last week released a report alleging Harvard failed to take action against antisemitism. The report accused Harvard of suppressing its own antisemitism task forces recommendations, which were created after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks against Israel. It follows months of investigation by the committee following the resignation of former President Claudine Gay, who stepped down from the post amid backlash over her comments made at a congressional hearing on antisemitism. The House committee has repeatedly accused Harvard of ignoring requests for documents and not abiding by a subpoena the lawmakers sent the school. The school, meanwhile, claims it produced thousands of documents for the committee and seeks to continue to work with them on the issue. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. * China's tourism market is upgrading and becoming a strong source of economic growth. Neo-Chinese style tourism, county tourism, and cultural and immersive experiences have become new keywords of holiday travel for Chinese tourists. * China's increasingly improved traffic network, including high-speed railways, aviation, highways, and other infrastructure, ensures the accessibility of once-sleepy counties and is a key booster for the holiday tourism boom. * In 2024, Chinese tourists are estimated to make more than 6 billion trips across the country. by Xinhua writers Chen Shengwei, Yuan Yueming, Wang Ying BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- As neo-Chinese style tourism, county tourism, and cultural and immersive experiences have become new keywords of holiday travel for Chinese tourists, tourist destinations are striving to develop diverse tourism products and improve their services. Fueled by young people's passion for traditional culture, tourism activities like Hanfu photography and immersive cultural performances have surged in popularity. It's also been trendy for Chinese tourists to head to lesser-known counties to get a short break from the hustle and bustle of urban life. China's tourism market is upgrading and becoming a strong source of economic growth. During the five-day May Day holiday this year, domestic tourist expenditures in China amounted to 166.89 billion yuan (about 23.5 billion U.S. dollars), up 12.7 percent from the same period in 2023. In 2024, Chinese tourists are estimated to make more than 6 billion trips across the country. Tourists in traditional costumes pose for a group photo at Pingyao Ancient Town in Jinzhong City, north China's Shanxi Province, May 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan) NEO-CHINESE STYLE TRIP In east China's Jiangsu Province, the Pingjiang Road historical and cultural block in Suzhou bustles with visitors even in the off season. Many people's top-to-do lists include tasting a cup of tea while watching a Suzhou Pingtan musical performance in the local dialect or taking pictures in traditional Chinese Hanfu clothing. In a traditional clothing store on Pingjiang Road, a group of young ladies are busy selecting neo-Chinese-style clothes. The sales volume of Cheongsam, waistcoats, and horse-face skirts has seen a dramatic rise this year, which shows the integration of traditional culture and clothing into Chinese people's daily lives, said Zhou Liyan, owner of the store. Tourists visit Pingjiang Road historical and cultural block in the city of Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 18, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Bo) A growing number of young Chinese are trying to enjoy their travel journey while pursuing traditional culture. "Neo-Chinese style tourism" has ushered in a boom in this May Day holiday, characterized by new cultural travel experiences such as ancient town tours, intangible cultural heritage exploration, museum exhibition trips, etc. Data from Tongcheng Travel shows that the booking of tourist spots like museums and ancient towns saw a four-times increase year on year during the five-day holiday. Experts hold that there is no explicit definition of "neo-Chinese style tourism," which should integrate traditional Chinese elements with modern tourism. However, many believe that the youngsters' zeal for traditional Chinese culture will give new development impetus to more tourism market segments. Tourists enjoy leisure time at a rural cultural tourism spot in Anji County, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang) TO THE COUNTIES During this May Day holiday, Liu Shibin and his family from northeast China's Jilin Province traveled to the neighboring Liaoning Province only for an "idle" vacation in Changhai County of Dalian City. They enjoyed clam digging, fishing, and cozy breezes from the ocean there. "We wanted to temporarily escape the fast-paced urban life and spend the five days on the island at leisure," said Liu. Changhai County, which consists of five main islets, received some 25,000 island visitors during the May Day holiday, up 43.8 percent from the same period in 2019. Since the beginning of this year, China's domestic tourism market has been steadily recovering. Some third- and fourth-tier cities and counties with unique cultures and natural landscapes have been well-received, as they are often highly cost-effective in terms of tourist spending compared with traditional popular sites in big cities. County tourism has become the new darling of Chinese tourists, particularly young ones. Data from China's leading travel platform, Ctrip, shows that during this May Day holiday, the year-on-year growth rate of travel orders in county-level markets surpassed that of third- and fourth-tier cities, while the latter's growth rates were higher than those of first- and second-tier cities. Qin Jing, vice president of Ctrip Group, attributed the county tourism fever to the public's shift towards more rational tourism expenditures and an increasing focus on their pursuit of comfortable experiences. Tourists visit Qingzhou Museum in Qingzhou, east China's Shandong Province, May 17, 2024. (Photo by Wang Jilin/Xinhua) During the May Day holiday, Anji County in east China's Zhejiang Province, known for its picturesque rivers and mountains, experienced a surge in tourism, with an influx of over 1.67 million visitors. A local coffee shop in Anji County served more than 7,940 cups of coffee in a mere day. "Small counties offer a slow pace of life, allowing visitors to deeply experience the local customs and culture," said Yang Tianming, a tourist from south China's Guangzhou. Yang added that nowadays, many of his friends are no longer solely interested in household names when picking their holiday destinations. "Instead, they prioritize the enjoyable experiences when traveling." China's increasingly improved traffic network, including high-speed railways, aviation, highways, and other infrastructure, ensures the accessibility of once-sleepy counties and is a key booster for the holiday tourism boom. Currently, China's railway services cover 81 percent of the country's counties, and its bullet trains can reach 93 percent of the cities, each with a population of more than 500,000. "The popularity of county tourism is on the rise as the local infrastructure continues to improve. This satisfies the travelers' desire for a leisurely vacation, while also offering unique experiencing activities that blend with the local cultures," Liu Yang, chief commercial officer of Tujia, a Chinese homestay booking platform. The counties are embracing new forms of tourism, from enhancing the quality of tourism infrastructure such as scenic spots and hotels, to offering diversified characteristic activities such as camping and music festivals. Since December 2023, a total of 127 4A-level scenic spots have been added in 10 provincial-level regions across China, 65 percent of which are distributed in counties and county-level cities. Since the beginning of this year, Ctrip alone has added approximately 1,000 scenic spots in the counties. Actors perform at an immersive theater in Zhongmu County, central China's Henan Province, Nov. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Lu Peng) IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE As the aroma of wheat spreads across fields on the outskirts of Zhengzhou, the capital of central China's Henan Province, Zhu Yaru begins her sightseeing at "Unique Henan: Land of Dramas," a gigantic immersive theater complex in Zhongmu County. The site comprises 21 theaters, performing various shows themed on Henan's history and the Yellow River's culture. "While watching the plays about Su Shi, an influenced poet in Chinese history, I felt like I was not watching some actors but talking to Su Shi and experiencing his life. That's amazing," Zhu said. During this year's May Day holiday, this place has become a big hit in the tourism market. "A total of over 500,000 tourists came to enjoy the performances at the Land of Dramas, and the overall comprehensive income increased by 40 percent year on year," said Liu Kaipeng, head of the brand department of Henan Jianye Cultural and Tourism Marketing Center, adding that in 2023 alone, the Land of Dramas received more than 12 million visitors including foreigners from over 40 countries around the globe. Tourists watch a performance at the "Twelve Hours of Chang'an" theme block in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, May 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Nowadays, immersive experience has become a buzzword in China's cultural and tourism industry, captivating travelers nationwide and worldwide. In Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, the "Twelve Hours of Chang'an" theme block vividly reproduces the urban life of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). In Kaifeng City of Henan Province, people can travel back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279) in the Millennium City Park. Also, in Lijiang City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, the large-scale live drama "Impression Lijiang" leads the audience to truly dedicate themselves to the lives of various ethnic minorities during the cultural show. "With the continuous upgrading of tourism consumption demand in China, tourists are no longer satisfied with a mere viewing mode. They long for deep participation and emotional connections with scenic spots," said Xiao Jianyong, deputy head of Henan Cultural Tourism Research Institute, adding that the immersive experience has also enhanced the sense of participation of tourists by incorporating more cultural elements. (Video reporter: Yang Jinxin, Yang Yanbin, Sun Jing, Cao Yang, Chu Ruobing, Qin Guanghua, Yu Jiaming, He Leijing; Video editors: Zhang Yucheng and Wei Yin) Relatives and friends attend the funeral of Shani Luk, a 22-year-old German-Israeli who was killed while fleeing a music festival on October 7th. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had said on Friday that it had recovered three bodies of hostages, including that of the German-Israeli Shani Louk. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Two days after her body was recovered in the Gaza Strip, hundreds of people attended the funeral of German-Israeli Shani Louk in Israel on Sunday. Relatives and friends gathered at the funeral in Srigim near the town of Beit Shemesh to bid farewell to the young woman, who was murdered in the terrorist attack by the Islamist Hamas on October 7 last year. At the time of the unprecedented attack, 22-year-old Louk had been at the Supernova festival in southern Israel along with hundreds of other young people. Her body was taken to the Gaza Strip. A video showing her lifeless body on a terrorist SUV in the streets of Gaza went around the world. The Israeli military recovered the bodies of Shani Louk and three other hostages from an underground tunnel in the Gaza Strip in a special operation. According to TV station N12, her mother Ricarda Louk, who comes from Germany, said that the family had said goodbye to Shani's soul seven months ago and mourned her loss. The repatriation of the body had now "completed a circle." The Israeli army had already announced Louk's death at the end of October. Ricarda Louk said at the time that a splinter of a skull bone had been found and a DNA sample taken. If you are injured on this inner skull bone, you can no longer live, the mother said at the time. The parents had already provided the authorities with the necessary DNA comparison material some time ago. Part of the family lives in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg in south-western Germany. Relatives and friends attend the funeral of Shani Luk, a 22-year-old German-Israeli who was killed while fleeing a music festival on October 7th. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had said on Friday that it had recovered three bodies of hostages, including that of the German-Israeli Shani Louk. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Relatives and friends attend the funeral of Shani Luk, a 22-year-old German-Israeli who was killed while fleeing a music festival on October 7th. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had said on Friday that it had recovered three bodies of hostages, including that of the German-Israeli Shani Louk. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Relatives and friends attend the funeral of Shani Luk, a 22-year-old German-Israeli who was killed while fleeing a music festival on October 7th. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had said on Friday that it had recovered three bodies of hostages, including that of the German-Israeli Shani Louk. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Relatives and friends attend the funeral of Shani Luk, a 22-year-old German-Israeli who was killed while fleeing a music festival on October 7th. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had said on Friday that it had recovered three bodies of hostages, including that of the German-Israeli Shani Louk. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Relatives and friends attend the funeral of Shani Luk, a 22-year-old German-Israeli who was killed while fleeing a music festival on October 7th. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had said on Friday that it had recovered three bodies of hostages, including that of the German-Israeli Shani Louk. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa By Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan's next president Lai Ching-te will express "concrete" goodwill towards China in his inauguration speech on Monday, and call for both sides of the Taiwan Strait to pursue peace, according to a senior official briefed on the matter. Lai, who takes over from President Tsai Ing-wen having served as her vice president for the past four years, will say that Taiwan will continue to be a promoter of regional peace and stability, the official said. Beijing views proudly democratic Taiwan as its own territory, over the strong objections of the government in Taipei, and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control. Lai, 64, and widely known by his English name William, is detested by Beijing as a "separatist" and China has rebuffed his repeated calls for talks. In his speech, at the Japanese colonial-era presidential office in central Taipei, Lai will pledge to maintain the status quo with China "neither being overbearing nor self-effacing", the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said. He will call for both sides of the Taiwan Strait to pursue peace and common prosperity, the official added. Lai is also set to mention that China has ramped up military and diplomatic pressures on Taiwan. Last week, China's Taiwan Affairs Office, responding to a question on the inauguration, said Lai, who it called the "Taiwan region's new leader", had to make a clear choice between peaceful development or confrontation. Lai will say that peace in the strait is an indispensable, key element for stable global development, the Taiwan official said. Taiwan has faced on-going pressure from China, including regular air force and navy activities close to the island, since January's election victory by Lai. In attendance on Monday at the ceremony will be former U.S. officials dispatched by President Joe Biden, lawmakers from countries including Britain, Japan, Germany and Canada, and leaders from some of the 12 nations which still maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taipei. Lai's domestic challenges loom large too, given his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lost its parliamentary majority in the January election. Thousands of supporters of the small Taiwan People's Party, headed by former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je who came third in the presidential election, protested in front of DPP headquarters on Sunday, saying the DPP has not lived up to its promises in the last eight years in power. On Friday, lawmakers punched, shoved and screamed at each other in a bitter dispute over parliamentary reforms the opposition is pushing. There could be more fighting on Tuesday when lawmakers resume their discussions. (Reporting by Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard; Editing by Lincoln Feast.) Indian authorities seize over $1 billion worth of illegal vote inducements, including drugs and cash, in country's elections Election duty staff cast their votes on May 13, 2024, in Mumbai, India. Hindustan Times/ Getty Images Indian authorities have seized over $1 billion in cash, drugs, and goods in the country's elections. The amount has surpassed the total seized during the whole of the last general election in 2019. The winner of the election is due to be announced on June 4. The Election Commission of India (ECI) said it has seized 88.9 billion rupees, or around $1.1 billion, in drugs, cash, and other goods like precious metals and liquor as part of its efforts to stamp out illegal vote inducements in the country's general election. The Indian government's Press Information Bureau said in a press release on Saturday that the "Election Commission's determined and concerted assault on money power and inducements in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections has resulted in staggering seizures worth Rs 8889 crores by the agencies." The commission said it took a "'zero-tolerance' approach to any form of inducements which may influence the voters," adding that the haul had already surpassed the total seized during the whole of the last general election in 2019. The press release adds that drugs have made up 45% of the value of the seizures so far. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ritesh Shukla/Getty Images The winner of India's general election, which began on April 19 and ends on June 1, will be announced on June 4. The governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to come out on top once again, which would see Narendra Modi, 73, return for a third term as prime minister. It is the world's largest democratic election, with almost 970 million people eligible to vote. During Modi's tenure, India has become an increasingly important global power, overtaking Britain to become the world's fifth-largest economy and forging ever-stronger relations with the US, which wants India as a key ally against China. But critics of the prime minister and his party say he is a divisive figure that has attempted to demonize minorities in the country. The Economist Intelligence Unit said in a report in May that it believed the BJP's reelection had "the potential to deepen communal rifts within the country," noting "the party's Hindu-nationalist agenda" and previous instances of unrest. It added that "although multinationals will remain wary about India's domestic track record on communal relations, its large market and growing economy will overshadow these considerations." Read the original article on Business Insider A firefighter at the scene of a fire. Stock photo: Ukrainian State Emergency Service At least two people have been killed and port infrastructure facilities have been struck in Russian attacks on Kherson Oblast. Source: Kherson Oblast Military Administration Details: The Russians attacked residential areas of the oblasts settlements on Saturday, 17 May, damaging a high-rise building and eight private houses. There were hits to port infrastructure facilities. A warehouse, outbuildings, a garage and four private cars were damaged. As a result of Russian aggression, two people were killed and two others were injured. The authorities reported that Antonivka, Sadove, Stanislav, Poniativka, Mykilske, Beryslav, Mykhailivka, Tiahyntsi, Osokorivka, Lvove, Novooleksandrivka and the city of Kherson came under Russian fire and airstrikes. Support UP or become our patron! Internally displaced women wait in a queue to collect aid from a group at a camp in Gadaref on May 12 - AFP As residents of El Fasher watch militiamen encircle and bombard their city, a year of atrocities has taught them worse may follow if the city falls. In the past week, the administrative hub of Sudans Darfur region and its besieged last holdout of the Sudanese government, has seen intense fighting on its outskirts. Hospitals have filled with scores of dead and hundreds of wounded, as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) clashed with Sudanese army defenders. Yet while aid agencies describe the conditions inside the city as catastrophic, Sudans 13-month-long current war and previous chapters of conflict in Darfur serve as warning that worse may be to come. The fall of other cities in Darfur to the RSF, particularly El Geneina last year, was followed by looting, torture, rapes and massacres reminiscent of the genocide that swept the region two decades ago. People walk among scattered objects in the market of El Geneina - AFP A report this month by Human Rights Watch (HRW) alleged the fall of El Geneina saw thousands of civilians killed in an attempt to ethnically cleanse the city of the Black African Massalit people and other non-Arab communities. We saw El Geneina. We are worried the same will happen if they come here, explained one resident trapped in El Fasher, who declined to give his name in case he is sought out for reprisals. I am worried for my life and for the lives of my family, he told The Telegraph by phone. Another resident, who only gave his name as Ibrahim,said there had been daily shelling. Movement inside the town is very risky, besides lacking food supply and medicine, he said. All the people who were living on the northern side are displaced to the southern part of the city. If El Fasher fell, it would be a human disaster. There would be no life for us here in Darfur as African people. The residents are not the only ones worried. Washington earlier this week warned that El Fasher was on the precipice of a large-scale massacre. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Americas ambassador to the United Nations, called on the RSF to lift its siege and warned of direct and immediate consequences for those responsible for an offensive on El Fasher. The UK Government also condemned the abhorrent violence currently taking place in El Fasher. Conditions in the historic caravan post on routes to Chad and Libya are particularly perilous because the city has become a haven for refugees. Some took refuge in the city from the genocide 20 years ago and others more recently. Fighting briefly erupted in the city in April 2023 as rivalry between the de facto president, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and his deputy, Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, plunged Sudan into renewed war. Clashes between the army and Hemdetis RSF militia have since turned much of the country of nearly 50 million into a war zone. International attempts to impose ceasefires have stalled as regional powers have piled in to back and arm opposing factions. The United Arab Emirates has been accused of arming the RSF, which it strongly denies. Yet, after the first clashes in El Fasher, the city remained comparatively quiet and its population swelled to 1.5 million, including an estimated 500,000 who had fled their homes elsewhere. That changed in recent weeks, as the RSF and allied Arab militia nearly encircled the city after capturing the rest of Darfur. Inside the city are soldiers from the army and their allies from non-Arab armed groups. Heavy fighting since May 10 has seen at least 67 killed and 524 wounded in the city, according to the medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF). The true toll is thought to be far higher. In a sign of more impending fighting, Minni Minnawi, governor of the Darfur region, this week called for citizens to take up arms to defend the city, in response to what he said was a similar mobilisation by the RSF. He said: We declare a general alert to defend the innocent lives and property of citizens in El Fasher. Claire Nicolet, head of MSFs emergency response in Sudan, said: The situation is pretty catastrophic. We are seeing troops arriving for all sides. Meaning that we can expect more and more fighting and it will be quite desperate for the population. All the factors are pretty bad honestly. Internally displaced women wait in a queue to collect aid in Sudan - AFP She said it was impossible to predict what would follow if the city fell, but the war had so far followed a clear pattern in Darfur. She said: Every time the RSF have taken over a city, we have seen looting, abuses, violence, sexual violence. That is a reality. Research by HRW last week estimated RSF attacks on El Geneina from April to November 2023, killed thousands and left hundreds of thousands to flee. Witnesses said refugees were rounded up and shot, or forced into the river to drown. Tirana Hassan, executive director, said: As the UN Security Council and governments wake up to the looming disaster in El Fasher, the large-scale atrocities committed in El Geneina should be seen as a reminder of the atrocities that could come in the absence of concerted action. Famine is meanwhile looming in much of the country and aid is being held back at checkpoints and front lines. 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. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) This week on Inside Utah Politics, we look at a new way to approach homelessness solutions and how Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brian King says he would improve Utahs affordable housing problem. Brian King (Brian King for Utah) easily secured his partys nomination in the race for governor. Now hes gearing up for the general election in November. He faces a steep climb as Utah hasnt elected a Democrat to the office since 1980. Nonetheless, his campaign moves forward. King presents his proposals for improving access to more affordable housing. He also pitched a plan to bring broadband internet access to rural Utahns. Inside Utah Politics: Sen. Mitt Romney and a military veteran We also speak with Randy Shumway, Chair of the new Utah Homeless Services Board. The group was born from a bill lawmakers passed earlier this year. Comprised of public sector, private sector and nonprofit organizations, board members are looking to use data to inform their approach to improving outcomes for Utahs unhoused population how you can help. In Washington, lawmakers stop to honor the 70th anniversary of Brown V. Board of Education, the Supreme Court ruling that paved the way for desegregation in American schools. While the country has come a long way since those days, lawmakers and activists are pushing for more change, saying the journey to equality is far from over. This week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Ukraine, where he reassured the Kyiv government that American military aid would arrive soon. Congressional infighting kept lawmakers from approving billions of dollars in new aid for Ukraine as Russian forces mount a summer offensive and Ukraines military runs low on artillery and other weaponry. Inside Utah Politics airs Sundays at 8 a.m. on ABC4. 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. KINSHASA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- An "attempted coup" was suppressed on Sunday by defense and security forces in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), said Brigadier General Sylvain Ekenge, the spokesperson for the Congolese army. "The army reassures that the situation is under control and asks Kinshasa residents to freely go about their business," the spokesperson said in a brief message broadcast on public television, specifying that several perpetrators of the act were arrested. At least three deaths were reported in incursions early Sunday by a group of attackers in neighborhoods where politicians and diplomatic missions reside in Kinshasa, according to local media. According to witnesses, "violent gunshots" were heard around 4:30 a.m. (0330 GMT) on Sunday near the residence of Vital Kamerhe, a federal legislator and a candidate for speaker of the National Assembly, the lower house of the country's bicameral parliament. Three people, including two police officers, were killed during the clashes, according to local media citing security sources. The attackers also entered the Palais de la Nation, the symbolic headquarters of the DRC Presidency in Kinshasa, and said via a livestream on Facebook that they were "fighting for the country." DRC President Felix Tshisekedi primarily works at the Cite de l'Union Africaine (City of the African Union), a governmental complex situated in the Ngaliema commune of Kinshasa. The army spokesperson did not provide details on the situation of the president or Kamerhe. ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) An internal investigation into the Round Rock Independent School District Police Department describes the agency as toxic and very divided. The report, which was completed in October 2023, also expresses concerns with the districts radio and dispatch office, saying There is a fear that the new dispatch system would not be able to handle severe security issues quickly. In response, district officials told KXAN The radios are a work in progress. PREVIOUS: RRISD PD to start self-dispatch service, continues partnership with county dispatch District officials said Round Rock ISD paid third-party investigator Patricia Lineras $15,000 to conduct two formal investigations into a complaint filed against now-former RRISD Police Chief Dennis Weiner and into the culture and climate of the department. KXAN initially asked the district if it was investigating its police department in October 2023. The district then denied an investigation was happening, but the investigative report obtained by KXAN via open records request shows both were already underway. RELATED: RRISD police chief leaves, says district delayed investigations I apologize that you were given incorrect information regarding the internal investigation. The investigations were HR-related and conducted by an outside investigator, an RRISD official told KXAN in an email. According to the report, investigators conducted interviews with 37 current social workers, police officers, sergeants, the assistant chief and support staff in the police department. Both investigations were complete by Oct. 24, according to the report. Investigators say they observed a lack of professional communication by the chief, favoritism and a failure to follow district procedures. KXAN asked if any district officials, including Weiner, are facing reprimand or termination following the reports release. The district said it does not discuss personnel matters. Round Rock ISD school board members Mary Bone and Danielle Weston have both commented on the matter on their Facebook pages, including posting a letter they say Weiner sent to the entire school board. A district statement said the content of Weiners letter inaccurately represents personnel matters and an incident involving minors. The district added that all incidents involving students have been addressed with applicable law and district policy. Weston said the letter prompted her to report its contents to the Williamson County Sheriffs Office. The truth is that we do not know whether the allegations from the chief of police are true or not, Weston said in her Facebook post on May 18. That is not for us to determine. Our duty resides in a loyalty and commitment to the safety and protection of the children that parents entrust to us in our schools. 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. DENVER (KDVR) Multiple Denver agencies, including the fire and police department, responded to a static water rescue that turned into a death investigation near downtown Sunday afternoon. The scene was in the area of 35th Street and Chestnut Place. The Denver Police Department said it was in a drainage ditch in the area. The Denver Fire Department said the body was discovered in the South Platte River. Download the FOX31 App: Breaking news alerts & Pinpoint Weather Police said the call came in at noon. The victim was identified as an adult man. Police said the cause of death would be determined by the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner. 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. Michael Hayes said he designed the bomb that killed Lord Mountbatten and others in 1979 An IRA bombmaker has claimed he was behind the assassination of Lord Mountbatten. The Kings great-uncle was murdered when the IRA blew up his lobster boat during a holiday in Mullaghmore, County Sligo, in August 1979. Thomas McMahon was arrested on the day of the attack and jailed for life until he was released under the Good Friday Agreement. However, Michael Hayes, who is in his 70s and is also a chief suspect in the Birmingham pub bombing in 1974 which resulted in the deaths of 21 people, has now claimed McMahon was only a participant. Hayes, who lives in Dublin, said: I am an explosives expert, I am renowned. I was trained in Libya. I trained there as an explosives expert. Buckingham Palace declined to comment on his claims, which were made to the Mail on Sunday. When asked by the newspaper if he designed the bomb used on Lord Mountbattens boat, Hayes said: Yes, I blew him up. McMahon put it on his boat ... I planned everything, I am commander in chief. He added: I blew up Earl Mountbatten in Sligo, but I had a justification, hed come to my country ... Look at the famine? Are we to forget that? The Black and Tans? He came to my country and murdered my people and I fought back. I hit them back. Lord Mountbatten was a cousin to the Queen and a mentor to Prince Charles and uncle of the Duke of Edinburgh. In 2015, the King made a pilgrimage to the site of Lord Mountbattens murder in Mullaghmore. The attack also killed his teenage grandson Nicholas Knatchbull and Paul Maxwell, a 15-year-old deckhand. Lady Brabourne, who was also on the boat, died the next day. The others on board survived. Hayes was named at an inquest in 2019 into the Birmingham Pub bombings. He previously gave an interview to the BBC in which he said he took collective responsibility for the IRAs attacks on the British mainland, including the explosions in the Mulberry Bush and Tavern in the Town pubs in Birmingham. 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. This grab taken from handout video footage released by Iranian state television network shows Ebrahim Raisi on board a helicopter in the Jofa region of the western province of East Azerbaijan - IRINN/AFP via Getty Images The president of Iran was on Sunday night feared dead after the helicopter he was travelling in crashed in a mountainous region in northwest Iran. As the sun rose on Monday, rescuers found the helicopter after Turkish drone Akinci pointed to two heat sources in the village of Tawal. But the conditions of Ebrahim Raisi and Hossein Amirabdollahian, his foreign minister, and the passengers still remains unknown. Ahmad Vahidi, the Iranian interior minister, blamed the crash, which came just a month after Tehran launched an unprecedented missile and drone attack against Israel, on poor weather conditions. State media described the incident as an accident. The chief of staff of the Iranian military ordered the entire army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to be put to use in the large-scale rescue mission. More than 65 search and rescue teams, medical crews and drones were deployed to the area near Jolfa, a city on the border with Azerbaijan, some 375 miles north-west of Tehran. But the rescue effort was earlier hampered by thick fog and the arduous terrain. Searches using helicopters had to be called off when darkness fell. The national broadcaster stopped its regular programming to show prayers being held for Mr Raisi across the country, while live coverage of rescue teams combing the mountains played in a corner of the screen. The helicopter the officials were travelling in was a Bell 212 acquired by the Iranian military in the 1970s, during the last years of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavis reign. Iran operates a variety of helicopters most dating to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution and international sanctions have made it difficult to obtain spare parts for them. Mr Raisi had been in Azerbaijan early on Sunday to inaugurate a dam with his counterpart Ilham Aliyev. After visiting one site, the president and his entourage took off in a convoy of three helicopters to inaugurate another when contact was lost with his aircraft. At around 1pm, the president left Tabriz to inaugurate two projects but the helicopter lost contact shortly after leaving, said Mohsen Mansouri, the head of the search and rescue teams. Also on board the missing helicopter were the provinces Friday Prayer leader and the local governor. Three helicopters left Tabriz but, half an hour later, two of them lost contact with the one carrying the president, the official said. Mr Raisi (left) greets workers at the site of the Iran-Azerbaijan-constructed Qiz-Qalasi dam early on Sunday - EPA-EFE/Shutterstock The helicopter carrying Mr Raisi takes off near the Iran-Azerbaijan border - Ali Hamed Haghdoust/via Reuters An Iranian official told state TV that brief contact was made with one of the passengers and one of the crew members after it crashed. However, Hossein Hatami, the representative of Kalibar, where the helicopter crashed, said that no such contact had been established with the passengers. Irans cabinet, chaired by first vice-president Mohammad Mokhber, held an emergency meeting on Sunday night, after which the health minister and executive vice-president were instructed to travel to the area. The crash comes at a time of widespread dissent within Iran. The countrys clerical rulers face international pressure over Tehrans support for Russia in its war against Ukraine, as well as its nuclear programme. Tehran has recently begun enriching uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Iranian supreme leader who holds ultimate power in the country, sought to reassure citizens, saying there would be no disruption to state affairs. The people of Iran should not worry, there will be no disruption in the work of the country, he said. We hope that Almighty God will return the respected and honourable president and his companions to the arms of the nation. Everyone should pray for the health of this group of servants. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sought to reassure citizens, saying there would be no disruption to state affairs - AFP via Getty Images The countrys presidential spokesman said Iran was going through a difficult situation. We are experiencing difficult and complicated conditions. It is the right of the people and the media to be aware of the latest news about the presidents helicopter accident, Ali Bahadori Jahromi said. In these moments, patience, prayer and trust in relief groups are the way forward. Mr Raisi, a hardliner who formerly led Irans judiciary, quickly ascended the ranks of the Islamic Republic, and is now considered a potential successor to the supreme leader. He won Irans closely stage-managed 2021 presidential election, a vote marked by the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republics history. His victory brought all branches of power under the control of hardliners, after eight years in which the presidency had been held by Hassan Rouhani, a pragmatist who entered into a nuclear deal with Washington. However, Mr Raisis standing may have been dented by widespread protests against clerical rule and a failure to turn around Irans economy, hamstrung by Western sanctions. He was sanctioned by the US in part over his involvement in the mass execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988, when he served as a member of the death chamber that decided their fates. Raisi presided over crackdown on protests Under Mr Raisi, Iran has continued arming proxy groups in the Middle East, such as Yemens Houthi rebels and Hezbollah in Lebanon. He also presided over the crackdown on several nationwide protest movements, the most recent being those that swept the country after the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman detained for improperly wearing a headscarf. More than 500 people were killed and 22,000 detained in the months-long crackdown by the morality police and security services. Mr Abdollahian, 60, has been Irans foreign minister since 2021 and is known for his support of the Iran-backed Axis of Resistance against Israel and the US. According to the constitution, the vice-president would assume power after the death of a president, with elections to follow. Russia, now one of Irans closest allies, offered its help in the search for Mr Raisi. Russia is ready to extend all necessary help in the search for the missing helicopter and the investigation of the reasons for the incident, Maria Zakharova, the foreign ministry spokesman, said. The US State Department said it was closely following the incident, and Joe Biden, the US president, had been briefed on the situation. Ilham Aliyev, the Azeri president who had been with Mr Raisi on Sunday morning, said: Today, after bidding a friendly farewell to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, we were profoundly troubled by the news of a helicopter carrying the top delegation crash-landing in Iran. 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. Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi is dead following a helicopter crash, Iranian state media said Monday morning. The Iranian minister of foreign affairs and the others onboard were also killed in the crash. Raisi's administration began an emergency meeting on Monday following the news of his death. The helicopter carrying the officials crashed Sunday as it traveled through rainy and foggy conditions in the rural mountainous area near Kalibar and Warzghan in northern Iran, near the borders with Azerbaijan and Armenia. The Red Crescent confirmed earlier Monday it had located the missing helicopter carrying Raisi, which had initially been said to have made a "hard landing." The head of Iran's Red Crescent, Hossein Kolivand, had told state media there was "no sign of life." "The president's helicopter has been found," the head of Iran's Red Crescent said to state TV. "We can see the helicopter and we are moving towards the place. We have no details. Let us get on top of the helicopter to announce the details. We are about two kilometers away from the helicopter." "Things are not good here," he said after being asked if they could see signs of a crash or burn. Search and rescue operations were launched not long after the incident happened, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry. In a phone interview on Monday with the state TV news program, former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the U.S. sanctions on Iranian aviation were one of the main reasons for the crash. "On the cruel American sanctions, the United States is one of the main guilty ones in the catastrophe of yesterday's crash because, despite the decision of the International Court of Justice, it has sanctioned selling airplanes and aviation spare parts and doesn't allow Iranian people have access to good air transportation," Zarif said. "These will be recorded in the list of the U.S. crimes against Iranian people that how they treated Iranian people." Two hot spots were identified in the village of Tawal by a Turkish drone sent to help with rescue efforts, IRNA, Iran's state news agency, reported early Monday local time. Red Crescent rescue teams began "moving towards the possible landing place of the helicopter," IRNA reported earlier. "Currently, there are 73 rescue teams in the search area for the helicopter in the Tawal village, of which 23 Red Crescent teams (detector dogs) have been sent from Tehran and neighboring provinces to the accident area along with advanced and specialized equipment," IRNA reported Sunday. The weather in the area was bad on Sunday and overnight, the emergency teams reported. "The weather conditions in the area are foggy and rainy, and the search operation is conducted despite the difficult conditions and reduced visibility in the area," the Red Crescent National Emergency Management Headquarters said. Rescue vehicles are seen following a crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, in Varzaqan, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran, May 19, 2024. Azin Haghighi/Moj News Agency/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS (Azin Haghighi/via Reuters) MORE: Israel-Gaza live updates: IDF releases Hamas 'psychological terror' video of young hostages President Joe Biden was briefed on the Iranian president's helicopter incident, according to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Sunday. The State Department was closely following reports of the incident, a spokesperson said Sunday. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday he was sending 50 rescuers, two planes and one helicopter to Iran to help in the search, TASS, a Russian news service, reported. According to the Turkish Defense Ministry, the country sent an Akinci UAV and a Cougar-type helicopter with night vision capability to help with search and rescue operations. Earlier, one of the president's relatives told the Fars News Agency that the helicopter was forced to land due to foggy weather. PHOTO: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi places his hands on his heart as a gesture of respect to the crowd during the funeral ceremony of the victims of a bomb explosion in the city of Kerman, southeast of the capital Tehran, Iran, Jan. 5, 2024. (Vahid Salemi/AP, FILE) In an appearance on state TV, Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi confirmed that the president's helicopter made a "rough landing." Later Sunday, a spokesperson for the Iranian government described the helicopter incident as an "accident." "We are experiencing difficult and complicated conditions. It is the right of the people and the media to be aware of the latest news about the president's helicopter accident, but according to the coordinates of the accident site and the weather conditions, there is 'no' new news until now. In these moments, patience, prayer and trust in relief groups are the way forward," the government spokesperson said. PHOTO: The helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi takes off at the Iranian border with Azerbaijan after President Raisi and his Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev inaugurated dam of Qiz Qalasi, or Castel of Girl in Azeri, Iran, May 19, 2024. (Ali Hamed Haghdoust/AP) The first reports of trouble with Raisi's helicopter, one of three in a convoy carrying the Iranian officials, began to circulate on state-affiliated media on Sunday at around 3:45 p.m. local time, or 8:15 a.m. ET. Initially, 40 search-and-rescue teams had been sent to the area, the head of the Iranian Red Crescent announced to state media. Though search-and-rescue aircraft were also sent to the area, weather conditions prevented them from flying, according to the Red Crescent. Vahidi said Raisi was in the area to help open the Khoda Afarin and the Qiz Qalasi dams near Azerbaijan and was returning home from the journey when the incident occurred. PHOTO: This grab taken from handout video footage released by the IRINN Iranian state television network on May 19, 2024 shows Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi on board a helicopter in the Jofa region of the western province of East Azerbaijan. (IRINN/AFP via Getty Images) "One of the helicopters was forced to make a rough landing due to bad weather conditions and fog in the area," Vahidi said. MORE: Iran President Hassan Rouhani tells ABC News' David Muir that 'trust' must be restored before meeting with Trump Ilham Aliyev, the president of Azerbaijan who was at the dedication of the dams Sunday with Raisi, offered assistance from his country in locating the helicopter. "Today, after bidding a friendly farewell to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, we were profoundly troubled by the news of a helicopter carrying the top delegation crash-landing in Iran," Aliyev said in a post on the social media site X. "Our prayers to Allah Almighty are with President Ebrahim Raisi and the accompanying delegation. As a neighbor, friend and brotherly country, the Republic of Azerbaijan stands ready to offer any assistance needed." Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, supreme leader of Iran, also issued a statement Sunday asking people to pray that Raisi and the others are found safe. "We hope that Almighty God will return the respected and honorable president and his companions to the arms of the nation," Khamenei said. "Everyone should pray for the health of this group of servants." ABC News' Hami Hamedi contributed to this report. Iran's President Raisi dead in helicopter crash, former foreign minister blames US sanctions originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev and Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, attend the inauguration ceremony of Qiz Qalasi dam, at the border between Iran and Azerbaijan. A helicopter with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on board had to make an emergency landing in the west of the country on Sunday, state media reported. -/dpa The Iranian cabinet has convened for an emergency meeting in light of the helicopter accident involving President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hussein Amirabdollahian, state media reported Sunday. The first vice president, Mohammad Mokhber, chaired the meeting in the late evening, state news agency IRNA reported. He initiated further measures for the rescue operation. According to protocol, Mockber would become president in the event of Raisi's death. Rescue workers continued to search on foot after dark for the scene of the helicopter accident, in poor weather conditions. A total of 65 rescue teams were involved in the search for the helicopter's crew, including the Iranian armed forces. According to the Tasnim news agency, the accident site has been located. The Iranian government asked the rescue services in neighbouring Turkey for assistance in the search. Both Turkey and Russia had offered their help. In particular, helicopters with night vision equipment were requested. Meanwhile, special mountain rescue units also arrived in the accident region, IRNA reported. The the Iranian president's helicopter came in for what has been called a "hard landing" on Sunday in the north-west of the country after a meeting between Raisi and the president of neighbouring Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev and Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, attend the inauguration ceremony of Qiz Qalasi dam, at the border between Iran and Azerbaijan. A helicopter with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on board had to make an emergency landing in the west of the country on Sunday, state media reported. -/dpa Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev and Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, attend the inauguration ceremony of Qiz Qalasi dam, at the border between Iran and Azerbaijan. A helicopter with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on board had to make an emergency landing in the west of the country on Sunday, state media reported. -/dpa Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev and Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, attend the inauguration ceremony of Qiz Qalasi dam, at the border between Iran and Azerbaijan. A helicopter with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on board had to make an emergency landing in the west of the country on Sunday, state media reported. -/dpa Rescue workers in Iran continued their search on foot Sunday for the helicopter carrying nine people including Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian after it went missing in mountainous terrain, state media reported. Forty rescue teams were searching for the exact location of the accident with sniffer dogs and drones. The search was hampered by darkness and rain, according to a state television reporter on Sunday evening. The remote, muddy route is inaccessible by road, forcing rescue teams to proceed on foot, he said. Interior Minister Ahmad Wahidi also stated that rescue teams were facing significant challenges accessing the crash site due to adverse weather conditions and difficult terrain. Concerns were mounting for the crew and passengers. Hours after the crash, there was still no information about their fate, the report said. But there were also many Iranians on social media who were happy about the accident. Iran's government warned against unconfirmed information. Meanwhile, in an interview on state television, the Vice President for Executive Affairs, Mohsen Mansouri, said that contact had already been made with the crew on several occasions. The politician did not provide any further details. The helicopter went down on Sunday in the north-west of the country after a meeting between Raisi and the President of neighbouring Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. Together they inaugurated a dam. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian was also said to be on board. According to Iranian media reports, the suspected crash site is near Jolfa, more than 600 kilometres from the capital Tehran, close to the border with Azerbaijan. Iran's air force is considered to be severely outdated and its modernization is making little progress in the face of tough international sanctions. Many of the aeroplanes and helicopters date back to the time before the Islamic Revolution of 1979, when the country maintained close relations with the United States. Raisi was sworn in as Iran's new president in August 2021. He won the presidential election in June with just under 62% of the vote as the leading candidate of the political hardliners and the preferred candidate and protege of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Born in 1960 in Mashhad in north-east Iran, Raisi is considered to be very influential within the Islamic Republic's system. He also maintains a close relationship with Khamenei. Raisi worked in the judiciary for over three decades and was appointed head of the judiciary in 2019. He is said to have been responsible for numerous arrests and executions of political dissidents in his previous role as public prosecutor. According to the constitution, Raisi is only number two in the country because Khamenei is the actual head of state and also has the final say in all strategic matters. Experts have tipped Raisi as a possible successor to Khamenei, who turned 85 in April. In terms of domestic policy - even though the younger generation is now increasingly criticizing the entire system of the Islamic Republic - Raisi has repeatedly come under pressure. Most recently, the government pushed ahead with its controversial policy of enforcing the compulsory wearing of headscarves. If Raisi and Amirabdollahian were to die in the incident, the Islamic Republic is likely to be plunged into a domestic and foreign policy crisis. Iran's foreign minister has been more in the public eye since the start of the Gaza war and has travelled extensively to visit allies. The country's leadership is also likely to find it difficult to replace the president quickly due to a lack of alternatives. In the European Union, the situation is being closely watched. "Following closely reports that the helicopter carrying the Iranian President and the foreign minister has been forced to land unexpectedly," European Council President Charles Michel said on the social media platform X. The condition of both Iranian politicians is "not yet clear," Michel added. "Together with EU member states and partners, we are monitoring the situation closely," he said. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev shakes hands with Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, during their meeting on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony of dam of Qiz Qalasi, at the border between Iran and Azerbaijan. A helicopter with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on board had to make an emergency landing in the west of the country on Sunday, state media reported. -/dpa Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi attends a meeting with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, during the inauguration ceremony of dam of Qiz Qalasi, at the border between Iran and Azerbaijan. A helicopter with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on board had to make an emergency landing in the west of the country on Sunday, state media reported. -/dpa UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini speaks at a joint press conference with Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi (not in the picture) in Amman, Jordan, May 19, 2024. Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on Sunday that anyone claiming the situation in the Gaza Strip is improving is not telling the truth, and accusations against the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) have been proven false. He made the remarks at a joint press conference in Amman with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, during which he said UNRWA is fulfilling its duty in the Palestinian enclave despite the circumstances of the Gaza conflict. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua) AMMAN, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on Sunday that anyone claiming the situation in the Gaza Strip is improving is not telling the truth, and accusations against the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) have been proven false. He made the remarks at a joint press conference in Amman with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, during which he said UNRWA is fulfilling its duty in the Palestinian enclave despite the circumstances of the Gaza conflict. Safadi confirmed that Jordan continues to stand by UNRWA, the role of which cannot be dispensed with or replaced by any other entity, according to a statement by the Jordanian Foreign Ministry. He stressed that the investigation conducted by an independent committee confirmed that UNRWA has all the tools to ensure that its actions adhere to all principles, ethics, and charters of the United Nations. "The accusations have been proven false and the attempt to politically assassinate UNRWA has failed," said Safadi. For his part, Lazzarini thanked Jordan for its support for the agency and its solidarity with Palestinian refugees. Lazzarini stressed that despite all the international community's calls, Israel invaded and attacked the southernmost Gaza city of Rafah on May 6, with half of Gaza's population forced to flee. He pointed out that the two main crossings in the south, Rafah Crossing and Kerem Shalom Crossing, have turned into conflict zones, and there are currently no crossings to transport aid across the borders. Lazzarini noted that "198 UNRWA employees were killed, 160 sites were completely or partially destroyed, and employees were arrested, tortured, and forced to confess to crimes they did not commit." Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi speaks at a joint press conference with UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini (not in the picture) in Amman, Jordan, May 19, 2024. Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on Sunday that anyone claiming the situation in the Gaza Strip is improving is not telling the truth, and accusations against the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) have been proven false. He made the remarks at a joint press conference in Amman with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, during which he said UNRWA is fulfilling its duty in the Palestinian enclave despite the circumstances of the Gaza conflict. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua) Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi (R) and UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini attend a joint press conference in Amman, Jordan, May 19, 2024. Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on Sunday that anyone claiming the situation in the Gaza Strip is improving is not telling the truth, and accusations against the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) have been proven false. He made the remarks at a joint press conference in Amman with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, during which he said UNRWA is fulfilling its duty in the Palestinian enclave despite the circumstances of the Gaza conflict. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua) Iranian president, 7 others, have died in a helicopter crash: Here's what we know and what we don't Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, 63, died after his helicopter crashed in a remote area of the country on Sunday, the Iranian government confirmed Monday. In a country with a cleric-led government in which the supreme leader has the final say, Raisi wasnt the highest-ranked official, but he was the highest elected official. Raisi was a conservative hardliner elected in 2021 and was viewed as a protege of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Raisis government faced mass protests over the suffering economy and lack of womens rights. Relations between Iran and the West have also worsened during his tenure, with the country accelerating its nuclear enrichment program to weapons-grade levels. Raisis death comes at a time when turmoil is roiling the Middle East amid the Israel-Hamas war. The Iran-backed militant group Hamas ignited the current conflict in its deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel. And just weeks ago, Iran launched a direct attack against Israel in a drone and missile attack in response to Israels deadly strike on a diplomatic compound in Damascus, Syria. Rescue team members work at the scene of a helicopter crash that killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. (Azin Haghighi/Moj News Agency via AP) What we know Others killed in the helicopter crash, according to state-run IRNA news agency, are: Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian The governor of Irans East Azerbaijan province A senior cleric from Tabriz A Revolutionary Guard official Three crew members Irans first Vice President Mohammad Mokhber is now acting president. Ali Bagheri Kani, a top negotiator, has been appointed acting foreign minister. An election must be arranged to select a new president within a maximum of 50 days. The crash site appeared to be on the side of a mountain in a remote area in northwestern Iran. Memorial ceremonies for Raisi and Amirabdollahian will be held on Tuesday in the city of Tabriz. Raisis will be buried in the northeastern city of Mashhad, where he was born. Raisis helicopter was one of three traveling in his convoy. The two other helicopters traveling the same route made it back safely to the city of Tabriz. Before the crash, the Iranian president traveled to Irans northwestern border with Azerbaijan to inaugurate a dam project with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, a sign of warming diplomatic relations. What we still dont know Iran hasnt officially announced the cause of the helicopter crash or why Raisis helicopter convoy was traveling through the mountainous region despite dense fog conditions. Who will run to become Irans next elected president? How will Raisis death affect Irans stability amid turmoil in the Middle East? Will relations with any of Irans foes, like Israel, change with a newly elected president? Reactions to the death of Irans president The United States does not have official diplomatic relations with Iran. They were severed in April 1980 following the Iranian takeover of the American Embassy in 1979, according to the U.S. State Department. The U.S. has yet to comment publicly on Raisis death. Iran-backed militant groups, including Hamas, the Houthis and Hezbollah, have sent their condolences to Iran over the presidents death. (Irans backing includes military and economic support.) World leaders from Russia, India, Pakistan, the European Union, China, Iraq, Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon and South Africa have all expressed their condolences to Iran for the loss of Raisi, the New York Times reports. Simon Harris (pictured) spoke by phone with Mr Herzog on Friday where he set out Ireland's desire to see an immediate ceasefire in Gaza - PA/Brian Lawless Ireland will recognise Palestinian statehood before the end of this month, Simon Harris, Irelands premier, has insisted. Mr Harris made the comments following reports of a diplomatic row with Isaac Herzog, Israeli president, over the Irish plan. He spoke by phone with Mr Herzog on Friday where he set out Irelands desire to see an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, as well as urgent and unhindered access for humanitarian aid. RTE reported that sources close to the Israeli president said he warned Mr Harris that unilateral recognition of Palestine could jeopardise any hope of Hamas releasing the hostages it continues to hold in Gaza and encourage further attacks on Israel. However, Mr Harris said the action would not be unilateral and that he was not interested in getting involved in a back and forth with Mr Herzog. He was speaking in County Longford following the National Famine Commemoration event. Immediate cessation of violence Asked what had transpired in the call with Mr Herzog, Mr Harris said: I have less than zero interest in getting involved in some sort of back and forth between myself and the president of Israel. I had a good conversation with the president of Israel. We had a firm and respectful conversation. It is my job as the taoiseach of this country to speak up for the Irish position, to speak out on behalf of the people of Ireland. The Irish position in relation to the Middle East, in relation to Gaza, in relation to Israel is very straightforward and very consistent. We need to see an immediate cessation of violence, we need to see unimpeded and unhindered access to humanitarian aid because there is a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in front of our eyes. We need to see a two-state solution. In order to see a two-state solution and to help bring one about you have to recognise the very existence of two states. In the coming days Ireland intends to do just that. Its not unilateral Mr Harris was asked whether the move could lead to the severing of diplomatic ties between Ireland and Israel. He said: It is not unilateral, Ireland is working with a number of like-minded countries in relation to this. I expect more to move in the coming days, I expect more to move in the coming weeks. Certainly Ireland doesnt wish to sever diplomatic relations. You can strongly disagree with a country, you can differentiate between the government of a country and the people of a country. I believe there are many people in Israel, as well as many people in Palestine, who want to live in peace, want to live in security, want to live in prosperity, want their children to be able to access food. Obviously we have a very different position to Israel in relation to this but a two-state solution is, in my view, in the view of Ireland and, I believe, in the view of many people for many years the way you bring about peace, stability, prosperity in the region. Mr Harris said the date for the recognition of Palestine as a state had yet to be decided. He added: There is important sequencing that our country and other countries have to carry out. I mean political processes that have to be followed and they differ slightly from country to country. The specific date will be decided in the coming days. What I can tell you is that it is absolutely our intention to recognise the state of Palestine this month and there is not that long left in this month. 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. FILE PHOTO: Meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the conflict between Israel and Hamas in New York JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel called for bipartisan support on Sunday from the United States against the establishment of a Palestinian state, which it said would be a reward for Hamas and its backer Iran. European Union members including Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and Malta have said they could recognise a Palestinian state this month, seeing a two-state solution as essential for lasting peace. Israel's foreign minister, Israel Katz, who met top House Republican Elise Stefanik earlier, said if a Palestinian state was established, Iran would use it as a base to "work towards the destruction of Israel". He told Stefanik the U.S. must lead a resolution at the International Energy Agency's council next month to promote further sanctions against Iran to stop it obtaining nuclear weapons and supporting groups like Hamas. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons. Stefanik has played a key role in trying to stem the protests that have broken out across U.S. college campuses against Israel's war in Gaza and in support of Palestinians' right to self-determination. The Gaza war broke out after Hamas launched a cross border assault on Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 253 hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, at least 35,386 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza's health ministry. (Reporting by Maytaal Angel; editing by Giles Elgood) Divisions and disagreements within the Israeli cabinet on the conduct and priorities of the war against Hamas have simmered since the onset of the crisis. Now theyve boiled over, revealing a new level of public vitriol - as well as an ultimatum from one of three members of the war cabinet as the seven-month long conflict potentially enters a new phase. On Saturday Benny Gantz, the leader of the National Unity Party, who joined the war cabinet after Hamas attack in October, demanded by June 8 the adoption of a six-point plan. That plan would secure the return of Israeli hostages, the demobilization of Hamas and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip. It would also lead to the creation of an alternative government for Gaza, an American-European-Arab-Palestinian administration that would lay the foundation for a future alternative that is not Hamas or [Mahmoud] Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority. The Gantz plan would also ensure the return of residents displaced by attacks from Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia in Lebanon, and measures to ensure ultra-orthodox Jews can be drafted into the military just like any other citizen. That has been a red line for the religious right in the Israeli cabinet. Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz, pictured in October, is widely seen to be a leading contender to be the next Israeli leader. - Amir Levy/Getty Images In an unveiled swipe at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Gantz, who is widely seen to be a leading contender to be the next Israeli leader, added that personal and political considerations have begun to penetrate into the holy of holies of Israels security. If you choose to lead the nation into the abyss, we will withdraw from the government, turn to the people, and form a government that can bring about a real victory. Unity cannot be a fig leaf for stagnation in the management of the campaign, Gantz added. Within hours the accusations were flying, laying bare the fissures in Israeli politics and the personal animosities that pervade the government. The prime ministers office shot back. The conditions set by Benny Gantz are washed-up words whose meaning is clear: the end of the war and a defeat for Israel, the abandonment of most of the hostages, leaving Hamas intact and the establishment of a Palestinian state, it said in a statement. One far-right member of the cabinet, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, said Gantz was a small leader and big trickster, who, from the first moment of joining the government has chiefly been trying to dismantle it. He added: Whoever offered the ultra-Orthodox agreements on a conscription law in exchange for the dissolution of the government and now chants slogans about responsibility, is a hypocrite and a liar. From a very different point of view, opposition leader Yair Lapid said Gantz should act now. Enough with the press conferences, enough with the empty ultimatums, get out! If you werent sitting in the government, we would already be in the post Netanyahu and Ben Gvir era, he said. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid attends an anti-government demonstration in Tel Aviv on May 18, 2024. - Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images Gantzs broadside did not come in isolation. Last week, the third member of the war cabinet, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, spoke of decisions that he said should have been made at the start of the war. He also said: I will not agree to the establishment of Israeli military rule in Gaza. Israel must not establish civilian rule in Gaza. Illusion of unity shattered Its against this background of internecine warfare that Israeli troops continue to fight in Gaza, unsure of how their mission will end and of any plan for the day after the guns fall silent. Gantz himself made reference to this Saturday, saying that while the Israeli soldiers show supreme bravery on the front - some of the people who sent them into battle behave with cowardice and irresponsibility. Israeli commentators Sunday said the illusion of unity within the cabinet that had been fostered in the early phase of the conflict had been shattered. The Jerusalem Post reported Sunday that the comments were remarkable in that for the first time, Gantz publicly accused the prime minister of prioritizing his political survival over the nations interests. For the first time, he set a clear deadline for remaining in the government. Writing in Haaretz, Anshel Pfeffer said that whoever had written Gantzs speech did nothing more than recycle the dozens of leaks on the divisions within the war cabinet over the past few months. Pfeffer, author of the unauthorized biography Bibi: The Turbulent Life and Times of Benjamin Netanyahu, says the bottom line, at the end of a week of political turmoil, is that of the three war cabinet memberstwo have now publicly accused the third member, Netanyahu, of not having a strategy for a war that has been ongoing for seven and a half months. Despite all this, Pfeffer and other analysts contend that the status quo may persist, because for Netanyahu, the presence of Gantz and Gallant in the three-man war cabinet provides protection from right-wing members of the larger cabinet. People protest against Netanyahu's government in Tel Aviv. - Leo Correa/AP Some of them want Israel to rebuild settlements in Gaza and a much more aggressive approach in the north. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who wants the Israeli military to take control of Gaza after Hamas is liquidated, on Sunday also called for Israeli forces to enter and establish a security zone in southern Lebanon should Hezbollah rocket attacks continue. On Saturday night, Gantz told Netanyahu: I look into your eyes tonight and I tell you - the choice is in your hands. He said the moment of truth had arrived. Has it? Over the next three weeks, compromise may yet keep the war cabinet intact. And Gantz is not part of the broader coalition government, which means his potential withdrawal from the war cabinet would not automatically trigger a collapse of Netanyahus government. It would, however, leave the prime minister more exposed to the demands of far-right- members of his cabinet. All this comes at a time of daily protests in Israel, from those calling for immediate elections to those demanding that securing the hostages release should be the absolute priority, and those wanting an end to further humanitarian aid being allowed into Gaza. And at a time when the Israeli military is fighting in north, central and southern Gaza, and preparing for what may be the toughest phase of the campaign to date. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Sergio Mattarella, President of Italy, has stressed the importance of supporting Ukraine in a speech marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino, a key battle in the Allied Powers advance toward Rome during World War II. Source: President Mattarellas speech on the official website of the Italian President, as reported by European Pravda Details: Mattarella thanked those who took part in the events of 1944 and the delegations of Allied Powers whose forces were involved in the Italian campaign, including Poland. In the second half of his speech, Mattarella said that Russias full-scale attack on Ukraine is a reminder, for Europe, of the terrible tragedies of the 20th century, and a call to make effort to protect the peace, freedom, and the rule of law from dictators. "This means that we have a duty to support Ukraines independence and to protect its people. Effective EU cooperation on defence, in close synergy with NATO, is a cornerstone to guaranteeing collective security and restoring international order," Mattarella said. Towards the end of his speech, the Italian president said that Europe has to make a series of important decisions in favour of the "future that will protect us from making mistakes that the humankind has committed throughout history". Background: Mattarella has said that the war in Ukraine must not end in "rewarding Russia for its aggression". Italy is among the countries that have given Ukraine weapons on the condition that it does not deploy them beyond its borders. Support UP or become our patron! Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) on Sunday defended her claim that Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes (R-Ga.) comments toward her during a House committee meeting were racist. Speaking on CNNs State of the Union, Crockett explained her remarks in response to Greene saying, I think your fake eyelashes are messing up what youre reading during a committee hearing on Thursday. MAGA has historically been on social media doing the things where theyre saying, 'Oh, shes Black with lashes and nails and hair, and so shes ghetto,' Crockett told host Jake Tapper. It is buying into a racist trope. Women of all colors wear false eyelashes, Crockett said, but the issue was with Greene specifically targeting her. Crockett said that although she signed up to be a member of Congress, it didnt mean she had to walk into a position where she was disrespected. The House Oversight Committee panel had gathered to discuss contempt proceedings against Attorney General Merrick Garland, a target of House Republicans, but quickly erupted into chaos when members began attacking each other over their physical appearance and intelligence. Crockett responded by, without naming her, assailing Greenes bleach blonde, bad built, butch body. Earlier on the show, Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) called it absurd that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez implied he was a bully after his comments on the rowdy interaction. Speaking on ABCs This Week, former Democratic National Committee chair Donna Brazile offered advice to Crockett: Dont take the bait. Jeff Bezos owns three private jets, worth around $140 million in total. They include two Gulfstream G650ERs and a Pilatus PC-24. Records seen by BI show he also bought a hangar at Seattle's Boeing Field in 2015. Like most billionaires, Jeff Bezos often flies around the world, and having his own planes lets him save time and improve his security. The world's second-richest person owns three private jets, according to public records seen by Business Insider and data from JetSpy. Two of them are Gulfstream G650ERs, which cost around $65 million each. The G650ER is a popular choice for the world's richest people Elon Musk and Bill Gates also own one thanks to its long range and high speed. From Bezos' home in Miami, the G650ER can fly as far as Cape Town, Dubai, and Beijing, according to Gulfstream's website. Only Australia and southeast Asia would necessitate a fuelling stop. The cabin of a Gulfstream G650ER. Taylor Rains/Insider The range is slightly reduced if it's traveling at its top speed of Mach 0.90, equivalent to 690 miles per hour. But the 22-seater can still fly for an impressive 7,365 miles. There aren't many other private jets on the market that allow for a more than 10-hour flight. Bezos also owns a Piltaus PC-24 with the tail-number N194PJ, according to data from JetSpy. The light business jet with 10 seats was manufactured in 2020 and usually costs about $9 million. But with a maximum range of 2,200 miles, it would need a fuel stop to travel between Bezos' Miami home and Amazon's Seattle HQ. How Bezos' jets are kept private Proving Bezos' ownership of the jets isn't simple. JetSpy's data lists Bezos as the operator of the PC-24, although it's registered with the Federal Aviation Administration under a company called TVPX Aircraft Solutions. TVPX's website says it provides trust services for US business aviation, either due to rules on citizenship or for "privacy enhancement." A Pilatus PC-24. Robert Smith/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images The two Gulfstreams are registered to a holding company called Poplar Glen LLC, per the FAA registry. BI found Washington state records from the firm's creation in 2004 which say it is owned by Bezos. The manager was listed as Zeffram LLC, another of Bezos' holding companies. In the most recent records, Poplar Glen's governor is listed as Paul Dauber, one of Bezos' attorneys. Bezos bought a Dassault Falcon 900EX the same year as Poplar Glen's creation. According to the manufacturer's website, a pre-owned one costs around $10 million. Taylor Swift also used to own a Falcon 900 until she sold it in January. According to FlightAware, Bezos sold his in 2015. The same year, Poplar Glen paid $5.5 million for a hangar at Boeing Field in Seattle, according to property deeds seen by BI. The Puget Sound Business Journal first reported the sale. Those documents show it was owned by Costco, and measures nearly 18,600 square feet. A sales brochure for the space, Hangar H-1, is still visible online. A Gulfstream G650ER. Taylor Rains/Insider Bezos then bought his first Gulfstream G650ER in 2016. It's registered as N271DV the number previously used by his Falcon 900EX. The Amazon founder's second Gulfstream jet was purchased in 2019, and registered as N758PB. It has newer Rolls Royce engines than his other jet, providing a couple hundred extra pounds of thrust, per FlightAware. If you try to look up these jets on Flightradar24, you'll see that they can't be tracked. That's because the site uses some data from the FAA, which lets jet owners protect their privacy by signing up for the "Limiting Aircraft Data Displayed" program. However, these planes can still be tracked via sites like ADS-B Exchange, built on a network of plane enthusiasts and institutions with receivers that detect aircraft signals. ADS-B Exchange's data is used by Jack Sweeney, the college student who was named on Forbes 30 Under 30 after tracking Musk's jet. Bezos has also taken the extra step of reserving 36 other N-Numbers which aren't in use, per the FAA registry. Some of these, like 271EV and 271DX, resemble his Gulfstreams' N-Number, so they could help maintain his security. Read the original article on Business Insider Jewish doctors launch group to combat antisemitism in medicine: Its Nazi Germany all over again A person holding a necklace at a gathering of Jewish doctors launching an advocacy group Jewish doctors alarmed by rampant antisemitism and even violence at health-care institutions in the US have launched their own national advocacy group to combat the hatred in medicine. Thousands of medical professionals from across the country have joined the new American Jewish Medical Association to stand up for Jews, the group recently told The Post. Its fundamentally scary for those of us who care about humanity. Its Nazi Germany all over again, said Manhattan plastic surgeon Yael Halaas, founder and president of the new group and a graduate of Columbia University and Cornell Medical School. Thousands of doctors have joined the the new American Jewish Medical Association to stand up for Jewish doctors. N NN stock.adobe.com The hatred leveled against Jews after the Palestinian terror group Hamas Oct. 7 invasion of Israel hit home for Halaas, whose Jewish parents emigrated to the US from Cuba and Argentina. Many members of her dads family were killed in Auschwitz during the Holocaust. Medical schools particularly have become hostile environments for Jewish students, the organizers said. Among the troubling incidents: -George Washington Universitys medical school hosted a faculty panel in December that declared the terrorists have a right of resistance against Israel. Incidents of antisemitism have skyrocketed following Oct. 7. Velenda -Some medical professionals have praised the Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel and denied the fact that victims in Israel were sexually assaulted. A sign that read, Free Palestine from Nazi Zionist Schwein the German word meaning pig appeared in front of the cancer center at the University of California at San Franciscos medical school. Anti-Israel protesters at rallies at Columbia Universitys Medical School/Mailman School of Public Health have chanted From the River to the Sea, a phrase many interpret as calling for the elimination of Israel and celebrating suicide bombers who kill Israelis. The Jewish medical students are bullied into silence, Halaas said. They are being ostracized. It shouldnt be controversial to say Israel is integral to Jewish identity. Anti-Zionism is antisemitism, she said. The term zionism refers to the right of the Jewish state to exist. Orthopedist Cary Schwartzbach, a Queens native who practices in Fairfax, Va., and a son of Holocaust survivors and treasurer of the new group, said, Oct. 7 was a wake-up call. It opened the gates for antisemitism, the doctor said. Theres a sense of hostilities against Jews. Antisemitism has made a lot of hospital residency programs uncomfortable for Jewish students, he said. We need a voice. We need to protect ourselves. We need to protect medical school students. Larisa Geskin, an oncologist and director of the Comprehensive Skin Cancer Center at Columbia Universitys Medical Center who emigrated from Latvia in the former Soviet Union when she was 20, said she was stunned by the antisemitism shes personally witnessed on campus. There is rampant anti semitism in the medical community, the 56-year-old doctor said. Dr. Benjamin Harouni, a Jewish dentist, was fatally shot by a disgruntled former patient. GoFundMe.com This is so familiar to me. In the Soviet Union antisemitism was rampant. I never thought Id hear the same rhetoric in the United States that I heard in the Soviet Union, she said. Given how Jews have been abused throughout history, the doctors said its horrifying to hear propaganda painting Israelis as white oppressors. Jews are also a minority. We need protection like other minorities, Geskin said. We see history repeating itself. We feel we have to say something. They were chanting `From the River to the Sea in my backyard. This is what is happening in the medical community. TEHRAN, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Vice President for Executive Affairs Mohsen Mansouri said on Sunday that contact had been established with one of the passengers and one of the crew members aboard the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. He told the state IRIB TV from an area near the possible scene of the incident, which occurred earlier in the day to the helicopter carrying Raisi and members of his accompanying team in the northwestern province of East Azarbaijan. Mansouri said the Iranian president was traveling in a convoy of three helicopters when the one carrying him lost communication with the other two approximately 30 minutes after takeoff. The helicopters immediately began a search of the area for about 20 minutes, but were compelled to make an emergency landing due to bad weather conditions and thick fog. Rescuers from the Iranian Red Crescent Society, police, army, and Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, had been sent to the scene, he said. However, due to the unfavorable weather conditions, the rescue operations were going on slowly in the region, which was a hard-to-reach area. In addition, the low temperature and rainfall were causing further difficulties, Mansouri said. The helicopter carrying Raisi and his team had an incident and made a "hard landing" in the northwestern province of East Azarbaijan on Sunday. The possible site of the incident has been determined to be in Varzaqan County, some 670 km away from the Iranian capital Tehran. The president's convoy was on its way from Khoda Afarin County, where Raisi had attended the inauguration ceremony of a storage dam along with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev earlier in the day, to the provincial capital Tabriz for the inauguration of a petrochemical complex. According to the IRIB TV, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, East Azarbaijan's Governor Malek Rahmati, and the Friday prayers leader Tabriz Mohammad Ali Ale-Hasehem were onboard the president's helicopter. John Fetterman says it's absurd to say he's a bully Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) on Sunday said he found it absurd that he was implied to be a bully by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) following his remarks on a rowdy interaction in a House committee. Speaking on CNNs State of the Union, Fetterman said he was only responding to the chaos when he tweeted that a House panel was worse than "The Jerry Springer Show." If everyone on the committee was proud of what theyve produced, theyre entitled to their opinion, he told host Jake Tapper on Sunday. Ocasio-Cortez disagreed with Fettermans initial tweet after the disorderly Thursday hearing where a number of representatives hurled insults at their colleagues. I understand you likely would not have stood up for your colleague and seem to be confused about racism and misogyny for being a both sides issue, Ocasio-Cortez wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. But I stand up to bullies, instead of becoming one. The panel was meeting to discuss contempt proceedings against Attorney General Merrick Garland, a target of House Republicans. Instead, bickering erupted among some of the members. I think your fake eyelashes are messing up what youre reading, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) told Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) during the hearing. Deaunte Thomas has painted many tribute portraits in his time as a professional artist. For him, helping bring some comfort to the family of someone who recently died is one of the best parts of his job. His most recent portrait of Johnny Hurd will be different for him, this one he is painting to comfort himself. Hurd and Thomas were friends who met through their passion for two stepping, a popular partnering dance in Kansas Citys Black community Hurd, a contractor for SE3 Group and father, died April 27, at the age of 67 in a car accident. Thomas remembers, as a young man ready to enter the KC two-steppers scene, just how scary a notion of stepping on the dance floor was. He says Hurd was a popular figure who always caught the attention of everyone present. I kind of knew of Johnny before I ever technically met him, said Thomas. When you are starting off you have to watch guys, and Johnny was one of those guys to watch. Thomas began learning to two-step in 2019 and while it began as a fun past time to impress the ladies, it soon became a serious hobby that he became enamored with. Initially he only saw two-stepping as a dance for older Black people, but members of the community, like Hurd, encouraged him to keep at it. Johnny will be known as a two-stepping pioneer who really helped transcend two stepping and help bring younger people into the scene, Thomas said. Tribute portrait of Johnny Hurd painted by Deaunte Thomas. Those who knew Hurd well said they are still in shock over his sudden death. Many already feel the void in the KC 2-steppers scene. Drevantae Dixon, 31, was another person who Hurd took under his wing while the young aspiring two-stepper was finding his footing on the dance floor. Dixon believes that the scene has lost one of its most influential figures. Dixon started his journey into two-stepping after outgrowing the nightclub and party scenes he had been into while in his mid-20s. He said that having an older and respected member of the two-step community see the potential in him and his skills as a dancer, was encouraging. Johnny came up to me and made me feel good about trying to get out there as a two-stepper, said Dixon. He would always tell me to get out there, show them what I can do and to always dance with confidence. Hurd, who was born in St. Louis, called Kansas City home for 32 years. Anyone who frequented the various two-stepping venues around town, such as the Juke House, knew Hurd. His captivating dance moves earning him the nick name, Two-Stepping Johnny. Everybody knew Uncle Johnny, people would get off the floor just to watch him and his wife dance, says Dixon, who works as supervisor for the Division of Youth Services. Anyone who has been two-stepping for some years knew him because he made his presence known with his style and how charismatic he was as a person. Johnny Hurd with his wife and two-stepping partner, Leona Hurd. He was known as a pioneer in Kansas Citys two-stepping dance scene Many people posted messages on social media expressing their sadness about Hurds death. Its not goodbye, but Ill see you later Unc Johnny Hurd, on person wrote. RIH Johnny Hurd. Brother its still unbelievable. You will be missed. wrote another. This past weekend, Kansas City loss one of its 2-step ambassadors (Uncle Johnny Hurd). I cant sleep. Im just so heartbroken about my big bro Johnny Hurd. Just seems so unreal. Hurd was known from more than his dance moves. He also had a noted fashion sense and was known too for having a personality and energy that brought people together. Thomas and Dixon credit Hurd with a introducing two-stepping to a younger generation of dancers. He became the friendly uncle within the world of KC two-steppers and was never above taking some time to instill his knowledge to someone willing to learn. Thomas said that he and the others who learned from the master, will make sure to pass along his teachings, on the dance floor and on life. Hurd is remembered by his wife, Leona Hurd; his seven children, five siblings, and a host of grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Other Remembrances Jeffrey Wright, supervisor for Kansas City Public Works, died May 10. He was 60. Jeffrey Wright Jeffrey Wright, supervisor for Kansas City Public Works, died May 10. He was 60. Wright was born on Jan. 17, 1964, in Kansas City to Leon and Kathleen Wright. He graduated from Southeast High School and went to work at the Kansas City Public Works Department as an operation supervisor. He worked for the organization for more than 20 years and was a member of the Kansas City Local 500 union. Wright had been very close to his mother, deceased, and was a self proclaimed Mamas boy. He will be remembered for his love of music, cooking and video games. He will be remembered by his son, Leon Rush; along with a host of uncles, cousins and friends. Joel Wrenn, wife and nurse, died April 24. She was 81. Joel Wrenn Joel Wrenn, wife and nurse, died April 24. She was 81. Wrenn was born on Feb. 26, 1943 in McAlester, Oklahoma to Richard and Inex Porter. She was the oldest of her parents three children and graduated high school in 1960. While attending nursing school she met Dr. Thomas Wrenn, DDS and the couple were married. Though the pair did not have any children of their own, Wrenn helped to raised many nieces and nephews. She will be remembered for her love of music, cooking, fishing and spending time with her family. She is survived by her siblings, Margie Porter, Beverly Porter Hale, Debra Porter Hendricks, Cheri Porter and Richard Watlington; along with a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. A federal judge has granted a motion to reopen the sentencing in the case against David DePape, the man convicted of the 2022 attack on House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosis husband, Paul, because he did not get a chance to speak during his sentencing hearing Friday. The judge will reopen the sentencing portion of the case on May 28 at 9:30 a.m. In a motion filed Saturday, the court admitted to the mistake, stating that federal rules require the court, prior to imposing a sentence, to address the defendant personally in order to permit the defendant to speak or present any information to mitigate the sentence. At the May 17, 2024 sentencing proceeding, no party brought to the Courts attention that it had not done so. Nonetheless, it was the Courts responsibility to personally ask Mr. DePape if he wanted to speak. As the Court did not do so, it committed clear error. The judge sentenced DePape on Friday to 30 years for assault and 20 years for attempted kidnapping, which would run concurrently, for the attack at the Pelosis San Francisco home. That same day, federal prosecutors filed a motion to reopen the sentencing for the limited purpose of addressing the defendant to permit him to allocute, if he so chooses, prior to sentencing. DePape was not required to speak during the hearing, the motion states, but the record shows he didnt get the opportunity to do so. DePapes attorneys told prosecutors they opposed the motion. They separately filed a notice of appeal regarding the judgment and sentence entered in this matter. In November, DePape was convicted in a federal court in San Francisco on one count of assault on the immediate family member of a federal official and a second count of attempted kidnapping of a federal official. At the time, DePapes attorneys conceded that their client attacked the then-83-year-old Paul Pelosi, but argued that his motivation for the assault did not match the charges against him. Testifying in his own defense, DePape recalled that he was looking for Nancy Pelosi and that her husband was not on his list of targets. He was surprised and confused, he testified, when he found out the congresswoman was not home. Im telling him, I have other targets, but if you stop me, Ill go through you, DePape said, recounting a conversation with Paul Pelosi, adding that he then hit Pelosi in the head, because his plan was basically ruined. Pelosi, who underwent surgery to repair a skull fracture and injuries to his hand and arm, told jurors that his recovery has been difficult. Ive made the best effort I possibly can to not revisit this, he said at the time. A state case against DePape that includes charges of attempted murder, burglary and assault is expected to go to trial this summer. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Julian Assange faces judgment day in years-long fight to stay out of US court WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will face a British High Court on Monday to ultimately decide whether the accused classified information leaker will be extradited to the U.S. after more than a decade of legal battles. Assange has been in British custody since 2019 after the Ecuadorian government revoked his political asylum status and kicked him from their London embassy after seven years. He faces 18 charges in the U.S. over WikiLeakss publication of hundreds of thousands of classified military and intelligence documents in 2010. American prosecutors claim the Australian worked with military intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to steal the documents including secret diplomatic cables and military information on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and distribute them online. Manning was convicted and served seven years in prison for her role in the scheme. Supporters have painted Assange as a victim of political persecution, targeted for his work as a journalist because it shed a poor light on the U.S. military. The leaked information included records of airstrikes in Iraq and Afghanistan that killed civilians. Julian has been indicted for receiving, possessing and communicating information to the public of evidence of war crimes committed by the U.S. government, his wife, Stella Assange, told The Associated Press. Reporting a crime is never a crime. Assange initially sought asylum in the Ecuadorian Embassy to escape a Swedish rape investigation, and out of fear that he could be extradited to the U.S. for his WikiLeaks work. The rape investigation was later dropped in 2021, given the passing of time. After serving a one-year sentence in U.K. prison for avoiding bail after he was arrested in 2019, a British judge initially blocked his extradition to the U.S. in 2021. The judge ruled that Assange was likely to kill himself if sent to the U.S., given the harsh conditions of the countrys prison system. The British government finally allowed his extradition in 2022, which he appealed. The crux of Mondays High Court hearing is whether assurances from the U.S. government can overcome concerns for Assanges well-being. Stella Assange said the so-called assurances including that prosecutors would not pursue the death penalty were made up of weasel words. WikiLeaks Editor-in-Chief Kristinn Hrafnsson said the judges had asked if Assange could rely on First Amendment protections. It should be an easy yes or no question, Hrafnsson said. The answer was, He can seek to rely on First Amendment protections. That is a no. So the only rational decision on Monday is for the judges to come out and say, This is not good enough. Anything else is a judicial scandal. If the three-judge panel sides with Assanges arguments and does not allow his extradition, it sets up years more of legal fighting. If the court allows his extradition, Assanges legal team has said they will ask the European Court of Human Rights to intervene. President Biden could also step in on the case, fulfilling an Australian government request to drop the charges and let Assange return to his home country. Biden said last month that he is considering the request. Updated on May 20 at 5:32 a.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Every county in Kentucky has at least one race to watch in 2024, with primaries set for Tuesday ahead of November's general election. All 100 incumbent state representatives are on the ballot this year, with 188 applicants hoping to take office at the start of 2025. Half of the state's Senate seats are up for grabs as well, all in odd-numbered districts, and several other races will be decided, including all six seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. National races are important, but state representatives and senators can have as big of an impact as anyone on policy and laws in Kentucky. And several races for seats in Frankfort look competitive. One point to monitor on the GOP side is races between candidates endorsed by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, viewed by some as a sign of being more in line with the traditional GOP, and those who are aligned with the party's "liberty" wing, which believes in smaller government and runs further to the right. Rep. Savannah Maddox, a Northern Kentucky Republican considered one of the leaders of the movement, referred to those endorsements as the "KY Chamber of Commerce flu" in a social media post last month. Here's a quick look at 10 races we're watching. We'll start with five seats in the Kentucky Senate before checking out five other House races. Senate District 1 Southwest Kentucky (Calloway, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Lyon, Trigg counties) This Republican primary matches incumbent Sen. Jason Howell, in office since 2021 and current chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, up against Lynn Bechler, a former state representative with 10 years in office who lost his seat in 2022 to longtime incumbent Jim Gooch following redistricting. No Democrats are on the ballot, clearing the way for the winner of this race to take office next year. Senate District 7 East of Louisville (Anderson, Henry, part of Jefferson, Shelby counties) Republican Sen. Adrienne Southworth, who's emerged as a divisive figure in the party since taking office in 2021, will face two retired Navy SEALs also running for the seat Ed Gallrein, whos endorsed by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and has raised more than $160,000, and Aaron Reed, who owns two gun shops and wears 10-gallon hats in public appearances. One Democrat, Rhonda Davis, is running unopposed in the primary. From left to right: Republican candidate Aaron Reed, Republican candidate Ed Gallrein and State Sen. Adrienne Southworth, R-Lawrenceburg Senate District 11 Northern Kentucky (part of Boone County) Republican incumbent Sen. John Schickel is retiring after four terms in office representing portions of Boone County, just south of Cincinnati. Running to replace him is current state Rep. Steve Rawlings, who took office in 2023 after defeating longtime Rep. Adam Koenig, and current Florence Mayor Duane Froelicher. Rawlings has outraised his Chamber of Commerce-endorsed opponent by more than $15,000. No Democrats are in the race. Senate District 17 Georgetown (part of Fayette, Grant, part of Kenton, Scott counties) This race will determine who will replace outgoing Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, who's led chamber Republicans for 12 years and has been in office since 2003. Two GOP members are running anti-"woke" business owner Julia Jaddock, and Matthew Nunn, who's endorsed by the Chamber of Commerce and has significantly more cash on hand than his opponent (including a $2,100 donation from Thayer's campaign fund). One Democrat, Kiana Fields, will be on the ballot. More on the race: Senate District 17 candidates break down their stances on key issues Senate District 33 Western Louisville (part of Jefferson County) This race features incumbent Senate Minority Leader Gerald Neal, who's seeking a 10th term and is endorsed by party leaders such as Gov. Andy Beshear and Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, against former state Rep. Attica Scott, a Democratic firebrand involved with several social justice organizations who has argued new voices are needed in office. No Republicans are running for the seat. More on the race: Senate Democrats' leadership on line in key Louisville race between Scott and Neal Gerald Neal and Attica Scott. House District 29 Southeastern Louisville (part of Jefferson) This race features two packed primaries to replace current Rep. Kevin Bratcher, a Republican now seeking a seat on Louisville's Metro Council. The Democratic race includes former mayoral candidate Timothy Findley Jr., engineer Matthew Pfaadt (who ran in 2022 but was removed from the ballot since he not a registered Democrat at the time of filing) and Ricky Santiago, a Louisville Metro employee. The GOP race includes real estate agent Wyatt Allison, longtime Louisville Republican Party official Chris Lewis (whos raised more than $45,000 and is backed by most local party leaders) and teacher Debbie Peden. House District 41 East-central Louisville (part of Jefferson County) This high-spending Democratic primary pits Louisville attorney Rick Adams, who has represented the Kentucky Democratic Party in court and has done legal work for The Courier Journal, against Mary Lou Marzian, a former state representative for many years who gave up her seat to fellow Rep. Josie Raymond (whos now seeking a Louisville Metro Council seat) in 2022 following redistricting. Marzian has raised more than $86,000 while Adams has raised about $65,000. One Republican, Sara-Elizabeth Cottrell, is also running. More on the race: Marzian, Adams race for Louisville House district focuses on youth vs. experience House District 45 Lexington (part of Fayette, part of Jessamine counties) This Central Kentucky primary is between incumbent Rep. Killian Timoney, a Chamber of Commerce Republican known for being willing to cross party lines in some votes, and the aptly named Thomas Jefferson, a businessman running to his right whos been endorsed by the Jessamine County Republican Party. One Democrat, Adam Moore, is also running. House District 60 Northern Kentucky (part of Boone County) Another high-spending Republican primary, this time between incumbent Rep. Marianne Proctor, elected in 2022 as part of the "liberty" wave, and challenger Christopher Pavese, another Kentucky Chamber of Commerce-backed candidate aligned with other more traditional Northern Kentucky Republicans who has raised nearly $45,000. One Democrat, Deborah Ison Flowers, is also running. House District 66 Northern Kentucky (part of Boone County) To be clear, this one was on the list before one candidate accused the other with no evidence of having an account on LGBTQ+ social networking app Grindr at an April campaign forum. This Republican primary to replace Rawlings, who's now running for a Senate seat, includes controversial far-right candidate T.J. Roberts, who's been endorsed by the countys Republican Party but has also been accused of previous antisemitic comments and apologized after publishing an offensive post about guns after the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. His opponent is former state Rep. C. Ed Massey, a more traditional Republican who's been accused by party members of supporting Democrats at times in his career. One Democrat, Peggy Houston-Nienaber, is also running. C. Ed Massey (left) and T.J. Roberts. Reach Lucas Aulbach at laulbach@courier-journal.com. . This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky 2024 primary election. Ten legislative races to watch Rachel Wall. Remember the name. Not because she was the kind of heroic figure weve celebrated here in the Seacoast over the past few centuries, but because she could be the local metric by which we measure absolute evil. Due to its coastal location, the folklore of our region includes fascinating legends of piracy, featuring such famous names as Blackbeard and Captain Kidd. But the cruelest, most bloodthirsty cutthroat to terrorize our waters may have been the young lady known as Rachel Wall, who based her operations among the Isles of Shoals back in the 1780s. D. Allan Kerr This is assuming, of course, that the facts of her life have not been overly embellished with fiction. Rachel is believed to be the first female pirate born in America, and the last woman punished by hanging in the state of Massachusetts. So yes, she is an individual of historical significance just not a very pleasant one. After all, history isnt only shaped by heroes. For every character whos made a noble contribution in creating the world we know today, theres bound to be a villain coloring our darker legacies as well. Rachel Wall Rachel was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in 1760, to honest and reputable parents who taught her the fear of God, she claimed in a final confession shortly before her execution. She married a rough seaman named George Wall and found work as a servant in Boston. Linda Grant DePauws 1982 book Seafaring Women recounts how Rachels husband returned home from a voyage, accompanied by five other sailors and their female consorts, and Rachel joined them for a week of partying until all their money was gone. Thats when the group decided to try their hand at piracy. The men had served as privateers during the American Revolution, according to DePauw. Privateers were essentially legalized pirates during wartime, in that they raided and stole cargo from enemy ships. But now Wall and his companions decided to engage in the same activity for illegal profit, and Rachel joined in the fun. The group borrowed a fishing vessel called the Essex (some claim it was stolen) and anchored at the Isles of Shoals, a collection of picturesque but physically treacherous little islands just outside Portsmouth Harbor, well known within the New England fishing industry. Their strategy was as simple as it was brutal, and echoed the deadly Sirens of nautical myth. The cutthroats would ride out a raging storm within the rocky Isles, and then once the weather had passed they would put out to sea. When another boat came along on this busy shipping route, Rachel would hail the crew, pretending to be a damsel in distress lost at sea. Once the good-hearted seamen came aboard to offer assistance, her companions butchered the would-be rescuers. Then they plundered whatever they could and tossed the bodies overboard. Their first victims were four fishermen aboard a schooner from Plymouth, Massachusetts, who offered the Wall crew a ride back into port, DePauw wrote. In return for this kindness, the good samaritans had their throats cut, she noted. The murderers then transferred several hundred pounds of fish onto their own boat, sank the schooner, and brought the fish to shore to sell as their own catch. This was in addition to the victims cash they stole, and the fishing gear they returned to the Isles to retrieve and sell as well, claiming it had washed ashore during the big storm, according to DePauw. Similar activities took place for a couple of years in the early 1780s, and ended only when Walls husband made a miscalculation during a hurricane off the Isles. When the storm initially subsided, the crew headed out to sea again but this turned out to be merely the eye of the storm. Wall and one of his men were swept overboard during thrashing seas and drowned, and the survivors had to be rescued for real this time. In some versions of the tale, however, Rachel was the sole survivor. A National Park Service website credits these villains with attacking at least twelve boats and murdering 24 or more sailors during their two-year reign. Author Greg Latimer claims in his 2020 book Pirates and Lost Treasure of Coastal Maine that the crew snared $12,000 in plunder during their escapades. The young widow returned to Boston to toil once again as a servant, but didnt give up her thieving ways. Apparently a highly skilled burglar, she took to sneaking onto ships anchored in the harbor at night to steal from their cabins, even as the sailors slept. She later confessed to swiping 30 pounds in gold coins from beneath the head of a sleeping French captain, and on another occasion stole a sea captains silver watch and the buckles from his shoes . Her end came about one day in 1789 when she decided she liked a bonnet a teenage girl named Margaret Bender was wearing. Rachel threw the teenager to the ground and tried to steal the bonnet and her shoes. Benders family claimed she tried to rip the victims tongue from her mouth as well, the New England Historical Society reports. Rachel was arrested for highway robbery and eventually sentenced to die by hanging. During her trial, according to the National Park Service, she claimed she never even laid eyes on Margaret Bender, but admitted to several acts of piracy. She also professed that murder was one of the few crimes she did not commit during her lifetime. The Massachusetts Historical Society lists Robert Treat Paine a signer of the Declaration of Independence as the prosecuting attorney who called for Rachel to be put to death, and fellow patriot John Hancock as the governor who signed her death sentence. Rachel was not yet even 30 years old when her brutal life came to a halt. She was hanged at Boston Common on October 8th of that year the last woman to suffer such a fate, according to the New England Historical Society. Mere hours before her public execution, she dictated a remarkable confession to a pair of her jailers which was published for public consumption, presumably as a warning to others tempted to follow her path. As part of her statement, she declared: I hope my awful and untimely fate will be a solemn warning and caution to every one, but more particularly to the youth, especially those of my own sex. D. Allan Kerr is a local history buff and member of the Portsmouth Athenaeum. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Kerr: The Isles of Shoals' Bloody Lady King Charles III has booked his first overseas engagement since undergoing cancer treatment. Buckingham Palace revealed in a Friday, May 17, statement that Charles, 75, and wife Queen Camilla will travel to France in June with other members of the royal family to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings. After visiting monuments in Portsmouth, England, the couple will journey to Ver-sur-Mer in Normandy, France. On Thursday, June 6, Charles and Camilla will attend The Ministry of Defense and the Royal British Legions commemorative event at the British Normandy Memorial. (His Majesty is the patron of the Royal British Legion.) Charles eldest son, Prince William, and the kings sister, Princess Anne, will join them in Normandy for additional engagements. King Charles III Through the Years: The Monarchs Life in Photos Charles recently resumed his public-facing duties in April after a brief hiatus to undergo cancer treatment. The palace confirmed in February that Charles had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer. I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days, he said in a statement later that month. As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement. Charles continued, It is equally heartening to hear how sharing my own diagnosis has helped promote public understanding and shine a light on the work of all those organizations [that] support cancer patients and their families across the U.K. and wider world. My lifelong admiration for their tireless care and dedication is all the greater as a result of my own personal experience. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images As Charles took a break from his public-facing duties, William, 41, Camilla and brother Prince Edward carried on in his place. By April, Charles received an encouraging prognosis from his doctors. Royal Family Members Who Were Diagnosed With Cancer: From the Early Monarchs to King Charles III His Majestys medical team are very encouraged by the progress made so far and remain positive about the Kings continued recovery, Buckingham Palace said in a statement last month. Forthcoming engagements will be adapted where necessary to minimize any risks to His Majestys continued recovery. The pacing of the Kings program will be carefully calibrated as his recovery continues, in close consultation with his medical team. Charles is not the only member of the royal family battling cancer. Williams wife, Princess Kate Middleton, confirmed in March that she had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer two months prior. The Princess of Wales, 42, has also taken a reprieve from her public duties as she undergoes a preventative course of chemotherapy. Knife-wielding maniac who allegedly smashed windshield of NYPD patrol car with cops inside before attacking them released by judge A knife-wielding maniac who smashed a NYPD cruisers windshield as a pair of cops sat inside and then punched them as they tried to arrest him in the Bronx last month has been released by a judge, The Post has learned. Patrick Young was holding a large knife when he allegedly ran up to the patrol car around 5 p.m. April 23 in Bedford Park. He dropped the knife and punched the drivers side window repeatedly causing it to break, law enforcement sources said at the time. A knife-wielding maniac who smashed a NYPD cruisers windshield as a pair of cops sat inside and then punched them as they tried to arrest him in the Bronx last month has been sprung from jail. When the cops tried to slap the 34-year-old in cuffs, he pummeled both of them, the sources said. The officers were eventually able to arrest him. Young was charged with assault, criminal mischief, criminal possession of a weapon and harassment. Young was held on $10,000 cash bail and $10,000 bond immediately after his arrest. But when he appeared before Justice Brenda Rivera at a hearing on Wednesday he was released with non-monetary conditions, despite prosecutors asking for bail again, records show. Rivera was elected in 2014 to a term that expires on Dec. 31, 2024. A spokesman for the New York State Unified Court System didnt immediately return a call seeking comment. Patrick Young was holding a large knife and then dropped it when he allegedly ran up to the patrol car around 5 p.m. April 23 in Bedford Park punching the drivers side window repeatedly causing it to break. Obtained by NY Post This is a deranged repeat offender who specifically targeted police officers for a vicious assault, Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry said. Anyone who thinks he can be trusted to remain on the street is out of their mind, the union president said. This is yet another case that shows police officers our justice system doesnt care about our safety, or the safety of the New Yorkers we protect. What we know so far about the helicopter crash that killed Iran's president and others BEIRUT (AP) The helicopter crash that killed Irans president and foreign minister has sent shock waves around the region. Iranian state media on Monday said that President Ebrahim Raisi, the countrys foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, and others had been found dead after an hourslong search through a foggy, mountainous region of the countrys northwest. State TV gave no immediate cause for the crash. Heres what we know so far. WHO WAS ON BOARD AND WHERE WERE THEY GOING? The helicopter on Sunday was carrying Raisi, Amirabdollahian, the governor of Irans East Azerbaijan province and other officials, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. Raisi was returning after traveling to Irans border with Azerbaijan to inaugurate a dam with Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev when the crash occurred in the Dizmar forest in East Azerbaijan province. IRNA said the crash killed eight people including three crew members aboard the Bell helicopter, which Iran purchased in the early 2000s. HOW DID THE SEARCH OPERATION GO? Iranian officials said the mountainous, forested terrain and heavy fog impeded search-and-rescue operations, which continued overnight. The president of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, Pir-Hossein Koulivand, said Sunday evening that 40 search teams were on the ground despite challenging weather conditions. Because of the bad weather, it was "impossible to conduct aerial searches via drones, Koulivand said, according to IRNA. It was not until early Monday that officials announced the helicopter had been found and all of its occupants were dead. HOW WAS THE CRASH SITE FOUND? Early Monday, Turkish authorities released what they described as drone footage showing what appeared to be a fire in the wilderness that they suspected to be wreckage of a helicopter. The coordinates listed in the footage put the fire about 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of the Azerbaijan-Iranian border on the side of a steep mountain. Footage released by IRNA showed what the agency described as the crash site, across a steep valley in a mountain range. Soldiers speaking in the local Azeri language said: There it is, we found it. Shortly after that, state TV in an on-screen scrolling text said: There is no sign of life from people on board. HOW WILL RAISI'S DEATH IMPACT IRAN? Raisi was seen as a protege to Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a potential successor for his position within the countrys Shiite theocracy. Under the Iranian constitution, if a president dies, the countrys first vice president in this case, Mohammad Mokhber becomes acting president, with elections mandated within 50 days. Khamenei has publicly assured Iranians that there would be no disruption to the operations of the country as a result of the crash. WHAT HAS INTERNATIONAL REACTION BEEN? After news broke of the search operation, countries including Russia, Iraq and Qatar made statements of concern about Raisis fate and offered to assist in the search. Azerbaijani President Aliyev offered any support necessary. Relations between the two countries have been chilly due to Azerbaijans diplomatic relations with Israel, Iran's regional arch-enemy. Saudi Arabia, traditionally a rival of Iran although the two countries recently made a rapprochement, said it stands by "Iran in these difficult circumstances. There was no immediate official reaction from Israel. Last month, following an Israeli strike on an Iranian consular building in Damascus that killed two Iranian generals, Tehran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel. They were mostly shot down and tensions have apparently subsided. The U.S., which has its own history of tensions with Tehran, issued condolences in a State Department statement and added that "we reaffirm our support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Kouri Richins defense files to withdraw from representing her in murder case, cites irreconcilable situation SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) The defense for Kouri Richins the Kamas, Utah woman on trial for allegedly poisoning her husband with fentanyl, resulting in his death in March of 2022 has filed a motion to withdraw from representing Richins in the case, and asked to appoint new counsel for Richins moving forward. Ray Quinney & Nebeker P.C. (RQN or Firm) is hereby providing notice that it has a professional duty to withdraw from its current representation of the Defendant, a court filing in the Third Judicial District Court states. The ethical mandate for withdrawal results from an irreconcilable and nonwaivable situation. Kouri Richins complete timeline in murder case The defense said that the matter emerged after the hearing held on Wednesday. They notified the court and opposing counsel of their withdrawal on Friday. To properly safeguard the Defendants constitutional rights, this Court should immediately grant the Firms motion to withdraw and should immediately appoint new counsel to continue the vigorous defense of the criminal charges against Ms. Richins, the filing states. For everything relating to the Kouri Richins murder trial, visit ABC4s page dedicated to the case 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 ABC4 Utah. This photo taken on May 19, 2024 shows a screen displaying footage by the national Iranian television on the search and rescue work after a helicopter hard landing in East Azarbaijan province, Iran. A hard landing happened to a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other senior officials in the northwestern province of East Azarbaijan on Sunday, Iran's state-run IRIB TV reported. The area of the hard landing had been narrowed down to a radius of 2 km, but the exact location has yet to be determined, Iranian Vice President for Executive Affairs Mohsen Mansouri told state-run IRIB TV. (Xinhua/Shadati) TEHRAN, May 19 (Xinhua) -- A hard landing happened to a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other senior officials in the northwestern province of East Azarbaijan on Sunday, Iran's state-run IRIB TV reported. The area of the hard landing had been narrowed down to a radius of 2 km, but the exact location has yet to be determined, Iranian Vice President for Executive Affairs Mohsen Mansouri told state-run IRIB TV. Speaking near the possible scene, Mansouri said the search and rescue work was going on slowly in a hard-to-reach area affected by bad weather. The incident occurred earlier Sunday in the Varzaqan County, some 670 km away from the capital Tehran. Contact had been established with one of the passengers and a crew member aboard the helicopter, the vice president said, without specifying their identities. IRIB TV reported that Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, East Azarbaijan's Governor Malek Rahmati, and the Friday prayers leader Tabriz Mohammad Ali Ale-Hasehem were also on the helicopter. Their whereabouts remain unclear. Rescuers from the Iranian Red Crescent Society, police, army, and Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, had been sent to the scene. Low temperatures and rainfall were causing further difficulties for their work, Mansouri noted. Raisi was traveling in a convoy of three helicopters when the one carrying him lost communication with the other two approximately 30 minutes after takeoff. The two other helicopters immediately began a search of the area for about 20 minutes, but were later compelled to make an emergency landing due to thick fog and other weather conditions, Mansouri noted. The helicopter carrying Raisi and his team had an incident and suffered from a "hard landing" due to the bad weather, Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi told IRIB TV. He said contacts had been made with some of the team accompanying the president, but given that the region was "complicated," establishing contacts was difficult. The president's convoy was on its way from Khoda Afarin County, where Raisi had attended the inauguration ceremony of a storage dam along with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev earlier in the day, to the provincial capital Tabriz for the inauguration of a petrochemical complex. Head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society Pirhossein Kolivand told IRIB TV that 40 rapid reaction teams had rushed to the scene and were monitoring the region. He said drones were being used to search the region as the search by land or other aerial means was difficult due to the mountainous landscape and bad weather conditions. Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Baqeri has ordered the army, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and the police to make all-out efforts to search for and rescue the president and his accompanying team, said the Iran Newspaper. Iranian people gathered in holy sites, including the Imam Reza holy shrine in the northeastern city of Mashhad, to pray for the president and others onboard. Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei prayed for the safe return of Raisi and those accompanying him in the incident, according to the semi-official Fars news agency. Speaking in a meeting with the families of Iran's IRGC members in Tehran, he told Iranian people not to be worried as there would be no disruption in the country's affairs. Regional countries including Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Iraq and Saudi Arabia have voiced concern over the incident and readiness to assist in search and rescue efforts. Turkiye on Sunday evening sent a drone to join in the search and rescue operations for the helicopter on the request from the Iranian side through the foreign ministry, the Turkish Defense Minister said in a statement. The Saudi Foreign Ministry stressed that the kingdom stands by Iran in these difficult circumstances and is ready to provide any assistance the Iranian authorities need. This photo taken on May 19, 2024 shows a screen displaying footage by the national Iranian television on the search and rescue work after a helicopter hard landing in East Azarbaijan province, Iran. A hard landing happened to a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other senior officials in the northwestern province of East Azarbaijan on Sunday, Iran's state-run IRIB TV reported. The area of the hard landing had been narrowed down to a radius of 2 km, but the exact location has yet to be determined, Iranian Vice President for Executive Affairs Mohsen Mansouri told state-run IRIB TV. (Xinhua/Shadati) This photo taken on May 19, 2024 shows a screen displaying footage by the national Iranian television on the search and rescue work after a helicopter hard landing in East Azarbaijan province, Iran. A hard landing happened to a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other senior officials in the northwestern province of East Azarbaijan on Sunday, Iran's state-run IRIB TV reported. The area of the hard landing had been narrowed down to a radius of 2 km, but the exact location has yet to be determined, Iranian Vice President for Executive Affairs Mohsen Mansouri told state-run IRIB TV. (Xinhua/Shadati) This photo taken on May 19, 2024 shows a screen displaying footage by the national Iranian television on the search and rescue work after a helicopter hard landing in East Azarbaijan province, Iran. A hard landing happened to a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other senior officials in the northwestern province of East Azarbaijan on Sunday, Iran's state-run IRIB TV reported. The area of the hard landing had been narrowed down to a radius of 2 km, but the exact location has yet to be determined, Iranian Vice President for Executive Affairs Mohsen Mansouri told state-run IRIB TV. (Xinhua/Shadati) Los Angeles County public health officials are investigating a reported case of hepatitis A in an employee at a Whole Foods supermarket in Beverly Hills. Health officials warned that anyone who purchased products from the seafood counter at the market at 239 North Crescent Drive between April 20 and May 13 receive the hepatitis A vaccine if they are not already immune. Receiving vaccination as soon as possible after exposure could help reduce the risk of developing hepatitis A infection, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said. Residents should contact their local pharmacy or medical provider for the vaccine. Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection that can range from a mild illness running a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months, according to information provided by the health department. The infection typically spreads when a person unwittingly ingests the virus from objects, food or drinks contaminated by small, undetected amounts of stool from an infected person. The health department is working with Whole Foods to make sure employees that are not immune to hepatitis A are referred for vaccination. No additional cases of hepatitis A had been reported as of Saturday, and the investigation is ongoing. Los Angeles officials said earlier this week that hepatitis A is spreading among the citys homeless population. People experiencing homelessness tend to be at higher risk because they have limited access to handwashing and bathroom facilities. Whole Foods corporate communications office did not immediately reply to an email requesting comment on the investigation. In a statement to the Los Angeles Times, the company said the team member diagnosed is not working, and we are not aware of anyone else becoming ill. While we have strict food safety processes in place in our stores, the company told the newspaper, we encourage anyone who believes they may have been exposed to follow the guidance of the health department. This story was originally published on NBCNews.com. This article was originally published on TODAY.com The Los Angeles Police Department is moving to fire a senior captain who allegedly did not disclose a romantic relationship with a 911 dispatcher, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times. Alejandro Vargas, who is a senior captain with the Van Nuys division, was advised by Assistant Chief Daniel Randolph that he would be assigned home after an internal investigation uncovered a romantic relationship between Vargas and a civilian employee. According to the L.A. Times, Vargas lied to three investigators when confronted about the relationship. Officers who have committed fireable offenses must go through a board of rights hearing where both sides can present their cases. This process is written in the city charter. The report states that Vargas initially came under investigation when his relationship with the 911 dispatcher became known to LAPD officials. Vargas allegedly lied to department investigators and asked witnesses not to testify. The 911 dispatcher has been fired from her position, according to the L.A. Times. As a civilian employee, she was not able to go through a hearing process but can appeal the decision Vargas allegedly kissed the former dispatcher while he was on duty. LAPD rules state that employees are required to report personal relationships with other city employees to their superior officers. After discovering Vargas relationship, the LAPD transferred the 30-year veteran from his post with the department to another area. This is the second time a high-ranking LAPD member has faced discipline for an inappropriate relationship. Former Asst. Chief Al Labrada was demoted from his position when he was accused of placing an Apple Airtag in the bumper of his former girlfriends vehicle. She was also an officer with the LAPD. The tracking device found in the vehicle was traced back to Labradas work-issued cell phone. 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. UNC and DEI The writer is a rising senior at UNC-CH and a member of the Affirmative Action Coalition. The repeal of DEI is not a defense of UNCs troubled history. It is an attempt to drown it, prevent it from ever resurfacing. For 160 years, UNC functioned explicitly for the success of white students. It has done so implicitly ever since. As a majority white, majority male Board of Trustees diverts DEI funds to the university police who violently stifle student dissent, this has never been more evident. In the decades-long struggle for freedom between people of color and police, UNC has chosen police. In the broader moral debate about what a society must do to reckon with its past, UNC has chosen denial. Julian Taylor, Chapel Hill Voter ID Regarding What I told federal court about NCs discriminatory voter ID law, (May 13 Opinion): I couldnt agree more about obstacles erected by our new voter ID laws. I am experiencing them with my 93-year-old mother who moved from Illinois a few years ago. Once she became a resident, she easily voted in North Carolina until now. She doesnt have a drivers license, and I have been navigating numerous encumbrances to schedule her a state ID appointment through DMV. The only available appointments are three months from now, and I had to go through Vital Statistics to get her birth certificate and marriage license at a cost of $108. The voter ID law is a bigger fraud than false narratives about hundreds of dead people voting and others voting multiple times. What if my mother lived alone, had no way to get a ride, and no understanding about how to get proper documents and set DMV appointments? She would have missed voting for the first time since 1948. Jerry Decker, Fuquay-Varina Abortion Floridas 6-week abortion ban took effect this month, and as a result, North Carolina is one of two remaining states in the South where patients can access abortion beyond six weeks. As a board certified OB-GYN, I understand what continued attacks on bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom mean for my patients. We must fight for the right to abortion access for our own citizens as well as the thousands of individuals who are now being forced to travel hundreds of miles to the nearest abortion clinic, which for most of the South is now North Carolina. Come November, I hope North Carolinians will be motivated to vote for representatives and leaders who understand that politicians have no place in personal healthcare decisions. We cannot let North Carolina become another state added to the list of those with even more extreme bans on access to essential healthcare. Dr. Jenna Beckham, Durham Newtons mask bill Regarding NC legislators consider repealing exceptions to mask law, (May 15): The Unmasking Mobs and Criminals bill is a disaster for those of us who live with or care for medically fragile people or who have medical risks ourselves. While bill sponsor Sen. Buck Newton says he does not intend for it to impact granny in Walmart, I can foresee being stopped by some self-important, anti-masker who tells me is it illegal and demands I take it off. I dont believe the world is the same as it was in 2020. Masks are seen as a political statement and frankly I dont trust peoples common sense. I guess when this granny is confronted, I will hand them a card with Newtons contact information. They can call him for an interpretation of this ridiculous bill. Cindy J. DiLiberti, Hillsborough Downtown Suggestions for enlivening four key blocks of Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh (May 10) tinker around the edges rather than show a willingness to be more creative. Just because the previous effort to make Fayetteville Street a pedestrian mall was a failure doesnt mean a better design couldnt work. There are a lot more people living downtown now, and the idea of broadening sidewalks doesnt address the noise factor of cars just a few feet away. Why not look at the four blocks more like a large square and visualize how that amount of open space could truly enliven the center of downtown? Stephen Jenks, Carrboro Show Us Receipts In an age of widespread public interest in UFOs, a handful of Congress members are calling on the government to show its cards. Titled the "UAP Transparency Act," a reference to the government's new preferred term for UFOs of "unidentified aerial/anomalous phenomenon," the new law introduced by Tennessee Republican Tim Burchett would require that all documents about these phenomena be declassified. "It's simple," Burchett told Fox News of his bill. "They spend all this time telling us they don't exist, then release the files, dagnabbit." One of the legislative branch's most outspoken believers in extraterrestrials, the Tennesee congressman once claimed that "UFOs were in the Bible," specifically citing the chapter of Ezekiel as evidence. As such, he's long used his power and podium to urge the government to share more information with the public about any knowledge of UFOs. "This bill isnt all about finding little green men or flying saucers, its about forcing the Pentagon and federal agencies to be transparent with the American people," Burchett said in the bill's press release. "Im sick of hearing bureaucrats telling me these things dont exist while weve spent millions of taxpayer dollars on studying them for decades." Checkered Past The GOP congressman who, we should note, made a transphobic comment so vile that he was shut down by a Fox host is joined by Reps. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), and Eric Burlison (R-MO) in cosponsoring the bill, which would require the Pentagon to declassify all its UAP documents within 270 days of its passage. Behind this declassification push is Burchett's belief that the government has sustained a long term coverup of its knowledge and use of UFO technology. "The devil has been in our way through this thing," the congressman, who sits on the House of Representative's oversight subcommittee, said during a hearing last year. "Weve run into roadblocks from members from the intelligence community, the Pentagon." Inspired by testimony from whistleblower David Grusch last year, Burchett and his bill cosponsors sent a letter to the intelligence community's inspector general requesting more information about claims that the government had retrieved and reverse-engineered alien technology. This year, the Pentagon's UFO office released a 63-page document saying it had no such records, which may or may not have been in response to that letter last summer Given both the strange religiosity and the general discrediting of Grusch and his testimony, we're taking this bill with a grain of salt but it will be interesting to see what happens with it, even if its chances of passing currently seem like a long shot. More on UFOs: The Head of the SETI Institute Says He's Seen Zero Evidence of Alien Technology EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The Class of 2024 commencement ceremonies will be held from May 23-25 at the Pan American Center,1810 E. University Avenue, at the New Mexico State University (NMSU) campus, the Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS) announced in a news release. This is the first time since 2019 that all six high schools in Las Cruces Public Schools have hosted graduations at the Pan American Center, according to the news release. The schedule for each commencement is as follows: 9 a.m. Thursday, May 23 Arrowhead Park Early College High School 6 p.m. Thursday, May 23 Organ Mountain High School 9 a.m. Friday, May 24 Rio Grande Preparatory Institute 6 p.m. Friday, May 24 Las Cruces High School 9 a.m. Saturday, May 25 Mayfield High School 6 p.m. Saturday, May 25 Centennial High School On Thursday, May 23 there will be an early release at Organ Mountain High School. On Friday, May 25 all classes at Las Cruces High School will be released early and there will be no school for Rio Grande Prep so that staff can attend commencement, according to LCPS. Guests are asked to use the northeast and southeast entrances to the Pan American Center. East and west entrances will not be open. Doors will open to attendees one hour prior to each ceremony. LCPS says attendees will be required to follow NMSUs clear bag policy, which means no bags that do not align with the policy will be allowed inside the venue. Approved bags include clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12 inches wide by six inches deep and 12 inches high. Small clutch bags are allowed, as well as soft, flexible seat cushions, according to LCPS. Prohibited items include confetti, noisemakers, large posters and fat head photos that might impede the view of others and balloons. In addition, all commencement ceremonies will have Spanish translation available as well as an American Sign Language interpreter. For those who cannot attend, all ceremonies will be livestreamed at www.lcps.tv. 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. At least a dozen anti-Israel protesters arrested in NYC after clashing with police during noisy demonstration NYPD made several arrests during an anti-Israel protest in Bay Ridge on Saturday. Anti-Israel protesters clashed with NYPD officers at a raucous demonstration in Brooklyn on Saturday, leading to at least a dozen arrests. Video showed part of the angry mob, some 250 strong, pushing back as police tried to move them towards the sidewalk in Bay Ridge. Cops eventually tackled and arrested several protesters, video shows. Police tackle a protestor. Paul Martinka for NY Post Cops arrest anti-Israel protesters. Paul Martinka for NY Post Police could be seen dragging demonstrators away as the protesters fought back and yelled at the officers. One demonstrator hurled a water bottle at them. One man was pinned against a van by police and placed in handcuffs as people screamed at police to let him go. A line of handcuffed protesters, one draped in a Palestinian flag, were filmed being loaded into the back of a police vehicle. We love you! a friend shouted to one of them from the other side of the police line. The main area of the protest amassed on Ovington Ave and 5th Ave in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Paul Martinka for NY Post A protestor is hauled away. Paul Martinka for NY Post Anti-Israel protesters clashed with NYPD officers on Saturday, leading to at least a dozen arrests. Paul Martinka for NY Post The Post observed at least 12 people being arrested. Police did not have an official number of arrests immediately available. The entire neighborhood was blanketed by a massive police presence. The NYPD has spent over 400 million on Palestine protest alone, the demonstrators chanted in a call and response. Cops could be seen dragging demonstrators away as the protesters fought back and yelled at the officers. Paul Martinka Footage showed part of the angry mob, some 250 strong, pushing back as police tried to move them towards the sidewalk in Brooklyn Paul Martinka A woman yells during an anti-Israel protests in Brooklyn. Paul Martinka The entire neighborhood was blanketed by a massive police presence. Paul Martinka for NY Post They told us to stop. But we will not rest. Until this city divests. Free free Palestine, they said. One woman on top of a U Haul truck screamed: Dont talk to the pigs they dont deserve our attention to a loud applause. At least a dozen anti-Israel protesters were arrested. Paul Martinka for NY Post Protestors release green smoke. Paul Martinka for NY Post Biden is the oldest president we have ever had. And he will die soon, she added, to more cheers. The protest left local residents annoyed. Stupid, childish, just a bunch of people running around like assholes causing disruption. Selfish, said one man. They told us to stop. But we will not rest. Until this city divests. Free free Palestine, they said. Paul Martinka for NY Post The NYPD has spent over 400 million on Palestine protest alone, the demonstrators chanted in a call and response. Paul Martinka for NY Post The protest left local residents annoyed. Paul Martinka At least six civilians injured in Russian strike on Kharkiv district A strong explosion was heard in the city of Kharkiv on the morning of 19 May. Source: Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov; Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Quote: "A strong explosion in Kharkiv. Be careful!" Details: Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration has urged citizens to take shelter. The air-raid warning has been in place for 8 hours in Kharkiv Oblast, while the previous one was in effect for 18 hours. Updated: Syniehubov later added that the strikes were heard in Kharkiv district. Early reports indicate that six people were injured in the Russian strike on Mala Danylivka hromada. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.] Support UP or become our patron! KAMPALA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- The Ugandan military said on Sunday that it has captured the commander of the rebel group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) responsible for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and rescued nine abductees in a joint operation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Ugandan troops, together with their Congolese counterparts, captured Anywari Al Iraq at Apumu in the eastern DRC's Ituri Province on Saturday, said Bilal Katamba, Ugandan spokesperson for the joint operations dubbed Operation Shujaa. Katamba said in a statement that Anywari, also known as AA, an expert in IEDs, is of Ugandan nationality. "During the operation, one submachine gun, 45 rounds of ammunition, three walkie-talkies, one RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) charger, and an assortment of IED-making materials were recovered." Meanwhile, the military spokesperson said four children and five women were rescued from the ADF in the Mambune area in Ituri Province on Saturday. "The rescued children and women are receiving basic medical attention as arrangements are underway to transfer them to a better medical facility," said Katamba. "The joint forces continue to pursue the ADF terrorists from all directions in their areas of operation." The ADF, a branch of the Islamic State in Central Africa, is a rebel group that has been operating in the jungles of the eastern DRC. Ugandan troops, in cooperation with their DRC counterparts, have been jointly combating the rebel group since November 2021. James Montoya and Alma Trejo remaining candidates for El Paso County district attorney in the May 28 runoff election. Legal heavyweights are relying on decades of legal experience in a battle to represent the Democratic party in the race for El Paso District Attorney. James Montoya and Alma Trejo will faceoff in a May 28 runoff election to see who will challenge incumbent El Paso District Attorney Bill Hicks in the Nov. 5 General Election. Hicks, a Republican, ran unopposed in the Republican primary election. Montoya is currently an El Paso County deputy public defender, while Trejo resigned as El Paso County Criminal Court #1 judge to run for district attorney. The El Paso Times sent questionnaires to the candidates in contested races in the March , 2022, primary election. Following are the answers to the questionnaire submitted by Montoya and Trejo. Montoya ended primary night with 38% of the votes, while Trejo finished with 36% of the vote. Nancy Casas, a county attorney, finished third in the March primary gathering nearly 27% of the vote. Casas has endorsed Montoya in the runoff election. The key focus in the district attorney's race has been staffing issues within the district attorney's office. The staffing shortage has been blamed for creating a large backlog of cases and delaying the El Paso Walmart mass shooting trial. Montoya said he has a team ready to start on day one if he is elected to immediately fix the staffing shortage originally created under the former district attorney Yvonne Rosales, who resigned from office amid accusations of official misconduct. "What makes me the best candidate is not just my own personal experience and qualifications, but that I actually have a team of experienced lawyers who have expressed a willingness to return to the district attorney's office or to start at the district attorney's office under my leadership," Montoya said. "One person cannot fix the situation in the DA's office. It's going to take a team effort. I'm very proud of the team that I have. I always tell voters, 'when you're voting for James Montoya, you're not just voting for one person. You're voting for a whole team of experience.'" Trejo also said addressing staffing shortages is one of her main priorities. If elected, she will use her experience in the legal field to hire experienced prosecutors and maintain attorneys currently working for the district attorney's office, she said. "I'm going to draw on my experience as a former judge and a former administrative who has hiring and firing experience and managerial experience," Trejo said. "I'm going to first of all read all the exit interviews to find out what the problem is. Why are people leaving? The problem is not recruiting. The problem is maintaining. So once I figure out what the problems are I'll sit down with my administration and figure out how we can solve that problem. Maybe it's offering part time. Maybe it's offering flex time. Maybe it's offering contract work. Whatever the needs of that office are that's what I plan to address." The candidates' responses are being published largely as they were submitted. Additional information can be found at elpasotimes.com. More: James Montoya, Alma Trejo face off in runoff election for El Paso district attorney seat El Paso district attorney candidate James Montoya smiles with his supporters at his election watch party at Papa Doble in El Paso, Texas on March 5, 2024. James Montoya Age: 33 Please describe your personal and professional background. I am born and raised here in El Paso. Growing up, I attended Soccoro ISD public schools and became an Eagle Scout with Yucca Council Troop 37. I attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C. for both college and law school. While in D.C., I worked for State Department and Department of Justice. I immediately returned to El Paso and started my legal career as an Assistant District Attorney under Jaime Esparza. Starting in 2014, I was assigned to the Special Crimes Unit and was responsible for the prosecution for all homicides and other major crimes in El Paso County. After unsuccessfully running for DA in 2020, I served as a federal prosecutor for the U.S. Department of Justice, prosecuting violent felonies, including murders, sexual assaults, and robberies, on Native American reservations in Oklahoma. Since 2022, I have served a Deputy Public Defender for El Paso County representing indigent members of our community accused of crimes. Throughout my career, I have worked on over 100 homicide cases and personally tried 65 jury trials, half of which were for murder or capital murder. How do you earn a living? Do you plan to continue if elected? I am currently a Deputy Public Defender. If I am elected, being the DA will be my only employment. Please describe your education. Where did you get your high school diploma? What higher education degrees and certificates have you earned from where? I attended SISD public schools and graduated from Americas High School. I was accepted into a highly-competitive combined degree program at George Washington University, where I received both a B.A. in political science and my law degree. What experiences in leadership do you have that qualify you for this position? Having now served in three different government law offices the District Attorneys Office, a U.S. Attorneys Office, and the Public Defenders Office and seeing first-hand a wide range of leadership styles, I believe the experience that best qualifies me to be DA is my extensive and unparalleled trial experience. To effectively lead an office of nearly 90 trial lawyers, I believe one must be a trial lawyer. Trial work, particularly on murder cases and other complex investigations, requires leadership coordinating the efforts of dozens of law enforcement officers, forensic scientists, administrative staff, victim services personnel, and civilian witnesses demands leadership. It demands learning how to delegate, compromise, and adapt. It is necessary to understand the work that is actually being done in the office and all phases of litigation, from start to finish. Have you ever been arrested or charged with a crime? Have you ever had a civil judgment against you? Have you ever been in arrears on local, state or federal taxes? If so, please provide an explanation. No. If elected, would you have any potential conflicts of interest that you are aware of that would impair your ability to serve? Please explain what they are and how you would avoid the conflict. No. However, by law, I would be disqualified from prosecuting cases where I previously represented the accused. Those cases would be transferred to the County Attorneys Office for prosecution. What does transparent government mean to you? Will you be personally accessible to answer questions while in office? Government transparency requires both the individual elected official and the agency/department to be readily accessible and accountable to the public, including responsiveness to open records requests, media interviews, and other citizen forums. Yes, throughout my career as an Assistant District Attorney, I regularly made myself available to answer questions after trials, regardless of the outcome, and I continue to provide my personal number on the campaign trail. Issue related questions What do you feel are the largest challenges facing the El Paso District Attorneys Office? As District Attorney, what would you do to address those challenges? The single most critical challenge facing the DAs Office now is a staffing crisis. The staffing crisis began in 2021 with Ms. Yvonne Rosales mass dismissals. The appointed DA, Mr. Hicks, has been unable to solve it. To this day, the DAs Office simply does not have enough lawyers to give the cases the attention they deserve. It is a disservice to victims of crime who want justice and its a disservice to those accused because they dont have enough lawyers to ensure that a persons constitutional rights are upheld. Every week as a public defender, I see cases dismissed the morning of trial because the DAs Office is not sufficiently prepared or missed certain deadlines. Incriminating and exonerating evidence that should be turned over months before trial is regularly disclosed on the eve of trial. Emails and phone calls go unreturned for weeks. It is not an understatement to say that right now, the DAs Office is barely getting by. The only way to rectify the situation is to first, aggressively recruit and retain experienced lawyers, and then create a long-term effort to recruit, train, and mentor young lawyers. Following Ms. Rosales dismissals, many of my former colleagues began working for other governmental law offices, including the Public Defenders Office, or went into private practice. Many of these individuals are ready, willing, and able to return to the DAs Office under the right circumstances. I have identified a group of a dozen to 15 lawyers, both new and old, who are open to joining the DAs Office under my leadership. This group of experienced lawyers would make an immediate impact on day one. Furthermore, they would create the environment and atmosphere necessary to create long-term stability and continuity in the DAs Office. Why are you the best candidate for this office? I am the best candidate because I am the only candidate that (1) fundamentally understands the needs and problems of the DAs Office right now and (2) has the experience, team, and plan necessary to solve it. In two short years, Ms. Rosales caused significant institutional harm not only to the DAs Office, but our entire local criminal justice system. I have grave concerns that another four years of another district attorney who does not understand the gravity of the situation or the monumentality of the responsibility will cause that damage to become irreparable. We only have so much time to turn things around before it becomes the permanent state of being. I not only understand the challenge ahead, but I am ready to make the long-term commitment to fix it. What are your top three priorities? 1) Fully staff the DAs Office no other initiatives are realistically possible until this condition is met. 2) Ensure that the Walmart case is responsibly prosecuted. 3) Establish office guidelines ensuring that crimes that directly impact public safety crimes of violence, crimes involving weapons, domestic abuse, crimes against children, repeat DWIs are prioritized for prosecution and receive the attention they deserve. What role does the district attorney play? Is it more administrative position or litigation position? Who the DA needs to be is a leader. To characterize the position as more administrative or litigation is a false dichotomy of the role of the DA. At its most fundamental level, the DA is the communitys elected representative in our criminal justice system. The DA needs to be a leader who understands how our community feels about criminal justice and public safety. A leader with substantive trial experience who has actually faced El Paso County juries and understands what the mission of the office is. A leader with vision, who can build a team of prosecutors, support personnel, and law enforcement, and articulate clear guidance for that team to follow, and to instill a culture of integrity, justice, and professionalism. I am that leader. What are your plans and strategies to address the large backlog of cases currently pending in the El Paso justice system? What types of cases would you prioritize? Again, it goes back to staffing. The backlog was created because there simply was not enough lawyers to review all the cases that law enforcement agencies were bringing to the DAs Office for prosecution police were arresting offenders, but the DAs Office was failing to file charges against them in court. Although the appointed DA has made efforts to file the cases, the backlog itself has not gone away the pile of cases is simply being pushed from within the DAs Office and out into the courts. The DAs Office now needs lawyers to actually prosecute the cases in court lawyers that they do not have. That is precisely why one of my priorities is to provide clear guidelines to my assistant prosecutors to focus their time and attention on the cases that matter the most crimes of violence, crimes involving weapons, domestic abuse, crimes against children, repeat DWIs. How do you plan to handle low level misdemeanors such as marijuana possession? While a DA is not free to disregard the law, nor do I believe that a DA should encourage lawbreaking, I will direct my prosecutors to place the lowest priority on victimless misdemeanors. These are cases that could potentially be disposed of with a class and a small administrative fee. In theft and vandalism cases, we will always prioritize restitution to the victim. For first time offenders, I will instruct my prosecutors to resolve the case in a manner that allows the person to expunge the case from his or her record. Do you plan on continuing to seek the death penalty against the El Paso Walmart mass shooter? Yes. My personal opinion is that the mass shooter deserves the death penalty and that a jury of El Pasoans should decide the appropriate punishment. However, the Department of Justice chose not to pursue the death penalty after reviewing mitigation evidence provided by his defense lawyers. I have not been made privy to that information and I believe that it should be reviewed. Furthermore, the critical question for me is what will the status of the case be on January 1, 2025 if we are not any closer to trial, or if it appears we are unable to find an unbiased jury here in El Paso, those are factors that to me, weigh against continuing to pursue the death penalty. A number of El Paso Police officers where recently arrested on criminal charges; how should these cases be handled? Would you be open to plea agreements that result in reduced charges? I believe all public servants, including law enforcement officers, should be held to a higher standard by virtue of their position of trust. If elected, once we have fully staffed the DAs Office, I intend to establish a Public Integrity Unit, which would handle cases involving public servants or licensed professionals accused of official misconduct. Regarding plea agreements and reduced charges, we will always follow the law and facts in resolving cases and each case is handled on an individual basis. How can the District Attorneys Office address border crime? How important is building relationships with law enforcement? It is imperative that the DAs Office has a positive working relationship with the various law enforcement agencies in our jurisdiction. The DAs Office relies on law enforcement to conduct impartial investigations, collect all available evidence, and speak to the necessary witnesses. While the entities are separate, they must work together to keep the community safe and ensure the right offenders are held accountable. Furthermore, the DAs Office plays a crucial role in providing oversight and accountability to our law enforcement agencies the DAs Office is uniquely situated to cast a critical eye on investigations, correct improper police procedures, and provide legal updates from the Legislature or from appellate courts. Respectfully, the phrase border crime is so amorphous and ambiguous as to render it almost impossible to answer intelligently. Non-citizens who commit criminal offenses will be held accountable as citizens. I intend to work closely with federal law enforcement agencies to ensure that cases involving transnational criminal enterprises and trends are handled by those with the best available resources. I do not believe that state and local law enforcement agencies should be enforcing federal immigration laws. I do not believe that SB4 as enacted is constitutional the laws contained/comprised by SB4 are virtually identical to the Arizona laws previously struck down by the Supreme Court in 2012 and as a result, do not believe that SB4 should be enforced by any state actor until its constitutionality has been definitively ruled upon by the federal courts. What must be done to regain the El Paso communitys trust after the resignation of former District Attorney Yvonne Rosales? Ultimately, I believe it is incumbent on the next District Attorney to begin the long and arduous journey to rebuild the DAs Office as an institution and the communitys trust. I believe it is up to the elected official to set the tone and culture moving forward. I am committed to making myself personally accessible and accountable for all actions at the DAs Office. I will work to ensure that the community is informed of the progress we make as well as any setbacks. I have never been one to shy away from an inconvenient truth indeed, as a prosecutor you cannot! This is a position with a tremendous amount of responsibility and very little room for error. That is not lost on me. I am running to be DA because I fundamentally believe in accountability people need to be held accountable for the things they do (or dont), myself included, and I am relying on my team, the press, and the community to keep us on track. El Paso district attorney candidate Alma Trejo speaks to her supporters at her watch party in El Paso, Texas on March 5, 2024. Alma Trejo Age: 59 Please describe your personal and professional background. Like many El Pasoans, I am a first generation American. My father and his brothers came to the US to work in agriculture as braceros. After moving around for several years, we settled down in Fabens and I attended school and worked as a waitress at a local diner during my high school and college years. My parents still reside in Fabens. I am the proud mother of a high school senior at EPHS. I was involved in school organizations during her school years. I started as an intern at the County Attorneys Office and eventually became a misdemeanor prosecutor. I started as a felony prosecutor at the District Attorneys Office and was promoted to Chief of a felony trial team and later promoted to Chief of the Rape and Child Abuse Unit. I tried at least 80 felony jury trials including sexual assault cases, murder cases, capital murder cases and a death penalty case. In 2002, I was elected as the Judge of County Criminal Court at Law #1 and remained on the bench until September 30, 2023. I presided over hundreds of misdemeanors jury trials during my time as a Judge. I was elected as the Local Administrative Judge for the Council of Judges in 2015 and served in that capacity for 4 years. In 2021, I was appointed by Supreme Court Chief Justice Hecht to serve on the Judicial Advisory Council, I am still serving as a board member. I also served on the El Paso Juvenile Probation Board for approximately 15 years. How do you earn a living? Do you plan to continue if elected? I resigned as the presiding judge of County Criminal Court #1, pursuant to state law, to run for the office of District Attorney. I plan to go back to work after my daughter goes off to college this fall. My employment will be determined by the election. Please describe your education. Where did you get your high school diploma? What higher education degrees and certificates have you earned from where? After graduating from Fabens High School, I obtained my Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from UTEP and my Doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas Tech School of Law. What experiences in leadership do you have that qualify you for this position? I was elected as Local Administrative Judge (LAJ) of the Council of Judges for 4 years. One of my first duties included repairing the Countys Indigent Defense Plan after failing an audit conducted by the Texas Indigent Defense Commission. I wrote the Countys response and established our current Indigent Defense system and procedures that complied with the Fair Defense Act. As the LAJ, I managed our $6 million budget for 40 courts and 200 court employees, handled HR matters, handled the hiring and firing of employees, established a performance metric team, addressed court backlogs, implemented court paperless procedures, updated court practices to comply with changing statutes, helped create the Jail Magistrate Court and collaborated with other county and community partners to address court issues. I met all these administrative responsibilities while still handing all my responsibilities in my court. Have you ever been arrested or charged with a crime? Have you ever had a civil judgment against you? Have you ever been in arrears on local, state or federal taxes? If so, please provide an explanation. No. If elected, would you have any potential conflicts of interest that you are aware of that would impair your ability to serve? Please explain what they are and how you would avoid the conflict. My brother is employed by EPPD as a detective, I am not sure if that would qualify as a conflict. That was a conflict when I served as a judge, I will inquire with the appropriate agencies to determine if a conflict exists. What does transparent government mean to you? Will you be personally accessible to answer questions while in office? The District Attorney has a responsibility to keep the public appraised of what the office is doing to keep El Paso safe. As I stated early in the campaign, I am committed to posting case data metrics on the website, the public should know how many capital murders, murders, sexual assaults, DWIs and other case types are pending in the office and the results of our jury trials. I plan to be available to the press and to community organizations. I would like to also set up town hall meetings in different parts of town to talk to discuss community issues. Issue related questions What do you feel are the largest challenges facing the El Paso District Attorneys Office? As District Attorney, what would you do to address those challenges? The biggest challenge facing the DAs office is the shortage of attorneys. This shortage has caused a backlog of pending cases. During the last three years as a Judge, I had to reduce the number of hearings and trials by half since I only had 1 prosecutor assigned to the court instead of the 2 prosecutors normally assigned to each court under the Jaime Esparza administration. It is my understanding that 24 attorneys have left the office in 1 year due to low morale. I would read the exit interviews of the attorneys who have left in the past 4 years to avoid the same problems. I would offer part-time employment in addition to full time employment and would allow remote employment, when possible, to improve morale. I would also send recruitment teams to our Texas law schools in hopes of attracting soon to be lawyers. I would build a work environment that appreciates our employees and keeps them happy. I have a good reputation among the legal field, and I know I can attract enough attorneys to establish a fully staffed office again. Why are you the best candidate for this office? I have vast trial experience as well as managerial experience. I can make decisions on day one. I have experience with budgets, employee matters, best practices and collaboration with others. I am a problem solver who focuses on solving the issue not playing the blame game. I am the only candidate in the democratic primary with death penalty experience. My main motivation for running for this position is to make El Paso safe for my daughter, nieces and for all our families. I have the skill set required to lead and transform the DAs office with 170 employees and a $20 million budget. What are your top three priorities? My three priorities include the Walmart case, the attorney shortage and the backlog of murder cases. On the first day in office, I would meet with the Walmart case lawyers to find out the status of the case and figure out how soon we can try this case. I would also meet with the families of the Walmart case to give them an update of the case. The answers to question 8 details how I plan to address the attorney shortage problem. There are currently 80 murder cases and 35 capital murder cases pending in the office, some cases as old as 6 years. In the first month, we would assign all these cases to two person teams so that the cases can be worked on. All lawyers in the office would be included in these assignments. Once a case is ready, we would ask the court for a hearing date to proceed to trial, if necessary. What role does the district attorney play? Is it more administrative position or litigation position? The role of the DA is 95% administrative and 5% litigation, especially when the office needs to be rebuilt. Having said that, a DA needs to have vast litigation experience, especially in death penalty cases, murder cases and sexual assault cases since the DA makes the ultimate decision in these types of cases. The DA is responsible for making sure the budget incorporates enough attorneys and staff to handle all the cases in 8 misdemeanor courts and 11 felony courts. If more personnel are needed, the DA must ask commissioners court for more positions and be able to justify these new positions with data. The DA is also responsible for all HR matters such as hiring, firing and employee grievances. Making sure your attorneys are properly trained and supervised is also another duty of the DA. The DA hires an administrative team for them to carry out the offices priorities. The DA also sits on various committees with criminal justice partners and must collaborate with others. What are your plans and strategies to address the large backlog of cases currently pending in the El Paso justice system? What types of cases would you prioritize? I would run data reports to find out how many pending cases we have and the age of those pending cases. I would classify the cases by high priority vs low priority. I would ask the courts to set up rocket docket hearings for the low priority cases so we can quickly dispose of those cases, this will free up the lawyers to start working on the high priority cases such as murder, rapes, violent offenses, DWIs and assaults. Murder cases would be assigned to all lawyers in the office to resolve those cases as soon as possible and everyone would learn to try a murder case. The goal would be for each prosecutor to be sent a monthly dashboard detailing the age and classification of the pending cases so that he/she can concentrate on the high priority cases and quickly resolve the low priority cases. How do you plan to handle low level misdemeanors such as marijuana possession? The County Courts implemented a cite and release program for misdemeanor marijuana cases, I would continue this program to avoid criminalizing our youth and save taxpayer money. Do you plan on continuing to seek the death penalty against the El Paso Walmart mass shooter? I would say yes for now. I would need to examine the penalty phase evidence and determine if we have the evidence to meet our burden and obtain the death penalty. I would also talk to the US Attorneys office to find out why they didnt seek the death penalty in the federal case. I would also find out if he is going to serve out his federal sentence first even if he is given a death sentence on the state charges. I doubt we can find enough El Paso jurors who have not made up their mind as to his guilt, therefore this case will need to be tried in another county. As a steward of taxpayer money, I would need to make sure we have the evidence required to obtain a death sentence. I would speak to the victims before deciding on whether to proceed to trial in another county to seek the death penalty or allow him to plead to life sentences. A number of El Paso Police officers where recently arrested on criminal charges; how should these cases be handled? Would you be open to plea agreements that result in reduced charges? These cases should be evaluated and handled in the same manner as any other case. The case may proceed to trial, to a guilty plea or even a dismissal depending on the evidence and strength of the case. If the evidence merits a reduction of charges, that is how the case will be handled. How can the District Attorneys Office address border crime? How important is building relationships with law enforcement? All cases presented by law enforcement will be evaluated and prioritized on a case-by-case basis. I would start a dialogue with law enforcement, Commissioners Court, Public Defenders office and other agencies to determine if we have the resources to prosecute SB4 offenses if the statute is determined to be constitutional by the courts. Trust and open communication between prosecutors and law enforcement is necessary. I would initiate quarterly meetings between all law enforcement agencies and our office to address any issues. What must be done to regain the El Paso communitys trust after the resignation of former District Attorney Yvonne Rosales? The resolution of the Walmart case is one step toward regaining the communitys confidence again. Transparency through a website, media presses and town hall meetings will also help regain peoples confidence. Once the community hears that the office is fully staffed again and the backlog of cases is being addressed, I have no doubt the public will start trusting the DAs office again. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: James Montoya, Alma Trejo answer campaign questions in DA runoff race Letters to the Editor: A two-state solution requires Palestinians and Israelis to ignore their extremists Displaced Palestinians arrive in central Gaza after fleeing from the southern city of Rafah on May 9. (Abdel Kareem Hana / Associated Press) To the editor: It is really very simple: Does Israel have the right to exist as a national homeland for the Jewish people? ("Palestinians mark 76 years of dispossession as new catastrophe unfolds in Gaza," May 14) Yes. Those who argue otherwise reveal a profound ignorance of Middle Eastern and Jewish history, an ignorance so profound and willful that it more than hints at antisemitism. Therefore, Israel has the right of self-defense, and Hamas, an enemy dedicated to the total destruction of Israel, must be destroyed. Hamas can be destroyed only by military action. Who will do this? Only Israel. That said, this question needs to be asked: Do the Palestinians have a legitimate grievance? Yes. They had been living in Palestine for centuries when Jews started arriving in great numbers in the late 19th century. There is ample room for acrimonious excursions into history, ethics and politics, but the essential conflict is two peoples contesting the same land. Therefore, compromise ought to be possible, no doubt a compromise odious to both sides. But compromise does not require goodwill; it merely needs enforcement. Accusations and intransigence must be set aside. The obstructions of those holding extreme positions, on both sides, will need to be overcome. The alternative is endless hatred, war and suffering. Alan Engelberg, Beverly Hills .. To the editor: As the Associated Press article you published on the Nakba notes, 700,000 Palestinians were displaced by the 1948 Arab-Israeli war; now, their community numbers 6 million. Many continue to live in refugee camps supported by the United Nations, clinging to their perceived right to return to their homes, lands and villages. I am sure some Native Americans would also like to reclaim their lost lands. However, it has been accepted that this is an impractical solution. Over the last 76 years, multiple attempts to implement a two-state solution have been foiled by the Palestinian demand for the right of return. This is synonymous with a demand for Israel to self-destruct. The population of Israel is about 9.8 million, of which 2 million people are Arab. Think of what would happen if 6 million more Palestinians, many of whom militantly want to displace Jews, were added. Needless to say, the only place left for the Jews would be the sea. Let us hope for a better solution. Michael Telerant, Los Angeles .. To the editor: Dr. Mahmoud Sabha is one of many medical heroes in the Gaza Strip risking his life to help the wounded and sick. ("I'm an American doctor stuck in Gaza. As Israel moves into Rafah, where will physicians and our patients go?" Opinion, May 15) Hospitals have been destroyed by Israeli forces making the disputed allegation that they were being used by Hamas. The health system in Gaza is all but nonexistent, and the food shortage is causing starvation. This inhuman destruction of Gaza must stop. Yes, Hamas started this war, but most of the killed and suffering in Gaza are not Hamas, nor do they have a say in what Hamas does. I spent 30 years in the U.S. Army. When American forces in Iraq went into Fallujah and Ramadi to root out opposition fighters, they did not carpet bomb those densely populated cities and kill several thousand Iraqis. Yes, going building-to-building presented more risk to U.S. forces, but it was the humane thing to do. Israel is destroying all of Gaza to crush Hamas. If that isn't genocidal, it's a crime against humanity. Destroying homes, infrastructure, schools and hospitals will not bring Israel peace; it will, however, develop more fighters. There is no military solution. Israel has to stop the war, exchange hostages and work to allow the creation of a Palestinian state. Palestinians deserve to be free, and Israelis deserves to live in peace but continued occupation will bring future endless wars. George Mouro, Rancho Mirage .. To the editor: Dr. Sabha's efforts to provide medical care to people in Gaza are admirable. His list of hopes at end the piece rings true, but there was one major omission: Tell Hamas to release the hostages. Josh Kaplan, Beverly Hills This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) After several days of burning and reigniting, a fire at a battery storage facility in Otay Mesa increased in intensity overnight Friday, damaging the building and leading to evacuation orders, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said in an update Saturday. The fire began Wednesday in building No. 3 at the Gateway Energy Storage facility in the 600 block of Paseo de la Fuente in Otay Mesa, which contains lithium-ion batteries. The fire has since reignited twice, with the latest blaze finally damaging the structure. Firefighters say they were able to keep the fire contained to the inside of the building through their latest update Friday night. That changed overnight Saturday. Cal Fire reported Saturday morning that fire activity increased overnight as the lithium-ion batteries continued to experience thermal runaway, which is when a battery creates heat faster than it can dissipate, leading to a rapid increase in temperature causing ignition. The fire extended into the building components and burned through part of the storage facilitys roof overnight Saturday. Fire at battery storage facility reignites in Otay Mesa: Cal Fire Firefighters are still actively working to fight the fire now four days after the initial call, fighting the fire from the air using aerial master streams, along with using unmanned portable monitors. HAZMAT teams were also called in as the fire involved lithium-ion batteries. On Sunday, Cal Fire said in an update that firefighters have been able to slow the progression of the fire to the point where only light, wispy smoke can be seen and only minimal heat is remaining. Firefighters say they will continue to use unstaffed hose lines to cool the inside of the building. However, firefighters are still on alert of any possible reignition from the lithium-ion batteries as the potential for a thermal runaway remains a concern. Evacuation orders and road closures are in place in the area surrounding the storage facility. The San Diego County evacuation map shows the area under an evacuation order as Alta Road, from just south of Donovan State Prison Road to Otay Mesa Road, and from Enrico Fermi Drive at the intersection of Otay Mesa Road east to Paseo de la Fuente. The San Diego County Sheriffs Department, San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, and the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health-Hazardous Materials Division are assisting Cal Fire/San Diego County Fire in battling the fire. Battery storage fire in Otay Mesa fuels concern over new site in North County Luckily, no injuries have been reported from this fire. However it is still a race against time for firefighters to continue to contain the fire, smoke and toxic fumes from the lithium-ion batteries. An investigation into the fire is ongoing. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Amber Coakley 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Let em sweat Texas prisons do not need air conditioning. (May 5, 4C, Texas should cool its prisons before a court turns up heat) Sorry, those inmates made mistakes. They should not get special benefits. I have been in prison. I did my time without air conditioning, phones, tablets or commissary access. Prisoners are getting too many privileges. There are homeless people and older Texans with no AC. Worry about them, not those who are in Texas prisons. - Liz Tony, Lufkin Not antisemitism Cynthia M. Allen wrote It would seem that the greatest source of antisemitism in Texas and beyond doesnt look very right-wing anymore. (May 9, 10A, Antisemitism in Texas comes more from left than right) Allen either doesnt get what is happening on college campuses across the nation and the world, or she has warped her words to fit her belief system. It cannot be denied that some antisemites, and possibly even a few Hamas supporters, have attended the anti-war rallies. But the overwhelming majority were humanists seeking an end to U.S. support for the aggression that has killed tens of thousands of innocents. We supported neither side. We advocated for an end to the killing. When every hospital and school is bombed out, when aid workers are targeted, when refugees are pushed against a closed gate, it ceases to be about Jews versus Palestinians. It becomes premeditated murder. - D.E. Barnes, Alvarado Fund schools Texas has a budget surplus of at least $11 billion. Lawmakers and the governor have chosen not to properly fund public school districts because they didnt get their way on school vouchers. So now we face closing school campuses and increasing class sizes for teachers who are already overworked. Schools are expected to pay for campus safety, too. The state could easily fund the public schools and provide safety improvements. The governor should be about improving the quality of education for all our children, regardless of race, creed or color. - Nancy Foster, Arlington Rules on vaping Whether you agree with the law on students caught with vaping materials, the law is in place. (May 12, 4C, Vaping is a problem. Pulling kids from class isnt answer) And as long as it is, students should abide by it. If they get caught breaking the rules and face negative consequences, I say, too bad and dont feel sorry for them. Theres an old saying: If you cant do the time, dont do the crime. Simply follow the rules, and there will be no negative consequences. - Rusty Bowden, Crowley Clear the air As an outsider to Village Creek, the Fort Worth neighborhood affected by industrial zoning, I cant speak for its residents. (May 10, 1A, City wants to block warehouse despite potential legal issues) I see an opportunity, though, for the groups involved to address the main issue: diesel pollution. The businesses say they want to be good neighbors, but they arent offering a solution to this basic problem. Electrifying the trucks would reduce noise and air pollution for all. There are many financial incentives for such a transition. The city could help with the street issues, and power companies could ensure a supply for electric trucks. Is there a leader, public or private, who is considering a way to break the impasse without legal action? - Eric Pratt, Fort Worth Students owe us President Joe Biden says he wants to help hardworking Americans by forgiving some federal student loans. Who is going to pay the bills? Its the hardworking people who never took out loans and never went to college, as well as people who did take out loans and paid them back. Is Biden trying to buy votes? - Lucille Bida, Arlington A man was taken to the hospital in stable condition after jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday afternoon. A man miraculously survived a 120-foot jump off of the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday, police and sources said. The 24-year-old splashed down into the East River around 1:30 p.m., police said. He was still conscious when an NYPD Harbor Unit in the area pulled him out of the water, according to police. The man jumped off the bridge around 1:30 p.m. Saturday. William Farrington An NYPD Harbor Unit took the man to shore. William Farrington He was brought to Pier 16 in Manhattan and taken by EMS to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition, cops said. Photos from the scene show the man being taken away in a stretcher with a brace around his neck. The investigation is ongoing, cops said. Man acquitted in killing of pregnant woman, her boyfriend at Topeka apartment TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A 41-year-old man has been acquitted in the 2016 killing of a pregnant woman and her boyfriend at a Topeka apartment. The jurys verdict of not guilty Friday in the capital murder and rape case against Yanez Sanford was met with an angry outcry from the slain womans father, Charles Trotter, who was asked to leave the courtroom. This is all about truth and honesty, and what was served today was not that, Trotter told The Topeka Capital-Journal as he stood outside the courthouse with a wailing relative. His daughter, 20-year-old Camrah Trotter, was killed as she called 911 after her boyfriend, 23-year-old Dominique Ray, was fatally shot. Prosecutors said two men had waited for Ray, opening fire when he arrived at the apartment with his cousin. Trotters daughter, who was 4 at the time and is now 12, identified Sanford as the killer and recalled hiding under a bed afterward. But a defense witness said police often manipulate children into giving the answer the child thinks the investigator will consider to be the right one. State BOE changes high school graduation requirements And they contended that the cousin, Jamontez Fulton, who also identified Sanford, saw the shooters only briefly. Prosecutors said Trotter, who was in her third trimester of pregnancy, was raped and that DNA evidence identified Sanfords seminal fluids. But Sanfords attorneys suggested the sex was consensual. The defense also argued that Rays killing was retaliation for the shooting death of another man and suggested other suspects were responsible. But Dan Dunbar, a retired Shawnee County chief deputy district attorney working as a special prosecutor on the case, said police consider those men to be not alternative suspects but potential accomplices of Sanfords, and were continuing to investigate their possible involvement. No one else has been charged in the case. The defense also suggested at trial that 30 police body camera videos that were inadvertently destroyed may have contained evidence that would have helped prove Sanfords innocence. 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 KSN-TV. CLEARFIELD, Utah (ABC4) Officers with the Clearfield Police Department arrested a man on Friday night on 20 different charges, according to arrest documents obtained by ABC4.com. Adrian Rivas, 23, was taken into custody on Friday night after he reportedly drove under the influence, assaulted a man and damaged five cars while attempting to evade police officers, according to arrest documents. READ NEXT: Utah man sentenced for receiving more than $685K in fraudulent COVID-relief funds He was arrested on 20 charges, some of which include aggravated assault, property damage, use or possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless driving and driving under the influence. Two charges Rivas was arrested for are third-degree felonies. According to an affidavit of probable cause, police were first informed of Rivass driving when they received a call that he had reportedly shown a handgun to the caller before he continued driving. Police were informed that Rivas was swerving on I-15. Documents said Rivas got out of his car in a Baskin-Robbins parking lot, approached a truck and hit the driver through the driver side window before he got back into his car and drove away. Rivas then made his way to an apartment complex and walked inside. The affidavit said that an officer parked behind Adrian so he couldnt leave, and when Rivas came back outside, the officer gave him commands, but he was actively resistant. Adrian put his vehicle in reverse and hit the complainants vehicle and an officers vehicle then put the vehicle in drive, arrest documents said. Adrian drove on the sidewalk by the apartment complex and hit a handicap sign, two more vehicles, and almost hit a pedestrian going at a high rate of speed. Documents said Rivas drove onto curbs and on the sidewalk in his attempts to evade officers who had their lights and sirens on. One officer struck the drivers side of Rivass car and caused him to hit a pole, after which he was arrested. Police searched his vehicle, and reportedly found a firearm with a bullet in the chamber, two types of drugs and a marijuana pipe. Rivas was booked into the Davis County Jail and has been ordered to be held without bail. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 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. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A man is behind bars after he broke into a Tampa home, sexually battered the resident, and then fled from the home, according to the Tampa Police Department. On the night of May 10, police said the suspect, 28-year-old Jordan Davis, broke into a home near North Nebraska Avenue and East Ellicott Street. Camp counselor arrested for assaulting 9-year-old: HCSO Davis entered the home and assaulted the woman, only identified as being in her early 60s, according to TPD. The victim immediately called 911, reporting the incident and giving a description of the abuser to police. Police said Davis was found nearby and tried to flee from officers. He was arrested near East Hillsborough Avenue and I-275 and taken to the Orient Road Jail. Tampa Police Department Davis was charged with sexual battery and burglary of a dwelling with battery. 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. CANBERRA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government is working to bring home citizens who are stranded in New Caledonia amid civil unrest, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has said. In a statement posted on social media on Sunday, the foreign minister said the government was trying to support Australians in the French Pacific territory after all inbound and outbound flights were grounded due to ongoing riots. "The Australian Defence Force is ready to fly, pending commercial flights resuming," she said. "French authorities advise the situation on the ground is preventing flights. We continue to pursue approvals," Wang added. Approximately 300 Australians stranded in New Caledonia have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and have been advised to limit their movement and follow the advice of authorities. Six people have been killed in riots that began in response to France's plan to impose new rules that would allow more French residents to vote in New Caledonia's elections. NEW YORK (AP) The man charged with assaulting actor Steve Buscemi on a Midtown street has been held in jail on bond in New York, prosecutors said. Police have said the 66-year-old actor known for his roles in Boardwalk Empire, and Fargo, among other performances was walking in Manhattan on May 8 when a stranger punched him in the face. Police arrested a man Friday in connection with the assault, three days after having released a photo of the suspect. Buscemis publisher has confirmed the attack, and said the actor was treated at a hospital with injuries to his eye but was otherwise okay. Ohios first recreational marijuana for sale planted at Yellow Springs greenhouse The accused man, who is 50 years old, was arraigned on Saturday and the judge set bail at $50,000, prosecutors said. It was unclear if the defendant had a lawyer who could speak for him. A phone message has been left with the local public defenders office. The suspect is due back in court on Thursday. The criminal complaint alleges the man punched two people at the time, but authorities did not name them. It also says the attack on Buscemi was captured by surveillance video. In March, Buscemis Boardwalk Empire co-star Michael Stuhlbarg was attacked, by a different stranger. The person allegedly hit him in the back of the neck with a rock in Manhattans Central Park. 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. Man charged with stealing Tampa school bus. He drove it all the way to Miami, FHP says A Land OLakes man was arrested Sunday after Florida Highway Patrol troopers say he took a stolen school bus on a ride around the state. Daniel Saez, 32, is charged with grand theft auto, FHP said in a news release. Troopers say that Saez stole a Hillsborough County School District bus on Saturday night in Tampa. The agency said that Saez admitted to being high and drunk when he took the bus, which he then drove down to Miami. Troopers stopped Saez on Sunday morning in Sarasota Countys Venice. Troopers said Saez was driving back toward Tampa, where he planned to return the bus. Saez was arrested and booked into the Sarasota County Jail on Sunday, where he was held in lieu of $2500 bond. An ICE train crosses the Cologne-Frankfurt high-speed line near Niedernhausen. A man was hit by a train and seriously injured at a local station in south-west Germany, police said early on Sunday. Boris Roessler/dpa A man was hit by a train and seriously injured at a local station in south-west Germany, police said early on Sunday. The 41-year-old was in the track area of Oberwesel train station, some 70 kilometres west of Frankfurt, on Saturday for reasons that were initially unknown, a police spokesperson said. The driver of the intercity train reportedly initiated emergency braking when he saw the man on the track but could not avoid the collision. The 41-year-old was then thrown onto the platform and seriously injured before being taken to hospital. The train driver and around 60 passengers on the train were uninjured. The railway line was partially closed for around two hours. The police are now investigating the circumstances of the incident. According to the police spokesman, there were initially no indications that the man had been pushed off the platform onto the track. Man jumps out of Jeep, runs into attic to avoid Georgia deputies serving warrant A Bremen man went to great lengths to avoid being arrested by deputies serving a warrant. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Thursday, Haralson County deputies tried to serve a warrant at a home on Reid Circle in Bremen. Authorities said the suspect, Joshua Michael Duncan, 47, of Bremen, was not home. When deputies began to leave, Duncan pulled into his driveway. TRENDING STORIES: The sheriffs office said, Duncan jumped out of his Jeep and took off into his house ignoring the deputys commands. According to Haralson authorities, Duncan grabbed a knife and ran up into the attic of the home. Officials said after giving Duncan commands for several minutes, he came out of the attic and was arrested for his probation violation warrant. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Due to Duncans Fourth Amendment waiver, deputies searched his home and found five guns and methamphetamine. Hes now charged with possession of methamphetamine, obstruction, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. IN OTHER NEWS: CLOVIS, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A man wanted for posing as an Uber driver and allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman is in police custody, the Clovis Police Department says. On May 9th, the department put out word to the public that they were looking for 27-year-old Bikramjit Singh, of Fresno. It now says that Singh turned himself in Friday night, with his attorney present. He was booked into the Fresno County jail with a bail amount of over $200,000 on suspicion of felony kidnap for ransom, felony rape of a drugged victim, felony kidnapping, and misdemeanor false imprisonment. Police say on the night of April 21st, Singh picked up a woman who believed him to be an Uber driver in Old Town Clovis. They also say after she got into the vehicle with him, he allegedly took her to a location somewhere in Fresno and sexually assaulted her. In the course of the investigation, officers say they were able to confirm with Uber that there was no vehicle registered with the company that evening fitting the description of the white SUV Singh drove. Detectives also say the woman didnt call for an Uber. Officers recommend customers use the drivers information in the app when using any ride-share service to confirm the vehicle and the driver that are picking them 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 YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. A man was shot and killed during his birthday celebration in eastern Columbus early Saturday morning. Officers with the Columbus Division of Police were called to the 4000 block of Vineshire Drive around 12:35 a.m. on a report of a shooting, our news partners at WBNS-TV reported. When police arrived, they found 34-year-old Tyler Goins suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene by medics. >> 3 dead, 3 hurt after shooting in Ohio Goins was with two other men celebrating his 34th birthday and had been drinking when an argument reportedly happened, according to police. During the argument, police say one of the men allegedly pulled out a handgun and shot at Goins. The man was identified as 30-year-old AlSaiah Griffin. Griffin left the scene after the shooting but later surrendered to police at the urging of his family members. >> I love being here; Hamvention brings in thousands, including international visitors He is no charged with murder in the death of Goins and is being held at Franklin County Jail. Police are still working to identify the third man know as Bookie. Anyone with any information on the incident or who may know the identity of Bookie is asked to call 614-645-2558 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477 (TIPS). Man steals Hillsborough school bus, drives it to Miami while high and drunk: FHP Man steals Hillsborough school bus, drives it to Miami while high and drunk: FHP TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Land OLakes man had quite a night after stealing a school bus and going on an illegal field trip, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers said Daniel Saez, 32, stole a bus from the Hillsborough County School District Saturday night and drove it all the way to Miami. Rapid growth: Florida city among top 10 largest in US However, troopers caught Saez while he was making his trip back to Tampa, stopping him at the Jacaranda Boulevard and Executive Drive in Sarasota. Credit: Florida Highway Patrol The FHP said Saez told troopers he was high and drunk when he stole the bus and was driving back to Tampa to return it. He was arrested on a charge of grand theft. 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. LOS ANGELES (KTLA) A chaotic and violent situation unfolded in Los Angeles Sunday morning when a man stole an LAPD patrol vehicle with the officer still inside before causing a multi-vehicle pileup. The incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. when a female officer was conducting security detail downtown, according to police. At some point, the suspect approached her, got into her vehicle and drove off, LAPD Lt. James Mylonakis told Nexstars KTLA. The officer was ejected from the SUV and fell onto the road. The damaged LAPD cruiser is seen on Figueroa Street in downtown Los Angeles on May 19, 2024. (KTLA) One of vehicles damaged after a man stole an LAPD patrol vehicle and caused a pileup in downtown Los Angeles. May 19, 2024. (KTLA) One of vehicles damaged after a man stole an LAPD patrol vehicle and caused a pileup in downtown Los Angeles. May 19, 2024. (KTLA) The suspect reportedly sped away and collided with at least two other vehicles at an intersection before crashing into a pole. He then tried to run from the scene but was arrested, police said. Roof of 100-year-old vacant factory partially collapses in Brooklyn: FDNY Several people, including the officer, sustained injuries, although none appeared to be life-threatening. The area near the crash was closed for several hours as authorities spoke with witnesses and began clearing the wreckage and debris. No further details have been released as police continue their 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 PIX11. Senator Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, says: If its an unfair election, I think its going to be contested by either side. Senator Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, says: If its an unfair election, I think its going to be contested by either side. Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The Republican Florida senator Marco Rubio said on Sunday he would not commit to accepting the 2024 presidential election results, insisting that if its unfair his party will go to court and point out the fact that states are not following their own election laws. Rubios statements on Meet the Press come as he is considered among Donald Trumps top candidates for vice-president. The former president has continuously said falsely that the 2020 election was stolen. Those claims spurred the 6 January 2021 insurrection, during which participants stormed the Capitol building as lawmakers were in the midst of certifying the election results. Trump is facing a variety of charges related to alleged election meddling. When asked by host Kristen Welker: Will you accept the election results of 2024, no matter what happens, senator? Rubio replied: No matter what happens? No. If its an unfair election, I think its going to be contested by either side. Welker kept pushing Rubio to answer whether he would contest the results no matter who wins. Well, I think youre asking the wrong person, Rubio said. The Democrats are the ones that have opposed every Republican victory since 2000, every single one. Welker repeatedly pointed out that Democrats who had issues with election results nevertheless conceded. Rubio, in turn, asked repeatedly whether Welker had asked Democrats this same question. Rubio who did certify the 2020 election results, and said on that day that democracy is held together by peoples confidence in the election and their willingness to abide by its results would not directly respond to whether Trumps unwillingness to accept election results served to undermine confidence in democracy. He also refused to criticize Trump for his comments on Floridas six-week abortion ban, during which Trump called the law a terrible thing, a terrible mistake despite also repeatedly claiming credit for overturning the federal protection for abortion. I support any bill that protects unborn human life, but I dont consider other people in the pro-life movement who have a different view to be apostate, said Rubio, who has long pushed for strict limits on abortion. They just have a different view about the best way to approach this issue. We are not like the Democrats where, unless you are in favor of their bills that basically say, Lets just put in all this fancy language, but its not meaningful in terms of any restrictions. He played coy about whether he would agree to be Trumps running mate in the 2024 presidential election, saying he had not discussed the possibility with Trump, but adding: I think anyone whos offered that job, to serve this country in the second highest office, assuming everything else in your life makes sense at that moment, if youre interested in serving the country, its an incredible place to serve. BANGKOK, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Thailand is poised to initiate a research project aiming to provide research tools and platforms for high-risk populations of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and offer risk prediction and intervention plans before symptoms appear, a senior Thai official said Saturday. Supamas Isarabhakdi, Thai minister of higher education, science, research and innovation, announced the project at the 19th Annual Meeting of the International Conference on Genomics (ICG-19) held at the Faculty of Medicine of Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. The National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Thailand, under the higher education ministry, will cooperate with the Bangkok Genomics Innovation Public Company Limited (BKGI), a Thai-Chinese life science joint venture, to push forward the project based on new biomarkers such as Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). "The TMAO test has the potential to revolutionize the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases in Thailand. By detecting the risk of cardiovascular diseases early, we can improve the quality of life of people and reduce healthcare costs associated with treating the disease in its severe stages," said Supamas. Data shows cardiovascular diseases, such as heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, and stroke, are major causes of illness and death in Thailand. Some 100,000 cases of acute heart failure are recorded in Thailand each year. Stroke affects around 300,000 people annually, with a government expenditure of no less than 30,000 million baht (about 826 million U.S. dollars) per year. Themed "Omics, Wellness, and Longevity," the two-day event serves as a platform for scientists, researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders from around the world to exchange knowledge and collaborate on cutting-edge research in genomics and biotechnology. Supamas said that for decades, BGI, a major shareholder of the BKGI, has been transferring technology to Thailand, elevating the country to a new level in life sciences and healthcare research. This advancement allows Thai people to diagnose diseases with a simple blood test and enables the formulation of treatment plans, especially when risks are identified ahead of time. These cutting-edge collaborative projects have already benefited over 100,000 Thai citizens. Jeremy Cao, general manager of BGI Group South East Asia, said the company has initiated a series of collaborations with relevant Thai institutions in the healthcare sector in recent years. These collaborations include assisting Thai institutions in introducing prenatal testing technology and partnering on thalassemia prevention and treatment projects. Thailand has a high prevalence of thalassemia, with the causative genes inherited through autosomal chromosomes among family members. Data indicates that around 30 to 40 percent of Thais are carriers of thalassemia genes. Cao said that timely detection of carriers and effective interventions are of great economic health significance for Thailand. Additionally, BGI has worked with Thai universities to develop joint education programs on genomics and to train specialized talent in the field of life sciences, Cao added. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in conjunction with the country's new Unmanned Systems Forces, launched a drone attack on Russia's Kushchevskaya military airbase and Slavyansk oil refinery plant overnight, Ukrainska Pravda reported on May 19. According to an SBU source cited by Ukrainska Pravda, "dozens" of aircraft used to attack Ukraine and its armed forces including Su-34s, Su-25s, Su-27s, and MiG-29s were stationed at the airfield. There is currently no information on damage or casualties though the source said the Slavyansk oil refinery has paused operations. In recent months, Ukrainian forces have launched a series of drone strikes aimed at damaging Russia's oil industry, which is crucial to sustain Moscow's war efforts, as well as its military hardware. It's the second time this particular airbase and refinery have been targeted by SBU drones in recent weeks an attack on April 27 reportedly hit "key technological objects" and damaged several aircraft. "The SBU continues to effectively target military and infrastructure facilities behind enemy lines, reducing Russia's potential for waging war," it said at the time. The creation of Ukraine's new Unmanned Systems Forces was announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky on Feb. 6. It is working on improving Ukraine's work with drones, creating special drone-specific units, ramping up training, systemizing their use, increasing production, and pushing innovation. According to the President's Office, the division will aim to "increase the capabilities of Ukraine's Armed Forces and to use unmanned and robotic air, sea, and ground systems." "This year should be decisive in many aspects and, obviously, on the battlefield," Zelensky said at the time. "Drones unmanned systems have proven their effectiveness in battles on land, in the sky, and at sea." "Ukraine has really changed the security situation in the Black Sea thanks to drones. Repelling assaults on the ground is largely the work of drones. "The large-scale destruction of the (Russian) occupiers and their equipment is (also due to) drones." Read also: UPDATED: Russian double-tap strike north of Kharkiv kills 5, including pregnant woman Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. What Medicaid acceptance looks like at Ohio substance use treatment centers What Medicaid acceptance looks like at Ohio substance use treatment centers Overdose deaths tragically rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, sparking renewed calls for awareness of substance use disorders and access to treatment. The once-in-a-century global health crisis had widespread impacts on physical and mental health and coincided with Americas worsening fentanyl epidemic. And though calls have been made to expand access to treatment, people with substance use disorders often face barriers to getting the help they need to survive addiction to deadly substances like opioids. Stigmatization of these disorders, a lack of capacity at treatment centers where waitlists are common, and unaffordability of treatment present some of the most critical challenges to Americans ability to get help, researchers have found. And the population using Medicaid is more likely than those on commercial insurance to live with a substance use disorder: 21% of Medicaid users had some form of SUD compared to 16% of commercially insured Americans, according to KFF, the nonpartisan health research firm formerly known as Kaiser Health News. In order to visualize how Medicaid acceptance rates can vary by state, Ophelia analyzed data collected by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in its survey of substance use disorder treatment centers nationwide. The data used in this analysis covers both public and private institutions, totaling nearly 15,000 locations nationwide. American treatment centers do not universally accept Medicaid, and only 74% of them took it as payment in 2022, according to SAMHSA. Medicaid even covers methadone treatment for opioid use disorder, though the fraction of treatment centers offering opioid treatment programs also do not accept Medicaid universally. And when patients cant utilize insurance, their only option is to pay out of pocket. See the full national analysis here. Ohio by the numbers Substance use disorder treatment centers that accepted Medicaid in 2022: 93.4% Percentage point change in acceptance rate from prior year: -.4 percentage points Total facilities: 649 Top states for Medicaid acceptance: 1. Idaho 94.8% 2. Ohio 93.4% 3. Vermont 93.3% 4. Wyoming 92.9% 5. Iowa 91.6% Worst states for Medicaid acceptance: 1. Hawaii 33.1% 2. California 45.6% 3. Florida 47% 4. Georgia 55.3% 5. Mississippi 60.4% This story features data reporting and writing by Dom DiFurio and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states. 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. For the second year in a row, students graduating from U.S. medical schools were less likely to apply this year for residency positions in states with abortion bans and other significant abortion restrictions, according to new statistics. Getty Images This story first appeared on KFF Health News. Isabella Rosario Blum was wrapping up medical school and considering residency programs to become a family practice physician when she got some frank advice: If she wanted to be trained to provide abortions, she shouldnt stay in Arizona. Blum turned to programs mostly in states where abortion access and, by extension, abortion training is likely to remain protected, like California, Colorado and New Mexico. Arizona has enacted a law banning most abortions after 15 weeks. I would really like to have all the training possible, she said, so of course that would have still been a limitation. In June, she will start her residency at Swedish Cherry Hill hospital in Seattle. According to new statistics from the Association of American Medical Colleges, for the second year in a row, students graduating from U.S. medical schools were less likely to apply this year for residency positions in states with abortion bans and other significant abortion restrictions. Since the Supreme Court in 2022 overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, state fights over abortion access have created plenty of uncertainty for pregnant patients and their doctors. But that uncertainty has also bled into the world of medical education, forcing some new doctors to factor state abortion laws into their decisions about where to begin their careers. Fourteen states, primarily in the Midwest and South, have banned nearly all abortions. The new analysis by the AAMC a preliminary copy of which was exclusively reviewed by KFF Health News before its public release found that the number of applicants to residency programs in states with near-total abortion bans declined by 4.2%, compared with a 0.6% drop in states where abortion remains legal. Notably, the AAMCs findings illuminate the broader problems abortion bans can create for a states medical community, particularly in an era of provider shortages: The organization tracked a larger decrease in interest in residencies in states with abortion restrictions not only among those in specialties most likely to treat pregnant patients, like OB-GYNs and emergency room doctors, but also among aspiring doctors in other specialties. It should be concerning for states with severe restrictions on reproductive rights that so many new physicians across specialties are choosing to apply to other states for training instead, wrote Atul Grover, executive director of the AAMCs Research and Action Institute. The AAMC analysis found the number of applicants to OB-GYN residency programs in abortion ban states dropped by 6.7%, compared with a 0.4% increase in states where abortion remains legal. For internal medicine, the drop observed in abortion ban states was over five times as much as in states where abortion is legal. In its analysis, the AAMC said an ongoing decline in interest in ban states among new doctors ultimately may negatively affect access to care in those states. Jack Resneck Jr., immediate past president of the American Medical Association, said the data demonstrates yet another consequence of the post-Roe v. Wade era. The AAMC analysis notes that even in states with abortion bans, residency programs are filling their positions mostly because there are more graduating medical students in the U.S. and abroad than there are residency slots. Still, Resneck said, were extraordinarily worried. For example, physicians without adequate abortion training may not be able to manage miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies or potential complications such as infection or hemorrhaging that could stem from pregnancy loss. Those who work with students and residents say their observations support the AAMCs findings. People dont want to go to a place where evidence-based practice and human rights in general are curtailed, said Beverly Gray, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Duke University School of Medicine. Abortion in North Carolina is banned in nearly all cases after 12 weeks. Women who experience unexpected complications or discover their baby has potentially fatal birth defects later in pregnancy may not be able to receive care there. Gray said she worries that even though Duke is a highly sought training destination for medical residents, the abortion ban impacts whether we have the best and brightest coming to North Carolina. Rohini Kousalya Siva will start her obstetrics and gynecology residency at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., this year. She said she did not consider programs in states that have banned or severely restricted abortion, applying instead to programs in Maryland, New Hampshire, New York and Washington, D.C. Were physicians, said Kousalya Siva, who attended medical school in Virginia and was previously president of the American Medical Student Association. Were supposed to be giving the best evidence-based care to our patients, and we cant do that if we havent been given abortion training. Another consideration: Most graduating medical students are in their 20s, the age when people are starting to think about putting down roots and starting families, said Gray, who added that she is noticing many more students ask about politics during their residency interviews. And because most young doctors make their careers in the state where they do their residencies, people dont feel safe potentially having their own pregnancies living in those states with severe restrictions, said Debra Stulberg, chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Chicago. Stulberg and others worry that this self-selection away from states with abortion restrictions will exacerbate the shortages of physicians in rural and underserved areas. The geographic misalignment between where the needs are and where people are choosing to go is really problematic, she said. We dont need people further concentrating in urban areas where theres already good access. After attending medical school in Tennessee, which has adopted one of the most sweeping abortion bans in the nation, Hannah Light-Olson will start her OB-GYN residency at the University of California, San Francisco this summer. It was not an easy decision, she said. I feel some guilt and sadness leaving a situation where I feel like I could be of some help, she said. I feel deeply indebted to the program that trained me, and to the patients of Tennessee. Light-Olson said some of her fellow students applied to programs in abortion ban states because they think we need pro-choice providers in restrictive states now more than ever. In fact, she said, she also applied to programs in ban states when she was confident the program had a way to provide abortion training. I felt like there was no perfect, 100% guarantee; weve seen how fast things can change, she said. I dont feel particularly confident that California and New York arent going to be under threat, too. As a condition of a scholarship she received for medical school, Blum said, she will have to return to Arizona to practice, and it is unclear what abortion access will look like then. But she is worried about long-term impacts. Residents, if they cant get the training in the state, then theyre probably less likely to settle down and work in the state as well, she said. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF an independent source of health policy research, polling and journalism. Learn more about KFF. The post Medical residents are increasingly avoiding states with abortion restrictions appeared first on North Dakota Monitor. Mental health is just as vital as physical health. KY hospital celebrates bicentennial Kentucky is home to the second-oldest state psychiatric hospital in the nation. Eastern State Hospital in Lexington, owned by the state and managed by University of Kentucky HealthCare, celebrated 200 years of service at a Friday ceremony. The behavioral health center serves adult patients with severe or persistent mental illness. We have made so many amazing strides to bring awareness around mental health to the forefront, to help the public at large understand that mental health is just as vital as physical health, deserving of the same level of urgency and attention, said Dr. Colleen Swartz, UK HealthCares acting chief operations officer Eastern State Hospital will keep pushing for evidence-based care and contributing to academic production of knowledge, she said. The hospital operates a 300,000 square-foot facility, serving 50 counties in Kentucky with a 195-bed capacity. Last year, Bruce Simpson found himself in one of those beds. A little over a year ago, I attempted suicide. No one would have been more purposeful or planned to die that night, he said. I had been planning to kill myself for 30 years. After a professional misstep in his career as a lawyer, Simpson felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. He set forth on a plan to end his own life, but thankfully he was unsuccessful. He spent the next three days in Eastern State Hospital, under many watchful eyes. Nurses checked on him every 15 minutes, escorted him to the bathroom and stood in the room while he showered. They watched him constantly. They kept him safe. Simpson said his time at Eastern State completely shattered his perception of mental health hospitals and helped him understand their importance. The stigma around mental health, Simpson said, stopped him from reaching out to professionals. As a young person, he mocked people who sought mental health help. To be candid with you, I didnt believe much in mental healthcare before, he said. I knew I had a problem, but I thought it was a Bruce Simpson personal weakness problem. I didnt know I had a mental health problem. Simpson thanked the caregivers who had a hand in his success. A society is only as good as it treats those who need its help the most, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman said. Coming to a place like this and meeting this staff certainly renews my faith. (Bloomberg) -- Mexicos main opposition candidate vowed to crack down on drug cartels ahead of the presidential campaigns third and final debate, which will focus on security and foreign relations. Most Read from Bloomberg In an interview with the Financial Times published Sunday, Xochitl Galvez said President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors strategy of hugs not bullets had failed and that the solution instead is confronting criminals. AMLO, as the president is known, has used the military to build infrastructure and boost economic growth, even as murders in Mexico hit a record high at the start of his six-year term. No one has as much power as the state and you have to use it, Galvez told the FT. You have to use it intelligently but firmly. Galvez is trailing ruling party candidate Claudia Sheinbaum by 27 percentage points heading in to Sundays debate, according to the Bloomberg Poll Tracker. Mexico elects a successor to AMLO on June 2. A businesswoman before entering politics, Galvez said Mexico would have to tread carefully in international relations so it can capitalize on a potential boom in so-called nearshoring as the US refocuses commercial ties with allies. The trade polarization between China and the United States tells us clearly that Mexico must not get this wrong, she told the FT. She also criticized the outgoing governments often-uncritical approach to countries such as Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Cuba. I wont associate myself with authoritarian and corrupt governments, she said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The Michigan Democratic Party and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee on Friday asked state election officials to investigate whether three Republican U.S Senate candidates and another who has left the race submitted forged or otherwise fraudulent signatures on nominating petitions they submitted. The Free Press obtained a copy of the letter submitted by lawyers for the groups and a Michigan voter, Emily Judd, to the Board of State Canvassers. It said an "initial review" into petitions submitted by former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, former U.S. Reps. Justin Amash and businessman Sandy Pensler, as well as those submitted by former U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer, who has since left the race, showed "patterns that indicate the presence of potential forgery andother fraudulent signature gathering tactics." If an investigation is conducted and any of the candidates were found to have less than 15,000 valid signatures, they could be taken off the Aug. 6 primary ballot for the Republican nomination to the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. The Democratic groups issued statements and released the letter at about the same time the Free Press' story published online Friday afternoon. Michigan Democratic Party Chairwoman Lavora Barnes said, "The apparent fraud uncovered demands an immediate investigation" and that the state Bureau of Elections and the canvassing board "should uphold their responsibility to protect the integrity of Michigans elections and conduct a full, thorough examination." Rogers' campaign spokesman, Chris Gustafson, called the letter an "antidemocratic stunt" pulled by allies of U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, of Holly, the Democratic front-runner for the Senate nomination and noted that she is facing a petition signature challenge of her own. House Energy and Commerce Committee member Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) questions Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius about the troubled launch of the Healthcare.gov website Oct. 30, 2013 in Washington, DC. Pensler adviser Stu Sandler also roundly criticized the request, saying, "Democrats can't beat Republicans at the ballot box so it looks like they're trying to eliminate Republicans from the ballot." "Sandy Pensler turned in over 26,000 signatures. He clearly qualifies for the ballot which is why no timely challenge was filed," he said. The deadline for challenging petition signatures passed at the end of last month. If the claims of possible fraud were investigated and found to be true, it could have a huge effect on the Senate race. Rogers is considered the GOP front-runner, having gotten the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. If all of the candidates whose signatures Democrats question were to be left off the ballot, it would leave west Michigan physician Sherry O'Donnell, the least known Republican candidate, to still be running for the open seat. Meijer told the Free Press that his campaign spent a huge effort validating signatures but acknowledged the difficulty of catching every potentially questionable sheet or signature given the numbers involved. He said he supports the state attorney general and the Michigan State Police investigating complaints of wrongdoing by circulators or candidates but also said this letter could be Democratic groups "muddying the waters" ahead of the primary. The Democratic groups said they included Meijer in their request so that the board could examine "the full extent" of the potential fraud, since he used some of the same petition gatherers as the others. Meijer left the Senate race shortly after submitting his signatures for the ballot last month. The groups said as many as 433 pages of signatures from random samples of the four candidates' nominating petition sheets involved more than 20 petition gatherers, or circulators, who are part of other petition challenges filed against two judicial candidates Matthew Ackerman and Lisa Marie Neilson, both running for the state Court of Appeals in the last month. All of those sheets 192 for Pensler, 140 for Amash, 82 for Rogers and 19 for Meijer could include as many as 10 signatures each. But the groups said that only represents a sample of the total number of sheets that could be involved for each campaign, suggesting it is "just the tip of the iceberg." "Given the indications of potential fraud revealed by our initial review, we request that the Board immediately conduct a thorough investigation of the nominating petitions submitted by Mr. Rogers, Mr. Pensler, Mr. Amash, and Mr. Meijer for suspected fraud," said the letter, which was signed by lawyer Christopher Trebilcock, of Detroit, and members of the Elias Law Group in Washington. The evidence cited by the Democratic groups as potentially showing fraud include: Entire petition sheets submitted by candidates with signatures from different signers that appear to be in the same handwriting. Sheets which purport to be signed by the same circulator but with different handwriting being used for her signature and mistakes in her address and ZIP code. Duplicate voter signatures found in nominating petition sheets that purport to be from the same voter but appear to be in different handwriting. The same voter signing for different candidates but with different handwriting. Petition sheets submitted for different Senate candidates that "look nearly identical" in terms of the voters who signed them. The lawyers said many of the patterns mirrored those uncovered in 2022 when five Republican gubernatorial candidates were disqualified from the primary ballot after submitting fraudulent signatures. The question of the propriety of petition signatures has continued to roil Michigan politics this year, as well, with a Wayne County election officials issuing a report on Thursday saying former state Sen. Adam Hollier, D-Detroit, didn't file enough valid signatures in his challenge of U.S. Rep. Shri Thaendar and should be barred from the August primary ballot. The Democratic request to the Board of State Canvassers isn't a formal challenge because the deadline had passed. But the letter said it's the board's "statutory duty to canvass all petitions submitted," considering the patterns the groups say they found. "If, after that investigation, the Board determines that any of the candidates have not submitted the required number of valid petition signatures, those candidates should not be certified for the ballot," said the lawyers. Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler. Staff writer M.L. Elrick contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Mich. Dems want to review signatures submitted by GOP Senate candidates Michigan is known for mining copper, iron, but theres gold, too GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) History books have a lot to say about the 19th century California gold rush, but Michigans mining history doesnt as get much mention. While the Wolverine State is known for other minerals, gold can be found across Michigan, as well. Michigans mining roots can be traced back to one man, while the pursuit of gold in Michigan centers around another. MICHIGANS FIRST STATE GEOLOGIST Douglass Houghton was born in New York in 1809 and made his way to Michigan after graduating college. In 1830, when Territorial Gov. Lewis Cass put out a call for guest lecturers on science, a former professor recommended Houghton and he quickly became recognized as an expert. The next year, Houghton was drafted into the field by Henry Schoolcraft, chosen to help lead an expedition to find the source of the Mississippi River. Because of his experience and expertise, when Michigan was granted statehood in 1837, leaders named Houghton the official state geologist. The Toledor War: How Michigan got the Upper Peninsula Lindsay Hiltunen, a university archivist at Michigan Technological University, says part of Houghtons job was to travel to the newly acquired Upper Peninsula and survey the land. It was his job to survey the land, take notes, draw up maps, talk about what he was finding across the state, Hiltunen told News 8. His big report debuted in 1841. He talked about the rich mineral deposits in the Upper Peninsula: copper, iron, silver and gold were all expected to be in veins or in loose deposits. Houghtons report sparked a mining boom one that predates the California gold rush by several years. The news traveled quickly, so people really wanted to sort of catch on that fever, she said. It really was the copper boom first. By 1843, we were seeing a lot of prospectors and surveyors coming in to open up copper mines in the western Upper Peninsula. A photo of part of the Michigan copper gallery at the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum of Michigan Tech. (Courtesy Michigan Technological University) The mining boom sparked by Houghton led to the launch of several new communities and even Michigan Tech, which is now headquartered in a town named after him. People realized that there needed to be formal education to help train the next wave of mining engineers and those that would be doing high-level development for the mines, Hiltunen said. So the Michigan Mining school was formed. Now they have expanded into the world-class university that we are today. Long live the king: James Jesse Strang and Michigans last brush with royalty Despite his responsibilities in Detroit he was elected mayor in 1842 Houghton stayed committed to mining. In 1844, he traveled to Washington D.C. and managed to lobby Congress for federal funding to cover his geological work in the U.P. Unfortunately, it was his work in the U.P. that ultimately cut his life short. While conducting another survey in October 1845, Houghton and two of his colleagues drowned when their small boat capsized in Lake Superior. In this undated photo, a class from the Michigan College of Mines holds a session within an iron mine. (Courtesy Michigan Technological University) In this undated photo, two men rest inside the Pabst Mine in Ironwood, Michigan. (Courtesy Michigan Technological University) A photo of part of the Michigan copper gallery at the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum of Michigan Tech. (Courtesy Michigan Technological University) His work changed the Upper Peninsulas landscape, but his sudden death launched an eerie legend for the area. Storytellers say during Houghtons fateful trip, while camped somewhere near modern-day Negaunee, he found a large deposit of gold. Fearing that his team would leave him to try and stake their claim, he kept the finding a secret, telling only one other person and never disclosing the location. So when Houghtons ship sank, so did the location for potential riches. The Nelson: 125 years later, one of Lake Superiors darkest tales retold Hiltunen said she has yet to see any evidence that the story is actually true. MICHIGAN GOLD You can still find gold in Michigan. It was left here by the same forces that carved the Great Lakes. Gold was left throughout the state when the glaciers moved across the state in the last ice age. Small amounts of gold can be in most all of the waterways in Michigan, which is actually kind of a surprise to people, Hiltunen said. But in terms of vein deposits for gold, the things that would actually make it worthwhile for a commercial extraction industry, they are few and far between. A 1914 photo of the Ropes Mine Shaft in Ishpeming Township, Michigan. (Courtesy Michigan Technological University) Shifting bear population could pose big problem for local farmers At least one man gave it a go and found some success. In 1880, Julius Ropes, the former Ishpeming postmaster and school board member, found enough gold about 5 miles northwest of town to establish a mine. Within two years, the Ropes Mine was up and running. Over the course of 15 years, Ropes and his crew managed to carve out approximately 1,250 grams of gold and more than 6,000 grams of silver. According to records kept by the U.S. Geological Survey, the gold and silver was worth approximately $645,000 estimated at more than $24 million today. Pieces of gold pulled from the Ropes Gold Mine in Ishpeming Township. The largest piece is 1.5 centimeters across. (Courtesy MTU/A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum of Michigan) Gold in quartz harvested from the Ropes Gold Mine in Ishpeming Township. (Courtesy MTU/A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum of Michigan) According to Hiltunen, financial troubles ultimately forced Ropes to walk away from the mine. The property has been sold and reopened a handful of times ever since, including in the 1930s and the 1970s. It was eventually shut down in the 1990s after a hoist shaft collapsed inside the mine. Eventually, all shafts and declines were capped and closed, but there stills always a chance the Ropes Mine could be reborn again someday. It would be pretty expensive to go back in and reopen things up, but its possible. If there is enough of a need and if the price goes up, she speculated. ON THE HUNT According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, recreational gold panning is allowed on state-owned property as long as the state also owns the mineral rights. That includes streams in the Allegan State Game Area, the Yankee Springs Recreation Area and stretches of Green Creek in Muskegon County. There are also several recommended spots in the northern Lower Peninsula. Placer gold has been found along the Boyne River in Charlevoix County, the Little Sable River in Manistee County and along the shore and connecting streams of Lake Leelanau. Free screening of Buster Keaton documentary set for Frauenthal Theater Some areas, however, are closed to gold panning because they are designated trout streams or are protected as critical habitat. The DNR recommends checking with the agency before exploring any new territory. Panning is allowed, but only by hand. No powered sluice boxes or dredges are allowed. Sluice boxes are expected to be no larger than 52 inches long, 12 inches wide and 6.5 inches deep. Each person is allowed to keep up to 15.55 grams of gold per year from state-owned properties. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Spains Socialist government demanded an apology from Argentine President Javier Milei, saying the libertarian leaders comments at a far-right rally in Madrid had badly damaged relations. Most Read from Bloomberg Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares has summoned Argentinas ambassador in Madrid to a meeting, a day after Milei accused the prime ministers wife of corruption and decried socialism as cursed and carcinogenic. On Sunday, Albares had announced that Spain was recalling its ambassador from Buenos Aires. The Argentine leader was given the respect and deference due a foreign head of state in the Spanish capital, including public resources necessary to assure his security, Albares said Sunday. To this hospitality and good faith, he responded with a frontal attack on our democracy, on our institutions and on Spain. Antonio Garamendi, head of Spains largest business group, the CEOE, said Monday that we emphatically reject Mileis comments, which were out of tone against the prime minister and his wife. Garamendi was part of a group of business executives who met with Milei Saturday. Telefonica SA and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA, both of which took part of the business meeting on Saturday, released statements on Monday saying they are totally aligned with Garamendis comments. Calling non-interference in a countrys internal affairs an unbreakable tenet of international relations, Albares said its unacceptable that a sitting president, on a visit to Spain, insults Spain and the head of the Spanish government. Milei arrived in Spain on Friday after weeks of trading barbs with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The Spanish leader last month took a brief break from public view after a judge opened a case alleging influence-peddling against his wife Begona Gomez. Spain is the second largest foreign investor in Argentina. Read More: Milei Picks Far-Right Rally Over Spanish PM During Madrid Visit Instead of visiting Sanchez or King Felipe, the Argentine president met Saturday with Sanchezs fiercest critic in parliament, Santiago Abascal, and attended a gathering Sunday hosted by Abascals anti-immigrant Vox Party. With his behaviour, Milei has brought the relationship between Spain and Argentina to its most serious state in recent history, Albares said. The Spanish foreign minister said nearly all parties in Spains parliament supported his stand against Milei except for the conservative Peoples Party and Vox. Albares added that he had spoken to European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who assured him that an insult to the government of a member country would be seen as an insult to Europe as a whole. Attacks against family members of political leaders have no place in our culture, Borrell said later on social media platform X. We condemn and reject them, especially when coming from partners. (Updates with Telefonica and BBVA statements in fifth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. A rescuer walks past debris of a small plane after crash in Tanggerang city bordering Jakarta, Indonesia, on May 19, 2024. A small plane carrying three people went down in Tanggerang city bordering Indonesia's capital Jakarta on Sunday, killing all on board, a rescuer said. (Photo by Rahmat Dian P./Xinhua) JAKARTA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- A small plane carrying three people went down in Tanggerang city bordering Indonesia's capital Jakarta on Sunday, killing all on board, a rescuer said. The plane with a registered number of PK-IFP lost contact at 13:43 p.m. Jakarta time before crashing, said Ramli Prasetio, a press officer of Jakarta's search and rescue office. "Three people were killed in the crash," he told Xinhua. The plane operated by the Indonesian Flying Club departed from Tanjung Lesung coastal areas in Banten province and was heading to Pondok Cabe in Tanggerang, said Prasetio. The cause of the incident is still unknown, but the officer said the weather condition was poor during the crash. Rescuers load debris of a small plane by crane after crash in Tanggerang city bordering Jakarta, Indonesia, on May 19, 2024. A small plane carrying three people went down in Tanggerang city bordering Indonesia's capital Jakarta on Sunday, killing all on board, a rescuer said. (Photo by Rahmat Dian P./Xinhua) Rescuers investigate near debris of a small plane after crash in Tanggerang city bordering Jakarta, Indonesia, on May 19, 2024. A small plane carrying three people went down in Tanggerang city bordering Indonesia's capital Jakarta on Sunday, killing all on board, a rescuer said. (Photo by Rahmat Dian P./Xinhua) I miss her dearly: Family of girl killed in truck crash in Fort Point plans to use grief for good Nearly two months after their daughters death in the Fort Point neighborhood of Boston, a Denver couple is using their grief for good. Gracie Gonchar, a four-year-old from Denver, Colorado, was hit and killed by a pick-up truck in late March at the corner of Sleeper and Congress Street. The family was visiting relatives in the Boston area. They tell Boston 25 they were waiting for a ride after visiting the childrens museum before the tragedy took place. Gracies mother, Gina Gancheva, explained, I actually picked up Gracie from underneath the pickup truck and had to go through the trauma with her and her sisters I continue to live through that every single day. Her father, Andy Newman-Gonchar added, [Gracie] charged at life Its like she hasnt come home and Im still wondering where she is. The family tells Boston 25 that they plan on creating a foundation in Gracies name to focus on the well-being of children and road safety. Newman-Gonchar explained, I want people to be uncomfortable when they turn their key and start their car. Their foundation will focus on road precautions in Boston, Denver, and beyond. New barriers and additional signage can be seen on the corner of Speeder and Congress Street in the wake of the tragedy. The city continues to work towards safeguarding other intersections as well. I miss her dearly, said Newman-Gonchar. I just feel like she deserved a better chance. To donate to Gracies family and their developing foundation, click on this link: https://gofund.me/d5ad32de Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The Black Sea Fleet's minesweeper Kovrovets is reported to have been destroyed - CHP A Ukrainian missile attack has destroyed a Russian minesweeper in occupied Crimea, Ukraines military has said. The Ukrainian Navy did not give details on how the Kovrovets was destroyed, although the Russian ministry of defence said US Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) missiles had been fired at Crimea. Another bad day for the Russian Black Sea Fleet, the Ukrainian defence ministry said on X alongside a photo of the Kovrovets inside a targeting sight. The US quietly gave Ukraine ATACMS missiles, a mobile surface-to-surface missile system with a range of up to 190 miles, in April after months of lobbying by Kyiv. Ukraine first fired ATACMS missiles at Russian forces three weeks ago and has since struck logistics bases, troop centres and airfields in occupied Donbas and Crimea. Russias defence ministry denied that its minesweeper had been destroyed in the attack and said that its air-defence systems had shot down all of Ukraines missiles. By air-defence duty systems, nine ATACMS operational-tactical missiles and one drone were destroyed over the territory of the Republic of Crimea, it said. The alleged destruction of the minesweeper piles more pressure on Russias Black Sea Fleet, whose poor performance since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022 has infuriated Vladimir Putin. Black Sea failures It failed to hold the strategically important Snake Island, its flagship has been sunk and several warships and submarines have been destroyed at harbour in occupied Crimea. Earlier this year, Putin sacked the commander of the Black Sea Fleet and ordered its officers to improve training for defending against missile and drone attacks. Russian military bloggers said that Ukrainian attacks this week were the most intense for some time and may be linked to the arrival of ammunition resupplies from the US. The enemys targets are military airfields, refineries and port infrastructure. The enemy inflicts, first of all, economic damage, which exceeds the costs of normal air-defence organisation, said the Two Majors Telegram channel. Reports said that Ukrainian missiles had blown up a radar station and airfield in Crimea this week and drones had attacked the Novorossiysk harbour, where part of the Black Sea Fleet is based. Video from Novorossiysk showed Russian marines firing air-defence cannons wildly at drones, celebrating when they hit one although they also appeared to spray harbour buildings. Targets have also included oil refineries in Russia and the BBC quoted an unnamed source as saying that a Russian military airfield had been attacked in the Krasnodar region of Russia too. At this airfield, there were dozens of different aircraft that attacked Ukrainian positions, the BBC quoted the source as saying. It didnt report on the success of the mission. 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 candidate for Missouri governor with alleged ties to the Ku Klux Klan can stay on the ballot as a Republican, a Cole County judge ruled on Friday. Circuit Court Judge Cotton Walker rejected a lawsuit from the Missouri Republican Party seeking to remove the long shot candidate, Darrell Leon McClanahan III, from the August primary ballot. Walker wrote in his order that the state GOP willingly created the very association of which it now complains by accepting McClanahans filing fees to run for office. The Plaintiff could have chosen to avoid potentially unwanted associations by rejecting filing fees for statewide candidates. It did not do so, Walker wrote. McClanahan, who resides in Milo, a small village in Vernon County, about 90 minutes south of Kansas City, filed to run for governor as a Republican and paid his $500 filing fee in February. The state party later disavowed McClanahan after a photo resurfaced online of him saluting in front of a burning cross next to a person who was wearing what appeared to be a hooded Ku Klux Klan robe. David Roland, an attorney for McClanahan, said in a statement on Sunday that Walker did the right thing. Once a party accepts a candidates filing fee, they no longer have the right to ask courts to unburden them of the responsibility for their choice, he said. A party can disavow candidates that they come to believe do not represent the partys values, but the ultimate choice has to be left to the partys own voters, Roland said. A spokesperson for the Missouri GOP did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An attorney for the party argued at a one-day trial earlier this month that the GOP had chosen to dissociate with McClanahan, saying he had a racist past. The only reason the party seeks to have him not on the ballot is his avowed membership and endorsement of Ku Klux Klan principles, Lowell Pearson, an attorney for the party, said during the trial. After Fridays ruling, McClanahans name is poised to appear at the top of the ballot in the Republican primary for governor, according to the unofficial candidate filing list on the Missouri Secretary of State Offices website. The push to remove McClanahan comes as Missouri Republicans look to hold onto control of the governors office after Gov. Mike Parson terms out of office. The major Republican candidates include Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe and Sen. Bill Eigel from Weldon Spring. The lawsuit from the Missouri GOP included the photo of McClanahan in front of the burning cross, social media posts using Nazi imagery, and a social media post that uses the phrase White Power. However, while the state party argued that it did not know about McClanahans past, this was not the first time McClanahan has run for elected office as a Republican in Missouri. The Anti-Defamation League in 2022 wrote about the photo of McClanahan in front of the burning cross after he ran an unsuccessful campaign for U.S. Senate. McClanahan, in response last year, filed a defamation suit against the organization to have the article removed. In court filings, McClanahan described himself as a Pro-White man who is dedicated to traditional Christian values. He said in the lawsuit that he has never been a member of the KKK, but was instead provided an Honorary 1-year membership by a Missouri coordinator. McClanahan told The Star in a text message in March that he received an honorary 1-year membership to the League of the South which the ADL condemns as a white supremacist group. A federal magistrate judge tossed the lawsuit last year, finding that McClanahan did not sufficiently allege a claim against the organization. The Complaint itself reflects that Plaintiff holds the views ascribed to him by the ADL article, that is the characterization of his social media presence and views as antisemitic, white supremacist, anti-government, and bigoted, the judge wrote in the order. In a separate case involving Vernon County Republicans this month, a circuit court judge sided with the countys Republican committee, ruling that eight Republicans would not be allowed to run on the GOP ballot. They had refused to take the committees moral values survey, so the committee refused to cash the candidates filing fees. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Florida firefighter is facing serious accusations after a 16-year-old girls mother allegedly caught him with her daughter in a park bathroom last weekend, according to reports. Pedro Antuna, 25, is accused of meeting up with the 16-year-old after they met on a social media platform, NBC affiliate WESH reported. The two had arranged to meet at Nicol Park in Port St. John on May 12. 11-year-old accused of fatally shooting 55-year-old relative in Florida home Antuna allegedly picked the girl up as she walked to the park from her home. However, the girls mother was suspicious of her actions and decided to follow her. The teens mother found the two in the parks bathroom and called authorities, the Brevard County Sheriffs Office said. The 25-year-old was charged with sexual battery against someone between 16 to 17 years old. According to Osceola County Fire Rescue and EMS, Antuna has been a firefighter since 2021. Motorcyclist killed after striking 2 street signs, large tree in early-morning St. Pete crash On Sunday, May 12, Osceola County Fire Rescue & EMS was informed by law enforcement partners that an arrest was made involving an individual employed by the department. In accordance with department and County policy, the individual has been placed on suspension with pay pending investigation and further proceedings by law enforcement, Osceola County Fire Rescue and EMS confirmed to WESH in a statement. Antuna is out on a $50,000 bail and has been ordered to stay away from minors, according to WESH. Hes scheduled to appear in front of a judge on June 27. 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. A Bronx mother is suing American Airlines for the wrongful death of her 14-year-old son, which she claims the airline failed to prevent. She also says the airline lost crucial evidence in the case. Melissa Arzu claims American Airlines broke Federal Aviation Administration policy by flying with a faulty defibrillator on board, failing to properly train flight attendants to use the machine, and then failing to provide the device when her lawyer attempted to obtain it, according to a complaint filed in the Northern District of Texas on May 13. In June 2022, Arzu and her son Kevin Greenidge were flying from Honduras to Miami on their way back home to New York when Greenidge suddenly experienced a medical emergency, the complaint says. Greenidge was allegedly unconscious and unresponsive, the complaint continues, and after some delay, airline personnel assisted by directing medically-trained passengers to give the boy CPR. Then, the complaint says, the flight attendants arrived with the defibrillator stocked on board. But they struggled to figure out how to turn on and operate the machine, and when they finally got it working, the machine failed to deliver the shock that the suit claims could have saved Greenidges life. Each time the [defibrillator] gave a clear warning for people to step back from Greenidges body so that a shock could be administered, a shock was not delivered. Instead, the machine simply kept advising that CPR should be continued, the complaint reads. The plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Cancun, Mexico, where Greenidge was rushed to the hospital. There, he was pronounced dead. Family Sues United Airlines After Nightmare Near-Crash Ruins Their Vacation Arzus suit claims that before her lawyers filed their complaint, they tried multiple times to inspect the defibrillator that flight personnel used on the boy. But each time, the airline denied their requests, the suit says. Based on conversations with American Airlines counsel and the airlines refusal to permit inspection of the AED machine, it appears the AED machine has either been destroyed or put back into service and lost, the complaint reads. Arzus lawyers claim that the airlines misplacement of the device, whether intentional or not, seriously undermines the case laid out by the plaintiff. Among other things, the lawyers wrote, the missing evidence would provide concrete proof of key details and contested facts, such as the exact time the machine was turned on and utilizedclarifying delays in medical responseand whether or not the machine actually delivered the shock to Greenidges body. The absence of the machine also prevents investigators from determining whether American broke FAAs policy by flying without a functioning defibrillator, the complaint says. The FAA has required passenger flights to carry working defibrillators since 2004, and it prohibits flights from taking off if the equipment is missing or faulty. Representatives for American Airlines declined to comment on the case. Our thoughts are with Mr. Greenidges loved ones, they said in a statement to The Daily Beast. Arzu and her lawyers maintain that American Airlines has been negligent and at times antagonistic in their conduct with the heartbroken family ever since Greenidges death. According to the suit, the airline failed to pay Arzu the advance $113,100 it owed her, per the companys policy, when a passenger dies on board. The airline also fought to move the trial to Texas, where the company is headquartered, instead of in New York, where Arzu lives and had initially filed. Americans decision to contest jurisdiction in New York, Kevins home, definitely compounds the damage to my client, Ms. Arzu, because she is now forced to litigate her case thousands of miles away, Crowe told The Daily Beast. Arzu said the long litigation process had taken a toll on her after the already painful loss of her child. But she refused to give up. It made me feel hopeless, she said in a statement. But, she added, I want answers from American Airlines. I never want this to happen to a child or family again. 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. This is the sixth of several articles in a Be a More Informed Voter series by Sandy Parker of Sparker's Soapbox that will appear in the Naples Daily News in the coming months. With August elections just around the corner, this article looks at Collier Countys constitutional officers. All but one are seeking reelection. Sparker's Soapbox What are constitutional officers? The county commission form of government in Collier County and each of 46 other non-charter Florida counties is comprised of a Board of County Commissioners and five county constitutional officers. This plural executive form of government established by the Florida Constitution ensures that no single person is responsible for administering all county functions. Sandy Parker The constitutional officers are a sheriff, a tax collector, a property appraiser, a supervisor of elections, and a clerk of the circuit court and comptroller. They are independently elected countywide to four-year terms on a partisan ballot in presidential years. There are no term limits. What do constitutional officers do, and how much are they paid? Constitutional officers perform various administrative duties and policy functions for the state and county. They each administer their own office but obtain their budgets and facilities from the Board of Commissioners. Constitutional officer salaries are calculated using a state formula based on county population. For the fiscal year 2023-24, the salary of Collier Countys tax collector, property appraiser, supervisor of elections, and clerk of the circuit court is $177,211. The sheriffs salary is $215,130. The Sheriff The sheriff oversees law enforcement, public safety, and corrections for the county. Republican Kevin Rambosk has been the Collier County sheriff since 2009. Before becoming sheriff, he held positions of increasing responsibility in the Collier Sheriffs Department from 2003 to 2009, served in the Naples Police Department, and served as Naples city manager. The Collier Sheriffs Offices 2023/24 budget is $256.8 million, about 9.5 percent of the county budget, and has 1,446 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. The Tax Collector The tax collector receives property tax and other payments for both the county and state. Republican Rob Stoneburner was elected Collier County tax collector in 2020. Before his election, he worked in the Tax Collectors Office for 11 years, including as deputy tax collector for the previous nine. The Tax Collectors Offices 2023/24 budget is $34.0 million, or about 1.2 percent of the county budget, and has 167 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. The Property Appraiser The property appraiser assesses the fair value of all property so that property taxes can be computed. Republican Abe Skinner has served as the Collier property appraiser since 1991 and as a member of the office since 1962. He is the only constitutional officer not seeking reelection this year. The Property Appraisers Offices 2023/24 budget is $11.0 million, or about 0.4 percent of the county budget, and has 64 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. Supervisor of Elections The supervisor of elections registers voters and organizes all elections in the county. Republican Melissa Blazier has served as Collier Countys supervisor of elections since Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed her to succeed former Supervisor Jennifer Edwards, who retired in 2023. She joined the office in 2006 and most recently served as chief deputy supervisor of elections. The Supervisor of Elections Offices 2023/24 budget is $6.0 million, or about 0.2 percent of the county budget. It has a staff of 24 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller The clerk of the circuit court and comptroller (aka the clerk) maintains public records and is clerk to the County Commission. Republican Crystal Kinzel has been the clerk since 2018. Before joining the Clerks Office as deputy clerk in 2005, she served for 16 years as finance director for the Collier County Sheriffs Office. The Clerks Offices 2023/24 budget is $18.2 million, or about 0.6 percent of the county budget, and has 221 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. Where can I learn more? For more information about Collier Countys constitutional officers, read the Sparker's Soapbox Constitutional Officers Primer at sparkers-soapbox.com/the-county-constitutional-officers-a-primer-post. Sandy Parker is the founder and publisher of Sparkers Soapbox, which encourages and facilitates informed voting in Collier County and throughout Florida. Learn more at sparkers-soapbox.com. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Be a more informed voter: Collier Countys constitutional officers More Louisiana Students Can Access Tutoring Vouchers, But Few Have Been Used This article was originally published in Louisiana Illuminator. Louisiana lawmakers advanced a bill Wednesday that would expand a voucher program for students not meeting state math and reading standards, and state officials are hoping demand for them will increase. House Bill 244, authored by Rep. Jason Hughes, D-New Orleans, would increase the amount of voucher money families receive, expand the grades from which students can access the program and add numeracy tutoring to the program. The bill unanimously passed out of the Senate Education Committee. The vouchers are currently worth $1,000. Hughes bill would increase the amount to $1,500. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter The Legislative Fiscal Office estimates the expanded program will cost the state nearly $4.5 million starting in 2025. The program has previously been paid for with federal Elementary and Secondary School Relief (ESSR) funds. The last round of ESSR funds expire in September, so the state must use the money by then or lose any remaining amount. The Louisiana Department of Education originally invested $40 million of ESSR funds in the tutoring program, but the money was steered toward other needs once it became clear students would use only around $2 million. Under the Hughes bill, students in kindergarten through 12th grade could use vouchers for either math or literacy tutoring. Currently, the vouchers are only available to kindergarten to fifth-grade students. In order to be eligible, students must score below their grade level or fall short of mastery in math or English on state assessment tests and be considered at risk for learning difficulties. Priority is given to low-income families. The vouchers can only be used for tutoring services the Louisiana Department of Education has approved. The state does not anticipate Hughes proposal to increase the percentage of students who will use the program. Its estimated more than 300,000 students will be eligible but fewer than 3,000 students are expected to obtain tutoring. Related Tutoring Company with Chinese Ties Hits Back at Parents Groups Bid to Destroy It According to a NOLA.com report, education advocates say the program is not well-known among teachers or parents. The availability of tutors has been sparse, and critics say unnecessary burdens such as the application process make it difficult to take part. As a result, only 0.8% of eligible students have been reached since the services were first offered in 2021. Hughes bill would also change the name of the program to the Steve Carter Education Program. The former state representative, who died in 2021, chaired the House Education Committee from 2011 to 2025. The proposal now moves to the Senate Finance Committee. Also on Wednesday, the Senate Education Committee passed a bill that would create a screening for numeracy, or math basics, in kindergarten through third grade. House Bill 267, authored by Rep. Kim Carver, R-Mandeville, mimics the system already in place for literacy screenings. It would require students to be tested three times a year and for parents to be notified if their children do not meet grade-level expectations. Carvers bill would also require numeracy intervention and support for students testing below grade level. They would also be given an improvement plan created in concert with their parents, teachers and other necessary school personnel. The legislation carries a $2.5 million cost for the first year and $3 million every year after. The expense is associated with assigning new vendors to performing the screenings three times a year. The proposal passed committee unanimously and now moves to the Senate Finance Committee. The legislation would be implemented in the 2026-27 school year if approved. Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com. Follow Louisiana Illuminator on Facebook and Twitter. As President Joe Biden addressed Morehouse College students at their commencement ceremony on Sunday 19 May, several students in attendance expressed solidarity with Palestine. Some of the peaceful protesters sat with their back to Biden during his speech. One person in the back stood backwards with a raised fist. Others raised Palestinian flags or wore keffiyehs. Bidens speech was an attempt to appeal to Morehouses demographic of young Black men, who campaign officials have noted signs of diminished enthusiasm among in particular. ATLANTA, Georgia In the hours before President Joe Biden was scheduled to arrive at the storied Morehouse College, there was little indication on the campus that a raucous audience awaited his commencement address. On a warm but overcast day, students posed for graduation photos in their regalia, packed their rooms and swung by the bookstore for one last school T-shirt before leaving campus. There was a sense of normalcy at the historically Black, all-male college a far cry from the tense environments that materialized at other campuses throughout the spring, where pro-Palestinian protests perplexed administrations and sparked intense, even violent confrontations. Morehouse on Saturday didnt have that. What it did have was lingering anxiety among graduating seniors about how their commencement ceremony might be impacted by those who may want to use the opportunity of Bidens presence to make a political point or create a scene. Its been very tense, said Porter Alexander Tynes III, a Morehouse senior from Memphis, Tennessee. If protests happen, I pray that they happen peacefully. Since Morehouse announced last month that Biden would be its 2024 commencement speaker, questions about how to handle the presidents visit have gripped the campus. Morehouse students are acutely aware that when they step foot on the Century Campus quadrangle on Sunday morning to receive their diploma, they will be under the national spotlight judged and observed for how they do or do not interact with the president, who has come under fire for his handling of the Israel-Hamas war. That pressure has led to a strange last few weeks of campus life with graduation parties and end-of-the-year festivities weighed down by debates about how best to approach the presidents visit. As students around the country have expressed fierce opposition to Bidens Israel policies, some Morehouse students have questioned whether they have a responsibility to use the event to make that dissatisfaction known either by boycotting or disrupting his speech. Others are hesitant to let their complicated feelings about the Biden administration overshadow such a meaningful milestone in their lives. It puts more eyes on us, said Bryant Bean, a 2024 graduate. Theyre coming here and saying What are the Black men going to do? If no one protests, theres going to be people out there that say yall sold out, you just wanted to kiss up to the president. But if you do, youre ruining graduation. So its a Catch-22. Morehouse College President David A. Thomas made clear in the week leading up to commencement that he would shut down the ceremony if there were major disruptions when Biden speaks. And students here said that the possibility of not being able to walk across the stage sat heavy with the graduating class, many of whom did not get a traditional high school graduation ceremony in 2020 due to the pandemic. People dont want this to be canceled. There are different ways we can stand up, said 2024 Morehouse graduate Gideon Ndeh, suggesting that those who wish to send a message to the president turn their back to him, similar to what some Howard University students last year did when Biden delivered their commencement address. Students said that if they had been given the option to pick the commencement speaker, they probably would not have extended an invitation to Biden. Given that it is an election year, some said it was impossible to not feel like a political set piece in the presidents reelection bid. Others urged Biden to stay away from talking about the conflict in the Middle East or making a clear political pitch to Black voters. Its a little unfair that graduating isnt the centerpiece. Theres doctors, lawyers [graduating] and were talking about the commencement speaker, said David Johnson, who planned to attend the Sunday ceremony to watch a family member graduate. Although there were not yet visible signs of the pro-Palestinian protests that tend to accompany the president wherever he goes, Bidens imminent arrival was already being felt on campus Saturday afternoon. As students made their way to the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel for their baccalaureate service, they griped about having to get up early the next morning to allow enough time to get through security checks. Parents tried to find creative angles to snap pictures of their graduates that didnt capture the metal security fencing that was put up overnight. And no one was pleased that each graduate only got a limited number of commencement tickets this year. But amid all the uncertainty that Bidens visit had brought to the close of the class of 2024s college career, there was a more ordinary worry on everyones mind. I just hope it doesnt rain, Ndeh said, as he peered up at dark storm clouds rolling in. DUSHANBE, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks Sunday with Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that despite the differences in size and national conditions between China and Tajikistan, the two countries have always respected and trusted each other, treating each other as equals. The two countries are good neighbors connected by mountains and rivers, as well as good friends who help each other and good partners who pursue development together, he said. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Tajikistan has continuously reached a new level, defining the goal of building a community with a shared future, Wang said. Wang said that the two sides have achieved fruitful results in pragmatic cooperation across various fields and have consistently supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests. China is willing to try its best to help Tajikistan accelerate its industrialization process, enhance its economic and social development levels, and embark on a successful path of development and revitalization, bringing tangible benefits to the Tajik people, he said. Noting that changes unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace and the international and regional situations are becoming increasingly complex and volatile, Wang pointed out that the two countries and bilateral relations face new circumstances and challenges. The two sides should strengthen the alignment of their development strategies, leverage complementary advantages, and speed up quality improvement and upgrading of their pragmatic cooperation, he said. China is willing to further expand trade with Tajikistan, tap into the potential of connectivity, advance cooperation in mineral resources, and explore new areas of cooperation such as new energy and green transformation, Wang said. China supports more Chinese enterprises in investing and doing business in Tajikistan and hopes that Tajikistan will provide a favorable business environment for Chinese companies, Wang said. The two countries should continue to firmly support each other in international affairs, jointly defend their strategic interests, and uphold international fairness and justice, he added. For his part, Muhriddin said that the relationship between Tajikistan and China has a long history and has always been based on good-neighborliness and mutual trust. China is an important strategic partner for Tajikistan, and the two heads of state have injected strong impetus into the development of bilateral relations, he said, adding that the two sides maintain close exchanges at all levels, the scale of economic and trade cooperation is continuously expanding, and cultural exchanges are rich in content. Tajikistan is satisfied with the development level of bilateral relations and looks forward to working with China to comprehensively advance cooperation in various fields, achieving more new results in the high-level partnership between the two countries, he said. Tajikistan will firmly stick to the one-China principle. In the face of a complex and changing regional situation, Tajikistan is willing to work with China to implement the Global Security Initiative and jointly address security challenges, said Muhriddin. Tajikistan values coordination with China in the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the China-Central Asia mechanism and will fully support China in assuming the rotating presidency of the SCO, Muhriddin said. After the talks, the two sides signed cooperation documents between their foreign ministries and jointly met with the press. At Morehouse graduation, thanks to 'God for woke class of 2024' By Trevor Hunnicutt and Heather Timmons ATLANTA (Reuters) - President Joe Biden's commencement speech at Morehouse College on Sunday was delivered without any interruptions from students or faculty critical of his Israel policies, but graduation speakers seized the national spotlight that came with his presence to talk about race, Gaza and U.S. politics. Morehouse, one of about 100 U.S. HBCUs, or historically Black colleges and universities, was founded in 1867 to educate Black men newly liberated from slavery. Alumni include civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr., and multiple speakers, including Biden, invoked his legacy civil rights activism. Morehouse 2024 valedictorian DeAngelo Jeremiah Fletcher, whose mortarboard included a logo of the Palestinian flag with clenched fists, acknowledged that he had considered not giving a speech at all, then called for a ceasefire. "It is my stance as a Morehouse man, nay as a human being, to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip," he said. Biden applauded. Some Morehouse students and faculty had called for Biden to be disinvited over his staunch support for Israel in the Israel-Hamas war that has killed tens of thousands in Gaza, Palestinian authorities say, and left many homeless and on the edge of famine. Israel is responding to the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas militants that authorities say killed 1,200. The college's president, David Thomas, had vowed to shut down the ceremony if it was disrupted, but the only signs of protest were small and silent. "Thank you God for this woke class of 2024, Reverend Claybon Lea Jr. said in his opening evocation, praising the students for their political awareness, as Biden, sitting onstage, smiled. The reverend, who leads a Baptist church in California and is a Morehouse graduate, cited a "Palestinian Jew named Jesus," and said all children matter from Israelis to Palestinians and beyond. Lea also called on God to grant Biden a "strengthening in his body, mind and spirit with a renewed resolve to lead this country and help us to become what Martin King called the beloved community." HBCUs have a rich history of political activism, particularly amid the civil rights movement when students organized protests, marches and sit-ins to fight against segregation, racism and discrimination. (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt in Atlanta and Susan Heavey in Washington; Writing by Heather Timmons; Editing by Leslie Adler) Russias Defense Ministry claimed on May 19 that it repelled Kyivs attempts to strike occupied Crimea and bordering Russian regions overnight, as Ukrainian media reported explosions on the peninsula. Moscow claims that it had shot down nine U.S.-provided long-range ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) missiles, and a drone over Crimea. Kyiv usually refrains from commenting on its attacks on Crimea or Russia, and it has not reacted to the emerging reports by the publication time. In its report, shared on the Telegram messaging app, Russias Defense Ministry also claimed to have intercepted dozens of drones over Belgorod Oblast and Krasnodar Krai in Russia. The Crimean branch of Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne reported, citing its sources on the occupied peninsula, that explosions were heard in occupied Sevastopol, Yevpatoria, and the outskirts of Simferopol. "Very powerful explosions, at least five, were heard in the city. The windows in the apartment were shaking," an unidentified local resident in Sevastopol told Suspilne Crimea. Since summer 2022, Ukraine has been actively striking military targets in occupied Crimea and sometimes deep into Russia in an ambitious campaign to reduce Russias resources before they get to the Ukrainian front line. Ukraine has especially excelled at its attacks on the Russian Black Sea Fleet, inflicting damage on top-notch warships from afar. And on May 19, Russian proxy official in Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, said at around midnight that the air defense was working. He said no damage to civilian infrastructure was recorded. The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the reports of the overnight strikes. Read also: Opinion: Whats left of Russias Black Sea Fleet? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. This is the most religious state, according to new study SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Which U.S. state is the most religious, do you think? Some new research from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah used data from the U.S. Religion Census to determine which state could be considered the most faithful. Little surprise here: Utah was found to have the largest share of religious adherents out of every other state in the nation. Research found that 76.1% of Utahns adhere to a religious affiliation, which has been steadily increasing over the last decade. The next highest state was Alabama at 63.6%. FYI: The report described an adherent as including all people attending a religious congregation during the time of the study. Wages are keeping up with rent in only these 6 large US cities Its no shocker that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the highest amount of adherents, according to the Institutes findings. The predominant faith reportedly grew by 11.3% from 1,910,504 adherents in 2010 to 2,126,216 in 2020. Meanwhile, Traditional Temples Hindus, Muslims and the National Baptist Convention had the highest growth rates in Utah. As of 2020, at least 19 religions have 10 or more congregations in the state, according to the study. Within the state, Garfield, Rich and Box Elder counties lead in adherents as a percentage of the population, the report reads. The two largest counties in Utah by population Salt Lake County and Utah County have 67.4% and 89% adherents as a share of the population, respectively. The report noted that the timing of the count could have coincided with high travel seasons and tourist areas may include a large number of people who attended a worship service but live outside of the county. Utah also has the eighth most congregations per 100,000 population of any state, which has steadily grown by 8.3% from 2010 to 2020. This is the most normal state in the U.S., new study shows The full report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute can be found here. Despite earning the title of most religious from the University of Utah study, the state recently placed nearly dead last when it comes to being religiously diverse. Thats according to a recent review of U.S. Census data by the Washington Post, which attempted to find which states most closely represented the rest of the U.S. across a variety of categories. Arizona was the most like the U.S. as a whole in its religious makeup, followed by the states of Pennsylvania (second) and Wisconsin (third). Coming up last in the religious diversity rankings are Utah and Alabama (51st and 50th, respectively), which are described by WaPo as religiously homogeneous. 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. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Events continue this weekend to mark National Law Enforcement Week in the Natural State. The inaugural Arkansas Law Enforcement Memorial Ride traveled from the Rock City Harley Davidson store to the state capitol on Saturday morning. Little Rock Police Department, families remember fallen officers Multiple motorcycle clubs gathered to raise money for the Arkansas Law Enforcement Memorial and to recognize officers who gave their lives in the line of duty. After the ride, a ceremony was held where the names of Arkansas fallen officers are listed. At Saturdays ceremony, we talked about the history of this memorial and what national police week is, and what this memorial means for us. Southwind Gunfighters Motorcycle Club President Keith Pierson said. Thousands honor fallen officers in D.C. during National Police Week Proceeds from Saturdays event will go to the Arkansas Law Enforcement Memorial fund. Rock City Harley Davidson donated breakfast for 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 KARK. Day of Mourning announced in Kharkiv Oblast: 11 dead in one day video Aftermath of the strike on the Kharkiv district on 19 May. Photo: the Prosecutors Office Monday, 20 May has been declared a Day of Mourning in Kharkiv Oblast for the civilian victims of recent Russian attacks. Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast State Administration, on Telegram Quote: "Tomorrow, 20 May, will be a Day of Mourning in Kharkiv Oblast. The occupiers have claimed the lives of 11 people as a result of attacks on the villages of Kivsharivka and Novoosynove in the Kupiansk and Mala Danylivka hromadas [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.]. There is a pregnant woman among the dead." Details: The Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutors Office has reported that six people were killed and 28 were injured in the attack on the Kharkiv district. Five people were killed and 10 were injured as a result of the strikes on the Kupiansk district. Support UP or become our patron! MTG is 'absolutely' racist, Texas Democrat says after their heated exchange in House Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., was "absolutely" being racist during a heated House committee session last week. The House Oversight Committee met Thursday night to vote on holding Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over audio recordings of President Joe Biden's interview with special counsel Robert Hur. During the hearing, Greene said to Crockett, I dont think you know what youre here for. I think your fake eyelashes are messing up what youre reading. The Texas lawmaker responded on CNN Sunday that she believes the controversial Georgia conservative congresswoman was being intentionally racist by directing the comment at her. State Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, reacts to her being named freshman of the year of the Black Caucus on the final day of the 87th Texas Legislature. "Women wear makeup, we wear lashes, we wear all types of things to beautify ourselves," Crockett said. "But MAGA has historically been on social media doing the things where they're saying, 'Oh she's Black with lashes and nails and hair, and so she's ghetto.' And so, to me, this was her (Greene) buying into that rhetoric and trying to amplify this for the MAGA crowd." "So, yeah, I absolutely think she only did it to be racist towards me." At the time Thursday, Greene's comments led to a heated back-and-forth between herself and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY. That is absolutely unacceptable," Ocasio-Cortez fired back immediately at Greene. "How dare you attack the physical appearance of another person. WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 5: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) attends a House Oversight Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services hearing on Capitol Hill December 5, 2023 in Washington, DC. The hearing focused on the Biden administration's proposed rule changes to Title IX to redefine the definition of sexual discrimination to include gender identity. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776071598 ORIG FILE ID: 1825454948 Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa. criticized the conflict on Friday on X, writing, "In the past, Ive described the U.S. House as The Jerry Springer Show. Today, Im apologizing to The Jerry Springer Show." Ocasio-Cortez responded to Fetterman with her own post. "I understand you likely would not have stood up for your colleague and seem to be confused about racism and misogyny being a 'both sides' issue," the New York lawmaker wrote. "But I stand up to bullies, instead of becoming one." Fetterman, appearing on CNN on Sunday morning, called Ocasio-Cortez's statement "absurd." "I was just simply responding to the kind of chaos and everything that Representative Greene started," Fetterman told CNN. "And if everyone on the committee was proud of what they produced, they're entitled to their opinion. Or if they feel that this is the kind of a video that you want to send to a classroom of eighth grade civics students across America, that's their choice." Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., answers the news media at the U.S. Capitol on May 8, 2024, the day the House of Representatives killed an effort to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. The vote was 359-43. Crockett told CNN she does not anticipate any repercussions for Greene. "I think that this speaker should be inclined to try to reign her in after trying to kick him out of his position," Crockett said, referring to Green's failed recent move to vacate House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. "But they just let Marjorie do whatever she wants to do." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas Democrat charges MTG as 'racist' following heated House exchange PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Oregons primary election is this coming Tuesday. As a result, elections officials statewide are preparing for both the primary and the all-important general election in November. That includes Multnomah County election director Tim Scott. Scott has been Multnomah Countys election director for the past 16 years and is the past president of the Oregon Association of County Clerks. On this weeks Eye on Northwest Politics, Scott discussed how much of a concern election integrity is in the state of Oregon, since there has been much talk of making sure every vote counts on the national level. With some high-profile races in Multnomah County, including for district attorney and the Multnomah County Commission, Scott additionally voices how much this could affect voter turnout. Further, given the political polarization observed these days, Scott discloses whether the safety and possible intimidation of his election workers is a concern, as well as the potential spread of disinformation during this election season. Looking ahead to November, the city of Portland is moving to ranked-choice voting for an expanded slate of city commissioners, mayor and Multnomah County commissioners. So Scott states how this will change for the voters overall. Watch the full interview in the video above. 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. People visit the National Art Museum of Belarus in Minsk, Belarus, May 18, 2024. Many museums in Belarus held "Museum Night" activities including extending their working hours until late at night, and organizing themed activities for the public. (Photo by Henadz Zhinkov/Xinhua) People visit the National Art Museum of Belarus in Minsk, Belarus, May 18, 2024. Many museums in Belarus held "Museum Night" activities including extending their working hours until late at night, and organizing themed activities for the public. (Photo by Henadz Zhinkov/Xinhua) ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL) History came to life in Elizabethton on Sunday during the Muster at Fort Watauga, an 18th-century living history exhibition. Nearly 150 reenactors and history buffs gathered at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Site to set up camp. Museum curator Chad Bogart said this is the largest living history event held at the site during the year, and hes seen some new faces attending. Elizabethton City Schools to receive a $3.75 million athletic training facility We have many repeat people who come to the park to take in this event every year, he said. And weve been surprised with the number of new people coming in, so we definitely want to share it with those, too. The event aims to depict life between the years 1769 through 1780, just before the regions militia joined in the Battle of Kings Mountain during the Revolutionary War. Bogart said the reenactment serves as an elevated method of education thats more immersive than a textbook. Along with a Sunday morning church service, the day consisted of open-hearth cooking, natural yarn-dying and 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) First responders were called out to a Nashville rock quarry Saturday night to save a base jumper. The Nashville Fire Department said units were sent to the quarry along Whites Creek Pike, where a base jumper parachuted and landed on the ledge about 150 feet from the top. Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts The department posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) at 9:23 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, saying crews were removing brush from the area and preparing high-angle rescue equipment to retrieve the base jumper. (Courtesy: Nashville Fire Department) (Courtesy: Nashville Fire Department) (Courtesy: Nashville Fire Department) (Courtesy: Nashville Fire Department) (Courtesy: Nashville Fire Department) (Courtesy: Nashville Fire Department) The Metro Nashville Police Department told News 2 the individual had jumped into the rock quarry and his parachute failed to open properly, but he was alert and able to communicate with crews over the phone. A police helicopter was reportedly requested to help guide first responders down to the base jumper. | READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County At 10:08 p.m., the Nashville Fire Department confirmed high-angle rescue operations had started, with personnel working to reach the patient and lower the right equipment to safely remove him from the ledge, but crews need to work carefully to execute this tedious process. According to fire officials, medics were on standby just in case the base jumper was injured. At 12:39 a.m. on Sunday, May 19, the fire department announced the patient had been retrieved safely from the rock quarry. Crews reportedly had to be lowered almost 300 feet and used extensive rope rigging and technical rescue skill to reach the individual. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com The patient was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center with multiple injuries, fire officials said. The extent of their injuries remain unknown. No additional details have been released about this incident. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. 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. WASHINGTON In addition to articles already covered by Native News Online, here is a roundup of other news released from Washington, D.C. that impacts Indian Country recently. Department of the Interior Announces $320 Million for Tribal Domestic Water Supply Projects The U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Reclamation issued a funding opportunity to assist federally recognized Tribes and Tribal organizations as they plan and construct domestic water infrastructure. Eligible projects include new domestic water supply infrastructure, improvements to existing infrastructure and facilities, extension of existing infrastructure and facilities to reach underserved service areas, and other projects that assess and address urgent water-related needs, among others. Application deadline: August 4, 2024 USDA to Hold Tribal Consutatons at the NCAI Midyear Convention United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on Friday that during the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Midyear Convention in Cherokee, N.C. (June 3-6), the department will be hosting a series of tribal consultations on Expanding Tribal Self-Determination Policies at USDA. They will be hybrid, and both in-person and online attendees must register: Tribal Consultation on Self-Determination at USDA: Forestry Date: Monday, June 3, 2024 Time: 1:00-4:00 p.m. EDT Registration Link: Meeting Registration Tribal Consultation on Self-Determination at UDSA: Meat Inspections Date: Monday, June 3, 2024 Time: 4:30-7:30 p.m. EDT Registration Link: Meeting Registration Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Tribal Consultation on Self-Determination at USDA: Food and Nutrition Programs Date: Wednesday, June 5, 2024 Time: 1:00-4:00 p.m. EDT Registration Link: Meeting Registration The Secretary also recently established the USDA Tribal Advisory Committee to provide advice and guidance to USDA decision makers. Please save the date for the upcoming meeting, which will be both in person in Washington, D.C. and on Zoom on May 29 May 30, 2024. If you have would like to submit written public comments or register to deliver verbal comments during the meeting, please send an email to Tribal.Relations@usda.gov. Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Nominations The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is seeking nominations for future members of its Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee. Selected nominees will serve a two-year term, beginning January 2025. In determining who to select, HUD will take into consideration several factors, such as geographic location and size of Tribe. In order to be eligible, the nominee must be a duly elected or appointed Tribal leader or Tribal employee (employees of a Tribally Designated Housing Entity are not eligible). Further details can be found in this Federal Register Notice. Nominations are due by June 7, 2024. About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net A school official at Farmington High School speaks with graduate Genesis White Bull, a Hunkpapa Lakota of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, before taking away her personalized graduation cap and replacing it with a generic one. White Bull had adorned her cap with beads and an eagle feather, culturally significant tribal regalia. (Screenshot via Facebook) Graduation season is typically a time for celebrating the success of students making it through their education programs. For some Indigenous students, part of that celebration includes having tribal regalia or objects of cultural significance as part of their cap and gown during the graduation ceremony. In Arizona, Indigenous students are protected under state law. In 2021, then-Gov. Doug Ducey signed House Bill 2705 into law, barring public schools from preventing Indigenous students from wearing traditional tribal regalia or objects of cultural significance at graduation ceremonies. Not all states have similar laws to protect Indigenous students. New Mexicos lawmakers say they passed legislation to prevent incidents like this from occurring, but its now unclear if that applies to a case garnering attention in Farmington, New Mexico. On May 13, Genesis White Bull, a Hunkpapa Lakota of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, was standing for the national anthem alongside her graduating class at the Farmington High School graduation ceremony when two unidentified school faculty members approached her to confiscate her graduation cap. In video footage shared across social media, White Bull is seen being instructed to remove her graduation cap, which was embellished with an eagle plume and beaded around the rim. Brenda White Bull, Genesis mother, shared the experience with the Navajo Nation Council and reported that school officials later cut the plume from her daughters cap using scissors. The Navajo Nation Council stated in a press release that Brenda emphasized the sacred significance of the plume, which symbolizes achievement and cultural identity, marking Genesis transition into new phases of her life. The Arizona Mirror contacted the family for an interview, but the family did not respond before publication. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Council issued a statement condemning the schools actions. To be humiliated during one of her young lifes most celebrated moments is unacceptable, and we demand accountability and apology from the school, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairwoman Janet Alkire said. We stand with our relative, Genesis White Bull, and we condemn the actions of Farmington High School, which targeted one of our own because of her choice to express pride in her cultural identity. No place for this type of behavior Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley called Farmington High Schools actions belittling, humiliating, and demeaning to the student and her family. There is no place for this type of behavior in our educational systems, Curley said in a press release. The school officials owe an apology to the student and her family. Farmington Municipal Schools, which oversees Farmington High School, released a statement on May 15 in response to the incident. During the event, a students beaded cap was exchanged for a plain one. The feather was returned intact to the family during the ceremony, Farmington Municipal Schools wrote in the statement. The beaded cap was returned after graduation concluded. Farmington Municipal Schools referred to the districts protocols, which state that graduation caps and gowns can not be altered, per the 2023-2024 Student and Parent Handbook. The handbook does not contain policy language stating any exceptions to these rules. However, the schools statement noted that students could choose their clothing attire, which included traditional attire to be worn under the graduation cap and gown, regalia, stoles, and feathers in their tassels. Students were informed throughout the school year and immediately before graduation of the protocol, including that beaded caps were not allowed, the statement read. This standard process helps us set student attire during graduations. While the staff involved were following district guidelines, we acknowledge this could have been handled differently and better, the statement read. Moving forward, we will work to refine our processes at the school level. Farmington Municipal Schools stated that the district is also committed to exploring policies that allow for additional appropriate cultural elements in student attire. Indigenous students comprise nearly 34% of the school districts population. School officials across the country need to be reminded who the first Americans are and whose land they inhabit, Curley said in a press release. No student in any school should be prohibited from wearing regalia that signifies their cultural and spiritual beliefs. Law under review New Mexico passed an anti-discrimination law in 2021 that might protect students against the Farmington schools district policy. However, the legal pathway is unclear according to responses from spokespeople in the governors offices, state education department, and even lawmakers who wrote the recent law. Each acknowledged that they were reviewing the law and could only give an official opinion once that was completed. Requests for comment were made to the New Mexico Department of Justice but were not returned in time for publication. Sen. Harold Pope (D-Albuquerque), who co-sponsored the law, said the legislation stemmed from the national Crown Act push that targeted to stop policies that discriminate against hair style and texture, with a significant tilt against African Americans. New Mexicos version was written from the views of the Native American cultures present throughout the state, Pope said, and the bill included co-sponsors who are Dine and Jemez Pueblo. We wanted to make sure that we included cultural and religious headdresses to be even more inclusive than your hair alone, he said. And what I think is important in that language, when we look at Indigenous cultures, feathers are so cherished and protected and it is part of who they are. Its unclear now if the law will provide White Bull support for any legal action she could take against Farmington Municipal Schools District. It broke my heart After footage of White Bulls graduation experience spread on social media, it sparked an outpouring of support from Indigenous people and communities across the country. Navajo Nation leaders have voiced their support for White Bull and called for schools to support an Indigenous students right to wear regalia during their graduation ceremonies, saying denying it is a violation of their rights. It broke my heart, Navajo Nation Council Delegate Amber Crotty told the Arizona Mirror when she learned what happened to the student. Crotty said graduations are meant to be one of the happiest moments of a students life, and White Bulls experience was tarnished by having something so important taken away from her. Thats so traumatic and not the best way to approach these situations when it comes to our Native students, Crotty said. In a day of celebration, just for her to be attacked like that. Crotty said the incident has been reported to the Nation Human Rights Commission, which investigates discrimination within border towns. Farmington borders the Navajo Nation, and there is a documented history of racism against Indigenous people living or visiting the city. In April 1974, three white Farmington High School students brutally murdered four Navajo men as part of a practice locals called Indian rolling. In response to the murders, Navajo and other Indigenous people held protests in the city of Farmington denouncing the pervasive racism and bigotry of the community. Due to escalating tensions in Farmington, the New Mexico Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights launched a study of the relationships between the city, San Juan County and the Navajos living in the community and on the Navajo Nation. The committee concluded that Indigenous people in almost every area suffer from injustice and maltreatment, according to their report. They recommended that city officials and San Juan County officials, in conjunction with Navajo leaders, work together to develop a plan of action to improve the treatment of Navajos living in the border areas of northwestern New Mexico. The advisory committee conducted another report 30 years later and found that, while race relations may have somewhat improved in the area, racism is still an issue within the city of Farmington. There is a lack of understanding of how Native students identify themselves and celebrate themselves, Crotty said. She said that it is time to move beyond having conversations about cultural sensitivity for Native students, mainly because incidents like this keep occurring. Thats why we want to support mom and the family, Crotty said. She does want the school to be accountable, and she does want some sort of apology. Crotty said the staffs actions at Farmington High School were inappropriate, and immediate action is needed rather than the school trying to justify what happened. The cultural identity of all Native American students attending Farmington High School are protected under the New Mexico Indian Education Act, she said, adding that what happened was a clear violation of the students rights. As we move forward in addressing this issue, we will be meeting with the school board and administration, Crotty added. In New Mexico, the law passed in 2021 is directed specifically to local school districts, but it does not allow the New Mexico Public Education Department to issue any statewide order on local issues, such as what students can wear at graduation ceremonies. New Mexicos 89 school districts decide on those policies, which is why other Indigenous students across the state have different experiences with graduation attire. New Mexicos Public Education Secretary, Dr. Aresenio Romero, offered support for White Bull but noted that the issue is the responsibility of the local district. I expect the Farmington Superintendent and school district to reevaluate their graduation policies, Romero said. I remain committed to promulgating tribal sovereignty and to respecting tribal cultural customs and practices. Governor issues statement Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a statement Friday saying that it was unacceptable that a student was reprimanded for representing their culture during a time of celebration. I appreciate that the Farmington schools acknowledge that they could have handled this situation better and that their policy may be too restrictive, she added. However, it shouldnt have required the student raising this issue for a school to recognize its lack of inclusivity. Navajo Nation First Lady Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren released a statement supporting Indigenous graduating students who wear their cultural and traditional regalia during graduation. We stand with our Native graduates this graduation season and their decision to wear their traditional tribal regalia or objects of cultural significance, including eagle feathers, eagle plumes, and beaded graduation caps, Blackwater-Nygren said in a statement she posted on her Facebook. Our graduates and families take immense pride in what they choose to wear on graduation day. Blackwater Nygren was a guest speaker at the Farmington High School graduation, but she said she was unaware of what occurred until after the graduation. I am deeply disappointed that this happened at a school where we have many Navajo and Native graduates, she said. I hope the school learns from this experience and can take corrective measures. Blackwater-Nygren said that, for many Indigenous students, deciding what to wear goes far beyond simply deciding what color dress or shoes to wear. For some Indigenous students, it is a day for them to wear their traditional regalia proudly. Our regalia reminds us of how far weve come as a people; it shows our pride in our culture and how we chose to identify ourselves as Native people, she said. Some graduates are the first in their families to graduate or are only one of a few high school graduates in the family. A beaded cap further signifies this symbol of achievement, accomplishment and Native resilience. Blackwater-Nygren is familiar with this issue because, as an Arizona State Representative, she helped pass House Bill 2705 through the legislature. As graduation season continues, I hope all schools will respect the decision of our Native students to wear their traditional regalia and objects of cultural significance, Blackwater-Nygren said. This story was originally published by the Arizona Mirror and Source New Mexico. Like the North Dakota Monitor, theyre part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Source New Mexico maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Shaun Griswold for questions: info@sourcenm.com. Follow Source New Mexico on Facebook and Twitter. The post Navajo leaders outraged after a Lakota students tribal regalia was removed at graduation appeared first on North Dakota Monitor. NC Senate advances bill that could lead to juvenile cases beginning in Superior Court Teens who commit certain felonies may soon have their cases start outside of juvenile court in North Carolina. MORE: Raise the Age: The crisis of North Carolinas juvenile justice system Senate lawmakers have advanced a juvenile justice modification bill. This means 16- to 18-year-olds accused of certain felonies would have their cases begin in Superior Court before seeing if the juvenile court is more appropriate. The offenses range from first-degree murder to assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Supporters of the proposed bill say it is not a rollback of the raise the age law. The bill will have to pass the House before going to the governor. (WATCH BELOW: 3 juveniles charged in deadly Mooresville home invasion) Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn addresses the Nebraska Republican Party on Saturday in Lincoln, flanked by Blaine Brummond, left, and Nebraska GOP Chair Eric Underwood. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN Days after losing the three highest-profile races it endorsed in this spring, leaders of the new Nebraska Republican Party encouraged unity this weekend but faced pushback from their own delegates. State GOP Chairman Eric Underwood said he would keep working to bring Republicans together after the primary, but he said he might need reciprocity from the elected officials angered by the party. Fences need mending after the GOP didnt endorse any of the states five-member, all-GOP congressional delegation for the primary. None in the states delegation sought the partys endorsement, either. All five Sens. Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts and Reps. Adrian Smith, Mike Flood and Don Bacon easily won their primaries even though three of them Ricketts, Smith and Bacon were challenged by populist GOP candidates the state party endorsed. Then the partys delegates balked at a resolution Saturday to endorse the incumbents in November, delaying a decision until the next state central committee meeting. Former U.S. Rep. Hal Daub led the floor resolution to endorse former President Donald Trump and all five members of the delegation. The step is usually a formality. Daub said his intention was to have unity projected to the public. Since our delegation won their primaries pretty substantially, we should let the public know that we appreciate the process and support the people, he said. The resolution faced immediate pushback from the majority of delegates, led in part by Bacons primary opponent, Dan Frei. Frei said he adamantly opposed endorsing members of the delegation because they hadnt come to the meeting to ask for the endorsements. Instead, delegates passed the endorsement of Trump and punted the delegation decision to a later date after it became clear the measure lacked enough votes. That step was proposed by a state party official. Endorsements are earned, not given, said Frei. He conceded the race Friday but has yet to endorse Bacon, who won by 24 percentage points. It remains unclear what kind of unity either side in the intra-GOP fight would accept. You have to ask where the trust has been lost, Underwood said. You have to look at the 2022 primary. Were nowhere near that loss of trust, because the party wasnt weaponized. Power of party endorsements Critics of the partys approach said that its endorsements were ineffective without financial assistance behind them and that they held little sway with the wider electorate. Bacon said after the primary that it was time for some soul searching by state and county GOP leaders who had weakened the party and weakened the conservative movement in Nebraska. He lied about four of my votes, Bacon said of Underwood. When a chairman lies about an incumbent in the federal delegation there is a problem. Underwood acknowledged that the party sent a mailer for 2nd District GOP candidate Dan Frei in his run against Bacon, but he said its different from how the party previously put its thumb on the scale. He pointed to GOP criticism of the former state party leadership for aggressively taking sides in a legislative race between State Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar and former state GOP volunteer Janet Palmtag. Underwood said he would keep reaching out as he has to the delegation and to Gov. Jim Pillen. Elected leaders often help state parties in Nebraska and elsewhere raise funds for political activity. Fundraising challenges The Nebraska GOP, like many state parties taken over in recent years by populists, has had a hard time reconciling populist fervor and energy from the partys base with its traditional leaders. Fundraising has lagged, though Underwood said he expected to show a significant infusion of funds in the partys pending May report to the Federal Election Commission. One area the new GOP excels at is partisan energy. On Saturday, 360 delegates and more than 500 Republicans turned out for the state partys annual convention at the Cornhusker Marriott in Lincoln. Many of them came to hear retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, national security adviser under Trump, tell them they are in the fight for our lives this November in the presidential election. Most came to update party rules, select delegates to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and gather with other conservatives from around the state. Congressional district caucuses discussed moving Nebraska to winner-take-all for presidential elections. They also discussed ballot security and border security. The party also voted on other resolutions, including a 157-139 vote on one that was postponed at a previous meeting, to censure State Sen. Merv Riepe for opposing a proposed abortion ban after an ultrasound can detect a fetal cardiac activity, at about six weeks. Flynn speaks to Nebraska GOP Flynn, who twice admitted to lying to federal agents during the FBI investigation of Russian influence in the 2016 presidential election, then later recanted and was pardoned by Trump, said voters need to engage. He reiterated his support for former Trump, who fired him 24 days into his term, at the height of public interest in the Russia investigation. Flynn, Underwood and State Board of Education President Elizabeth Tegtmeier all urged those attending to pay attention to education races farther down the ballot. Flynn told them to seek incremental victories and to focus on stopping the push to change American culture by reaffirming Christian beliefs and culture. GOP focuses on education races Tegtmeier said she and other conservatives on the State Board need voters help to remove books they consider inappropriate from school libraries. People who object to removing books say such efforts often discriminate against books written by nonwhite or LGBTQ authors or about race, sex or gender. She pointed to efforts by grassroots conservatives to oppose proposed health standards that included sex education in 2021 as a model for what they can accomplish together. She argued kids were learning too much too young. Tegtmeier called on more investment in state and local education races, saying the Democrats and the teachers union will not let go of the stronghold they have on the board without a fight. She said that would take money. She said she would like to see more emphasis placed on training young people for skilled trades. People are starting to realize that the state board races are just as crucial and important as our state legislative races, she said, speaking in her personal capacity. Flynn said getting involved at the local level is one of the best ways to push back against political opponents. Ive seen the absolute worst of humanity, he said. In the long arc of history, good always prevails over evil. But there are times that it takes longer than you expect it to take. Flynn movie talk About 700 people paid $35-plus for a Friday night screening of Flynns image-rehab documentary, Flynn: Deliver the Truth Whatever the Cost. Flynn contended in the film that prosecutors coerced him into lying to FBI agents about his talks with the Russian ambassador in the run-up to Trumps 2017 inauguration. He said they did so by using his fear of them prosecuting his son, who was his business partner in a consulting firm. Authorities have said Flynn illegally discussed sanctions with a foreign government before he was a formal representative of the United States. Flynn has said he made no direct pledge involving sanctions. He tried withdrawing his guilty plea, saying he was misled by his lawyers. At one point, the Justice Department moved to drop the case against Flynn, but the judge disagreed with Attorney General Bill Barr and the case moved forward. Fanchon Blythe, Nebraskas national GOP committeewoman, asked Flynn to call former U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., saying he was similarly prosecuted. Flynn said he was unfamiliar with the case. Fortenberry was convicted of lying to FBI agents about his knowledge of foreign funds illegally raised for his 2016 House campaign. Federal law prohibits raising foreign funds in congressional races. A federal appeals court overturned his conviction because he was prosecuted in California, where the fundraiser was held, and not where Fortenberry allegedly lied. He was recently charged again, this time in Washington, D.C. Kleeb criticized GOP, Flynn Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb criticized the state GOP for bringing Flynn to the state, saying it was evidence of a lost party. Given all the massive divides in their party where over 35% of the base votes for (U.S.) Rep. (Don) Bacons opponent one would think they would focus on building bridges, she said. It seems the only bridge the Republicans want to build is one to (Vladimir) Putin. In mentioning Bacon, she was stumping for state Democrats best opportunity to win a congressional race this year. Democratic State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha is challenging Bacon for the second time, after losing to Bacon in 2022 by about three percentage points. Flynn told those attending he would be watching to see how many of them care enough to vote this fall. He chided them for a low turnout in the Nebraska primary, where 28% of registered voters turned in ballots. We have to get together, we have to unify and we have to figure out how to get past all the petty arguments and move forward as one nation, Flynn said. National committeeman will change Also on Saturday, Blythe was re-elected national GOP committeewoman. She has been among the state partys most aggressive organizers of county party takeovers. She has been criticized for defending people arrested after the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. State GOP committeeman JL Spray, one of the last links to the former state GOP leadership team from 2022, will be replaced by William Feely of Aurora. Spray will still represent the party at the 2024 national convention. Feely will take over after that. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Nebraska GOP pushes unity after primary fight with incumbents; delegates disagree appeared first on Nebraska Examiner. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Neighbors near a proposed mega-shelter in Middletown held a townhall to discuss their opinions on the City of San Diegos proposed plan. Were not here to be the enemies, were actually here to be partners in all of this, we want to work with the community, said Patty Ducey-Brooks, a longtime Mission Hills resident. One of the presenters at the townhall was Kevin Arnold, president of the San Diego Neighborhood Coalition and Little Italy resident. In your opinion, what do you think the city should be doing to get more people off the streets, off these encampments? FOX 5/KUSIs Alani Letang asked. First of all, I think the city needs to listen to the community. You need to have a plan. This is not a plan, Arnold said. The city is proposing a 65,000-square-foot shelter on Kettner Boulevard and Vine Street, which would have 1,000 beds, showers, restrooms, pet relief areas and play areas for children. Mega San Diego homeless shelter proposal delayed Mission Hills neighbor Ed Moore said everyone in one building does not serve that community at all. I think youre putting a wrecking ball through the lives of those 1,000 people. But also because we are mixing a lot of different populations, were putting families along with people with mental health issues It creates a toxic environment, Ducey-Brooks added. Ducey-Brooks said she suggests the funding for the shelter be used on programs that already are working for people experiencing homelessness. FOX 5/KUSI talked with Kim Chow, who has been trying to find permanent housing for three months. Chow said the permanent housing program she was in, Valley Vista, recently kicked her out after three years. She said they told her she was no longer a good candidate. The best thing to do is to meet people together and let them learn what it means to be a nextdoor neighbor, Chow said. At the permanent facility, Chow said other residents would break windows and even kick in her door. She said instead of the proposed shelter, she would rather see more private permanent housing to avoid unwanted disruptions. Proposed Middletown mega-shelter gets pushback from community Who wants to live with that, like that? You cant get no rejuvenation out of that, people setting examples like that, Chow said. The proposed shelters introduction came in April. Initially discussed, the city said the plan would cost around $30 million to operate, rent would be $1.9 million annually, and cost $18 million to get the building ready for people. In a statement, Mayor Todd Glorias office wrote: San Diego has a homelessness crisis that demands the urgent and sustained response that Mayor Gloria is providing. San Diegans do not want our sidewalks overtaken by unsafe and unsanitary encampments. The campus envisioned for the Kettner property will help unhoused people off the streets and connect them not only with safe shelter, but the services and assistance they need to permanently end their homelessness. The data show our interventions are working and their cost is far lower than leaving people to deteriorate mentally and physically on the streets. Francine Maxwell lives in Encanto and attended the townhall for a friend who lives in Hillcrest who could not show up. Maxwell said the proposed shelter needs more vetting. When you look at the shower capacity, I need people to be able to take a shower more, Maxwell said. I think that people need to be able to close their door and have their privacy, and if a case worker assigns them homework, they can close their door and do their homework. On Monday, May 13, City Council held a closed session to discuss updated lease terms for the shelter, including cheaper rent. Neighbors want into those details. Thats the authentic lean, have more conversations, dont be so quick to want to do something, Maxwell said. We need to reevaluate the whole situation so we dont create a more dire situation for the public right now, Ducey-Brooks 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Newsom leaves the Vatican with pope's praise for refusing to impose the death penalty In an opulent hall in the Apostolic Palace framed in marble and adorned with Renaissance murals, Gov. Gavin Newsom waited in a line of governors, mayors and scientists for an opportunity to greet Pope Francis. The queue wasnt the ideal setup envisioned by the governors advisors. Newsom traveled more than 6,000 miles from California to the Vatican to give a speech before and hopefully talk with the pope about climate change. Pope Francis, however, had other topics on his mind besides the warming planet. I was struck by how he immediately brought up the issue of the death penalty and how proud he was of the work were doing in California, Newsom said afterward. I was struck by that because I wasnt anticipating that, especially in the context of this convening. The talk was brief and informal. But the politically astute head of the Roman Catholic Church still took advantage of the moment to support one of Newsoms most controversial actions as governor. Through executive order two months after his inauguration, Newsom issued a temporary moratorium on the death penalty and ordered the dismantling of the states execution chambers at San Quentin State Prison. Families of murder victims criticized the decision, and legal scholars called it an abuse of power. Newsom's refusal to impose the death penalty could hurt him politically if he runs for president. As a Catholic, however, the governor's decree is in line with the church and the popes teachings. In an interview with The Times after he left the Vatican, Newsom said he has yet to propose a statewide ballot measure to abolish the death penalty because he doesnt have confidence that it would pass. California voters rejected measures to ban executions in 2012 and 2016. Read more: Gavin Newsom, during his speech at the Vatican on climate change, accuses Trump of 'open corruption' Newsom said recent polls conducted by his political advisors show soft support for a ban. We constantly put it in our surveys that I do, Newsom said in an interview with The Times. Its in the margin. But I'm thinking a lot about this beyond that because we're reimagining death row. I'm thinking about when I'm leaving; I mean, I've been pretty honest about that. I'm trying to figure out what more can I do in this space. There were more than 730 inmates on death row when Newsom took office. Death row at San Quentin was the largest of any prison in the Western Hemisphere. Under his plan to reform the prison to emphasize rehabilitation, Newsom said California is just weeks from emptying death row entirely. The governor said he was outspoken about his opposition to capital punishment when he campaigned in 2018. He endorsed the 2012 and 2016 ballot measures to abolish the death penalty. "I campaigned very openly as lieutenant governor, as governor. I went out of my way to say, 'If you elect me, this is what I'm going to do,'" Newsom said. "And also I have the legal authority. So I wasn't challenging that." Currently, 21 of the 50 states impose the death penalty. The remaining 29 either have no death penalty or paused executions due to executive action including California, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Newsom's moratorium might not play well with voters in some swing states in a potential presidential campaign, adding to perceptions that leftist California and the Democratic governor are soft on crime and misaligned with the rest of the nation. The governor has repeatedly dismissed speculation that he's eyeing the White House, and he has actively campaigned for President Biden's reelection. Kevin Eckery, a political consultant who has worked with the Catholic Church in California, said the death penalty isn't going to be a deciding factor in an election. "Nationally, the death penalty has been carried out so infrequently for the last 50 years that I don't see people voting based on your position on [the] death penalty," Eckery said. "They are going to vote on pocketbook issues. They are going to vote on other things, but not that issue." The Catholic Church has long said the death penalty could be justified only in rare situations. Francis updated church doctrine in 2018 to say the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person." Read more: Gov. Gavin Newsom to block California death row executions, close San Quentin execution chamber Newsom lunched in an arched courtyard covered in jasmine at the American Academy in Rome after he, in a speech at the Vatican, accused former President Trump of open corruption by soliciting campaign donations from oil executives. Sitting in a weathered wood chair under the shade of a tree, the governor explained how his Catholic background and the inequities in the criminal justice system influenced his refusal to sign off on executions as governor. His paternal grandparents were devout Catholics, and his late father, William Newsom, who served as a state appellate court justice, went to church every day growing up, he said. Later in life, Newsoms father considered himself a Catholic of the distance, the governor said, and kind of pushed away because of the politics of the church. Newsom said Jesuit teachings at Santa Clara University, where he attended college, spoke a language he appreciated of faith and works. His own religious beliefs, he said, have always been exercised "around a civic frame." The Bible teaches many parts, one body, Newsom said, mentioning a quote he often references. One part suffers, we all suffer, and this notion of communitarianism. You can't get out of Santa Clara University without the requisite studies and sort of a religious baseline: God and common thought type frames," he said. As a Catholic and San Francisco native, Newsom said his beliefs follow the Spirit of St. Francis" and the idea of being good to others, but not necessarily a strict religious doctrine. The governor said he attended the private Catholic school Ecole Notre Dame des Victoires in San Francisco for a short time during early elementary school. He said his family often attended Glide Memorial, a nondenominational church in San Francisco. The governor said he attended church on Easter with his family. Newsom mentioned religion at other points during his trip, telling reporters outside the hall where he spoke at the Vatican about the importance of the bridge between science and the pope's moral authority on climate change. "As we know from church, it's faith and works," Newsom said. "So, as we pray, we move our feet. It's that action with our passion." Daniel Philpott, a professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame, said it's smart for politicians in either party to talk about faith. "We've learned over the last 30 years that presidential candidates in general benefit when they can be shown to be religious, or practicing their religious faith," Philpott said. Newsom said he didn't want to overplay the influence of religion on his position on the death penalty, which his father also opposed. His father and grandfather were involved in the case of Pete Pianezzi, a friend who was wrongfully convicted of first-degree murder in the shooting and killing a gambler and busboy in Los Angeles in 1937. Pianezzi escaped the death penalty by a single vote and served 13 years in prison. He was later exonerated. Even if it were possible to limit inequity and wrongful convictions in the criminal justice system, Newsom said he would still be against the death penalty. Receiving the popes support made Newsom reflect on the way he agonized over the decision before he issued the moratorium a few years ago, he said. The governor met with families of victims and sought guidance from others prior to his announcement. "It just never made sense to me, the basic paradigm, that we were going to kill people to communicate to the general public that killing is wrong," he said. "I could never understand that. I could never sanction that." 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. Next Ramstein summit to be held on May 20 The next Ramstein-format summit of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) will occur on May 20. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Brown will be representing the U.S. Department of Defense. This will be the group's 22nd meeting since its inception in April 2022. The gathering will include defense ministers and heads from nearly 50 countries to continue coordinating military support for Ukraine. In the previous meeting on April 26, Austin announced a $6 billion military aid package to Ukraine under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. Before that, during the groups meeting in March, Germany announced new military assistance for Ukraine worth $540 million. Read also: Zelensky calls for three-point action plan at upcoming peace summit Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. BRUSSELS, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Tens of thousands of demonstrators from various European countries marched in Brussels on Sunday, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Chanting slogans such as "stop the genocide in Palestine," "resistance," and "solidarity with the Palestinian people," demonstrators marched from the Gare du Nord to the Place Jean Rey in the European quarter. The demonstration, organized by a coalition of civil society organizations, including the Belgian-Palestinian Association, the French- and Dutch-speaking umbrella organization CNCD-11.11.11 and the Palestinian collective Beitna, drew some 40,000 participants. The organizers called on the international community to take urgent action to secure a permanent ceasefire, protect civilians and free hostages. They also demanded an end to the blockade of the Gaza Strip and increased access to humanitarian aid for the Palestinians. Georges De Smul, president of 11.11.11 in Woluwe Saint-Lambert, said that the root of the issue lies in the fact that Palestine was not recognized as a state by the United Nations 70 years ago. He emphasizes that Palestine has a legitimate right to statehood. Furthermore, the organizations have urged the European Union and its member states to impose a total international military embargo on Israel and to introduce economic and diplomatic sanctions against the country. "The European Union is Israel's biggest trading partner and has major levers of pressure at its disposal to play a proactive role and put an end to what more and more international institutions and NGOs are describing as genocide," said Gregory Mauze, spokesman for the Belgian-Palestinian Association. The demonstration in Brussels marks the sixth such large-scale protest in Belgium since the conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023. The organizers expressed their hope that international pressure will help bring an end to the hostilities and provide the much-needed aid to the Palestinian population. The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza has risen to 35,386, Palestinian health authorities in Gaza said on Saturday. The Labour party is already beginning to think about life after the election. Should Sir Keir Starmer succeed in gaining the keys to Downing Street, addressing the issue of chronic NHS underperformance will almost immediately become one of his partys primary concerns. Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting has begun to set out how his party might go about this formidable task, telling The Telegraph that Labour would tell NHS staff to work evenings and weekends, pool staff and resources across regions for these shifts, and oversee the biggest expansion of NHS staff in history. Many of these steps are welcome, insofar as they go, although implementing them may be a challenge. When the Conservatives have attempted to shift the NHS away from its Monday to Friday culture they have been met with fierce resistance, and it is questionable whether the staffs preference for a Labour government will be enough to overcome its preference for the status quo. The deeper issue, however, is that Mr Streeting is still in essence proposing more of the same. The fundamental problem with the NHS is not a lack of resources, or even the lack of accountability, which has seen whistleblowers persecuted by their colleagues. It is the very nature of the organisation as a state-dominated healthcare system. As Mr Streeting himself noted in December, If we just pour ever-increasing amounts of taxpayer money into a broken system, we will continue to get worse health outcomes than other leading economies. He was correct in this observation. The pride taken by the British Left in the NHS being free at the point of use is worth little if what this means in practice is that it fails to treat the rich and the poor alike. Deep, structural reform is needed in order to give Britain the medical care that it deserves. But while Mr Streeting returned from Australia last year full of praise for its healthcare system, his party has shied away from the radical reform that mimicking it would entail, preferring instead to tinker around the edges of the NHS. Repeating the same endless cycle of reforms and funding boosts will result in the same endless cycle of crises and decline. Until the need for a complete rethink of healthcare is acknowledged, we will continue to labour under a system that has left this country under-treated and overtaxed. 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. When Logans parents learned that his cancer had returned after a brief remission, it was a devastating time for the family. Just two years earlier, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the family celebrated the news that Logan was cancer free. But joy turned to heartache when they learned they would need to battle acute myeloid leukemia a second time. Fortunately for Logan, now 8, his hematologist/oncologist is Dr. Maggie Fader of Nicklaus Childrens Helen & Jacob Shaham Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute and KIDZ Medical. Dr. Fader was collaborating as the clinical principal investigator with a team of researchers led by Diana Azzam, assistant professor of environmental sciences at the FIU Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work at Florida International University. The team has developed a revolutionary functional precision medicine approach, published in April in Nature Medicine, that targets cancer by combining genetic testing with a new way to test individual drugs on tumor samples. This approach was used successfully for the first time to guide the treatment of relapsed hard-to-treat pediatric cancer patients, resulting in 83 percent of the participating children - including Logan - showing improvement. After his second round of treatment and participation in the clinical trial, Logan was finally able to ring the bell in the hospitals hematology oncology unit to celebrate the end of his treatment journey. Logan is a courageous boy, said Dr. Marcos Mestre, chief medical officer at Nicklaus Childrens Hospital. Thanks to his bravery, his clinical care team at Nicklaus Childrens including his attending physician Dr. Maggie Fader, FIUs Diana Azzam and their research team, we are advancing pediatric cancer treatment for all kids in Florida and across the region. Funding for the research was provided by the Florida Department of Health Live Like Bella Pediatric Cancer Research Initiative. Seed money for the research was provided by STOP! Childrens Cancer of Palm Beach County. About the Shaham Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute In April, Nicklaus Childrens announced a $15 million gift from South Florida philanthropists Helen and Jacob Shaham to further elevate world-class pediatric cancer care and research through the hospitals cancer and blood disorders institute. In recognition of the gift, the institute now proudly bears the name, the Helen & Jacob Shaham Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute. The gift will elevate pediatric cancer care and research so no child ever has to leave the state for treatment and enhance the hospitals standing as a leading cancer care provider for children through investments in groundbreaking research focused on new cures, treatments and diagnostic procedures. New Approach for Devastating Brain Tumors In other new developments, Nicklaus Childrens Hospital in 2023 became only the third site in North America involved in a Phase I clinical trial studying the role of a new technology called low-frequency focused ultrasound (LoFU) in the care of children with a lethal type of brain tumor that forms within the brainstem. Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), also known as diffuse midline glioma (DMG), is an aggressive tumor that occurs within the brainstem and affects approximately 300 children annually, most of them between the ages of 5 and 9. Despite advances in treating other forms of brain tumors in children, DIPGs remain the most lethal brain tumor with a median survival timeframe of less than one year. We are constantly seeking new treatment options to advance the care of children with this devastating diagnosis, said Dr. Toba Niazi, co-medical director of the Nicklaus Childrens Hospital Brain Institute and director of the hospitals Division of Neurosurgery. It is our hope that, through this clinical trial, the low-frequency focused ultrasound will temporarily open the blood-brain barrier around the affected area of the brain and allow chemotherapy to gain direct access to the tumor and provide children with a chance for a cure. Nicklaus Childrens Hospital, through its Brain Institute and the Shaham Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute is one of only a few centers in the nation with extensive experience in caring for children with complex brain tumors. For more information visit www.nicklauschildrens.org/Shaham. If you work somewhere great, you have more time to brag about it by earning recognition as a Top Workplace. For the 17th year, the Free Press will honor quality workplace culture in Michigan. Any organization with 50 or more employees in the state is eligible to earn Top Workplaces recognition. The Free Press will feature winners in October. The nomination deadline has been extended to June 21. So far, more than 300 employers have signed up to participate through an employee survey. 2024 Top Workplaces logo. Anyone can nominate any organization, whether it is public, private, nonprofit, a school, or even a government agency. To nominate an employer or for more information on the awards, just go to freep.com/nominate or call 313-887-0471. More: Nominations are open for 2024 Michigan Top Workplaces There is no cost to participate. To qualify as a Michigan Top Workplace, employees evaluate their workplace using a short 24-question survey that takes about 5 minutes to complete. Companies will be surveyed through July. Energage, the Pennsylvania-based research partner for the project, conducts Top Workplaces surveys for media in 65 markets nationwide and surveyed more than 2 million employees at more than 8,000 organizations in the past year. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Nominations deadline extended for 2024 Michigan Top Workplaces Number of combat clashes at contact line increases to more than 90, Russians intensify attacks on Kharkiv front More than 90 combat clashes took place on the contact line as of 16:00 Sunday. The Russian forces shelled Sumy Oblast with artillery, and most of the attacks were on the Pokrovsk and Siversk fronts. Source: report General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Details: Russians shelled the settlements of Sopych, Nova Huta and Iskryskivshchyna (Sumy Oblast) with artillery. Ukrainian defenders are holding their positions, attacking the Russians and destroying their equipment. On the Kharkiv front, the activity of Russian forces has decreased slightly. 8 combat clashes have taken place so far. The Russians continue to try to break through the Ukrainian defences near Vovchansk, Starytsia and Lyptsi. Ukrainian soldiers are confidently holding their positions, inflicting significant losses on Russian troops and carrying out their own counterattacks. On the Kupiansk front, Ukrainian soldiers repelled five attacks, with two more still ongoing. Battles took place near Synkivka, Ivanivka, Berestove and Stelmakhivka. Fierce fighting is taking place on the Siversk front. 21 combat clashes have taken place in the areas of Bilohorivka, Verkhniokamianske, Rozdolivka and Ivano-Dariivka. Another one is ongoing. Ukrainian soldiers are using available assets to suppress the Russian offensive potential and sometimes conduct counterattacks. On the Kramatorsk front, the Russians conducted 13 attacks, in particular, near Vasylivka, Kalynivka, Klishchiivka and Ivanivske. One is still ongoing. The attack of the Russians on the Pokrovsk front continues without ceasing. They tried to break through the Ukrainian defences 23 times near Yevhenivka, Novooleksandrivka, Novoselivka Persha, Sieverne, Umanske and Netailove. Ten clashes out of the total number of them in this front are still ongoing. The Russians doubled the number of attacks on the Kurakhove front. The number of combat clashes increased from five to ten. Another one is currently ongoing. On the Prydniprovske front, the Russians attacked the Ukrainian positions four times near Krynky, but to no avail. Ukrainian soldiers are currently repelling the fifth attack. The situation on all other fronts is currently stable. Support UP or become our patron! The Russian forces became increasingly active on the Kharkiv front, with seven clashes reported so far on 19 May. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 13:30 on 19 May Details: According to Ukrainian forces, fighting continues along practically the entire line of contact. There have already been 78 clashes on 19 May, compared to 110 clashes throughout the entire Saturday, 18 May. On the Kharkiv front, the situation is dynamic, as the Russians are trying to push back the Ukrainian units near Vovchansk, Starytsa, and Lyptsi. On the Kupiansk front, Ukrainian soldiers repelled four attacks, two more are still ongoing. Battles took place near Synkivka, Ivanivka, Berestove and Stelmakhivka. On the Lyman front, the Russian forces launched air strikes near Zarichne and in the vicinity of the Serebrianka forest. Since the beginning of the day, the Russian forces have increased their activity on the Siversk front. They are attempting to break through Ukrainian defences in Bilohorivka, Verkhnokamianske and Rozdolivka. In total, there were 20 clashes. On the Kramatorsk front, the Russians conducted nine attacks, in particular, near Vasylivka, Kalynivka, Klishchiivka and Ivanivske. Three combat clashes are still ongoing. On the Pokrovsk front, the Russian military have not reduced the scale of their attacks, with 19 attacks taking place so far. Ten of them are still ongoing. There were also combat clashes on the Kurakhove front. Since the start of the day, five clashes have occurred near Heorhiivka, Paraskoviivka, and Novomykhailivka. Three of them are still ongoing. On the Vremivka front, the Russian forces attempted to breach Ukrainian positions near Staromaiorske four times, but were unsuccessful. On the Prydniprovske front, the Russians attacked the Ukrainian positions three times near Krynky with no success. The situation has remained stable on all other fronts. Support UP or become our patron! NYC Sheriff shares how the NYPD is cracking down on illegal weed shops NEW YORK (PIX11) New York City ordered dozens of illegal weed shops to close during the first week of a new enforcement operation to crack down on the unlicensed businesses. New York City Sheriff Anthony Miranda sat down with PIX on Politics host Dan Mannarino to talk about how law enforcement conducts the sweeps and the potential impact the closures could have on the community. More: PIX on Politics They are stealing from our community. The tax revenues that are supposed to be coming back to benefit the city and all the community programs, were losing that revenue, Miranda said. Watch the video player for more on 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 PIX11. The city is keeping students safety on hold. The Adams administration has yet to publicly launch a school safety hotline promised at the start of the academic year, The Post has learned. City officials previously said the tip line was slated to debut last fall, but no official launch announcement or updates had been made since an October City Council hearing. In March, The Posts Cindy Adams wrote a column disclosing school safety phone number. The Adams administration hasnt launch a school safety tip line that was promised in September 2023. Diego Cervo stock.adobe.com The Post tested the line earlier this month and it was answered by police officers on the Juvenile Crime Desk. But when The Post then inquired with the city Department of Education and the NYPD why they hadnt publicly posted the hotline number, it was disconnected. Were literally talking about hundreds of preventions, if not thousands of preventions, that havent happened simply due to not having a way to report something, a DOE source fumed about the safety tools delayed launch. City officials previously said the tip line was slated to debut last fall. Gregory P. Mango At a September meeting with Mayor Adams and city Schools Chancellor David Banks, NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban promised the public they would be able to call into or text a hotline in the fall to alert authorities about any school-related threats or safety concerns. The DOE even put together a poster that month highlighting the tip line, according to the source, with instructions for people to text or call a 917 phone number to report any unsafe conditions or threats directly to police. It is unclear how much manning the secret tip line has cost Big Apple taxpayers, but its not the first time the city has made poor marks on delivering promised school safety improvements, critics charge. A $43 million plan to install a remote door-locking system at 1,300 of the citys public schools is severely behind schedule, The Post reported. Less than 200 schools have been set up with the system as of March, compared to the targeted 700 in April, and many were plagued with glitches. Meanwhile, danger on school grounds has soared: In December, three students were stabbed in the span of a week at schools in the Bronx and Brooklyn; and between September and December, weapons seizures at schools spiked 7% compared to the same period in 2022. On Tuesday, four students were stabbed and slashed in three separate fights on high school grounds across the city. The bloody attacks came just a week after a pair of 15-year-old boys were stabbed on a Williamsburg street on Tuesday over a school-related dispute, sources said. Public school parents tore into city leaders for their silence on the tip lines status and launch. The tip line was delayed due to unforeseen technical issues, said an NYPD spokesperson. Daniels C/peopleimages.com stock.adobe.com There needs to be pull through, said public school parent Yiatin Chu. The onus is not on the parents to come back and say what happened to that [safety measure promised]. Its for leaders to come back and deliver on it. Spokespeople for the DOE and mayors office referred all questions to the NYPD. An NYPD spokesperson said the tip line was delayed due to unforeseen technical issues. We are working diligently to resolve them as soon as possible, they said. Additional reporting by Susan Edelman Russian Telegram channels have reported explosions and fires at oil refineries in Vyborg, Leningrad Oblast, and Sloviansk-on-Kuban. Source: Russian Telegram channels Baza and Astra Details: The reports state that eyewitnesses reported hearing explosions in Vyborg, Leningrad Oblast. After that, a fire broke out near a local oil depot. Citizens add on social media that it is unknown what exactly happened. Fire in Vyborg, Leningrad Oblast, Russia. Photo: Astra Updated: Telegram channels also reported that a fire had broken out at a refinery in Sloviansk-on-Kuban. Preliminary reports indicate that the oil depot was attacked by drones, as eyewitnesses reported hearing explosions. Later, Alexander Drozdenko, Governor of Leningrad Oblast, said that the information about the UAV attack on the Vyborg oil depot was not true. He said that the explosion in the building of the old oil depot happened due to the use of pyrotechnics, and there was no fire or casualties. Support UP or become our patron! by Xinhua writers Xia Xiao, You Zhixin SHANGHAI, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Despite the United States' claims that the new tariffs on Chinese products aim to protect its workers and domestic businesses, both Chinese and foreign experts doubt whether these measures will truly benefit the U.S. manufacturing sector. Earlier this week, the White House unveiled new tariffs on a variety of imports from China, including electric vehicles (EVs), lithium batteries, photovoltaic cells, critical minerals, semiconductors, steel and aluminum. Wang Honglin, a research fellow at the China Academy of Financial Research, Shanghai Jiaotong University, expressed skepticism about whether higher tariffs on Chinese goods would rejuvenate the U.S. manufacturing sector. High tariffs could negatively impact U.S. manufacturing firms by diminishing their incentive to streamline production costs and enhance product quality, he told Xinhua in a recent interview, adding that consequently, domestically produced goods might struggle to compete internationally, ultimately jeopardizing the longevity of U.S. businesses in a fiercely competitive global market. Among the more than a dozen categories of newly-targeted Chinese goods, tariffs on Chinese EV imports will rise to 100 percent this year. "While American EV companies may experience temporary success in the domestic market, they risk eventual obsolescence due to their inability to match the competitiveness of their Chinese counterparts on a global scale," Wang warned. "Tariff walls do nothing to improve the competitiveness of U.S. domestic carmakers. Worse, it creates a security blanket and extends the life of their gas-powered vehicles," said Bill Russo, founder & CEO of Automobility Limited, a Shanghai-based strategy and investment advisory firm. Furthermore, solar cell imports will face a 50 percent tariff increase, certain Chinese steel and aluminum products will see tariffs rise to 25 percent this year, while semiconductor tariffs will escalate to 50 percent by 2025. Hu Jie, a professor at the Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance, believes that the latest tariff hikes targeting Chinese products could have a greater impact on American businesses and consumers. "The Biden administration's tariff policy may weaken the U.S. economy and reduce the global competitiveness of U.S. businesses...Tariffs can also affect consumer purchasing power, as rising product prices may suppress consumer demand, thereby reducing overall consumption levels and negatively impacting the economy," the professor noted. The latest tariff policy reminded Hu of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, which aimed to protect American industries by raising tariffs, but ultimately weakened the global economy, particularly the U.S. economy. "This historical lesson tells us that protectionist trade policies can lead to serious economic consequences," Hu warned. "These policies will not help America develop new manufacturing capacities," said Josef Gregory Mahoney, a professor with East China Normal University, underscoring the importance of international openness and competitiveness in driving China's EV industry forward, thus benefiting companies such as Tesla. One driver arrested at DUI checkpoint in Chula Vista CHULA VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) One person was arrested at a driving under the influence checkpoint in Chula Vista Saturday night, authorities said. According to the Chula Vista Police Department, officers conducted the checkpoint in the 11300 block of East 30th Street between 6 p.m. and midnight. VIDEO: Boat radiates neon blue in waters near Scripps Pier A total of 1,642 vehicles traveled through the checkpoint and authorities said 751 motorists were screened. Three drivers conducted field sobriety tests and one was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, the police department confirmed. That persons identity was not immediately released. Additionally, 30 drivers were cited for driving without a license or with a suspended license. DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on reported incidents of impaired driving-related crashes, the police department stated. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off roads. 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. Superficially, Max Hastingss Operation Biting is a typical Second World War tale of derring-do. Its testosterone-driven, Boys Own stuff the story of how just over a hundred British commandos dropped by parachute onto the coast of occupied France to steal a new radar installation from the Germans. Whole sections read like Where Eagles Dare or The Guns of Navarone, the adventure stories by Alistair MacLean that readers of a certain age will remember. Even though this is a factual story, all the classic fictional elements are there: the daring reconnoitre by the French resistance of the radar site at Bruneval on the Normandy coast; the bravery of the British commandos who had to parachute out at night through a hatch cut in the floor of the RAF Whitley bombers; the firefight with the Germans on the snowy ground; the struggle to locate and capture the radar device; the courageous escape down a cliff to await rescue by Royal Navy landing craft; and the tortuous journey home across the channel. As Hastings says, its a story that lifts the spirit because it is that of ordinary people doing fine and difficult things well. And the commandos who successfully completed this mission in February 1942 were indeed heroes, whom it is a joy to celebrate here. But underneath all this congratulatory back-slapping theres another dimension, one that gives this book a more troubling aspect. The senior officers who sent these men on this dangerous mission were amateurs at best and negligent with the lives of others at worst. Commodore Lord Louis Mountbatten, head of Combined Operations, was one of the most culpable. His 1938 confidential naval assessment had warned that while he had a compelling manner and dynamic energy he also possessed a naive simplicity and was inclined to be surprised at the unexpected words that turned out to be prescient. Commodore Lord Louis Mountbatten, head of Combined Operations - Bert Hardy/Picture Post/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Hastings describes Mountbatten as panting for a chance to carry his war to the enemy and so he leapt at the chance to oversee Operation Biting, as the proposed raid to capture the new German radar was called. He was helped by another glamorous figure, the Eton-educated Maj Gen Frederick Boy Browning, the commander of the Airborne Division. Mountbatten, Browning and the other planners were responsible for a dangerously flawed scheme. For example, the parachutists were dropped away from their target and had to make their way to it on foot, and after dismantling the radar they had to travel back across the channel in slow landing craft that were vulnerable to attack by German naval patrols. All this was compounded by an inadequate training schedule and haphazard organization. During one of the rehearsals the commandos waited patiently to be evacuated from a beach only to discover that their rescue boats were searching for them in a different place. And later, on the night of the raid, the soldiers found that their white coveralls had been left behind, which meant they stood out as dark targets for the Germans against the snow in Normandy. As Hastings reveals, the attack could not have succeeded without a huge element of luck. Not least that the German commander had decided to take the night off and visit Paris. Ironically, he was a cousin of Mountbattens Prince Alexander-Ferdinand von Preussen. His men, lacking adequate leadership, reacted slowly to the arrival of the British commandos, and were confused about their intentions. RAF reconnaissance photograph of the Wurzburg radar system - Pictorial Press Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo It was almost a miracle that the German radar was secured at the cost of only two British dead. As the Royal Navy commander in charge of rescuing the commandos from the beach later said, why the Huns did not clean up our comparatively small force, I shall never understand. Subsequent raiders were not so lucky. Mountbatten was largely responsible for the disaster of the attack on Dieppe a few months later that led to the death of around a thousand commandos and the capture of two thousand more. And Browning is forever infamous for his culpability for the Bridge Too Far calamity at Arnhem in 1944. Hastings is even-handed in his judgment about Mountbatten and Browning. In other hands, this story could have been a polemic about the British class system. A fable of how posh people sitting safe at home recklessly sent mostly working-class soldiers into danger. Operation Biting is an important book, and proof that the detailed telling of a small piece of history can illuminate our understanding of a much greater whole. Its one in a long line of Second World War books written by Hastings in an engaging and entertaining way. Now that almost all the veterans of the conflict are no longer with us, his work is especially valuable: all that remains is the history, and the historians who tell it. Laurence Reess books include The Holocaust: A New History. Operation Biting is published by William Collins at 25. To order your copy for 19.99, call 0808 196 6794 or visit Telegraph Books Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and Stitcher. Representative Jasmine Crockett may well be The New Abnormals Hero of the Week for taking on America First Legals vice president Gene Hamilton over Project 2025a blueprint for radical government changes should Donald Trump be re-elected as president. It calls for eliminating the Department of Education, eliminating the Department of Commerce, deploying the military for the use of domestic law enforcement against protesters under the Insurrection Act of 1807, Crockett told Hamilton during a Republican-led House Hearing on the Weaponization of the Federal Government earlier this week. It also has the repealing of Schedule F status for thousands of federal employees to allow a president to replace career civil servants with unqualified partisan loyalists. Thats probably my favorite of it. It also prohibits the FBI from combating the spread of misinformation and disinformation like Russia and China who are actively trying to interfere with American elections. Crockett also made headlines this week after she slammed Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene after the latter said at a Thursday night House Oversight Committee meeting that Crockett couldnt read past her fake eyelashes. It was absolutely a racist thing, Crockett told The Daily Beast Friday. Any woman that knows anything about makeup and getting done up knows that eyelashes are one of those things that kind of come with it MAGA has been trolling on social media for a while and its a way of them basically calling me ghetto and things like that, because of my hair and my lashes and my nails. Of Project 2025, Crockett told the hearing, I dont know why or how anybody can support Project 2025 I know that there was allegedly a joke about dictators and whether or not thats funny, but in the United States of America dictatorships are never funnyand Project 2025 is giving the playbook for authoritarianism, as well as the next dictator, to come in. Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast. I will say, I love Jasmine Crockett. Shes great. I think that she has been such an incredible addition to Congress. Every single hearing that she is in she is fire, particularly when she gets to bring Republicans to task for their hypocrisy and bullshit, The New Abnormals co-host Danielle Moodie said to Andy Levy. The fact is that Project 2025, which Andy, you and I have been warning about for, oh I dont know, probably well over a year on this show, is dangerous and is a threat. They have 900 pages of their manifesto ready to lay out a rebrand for American white Christian nationalism and the demolishing of our social safety nets and government agencies, separations between church and state, and just a myriad of things and ready to go on day one. So this being in the congressional record, incredibly important. Bravo, bravo. She is delightful as always, Levy said. Plus! Tech journalist and author of Blood in the Machine, Brian Merchant, talks to Andy Levy about the tech industrys obsession with trying to create the dystopian futures portrayed in media. Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and Stitcher. 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. On Thursday, a convicted murderer serving a 25-year sentence was set free in Texas. He wasnt set free because DNA analysis determined he was innocent. Nor was there some legal technicality successfully raised on an appeal. Daniel Perry, who was an active-duty Army sergeant at the time of his crime, never disputed that he shot and killed 28-year-old Air Force veteran Garrett Foster, in front of multiple witnesses, during a 2020 Black Lives Matter protest in Austin. Rather, Perry was pardoned by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as Abbott promised to do the day after the jury issued its verdict. Abbott promised to free Perry even though a Texas grand jury indicted Perry, and a jury of Perrys peers in Texas convicted him. Abbott promised a pardon before the pardon board, whose members he appoints, issued its findings. The governor was under pressure to issue the pardon from a number of high-profile conservatives, including Tucker Carlson. According to the Houston Chronicle, Thursday was the first time in at least decades that a Texas governor has pardoned someone for a serious violent crime, let alone murder. Adding to the highly charged political nature of this pardon, Abbott was scheduled to address the 2024 National Rifle Association conference this weekend along with former president and current candidate Donald Trump.According to Fosters mother, he attended the BLM demonstrations day after day, animated by the injustice of a Minneapolis police officer killing George Floyd. Ironically, Fosters mother described Foster as a Second Amendment advocate, and witnesses say Foster was carrying a rifle on a strap around his neck the day he died. Perry drove his car up to a crowd of protesters who surrounded his vehicle. From inside his car, Perry drew a handgun and fired at Foster. Most witnesses describe Foster as having his rifle slung tight to his chest, pointed down at the ground, with his finger off the trigger. Witnesses say they never saw Foster raise his firearm at Perry. Yet, those details mattered neither to Abbott nor his pardon board. They said Fosters weapon was in the low ready gun position, which, they say, is enough to call Perrys actions self-defense. Thats interesting because Perry never claimed Foster was pointing his rifle at him. Perry told police, I believe he was going to aim [his rifle] at me. I didnt want to give him a chance.Saying you shot someone you thought might eventually aim a weapon at you isnt self-defense; its an admission that you werent being threatened. If Perry didnt shoot Foster out of self-defense, then what was his motivation? During trial, prosecutors presented messages Perry sent before the shooting. Some of the messages talked of wanting to kill Muslims, Black people and protesters. Other messages included: I might have to kill a few people on my way to work they are rioting outside my apartment complex. It is official I am a racist because I do not agree with people acting like animals at the zoo. I might go to Dallas to shoot looters. No protestors go near me or my car." Perry, who is white and was serving in the military, shot Foster, who was also white and a military veteran. Both were legally carrying their weapons that day. So, this wasnt about Fosters skin color, just as it wasnt about a legally accepted self-defense claim. For both Perry and Abbott, this murder and subsequent pardon were about Fosters cause, Black Lives Matter, and whom Foster chose to associate with. Its hard to imagine a Black Lives Matter protester killing someone politically opposed to that cause and that warranting a pardon from Abbott. The governor setting Perry free suggests that in Texas, its open season on protesters whose cause isnt approved by the governor.Texans are known for valuing at least two things their freedoms and their guns. Yet, with this pardon, Texans should wonder whether their constitutional right to peacefully protest and to lawfully carry a weapon depend on what theyre protesting and whos carrying the gun. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com A sign is displayed at the Clackamas County Democratic party building, which is in Oregon's 5th Congressional District, on Friday, May 17, 2024, in Oregon City, Ore. Two Democratic primaries for U.S. House seats in Oregon could help reveal whether the party's voters are leaning more toward progressive or establishment factions. Candidates running in the state's 3rd and 5th Congressional Districts largely share similar policy platforms. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane) PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Two Democratic primaries for U.S. House seats in Oregon could help reveal whether the partys voters are leaning more toward progressive or establishment factions in a critical presidential election year. The states 3rd Congressional District, which includes much of liberal Portland, will have its first open Democratic primary since 1996 with the retirement of U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer. Two candidates with similar platforms are leading in fundraising: Maxine Dexter, a doctor and two-term state representative, and Susheela Jayapal, a former county commissioner endorsed by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Jayapal is the sister of U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal from Washington state, who chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus. While outside money and claims of Republican meddling have marked the race, national Democrats can safely bet on holding the solidly blue district as they seek to overturn the GOP's thin majority in the House. Party leaders are more keenly eyeing the states 5th Congressional District, which will likely be home to one of the most competitive races in the country. This is one of the big swing districts nationally that both parties are really looking for to hold on to, or recapture, the House, Ben Gaskins, associate professor of political science at Lewis & Clark College, said of Oregons 5th District. I think that the big question is, to what degree are the Democratic voters really going to prioritize electability? Eager to reclaim the 5th District after it was flipped by the GOP in 2022 for the first time in roughly 25 years, congressional Democrats are supporting Janelle Bynum. They see her as having a better chance of winning in November than Jamie McLeod-Skinner, the progressive who in the 2022 midterm primary ousted the Democratic moderate who long held the seat and then lost to Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer in the general election, Gaskins said. I think many Democrats are going to hold that against her, he said of McLeod-Skinners narrow 2022 defeat. She had a chance. She lost. Key Democrats have endorsed Bynum, including Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and three of the states U.S. representatives. The U.S. House Democrats' fundraising arm, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, named Bynum to its Red to Blue program, noting Bynum previously defeated Chavez-DeRemer in legislative elections. The program provides organizational and financial support to Democrats running to flip GOP districts. Meanwhile, a late flood of spending from a political action committee on behalf of McLeod-Skinner has raised questions about whether Republicans are trying to tilt the scales in favor of a more progressive candidate whom they see as easier to beat in a general election. Rep. Richard Hudson, chairman of the campaign arm for House Republicans, said he had no knowledge of Republicans getting involved in the Democratic primary. The boundaries of the 5th District were significantly redrawn following the 2020 census. It encompasses disparate regions spanning metro Portland and its wealthy and working-class suburbs, as well as rural agricultural and mountain communities and the fast-growing central Oregon city of Bend on the other side of the Cascade Range. I think candidates are trying to figure out exactly what the secret sauce is for this district, because there are just so many different interests here," said Chris Koski, a political science professor at Reed College in Portland. McLeod-Skinner, an attorney who has served in multiple local governments, lives in central Oregon with her wife and pitches herself as someone who can bring together rural and urban voters. Her campaign website says that while attending high school in southern Oregon, she helped support her family by mucking horse stalls and bucking hay. This is her third time running for Congress. Bynum, from Washington, D.C., was elected to the Oregon House in 2016, representing the suburbs southeast of Portland. She has served on the chambers small business committee and is the owner of four McDonalds franchises. Both women studied engineering and have similar policy stances. They support abortion protections, lowering health care costs and tackling climate change. As of late Friday, Bynum had outraised McLeod-Skinner by about $385,000. But much of the money in the race has been outside spending from super PACs. Such groups cant contribute directly to campaigns, but can spend unlimited amounts of money on advertising for or against candidates. A PAC called Mainstream Democrats has spent nearly $380,000 in support of Bynum and the same amount opposing McLeod-Skinner, federal campaign finance filings show. Though both candidates have engineering degrees, the 314 Action Fund, which says it focuses on electing Democrats with science backgrounds to Congress, has spent more than $470,000 on ads and mailers in support of Bynum. The super PAC also has invested heavily in Oregons 3rd District, spending nearly $2.2 million on ads supporting Dexter, a pulmonologist. Another PAC, the recently created Voters for Responsive Government, has spent $2.4 million opposing Jayapal. Jayapal and McLeod-Skinner have criticized what they call dark money flowing into the races. Jayapal has suggested the 314 Action Fund's spending in the 3rd District is linked to MAGA Republican mega-donors. Her campaign manager, Andrea Cervone, said in an email there has been a growing trend across the country of billionaires and millionaires with a history of giving to MAGA Republicans funneling money into Democratic primaries, but didn't provide a specific example of how the group is linked to such donors. Cervone said the 314 Action Fund raised and spent much of its money in April, meaning the group won't have to disclose its donors until the next federal filing deadline on May 20, the day before the election. 314 Action Fund's president Shaughnessy Naughton said in an emailed statement that the group she founded has spent millions of dollars to defeat MAGA Republicans. It is beyond the pale and an act of desperation for Susheela Jayapals campaign to make these false charges," she said. In a statement this month in response to the comments about dark money, Dexter condemned the outside spending on ads targeting her opponent: I do not condone or support these negative ads in any way and remain committed to a positive conversation. Dexters campaign also has been boosted recently by direct contributions from individuals. She reported raising more than $218,000 on a single day earlier this month, including from donors who previously donated to Republican candidates and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, federal filings show. Jayapal touts herself as being the first candidate in the race to call for a cease-fire in Gaza. With the Democratic frontrunners in each race largely sharing policy platforms, voters may have to choose based on style. Dexter and Bynum highlight their legislative records, while Jayapal and McLeod-Skinner lean into their progressive endorsements, Gaskins said. That pragmatism versus idealism divide in the Democratic electorate, I think, will be the biggest way to distinguish them, Gaskins said. Is it about taking the boldest progressive stance on the issues or emphasizing being able to get things done? NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) Audubon Nature Institute leaders have announced that two new penguin chicks are swimming around at the Audubon Aquarium. According to a news release, the two African penguins, named Gouda and Calypso, hatched at the Audubon Aquarium in Downtown New Orleans earlier this year. The release states Gouda hatched in a nest, and his cheese-inspired name was drawn from his penguin parents, Ritz and Saltine. Rebuilding Together New Orleans Build & Boil is supporting neighbors in need Audubon Nature Institute leaders said Calypso hatched in an incubator, and her name was drawn from her parents Greek mythology and Saturn moon-inspired names Ocio and Hubig. Both penguin chicks received special swimming lessons before moving to the aquariums penguin colony. (Courtesy: Audubon Nature Institute) (Courtesy: Audubon Nature Institute) (Courtesy: Audubon Nature Institute) Having two new chicks join our colony is an important step for this species in human care, said Curator of Birds at Audubon Aquarium Bill Robles. Not only are African penguins endangered, but their numbers continue to decline. They are in danger of becoming extinct in the wild if these current trends continue. Gouda and Calypso can be spotted swimming, eating and hanging out with the other birds in the Audubon Aquarium penguin colony. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts 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 WGNO. HOLLAND Waves of blue Community Impact Day shirts fanned out across West Michigan on Wednesday, May 15, as 1,522 volunteers tackled projects at 70 sites in Holland, Fennville, Grand Rapids and the surrounding communities. It was the third annual Community Impact Day, a project that's continued to grow and provides locals a three-hour window in which to volunteer for numerous projects at local businesses and organizations. Some of the projects included painting the railing along Lake Macatawa at Kollen Park, yardwork at Herrick District Library, painting walls at Latin Americans United for Progress, and cleaning tulip beds in downtown Holland. Mayor Nathan Bocks and West Coast Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jodi Owczarski spent the afternoon traveling site to site, offering support and gratitude to the volunteers. An event like this warms my heart, Bocks said. It's fantastic to see people out, not only supporting their community, but working together." The event saw about 250 volunteers in 2022. Last year, the number grew to over 900. Its overwhelming, Owczarski said. I had a good cry on my way to pick up the mayor because I had so much gratitude for this community, for the people who are willing to invest ... and for making an impact. Volunteers clear tulip beds in downtown Holland for Community Impact Day 2024. This has just been unbelievable and we are already planning for next year. Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage Bocks said he, too, couldnt be more grateful. When people come out and work together, they make Holland a better place to live. Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Over 1,500 people volunteered across West Michigan last Wednesday Over 10,000 people evacuated from Kharkiv Oblast since start of Russian offensive A total of 10,314 people have been evacuated from Chuhuiv, Kharkiv and Bohodukhiv districts (Kharkiv Oblast) since the beginning of the Russian offensive. Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Details: The authorities reported that 12 combat engagements had taken place on the Kharkiv front. Russian troops are continuing their attempts to break through Ukrainian defences in the vicinity of the settlement of Zelene and pursuing their efforts to capture the town of Vovchansk. Ukraine's Defence Forces are trying to push the Russians back near the village of Hlyboke and the town of Vovchansk. The number of combat engagements on the Kupiansk front has increased to 11 over the past 24 hours. Civilian fatalities and injuries have been reported in Kharkiv Oblast over the past 24 hours. The number of people injured in the Russian strike on Kharkiv with guided aerial bombs on Saturday has increased to six. A house was damaged and a man, 55, injured in a Russian strike on Vovchansk. In the afternoon, a woman, 60, was killed, and two women and a man were injured. Support UP or become our patron! Flash A traveler wearing a mask is seen at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, April 14, 2022. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua) With a claimed purpose of enhancing America's economic future and national security, Washington has launched a fresh round of tariff war against Chinese products, which industry insiders and experts say will actually cripple U.S. economic resilience and could even put American lives at risk. ONCE ON SHORE, PRAY NO MORE Of more than a dozen categories of newly-targeted Chinese goods with an aggregate value of 18 billion U.S. dollars, medical supplies once badly needed in the U.S. battle against COVID-19 stand out, as they face unreasonably high tariff adjustments this year despite a significant decline in their sales to the world's largest economy. "This round of U.S. tariff hikes was retaliatory and doesn't make sense," Wang Jie, head of a leading medical supplies manufacturer in central China's Hubei Province, told Xinhua. China has been the largest supplier of epidemic prevention products to the United States. From January to October 2020, the latter imported 11.1 billion U.S. dollars of epidemic prevention materials from China, accounting for 67 percent of its total imports of such goods. Among them, face mask imports from China hit 6.3 billion U.S. dollars, accounting for 85 percent of its total imports of face masks, according to the Office of Textiles and Apparel of the U.S. Department of Commerce. If the new additional tariff rate, a jump from 0-7.5 percent to 25 percent for face masks, was imposed at that time, Americans had to foot an extra bill of at least 1.1 billion U.S. dollars on their personal protective equipment expenditure. In April 2020, at the peak of the global battle against COVID-19, the U.S. government banned exports of respirators, masks and gloves, all deemed as "scarce and threatened materials." Export detainments at airports and customs were frequently reported, drawing outcries from other countries. Wang recalled her company, specialized in producing personal protective equipment, including masks, protective suits, and medical caps, had worked overtime to meet surging demand of masks for the United States during COVID-19. DANGEROUS TARIFF STUNT To the affected Chinese mask manufacturers, the tariff move has shown a willful America dropping its benefactors as soon as their help is not required. "Some U.S. politicians and businesses believe China profited significantly from mask sales during the pandemic, turning a blind eye to the increased costs due to emergency response measures during that time," Wang explained. As the pandemic has gradually waned since 2021, the company saw a sharp decline in overseas orders. Currently, masks account for less than 10 percent of the company's exports to the United States. "The impact of higher tariff rates on our goods is minimal," Wang said. "Ultimately, the raised tariffs will not be paid by China, but by U.S. importers and consumers." Observers said that the U.S. move had been driven by politicians' fear of the country's excess dependence on the Chinese industry, as U.S.-based medical mask and glove makers have largely flamed out after surging during COVID-19. It was reported that the Federal Government had funneled 1.2 billion U.S. dollars to help boost domestic production of key medical supplies like masks and gloves. But domestic customers willing to pay the price of made-in-the-U.S. alternatives have been hard to find. U.S. mask makers have been lobbying for federal support to tackle with the huge inventories they can't sell. The Biden Administration claimed its actions are "carefully targeted at strategic sectors" and will "protect American workers and businesses." Ironically, some major U.S. clients of Wang's company have already protested to the U.S. government, as using tariff barriers to shore up domestic manufacturing has proven to be an unwise move. It is more of a political stunt failing to address any real challenge smothering the industrial growth on U.S. turf. Serious considerations are needed to clear deep-rooted obstacles, from the persistent demand deficiency, high costs, modest profits to the absence of long-term plans on coping with the need of strategic stockpiles for public health emergencies. Putting up tariff barriers and scapegoating China will do no good to the United States, as such moves could translate into a self-inflicted cutoff of Chinese supplies in any future crisis, observers said. If mutual trust in trade and economic cooperation is damaged, how can Washington expect China to give a helping hand again in case of an epidemic resurgence, they questioned. SETBACK IN GREEN TRANSITION Another hole in the U.S. tariff politics relates to its unwise stance concerning the EV sector which is dampening its green transition. Bill Russo, founder & CEO of Automobility Limited, a Shanghai-based strategy and investment advisory firm, said tariff walls do nothing to improve the competitiveness of U.S. domestic carmakers. Worse, it creates a security blanket and extends the life of their gas powered vehicles. As a result, U.S. domestically produced goods may struggle to compete in international markets, ultimately jeopardizing the longevity of these businesses in a fiercely competitive landscape, Russo added. "Despite all these losses, the U.S. continues to expand the policies that created them," Josef Gregory Mahoney, a professor from East China Normal University, told Xinhua. Their objective is to increase economic pressure on China to induce popular discontent, frustrate China's structural reforms, push China into a middle income trap, and derail China's increasingly vanguard positions in tech and green innovation, said Mahoney. He doesn't think the U.S. tariff policy will help the country develop new manufacturing capacities, because "what helped China's EV industry was making it internationally open and competitive." The reality is that the new tariffs are the latest in a succession of anti-trade initiatives, which, taken together, are pushing the United States even further to the outside of norms of free-trade-based protocols, said Ker Gibbs, who led AmCham Shanghai during three U.S. administrations and who is now executive-in-residence at the University of San Francisco. Protectionist practices can threaten the common interests of humanity, said Qu Fengjie, a researcher with the Academy of Macroeconomic Research under China's National Development and Reform Commission. The right solution would be to strengthen cooperation and technological exchanges with China's new energy industry and develop together amid competition and exchanges, Qu said. In response to the new tariffs imposed by the United States, Wang Jie said her company has been considering how to enhance competitiveness and indispensability, including increasing investment in research and development. "We're not passively reacting to changes in the international business environment caused by political shifts; instead, we're actively diversifying our options. Even if U.S. buyers choose not to cooperate with us in the future, we're prepared with alternative plans," she said. Novo Nordisk's trial is slated to begin on Monday, May 20 George Frey/Bloomberg via Getty Ozempic Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic, says it plans to study how the drug lowers a user's desire to drink alcohol. The company announced earlier this month that it will orchestrate a study over a period of 28 weeks that will assess the effects of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and other medicines, on alcohol consumption. Novo Nordisk told CNN in a statement that this new trial will look at whether the drug can improve liver health through its effects on enhanced liver fibrosis or scarring, rather than alcohol addiction specifically. 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. Getty A person on a scale Related: Ozempic Can 'Potentially' Change Your Personality and Sex Life, Expert Says Secondary endpoints include safety and tolerability and changes in alcohol consumption, a spokesperson for Novo Nordisk said in a statement to the outlet. There is a significant unmet medical need in alcohol-related liver disease, and the first line of treatment for the condition is lifestyle intervention to refrain from drinking alcohol. They added, Even though not all patients in the trial will have alcohol use disorder, it is natural to include alcohol consumption as a secondary endpoint, The trial is aiming to gather 240 participants and is slated to begin on Monday, May 20, according to a government database, CNN reported. Getty A set of semaglutide injection pens Ania Jastreboff, M.D., PhD., an obesity medicine physician scientist at Yale University, spoke to PEOPLE last year about how some patients notice a reduced craving for alcohol while using Ozempic. Clinically, I've seen this. Some patients report that they have less desire to drink alcohol. For example, they used to drink a couple of glasses of wine, now they'll drink a half a glass of wine and they don't think to drink the rest of the glass, she explained. So it's as if they have the reward, or whatever it is that they were getting from drinking that wine, they have it from a smaller amount. Or they're just not inclined to have a glass of wine," Jastreboff added. Getty A woman injecting a weight loss pen into her stomach (stock image) Related: Stars Who've Spoken About Ozempic and What They've Said Dr. Steven Batash, a board-certified gastroenterologist and weight-loss expert at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss, told PEOPLE in April that weight-loss drugs have also been found to impact someones libido and even change their personality. GLP-1s specifically decrease the amount of dopamine the brain releases after people indulge in behaviors like drinking, smoking or even eating a sweet dessert, he explained. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that reinforces the pleasure of doing those activities. Batash added. When GLP-1s take away that pleasure, they also eliminate the motivation to do those activities. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. **Related Video Above: FBI releases 2022 crime data WASHINGTON, D.C. (WJW) A Painesville man has been charged for taking part in the U.S. Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021. Man arrested in Northeast Ohio on Jan. 6 charges in April According to court records, 57-year-old Larry Lucas was accused Friday at Clevelands U.S. District Court with the following: Entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds Disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds Disorderly conduct in a capitol building Parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a capitol building His case is now moving to a federal court in D.C. A gentle giant: Euclid Officer Jacob Derbin remembered Cell phone location records put Lucas inside the Capitol building the afternoon of the riots, according to the documents, as do multiple photos taken from the event. He was reportedly inside the building for 14 minutes, during which time he was seen taking a photo with a statue of former President Ronald Reagan. Photo courtesy federal court documents Photo courtesy federal court documents As of May, more 1,400 defendants in nearly all states have been arrested and charged in relation to the Capitol riots, as reported by the U.S. Attorneys Office in Washington, D.C. 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. Panther road kills are up this year. Why that is a good indicator for the state animal Maybe 2023 was a hiccup for Florida panthers. Road kills were at a worrisome low last year, but this year the number of road kills appears to be on pace with an average year. It's never good when a panther is hit and killed by a vehicle, but biologists have long said that more road kills can be an indicator of a strong population. There must be more cats in south Florida now than years ago as there are more road kills, the theory goes. Thirteen Florida panthers were hit and killed by vehicles through May 4, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, or FWC, records. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists release a rehabilitated panther in the Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area in Palm Beach County. Thirteen panthers have been hit and killed by cars through May 4, according to FWC records. By comparison, four panthers had been hit by cars through the same period in 2023, and the entire year produced 13 road kills. Twenty-six panthers were hit and killed by cars in 2022, according to FWC records, while 21 panthers were killed on Florida roads in 2021. "We prefer to look at long-term trends when it comes to these (road kill) data," said FWC panther biologist Dave Onorato. "Well have a better sense of (whether) last year was an anomaly or not by the end of this year (and) when compared to previous years." More: Florida asks feds to let more than 1,000 permits slide after judge rules process illegal The low number last year prompted concerns among panther support groups as some feared that fewer road kills might mean there are fewer panthers alive to be hit. If this year's rate continues, the total number of deaths will be just shy of 30, which is about average for the past six or eight years, according to FWC records. Most panther deaths this year have occurred in Collier County Six of this year's panthers were hit and killed in Collier County, with four deaths recorded in Hendry County, two in Glades and one in Broward. The population is threatened by habitat loss to development and neurological disease that sprang up in panthers and bobcats in 2017. More: Will sargassum wreak havoc on SWFL beaches this summer? Florida panthers were nearly wiped out of the Sunshine State, and by the 1990s there were only a few dozen cats roaming the historic Everglades. Texas cougars were introduced to Florida to increase genetic diversity But in 1997 the FWC and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service introduced seven female Texas cougars into the Florida population to increase genetic diversity. Historically, Florida panther and Texas cougars exchanged genetics as their ranges connected in area like Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. So adding the Texas females did not change the Florida panther, although it is considered an endangered sub-population of the larger cougar family. Where often the deaths are attributed to starvation, intraspecific aggression (panthers killing panthers), and unknown causes, vehicle deaths are the only listed cause of death this year, according to FWC records. Panther, bobcat neurological disease still a concern A deadly neurological disease sprang up in panthers and bobcats in 2017, and scientists are still trying to understand the cause. Some panthers and bobcats have suffered and died from feline leukomyelopathy, of FLM, in the past several years, and cats here are still being documented with the disease. FWC biologists have tested for a litany of causes but have found no reason for the disease, which causes the cats to stagger and drag their hind quarters. "FLM is still a concern," Onorato said. "We continue to document cases but there has not been a noticeable uptick in FLM recently." This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: State animal dying at typical rate this year from vehicle collisions DENVER (KDVR) An individual wanted on felony charges out of Teller County was apprehended after crashing in Park County, according to the Park County Sheriffs Office. The Park County agency said deputies received information from the Teller County Sheriffs Office Saturday morning about an armed and dangerous person with a felony warrant. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Park County said the suspect was known to be under the influence of illegal substances and had a violent criminal record. The suspect was also reportedly armed with a firearm. The Teller County agency was actively receiving locations of where the wanted person was. The Park County Sheriffs Office first located the suspect vehicle outside Fairplay on Highway 9 and initiated a pursuit after the suspect fled an attempted stop at 11:25 a.m. The sheriffs office said law enforcement trailed the suspect through Alma and reached speeds of up to 90 mph while traveling up Hoosier Pass toward Breckenridge. The chase escalated, with the suspect driving into opposite lanes, and deputies ultimately ended the pursuit at 11:28 a.m. Deputies then received reports at around 11:40 a.m. that the suspect had crashed near the town of Blue River in southern Breckenridge. The Colorado State Patrol was investigating the cause of the crash. The suspect sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to a hospital in Denver. No other vehicles were involved in the crash. 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. Rep. Byron Donalds, without evidence, accused President Joe Biden of being jacked up and using injections in order to appear coherent. There is no evidence that Biden uses or has used drugs. The Republican congressman lobbed the baseless speculation Sunday during an interview with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo, who countered Donalds allegation by responding, These are obviously very serious charges Were not doctors. We have no idea. Rep. Byron Donalds recklessly speculates to Maria Bartiromo that Joe Biden is taking "injections" that make him "look coherent." "We're not doctors. We have no idea," Bartiromo replies in a rare moment of honesty. pic.twitter.com/qw24BiyDMG Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 19, 2024 If Bartiromo is pushing back against your rhetoric, you know youre out of pocket. Bartiromo also heard the jacked up accusation when GOP Rep. Greg Murphy made the same assertion Thursday on Fox Business, claiming he has evidence (that he did not produce) to show Biden was jacked up on something while delivering the State of the Union address. I was in the State of the Union address, and Joe Biden must have been jacked up on something that day. I absolutely believe that from a medical viewpoint and actually have a little bit of good knowledge that happened, Murphy, a surgeon, said. He cant stand, and he cant stand under the lights for that long, and I dont think he can keep a concept in his brain that long, Murphy added. What do you mean when you say he was jacked up? Republican Rep. Greg Murphy, who is a practicing surgeon, claims President Biden was under the influence of some kind of performance enhancer during his State of the Union addressand Murphy has evidence. (Video: Fox Business) pic.twitter.com/zdQumaobJy Mike Sington (@MikeSington) May 16, 2024 When Bartiromo responded asking for clarification, Murphy alleged, I believe they gave him something to sustain the lights and sustain the vigor that he had. That was not Joe Biden. I was in there. He screamed for two hours. (Biden was passionate that night, but no one has shown proof of any substance use.) Yeah, Bartiromo said. Despite Bartiromo asking for more details, Murphy refused to go further publicly but offered to show her his alleged proof offline. Maybe we can talk offline, and Ill show you something that proves that, Murphy said. Youll show me what? Bartiromo inquired. I think I can have some evidence that shows that he was given something before, he said, suddenly backing down a bit on his claim that he has the evidence in hand. Donalds and Murphy are following Donald Trumps lead in making these accusations. And Donalds may be doing so strategically, as he has been reportedly under consideration to be Trumps vice presidential running mate, along with a number of other GOP hopefuls. Trump said without evidence in a radio interview following the state of the union that Biden was all jacked up and higher than a kite. Trump then said he would insist that Biden be drug tested ahead of presidential debates in the fall. In a speech in Minnesota on Saturday, Trump speculated that Biden will be so jacked up for those debates, you watch! (Trump in that speech also falsely claimed he won the state in 2016 and 2020. He did not.) Donalds even doubled down on his claim Sunday, tweeting video of the interview and writing, There SHOULD be drug testing before the presidential debates & there is a REASON why the White House refuses to release audio of Bidens interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur regarding alleged mishandling of classified documents. Again, there is no evidence to indicate that Biden uses or has used drugs. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone May is Bladder Cancer Awareness Month, a good time to learn more about this common type of cancer. Researchers at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute and beyond are working to improve the understanding of bladder cancer while also studying how to improve treatments and preserve the quality of life. With recent advances in targeted and immunotherapies, as well as newfound success with combination treatments, treating those who suffer from advanced bladder cancer could become more effective and less toxic. These advances in bladder cancer care are driven by the rapid adoption of novel technologies such as genetic testing, artificial intelligence (Al) and more precise diagnostic, treatment and surgical techniques. Experts at Miami Cancer Institute are embracing these tools to provide breakthrough care that offers patients hope. With its renowned medical expertise, Miami Cancer Institutes Abbhi Family Bladder Cancer Clinic provides comprehensive, compassionate care for patients with all stages of bladder cancer, zeroing in on the best, individualized treatment options for each patient. Each patient who is diagnosed has a different grade of disease, a different expression of bladder cancer. So one treatment does not fit everybody, said Murugesan Manoharan, M.D., Miami Cancer Institutes chief of urologic-oncologic surgery and Abbhi Family Endowed Chair in Urologic Oncology, who is a renowned leader in the treatment of prostate cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer and other urologic malignancies. The goal is to identify and classify the disease correctly and to determine the best treatment approach for each patient. Securing the right care is key. The National Institutes of Health notes that patients have significantly better outcomes and greater survival rates when they seek cancer treatment in experienced hands at high-volume facilities such as Miami Cancer Institute. This is also why Miami Cancer Institute spearheaded the creation of the Global Bladder Cancer Consortium (GBCC), a collaboration between the worlds top experts in bladder cancer. The consortium aims to create a large and diverse patient database, launching clinical trials at multiple sites throughout the world and sharing information to improve patient outcomes. The establishment of the Consortium was possible thanks to a $5 million donation to the Baptist Health Foundation from the Abbhi Family Foundation. A large portion of the gift went to the startup of the Abbhi Family Bladder Cancer Clinic. It also led to the creation of the Abbhi Family Endowed Chair in Urologic Oncology to support Dr. Manoharans work. We wanted to create more opportunities to support research in the field of bladder cancer, said Deepak Abbhi, trustee for the Abbhi Family Foundation.My hope is that the research at Miami Cancer Institutes Bladder Cancer Clinic will help improve patient survival rates and quality of life, and educate cancer caregivers, both locally and internationally. There are so many therapies and technologies available now that are revolutionizing the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, said the groups leader, Dr. Manoharan. Were proud to be at the forefront. We now have the ability to personalize treatment, but just as with other types of cancer, the earlier it is caught the better. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 83,190 new cases of bladder cancer will be diagnosed in 2024 in the United States, and the incidence is four times higher in men than in women. Bladder cancer occurs mainly in older people, with about 90 percent of cases diagnosed among patients over the age of 55. Almost 17,000 deaths are expected from this type of cancer in 2024. Current treatments are based on the type of bladder cancer and the stage of the disease. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the role of precision medicine. Molecular profiling of tumors allows clinicians to identify genetic alterations and tailor treatment strategies accordingly. Sometimes, the cancer cells remain confined to the lining without growing into the deeper layers of the bladder. This is often referred to as noninvasive or non-muscle invasive. Treatment for this cancer is usually focused on removing the tumor by scraping it from the bladder wall. When the bladder needs to be removed, Dr. Manoharan is an expert in robotic surgery. The robotic tools magnify the surgical area and provide a 3D view of the bladder and surrounding tissue, making it less likely that nearby nerves will be affected by the surgery. This helps protect sexual function and bowel control, while improving recovery. Dr. Manoharan was also a pioneer in reconstructing a new bladder with tissue from the intestines to avoid the need for an external ostomy bag to collect urine. That surgery can be performed at the same time as the bladders removal, usually robotically. Having performed more than 64,000 robotic procedures, Baptist Health has one of the most robust robotic surgery programs in the country. Robotics has revolutionized how we perform surgery, and we are excited to be among the most high-performing programs, Said John Diaz, M.D., director of robotic surgery and chief of gynecologic oncology at Miami Cancer Institute.Studies show that programs with high volumes have better patient outcomes, and as our tools get better and more precise, we expand our ability to perform less invasive surgeries with less blood loss, less chance of infection, minimal scarring and a quicker recovery time for patients. Physicians at Miami Cancer Institute are now using a new single-incision technique to perform robot-assisted surgery on select patients with urologic cancers. Soon, the single-port procedure may also be available to treat some bladder cancers. Its an evolving technology, and there will be more we can do in the future, said Dr. Manoharan. One of the most promising developments in advanced bladder cancer treatment is immunotherapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitors work by unleashing the bodys immune system to attack cancer cells. In addition, targeted therapies have emerged as a treatment option for certain sub-types of bladder cancer. This offers hope to patients who may have had no options for effective treatment before. To learn more about the recent advances in bladder cancer treatment and Miami Cancer Institutes Abbhi Family Bladder Cancer Clinic, please visit https://cancer.baptisthealth.net/miami-cancer-institute/cancer-care/treatments-and-services/abbhi-family-bladder-cancer-clinic Here's a roundup of our top stories from the past week. With a subscription to the Pensacola News Journal, you will receive full access to the work done by our journalists and photographers as they head out every day to help inform and explain the important issues affecting your community. What Ascension patients should know about cyberattack as some hospitals return EMS transfers Ascension is still reeling from an apparent cybersecurity attack that brought its systems down nationwide last Wednesday. In a statement, an Ascension spokesperson said that the company reacted immediately to the attack by initiating an investigation while simultaneously employing remediation efforts. Over a week later, the impact of the attack and who is behind it are still unclear, and Ascension hospitals around the United States are still working on downtime procedures. Heres everything we know about the Ascension cyberattack. Full story: What Ascension patients should know about cyberattack as some hospitals return EMS transfers Escambia made multi-million dollar deals with new OLF 8 bidder for years Chavers Construction excavator operator Brian Toomey loads debris in the back of a truck as a crew works on the East Garden District redevelopment project at the intersection of Garden and Jefferson Streets in downtown Pensacola on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. The latest bidder for the property known as Navy Outlying Field 8, or OLF 8, in Beulah has been awarded $40 million in Escambia County contracts since 2010. In April, Moorehead Law Group submitted a letter-of-intent to Escambia Commission Chair Steven Barry on behalf of Pensacola businessmen Cliff Mowe and Ryan Chavers. Theyre offering $22.5 million for 290 acres of the OLF 8 property. Chavers owns Chavers Construction, a general and utility contractor. He is also a client of Barry, who has a private business as a certified financial planner. Full story: Bidder for OLF 8 property previously awarded $40 million in Escambia County contracts Thunderbirds to fly at Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show The U.S. Navy Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds practiced a new joint formation Tuesday over Imperial Valley, California. Naval Air Station Pensacola announced Monday that the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will fly alongside the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron Blue Angels during Pensacola's Homecoming Air Show in November. In a release, NAS Pensacola says the Thunderbirds will perform alongside the Blue Angels on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 onboard NAS Pensacola to finish Blues' 2024 show season. Full story: Thunderbirds will fly with Blue Angels during homecoming air show City of Milton to sue its mayor alleging Sunshine Law violations Heather Lindsay, the former longtime city attorney in Milton, is taking on incumbent Wesley Meiss in the Mayor's race in Santa Rosa County. On Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, Lindsay lays out her plans for the office and the city seat if elected in November. By a 6-2 vote, the Milton City Council gave City Attorney Alex Andrade the go ahead to file a lawsuit against Mayor Heather Lindsay to force her to comply with Florida's Sunshine Law and turn over public records he said she's withheld for months. Andrade alleges that Lindsay, who missed her second consecutive City Council meeting due to health concerns, has for months refused his call for phone and text messages he believes the mayor sent in July of last year when the city originally botched efforts to hire Scott Collins as its city manager. A draft of the complaint states that Andrade had on four occasions between July 22 and Sept. 15 requested copies of communications between Lindsay and then-City Clerk Dawn Molinero that were never complied with. Full story: Milton City Council votes to sue Mayor Heather Lindsay Traditional classrooms don't fit every student, so Catholic Diocese is building new ones Chloe Fultons students are future cafe owners, meteorologists and historians. On any given school day, youll see students at her school taking breaks to tinker with Legos in the hallway when theyre overstimulated. Youll hear students tests being read aloud to them to help them process their responses. Youll feel the students hand-made pipe cleaner video game characters and hand-written letters they show off to their teachers with pride. At Pensacola's Mother Clelia Morning Star High School, students like Fulton's are reminded every day that they are much more than autistic or the labels that may have been placed on them before stepping inside. Mother Clelia Morning Star High School is a school for children with exceptionalities. Because of their unique needs, whether it be academically, socially, or emotionally traditional school settings dont always allow them to shine. But at Morning Star education is custom-built to the unique way and pace that each child learns, and the school was created with students in mind. Now, a new school building is being built with the same philosophy and it is planned to open next school year. Full story: Traditional classrooms don't fit every student, so Catholic Diocese is building new ones This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola top stories include Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds, more DENVER (KDVR) A climber was flown to a hospital after falling approximately 60 feet from a cliff near Loveland on Saturday, according to the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority. The agency said the rescue call was reported at about 8:30 a.m. on Saturday in the area of 5400 Glade Road. The agency also said the technical rescue took about three hours to complete. Mudslide closes Highway 82 near Carbondale, no estimation for reopening Loveland Fire and Rescue completed a nearly three-hour technical rescue of a climber on the morning of May 18. Loveland Fire and Rescue completed a nearly three-hour technical rescue of a climber on the morning of May 18. Loveland Fire and Rescue completed a nearly three-hour technical rescue of a climber on the morning of May 18. Loveland Fire and Rescue completed a nearly three-hour technical rescue of a climber on the morning of May 18. Many agencies were involved with the rescue, including the Larimer County Emergency Services, Larimer County Sheriffs Office, Larimer County Park Rangers, Thompson Valley EMS and Lifeline 1, which transported the patient to the Medical Center of the Rockies. The status of the climbers injuries was not reported. 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. Cincinnati police identified the 18-year-old who was killed in an early morning shooting near a High school. Around 3:45 Saturday morning, police responded to Dana Ave and Madison Rd near Withrow High School, our news partners at WCPO-9 reported. Upon arriving on the scene, police found 18-year-old Lamon Wiggins shot. Wiggins was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center where he died, according to police. Wiggins graduated from Withrow High School on Friday, May 17. Cincinnati Public Schools released a statement Saturday saying the districts Crisis Response Team will be at Withrow on Monday for support. >> School district in southern Ohio mourns death of second student in one week Cincinnati Public Schools mourns the death of Withrow University High School graduate, Lamon Wiggins, the district said. We recognize this tragic event and our sympathy and support remains with the family, friends and school community. Police said there was some kind of event in the parking lot involving around 50 kids at the time of the shooting. A resident near the scene said the shooting woke him up, and he found a bullet hole through his front door. The bullet was lodged into his back wall. >> Nearby Ring Camera footage from a home along Larkspur Ave captured the sound of more than 25 gunshots in less than 30 seconds around the time of the shooting. No suspect information has been released at this time. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call the Cincinnati Police Department Homicide Unit at 513-352-3542. Update: Ocala police provided Channel 9 with the following statement: We can address that the subject was armed with pepper spray and a knife when contact was made by the officers. The subject is out of surgery and has additional pending medical procedures. The subject is in serious condition. Earlier Story: Ocala police were involved in a shooting Sunday afternoon on Southwest 27th Avenue. Officers were called about a 23-year-old man who was being taken to The Vines Hospital by family members. Prior to the officers arrival, the man fled the area, acting erratically, according to Ocala Police Departments Facebook page. Officers then began searching for the man. Read: Winter Springs Police search for suspect wanted for attempted murder following shooting Around 12:38 p.m., officers located the man on Southwest 27th Avenue. When police approached the man, there was an immediate threat and officers shot the man. The man was struck by gunfire and taken to HCA hospital in Ocala for treatment. He is in critical condition. Read: Deputies: 1 person killed at Winter Garden resort No officers were harmed in the shooting. This incident is currently under investigation and more details will be shared later. Read: FHP is investigating an accident on Avalon Road Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A shooting broke out Saturday afternoon near the graduation for a Kansas City high school. Police were called around 3:45 p.m. to a shooting the 3700 block of Troost Avenue near DeLaSalle Education Center, which was holding its high school graduation ceremony, according to Sgt. Phillip DiMartino, a spokesman for the Kansas City Police Department. Detectives dont believe the shooting was related to the graduation, DiMartino said. No injuries were reported to police. What began as a beautiful day with over 500 families and guests celebrating our largest graduating class in 20 years was marred by an unforeseen event, the school wrote in a statement on its website. School security and police responded to the shooting, and no students, families or staff attending the ceremony were injured, the school said. The school said it was unable to provide more details about the incident. DeLaSalle High School prays for the safety of all of Kansas City, the school said, and our thoughts are with the community during this difficult time. The investigation is ongoing. CHICAGO Police are asking for help identifying a person wanted in connection with a string of garage burglaries on the citys Northwest Side last month. According to Chicago police, seven burglaries occurred in Norwood Park and Jefferson Park over an 11-day period between Tuesday, April 16 and Saturday, April 27. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Authorities say during each incident, an individual was able to enter the residential garages by forcing open a side door before stealing tools and lawn care equipment from inside. This embedded content is not available in your region. Chicago police provided the following list of times and locations where the break-ins occurred: Between 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, and 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 17, in the 5700 block of North Melvina Avenue in Norwood Park. Between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 17, in the 5800 block of North Medina Avenue in Norwood Park. Between 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, and 10 a.m. on Friday, April 26, in the 5600 block of North Major Avenue in Jefferson Park. Between 12 a.m. on Sunday, April 21, and 7 a.m. on Monday, April 22, in the 5700 block of North Merrimac Avenue in Norwood Park. Between 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 21, and 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, April 25, in the 5600 block of North Major Avenue in Jefferson Park. 5:45 a.m. on Tuesday, April 23, in the 5900 block of North Merrimac Avenue in Norwood Park. Between 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, and 8 a.m. on Monday, April 27, in the 5900 block of North Melvina Avenue in Norwood Park. Police search for person responsible for Northwest Side garage burglary string On Friday evening, officers shared videos and a photo of the person who is believed to be responsible and said a search is underway. Police say the perpetrator is believed to be a man and was spotted on surveillance cameras wearing a black ski mask and a blue hooded sweatshirt with a Bears logo on it. What can residents do? Chicago police advise residents to keep the perimeter of their property well-lit and report any suspicious people or vehicles. Police say residents should make sure garage doors and windows are locked and advise homeowners to quickly repair any broken windows, doors, or locks. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Officers say anyone who falls victim to a burglary should not touch anything and call police as soon as possible. If surveillance video of the burglary is available, residents should make a copy of it for authorities. Anyone with information on the string of burglaries is asked to contact CPD Area Five Detectives at 312-747-7394 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. For earlier reports of this story view the video player above. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Police are seeking assistance in solving the murder of two men who were gunned down in north Columbus during the winter of 2022. On Dec. 8, 2022, officers responded to the 1000 block of Marland Drive in the Maize-Morse neighborhood where two people were suffering from gunshot wounds. The first victim, 37-year-old Branden Morris, was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:53 p.m. The second victim, 45-year-old Matthew Scheurell, was taken to Riverside Methodist Hospital, where he was pronounced at 7:21 p.m. At the time of the shooting police did not provide any information on a suspect or any possible motive for the crime. Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for any information leading to the arrest and/or indictment of the person(s) responsible for this crime. Anyone with information is asked to call 614-461-TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrime.org and submit your tip. 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. NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) The Portal, New York Citys virtual window into Dublin, is back online Sunday after bad behavior shut the installation down. Now, the Portal will only be open from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. a paring back of the livestream on Fifth Avenue and 23rd Street that was initially on 24/7, according to organizers with Portals.org, Dublin City Council and the Flatiron NoMad Partnership. Here are 7 free summer concert series in New York City Organizers have also installed a failsafe that blurs the livestream if individuals step on the Portal and obstruct the camera. In New York, on-site security will monitor the Portal during its open hours, and fencing has been installed for crowd management. The Portal connecting New York City and Dublin has reawakened, organizers said in a statement. In less than a week of operation, the Portal has attracted tens of thousands of visitors and garnered nearly two billion online impressions. The portal opened on May 8 and by May 14 its circular screen went dark thanks to inappropriate behavior, organizers said. Videos posted to social media show people flashing the Portal and holding up images on their phones, like the Twin Towers on 9/11. The overwhelming majority of people who have visited the Portal sculptures have experienced the sense of joy and connectedness that these works of public art invite people to have, organizers said. Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered New York City since 2023. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter 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. Power restored to most hit by deadly Houston storm with full service expected by Wednesday Father Elias Lopez reads by candle light during Sunday morning 8:30 mass, Sunday, May 19, 2024, at All Saints Catholic Church where parishioners endured no lights and no air conditioning due to a lack of electric power following severe storms that passed through the area Thursday evening. (Kirk Sides/Houston Chronicle via AP) HOUSTON (AP) Houston area residents affected by deadly storms last week received some good news as officials said power was restored Sunday to a majority of the hundreds of thousands who had been left in the dark and without air conditioning during hot and humid weather. The widespread destruction of Thursdays storms left at least seven dead and brought much of Houston to a standstill. Thunderstorms and hurricane-force winds tore through the city, reducing businesses and other structures to piles of debris, uprooting trees and shattering glass from downtown skyscrapers. A tornado also touched down near the northwest Houston suburb of Cypress. By Sunday evening, 88% of customers in the Houston area had their power restored, said Paul Lock, a spokesperson for CenterPoint Energy. We expect everyone to be back on by end of business Wednesday, Lock said. More than 240,000 homes and businesses in Texas remained without electricity Sunday evening, mostly in the Houston area. More than 1,780 customers remained without power in Louisiana, which also was hit by strong winds and a suspected tornado. CenterPoint Energy said 2,000 employees and more than 5,000 contractors were working in the Houston area to restore power. We understand the higher temperatures we are experiencing across Houston and surrounding communities make getting the lights and air conditioning back on even more important, Lynnae Wilson, CenterPoints senior vice president of electric business, said in a statement. At one of five cooling centers for people still without power in their homes, residents took shelter from the heat at a community center in the Cloverleaf neighborhood and wondered when their power would come back. At least 15 community centers were set to serve as cooling centers in the Houston area on Monday. Carolina Sierra and her 6-year-old son, Derek, enjoyed the air conditioning for a couple of hours Sunday. She said they have been without electricity since the storm hit Thursday, and their home has been stifling. Derek passed the time coloring a picture of a dragon while his mother charged her cellphone and a portable lamp they planned to use Sunday night if the power was still not restored. Sierra said she gives her son multiple baths to try to keep him cool but he tosses and turns at night and struggles to sleep. We are desperate," Sierra said. We hardly sleep at night because of the heat. Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia stood outside the center Sunday, helping load water and ice onto vehicles while offering words of encouragement to residents still waiting for power to be restored. Nearly 500 vehicles stood in line at the center on Sunday to get water and ice. We are seeing a bit of the recovery come through," Garcia said. But we cant see enough of it fast enough. Disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and loans from the Small Business Administration were on the way, said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the top elected official in the county where Houston is located. The federal assistance, which can help pay for temporary housing and repairs, will help residents affected by last weeks storms as well as by flooding from heavy rainfall in late April and early May in parts of Houston, Harris County and several counties north of Houston. Mayor John Whitmire said a six-block area in downtown Houston would be closed Monday to allow crews to continue repairs after various high-rise buildings had their windows blown out. Residents broke into cheers as lights and air conditioning kicked on at the eight-story Houston Heights Tower, a senior housing facility, Sunday morning. The nearly 200 residents had been living on emergency power since Thursday evening, with generators providing enough electricity to run just one of the buildings elevators and a handful of fans in the community room, leaving apartments in darkness. Volunteers and city workers had been ensuring residents received a steady supply of water, food and essentials like toilet paper. It just goes to show you how people come together, resident Joseph Torregrossa said, choking back tears. The National Weather Service said in a post on the social platform X that residents should expect sunny, hot and increasingly humid days in the Houston area. Highs of about 90 degrees (32 Celsius) were expected this week, with heat indexes likely approaching 102 degrees (39 Celsius) by midweek. With the temperature reaching 91 degrees (33 Celsius) Sunday afternoon, Lisa Reed sat in a folding chair outside her home in the Cloverleaf neighborhood because she was still without electricity. A volunteer crew of AFL-CIO apprentices who had reached out to Garcia's precinct office had just cut up a large tree in her front yard that had come crashing down on two vehicles in her driveway and stacked the wood neatly in two large piles. Reed said no home on her street, where branches and other debris were piled along the sidewalk, escaped damage from last weeks storms. Its nothing I can do, said Reed, a fifth grade teacher. Take it all in stride. Im a firm believer that God will work it all out. Houston area school districts canceled classes for more than 400,000 students Friday. The Houston Independent School District, the states largest, said 215 of its 274 campuses would be open Monday. Two other large school districts in the the Houston area, Cypress-Fairbanks and Spring Branch, planned to be closed. ___ Associated Press reporter Mark Vancleave contributed to this report. ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70 President Joe Biden is delivering the commencement address at Morehouse College in Atlanta today. The president arrived in Atlanta on Saturday, making a stop to speak with supporters at the newly renovated Mary Macs Tea Room. After speaking at Morehouse, Biden is scheduled to travel to Detroit to address an NAACP dinner. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] WATCH THE LIVE STREAM OF THE COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS HERE Georgia is one of several states that will help decide the expected rematch between Biden and Republican Donald Trump in November. Some students and members of the schools faculty have been outspoken about their displeasure that Biden was invited to deliver the commencement address, saying they dont approve of how his administration is handling the Israel-Hamas war. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: 5 money misconceptions that American retirees make over and over again Many Americans arent up to speed on financial topics related to retirement at least according to a recent survey. Only 40% of the questions about retirement savings, Social Security and Medicare were answered correctly in a survey by the TIAA Institute and the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center (GFLEC). Many respondents also had misconceptions about the average Americans life expectancy, resulting in very real retirement savings gaps. 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 Planning for retirement is complex, and it might be worthwhile to reach out to a qualified financial advisor. But it also pays to make sure youre retirement-literate. Here are five common misconceptions highlighted by the survey and how to course-correct. 1. Employer matching Most respondents failed to recognize the advantages of a workplace retirement savings plan that offers an employer match including the fact that it can increase your retirement savings contributions and the size of your nest egg. Employer matching means that, when you contribute to your 401(k), your employer contributes an additional amount, which is typically a percentage of your contribution (up to a maximum amount). The maximum is usually set as a percentage of your salary, but could also be a dollar amount in some cases. There are several matching formulas, but a common structure is for an employer to match 50% of contributions up to 6% of your salary. So, if you make $100,000 per year and contribute $1,000 per month to your retirement savings plan, your employer would contribute $500, or 50% of each contribution, up to $6,000 per year. Over the course of a 40-year career, that additional $6,000 per year would add up to $240,000 of free retirement money and thats before any investment returns. 2. Annuities Roughly half of the survey respondents knew that an annuity investment could offer guaranteed lifetime income. It can also help defer taxes, ensure that you dont outlive your retirement savings and protect your retirement income from market fluctuations. Essentially, you buy an annuity from a life insurance company, which can be funded with one lump sum or by invested money over a period of time. The purchase is made with pre-tax dollars; your funds will then be invested and any growth will be tax-free. (However, withdrawals are taxed and theres a penalty if funds are withdrawn before youre 59.) Story continues In return for your purchase, youll receive a regular stream of payments in your retirement. You could opt for an annuity with a set number of payments, with guaranteed income for life or with guaranteed income for the life of a surviving spouse. You could also receive payments as a guaranteed fixed amount or a variable amount based on the performance of underlying investments. They could also be indexed, where a portion of the payout is based on an underlying index such as the S&P 500. 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 3. Social Security benefits Almost 60% of respondents didnt know Social Security benefits last a lifetime. Anyone who has paid into Social Security for at least 10 years is eligible to start claiming benefits as early as age 62. Youll receive higher benefits for each year you wait to claim beyond age 62, up to age 70. The benefit amount is calculated based on your 35 highest-earning years. Once you claim benefits, youll receive them for the rest of your life, but its unlikely that Social Security benefits alone will be enough to support you during your golden years, so its a good idea to have other sources of retirement income. After all, the average monthly benefit for retired workers was $1,915.26 as of April 2024. 4. Life expectancy The majority of Americans arent clear about the average life expectancy, according to the survey results. People are living longer and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average life expectancy in the U.S. after age 65 is 18.9 years. For men, its 17.5 years; for women, its 20.2 years. However, many of us can expect to live longer maybe even much longer, in some cases. Some ways to increase your nest egg include saving more money while youre working. (Again, finding an employer with a good 401(k) matching program can help with this). You can also try claiming your Social Security benefits later, because the monthly benefit will increase up to age 70. You might also consider deferred annuity products that start paying out later in life. These include Qualified Longevity Annuity Contracts (QLACs), which allow you to purchase a deferred annuity with funds from a qualified retirement plan such as a 401(k) or an IRA and allow you to delay distributions up to age 85 without violating IRS required minimum withdrawal rules. 5. Medicare Some survey respondents were also unfamiliar with Medicare and, to be fair, it can be quite confusing. If youve paid into Medicare for at least 10 years, Part A (hospital insurance) is free, but theres a deductible of $1,632. Part B (medical insurance) is $174.70 per month, which can change each year. Premiums for Part D (drug coverage) and extended coverages depend on which plans you choose. However, Medicare only covers two-thirds of healthcare costs. To cover your remaining fees, youll need to include that in your retirement planning. It may be worth looking into whether you qualify for a tax-advantaged Health Savings Account (HSA). 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 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 The 5 most expensive mistakes in options trading and how to avoid them This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Presidential polls are useless. Will Trump win? Will Biden? Nobody has a crystal ball. I have bad news: Americans are political polling themselves to death. There are way too many people standing open-mouthed in front of the firehose of BREAKING PRESIDENTIAL POLLING NEWS. Theyre gagging or growing bloated and, quite frankly, I think its affecting their brains. Right this moment, just past the mid-point of May, there are only three things any of us can say with certainty about the November presidential election: Donald Trump might win. Joe Biden might win. RFK Jr. is definitely not going to win. New presidential polls are here, everybody freak out! President Joe Biden visits campaign volunteers in Racine, Wis., on May 8, 2024. Thats quite literally it. Anyone claiming anything else is peddling nonsense, and anyone using polling data to assert anything with even a modicum of certainty is a fool. And yet fools abound. Thus the colossal liberal freakout and accompanying MAGA Yipeee! over a recent set of swing-state surveys by The New York Times, Siena College and The Philadelphia Inquirer. The polls, according to the Times, found that Mr. Trump was ahead among registered voters in a head-to-head matchup against Mr. Biden in five of six key states: Michigan, Arizona, Nevada, Georgia and Pennsylvania. Mr. Biden led among registered voters in only one battleground state, Wisconsin. Trump the liar: Trump's followers believe his every lie. But if he was a real alpha-male, he'd lie BIGGER. If youre a Biden backer or a Trump disliker, that would understandably go in the not great category. But, and Im going to write this real loud for the assorted Nostradami in the back who are busily penning their 23rd Get ready for Trump to win Substack posts: THIS IS ONE SET OF POLLS NEARLY SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE ELECTION, POLLS ARE ONLY A SNAPSHOT OF A SPECIFIC MOMENT AND ABOUT A MILLION THINGS CAN CHANGE BETWEEN AND NOW AND THE FIRST VOTE! Polls are useless to regular voters and are best ignored The only people in America who should be worrying about or paying attention to polling right now are the people who work for the Biden and Trump campaigns. Polls can provide some useful data for them in terms of strengths, weaknesses and voters they need to target. For everyone else, its empty calories feeding our Sisyphean desire to predict the future. We cant wait until the election results are in and the contentious race is called. We must know whos going to win now. NOW, I TELL YOU! So a willing news media, relishing the chaos Trump brings and the possibility Biden might say something old-sounding, cranks out or reports on poll after poll after poll after poll. Its not so much horserace political coverage as it is the gleeful creation of a damn stampede. Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. So much can change between now and the election And it is all with apologies to every news organization, including my own useless. Setting aside the possibility of polling inaccuracies in an age in which younger people are harder to reach and people in general dont want to talk to anybody polling is a science, but not a perfect one here are a few of the things that could easily alter the course of the presidential race between now and November: Biden and Trump, as you may have heard, are up in years. One awkward fall or one health emergency neither outside the realm of possibility could reshape the race. Trump could suddenly be a convicted felon or additional damaging evidence from one of his other numerous criminal cases could come out. His ongoing trial in New York City, involving election interference stemming from a hush money payment to an adult film star, has not been going well for him. A conviction is by no means certain, but it wouldnt be surprising. Regardless of what he and his loyalists say, a felony conviction would absolutely damage his campaign. For Biden, any jump in food or gas prices could spell doom. Many voters pay little attention to the nuances of the candidates and make up their minds based on how they feel in the weeks and days before voting. Vibes, dumb as they are, could submarine the presidents chances. Everything's fluid, from abortion rights to debates to the war in Gaza Abortion rights in the wake of Roe v. Wade getting overturned remain a key issue. With abortion-related ballot measures popping up in a number of states, theres no telling how they could impact turnout or the presidential vote. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling on access to the abortion medication mifepristone, expected next month, could further roil the waters. The Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which has angered a portion of Bidens Democratic base, could end, or it could worsen. There are plans for two presidential debates. One or both could provide voters a stark reminder of Trumps chaotic nature and authoritarian rhetoric. Or Biden, known for verbal stumbles, could harm his chances and bring back concerns about his age. Trump could pick a complete nutter to be his running mate. Heck, the presently rising cicada broods could zombify and devour us all, making every vote a protest vote against Bidens Brood Blight. Stop wasting time worrying about polls focus on what matters The point is, its freakin May, for Petes sake, and nobody out there not you brilliant TV pontificator and not you erudite data dude knows whats going to transpire in the months ahead. Im a liberal fellow and I despise Trump. But do I think Biden is going to cruise to victory? Absolutely not. I wouldnt be the least bit surprised if Trump won, as a sizable swath of the populace seems to have grown un-fond of reality. Trump VP candidate? Who will be dumb enough to become Donald Trump's vice president? About the only thing I feel certain about is that every minute a person who cares about their candidate spends stressing about or heralding polling data is a minute wasted. Given the stakes of this election whether youre a liberal, a conservative or an anti-Trumper or whatever we should not be wasting minutes. Ignore the polls. Theyre stupid. There are no crystal balls, and we cant predict the future. But we can take action that gives us a fighting chance to see the future we want. And theres nothing foolish about that. Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on X, formerly Twitter, @RexHuppke and Facebook facebook.com/RexIsAJerk You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump or Biden? Presidential polling tells us little if anything. PHILADELPHIA (AP) Pro-Palestinian protesters set up a new encampment at Drexel University in Philadelphia over the weekend, prompting a lockdown of school buildings, a day after authorities thwarted an attempted occupation of a school building at the neighboring University of Pennsylvania campus. Up to 60 protesters were at the encampment on the campus' Korman Quad Sunday, Drexel President John Fry said in a statement, adding that the university was speaking with demonstrators most of whom he said were not affiliated with the school in an effort to end the protest. This demonstration already has proved intolerably disruptive to normal University operations and has raised serious concerns about the conduct of some participants, including distressing reports and images of protesters subjecting passersby to antisemitic speech, signs and chants, Fry said, declaring that this encampment must end. He said the school was communicating with local officials and Philadelphia police to ensure campus safety and the continued operations of our academic and research endeavors. The encampment at Drexel, which has about 22,000 students, was set up after several hundred demonstrators marched from Philadelphias City Hall to west Philadelphia on Saturday. About a dozen tents remained Sunday, blocked off by barricades and monitored by police officers. No arrests were reported. University buildings were open only to those with clearance from security officers. On Friday night, members of Penn Students Against the Occupation of Palestine had announced an action at the University of Pennsylvanias Fisher-Bennett Hall, urging supporters to bring flags, pots, pans, noise-makers, megaphones and other items. The university said campus police, supported by city police, removed the demonstrators Friday night, arresting 19 people, including six University of Pennsylvania students. The universitys division of public safety said officials found lock-picking tools and homemade metal shields, and exit doors secured with zip ties and barbed wire, windows covered with newspaper and cardboard and entrances blocked. Authorities said seven people arrested would face felony charges, including one accused of having assaulted an officer, while a dozen were issued citations for failing to disperse and follow police commands. The attempted occupation of the building came a week after city and campus police broke up a two-week encampment on the campus, arresting 33 people, nine of whom were students and two dozen of whom had no Penn affiliation, according to university officials. On Sunday, dozens of George Washington University graduates walked out of commencement ceremonies, disrupting university President Ellen Granbergs speech, in protest over the ongoing siege of Gaza and last weeks clearing of an on-campus protest encampment that involved police use of pepper spray and dozens of arrests. The ceremony, at the base of the Washington Monument, started peacefully with fewer than 100 protesters demonstrating across the street in front of the Museum of African American History and Culture. But as Granberg began speaking, at least 70 students among the graduates started chanting and raising signs and Palestinian flags. The students then noisily walked out as Granberg spoke, crossing the street to a rapturous response from the protesters. Students and others have set up tent encampments on campuses around the country to protest the Israel-Hamas war , pressing colleges to cut financial ties with Israel. Tensions over the war have been high on campuses since the fall but demonstrations spread quickly following an April 18 police crackdown on an encampment at Columbia University. Nearly 3,000 people have been arrested on U.S. campuses over the past month. As summer break approaches, there have been fewer new arrests and campuses have been calmer. Still, colleges have been vigilant for disruptions to commencement ceremonies. President Joe Biden told the graduating class at Morehouse College on Sunday, which included some students wearing keffiyeh scarves around their shoulders on top of their black graduation robes, that he heard their voices of protest and that scenes from the conflict in Gaza have been heartbreaking. He said given what he called a humanitarian crisis there, he had called for an immediate cease-fire and return of hostages taken by Hamas. The latest Israel-Hamas war began when Hamas and other militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing around 1,200 people and taking an additional 250 hostage. Palestinian militants still hold about 100 captives, while Israels military has killed more than 35,000 people in Gaza, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which doesnt distinguish between civilians and combatants. UPDATE: The Simi Valley Planning Commission voted 5-0 Wednesday to recommend the City Council OK a new mosque at the Islamic Society of Simi Valley site. The proposal will head to the council for a final decision. ORIGINAL STORY: The Islamic Society of Simi Valley is seeking the citys approval to replace its mosque with one twice its size at 4343 Township Ave. The Simi Valley Planning Commission will discuss Wednesday whether to recommend the City Council approve the project. The Islamic Society, also known as Green Crescent of Simi Valley, plans to demolish its single-story, 3,055-square foot structure built nearly 60 years ago. The organization wants to build a two-story, 6,780-square foot building at the same 0.64-acre parcel. The new facility would feature a 1,470 square-foot main prayer hall, according to a city staff report. The rest of the space would include classrooms, kitchen, offices, library and lobby. The current facility has a 1,380 square-foot prayer hall, a lobby and offices, staff said. The existing mosque doesn't have classrooms and has had to use makeshift ones. The building was originally an American Legion Post building that was approved by the county in 1966, three years before the incorporation of Simi Valley, according to previous reports. The Simi Valley Bible Church purchased the site in 1991. The next year, city planning commissioners OK'd a special-use permit for the site to be used as a religious facility. The Islamic Society and Los Angeles-based Langdon Wilson International are listed as project applicants. Neither could be reached for comment Friday. The Islamic Society of Simi Valley in December. The group hopes to replace its mosque with a larger facility. The proposed new building would be more ornate than the current structure. Plans call for a 35-foot-high dome on the east side with a decorative minaret or tower, the staff report said. Minarets are traditionally used to announce a Muslim call to prayer, but city staff said there will be no amplified sound system connected to the tower. The rest of the structure would be 21-28 feet high, staff said. Plans call for exterior colors of champagne and topaz. After the Planning Commissions vote, the proposal is expected go to the City Council within four to eight weeks, said Sean Gibson, deputy environmental services director and city planner. The Planning Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at 2929 Tapo Canyon Road. Dave Mason covers East County for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at dave.mason@vcstar.com or 805-437-0232. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Islamic Society of Simi Valley seeks to rebuild mosque While hundreds gathered to celebrate the new graduates of Morehouse College, others gathered near the school to address their disappointment in President Bidens handling of the Israel-Hamas war. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] President Joe Biden delivered the commencement address at Morehouse College in Atlanta on Sunday. Channel 2 Action News cameras rolled as protestors took to the streets, blocking roads and chanting for change. Some students and members of the schools faculty have been outspoken about their displeasure that Pres. Biden was invited to deliver the commencement address, saying they dont approve of how his administration is handling the Israel-Hamas war. Georgia is one of several states that will help decide the expected rematch between Pres. Biden and Republican Former President Donald Trump in November. WATCH THE LIVE STREAM OF THE COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS HERE TRENDING STORIES: The president arrived in Atlanta on Saturday, stopping to speak with supporters at the newly renovated Mary Macs Tea Room. After speaking at Morehouse, Pres. Biden is scheduled to attend an NAACP dinner in Detroit. By Tuesday afternoon, some Morehouse alumni were circulating an online letter that condemned the administrations invitation to Pres. Biden and seeking signatures to pressure Morehouse President David Thomas to rescind it. The letter, obtained by The Associated Press, claimed Pres. Bidens approach to Israel effectively supports genocide in Gaza and runs counter to the pacifism that King expressed with his opposition to the Vietnam War. In inviting President Biden to campus, the college affirms a cruel standard that complicity in genocide merits no sanction from the institution that produced one of the towering advocates for nonviolence of the twentieth century, the letter states, emphasizing Kings stance that war is a hell that diminishes humanity as a whole. If the college cannot affirm this noble tradition of justice by rescinding its invitation to President Biden, then the college should reconsider its attachment to Dr. King. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Morehouse College shared the following statement with Channel 2 Action News regarding the protest: Peaceful assembly is core to the Morehouse College social justice tradition. The Morehouse College administration fully supports and defends the right to peacefully protest and the expression of ones views openly. Our faculty are some of the best social scholars that higher academia has to offer, and they are training up the worlds next generation of community and industry leaders who will continue our institutions history-making legacy. The world frequently quotes our most famous and beloved alumnus, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but the world must know that without Morehouse, there would be no Dr. King. It is fitting that a moment of organized, peaceful activism would occur on our campus while the world is watching to continue a critical conversation. We are proud of the resilient class of 2024s unity in silent protest, showing their intentionality in strategy, communication, and coordination as a 412-person unit. Finally, after many facilitated conversations with The White House amongst students, faculty, staff, and alumni, we are moved that President Biden chose the Morehouse stage to announce another $16 billion investment in HBCUs as well as call for an immediate and permanent cease-fire in the Israel-Gaza war. We appreciate the partnership of President Biden and The White House staff for listening and, most importantly, applying what our community and the global society have requested. The work is nowhere near finished, and Morehouse College will continue centering consequential, nuanced dialogue and critique to foster positive societal change. The Associated Press contributed to this article. IN OTHER NEWS: ST. PETER, Minn. After 73 years and a long fight with the U.S. Army, a Korean War veteran from Minnesota who was wounded in combat finally got his Purple Heart medal on Friday. The Army notified Earl Meyer, 96, of St. Peter, last month that it had granted him a Purple Heart, which honors service members wounded or killed in combat. Meyer, who still has shrapnel in his thigh that continues to cause him occasional pain, had the medal pinned to his chest at a ceremony at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. Korean War veteran will finally get his Purple Heart, 73 years late Afterward, Meyer recalled being at an earlier ceremony for veterans when Purple Heart honorees were asked to rise so they could be honored. Now, said Meyer, I can stand up with them guys. Understated and quick to deflect praise, he added: It is nice. No doubt about that. An Army review board had rejected Meyers application several times due to a lack of paperwork, but it reversed course after a campaign by his three daughters and their attorney. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota also intervened on his behalf along with the services top noncommissioned officer, the sergeant major of the Army. A federal judge ordered the review board to take another look. Meyers case showcases the challenges for wounded veterans to get medals theyve earned when the fog of war, the absence of records and the passage of time make it challenging to produce proof. Klobuchar presented Meyer a certificate after the medal was pinned, while one of her former aides who worked on the case sang the national anthem. Our safety is what Earl fought for. Minnesota, our country and our world are better because of you, Earl, Klobuchar told the crowd. Thank you. And congratulations. Finally. Meyers daughter, Sandy Baker, of New Buffalo, Michigan, described combat veterans like her father, who is known to friends as Sonny, as a different breed and said he was reluctant to push for the recognition. She said he ultimately became convinced his effort would help other soldiers win overdue recognition. Hes excited and hes very honored. Incredibly honored. But he said at coffee this morning, I dont know why were making such a big deal out of this, she said. Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer wasnt able to attend, but he sent a latter of gratitude for Meyers selfless service and dedication. And in a handwritten addition at the bottom of the letter Weimer said: Thank you for not giving up on us! Long overdue! Weimer sent Command Sgt. Major Jason Ross, from the Army National Guard, in his place. He described the grueling fighting that Meyer endured. He saw his close friends wounded, killed in action, and he engaged in continuous, sustained combat with the enemy and in wartime conditions for several days, Ross said. He believed and understood he could actually die in combat. Few men in Meyers unit who witnessed the mortar attack in 1951 survived. Only a few members of his platoon made it out unharmed. He didnt even realize at first that he had been wounded. He said he thinks the medic who treated him on the battlefield was killed before he could file the paperwork. And he wasnt thinking then about a medal anyway he just wanted to survive. When the Army denied Meyers first applications for the medal, it said his documentation was insufficient. It had been burned in a fire, said Baker, who is Meyers daughter. Klobuchars office helped the family obtain additional documents and an Army review board finally concluded last month that the new evidence establishes beyond reasonable doubt that the applicant was wounded in action in early June 1951. The board cited records from the Department of Veterans Affairs, where doctors concluded the shrapnel in his thigh had to be from a combat injury. The board also cited a recent memo from Weimer, who said he believed Meyers account was accurate, and that his medal request deserved another review. Meyers American Legion coffee buddy, Dave Johnson, who delivered the prayer, described Meyer as more than humble. He said Meyers tends to downplay it and say, Oh, this happened. I was part of this, and I guess I still have shrapnel in me. But Johnson said it is important for the rest of the community to remember. People have to recognize what it takes to have a country like this, and it takes people like Sonny and his efforts, what hes accomplished and what he did on those particular days. Very few people have that opportunity to say, I did this for our country. Karnowski reported from St. Paul, Minnesota. Marco Condos, a resident of the Chinn Allotment in Ravenna Township, speaks with his neighbors on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, during a discussion on the proposed new sewer project. In the 1980s, a pipe burst on Karen and Gary Hogan's property in Ravenna Township's Chinn allotment and carried raw sewage from 19 neighboring homes into their yard. A child fell into a sinkhole that opened in their yard as a result of the broken pipe. The Hogans worked with their neighbors, who all chipped in $125 to repair the damage. Since then, stormwater has flooded their property, and sewage has resurfaced every time it has rained. Karen and Gary Hogan have saved documentation about their sewer issues since 1985. A piece of their property floods every time it rains, and they've had raw sewage spill into their yard. They say a "revolving door of county employees" has stopped by to assess the problem, promised to help, but ultimately nothing has been done. "They all said, 'It's terrible, you shouldn't have to live this way,'" Karen Hogan said. "And two months later, they were gone." Now, the Hogans and their neighbors are being forced to pay tens of thousands of dollars for a septic system coming to their neighborhood. Numerous residents have filed appeals with Portage County, and the Hogans say they've also been "vilified" by their neighbors for filing the initial complaint that brought the project to the neighborhood. And, worst of all, when the costly sewer is finally built, it will solve the sanitary sewer problem, not the stormwater issue, which makes the problem worse. Chris Hawkins welcomed neighbors Tuesday, May 7, 2024, to his home for a discussion on a sewer project in Ravenna Township's Chinn allotment. Long history of complaints According to an EPA order, the agency received a complaint in 2015 alleging failing septic and raw sewage entering "waters of the state" in the area of the Chinn Allotment, which contains nearly 300 homes in Ravenna Township. Gary Hogan said the neighborhood's plight only caught the attention of the EPA after the state agency learned the sewage was leaking into Breakneck Creek, which feeds the Cuyahoga River and ultimately Lake Rockwell the water supply for the city of Akron. The EPA's Northeast Ohio District Office collected bacteria samples that found E. coli levels "in exceedance of the public health nuisance standard," and discussed the findings with the Portage County Health District in 2016. The health district sent a formal complaint to the EPA in 2018, alleging that unsanitary conditions exist in the neighborhood. Chris Hawkins welcomed neighbors to his home Tuesday, May 8, 2024, for a discussion on a proposed sewer project in Ravenna Township. "Residential lots in the Chinn Allotment exhibit characteristics unsuitable for, or detrimental to, new or upgraded on-lot individual sewage disposal systems due to their respective size and soil conditions," states the EPA's order, issued in 2019. That order required the county to design, build and install a sewer system to serve the Chinn Allotment, and submit a plan to fund the improvements. Pandemic delay Portage County Commissioner Sabrina Christian-Bennett said the board obeyed the order and directed Portage County Water Resources to design the system. But when initial designs first came back, the cost of the project, and the amount each resident would pay, was much higher starting at $40,000 per lot. Commissioners directed Water Resources to go back to the drawing board to come up to a more affordable design. The project also was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Christian-Bennett noted. The new, lower cost of $16,000 per lot reflects the new design, Christian-Bennett said. It also reflects grants the county obtained that offset the cost of the project and that lowered the cost to each "benefit user." Gary and Karen Hogan said Ravenna Township put a culvert through their property to manage stormwater. The water still floods their yard every time it rains, flooding the underground pipe that carries sewage from neighboring homes. "It's never a good time to do something like this," Christian-Bennett said. "But we obtained grants and we'll continue to look for them. We're not here to drive people out of their homes." Dan Blakely, director of Portage County Water Resources, said the engineer's estimate is just over $11 million. The county was able to offset nearly $6.5 million of that cost through grants, with the remaining cost split among the residents. "We understand assessments are never a pleasant process, especially for low-income people," he said. "This is not something we want to do." But he said the project is major, and in addition to the sinkhole that opened in the Hogan's yard, other properties have raw sewage in their yard. "It really is a huge crisis," he said. "In many cases, they couldn't figure out where the septic was going to." Sewage and water from neighboring septic systems floods into Gary and Karen Hogan's yard when it rains in Ravenna Township. Blakely said the county wants to proceed with the project because if it isn't started soon, the county could lose grant funding, which would drive up residents' costs even more. The already expensive project impacts many of the residents even more because they're on double or triple lots, which means their cost doubles or triples, even if they have no intention of building on their property. Many residents at a recent neighborhood meeting said they're pursuing having their property replatted to lower their costs, which could increase the cost for the rest of the neighborhood. The Hogans, own three lots, and the price tag for them would be $48,000, plus fees to tap into the new line and crush their existing septic system. Their lots include a parcel where their pole barn sits and a parcel where the stormwater accumulates. They're among the residents looking into replat. Vilified by their neighbors The Hogans, who filed the initial complaint, say they did so after trying to solve the problem by working with their neighbors. Gary and Karen Hogan have saved documentation since 1985 regarding septic issues in the Chinn Allottment in Ravenna Township. In 1979, the Hogans moved into what they thought was their dream house on Genevieve Drive. A few years later, a young trick-or-treater fell into a hole that had opened in their yard. That's when Gary Hogan discovered that a broken tile pipeline was being used to carry sewage from surrounding homes. Gary Hogan said he suspects a contractor took advantage of some of his neighboring residents, offering to fix their septic problems but then tying their downspouts into the pipe that leads to the Hogans' yard. "There's so many innocent people who had no idea," Gary Hogan said. Gary and Karen Hogan have saved documentation since 1985 regarding the flooding in their yard in Ravenna Township, including photographs of standing water in their yard. A lawyer they hired advised them to close off the pipe, but Gary Hogan decided to instead to work with his neighbors and split the cost of the repair. The homeowners each paid $125 toward the $2,000 bill to fix the pipe. Except it didn't fix the problem. The sinkhole was gone, but stormwater still flooded their property whenever it rained. The septic line underground still would be overwhelmed, causing raw sewage and toilet paper to bubble up from the ground. People test their septic systems by flushing a blue or pink dye packet down their toilet. After 24 hours, if no dye washes up, the system is declared functional. But the Hogans say they've found numerous dye packs in their backyard. Gary Hogan has saved documentation since 1985 regarding septic problems in their neighborhood and flooding on property where he and his wife, Karen, live. At a public hearing on the sewer project, one resident stood up and blamed the Hogans for the project. The Hogans blame the county and the township for not fixing the problem when they complained years ago. "We're just tired of fighting," Gary Hogan said. "I'm just tired of getting the runaround." Neighbors submit petition After an April 30 public hearing, residents in the allotment had five days to submit written objections to commissioners. Chris and Tiffani Hawkins hosted a meeting at their Woodlawn Avenue home so residents could strategize their objections. Dan Dobrilovic, who lives on Woodlawn Drive, passed a petition around to his neighbors objecting to the project, and got more than 70 signatures. He said he could have obtained more if he'd had more time. The petition asks for a new public hearing, because many property owners didn't receive notice of the April 30 hearing, or didn't receive it in time to review the material. The petition also states that the system is too shallow, shifting the cost burden to residents because of the grinder pumps needed. The petition also calls for the waiver of fees, such as the county's sewer capacity fees. It also questions the definition of "benefitting units." Sewage water from neighboring septics flows through the Hogans' yard in Ravenna Township. "I don't oppose the system, and I don't think most people do," Dobrilovic said. However, he said, he thinks it can be done in a way that costs residents far less money. Many residents said they blame the county Health Department for allowing homes to be built with faulty septic systems, and questioned why Health Department and EPA officials didn't attend the April 30 meeting. "The health department shouldn't have allowed Chinn to build without the proper septic," said resident Marco Condos. "Let them pay for the thing." At one point, an attendee asked senior citizen to raise their hands. The residents said about 75% of those in the room raised their hands. Grants available? Ravenna Township Trustee Jim DiPaola said the Health Department was ordered by the EPA to provide sewers. "There's nothing we can do but encourage people to apply for grants," he said. DiPaola said he's heard about grant funding available for tap-in fees, but those grants can't be pursued until the sewer is constructed. Gary and Karen Hogan have saved documentation since 1985 regarding problems with the septic sewer system in their neighborhood in the Chinn Allotment in Ravenna Township, including diagrams from past inspections. He said trustees will "keep an eye on things" and "see what happens with grants." "People out there may have some options," he said. Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com. This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Ravenna township residents face big bills over sewer project The helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi takes off, before it crashed, in border of Iran and Azerbaijan (Reuters) -Following are reactions from foreign governments and officials to the news that a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister crashed as it flew over mountainous terrain in this fog on Sunday. TURKISH PRESIDENT TAYYIP ERDOGAN "I convey my best wishes to our neighbour, friend and brother Iranian people and government, and I hope to receive good news from Mr Raisi and his delegation as soon as possible," Erdogan said in a post on social media platform X. Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority said in a statement that Iran had requested a night vision search-and-rescue helicopter from Turkey. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES FOREIGN MINISTRY The ministry said in a statement the UAE was prepared to offer all possible support in the search and rescue operations. U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTONIO GUTERRES "The Secretary-General is following reports of an incident with Iranian President Raisi's aircraft with concern. He hopes for the safety of the president and his entourage," a U.N. spokesperson said in a statement. KUWAITI FOREIGN MINISTRY "We are closely following with concern the reports regarding the helicopter carrying the Iranian president and his accompanying delegation. Kuwait expresses its wishes for their safety and its support for the Islamic Republic of Iran in this critical situation." RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY "Russia is ready to extend all necessary help in the search for the missing helicopter and the investigation of the reasons for the incident," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a comment carried by Russia's RIA news agency. SAUDI ARABIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirms that it stands by the Islamic Republic of Iran during these difficult circumstances and is prepared to provide any assistance the Iranian services need," the ministry said in a statement. It also said the Saudi government was following news reports regarding Raisi's helicopter with "great concern". QATARI FOREIGN MINISTRY "We express the State of Qatar's deep concern regarding the Iranian president's helicopter experiencing a difficult landing incident. We affirm the State of Qatar's readiness to provide all forms of support in the search for the Iranian president's aircraft. We express the State of Qatar's wishes for the safety of the Iranian president, the foreign minister and their companions," a ministry spokesperson said in a statement. EUROPEAN COMMISSION The European commissioner for crisis management, Janez Lenarcic, said the commission had activated its satellite mapping service to aid search efforts, following a request for assistance from Iran. The Copernicus Emergency Management Service provides mapping products based on satellite imagery. U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT "We are closely following reports of a possible hard landing of a helicopter in Iran carrying the Iranian president and foreign minister," a State Department spokesperson said in a statement. U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN A spokesperson for President Biden, Karine Jean-Pierre, told reporters aboard Air Force One that the president had been briefed on the situation. She did not elaborate. AZERI PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV (Raisi was returning from Iran's border with Azerbaijan when his helicopter crashed). "Today, after bidding a friendly farewell to the (visiting) President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, we were profoundly troubled by the news of a helicopter carrying the top delegation crash-landing in Iran." "Our prayers to Allah Almighty are with President Ebrahim Raisi and the accompanying delegation. As a neighbour, friend, and brotherly country, the Republic of Azerbaijan stands ready to offer any assistance needed." IRAQI GOVERNMENT The Iraqi government said in a statement it had instructed its interior ministry, the Red Crescent and other relevant bodies to offer help to neighbouring Iran in the search mission. (Reporting by Reuters bureausCompiled by Mark BendeichEditing by Susan Fenton, Giles Elgood and Frances Kerry) Rep. Jasmine Crockett has zero regrets about her heated exchange with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene during a House committee hearing last week, telling CNN that Greenes insult about Crocketts appearance was absolutely racist. Do you think her going after your eyelashes, that that, in itself, is racist? State of the Union host Jake Tapper asked Crockett on Sunday. I think her specifically doing it to me, yes, that was the intent, Crockett said. Women wear makeup, we wear lashes, we wear all types of things to beautify ourselves. But MAGA has historically been on social media doing the things where theyre saying, Oh, shes black with lashes and nails and hair, and so shes ghetto. And so, to me, this was her buying into that rhetoric and trying to amplify this for the MAGA crowd. And so, yes, I absolutely think that she only did it to be racist towards me. It is buying into a racist trope, Crockett added. But the reality is that women of all colors wear lashes. The confrontation occurred in a House Oversight Committee meeting Thursday where members were voting whether to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for refusing to give Republicans audio recordings of President Joe Biden being interviewed by special counsel Robert Hur. During the hearing, Greene went off topic, demanding to know if any Democrats were working with the daughter of Judge Juan Merchan, the judge presiding over Trumps ongoing criminal trial. Please tell me what that has to do with Merrick Garland. Do you know what were here for? You know were here about AG Garland? Crockett asked Greene. Greene snarked that Crocketts fake eyelashes are messing up what youre reading. Democrats including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez jumped to Crocketts defense and demanded that Greenes comments be stricken, but Republicans voted to keep the comments on the congressional record. Thats when Crockett jumped in, asking a hypothetical question of Republican Committee Chair James Comer that included a indirect burn against Greene. Im just curious, just to better understand your ruling, Crockett said. If someone on this committee then starts talking about somebodys bleach blonde, bad built, butch body, that would not be engaging in personalities, correct? On CNN, Crockett accused Republicans of refusing to punish Greene for insulting her because Comer was worried he wouldnt have enough votes to move the contempt motion forward without the Georgia congresswoman. The source of the chaos is always Marjorie Taylor Greene, Crockett said Sunday. When Tapper asked Crockett whether she regretted her comments, she was clear that she does not. I dont, because heres the thing. I signed up to be a member of Congress. That didnt mean that I was supposed to walk into a position where Im going to walk in and be disrespected, Crockett said. Rep. Jasmine Crockett at CNN: "The problem with MAGA is that MAGA does not respect rules nor do they respect the law, that is exactly why they're all running up to Trump's trial the 'party of law and order' is bun at this point in time." pic.twitter.com/p5fzIR9bjF Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 19, 2024 Its already a hostile work environment being there, and we do have rules, she continued. The problem with MAGA is that MAGA does not respect rules, nor do they respect the law. That is exactly why theyre all running up to Trumps trial, because hes in trouble not because of some big conspiracy by the Biden administration. Hes in trouble because he fails to respect the law. Crockett also pointed out that she did not specifically name Greene in her attack. She said she was looking to understand the rules of the committee and what Comer would and would not allow. So what are the parameters? And I generally wanted to know, Crockett said. So I did not state anything to her. I specifically asked a question. And I didnt even mention her name. It was for clarification, and thats what I asked for. And he obviously didnt hear me. Yes, and I hear that, Tapper said. But she went after your appearance You went back at her 1,000-fold. I did, Crockett said, in a very lawyerly way. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Rep. Jasmine Crockett and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene had a war of words on Thursday after Greene commented that Crocketts fake eyelashes were messing up what youre reading during a committee hearing. On Sunday, Jake Tapper asked Crockett if she has any regrets about her reply, to which she assured him she absolutely does not. Heres the thing, Crockett said. I signed up to be a member of Congress. That didnt mean that I was supposed to walk into a position where Im going to walk in and be disrespected. Its already a hostile work environment being there, and we do have rules. She said that she felt Greenes comments were racist and added that what happened with Greene is indicative of a widespread problem throughout the far-right Make America Great Again Trump-led members of Congress. The problem with MAGA is that MAGA does not respect rules, nor do they respect the law, Crockett explained. That is exactly why theyre all running up to Trumps trial. Because hes in trouble not because of some big conspiracy by the Biden administration, hes in trouble because he fails to respect the law, she continued. The reason that the Supreme Court right now is debating whether or not Trump can commit crimes or any president can commit crimes and then be let off is because they have no respect for law. The party of law and order is gone at this point in time, Crockett concluded. The House Oversight Committee panel had gathered on Thursday to discuss contempt proceedings against Attorney General Merrick Garland when the verbal scuffle broke out. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez jumped in to defend Crockett, who later commented on someones bleach blonde, bad built, butch body without directly naming Greene. TAPPER: Do you think her going after your eyelashes, that that, in itself, is racist? CROCKETT: I think her specifically doing it to me, yes, that was the intent. pic.twitter.com/MDNWCWMaYQ State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) May 19, 2024 Watch the exchange between Crockett and Tapper in the video above or view the full interview here. The post Rep. Jasmine Crockett Says She Doesnt Regret Fiery MTG Comeback: Congress Is Already a Hostile Work Environment | Video appeared first on TheWrap. Image source: Getty Images The average baby boomer today has $120,300 in retirement savings, reports Northwestern Mutual. If your savings look similar, then you may be heavily reliant on Social Security to make ends meet. But seeing as how the average monthly benefit among retirees was just $1,907 at the start of 2024, you may be struggling to cover your living costs if your savings aren't particularly robust. That's why it could pay to consider a Costco membership if you're largely living on Social Security. Here are a few ways Costco could work wonders for your budget. 1. Savings on medication Costco's pharmacy could save you a nice amount of money, depending on the prescriptions you take. In fact, the Member Prescription Program could result in up to 80% savings on popular medications. Now, you should know that this program is not available to you if you're enrolled in Medicare. But Medicare eligibility doesn't begin until age 65, and some seniors retire on Social Security before reaching that age. And while going without health insurance is a risky move, if that's the boat you're in, you can potentially lower your medication costs substantially by taking advantage of Costco's Member Prescription Program. 2. Savings on supplements Many seniors take supplements regularly to promote joint health or good health in general. Costco offers a world of savings on vitamins and supplements. For example, Kirkland Signature Glucosamine & Chondroitin costs just $0.10 per tablet when ordered online for a 280-count bottle. And in-store prices are usually cheaper. On Amazon, you'll pay $0.17 per pill. 3. Discounted gas Once you're retired, you may not drive as frequently as you did while you were working. But you still need to get places. And Costco can help you get around town for less thanks to its low-cost gas. If you decide to join, it pays to time your Costco shopping trips to when your tank is getting low. 4. Affordable eyeglasses Costco's optical center offers a range of affordable eyeglasses at competitive prices. You can also get a low-cost eye exam at Costco. That's important, because if you're a retiree who gets health coverage through Medicare, eye exams and glasses are not a covered service. So if you're forced to pay out of pocket, you might as well pay less. 5. Affordable hearing aids Hearing aids are another thing that Medicare won't pay for, even though many older Americans need them. Costco's hearing aid centers allow you to get your ears tested, and from there, you can work with a specialist to find an affordable hearing aid that's best for you. When you buy hearing aids through Costco, you're also eligible for free remote follow-up services, such as if your hearing aids need to be adjusted (believe it or not, this can often be done remotely). Story continues 6. Competitively priced vacation packages Once you're retired, you may have more time on your hands to travel. If your income consists mostly of Social Security, it may not be enough for you to jetset around the world multiple times a year. But you may be able to swing a nicer vacation once every couple of years. And in that regard, it pays to use Costco's travel service, which gives you access to hundreds of affordable cruises and vacation packages. Use the right travel rewards credit card to book and you could also enjoy points or miles for your next trip. 7. Bulk grocery discounts At this point in your life, you may be an empty-nester with just yourself or yourself and a spouse or partner to feed. But still, you need to eat. And it could pay to buy certain grocery staple items at Costco for the bulk savings. If you eat a lot of produce, for example, and you also tend to cook with it often, then it could make sense to buy greens and other vegetables at Costco. Similarly, you may find that your favorite cereals, grains, and cooking oils are more affordable at Costco on a per-ounce basis than at your regular grocery store. It's worth considering a Costco membership Many seniors worry about money. If you're on a fixed income, it could pay to consider joining Costco for the savings involved. Unfortunately, Costco does not offer senior discounts on memberships. But a basic membership at Costco costs just $60 a year, while an Executive membership that gives you 2% cash back on your purchases costs $120. So even though you'll spend some money to get access to Costco, you might more than recoup that outlay via the savings you reap all year round. And if you find that your Costco membership isn't paying off, you can cancel for a full refund after the fact. So there's really no risk to giving Costco a try. Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!) If youre shopping with a debit card, you could be missing out on hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. These versatile credit cards offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco, and are rated the best cards of 2024 by our experts because they offer hefty sign-up bonuses and outstanding cash rewards. Plus, youll save on credit card interest because all of these recommendations include a competitive 0% interest period. Click here to read our expert recommendations for free! We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fools board of directors. Maurie Backman has positions in Amazon. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 7 Ways Costco Can Help You Stretch Your Social Security Checks was originally published by The Motley Fool The recent actions by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Democrats to take firearms out of the hands of responsible gun owners has been grotesque. The constitution, which every elected official swears an oath to, guarantees the right to bear arms. However, it seems that they have forgotten this. Our state is in the midst of a public safety crisis. Every day, New Mexicans feel unsafe in their own homes because of the rampant crime that progressives have failed to address. And while career criminals, drug traffickers, and murderers walk our streets, the Governor is actively taking away our defenses. Just last week a New Mexican grandmother spoke out after a known criminal, who was on the run from Police, broke into her house and threatened her and her four-year-old granddaughter. While she was on the phone with 911, the criminal became increasingly hostile. She protected her family, the same way any of us would, and exercised her second amendment right. Rep. Harlan Vincent Soft-on-crime policies have let criminals like this escape the justice they deserve. If it were not for this grandmothers swift and responsible actions, it is difficult to imagine what may have happened to this family.This is just one of many examples that demonstrate the need for our second amendment rights to be protected. While the pleas of New Mexicans to address crime and protect our rights may fall on the Governors deaf ears, I hear them. This upcoming special session should not be an opportunity for the Governor to grab onto more power, but instead to implement common sense solutions. My Republican colleagues and I will not budge and we will not forget how the majority has violated the God-given rights of New Mexicans. Depriving the liberties of law-abiding citizens is not the answer. It is time for New Mexico to take this issue head on and end soft-on-crime policies and keeping dangerous criminals off of our streets This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Rep. Vincent: Safety starts with protecting our freedoms A helicopter with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on board had to make an emergency landing in the west of the country on Sunday, state media reported. It was initially unclear whether Raisi was injured in the accident. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian was also reportedly on board. Some media reported a "hard landing," others a "crash." As a result, there is no precise information about the situation on the ground. There were accounts on social media that both the president and foreign minister were injured. Raisi was in the Iranian province of East Azerbaijan earlier Sunday, where he met the president of neighbouring Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. Together they inaugurated a dam. Raisi was sworn in as Iran's new president in August 2021. He won the presidential election in June with just under 62% of the vote as the leading candidate of the political hardliners and the preferred candidate and protege of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Born in 1960 in Mashhad in north-east Iran, Raisi is considered to be very influential within the Islamic Republic's system. He also maintains a close relationship with Khamenei. Raisi worked in the judiciary for over three decades and was appointed head of the judiciary in 2019. He is said to have been responsible for numerous arrests and executions of political dissidents in his previous role as public prosecutor. According to the constitution, Raisi is only number two in the country because Khamenei is the actual head of state and also has the final say in all strategic matters. A helicopter with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on board had to make an emergency landing in the west of the country on Sunday, state media reported. It was initially unclear whether Raisi was injured in the accident. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian was also reportedly on board. Some media reported a "hard landing," others a "crash." As a result, there is no precise information about the situation on the ground. There were accounts on social media that both the president and foreign minister were injured. Raisi was sworn in as Iran's new president in August 2021. Republicans who showed up at Trumps NYC trial were way out of their lane | Opinion GOP guests By showing up at Trumps trial, the group of nearly identically dressed prospective vice presidential candidates and House Speaker Mike Johnson proved once again just how far the Republican Party has drifted away from our countrys foundational principle of the rule of law. To openly denigrate an ongoing trial, the judge and district attorney on behalf of Trump is as embarrassing as it is dangerous. This case is based on evidence and law, and follows a grand jury indictment. Having members of Congress jump out of their lane in an attempt to tip the scales of justice and gaslight the American people is shameful. Willard Osburn, Cornelius House speaker House Speaker Mike Johnson traveled to a courthouse in New York City to support a former president and current presidential candidate, already held civilly liable for sexual assault. That candidate is now charged with falsifying financial records to hide cover-up payments to an adult film actress with whom he allegedly had a sexual tryst. The speaker is famous for saying that to find his convictions simply read the Bible. Im wondering if Speaker Johnson and many evangelicals might have skipped over Exodus 20:14 and Deuteronomy 5:18. To quote the Church Lady from Saturday Night Live: How convenient! Joel B. Miller, Charlotte UNC and DEI The writer is a rising senior at UNC and member of the Affirmative Action Coalition. The repeal of DEI is not a defense of UNCs troubled history. It is an attempt to drown it, prevent it from ever resurfacing. For 160 years, UNC functioned explicitly for the success of white students. It has done so implicitly ever since. As a majority white, majority male Board of Trustees diverts DEI funds to the university police, who violently stifle student dissent, this has never been more evident. In the decades-long struggle for freedom between people of color and police, UNC has chosen police. In the broader moral debate about what a society must do to reckon with its past, UNC has chosen denial. Julian Taylor, Chapel Hill Campus protests For change to happen, people need to be on your side. I sense protesters seldom understand that a compelling cause can often draw the public to their side, without being asked. Yet, when they cross that protest peacefully line, they lose the supporters they so hope to influence. Peaceful, passionate, thoughtful dissent is a better bet to win the day. Harry Taylor, Charlotte A public thanks I am the uncle of Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas M. Weeks, Jr. who was killed in the line of duty April 29 in Charlotte. I want to publicly thank the people of Charlotte, the men and women in local law enforcement, and especially those with the Western N.C. District of the U.S. Marshals Service for the comfort and caring they showed the entire family while we grieved Tommys passing. I cannot express enough how the entire city and first responders made the situation just a little bit easier to handle. God bless all of you. Michael W. Harrison, Edgewater, MD Trump, basic math Regarding The math looks bleak for Trump until you factor in Joe Biden (May 14): Simple addition will sink Trump. Seven states have voted on abortion measures since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and anti-abortion positions have lost every time. Math also supports Biden talking about gun violence: Overall, 64% of Americans favor stricter gun control laws. Bidens economic programs outperform Trump: our economy is averaging 300,000 new jobs per month since January 2022. Average annual GDP growth for the first three years of the Biden administration comes in at 3.4% far outpacing Trump. Those numbers dont even include Trumps four indictments, with a total of 88 felony charges. Amy Lefkof, Charlotte Gaza atrocities Does nobody else see it? I recently watched a documentary about WWII and the atrocities that took place against innocent Jewish people. Can people really not see the parallels to the situation in Gaza today? Israel must check Prime Minister Netanyahus power now. Benjamin J. Harris, Charlotte Youve been a Trump supporter. Your partner and your friends are devoted MAGAs. But now, youre done with it. You do not want Trump in the White House. You feel you need to vote for Biden. You dont want to broadcast it. As one Palm Beach County Republican said who voted for Biden in 2020, I know Im doing the right thing. I just dont want it out there. Makes sense. Who wants harassment and death threats? Just keep your Biden vote secret. A lot of the Republicans and ex-MAGAs who voted in droves against Trump in the 2024 primaries apparently are keeping it to themselves. Donald Trump celebrates with supporters at a Super Tuesday watch party at Mar-a Lago on March 5, 2024 in Palm Beach, Florida. Before Super Tuesday on March 5, Republicans in New Hampshire told pollsters they were for Trump over Nikki Haley by 18 percentage points. But on election day they voted for Trump over Haley by only 11. In other words, about 7 percent (23,000) of New Hampshire voters who apparently had supported Trump decided to vote not-Trump. Odds are a lot of those 23,000 kept their vote on the down low. You know, harassment and death threats. America's search for its lost conservative values | Editorial In the South Carolina primary about 60,000 Republican voters who pollsters said supported Trump voted for Haley instead. In Michigan it was 167,000, Virginia 223,000, Vermont (where Trump lost) 24,000. The trend continued in March and April after Haley had dropped out on March 6. You know a bunch of them kept their vote private. As you can. An Emerson College poll says 63% of Haley voters now support Biden. You can (secretly) join them. BTW, Trump has given Haley voters a kind of permission to vote for Biden. Trump said in January he doesnt need them (or not many of them). If youre a woman, youll have the company of women across the board who are dropping Trump. By the start of primary season, womens support of Trump had dropped from the 42% who voted for him in 2020 down to 36%. A few months ago, Trump was freaked out enough by the discreet drift away from him that he tried to get the 2024 Republican primaries and caucuses cancelled. Ignore pundits, sure, but consider the evidence piling up against Trump | Editorial A majority of Republicans in the House of Representatives appear to be on your side. House Republicans have been riding the vote-secretly-against-Trump train for a while. On Oct. 20, 2023 House Republicans blew off death threats and voted secretly against Trumps candidate for speaker, Jim Jordan, 122 to 86. In 2021 they snubbed Trump by voting on secret ballots 145-61 to keep his nemesis Liz Cheney party conference chair. In the Senate, most Republicans wouldve voted to convict Trump in his 2021 impeachment trial had the vote been secret, according to Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono. For you as a former Trump supporter with a gung-ho MAGA partner, secretly voting for Biden obviously has a personal side. You could decide not to tell your partner but theyd probably figure it out after you begged off of one or two mega-pickup-truck Trump caravans. You might tell your partner but youre obviously not going to turn them. MAGA is their identity. But theres a chance you can preserve your relationship. There will be bumps in the road, sure. One MAGA partner reported: My [MAGA] partner and I decided to never go to bed angry at each other. We've been awake since last Thursday. Check out this MAGA-partner support group, and their Facebook page. Jim Carroll Every MAGA/non-MAGA couple that sticks it out gives a tiny glimmer of hope that MAGA and non-MAGA someday, somehow, some way, somewhere, might live in peace and har- forget harmony for the foreseeable future. Whatever you do, keep your eyes on the prize: Keeping Trump out of the White House. Do what throngs of Republicans and ex-MAGAs are doing, and secretly vote for Biden. Jim Carroll is a former U.S. House staff member and a West Palm Beach elections attorney. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Voting for Trump? How Republicans can secretly vote for Biden instead Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev and Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, attend the inauguration ceremony of Qiz Qalasi dam, at the border between Iran and Azerbaijan. A helicopter with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on board had to make an emergency landing in the west of the country on Sunday, state media reported. -/dpa Following an accident involving a helicopter with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on board, 40 rescue teams are searching for the scene of the accident, Iranian state media reported on Sunday. The fate of passengers and crew was initially unclear, it said. There was no contact with the team led by the president, which fuelled great concern among government supporters, according to media reports. The rescue workers searched with sniffer dogs and drones. Raisi was travelling back from the Iranian province of East Azerbaijan earlier Sunday, where he met the president of neighbouring Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. Together they inaugurated a dam. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian was also reportedly on board. The helicopter apparently crashed in Iran's East Azerbaijan province in a mountainous forest region. There were accounts on social media that both the president and foreign minister were injured. Interior Minister Ahmad Wahidi stated that rescue teams are facing significant challenges accessing the crash site due to adverse weather conditions and difficult terrain. Therefore, there is no precise information available about the situation on the ground. Iran's air force is considered to be severely outdated and its modernization is making little progress in the face of tough international sanctions. Many of the aeroplanes and helicopters date back to the time before the Islamic Revolution of 1979, when the country maintained close relations with the United States. Raisi was sworn in as Iran's new president in August 2021. He won the presidential election in June with just under 62% of the vote as the leading candidate of the political hardliners and the preferred candidate and protege of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Born in 1960 in Mashhad in north-east Iran, Raisi is considered to be very influential within the Islamic Republic's system. He also maintains a close relationship with Khamenei. Raisi worked in the judiciary for over three decades and was appointed head of the judiciary in 2019. He is said to have been responsible for numerous arrests and executions of political dissidents in his previous role as public prosecutor. According to the constitution, Raisi is only number two in the country because Khamenei is the actual head of state and also has the final say in all strategic matters. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev and Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, attend the inauguration ceremony of Qiz Qalasi dam, at the border between Iran and Azerbaijan. A helicopter with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on board had to make an emergency landing in the west of the country on Sunday, state media reported. -/dpa Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi attends a meeting with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, during the inauguration ceremony of dam of Qiz Qalasi, at the border between Iran and Azerbaijan. A helicopter with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on board had to make an emergency landing in the west of the country on Sunday, state media reported. -/dpa Rescue workers continued their search on foot Sunday for the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian after it went missing in mountainous terrain. The search was hampered by darkness and rain, according to a state television reporter on Sunday evening. The remote, muddy route is inaccessible by road, forcing rescue teams to proceed on foot, he said. Meanwhile, concerns were mounting for the nine people on board, including Raisi and Amirabdollahian. Hours after the crash, there was still no information about their fate, the report said. The helicopter went down on Sunday in the north-west of the country after a meeting between Raisi and the President of neighbouring Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. According to Iranian media reports, the suspected crash site is near Jolfa, more than 600 kilometres from the capital Tehran, close to the border with Azerbaijan. Forty rescue teams were searching for the exact location of the accident. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev welcomes Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian at the inauguration ceremony of Qiz Qalasi dam, at the border between Iran and Azerbaijan. A helicopter with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on board had to make an emergency landing in the west of the country on Sunday, state media reported. -/dpa Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev and Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, attend the inauguration ceremony of Qiz Qalasi dam, at the border between Iran and Azerbaijan. A helicopter with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on board had to make an emergency landing in the west of the country on Sunday, state media reported. -/dpa Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev shakes hands with Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, during their meeting on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony of dam of Qiz Qalasi, at the border between Iran and Azerbaijan. A helicopter with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on board had to make an emergency landing in the west of the country on Sunday, state media reported. -/dpa Rescuers struggle to reach scene of Iranian presidents helicopter crash due to weather Iranian President Ebrahim Raisis helicopter crashed on Sunday, 19 May as it was crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog. The scene was initially described as very concerning by Iranian officials. Rescuers have struggled to reach the scene of the crash due to difficult weather conditions. Iranian officials have made contact with two people on the same helicopter as the president, according to Fars News Agency. The countrys Fars News Agency has urged Iranians to pray for their president. People pray for President Ebrahim Raisi in a ceremony at Vali-e-Asr square in downtown Tehran, Iran, Sunday, May 19, 2024. A helicopter carrying President Raisi, the country's foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray. As the sun rose Monday, Raisi and the others on board remained missing more than 12 hours after the likely crash, with Turkish drone footage suggesting the helicopter went down in the mountains. Rescuers rushed to the site. The incident comes as Iran under Raisi and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei launched an unprecedented drone-and-missile attack on Israel last month and has enriched uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels. Iran has also faced years of mass protests against its Shiite theocracy over an ailing economy and womens rights making the moment that much more sensitive for Tehran and the future of the country as the Israel-Hamas war inflames the wider Middle East. Raisi was traveling in Irans East Azerbaijan province. State TV said what it called a hard landing happened near Jolfa, a city on the border with the nation of Azerbaijan, some 600 kilometers (375 miles) northwest of the Iranian capital, Tehran. Later, state TV put it farther east near the village of Uzi, but details remained contradictory. Traveling with Raisi were Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, the governor of Iran's East Azerbaijan province and other officials and bodyguards, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. One local government official used the word crash," but others referred to either a hard landing or an incident. Neither IRNA nor state TV offered any information on Raisis condition in the hours afterward. Early Monday morning, Turkish authorities released what they described as drone footage showing what appeared to be a fire in the wilderness that they suspected to be wreckage of helicopter. The coordinates listed in the footage put the fire some 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of the Azerbaijan-Iranian border on the side of a steep mountain. Hard-liners urged the public to pray for him. State TV aired images of hundreds of the faithful, some with their hands outstretched in supplication, praying at Imam Reza Shrine in the city of Mashhad, one of Shiite Islam's holiest sites, as well as in Qom and other locations across the country. State television's main channel aired the prayers nonstop. In Tehran, a group of men kneeling on the side of the street clasped strands of prayer beads and watched a video of Raisi praying, some of them visibly weeping. If anything happens to him well be heartbroken, said one of the men, Mehdi Seyedi. May the prayers work and may he return to the arms of the nation safe and sound. In comments aired on state TV, Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said: The esteemed president and company were on their way back aboard some helicopters and one of the helicopters was forced to make a hard landing due to the bad weather and fog." "Various rescue teams are on their way to the region but because of the poor weather and fogginess it might take time for them to reach the helicopter. IRNA called the area a forest and the region is known to be mountainous as well. State TV aired images of SUVs racing through a wooded area and said they were being hampered by poor weather conditions, including heavy rain and wind. Rescuers could be seen walking in the fog and mist. A rescue helicopter tried to reach the area where authorities believe Raisi's helicopter was, but it couldn't land due to heavy mist, emergency services spokesman Babak Yektaparast told IRNA. Late in the evening, Turkey's defense ministry announced that it had sent an unmanned arial vehicle and was preparing to send a helicopter with night vision capabilities to join the search-and-rescue efforts. Long after the sun set, Iranian government spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi acknowledged that we are experiencing difficult and complicated conditions in the search. It is the right of the people and the media to be aware of the latest news about the presidents helicopter accident, but considering the coordinates of the incident site and the weather conditions, there is no new news whatsoever until now, he wrote on the social platform X. In these moments, patience, prayer and trust in relief groups are the way forward. Khamenei himself also urged the public to pray. We hope that God the Almighty returns the dear president and his colleagues in full health to the arms of the nation," Khamenei said, drawing an amen from the worshipers he was addressing. However, the supreme leader also stressed the business of Iran's government would continue no matter what. Under the Iranian constitution, Iran's vice first president takes over if the president dies with Khamenei's assent, and a new presidential election would be called within 50 days. First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber already had begun receiving calls from officials and foreign governments in Raisi's absence, state media reported. Raisi, 63, a hard-liner who formerly led the countrys judiciary, is viewed as a protege of Khamenei and some analysts have suggested he could replace the 85-year-old leader after Khamenei's death or resignation. Raisi had been on the border with Azerbaijan early Sunday to inaugurate a dam with Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev. The dam is the third one that the two nations built on the Aras River. The visit came despite chilly relations between the two nations, including over a gun attack on Azerbaijan's Embassy in Tehran in 2023, and Azerbaijan's diplomatic relations with Israel, which Iran's Shiite theocracy views as its main enemy in the region. Iran flies a variety of helicopters in the country, but international sanctions make it difficult to obtain parts for them. Its military air fleet also largely dates back to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. IRNA published images it described as Raisi taking off in what resembled a Bell helicopter, with a blue-and-white paint scheme previously seen in published photographs. Raisi won Iran's 2021 presidential election, a vote that saw the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republics history. Raisi is sanctioned by the U.S. in part over his involvement in the mass execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988 at the end of the bloody Iran-Iraq war. Under Raisi, Iran now enriches uranium at nearly weapons-grade levels and hampers international inspections. Iran has armed Russia in its war on Ukraine, as well as launched a massive drone-and-missile attack on Israel amid its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It also has continued arming proxy groups in the Mideast, like Yemen's Houthi rebels and Lebanon's Hezbollah. Meanwhile, mass protests in the country have raged for years. The most recent involved the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, a woman who had been earlier detained over allegedly not wearing a hijab, or headscarf, to the liking of authorities. The monthslong security crackdown that followed the demonstrations killed more than 500 people and saw over 22,000 detained. In March, a United Nations investigative panel found that Iran was responsible for the physical violence that led to Aminis death. President Joe Biden was briefed by aides on the Iran crash, but administration officials have not learned much more than what is being reported publicly by Iran state media, said a senior administration official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. ___ Associated Press writers Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report. An image generated using the prompt, Gutenbergs printing press incorporating artificial intelligence as an etching." | Illustration: Joanna Andreasson/Midjourney Joanna Andreasson/DALL-E4 In May 2023, OpenAI founder Sam Altman testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee about ChatGPT. Altman demonstrated how his company's tool could massively reduce the cost of retrieving, processing, conveying, and perhaps even modifying the collective knowledge of mankind as stored in computer memories worldwide. A user with no special equipment or access can request a research report, story, poem, or visual presentation and receive in a matter of seconds a written response. Because of ChatGPT's seemingly vast powers, Altman called for government regulation to "mitigate the risks of increasingly powerful AI systems" and recommended that U.S. or global leaders form an agency that would license AI systems and have the authority to "take that license away and ensure compliance with safety standards." Major AI players around the world quickly roared approval of Altman's "I want to be regulated" clarion call. Welcome to the brave new world of AI and cozy crony capitalism, where industry players, interest groups, and government agents meet continuously to monitor and manage investor-owned firms. Bootleggers and Baptists Have a 'Printing Press Moment' ChatGPT has about 100 million weekly users worldwide, according to Altman. Some claim it had the most successful launch of a consumer product in history, and Altman anticipates far more future users. He's now seeking U.S. government approval to raise billions from United States, Middle East, and Asian investors to build a massive AI-chip manufacturing facility. In his testimony, Altman referred to Johannes Gutenberg's printing press, which enabled the Enlightenment, revolutionized communication, andfollowing the dictum "knowledge is power"destabilized political and religious regimes worldwide. Altman suggested that, once again, the world faces a "printing press moment": another time of profound change that could bring untold benefits as well as unimaginable disturbances to human well-being. A related letter signed by Altman, other AI industry executives, and scores of other leaders in the field, underlined their profound concern and said: "Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war." Altman's call for regulation also has a parallel in the early history of printing. Something similar to the licensing control suggested by Altman was used by Queen Elizabeth I in 16th century England. She assigned transferable printing rights to a particular printing guild member in a frustrated effort to regulate and censor printing. Story continues Altman's moral appeal rests on the notion of preserving a nation of people or their way of life. In that way, it satisfies the "Baptist" component of the bootleggers and Baptists theory of regulation, which I developed decades ago and which explains why calls to "regulate me" may be seen as just about businesses earning extra profits. An especially durable form of government regulation takes hold when there are at least two interest groups supporting it, but for decidedly different reasons. One supports the pending regulation for widely held moral reasons (like old-school Baptists who want to bar legal Sunday liquor sales). The other is in it for the money (like the bootleggers who see opportunity in a day without any legal competition). Altman's "Baptist" altar call may well be altruisticwho can know?but it shows his hand as a potential bootlegger, too. After all, a government-sheltered AI market could provide a first-mover advantage as his entity helps to determine the appropriate standards that will be applied to everyone else. It could yield a newer, cozier crony capitalism that has not previously existed in quite the same form. Apparently, some other potential bootleggers heard the altar call too and liked the idea of being in a cozy cartel. Soon, Microsoft insisted that thoroughgoing government regulation of AI would be necessary. In another Baptist-like appeal, Microsoft President Brad Smith said:"A licensing regime is fundamentally about ensuring a certain baseline of safety, of capability. We have to prove that we can drive before we get a license. If we drive recklessly, we can lose it. You can apply those same concepts, especially to AI uses that will implicate safety." Google felt the call as well and provided a statement recommending AI regulation on a global and cross-agency basis. Google CEO Sundar Pichai emphasized, "AI is too important not to regulate and too important not to regulate well." Another February 2024 policy statement from Google contains a litany of plans to cooperate with competitors and government agencies to advance a safe and effective generative AI environment. How AI Will Regulate AI In a December 2023 report on U.S. government agency activity for FY 2022, the Government Accountability Office indicated that 20 of the 23 agencies surveyed reported some 1,200 AI activities, including everything from analyzing data from cameras and radar to preparing for planetary explorations. Bootlegger and Baptistinspired regulatory episodes in the past typically involved in-depth studies and hearings and ended up with lasting rules. That was the case through most of the 20th century, when the Interstate Commerce Commission regulated prices, entry, and service in specific industries, and in the 1970s, when the Environmental Protection Agency was equipped with command-and-control regulations in an alleged attempt to correct market failures. Sometimes it took years to develop regulations to address a particular environmental problem. By the time the final rules were announced and frozen in time, the situation to be resolved may have changed fundamentally. Cheap information enabled by generative AI changes all this. By using AI, the generative AI regulatory processpending at the level of California, the federal government, and other governments worldwideso far favors ongoing, never-ending governance processes. These will focus on major generative AI producers but involve collaboration among industry leaders, consumer and citizen groups, scientists, and government officials all engaged in a newly blossomed cozy cronyism.Under the European Union's AI Act, an AI Office will preside over processes that continually steer and affect generative AI outcomes. If more traditional command-and-control or public utility regulation were used, which raises its own challenges, AI producers would be allowed to operate within a set of regulatory guardrails while responding to market incentives and opportunities. They would not be required to engage in cooperative engagement with regulators, their own competitors, and other supposed stakeholders in this larger enterprise. In this AI world, bootleggers and Baptists now sit together in the open. Specifically, this burgeoning approach to AI regulation requires the implementation of "sandboxes," where regulated parties join with regulators and advisers in exploring new algorithms and other AI products. While sandboxes have some beneficial things to offer industries in new or uncertain regulatory environments, members of the unusually collaborative AI industry are poised to learn what competitors are developing as government referees look on. The risk, should this environment persist, is that radically new products and approaches in the arena never get a chance to be developed and benefit consumers. The incentives to discover new AI products and profit from them will be blunted by cartel-like behavior in a new bootleggers and Baptists world. Countries and firms that refuse to play by these rules would likely become the only fountainhead for major new AI developments. The End of the AI Wild West No matter what form of regulation holds sway, generative AI is out of the box and will not go away. Already, computer capacity requirements for processing the software are falling, and already, generative AI's applications to new information challenges are exploding. At the same time, government agents' ability to regulate is improving and the payoff to the regulated for working hand-in-hand with government and organized interest groups is growing. Generative AI's Wild West days may be drawing to a close. This is when invention, expansion, and growth can occur unconstrained by regulation while within the bounds of local courts, judges, property rights, and common law. Novel developments will still occur, but at a slower pace. The generative AI printing press moment may expand to become an era. But just as the Gutenberg invention led initially to the regulation and even outlawing of the printing press across many major countries, new information technologies emerged anyway and effective regulation of real knowledge became impossible. A renaissance was set in motion despite official attempts to stymie the technology. Freer presses emerged, and eventually the telegraph, telephones, typewriters, mimeograph, Xerox, fax, and the internet itself. Knowledge flows cannot be stopped. We moderns may learn again that the human spirit cannot be forever bottled up, and over the long run market competition will be allowed, if not encouraged, to move mankind closer to a more prosperous era. America's Founders were enlightened and well aware of Europe's troublesome efforts to regulate Gutenberg's printing press. They insisted on freedom of speech and a free press. We may eventually see similar wisdom applied to generative AI controlbut don't hold your breath. The post AI's Cozy Crony Capitalism appeared first on Reason.com. IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WJMN) One person is dead after an apartment building caught fire in Iron Mountain on Friday. At approximately 10:53 p.m. on May 17, the Iron Mountain Fire Department (IMFD) and the Iron Mountain Police Department (IMPD) were dispatched to a structure fire at the 600 block of East H Street, which is a ten-unit apartment building. Upon arrival, the fire department started an aggressive offensive attack in an attempt to suppress the fire as well as rescue possible trapped victims, according to a press release from IMPD. As a result of the fire, a 46-year-old female resident was killed. There were also several non-life-threatening injuries to several of the occupants of the apartment building. The building is believed to be a total loss. Michigan State Police Fire Investigator has been on scene assisting IMFD and IMPD with the ongoing investigation. Midtown Quick Lube opened its facility allowing it to be used as a staging area for the Red Cross to assists individuals who were displaced as a result of the fire. 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. In response to a string of deaths, Airbnb CEO says it's 'really hard' to make hosts install carbon monoxide detectors Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky spoke to NBC News in an interview set to air on Sunday. Chesky said it is "hard" to enforce a carbon monoxide mandate across 220 countries and regions. NBC News reported that at least 19 deaths at Airbnbs involved carbon monoxide poisoning. Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said enforcing certain safety measures, like carbon monoxide detectors, across all listings worldwide is "very hard." Chesky's comments came during an interview on NBC Nightly News, which is scheduled to air on Sunday. NBC said Chesky will discuss a range of challenges facing his multibillion-dollar company. NBC reported in November 2023 that there had been 19 deaths on Airbnb properties related to carbon monoxide poisoning. Airbnb responded to the initial deaths in 2014 by asserting it would mandate carbon monoxide detectors in all its listings but that's yet to happen, the outlet said. While Airbnb has tackled issues like indoor security cameras with outright bans, Chesky said during Sunday's interview that addressing carbon monoxide poisoning has been a tougher obstacle. "It is very hard to verify whether or not a property has a carbon monoxide detector, but we're working really, really hard to make sure that every single property has a verified address," he said. Airbnb does not have a carbon monoxide detector mandate. SOPA Images/Getty Images He added: "It's really hard to mandate things in 220 countries and regions and cities all over the world, and then if you mandate something, you have to have a mechanism to verify that it happens." Airbnb has 7.7 million listings worldwide and 5 million hosts. The company says that as of December last year it has hosted some 1.5 billion guests. Since Airbnb is a global company, it must adhere to various carbon monoxide laws and regulations. When asked if Airbnb is "walking away" from that mandate because it may not be "realistic," Chesky said tackling carbon monoxide poisoning and enforcing detectors is still a priority. "There's a really good question about, 'Is a mandate the right approach?'" Chesky said. "But what is absolutely the right approach is to make sure that every single listing is safe. Every single person is safe." Airbnb began offering free combination carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms to hosts in 2014. Chesky also said Airbnb provides travel information to guests visiting "high-risk" areas. Representatives for Airbnb did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Read the original article on Business Insider A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister crashed on May 19 as it flew over a mountainous area in Iran through heavy fog. The fate of Raisi and others onboard is not yet known but an Iranian official told Reuters their lives were "at risk." "We are still hopeful but information coming from the crash site is very concerning," they added. Iran is one of Russia's closest allies on the international stage. The two countries have only deepened their military and political cooperation since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Most notably, Iran has provided Russia with thousands of Shahed kamikaze drones used in airstrikes against Ukraine and has helped Moscow build a drone factory in Russia, as well as reportedly sending thousands of ballistic missiles. Iranian state media said the helicopter made a "hard landing" near the city of Tabriz in the north-west of the country. Rasi and his entourage were returning in a convoy of three helicopters from a trip to the border with Azerbaijan where he opened two new dams. A rescue operation is underway but is being hampered by both the terrain and weather. Read also: Explainer: Irans cheap, effective Shahed drones and how Russia uses them in Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. ATLANTA President Joe Biden on Sunday warned graduates at one of the country's most revered African American academic institutions of "extremist forces aligned against the meaning and message of Morehouse" College in a commencement address that sought to lay out the stakes of the 2024 election. "Graduates, this is what we're up against," Biden said during a 27-minute speech that leaned heavily into themes of faith and democracy in an appeal to Black voters. "They peddle a fiction, a character about what being a man is about tough talk, abusing power, bigotry. Their idea of being a man is toxic." APresident Joe Biden speaks at the Morehouse College Commencement on May 19, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. President Biden is appearing at the school during a time when pro-Palestinian demonstrations are still occurring on campuses across the country to protest Israel's war in Gaza. "But that's not you. It's not us," he said. Biden's remarks to the 414 graduates at Morehouse, an all-male historically Black college in Atlanta, came as he is struggling to unite Black voters, particularly Black men, around his candidacy. Many Morehouse students and faculty criticized Biden's participation when it was announced because of his support for Israel's war in Gaza. "In a democracy, we debate dissent about America's role in the world. I want to say this very clearly: I support peaceful, nonviolent protest," Biden said on Sunday in response to the complaints. "Your voices should be heard. I promise you, I hear them." President Joe Biden delivers a commencement address during Morehouse College's graduation ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia on May 19, 2024. No major disruptions, but peaceful protests target Biden Although there were no major disruptions during Biden's speech, a few students walked out when Biden received an honorary Morehouse degree. More than a dozen graduates and at least three faculty members wore keffiyehs, while one student entered the ceremony draped in a Palestinian flag. As Biden delivered his address, at least one female faculty member stood in the opposite direction, her fist raised, in a sign of protest. Biden, wearing a maroon gown at the outdoor ceremony, said his administration is "working around the clock for more than just one cease-fire," but also to "bring the region together." He reiterated his support for a two-state solution in which Israelis and Palestinians live in peace. "This is one of the hardest, most complicated problems in the world. There's nothing easy about it," Biden said. "I know it angers and frustrates many of you, including my family, but most of all, I know it breaks your heart. It breaks mine as well." Protesters marched to the Atlanta Student Movement close to Morehouse College to protest President Joe Biden during commencement on May 19, 2024. Biden added that leadership is about "fighting through the most intractable problems" to "find a solution by doing what you believe is right, even when it's hard and lonely." About a mile away, pro-Palestinian protesters held a rally organized under the banner of "Say No to Genocide Joe Speaking at Morehouse." Morehouse's valedictorian also raised Israel's war in Gaza during his remarks before Biden took the lectern. "It is my stance as a Morehouse man nay as a human being to call for an immediate and the permanent cease-fire in the Gaza Strip," graduating senior DeAngelo Jeremiah Fletcher said, with Biden sitting just steps behind him. Biden applauded in response. Protesters gather at Malcolm X Park in Atlanta to protest President Joe Biden who was speaking at Morehouse College graduation on May 19, 2024. Biden touts record with Black voters Polling shows Biden is vastly underperforming his 2020 performance among Black voters, a reliably Democratic constituency, as some drift to Donald Trump, the former president and presumptive Republican nominee. A New York Times/Siena College poll of six battleground states, including Georgia, found Biden has support from 60% of Black voters and Trump, while Trump is backed by 20% of Black voters. Biden won Black voters in the 2020 election by a 87%-12% margin, according to exit polls. Ahead of Biden's arrival, Anwar Karim, a sophomore studying film at Morehouse and a member of Atlanta University Center Students for Justice in Palestine, told USA TODAY he was disappointed in his schools choice of commencement speaker. He also decried Morehouses decision to award Biden an honorary degree, which is typically awarded to the schools commencement speaker after a faculty vote. Morehouse College is dedicated to producing men of consequence who lead lives of service and leadership, and I just have to beg the question, when it comes to Biden, what is an example of his leadership? Karim said Friday. President Joe Biden (R) and Morehouse College President David Thomas attend Morehouse College's graduation ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia on May 19, 2024. Biden commits to showing 'democracy is still the way' In his speech, Biden touted his presidency as one that has delivered to Black Americans, pointing to efforts to invest in Black families and communities, cut child poverty, expand work opportunities, reduce prescription drug prices and cut student loan debt. He called out the "poison of white supremacy" and "systemic racism." He said he is committed to "show that democracy, democracy, democracy is still the way," even in the face of inequality for Black Americans. "What is democracy if Black men are being killed in the street? What is democracy if the trail of broken promises still leave Black communities behind?" Biden said. "What is democracy if you have to be ten times better than anyone else to get a fair shot? Most of all, what does it mean, as you've heard before, to be a Black man who loves his country even if it doesn't love him back in equal measure?" Graduating students turn their back on US President Joe Biden as he delivers a commencement address during Morehouse College's graduation ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia on May 19, 2024. Biden's graduation speech at Morehouse College, the university attended by the late rights icon Martin Luther King, Jr, will be his most direct engagement with students since demonstrations over Israel's war in Gaza roiled campuses across the United States. Biden railed against new voting restrictions in Georgia and the "constant attacks on Black election workers." He also said those who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 "are called patriots by some," a clear reference to Trump. Not in my house," Biden said. In the days leading up to his Morehouse visit, the White House focused on Black outreach. Biden met on Thursday with plaintiffs of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision, on the 70th anniversary of the dismantling of the "separate but equal" precedent. On Friday, Biden met with leaders of the "Divine Nine" HBCU sororities and fraternities. More: In a nod to history, Biden meets with Brown v. Board of Education families In Atlanta on Saturday, Biden spoke to Morehouse alumni and others at a campaign event at Mary Mac's Tea Room. "The fact is, this election, lots at stake, lots at stake. It's not about me. It's about the alternative as well," Biden said. "My opponent's not a good loser, but he is a loser." Introducing Biden, Morehouse President David Thomas said, "No administration in history, since the inception of historically Black colleges and universities, has invested more in our institutions than the Biden administration." "And if you look at his policies, it is very clear that those investments are not charity," Thomas said. Biden, 81, closed his remarks with a reference to his age, a liability that has hung over his reelection. When he started his political career, Biden said he was told he was "too young." Now he hears he's "too old." "Whether you're young or old, I know what endures: The strength and wisdom of faith endures. And my challenge to you is to still keep the faith as long as you can," Biden said. "Together we're capable of building a democracy worthy of our dreams." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden in Morehouse commencement speech warns of 'extremist forces' AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) The Richmond County Sheriffs Office is requesting the publics help in locating a missing woman. 39-year-old Amanda Morris was last seen at 2480 Cross Creek Road on Saturday, May 18th, wearing a pink shirt and blue jeans. Authorities say, Morris may possibly be driving a black 2008 Chevrolet Silverado with a Georgia tag of SDL5020. Anyone with information regarding Morriss location, please contact any On-Duty Investigator with the Richmond County Sheriffs Office at (706) 821-1080 or (706) 821-1020. 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. RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) Rio Rancho Police hosted their first-ever K-9 service dog competition at Rio Rancho High School on Saturday. Law enforcement from around the state became with their dog partners to compete in agility, detection, and apprehension challenges. Our K9 team takes a lot of pride in how well trained and obedient our working dogs are, said Jacquelynn Reedy, a Captain of the Rio Rancho Police Department. So, it came as no surprise how well they did today. Albuquerque mayor, police chief speak on APDs compliance with DOJ reform In all, around 22 dogs from around the estate were entered in the competition. This has been a long time coming, this is one of the projects that Chief Stewart Steel did when he came to our department in 2017. This has always been his vision to bring this event to the city of Rio Rancho, said Reedy. Food trucks were also on hand for the public, who were able to attend the event for free. Officials are hoping to make the competition a yearly event but may change the venue if needed. Their noses are fantastic, and they dont run out of energy, Reedy added. For things like area searches when were looking for individuals, or when were looking for articles that may have been dumped in the commission of a crime, or things of that nature; theyre able to find it for us very quickly. 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. Robbers made off with 'several million euros' of jewels in armed heist of Jeweler to the Stars Tourists watch the entrance of the Harry Winston jewelry after a robbery in Paris, Saturday, May 18, 2024. French police investigators were hunting Saturday for armed robbers on motorbikes who hit a jewelry store on one of Paris' poshest streets, and media reports said the target was the exclusive Harry Winston boutique, self-described "Jeweler to the Stars." (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PARIS (AP) Armed robbers who used a motorbike as a battering ram made off with several million euros' (dollars) worth of valuables in a heist of the luxury Paris boutique of self-declared Jeweler to the Stars" Harry Winston, the French prosecutors office overseeing the police probe said. Having refused Saturday to confirm that Harry Winston was the target, the Paris prosecutor's office did so on Sunday, saying the dazzling, by-appointment store on the tony Avenue Montaigne was robbed by a gang of at least three people. They forced entry to the jewelry store using a two-wheeler. They stole jewelry from several windows, while one of them kept watch, carrying a long-barreled firearm, the prosecutors office said. As they sped away, they pointed the firearm in the direction of police officers, who had to put an end to their pursuit, it said. The damage, currently being assessed, is several million euros, it said. Harry Winston didnt reply to emailed questions from The Associated Press. This is not the first time the luxury store has been robbed. Eight people were convicted in 2015 in connection with a spectacular 2008 holdup in which three cross-dressing gunmen stole about $92 million in loot. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) on Sunday said he is urging the Secret Service to push the protest zone farther away from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in an effort to prevent conflict at the event. The Secret Service they use their criteria, they set this plan and now the director of Secret Service [is] saying, well, they have the authority to set the plan, they dont have the authority to change it, Johnson said in an interview on NewsNations The Hill Sunday. They put the protest zone a block away from the actual convention site. The initial plan had the entrances on the north and south side adjacent to that park. You know, theres no control of that park. Theres no fences around it, so its a gathering site for all kinds of potential mayhem. So, this is a very obvious concern. It ought to be corrected, Johnson said. Johnson expressed his concerns with the head of Secret Service last week and said Sunday he would be baffled if the agency does not provide additional protection. You know, we saw the riots of 2020. We see [an] inflamed situation, the division being caused and pushed by, for example, President Biden. This is a serious security concern that could be addressed. I hope they address it, he said. Last month, the Republican National Committee (RNC) sent a letter to the Secret Service with the same concerns. The letter reportedly pointed to pro-Palestinian protests that have roiled college campuses for weeks. Todd R. Steggerda, the letters author and counsel to the RNC, wrote the forced proximity between the groups and their differing ideologies will increase the risk of verbal or physical altercations. The security plan proposed by the Secret Service would place protesters at Pere Marquette Park, a small public park thats a quarter of a mile from the convention center, according to the letter. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) sent a similar letter last week to Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the Secret Service, writing he is deeply concerned about the current security plan. As you know, this year has been a very challenging one for protests in the United States. 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, McConnell wrote in his May 10 letter. The RNC convention will take place July 15-18 in Milwaukee, Wis. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) on Sunday brushed off the recent polls showing President Bidens slight lead over former President Trump in his home state of Wisconsin, noting he does not trust early polling. Well, as somebody who has run statewide three times and seeing polls wildly incorrect, all three times, I just would not trust the early polls, Johnson said in an interview on NewsNations The Hill Sunday. What you can pretty well bet on is Wisconsin is going to be a very close state. I dont think theres any doubt about it. A series of recent polls have shown Biden and Trump neck and neck in the Badger State, and a New York Times/Siena College/Philadelphia Inquirer poll released last week found Wisconsin to be the only one out of six swing states where Biden is leading Trump. In a Quinnipiac University poll released earlier this month, Biden leads Trump in Wisconsin by 6 points in a hypothetical head-to-head match, but that lead shrinks to just a single point when third-party candidates are included in the race. Johnson on Sunday suggested the close numbers signal both candidates are going to have to put in the work to take a solid lead. Both candidates are going to have to come in here, and theyre going to have to have a strong ground game. Thats really what were trying to do using the Republican Party Wisconsin here, he said. We have a more difficult task as Republicans. Democrats can bind their votes in Milwaukee and Madison, we have to go throughout the state and get votes through every little, small town in Wisconsin. But I think were up to the task, and were certainty energized coming off of our Republican Party Wisconsin convention this weekend, he added. Biden narrowly won Wisconsin in the 2020 election, beating the former president by less than a single point. According to The Hill/Decision Desk HQs national polling average, Biden and Trump are tied, 44.8 percent support each. NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Following the passage of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024, Alaska Airlines has announced its plan to increase flights to Washington D.C. Before the passage, Alaska Airlines only provided direct flights out of Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Now Alaska Airlines will have a direct flight from San Diego (SAN) to Reagan National Airport (DCA). San Diego is the largest market without nonstop service to Reagan National Airport, Andrew Harrison, Alaska Airlines Chief Commercial Officer said. This new route would not only connect southern Californians to our nations capital, but it would also provide seamless connectivity on Alaska Airlines diverse routes allowing guests to connect through San Diego. ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) Round Rock ISD Chief of Police Dennis Weiner said in a letter to the districts superintendent that he was leaving due to delayed investigations, including an alleged student sexual assault that happened last month. In his letter to the RRISD superintendent, Weiner began with the latest investigation involving a 5-year-old who was allegedly sexually assaulted on one of the districts school buses on April 12. He said that while the bus driver witnessed the assault, they did not report it to police. RELATED: An internal investigation into Round Rock ISD police describes a toxic environment Weiner said campus leadership reviewed the video, but police were still not notified. He said due to police not knowing about the incident, the victim was subjected to additional trauma by having to ride the bus to school on Monday morning. A statement from the district said the letter inaccurately represents personnel matters and an incident involving minors. The district added that all incidents involving students have been addressed with applicable law and district policy. In a message to RRISD staff, the district said Interim Chief Lauren Griffith, who has worked in the department since 2020, began as police chief May 14. The date that Weiner left the position was not shared. Weiner said after the investigation, it was revealed that the victim and one other student had been previously assaulted on the bus route by the same person, who was identified as an older student in the letter. Weiner said the district failed to notify and inform the police, which directly impacted the departments ability to protect student victims. Weiner said he contacted the Texas Attorney Generals Office as a request to investigate this most recent case, as well as the practices and actions of district leadership. RRISD board officers said in a statement that trustees were briefed about the letter from Weiner in a closed session at the May 16 board meeting. Mr. Weiners letter referred to a serious incident involving children that is under current investigation and to other personnel matters related to Mr. Weiners employment with the district, a statement said. The letter from board officers said they were deeply disappointed in the actions of two board members who released the unredacted letter from Weiner that could potentially compromise the privacy of minor children and related investigations. A joint statement from board members Danielle Weston and Mary Bone said both of their reactions were shock and concern for the students, families and staff in our schools. As parents ourselves, we know that parents have a right to know what is going on in their schools and to make their own decisions on how to best protect their children. They can only do this if they are fully aware of what is going on, the statement from Bone and Weston said. The board members statement said Weston insisted in writing to board president Amber Feller Landrum asking that she immediately call a special meeting to address accusations in the letter. History of delayed reporting of crimes Weiner continued in the letter by saying that since he joined the district, he experienced numerous practices of non-reporting and delayed report of crimes. He said the district also questioned the police departments viability of the police radio system as it relates to interoperability. Wiener said the district directive interfered with his duty to provide a public safety radio capability to the RRISD police department and that it was a potential Texas Penal Code violation. He stated in the letter that it was a crime for any person including school administrators to interfere with school district peace officers while they are performing their duties or lawfully exercising their authority. 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. Kids and young adults with limb loss got fitted to reach their running potential. More than a dozen Shriners Childrens Hospital patients gathered at the TRACK at New Balance in Brighton Saturday morning to get recreational prosthetics. I got a blood infection which almost cost me my life, so they had to cut off my legs from the knee down, said Sam Halpern, Plymouth. 12-year-old Sam Halpern said hes getting ready to run in his new blades. Its pretty hard I havent been on these types of legs in years just gotta get used to them, practice more, he said. Brooke Raasch is the founder of Running is a Right. We provide pediatric amputees with recreational prosthetics and the training to use them properly, said Raasch. Raasch teamed up with the Dave McGillivray Foundation to give patients of Shriners Childrens Hospital new running blades and fun ways to practice using them. He said recreational prosthetics arent covered by insurance and can cost $10,000-$30,000. He said these patients are getting them for free. " I was actually adopted when I was 3 so they dont really know what happened but they assume it was a house fire because I have burns going up the back of my legs, said Mahlia Schneck, Maine. 21-year-old Schneck said she thinks these events are important for herself and children. I think its really important to teach the kids that its ok if you have a missing limb, she said. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW With LGBTQ+ rights continuing to expand across much of the world, Vladimir Putins Russia has doubled down on restricting them and a new ruling has made the future even more uncertain for Russian LGBTQ+ groups and individuals. The LGBTQ+ movement is extremist, and its activities will be banned beginning in 2024, according to a ruling a justice of the Russian Supreme Court handed down at the close of November 2023. You can listen to more articles from The Conversation narrated by Noa. This newest decision builds on 10 years of legislation pushed forward by President Vladimir Putins government in the name of family values, largely focused on limiting LGBTQ+ activism and same-sex unions. With theological support from the Russian Orthodox Church, Putin and his supporters portray Russia as a bulwark of traditional values. This trend is poised to only increase in 2024, with Putins decree that it is the year of the family. That vision appeals deeply to many conservative Christians outside Russia, as well. As an anthropologist, I have spent years studying Russias family values rhetoric and its appeal to allies abroad particularly Russian Orthodox converts in Appalachia. Traditional values have become a fixture in far-right movements around the world, some of which see Russia as a model of the future they desire. In Russia and beyond, many conservative Christians in these movements have focused on LGBTQ+ populations, whom they portray as threats to their vision for society and are not deterred by antidemocratic politics, if its figures voice support for their social goals. Church and state In Russia, traditional family values have historically been linked to patriotism, Russian ethnic identity and service to country. These ideas were supported from the 1970s onward by writings from a young priest-monk named Kirill Gundyaev, who became head of the Russian Orthodox Church, or ROC, in 2009. Though three-quarters of Russians say they attend church services once a year or less, the ROC remains culturally influential. During Putins nearly 25 years in power, he has often tapped into the churchs rhetoric about traditional values to advance his social and political goals. In particular, Russian leaders often portray much of Europe and the U.S. as threats to the traditional family. Attempting to justify the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, for example, Putin and Kirill have both appealed to conservative ideas about religion and gender, arguing that Russias offensive stems from a need to protect itself from liberal values. The West has been aggressively imposing on their countries, attitudes that are directly leading to degradation and degeneration, because they are contrary to human nature, Putin said in a February 2022 speech about the war. Kirill, meanwhile, has portrayed the invasion as a spiritual battle. Vladimir Putin and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill attend a wreath-laying ceremony on Red Square in Moscow on Nov. 4, 2023. Mikhail Metzel/Pool/AFP via Getty Images Beyond borders Many of Putins ideas about tradition resonate with far-right American Christians, including the Appalachian Orthodox converts communities I worked with, who think they are being persecuted for their views about gender and sexuality. While the language of family values resonated with right-wing voters during and since the Trump presidency, values rhetoric has a much longer history among the American Christian right. During the 20th century, anthropologist Sophie Bjork-James has noted, these arguments took off among white Protestants over fears about race, economic instability and feminism. After World War II, as Americans grappled with the looming threat of nuclear war with the Soviet Union, family values became a key part of patriotic rhetoric that contrasted the red threat of the Soviet Union with a supposedly God-fearing, blessed America. Family values politics inspired the creation of conservative groups like the Moral Majority and the Family Research Council as reproductive rights and fledgling gay rights intensified their concerns. Though focused on promoting American Christian values, the movement looked abroad for connections and support. Relationships forged between the Roman Catholic Church and the ROC, as well as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the ROC in the early 2010s, helped spur on the types of traditional values movements seen around the world today. Increasingly, these groups have focused on LGBTQ+ populations, portraying them as alien to traditional values. Russian political figures and the ROC have participated in local and global organizations that promote traditional family values, including the World Congress of Families and some home-schooling networks formed in the U.S. Some far-right figures involved in such groups promote traditionalism: an anti-modern philosophy that focuses on social, sexual and racial purity. From culture to authoritarianism Cold War-style language that U.S. politicians once used to criticize the Soviet Union has now been inverted: Many right-wing American Christians who believe their country has lost its traditional religious heritage and is headed toward Marxism see the West as the new red scare. For some who criticize the West as woke, contemporary Russia is a better social model and an arbiter of traditional morality. Yet anti-LGBTQ+ policies, family values rhetoric and the notion that Russia is traditional are not simply part of the new global culture wars. Rather, they are part of what I call reactive world-building: radicalized groups working toward what they see as a Christian, pro-family future with authoritarian politics at the helm. An activist holds a placard during a March for Family amid the World Congress of Families conference in 2019 in Verona, Italy. Filippo Monteforte/AFP via Getty Images The language of the Christian right has consistently emphasized obedience to hierarchical authority. In my own work on far-right American converts to Orthodox Christianity, I have met people who support antidemocratic politics if they believe it can deliver the kind of culture they want to see and even individuals who call themselves fascist. Some express interest in moving to Russia, with American Orthodox convert priest Rev. Joseph Gleason offering a public example. Under Putin, family values are used as a way to advance post-Soviet Russian power and control globally. That might come as a shock for American allies although given some far-right compatriots interest in moving there, perhaps not. 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: Sarah Riccardi-Swartz, Northeastern University Read more: Sarah Riccardi-Swartz previously received funding from the Henry R. Luce Foundation, the Social Science Research Council, the Institute for Citizens and Scholars, and the Louisville Institute. At least six people were injured in Ukraine's Kherson Oblast after a series of Russian attacks on May 19, the Kherson Regional Military Administration said. Eighteen months after Ukrainian forces liberated swathes of territories on the western bank of the Dnipro in November 2022, Russia continues to heavily attack Kherson and its surroundings with artillery, tanks, drones, and air bombs putting civilians in severe danger. A strike on the region's coastal area around 11 a.m. local time injured a 74-year-old man who was hospitalized and said to be in a "moderate" condition. Authorities did not specify what weapons were used in the strike. Shortly after, it was reported that three members of a family a 42-year-old woman and two men aged 42 and 71 were injured by a drone-dropped bomb in the city of Beryslav. Their conditions are also said to be "moderate." Later in the afternoon, the Kherson Regional Military Administration said two men aged 59 and 70, also in Beryslav, were injured by a Russian drone. It did not specify if this was a separate attack. Earlier on May 15, Russian forces carried out an airstrike against central Kherson, injuring at least 19 people. Read also: Governor: Ukraine rescues 4 children from Russian-held territory of Kherson Oblast Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believe that the Russians are seeking to capture the towns of Chasiv Yar and Vovchansk. Source: ISW Details: The ISW states that Russian forces have recently stepped up their efforts to capture the operationally important town of Chasiv Yar, taking advantage of offensives in northern Kharkiv Oblast and Ukraine's east and exerting greater pressure on Ukraine's Defence Forces. Based on the analysed data, the Russians have failed to achieve any significant tactical success in the area of Chasiv Yar after a company-sized mechanised assault on the eastern outskirts of the town on 4 April and did not mount any similar mechanised assaults in the area until 17 May. Russian offensive operations in the vicinity of Chasiv Yar have intensified since the 4 April assault, and the recent Russian mechanised assaults in the area are likely indicative of an overall intensification of Russian efforts to capture the town. Analysts point out that from an operational point of view, the capture of Chasiv Yar is essential for the Russians, as it would provide Russian troops with favourable positions for further offensives against Kostiantynivka and Druzhkivka, the towns that form the southern part of the Ukrainian defence belt, which is the backbone of Ukraine's defence in Donetsk Oblast. In addition, the Russians are currently prioritising the capture of Vovchansk, as it is likely to be one of the remaining tactical objectives of the first phase of their offensive in the north of Kharkiv Oblast. The Russian military command has likely identified the capture of Vovchansk as one of the vital tactical objectives of the first phase of the offensive in northern Kharkiv Oblast. The city is the largest settlement directly on the border, which would provide Russian forces with a foothold close to the Russian rear to prepare and mount a second phase of the Russian offensive. However, analysts point out that it is unclear whether the second phase of the Russian offensive in northern Kharkiv Oblast would prioritise Russia's operational objective of expanding the desired "buffer zone" along the border or whether Russia's operational objective would be to advance within effective artillery range of Kharkiv and its vicinity. Russian troops may also be envisaging the next phase of the offensive from Vovchansk, aiming to advance to Velykyi Burluk to threaten the operational rear of Ukrainian forces defending the Kupiansk front. To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 18 May: Russian forces have recently intensified their effort to seize the operationally significant town of Chasiv Yar, seeking to exploit how Russian offensive operations in northern Kharkiv Oblast and ongoing offensive operations throughout eastern Ukraine have generated greater theatre-wide pressure on Ukrainian forces. Russian forces are likely preparing for the second phase of their offensive operation in northern Kharkiv Oblast, which Russian forces likely intend to launch following their anticipated seizure of Vovchansk. Zelenskyy also outlined materiel requirements for Ukraine to combat Russia's air superiority and defend against the Russian air threat, especially given US-imposed restraints on Ukraine that prohibit Ukraine from striking targets within Russian territory and airspace. Ukrainian officials have reportedly asked the US presidential administration to ease the restriction against using US-provided weapons to strike military targets in Russia. Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine must overcome its manpower challenges in order to contest the theatre-wide initiative in Ukraine. Ukraine's new mobilisation law went into effect on 18 May and will help Ukraine stabilise its force generation apparatus amid ongoing manpower constraints. Russian Security Council Deputy Chairperson Dmitry Medvedev called for Russia's envisioned "buffer zone" to encompass all of Ukraine, illustrating that the Kremlins concept of the buffer zone is a thinly veiled justification for Russia's long-held intent to subsume the entirety of Ukraine and likely an effort to garner domestic support for the Russian war effort. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili vetoed the Russian-style "foreign agents" bill on 18 May, but the ruling Georgian Dream party will likely override Zurabishvili's veto in the coming weeks. Russian forces recently marginally advanced near Avdiivka, Huliaipole, and Robotyne. Support UP or become our patron! Yahoo Finance After China announced broad measures to rescue its economy, Chinese stocks surged, our Chart of the Week shows. It's not the first time the country has attempted to get out of the recent doldrums, but the market's reaction says this time might be different. The aftermath of the Russian strike on a recreation area near Kharkiv. Photo: Kharkiv Oblast National Police At least six people were killed and twenty-eight injured in a morning strike on Kharkiv Oblast on 19 May. Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration; Oleksandr Hololobov, Head of Mala Danylivka hromada [an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.]; Kharkiv Oblast National Police on Facebook Details: Syniehubov said the invaders struck an area where local people were relaxing. According to police, 5 people were killed and at least 16 were injured. One of those killed was a pregnant woman. Among the casualties is an eight-year-old child who received minor injuries. A police officer and an ambulance paramedic came under repeat fire when they assisted at the scene. Eight people are in a serious condition. The Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration said the Russians launched two Iskander-M missiles, using the tactic of "double-tapping". The Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office later reported that the strike killed 6 people and injured 16. A 68-year-old civilian man died of his injuries in hospital. The severity of his wounds was not disclosed. At 17:02, the Prosecutors Office said that the number of people who sustained injuries had risen to 27. Two police officers are among the casualties. The Prosecutors Office still has no information about what happened to a man who worked at the recreation centre and was fishing at a nearby body of water at the time of the strike. At 20:36, the Prosecutor's Office reported that the number of casualties had risen to 28. Support UP or become our patron! Russian forces mount large-scale attack on Ukrainian logistics routes in Luhansk Oblast, local authorities say A map showing the area under the control of the Ukrainian government (green) and Russian forces (red). Photo: DeepStateMap The Russians have launched a large-scale attack on Ukrainian logistics routes and every liberated village in Luhansk Oblast, the local authorities have reported. Source: Artem Lysohor, Head of Luhansk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Quote from Lysohor: "The enemy has attacked every liberated village that is still populated. Around 30 explosions occurred in [the settlements of] Nevske and Novoliubivka. Three houses and administrative buildings were destroyed. Logistics routes around [the area] have suffered a large-scale attack." Details: The authorities say the Russians attacked the settlement of Makiivka with a helicopter and a Grad multiple-launch rocket system. In addition, Russian artillery and mortars targeted the settlements of Kuzemivka and Stelmakhivka. Support UP or become our patron! Probably a Kh-59 missile downed in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Stock photo: National Police of Ukraine A Russian Kh-59/69 missile was shot down by the Ukrainian military in the Novomoskovsk district of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Source: Serhii Lysak, the Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; Air Command Skhid (East) on Facebook Quote: "The defenders from the Air Command Skhid turned an enemy missile into scrap. It was shot down in the Novomoskovsk district." Details: The Air Command Skhid clarified that a Kh-59/69 air-to-surface missile was shot down in the Novomoskovsk district by their unit. Support UP or become our patron! New indicators of a cooling economy eased inflation concerns, driving the S&P 500 to record highs last week. The index, which dropped around 4% in April, is now up 11% for the year. Will this momentum continue? Savita Subramanian, head of US Equity and Quantitative strategy at Bank of America, believes it will. Shes taking an upbeat stance on the current market outlook, and backs it with a look at long-term results from the past 300-plus quarters. 20 were recessionary, 13 were stagflationary, and 90% of the time things were OK, Subramanian noted. In practice, Subramanians outlook leads her to bang the drum for long-term shareholding, and she advises investors to eschew timing the market. In her words, Time in the market beats timing the market is an old but prescient adage. The risk of losing money in equities plummets as time horizons extend, a phenomenon unique to equities vs. other asset classes. Best days usually follow worst days, and missing those best days is costly: since the 1930s, missing the 10 best S&P 500 days per decade would have yielded a paltry gain of 66% vs. ~23,000% from remaining invested. Subramanians colleagues among the Bank of America stock analysts are running with this positive outlook, and are advising investors to buy two stocks in particular. Both have solid upside potential as much as 200% in one case. According to the TipRanks databanks, both stocks get a Strong Buy rating from the broader analyst consensus, too; lets take a closer look and find out why they are primed for gains. Sutro Biopharma (STRO) The first Bank of America pick well look at, Sutro Biopharma, is a clinical-stage medical research company with a strong oncological focus. The company is committed to developing new medicines to treat the unmet needs common in many cancers; Sutro is pursuing this goal by developing a research pipeline composed of drug candidates with improved therapeutic profiles. To meet this goal, Sutro has first developed a proprietary technology platform, dubbed XpressCF. The company has recognized an inherent limitation in most drug candidate creation that the compounds, especially the proteins, are created using existing lines of living cells. Because these cells must be intact and functioning, there are some molecules they cannot produce, and the production methods can be cumbersome. Sutros XpressCF platform uses cell-free technology, using an extract of the cellular components that produced proteins. This novel platform technology allows Sutro to produce single proteins at g/L yields in 8-10 hours at any scale, and form them into new drug candidates. Using its platform, Sutro can develop compounds as varied as small peptides and monoclonal antibodies. Story continues The leading drug candidate in Sutros pipeline is STRO-002, also called luveltamab tazevibulin, or luvelta for short. This new therapeutic agent has shown promise in early testing against ovarian cancer, and is currently undergoing a Phase 2/3 study, called REFRME-O1, in the treatment of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC). The trial has two portions, a dose optimization portion that is fully enrolled with 50 patients, and a randomized registration-directed trial, Part 2, that was opened for enrollment in April. Part 2 of this trial, the Phase 3 portion, is expected to enroll up to 500 patients. For Bank of Americas analyst Tazeen Ahmad, this companys potent combination of a high-potential drug candidate and an equally high-potential development platform is too attractive for investors to pass up. She writes of the drug candidate, We think that luvelta has the potential to treat up to 80% of PROC patients, a significant improvement over the ~30% eligible for AbbVies Elahere (approved FolR ADC). While we do not model all eligible patients getting the drug, we think that luvelta represents an attractive commercial opportunity in PROC, with potential to expand into other high-unmet-need oncology indications We currently model risk-adjusted peak sales for luvelta in PROC of $597mn. Going on, Ahmad explains how Sutras development platform is another solid asset: To date, STROs differentiated approach has generated strategic partnerships with prominent names including Astellas, Merck, Ipsen, and Bristol Myers Squibb. We note that these partnerships will be integral to the company continuing to maximize the reach of its XpressCF platform and innovative product candidates in areas of high unmet need. Together, these assets back up Ahmads Buy rating on STRO, and her $12 price target points toward a robust one-year upside potential of ~199%. (To watch Ahmads track record, click here) Overall, the Strong Buy consensus rating on STRO is based on 10 recent analyst reviews, including 9 Buys and 1 Hold. The shares are selling for $4.01 and their $11.44 average price target suggests that the stock will gain 185% in the next 12 months. (See STRO stock forecast) Avidity Biosciences (RNA) The second stock on todays list is another biotech, Avidity Biosciences. This company is focused on the development of targeted RNA therapeutic agents, and has set up its own proprietary development platform to achieve this. The platform, called Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates, or AOC, is described as having a broad and disruptive potential, and the company has already put a portfolio of muscle disease programs into the research pipeline. Genetic diseases are particularly difficult to treat, and at the same time have a deep impact on patients lives making the development of new therapeutics an urgent need. Aviditys AOC platform lets the company design and engineer drug candidates that offer both the tissue selectivity of monoclonal antibody treatments and the precision of oligonucleotide-based drugs in a move that promises to redefine RNA therapeutics. The resulting drug candidates have potential to more effectively target the underlying genetic causes of many diseases. So far, Avidity has used its platform to put three RNA therapeutics into the clinical trial pipeline. These candidates are intended to target the specific genetic root cause of three rare muscle diseases, each of which has proven untreatable with previously available RNA therapies. The company has already had some success in its research program, and has made the first-ever reported successful targeted delivery of RNA into muscle tissue. This early success underlies its three clinical programs for myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). The DM1 track, featuring drug candidate AOC-1001, is the most advanced. The drug, dubbed delpacibart etedesiran and abbreviated as del-desiran, showed reversal of disease progression in multiple functional measures in early testing an important achievement for a drug targeting an often fatal neuromuscular disease that lacks any current approved treatment. Avidity will be initiating a global Phase 3 trial of AOC-1001, HARBOR, during the current quarter. A second drug candidate, AOC-1044, was in February granted Rare Pediatric Disease Designation by the FDA for the treatment of DMD44. The company will release 5 mg/kg cohort data from the Phase 1/2 EXPLORE 44 study of AOC-1044 in people living with DMD44 during the second half of 2024. The companys third clinical-stage drug candidate, AOC-1020, is a treatment for FSHD. Avidity is on track to present preliminary data from approximately half of the patients participating in the Phase 1/2 FORTITUDE clinical trial of the drug candidate. This data release is expected during this quarter. Those are some significant shots on goal, and have caught the attention of analyst Geoff Meacham. In his coverage of this company for Bank of America, Meacham lays out an optimistic stance: We think RNA stands to benefit from robust demand for its innovative AOC therapies and estimate peak adjusted sales of $2.3B by 2033 from the companys rare muscle disorder portfolio (AOC 1001 in DM1, AOC 1044 in DMD amenable to exon 44 skipping, and AOC 1020 in FSHD). With an innovative platform and a path to commercialization as early as 2026, we view RNA as an attractive risk-reward opportunity. Looking ahead, the analyst rates RNA shares as a Buy, and his $40 price target indicates room for an upside potential of 35.5% on the one-year horizon. (To watch Meachams track record, click here) A bullish take is no outlier here; RNA stock has 7 unanimously positive analyst reviews behind its Strong Buy consensus rating. The stock is currently trading for $29.50 and has an average price target of $42.67, for a 45% upside potential this coming year. (See RNA 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. Five people were killed and nine injured in Russian strikes on villages in the Kupiansk district of Kharkiv Oblast, local authorities reported on May 19. The villages of Novoosynove and Kivsharivka were targeted by multiple launch rocket systems, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov said in a post on Telegram. Three men aged 58, 64, and 65 and two women aged 56 and 72 were killed. Moscow has intensified its attacks on Kharkiv Oblast in recent months, forcing thousands of local residents to flee. The attacks, targeting energy infrastructure and killing civilians, have further spiked after Russia launched its new offensive in Kharkiv Oblasts border areas. Also on May 19, Russian troops attacked a northern suburb of Kharkiv at around 11 a.m. local time, killing five civilians including a pregnant woman and wounding 16. (Russian troops) attacked the area where local residents were resting, Syniehubov said, condemning the attack. A paramedic was among the wounded, and an ambulance was damaged, Syniehubov said. The attack took place in Mala Danylivka, roughly 70 kilometers southwest of the fiercely contested Vovchansk. In a later post on Telegram, Syniehubov said Russian forces had fired two Iskander ballistic missiles in a "double-tap" strike a common Russian tactic in which a target is struck once and then again shortly after, the second strike deliberately targeting rescue workers. Later in the afternoon, Syniehubov said a pregnant woman was among those killed and an eight-year-old girl among those injured. She was said to be in a "stable condition." Of the other 15 people injured, nine are in a "serious" condition. In a post on X, President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned "Russian terror" and reiterated his calls for more air defense systems from Ukraine's allies. "The world can put an end to Russian terror. To achieve this, the lack of political will among leaders must be overcome," he said. "Two Patriots for Kharkiv will fundamentally change the situation. Air defense systems in our other cities, as well as sufficient support for our warriors on the frontlines, will ensure the defeat of Russian terror." Read also: UPDATED: Russian double-tap strike north of Kharkiv kills 5 including pregnant woman Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian troops fire over 3,000 times on Ukrainian positions and keep trying to capture Volchansk Ukrainian General Staff Russian troops fired over 3,000 times on the positions of Ukrainian troops and continued to try to capture Vovchansk over the past day. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 00:00 on 19 May Quote: "The situation at the front remains tense. Ukrainian defenders are repelling the onslaught of the Russian occupiers, strengthening our defence and, under favourable conditions, counterattacking." Details: The General Staff reported that since the beginning of 18 May, Russian troops have launched 3 missile strikes and 38 airstrikes (including 56 aerial guided bombs), used 404 kamikaze drones, and fired more than 3,000 times on Ukrainian troops' positions. A total of 12 combat clashes took place on the Kharkiv front. Ukrainian troops repelled six attacks south of Hlyboke and Lukiantsi in Kharkiv Oblast. The Russians are continuing to try to break through the defences of Ukrainian units in the direction of Zelene and are trying to capture Vovchansk. Russian forces are using aircraft to carry out airstrikes: two guided aerial bombs in Kharkiv, five in Vesele, and four near Liptsi over the past day. Ukraines defence forces are trying to push the Russians away near Hlyboke and Vovchansk. Preliminary reports indicate that total Russian losses over the last day amounted to 125 soldiers. The Russian troops also lost 31 pieces of weapons and military equipment, including three tanks, six cannons and mortars. In addition, 15 Russian shelters were destroyed. The General Staff adds that the information is being updated. The number of combat clashes on the Kupiansk front increased to 11 over the last day. Ukrainian defence forces successfully repelled Russian attacks near Synkivka, Ivanivka and Berestove. The situation on the Lyman front did not change significantly. The Russians launched six unsuccessful attacks near Novosadove, Torske and Hryhorivka. On the Kramatorsk front, the Russians tried to break through the defences of Ukrainian troops 15 times. The Russians were unsuccessful, suffered losses and retreated near Kalynivka, Klishchiivka, Andriivka and Kurdiumivka. Fighting continues near Novyi and Ivanivske (Donetsk Oblast). The Ukrainian General Staff reported that the situation is under control. The situation on the Pokrovsk front remains difficult. The Russian troops made 23 attacks. Combat fighting is ongoing. The Russians have intensified significant efforts to strike and launch an assault near Netailove (Donetsk Oblast). Ukraines defence forces are taking measures to stabilise the situation. Preliminary estimates of Russian losses in this area amounted to 235 soldiers killed and wounded, one tank, an ammunition storage point, an artillery piece, a vehicle and two UAVs destroyed. In addition, three tanks, three howitzers, an infantry fighting vehicle and a car were damaged. "The information is being updated," the report added. On the Kurakhove front, the number of combat clashes increased to 11. The Russians are trying to increase their efforts near Paraskoviivka (Donetsk Oblast). Fighting continues near Krasnohorivka and Kostiantynivka. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said that the situation remains under control. On the Vremivka front, the Russians made three unsuccessful attempts to break through the defences of Ukrainian troops near Staromaiorske. On the Orikhove front, the Ukrainian Defence Forces repelled a Russian assault northwest of Verbove. No positions were lost. The General Staff stated that the situation was under control. On the Prydniprovske front, Ukrainian troops repelled four Russian attacks near Krynky (Kherson Oblast). The General Staff notes that the Russian forces were not successful, and Ukrainian defenders did not lose any positions. Support UP or become our patron! Russia's Defence Ministry has claimed that its air defence systems supposedly destroyed 60 UAVs over two Russian oblasts and one drone and 9 ATACMS missiles over occupied Crimea on the night of 18-19 May. Source: Russia's Ministry of Defence Quote: "The on-duty air defence assets have destroyed 9 ATACMS tactical missiles and 1 UAV over the territory of the Republic of Crimea, 3 UAVs over Belgorod Oblast, and destroyed or jammed 57 UAVs over Krasnodar Krai." Support UP or become our patron! The Russians lost 1572 members of personnel and 263 units of armament and military equipment on the Kharkiv front this week. Source: report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 19:30 Quote: "In total, over this week, the losses of the Russian occupiers on the Kharkiv front were 1572 members of personnel and 263 units of armament and military equipment. Specifically, eight tanks, 13 armoured combat vehicles, 12 artillery systems, an air defence system, 75 UAVs, 66 vehicles and 12 units of special equipment of the Russians were destroyed. In addition to this, nine tanks, 11 armoured combat vehicles, 21 artillery systems, 32 vehicles and three units of special equipment of the enemy were damaged." Details: As of 19:30, 19 May, since the beginning of the day, 105 combat clashes occurred in the combat zone. The Russians keep launching artillery attacks on border areas of Chernihiv and Sumy Oblasts, specifically on the settlements of Luhivka, Druzhba and Bilopillia. On the Kharkiv front, the Russians, supported by aircraft, attack the units of the Defence Forces of Ukraine with guided aerial bombs. Since the beginning of the day 11 combat clashes occurred on this front, and four of them are still ongoing. On the Kupiansk front, Ukrainian forces repelled 10 Russian attacks near the settlements of Synkivka, Ivanivka, Berestove and Stelmakhivka. Two more are ongoing. On the Sivershchyna front, 22 Russian attacks were repelled near the settlements of Bilohorivka, Verkhnokamianske, Rozdolivka and Ivano-Darivka. One more combat clash is ongoing. The Russians keep pushing on the Pokrovsk front. They have attempted to break through Ukrainian defences 25 times since the beginning of the day. Seven combat clashes out of their total number are still ongoing. On the Kramatorsk and Prydniprovske fronts, the intensity of Russian attacks decreased in the evening. One combat clash is ongoing on each front. There were no significant changes on other fronts. Support UP or become our patron! A Sacramento resident accused of stealing a vehicle from the fire department Saturday night is in custody and facing four felony charges, including evading a police officer, authorities said. According to Sacramento police officer Cody Tapley, a city-owned F-150 pickup truck was stolen Saturday around 8:39 p.m. from Sacramento Fire Department Station 12, near the 4500 block of 24th Street in South Land Park. The truck is often used by the departments emergency medical services captain, fire officials said. A police helicopter aided in the search for the vehicle, which was located near R and 30th streets. Officers were unable to stop the vehicle and a pursuit ensued as the driver raced off. During the chase, Tapley said, officers used their spike strips to slow the vehicle down and stop the suspect. The vehicle was disabled in Old North Sacramento near Calvados Avenue and Fairfield Street around 9:43 p.m. Officers commanded the suspect to exit the vehicle, but he remained inside, officers said. Officers, according to Tapley, utilized less lethal pepper balls into the F-150 firetruck, compelling the man to exit the vehicle. The suspect was taken into custody around 10:30 p.m. and transported to the Sacramento County Main Jail, where he is being held without bail. He faces charges of unlawfully taking and driving a certain vehicle without consent, evading police in a reckless manner, driving opposite of traffic flow and receiving a known stolen motor vehicle. The man, who is also wanted for previous misdemeanor warrants of willful disobedience of court order, is scheduled to will appear in court Tuesday afternoon. (FOX40.COM) Sacramento police said its officers arrested a person who stole a fire truck belonging to the Sacramento Fire Department following a standoff in the North Sacramento area on Saturday night. According to police, the stolen truck was an EMS Captains pickup, which is a red marked F-150. DUI crash kills one in Sacramento, CHP says Sacramento police added that its officers were in pursuit of the stolen truck, but the pursuit escalated to a standoff when the suspect remained in the truck once it had become disabled near Fairfield Street and Calvados Avenue. The incident began just before 9 p.m. on Saturday, 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 FOX40. Uber Freight sees continued resilience in cross-border trucking between the U.S. and Mexico, boosted by nearshoring of manufacturing south of the border. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves) Borderlands is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week: Nearshoring to continue boosting cross-border trucking in 2024; Careismatic Brands to close Dallas distribution hub, lay off 404 employees; ITS Logistics to open office in Fort Worth; and Aztema begins construction of $240M tire plant in Mexico. Nearshoring to continue boosting cross-border trucking in 2024 With ongoing economic tensions between the United States and China, companies looking to relocate parts or all of their supply chains continue to look to Mexico, according to data compiled by Uber Freight. The managed transportation and freight technology provider recently released its Q2 Market Update & Outlook Report, which discusses the biggest economic trends impacting supply chains. The report sees continued resilience in cross-border trade between the U.S. and Mexico, boosted by nearshoring. The nearshoring continues to bring new companies to Mexico, Ben Enriquez, Uber Freights head of Mexico logistics and customs, told FreightWaves. What were seeing right now is that there are a lot of companies that are still being established in Mexico. Many companies that last year confirmed that they were going to come to Mexico and establish themselves are settling in, and they are building factories, they are building warehouses. According to Mexicos secretary of the economy (SE), there were 378 foreign direct investment (FDI) announcements last year, totaling over $6.4 billion. Private sector businesses from the U.S. were the top investors in Mexico, accounting for 38% of FDI. China was ranked second at 12%, followed by Denmark (9%), Australia (7%) and South Korea (6%). Mexico hit a new record for FDI in the first quarter of 2024, increasing 9% year over year to $20.3 billion, according to SE. Enriquez said while nearshoring continues to flourish in Mexico, many factories and facilities are still under construction, which could play a large role in cross-border capacity down the road. Now, we have not seen the full effect of nearshoring, because there are many companies that are in the process of expanding or in the process of opening new facilities, Enriquez said. That means that they have to get the land, build and hire people, and bring the machinery. Its a two-to-three-year process. In the U.S., commercial transportation is soft. But were starting to see new customers that are shipping to the U.S. Were going to continue seeing that. Last year, Mexico replaced China as the top U.S. trading partner. Trade between the U.S. and Mexico totaled $798 billion in 2023. In the first quarter of 2024, trade between Mexico and the U.S. totaled $200.1 billion, a 1.7% year-over-year increase. Story continues Enriquez said while Uber Freight expects to see more exports from Mexico to the U.S. this year, headwinds to cross-border freight movements include driver shortages in Mexico, as well as continued cargo theft across the countrys roadways. Historically, Mexico did not have driver shortages, but three or four years ago, the shortage started and was even more pronounced because many of the domestic Mexico drivers started to get their B-1 visa permits, Enriquez said. They started driving for B-1 carriers, and the B-1 carriers started ramping up operations at U.S.-Mexico border crossing points. Many of the drivers that were driving in from Mexico are now driving for U.S. companies. Mexicos trucking industry currently has as many as 56,000 unfilled driver positions, a 9% year-over-year increase compared to the same period in 2023, according to a recent report from the International Road Transport Union. Mexican trucking companies are losing drivers to the U.S. because they are getting paid three to four times more than what they get paid for domestic driving, Enriquez said. Mexican carriers have had to increase salaries to try to keep their drivers. We continue to see that as a problem. Some states like Nuevo Leon and cities like Monterrey that in the past didnt have those issues, now they have them. We talked to our carrier partners, and we know that theyre struggling with drivers. Cargo security also continues to be a major issue for the freight transport industry in Mexico. In April, Mexico averaged about five cargo truck thefts per day, totaling 153 incidents across the countrys roadways, according to the National Association of Vehicle Tracking and Protection Companies (ANERPV). Tractor-trailer thefts in April increased 7.7% from the same month last year. ANERPV reported a total of 546 tractor-trailer thefts from January through April, a 5% year-over-year increase. Enriquez noted that while cargo security is a problem in the U.S. and Mexico, the key distinction is the use of violence. The big difference between the U.S. and Mexico is that in the U.S. theres identity theft; its more technological, Enriquez said. In Mexico, they hijack the trucks. They are stopped by two or three cars by people with guns. They jam the GPS, they take the truck. Were seeing some gangs that are dedicated to getting some specific goods from factories and reselling them. To secure cross-border capacity as demand increases over the next several quarters, Uber Freight recommends shippers form long-term commitments with carriers. I would say there is still capacity available and there are good carriers out there that can provide capacity service, Enriquez said. This is a good time to negotiate long-term rates that are decent rates for carriers. I have always recommended diversified modes of transportation, like intermodal. Mexicos trucking industry currently has as many as 56,000 unfilled driver positions, according to the International Road Transport Union. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves) Careismatic Brands to close two Dallas distribution hubs, lay off 404 employees Careismatic Brands is permanently closing two distribution centers in Dallas and laying off 404 workers, according to a filing with the Texas Workforce Commission. The company cited changing business needs for the closure of the two facilities. The distribution hubs closure comes just over a year after the medical apparel seller consolidated its shipping operations in Dallas. The facility was intended to centralize the manufacturers distribution in the U.S., Mexico, parts of Canada and Latin America. California-based Careismatic Brands is one of the largest makers of medical apparel and school uniforms and employs over 700 people in six countries. ITS Logistics to open office in Fort Worth ITS Logistics will open an office in Fort Worth, Texas, for its newly released ContainerAI container management and visibility platform. The Fort Worth City Council recently voted to approve a three-year grant of up to $847,500 to ITS Logistics, according to Forth Worth Report. In return for the grant, ITS Logistics is required to lease at least 15,000 square feet of office space by June 30 and invest $1 million in the facility. The company also must create between 250 and 339 full-time jobs by Dec. 31, 2027. ContainerAI is an AI-driven offering aimed at providing network engineering, specialized industrial services, drayage, intermodal, cross dock and container management solutions to customers in every major port and rail market across North America. Reno, Nevada-based ITS Logistics is a 3PL providing supply chain solutions across the U.S. Aztema begins construction of $240M tire plant in Mexico Aztema Rubber and Tire Manufacturing recently began construction of a $240 million tire manufacturing facility in the Mexican city of Irapuato, according to Cluster Industrial. The factory will create a total of 1,400 direct and indirect jobs. The facility will have an annual production capacity of 6 million semi-steel radial tires. Construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. Aztema is a joint venture between China-based Sailun Tire and Mexico-based Tire Direct. The joint venture was announced in December. Sailun Tire is based in Qingdao, China, and manufactures tires for passenger and commercial vehicles. Tire Direct is based in Leon, Mexico. The company is one of Mexicos largest tire distributors. The post Borderlands Mexico: Nearshoring to continue boosting cross-border trucking in 2024 appeared first on FreightWaves. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Elizabeth Hogeland has middle-school kids in the Salem-Keizer School District. She said shes already seeing overcrowding at her sons school and, given the chance, would leave the district. Salem-Keizer School District parent Elizabeth Hogeland, May 18, 2024 (KOIN) My son is going into 8th grade and my daughters are going into 6th grade. And they already are overcrowded at my sons middle school. The teachers are already under so much stress with class sizes, Hogeland told KOIN 6 News. Theres no way that one teacher can handle, you know, 35 to 40 kids, meet all of their academic needs, any social needs. I mean, they cant do it. Its impossible. Theyre asking them to do an impossible job. Students at Salem-Keizer Public Schools stayed home Friday as the district officials let some teachers and administrators know theyre losing their jobs. Nearly 400 layoffs were announced last month to help fill a $71 million shortfall for the next school year the biggest reduction Salem-Keizer has seen in more than a decade. The budget cuts were announced at a school board meeting in April after two rounds of the school district recommending budget cuts. In December, $31 million in budget cuts were recommended. Then another $40 million. The district said more than 100 employees were terminated. The others affected were offered alternative employment within the school district. The laid-off teachers will stay through the end of June with the changes taking effect for the next school year. PHOTOS: Remembering Mount St. Helens 44 years later Superintendent Andrea Castaneda said budget cuts werent made to programs like music, drama or sports. We reduced our expense budgets by about 10%. Were going to be buying fewer things. We reduced our plans to make investments in some of our buildings, she said. So of the total $70 million, about 40% of it did not come from anyones salary or cost anyone a job. She added, We have not entirely been able to close the gap for next year. But we brought it within reach. Castaneda said shes working with teachers and administrators in the transition to help them find jobs. Man hit by driver fleeing authorities in Clackamas County sues for $1.3 million In a statement, the Salem-Keizer Education Association said, The stress of this is overwhelming and the district could have made different past spending choices to reduce layoffs. Parents, like Hogeland, want the district to prioritize students in their funding decisions. The superintendent and a lot of the admins got really large raises this year. We know that the superintendent is making, you know, upwards of close to $300,000 a year and if they would take some pay cuts on their own and put it more towards the teachers and instructional assistants and all of the people that are tied directly in student contact, Hogeland 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 KOIN.com. Salon owners share the 7 red flags to look for when getting a pedicure Salon owners share the 7 red flags to look for when getting a pedicure Business Insider asked salon owners about the red flags to watch for when getting a pedicure. Jetted tubs are really difficult to clean, and pedicure chairs should be covered. Keep an eye out for foot files with blades, loose metal tools, and techs not wearing proper gear. As the weather warms up, more people will bust out their sandals and splurge on pedicure appointments. While the US economy is looking pretty fragile right now, salons are considered pretty recession-proof. It may be due to "the lipstick index" the theory that consumers continue to spend on lower-price luxuries, such as salon services and beauty products, even during economic downturns and recessions. So if you are planning to spend money on a pedicure, you'll want to make sure you're choosing a trustworthy salon. Here's what salon owners say are red flags to look out for when getting a pedicure at a new salon. Salons with jetted tubs may not have thoroughly disinfected them Rona Villamore Falls, the owner of Frenchies Modern Nail Care in Braselton, Georgia, cautions against getting a pedicure at a salon with jetted tubs. While the tubs can be relaxing, water jets are really difficult to clean and disinfect. "It can take a couple of hours to fully disinfect a jetted tub system, making it impossible to do it in between clients," she said. "Skin and bacteria can build up in the jets." Villamore Falls recommended choosing nonjetted pedicure bowls when possible. Foot baths without jets are usually easier to clean. FG Trade/Getty Images Metal tools shouldn't be stored loose or pulled out of random drawers or pockets Pay attention to where your technician is grabbing metal tools such as clippers, nippers, and pushers from, Villamore Falls said. These tools should be thoroughly sanitized and disinfected, and the way they're stored at some salons isn't conducive to keeping them clean. If your technicians "are getting tools loose out of a drawer and they are not in a sterilization packet, chances are they have not been cleaned properly," she told Business Insider. Porous files and buffers should ideally be used on only one client It's easy to tell if a nail file or buffer has been used and a fresh one is best, Villamore Falls said. "If you see scratches or marks/lines on the file or buffer, they were likely used on a previous client or clients," she told BI. "Porous implements can carry germs and bacteria and should really only be used once." She said that if you're getting a pedicure and manicure at the same appointment, nail technicians should also use separate tools for your hands and feet. Nail technicians not wearing proper gear can be a red flag, too According to Lana Kars, the CEO and founder of Russian Nails, your nail technician should follow specific practices for proper hygiene, such as wearing disposable face masks and gloves. Kars said a proper technician may also wear a disposable gown and hat. All these wearables should be disposed of after each client. "This helps prevent the spread of bacteria and contaminants that could compromise the health and safety of clients," she said. Uncovered pedicure chairs may not be the cleanest Kars told BI that salons should cover pedicure chairs with disposable materials to prioritize good hygiene. Disposable sheets or covers can be quickly tossed and replaced when rotating clients in and out. "Using disposable sheets demonstrates to clients that the salon prioritizes cleanliness and hygiene," she said. Pedicure chairs should be regularly cleaned. kali9/Getty Images Keep an eye out for foot files with blades or graters Patricia Reign, a licensed manicurist and the owner of Traveling Aura Mobile Spa, warned against getting a pedicure from a salon using abrasive foot-filing tools. "Foot files, also known as callus removers, with blades or 'cheese graters' are a major red flag," she said. "Blades are banned in salons, and 'cheese graters' are not intended for feet." Plus, the aggressive nature of these tools can cause issues. In some cases, the blades can remove layers of skin meant to protect you, which can make your feet feel tender. Household cleaning products aren't enough to disinfect equipment Reign told BI it's a red flag "if a salon uses household products to clean their chairs." "These products often fail to meet the stringent requirements set by state boards for effectively disinfecting surfaces used to provide services to multiple individuals," she said. In many cases, salon staff should be using hospital-grade disinfectants to properly clean their workspaces. Read the original article on Business Insider Saudi King to Get Treatment at Palace for Lung Inflammation (Bloomberg) -- Saudi Arabias King Salman Bin Abdulaziz is suffering from inflammation of the lung and will be receiving antibiotics at Al Salam Palace in Jeddah, according to the state-run Saudi Press Agency. Most Read from Bloomberg The agency reported earlier on Sunday that the 88-year-old monarch had a high fever and joint pain. He underwent medical tests at the Royal Clinics at Al Salam Palace. In April, he was admitted and then released from the hospital after having a routine checkup, SPA reported at the time. King Salman has led the worlds largest oil exporter since 2015. His son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman handles most day-to-day affairs in Saudi Arabia. The crown prince had been expected to travel to Japan this week on a rare trip outside of the Middle East. MBS, as hes known, was set to meet Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during the visit from May 20 to May 23, according to the Japanese government. Japans top government spokesman said on Monday that trip has been postponed due to concerns over the kings health. Read More: Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Postpones Visit to Japan MBS met with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Sunday to discuss the war in Gaza and the nearly final version of draft strategic agreements between Saudi Arabia and the US, SPA said. The two countries are nearing a historic pact that would offer the kingdom security guarantees and lay out a possible pathway to diplomatic ties with Israel, Bloomberg has reported. Prince Mohammed also recently met with regional leaders including Jordans King Abdullah II on the sidelines of the 33rd Arab Summit in Bahrain. (Updates with information on MBSs trip to Japan) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Kennesaw State University has released the identity of a student who was shot and killed Saturday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] KSU identified the victim as Alasia Franklin. The suspect, Samuel Harris was not a KSU student. According to the university, Franklin was killed following an argument in front of the Austin Residence Complex Saturday afternoon. Harris ran away but was later caught. Authorities have not said if or what the relationship was between Franklin and Harris. Channel 2s Courtney Francisco speaks with students who were feet away from the deadly gunfire on Channel 2 Action News at 6 p.m. TRENDING STORIES: Harris has been charged with murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the victims family and friends during this incredibly difficult time, said KSU President Kathy S. Schwaig. Kennesaw State University is providing support and resources to those affected by the shooting. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Search for Iranian president continues, his life is in danger In Iran, all resources, including the countrys military, are being used to search for President Ebrahim Raisi, whose helicopter crashed earlier today. Source: Tasnim News Agency; Reuters Details: Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Baqeri ordered the armed forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the regular army and law enforcement agencies, to use "all resources, equipment and capabilities available for search and rescue operations in connection with the crash of President Raisis helicopter and its passengers". The head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, Pir Hossein Kolivand, said that 40 rapid response teams are conducting search operations in the area where the helicopter crashed. He added that the weather conditions are extremely unfavourable and the terrain is difficult to navigate. Emergency helicopters were stationed in #Varzaqan County, #Iran's East #Azerbaijan province, following an accident involving President #Raisi's helicopter. Given the weather in the area, two emergency ambulance buses from Tabriz have been dispatched to the scene. pic.twitter.com/nWy03UsHjF Tasnim News Agency (@Tasnimnews_EN) May 19, 2024 An Iranian official told Reuters on conditions of anonymity that the lives of President Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian are "in danger" following the helicopter crash. "We are still hopeful, but the information coming from the crash site is very worrying," he said. Iranian state media reported that the crash was caused by bad weather, which complicates rescue operations. "Its dark now and its starting to rain, but the search is ongoing. The rescue teams have reached the area [...] but the rain has created mud, which makes the search more difficult," a local reporter told state television. Iranian state television stopped all of its regular broadcasting to broadcast prayers for Raisi being held across the country, with a live feed of the rescue operation in the corner of the screen. Reuters reported that the incident occurred amid growing divisions within Iran due to a series of political, social and economic crises. Irans leadership is facing international pressure over their controversial nuclear programme and deepening military ties with Russia amid the war in Ukraine. Previously: A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi crashed on Sunday, 19 May, as he was returning from Azerbaijan. The crash happened near the city of Jolfa, about 600 km northwest of the Iranian capital Tehran. Support UP or become our patron! Search and rescue efforts are underway in Iran after a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi suffered a hard landing, state news media reported Sunday. Raisi was traveling in Irans East Azerbaijan province, returning from a ceremony to open a dam on Irans border with Azerbaijan when the helicopter crashed while landing in the Varzaqan region, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported. Raisi was traveling with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the governor of Irans East Azerbaijan province and other officials and bodyguards, IRNA added. The passengers conditions were unknown. About 40 teams are searching the area, though inclement weather conditions have made the operation more difficult, officials told state news outlets. Irans Red Crescent Society chief Pir Hossein Koulivand told IRNA that searching by air is impossible due to the weather, but drones were also deployed to help locate the crash site. The esteemed president and company were on their way back aboard some helicopters, and one of the helicopters was forced to make a hard landing due to the bad weather and fog, Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said in comments aired on state TV, per The Associated Press (AP). Various rescue teams are on their way to the region, but because of the poor weather and fogginess it might take time for them to reach the helicopter, he added. State TV initially said the incident occurred near Jolfa, a border city near the nation of Azerbaijan, about 600 kilometers northwest of the Iranian capital, Tehran. Later, state TV estimated it occurred farther east near the village of Uzi, though few details have been confirmed, the AP reported. Iranian government spokesperson Ali Bahadori-Jahromi said later Sunday that the search was experiencing difficult and complicated conditions. It is the right of the people and the media to be aware of the latest news about the presidents helicopter accident, but considering the coordinates of the incident site and the weather conditions, there is no new news whatsoever until now, he wrote on the social platform X. In these moments, patience, prayer and trust in relief groups are the way forward. Iran flies various helicopters in the nation, though international sanctions make it more difficult to obtain parts for them, and its military air fleet mostly dates back to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the news wire added. IRNA published photos of Raisi apparently taking off in what looked like a Bell 412 helicopter. Raisi, 63, is a hard-liner who used to lead the countrys judiciary. Some analysts believe Raisi could replace Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 85, after his death or designation, per the AP. He won Irans 2021 presidential election in the lowest voter turnout in the Islamic Republics history, the news wire added. Raisi faces sanctions partly from the U.S. over his involvement in the execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988 at the end of the Iran-Iraq war. In the event of Raisis death, First Vice President Mohammed Mokhber would assume presidential powers if approved by Irans Supreme Leader under the Islamic Republic constitution, Reuters reported . A council featuring the first vice president, the speaker of the parliament and the head of the judiciary must set up an election for a new president within 50 days, Reuters added. The Qiz-Qalasi Dam is the third built by the two nations on the Aras River, per the AP. The two countries have recently had tense relations, in part due to a gun attack on Azerbaijans Embassy in Tehran in 2023 and Azerbaijans diplomatic relations with Israel. A State Department spokesperson confirmed to The Hill the agency is following reports about the incident and declined to comment further. Updated at 5:36 pm. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Second World War veteran, 100, marks anniversary of battle that turned the tide in Italian campaign The bloody battle for Monte Cassino was waged by British, Commonwealth and Polish soldiers in the ruins of the town below - Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images Eighty years after the Battle of Monte Cassino in central Italy, British war veteran Jack Hearn is still haunted by memories of what he describes as the most horrific battle in the [Second World] War. Between January and May 1944, amid freezing temperatures and heavy snow, fighting raged around the towns Nazi-occupied sixth-century Benedictine monastery, perched on a 1,700ft mountain. The Germans were on the top of the hill in the monastery, the former sergeant told The Telegraph from his home in Northumberland. They had the advantage because on the left-hand side there was a river and on the right-hand side there was a mountain. There was nowhere for us to go. Jack Hearn wearing the medals he earned during his service in Africa and Italy Mr Hearn was only 20 and had already fought in Africa when he took part in 'the most horrific battle of the war' The monasterys near unassailable location gave the Germans an enormous advantage as they turned it into a devastatingly effective defensive position complete with mines, boobytraps and hidden machine guns. Allied troops were forced to fight house to house in the bombed-out ruins of the town of Cassino in the valley below. Among them was Mr Hearn, then just 20 and serving in the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. The highly decorated soldier fought in Africa and Algeria before spending three and a half years in Italy. Employed as a lorry driver, he carried troops, weapons and food during the Monte Cassino battle. Every piece of grass I could hide behind, I did. Every tree I could hide behind, I did. You hid behind anything you could to avoid the gunfire raining down on you, he said. It was the most horrific battle in the war. We were terrified. A soldier searches through the rubble at Cassino - Pen and Sword Books/Universal Images Group via Getty Images On Sunday, Mr Hearn, now 100, will be in Monte Cassino again to mark the 80th anniversary of the battle. Im going to pay homage to the guys who didnt make it back, said an emotional Mr Hearn, who will be accompanied by his sister Val and son John, who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. I came back but they didnt. The Duchess of Edinburgh will also be present at the event, which is being hosted by the British Embassy in Rome and Lord Llewellyn, the ambassador, at the Cassino War Cemetery. The Duchess of Edinburgh, pictured in Edinburgh last week, will represent the Royal family at the commemoration in Cassino - Andrew MIlligan/PA Wire Gen Sir Patrick Sanders, the UK hief of the general staff, will lead representatives from all three British Armed Services, including more than100 serving members of the Royal Tank Regiment, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, and the Honourable Artillery Company, who will also provide the guard of honour. Thousands of troops from Britain and the Commonwealth, including from Canada, India, New Zealand and South Africa, fought and died in the campaign to wrest control of the mountain stronghold from German troops determined to stop the Allied advance to Rome, 85 miles to the north. The Allies progress through Italy had ground to a halt at that point and Monte Cassino was critical in the Germans efforts to hold the defensive Gustav line. It had to be taken if the Nazis were to be defeated and forced out of Italy. Monte Cassino was finally seized from the Nazis after five months of bloody fighting. On May 18 1944, British and Polish troops raised their flags over the ruins of Monte Cassino - paving the way for the liberation of Rome. We were not D-Day dodgers Just two weeks later, the victory was overtaken by the D-Day landings. Mr Hearn escaped injury at Monte Cassino but is angry that those who fought in Italy came to be dubbed D-Day Dodgers because they were not part of the Normandy campaign. I did not dodge anything, I was following orders, he said. In Italy, the Battle of Monte Cassino, also known as the Battle for Rome, is widely recognised as one of the most decisive Second World War battles. Italian President Sergio Mattarella visited Cassino on Saturday to attend a separate commemoration organised by the Polish government to remember its troops who lost their lives in the battle. A total of 4,271 British and Commonwealth soldiers are buried at the Cassino War Cemetery, 289 of them unidentified. 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. Florida GOP Sen. Marco Rubio, widely seen as a potential vice presidential pick for former President Donald Trump, on Sunday refused to say whether he would accept the results of the 2024 presidential election, instead blaming Democrats for sowing doubts about the election. The senator, appearing on NBC News Meet the Press, said, I think youre asking the wrong person. The Democrats are the ones that have opposed every Republican victory since 2000. Every single one. He added, And you have Democrats now saying they wont certify 2024 because Trump is an insurrectionist and ineligible to hold office. So you need to ask them. Rubios refusal to say if he would accept the results of the 2024 election is notable because he did vote to certify the presidential election for then-President-elect Joe Biden. At the time, he said, Democracy is held together by peoples confidence in the election and their willingness to abide by its results. Moderator Kristen Welker pushed back on Rubio, reminding him that no Democratic presidential candidate including Hillary Clinton in 2016, when she lost to Trump refused to concede the election. In early May, Trump himself told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he would accept the results of the presidential election in Wisconsin only if everythings honest. High-profile Trump allies have also refused to say whether they would commit to accepting the results of the upcoming presidential election, regardless of who wins. Earlier this month, GOP Sen. Tim Scott, another potential vice presidential pick, also dodged questions about accepting the results of the upcoming election during an interview with NBC News Meet the Press. At the end of the day, the 47th president of the United States will be President Donald Trump, Scott told Welker. Rubio also addressed widespread reporting that he is on a shortlist of people whom Trump could tap to be his running mate this fall. Rubio recently attended a closed-door donor retreat with Trump at Mar-a-Lago alongside other VP hopefuls, where the former president said Rubio was absolutely being considered. I havent spoken to the president. I havent spoken to anybody in the campaign, Rubio told Welker. Still, he didnt back away from the idea that he would accept the position if offered it. That would be presumptuous for me, Rubio said. He added, I think anyone whos offered that job to serve this country in the second highest office assuming everything else in your life makes sense at that moment if youre interested in serving the country, its an incredible place to serve. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Ukraine's ambassador to the United States said Sunday her nation very much needs as much weaponry as possible to arrive as soon as possible. "There is no such thing as fast enough when we are up against such a bad enemy, and we have to catch up for a long pause," Ambassador Oksana Markarova said on CBS' "Face the Nation." "We need it to be faster," she said. The latest batch of American weaponry for use in Ukraine's defense against Russia was held up until Congress cleared an aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan last month; domestic political considerations had stalled approval of that aid. Were sending Ukraine equipment from our own stockpiles, then well replenish those stockpiles with new products made by American companies here in America, President Joe Biden said when signing the legislation April 25. Russia has regained momentum in the two-year-old war in recent weeks, gaining ground as Ukrainian forces have pulled back from some towns; reports have indicated that dwindling stockpiles had forced Ukraine to ration some of its ammunition on the front. Russia has also escalated its strikes on Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine. At least 11 people were killed in missile strikes Sunday on the outskirts of the city. Markarova, who recently returned from a visit to Ukraine, said her country has a need for more air-defense systems to respond to an uptick in strikes on Ukrainian communities. "We're very grateful to those who are providing us with their systems," she said. "We're grateful to the U.S. for looking for them, allowing them, funding some of them, but we need more and it's time to literally take some brave decisions and provide us with more of this so we can see them right away, where we need them." Her remarks echoed comments made by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Telegram. Ukraine has been pushing to allow it to strike targets in Russian territory with American-made weapons, particularly military supply depots over the border. "We are defending ourselves," the ambassador told host Margaret Brennan, "whether we are striking Russian troops on our territory or Russian troops outside of our territory. And we have been trying to do that. But of course there were some restrictions. Now I will not go publicly into discussions where we are on discussions with either U.S. or any of our other partners. But I just want to say that it's clear that Russia is an aggressor here." Related video: Man who killed 5 inside Florida bank wrote apology note Zephen Xaver walked into a Sebring bank in 2019, fatally shot five women and then called police to tell them what he did. Now 12 jurors will decide whether the 27-year-old former prison guard trainee is sentenced to death or life without parole. Heartbreaking: Tampa man fatally shot while at home with girlfriend, her children Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday in the sentencing trial after numerous delays caused by the pandemic, legal wrangling and attorney illness. Xaver pleaded guilty last year to five counts of first-degree murder for the Jan. 23, 2019, massacre at the SunTrust Bank in Sebring, about 84 miles (135 kilometers) southeast of Tampa. The trial only will decide Xavers sentence. Opening statements are expected in two weeks, with the trial lasting about two months. His victims included customer Cynthia Watson, 65, who had been married less than a month; bank teller coordinator Marisol Lopez, 55, who was a mother of two; banker trainee Ana Pinon-Williams, a 38-year-old mother of seven; bank teller Debra Cook, a 54-year-old mother of two and a grandmother; and banker Jessica Montague, 31, a mother of one and stepmother of four. FILE This Jan. 23, 2019, booking photo released by the Highlands County Sheriffs Office shows Zephen Xaver. Jury selection starts Monday in the penalty trial of 27-year-old Xaver, who pleaded guilty last year to murder. (Highlands County Sheriffs Office via AP, File) Michael Cook said he hopes his wifes killer gets the death penalty and described being very frustrated by the years of delays. The trial was set to begin at least two other times, but was postponed. I have purposely not asked too many questions because I dont want to get more frustrated and angry, Cook said. He plans to attend the trial. Lead prosecutor Paul Wallace and lead defense attorney Jane McNeill both declined to comment. Prosecutors are expected to argue Xaver deserves the death penalty because the killings were cold, cruel, heinous and planned. Xavers attorneys are expected to cite what they have described as his years-long mental health problems as they seek leniency. Under a new Florida law, for Xaver to receive the death penalty the jurys vote only has to be 8-4 for execution instead of unanimous. It was enacted after the 2018 Parkland high school shooter could not be sentenced to death for murdering 17 people despite a 9-3 jury vote. Sebring is a city of about 11,000 residents and known internationally for its annual 12 Hours of Sebring endurance auto race. Agriculture, tourism and retirees drive its economy. Xaver moved to Sebring in 2018 from near South Bend, Indiana. In 2014, his high school principal contacted police after Xaver told others he was having dreams about hurting his classmates. His mother promised to get him psychological help. He joined the Army in 2016. A former girlfriend, who met him at a mental hospital where they were patients, told police he said joining the military was a way to kill people and get away with it. The Army discharged him after three months. In 2017, a Michigan woman reported him after he sent her text messages suggesting he might commit suicide by cop or take hostages. Despite his psychological problems and dismissal from the Army, Florida hired Xaver as a guard trainee in November 2018 at a prison near Sebring. He quit two months later, which was two weeks before the shootings. His employment file shows no disciplinary issues. He had applied to be a Sebring police officer seven months before the murders but wasnt hired. On the day before he quit working at the prison, Xaver legally purchased a 9 mm handgun and bullets. Later he bought a bullet-resistant vest. About five hours before the murders, Xaver began a long, intermittent text message conversation with a girlfriend in Connecticut, telling her this is the best day of my life but refusing to say why. Fifteen minutes before the shootings, he texted her, Im dying today, Then from the bank parking lot he texted, Im taking a few people with me because Ive always wanted to kill people so I am going to try it and see how it goes. Watch for me on the news. He then entered the bank, a sweatshirt covering his vest. Security video shows him smiling as he approaches Lopez, according to police reports. They briefly speak, before he pulls his gun and points it at her and the other women. He orders them against the wall before telling Lopez to lock the doors. When she returns, he orders the women onto the floor face down. After shooting them, he calls police on his cellphone. He had been in the bank less than four minutes. Police spoke with Xaver for about an hour before a SWAT team broke into the bank. He surrendered a short time later and confessed in a taped interview with detectives. That statement has not been released, but will be played at the trial along with the security video. Shortly after the shooting, the bank was torn down. The site is now a park with a memorial to the victims. 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. (KRON) California Forever, a group behind a proposed utopian community in Solano County, has released a list of potential employers committed to bringing jobs to the proposed new city north of Silicon Valley and San Francisco. The company says it can secure over 15,000 well-paid jobs within the next decade. In addition to proposing to build the largest solar farm in California, California Forever, otherwise known as the East Solano Plan, has employers ranging from construction companies to AI-powered delivery robots. At a time when research shows more than 40% of Solano workers commute out of the county to get to work, the news that these employers have committed to the East Solano Plan is significant, California Forever said in a statement. Fire impacts Bay Bridge traffic, closes lanes on I-80 COMMITTED EMPLOYERS The companies include: East Solano Plan said these businesses were drawn to Solano County because of the qualities that already make it special and the ability to plan their growth according to California Forevers 40-year plan. Though they are still a few years away from breaking ground, California Forever said some of the companies have already started negotiating terms for acquiring space to operate in the new community. Most will start breaking ground if the ballot measure for the proposed city passes in this years November ballot. SOLAR FARM Committed third-party employers aside, the East Solano Plan includes approvals for building the largest solar farm in California, combined with a regional storage battery. The solar farm would have a capacity of 2 gigawatts, enough to power approximately 1.5 million homes, California Forever said. In addition, the battery storage facility would be located on properties far away from existing communities, claiming the location would solve some of the challenges Solano cities have previously faced when trying to site such a facility. Story continues Photo Courtesy: East Solano Plan A third-party consulting group created an economic impact report that estimates the project would create over 1,300 jobs in the 10 years of the projects estimated date of completion, generating over $280 million every year. Aside from Six Flags and healthcare, California Forever claims completion of the solar project would make it the largest private employer in Solano County. For too long, California has been sending good-paying jobs to Texas and Florida. With the East Solano Plan, our county is well-positioned to bring those jobs here instead. In the coming months, we look forward to sharing many more updates on our work to bring more good jobs, economic development, and opportunities to Solano County, Michael Fortney, Head of Partnerships at California Forever, 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. Shani Louk can finally rest after her body was brought back to Israel to be buried on Sunday, her family has said. The 23-year-old German Israeli was killed during the Hamas massacre on Oct 7. She had been celebrating with friends at the Nova music festival just inside Israel before it was attacked by gunmen from the terrorist group. Her body was seen on the back of a pickup truck, surrounded by gunmen and later paraded through Gaza. On Friday, the Israeli military informed Nissim and Ricarda Louk, the tattoo artists parents, that her body had been found by Israeli commandos in tunnels in Gaza. Nissim said that he had viewed photos in order to be sure it was her. We also saw the tattoos on her hands, he said on Saturday. Now she will have her own place next to us, and we can go there whenever we want. And she can rest. He said the funeral would be held on Sunday, Ricardas birthday. I think Shani said Lets give my mother a birthday present and lets go back and be close to her, he added. Having Shanis grave nearby would be a comfort, her mother said, adding: Maybe well find more peace. Shani Louk was at the Nova music festival for when she was murdered Nissim said there was also solace in knowing Shani was doing what she loved best before she died and probably did not suffer. She was pronounced dead by Israeli authorities at the end of October, based on findings in the area of the Nova festival, where more than 360 people were shot, bludgeoned or burned to death. Videos of a smiling Shani at the festival surfaced in the following weeks. She was dancing the whole night. She was so happy, said Nissim. She never thought that there is evil in the world because she was a free spirit. She saw it only for a couple of seconds. Around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 abducted in the Oct 7 attacks, according to Israeli officials. Israel responded by launching a military offensive to try to eradicate Hamas, which is now in its eighth month. More than 35,000 people have since been killed in Gaza, the Palestinian health ministry has said. Most of the coastal enclaves population has been displaced, and much of it has been laid waste to in the offensive, which has drawn fierce criticism abroad. Ricarda said she was pained by what she saw as ignorance and misinformation displayed at some US campus protests against the war in Gaza, adding: Its horrible for us to see. We can tell you from our own experience. We lost our daughter in this massacre. There is no resistance that can justify what happened 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. Man shot several times at stop light in drive-by shooting on Jacksonvilles Westside Jacksonville Sheriffs Office is investigating after a man was shot several times at a red light on Normandy Boulevard. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Detectives said that at around 2:45 p.m., a man was at a red light in his purple Nissan near CareSpot Urgent Care near Lane Avenue when several suspects in another car opened fire at the purple Nissan. The victim hit the gas to get away, lost his front bumper after hitting the curb and ended up at the CareSpot Urgent Care. Read: Neighbors at Satori Town Center apartments woke up to find the tires stolen off of their cars The man suffered several gunshot wounds but is in stable condition. The suspects are still on the run. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call JSO at 904-630-0500 or Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS. Action News Jax will continue to follow the story and will update you as we learn more. Read: 11 injured after shooting in downtown Savannah [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. ITHACA, N.Y. (WETM) Police are asking the public to be on the lookout for a person believed to have shot at a Jeep in Ithaca early on Sunday morning. According to the Ithaca Police Department, multiple gunshots were reportedly fired on the 100 block of North Aurora Street shortly before 12:25 a.m. on May 19. Witnesses told officers who responded to the scene that a person on foot shot at a white Jeep Cherokee multiple times. Police say that the shooter and the vehicle fled the scene before officers arrived, and officers found evidence associated with the shooting at the scene. No injuries related to this incident have been reported. 3 people injured after motorcycle hits pedestrian in Ithaca The Ithaca Police Department is looking for the suspected shooter, and images of the suspect can be seen below: (Courtesy: Ithaca Police Department) Police are looking for the person who is believed to have been involved in a reported shooting. (Courtesy: Ithaca Police Department) Police are looking for the person who is believed to have been involved in a reported shooting. Anyone with information about the person in the pictures or the shooting is asked to contact the Ithaca Police Department using one of the methods listed below. Those who would like to remain anonymous can do so. Police Dispatch: 607-272-3245 Police Administration: 607-272-9973 Police Tip line: 607-330-0000 Anonymous Email Tip Address: www.cityofithaca.org/ipdtips 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 WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Saturday, May 18 was a day of mixed emotions for families in Socorro with close ties to the Escontrias STEAM Academy from the Socorro Independent School District. The school, which is the birthplace of SISD, celebrated the campus 100-year anniversary with games, food, a car show, and other activities for families. The Escontrias community is special because theres generations upon generations of families that continue to be part of the community. They dont move out, said Principal of Escontrias Jesse Aguirre. Students, parents, and alumni gathered to enjoy the events, but for many, it was a bittersweet moment as the future of the school has become uncertain. At a board meeting this past Tuesday, district officials clarified that they are not considering closing the school down, but rather relocate classes from the Escontrias Early Childhood Center in the schools historical building, across to the main building which houses students in 2nd through 5th grade. Officials said this could potentially save the district $1 million to help address its multi-million dollar deficit. A lot of parents like myself placed my child in this school (Escontrias) because it was a special, inclusive pre-K program. Were losing that because this is one of the few campuses in the district that has the separation, said Miriam Munoz, one among a group of parents who have started an online petition to challenge SISD potentially relocating some of the schools classes. There is space, according to them. One of my first jobs was as an assistant secretary here during a summer program. Im a graduate of both schools, and I can tell you theres not a lot of space. There might be empty classrooms, but theres not a lot of space, Munoz said. The only reason I have my child in this early education school is because I dont want him involved with other older kids. I prefer him to be around kids that are his age, said Eveliz Luna, whos also an alumni of Escontrias. I believe that this newer site of the school is not equipped for the children. I believe they want to convert the library into three pieces for the children that are 3, 4 years old and its not equipped for them. Its going to be hot during summer. The children get frustrated fast as well, and the outdoor playground is not equipped for them, said Luis Zargoza, whose father and now his children have attended Escontrias. Escontrias Early Childhood Center also has specialized programs, which the district would have to move to other schools. President of the Socorro ISD Board of Trustees Michael Najera was at the celebrations and spoke with Munoz and other parents about their concerns. He said nothing is formalized and the ideas have not been officially recommended. My message to them would be one of reassurance that the campus is going nowhere, said Najera, when asked to address concerned parents. The establishment of the STEAM Academy should demonstrate the commitment to this particular campus, to the school in itself, he said. There was simply a list of possibilities, but there have been no discussions or anything else around that. Escontrias is a cornerstone of this community. Its a campus that we need and that we will continue to support in the district. Leaders from the City of Socorro were also present to join in the celebration of the historic campus and its significance to their community. This is the flagship school for the entire district and the City of Socorro, which is why the district is named after the City of Socorro. It all started here, said Socorro City Rep. Rudy Cruz Jr. Youll see that the students that attend this facility here, more than likely their parents attended the facility and their grandparents as well. So its very unique. You wont find that in a lot of places here in El Paso or even in Texas. Cruz said he attended Escontrias, as well as his parents and grandparents. Socorro Mayor Ivy Avalos said she is disheartened that SISD could consider relocating some of Escontrias classes, and believes they should look elsewhere to address their budget deficit. Why are we closing schools? Why are we thinking of moving children when we should be thinking of opening more schools in Socorro? Avalos said. I really hope that the Board of Trustees will reconsider some of these opinions. Im here to be with the parents, the children. Thats the most important thing for us in Socorro. Munoz and Luna said there is a meeting scheduled at 8:30 am on Tuesday, May 21 at Escontrias with the school principal, and they encourage other parents to join them in their efforts to voice their concerns. 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. Six killed, nine injured in Idaho Falls passenger van crash BONNEVILLE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) Six people were killed and nine others injured in a head-on collision in Idaho Falls Saturday morning, according to Idaho State Police. The fatal crash occurred at around 5:30 a.m. on US 20 at milepost 308. A Ram pickup truck was heading eastbound on the highway near the Lindsay Boulevard exit in Idaho Falls when it veered left of center and collided head-on with a westbound Chevrolet passenger van. Kouri Richins defense files to withdraw from representing her in murder case, cites irreconcilable situation The driver of the van, along with five passengers, died at the scene. Nine other passengers were injured and taken to a local hospital in ground ambulances, police said. The driver of the pickup was also injured in the crash and taken to a local hospital. Both lanes were blocked for nearly six hours following the incident. This crash is still under investigation by Idaho State Police. Idaho Falls Police, Idaho Transportation Department and the Idaho Falls Fire Department also responded to assist. Details on what caused the pickup to veer into the oncoming lane have not been released at this time. No further information is currently 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 ABC4 Utah. Robert Fico was elected on a promise to end support for Ukraine - Darko Bandic/AP Robert Fico, the Slovak prime minister, is no longer in danger of losing his life after an assassination attempt, his deputy said on Sunday. Mr Fico has been in hospital since Wednesday, when a lone gunman shot him four times, including in the abdomen. He has emerged from the immediate threat to his life, but his condition remains serious and he requires intensive care, said Robert Kalinak, the deputy prime minister and one of Mr Ficos closest political allies. The Slovak premier underwent five hours of surgery on Wednesday and another operation on Friday, both at a hospital in the central city of Banska Bystrica. We can consider his condition stable with a positive prognosis, Mr Kalinak said outside the hospital, adding: We all feel a bit more relaxed now. A video still of moments after Mr Fico was shot by a would-be assassin Mr Kalinak added that the prime minister would stay in Banska Bystrica for the moment. The suspected gunman, identified as 71-year-old poet Juraj Cintula, has been charged with attempted premeditated murder and was put in pre-trial detention by a special penal court on Saturday. Mr Fico was shot as he was walking to greet supporters after a government meeting in the central mining town of Handlova. Mr Kalinak said earlier that Mr Fico had suffered four gunshot wounds, two light, one medium and one serious. Matus Sutaj Estok, the interior minister, said that if one of the shots had been just a few centimetres higher, it would have hit the prime ministers liver. Mr Fico's has convulsed Slovakia, already riven by political division - Jan Kroslak/AP Mr Fico, who is 59, took office in October after his centrist populist Smer party won a general election. He is serving his fourth term as prime minister after campaigning on proposals for peace between Russia and Slovakias neighbour Ukraine, and to halt military aid to Kyiv, which his government has done. Mr Kalinak said the government would carry on without Fico according to the programme he has outlined, including two meetings next week. The assassination attempt has deeply shocked the EU and Nato member country of 5.4 million people, already sharply divided over politics for years. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Flowers are placed outside the F. D. Roosevelt University Hospital, where Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was shot and injured, is being treated, in Banska Bystrica, central Slovakia, Saturday, May 18, 2024. The man accused of attempting to assassinate Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico made his first court appearance Saturday as the nation's leader remained in serious condition recovering from surgery after surviving multiple gunshots, Slovak state media said. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) BANSKA BYSTRICA, Slovakia (AP) Slovakias populist prime minister, Robert Fico, remained in serious condition on Sunday but has been given a positive prognosis four days after he was shot multiple times in an assassination attempt that has sent shockwaves across the deeply polarized European Union nation, the defense minister said. The worst of what we feared has passed, at least for the moment. But his condition remains serious," Robert Kalinak told reporters outside the hospital where Fico is being treated. His condition is stable with a positive prognosis. Kalinak added that the hospital treating the Slovak leader in Banska Bystrica, a former coal mining town of 16,000 situated 29 kilometers (17 miles) from where Fico was attacked, will continue to issue updates on his health status. On Sunday afternoon, Kalinak revealed new details about the ongoing investigation saying there may have been a third party involved in acting for the benefit of the perpetrator, in what was previously described by the authorities as a lone wolf attack. The official did not provide additional details. The situation is turning out to be even worse than we expected, Kalinak said. Plus other indications that these facts of Wednesdays attack have been discussed in a wider circle. All of this is shocking information, and for many of us, it would be much easier if we could talk about just one person. Milan Urbani, deputy director of the hospital, told reporters that "Based on the doctors morning consultation, we can conclude that the patient is currently out of a life-threatening condition. His condition remains very serious, and he needs a long time to rest to recover. We firmly believe that everything will go in a good direction. Fico, 59, was shot in the abdomen as he greeted supporters on Wednesday outside a cultural center in the town of Handlova, nearly 140 kilometers (85 miles) northeast of the capital, Bratislava. Video showed the Slovak premier approach people gathered at barricades and reach out to shake hands as a man stepped forward, extended his arm and fired five rounds before being tackled and arrested. On Friday, Fico underwent two hours of surgery to remove dead tissue from his gunshot wounds, but he was not healthy enough to be transferred to the capital, officials said Saturday. The countrys Specialized Criminal Court in the town of Pezinok on Saturday ordered the suspected assailant, who is charged with attempted murder, to remain behind bars. Prosecutors said they feared he could flee or commit other crimes if freed, a court spokesperson said. The suspect can appeal the order. Little information about the would-be assassin has been disclosed after prosecutors told police not to publicly identify him or release details about the case. Unconfirmed media reports have named him and said he was a 71-year-old retiree known as an amateur poet who may have once worked as a mall security guard. Government authorities have given details that matched that description. They said the suspect didnt belong to any political groups, though the attack itself was politically motivated. Slovakias interior minister, Matus Sutaj Estok, said Sunday that the attack on Fico is an attack on democracy in any normal country. At a time when democracy is being attacked, it must be the security forces that have to give a clear signal that they are prepared to protect the population of the Slovak Republic, he said. Fico said last month on Facebook that he believed rising tensions in the country could lead to the killing of politicians, and he blamed the media for fueling tensions in the country of 5.4 million. Slovakias three-party coalition government has also partly accused the media of fueling the vitriolic discourse that has beleaguered the EU country in recent years and led to deep social divisions. Andrej Danko, chairman of the governments smallest coalition partner, the Slovak National Party, said Sunday he is expecting a government meeting early next week to discuss media laws and journalistic ethics, including how journalists report on domestic politics. In his address on Sunday, Kalinak also stressed that lessons must be learned from the violent attack on Fico, who has long been a divisive figure in Slovakia and beyond. This must be a memento. If we dont learn, were heading for hell, he said. We need to bring this situation back to what we can consider standard. Ficos government has made efforts to overhaul public broadcasting a move critics said would give the government full control of public television and radio. That, along with his plans to amend the penal code to eliminate a special anti-graft prosecutor, have led opponents to worry that Fico will lead Slovakia down a more autocratic path. Before Fico returned to power last year, many of his political and business associates were the focus of police investigations, and dozens have been charged. His plan to overhaul the penal system would eliminate the office of the special prosecutor that deals with organized crime, corruption and extremism. At the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Banska Bystrica on Sunday, churchgoer and lawyer Pavel Bachleda called the assassination attempt a great tragedy but also expressed concerns about how Fico and his Smer, or Direction, party has conducted itself in recent years. I would say partly also his actions, his actions in the previous months and years, have brought about the situation in our country, he told The Associated Press. You get the impression that they concentrate more on revenge, political revenge than on real things that our country needs. ___ Stanislav Hodina in Prague, Czech Republic, and Stephen McGrath in Side, Turkey, contributed to this report. Slovakian Prime Minister Fico is out of danger, minister says Robert Kaliaok, Slovakia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, informs about the current health condition of Prime Minister Robert Fico during a briefing in front of the Roosevelt Hospital. Michal Svitok/TASR/dpa Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico is out of danger following an attempt on his life on Wednesday, Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kalinak told the news agency TASR on Sunday. Fico had been improving and was reported to be in stable condition on Saturday, according Health Minister Zuzana Dolinkova. The Slovakian premier received his second operation on Friday after a gunmen attempted to kill him in what Slovakian officials have said was a politically motivated crime. A panel of doctors is to decide on Monday whether he is to be transferred. The prime minister is currently recovering in the university hospital in Banska Bystrica, close to the small town of Handlova where he was shot. Robert Kaliaok, Slovakia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, informs about the current health condition of Prime Minister Robert Fico during a briefing in front of the Roosevelt Hospital. Michal Svitok/TASR/dpa Milan Urbani (L), deputy director of the Roosevelt Hospital in Banska Bystrica, and Robert Kaliaok, Slovakia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, inform about the current health condition of Prime Minister Robert Fico during a briefing in front of the Roosevelt Hospital. Michal Svitok/TASR/dpa By Qiaoyi Li and Sarah Wu BEIJING (Reuters) -China's commerce ministry on Sunday launched an anti-dumping probe into POM copolymers, a type of engineering plastic, imported from the European Union, United States, Japan and Taiwan. The plastics can partially replace metals such as copper and zinc and have various applications including in auto parts, electronics, and medical equipment, the ministry said in a statement. The investigation should be completed in a year but could be extended for six months, it said. The European Commission, which oversee EU trade policy, said it would carefully study the contents of the investigation before deciding on any next steps. "We expect China to ensure that this investigation is fully in line with all relevant WTO (World Trade Organization) rules and obligations," a spokesperson said. China's plastics probe comes amid a broader trade row with the United States and Europe. The United States on Tuesday unveiled steep tariff increases on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), computer chips, medical products and other imports. On Friday, the European Union launched a trade investigation into Chinese tinplate steel, the latest in a string of EU trade and subsidy probes into Chinese exports. Most notably, the European Commission launched a probe last September to decide whether to impose punitive tariffs on cheaper Chinese EVs that it suspects of benefiting from state subsidies. Beijing argues the recent focus by the United States and Europe on the risks to other economies from China's excess capacity is misguided. Chinese officials say the criticism understates innovation by Chinese companies in key industries and overstates the importance of state support in driving their growth. (Reporting by Qiaoyi Li and Sarah Wu; additional reporting by Philip Blenkinsop in Brussels; Editing by William Mallard and Giles Elgood) Robert Kaliaok, Slovakia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, informs about the current health condition of Prime Minister Robert Fico during a briefing in front of the Roosevelt Hospital. Michal Svitok/TASR/dpa Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico is out of danger following an attempt on his life on Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kalinak and the deputy head of the hospital where Fico is being treated told the news agency TASR on Sunday. "Based on the adviser to the medical consultation this morning, we can state that the patient is currently not in a life-threatening condition," the deputy head of the university hospital in Banska Bystrica, Milan Urbani, told journalists. "However, his condition is still very serious and he will need a long time and rest to recover." Kalinak, who is also the defence minister, said a transfer of the 59-year-old Fico to a hospital in the capital Bratislava is not possible in the near future and is therefore not planned. "We are all convinced that his physical condition is so strong that we can expect a further recovery day by day, even if the road to recovery will take several weeks," Kalinak said. Fico was shot at close range after a Cabinet meeting in the small town of Handlova, when he had stepped in front of a waiting crowd to shake hands. The alleged perpetrator, identified as 71-year-old Juraj C, acted on political motives stemming from hatred for the politician and his government's policies, according to information from the police and the government. On Saturday, Juraj C, as he is known under privacy rules, was taken to the special criminal court in the town of Pezinok for questioning under strict security precautions. The court ordered that he be remanded in custody, as there is a flight risk and also a risk of further violence. Court spokeswoman Katarina Kudjakova told dpa that the accused can appeal the decision. Fico's health had been improving and he was reported to be in stable condition on Saturday, according Health Minister Zuzana Dolinkova. The Slovakian premier underwent a second operation on Friday. Milan Urbani (L), deputy director of the Roosevelt Hospital in Banska Bystrica, and Robert Kaliaok, Slovakia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, inform about the current health condition of Prime Minister Robert Fico during a briefing in front of the Roosevelt Hospital. Michal Svitok/TASR/dpa Robert Kaliaok, Slovakia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, informs about the current health condition of Prime Minister Robert Fico during a briefing in front of the Roosevelt Hospital. Michal Svitok/TASR/dpa The Sneaky No-Good Tricks Israel Is Using to Stop Help Getting to Gaza JERUSALEMIsrael is crippling the ability of NGOs and human rights organizations to address the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, by smearing, threatening and torturing existing aid workers, while limiting or denying visas to people who want to come and help. The U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the backbone of aid, education and support to millions of Palestinians, has been hard hit by bombing attacks on its staff and infrastructure in Gaza, and by the iniquity of red-tape facing its international staff in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories. The U.N. said its first foreign aid worker was killed this week in an Israeli tank attack on his marked vehicle. Employees have also complained of harassment by the authorities with international staff struggling to get long-term visas and local staff fearing retribution against their families if they speak to the media. Its a very sensitive situation. Staff members have been harassed and are afraid for their families, UNRWA spokesperson Juliette Touma told The Daily Beast. Prior to Oct. 7, our international staff would get visas for a year. Afterwards, we started to have problems and now the international staff from all U.N. organizations, and other aid agencies get visas for only two months on average which makes it hard for us to carry out our daily work, for staff to get lease agreements and for their children to be enrolled in schools because all of these are tied to their contracts. Our employees in Gaza and the West Bank have been threatened with arrest by Israeli soldiers at checkpoints and staff driving U.N. cars and wearing U.N. vests have also been targeted. These included a shooting next to one of our cars, said Touma. Right-wing Israelis have held regular protests outside UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem, damaged property and threatened employees. Israeli protesters recently blocked aid trucks headed for Gaza, pulling food supplies off the vehicles and tearing open bags of grain that were destined for a hunger-stricken population. The visa problems started to spike after UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini was prevented by Israel from entering Gaza from Egypt earlier in the year. Although Israeli forces and settlers left Gaza in 2005, the Gaza Strip is still considered occupied under international law because Israel controls the borders, air space, sea shore, population registry and all aid, water and electricity entering the territory. Israels bad relationship with the UNRWA goes back decades but reached breaking point when it accused 12 UNRWA employees of taking part in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, but provided no evidence to back its claims, according to the UNRWA, which nevertheless decided to terminate the employment of those named. Following the accusations, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ordered an internal investigation into the UNRWA by the U.N. Office for Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), while over a dozen donor countries cut off funding. In February, the OIOS released an interim, confidential report, available to only diplomats, the U.N. and intelligence agencies. Due to the initial conclusions of the report many donors started quietly refunding UNRWA with little press coverage. I think the donors and the U.N. buying into the guilty narrative with no evidence was a strategic mistake, Chris Gunness, a former UNRWA staffer, told The Daily Beast. Previously, wherever there was credible evidence provided against any employee this was thoroughly investigated and action was taken against them, including dismissal. We also regularly update the Israeli authorities with the details of all those employed, he added. The U.N. also alleged in a report released last month that Palestinians arrested in Gaza, including its own staff members, had been severely abused and tortured while in Israeli custody and some of the confessions about involvement in the Oct. 7 attacks may have been coerced. I was in Gaza near the border where the detainees were released. My colleagues said these people were in a terrible state and very traumatized. They gave them food and water and a place to wash near our base. The released detainees started telling us very harrowing stories, said Touma. Some were denied food and water, stripped, while others were not allowed to go to the toilet and forced to wear diapers, and threatened that if they did not confess harm would come to their family members, said Touma. There are reportedly visa issues affecting 11 U.N. agencies with 18 visas pending for U.N. Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA; six for the World Food Program; six with the U.N. childrens agency; and two with the World Health Organization. The Association of International Development Agencies (AIDA), which represents dozens of aid groups in the West Bank and Gaza, reported at the end of March that 57 aid workers whose visas had expired, including many senior staff, had to leave because they werent able to renew them. A further 60 new visa applications couldnt be filed because the applicants could not receive recommendation letters from Israels Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs. The Daily Beast made several media enquiries to the Israeli government for comment, but none was forthcoming. Shawan Jabarin, the general director of the internationally renowned human rights organization Al-Haq, based in Ramallah, used to have lawyers from around the globe working with him in Ramallah. They used to regularly get one-year visas to work with us. Now most of them cant get visas and one of our volunteers from Ireland was granted only a one-week visa when she came, Jabarin told The Daily Beast. Jabarin has also been subject to years in Israeli administrative detention, or detention without trial. He was accused of being a terrorist and banned from leaving the country, until he took his case to the Israeli supreme court. Al-Haq, and several other Palestinian human rights groups, had their offices raided, sealed and their work banned after Israel accused them too of being terrorist organizations. After legal and international intervention they were able to continue operations. The Dutch police also investigated death threats made against some of my colleagues and their families while they were abroad and concluded that the surveillance carried out against my colleagues bore the hallmarks of a state with sophisticated operations and not that of any individuals or a small organization, but didnt name the state, Jabarin told The Daily Beast. Israel has also been accused of a smear campaign against the U.N. Addressing the U.N. Security Council, Lazzarini said an insidious campaign against delivering aid to Gaza was underway. It is in this context that the Council is asked to consider the existential challenges facing the agency, he said. Gunness said during his years in Jerusalem he was the target of regular attacks and smear campaigns by the Israelis when he was spokesman for UNRWA. UNRWA is an irritant to Israel because of its public advocacy where it provides credible and factual information on the ground in Gaza and elsewhere in regards to rights abuses. Israel also believes that if UNRWA goes away the Palestinian refugee problem will go away. Because I was the critical face for UNRWA and the spokesman for the international and Arabic press, I was under regular attack in the media from them and other organizations supportive of Israel, Gunness told The Daily Beast. I was also physically threatened on several occasions where I had to leave for my own personal safety. The left-leaning Israeli daily Haaretz reported that an online influencing operation using fake social media accounts had targeted the UNRWA. Quoting Fake Reporter, an Israeli group that studies online disinformation, they found that the accounts echoed Israeli government accusations about links between the U.N. agency and Hamas, spreading them in comments on social media websites. The people targeted most frequently with such comments by the campaigns avatars were American politicians, specifically the social media accounts of Democratic lawmakers, and accounts considered pro-Israel, Haaretz reported. Israeli attacks on infrastructure are also having a critical impact on aid organizations ability to operate. One hundred and sixty U.N. buildings were hit and 178 employees were killed, our convoys were shot at three times, Touma told The Daily Beast. As of mid-March, U.N. figures show that 166 buildings were hit in 122 incidents targeting, among others, 73 schools, 14 attacks on 10 health centers, two distribution centers, and 12 attacks on the Khan Younis Training Centers. In addition to U.N. staff killed, the U.N. says these attacks killed 408 Palestinians seeking shelter in their premises, including children, and injured many more. The continued attacks have forced a number of aid organizations to halt operations in Gaza. 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. SOUTH BRUNSWICK Motorists are being warned to move over while police conduct vehicle stops, following two incidents in which township police SUVs were struck. In the past three weeks, we have had two patrol officers SUVs struck while conducting motor vehicle stops," Chief Raymond Hayducka said. "We are lucky that in both cases no officers were injured, but one police car was totaled." It is dangerous to be stopping vehicles on the highways sometimes only feet from trucks and cars going 55 mph, Hayducka said. "We need drivers help at moving over or reducing their speed when they see a police car with its lights on," he added. In the first incident, which took place at 3:37 a.m. April 29, South Brunswick Officers Jorge Robles and Ben Salihi, and Sgt. Jesse Blake were already on a car stop for an impaired driver on Route 130 near Viking Way, police said. Motorists are being warned to move over while police conduct vehicle stops, following two incidents in South Brunswick in which police SUVs were struck. As they were evaluating the driver with a field sobriety test, a second vehicle crashed into the rear of the police SUV at a high rate of speed. The driver of the second vehicle, Gonzalo Najera, 30, of Princeton, was found to be driving while intoxicated and arrested. Najera was charged with multiple offenses including driving while under the influence. The patrol SUV was totaled in the crash. The second crash occurred at 8:30 a.m. Thursday on Route 130 near Broadway Road, police said. Officer Jason Gassman was conducting a vehicle stop with his emergency lights activated. While the officer was speaking to the driver of his traffic stop, a grey Honda Odyssey minivan side-swiped police SUV damaging its drivers side. The driver continued northbound without stopping. South Brunswick Police Traffic Safety Bureau is still investigating the hit and run. These two incidents highlight the danger officers face every day," Hayducka said. "If Gassman had been on the drivers side yesterday, this would be a much different story." New Jersey law is clear on the requirements to move over or slow down as you approach an emergency vehicle operating in the roadway. It only takes seconds to slow down and move over, but the difference by not doing so can be a tragedy," the chief said. South Brunswick Police have also implemented a crash reduction plan called STOP Stopping, Traffic, Obstacle, Problems. The plan was put in place in response to an increase in fatal crashes statewide in the first four months of the year, with Central Jersey leading the state in fatal crashes and Middlesex and Monmouth counties seeing the most deaths. Email: sloyer@gannettnj.com Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: South Brunswick cops highlight 'Move Over' law after patrol cars hit Rally with various far-right leaders organised by Spanish far-right Vox party ahead of the European elections, in Madrid Rally with various far-right leaders organised by Spanish far-right Vox party ahead of the European elections, in Madrid MADRID (Reuters) -Spain recalled its ambassador to Buenos Aires for consultations on Sunday after Argentina's President Javier Milei made derogatory comments about Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's wife during a far-right rally in Madrid. Milei had called Sanchez's wife Begona Gomez "corrupt" during a rally in Madrid organised by the far-right Vox party and attended by many of its international allies. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said he expected an apology from Milei. Other ministers also condemned Milei's speech, in which he described socialism as "cursed and carcinogenic". Sanchez leads Spain's Socialist Party. "With his behaviour, Milei has brought the relationship between Spain and Argentina to its most serious state in recent history," Albares said in a video statement. Milei would not apologize, his spokesperson said in an interview with an Argentine TV channel later Sunday. Spanish officials should retract insults they have made against him, he added. Milei's visit broke with diplomatic protocol as he refused to meet Spain's King Felipe and Sanchez, instead preferring to promote his book alongside Vox leader Santiago Abascal at the party rally. The European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said in a post on social messaging app X that "attacks against family members of political leaders have no place in our culture". Spain's main opposition party, the conservative People's Party (PP), refused to support Madrid's stance, with party sources saying that Sanchez should have provided explanations about the alleged corruption case weeks ago. "His silence generates internal doubts, but also distrust abroad," a PP source said, adding that the party's job was to oppose the Spanish government and not Milei. A city court said in April it was looking into accusations of influence peddling and business corruption against Sanchez's wife, brought in a private complaint by Manos Limpias, or Clean Hands, an anti-corruption activist group. However, Madrid's prosecuting authority later said it was appealing to have the case thrown out for lack of evidence. Sanchez decided to stay in office after five days of weighing his future once the probe against his wife was announced. (Reporting by Ana Cantero; additional reporting by Jorge Otaola in Buenos Aires; writing by Cassandra Garrison; Editing by Catarina Demony, Giles Elgood and Stephen Coates) EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) Days after a jury convicted Devon Bobian of murder in the death of Fountain police officer Julian Becerra, the fallen officers spouse and parents opened up to FOX31 about the guilty verdict. Bobian was convicted on Monday, May 13 of second-degree murder, in addition to aggravated robbery, menacing, vehicular eluding and first-degree aggravated motor vehicle theft. Auraria Campus: Pro-Palestine protest encampment abandoned Hearing the verdict, we had to relive a lot of the trauma, a lot of the hurt that we went through, said Vanessa Becerra, the officers former spouse. My daughter has lost an important person in her life, and a big piece of her heart that she can never get back. As she and her family were honoring the officer in Washington D.C., she learned of the verdict coming down. We were able to get some closure. Some type of closure and understanding, she said. Becerras father, Gabriel, opened up as well. We were happy. We know the verdict is not going to bring Officer Julian, my son, back, but justice is working its way up and lets hope he gets justice, said Gabriel. Family recounts events of Feb. 2, 2023 The family still remembers learning the devastating news last year on Feb. 2. The K-9 officer of over four years responded to a robbery and carjacking, which led to a high-speed chase. As he attempted to apprehend Bobian, Becerra fell 40 feet from a bridge. 8-year-old girl recovering after motorcycle crash He died days later in the hospital from his injuries, leaving behind a wife and his two young children. She [Isabella] created this bear for her dad a little bit after he passed, said Vanessa. She carries it with her every since. Hes always with her. 8-year-old Isabella also carries around her stuffed K-9 and wears bracelets and a shirt honoring her father, who always made her smile. She wishes she could call him whenever she needs him, and that just isnt the case anymore, said Vanessa. She misses him every day. To move forward, the family has relied on their faith. Thats one of the things that make it a little easier to move on because God is good, and Jesus is great, Gabriel said. The tragic situation will always have a profound impact on their lives. They hope Becerras legacy will continue to live on. He was a very funny person. He loved to make (Isabella) laugh, Vanessa said. He loved to joke around and he was just a very goofy loving person. A great dad, and a dedicated police officer. Thieves drill holes in Denver mans tank to steal his fuel Sentencing has not yet been set. Bobian, who has a long criminal history, will appear in court again in July. We need support for our police officers out there no matter what support them any way we can, said Gabriel. Moral, just by thanking them, Bobian is facing anywhere from 16 to 96 years in 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 FOX31 Denver. The City of St. Marys and the St. Marys Police Department are pleased to announce receiving a $20,000 grant from the Governors Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). This grant, effective through September 2024, will finance the purchase of new laptop computers to be used as Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) in patrol vehicles. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< MDTs facilitate case and crash reporting, drivers license validations, and vehicle registration verifications, easing dispatchers communication burden. The grant will also replace aging MDTs that have been in service for many years. The loss of one life on our roads is one too many, and the fact almost all fatal traffic crashes can be prevented is one reason why we are awarding this grant, said Allen Poole, Director of the Governors Office of Highway Safety. The target of zero traffic deaths in our nation is achievable, and we will continue to help develop and implement educational messages, enforcement campaigns, and other safety initiatives aimed at bringing us one step closer to our goal. St. Marys Police Chief James Galloway expressed gratitude for the grant, stating, This grant has allowed us to purchase the computers we need for our officers so they can do their jobs more efficiently. Theres no need to return to the Police Department to do their paperwork; they can do their reports in the field, which allows quicker response time when a call for service comes out. For more information on GOHS and its highway safety programs, visit www.gahighwaysafety.org. [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. (Editor's note: This article is part of a new weekly series featuring Columbus Dispatch journalists and their work in our community.) Danae King covers underserved communities for The Columbus Dispatch, where she has worked for more than seven years, previously covering immigration and religion. She is also a co-coordinator of the Dispatch's summer intern program and volunteers as a mentor with Columbus Journalists in Training, a program sponsored by the Dispatch and the Society of Professional Journalists Central Ohio Pro-Chapter that trains Columbus City Schools students to be journalists. King reports on affordable housing, poverty, veterans, disabled people, LGBTQ issues and more. She has won several awards for her work at The Dispatch and is passionate about holding powerful people and institutions accountable and telling people's stories. Below, she answers a few questions about her job. Mentors Scot Kirk and Danae King receive a recognition of their volunteer work during the Columbus Journalists in Training graduation ceremony at the Denison Edge offices in Columbus in March. Why I became a journalist From a young age, I loved a good story. I read everything I could get my hands on. Eventually my love of reading turned into a love of writing and, coupled with my natural curiosity, a desire to be the person telling the stories, not just reading them. As I started to find every opportunity to write, I began to realize my love for journalism went beyond telling stories and became more about making sure the truth is told. For me, journalism is about ensuring that someone is watching those in power, raising consciousness about injustices against those without power and getting the chance to educate people about things they may never otherwise hear or know about. I started in high school, like many journalists I know, at my student paper. But, when that didnt satisfy my desire to tell stories, I began freelancing for two small papers in my hometown. I never stopped writing and reporting through college, where I was heavily involved in the student newspaper. The more stories I got to tell, the more people I learned about and interviewed, the more I wanted to continue to be a journalist. Columbus Dispatch reporter Danae King What I like best about my job I love so many aspects of my job: constantly getting to meet new people, telling stories people may not otherwise hear and giving a voice to the voiceless. But, what I like best about being a journalist is the public service aspect. When journalists look into a topic, they are able to hold people accountable, uncover injustice and cause change. To me, the best part of being a journalist is the ability to help people. A story I have worked on that has had a lasting impact on me So many stories I have written have impacted me and opened my eyes, as I hope they open readers' eyes, to how policies, programs, laws and more can affect people. The ones that affect me most deeply are the ones that give me a peek into lives that are different than mine, and illustrate the incredible resilience of human beings. For instance, in 2023, I reported extensively on the Latitude Five25 apartment complex on Columbus' East Side, where dozens of residents were forced to evacuate on Christmas Day in 2022. Most of them still haven't gotten to go back home to retrieve their belongings, keepsakes and family heirlooms. The history of these East Side towers: Were Latitude Five25 apartments always 'a towering problem'? A legacy of displacing people?: Dozens were kicked out of these Near East Side apartments. It's happened there before Spending time with people who were so unceremoniously displaced and observing as they soldiered on, no matter how hard it was, was as inspiring as it was sad. The kindness of others, evidenced by people donating clothes and one person sending $1,000 to one of the former Latitude Five25 residents, also had an impact on me. Sometimes, when we're lucky, we get to see the best of humanity and not just the worst. We get to see kindness, generosity, resilience and more. What is the biggest challenge I face? The biggest challenge I face is that there are so many great stories to tell in central Ohio, sometimes it can be hard to find the time to tell them all. I'll never stop trying, though! What I like to do when I'm not working I love to read, hang out with my husband and my Goldendoodle Ace, spend time with my friends and eat at the many awesome restaurants in Columbus that Bob Vitale covers so well! Why journalism matters There are so many reasons. Chief among them, though, is it's unique ability to bring light to important topics people may not otherwise know about. For instance, I wrote recently about a social worker who was evicted from her apartment and suddenly needed to access the resources she'd always referred her unhoused clients to. Only, those resources didn't work for her. Columbus Dispatch reporter Danae King working with a Columbus high school student as part of Columbus Journalists in Training, a program that teaches high school students journalism. Many people were touched by her story, and one person even anonymously sent her $300 to help with her rent. I think that illustrates the incredible power of journalism to bring people together. I also believe journalism, and storytelling specifically, can educate, prompt conversation, create compassion and connect people to those they may think they have too many differences with to relate to. dking@dispatch.com @DanaeKing This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Meet Columbus Dispatch Reporter Danae King | Staff profile Spoiler alert: This story contains plot twists in the "Where Secrets Go To Die" podcast. All eight episodes are free to Free Press subscribers. Episodes also are starting to roll out on freep.com/secrets, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. To report the Where Secrets Go to Die: The Disappearance of Derrick Henagan" podcast, the Free Press obtained and studied thousands of pages of documents. Many came through requests made under Michigans Freedom of Information Act. Others were pulled from places such as court files and online prison records. Still others were provided by people we interviewed. They shared their personal copies. Among them were police reports, internal affairs investigations, search warrants, personnel files, autopsy reports, death certificates, interview transcripts, letters and emails. Some of them were heavily redacted, making it difficult to decipher them, while others were untouched. Many of them were routine, often redundant, but some were explosive and provided aha moments in the process of reporting this story. Heres a look at some of the more important ones. More: Michigan State Police face suspicion for handling of cold case murder Derrick Henagan's stormy romance with girlfriend Dyanna Maddox Henagans relationship with his girlfriend, Dyanna Maddox, was only about six months before he disappeared, and it was tumultuous. At the time of his disappearance, he was 35. She was 34. Maddoxs sister Christina Ott said the two were always fighting. Maddoxs adopted daughter Megan Maddox agreed. In May 2008, the State Police responded to a report that Henagan might be assaulting Maddox. They took this report. This embedded content is not available in your region. After both Henagan and Maddox denied any assault, no charges were filed. One month later, the State Police returned to the house on another assault complaint. They filed this report. This embedded content is not available in your region. The following day, Henagan and Maddox both told the police they had forgiven each other and didnt want to press charges. Regardless, one month later, Henagan was charged with domestic violence. Trooper Moeggenborg, Dyanna Maddox and the missing person report Monday, Aug. 4, 2008, was the last day anyone reported seeing Henagan alive. Hed spent the weekend down the road at the home of a neighbor, Denny Murdock, after a fight with Maddox. She has consistently denied any involvement in Henagan's disappearance. She told police some guns were missing from her home, adding that she suspected Henagan stole them. Heres the police report filed on her complaint, which includes a couple of noteworthy things: Maddox told police Henagan called her a couple days before trying to reconcile, but she wanted nothing more to do with him. The report puts Maddoxs brother B.J. Foster at the home that day. He also denies any involvement in Henagans disappearance. He would later fail a polygraph test related to it. The report was taken by Michigan State Police Trooper David Moeggenborg, who will become a key figure in this story. This embedded content is not available in your region. Three days after that stolen guns report was filed, Maddox reported Henagan missing. This embedded content is not available in your region. She also called Henagans ex-wife, Cheri Powell, who would describe that phone call to police years later. Heres how police documented Powells account of that phone call. Her name is redacted in this report but the context along with comments made at a court hearing make it clear its her discussing Maddox. This embedded content is not available in your region. Michigan State Police's early probe in the Henagan disappearance Henagan was on bond for a traffic offense when he went missing. When he disappeared, a bail bondsman and a trooper came by the house looking for him. Henagan wasnt there. The bail bondsman later described that visit in this affidavit, which he signed about two and half years after Henagan disappeared. This embedded content is not available in your region. Some of the early investigation focused on the neighbor, Murdock, 34 at the time. He was the neighbor with whom Henagan spent whats recorded to be the last weekend of his life. Murdock denied any involvement in Henagans disappearance. A man named Keith Avery, 20 at the time, who stayed with Murdock, was eyed closely by investigators after a couple who knew him told police hed discussed disposing of Henagans body. Whenever police questioned him, Avery also denied any involvement. The prosecutor later charged Avery with perjury. Avery pleaded guilty to attempted perjury to settle his case. This embedded content is not available in your region. Possible human remains arise in Henagan disappearance Police werent the only ones investigating Henagans disappearance. Henagans mom had connected with a retired state trooper, Michael Neiger. Hes an avid outdoorsman who helps families find missing loved ones in remote locations. About nine months after Henagan disappeared, Neiger received permission to search the home that Henagan and Maddox shared. He brought a human remains detection dog team with him. The dog indicated the possible presence of human remains. The dogs handler filed this report after the search. This embedded content is not available in your region. The lab issued this report, which concluded there was no presence of blood on a piece of carpet Neiger bagged and tagged at the home. This embedded content is not available in your region. A local woman, Kathleen Woodley, owned that home when Henagan and Maddox lived there. She would later tell police the condition she found it in when Maddox moved out. Heres a report on her interview with police. This embedded content is not available in your region. Henagan bounty hunter winds up in police report Its impossible to overstate the impact of bounty hunter Jody Newman on the Henagan investigation. She worked for the bond company that posted Henagans bond. When he turned up missing, she was tasked with finding him. She conducted her own investigation and ran a Facebook page dedicated to the case that attracted more than 3,000 followers. Her fans say she has kept the case alive and pressed investigators to find answers, but her critics accuse her of spreading unconfirmed information. At one point, Maddoxs daughter, Megan, accused Newman of harassment and filed this police report. This embedded content is not available in your region. No charges were filed. Derrick Henagan deemed dead As the case wore on, Henagans family waited for answers. In June 2016, his ex-wife, Cheri Powell, petitioned the court in Newberry to declare Henagan legally dead so that she could collect Social Security benefits for her and Henagans son, Rayce. A State Police detective told the court that investigators believed that Henagan was killed and said theyd even used cadaver dogs to search for his body in a couple places that tipsters claimed he might be. Heres a transcript of the hearing where the court ruled he was, in fact, dead and ordered the medical examiner to issue a death certificate. This embedded content is not available in your region. That hearing didnt come until June 2016, almost eight years after Henagan disappeared. Claims of blood, gunshots and a $100,000 deal in the Henagan case State Police also interviewed a man named Lonny Cummings, who described several conversations he had with Maddox while visiting her brother-in-law. Maddox was living there at the time. In one conversation, summarized in this report, Maddox claimed to have paid $100,000 to dispose of Henagans body. She later acknowledged to police saying things like that, but insisted she was being sarcastic. This embedded content is not available in your region. Police also interviewed Maddoxs daughter, Tarissa, who described hearing gunshots near the house the day that Henagan disappeared. Shes the only one who ever described hearing gunshots. She also reported seeing her sister Megan go to a local market to buy bleach, though she later walked that back saying neither of them recall buying bleach. Heres the police report summarizing that interview. Her name is redacted in this version, but weve confirmed its her through other copies. This embedded content is not available in your region. Another person interviewed was Maddoxs brother B.J., who told police Maddox had encouraged him to exercise his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. Heres the report where the investigator summarized the interview. This embedded content is not available in your region. Maddoxs sisters also were interviewed. Christina Ott described seeing blood on the floor of the garage at the home Maddox shared with Henagan, though she couldnt pinpoint a date. Heres a police report describing the interview with her. Her name is redacted here, but weve confirmed through an interview with her and other documents that this is her. This embedded content is not available in your region. Michigan State Police probe Trooper Moeggenborg in domestic violence cases We realized early on that Trooper David Moeggenborg would be an important part of this story so I wanted to know as much about him as I could, the good and the bad. I asked for his personnel file from the State Police and any internal investigations into him. They provided his personnel file, all 148 pages of it, which was mostly good stuff about him including a lifesaving award he was given for helping rescue a drunken driving suspect who attempted suicide. But they didnt send any internal investigations, which I had requested. When I inquired about their omission, I was told that those are stored in a separate system from the personnel files and I would have to file a new request. So I did. The response to that request included five files with a total of 407 pages. The size of it alone stunned me. Some of it was so heavily redacted it was hard to decipher what he was accused of doing. Heres an example, of how much of the text was blacked out. This embedded content is not available in your region. Under Michigans Freedom of Information Act, government agencies are allowed to redact certain information from documents for reasons including privacy and safety concerns. However, redactions in many of these documents appear questionable. If you read carefully, youll see that its an accusation of domestic violence, which we know was filed by Moeggenborgs second wife, Renae Botbyl. Moeggenborg also is accused of making threats to the attorney who represented Renae in the divorce proceedings. The prosecutor declined to press criminal charges, but the internal investigation sustained the accusations. The records dont show what, if any, discipline was imposed. In a 2014 case, Moeggenborg was accused of stalking Renae. The reports the state police provided were heavily redacted in that case as well, so it was hard to follow. But I received a mostly unredacted copy of the same report from the prosecutors office and it stunned me. It included an email from an investigator at Childrens Protective Services. Most of her words were redacted in the report provided by the state police, but the clean copy showed her expressing fears that David Moeggenborg was not thinking rationally and she even made a bold accusation: He feels he is untouchable as far as law enforcement and rules are concerned. This embedded content is not available in your region. That line jumped out at me, because it showed a third-party saying what family members had long claimed: David Moeggenborg felt that he possessed a get out of jail free card. At one point, Botbyl was granted a personal protection order against Moeggenborg while the stalking allegation was being investigated. She was granted another one after moving to Kentucky, which included an order to seize his firearms. That created an interesting dilemma when a local sheriff deputy had to confiscate Moeggenborgs guns, including his State Police-issued service weapons. This embedded content is not available in your region. As we would find out, Moeggenborg was investigated for child abuse, domestic violence, and stalking, but never charged. In 2013, Luce County Prosecutor Josh Freed reviewed a child abuse case against Moeggenborg. He said he considered the information in the case troubling but said there wasnt enough evidence to warrant prosecution. This embedded content is not available in your region. Two months later, Freed declined to charge Moeggenborg with violating a personal protection order for showing up at the church his family was attending. He called it a chance gathering and noted there was no verbal contact between Moeggenborg and his son. Trooper Moeggenborg and the Henagan case Eventually, David Moeggenborg would be scrutinized in the disappearance of Derrick Henagan. In late 2014, State Police would learn that Moeggenborgs daughter Meghan claimed she accompanied her father on a walk in the woods and saw what she described as a graveyard. Investigators would take months to pursue her claim, waiting until after Moeggenborg had died of cancer. A few weeks after he passed, nine members of the State Police gathered on a conference call to discuss the case. They decided to change the case from a missing person to a homicide and they decided to search some properties for Henagans remains. Reading through the reports, one really shocked me. It showed that one of those properties they searched with cadaver dogs was the home of David Moeggenborg. This embedded content is not available in your region. Of all the police reports I obtained as part of this project, this one stunned me the most. The Michigan State Police sent cadaver dogs to the home of their recently departed colleague to see whether they might find the remains of Derrick Henagan, who had been missing for almost seven years. As that report shows, theres no mention of Moeggenborgs name tying it to that property. We had to cross reference the address to confirm it was his place. They didnt find anything during that search, but theyd be back. Five months after they searched Moeggenborgs property, they returned to check on a wood burner that disappeared from the house. The most interesting part of this report is a text exchange between a trooper and a sheriffs deputy about searching the wood burner for bones. Heres the report. This embedded content is not available in your region. Almost four years later, they would be back again after the new homeowner discovered an ax sealed behind some drywall in the basement of Moeggenborgs home. Here is the report on the ax and the lab tests run on it. This embedded content is not available in your region. Trooper grills Dyanna Maddox in Henagan case Dyanna Maddox has consistently told police that she had nothing to do with Henagans disappearance. In 2016, a trooper grilled her with questions about it. Her name is redacted in his report summarizing that interview. The context and video on freep.com confirm it is her. This embedded content is not available in your region. Dyanna Maddox and Trooper David Moeggenborg One interesting part of that report is the way it was redacted by Michigan State Police. The Free Press received it under two separate requests, filed a couple of years apart. The second request was seeking more recent records. However, the copies were redacted in slightly different ways. When the copies are placed side-by-side, it shows Dyanna Maddox was asked whether she had a relationship with Trooper David Moeggenborg and that the redactions were made to obscure that. Here is a side-by-side view of the pages. Slide the white button to see both. Contact us: 248-702-4092 or through encrypted email at wiselyj@proton.me Check out our landing page, our cast of characters and our episode pages (listed on our landing page) to see photos, videos, documents and more tied to the case. Subscribe to the Secrets newsletter for updates on the podcast. Subscribe to the Free Press to support investigative journalism. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: What police reports show and hide in Derrick Henagan disappearance 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. 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 As states loosen childhood vaccine requirements, health experts worries grow appeared first on Utah News Dispatch. Flash Iran's cooperation with China in the area of cultural heritage is "extensive, friendly and responsible," Director of the National Museum of Iran Jebrael Nokandeh said here on Saturday. Nokandeh, also a senior archaeologist, made the remarks at a ceremony marking the International Museum Day, which falls on May 18 annually. As two major cultural heritage hubs in the world, Iran and China, one located in West Asia and the other in East Asia, were connected via the ancient Silk Road, "which is their common heritage," Nokandeh said. Meanwhile, the two countries have been promoting cultural cooperation under the framework of the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia, which was established in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, in late April 2023, he said. The director noted that his museum had been working with Beijing's Palace Museum, Shanghai Museum, the National Museum of China, China's National Administration of Cultural Heritage, and the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage in areas of archeological research, cultural relics exchange, and organizing exhibitions and educational workshops. Iranian culture has attracted a significant number of Chinese tourists to the National Museum of Iran, with Chinese visitors comprising the largest group of non-Iranian visitors over the past 12 months, followed by Russians, Nokandeh said. To facilitate the visits by Chinese tourists, the museum has published brochures in Chinese and trained museum docents for Chinese visitors, he said. By Liam Mo and Sarah Wu BEIJING (Reuters) - Didi Global Inc's co-founder Jean Liu has stepped down from her roles as president and board director of China's biggest ride-hailing firm to take on a new role, according to an internal company memo. Didi, which is seen as China's answer to Uber but has faced prolonged regulatory scrutiny, will no longer have a position of president, it said in the memo seen by Reuters. Liu, a former Goldman Sachs banker who has been at the helm of Didi for a decade, will take on a new role as "permanent partner" and will maintain her current duties including serving as chief people officer, Liu and CEO Will Cheng said in the internal letter sent to employees on Sunday. "I hope that I can focus more on the company's long-term development in the future," Liu said in the letter, citing talent and corporate social responsibility as focus areas. Liu, the daughter of Lenovo Group founder Liu Chuanzhi, was heavily involved in the company's key financial decisions, including its merger with Alibaba Group Holding Ltd-backed Kuaidi in 2015, its takeover of Uber Technologies Inc's China business, and fundraising from investors including Apple Inc. In 2021, Didi found itself in the spotlight of China's cyberspace regulator over its pursuit of a U.S. initial public offering without obtaining approval, prompting an inquiry that prohibited it from adding new users and resulted in many of Didi's apps being removed from major app stores. The company was penalized with a $1.2 billion fine in July 2022 over data security violations. Didi began to recover from its regulatory challenges in early 2023 when it received permission to relaunch its apps. (Reporting by Liam Mo, Sarah Wu and Qiaoyi Li; Editing by Susan Fenton) Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) harshly denounced President Bidens policy toward Israel during a speech to the countrys parliament, the Knesset, on Sunday in Tel Aviv. Stefanik, the highest-ranking Republican to visit Israel since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, blasted the presidents warnings that he could withhold support for Israel if it invades Rafah in Gaza. I have been clear at home and I will be clear here: There is no excuse for an American president to block aid to Israel aid that was duly passed by the Congress, or to ease sanctions on Iran, paying a $6 billion ransom to the worlds leading state sponsor of terror, or to dither and hide while our friends fight for their lives, Stefanik said in prepared remarks reviewed by The Hill. No excuse. Full stop, she added. Its why I have sponsored, or backed, every measure to aid Israel that has come before the U.S. Congress. Every single one. Biden has repeatedly sent strong warnings to the Israeli government to better consider civilian casualties in Gaza and to assist in relieving the regions humanitarian crisis. The halt of a military shipment last week and threats to halt further shipments represents the strongest sign yet from the Biden administration. The move comes despite Bidens consistent support for Israel. The president announced plans for a $1 billion arms deal for the country just days after threatening to cut off military supplies. But Bidens threats have been widely denounced by Republicans and some Democrats. The House passed a GOP-led bill to prevent the president from halting arms shipments to Israel in a 224-187 vote Thursday. The measure is not expected to pass the Senate. Stefanik made clear her support for former President Trump in the speech, marking a rare departure from U.S. political tradition not to engage in partisan politics when overseas. She has been floated as a finalist to be Trumps running mate in November. Its why I led the calls for the White House to speak out against the corrupt ICC, her prepared remarks continue, referencing the International Criminal Court, which is reportedly considering issuing an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over accusations of war crimes. Its why, for years, I have been a leading proponent and partner to President Trump in his historic support for Israeli independence and security. We must not let the extremism in elite corners conceal the deep, abiding love for Israel among the American people, Stefaniks remarks continued. Most Americans feel a strong connection to your people. They have opened their hearts to you in this dark hour. The White House hit back on Stefaniks attacks Sunday, instead saying that Biden is Israels closest ally. There has been no better friend to Israel than President Biden. He was the first American president to visit Israel during war time in the aftermath of the horrific October 7th terrorist attacks and the first president to order the U.S. military to defend Israel from a foreign nations attack, spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement to The Hill. Bates also attacked Trump in the statement. As he has demonstrated, President Bidens support for Israels security is ironclad, he continued. Unlike some figures on the right, President Biden did not rail against the Israeli government in the days after October 7, nor has he ever praised terrorist organizations like Hezbollah and he will not be lectured by any person who was silent in the face of those offensive statements. Filip Timotija and Mychael Schnell contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Stefanik calls for wiping Hamas off the face of the Earth and touts Trump policies in speech to Israeli Knesset House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik delivered remarks at the Israeli Knesset Sunday, saying victory for Israel in the war against Hamas starts with wiping those responsible for the October 7 terrorist attacks off the face of the Earth and calling for a return to former President Donald Trumps policies. Total victory starts, but only starts, with wiping those responsible for October 7 off the face of the Earth. There can be no retrievable dignity for Hamas and its backers, she said in her speech in which she called herself a leading proponent and partner to Trump and sharply criticized the Biden administration. The New York Republican, who is considered a potential vice-presidential pick for the presumptive GOP nominee, has been outspoken in the House over reports of antisemitism on college campuses, earning attention for her grilling of university presidents. Her speech makes her the highest-ranking House Republican to address the Israeli governing body since the October 7 attacks, according to the GOP conference. When the enemy is inside the gates of the United Nations, America must be the one to call it by its name and destroy it. President Trump understood that, Stefanik said. But you know as well as I that the enemy is inside more than just the gates of the United Nations. It is also in powerful Western institutions in my country and beyond, where the virus, the vile virus of antisemitism is spreading. This is why total victory means not just physical self-defense but ideological self-defense, added Stefanik, who claimed that pro-Palestinian protesters on college campuses who are calling for a ceasefire in the conflict are cosplaying Hamas. In a rare instance of a member of Congress publicly criticizing the American president to a foreign government, Stefanik went after Biden, saying there is no excuse for his administration blocking military aid to Israel. I have been clear at home and I will be clear here: There is no excuse for an American president to block aid to Israel aid that was duly passed by the Congress, Stefanik said. The Biden administration has paused the shipment of some bombs to Israel, citing opposition to the weapons being used in the densely populated areas of Rafah. But it has also begun the early stages of a process to move ahead with a new $1 billion arms deal for Israel. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement Sunday, There has been no better friend to Israel than President Biden. He was the first American president to visit Israel during war time in the aftermath of the horrific October 7 terrorist attacks and the first president to order the US military to defend Israel from a foreign nations attack. As he has demonstrated, President Bidens support for Israels security is ironclad, Bates said. Unlike some figures on the right, President Biden did not rail against the Israeli government in the days after October 7, nor has he ever praised terrorist organizations like Hezbollah and he will not be lectured by any person who was silent in the face of those offensive statements, Bates said in reference to statements from Trump, who called the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah very smart and said that Israel was not prepared for October 7 in an interview with Fox News days after the attack. Biden said for the first time publicly earlier this month that he would halt some shipments of American weapons to Israel which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a major invasion of Rafah. Were not walking away from Israels security. Were walking away from Israels ability to wage war in those areas, Biden said in an interview with CNN at the time. Stefanik attempted to paint a contrast between the White House and the House GOP, telling Fox News Sunday after her speech, The world is looking for moral leadership and its important that House Republicans step up to fill that void. One of the main focuses of my speech was that the American people stand strongly with Israel, as do House Republicans, she told Fox, applauding the House-passed, GOP-led bill that would prevent Biden from withholding, halting, reversing or canceling weapons transfers from the US to Israel already approved by Congress. Asked about civilian deaths in Gaza where more than 35,000 people have been killed, according to the enclaves health ministry Stefanik pointed to Hamas use of civilian shields. Israel has great respect when it comes to human rights, she said, and thats how they have conducted all of their operations, thats why the United States stands strongly with Israel. Human rights groups have accused Israel of committing war crimes and abuses during the war in Gaza. The Biden administration said in a State Department report to Congress earlier this month that it is reasonable to assess that US weapons have been used by Israeli forces in Gaza in ways that are inconsistent with international humanitarian law, but it stopped short of officially saying Israel violated the law. CNNs Michelle Shen contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Rep. Elise Stefanik does not like being reminded that she once called Donald Trump a whack job and insulting to women. During a Fox News interview, the New York Republican got heated when host Shannon Bream read excerpts from a New York Times article that included quotes showing Stefanik was initially critical of Trumps candidacy in 2016. The Times article quoted Stefanik telling a radio station in 2016 that Trump was insulting to women in the Access Hollywood tape where he bragged that he liked to grab women by the pussy. The paper also obtained a message where Stefanik said Trump was a whack job and reported that Stefaniks former friends said she believed Trump was too awful and ridiculous to be taken seriously. Its a disgrace that you would quote The New York Times with nameless, faceless, false sources, Stefanik, the Republican Conference chair, said when Bream asked why she changed her mind about Trump. Yikes! Elise Stefanik gets big mad at Fox News Sunday's Shannon Bream when Bream asks her about calling Trump a "whack job" and "insulting to women" during the 2016 cycle: "Well Shannon, it's a disgrace that you would quote the New York Times with nameless, faceless" "They're pic.twitter.com/1tf3s6ebOy Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 19, 2024 But theyre quoting your friends, Bream said. Im giving you a chance to respond to that. Theyre not quoting my friends. Those names are not included because they are false smears, Stefanik responded. But, as Bream noted, There a number of names of people who are quoted in the article. When Bream brought up Stefaniks quote that Trump was insulting to women in his Access Hollywood comments, the congresswoman blamed the Democrats for leaking the tape. But according to a source who spoke to The Wrap, somebody at NBC News or the Today show leaked the tape. That was insulting, Stefanik said Sunday of the tape. However, Shannon, I stood by and supported him, and I strongly support him. She went on to say that Trump has supported women by hiring them to senior positions and by promoting womens economic opportunity. I have been proud to support him. Its a disgrace that you would take a New York Times article and just read negative quotes when I was the only Republican elected woman from the Northeast who voted for him in 2016, who has strongly supported him, and Im proud to be one of his strongest allies today, Stefanik said. While Stefanik may have eventually come around to support Trump and declare herself proud to be ultra-MAGA as she did last month, the congresswoman did not endorse him during the 2016 primary. She was openly critical of his proposed policies even a month before the general election, often avoiding mentioning Trump by name. And as Bream said, Folks can go read that article for themselves. There were names, people who went on the record. Stefanik is reportedly in the running to be Trumps vice presidential running mate, and she was one of the first members of Congress to endorse his 2024 bid for the White House. She also voted to overturn the 2020 election results and has not committed to certifying the 2024 election results. Stefanik spoke to Bream via satellite from Israel, where she delivered a speech to parliament (called the Knesset) a rare occurrence for a visitor to the nation. She criticized President Joe Biden for holding back bomb shipments during Israels assault on Gaza due to the number of Palestinian civilians being killed by the Israeli military. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) in an address before Israels Parliament Sunday is expected to denounce President Bidens pause on weapons supply to the country, as it continues its military operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Her remarks before the Knesset come after the Biden administration cautioned Israel not to invade Rafah, a city in the south of Gaza where at least 600,000 Palestinians are seeking shelter after being evacuated from their homes earlier in the war. Biden urged the Israeli military to first come up with a plan to avoid civilian casualties. Stefanik, who chairs the House Republican Conference, is set to present the Republican Party as the real backer of Israel, considering the U.S. support for the countrys operation in Gaza has, at times, divided Democrats in Congress. I have been clear at home and I will be clear here: There is no excuse for an American president to block aid to Israel aid that was duly passed by the Congress, or to ease sanctions on Iran, paying a $6 billion ransom to the worlds leading state sponsor of terror, or to dither and hide while our friends fight for their lives, Stefanik said in prepared remarks, reviewed by The Hill. No excuse. Full stop, she added. Its why I have sponsored, or backed, every measure to aid Israel that has come before the U.S. Congress. Every single one. The Biden administration faced scrutiny over the pause, which halted the transfer of some 3,500 heavy bombs to Israel as the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) were gearing up to advance their operation in the south and central part of Gaza. The White House later said it plans to move $1 billion in weapons to the Jewish state. The New York Republicans remarks, apart from highlighting her pro-Israel stance, could also elevate her as a contender for former President Trumps vice-presidential slot. Stefanik has been mentioned as a potential running mate, along with a bevy of senators and governors supportive of the former president. Its why I led the calls for the White House to speak out against the corrupt ICC, her prepared remarks continue, referencing the International Criminal Court, which is reportedly considering issuing an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over accusations of war crimes. Its why, for years, I have been a leading proponent and partner to President Trump in his historic support for Israeli independence and security. Stefanik will be the highest-ranking House member to visit Israel following Hamas Oct. 7 terrorist attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in over 250 people being taken hostage. She is scheduled to meet with Israeli officials, visit religious sites and tour the places targeted in the attack that sparked the war. We must not let the extremism in elite corners conceal the deep, abiding love for Israel among the American people, she is expected to say. Most Americans feel a strong connection to your people. They have opened their hearts to you in this dark hour. The House approved a bill Thursday that would reverse Bidens pause, a formal admonishment of his approach to the war. The legislation which cleared the chamber in a 224-187 vote is expected to go nowhere in the Democratic-controlled Senate. Mychael Schnell contributed reporting. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Lead author Dr. Shawn Aaron, a senior scientist and lung specialist at The Ottawa Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, described the research as "the world's first study to find people with undiagnosed asthma or COPD in their homes," Photo courtesy of The Ottawa Hospital NEW YORK, May 19 (UPI) -- Finding and treating people with undiagnosed asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease improved their health and led to fewer appointments for respiratory symptoms in the year after detection, a new study indicates. The results were published Sunday in the New England Journal of Medicine. "This is the world's first study to find people with undiagnosed asthma or COPD in their homes," said the study's lead author, Dr. Shawn Aaron, a senior scientist and lung specialist at The Ottawa Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. "They are suffering because they are without a diagnosis or treatment, and if we set out to diagnose them early and treat them, we can make them much better," said Aaron, who also is a professor at the University of Ottawa. He added that an estimated 70% of people with asthma or COPD are undiagnosed. At age 24, Jazzminn Hein, of Hastings Highlands, Ontario, Canada, answered an automated call inviting her to participate in the study. She learned she had asthma. Photo courtesy of Jazzminn Hein To find undetected cases, the research team reached out to random telephone numbers at 17 study locations across Canada from 2017 to 2023. An automated call inquired whether any adults in the household had unexplained shortness of breath, wheezing or prolonged cough, or were coughing up mucus in the past six months. The 26,905 people who indicated experiencing these symptoms completed questionnaires. Those most likely to have asthma or COPD also took a spirometry breathing test -- the gold standard for diagnosing either condition. A total of 595 people received a diagnosis of asthma or COPD, and 508 consented to enrolling in a randomized, controlled trial to compare different kinds of care. Researchers assigned half of trial participants to usual care (their primary care provider or a walk-in-clinic) and the other half to lung specialists and asthma/COPD educators (specially trained nurses or respiratory therapists) for treatment. A lung specialist and educator prescribed inhalers and taught patients how to use them. Some participants received action plans to help manage disease flare-ups on their own. They also obtained smoking cessation treatment, exercise and weight counseling, and pneumonia and flu vaccines, if appropriate. Of the people seen by a lung specialist or asthma/COPD educator, 92% began new medications, compared to 60% of patients getting usual care. Patients under the care of a lung specialist and asthma/COPD educator averaged 0.53 health care visits for respiratory symptoms in the year after diagnosis, compared to 1.12 visits in the usual care group. Their average score on the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire increased by 10.2 points, compared to 6.8 points for usual care participants. A four-point rise signifies an improvement in health and quality of life. The outcomes were impressive for both groups, Aaron said, adding long waiting lists exist to see specialists in Canada. At age 24, Jazzminn Hein answered an automated call inviting her to participate in the study after she had given birth to her first of two children. A week or two before the call, she had gone on a walk, pushing her daughter in a stroller up a small hill. When she reached the top, she said, it took five to 10 minutes to catch her breath. "I started having problems when I was very young, like 7 or 8 years old," said Hein, now 28 and a resident of Hastings Highlands, Ontario. "If I was outside playing tag with my friends, they would be able to run a lot more than I could. I would be out of breath a lot of faster." Although Hein "felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest," healthcare providers dismissed her breathing complaints as anxiety attacks. But then, thanks to the study, she found out she has asthma and received an inhaler, which she said made a huge difference. "I don't get nearly as many headaches," Hein said. "I'm not yawning 50 times a day. I'm not walking up at night without the ability to breathe." Dr. Kevin Simpson, a professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill., said "this study suggests that we are presently missing opportunities to improve the respiratory status of a significant number of people." He was not involved in the study. Patients should discuss any persistent shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing and cough with their health care providers, while acknowledging that "office visits can feel rushed at times, and it can be a challenge to decide how to best utilize that limited time," Simpson said. In prior decades, many physicians regarded COPD as a disease that couldn't be treated, but this study demonstrated that using inhalers improved lung function, reduced symptoms and decreased the risk of respiratory infections, said Dr. M. Bradley Drummond, an associate professor in the division of pulmonary diseases and critical care at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. In addition to using spirometry to diagnose asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis and other conditions that compromise breathing, doctors can order it to check lung function before surgery or to assess the effectiveness of medication and treatment. The test requires breathing into a mouthpiece attached to a device called a spirometer, experts say. Most physician offices do not have this test available, while lung specialists and hospitals typically do, said Dr. David Mannino, a pulmonologist and chief medical officer of the COPD Foundation in Miami. "One takes a deep breath in, then blasts out quickly until your lungs have emptied all air -- sort of like blowing out candles on a birthday cake," Mannino said. To obtain the best results, people should perform this maneuver at least three times. A technician may give medicine to help open airways before a patient repeats the test, said Dr. Amy Attaway, a pulmonologist and associate director of the COPD center at Cleveland Clinic. "Spirometry tests are usually highly accurate when performed correctly," Attaway said. However, patients may become lightheaded, dizzy or have chest tightness due to the test, said Dr. Dixie Harris, a pulmonary medicine and critical care physician at Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City. People should avoid or postpose testing if they have experienced a recent heart attack, stroke, certain types of surgery, a collapsed lung, respiratory infection such as tuberculosis or COVID-19, a large or growing thoracic or abdominal aneurysm, coughing up blood, or increased brain pressure, Harris said. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met with the Saudi crown prince over the weekend to discuss a security agreement between the two countries. The state-run Saudi Press Agency said Sullivan and Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman talked about a semi-final version of a security agreement, The Associated Press (AP) reported. A security deal between the two countries was upended last year following Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel that prompted widespread war in the Gaza Strip. The semi-final version of the draft strategic agreements between the kingdom and the United States of America, which are almost being finalized and what is being worked on between the two sides in the Palestinian issue to find a credible path were discussed, the statement released by Saudi state media reads, according to AP. The AP noted that the Saudi Press Agency did not release any photos of the two officials speaking. There was no immediate statement released by the U.S. about the discussions as of Sunday morning. Saudi Arabia stepped away from discussions about an agreement following the outbreak of the war in Gaza. However, Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to the country earlier this year and said the crown prince told him normalization was still possible. He and virtually every other leader I talked to supports moving forward with integration, normalization, whatever you want to call it, Blinken said in an NBC interview. But of course, the conflict in Gaza needs to end, and there has to be a pathway for Palestinian rights. The Biden administration announced that Sullivan would be traveling to Saudi Arabia on Saturday to discuss bilateral and regional matters, including the war in Gaza and ongoing efforts to achieve a lasting peace and security in the region. He heads to Israel on Sunday where he will meet with senior Israeli officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to talk about the ongoing war and ongoing negotiations to release hostages being held by Hamas. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Despite a recent Mississippi Supreme Court ruling allowing $10 million in public money to be spent on private schools, 2024 has not been a good year for those supporting school vouchers. School-choice supporters were hopeful during the 2024 legislative session, with new House Speaker Jason White at times indicating support for vouchers. But the Legislature, which recently completed its session, did not pass any new voucher bills. In fact, it placed tighter restrictions on some of the limited laws the state has in place allowing public money to be spent on private schools. Notably, the Legislature passed a bill that provides significantly more oversight of a program that provides a limited number of scholarships or vouchers for special-needs children to attend private schools. Going forward, thanks to the new law, to receive the vouchers a parent must certify that their child will be attending a private school that offers the special needs educational services that will help the child. And the school must report information on the academic progress of the child receiving the funds. Also, efforts to expand another state program that provides tax credits for the benefit of private schools was defeated. Legislation that would have expanded the tax credits offered by the Childrens Promise Act from $8 million a year to $24 million to benefit private schools was defeated. Private schools are supposed to educate low income students and students with special needs to receive the benefit of the tax credits. The legislation expanding the Childrens Promise Act was defeated after it was reported that no state agency knew how many students who fit into the categories of poverty and other specific needs were being educated in the schools receiving funds through the tax credits. Interestingly, the Legislature did not expand the Childrens Promise Act but also did not place more oversight on the private schools receiving the tax credit funds. The bright spot for those supporting vouchers was the early May state Supreme Court ruling. But, in reality, the Supreme Court ruling was not as good for supporters of vouchers as it might appear on the surface. The Supreme Court did not say in the ruling whether school vouchers are constitutional. Instead, the states highest court ruled that the group that brought the lawsuit Parents for Public Schools did not have standing to pursue the legal action. The Supreme Court justices did not give any indication that they were ready to say they were going to ignore the Mississippi Constitutions plain language that prohibits public funds from being provided to any school that at the time of receiving such appropriation is not conducted as a free school. In addition to finding Parents for Public Schools did not have standing to bring the lawsuit, the court said another key reason for its ruling was the fact that the funds the private schools were receiving were federal, not state funds. The public funds at the center of the lawsuit were federal COVID-19 relief dollars. Right or wrong, The court appeared to make a distinction between federal money and state general funds. And in reality, the circumstances are unique in that seldom does the state receive federal money with so few strings attached that it can be awarded to private schools. The majority opinion written by Northern District Supreme Justice Robert Chamberlin and joined by six justices states, These specific federal funds were never earmarked by either the federal government or the state for educational purposes, have not been commingled with state education funds, are not for educational purposes and therefore cannot be said to have harmed PPS (Parents for Public Schools) by taking finite government educational funding away from public schools. And Southern District Supreme Court Justice Dawn Beam, who joined the majority opinion, wrote separately to reiterate that we are not ruling on state funds but American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds The ARPA funds were given to the state to be used in four possible ways, three of which were directly related to the COVID -19 health emergency and one of which was to make necessary investments in water, sewer or broadband infrastructure. Granted, many public school advocates lamented the decision, pointing out that federal funds are indeed public or taxpayer money and those federal funds could have been used to help struggling public schools. Two justices James Kitchens and Leslie King, both of the Central District, agreed with that argument. But, importantly, a decidedly conservative-leaning Mississippi Supreme Court stopped far short at least for the time being of circumventing state constitutional language that plainly states that public funds are not to go to private schools. And a decidedly conservative Mississippi Legislature chose not to expand voucher programs during the 2024 session. This analysis was produced by Mississippi Today, a nonprofit news organization that covers state government, public policy, politics and culture. Bobby Harrison is Mississippi Todays senior Capitol reporter. The Federal Trade Commission last month ruled against noncompete clauses on employees, a decision that affects all for-profit firms and all employees except for a few senior executives. Noncompete clauses are contracts between businesses and their employees that prevent an employee from taking a job with a competing business. These are always justified on trade secrets. Theyve been common for senior executives for many decades, but they have spread to cover almost a third of workers. The most ridiculous example is among fast food workers. Almost the entirety of noncompete clauses are made to prevent wage competition among workers. Michael Hicks There are two legitimate criticisms of the Federal Trade Commissions ruling. The first is simply that the ruling is too broad for a regulatory agency, and the ban on noncompete clauses shouldve been the work of Congress. Im deeply sympathetic to the argument that Congress has ceded too much rulemaking to regulatory bodies. However, the Federal Trade Commission was created specifically to engage with monopoly behavior that evolves quickly. The second criticism is that the commission ruling doesnt affect nonprofit firms. Nonprofits are among the largest abusers of this tool of monopolies. For example, hospitals in Indiana are mostly nonprofit (despite being among the most profitable industries in the state). They are exempt from this ruling, so we have only two choices: wait for state or federal laws to end the practice or for the Department of Justice to sue. There are three big benefits to ending most noncompete clauses. The obvious benefit is that it makes it simpler for workers to change jobs and pursue better wages or working conditions. The Federal Trade Commission's ruling benefits all workers, as well as businesses that offer competitive wages, benefits, working conditions and opportunities. The second benefit is that the end of noncompete clauses will boost business dynamism. Many affected businesses complain that increased competition for workers will hurt them and the economy. That claim is only half-true. Businesses that have shielded themselves from competition through noncompete clauses will need to do better. This might make them less profitable and force some to go out of business. That might be bad for the business owner, but it is not bad for the economy. A dynamic, growing economy depends not only on business growth and expansion but also business failure. Noncompete clauses inhibit business dynamism by trapping workers in less productive companies. By removing restrictions on workers seeking better employers, we allow the free movement of labor to its more productive use, where workers are also better compensated. Story continues Noncompete clauses act as a profit subsidy to businesses that cannot compete for workers in local labor markets. The Federal Trade Commissions actions force them to become more productive to compete on wages and working conditions. Firms that fail to do so will shrink or close. That not only moves workers, but also releases their buildings and capital to more productive firms. The final and biggest benefit of the commission's ruling is that it weakens monopolies. Noncompete clauses keep wages low by preventing workers from seeking jobs with competitors. But noncompete clauses also squeeze out other forms of competition. Professional services firms, such as law, accounting or engineering firms, employ people with very specific skills and a great deal of on-the-job training. These workers also develop local clients. If an employee becomes dissatisfied and wishes to open their own business, a noncompete clause would prevent them from doing so locally. In this case, a noncompete clause slows the formation of new, competing businesses. Noncompete clauses also are part of what is known as vertical foreclosure. That is when a business buys or controls its suppliers to a region, preventing other businesses from entering the market. It can happen in many economic sectors, but it is most common in health care. Health-care systems can vertically foreclose the hospital market by purchasing medical practices. These physicians or groups of physicians refer patients to hospitals. An independent physician may refer patients to different hospitals based upon the price of the service or the perceived quality. However, once a practice is bought by the larger health-care system, they will only refer patients to the hospital. In many places, including the health-care market where I live and work, IU Health has spent the last decade and a half gobbling up local medical practices. The local hospital is extraordinarily profitable, so it is an attractive place to locate a new clinic. However, there are too few untethered physicians to accept patients at a new clinic. The noncompete clause reinforces the strength of hospital monopolies by preventing physicians from opening a competing practice locally and referring patients to other (less expensive) hospitals. Sadly, the Federal Trade Commission ruling wont make medical care less expensive in my region because this highly profitable local hospital is, well, a not-for-profit. Ill have to wait on legislation. The Federal Trade Commissions ruling isnt an immediate panacea, but it comes at a time when the economy is strong and employers and workers have good information about labor market options. It should hasten better wages for many workers, boost the prospects of good companies, and direct human capital and physical capital to more productive businesses. That is all good news. Michael J. Hicks, Ph.D., is the director of the Center for Business and Economic Research and the George and Frances Ball distinguished professor of economics in the Miller College of Business at Ball State University. This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: End of noncompete clause means higher employee wages Surge of summerlike warmth and humidity across the Northeast on the way Northeast residents are in for toasty start to the week, AccuWeather meteorologists say. A stretch of drier weather and rising temperatures are expected to grip areas from the Ohio Valley to the mid-Atlantic and New England into midweek for many. Through Wednesday, a pronounced northward bulge in the jet stream over then Eastern United States will help to usher in a zone of high pressure. This feature will promote a surge of warmth from cities like Charlotte, North Carolina, to Bangor, Maine, where temperatures will rise in to the upper 80s Fahrenheit by mid- to late week. Daytime temperatures at times this week will range into the 90s F for locations across New York state, like Syracuse and Albany. Most cities and towns across the mid-Atlantic and Northeast will observe temperatures rising between 8-16 degrees F above typical mid- to late-May values, and several degrees higher than highs that were observed over the weekend. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Have the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts with Premium+ "Temperatures by midweek [across the Northeast] will reach levels typically experienced in the middle of summer," noted AccuWeather Meteorologist Adam Sadvary. One note of caution for residents getting outside to enjoy the dry, warm setup early this week and flocking to bodies of water is that most lake water temperatures are still generally between 50 and 60 degrees F, with only a few locations rising to around 70 F at this time. Experts warn that any water temperatures below 70 degrees F should be treated with caution. Below this value, the human respiration can begin to be adversely affected. Not only will conditions progressively turn warmer into midweek, but forecasters also note that humidity levels are also projected to rise from midweek to late week. "As high pressure makes its way offshore over the Atlantic by the middle of the week, even warmer and more humid air will flow into region from out of the south," explained Sadvary. Dew points will climb into the 60s F across a large portion of the mid-Atlantic states and Northeast coastline. Directly ahead of a cold front expected to pulse across the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes into the Northeast from Wednesday to Thursday, dew points can even rise into the upper 70s F. Sadvary added that with the increase in humidity, AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures can also soar into the 90s F by Wednesday and Thursday for some locations. "If you haven't gotten around to installing your air conditioner units, the start of this week would be an optimal time to do so," Sadvary recommended. Moisture will return from mid- to late week as a storm tracking across southeastern Canada with a trailing cold front advances across the eastern states. From Wednesday to Wednesday night, pockets of stronger thunderstorms will develop along the front and ramp up across the Ohio Valley. Some storms may even turn severe. As wet weather returns to the Ohio Valley and interior Northeast around midweek, storms that push into the region will be capable of packing downpours, hail, locally damaging winds and even isolated tornadoes. Following the handful of tornadoes that touched down in southwest Pennsylvania on Friday, May 17, residents across Allegheny and Westmoreland counties should remain on alert for more potentially disruptive storms. Once storms advance closer to the Northeast coast later this week, the dry streak will come to an end for cities such as Boston, New York, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia. The comparatively cooler air mass arriving behind the front will yield slightly cooler conditions, bringing most locations back to highs in the 70s F. From Thursday to Thursday evening, storms that develop along the Northeast coast will have the potential to turn severe. Hazards such as gusty winds, flooding downpours and hail can arise in the strongest storms. Commuters from late Thursday afternoon to evening should remain aware of the ongoing weather in the area and prepare for potential travel disruptions. 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. A Sioux Falls School District educator works with students. (Courtesy of Sioux Falls School District) Survey results indicate nearly two-thirds of South Dakota public school educators are teaching the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings, but the number of respondents is lower than the last survey. The essential understandings are a set of standards approved in 2018 for teaching students about Native American culture and history. Oceti Sakowin is the collective term for Lakota, Dakota and Nakota speaking Native Americans, many of whom live in South Dakota. There are nine tribal nations within the state. About 62% of teachers are using the standards, based on a survey conducted by the state Department of Education in 2023 a remarkable increase from 45% in 2021, said Fred Osborn, director of the Office of Indian Education, which is under the supervision of the state Department of Tribal Relations. He presented the survey results to the Indian Education Advisory Council earlier this month. Use of the standards is optional. The survey is used to understand how the standards are being implemented, and to help state officials encourage statewide adoption. The key is theres improvement, Osborn said. Its not perfect yet. Theres still work to be done, but weve come a long way from 45% of teachers. We hope that increases every year. Osborn added that the Office of Indian Education provided 10,000 copies of books on the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings through a Bush Foundation grant since the first survey, and sent out education packets for all grade levels last fall. Fewer survey responses Only about 385 educators took part in the 2023 survey, compared to 554 in 2021. The 2023 survey also does not list how many public school districts were represented in the survey, whereas 2021s survey had responses from 125 of the states 149 school districts. The school district identification question was changed between 2021 and 2023, said department spokesperson Nancy Van Der Weide. The department does not have any data to determine how many school districts were represented in the latest survey. Removing the school district identification question allowed participants more anonymity, Van Der Weide told South Dakota Searchlight. Neither Osborn nor any members of the council addressed the potential impact of fewer responses on the validity of the survey results. The survey was voluntary and available for one month, Van Der Weide said, with a notice placed in a newsletter sent to teachers throughout the state. Those educators who did respond provided informed recommendations, Van Der Weide said in an emailed statement. Some of those were educators who already incorporate a lot of OSEUs in their classrooms, while others were those who wanted to make them a part of their instruction and responded with ideas for tools that would help them to incorporate the standards into their classrooms. Advisory council member Sherry Johnson, tribal education director for the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, helped shaped the standards and is participating in the standards update. She doubts the survey is an accurate representation of how the standards are being used in the state. We have pockets of the state that are doing well, but its not pervasive. Its not required, Johnson said. If nothing else, there should be direct teacher training and a mandate to have this Indian education for all. Megan Deal, a second-grade teacher in Pierre and a member of the advisory council, said her school participated in a pilot program to help create lesson plans for standards at each grade level, but not all teachers incorporated the teachings into their classrooms. I dont think theyre being taught at very many schools around the state at this time, Deal said. Council member Brian Wagner, tribal education director with the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, said he is concerned about the lack of teeth with the standards. Lawmakers have introduced bills to require use of the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings in classrooms, but those efforts have failed in the Legislature. Knowledge is power, Wagner said. If people dont learn about history, then we risk repeating it, and unfortunately the history repeating would be the racism and the discrimination that many tribal members have experienced because people dont understand tribal sovereignty or the treaties and the treaty rights. Impact expected from social studies standards Though the standards are optional, said Secretary of South Dakota Department of Education Joseph Graves, the new social studies standards that will be implemented by 2025 will include references to the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings. Those will encourage more teachers to use the cultural standards, he said. Were going to find more Native American history and culture being taught in the schools than ever before, Graves said. This is actually a move forward, not a move back. I think the social studies standards have gotten an unfair black eye, and I think once you see these in place youll find were teaching more of it rather than less and, I think, from an enlightened perspective. The social studies standards controversy started in 2021 because the department removed more than a dozen references to the Oceti Sakowin from a committees draft revision of social studies standards. After Gov. Kristi Noem formed a new work group and ordered the process to start over, the group produced standards that drew criticism for an emphasis on rote memorization over inquiry-based learning. Graves added that the department plans to provide teachers with weekly materials to help them utilize the social studies standards and encourage them to use the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings. According to the 2023 survey results, about 84% of educators said they were aware of the standards, and 77% said it is important to implement the standards in every classroom. Only 55% of teachers said they knew the concepts well enough to teach them, but that was an 18 point increase from 2021. Nearly 40 administrators took part in their administrator survey in 2023, compared to 164 in 2021. The 2023 survey does not list how many public school districts were represented in the administrator survey. Nearly 80% of administrators said its important to implement the standards in every classroom, but two-thirds of administrators indicated a lack of confidence to implement the standards in their schools, while 56% reported an uncertainty about how to integrate the standards and 44% cited a concern for the appropriateness of the content an increase of 28 points from the 2021 survey. The survey does not address how using the standards affects Native American student achievement, but Osborn said it would be interesting to cross analyze that. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Survey says nearly two-thirds of SD educators use Indigenous standards appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A suspect and two victims have died following an officer-involved shooting in Fort Pierce on Saturday morning, police confirmed. Just after 11 a.m., Fort Pierce police responded to a possible shooting victim near North 24th Street and Avenue M. As they were treating a victim, officers heard several shots fired nearby. 2 shot following argument between group in Zephyrhills, Pasco deputies say The armed suspect, identified as Bernard Smith, 28, of Fort Pierce was found one block over on North 25th Street. Smith and the officers fired shots at each other, resulting in Smiths death. Police said no officers were harmed. Two other shooting victims were found by police and St. Lucie County deputies near the area. Officials said two of the three victims died from their injuries. The third victim was taken to a nearby hospital in serious condition. This is something that officers are constantly faced with, the dangers of what they have to encounter on the streets, Fort Pierce Police Major Michael Santiago said. Fortunately, our highly trained officers were able to end this violent spree before it went any further. Man drowns on Holmes Beach amid red flag conditions Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Jesse Love at 772-302-4790. Anonymous tippers can contact Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-8477. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will be investigating the officer-involved shooting. This remains an active 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 WFLA. A suspect wanted in connection with a shooting at Kennesaw State University has been arrested. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] According to school officials, the suspect, identified as Samuel Harris is now in police custody. Harris has been charged with murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Harris is not a Kennesaw State student. The university confirmed a female student was killed following an argument in front of the Austin Residence Complex Saturday afternoon. Harris ran away but was later caught. The victims age and identity were not released. TRENDING STORIES: The deadly gunfire went off feet from where students like Robert Bowns were studying. All I heard was bop, bop, bop, seven or eight times, said Bowns. Five minutes later, I get a report from the campus that there was an armed intruder on campus. The alert went out at 4:07 p.m. It warned people on campus to stay up and lock doors and windows. This was really early and still during the time that classes could have been going on, said Bowns. KSU Emergency Management said it was safe to come out at 4:43 pm. Police continued to keep Campus Loop Road closed behind the Austin Resident Complex for hours. Georgia Bureau of Investigation showed up to help gather evidence. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the victims family and friends during this incredibly difficult time, said KSU President Kathy S. Schwaig. Kennesaw State University is providing support and resources to those affected by the shooting. This is the second time this year that a KSU Alert has been put out for an armed intruder. In January, students and staff were told to shelter in place for hours after reports of a person with a gun on campus. Police say three suspects ran onto the universitys campus after a carjacking in DeKalb County. At least one of them had a gun when the stolen car was spotted in Cobb County. IN OTHER NEWS: Suspect at large after south Fort Worth shooting that injured one, police say Authorities are investigating a south Fort Worth shooting that injured a man on Saturday, according to police. Around 6:20 p.m., officers responded to a call about a shooting in the 4800 block of Miller Avenue. Police say a man was shot in the shoulder outside a corner store. He was taken to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. A suspect had not been located. Gun Violence detectives are investigating the shooting. At least one man was spotted scaling the George Washington Bridge Saturday afternoon causing traffic delays as the NYPD attempted to coral the climber. Police called for airbags and could be seen on the south side of the Manhattan tower as they tried to get the person. The incident unfolded just before noon and caused at least 90 minutes worth of delays due to the police activity, the Port Authority wrote on X. A possible protester was seen scaling the George Washington Bridge causing traffic delays. Police called for airbags and could be seen on the south side of the Manhattan tower as they tried to get the person. The incident unfolded just before noon and caused at least 90 minutes worth of delays due to the police activity, the Port Authority wrote on X. G.N.Miller/NYPost There were initial reports of as many as three people climbing the bridge, according to an FDNY spokesman. G.N.Miller/NYPost The NYPD would not confirm or deny whether the climber was a protester or an emotionally disturbed person. G.N.Miller/NYPost There were initial reports of as many as three people climbing the bridge, according to an FDNY spokesman. The NYPD would not confirm or deny whether the climber was a protester or an emotionally disturbed person. Theres no flags, no banners, no statements in connection to any protests, an NYPD spokesman said Saturday afternoon, noting authorities will have more information once the climber is in custody. About three and a half hours after the incident began, one person who had been scaling the span surrendered without incident, police said. Sweet Petes Candy nominated for USATodays Best Candy Stores in the USA Jacksonvilles own Sweet Petes Candy store was nominated for USATodays 10 Best Candy Stores in the United States. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Sweet Petes made the final 20 semifinalists and is up for a national vote. The top 20 semifinalists were selected by a panel of experts who looked for candy shops that stand out for offering a variety of delicious treats you cant always find in big chains of supermarkets. They also were selected for their ability to offer new flavors, support local businesses and provide a fun, nostalgic experience. Voting is open now! You can vote for Sweet Petes Candy on the USAToday website. Read: Parents upset after 8th graders asked to rate Adolf Hitlers attributes at metro Atlanta school [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. FILE - Taiwanese Vice President Lai Ching-te, also known as William Lai celebrates his victory after Taiwan's presidential election, in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. Lai Ching-te is set to take office as Taiwan's new president on May 20. Building on the legacy of incumbent president Tsai, Ing-wen means aiming to strike a balance between cultivating Taiwan's unofficial alliance with the United States, and maintaining peace with China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, to be retaken by force if necessary. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying, File) TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) In a campaign ad for Taiwans President-elect Lai Ching-te, incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen was shown driving with Lai in the passenger seat, exchanging reflections on their years governing together. Tsai later turned over the driving to Lai, who was joined by running mate Bi-khim Hsiao. The message was clear: Lai would steer the island in the direction set by Tsai, who after eight years in power was barred from running again. Lai, 64, will take office Monday. Continuing Tsais legacy means aiming to strike a balance between cultivating Taiwans unofficial alliance with the United States and maintaining peace with China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, to be retaken by force if necessary. Lai is also expected to build on some of Tsais domestic reforms, despite political gridlock. Lai and Tsais Democratic Progressive Party has lost the majority in the legislature, making it hard for Lai to push through legislation, including the approval of crucial national defense budgets. Tsai, 67, has been Taiwans first female president and one of Asias few female leaders who didnt hail from a political dynasty. Her legacy will be tied to defending the islands sovereignty from China while refashioning it as a credible partner for the U.S. and other democracies. She will also be remembered for overseeing the legalization of same sex-marriage, steering Taiwan through the COVID years and kickstarting the islands military modernization. She leaves office with high approval ratings. A recent poll by broadcaster TVBS showed 42% of respondents were satisfied with her eight-year performance. Her predecessor, Ma Ying-jeou, left office with approval ratings of around 23%. Tsais popularity partly reflects a shift in Taiwans identity. A vast majority of residents now identify as Taiwanese as opposed to Chinese and want to be governed separately from Beijing. Taiwan and China have had different governments since a civil war in 1949 saw the Nationalists flee to the island while Chinas Communist Party took control of the mainland. Tsai veered from the more China-friendly policies of the previous ruling party, the Kuomintang. By the end of Mas tenure, the frequent exchanges with Beijing were making many Taiwanese nervous, said Shelley Rigger, a Taiwan expert at Davidson College. Beijing called Tsai a separatist after she refused to acknowledge the 1992 Consensus, an agreement which says Taiwan is part of One China. While pulling away from Beijing, however, Tsai left a door open for communication. President Tsai has always said that Taiwan, under her leadership, is happy, willing and eager to have dialogue with Beijing, just not on terms unilaterally imposed by Beijing, said Wen-Ti Sung, a fellow with Washington-based think tank Atlantic Council. China has not only declined to speak to Tsai but also ramped up military and economic pressure on the island, sending warships and military jets near it daily. Beijing prevents countries it has diplomatic relations with from having formal ties with Taipei. During Tsais tenure, it intensified a campaign to lure away the islands few diplomatic partners. During Tsais years in office, China poached almost half of Taiwans diplomatic allies, bringing the remaining number to 12. Tsai pushed back by diversifying trade relationships and increasing military spending including submarine development. She also elevated Taiwans standing on the international stage, said outgoing Foreign Minister Joseph Wu. Her leadership style is very moderate, but at the same time very firm in dealing with any kind of international pressure, he said. She strengthened awareness of Taiwan around the world and its ties with the international community, said Bonnie Glaser, the director of the Indo-Pacific program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. TSAI 2.0 Lai, who served as vice president during Tsai's second term, came across as more of a firebrand earlier in his career. In 2017, he described himself as a pragmatic worker for Taiwans independence, drawing Beijings rebuke. He has since softened his stance and now supports maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and the possibility of talks with Beijing. Lai has spent the last two-plus years trying to convince the world that he is Tsai Ing-wen 2.0, said Lev Nachman, an assistant professor at National Chengchi University. Lai will build on Tsais efforts to strengthen ties with the U.S., which doesnt formally recognize Taiwan as a country but is bound by its own laws to provide the island with the means to defend itself. By some measures, Lais greatest uncertainty on the foreign policy front might come from Washington. A new Donald Trump administration could throw off whatever balance Tsai has achieved in Taipeis relations with Washington and Beijing, Nachman said. WHAT'S NEXT AT HOME During Tsai's tenure, Taiwan became the first society in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, though critics say she skirted political responsibility by leaving the decision up to the Supreme Court and a series of referendums. She oversaw a controversial pension and labor reform and extended the military conscription length to one year. She also kickstarted a military modernization drive, including a program for building indigenous submarines at more than $16 billion each. Tsais leadership during the COVID pandemic split public opinion, with most admiring Taiwans initial ability to keep the virus largely outside its borders but criticizing the lack of investment in rapid testing as the pandemic progressed. Tsais mixed success on the domestic policy front contributed to historically poor results for the DPP in local elections, said Sung with the Atlantic Council. The partys poor performance in the 2022 elections led to Tsai resigning as party chairwoman. And while Lai won the presidential election, DPP lost its majority in the legislature. Much of President Tsais governments success comes from the foreign policy and related international outreach fronts, and in terms of making inroads on the much more grassroots party machinery level, for example, those still have room for improvement, Sung said. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Tampa man was killed late Saturday night after crashing his motorcycle on the Gandy Bridge, troopers said. The Florida Highway Patrol said at 10:45 p.m., a 33-year-old Tampa man was driving on the Gandy Bridge toward Hillsborough County at a very high speed. Police search home of Tonya Whipps boyfriend days after his arrest Troopers said things turned deadly when he crashed into the back of a Jeep Grand Cherokee. After the first impact, the motorcyclist then crashed into a concrete barrier before getting knocked back into the road, tumbling for several hundred feet before the motorcycle caught on fire. The Tampa man died at the scene of the crash, according to the incident report. The other driver was not injured. 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. What's often billed as a friendly, no-appointment-needed, walk-in Saturday at the IRS turned into a stand in line, a frustratingly long line, a stretching down Michigan Avenue kind of a line, in downtown Detroit. Hundreds of people stood outside for five hours or more and drew Detroit police presence, as well as a few officers wearing jackets marked as Homeland Security and IRS Criminal Investigations. Dozens of people some who brought their lawn chairs and fleece blankets, others who had their toddlers in tow arrived at ungodly hours for in-person help at Internal Revenue Service offices in the McNamara Federeal Building at 477 Michigan Ave. The second Detroiter in line who asked not to be named said he arrived at 10 p.m. Friday to grab his spot. The third man who also did not disclose his name said he arrived at midnight. They saved the spot for the first person in line who apparently was taking a break at around 8:15 a.m. when I arrived and began talking to people. The IRS would start seeing people at 9 a.m. Saturday. And yes, many would end up being turned away. As of 9 a.m., a young woman found herself at the end of the very long line, which then stopped at the end of the block at Third Street and Michigan Avenue. Later in the morning, according to the IRS, the line was expanding farther down Michigan Avenue. Many say IRS told them they must visit Detroit office in person All the people who would talk to me and some would not told me they were at the IRS building to verify their identities. Some tried to do so over the phone but were told that they needed to show up in person. Some filed their 2023 tax returns in February but couldn't get their refunds until they verified their IDs. They were still waiting for refunds in late May. They wanted their money. Nothing had changed about their tax situations, according to some, still working at the same jobs, still making the same kind of money. One man who also declined to give his name said he worked for the city of Detroit. "I never had this problem, never, ever," said one person in line who worked the same job for 22 years. "We got to sit out here like animals in a line," said Pia Smith, who said she arrived at "3 a.m., baby." People line up outside of Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building in downtown Detroit for IRS related issues on Saturday, May 18, 2024. She needs to get her identity verified to free up her tax refund and hoped to get the task done during the 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. hours of service Saturday. Smith couldn't get help at another Saturday walk-in event earlier this year when she recalled freezing in line, waiting and being out of luck. The IRS had four special Saturday, no-appointment-needed events this tax season, February, March, April and May. Typically, IRS taxpayer assistance centers are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and will work with taxpayers by appointment only. To make an appointment, you'd call 844-545-5640. Story continues More: Terrible tax tips promoted on social media trigger big refund headaches for 2023 returns More: Tax pros warned that 'new client' could be a scammer, as crooks seek sensitive data Tax filers stand in line on Michigan Avenue at 9:12 a.m. Saturday May 18 for walk-in help at IRS offices at the Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building in Detroit. Many said they were told by the IRS or their tax preparers that they needed to verify their IDs in person. Much confusion about why tax refunds aren't arriving Lattrell Mapp who arrived around 3:15 a.m. to verify her identity was still waiting for her tax refund for her 2023 return, as well as her 2022 refund. Together, she says she's owed about $19,000 for the two tax refunds. She filed her 2023 taxes in February. "I worked two jobs," she said, both involve W-2s, including one from the post office. She's had trouble paying her bills, including rent. "All my stuff fell behind because the government is messing around with my money," Mapp said. Later Saturday afternoon after she met with an IRS employee in Detroit, she said she was told that she'd need to amend last year's return to resolve some issues. Lattrell Mapp, of Detroit, said she's still waiting for her tax refund for her 2023 return, as well as her 2022 return. She arrived at around 3:15 a.m. Saturday May 18, 2024, for IRS walk-in service that began at 9 a.m. Saturday. She needed to verify her identity. Many people are now stressed out over their taxes, even though the IRS had a fairly good season, as a result of ID theft and, and the IRS said, the fact that many taxpayers appear to be victims of some terrible tax advice. To be sure, the IRS has been criticized in the past for taking too long to issue refunds to victims of identity theft. Nearly 500,000 people who had cases still pending with the IRSs Identity Theft Victims Assistance unit at the end of 2023 found themselves waiting an average of 19 months for the IRS to resolve their problems, National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins stated in her 2023 Annual Report to Congress in January. Collins then called the delays unconscionable. Kenya Frost of Detroit, center, has been waiting line since 5 a.m. outside of Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building in downtown Detroit for IRS related issues on Saturday, May 18, 2024. To top it off this year, the IRS stated on May 14 that thousands of taxpayers filed inflated refund claims on 2023 returns and some taxpayers may be "scam victims" if they improperly claimed some obscure but now misused tax credits. "Given the questionable nature of many of these claims, the IRS has frozen the refunds for these taxpayers," according to the IRS release. Many times, returns that try to inflate refunds aren't signed by the tax preparers, which is a huge red flag when it comes to potential fraud. The IRS said that many people in this situation will need to file an amended return to remove credits that they aren't eligible for to avoid potential penalties. Luis Garcia, a spokesperson for the IRS in Detroit, said about 99% of the people in line in Detroit Saturday were there to get their IDs verified. "The IRS believes many of the people in line Saturday ultimately may turn out to be scam victims who have been misled by social media or ghost preparers to try claim big refunds sometimes in the five figures they arent eligible for," Garcia said. The IRS has not found an unusual or correlating rise in identity theft, he added. Smitty Bacall, center left, and Kenny Williams, both of Detroit have been waiting line since 7 a.m. outside of Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building in downtown Detroit for IRS related issues on Saturday, May 18, 2024. Several taxpayers I talked with early Saturday morning said they're not sure what's going on, and they didn't believe they wrongly claimed any credits. "This is ridiculous," said Charlene Smith, of Detroit, who stood in line Saturday to verify her identity. "Why would I lie?" Smith, who grabbed her spot at 4 a.m. Saturday, said she's never had to verify her identity in the past. She heard about the event from her tax preparer. Charlene Smith, of Detroit, grabbed her spot at 4 a.m. May 18, 2024, in front of the Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building to verify her identity in person at IRS walk-in services. She heard about the event from her tax preparer. Ages range from 17 to 75 for those who need to verify ID Lori Young, 63, drove roughly an hour on Saturday to the Detroit IRS office on Michigan Avenue from Clay Township near Algonac with her granddaughter Audrey Young, 17, who received an IRS 4883C letter related to identity theft. Her grandmother tried to help her, by calling the IRS number. After all, the 17-year-old wasn't all that sure what to say or do. But Audrey needed to talk to the IRS employee herself and was later told she needed to be seen in person. Audrey Young had taxes withheld when she worked at Club Capri Restaurant in Algonac, as a cook who often made pizzas for $12 an hour. She's a first-time tax filer who said she had taxes withheld from her checks. She believes she's owed about $700 for her tax refund. She has a driver's permit, not a full driver's license. She couldn't verify her ID on the IRS site. Lori Young, 63, drove roughly an hour to the Detroit IRS office on Michigan Avenue from Clay Township near Algonac on Saturday May 18, 2024, with her granddaughter Audrey Young, 17, so that Audrey could verify her ID for her tax return. Audrey and her grandmother Lori couldn't snag an appointment in Detroit. At one point, Lori Young said, the IRS offered to look for possible appointment times in Flint, Grand Rapids, Cleveland, or Toledo. "I stopped it at that," the grandmother said, "and said, 'We're not going to Ohio.' " The walk-in Saturdays were mentioned. The family drove to the one in Detroit in April, but the lines were way too long then and they drove home. They arrived at 8 a.m. Saturday but were still very far down the block minutes before 9 a.m. As a backup, Audrey Young kept an appointment July 15 in the Flint office, an appointment that would be canceled if they could verify her ID Saturday. On Sunday, though, Lori Young shared some good news with me. After nearly six hours outside in line, Lori and her granddaughter Audrey got into the IRS building at 1:45 p.m. Saturday. They went through security, filled out some paperwork, and were assigned a number, No. 480. People line up outside of Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building in downtown Detroit for IRS related issues on Saturday, May 18, 2024. Then, they waited another hour and 15 minutes to be escorted to the fifth floor. At about 3:30 p.m., she said, they met with an IRS employee. Audrey's identity was verified, Lori Young told me. They expect that Audrey could receive a refund in about three weeks to nine weeks. Many people recall seeing long lines for concert tickets, newly released sneakers, the latest Apple iPhones. But seeing crowds line up to see the IRS? "We were up at the front of the building at 1:30 p.m. and it looked like the line was still way back, like where we were when you spoke with us," Lori Young told me by email Sunday morning. "When we did get in, they were taking in 10 people at a time," she said. Best she could tell, the IRS took in more than 500 people in Detroit that day, given her spot in line and what she saw. "We're so happy that we got in," she added. "If we arrived five minutes later, we would have missed the cut off. We were absolutely exhausted after standing and waiting for so long." She recalled walking out of the McNamara building at 4:05 p.m. when nobody was waiting in line any more. Many apparently were sent home before then. "I'm thinking," Young continued, "they had a lot of upset people after waiting for seven-plus hours and not being able to be seen." Garcia, at the IRS, estimated that less than 1,000 people turned out for the Saturday event. At around 3 p.m., he said, the line was cut off, which left about 250 taxpayers who did not receive service. People line up outside of Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building in downtown Detroit for IRS related issues on Saturday, May 18, 2024. More than 25 IRS employees worked the event Saturday, he said, not including the number of employees providing support, such as security. Far more taxpayers received help Saturday than at a similar event a year ago, he said. On Saturday, Garcia said 500 taxpayers received service from the IRS. A year ago at a Saturday event in May, he said, 280 taxpayers received service. "Our Saturday events are normally scheduled in February, March, April and May of each year," he said. "We currently have no other dates scheduled." Homer Cheese, 75, and his wife Venisher Cheese, 68, had heard about long lines at the IRS office in Detroit at another Saturday event April 13, so they arrived at about 5:30 a.m. But the couple still had a hard time believing the extent of the crowd, which Cheese noted was mainly African American, on Saturday. "This is my first time ever being out here," Venisher Cheese said. "I saw it on the news, but I never thought we'd be a part of it." The Detroit couple said they never had an ID problem. They had the same tax preparer for years, but she passed away. And they worked with a new preparer to file a 2023 return. They weren't sure why they needed to verify their identity now. The couple said they didn't claim anything different this year. They both work in the cafeteria for Southfield public schools. Venisher Cheese had worked with the Detroit Board of Education for 37 years and retired. But she stopped working only for about a year. "My girlfriend said I was going to die if I don't get up and go to work, do something," Venisher said. That's how she ended up working for Southfield schools. Homer Cheese, 75, and his wife Venisher Cheese, 68, arrived at about 5:30 a.m. to verify their ID at IRS offices in Detroit on Saturday May 18, 2024. The couple still had a hard time still believing all the people in line Saturday, long before the 9 a.m. start time. Homer Cheese said he talked to an IRS agent on the phone, but he was told he had to come downtown to show his driver's license. "He said they got a lot of dead folks filing." "People stole a lot of money off them, I guess," said Homer Cheese, as he stood holding his cane. "I got a bad leg, so I told the people" on the phone, he said. "They said, 'Well, we still have to see you.' " He had been standing in line about three hours when I talked with him and he showed me how his leg was swelling because of bad circulation. The couple has not received their refund yet. "All we got is letters from the IRS," he said. By 12:15 p.m. Saturday, the couple was driving home after meeting with IRS employee around 11:45 a.m. After putting in roughly six hours on Saturday, their issue still wasn't resolved. Homer Cheese said the IRS gave them an appointment for 8:30 a.m. Friday and they'll need to bring more paperwork. Even so, he's hopeful they're one step closer to seeing the situation resolved and getting their federal income tax refund. Contact personal finance columnist Susan Tompor: stompor@freepress.com. Follow her on X (Twitter) @tompor. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Hundreds of people wait at IRS in Detroit to verify IDs for tax refund ANTIOCH, Tenn. (WKRN) An investigation is underway after a 19-year-old was killed late Saturday night in what authorities are calling an apparent targeted shooting in Antioch. According to officials, the shooting was reported just before 10 p.m. in the 5400 block of Hickory Woods Drive. Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said 19-year-old Justin Gomez died at the scene. He reportedly told a family member that he was going to meet someone at the park prior to the shooting. Detectives said they are working active leads and ask anyone with information about the deadly shooting to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. No other information was immediately released. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. 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. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott pledges to keep bussing migrants to NYC, takes shot at Mayor Eric Adams in NRA speech Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says he will continue to ship migrants to New York City. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vowed Saturday to continue bussing migrants to New York City and took a shot at Mayor Eric Adams during a speech to the NRA. Unless and until Joe Biden does finally begin to enforce immigration laws I will continue to bus those migrants to sanctuary cities across the United States of America, Abbott said to loud cheers while delivering remarks at the 2024 National Rifle Association convention in Dallas. Buncha hypocrites, he added. A woman in the crowd yelled at him to send the migrants to New York, to which he responded, oh, theyre going to New York trust me. The Republican governor then took a jab at hizzoner. Mayor Adams needs something to do, Abbot said. A spokesperson for Mayor Adams fired back, calling Abbott a coward for his bussing program. Governor Abbott is a coward who uses human beings as political pawns, and has done nothing while murder rates in Texas have skyrocketed under his lack of leadership, the spokesperson told The Post in a statement. If anyone needs something to do, its him, they added. Adams administration has provided compassion and care to more than 197,000 migrants since the spring of 2022, his office noted. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vowed to continue his program of shipping migrants to sanctuary cities. REUTERS Migrants exit a chartered bus from Texas at the Port Authority bus terminal in 2022. James Keivom The Post has reached out to City Hall for comment. The Big Apple has been inundated with asylum seekers pouring over the US-Mexico border to be shipped to Democrat-run cities nationwide. The Adams administration filed a $700 million lawsuit against 17 busing companies back in January, claiming theyve hauled more than 33,000 migrants halfway across the country and dumped them in New York City since the spring of 2022. New York City has filed a lawsuit to try and stop bus companies from dumping migrants. AFP via Getty Images The bus firms have raked in millions of dollars while acting in bad faith to assist Gov. Abbotts plan to ship the migrants from the US-Mexico border places like New York, Chicago and Denver, the Manhattan Supreme Court suit alleges. At least one bus company agreed to stop ferrying migrants to New York. The city also wants the companies to foot the bill for the emergency shelter and service costs moving forward and cover any future bills that might spring from Abbotts plan. Protesters carrying a Palestinian flag march down Congress Avenue in Austin on Sunday. Thousands gathered to protest the Israel-Hamas war and commemorate the 76th anniversary of the Nakba, the day Palestinians were displaced from their homes in 1948. Editor's note: This story was updated to include information about two arrests in connection to Sunday's protest. Several thousand people marched through downtown Austin on Sunday afternoon to protest and commemorate the 76th anniversary of the Nakba, when three-quarters of Palestinians were expelled from their homes. Two people were arrested and booked into the Travis County Jail in connection to the protest, jail spokesperson Kristen Dark said. One person is facing a charge for resisting arrest and failure to obey a lawful order, and another was charged with operating a drone over the Capitol, Dark said. Organized by several Palestinian and Middle Eastern coalitions and groups, the rally attracted people from across the state, demanding an immediate and permanent cease-fire, the release of political prisoners, and an end to state and federal funding of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The protest came just days after several youth groups, backed by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, filed a lawsuit and asked a U.S. District Court for an injunction barring an executive order issued by Gov. Greg Abbott in March. The order called for Texas universities to review and update their free speech policies to better protect against antisemitism, including strengthening punishments up to expulsion for those who violate them. Opponents say the order targets and discourages speech against Israel. CAIR alleges that the order has censored some students' speech, violating their First Amendment rights. Abbott, the University of Texas System Board of Regents, the University of Houston, the chancellor of the UH System and the UH System Board of Regents are named as defendants. The pro-Palestinian protest was originally planned to take place at the Capitol, but organizers said the Texas Department of Public Safety told them it would close off the grounds. Previous protests at the University of Texas were met with pepper spray and mass arrests of 136 people. A peaceful May Day protest on campus called on the higher education institution to divest from weapons manufacturing companies that contribute to Israel. On Sunday, dozens of Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and Austin police officers were at the scene of the protest. The protest was originally planned to take place on the grounds of the Capitol, but organizers said the DPS told them it would close off that area. The DPS, citing safety concerns for people and property within the Capitol Complex, confirmed to the American-Statesman that it had closed the Capitol grounds "due to a potentially large-scale protest event" expected Sunday. The closure began Saturday evening and was expected to end Monday morning. "While we do not discuss operational specifics, DPS will continue to adjust our operations including deploying additional personnel and resources as needed to meet any potential or emerging threats and maintain order," DPS spokesperson Sheridan Nolen said in a statement Sunday. The Austin Police Department said in a post on X at 6:30 p.m. that protesters had dissipated. The post said there had been no "major incidents" and that the protest had been "largely peaceful." Michael Katz, a musician and seven-year resident of Austin who participated in the protest, said that as a young student at a Jewish day school in West Palm Beach, Florida, he heard the rhetoric that Israel was an innocent victim defending itself. He said he found flaws in his Israeli history studies when he compared them to lessons on the history of the United States, which advocated for a separation of church and state. "In my last year of college, I met a Palestinian, and he told me how his family was thrown out," Katz said. "So we never learned about that (in school). They never told us about that. And I can't support (Israel) anymore. "We're not asking Jews to leave. We're just asking (the Israeli government) to allow democracy." Katz questioned the Anti-Defamation League's claims that antisemitic events have jumped since Oct. 7, saying, "There's no evidence of that at all, though there is evidence that antisemitism has jumped since Trump's (term in office)." Various media outlets, including The Washington Post and Reuters, have reported on the rise of antisemitism in the age of former President Donald Trump. The family of Michelle Teague and her husband, Jon Davidson, has attended nearly every pro-Palestinian protest since Oct. 7, they said. Their 17-year-old son is also involved in protests and has read books on the war so he can understand it thoroughly, Teague said. Teague partially attributed her involvement with the movement to her ex-boyfriend, a former Israel Defense Forces soldier, whom she visited in Jerusalem in 1993, the same year as the Oslo I Accord, she said. "I met some Palestinian teenagers on a rooftop in Jerusalem, and they told me about the occupation," Teague said. "And then I went to my boyfriend and asked him about what happened to the Palestinians. And he told me to never ever talk to them again, or speak about Palestine." It marked the downfall of the relationship. "I'm one of those people who went to Israel and left from Palestine," Teague said. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Thousands turn out for pro-Palestinian protest in downtown Austin They Say They Will Wait for Me There to Beat Me Up: A Week of Attacks Rocks Georgia TBILISI, Georgia Over the past year, a bright red warning light has been blinking for the democracy of Georgia. The government has been dragging the country closer into the Kremlin orbit against the wishes of a population that overwhelmingly supports ties with Europe. The tension has provoked the biggest demonstrations in the countrys recent history. And this past week, a vicious crackdown against dissent has stunned the Western friends of a small country once considered an outpost of liberal democracy in the Caucasus. Bands of masked thugs reminiscent of the pro-Russian titushki who knocked heads in Ukraines 2014 Maidan revolution are skulking at night through Tbilisis leafy neighborhoods, hunting down and beating pro-Western activists with bats and clubs. Citizens whove joined recent anti-government demonstrations are being targeted by thousands of harassing phone calls in a coordinated intimidation campaign that menaces family members, including the elderly and children. And civic society leaders and journalists have awakened to find their homes, offices and vehicles spray-painted with violent threats or plastered with posters declaring them enemy of the people. We are shocked, because we havent seen such repression since the 1990s, said Gia Japaridze, a former diplomat, referring to Georgias catastrophic post-Soviet civil war. Japaridze was hospitalized with a concussion on May 8 after five men ambushed him as he exited a dinner party. The titushki kept saying as they beat me, This is for opposing the Russian law. The Russian Law is a Kremlin-style foreign agents bill that parliament reintroduced last month after withdrawing it a year ago amid huge opposition protests. Formally adopted on Tuesday despite even bigger demonstrations in recent weeks, the controversial law mirrors Russian legislation weaponized by Vladimir Putin to vilify opponents and silence dissent. On Saturday, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili issued a widely expected veto, but the ruling Georgian Dream Party led by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has enough members in parliament to override it. The law would force most Western-funded NGOs and media to register as foreign proxies. One likely outcome: Independent monitoring of elections in October will be gutted. The unprecedented ferocity and scale of the citizen intimidation campaign, meanwhile, appears to have radicalized the political stakes in Georgia. Many protesters say theyre no longer marching against a single law, but against a government that appears to be drifting into Russian-style authoritarianism. Its a startling turnaround for a nation that lost 20 percent of its territory to Russia after wars in the 1990s and in 2008. They used to be very careful because they knew the West was watching, and they also knew that there was a lot of domestic anti-Russian sentiment, Stanford University political scientist Francis Fukuyama said of the ruling Georgian Dream partys pivot to Moscow. But ever since the Russians started doing better in Ukraine, the pro-Russian types have felt freer to express their true feelings. They also feel the United States and Europe are just too distracted really to do anything about it right now. Fukuyama blamed U.S. polarization and isolationism, which resulted in a six-month delay in delivering military aid to Ukraine, for emboldening pro-Putin forces across the former Soviet periphery. In recent months, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Bosnia and Herzegovina each have adopted or proposed repressive measures similar to Georgias law. The oligarch who founded Georgian Dream, Bidzina Ivanishvili, certainly appears to be yanking off the gloves. Having made billions in the piratical Russian economy of the 1990s, Ivanishvilis loyalties have long been the subject of debate. He has been playing a double game for years, critics say, professing support for EU integration but quietly slow-walking the process. In 2022, Georgia refused to join the international sanctions regime against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Last month, a Georgian Dream party leader cast doubts on Georgias accession to the EU, saying Georgia was not ready to become a member country, despite polls showing nearly 80 percent of the public wants a European future. And on April 29, the hermetic Ivanishvili himself, who rarely appears at political rallies, for the first time broke openly with the West, excoriating it in veiled terms as a global war party that meddles in Georgias internal affairs. He warned his enemies in Georgia that harsh political and legal judgment awaited them after the fall elections. Attacks on Georgias civic society began a few days later. It is a very bad feeling, said Nino Zuriashvili, co-founder of Studio Monitor, an independent news production company in Tbilisi. For 25 years Ive been an investigative journalist. Ive been harassed by three previous governments. But never physically before like this. Speaking in her tiny office packed with recording equipment, a weary Zuriashvili shared photos of vulgar epithets sprayed across her car in red paint. She displayed slickly produced posters that she unpeeled from her front door, prominently featuring her face and denouncing her as a foreign money slave. In an obscenity-laced anonymous call that she recorded, a man threatened Zuriashvili, cursing the journalist for describing the European transparency bill the official name of the foreign-agents law as a Russian law. Taking to Facebook to warn others, Georgians have reported thousands of such calls over the past two weeks. Natia Kuprashvili, a media professor at Tbilisi State University, fields five to six a day. Her elderly mother also was harassed. They tell me my address, where my old mom and children live together, Kuprashvili said. They say they will wait for me there to beat me up. Roving gangs of titushki goons have tried to corner Zurab Japaridze three times since May 8. The leader of the Girchi More Freedom party, Japaridze, the brother of the beaten diplomat, escaped the same fate because, as a former member of parliament, he is licensed to carry a gun. On one occasion, he fired a pistol shot in the air to chase attackers away. We are in Russia in many senses already, including this terror we are facing now, said Japaridze, standing outside the parliament building one recent evening when perhaps four or five thousand rain-drenched protesters had gathered to chant against the foreign-agents law. But there is no way the Georgian Dream will win. They are in a minority. All they have left are some people with muscles. Some are in uniform, called police, and others without uniforms are attacking us at night. We will win. But we will have to fight. Gigi Gigiadze, a researcher at an independent economic think tank in Tbilisi, was less sanguine. Over the past 12 years in power, Ivanishivilis ruling party captured most of Georgias state institutions, Gigiadze said. From behind the scenes, Ivanishvili not only controlled the security organs, but non-government groups, and even his own opposition parties. I try to be optimistic, but its grim, Gigiadze said on the morning that the foreign-agents law was finally passed. He and hundreds of other protesters were squared off against ranks of black-masked riot police at the parliament gates. The officers held back the crowd to allow the Georgian Dream parliamentarians to exit the building after voting. Some young demonstrators angrily blew whistles. Many wore Georgian, EU and American flags draped soggily across their backs. My organization will be closed, Gigiadze said, blinking in a light drizzle. Just like the movie said, tears in the rain. Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders joined local law enforcement this weekend in chasing a suspect over the highway and through the woods and into a pond. Sanders wrote on Facebook early Saturday morning that he personally participated in the late-night pursuit. The suspect, who had multiple warrants out for his arrest (including for assault and DUI), fled on I-5 after the Olympia Police Department tried to contact him. Sanders wrote that when he pulled up behind the car, which didnt have its lights on, the driver showed signs of impairment with varying speed and lane travel. The suspect sped away after Sanders tried to get him to stop. The hour-long chase snaked throughout unincorporated Pierce County, Tacoma and Lakewood, Sanders wrote. Smokey, the Washington State Patrols airplane, helped by tracking the pursuit. Each time the suspect drove into a dead end, he still kept trying to escape. Eventually the driver ran after striking a curb and ditching his passenger, Sanders said. [Thurston County Sheriffs Office] deputies, K9 Bowie, Tacoma Police Officers and I were quick on his trail, he wrote in the 3:41 a.m. post. With the assistance of Smokey, we were guided in through the woods on a trail where the suspect was hiding in a pond. I obtained a search warrant for his blood and into the vehicle as there was a substance consistent with fentanyl spilled on the front driver floorboard. The driver was then taken to the county jail on suspicion of attempting to elude, DUI, unlawful fentanyl possession and other charges, Sanders wrote. He added: Huge shout out to Smokeys air support that undoubtedly mitigated significant risk to the public during this incident. Suspects booked on a felony cant see a judge when its the weekend, Lt. Mike Brooks with the Thurston County Sheriffs Department told The News Tribune. The driver will remain in jail until a judge returns on Monday to determine bail. Brooks highlighted something else that stood out about this case: The fact that the State Patrol happened to have Smokey nearby in the sky. We got lucky in the aspect the airplane was in the air and able to help, he said, and basically track that pursuit instead of law enforcement trying to keep up with it. Tied Up and Held Captive by a Serial Killer on the Run, A Fla. Woman's Mom Came to Her in Dream (Exclusive) Barbara Mabee Abel, who survived the so-called "Casanova Killer," is featured on the upcoming 'People Magazine Investigates: Surviving a Serial Killer' Warner Bros. Discovery Barbara Mabee Abel After being kidnapped and tied down by a serial killer, in a moment of pure terror and exhaustion, Beverly Mabee Abel drifted off to sleep and dreamt that her late mother came to her. She came to me and she was like an angel, Abel recalls. She was like, Youre going to be OK. Youre going to be OK, Gods with you. Abel had just been tied to a bedpost by Paul John Knowles, a wanted serial killer who had abducted her from her home in Florida and taken her to a motel. Abel, who survived her encounter with a man later dubbed the Casanova Killer, is the focus of the upcoming episode of People Magazine Investigates: Surviving a Serial Killer, which airs on Sunday, May 19 at 9/8c on ID and streams on Max. In November 1974, Abel was a single mother who worked at a radio station in West Palm Beach to support her 6-year-old boy, Dale. The two lived with Abel's twin sister, Beverly, who had cerebral palsy. Abels life was turned upside down when Knowles, who, unbeknownst to her at the time, had already killed over a dozen people, broke into her house and sexually assaulted Beverly, who died in 2019. When Abel and Dale returned home, they were met by Knowles, armed with a sawed-off shotgun. Billy Downs/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP Paul John Knowles Knowles said he wanted money and that he needed to take Dale with him. Risking her life to save her sister and her 6-year-old son, Abel told the dangerous killer to take her instead. In a clip from the new episode shared exclusively with PEOPLE, Abel recounts her harrowing experience with Knowles at a motel in Fort Pierce, Fla. I was terrified, Abel says. I was praying to the dear Lord that I would get out of this. I said, Let me get home to Beverly and Dale. Exhausted from the ordeal, Abel says she started to fall asleep after she was tied up by Knowles. Thats when her beloved late mother, Matilda, appeared in a dream and provided a moment of comfort. 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. After she awoke from the dream, Abel finally discovered who had taken her captive. Knowles turned the TV on and saw their faces flash on the screen. He was a wanted man. People Magazine Investigates: Surviving a Serial Killer airs Sunday, May 19 at 9/8c on ID and streaming on Max. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Tired of your state politics? These residents are looking to secession as the solution. PRINEVILLE, Ore. Tens of thousands of rural, conservative eastern Oregon residents are so frustrated with their liberal urban neighbors they've decided they can no longer even share a ZIP code. The "Greater Idaho Movement" would shift the Oregon border 200 miles west, a secession effort aligning the conservative farming, ranching and logging communities of eastern Oregon with their like-minded neighbors to the east. A dozen counties in eastern Oregon have already approved the plan, and voters in Crook County and the county seat of Prineville are considering the nonbinding measure with results due Tuesday. "I love Oregon but I just don't love the people running it right now," said Eric Smith, 48, who owns two retail shops on Prineville's main street. "It doesnt feel like they want to keep us anyway." Across Crook County, pop. 26,325, even voters who oppose the measure say they're tired of the dictates from liberal lawmakers in the state capital of Salem and the state's population center of Portland, citing marijuana legalization, efforts to reduce fossil fuel use, gun control measures and how the state handled the coronavirus pandemic. The sentiment in eastern Oregon reflects a broader national frustration and divide over the direction of the country playing out in school districts, university campuses and big cities, all the way up to Congress. A 2023 study by a Colby College professor found that more than 25% of Americans support some sort of secession by states, and nearly 25% agreed it "makes sense to split the country up." A sign in Prineville, Oregon, urges voters to support a secession effort to move Oregon's border west so that eastern Oregon becomes part of Idaho. Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican, highlighted the division many Americans feel when she tweeted in February 2023 that "we need a national divorce. We need to separate by red states and blue states and shrink the federal government..." Ryan D. Griffiths, a political science professor at Syracuse University, said the Oregon ballot initiative is the latest in a long line of efforts, though most have never amounted to more than slogans and bumper stickers. Among them: the failed "State of Jefferson" proposal in Northern California, simmering secession movements in Vermont and Texas, and a short-lived effort to move a chunk of Northern Colorado into Wyoming. Griffiths said that, like other secession efforts, the Greater Idaho Movement lacks a significant groundswell of public support, and in most cases is more of a referendum on state-level governance. "It's a pipe dream, in a way. What they're doing is partly performative, for ideological purposes," he said. "A lot of time, secessionist movements are really just bargaining efforts." Griffiths said scholars who study secession efforts, like those of the former U.S.S.R., see U.S.-based movements as "pretty lightweight stuff." But he also acknowledged secession efforts like Greater Idaho keep bubbling up. "It's gaining a weird creeping momentum," he said of proposed partisan divorces. "If you imagine a full-blown project to divide America into red and blue states, that would be incredibly dangerous because you'd have to partition people off," he said. "You don't actually have neatly sorted populations, despite what many people think." Should neighbors share the same values? In Oregon, the measure's backers say they're using a peaceful, existing political process to reduce friction between people at opposite ends of the political spectrum who are already living separate lives within the state. Supporters say they don't want to just sell their homes and move to another state because they like living where they are. "People have already sorted themselves into like-minded communities," said Matt McCaw, a Greater Idaho movement spokesman. "People like to live around people who share the same values they do." A pro-secession advocate shows off a ball cap embroidered with what would be the new state boundary of Idaho if eastern Oregon were to move its border west. Smith, the shop owner, used to live in nearby Bend, part of the far more liberal Deschutes County but left in frustration over its political direction. In the 2020 presidential election, Deschutes County voted 52% for Joe Biden, while Crook County, where he now lives, gave Donald Trump 73% of its vote. The measure's backers say they likely won't seek support from Deschutes voters, even though the county is considered part of eastern Oregon. Smith said he's not sure how he'll vote on secession, but he understands why people support it. Quit treating us like Portland," he said, echoing the sentiment of many Crook County residents. Experts say the kind of self-segregation decisions people like Smith make are reflected in recent migrations nationally to states like Texas and Florida, but also the "white flight" movement of the 1950s and 1960s, as white city dwellers moved to the suburbs. The Greater Idaho movement would need approval from Oregon and Idaho's legislatures, along with Congress. Also undetermined would be how the Native American reservations in Eastern Oregon would be incorporated, as they span county and state borders. McCaw, a foster parent who lives north of Prineville, said he doesn't want to be forced to accept that there are more than two genders, or that people can change genders, and is frustrated by liberals who reject the role of the Christian church in daily life. He said he and many of his neighbors are also still upset by how Oregon required businesses and churches to close during the coronavirus pandemic, compared to the looser restrictions in Idaho. "We were forced into things we didn't want and it was all done under the threat of punishment from the western part of the state," he said. "That opened a lot of people's eyes. Its one thing to see the legislature pass policies you don't agree with, and another to have your business closed, couldnt go to church." Workers and owners shop in the same stores Above all, Crook County residents say, is the idea they know their neighbors, from the farmers and ranchers to the tech support workers at the massive Facebook and Apple data centers, and the ladies behind the counter at the Sandwich Factory. Prineville shop worker Amanda Halcom, 30, said she's still unsure how she'll vote. She said the cost of housing is going up, and she worries drug abuse is increasing. She said she believes many of the laws passed by Oregon's legislature will ultimately make Crook County more urban. She said knowing her neighbors, taking personal responsibility for her actions and solving local problems locally are important values. Prineville, Oregon, is the county seat of Crook County, where residents are deciding on a nonbonding secession referendum to consider moving the Oregon border west so the area would become part of Idaho. We are supposed to be a small town. Thats the whole point," said Halcom, who worries about raising her kids in what she considers an increasingly liberal environment. Thats the kind of stuff we move here for. One concern: what would happen to Halcom's pay if eastern Oregon joined Idaho? While the minimum wage in Crook County is $13.20 per hour, it's $7.25 an hour in Idaho. The nearest Walmart to Prineville is 30 miles away, and political concerns are usually more focused on whether a new dollar store fits into the community, and if nonprofit cleanup groups should get free access to the county dump. Generally, Crook County has more in common with Idaho than most of its own state: The county is overall less racially diverse than Oregon as a whole and the entire United States and people living there earn less money than Oregon's average. Crook County's median family income is about $75,000, while it's about $70,000 in Idaho and almost $87,000 for Oregon statewide. The mill owner and the mill worker have to go to the same restaurant, shop at the same grocery store. That keeps things in check," said Seth Crawford, a Crook County commissioner. Crawford hasn't taken a formal position on the proposal, but he understands why many of his neighbors support it. He said he shares their concerns with how things are decided by "The Valley" the western Willamette Valley that's home to 70% of the state's population in Portland, Eugene and Salem. Crawford has knocked on hundreds of his neighbors' doors during his election campaigns and said he regularly hears the same concerns, from statewide marijuana legalization that Crook County opposed to complaints about how legislators want to regulate guns. People are also frustrated about paying higher taxes to fund government services they oppose and want the freedom to raise their families as they see fit. And while he said he still believes Crook County can make its voice heard at the statehouse, he understands why his neighbors might be willing to take the drastic step of secession. "They want to be able to send a message to Salem: We're not happy with the situation we're in," Crawford said. People are tired of arguing Competing signs across Prineville call to "Move Oregon's Border" or urge voters to reject the effort with an "IdaNo!" Secession supporter Josh Derrick, 44, said he thinks things go further than disagreements over how to live. He said fundamental lifestyle differences indicate a lack of common ground. Derrick sells RVs, mostly the kind that require a large pickup to tow. But he keeps smaller ones on hand, too, to sell to SUV-driving liberals who won't buy trucks. People are just tired of arguing," he said. "I want to work, make money, play with my toys and go fishing." Unity signs greets drivers entering the Crook County seat of Prineville, Oregon, where voters are deciding whether to recommend moving the county border west so they can become part of Idaho. Derrick said he never used to pay much attention to local politics but got involved as the Greater Idaho movement came to his attention. I love Oregon. The chances of (the initiative) going through are pretty slim. But its getting a lot more people involved in politics," he said. If this gets more people involved, I count that as a win." Besides, he laughed, "I dont hate liberals. I still need their money." McCaw, the initiative spokesman, said even if the Crook County vote fails, the Greater Idaho Movement will persist. He said he believes Americans are just too divided, and that while people who disagree can live side-by-side, Oregon's liberal politicians consistently force their values onto rural areas. He said if other states decide to follow suit, so be it there's a process for changing boundaries for this exact reason. I dont think we can sustain the path we are on," McCaw said. "We need to be OK saying your values are yours, mine are mine, and you have to respect our ability to have different views." Smith, the shop owner, said he might vote against the initiative because he favors keeping Oregon whole. Munching on a McDonald's hash brown, Smith said he opened two shops because he's confident Prineville and Crook County are good places to be. He just wishes, he said, that politicians in Salem would listen to eastern Oregon's concerns so that this talk of secession would die down. Smith said he appreciates that Oregon has a wide diversity of thought and lifestyles, geography and employment: Thats what made Oregon, Oregon. And I dont want to let that go. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why fed-up conservatives are pushing a 'Move Oregon's Border' effort CLAY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) On Saturday, Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee and Gov. Bill Lee joined community leaders and volunteers from across the state to build a new playground in Clay County. According to officials, the first ladys initiative, Tennessee Serves along with the Tractor Supply Foundation, the Tennessee Titans, and Cleary Construction partnered with a national nonprofit, KABOOM!, and the Clay County government to build the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible play space at Hermitage Springs Park. Saturday, May 18 started with an exciting kickoff ceremony before volunteers spent the rest of the morning and afternoon working to construct the playground. The event wrapped up with a celebratory ribbon cutting ceremony, including remarks from the first lady, the governor, Clay County Mayor Dale Reagan, KABOOM! CEO Lysa Ratliff, and other project partners and community leaders, per the press release. Budweiser Clydesdale horses making tour stop in Nashville Today, we saw many Tennesseans come together to serve their rural neighbors. It is my hope that this playground will continue to bring people together and be a space of joy, growth, and safe play for this community, the first lady said. From the beginning of our administration, I have dreamt of leaving something lasting in a distressed county that would bless Tennesseans for generations to come. I am so grateful to all of our incredible partners and the Clay County community for coming together to bring this vision to life. Officials said Tennessee Serves invited all eight of the Volunteer States federally designated distressed counties to apply for the playground grant, but after reviewing criteria, Clay County was selected. We are so thankful to First Lady Maria Lee and each of the partners who have made this project possible, said Reagan. This playground will be a true blessing for Clay County children, families, and all the generations to come. In March, the first lady hosted a Design Day in Clay County to hear input from students, parents, and community members about the playground. Then, KABOOM! used that input to design the new play space. (Courtesy: Tennessee First Lady Maria Lees office) (Courtesy: Tennessee First Lady Maria Lees office) (Courtesy: Tennessee First Lady Maria Lees office) Playgrounds are where kids can experience the wide range of physical and mental benefits of play, and have the freedom to take risks, build strong relationships, grow, explore, and learn through joyful moments of play, said KABOOM! CEO Lysa Ratliff. KABOOM! is thrilled to work with Tennessee Serves, the Tractor Supply Foundation, Cleary Construction, and the Tennessee Titans, to bring to life the new play space at Hermitage Springs Park and ensure that kids in Clay County and generations to come have a vibrant place to play designed for them to enjoy childhood and unlock their greatest potential. According to a press release from the first ladys office, studies have shown parks and play spaces can have a tremendously positive impact on children and their overall health, academic and physical achievements, and socialization skills. Therefore, Clay Countys new playground is m invest in rural Tennessees youth and create a healthier state. At Tractor Supply, we are passionate about supporting Life Out Here and being a good neighbor in the places we call home, said Marti Skold-Jordan, manager of the Tractor Supply Foundation. What a delight to bring a bit of joy to the children of Clay County through this incredible collaboration with the Tennessee First Lady, KABOOM!, the Tennessee Titans and Cleary Construction. Together, we can help give children the opportunity to get outdoors, have fun and flourish in our states rural communities. Officials said the playground represents an investment of more than $285,000 in the success and wellbeing of the Clay County community, adding that investments in parks and play spaces can have substantial economic benefits, especially in struggling communities. Furthermore, the project highlights the Lee administrations focus on supporting rural Tennessee, encouraging community involvement, and promoting the profound impact of public-private partnerships. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Cleary Construction and the Cleary Family are grateful for the opportunity to partner with First Lady Maria Lee in her Tennessee Serves initiative to provide a safe and exciting new playground for the community of Hermitage Springs, said Dawn Cleary, co-owner of Cleary Construction. We are honored to be a part of the preparation and completion of this project for our neighboring friends of Clay County. We hope this program will have a long-lasting, positive impact on many families and future generations. The Tennessee Serves team enlisted state businesses and community partners to multiply the philanthropic success achieved achieved by this new playground, which represents the unification of local government, state government, teachers, families, volunteers, statewide and local businesses, magnifying the impact of investment in the Clay County community, according to officials. ONE Community aims to support Nashvilles most underrepresented and marginalized communities through three key areas of focus opportunity, neighborhoods, and education. We are proud to support the Clay County neighborhood in partnership with the Office of the First Lady, Kaboom! and other fantastic local leaders, said Johari Matthews, the Titans vice president of ONE Community and executive director of the Titans Foundation. All children deserve a safe and imaginative place to learn, grow and play. We hope this playground will serve as an anchor for the community and the families who call it home for many years to come. This year is the fifth anniversary of the first ladys Tennessee Serves initiative, with this project marking the initiatives largest scale project to date. To learn more about Tennessee Serves, 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 WKRN News 2. (Bloomberg) -- The Democratic Republic of Congos government said it had killed the leader of an attempted coup and arrested several others hours after gunfire erupted on Sunday in the capital of the mineral-rich central African country. Most Read from Bloomberg The attack in the capital, Kinshasa, comes amid a series of coups that have spread across West and Central Africa over the past five years, installing military governments who have shunned the West and forged closer ties with Russia. Congo is the worlds biggest producer of cobalt, a key component in electric vehicles, and its vast mineral wealth makes it a strategically important ally for both the West and China, which dominates its mining industry. The overthrow of the government could pose a huge threat to both internal stability and foreign interests. But Sundays attempt launched by a small opposition group based outside the country, seemingly without any military support didnt appear to have put the country in any real danger. The attackers led by Christian Malanga, the self-exiled leader of the New Zaire movement, arrived in two groups and began their assault early Sunday morning on the residence of Vital Kamerhe, one of Congos leading politicians and a candidate to be head of the National Assembly. After a fight that left two police dead, according to the government, Malanga and several attackers broke off to drive to Tshisekedis office, where the men took down and burned Congolese flags and raised at least one flag of the former Zaire. Soon after, the Republican Guard stopped the armed men, killing multiple attackers including Malanga, according to the government. The army spokesman told the Associated Press the group included three Americans, and the US ambassador to Congo, Lucy Tamlyn, said on X that she was very concerned by reports of American citizens allegedly involved and that Washington would cooperate with an investigation to the fullest extent. Kamerhe was unharmed in the ambush on his residence, his spokesman, Michel Moto Muhima, said on social media platform X. Neither Kamerhe nor his partys head Billy Kambale answered multiple phone calls and messages Sunday. In a video that streamed live on his Facebook page, Malanga is seen at the entrance to the offices of the president wearing camouflage with the Zaire flag. Zaire was the previous name of Congo under longtime dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, who was overthrown in 1997. Hes seen shouting Felix, out in English and French. At least three armed men in Malangas video had American flag patches on their uniforms. Bloomberg could not immediately verify the information. Kamerhe has been a powerful player in the countrys politics for nearly 20 years. He helped lead former President Joseph Kabilas first election campaign in 2006, after which he first became National Assembly head. Kamerhe then ran for president against his former boss in 2011, finishing third. He became Tshisekedis chief of staff after an agreement in 2018 that was supposed to let Kamerhe run for president in 2023. That deal was derailed by a corruption investigation that saw Kamerhe convicted of participating in the theft of more than $50 million from infrastructure projects. His conviction was overturned in 2022, and he became deputy prime minister for the economy last year, in the lead up to Tshisekedis reelection in December. (Updates with details throughout) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Trucks carrying badly needed aid for the Gaza Strip rolled across a newly built U.S. pier and into the besieged enclave for the first time Friday as Israeli restrictions on border crossings and heavy fighting hindered the delivery of food and other supplies. The shipment is the first in an operation that American military officials anticipate could scale up to 150 truckloads a day, all while Israel presses in on the southern city of Rafah in its seven-month offensive against Hamas. At the White House, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said more than 300 pallets of aid were in the initial delivery and handed over to the U.N., which was preparing it for distribution. Militarys novel floating pier arrives in Gaza amid security concerns Kirby said the U.S. has gotten indications that some of that aid was already moving into Gaza. But the U.S., U.N. and aid groups warn that the floating pier project is not a substitute for land deliveries that could bring in all the food, water and fuel needed in Gaza. Before the war, more than 500 truckloads entered the Palestinian territory on an average day. The operations success also remains tenuous because of the risk of militant attack, logistical hurdles and a growing shortage of fuel for the aid trucks due to the Israeli blockade of Gaza since Hamas Oct. 7 attack. Militants killed 1,200 people and took 250 others hostage in that assault on southern Israel. The Israeli offensive has since killed more than 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza, local health officials say, while hundreds more have been killed in the West Bank. Aid agencies say they are running out of food in southern Gaza, while the U.N. World Food Program says famine has already taken hold in Gazas north. Troops finished installing the floating pier on Thursday, and the U.S. militarys Central Command said the first aid crossed into Gaza at 9 a.m. Friday. It said no American troops went ashore in the operation. The Pentagon said no backups were expected in the distribution process. The U.S. plan is for the United Nations, through the World Food Program, to take charge of the aid once it leaves the pier. This will involve coordinating the arrival of empty trucks and their registration, overseeing the transfer of goods coming through the floating dock to the trucks and their dispatch to warehouses across Gaza, and, finally, handing over the supplies to aid groups for delivery. The WFP said Friday evening that aid had that come through the pier had been transported to its warehouses in Deir al-Balah and was ready for collection and distribution. The U.K. said some of its aid for Gaza was in the first shipment that went ashore, including the first of 8,400 kits to provide temporary shelter made of plastic sheeting. And it said more aid, including 2,000 additional shelter kits, 900 tents, five forklift trucks and 9,200 hygiene kits, will follow in the coming weeks. This is the culmination of a Herculean joint international effort, said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. We know the maritime route is not the only answer. We need to see more land routes open, including via the Rafah crossing, to ensure much more aid gets safely to civilians in desperate need of help. The U.N. humanitarian aid coordinating agency said the start of the operation was welcome but not a replacement for deliveries by land. I think everyone in the operation has said it: Any and all aid into Gaza is welcome by any route, Jens Laerke, spokesman of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, told journalists in Geneva on Friday. Getting aid to people in Gaza cannot and should not depend on a floating dock far from where needs are most acute. Navy ship underway for Gaza pier mission suffers fire, returns to US Anastasia Moran, an associate director of the International Rescue Committee, argues that the pier is in fact diverting attention from the surging humanitarian crisis. Over the past couple of months, the maritime route has been taking time and energy and resources at a time when aid has not been scaled up, she said. And now that the maritime route is up and running, the land crossings have been effectively shut down. During the nine-day period between May 6, when Israel began the Rafah offensive, and May 15, a total of 154 trucks carrying food and 156 carrying flour have entered Gaza through three land crossings, U.N. deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said Friday. Haq also warned this week that almost no fuel is getting through. Israel fears Hamas will use fuel in the war, but it asserts it places no limits on the entry of humanitarian aid and blames the U.N. for delays in distributing goods entering Gaza. Under pressure from the U.S., Israel has opened a pair of crossings to deliver aid into the territorys hard-hit north in recent weeks. It has said that a series of Hamas attacks on the main crossing, Kerem Shalom, have disrupted the flow of goods. The U.N. says fighting, Israeli fire and chaotic security conditions have hindered delivery. There have also been violent protests by Israelis that disrupted aid shipments. Israel recently seized the Rafah border crossing in its push against Hamas around that city on the Egyptian border, raising fears about civilians safety while also cutting off the main entry for aid into the Gaza Strip. U.S. President Joe Biden ordered the pier project, expected to cost $320 million. The boatloads of aid will be deposited at a port facility built by the Israelis just southwest of Gaza City. The U.S. has closely coordinated with Israel on how to protect the ships and personnel working on the beach. Concern about the safety of aid workers was highlighted last month when an Israeli strike killed seven relief workers from World Central Kitchen whose trip had been coordinated with Israeli officials. The group had also brought aid in by sea. Pentagon officials have made it clear that security conditions will be monitored closely and could prompt a shutdown of the maritime route, even if just temporarily. Already, the site has been targeted by mortar fire during its construction, and Hamas has threatened to target any foreign forces who occupy the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces are in charge of security on shore, but there are also two U.S. Navy warships nearby that can protect U.S. troops and others. The aid for the sea route is collected and inspected in Cyprus, then loaded onto ships and taken about 200 miles to the large floating pier off the Gaza coast. There, the pallets are transferred onto the trucks that then drive onto the Army boats, which will shuttle the trucks from the pier to a floating causeway anchored to the beach. Once the trucks drop off the aid, they return to the boats. Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writers Jamey Keaten in Geneva, Julia Frankel in Jerusalem, Jill Lawless in London, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Darlene Superville and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed. Former President Donald Trump speaks at the NRA Leadership Forum at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas on May 18, 2024. Former President Donald Trump speaks at the NRA Leadership Forum at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas on May 18, 2024. (Azul Sordo for the Texas Tribune) DALLAS At the National Rifle Associations annual convention on Saturday, Donald Trump and Gov. Greg Abbott encouraged the thousands gathered to vote for Trump in the 2024 presidential election as a way to ensure their Second Amendment rights. The NRA has stood with me from the very beginning, and with your vote, I will stand strong for your rights and liberties, Trump said. I heard it a few weeks ago that if gun owners voted, we would swamp them at levels that nobodys ever seen before. I think youre a rebellious bunch, but lets be rebellious and vote this time. Trump and Abbott spoke to a room packed with NRA members, some of which sported supportive attire from the standard-fare red caps to a dress covered with photos of the former president. Trump, Abbott paint gun rights as imperiled at NRA convention was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans and engages with them about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribunes daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. During the convention, the NRA released its endorsement for the 45th president, and the Trump political campaign announced the launch for the Gun Owners for Trump coalition. Abbott touted his track record on gun rights by pointing to Texas laws passed last year, such as House Bill 3137 which prohibits local governments from requiring firearm owners to buy liability insurance. To energetic applause, he said the law ensured people would not be forced to pay to exercise their Second Amendment rights. Abbott also described the states successful crackdown on the recent pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses, in which protesters are demanding the schools divest from from companies tied to Israel or weapons manufacturing amid the Israel-Hamas War. Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at the NRA Leadership Forum in Dallas on Saturday. (Azul Sordo for the Texas Tribune) When they tried to pull that stunt in Texas, our Department of Public Safety cleared the area, arrested the protesters and put them in jail, Abbott said. Unlike some of these radical leftist universities like Columbia, UCLA and far too many others, in Texas we dont tolerate paid protesters who tried to hijack our college campuses. Almost to the day, the NRA convention takes place two years after the Uvalde school shooting, where an 18-year-old gunned down an elementary school with a legally purchased assault rifle. The shooter killed 19 fourth-graders and two teachers with an AR-15 style rifle. During the 2023 legislative session, Uvalde families unsuccessfully pressed Texas policymakers to pass a raise-the-age law, which would have upped the minimum age for buying semi-automatic weapons from 18 to 21. Donald Trump and Texas Republicans made the gun violence epidemic worse, especially in our state, where we have seen nine mass shootings just in the last 15 years, said a statement by Gilberto Hinojosa, the Texas Democratic Party Chair, on Friday. Even after Uvalde parents pleaded with Greg Abbott and Ted Cruz for commonsense gun safety laws, they decided, like Trump, that the NRA and gun lobby was more important. Instead the legislature approved a school safety bill that established preventative measures toward school shootings. The law included a mandate that every school must hire an armed security officer and the creation of a department within the Texas Education Agency that can compel districts to adhere to active-shooter protocols. During his speech, Trump endorsed four Republican candidates who are fighting in late May runoffs to be their partys nominee: Alan Schoolcraft, David Covey, Helen Kerwin and Brett Hagenbuch. Each of them has already received endorsements by Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton or both. Schoolcraft, Covey and Kerwin are running against Republican incumbents in the Texas House who impeded Abbotts signature school voucher bill or voted for Paxtons impeachment based on accusations of corruption. 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. This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune, a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org. The post Trump, Abbott paint gun rights as imperiled at NRA convention appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. Questions are flying about whether former President Trump will put up a defense in his historic hush money criminal trial as the Manhattan district attorneys office winds down its case-in-chief this week. The former presidents attorneys, it seems, dont have any answers, including whether Trump plans to take the stand something hes suggested hed like to do. Todd Blanche, one of Trumps defense attorneys, said as of Thursday his team anticipated reaching a decision at some point. Thats another decision that we need to think through, Blanche told the judge. With the defense not committing to call any witnesses, the trial is barreling toward its end, meaning the jury could begin its deliberations as soon as this coming week. Criminal defendants like Trump are not required to present their own defense; the government carries the burden of proving them guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. But with a felony conviction and possible jail time on the line, any decision Trump makes including whether to take the stand himself could have far-reaching consequences. And Trump is well-known for wanting to speak on behalf of himself instead of leaving that up to others. Prosecutors have called 20 witnesses in an effort to persuade jurors that Trump is guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records that pertain to reimbursements made to his then fixer, Michael Cohen, who had paid porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 days before the 2016 election to stay quiet about an alleged affair with Trump, which he denies. Trump pleaded not guilty, insisting the records are truthful and distancing himself from the alleged scheme. Cohen, prosecutors star and final witness, is expected to conclude his testimony Monday, after which Trumps attorneys will or wont present the former presidents defense. If they do call any witnesses, their case is expected to be short, perhaps enabling the trial to barrel toward nearing a close this coming week. The most significant question remaining is whether Trump himself will take the stand. After expressing regret for not doing so in a civil trial he lost roughly a year ago, Trump has taken the stand in his two most recent civil trials. In the early days of the criminal trial, the former president insisted he would do so again in his ongoing hush money case. But in recent days, he has not answered reporters shouted questions about whether he will do so. And his lawyers have repeatedly told the judge there is no determination yet. And do you have any indication whether your client is going to testify? Judge Juan Merchan asked Tuesday. No, responded Blanche, Trumps attorney. It is unusual for a criminal defendant to take the stand in their own defense, and legal experts generally agree that the strategy is a risky one. When Trump testified in his civil fraud trial last year, he repeatedly spun off on political tangents drawing admonishments from the judge. Overall, Donald Trump rarely responded to the questions asked, and he frequently interjected long, irrelevant speeches on issues far beyond the scope of the trial, Judge Arthur Engoron, who oversaw Trumps civil fraud trial, wrote in his February decision. His refusal to answer the questions directly, or in some cases, at all, severely compromised his credibility. Merchan, who is overseeing Trumps criminal trial, has ruled that Trumps hush money prosecutors, who cannot force the former president to testify, could cross-examine him about bad acts arising from his many recent civil lawsuits. Other than Trump, the defense has suggested their case-in-chief would only include a few potential witnesses, chiefly among them an expert who would testify about campaign finance law. The defense has not made a final decision on whether to call Bradley Smith, a former commissioner at the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Prior to trial, the judge granted prosecutors request to limit the scope of his potential testimony, and the defense before leaving court for the week asked for further rulings from the judge to inform their decision. Smiths testimony would rebut prosecutors broader theory of the case: that Trump sought to influence the 2016 presidential election through his allies efforts to stamp out bad press about the then-candidate. The theory is vital to whether jurors convict Trump, as the New Yorkers must determine the former president was acting in furtherance of another crime to find him guilty of the felony business falsification charges he faces. If they call Smith, prosecutors have indicated they would call as a response expert Adav Noti, formerly associate general counsel at the FEC who now works at the Campaign Legal Center. If the defense does not call their expert or Trump, however, they have indicated they may briefly call a few other witnesses but still rest by the end of the day Monday. I dont want to make any commitments about the day on Monday, but its certainly reasonable to believe that if, aside from Mr. Smith, that the witnesses will be able to get on and off on Monday, Blanche told the judge last week. That would spark a rapid end to the trial, with the possibility of the jury being handed the case before heading out for the Memorial Day weekend. It will be a short week, however: The trial will not convene Wednesday or Friday due to juror conflicts. Then, Trumps fate will be held in the hands of the 12 New Yorkers on his jury as they deliberate whether to make him the first president in the countrys history convicted of a crime. Updated at 7:50 a.m. EDT For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Girl Scouts of America and Brownies holding American flags and cheering at the Veterans Day Parade in Miami Beach, Florida, with a presence of Donald Trump. Former President Donald Trumps historic hush money trial is hurtling towards its end with fixer-turned-foe Michael Cohen the star prosecution witness set to wrap his testimony when he returns to the stand Monday. Jury deliberations are on the horizon as Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan told both prosecutors and the defense to prepare for closing arguments as soon as Tuesday. Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan told both prosecutors and the defense to prepare for closing arguments as soon as Tuesday. AP After four weeks of testimony, the 77-year-old ex-president could soon find himself a convicted felon or newly acquitted man. Here are some of the key pieces of evidence and questions jurors will be considering once they start weighing the case: Is Michael Cohen credible? Prosecutors in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs office called 19 witnesses over the last four weeks, but saved arguably the most important one for last Cohen, who worked for Trump for about a decade. Itll be up to the jury of seven men and five women to decide if Cohen, a convicted liar, is trustworthy. Prosecutors quizzed Cohen, 57, over two days last week, painstakingly going over his past fibs and misdeeds likely in a bid to get ahead of Trumps attorneys trying to eviscerate the ex-cons credibility. Michael Cohen spoke about the lies he told to protect Trump in court during his multi-day testimony. AP Among them was that he lied on invoices he billed to the Trump Organization to get reimbursed for his payment to porn star Stormy Daniels by labeling the fees as part of his retainer agreement, as well as a guilty plea for lying to Congress about work hed done on a Trump real estate deal in Russia. In a bid to sow doubt in jurors minds, Trumps lawyers did seize on some of those lies as they sought to portray Cohen as a serial fabulist hellbent on seeing his former longtime boss behind bars. Under intense cross-examination late last week, defense attorney Todd Blanche grilled Cohen, in part, on his admission that lied under oath when he pleaded guilty to federal charges, including tax fraud, in 2018. It was a lie? Correct? Blanche questioned, to which Cohen replied, Correct. In another example, Cohen admitted that he sent his lawyer fake legal decisions generated by artificial intelligence as part of his failed bid last year to get off early from supervised release on the guilty pleas to campaign finance and other crimes in Manhattan federal court. To what extent was Trump involved? Odds are jurors will be weighing to what extent Cohens actions were directed by Trump. During his testimony last week, Cohen matter-of-factly said Trump was intimately involved in all aspects of the alleged scheme to stifle stories about sex that threatened to torpedo his 2016 presidential campaign including the $130,000 payment to Daniels that is at the heart of the case. Everything required Mr. Trumps sign-off, Cohen testified, adding that Trump vowed to reimburse him for the money he fronted and was constantly updated about behind-the-scenes efforts to bury the harmful stories. What I was doing, I was doing at the direction and for the benefit of Mr. Trump, he testified elsewhere about his role in a separate $150,000 payout in 2016 to Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal, who says she had an affair with Trump for a year while he was married to his wife Melania. Trump has denied the affairs happened, including Daniels claim she slept with him once in 2006 an alleged tryst she told the court about in graphic detail. His attorneys have also cast doubt over how much he knew about Cohens dealings, such as arguing Cohen lied about a key phone call he claimed to have made to Trump about the Daniels payment. Instead, Blanche claimed, Cohen was actually whining to Trump bodyguard Keith Schiller during the one minute, 36-second phone conversation about harassing calls he was getting from an apparent 14-year-old prankster. Cohen conceded on the stand that at least some of the call involved his complaints about the prank caller. Trump has denied the affairs happened, including Daniels claim she slept with him once in 2006 an alleged tryst she told the court about in graphic detail. REUTERS Do these checks prove Trump paid off Stormy Daniels? The 12 Manhattanites on the jury could come back to the 34 business records including checks, invoices and other documents that Trump is charged with illegally fudging in order to cover up reimbursement to Cohen for the Daniels payoff. Jeffrey McConney, the former controller at the Trump Org, testified he had a conversation with then-CFO Allen Weisselberg in 2017 about how Cohen needed to be repaid for some money. Jurors were shown a bank statement indicating Cohen had sent Daniels attorney Keith Davidson $130,000, with Weisselberg adding on $50,000 for technical services, doubled to account for taxes, and a $60,000 bonus for a total of $420,000 to be paid out to Cohen in $35,000 increments. Longtime Trump Org accounts payable supervisor Deborah Tarasoff testified about cutting the checks, 11 in total, nine of which needed to be sent to Trump at the White House via FedEx in 2017 for him to sign, other witnesses said. Trumps team, however, has argued from the beginning that the checks were labeled correctly as legal expenses because Cohen was working as Trumps lawyer at the time. Cohen submitted a guilty plea for lying to Congress about work hed done on a Trump real estate deal in Russia. AP Did Trump have the intent to hide damaging scandal from voters? In order for the 34 counts of falsifying business records to amount to felonies, as the DA claims, Trump would need to have fudged the files with the intent to cover up another crime. Prosecutors charge the hush money payment to Daniels was part of an illegal bid to influence the 2016 election by hiding a damaging sex scandal from voters. The payout and a broader scheme with the National Enquirer to boost favorable stories to Trump while burying embarrassing ones breached a New York law making it illegal to conspire to promote or prevent the election of any person to a public office by unlawful means, prosecutors say. Jurors, however, dont need to believe beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump violated election law. They just need to believe that Trump falsified the records with the intent to cover up a crime. His mindset at the time is key, and thats why the verdict could hinge on whether jurors believe Cohens account of Trump approving the payoff and coverup. Blanche notched a small win last week when he got Cohen to confirm that Trump was worried in part about the impact on his family, should a story regarding his alleged affair with McDougal get out. The prosecutions case hangs on proving that the hush-money payments amounted to election fraud because they were intended to quash a story that would hurt him in the election. However, Trump has long maintained he paid the money to protect his marriage and his family. Hope Hicks press secretary and then top White House spokesperson for Trump also told jurors how Trump tried to ensure a Wall Street Journal article from Nov. 4, 2016 detailing the McDougal affair allegations wouldnt be seen by Melania. He was concerned about the story. He was concerned how it would be viewed by his wife, Hicks said. Hicks, 35, became visibly flustered at the end of her questioning by prosecutors about the Daniels payment, testifying she thought Trump felt it was better to be dealing with the situation in 2018 when it emerged, than before the 2020 election. Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker who engaged in catch and kill schemes to buy McDougals story and an earlier one involving a former Trump Tower doorman and then not publish the claims testified yes when asked if the point of the McDougal deal was to suppress her story so as to prevent it from influencing the election. Pecker refused to enter into the Daniels agreement, which resulted in Cohen making the payment, prosecutors said. Getty Images What about Cohens secret recording of a conversation with Trump? Another piece of evidence jurors will likely take into consideration is a secret recording Cohen made of Trump on Sept. 6, 2016 discussing plans to kill McDougals story with the help of the National Enquirer. So, what do we got to pay for this? One-fifty? Trump could allegedly be heard saying on the nearly three-minute recording played in court. Cohen said the recording was meant to give assurances to Pecker that Trump would reimburse Pecker the $150,000 he paid to McDougal for the exclusive rights to her story which he never planned to publish. It was so I could show it to David Pecker and that way he would hear the conversation, that he would know Mr. Trump is going to be paying him back, Cohen said on the stand. Cohen testified that the call, taped on the Voice Memos app on his iPhone, was the only time he surreptitiously recorded his ex-boss something that is not illegal in New York. Peckers company ultimately decided not to accept payment for the McDougal affair story, and Trump is not accused of falsifying his books in the McDougal case. Prosecutors have presented the McDougal payoff in an effort to establish a pattern of behavior. Former President Donald Trump on Saturday floated the idea of a third term if he wins in November. You know, FDR 16 years almost 16 years he was four terms. I dont know, are we going to be considered three-term? Or two-term? Trump quipped at the National Rifle Association annual meeting, speaking before a crowd of gun rights supporters. Some in the crowd shouted in response: Three. Its not the first time Trump has mentioned extending his stay in the White House, an idea he suggested while on the campaign trail in 2020. His latest remarks provide more fodder for the Biden campaign, which seized on the comments as it tries to paint Trump as a threat to democracy and institutional norms. But Trump has more recently shut down the proposition of seeking a third term, which is barred by the Constitution. And he told Time magazine in an April interview that he wouldnt be in favor of challenging the 22nd Amendment, enacted after FDR's presidency: I wouldnt be in favor of it at all. I intend to serve four years and do a great job. And I want to bring our country back. I want to put it back on the right track. Our country is going down. Were a failing nation right now. Were a nation in turmoil, he said. During a meandering speech in Dallas, Trump addressed thousands of gun rights supporters on Saturday. The former president spoke about guns and the Second Amendment, but also tackled immigration, foreign policy, the economy and abortion. He at one point slammed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as radical left, while continuing his attacks on Biden and CNN about the debates. His trip to Dallas comes as his criminal trial in New York heads toward the finish line, with closing arguments expected as soon as Tuesday. By this time next week, the former president could be a convicted felon or newly acquitted on charges of concealing a 2016 hush money scheme. Trump on Saturday railed against his indictments and also complained about the gag order issued under Justice Juan Merchan. Trump, intermittently pivoting back to the gun issue, spoke before a vastly different NRA than the one that threw its support behind him just eight years ago. In May 2016, the organization backed Trump and would go on to spend more than $30 million to help send him to the White House. On Saturday, the NRA endorsed Trump again, support that comes as both the former president and the nations top gun group face mounting legal challenges, raising questions about how much money the organization will be able to put behind Trumps 2024 bid to return to power. The endorsement of the proud patriots of the NRA. These are great patriots. These are great people. Were going to do things like nobody can believe, Trump said. He also urged gun owners, who he said hes heard dont vote, to turn out in November to ensure his victory. Lets be rebellious and vote this time, OK? Trump said. Trump used Saturdays speech his ninth time addressing the nations top gun lobby to gin up enthusiasm among some of his staunchest supporters, a key constituency for fundraising. The NRA cheered Trump during his first term in office, as he appointed three conservative Supreme Court justices and took steps pushed by the gun lobby, including his designation of gun and ammunition retailers as critical infrastructure during Covid. Trump also used the venue to rail against President Joe Bidens restrictions on gun ownership and vowed to roll back gun safety provisions passed by his administration. Biden has taken a number of steps to tackle gun violence, issuing a slew of executive actions and establishing the first-ever federal office of gun violence prevention moves that have angered the gun lobby. The president most recently moved to expand background checks for gun purchases, in an effort to eliminate a loophole that has allowed sales of guns without background checks outside of brick-and-mortar stores. If the Biden regime gets four more years, they are coming for your guns, Trump said. Crooked Joe Biden has a 40-year record of trying to rip firearms out of the hands of law abiding citizens. As Trump headlined the event, the weight of the NRAs backing and its relevance in the countrys politics this cycle is increasingly murky. The group has been embattled with scandals, internal power struggles and lawsuits that have emptied its coffers, spurring uncertainty about how much cash it can put forward to support Trump at a time his own war chest lags behind Bidens. No matter what youve heard, we are strong. We are healthy. We are resolute, committed and united as ever, said Andrew Arulanandam, interim CEO and executive vice president of the NRA, before Trumps speech. The politics around guns has shifted in recent years, as gun violence continues to plague the country. After the Uvalde school shooting in 2022, Democrats and Republicans voted for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the first gun safety legislation in 30 years. Candidates from both parties didnt pay an electoral price in the midterms, which gun safety advocates attribute to what they see as a seismic shift in the politics around the issue thats been underway for years now. Timed with Saturdays event, the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee launched the Gun Owners for Trump coalition, led by Olympic athletes, firearms industry leaders and public advocates. The release said the coalition will push back against Biden and the gun-grabbing Democrats attempts to erode the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. The Democratic National Committee, for its part, had a mobile billboard in Dallas, attacking Trumps NRA speech. The billboard cycled through headlines about the former president, his gun policies and past comments amid mass shootings. One screen showed the words get over it a reference to Trumps comments after a school shooting in Iowa earlier this year while another highlighted the former president saying that mass shootings are not a gun problem. Donald Trump confirmed that he will do exactly what the NRA tells him to do even if it means more death, more shootings, and more suffering," Biden campaign spokesperson Ammar Moussa said in a statement. "The American people want to see an end to the gun violence ripping apart their communities. President Biden has a 40 year record of taking on the NRA and winning, including passing the most significant gun safety legislation in nearly 30 years last year and hes proud to be the only candidate in this race who wont sell Americans out to the gun lobby." The highlight of the National Rifle Association (NRA) annual meeting on Saturday was a speech by former president Donald Trump, which came late but was ripe with sound bites. One takeaway: he proposed the idea of a third term, which he directly spoke against during an interview with Time magazine back in April. During his afternoon speech in Dallas, Trump whose criminal hush-money trial in New York is expected to come to a close as soon as Tuesday likened himself to 32nd President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had a four term presidency. You know, FDR 16 years almost 16 years he was four terms. I dont know, are we going to be considered three-term? Or two-term? he teased the crowd of gun rights supporters. Three! shouted some convention attendees, Politico reported. Trump mentioned extending his stay in the White House while campaigning in 2020. However, his flip-flop has added fuel to the Biden campaigns narrative that the former president is a threat to democracy and institutional norms. Trump's most recent remarks about extending his presidency to a third term, which isnt allowed in the Constitution, clash with what he said in his Time magazine interview. He claimed he would be against challenging the 22nd Amendment that came into place after FDRs four-term presidency. I wouldnt be in favor of it at all. I intend to serve four years and do a great job. And I want to bring our country back. I want to put it back on the right track. Our country is going down. Were a failing nation right now. Were a nation in turmoil, he said during the interview. 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 say that 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 his 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. In the past 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. Cohen hasnt been the star of the week in the courthouse, 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 the past 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. Republican Senator Marco Rubio dodged questions about whether he would accept the results of the 2024 presidential election and left open the possibility of the outcome being mired in fraud in an appearance on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday. The Florida senator once derided by Donald Trump as little Marco is now among a handful of prominent Republicans thought to be on the former presidents shortlist to join him as a running mate in November. Mr Rubio, one of Mr Trumps more vocal defenders in the Senate, has previously said that he would be honored to accept the position. On Sunday, he was peppered with questions by NBCs Kristen Welker as to whether his loyality to the former president means he will question the validity of the election results if President Joe Biden remains in the White House. Will you accept the election results of 2024 no matter what happens? Ms Welker asked Mr Rubio. No matter what happens? No, if it's an unfair election, replied the senator. Ms Welker continued to press him. Senator, no matter who wins, she asked, inferring that the results are presumed to be fair in her hypothetical. Marco Rubio appears on Meet the Press on Sunday 19 May (NBC) Mr Rubio refused to say that he would. I think you're asking the wrong person, he said. The Democrats are the ones who have opposed every Republican victory since 2000. The refrain is a common one among Republicans who have sought to draw parallels between the odd disgruntled Democrat making remarks questioning the integrity of various races and the wide-ranging effort by the Trump campaign in 2020 to actually overturn the election results. Mr Trump and his campaign engaged in a months-long effort to spread false conspiracies about the election results in the fall and winter of 2020 and sought to overturn the presidents defeat in several key battleground states. Some of those efforts by Mr Trump and his allies have led to criminal charges. Mr Trump himself faces four criminal cases, two of them one in Georgia and one federal linked to those efforts to halt the peaceful transfer of power in 2020. On January 6 2021 the day of the Capitol riot Mr Rubio voted to certify the results of the 2020 election and pushed back on some of the outlandish claims of fraud made by the presidents campaign. But later, Mr Rubio backtracked, deriding the effort to investigate the attack as a partisan scam and defending the majority of the GOPs voting base that has doubts about the veracity of this election. Now, he appears to be fancying his chances as Mr Trumps running mate, on a rumoured shortlist that includes the likes of Vivek Ramaswamy, Tim Scott, Doug Burgum and Elise Stefanik. I think anybody who would be offered that should be honored, he told Fox News in March about the possibility of joining Mr Trump on the ballot. Anybody who would be offered the chance to serve their country as vice president should consider that an honor. Mr Rubio ran against Mr Trump for the Republican nomination in 2016, sparking a bitter feud between the two men which ended after the Florida senator bowed out of the race and metaphorically bent the knee to his onetime rival. He spent four years of the Trump administration in the Senate where he served as a quiet ally of the White House who only rarely raised his voice in criticism. Stocks have once again ended a trading week having hit new records. Signs of an inflation cooldown prompted markets to grow more optimistic about the prospect of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts and stocks rallied as a result, with all three major averages hitting record highs on Wednesday. For the week, the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) rose more than 2% while the S&P 500 (^GSPC) popped more than 1.5%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) gained more than 1%, closing above 40,000 for the first time ever on Friday. In the week ahead, highly anticipated earnings results from Nvidia (NVDA) are expected to be the key catalyst for markets. Results from Target (TGT), Palo Alto Networks (PANW), and Lowe's (LOW) will also be closely tracked by investors. The week is expected to be quieter on the economic front, with updates on activity in the manufacturing and services sectors as well as the final reading of consumer sentiment for May on tap. Minutes from the Fed's May meeting are also expected on Wednesday afternoon. Minute by minute April's reading of the Consumer Price Index showed core prices, which strip out the more volatile costs of food and gas, rose 3.6% over last year the lowest annual rise in three years. This prompted investors to price in two full interest rate cuts this year for the first time since early April. The move brings the market closer in line with the Fed's projections of two or three interest rate cuts at some point this year. BMO Capital Markets chief investment strategist Brian Belski listed investors' alignment with the Fed on interest rate cuts as a reason supporting his call for the S&P 500 to end 2024 at 5,600, an increase of less than 7% from Friday's close. For investors, the key question will be whether this bullish narrative is sustainable or if the market will once again jump ahead of the Fed as it did in early 2024 when investors priced in nearly seven interest rate cuts on the back of positive economic data. The first test will come on Wednesday with the release of minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee's May meeting, which will provide a deeper look at the discussion among officials. "The minutes from the May FOMC meeting should sound more hawkish on the margin than Chair Powell's press conference," Bank of America US economist Michael Gapen wrote in a note to clients. "Though Powell signaled the bar for hikes is high and that standing pat is the proper response to disinflation stalling out, others on the committee were more concerned about whether policy was doing enough." Story continues Fed Chair Jerome Powell holds a press conference at the end of Federal Open Market Committee meeting in Washington, D.C., on May 1, 2024. (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) (SAUL LOEB via Getty Images) The bulls are on the run Belski's year-end target bump was followed by another forecast raise on Friday. Deutsche Bank chief equity strategist Binky Chadha boosted his year-end target for the benchmark to 5,500 from 5,100. Chadha cited robust earnings growth and an improving macroeconomic outlook as reasons stocks could keep moving higher. "We see the earnings cycle having plenty of legs," Chadha said. "While all the growth may not materialize this year, we see market confidence in a continued recovery rising by year end, supporting equity multiples." Nvidia's big report AI leader Nvidia is set to report earnings after the closing bell on Wednesday, capping off the reports from America's tech giants. Expectations are once again sky-high for the chipmaker. Analysts expect Nvidia grew earnings by more than 400% in the prior quarter while revenue increased 242%, per Bloomberg consensus data. For the second quarter, analysts project earnings growth of more than 120% and nearly 100% revenue growth. "We see enough room for NVDA to post FQ1E (April) revenue potentially as high as $26B (data center ~$22-23B) and potentially guide to ~$27-28B in total revenue (data center ~$25-26B) both good enough to keep the stock biased higher, in our view," UBS analyst Timothy Arcuri wrote in a note to clients previewing the earnings release. The logo of technology company Nvidia is seen at its headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., Feb. 11, 2015. (REUTERS/Robert Galbraith) (REUTERS / Reuters) The stock is up more than 86% in 2024 and more than 200% over the past year since Nvidia kicked off the AI hype train with its blowout earnings report in May 2023. Given how Nvidia's stock has impacted other potential AI plays, and the broader market as a whole, all eyes will be on whether the company can once again live up to the hype. "If [Nvidia] can continue their enviable, remarkable string of beating estimates, raising guidance, then beating the raised guidance next quarter, that means that the AI trade can and will proceed apace," Interactive Brokers chief strategist Steve Sosnick wrote in a research note on Thursday. "If there is even the slightest sign of weakness, however, much more than that stock alone will suffer." The expansion of the AI trade Nvida's updates on its emerging technology demand come at a crucial time for the overall AI story. Increasingly, new companies in sectors are being tabbed AI trades. Just this past week, Dell shares rose about 10% as analysts from Morgan Stanley and Evercore ISI revealed bullish research on the company's AI prospects. The AI trade has already been expanding beyond the popular names like Nvidia, Microsoft (MSFT), Alphabet (GOOGL, GOOG), and Meta (META). Energy and Utilities are two of the best performing sectors in the S&P 500 this year, both adding more than 13%. While strategists have pointed to a catch-up trade in Utilities (XLU), AI has also been a driver of enthusiasm. The same could be said for Energy (XLE). Research from Goldman Sachs' equity strategy team led by David Kostin shows mentions of AI soared in the first quarter amid a "broadening of the AI trade." More than 66% of companies in the energy sector mentioned AI during their earnings calls this quarter, up from 19.1% last quarter. JPMorgan Asset Management global market strategist Jack Manley said whether the AI story has legs "might be one of the more important questions that we have to ask." "Is this AI stuff the real deal or is it a flash in the plan?" Manley told Yahoo Finance. "And I mean, frankly, the jury is still out on whether or not it will fundamentally transform the world." He added, "If markets wake up to say 'Hey, maybe we got a little bit too excited about this and maybe we pulled forward some of these earnings just a little bit, and that's reflected in those valuations.' That's where I think you have the potential for a bit of a shaky road." Weekly calendar Monday Earnings: Palo Alto Networks (PANW), Trip.com (TRIP), Zoom (ZM) Economic news: No notable economic news. Tuesday Earnings: AutoZone (AZO), Macy's (M), XPeng (XPEV), Toll Brothers (TOL), Urban Outfitters (URBN) Economic news: Philadelphia Fed Non-Manufacturing Activity, May (-12.4 previously) Wednesday Earnings: Nvidia (NVDA), e.l.f. Beauty (ELF), Petco (WOOF), Snowflake (SNOW), Target (TGT), TJX (TJX), Williams-Sonoma (WSM), Economic news: MBA mortgage applications, May 17 (+0.5% previously); Existing home sales month-over-month, April (0% expected, -4.3% previously); FOMC meeting minutes Thursday Earnings: BJ's (BJ), Deckers Brands (DECK), Intuit (INTU), Polestar (PSNY), Ralph Lauren (RL), Ross Stores (ROST), TD Bank (TD), Workday (WDAY) Economic news: Chicago Fed Nat Activity Index, April (0.15 previously); Initial jobless claims, week ending May 18 (222,000 previously); S&P Global US manufacturing PMI, May preliminary (50 previously); S&P Global US services PMI, May preliminary (51.3 previously); S&P Global US composite PMI, May preliminary (51.3 previously); Existing home sales month-over-month, January (5.0% expected, -1% previously) Friday Earnings: No notable earnings. Economic news: Durable goods orders, April preliminary (0% expected, 0.9% prior); University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment, May final (67.6 expected, 67.4 previously) Josh Schafer is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on X @_joshschafer. Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance One of the Trump administrations longest legacies has been the number of lifetime judicial appointments made during his term: more than 200 in total, including three to the Supreme Court. Now, Donald Trump is openly bragging about appointing young, inexperienced lackeys to lifetime positions to further ensure his political impact outlasts his time in office should he be reelected. Trump spoke Saturday at the National Rifle Associations annual meeting held in Dallas, Texas, after receiving the groups official endorsement. During his rambling 90-minute speech, Trump told the story of the time he was approached by a friend of his, a 69-year-old real estate lawyer in New York, asking if he could be appointed as a federal judge if he gave up his private practice. I told him, Dont worry about it! Youre gonna be a judge, congratulations,' Trump said. When Trump approached his advisers about the cronyism hire, however, he said he found they were not too keen about appointing someone of retirement age to a lifetime position, because it would only last a few years before he needed to be replaced. We like people in their thirties so theyre there for 50 years or 40 years, Trump recounted them telling him. And as soon as they said that I realized yeah, theyre exactly right. Trump bragged about trying to appoint one of his friends to the federal bench. Trump's administration ran on nepotism. So would a second term. More here: https://t.co/XcvPEHijCU pic.twitter.com/NOMUvkdADw American Bridge 21st Century (@American_Bridge) May 18, 2024 Trumps appointment of judges in their thirties to lifetime positions on the federal bench has already paid him dividends. Aileen Cannon, a U.S. district judge for the Southern District of Florida, was just 39 years old when Trump appointed her in 2020. Cannon is the judge presiding over the classified documents case against Trump, stemming from troves of top secret documents being uncovered at Mar-a-Lago in 2022 after he had left office. Cannon has consistently postponed the start date of the trial, almost certainly delaying it until after the 2024 general election, which has led Trump to calling her a godsend. If Trump, 78, is reelected, he would be the oldest president to take office. Despite this, he also bragged about his purported bill of health during the NRA speech, claiming former White House doctor turned Congressman Ronny Jackson (RTexas) was asked, Whos a better physical specimen, is it Trump or is it Obama? And he said, Its not even close, its Donald Trump. Trump: They asked him who is a better physical specimen, is it Donald Trump, or is it Obama? He said it is not even close, Donald Trump, not even close, I said I love this guy. Dr. Ronny Jackson pic.twitter.com/G8vIkc8d9D Acyn (@Acyn) May 18, 2024 Trump went on to claim Dr. Jackson said hed live for 200 years except he likes junk food, so he might only live to 110. Although it is unlikely Trump will live to 110, if hes given the opportunity, any changes he makes to the federal judiciary will likely be felt for generations. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Trump's naps at trial are a 'middle finger' to the jury deciding his fate, lawyers say Trump's been closing his eyes in court. Could his sleepy demeanor sway the verdict? Legal experts said jurors take their jobs very seriously and this trial is unprecedented. "That is a proverbial middle finger to the jury," one defense attorney told BI. There's been a lot of talk about former President Donald Trump appearing to doze off during his hush-money trial. But could his naps sway the jury? Jurors will likely feel slighted by Trump's snoozing, legal experts told Business Insider. And while closing your eyes during a criminal trial wouldn't result in a conviction in itself, Trump's naps aren't going to help if any of the jurors are on the fence. In the opening days of his hush-money trial, Trump closed his eyes for minutes at a time before jolting back up. Since then, it's been the same story: Trump's been spotted with his eyes closed, his head tilted, appearing to nod off during the trial. Even during the testimony of prosecutors' key witness, Michael Cohen, Trump appeared to be napping in court. The former President has denied falling asleep in the courtroom. "I simply close my beautiful blue eyes, sometimes, listen intensely, and take it ALL in!!!" he explained on Truth Social earlier this month. But he might be wise to keep them open in the future, legal experts told BI. 'They will hold that against him' Gene Rossi, a former litigator with the Department of Justice, told Business Insider that in the 110 cases he's tried, all the jurors took their jobs very seriously. "If they sense that the defendant is essentially blowing it off and not taking it seriously like an eighth grader, they will hold that against him," Rossi said. "End of story." Donald Trump at the defense table in his Manhattan hush money trial with attorney Emil Bove. Reuters/Jane Rosenberg "That is a proverbial middle finger to the jury," agreed Jeremy Saland, a former Manhattan Assistant District Attorney and current defense lawyer, who said dozing off would be a "foolish, dangerous way to handle yourself in that courtroom." For his part, Rossi said he advises clients to be engaged and respectful "like they are in church listening to a sermon by the Pope." Jurors had to go through a rigorous selection process and are giving up weeks of their lives to hear testimony. But these proceedings carry unprecedented weight, Saland said. There's all the news coverage, not to mention the sheer magnitude of deciding the first criminal trial of a former US president who could still become the next President if he wins this year. Saland said Trump's demeanor shouldn't impact his verdict which will ultimately boil down to the evidence. But it could be risky if deliberations get close, he said. "You should think that the system is there and has enough accountability and integrity that they won't hold it against him," he said, "but it certainly will not favor him." Lawyers for Trump and members of his campaign didn't respond to requests for comment from Business Insider. Read the original article on Business Insider Tsai Ing-wen: the leader who put Taiwan on the map and stood up to China Tsai Ing-wen never set out to be a leader. Growing up shy, she aspired to become an archeologist, because people that are dead already wouldnt jump up and argue with you. But instead of picking over the remains of history, the self-described introvert ended up charting a new course for Taiwan in some of the worlds choppiest geopolitical waters. At this very moment, Taiwan faces a difficult situation, Tsai said in her inauguration speech when she became the islands first female president in 2016. She was handed a flatlining economy, a lagging military and a groundswell of discontent over her predecessors push to forge closer ties with neighboring China, an authoritarian giant that has vowed to one day absorb the self-ruled democracy. Eight years on, as the 67-year-old prepares to step down after two terms in office, she leaves the island of 23 million people with an elevated international profile, a firmer partnership with the United States, ongoing defense reforms and a consolidated sense of its distinct Taiwanese identity. It is also left with the looming threat of invasion by China, which has grown more assertive and belligerent under strongman leader Xi Jinping. Xi has ramped up pressure on Taiwan and vowed to never renounce the use of force to bring it under control. While supporters applaud Tsai for standing up to China, defending Taiwans sovereignty, freedom and democracy, critics blame her for straining ties with Beijing, stoking cross-strait tensions. Under Tsai, Taiwan, which has its own past of brutal authoritarian rule and repression of minorities, has championed LGBTQ rights and become a bastion of democracy and liberal values in Asia, offering a stark contrast to Xis authoritarian, socially conservative and patriarchal vision for China. Domestically, there have been mounting public grievances over livelihood issues, especially Taiwans stubbornly low wages and unaffordable housing. But according to multiple polls, Tsai is leaving office with a net-positive approval rating unprecedented among Taiwans outgoing leaders in the democratic era. On Monday, Tsai will hand the baton to her former premier and vice president Lai Ching-te, who will be sworn in as Taiwans new president after winning the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) an unprecedented third term in January. Days before the election, Tsai summed up the islands transformation over the past eight years in her last New Years address as president. What has changed is that Taiwan is no longer overlooked, she said. If someone were to ask me what my legacy for Taiwan is, I would say that I am leaving behind a Taiwan of the world. Tsai holds up Lai's hand at a DPP campaign rally in Taipei just days before Taiwan's presidential election on January 13, 2014. - Alex Chan Tsz Yuk/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images An unconventional politician Tsai is an unconventional politician in Taiwan. Reserved by nature, she cut a quiet figure in a boisterous democracy known for its festival-like rallies and emotional political speeches. She never married or had children and is an animal lover whose beloved pets frequently featured on her social media accounts, something that endeared her to many young people. She used to be so shy that she would lower her head to avoid meeting peoples eyes when walking down the street, Wellington Koo, her national security advisor, said in Taiwan in Transition, a documentary on Tsais presidency. In another documentary, Invisible Nation, Tsai admitted she never dreamed of becoming a president and dreaded talking to people when she was young. I wanted a quiet life. I thought I would become a historian or an archeologist to study things that happened in the past, (because) people that are dead already wouldnt jump up and argue with you, she said. But she ended up studying law and becoming a professor, before working as a trade negotiator for Taiwan and a government minister responsible for China policy. Years working as a non-partisan technocrat imbued her with a modest, quiet and calm style of leadership, according to Invisible Nations director Vanessa Hope. Tsai entered politics at 48 years old, when she joined the ruling DPP in 2004. Four years later, the political latecomer faced little competition to become DPPs chairperson as the party reeled from a crushing presidential election defeat. She first ran for president in 2012, but lost to incumbent Ma Ying-jeou from the Kuomintang (KMT). She succeeded at the second try, making history not only as Taiwans first woman president, but also one of the first women in Asia elected to top office without hailing from a political dynasty. People always think that Im a very cold person, Tsai said in Invisible Nation. But the day I was elected president, that was the most emotional moment in my life. Tsai was elected Taiwan's first female president on January 16, 2016. - Jose Lopes Amaral/NurPhoto/Getty Images Put Taiwan on the map Since Tsai took office, Taiwan has been caught in an intensifying battle for dominance between China and the US, a global pandemic and the geopolitical and economic fallouts from raging wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Through it all, the island has boosted its international standing and recognition, bolstering its role as a key democratic partner and an indispensable link in the global microchip supply chain. In 2019, Taiwan became the first Asian jurisdiction to legalize same-sex marriage. In the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, it won international praise for its exemplary response and efforts to help other countries, despite its exclusion from the World Health Organization (WHO). Taipei has also enjoyed a surge of international backing from like-minded partners, including the US, Japan and the Czech Republic. Shell be known as the one who put Taiwan on the map internationally, said Wen-ti Sung, a Taipei-based fellow with the Atlantic Councils Global China Hub. During Chinas rapid rise to become the worlds second-largest economy and a major power, Taiwan had at times found itself something of an afterthought. Now, the islands strategic importance it is the worlds largest producer of advanced semiconductors has thrust it to the center of geopolitical calculations, with peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait becoming a matter of global concern. Amid hardening global fault lines, Tsai worked to strengthen ties with the US during both the Trump and Biden administrations. The two sides bolstered economic cooperation, reciprocated high-level political visits and expanded US arms sales to Taiwan. Support for Taiwan has become one of the few issues of bipartisan consensus ahead of the US presidential elections. We have seen a normative shift in the way that Western governments talk about Taiwan, in ways that legitimize its sovereignty, said Amanda Hsiao, senior China analyst for the International Crisis Group. US-China competition and Russias invasion of Ukraine were also factors that accelerated this trend. But she took advantage of the geopolitical winds. Despite tightening ties with its most important security guarantor, the island lost 10 diplomatic allies to Beijing during Tsais tenure. It has also been excluded from the WHOs annual assembly since 2016, losing its previous observer status since Tsai took office. Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gives a speech after receiving Taiwans highest civilian honour from Tsai at the presidential office on August 03, 2022 in Taipei, Taiwan. - Chien Chih-Hung/Office of The President/Getty Images Standing up to China Poaching Taiwans dwindling number of diplomatic allies and blocking it from attending the World Health Assembly as an observer is widely seen as part of Beijings efforts to pressure Tsai into toeing its political line. Unlike the opposition KMT, Tsai and the DPP have refused to endorse the so-called 1992 consensus that both Taiwan and the mainland belong to one China, but with different interpretations of what that means. Beijing, which deems the tacit agreement a precondition for dialogue, has cut official contact with Taipei since Tsai took office. In addition to the diplomatic squeeze, Xi has ramped up economic and military coercion, slapping tariffs on Taiwanese imports and routinely sending warplanes close to the island. Tensions came to a head in August 2022, when China fired missiles into waters around Taiwan and simulated a blockade with fighter jets and warships to show its displeasure with then US House Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taipei. But Tsai also maintained a deliberately cautious stance, avoiding provoking Beijing with endorsement of Taiwans formal independence, something many in her party openly favor and advocate for. Instead, she argued that Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China, is already an independent country and therefore has no need to declare independence. Analysts say Tsai moved the DPPs position on cross-strait relations closer to the center of politics in Taiwan, from a more fiercely pro-independence stance. Polls show growing numbers of Taiwanese especially young people view themselves as distinctly Taiwanese and have no desire to be part of China. Less than 10% now support an immediate or eventual unification, and only 3% identify primarily as Chinese while 67% see themselves as primarily Taiwanese. But Huang Kwei-bo, professor of diplomacy at Taiwans National Chengchi University, criticized Tsais pivot toward the US at the expense of ties with China. Taiwan needs to work closely with the USbut it would be unwise of Taiwan to lose political communication channels with Beijing, he said, noting that Taiwan cant simply rely on deterrence or military operations to defend itself. Maintaining political relations with Beijing is another necessary approach to better security for Taiwan, he added. Taiwan President Tsai inspects reservists at a training session at a military base in Taoyuan on May 11, 2023. - Jameson Wu/AFP/Getty Images Defense reforms Weeks after Tsai was sworn in, she attended a graduation ceremony at Taiwans Military Academy and delivered a stern message: Our armed forces need to be reformed in a big, bold wayWe also need to reform our national defense systems and culture. Since then, she has often shown up at military events, sometimes donning bulletproof vests and helmets among soldiers challenging prejudices that question womens ability to command the military. Over her tenure, Tsai has boosted military spending, extended mandatory military service from four months to a year and accelerated the development of its indigenous weapons program to boost combat readiness, including the islands first domestically produced submarine. These developments give confidence to Taiwans security partners in terms of the islands determination for its own fair share for providing its own security, Sung said. Taipei has also been talking with Washington to establish a contingency stockpile of munitions on Taiwanese soil. The US is bound by law to supply Taiwan with weapons to defend itself, and for decades the Taiwanese military has been purchasing fighter jets and missiles from Washington. But under Tsai, Taiwan has sought to enhance its asymmetric defense capabilities, developing and procuring cheaper and more mobile weapon systems that could be instrumental in halting a potential Chinese invasion. Taiwanese military experts have increasingly advocated for such an approach, noting that Taiwan can never match China in military might and assets. Despite the increases, Taiwans defense budget is still dwarfed by that of China, accounting for less than 10% of Beijings military spending. But Taiwan can still make itself an enormously costly place for China to try and overrun without having to match its far larger, wealthier neighbor. The war in Ukraine has shown Taiwan the effectiveness of portable missiles and drones on the battlefield in fending off a more powerful enemy, experts say. The international environment shifted and that contributed to this awareness in Taiwan of how close war could be, Hsiao said. Tsai opened the door to defense reform and the idea that defending Taiwan requires a whole-of-society effort. Taiwan's workers have long grapple with low wages, unaffordable housing and high cost of living. - Sawayasu Tsuji/Getty Images Domestic challenges Tsai has also left a mixed domestic legacy. Her push to legalize same-sex marriage angered conservatives, especially in rural regions, but made Taiwan the envy of LGBTQ communities across Asia. This week, days before stepping down as president, Tsai invited Taiwanese drag queen Nymphia Wind to perform the first ever drag show at the presidential office, following her win on hit TV series RuPauls Drag Race last month. Tsai has also sought to revitalize economic growth and address social inequality, nurturing emerging industries such as renewable energy and launching pension reforms. During her tenure, Taiwans economy grew at an average rate of over 3%, but many residents say the economic benefits are little felt in their everyday lives. Instead, Tsais administration has faced mounting discontent over stagnant wages, skyrocketing housing prices and cost of living. She has also been criticized for sluggish judicial reforms, failure to rein in online scams and a plan to phase out nuclear energy, as well as not going far enough in implementing transitional justice and promoting indigenous rights. Under her reign, there has been a squeeze on airtime for more local and bread-and-butter issues, said Sung. And you see this reflected in the election results as well. Tsais DPP suffered huge losses in two mid-term elections, where local issues normally trump national security as voters primary concern. Near the end of her first term, Tsais approval ratings plummeted and her chance for a second term was looking increasingly uncertain until pro-democracy protests erupted in Hong Kong in 2019 against Beijings tightening grip. She campaigned heavily on promises to not allow Taiwan to become another Hong Kong, and received a landslide victory. In Januarys presidential elections, public grievances over livelihood issues became a focal point of criticism against the DPP, splitting votes especially from young people to a third-party candidate who promised a more scientific and pragmatic approach in addressing those issues. The DPP also lost its majority in the national legislature, leaving more potential political gridlock for the incoming Lai administration to push through policies and legislation. As Tsai hands the baton to Lai, analysts say it might still be too early to draw conclusions on her legacy. How we ultimately judge her legacy will depend on what happens in the next administration as well, as in what they do with what Tsai has achieved, Hsiao said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Two Boston men are facing multiple charges in connection to a string of retail thefts. District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced that 39-year-old James Nickola and 35-year-old Christopher Alves were arrested. On February 10 around 9:30 a.m., Boston police responded to a breaking and entering report at the Express Convenience store at 31 Winter Street. The store owner reported that a man, later identified as Nickola, had broken the exterior gate and front door to gain entry and was in the store from 3:08 a.m. until 3:56 a.m. Nickola stole $7,115 worth of items and damaged $7,100. worth of property. The store owner told police that Nickola has broken into the store two other times and had even apologized for doing so. The store owner said he would often see Nickola in the Downtown Crossing area. Nickola has an 11-page board of probation record dating back to 2000 and several convictions for larceny and assault and battery. Nickola was charged on May 7 with larceny from a building and breaking and entering at night with intent to commit a felony. He was held on $1,000 bail and to stay away from the location of the offense. Nickola is due back in court on June 10 for a pre-trial hearing. Alves was arraigned Thursday from a hospital bed on two new charges out of West Roxbury BMC stemming from a May 15 incident for shoplifting by asportation and trespassing. Alves is due back in court on May 31 for a pre-trial hearing on all four cases. We recognize the frustrations and safety concerns store-based crime can bring to shoppers, store owners, and employees, and we are committed to addressing them appropriately. These thefts affect more than just store owners. The true impact is felt by the entire community through store closures, item restrictions and reduced access to daily essentials and medications, Hayden said. 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 SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) Two people arrested in Springdale for allegedly robbing a man at gunpoint and stealing his vehicle pleaded not guilty on Friday, according to court documents. Dalia Estrada, 22, and Alec Colindres, 21, were arrested on May 1 on charges including accomplice to aggravated residential burglary, accomplice to aggravated robbery, accomplice to kidnapping and accomplice to theft of property charges. Dalia Estrada, 22 (Courtesy: Washignton County Jail) Alec Colindres, 21 (Courtesy: Washington County Jail) Colindres has additional charges that are unrelated to the incident in Springdale. A man reported to the Springdale Police Department that his vehicle was stolen on February 29, and that he had arranged to meet ex-girlfriend Estrada who directed him to park beside a specific car. Three masked, armed men then assaulted the victim, forced him into the backseat of his car. The men reportedly threatened his life while demanding money, claiming Estrada owed them for a drug deal. Two people arrested in connection with Springdale kidnapping, robbery They subsequently drove to the victims apartment, robbed him and his roommates of approximately $2,000 in cash and various electronics, totaling $5,050, before fleeing in the victims car, which was later found abandoned and wrecked, according to the affidavit. Estrada admitted to the police to orchestrating the robbery. She did not disclose the mens identities but said one had recently been released from jail. The victim later identified some suspects, including Colindres, through social media. A subsequent investigation linked Colindres to another case involving a vehicle that fled from the police, where ammunition and items matching the robberys description were found, according to the affidavit. Estrada and Colindres have a court date set for July 9. Both are being held in the Washington County Jail, Estrada on a $150,000 bond and Colindres on a $300,000 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 KNWA FOX24. Two shot after house party in Salt Lake City overnight SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Two people were shot in an allegedly gang-related shooting shortly after a house party ended in Salt Lake City early Sunday morning, according to Salt Lake City Police. The investigation began shortly after 1 a.m., when police received reports of a shooting on the 1200 block of West Illinois Ave. in Salt Lake Citys Glendale neighborhood. Officers responded to the scene and found a 40-year-old man and 38-year-old woman with gunshot injuries. Duchesne High boys basketball team investigated for alleged sexual assault in Cedar City Both individuals were taken to the hospital, though their injuries are said to be non-life-threatening, according to police. SLCPDs Gang Unit responded to the incident. Their investigation reportedly indicated that the shooting was gang-related. The suspect left the scene in a car, police said. The motive for the shooting remains under investigation. No arrests have been made at this time. Anyone with information on this case, including having photos or video, is asked to call 801-799-3000 or submit an anonymous tip using the City Protect App and reference case number 24-107860. No further information is currently 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 ABC4 Utah. Two teen girls in critical condition after being hit by SUV in Spanish Fork SPANISH FORK, Utah (ABC4) Two teen girls are in critical condition after being struck by a car in Spanish Fork Saturday afternoon, according to Spanish Fork Police. At around 3:30 p.m., two teenage girls were hit by a Kia Soul SUV at an intersection located at 2300 East Canyon Road in Spanish Fork. Milk covers highway after tanker carrying 5,000 gallons rolls in Summit County, 1 hospitalized Witnesses at the scene told police that the girls darted out into traffic in front of the Kia, which was heading eastbound on Canyon Rd. The two girls were reportedly attempting to cross Canyon Rd. from the south side to the north side of the road. Both girls are in critical condition and were taken to local hospitals and then airlifted to Primary Childrens Hospital, a press release states. Spanish Fork Police as well as the Utah County Accident Reconstruction Team are conducting the accident investigation. 2300 East Canyon Rd. is reportedly closed in both directions at this time. This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as more information becomes 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 ABC4 Utah. Uber and Lyft agree to deal with state lawmakers on minimum pay rates for drivers Sen. Omar Fateh, DFL-Minneapolis, and Rep. Hodan Hassan, DFL-Minneapolis, celebrate a deal on minimum pay and labor standards for Uber and Lyft drivers at a news conference with Democratic lawmakers on May 18, 2024. Photo by Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer. Uber and Lyft reached a deal with lawmakers on Saturday night that will raise pay for drivers across the state while preempting Minneapolis and other cities from enacting their own wage floors. The deal comes more than 18 months after drivers with a then-new group called the Minnesota Uber/Lyft Drivers Association first held a news conference in the state Capitol with Democratic lawmakers, who pledged to address drivers longstanding complaints about wages and workplace protections. Since then, lawmakers, driver activists and the companies have been engaged in contentious negotiations with multiple threats by the companies to leave Minnesota. A version of the bill was vetoed last year by Gov. Tim Walz, the only of his tenure, prolonging negotiations through a state task force over the past year. With just hours left in the legislative session this year, it was unclear if Democrats could deliver a compromise bill for drivers that both raised their pay and kept Uber and Lyft operational in the state. But on Saturday night, Democratic legislators and Walz packed into the press room at the Capitol to celebrate the agreement, while some Republican lawmakers sat by in the audience. This damn bill, said bill author Sen. Omar Fateh, DFL-Minneapolis, tearing up at a news conference on Saturday night. Democratic lawmakers heralded the agreement as the strongest labor protections for ride-hail drivers in the nation: raising wages for drivers by 20%, increasing insurance coverage for drivers injured on the job and providing protections against unfair deactivation. Starting Jan. 1, 2025, the bill will entitle drivers to at least $1.28 per mile and 31 cents per minute, which is within the general range of rates needed to ensure Twin Cities drivers earn the Minneapolis minimum wage of $15.57 per hour after accounting for their vehicle expenses and payroll taxes, according to a state study of driver compensation. In a statement released on Sunday morning, Uber spokesman Josh Gold said the rates and insurance requirements would lead to price increases that may hurt riders and drivers but the company would continue operating in the state under the compromise brokered by Walz. Walz praised Fateh at the news conference for not wavering an inch since last year. The comment was a nod to Fateh leveraging his effective veto in the Senate, where Democrats have just a one-seat majority, to hold up the rest of Democrats agenda until a deal on a ride-hail bill was reached. Omar was absent for a floor vote on Saturday morning, and the Senate was only able to pass one bipartisan bill increasing funding for emergency medical services. Asked if he gave his caucus an ultimatum, Fateh said, We were working together. The state agreement preempts cities from enacting their own standards that are already covered in the bill, which includes wages, deactivations, pay transparency and insurance requirements. Cities may still choose to license transportation network companies and charge fees. Preempting local governments from enacting their own standards was one of the biggest sticking points besides the pay rates. Democrats were leery of overriding local control of labor standards, but Uber and Lyft said they would leave Minneapolis (and the entire Twin Cities metro, in Ubers case) if the higher rates passed by the Minneapolis City Council took effect as scheduled on July 1. Minneapolis Council Vice President Aisha Chughtai blasted the provision of the bill on X, writing, Any and all attempts to undermine local control are bad. Its a Republican and corporate tactic used around the country. Watching our Gov. Tim Walz cave to multibillion-dollar corporations in insisting on preempting Minneapolis is gross. House Majority Leader Jamie Long, DFL-Minneapolis, said it was the best bill they could get for drivers and praised the council for their work passing an ordinance setting minimum pay even though it will never take effect. I think they can hold their heads high knowing that they forced the conversation here, Long said. In addition to the agreement on wages and labor standards, the House Ways and Means Committee passed a last-minute bill on Saturday morning to appropriate $2 million from the workforce development fund to create a new 0% interest car loan program for ride-hail drivers. Drivers who have been working for at least a year on ride-hail platforms and have a household income less than $80,000 would be able to borrow $15,000 for regular vehicles and $20,000 for wheelchair-accessible vehicles. The bill directs the Department of Employment and Economic Development to award grants to community development financial institutions or similar nonprofit organizations to administer the loans and keep up to 10% for administrative costs. *This story has been updated with comment from Uber. The post Uber and Lyft agree to deal with state lawmakers on minimum pay rates for drivers appeared first on Minnesota Reformer. The top 10 women on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index are worth over $500 billion combined. Walmart heiress Alice Walton and Fidelity CEO Abigail Johnson are both on the list. Take a closer look at the world's richest women. The world's 10 richest women include the CEO of Fidelity Investments and the heiresses to the L'Oreal, Mars, and Walmart fortunes, per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. They've each amassed fortunes of more than $27 billion, and are worth a staggering $508 billion combined at the time of writing just shy of ExxonMobil's market value of $510 billion. While four of the 10 women have seen their net worths shrink this year, the group's collective wealth has jumped by an impressive $37 billion. Check out this list of the 10 wealthiest women on the planet. 1. Alice Walton $95.1 billion Alice Walton is one of the heirs to the Walmart fortune. Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images Alice Walton, 74, inherited her wealth from her father, Walmart founder Sam Walton. Unlike her brothers Jim and Rob, who've been more directly involved in Walmart's operations, Alice has focused on the arts and charitable activities, including promoting education and conservation. Her wealth has increased by $25 billion this year as Walmart's share price has risen by 44%. Alice is the highest-ranking woman on Bloomberg's list in 18th place, just behind her brothers. 2. Francoise Bettencourt Meyers $90 billion L'Oreal heiress Francoise Bettencourt Meyers. Jean-Pierre Muller/AFP via Getty Images Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, with a net worth of $90 billion, ranks 19th on Bloomberg's rich list. Her grandfather, Eugene Schueller, founded the French cosmetics giant L'Oreal and she inherited a one-third stake from her mother. Bettencourt Meyers, 71, is known for her intellectual pursuits even writing books on Greek mythology and Bible commentaries and her philanthropy. The Bettencourt Schueller Foundation supports scientific research, arts, and humanitarian projects. 3. Julia Flesher Koch $75.5 billion Julia Flesher Koch, the widow of the late industrialist David Koch. Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images Julia Flesher Koch's father-in-law, Fred Koch, founded industrial behemoth Koch. She married one of Fred's sons, David, and became a billionaire when he died in 2019. The 62-year-old contributes to causes including education, medical research, and the arts, and also serves on the board of several charities. 4. Jacqueline Badger Mars $50.3 billion Jacqueline Badger Mars, heiress to the Mars fortune. Aurora Rose/Getty Images Jacqueline Badger Mars' grandfather founded the candy, pet care, and food conglomerate that bears the family's name. Press-shy and limelight-avoidant, the Mars family remains somewhat mysterious. The 84-year-old has been on the Mars board of directors, and has also sat on the boards of the National Archives and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Story continues Mars and her ex-husband, David Badger, have three children. Their son Stephen has been on the Mars board since 2010. 5. Abigail Johnson $36.1 billion Abigail Johnson is CEO of Fidelity Investments. Getty Images Abigail Johnson, 62, is the CEO of Fidelity Investments, one of the world's largest financial firms that was founded by her grandfather. She has a one-third stake in its parent company, FMR, and succeeded her father as CEO in 2014. Johnson, who holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, is also known for pushing for women's opportunities in the financial world. 6. MacKenzie Scott $36 billion MacKenzie Scott, philanthropist and ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Evan Agostini/Associated Press MacKenzie Scott is the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. When the couple divorced in 2019, she received a settlement worth $38 billion. Scott, 54, has since donated billions of dollars to a wide range of causes, including racial equality, LGBTQ+ rights, public health, and education, and has "revolutionized philanthropy," says the CEO of one charity that received a donation from Scott. She's also written two novels. 7. Savitri Jindal $34.1 billion Savitri Jindal, the widow of Indian infrastructure titan O.P. Jindal. Mint/Getty Images Savitri Jindal 's family owns the Jindal Group, one of India's largest conglomerates with steel, mining, power, and infrastructure businesses. The 74-year-old is the widow of the group's founder O.P. Jindal and inherited a significant portion of his wealth when he died in 2005, putting her in 48th spot on the Bloomberg list. Jindal is also actively involved in politics, having served as a member of the Haryana state's Legislative Assembly. 8. Miriam Adelson $32.8 billion Miriam Adelson, the widow of casino mogul Sheldon Adelson. Shahar Azran/Getty Images Miriam Adelson, 78, is the widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, and inherited a significant portion of his fortune when he died in 2021. She cofounded a clinic that specializes in treating substance abuse and has been a prominent supporter of medical research and Jewish causes. Adelson is also known for her political donations, particularly to conservative and pro-Israel groups, and was awarded the presidential Medal of Freedom by Donald Trump in 2018. 9. Iris Fontbona $30.8 billion Iris Fontbona, the widow of Chilean copper billionaire Andronico Luksic. Flickr Iris Fontbona, 82, was married to Andronico Luksic, one of Chile's wealthiest people. Following his death in 2005, Fontbona inherited his stake in the copper-mining giant Antofagasta, as well as positions in his banks and beverage companies. 10. Susanne Klatten $27.5 billion BMW heiress Susanne Klatten. Michael Probst/AP Images Susanne Klatten, one of Germany's richest people, owns about 20% of BMW after inheriting stakes in the carmaker from both her father and mother. She also inherited her father's stake in the pharmaceuticals and chemicals manufacturer Altana. Klatten, 62, holds various leadership positions in her family's business empire and also donates money through her philanthropic foundation, the SKala Initiative. Correction: August 23, 2024 An earlier version of this story misidentified who founded Koch. The company was founded by Fred Koch, not his son David. The story also misstated Fred Koch's relation to Julia Flesher Koch. He was her father-in-law, not her grandfather-in-law. Read the original article on Business Insider U.K. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps on May 19 urged Berlin and other allies to send long-range missiles to Ukraine and to allow Kyiv to hit facilities in Russian-occupied Crimea. Ukraine has received other long-range missiles, such as the Storm Shadow from the U.K. and the French-made SCALP, and it was reported on April 25 that the U.S. had secretly sent more than 100 long-range ATACMS missiles to Kyiv. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is against sending long-range missiles to Ukraine as he fears that this will risk Berlin getting involved in the war, according to Bild's unnamed German and Ukrainian sources. "What I would like to see are all of our partners, including Germany, who do have the facility to provide those long-range weapons but do not allow them to be used in Crimea, which is part of Ukraine," Shapps said in an interview with Sky News. "I think those are the things that would need to happen first." Taurus is a joint German-Swedish-made cruise missile with a range of over 500 kilometers. The Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles Ukraine currently has, as well as the newer models of ATACMS, fly up to 300 kilometers. They are also designed to hit buried and protected targets. These advantages would allow Kyiv to hit targets deeper inside occupied Ukraine, including the Crimean Bridge, a critical supply and transport route for Russian forces. But their increased range would also allow strikes deep inside Russian territory, a scenario Berlin does not support. Read also: Taurus missiles: Why Ukraine wants them and Germany hesitates Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraines Navy said on May 19 that it had destroyed Russian sea minesweeper Kovrovets overnight, refuting Moscows earlier claims of having repelled strikes on occupied Crimea. The report comes amid Ukraines ongoing campaign targeting the Russian Black Sea Fleet, inflicting damage on warships one after another. In April, Ukraines Navy had said that it struck Kommuna, a salvage ship that was launched in 1915 and is the oldest ship still in service in the Russian Navy. Earlier on May 19, Moscow claimed that it had shot down nine U.S.-provided long-range ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) missiles, and a drone over Crimea. Ukraines Navy has not elaborated on how the reported strike was carried out. Russian proxy official in Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, said at around midnight that the air defense was working in the city. He said no damage to civilian infrastructure was recorded. The sea minesweeper Kovrovets, with a crew of 68 people, belongs to the Project 266 Akvamarin class, known in NATO as the Yurka class. This Soviet-origin class detects mines up to 150 meters deep and has two 30mm AK-230M naval guns with a high-resolution Lynx radar installed. According to the Black Sea Fleet website, 40 ships that belong to this class were constructed between 1963 and 1971. Russia's Defense Ministry had not reacted to Kyiv's report of a successful strike as of the publication time. Following Ukrianes successful attacks from afar, the Russian military has withdrawn nearly all its major ships from ports in occupied Crimea following successful Ukrainian strikes on the Black Sea Fleet, Navy Spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said in March. Russia began redeploying the Black Sea Fleet to Novorossiysk last year after a series of devastating Ukrainian strikes including a missile attack on its headquarters in Sevastopol on Sept. 22. Now, "the most valuable assets are all withdrawn," according to Pletenchuk. The Strategic Communications Center of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (StratCom) recently reported that as of early February 2024, 33% of the Black Sea Fleets warships had been disabled, including 24 ships and one submarine. Russia has taken a number of steps to address the continuing threat, including replacing the commander of the Russian Navy in March. Read also: Opinion: Whats left of Russias Black Sea Fleet? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine to receive 100 missiles from UK in May, UK defense secretary says The British government will supply Kyiv with 100 missiles in May, the U.K. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said in an interview with the Sun published on May 18. Shapps said the new Russian offensive, launched on May 10 targeting Kharkiv Oblast with 30,000 troops involved, should be "a wake-up call to the West." Russian forces have recently expanded offensive operations in Kharkiv Oblast, forcing Ukraine to deploy more reserve troops, according to Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi. The U.K. defense secretary said that everything we hold dear will be "in peril" if Western allies allow Ukraine to fall to Russian President Vladimir Putin's "tyrannical rule." "Warm words are not enough. Every nation that values their freedom must step up and provide what they can, as quickly as they can, to ensure the Ukrainian Armed Forces can fight off the illegal invasion," Shapps said. Sign up for our newsletter Ukraine Weekly By Olga Rudenko Sign up Since the beginning of May, the U.K. has supplied Ukraine with 80 air defense missiles, delivering 20 more before June, according to the Sun's article. London also sent Kyiv more than 30 pallets of parts, including anti-mine equipment, over a million rounds of small arms ammunition, 20 Viking armored amphibious vehicles, and over 4,000 items of military clothing. Shapps added that in 2024, the total amount of aid provided to Ukraine from the U.K. will be worth 3 billion pounds (around $3,8 billion). "We are committed to reaching 2.5% of GDP on Defense by 2030, and this is the first down payment," Shapps said. The U.K. has consistently voiced strong support for Ukraine, alongside the U.S. and Germany. The country has pledged 12.5 billion pounds ($15.6 billion) in support to Ukraine since February 2022, of which 7.6 billion pounds ($9.5 billion) is for military assistance. 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. Key developments on May 19: Russian 'double-tap' strike north of Kharkiv kills 6, including pregnant woman Ukraines Navy says it destroyed Russian sea minesweeper Kovrovets overnight Media: SBU drones strike airbase, oil refinery in Russia West's stance on Ukraine war 'completely nonsensical,' says UK defense secretary Russian troops attacked a recreation center in a northern suburb of Kharkiv at around 11 a.m. local time, killing six civilians, including a pregnant woman, and wounding 27, the Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office said on May 19. A man who was fishing near the site of the attack remains missing. The strike took place in Mala Danylivka, only 30 kilometers south of the now occupied Hlyboke village near the border. (Russian troops) attacked the area where local residents were resting, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov said in an earlier post on Telegram, condemning the attack. A paramedic was among the wounded, and an ambulance was damaged, he added. In a later post on Telegram, Syniehubov said Russian forces had fired two Iskander ballistic missiles in a "double-tap" strike a common Russian tactic in which a target is struck once and then again shortly after, the second strike deliberately targeting rescue workers. Read also: Double-tap attack. Understanding one of Russias cruelest tactics in Ukraine Later in the afternoon, Syniehubov said a pregnant woman was among those killed, and an eight-year-old girl among those injured. She was said to be in a "stable condition." Two of the wounded are police officers, the Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office later reported. Also on May 19, five people were killed and nine injured in a Russian strikes on villages in the Kupiansk district of Kharkiv Oblast. In a post on X, President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned "Russian terror" and reiterated his calls for more air defense systems from Ukraine's allies. "The world can put an end to Russian terror. To achieve this, the lack of political will among leaders must be overcome," he said. "Two Patriots for Kharkiv will fundamentally change the situation. Air defense systems in our other cities, as well as sufficient support for our warriors on the front lines, will ensure the defeat of Russian terror." Moscow has intensified its attacks on Kharkiv in recent months, forcing many local residents living in and around the city to flee their hometown. The attacks have further spiked after Russia launched its new offensive in Kharkiv Oblasts border areas, killing civilians and targeting energy infrastructure. In April, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said that Russian attacks destroyed "almost all" of the critical energy infrastructure in Kharkiv. Read also: 48 hours in Kharkiv, Ukraines most-bombed major city Ukraines Navy says it destroyed Russian sea minesweeper Kovrovets overnight Ukraines Navy said on May 19 that it had destroyed Russian sea minesweeper Kovrovets overnight, refuting Moscows earlier claims of having repelled strikes on occupied Crimea. The report comes amid Ukraines ongoing campaign targeting the Russian Black Sea Fleet, inflicting damage on warships one after another. In April, Ukraines Navy had said that it struck Kommuna, a salvage ship that was launched in 1915 and is the oldest ship still in service in the Russian Navy. Russian official in occupied Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, said that the air defense was working in the city. He said no damage to civilian infrastructure was recorded. The sea minesweeper Kovrovets, with a crew of 68 people, belongs to the Project 266 Akvamarin class, known in NATO as the Yurka class. This Soviet-origin class detects mines up to 150 meters deep and has two 30mm AK-230M naval guns with a high-resolution Lynx radar installed. According to the Black Sea Fleet website, 40 ships that belong to this class were constructed between 1963 and 1971. Russia's Defense Ministry had not reacted to Kyiv's report. Following Ukraine's successful attacks from afar, the Russian military has withdrawn nearly all its major ships from ports in occupied Crimea, Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said in March. Russia began redeploying the Black Sea Fleet to Novorossiysk last year after a series of devastating Ukrainian strikes including a missile attack on its headquarters in Sevastopol on Sept. 22. Now, "the most valuable assets are all withdrawn," according to Pletenchuk. The Strategic Communications Center of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (StratCom) recently reported that as of early February 2024, 33% of the Black Sea Fleets warships had been disabled, including 24 ships and one submarine. Russia has taken a number of steps to address the continuing threat, including replacing the commander of the Russian Navy in March. Media: SBU drones strike airbase, oil refinery in Russia The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), in conjunction with the country's new Unmanned Systems Forces, launched a drone attack on Russia's Kushchevskaya military airbase and Sloviansk oil refinery plant overnight, Ukrainska Pravda reported on May 19. There is currently no information on damage or casualties though the source said the Slaviansk oil refinery had paused operations. In recent months, Ukrainian forces have launched a series of drone strikes aimed at damaging Russia's oil industry, which is crucial to sustain Moscow's war efforts. It's the second time this particular airbase and refinery have been targeted by SBU drones in recent weeks an attack on April 27 reportedly hit "key technological objects" and damaged several aircraft. "The SBU continues to effectively target military infrastructure facilities behind enemy lines, reducing Russia's potential for waging war," it said at the time. West's stance on Ukraine war 'completely nonsensical,' says UK defense secretary The West's current stance on the war in Ukraine and delays in military aid are "completely nonsensical," the U.K's defense secretary said on May 19. In an interview with Sky News, Grant Shapps was asked about comments made earlier this week by Zelensky, who said Ukraine's international partners "are afraid of Russia losing the war" and would like Kyiv "to win in such a way that Russia does not lose." Sky News presenter Trevor Phillips asked if the West was "creating a stalemate in the war with Russia in which tens of thousands of people are dying needlessly." In reply, Shapps said he visited Kyiv in March and made a "very similar point." "It was a wake-up moment for the West and that by delaying what we should be doing we were running the risk of doing exactly what President Zelensky is concerned about," he said, referencing delays in U.S. military aid to Ukraine. "I think this is completely nonsensical for the West. We have to understand we are in an existential battle about the way we run the world order and about democracy itself." Shapps added that delays in Western military aid, particularly from the U.S., were having very visible effects on the battlefield, and Russia's advances into Ukraine's Kharkiv Oblast in recent days were a direct consequence. "Now I'm confident that Ukraine will be able to repel that but there's a few difficult weeks ahead," he said, adding that the current situation around Kharkiv "didn't need to happen." In a meeting with journalists on May 16 attended by the Kyiv Independent, Zelensky said Kyiv's allies "fear" Russia will lose the war against Ukraine because it would involve "unpredictable geopolitics." "I don't think it works that way. For Ukraine to win, we need to be given everything with which one can win," he said. His statement came on May 16 amid Russia's large-scale offensive in Kharkiv Oblast and ongoing heavy battles further east. In a week, Russian troops managed to advance as far as 10 kilometers in the northern part of Kharkiv Oblast, according to Zelensky. Washington has not changed its stance on potential Ukrainian strikes with U.S.-supplied weapons on Russian territory even after Russia had launched its offensive in Kharkiv Oblast, the Pentagon said on May 16. Zelensky commented on this statement during the meeting, saying that "there should be no bans because this is not about a Ukrainian offensive using Western weapons on Russian territory. This is about defense." In an interview with AFP on May 17, Zelensky said that the Kharkiv Oblast offensive could be the first of several waves, and Russian forces may try to go for the regional capital of Kharkiv. Read also: Zelensky: Russias Kharkiv Oblast offensive could be first of several waves Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Vyborg oil depot in Leningrad Oblast, Russia, was attacked during a special operation of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) on the night of 18-19 May. Source: Ukrainska Pravda source in DIU Details: The source noted that three explosive devices were used to hit vertical fuel tanks at the facility, used by the Russians for military purposes. They were destroyed in the DIU operation. At around 02:50, residents of Vyborg reported a strong explosion on social media, followed by a fire at the oil depot. Quote from DIU: "The decarbonisation of Putin's dictatorship will continue, consistently and methodically, for as long as Russia uses the oil and gas industry for military purposes or until it pulls [its forces] out of Ukraine. The cost of Russian aggression for the Kremlin will continue to rise and is already affecting their ability to supply fuel even to the domestic market. To be continued." Background: Russian Telegram channels reported explosions and a fire at an oil refinery in Vyborg, Leningrad Oblast, on the night of 18-19 May. Support UP or become our patron! WASHINGTON, May 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Following is a statement from Emily Wilkins, president of the National Press Club on the decision by Guatemala to release journalist Jose Ruben Zamora to home detention without monitoring. National Press Club Logo (PRNewsfoto/National Press Club) "We are pleased to hear that Guatemalan journalist Jose Ruben Zamora has been released to home detention after more than 600 days in pretrial detention. One of the two charges against him has been dismissed and we have every reason to believe the other charge will be dismissed as well, when the court rules in June. Let's be clear about this: Mr. Zamora is a journalist who has done nothing wrong. The charges were intended to impede his journalism. The government of Guatemala was prepared to let Mr. Zamora leave the country, but when he declined, he was jailed on flimsy charges. This is no way for a government to behave toward its journalists. We expect more from the government of Guatemala. Mr. Zamora deserves to live a productive life free of intrusions and punishment." Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. With 3,000 members representing nearly every major news organization, the club is a leading voice for press freedom in the U.S. and worldwide. Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534 for the National Press Club Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-press-club-statement-on-guatemalan-journalist-jose-ruben-zamora-302149574.html SOURCE National Press Club President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported that this week, the Defence Forces of Ukraine reinforced their positions in Kharkiv Oblast, and the Russians have failed to achieve their goal of stretching the Ukrainian forces thin. Source: evening address by Zelenskyy Quote: "Today, as every day, our primary focus is on the combat zone along the whole defence line. I heard a report by General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who is currently on the front line with our combat brigades. The results achieved over these days over this week [are as follows]: our positions in Kharkiv Oblast have been reinforced. Thank you to the warriors of the 57th Brigade and the 82nd Air Assault Brigade! And our forces are wiping out the occupier on the fronts in Donetsk Oblast quite efficiently, particularly near the city of Chasiv Yar and others. The occupiers have failed to achieve their goal of stretching our forces thin and thus weakening Ukraine in the broad combat zone from Kharkiv to Donetsk Oblast." Support UP or become our patron! Unclear whether Kennedy campaign will have same impact as Perot and Nader Unclear whether Kennedy campaign will have same impact as Perot and Nader Were now 170 days away from the Presidential election rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Several factors will determine which one of them will call 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue home the next four years. The biggest key will be turnout among party loyalists. A new poll this week from the New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer and Siena College shows Robert F. Kennedy Jr. with anywhere from 9-12 percent support in six potentially swing states. The New York times points out those are the best numbers for a third-party candidate in decades. Conventional wisdom suggests this hurts Joe Biden. How worried should the Biden campaign and the Democrats be about this? Host Jim Niedelman returns to discuss that and more with former Iowa State Representative Elesha Gayman and Iowa Republican Party Chair Jeff Kaufmann. I think its something to definitely keep an eye on, but I dont think your tried-and-true Democrats are going to be losing much sleep over it, Gayman said. I think Joe Biden is worried about that, Kaufmann said, adding For crying out loud, were not putting a Kennedy on a debate stage? To hear more from our panelists, click on the video. Question of the Week And now we want to hear from you, too, with our question of the week: How do you think Robert Kennedy Jr.s third-party campaign will impact the Presidential race? Please share your thoughts at 4therecord@whbf.com Local 4 News, your local election headquarters, is proud to present 4 The Record, a weekly news and public affairs program focused on the issues important to you. Its a program unlike any other here in the Quad Cities. Tune in each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. as Jim Niedelman brings you up to speed on whats happening in the political arena, from Springfield, Des Moines, Washington, D.C. and right here at 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 WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. UNCW's oldest dorm is set to be demolished. Here's what you need to know. Crews will begin prepping for the demolition of the University of North Carolina Wilmington's first residence hall on Monday, May 20. Galloway Hall, originally known as "Dorm 71," was built in 1971 and was the UNC system's first air-conditioned dorm as well as the first air-conditioned dorm in the state, according to the school's website. The building, which was a co-ed dorm with 400 beds, cost $1,475,000 to build and the architect was Leslie N. Boney. About the building Galloway Hall is a six-story building located on the southern side of UNCW's main campus and is adjacent to Riegel Road and across from the Brooks Field Baseball Facility. The building is 64,912 square feet and has held as many as 400 residents, but is no longer used and is beyond its serviceable life, according to the school's website. Crews will start preparing Monday for the demolition of the University of North Carolina Wilmington's oldest residence hall. About the demolition According to UNCW's website, the demolition plan applies to all physical abatement, demolition, and waste generating activities performed as part of the remediation and demolition activities. The demolition will include an environmental assessment, removal of any hazardous materials, the demolition, removal and disposal of the building and associated utilities, foundations, slabs, as well as the demolition, removal and disposal of site improvements. The total budget for the project is $2 million. The designer is Kimley-Horn and the contractor is 4 Seasons Demolition. More: City of Wilmington to demolish former office building About the name The building was named after Edmond R. Galloway, who was a UNCW student from Fayetteville who died in a bicycle accident on Oct. 11, 1974, during his first year at the school. The building was officially named after Galloway on April 30, 1975, after the Student Government Association petitioned for a memorial in his honor. Crews will be preparing for the demolition of the University of North Carolina Wilmington's oldest residence hall. Galloway Hall was completed in 1971 and is said to be the first air-conditioned dorm in the state. What to expect Construction fencing will be set up around the hall starting Monday and will block access to the sidewalks on the Riegel Road side of the building. Signs will be posted to redirect pedestrians around the back side of the hall. The overflow parking area beside the hitting facility on Riegel Road will also be closed beginning July 1 and will reopen Aug. 1. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: UNCW dorm Galloway Hall to be demolished Editor's Note: The article was updated at 1:06 p.m. local time after Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported the death toll had risen once again. Russian troops attacked a recreation center in a northern suburb of Kharkiv at around 11 a.m. local time, killing six civilians, including a pregnant woman, and wounding 27, the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office said on May 19. Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov then said on May 20 that the casualties had risen to seven dead and 28 wounded after a man's body was found. A man who was fishing near the site of the attack remains missing, but it is possible that the body discovered on May 20 was the missing man in question. The strike took place in Mala Danylivka, roughly 70 kilometers southwest of the fiercely contested Vovchansk. "(Russian troops) attacked the area where local residents were resting," Syniehubov said in an earlier post on Telegram, condemning the attack. A paramedic was among the wounded, and an ambulance was damaged, he added. In a later post on Telegram, Syniehubov said Russian forces had fired two Iskander ballistic missiles in a "double-tap" strike a common Russian tactic in which a target is struck once and then again shortly after, the second strike deliberately targeting rescue workers. Later in the afternoon, Syniehubov said a pregnant woman was among those killed and an eight-year-old girl among those injured. She was said to be in a "stable condition." Two of the wounded are police officers, the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office later reported. On the same day, five people were killed and nine injured in Russian strikes on villages in the Kupiansk district of Kharkiv Oblast. In a post on X, President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned "Russian terror" and reiterated his calls for more air defense systems from Ukraine's allies. "The world can put an end to Russian terror. To achieve this, the lack of political will among leaders must be overcome," he said. "Two Patriots for Kharkiv will fundamentally change the situation. Air defense systems in our other cities, as well as sufficient support for our warriors on the frontlines, will ensure the defeat of Russian terror." The city of Kharkiv was also under attack, but Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said all the hits were in the suburbs. In a video address published on May 19, Syniehubov once again urged remaining residents in front-line areas to evacuate. Moscow has intensified its attacks on Kharkiv in recent months, forcing many local residents living in and around the city to flee their hometown. The attacks have further spiked after Russia launched its new offensive in Kharkiv Oblasts border areas, killing civilians and targeting energy infrastructure. In April, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said that Russian attacks destroyed "almost all" of the critical energy infrastructure in Kharkiv. The attacks destroyed a thermal power plant and all the electrical substations in Ukraine's second-biggest city, according to Terekhov. A day earlier, six were wounded by a Russian KAB attack, Syniehubov said. The victims included two children aged 13 and 16, he added. 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 recent report from the Social Security Administration about the longevity of the program has prompted new attention to the programs finances. Unfortunately, much of the discussion is based on false assumptions. Social Security isnt facing inevitable decline. We dont have to make cuts. And baby boomers arent to blame. That may sound strange, but the facts are the facts. Last September, the Harkin Institute hosted a symposium on retirement security in Washington, D.C. The keynote speaker was Stephen Goss, who is the chief actuary of the Social Security Administration. He was direct: The driver of the projected shortfall in the Social Security fund is not the baby boom, the dependency ratio, or immigration. Its increased income inequality. He noted that when the Greenspan commission issued its recommendations in 1983, it knew about the baby boom, and it factored that into future projections. The flaw was in the income cutoff for Social Security taxes. Right now, the first $168,800 of wages are subject to FICA tax; everything above that is not taxed and does not accrue Social Security benefits. The limit was set at the 90th percentile of wages, and then indexed to inflation and average wage growth. Since 1983, though, the highest incomes have grown faster than the average, and more of the nations payroll moved into the untaxed category. Now the cutoff is at the 82nd percentile of wages. If the taxable income was maintained at the 90th percentile, the reserves accumulated in the Trust Fund would have paid full benefits until 2063, 30 years longer than the current estimates. Social Security cuts would hit working-class people hard. Most Americans have nowhere near enough saved in 401(k) or similar accounts to sustain themselves in retirement. Theyre counting on Social Security to make ends meet. Americans who have faithfully paid FICA taxes for decades have a legitimate expectation that when its their turn, theyll be paid what they were promised. Matthew Reed, executive director of the Harkin Institute And they can be. Theres no shortage of proposals that would allow the program to keep faith with the folks whove paid into it. One would restore the income cap to the 90th percentile of wages. Another would eliminate the cap altogether, generating a long-term surplus. President Joe Biden proposed keeping the current cap but then subjecting income above $400,000 per year to taxation again. The economist Stephanie Kelton noted that simply allowing Congress to dedicate general revenues to Social Security could ensure full benefits. Currently, Social Security is completely financed by dedicated revenue sources and does not contribute to the debt. Story continues Rayna Stoycheva, director of retirement security at the Harkin Institute No, we dont have to accept cuts as inevitable. We can choose instead to honor the promises made to hardworking Americans. Its up to us. Matthew Reed is executive director of the Harkin Institute. Rayna Stoycheva is the director of retirement security at the Harkin Institute. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Social Security cuts are not inevitable. Raise the income cutoff. By Nancy Lapid (Reuters) - A guideline for U.S. doctors to ignore race in assessing lung health will likely have profound effects beyond the intended improvements in medical care, such as increasing disability payments and disease diagnoses for Black patients while boosting their job disqualifications, a study found on Sunday. Asian and Black patients will move forward on U.S. lung transplant waiting lists, with 4.3 fewer days of expected wait time, while Hispanic and white candidates will move back, having to wait 1.1 days longer on average, according to a report of the study in the New England Journal of Medicine. U.S. diagnoses of nonobstructive lung disorders, such as chronic bronchitis, will likely jump 141% for Black patients and fall 69% for white patients, the researchers found in the report presented at the annual meeting in San Diego of the American Thoracic Society, the premier society for lung doctors. Annual disability payments for Black military veterans will likely rise by more than $1 billion and fall by $500 million for white veterans, the researchers estimated. Black people had been assumed for hundreds of years to naturally have smaller lungs than white people, meaning a given amount of air going into and out of the lungs could appear to show impaired lung function in white patients and normal function in Black patients. Traditional race-based equations for interpreting the results of spirometry, the most commonly used type of pulmonary function test, therefore grew from the idea that "normal" differs by race. Experts now believe smaller lung capacities in some nonwhite populations may be due to environmental exposures to pollution, poor nutrition, and other risk factors. New, race-neutral equations for determining lung function - taking into account height, age and gender but not race - aim to help correct such inequities. The guideline advising use of race-neutral formulas was issued last year by the thoracic society. These equations "offer an opportunity to move beyond crude proxies like race and the associated assumption that these differences in lung function are benign," said Dr. Raj Manrai of Harvard Medical School in Boston, the senior author of the study. The results of the new equations could be complex. If they reveal more severe lung impairment, surgeons might be less likely to recommend potentially curative surgeries, but this may prevent surgical complications in patients who are at higher risk than previously recognized, the researchers found. The new research is the first large study to quantify the likely effects of how the new equations will shift millions of people to one side or another of eligibility thresholds for treatments and socioeconomic benefits, said Dr. Meredith McCormack of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, who co-authored an accompanying editorial. The study's analysis of data on more than 369,000 U.S. and British residents found the new formulas would likely reclassify 12.5 million U.S. patients as having or not having various degrees of breathing impairment. The new equations will reclassify medical impairment ratings for 8.16 million people; eligibility for jobs, such as firefighter, requiring a certain level of lung function for 2.28 million; grading of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases for 2.05 million; and military disability compensation eligibility for 413,000, the researchers estimated. Changes to patients' classifications could affect their eligibility for trials of new treatments, the researchers said. The impact on medical outcomes and whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages will not be known for years, said Dr. David Kaminsky of the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine in Burlington, who co-authored the editorial. "Were going to have to wait and see," Kaminsky said. (Reporting by Nancy Lapid; Editing by Michele Gershberg and William Mallard) The US has reached an agreement with Niger to withdraw its military forces from the African nation by September 15, according to the US Defense Department and the Nigerien Ministry of National Defense. The newly agreed deadline gives the US four months to drawdown fewer than 1,000 troops who remain in the country, as well as their equipment, which includes MQ-9 Reaper drones and other assets. But even as the deadline looms, US officials see potential for a relationship with Niger. They want to maintain a relationship with us, a senior defense official said, and that relationship is certainly informed by where weve been with them. Nigers military government announced in March that it had ended an accord with the US that allowed military personnel and civilian staff from the Department of Defense to operate in the country. The US delegation met with Nigers ruling military junta last week to try to reach an agreement that would allow for the secure withdrawal of US forces and for clearances for military flights. The flight clearances had been a sticking point in the sensitive negotiations needed to withdraw US forces. Until now, US troops who have left Niger took commercial flights, including as recently as last week, according to US officials. The remaining troops on the ground are tasked with drawing down US personnel and equipment still in Niger. The Defense Department has worked with the Nigerien military for more than a decade, focusing its efforts on counterterrorism in West Africa. The US previously operated out of two base Agadez and Niamey that allowed the Pentagon to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance missions with drones. Now, US forces are limited to the base in the capital of Niamey, where Russian forces have already begun operating. Niger has been really an anchor for our counterterrorism efforts over a decade, said the defense official, who said conversations on future cooperation are ongoing. But what that coordination looks like is an open question, especially as the US has already begun removing some of the 1,100 military personnel operating in the country. Defense officials painted an optimistic picture of a potential future relationship with Niger given the military juntas demand that the US withdraws its forces from the country. The Nigerien military did not see this as the closing of the relationship, said a senior military official. The senior defense official and senior military official briefed reporters Sunday afternoon, following a series of meetings between US and Nigerien officials about the withdrawal. The US delegation was led by Chris Meier, the assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict. The Nigerien delegation was led by Col.-Maj. Mamane Sani Kiaou, the chief of staff of the Nigerian army. Both delegations confirmed the guarantees of protection and security to the American forces during their withdrawal. The delegations also established procedures to facilitate the entry and exit of U.S. personnel, including overflight and landing clearances for military flights, the joint statement said. The US is still evaluating what military equipment will be left in Niger. Obviously sensitive equipment, lethal equipment, hazardous equipment these kinds of things will be removed, the defense official said. Much of what the US anticipates leaving behind will not be terribly mobile, the official said, describing it as housing equipment and other kinds of life support. While Russian forces have been operating at the same base from which US forces are withdrawing, the US officials said they consider it unlikely that American equipment might fall into Russian hands. We got the strong sense in the conversations that they do not intend to share what equipment is left behind with any other party that might be here or in the future, the defense official said. At least for the time being. The US and Niger said in their joint statement they would continue to work together on areas of common interest. The United States and Niger are committed to ongoing diplomatic dialogue to define the future of their bilateral relations, the statement said. This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com US Senator Rubio says he won't accept election results if 'unfair' FILE PHOTO: Republican. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio appears at his U.S. midterm election night gathering in Miami WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, an ally of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, will not accept the results of the Nov. 5 election if they are "unfair," he said on Sunday. "Will you accept the election results of 2024, no matter what happens, senator?" NBC News' "Meet the Press" host Kristen Welker asked Rubio, a Florida Republican, in an interview. "No matter what happens? No," Rubio answered. "If it's an unfair election, I think it's going to be contested by either side." Trump and his allies are laying the groundwork to contest a potential loss in November, stoking doubts about the election's legitimacy even as polls show the former president leading in battleground states, Reuters reported on Thursday. In recent interviews, Trump has refused to commit to accepting the election results, intensifying a strategy he used during the 2020 election. Trump's false claims that his 2020 defeat was the result of fraud inspired his supporters to assault the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Rubio, now in his third term in the Senate, is considered a potential candidate to be named as Trump's vice presidential running mate. Earlier this month, two other potential running mates - U.S. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum refused to commit to accepting election results. Rubio said Democrats "opposed every Republican victory since 2000" although those candidates conceded their losses. "If it's unfair, we are going to do the same thing Democrats do," Rubio said. "We're going to use lawyers to go to court and point out the fact that states are not following their own election laws." (Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington; Editing by Scott Malone and Leslie Adler) Editors note: This story was updated May 19 at 5:23 p.m. E.T. with details from a briefing by senior U.S. officials. U.S. troops ordered out of Niger by the West African countrys ruling junta will complete their withdrawal by the middle of September, the Pentagon and Nigerien defense officials said Sunday. The timeline was the product of four days of talks between the countries defense officials in the capital city of Niamey, according to a joint statement. The US military will begin plans to withdraw troops from Niger Nigers decision to kick out American forces dealt a blow to U.S. military operations in the Sahel, a vast region south of the Sahara desert where groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group operate. U.S. troops and some gear already have begun leaving the country, a senior military official and a senior defense official who briefed reporters on a call Sunday said. The plan is to remove all lethal, hazardous or classified equipment before the last U.S. troops depart, but items that are determined to be too expensive to fly out could be left for the Nigerien military to use instead, the officials said. The U.S. also will leave behind infrastructure it has built over the years to support the approximately 1,000 troops who have been based there to conduct counterterrorism missions, the officials said. Fewer than 1,000 U.S. troops are still in Niger, mostly on an airbase near Agadez, some 550 miles away from the capital. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive details of the withdrawal. The officials called Niger an anchor in U.S. counterterrorism efforts over the last decade, and they are still looking at options on how to fill that gap. The officials said that their hope is to continue to work with the Nigerien military on counterterrorism work in the future, even if U.S. troops are not based there on the ground. The rupture in military cooperation followed last Julys ouster of the countrys democratically elected president by mutinous soldiers. A few months later, the ruling junta asked French forces to leave and turned to the Russian mercenary group Wagner for security assistance. The officials said they did not have indications that the Wagner group may end up increasing its influence over the Nigerien military in the absence of U.S. personnel, In October, Washington officially designated the military takeover as a coup, which triggered U.S. laws restricting the military support and aid that it can provide to Niger. Until recently, Washington considered Niger a key partner and ally in a region swept by coups in recent years, investing millions of dollars in the Agadez base, which has been critical to U.S. counterterrorism operations in the Sahel. The United States also has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in training Nigers military since it began operations there in 2013. The Pentagon has also said the U.S. will relocate most of the approximately 100 forces it has deployed in neighboring Chad for now. But talks are expected to resume next month about revising an agreement that allows U.S. troops to be based in Chad. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District has awarded a $6.9 million contract to Southwind Construction of Evansville, Indiana, for maintenance dredging of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (IWW) near Sawpit Creek, Nassau County. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< The project involves the removal of approximately 550,000 cubic yards of shoaling from IWW Cuts DU-23 through DU-27C to a required depth of 12 feet, with an additional 2 feet of allowable over-depth. Dredging operations are scheduled to commence in July and continue through November 2024. Beach-compatible dredged material will be deposited on Amelia Island State Park Beach, while non-beach-compatible material will be placed in the designated upland Dredge Management Disposal Area DU-9. Mariners will be notified 30 days before dredging begins. The contractors dredge pipe will be submerged and marked with orange poly balls and lighted danger diamond buoys to alert navigators. Boaters are advised to avoid anchoring and swimming in the marked sections along the shoreline, and beachgoers should avoid wading near discharge areas. Dredging and placement activities will operate continuously, 24/7, until project completion. The USACE team, in collaboration with the Florida State Park Service, will monitor and protect sea turtles throughout the projects duration. The Park Service may relocate turtle nests as needed and requests the public to respect any markers and barriers set up to protect these nests. [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. I used to work for the Queen now I live in a bug-infested home that reeks of urine A former member of the Queens household said she now lives in a bug-infested home that reeks of urine. Ex Royal clerk Hazel Speed, 73, has been reduced to washing from a bucket after a leak from a botched toilet repair left her London home uninhabitable. She claims the leak means her rental house in Bexley, south-east London constantly smells of urine with the entire property waterlogged and bug-infested. The pensioner says she has been forced to sleep under coats in a recliner chair for months on end and has been left ill from the cold, damp, and stench. Hazel Speeds home has become infested with bugs. Charles Thomson / Newsquest / SW Hazel, who used to work as a clerk at the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood, has lived in the home for over 30 years. But her landlord, Mountview Estates PLC, has still so far failed to rectify the nightmare. Hazel said: Ive come to the end of my tether sleeping here in the smell of urine. The water stopped leaking in on May 2, but before that, it had been pouring down non-stop for about eight or nine weeks. Hazel says the problem began in winter, which left the house freezing cold and damp, but even summer has brought its own problems. Now that the weathers warmer, the stench is terrible, she explained. Speed has been reduced to washing from a bucket after a leak from a botched toilet repair left her London home uninhabitable. Charles Thomson / Newsquest / SW Its drying it out, which is good in one way, but there are bugs crawling out of the carpet and I wake up with the smell. I had the fan on all last night but I felt I could vomit. In the 1970s and 1980s, Hazel worked in the royal department which administers state honours making her part of The Queens Household. She said she once had lunch with Lady Diana, shortly before her marriage to the now King Charles. In addition to her day job, Hazel was also secretary of the Royal Household Film Society. Her leaving party was held in the Buckingham Palace cinema. In 1977, she was awarded a Silver Jubilee Medal by Queen Elizabeth II and received glowing references from Buckingham Palace, commending her accuracy, dedication and popularity. The walls and ceilings in Speeds home now have black and brown staining, with mould visible beneath the peeling wallpaper. Charles Thomson / Newsquest / SW She left work in 1984 to emigrate to Canada but later returned to the UK to become a full-time carer to her elderly mother, who also lived in the Bexley home. The walls and ceilings in Hazels home now have black and brown staining, with mould visible beneath the peeling wallpaper. Her carpets are soaking making them slippery and dangerous and she says she is unable to walk anywhere without shoe protectors. Its dangerous, she said. Someone went flying down [the stairs] the other day. And God knows what Im breathing in. Its like working in a cigarette factory. Ive collapsed in that kitchen before. At one point, Hazel said she felt so ill that she walked to the local high street looking for help. The walls leaked for weeks, causing mildw and mold throughout the space. Charles Thomson / Newsquest / SW A good Samaritan helped her move her belongings including her prized keepsakes from her time working for the royals into unaffected rooms. Now, most of her possessions are in her bedroom and dining room which means she lives in the lounge. In there, she has set her fridge and kettle up, and her bathroom which she uses sparingly has plastic sheeting covering its floor. Its no way for anyone to live, the 73-year-old said. Hazels landlord, Mountview Estates PLC, were approached for comment via email on May 8 but did not respond. On May 14, a staff member who would not give their name said by phone: Its something we wouldnt comment on. But that same day, Hazel said she received a visit from the landlord to discuss beginning to fix the problems. She is now hopeful that things may start to improve. USS Carney returns to land of the free at Naval Station Mayport with tear-filled reunions An emotional reunion at Naval Station Mayport Sunday morning, as the USS Carney arrived home from the Red Sea after eight long months of successfully destroying Iran-backed, Houthi-launched weapons. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< The Carney conducted 51 engagements and carried out two defensive strikes, experiencing some of the most intense action of any naval ship since World War Two. Only 23 or 24 days into deployment is when things started happening. So we were in the mix for quite a while, Jeremy Robertson, the commander of the USS Carney told Action News Jax at Sundays homecoming. The team did phenomenal. With those navy sailors returning home to the Naval Station Mayport Sunday, that eight-month deployment has concluded with sailors reuniting with families again. Im quite excited to be home, ready to see my family, ready to be back in America, said DC3 Jernigan on Sunday. It feels great to be back in the home of the free, home of the brave. I blacked out a little bit. But it was a special moment to experience with these guys and spirits with the rest of the crew, said FCA Anthony Rios after a tear-filled reunion with loved ones. Back on land, DC3 Jernigan and FCA2 Rios now say theyve got just one thing on their minds. Raising Canes chicken, Jernigan said emphatically with a laugh. Some Cuban food. [My family and I are] all Cuban out here so were gonna get some Cuban food, Rios said excitedly. Of course, both also said theyre excited to be making up for time lost with loved ones while serving their country on a mission now has cemented its legacy as big as the Carney itself. [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. USS Pierre christened in Alabama Saturday before heading to homeport of San Diego SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A brand new Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is heading to San Diego after its christening in Mobile, Alabama. The future USS Pierre (LCS 38) was christened on Saturday, May 18, 2024 in front of over 400 people, the ships sponsor, Larissa Thune Hargens, and the ships manufacturer Austal USA. Freedom Park at Navy Pier groundbreaking ceremony takes place Hargens can be seen below christening the USS Pierre with the ceremonial bottle break over the bow on Saturday. USS Pierre (LCS 38) ship sponsor, Larrissa Thune Hargens, christens ship on May 18, 2024 (Photo courtesy Austal USA) A native of South Dakota, Hargens graduated from Bethel University, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, with a bachelors degree in political science and history. Hargens has held several positions with the University of Sioux Falls in South Dakota and currently owns her own LLC, Red Writer, where she does freelance marketing and social media. Navy to name future Destroyer for WWII hero Charles French Her grandfather was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Fighting Squadron 18 (VF-18) on the USS Intrepid (CV-11) during World War II, and her father is U.S. Senator John Thune. Key speakers at the USS Pierre christening ceremony included Vice Admiral Morley, USN, Commander Naval Sea Systems Command; Rear Admiral Anderson, USN, Program Executive Office Ships; U.S. Senator John Thune representing South Dakota; and Austal USA President Michelle Kruger. Platform participants for Pierre (LCS 38) christening ceremony held on May 18, 2024 (Photo courtesy Austal USA) It is truly an honor for PEO USC to have led the construction of this remarkable class of ships, said Rear Adm. Kevin Smith, Program Executive Officer, Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC). Built by an industry team lead by Austal USA, the Littoral Combat Ship stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence in naval shipbuilding. As we christen the USS Pierre, we also celebrate the extraordinary crews that will sail this ship, employing the capabilities and versatility of the Littoral Combat Ship class, which will continue to play a pivotal role in safeguarding our nations interests now and for years to come. San Diego teachers can get free admission to USS Midway Museum in May The USS Pierre is the second ship to be named in honor of the capital city of South Dakota. The first USS Pierre, a World War II PC class submarine chaser, was commissioned in 1943 and decommissioned in 1958. USS Pierre (LCS 38) will be homeported in San Diego, deploying to the INDO-PACOM region, according to the US Navy. USS Pierre (LCS 38) (Photo courtesy Austal USA) Austal USA is a ship manufacturer headquartered in Mobile, Alabama. The company is under contract for several programs, including the U.S. Coast Guards Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC), and the U.S. Navy TAGOS-25 ocean surveillance ship, Landing Craft Utility (LCU) vessel, Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF), Navajo-class Towing, Salvage and Rescue ship (T-ATS), Expeditionary Medical Ship (EMS), Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock Medium (AFDM), and Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programs. Navy Commander honored after 50 years at San Diego Air & Space Museum ceremony One of my proudest moments since joining Austal USA, was looking out into the audience today and seeing the many talented Austal USA employees and other Navy and industry guests who are responsible for the success of the LCS program, stated Austal USA President Michelle Kruger. Austal USA has grown from a small commercial shipyard to a large, advanced defense ship manufacturer primarily thanks to the Indy-variant LCS program. Christening this ship, the last Austal USA-built LCS, makes me a bit nostalgic but I know, for this company and the great team weve assembled, the future is bright and limitless. The USS Pierre is Austal USAs 19th Independence-variant LCS, and the last LCS to be christened. WATCH: US Navy christens future USS Robert E. Simanek The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed to operate in near-shore environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats, and capable of supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence, according to the US Navy. The LCS class consists of two variants, Freedom and Independence, designed and built by two separate industry teams. The Independence-variant team is led by Austal USA. 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. One person was killed Saturday morning in a Clinton County UTV (utility terrain vehicle) crash, a news release says. Shortly before 11:45 a.m. Saturday, Clinton County Deputies were dispatched to the 1200 block of 320th Avenue for a report of a single utility vehicle (UTV) crash, according to a news release. This area is about two miles north of Charlotte, Iowa. The driver and sole occupant of the UTV died as a result of the accident, according to the release. The identity of the deceased is being withheld, pending proper notification of family, the release says. The accident remains under investigation by the Clinton County Sheriffs Office. The Clinton County Sheriffs Office was assisted at the scene by the Charlotte Fire Department, the Goose Lake Fire Department, the Delmar Fire Department, Maquoketa Ambulance, and the Clinton County Medical Examiners 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 WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. The rich simply keep on getting richer. There were 15 people worth more than $100 billion on Thursday, the most to ever hold that amount of wealth at the same time, Bloomberg reported. Together, they had increased their riches 13 percent this year, to a cumulative total of $2.2 trillion. That was just about a quarter of the wealth of the worlds 500 richest people. More from Robb Report At the top of the heap is Bernard Arnault, the founder and CEO of the luxury conglomerate LVMH. As the wealthiest person on the planet, he has a rather impressive net worth of $221 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Hes followed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, with $206 billion, and Tesla founder Elon Musk, with $188 billion. While he was once the richest man in the world, Musk has seen his fortune decline by a whopping $41 billion so far this year. The ultra-ultra-rich have seen their ranks rise thanks to the addition of some new members: Michael Dell, Carlos Slim, and Francoise Bettencourt Meyers all surpassed $100 billion in the past five months, Bloomberg noted. Dell is now the 11th-richest person on the planet, with a fortune of $112 billion that has been helped along by his Dell Technologies push into the artificial-intelligence space. Slim, meanwhile, is sitting in the 13th spot on the ranking. The Mexican businessmanhes involved in everything from construction to restaurantsis worth $106 billion, thanks to a boom in the peso. And Bettencourt Meyers became the first woman to be worth more than $100 billion in December, Bloomberg wrote. Shes an heiress to LOreal, which last year had its best year since 1998. On Thursday, she sat as the 14th wealthiest person with a net worth of $101 billion. (Since then, her fortune has fallen to just below the threshold, at $99.9 billion, putting her in the 15th spot.) One other notable member of the 12-figure club is Gautam Adani: He recently returned to the fold after losing more money than anyone last year thanks to a short-seller attack. While all 15 people had surpassed $100 billion prior to this week, this was the first time they all sat at that level at the same time, Bloomberg noted. Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said Sunday that he's unconcerned about how President Joe Biden will fare at his first debate with former President Donald Trump next month. The two candidates' agreement bucked the Commission on Presidential Debates, the longtime organizer of such forums. Biden's camp suggested the body was unable to handle Trump as a candidate on stage, and the former president has long decried the group as biased against him, leveling similar accusations as the ones he does against mainstream media outlets. Van Hollen, a Biden ally, pointed to the president's State of the Union address in March during which he delivered a vociferous defense of his record, a speech many supporters touted to suggest worries over his age and mental acuity were overblown. Those concerns will be front and center again after Biden and Trump agreed Wednesday to a June 27 debate hosted by CNN and a Sept. 10 debate hosted by ABC News. "I do not have concerns. I mean, there were people who said they were concerned about the State of the Union address. He came out swinging, he delivered a very clear message to the American people," Van Hollen told "This Week" co-anchor Martha Raddatz. "Look, it's not about the age of the candidate. It's about the ideas [of] the candidate, what they're going to do for the American people going forward," he added. "Donald Trump is all about revenge, he's all about the past. Joe Biden is about fighting for the American people and putting forward an agenda for the people." Biden and Trump debated twice during their 2020 race, with the first clash a largely chaotic affair followed by a more serious forum after more intense moderator intervention. This time, the terms the Biden campaign demanded include having no audience and allowing moderators the flexibility to cut off mics for the candidates, including when they're not speaking. "I think this is an advantage to the American people. They want the candidates [to] focus on issues, on the economy, on foreign policy," Van Hollen said. "What Donald Trump likes is a carnival-like atmosphere. He's more of an entertainer than a serious debater on the issues. And so, I think this helps the American people crystallize the choice." 6 months out, a tight presidential race with battle between issues and attributes: POLL Still, Van Hollen said he would recommend Biden not hold back if Trump is perceived to cross a line during the debate. Biden asked, "Will you shut up, man?" during a 2020 debate when Trump began interrupting him. "You have to show the human side of people," Van Hollen said. "... I can understand the president of the United States responding and letting him know that's what he thinks. Republicans, meanwhile, think the debates hand Trump an advantage. Challenges for Trump and Biden emerge even as both cruise: Exit polls Polls have shown voters trust Trump more than Biden on issues that most concern them, including the economy and immigration. "I think the choice is going to be clear in this election, and I think people will see it on that debate stage in June," Marc Lotter, a former Trump-Pence campaign official, told Raddatz on Sunday. "Donald Trump, I think it's basically a strategy of reality and real life. The reality is that people are struggling in real life to pay for groceries and gas, the open border problem, crime, the wars raging around the world." Lotter also nodded to concerns over Biden's age, noting a debate is different from a State of the Union address and that Trump often speaks off the cuff to reporters and large crowds of supporters. "I think the American people need to see Donald Trump and Joe Biden side by side," he said. "This is not a Joe Biden that can shield himself with his staff walking to Marine One or take the short stairs or use a teleprompter. This is going to be live recall, and Donald Trump gets up there two or three times a weekend and pontificates for 90 minutes. Joe Biden rarely does an actual hard interview. This is going to be a challenge for President Biden." Van Hollen: 'I do not have concerns' about Biden at debate originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Vancouver man to spend two and a half years in prison for illegal possession of weapons The U.S. District Court in Tacoma has sentenced a Brazilian National to two and a half years in federal prison for falsifying documents to acquire weapons, falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen, illegal possession of weapons, and having a silencer. 48-year-old Joao Ricardo DeBorba, from Vancouver, overstayed a tourist visa in 1999, was previously convicted of domestic violence in 2019, and had 20 guns confiscated. After a second domestic violence conviction in 2022, three AR-15 style rifles and two ghost guns were taken away. Despite having firearms seized from him, he replenished his cache of weapons and ammo, and began to obtain ghost guns as well as a firearm silencer, a highly restricted weapon under federal law, Assistant United States Attorney Max Shiner wrote to the court. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Western District of Washington, DeBorda purchased the guns from various locations in Oregon and Washington. DeBorda was convicted in a bench trial in February 2024 and had been at the Federal Detention Center in SeaTac. (Photo by Getty Images) Even if you have health insurance, you might expect to be charged a copayment for some routine care, like office-based exams and consultations. But you probably dont expect to receive a bill a few weeks later charging you an extra $100 or more. Thats the situation an increasing number of state lawmakers are looking to change. In most states, a hospital facility fee can legally appear on your bill if your doctor is affiliated with a large hospital system even if you never set foot on the hospitals campus. Traditionally, hospitals and health systems add facility fees to help cover the higher costs of operating a full-service, 24/7 hospital which include expenses such as equipment, support staff, utilities, maintenance and security. They argue the fees help them provide critical services to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. But increasingly, hospitals are tacking on facility fees for routine services at the smaller clinics and outpatient centers they own, even when those facilities arent anywhere near the hospitals campus. The fees can add anywhere from $15 to $100 or more to a medical bill. Patients have reported being charged out-of-hospital facility fees of $503 for a pediatric visit, $488 for an appointment to get ADHD medication, and $355 for steroid injections for arthritis. Patients arent the only ones upset. Employers, aghast at the soaring costs of their employees health insurance, have banded together in states such as Indiana and Texas to push lawmakers to do something. Everything else at the providers office looks and feels the same, said Maureen Hensley-Quinn, senior director of the coverage, cost and value team at the nonprofit National Academy for State Health Policy. But (patients) end up with a larger bill for a service they had previously gotten for a lesser amount because the hospital is now treating the provider office as a hospital outpatient department, she said. Hensley-Quinn said state lawmakers began relaying their constituents complaints to her organization about five years ago, and since then at least 15 states have taken action to address facility fees. Some, including Colorado, Connecticut and New York, have banned facility fees for certain outpatient services at non-hospital locations or for telehealth visits. Those states, as well as others, including Florida, Louisiana, Minnesota and Texas, now require hospitals to notify patients about facility fees ahead of time. In the most recent legislative sessions, at least 16 bills were introduced in 10 states to address the fees, said Hensley-Quinn. Its big states, small states, its very red states, very blue states, she said. Legislators across the country are raising these issues and asking questions about what increased consolidation means. More chains, fewer independents A rise in fees and other patient costs springs from the growing consolidation of the American health care system, researchers and lawmakers say. Large hospital systems are gobbling up clinics, physician groups, and urgent care and imaging centers. Those facilities can then become outpatient departments of the hospitals. A study published last year illustrates why hospital systems are motivated to make those moves: In the early 2000s, the federal government began cutting Medicare payments to doctors for noninvasive cardiac tests performed in a cardiologists office, but kept its payments flat or increased them for the same tests if they were performed in a hospital-based outpatient facility. That dollar gap incentivized hospitals to acquire cardiology practices so that they could move cardiac tests to the outpatient facilities that could charge higher fees, researchers found. More than a dozen states have passed facility fee laws just in the past few years, according to a recent report by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, an advocacy nonprofit focused on consumer protection issues. The efforts have been largely bipartisan. Indianas 2023 package of health care bills, which increased reporting requirements for hospitals charging facility fees, was authored by Republicans but passed with bipartisan support. That same year, Democratic lawmakers in Colorado passed a measure, with some Republican support, that prevents larger hospital systems from charging facility fees for preventive outpatient services. Fees on the rise Connecticut has the nations most robust facility fee laws. Last year, lawmakers expanded existing law to ban the fees for some routine outpatient services even if theyre performed on a hospital campus. The new law also beefed up state enforcement and created new reporting requirements for hospital systems. These fees are part of the increased cost of health care, said Connecticut state Sen. Saud Anwar, a Democrat and a practicing physician who supported the new requirements. Facility fees, depending on location, are a very fast-growing segment of that health care cost. We are looking for ways to control that. Hospital leaders say the fees help them cover overhead costs. That makes it possible for them to maintain all the essential services they provide to their patients and communities, especially as Medicare and Medicaid continue to chronically underpay hospitals for the costs of delivering that care, the American Hospital Association, a trade group, wrote in a statement to Stateline. But prices for common outpatient services are significantly higher when theyre delivered in a hospital-owned outpatient department versus in a physicians office or ambulatory surgery center, according to a 2023 analysis by Blue Health Intelligence, a division of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. For example, a mammogram performed in an office setting might bill insurance for $232, but in a hospital-owned outpatient department, facility fees bring the total to $357.50, according to the report. And facility fees appear to be rising. Last year, the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission found that the greatest increase in medical spending in Massachusetts commercial health care market was for hospital outpatient departments. Facility fees grew more than four times faster from 2019-2021 than physician/professional fees. The commission recommended lawmakers prohibit facility fees for common services such as lab tests, basic imaging and diagnostic services, as well as physician office visits. In a 2020 study published in the journal Annals of Surgery, researchers found that facility fees for common outpatient procedures in the United States rose by 53% from 2011-2017, while physicians professional fees remained steady. The increases were primarily driven by facility fees and out-of-pocket expenses. Back and forth Not everyones convinced that banning or restricting facility fees will curb rising health care costs. Last year, Maine lawmakers considered a bill that would have outlawed facility fees for services not located on hospital campuses. They ultimately chose instead to create a task force to study facility fees. The hospital association and other hospitals in the state came out pretty strongly against the bill, essentially saying facility fees are a billing mechanism to cover their costs that all of their costs are essentially rolled up into their facility fees and theyd go bankrupt if they couldnt bill for them, said Lisa Nolan, director of legislative affairs at the Healthcare Purchaser Alliance of Maine, one of the stakeholder organizations involved with the task force. Many rural hospitals and those that serve low-income communities are struggling financially, in part because of inadequate payments from insurers, according to the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform, a national policy organization. More than 100 rural hospitals have closed nationwide in the past decade, and nearly 700 rural hospitals are at risk of closing in the near future. Some hospital leaders argue that removing the ability to charge facility fees could tip struggling hospitals into bankruptcy. Maines task force recommended the legislature consider restricting facility fees for certain services, including telehealth. Yet many state lawmakers on the committee considering a new bill this year remained unconvinced. After some political wrangling, they passed a bill last month now awaiting the governors signature that requires health systems to notify patients about facility fees. Nolan is skeptical that the laws banning facility fees would meaningfully reduce costs for consumers or insurance companies. Providers would find other ways to incorporate them into their bills, she said. There needs to be discussions about what are appropriate rates, how can providers be more efficient, and how can we reduce administrative costs for carriers and providers. Are some of those costs higher than they should be? Thats a different discussion than just wiping away facility fees. This story was produced by Stateline which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network, including the Daily Montanan, supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. The post Youve covered your copayment; now brace yourself for the facility fee appeared first on Daily Montanan. The former police chief of a small Broward town who was terminated earlier this year over mismanagement allegations defended her actions on Thursday in front of the commission that fired her. Despite testimony from her and her legal counsel, it did little to dissuade them. In early April, former Pembroke Park Police Chief Ra Shana Dabney-Donovan was accused of officer misconduct and mishandling grants. The Pembroke Park Commission terminated her in a 3-2 vote. By state law, Dabney-Donovan can respond to her termination during a commission meeting following the firing in a trial of sorts. Commissioners would have the choice to reverse their decision and rehire her or let the termination stand. The former Pembroke Park police chief responded to her termination during a Thursday commission meeting. She vows to fight discrimination claims. Over about 10 minutes Thursday, she and her legal counsel, Stephan Lopez, chose to respond and maintained the allegations against her were completely false. I have been continually harassed, defamed and berated, she said. I have never neglected the police department. I have never mismanaged the police department. I have never engaged in misconduct. She contended the firing was used as a cover to hide discrimination and retaliation against her. After hearing her testimony, the Pembroke Park Commission let the termination stand without further discussion. Dabney-Donovan plans on filing a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which will either investigate her discrimination claims or give her the right to sue Pembroke Park in federal court. Lopez said he and Dabney-Donovan are ready to sue the town if it comes to it. I always prepare for the long-haul battle, Lopez said. There are municipalities who will litigate cases at the expense of the taxpayer. My gut feeling tells me they are going to drag this out. He continued to say that her main objective is not monetary compensation but to clear her name. However long it takes to clear her good name, shell do it, he said. Her reputation means everything to her. Dabney-Donovan added, I brought a lot of great things to this town. A town that has been neglected by law enforcement throughout recent years. So I feel that they are going to feel my loss. The town appointed interim Police Chief Dan DeCoursey two weeks after Dabney-Donovans firing. On Thursday, the commission approved a contract offering him employment for six months. DeCoursey told the Miami Herald hes spent the last month speaking to staff and identifying issues in the Pembroke Park Police Department. Small town has history of alleged discrimination A former attorney for Pembroke Park is actively waging a legal battle against the town, suing them for tormenting her while working due to her gender and sexual orientation, according to filings. In March, former town attorney Melissa Anderson filed her lawsuit alleging Commissioner Geoffrey Jacobs, formerly the mayor of Pembroke Park, maintained a hostile work environment and discriminated against her for being a gay woman. Pembroke Park Commissioner Geoffrey Jacobs The lawsuit accuses Jacobs of referring to her with very foul and offensive language. The lawsuit also alleges he sent her a TikTok she deemed misogynistic, homophobic and threatening. Anderson began working for the town in September 2020 and was fired in December 2022. Pembroke Park hired an outside investigator to look into Andersons allegations after her firing and found that [Jacobs] behavior was likely harassing and created a hostile work environment, the lawsuit read. Jacobs also has a sordid history with current Mayor Ashira Mohammed and Dabney-Donovan. In February, he was charged with misuse of 911 after he falsely accused Mohammed of bringing a gun to a public meeting in November. READ MORE: Broward town commissioner charged with falsely accusing mayor of having gun at meeting He called the Broward Sheriffs Office and Florida Department of Law Enforcement to report she was allegedly armed and that he was scared for his life. Dabney-Donovan was informed of the possible danger and went to the commission to report it. Jacobs stopped her from revealing he had made the call. Publicly and in front of cameras, Mohammed was searched by Dabney-Donovan no gun was found. His case is still pending, and Jacobs pleaded not guilty in early April. I want to make this a premier [police] organization Interim Police Chief Dan DeCoursey told the Herald he was ready to spend the next five months enacting plans to address key issues, including lack of personnel, outdated policies and creating an internal succession plan. Obviously, coming in from the outside, there are always challenges, DeCoursey said. Hes spent the last 46 years in law enforcement, serving as a police chief or deputy chief for several agencies. In 2022, he was tasked with helping create a law enforcement unit for the Florida Gaming Control Commission from scratch. While the Pembroke Park Police Department only has 14 active law enforcement personnel, the agency is budgeted for 20, he said. DeCoursey will be searching for an assistant chief, patrol officers and detectives. He said he focuses on renewing the department, helping officers earn a living and helping them raise families in the town. I came here for the officers, not for me, he said. I fix things, I want to make this a premier [police] organization. LAWRENCE, Ind. The Lawrence Police Department has launched an OVWI investigation in the 6600 block of Sunnyside Road after a car struck a house in the area. An LPD spokesperson told FOX59 and CBS4 that officers were first dispatched to Sunnyside Drive around 5:36 p.m. after receiving reports of a crash involving a driver who hit a home. When police arrived at the scene, they located a male exhibiting obvious signs of intoxication. FOX59 and CBS4 crews at the scene saw a home with damaged brick and a truck being towed from the area. A witness helped police identify the male as the driver of the vehicle involved in the crash. LPD reported that the male was detained and then treated by medics. The male was transported to Eskenazi Hospital so officers could continue their OVWI investigation, per LPD. Police indicated that nobody was in the home at the time of the crash. No injuries were reported by LPD. 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 WTTV CBS4Indy. The International House of Prayer-Kansas Citys Forerunner Church held its final worship service in Grandview on Pentecost Sunday as the fallout continues over the sex abuse scandal involving the global prayer movements founder. The building was filled to capacity at the 10 a.m. service, with leaders saying their goodbyes and thanking those who have been part of the church, from the musicians to the youth teachers to those who served coffee and cleaned the restrooms. This morning our heart is really to just express gratitude to the Lord and gratitude towards those that have served and been a part of this community over the years, senior pastor Isaac Bennett told the congregation. Were so grateful for this community and what the Lord has done and what the Lord is going to do in your lives. Even in the days ahead. Theres no easy way to do this. How do you bring a close to something like this, the Forerunner Church? And so I appreciate your grace and your patience and your sensitivity during this time. IHOPKC has been in upheaval since sex abuse allegations against founder Mike Bickle surfaced in late October, accusing him of using prophecies to groom, sexually abuse and manipulate women over multiple decades. Bickle did not attend Sundays service. Bennett said Sunday he recognized that this has been a very painful season. We are in a season of expressing gratitude to the Lord, but theres a real loss that many have expressed and are experiencing and that loss includes relationships. And I just want to acknowledge that for our spiritual family, and Im so sorry for the pain and the difficulty that youve been through. He also apologized to those that have moved on. Im so sorry for that, he said. I really hope that this next season for you is one of comfort and of healing from the Lord. Bennett said the decision to shut down the church and other IHOPKC ministries was excruciating, but the right thing to do. Closing various ministries across the IHOPKC missions base and today as were celebrating the closure of Forerunner Church is not anything that we expected to do, he said. Its not anything that we were planning a year ago, like, Hey, we got this wild idea. Lets close down Forerunner Church. Thats just never been in our heart to do at all. But we believe that it needs to happen. It needs to happen so that we can move forward with a new start. And this will mark the fresh start for many individuals in many different areas of our communities. Some will regather here; others, the Lord is going to reassign to various communities and ministries. International House of Prayer-Kansas City followers pack Forerunner Church in Grandview on May 19 for its final worship service. Whats the future of IHOPKC? It remained unclear on Sunday, however, what the future holds for the organization. This is not only an end, we believe but a new beginning, Bennett said. The Lord is going to clarify this vision more and more to us. This transition is going to last a few months, and we see this summer as a time of new beginning the ministry expression in the fall that will be robust, including discipleship and childrens ministry and youth ministry. And well be communicating those things. The 24/7 prayer room, on Red Bridge Road in South Kansas City, will continue to operate over the summer in the midst of this transition, Bennett said. We invite everyone that desires to be a part of the future of this ministry as its birth in the coming months, he said. We know that the Lord is releasing a new wineskin and that hes going to give strategic insight of how to construct that wineskin because there is a new wine, there is a new anointing that the Lord wants to release upon this people not because we deserve it, but because hes that faithful and that kind to us. He encouraged people to worship together in the prayer room at IHOPKCs missions base over the summer and to fellowship together in homes and in small groups. I want to remind you that were going to be hosting Wednesday community nights right here in this room beginning on May (29) to worship together and seek the Lord together, he said. Were honored to partner with Jesus in what he is birthing through this people and in this season, and we want to invite you to join, if its in your heart to, as a fellow pioneer as the Lord leads us and guides us into the next season. As the two-hour service wound down, Bennett invited the worship team to come on stage. Several of them spoke, including Mike Bickles sister, Tracey Bickle. She thanked God for Bennett and his wife, Morgan. We thank you, God, that you gave us a leader of deep humility, she said. We thank you for his leadership over our lives, in this hour, in this season unwavering in his love and devotion to prayer. We thank you for this family, Father. The International House of Prayer-Kansas Citys Forerunner Church in Grandview held its final service on May 19. How the allegations unfolded Mike Bickle, 68, issued his first public statement about the allegations on Dec. 12, admitting that he had sinned and my moral failures were real. He said his inappropriate behavior occurred more than 20 years ago, but he did not admit to engaging in any sexual misconduct. On Dec. 22, IHOPKC announced that it was immediately, formally and permanently separating from Bickle, saying it had confirmed a level of inappropriate behavior on his part. But confusion erupted last month after a leaked recording of a staff meeting revealed that IHOPKC planned to close its doors and open a new, smaller organization. That was followed by a statement from IHOPKC attorney Audrey Manito saying IHOPKC was not closing but going through a transition and reorganization process. She said the 24/7 prayer room was not shutting down, but IHOP University would close after graduation. The day after Manitos statement, IHOPKC executive director Joseph Taylor said in a news release, We have come to the conclusion that we will wind down many of the ministry and training expressions of IHOPKC. Those included IHOP University, Forerunner Church, the Childrens Equipping Center, and the organizations internships, Taylor said. IHOP University held its final graduation ceremony on Saturday in Grandview. On Wednesday, IHOPKC leaders told The Star in an email that Mike Bickles duties ceased, and privileges were revoked at all IHOPKC entities as of October 26th, 2023. The separation in December formalized the permanent status of those conditions, the response said. Our leadership has no contact or communication with Mike. The leaders added that because IHOPKC was founded by Bickle, it can be difficult to reference important stories from our past without mentioning our founder. However, they said, This does not change our formal and permanent separation from him as a ministry. Sundays church service was just four days after The Star revealed that a decades-old prophecy promoted by Bickle that has been repeatedly recited by charismatic leaders to rally believers was based on information that isnt true. The story Bickle has told over the years is that Anna Cain, the mother of Bickles good friend, Paul Cain a man then highly regarded as a prophet in charismatic circles died at 4:18 p.m. on April 18 (4-18) and gave the Bible verse Luke 4:18 to her son just before she passed. Bickle has captivated listeners with his dramatic retelling of her final moments and the astonishing recurrence of the numbers 4 and 18. But Anna Cains death certificate shows that the time and date Bickle cited were wrong. The discovery infuriated former staff and followers and calls into question the credibility of IHOPKCs prophetic history, a vital component of the 24/7 prayer ministry. In an emailed response Wednesday to questions from The Star, IHOPKC said: Mrs. Cain passed away 34 years ago, nearly a decade prior to the founding of IHOPKC. We do not have any information regarding the timing or details of her passing. Unfortunately, Paul Cain is also deceased. As a result of revelations and accusations against Mike, we are examining all elements of the ministry culture and foundations he influenced. This includes each element of the Prophetic History. With help from trusted elders in the body of Christ we will determine which prophecies to hold fast and which to discard. Voice of the people (May 19, 2024): Thank you for support during our Flight to Honor Thank you for support during our Flight to Honor I would like to thank Polk Veterans Council and all of the sponsors. I am 81 years old and served 1965 to 1971 in the Army. The attitude of the public about the military in the past 60 years has reversed for the better. I was one of the 86 veterans and 86 escorts on the April 30 "Flight to Honor" to D.C. We flew from Lakeland to Baltimore, walked inside the airport about a quarter mile to our buses. There was a standing ovation and a lot of thank you for your service that lasted until the last veteran passed. When we returned to Lakeland, there was a large crowd to greet us. We walked down a red carpet with lots of American flags waving, many hand shakes and thank you for your service. I had about 55 letters and notes from school students and others. A "Certificate of Congressional Recognition" for dedicated service to the Armed Forces of the USA signed by Congressman Scott Franklin. I never thought much about my serving in the Army, just fulfilling my duty to my country (drafted). I was very much humbled by the support that we received on this Flight to Honor. Terry Parker, Lakeland Voice of the People (May 12, 2024): Florida meatheads ban lab-grown meat Flight to Honor As a recipient of the generosity of individual, corporate and organizational donors that funded Mission 9 Flight to Honor event, I express my heartfelt thanks. The 86 guardians that accompanied we 86 selected veterans paid a fee to perform that service, helping to offset the expense too. Many volunteers in numerous capacities contributed countless hours. It was a privilege to go to our capital and the different memorials, to honor those that paid the ultimate price for all of us. Thanks also to the schools and teachers that encouraged our young people to express their gratitude to us for our service in notes and letters we received in the mail call portion of our event. Also received were expressions of gratitude from individuals, families, corporations and organizations. The icing on the cake, was the overwhelming turnout at the airport to greet us upon our return home. Ralph D. Shadley, Lakeland A group of veterans from Polk County at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., during a Flight to Honor event on April 30. Voice of the People (May 5, 2024): Roundabout at Galloway and 10th Street would be a waste Vote for Donald Trump When I read the Lakeland Ledger's "Voice of the People" highlighting different viewpoints on politics, I start to question, "What does America stand for today?" The United States of America, once a secure, united, free, sovereign, constitutional republic is now politically a socialist, failed, bankrupt, dictatorial third-world country. Former President Obama and current President Biden's progressive socialist democratic party's vision was and still is "Fundamentally Transforming America." Big-money corporations rule. Where's our congressional representatives and government leadership? Are they ensuring energy independence, a balanced federal budget and reducing our national debt? Honest voting laws need to be enforced throughout all 50 states. Thousands of undocumented illegal immigrants are pouring across our open borders every day. America's future national security is a concern. Be an informed voter in November 2024. Consider who will secure our borders and restore our national security while draining socialist, racist swamps. Celebrate America's history, freedoms and our founding fathers' Constitutional rule of law and vote to support business regrowth and capitalism. Vote for Donald Trump's business leadership and bring back a government to Washington D.C. that supports, recognizes and represents all American working middle class taxpaying citizens. Walt Back, Lakeland Voice of the people (April 28, 2024): Why are Polk County trash collection fees going up? Columnist refuses to believe Trumps guilt? So R. Bruce Anderson, a college professor teaching government, no less, had an epiphany when a sharp legal mind spoke to his class about factual guilt vs legal guilt, determining that while Donald Trump is indeed factually guilty in his election interference trial in New York, he now refuses (Andersons italics) to believe that Trump is legally guilty. This of course despite the factual evidence, including the $310,000 in payouts, that Anderson does believe, and based on his reasoning, if you want to call it that, that Americans are so morally bereft that they wouldnt care about yet another story of Trumps sleaze or crimes and would have elected him anyway, and Trump knew it too. This is similar to those who refuse to believe that they were anything except tourists there at the Capitol, because Speaker Mike Johnson has released more than 30 seconds of tapes showing those who illegally entered the Capitol acting peacefully while disrupting the certification of the next POTUS. I would say that many times, if you refuse (my italics) to believe something, in reality youre proving that it is indeed true. The irony of course: Anderson will refuse to believe this too. Kevin Kayden, Bartow Want to contribute? Send letters to the editor to voice@theledger.com, or Voice of the People, P.O. Box 408, Lakeland, FL, 33802. Submit on the website at http://tinyurl.com/28hnh3xj, or go to TheLedger.com, click on the menu arrow at the top of the website and click Submit a Letter. Letters must be 200 words or less and meet standards of decency and taste. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Voice (May 19, 2024): Thank you for support of Flight to Honor WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) The Wilkes-Barre City Police Department says a man wanted in New Jersey was found in Wilkes-Barre. According to police, Friday officers were dispatched to the 30 block of Washington Street for a report of a man sitting inside her vehicle to whom she does not know. Upon arrival, police said 43-year-old Ryan Graham fled the scene prior to officers locating him. Route 309 reopens after crash Officials state during their investigation they learned Graham is wanted on an active warrant in Camden County, New Jersey. Graham is being held in Luzerne County Prison, unable to post 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 PAhomepage.com. (WFRV) After a brief hiatus, the Eastern Wisconsin Excellence in Education Awards Program has returned and it can be seen in its entirety right here. The program has partnered with Local 5 in an effort to recognize staff members at 24 school districts in northeast Wisconsin by allowing parents, students, community members, and staff to nominate deserving school employees in five different categories. The award ceremony will begin on the evening of Saturday, May 18, at the Kiel Area School District Performing Arts Center. The categories included are: Innovation In Work How has the employee demonstrated innovation in his/her work area? Culture Creator In The Work Environment How has the employee gone above and beyond in creating a positive school culture? Social/Emotional Well Being How has the employee impacted the social/emotional well being of students and/or the school environment? Community Involvement How has the employee positively impacted the community? Student Connection In what ways has the employee built positive relationships with students? 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. Ryce Reynolds Mount Ayr ACT score: 32 Class rank: 1/33 GPA: 4.000 College: Stanford University Major: Human Biology or Computer Science Ryce Reynolds What challenges have shaped you, and how? One of my toughest challenges to date is the loss of two friends in a car accident this past summer. These two individuals were two years older than me and best friends with my older sister. For as long as I can remember, I looked up to those girls as older sisters of my own. As a child, I was always the annoying younger sibling who refused to leave them and my sister alone. I miss them increasingly with every passing day, but the lesson I learned from their passing is something I will never forget. Those two girls were full of life and enjoyed every second of it. Our lives on Earth are short but that does not mean they have to be short of great people and even greater memories. ACADEMIC ALL-STATE 2024: Top 10 statewide | Full list | Northwest | Northeast | Central | Southwest | Southeast Mariah D'Attilio Chariton ACT score: 31 Class rank: 4/80 GPA: 4.070 College: University of Missouri-Columbia College major: Psychology and Sociology Mariah D'Attilio What are your life goals? I will pursue my dream of becoming a lawyer by attending law school. Throughout my post-secondary education, I plan to study hard, make lifelong connections, and learn about how I can help other people. I want to represent and help those who are otherwise unable to do so on their own. My favorite place in Iowa: Lucas County. I have lived in Lucas County my whole life, and it truly feels like home. The roads are so familiar that driving on them can be therapeutic. The turning of the Redbuds at Red Haw State Park makes me feel nostalgic. However, my favorite thing about Lucas County is that many of my favorite people live here. My day is not complete until I ... have brushed my teeth, done my skin care, checked that my cat, Fluffy, has food and water, petted Fluffy, said good night to Fluffy and my parents, called my boyfriend, and maintained my Duolingo streak by practicing a few Spanish lessons. John White Centerville ACT score: 30 Class rank: 1/98 GPA: 4.000 College: Truman State University College major: Math John White What are your life goals? I plan to earn a Ph.D. in meteorology, then become a trailblazer in the field by helping to reduce casualties caused by tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, and other weather disasters by collecting data and information to better understand the processes that cause each weather phenomenon while continuing to grow my brand, WhiteWeather, and social media presence. What challenges have shaped you, and how? As someone who forecasts the weather and chases storms as a young business owner, on numerous occasions over the past five years that I have run my self-started business WhiteWeather, I have been questioned (or even berated) due to my forecasts and information. These comments used to bother me, but over the years, I have learned to not allow them to faze me. As with any hobby/career/passion, you must ignore those who doubt and deny your abilities and continue to persevere. Addison Holt Lewis Central ACT score: 29 Class rank: 9/236 GPA: 4.244 College: University of Iowa College major: Nursing Addison Holt What are your life goals? I want to pursue a career in nursing, and I have a goal of reaching the Nurse Practitioner status. I would like to specialize in either pediatrics or dermatology. What challenges have shaped you, and how? In March of 2018, our house unexpectedly caught on fire. We were fortunate enough that no one was injured, and everything that was damaged was replaceable. However, this time was extremely difficult as we had to stay with friends and live in a rental home as we had to practically start our life from scratch. In the presence of adversity, what sets someone apart from being good and being great, is the mental toughness that it takes to get past adversity to reach their goals. My favorite place in Iowa: My Nana and Papas farm in the small town of Sidney, Iowa. What may seem like a normal 15-acre farm that is on every corner in rural Iowa is a place that holds my most cherished memories of my childhood. Axel King Stanton ACT score: 30 Class rank: 1/17 GPA: 3.974 College: Undecided College major: Undecided Axel King What are your life goals? I would like to become a youth pastor, and then eventually I intend to become a lead pastor. I want to serve God and help people. I would like to get married and have kids, and I will be one of the best fathers in their generation. I also would like to get at least 10 streams on my Spotify music. What challenges have shaped you, and how? I had an uncle who got diagnosed with ALS when I was in late elementary school, and seeing someone esteemed for physical fitness slowly decaying in front of us was hard for me to process. I ended up isolating myself for years out of a hypochondriacs fear of basic aspects of life. God answered prayers, and I have since been set on a path towards helping others who are lost and isolated, which has led me to many places. One such place was Twin Lakes Bible Camp, which provided me an opportunity to help students as a counselor last summer. ACADEMIC ALL-STATE 2024: Top 10 statewide | Full list | Northwest | Northeast | Central | Southwest | Southeast This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Register's Academic All-State 2024: Southwest region honorees The West's current stance on the war in Ukraine and delays in military aid are "completely nonsensical," the U.K's defense secretary said on May 19. In an interview with Sky News, Grant Shapps was asked about comments made earlier this week by President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said Ukraine's international partners "are afraid of Russia losing the war" and would like Kyiv "to win in such a way that Russia does not lose." Sky News presenter Trevor Phillips asked if the West was "creating a stalemate in the war with Russia in which tens of thousands of people are dying needlessly." In reply, Shapps said he visited Kyiv in March and made a "very similar point." "It was a wake-up moment for the West and that by delaying what we should be doing we were running the risk of doing exactly what President Zelensky is concerned about," he said, referencing delays in U.S. military aid to Ukraine. "I think this is completely nonsensical for the West. We have to understand we are in an existential battle about the way we run the world order and about democracy itself." Shapps added that delays in Western military aid particularly from the U.S. were having very visible effects on the battlefield and Russia's advances into Ukraine's Kharkiv region in recent days were a direct consequence. "Now I'm confident that Ukraine will be able to repel that but there's a few difficult weeks ahead," he said, added that the current situation around Kharkiv "didn't need to happen." 'We are in an existential battle about the way we run the world order. We have to stand up to that.' Defence Secretary @grantshapps responds to President Zelenskyy's claim that the West is afraid Russia will lose the war#TrevorPhillips https://t.co/fhIHlpTGAF Sky 501 pic.twitter.com/Qz0DxTM2wB Sky News (@SkyNews) May 19, 2024 In a meeting with journalists on May 16 attended by the Kyiv Independent, Zelensky said Kyiv's allies "fear" Russia's loss in the war against Ukraine because it would involve "unpredictable geopolitics." "I don't think it works that way. For Ukraine to win, we need to be given everything with which one can win," he said. His statement came on May 16 amid Russia's large-scale offensive in Kharkiv Oblast and ongoing heavy battles further east. In a week, Russian troops managed to advance as far as 10 kilometers in the northern part of Kharkiv Oblast, according to Zelensky. Washington has not changed its negative position on potential Ukrainian strikes with U.S.-supplied weapons on Russian territory even after Russia had launched its offensive in Kharkiv Oblast, the Pentagon said on May 16. Zelensky commented on this statement during the meeting, saying that "there should be no bans because this is not about a Ukrainian offensive using Western weapons on Russian territory. This is about defense." In an interview with AFP on May 17, Zelensky said that the Kharkiv Oblast offensive could be the first of several waves, and Russian forces may try for the regional capital of Kharkiv. Read also: Zelensky: Our partners fear that Russia will lose this war Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. What we've learned so far in the Trump hush money trial and what to watch for as it wraps up FILE - Former President Donald Trump appears at Manhattan criminal court before his trial in New York, May 16, 2024. Testimony in the hush money trial of Donald Trump is set to conclude in the coming days, putting the landmark case on track for jury deliberations that will determine whether it ends in a mistrial, an acquittal, or the first-ever felony conviction of a former American president. (Steven Hirsch/Pool Photo via AP, File) NEW YORK (AP) Testimony in the hush money trial of Donald Trump is set to conclude in the coming days, putting the landmark case on track for jury deliberations that will determine whether it ends in a mistrial, an acquittal or the first-ever felony conviction of a former American president. Jurors over the course of a month have heard testimony about sex and bookkeeping, tabloid journalism and presidential politics. Their task ahead will be to decide whether prosecutors who have charged Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records have proved their case beyond a reasonable doubt. Here's a look at what the two sides have argued, who has been missing from the case, what to listen for in the final days and what prosecutors will have to prove to secure a conviction. THE PROSECUTION'S CASE Through witnesses including a porn actor, a veteran tabloid publisher and longtime Trump aides, the prosecution aimed to link the presumptive Republican nominee for the White House this year to a hush money scheme during the 2016 presidential campaign that resulted in the filing of phony business records to mask the alleged conspiracy. Jurors heard testimony that two women and a doorman were paid tens of thousands of dollars to keep quiet during that campaign about stories that, had they emerged, could have embarrassed Trump. Jurors heard claims of sex, saw copies of texts, emails and checks and listened to a secret recording in which Trump and his then-lawyer can be heard discussing a plan to buy the silence of a Playboy model. One witness, David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer and a longtime Trump friend, testified that he had agreed to be the eyes and ears" of the Trump campaign by alerting it to any negative stories about him. Actor Stormy Daniels told jurors, in occasionally graphic terms, about a sexual encounter she says she had with Trump in 2006; he denies the whole thing. She described being offered $130,000 by Trump's then-lawyer and personal fixer, Michael Cohen, to remain silent after she said she was looking for ways to sell the story and get it out there. Cohen, the prosecution's star witness, spent days on the stand recounting what he said was Trump's role in authorizing the hush money payments. Cohen described Trump as anxious that stories alleging extramarital sex could harm his campaign standing with female voters and said the then-candidate had directed him to suppress the stories, quoting him as saying exhortations including, Just do it and We need to stop this from getting out. THE DEFENSE POSITION Trump's legal team has not yet called witnesses, and it remains unclear what exactly his lawyers will do when it is their turn to present evidence. But they have signaled through their questioning of the prosecution's witnesses specific areas where they think they can sow doubt for the jury, contesting along the way the foundational premises of the case. They have disputed Daniels' account of a hotel suite sexual encounter, with the actor facing an aggressive cross-examination from a defense lawyer who said at one point, You have made all of this up, right? Daniels said no. And they have suggested that Trump's celebrity status made him an easy extortion target. They grilled the Los Angeles lawyer who negotiated Daniels' deal about other celebrities from whom he had previously extracted money in exchange for a client's silence. But the most consequential cross-examination, by far, has been that of Cohen. The defense has tried to depict him as a fame-seeking fabulist desperate to contribute to a Trump conviction. The cross-examination began in splashy fashion, with Trump attorney Todd Blanche asking the former fixer if he recalled referring to the lawyer by an expletive on TikTok last month. Prosecutors objected, the judge summoned the parties to the bench and the question was stricken. But the point was clear. Over the course of hours, Blanche refreshed Cohen's recollection about a litany of colorful but often profane monikers he had assigned Trump Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain was one as a way to paint Cohen as egregiously biased, blinded by hatred and therefore not credible. There was also an avalanche of questions about Cohen's past crimes and lies. Blanche forced Cohen to acknowledge that he fibbed under oath during his own 2018 plea hearing about not feeling pressure to plead guilty. In a dramatic moment, Blanche suggested that Cohen had not told the truth when he said he spoke to Trump about the Daniels payment before wiring her lawyer $130,000. Blanche confronted Cohen with texts indicating that what was on his mind, at least initially, during the phone call were harassing calls he was getting from an apparent 14-year-old prankster. The strategy was predictable given Cohen's significance to the case but it is too soon to tell how it landed with the jury. THE MISSING LINKS? Multiple characters pivotal to the saga have been name-dropped in court but have been notably absent from the witness stand. One is Karen McDougal, a Playboy model who has said she had an affair with Trump and received $150,000 from the National Enquirer in a hush money deal that Cohen helped broker. Keith Schiller, Trump's bodyguard, was described in court as the person who asked Daniels for her phone number on Trump's behalf and was an important conduit for Cohen when he needed to reach Trump. And then there's Allen Weisselberg, the former Trump Organization chief financial officer now serving a five-month jail sentence for lying under oath in the New York attorney generals civil fraud case against Trump. Weisselberg did not testify in the hush money trial but he matters because, according to Cohen, he was present for a Trump Tower discussion that arguably most directly links Trump and the reimbursements at the center of the case that prosecutors say are fraudulent. Cohen says the 2017 Trump Tower meeting occurred on the cusp of Inauguration Day and was where he, Trump and Weisselberg hammered out the mechanics of reimbursing him for the Daniels hush money payment. There, Cohen said, they agreed that the lawyer would receive a total of $420,000 in monthly installments for what would be billed deceptively, prosecutors say as legal services. He approved it, Cohen testified. "And he also said: This is going to be one heck of a ride in D.C. Whether jurors will have wanted to have heard from Weisselberg is uncertain, but in a case that centers more on paperwork than sex, the account of that meeting is likely to be held up by prosecutors as a vital piece of evidence and it will be important to see how they return to it as they wrap up their case with closing statements. WHAT MUST BE PROVED FOR A CONVICTION? To convict Trump of felony falsifying business records, prosecutors must convince jurors beyond a reasonable doubt that he not only falsified or caused business records to be entered falsely, but that he did so with intent to commit or conceal another crime. Any verdict must be unanimous. Prosecutors allege that Trump logged Cohens repayment as legal expenses to conceal multiple other crimes, including breaches of campaign finance law and a violation of a state election law alleging a conspiracy to promote or prevent an election. In his opening statement, Assistant District Attorney Matthew Colangelo told jurors the case is about a criminal conspiracy and a cover-up an illegal conspiracy to undermine the integrity of a presidential election, and then the steps that Donald Trump took to conceal that illegal election fraud. Specifically, prosecutors contend, the payments to McDougal, Daniels and the doorman violated federal restrictions on corporate and individual campaign contributions and were meant to conceal damaging information from the voting public. Among other evidence, jurors heard testimony about Cohens 2018 guilty to a campaign finance crime and the National Enquirers nonprosecution agreement and $187,500 fine for the McDougal payment, which the Federal Election Commission considered an illegal corporate contribution to Trumps campaign. New York also has a misdemeanor falsifying business records charge, which requires proving only that a defendant made or caused the false entries, but it is not part of Trumps case and will not be considered by jurors. ____ Tucker reported from Washington. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler has proclaimed May 19 Marriage Equality Day, honoring a decade since the court case that legalized marriage equality in Oregon. That decision in that case, Geiger v. Kitzhaber, was issued on that same day in 2014 when a U.S. District Court Judge struck down Oregons limitations on marriage to same-gender couples. Twenty years ago, state voters passed a measure banning same-sex couples from marriage. Then 10 years later, a district court judge for Oregon issued a ruling finding Oregons limitations on marriages were unconstitutional. That was the first time Oregonians had the guaranteed right to marry. Former Oregon House Speaker Dan Rayfield on campaign for Attorney General Attorney Misha Isaak was on that case and recalled the day he won. In Multnomah County, the decision came out right at noon and there were same sex couples at noon on May 19 in the county clerks office in Multnomah County who were getting married, he told KOIN 6 News. That whole day, there was a space reserved and judges and other officiants were ready to perform marriages of same sex couples. So there were dozens of couples that were married on that day 10 years ago today. Isaak added there were multiple times during the case when they felt they were going to lose. But he is most proud of the result he and his team won for all couples in Oregon. The decision in this case was handed down just over a year before the landmark Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges guaranteed the right nationwide in June 2015. 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. A federal judge sentenced Charles Littlejohn, an IRS contractor, to five years in prison the statutory maximum for making unauthorized disclosures of income tax records. In her sentencing comments, that judge compared Littlejohn to rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as part of a bloody assault that led to the deaths of five police officers. Astonishingly, Judge Ana Reyes concluded that Littlejohns actions were a greater threat to democracy than Jan. 6 rioters she herself had sentenced. Because those rioters had not come to D.C. with the intent to riot at the Capitol, the judge said, she did not sentence any of them to prison time. Littlejohns nonviolent conduct was a far bigger threat to our democracy, she reasoned, because he carefully planned his crime before committing it. I have reacted so strongly to your case because it engenders the same fear that Jan. 6 does that we have gotten to [the] point in our society in which otherwise law-abiding, rational people believe that they have no choice but to break the law to further their political agendas, Reyes said to Littlejohn, before concluding that my Jan. 6 cases to-date are not appropriate comparators for the sentence I will hand down in your case. Littlejohns democracy-threatening crime? He shared the tax records of Donald Trump and many of Americas billionaires with reporters from ProPublica and The New York Times. For that act, hes now serving over six times the four- to ten-month sentence the official United States Sentencing Guidelines recommend, after Reyes said she found it necessary to impose an upward variance. The judge responsible for Littlejohns sentence who was appointed by President Joe Biden has embarrassed the entire American judiciary. Yes, Littlejohns actions did violate criminal statutes. But they also provided Americans a close-up look at the massive and ongoing tax avoidance of Americas richest, including Donald Trump. We cannot overstate how huge a public service Charles Littlejohn has performed. We now know otherwise unknowable facts about the tax avoidance our billionaire class is practicing on a routine basis. These facts scream out the need for tax reform. Indeed, if Littlejohns disclosures lead to tax reforms that break up the massive concentration of Americas wealth and political power he may well have saved our democracy. What do we now know thanks to Littlejohn? We know (and learned before the 2020 election) that Donald Trump had either cheated on his taxes or lied wildly about his business acumen. As The New York Times reported, Trump avoided paying income tax entirely in 10 out of 15 years between 2003 and 2017, while pocketing massive fees from licensing deals and The Apprentice, which alone enriched Trump by over $400 million. When the Times first reported on Trumps taxes, the IRS was pursuing Trump for about $100 million in underpayments. Recently, reporters at the Times and ProPublica determined that the underpayments were in significant part attributable to double-dipping, taking the same write-offs twice for a failed Chicago skyscraper project. Which means that in two consecutive presidential elections highly relevant information that a major party candidate was actively concealing is available to voters only because of Littlejohns actions. But that only scratches the surface. Theres much more. We know, for instance, that billionaires often annually pay no income tax whatsoever. Just one example: In 2007 and again in 2011, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos paid not a penny of federal income tax. We know that Americas billionaires typically pay a smaller share of their true economic income than nurses and firefighters pay. Between 2014 and 2018, the 25 richest Americans paid a paltry 3.4 percent of their true economic income in federal income tax. Over the course of those years, billionaire Warren Buffett grew his wealth by $24.3 billion. He paid tax on that increase at a rate of 0.1 percent. We know that our richest are using Roth IRAs to shelter mega-billions permanently away from income tax. Billionaire Peter Thiel, for example, has used a Roth IRA to avoid all federal income tax on $5 billion in stock gains. We know that one single, specific tax break created under the 2017 Trump tax law the deduction for so-called pass-through income has reduced the tax bills of individual super-wealthy Americans by tens of millions of dollars each. Michael Bloomberg currently controls over $100 billion of wealth. In the year 2018 alone, he avoided over $67 million of income tax thanks to that deduction. We know plenty more, thanks to Charles Littlejohn. We know how our wealthiest including Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk are using a strategy commonly known as buy-borrow-die to avoid paying any income tax on massive gains from their investments. Under this strategy, ultra-wealthy Americans hold on to highly appreciated assets until death does them in. They use these assets as collateral for the borrowing that funds their luxurious living expenses. Upon their deaths, current law wipes out the gains on which theyve deferred tax through all that borrowing, in effect letting billions of dollars in income go entirely untaxed. As a direct result of Littlejohns disclosures, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the chair of the Senate Finance Committee, has opened an investigation into tax avoidance by the ultra-rich. At a recent committee hearing, Wyden specifically highlighted the scam of buy-borrow-die. All of which raises a question about Littlejohns prosecution and sentencing: Shouldnt all this information about billionaire tax avoidance have been available to the public in the first place? Would Americans ever have learned about the massive tax avoidance of our ultra-rich without Littlejohns help? Probably not. Yes, a scattering of tax experts have known all about the avoidance strategies our billionaires regularly employ. And, occasionally, facts about actual specific situations have hit the headlines. I discovered, for instance, how Nike founder Phil Knight avoided billions in estate and gift tax by analyzing filings with the federal Securities and Exchange Commission. But one-off reports on billionaire tax avoidance like Knights would never have revealed the scope of tax-dodging activity by Americas wealthiest. We owe our new understanding of the enormity of billionaire tax avoidance to Charles Littlejohn. We needed a look at the tax returns of Americas wealthiest citizens, and we were never going to get that look unless someone willing to risk imprisonment stepped forward. Over a half-century ago, during the Vietnam War, we faced a similar situation. Back then, one selfless hero stepped forward. Daniel Ellsberg disclosed the Pentagon Papers and helped change the course of history. Ellsberg understood the urgency of now. Littlejohn does, too. He understands the urgency of reforming our porous tax laws while we still have time. The wealth and power concentrated in the pockets of our nations ultra-rich has not yet totally overwhelmed the political power of the rest of us. We now have new information to do battle for fair taxes. For that, we owe Charles Littlejohn a debt of gratitude, not an absurdly harsh prison sentence. So what can we do now? For starters, we can call on Biden to pardon Littlejohn. That pardoning drive has just begun. Lets join it. Bob Lord, an Institute for Policy Studies associate fellow, currently serves as Senior Advisor, Tax Policy, at the Patriotic Millionaires. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone As President Biden strives to prove his pro-manufacturing and anti-China credentials ahead of his likely election rematch with former President Trump, his far-reaching climate agenda could pay a price. Biden this past week hiked tariffs on electric vehicles, solar panels and battery technologies key tools for fighting global warming that all have significant ties to China. The moves come as Trump has repeatedly bashed Bidens climate goals as bad for workers in key swing states ahead of the November election. The new 100-percent tariff on electric vehicles isnt expected to have a significant effect on the status quo, as existing tariffs largely already keep out Chinese-made cars. But the new taxes could still ensure that the worlds largest producer of affordable EVs will never be able to sell its products in the U.S. Likewise, the new import taxes on solar panels and batteries could slow-track the emissions reduction policies that are central to the energy transition. Biden also imposed steeper tariffs on other products that are essential in a shift toward renewable energy, including steel and aluminum, semiconductors, and minerals such as manganese, cobalt and aluminum. What Biden has done is to underscore that he prefers trade protectionism to decarbonizing the economy, Robert Lawrence, head of the trade policy program at the Harvard Kennedy School, told The Hill. Asked if the tariffs, particularly on solar panels, would hamper deployment of renewable energy in the U.S., former State Department official Rick Switzer said it would likely cause a 12-month lag in some areas of deployment. However, Switzer said the trade barriers imposed by the tariffs could also help to spur investment in domestic industries and supply chains that are being redesigned to support the energy transition. There are a lot of people on the sidelines deciding whether to invest in U.S. manufacturing, and the move could be a factor in driving that investment, said Switzer, who worked on science and technology issues at the U.S. embassy in Beijing. The moves come as Biden courts voters in swing states, including key manufacturing hubs such as Michigan and Georgia. Having a healthy and growing solar manufacturing sector in the United States is good for my state, said Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) when asked about Bidens new solar tariffs. I appreciate and had urged the presidents targeted trade action focused on ensuring that abusively subsidized Chinese solar products do not destroy U.S. solar manufacturing, Ossoff said. He also called for the Biden administration to take strong action in its implementation of a tax credit for renewable energy projects that use domestically produced components. The administrations move comes as Trump and Republicans have broadly sought to paint the administrations climate agenda as bad for American workers. Trump told supporters in Ohio earlier this year that there would be a bloodbath for the auto industry if he isnt elected, citing Bidens push to accelerate electric vehicle adoption in the U.S. Bidens EV push was a major sticking point with the United Auto Workers union, which eventually endorsed him after receiving assurances from the administration and the presidents support during its strike earlier this year. While Republican lawmakers have voiced support for the protectionism on display in the Biden tariffs, they are also criticizing the move as insufficient. Those tariffs are too little too late. They should have been imposed long ago. This is nothing more than politics by the Democrats and by the Biden administration, Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) told The Hill. Look, we cant compete against China when [their companies] are being subsidized by the party. Not all of the Biden administrations policies have taken this same protectionist approach. The administration recently loosened battery sourcing requirements allowing more cars to qualify for tax credits even if they have some minerals originating in China. This week amid the tariff announcements the administration also made it easier for renewable energy producers to get a domestic-produced content tax credit. The administrations moves overall actually received praise from the Sierra Club, an environment advocacy group. One of the best ways of addressing the climate crisis and deploying all of the clean energy that we need to do that is to have a strong, robust manufacturing base here domestically, said Patrick Drupp, the groups director of climate policy, This was a good and nuanced and thoughtful, action by the administration to try and do that and to try and balance the needs of deploying solar as rapidly as possible with building up a domestic manufacturing base, Drupp said. But of the new actions announced this week, Chinese lithium ion battery exports are likely among the most disruptive single tariff among the new tranche. China is far and away the largest exporter to the U.S., accounting for $9.3 billion in total battery imports in 2022, according to United Nations Comtrade data. Pranati Kohli, an analyst on the Trade & Supply Chain team at commodity and energy research firm BloombergNEF, said that the tariffs are expected to be particularly impactful on battery deployment especially batteries that power energy storage technology, which allow solar and wind power to be used at times when it is not sunny or windy. There is very little US production, of this type of battery, Kohli said. Derrick Flakoll, a Bloomberg policy associate, noted that additional tariffs on permanent magnets could be a big problem for offshore wind. U.S. businesses are expressing some hesitation about the pugnacious turn toward protectionism and about Bidens new tariffs themselves. We cant instantly reshape supply chains that took decades to build especially the supply chains that bring us vital inputs and components essential to our everyday lives, the National Association of Manufacturers, a trade group representing U.S. heavy industry, said in a Tuesday statement. The group encouraged the passage of more trade deals and tariff regimes to prevent U.S. manufacturing from being disadvantaged by our own government. Automakers have sounded notes of approval on the tariffs, but also implied that the tariff hike was abrupt and that it would take more time for electrical vehicle production pipelines to be engineered away from China. It just wont and cant happen overnight, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation trade group said in a statement. It takes time for complex global supply chains to form. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange facing pivotal moment in long fight to stay out of US court FILE - WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange being taken from court, where he appeared on charges of jumping British bail seven years ago, in London, Wednesday May 1, 2019. Assange faces what could be his final court hearing in England over whether he should be extradited to the United States to face spying charges. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File) LONDON (AP) The host of a news conference about WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's extradition fight wryly welcomed journalists last week to the millionth press briefing on his court case. Deborah Bonetti, director of the Foreign Press Association, was only half joking. Assanges legal saga has dragged on for well over a decade but it could come to an end in the U.K. as soon as Monday. Assange faces a hearing in London's High Court that could end with him being sent to the U.S. to face espionage charges, or provide him another chance to appeal his extradition. The outcome will depend on how much weight judges give to reassurances U.S. officials have provided that Assange's rights won't be trampled if he goes on trial. Here's a look at the case: WHAT ASSANGE IS CHARGED WITH Assange, 52, an Australian computer expert, has been indicted in the U.S. on 18 charges over Wikileaks publication of hundreds of thousands of classified documents in 2010. Prosecutors say he conspired with U.S. army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to hack into a Pentagon computer and release secret diplomatic cables and military files on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He faces 17 counts of espionage and one charge of computer misuse. If convicted, his lawyers say he could receive a prison term of up to 175 years, though American authorities have said any sentence is likely to be much lower. Assange and his supporters argue he acted as a journalist to expose U.S. military wrongdoing and is protected under press freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Among the files published by WikiLeaks was video of a 2007 Apache helicopter attack by American forces in Baghdad that killed 11 people, including two Reuters journalists. Julian has been indicted for receiving, possessing and communicating information to the public of evidence of war crimes committed by the U.S. government, his wife, Stella Assange, said. Reporting a crime is never a crime. U.S. lawyers say Assange is guilty of trying to hack the Pentagon computer and that WikiLeaks publications created a grave and imminent risk to U.S. intelligence sources in Afghanistan and Iraq. WHY THE CASE HAS DRAGGED ON SO LONG While the U.S. criminal case against Assange was only unsealed in 2019, his freedom has been restricted for a dozen years. Assange took refuge in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London in 2012 and was granted political asylum after courts in England ruled he should be extradited to Sweden as part of a rape investigation in the Scandinavian country. He was arrested by British police after Ecuadors government withdrew his asylum status in 2019 and then jailed for skipping bail when he first took shelter inside the embassy. Although Sweden eventually dropped its sex crimes investigation because so much time had elapsed, Assange has remained in Londons high-security Belmarsh Prison while the extradition battle with the U.S. continues. His wife said his mental and physical health have deteriorated behind bars. Hes fighting to survive and thats a daily battle, she said. A judge in London initially blocked Assanges transfer to the U.S. in 2021 on the grounds he was likely to kill himself if held in harsh American prison conditions. But subsequent courts cleared the way for the move after U.S. authorities provided assurances he wouldnt experience the severe treatment that his lawyers said would put his physical and mental health at risk. The British government authorized Assange's extradition in 2022. WHAT THE LATEST HEARING IS ABOUT Assange's lawyers raised nine grounds for appeal at a hearing in February, including the allegation that his prosecution is political. The court accepted three of his arguments, issuing a provisional ruling in March that said Assange could take his case to the Court of Appeal unless the U.S. guaranteed he would not face the death penalty if extradited and would have the same free speech protections as a U.S. citizen. The U.S. provided those reassurances three weeks later, though his supporters are skeptical. Stella Assange said the so-called assurances were made up of weasel words. WikiLeaks Editor-in-Chief Kristinn Hrafnsson said the judges had asked if Assange could rely on First Amendment protections. It should be an easy yes or no question, Hrafnsson said. The answer was, He can seek to rely on First Amendment protections. That is a no. So the only rational decision on Monday is for the judges to come out and say, This is not good enough. Anything else is a judicial scandal. THE POSSIBLE OUTCOMES If Assange prevails, it would set the stage for an appeal process likely to further drag out the case. If an appeal is rejected, his legal team plans to ask the European Court of Human Rights to intervene. But his supporters fear Assange could possibly be transferred before the court in Strasbourg, France, could halt his removal. Julian is just one decision away from being extradited, his wife said. Assange, who hopes to be in court Monday, has been encouraged by the work others have done in the political fight to free him, his wife said. If he loses in court, he still may have another shot at freedom. President Joe Biden said last month that he was considering a request from Australia to drop the case and let Assange return to his home country. Officials have no other details but Stella Assange said it was a good sign and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the comment was encouraging. Williamson County years away from getting medical examiner, county looking at other options TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) Booths filled the Williamson County Exposition Center as job seekers looked for opportunities. On a Saturday in April, businesses came together at the job expo and business fair. Among the crowd three of the four Williamson County Justice of the Peace judges could be heard talking about health, court and deaths. Job expo and business fair in Taylor in April. (KXAN Photo/Arezow Doost) Their black robes hanging in the backdrop. I do more than just marry people, Judge Rhonda Redden, Williamson County Justice of the Peace in Precinct 4, said. We do small claims, evictions, truancy, we handle criminal cases. The judges explained it was a chance to connect with those they serve and share not only ways to stay healthy due to obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes but also talk more about their roles on the bench and outside the courtroom. READ: Williamson County families frustrated over lack of medical examiner as area grows If somebody dies in Williamson County we are the ones that determine cause and manner of death and then sign the death certificates, said Judge Evelyn McLean, Williamson County Justice of the Peace in Precinct 3 to a couple who had stopped by to say hello. The county doesnt have a medical examiner, so the four Justice of the Peace judges handle deaths under Texas law. Its the population that has just gotten so big. And theres a lot of deaths that are happening, McLean said to KXAN investigators. More growth, more deaths Data shows death cases across the county have increased by 122% over the past decade and include everything from natural causes, suicides, overdoses to murders. If an autopsy is requested, the judges work with either a local, private forensics firm or the medical examiner in Travis County. We are the 12th-largest county in the state and every county above us has one and many counties below us that have a smaller population also have a medical examiner, McLean said. The judges first shared their concerns with KXAN investigators in March. Texas law requires counties to establish a medical examiners office when the population hits 2.5 million, but a county commissioners court may create one at any time. Last year, lawmakers amended the law, changing the population requirement from 2 million to 2.5 million. Until 2019, it was one million. Display showing county medical examiners offices across Texas. (KXAN Photo/Arezow Doost) It is a concern to the public when they hear we in Williamson County with a population of 700,000 people do not have a medical examiners office it is a concern of the public, said Judge Angela Williams, Williamson County Justice of the Peace in Precinct 2, during a budget meeting in April. The judges discussed the need for a medical examiner with Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell and other leaders and each requested a death investigator who could fill the gap and take death calls, go to the scenes, and prepare reports. It is unfair to the public for us to continue having the growth in this category of our job, where it is now affecting the other parts of our jobs to such an extreme that is becoming unmanageable to balance all the things that we need to do, Judge KT Musselman, Williamson County Justice of the Peace in Precinct 1, said. Data shows death cases across the county have increased by 122% since 2014. (KXAN Photo/Arezow Doost) After the judges spoke in that April meeting, Gravell called them out publicly for speaking to KXAN about the issue. He added that the judges should go to commissioners first instead of the media. The judges explained they have months ago, even traveling with one of the commissioners to Fort Bend County earlier this year to see how its medical examiners office works. There will be a day, probably not in our time as public officials but there will be a day that there is a medical examiners office in Williamson County, and we continue to take steps moving in that direction, Gravell said. We clearly care about people on their best day and on their last day. He expressed similar concerns when he was a JP more than a decade ago publicly online. Gravell would not speak to KXAN about the need for a medical examiner. Sacrifice is my family A county spokesperson said the JPs and other leaders have met to discuss options and theyre working on job descriptions for death investigators as well as looking to other counties in similar situations. Williamson County Justice of the Peace judges talking to residents about health, court and deaths. (KXAN Photo/Arezow Doost) The spokesperson added that Commissioners Court will have a chance to look at the countys recommended budget in August. The judges explained any solution will be helpful as they juggle court dockets and death investigations when theyre on call for a full week at a time. Its physically, emotionally and mentally draining, McLean said. We all struggle to do the workload that were tasked to do in the courtroom and do the death inquests. Redden told county leaders she spent more than 2,500 hours last year just on death investigations. We are absolutely committed to this absolutely committed to making sure that when were working a death case that we give it its absolutely due diligence and we are trying to give everybody their due diligence on the bench, Redden said to a county resident at the job expo and business fair. For me, my sacrifice is my 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 KXAN Austin. A shooting on South Edgemon occured around 8 p.m. saturday, according to Winter Springs police. Channel 9 reached out to Winter Springs police and they told us the victim was trasnfered to the hospital with life threatening injuries. The investigation is underway; however, the victim is not cooperating with police as the victim and suspect appear to know each other. Read: Police investigate a high-speed car chase that led to an officer-involved shooting in Haines City Stay with Channel 9 for updates on this ongoing investigation. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Flash African educational experts have commended China's significant and growing role in advancing quality education in Africa. At the China-Africa Educational Cooperation Seminar held Friday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, experts praised China for promoting quality education through scholarships, vocational and skill development training for African students, and funding infrastructure for academic institutions across the continent. "China supports enhancing the education level of all Africans, particularly women, children and youth, and has continued to provide quality education through various scholarships and training programs," said Bonaventure Rutinwa, deputy vice chancellor of the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. China's support is well-intentioned and aims to bring about genuine economic and social transformation in Africa, Rutinwa said. "China has established Confucius Institutes in many African countries, including Tanzania, which provide training in Chinese language and culture, thus enhancing the employability of African youth by Chinese companies that have gained a significant presence in various economic fields on the continent." Hu Changchun, head of the Chinese mission to the African Union, said that since 2012, China has set up an educational trust fund under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to train over 10,000 teachers in Africa. There are now 67 Confucius Institutes and 10 Confucius Classrooms in Africa. With more than 50,000 African students studying in China each year, China has become a preferred study destination for many young Africans, he said. Samuel Kifle, president of Addis Ababa University, noted China's aggressive efforts in capacity building to help African children and youth receive quality education. He urged African governments to emulate China's example by creating capable civil servants and an educated labor force, engaging in continuous innovation and promoting science and technology. "We Africans can learn from what China has achieved over the last 40 years in fostering fast economic development through boosting productivity, innovation, infrastructure development, and creating a responsible government," Kifle said. He also called for enhanced China-Africa cooperation in education within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Abdoulaye Salifou, an official from UNESCO, described China's role in Africa's education sector as "indispensable." "China has one of the most advanced educational systems globally and can help African countries undertake significant reforms in digital transformation, and promote technical and vocational training in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields," Salifou told Xinhua. According to UNESCO, 63 million children in Africa are out of school, and 17 million teachers are needed for Africa to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in education. Experts said at the seminar that by 2030, Africa will account for more than 90 percent of global external financing needs for education, with an additional 40 billion U.S. dollars needed to finance its education sector. Image source: Getty Images If you aren't a Costco member, you might look at items from the Kirkland Signature brand and think, "What's the big deal?" After all, it's just a store brand, right? Not exactly. While it's true that the term "store brand" has become pretty synonymous with "cheap knockoffs," Costco has managed to be one of the few exceptions to the rule. On the whole, Kirkland Signature products are considered to be great quality -- often because they are made by the same factories as name-brand items. However, it's definitely not safe to assume that every single Kirkland product will be a winner. Sometimes, you wind up with something that simply isn't up to standard. That's what happened to me when I tried the Kirkland Signature Bath Tissue. Hard pass on the Kirkland Signature Bath Tissue I'm not sure if it's an aging thing, but somewhere over the last decade I've come to realize I have strong opinions about the toilet paper I use. And, as it turns out, so do my family members. And we have collectively agreed that the regular Kirkland Signature bath tissue (that comes in a blue package) is utter junk. To really put this opinion in perspective, let me put it this way: Last summer I spent a solid week on the highways moving multiple households across the country. I have visited nearly every rest stop in 13 states. And at least two of those states offered better quality toilet paper than this stuff from Costco. What kind of adds insult to injury is that I know Costco can do better. That's because I've also used the Kirkland Signature Ultra Soft Bath Tissue (in a purple package). That stuff is thick, soft, and much more pleasant to use (if a little prone to tearing). While it's still no Member's Mark, it's at least comparable. But the regular stuff in the blue package? Hard pass from our household. What to do with 28 rolls of TP? Other than the bad experience, there's another major drawback to getting a Kirkland product that is below standard: You now have a ton of it. In the case of the toilet paper, it only took us two rolls to realize we absolutely didn't want to keep using this stuff. So, what do we do with 28 rolls of terrible TP? If I lived closer to a Costco warehouse, I would happily just go return it. Costco has an excellent return policy, and I know customer service would refund my money without issue. Alternatively -- and what we'll probably do -- I could pay it forward somewhere. Our hineys may be too posh for it, but it's at least as good as the thin commercial stuff in most public restrooms. So, the local shelter, senior center, or even a daycare would probably be happy to receive a donation of (sealed) toilet paper. Story continues How to avoid another major fail Whenever I face such a disappointing purchase, I always try to ask myself how I could have avoided it. Sure, I know they can't all be winners, but you can definitely lower your risk. Here are a few ways I could have avoided buying low-quality TP. Shopped in person The nearest Costco is far away, so I tend to shop online when I can. Had I waited to check out this item in person, instead, I may have noticed the lower quality before going home with 30 rolls. Read online reviews While I nearly always try to read reviews before buying something, I didn't this time, mostly because Costco.com doesn't actually have any reviews on its site -- at least, not for toilet paper. (Some items will have ratings, but I've never been able to figure out the rhyme or reason behind which have reviews and which don't.) If you do a general search for the Kirkland toilet paper, you do find a bunch of third-party Amazon listings with reviews. However, many of the reviews are old, the results are inconsistent across listings, and, well, it's Amazon. You can never really trust Amazon reviews not to be fake or paid. What I could have (and probably should have) done was a bit of social media recon, such as browsing Reddit forums, to see what people are saying about the product. And, doing that now, I quickly find a post talking about how the product has changed recently and the quality went down (though this may depend on location?). You win some, you flush some It's impossible for any store or brand to offer nothing but amazing products. We all have different likes and standards, so what is great for one shopper may be terrible for another. (I'm positive there will be folks who read this and think, "I love that TP, what is this person on about?!") In general, I've had far more wins with Kirkland products than losses. And Costco's return policy is so good that even the losses aren't actually hits to my budget most of the time. With its current record of mostly hits, I'm still perfectly happy to take my chances on new Kirkland products -- and I'll be sure to let you know if I find any more duds! Alert: highest cash back card we've seen now has 0% intro APR until 2025 This credit card is not just good it's so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee! Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fools board of directors. Brittney Myers has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. The One Kirkland Item I'll Never Buy Again was originally published by The Motley Fool California woman shoots, kills man who came to her home armed with knives A man is dead following an incident where it appears he was shot in self-defense. Authorities say the shooting occurred around 9:47 p.m. Friday at a home in the 400 block of South Shamrock Avenue in Monrovia. Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department responded to a call about a possible violation of a restraining order. When they arrived, they found an Asian male suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. LASD says the man arrived at the home armed with knives and attempted to stab a White male and White female who lived at the property. Investigators determined that the female shot the deceased to stop him from advancing on her and the male. Both the female and male who lived at the home were questioned by deputies and neither was arrested. It is unclear how the three individuals knew each other, or a motive for why the Asian man appeared the property with weapons. Anyone with more information about this case is asked to contact LASD at 213-229-1700. 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. Woman who stabbed Bellingham woman in throat while she slept in 2022 sent to prison A Lynnwood woman will spend nearly a decade in prison for robbing a Bellingham woman she had recently met and stabbing her in the throat while she slept in July 2022. Johanna Paola Nonog, 23, was sentenced May 13 in Whatcom County Superior Court to nine years in prison, with three years probation, for one count of first-degree assault, for which Nonog entered a guilty plea the same day. In exchange for Nonogs guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to drop the attempted second-degree murder and first-degree robbery charges originally filed against Nonog in late July 2022, court records show. The attorneys presented a joint recommendation of a 108-month prison sentence for Nonog, which the court ultimately followed. The court also made a special finding that reasonable grounds exist to believe Nonog is mentally ill and that her illness likely influenced the crime. Because of this finding, Nonog will be required to undergo a mental health examination and comply with any recommended treatment. The court made an additional special finding that in committing first-degree assault, Nonog used force or means likely to result in death or intended to kill the victim, which requires her to be sentenced to a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, court documents state. As part of Nonogs sentencing, she will not be allowed to possess or consume alcohol, controlled substances or other intoxicants, and cant possess or own firearms, ammunition or other dangerous weapons. A no-contact order was also put in place between Nonog and the victim until May 2044. The assault At 4 a.m. on July 20, 2022, Bellingham police were called to the 400 block of 31st Street for the report of an assault with a knife, The Bellingham Herald previously reported. The victim, then age 22, told police she awoke to Nonog stabbing her in the neck. The victim told police she attempted to fight off Nonog and get her out of the apartment. During this time, Nonog kicked down the door, court documents state. The victim was able to get away from Nonog and get help from a neighbor who called 911. The victim told police she also believed Nonog stole her wallet, phone and keys before she left the apartment. Nonog and the victim had recently met, and Nonog was staying at the victims apartment that evening, according to previous reporting in The Herald. Bellingham police and a Whatcom County Sheriffs Office K9 unit found Nonog in a nearby parking lot. Nonog had two cellphones with her, one of which belonged to the victim, court records state. The victim suffered a 2-inch laceration to the left side of her neck, as well as several smaller cuts to her chin and face. The victim also had cuts on her hand, which appeared to be from trying to fight off Nonogs attack, the court records state. The victim was taken by ambulance to PeaceHealth St. Josephs hospital in Bellingham, where she was seen by trauma staff in the emergency room and underwent surgery, according to court records. HONESDALE, WAYNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Elsewhere on this Armed Forces Day, many came out to honor women veterans at a new monument dedication. It took a New England company two years to create the dedication monument outside the courthouse in Honesdale. The monument features drawings of women in the military roles theyve served spanning generations. Armed Forces Parade hits the streets of Scranton One woman brought her young daughters to the dedication. I think its important for my girls to see that there are women in the military and that, you know, they can do anything that a man can do and anything that they put their minds to, said Clare Kerl from Honesdale. Every veteran, male or female, they sacrifice part of their lives for us, added Kim Erickson project organizer/veterans advocate. Organizers say this is the first womens military monument in Pennsylvania. 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. Could the end of cancer be within our reach? Increasingly, experts express confidence that we are nearing an inflection point in the fight against the disease. Eradication of some forms of cancer, and powerfully effective new treatments for other types, are within reach now and more could happen in our lifetimes. As the only cancer center in South Florida designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Health System and the Miller School of Medicine, is steadfast in its commitment to prevail. Its luminary experts, alongside those at other esteemed institutions, are determined, and this resolve is bolstered by the influx of new resources and powerful therapies driven by rapid technological advancements. In Miami, a transformative new location is nearing completion. Sylvesters Kenneth C. Griffin Cancer Research Building at the University of Miami medical campus will be a gift of light and hope; a state-of-the-art research and clinical care facility that will allow researchers and clinicians to dramatically accelerate progress against cancer. Slated to open in 2025, its impact will benefit people in South Florida, Latin America, the Caribbean and beyond. It will help experts at Sylvester save more lives. What we have been building together is not just the building, said Dr. Stephen Nimer, director at Sylvester and the Oscar de la Renta Endowed Chair in Cancer Research. Its a symbol of our shared commitment to turning our vision into reality a place where we can continue to push the boundaries of whats possible, not only for the 6.2 million people who live in South Florida but for our nation and beyond. Together, we are continually building a destination cancer center with world-renowned physicians and researchers committed to excellence, and with skilled and dedicated staff who deliver compassionate, life-saving care. CANCER TOUCHES EVERYONES LIFE Some two million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year and an estimated 611,000 will die from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. And yet, modern medicine has turned a corner in the fight against cancer. Over the last 30 years, the risk of dying from cancer has steadily declined. Today, there are 18 million cancer survivors in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute. This progress can be substantially explained by advancements in smoking cessation, early cancer detection and treatment options. Enter the Griffin Cancer Research Building, a transformational project that will accelerate the discovery of cancer cures. Rising against the backdrop of Downtown Miami, the glass and steel structure will soar 12 stories when completed. The $250-million facility will contain a quarter million square feet of space, doubling the research footprint of Sylvester. It will dramatically expand the number of clinical trials available for patients, beyond more than 300 trials currently underway at Sylvester. Leveraging Miamis significant rise in technology, the Griffin Cancer Research Building will serve as a hub for innovation and collaboration. This enhanced teamwork will accelerate the translation of groundbreaking scientific discoveries into innovative, life-saving treatments and therapies for patients, and the sharing of transformative results with other people across the world. A visionary new facility, the building combines innovative treatment with a commitment to patient care and cures. It is unique because it brings patients and researchers under one roof, moving potential cures from the lab bench to the patients bedside faster, so people receive treatment they may not otherwise have. BUILDING EQUITY AND HOPE Florida has the second highest cancer burden in the country, according to the states Department of Health. While cancer deaths overall are in decline, more people are getting certain cancers, and people of color, in particular, suffer a disproportionate burden. For example, Black men have the highest overall cancer death rate, with increased mortality for multiple myeloma and prostate cancer. Hispanic people have lower rates of some common cancers, such as breast and prostate, compared to non-Hispanic whites, but they have increased mortality for brain tumors and high rates of infection-related cancers. Cervical cancer incidence, caused by HPV infection, is 35% higher in Hispanic women than in White women. Black women with endometrial cancer have a death rate that is twice as high as White women despite similar incidence of the disease, partly because they are diagnosed later. Sylvester prioritizes efforts to ensure the most effective cancer treatments are available for all at-risk populations in South Florida and beyond. The Griffin Cancer Research Building will advance Sylvesters research focused on creating the best outcomes for all patients. LIGHTING A BEACON The building will allow Sylvester to give the gifts of light and hope to patients and their loved ones. Light, because this new facility will pull together more scientists working to illuminate pathways to cures. Hope in the form of a growing and dynamic cancer center focusing on more effective and less toxic treatments and more cures, making Sylvester a destination cancer center that is at the forefront of cancer research and treatment. Among the 18 million cancer survivors in the United States, Miami-Dade resident Iliana Suarez said she cant wait to see what new research will develop because of Ken Griffins $50 million gift to support the new building. Im cancer-free for six years now, and I owe it all to the dedication and caring attitudes of the doctors and nurses at Sylvester, Suarez said. Im sure Kens (Griffin) gift will only lead to better lives for many other people who are fighting the disease. To explore giving opportunities for the Kenneth C. Griffin Cancer Research Building, visit TheSylvesterPursuit.com EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Ysleta Independent School District (YISD) announced the 2024-25 Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year, as well as the 2023-24 Support Employee of the Year, at a gala held Saturday at the Centennial Banquet and Conference Center at Fort Bliss. Ysleta, Socorro school districts announce top teachers for year The winners were as follows: Elementary Teacher of the Year: Claudia Cantu-Payne kindergarten teacher at Thomas Manor Elementary School. Secondary Teacher of the Year: Lauren Uribarri Teacher and Student Activities Director at Eastwood High School. Support Employee of the Year: Blanca Garcia Special Education instructional aide at Eastwood High School. Cantu-Payne, who began her career in education in 2018 as a kindergarten teacher, chose to become an educator after being inspired by her mother, who was also a teacher, according to YISD. She saw firsthand the joy, passion, and dedication her mother brought to her classroom when she interacted with students and she also noticed the positive impact she had on her students. YISD says Cantu-Payne enjoys leading extracurricular activities, sports, UIL and assisting with the Wranglerettes drill team. Other finalists for Elementary Teacher of the Year were: Larry Aguirre (Del Valle ES), Alexandra Cruz (Sageland ES), Yamel Ibarguen (Mission Valley ES) and Kaleesa White (Dolphin Terrace ES). Uribarri says her love for education was passed down to her from a long line of strong women who instilled in her a deep appreciation of literacy. From these women, she says she is most indebted to her mother, a lifelong inspiration who fulfilled Uribarris needs with her love and words of encouragement, according to YISD. YISD says Uribarri is a Pure Barre Fitness Instructor who enjoys literature and great coffee in her spare time. Her students would describe her as a role model who values kindness and empathy. Other finalists for Secondary Teacher of the Year were: Sergio Nathan (Bel Air HS), Eduardo Quintanilla (Eastwood MS), Alicia Villalobos (Bel Air MS) and Sarah Welsh (Valle Verde Early College HS). Garcia, a leader among her Special Education colleagues, models positive classroom behaviors in order to foster student success at Eastwood High School, according to YISD. She began working at Ysleta ISD in 2018 as a cafeteria cook at Ysleta Pre-K Center, and is known for her reliability, professionalism, and teamwork, which makes a significant impact on students beyond the classroom. YISD says Garcia volunteers with the Special Olympics and folklorico performances, helps chaperone at school dances and actively participates in homecoming and graduation activities. Other Support Employee of the Year finalists were: Adrian Aguayo (Pasodale ES), Diana Ayala (Del Valle HS), Maribel Chavez (Bel Air HS) and Katherine Grant (Hanks HS). In addition, Cantu-Payne and Uribarri will now go on to compete in the Teacher of the Year competition for ESC Region 19. 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. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he anticipates the upcoming peace summit in Switzerland will yield an action plan addressing three key areas: free navigation to protect port infrastructure, global food security, and Ukraine's economic development. Additional discussions will focus on nuclear and energy security to prevent attacks on critical infrastructure, and another key point will be about the exchange of captives and return of deported children. Zelensky emphasized the importance of involving countries from various regions, noting their influence on Russia. Even if they see the world differently, it is important to work to engage them because they have influence. Any kind of influence: defense at the level of arms trade, economy somewhere. They have an influence on Russia. And the more such countries we have on our side on the side of ending the war, the more Russia will have to take it into account, Zelensky said. The summit, set for June 15-16 in Burgenstock, Switzerland, has confirmed participation from 50 countries and key leaders. Read also: Media: 50 states confirm participation in Ukraines peace summit in Switzerland Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian forces gained more solid positions in Kharkiv Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in the evening address on May 19. Russia launched a new offensive on May 10 in northern 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. Zelensky said he received the updates from Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi who is currently staying with the front-line assault brigades. "As a result of these days, of the whole week, we have secured stronger positions in Kharkiv Oblast. The 57th Brigade, the 82nd Air Assault Brigade, thank you, warriors!" Zelensky said. Zelensky also said that Ukraine successfully repels Russian assaults in Donetsk Oblast, including the area near the city of Chasiv Yar, which became one of the main strategic targets. Russian troops have not been achieving their aim of spreading Ukrainian forces along the entire front line in Kharkiv and Donetsk oblasts, the president added. Russia's offensive in Kharkiv Oblast in mid-May could be the first of several waves, and Russian forces may target the regional capital, Kharkiv, Zelensky said in an interview with AFP on May 17. Russian troops managed to advance as far as 10 kilometers (6 miles) as a result. Ukraine's military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, suggested earlier that Russian forces may launch a similar offensive in Sumy Oblast when the conditions are more favorable. 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. Zelenskyy urges world to help Kharkiv: two Patriots would fundamentally change situation video President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that the supply of two Patriot air defence systems to safeguard Kharkiv would radically change the security situation in the city. Source: Zelenskyy on Telegram after the latest Russian attacks on Kharkiv and Kharkiv Oblast Quote: "The world can put an end to Russian terror but only if leaders' political will is strong enough. Two Patriot systems in Kharkiv will radically alter the situation. Air defence systems in our other cities, as well as adequate support for our forces on the battlefield, will assure the end of Russian terror. I thank all of the leaders and states who recognise this and are taking significant action to bring the war to a conclusion and hold the terrorists accountable." Previously: At least six people were killed and sixteen injured in a morning attack in Kharkiv on 19 May. In addition, five civilians were killed as a result of Russian strikes targeting Kharkiv Oblasts Kupiansk district. During a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on 14 May, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine needed two additional Patriot air defence systems to defend the city of Kharkiv and Kharkiv Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! Apple consistently makes some of the most-accomplished phones on the planet, with the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Pro Max taking the top two spots on our list of the best phones currently. But as impressive as Apples handsets are, theyre not perfect, and theres definitely room for improvement. Thats why weve come up with this list of the five things that in our view the iPhone really needs to improve. Obviously, Apple offers multiple models, so some of these suggestions only apply to certain iPhones, but even the top model (the iPhone 15 Pro Max) could use some work, as well explain below. 1. The refresh rate on base models iPhone 15 Plus review front straight If you buy an Android phone, youre almost certainly going to end up with a handset that has at least a 90Hz refresh rate, and likely a 120Hz one (or even higher in a few cases). Thats true even if youre considering one of the best cheap phones like the Samsung Galaxy A54. But over on iOS, youll only get a 120Hz refresh rate if you opt for a pricey Pro model. Even recent and expensive phones like the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus only have a 60Hz refresh rate. This is such an incredibly dated and basic spec in 2024 that its almost hard to believe Apple is still using it. It might just about fly on the iPhone SE (2022), but not on mainline models. This might in part explain why buyers are increasingly choosing Pro iPhones, but whatever the case, its really something Apple needs to address. Sadly though, all signs point to the iPhone 16 once again being stuck with a 60Hz refresh rate. 2. The telephoto camera The Sony Xperia 1 VI The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a reasonable telephoto camera, especially now that Apple has moved on from 3x optical zoom to 5x. But thats still not a match for some phones, such as the 10x zoom of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or the 7.1x zoom of the Sony Xperia 1 VI. In fact, the Xperia 1 VI is extra impressive, as it's able to move between multiple zoom levels with a single lens. With an iPhone though, you just get one telephoto zoom level, and its digital zoom capabilities also arent a match for some other phones, so if you try and zoom much beyond 5x, the quality drops off rapidly. Some quality reduction is inevitable. But flagship phones from the likes of Samsung and even more so Chinese brands like Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo, can often deliver a far more convincing long-distance digital zoom. So whether its through a longer distance zoom, a variable zoom, or just changes to Apples algorithm for digital zooming, wed like to see improvements here. 3. The charging speed OnePlus 12 from the back in Flowy Emerald color The OnePlus 12 can charge at up to 100W (or 80W in the US), the Xiaomi 14 Pro can manage up to 120W, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra at least supports 45W charging, but the iPhone 15 line? That cant officially go above 20W. The result is that despite these phones also having smaller batteries than most comparable Android handsets, they charge slower, and the same is true with wireless charging, which the iPhone 15 series can only do at up to 15W. Apple has shown no interest in offering faster charging, but it feels like the company is really falling behind here, so wed like it to catch up. 4. The battery capacity iPhone 15 Plus review USB-C Another battery-related issue with iPhones is the capacity, as Apple consistently puts smaller batteries in its phones than youd get in similarly sized Android phones. The absolute biggest iPhone battery is the 4,441mAh one in the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but thats still far smaller than the 5,000mAh batteries that are fairly standard in the best Android phones. And some Android phones have even bigger batteries, reaching 6,000mAh and beyond in occasional cases. We dont need a 6,000mAh iPhone battery, but we cant see any good reason not to increase the capacity to around 5,000mAh in the Pro Max and Plus models, and at least 4,000mAh in the smaller standard and Pro models (up from less than 3,500mAh currently). It might make the phones ever so slightly heavier and thicker, but wed say thats a small price to pay for the potential of two days of life. Because iPhones already tend to have good battery life, so with a competitive capacity they could become class leading. 5. The number of lenses Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max review While Samsungs top phones have long had four lenses on the back, Apple has so far stuck with three or even just two lenses on the likes of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. Wed argue that neither figure is adequate. In the case of its two-lens phones, theres no telephoto lens, which given that these are still expensive handsets there really should be. A move to three lenses covers the basics of wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto, but being able to optically zoom to multiple levels like you can with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra would be handy, since you dont always want as much as a 5x zoom. You might also like Best iPhone: which Apple smartphone reigns supreme? iPhone 16 camera predictions: every expected camera on every model iPhone 16: release date speculation, latest leaks, price predictions and more Billionaire defense entrepreneur Palmer Luckey has a collection of items worthy of a Bond villain including helicopters, a giant fish tank, and an underground missile base filled with video games Billionaire defense entrepreneur Palmer Luckey has a collection of items worthy of a Bond villain including helicopters, a giant fish tank, and an underground missile base filled with video games Palmer Luckey's startup Anduril is producing futuristic weapons of war. But the billionaire founder has his own Bond-movie-esque collection of military vehicles. Luckey gave Bloomberg a peek into his 1980s-designed home and private collection of "boys toys." The defense-tech startup Anduril is making some of the most futuristic autonomous weapons on the market as it tries to reinvent the military's wheelhouse. But the company's forward-thinking vision hasn't stopped its founder, Palmer Luckey, from amassing a personal collection of older military-grade vehicles and boys toys. The billionaire's collection includes a boat bought from the US Navy, six helicopters, and a 1985 ex-Marine Corps Humvee, he revealed in the latest episode of Bloomberg's " The Circuit ." That's land, sea, and air covered. Luckey's Mark V Special Operations Craft, which he purchased from the Navy, is the fastest boat ever built by the force, with a little over 5,000 horsepower, he told the reporter Emily Chang as he took her for a ride on the vessel around Newport Beach, California. "It was designed specifically for Navy SEAL insertion and extraction missions," he said. "It runs really fast, and it's a lot of fun." A Mark V Special Operations Craft. Palmer Luckey's boat not pictured. MCC Kathryn Whittenberger/ US Navy He still has the real M2 heavy-barreled 50 BMG machine gun that came with the boat but keeps fake ones fitted "most of the time," he added. "Most of my neighbors like it, and a handful hate it," he said. Luckey first made a name for himself in 2012 when he founded the virtual-reality company Oculus . Two years later, he sold the company to Facebook, now known as Meta, for $2 billion in cash and stock. In 2017, one year after he was fired from Facebook, Luckey founded Anduril. It's since risen to the top of Silicon Valley's defense-tech boom. But his passion for the military started when he was young, Luckey told "The Circuit." "I grew up watching the Marine Corps practice right offshore in their helicopters," he said. "Watching Navy ships do exercises gets in your brain, and it doesn't leave." Luckey owns a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Daniel Brown/Business Insider He's now the proud owner of six helicopters, including a UH-60 Black Hawk. In addition to military-grade vehicles, Luckey owns a 1967 Disneyland Autopia car, used in Disney theme parks, designed by the legendary park designer Bob Gurr and Walt Disney himself. "As far as I know, mine is the only complete Autopia that is outside of the parks. Mine has the original mechanicals, original gearboxes, original wheels, the whole deal," Luckey told Chang. The small vehicle, typically seen tearing up Disneyland racetracks, suffered a minor breakdown midinterview and had to be fixed with a flathead screwdriver. Walt Disney driving an Autopia car at Disneyland in 1957, not dissimilar to the 1967 edition Luckey owns. San Francisco Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers/ Getty The founder also took cameras into his 1980s-designed home in Los Angeles. With a 2-inch-thick teal shag carpet and a 6,500-gallon aquarium, Luckey's home has "some good 'Miami Vice' vibes," he told Chang. His coffee table is fitted with a map of his Dungeons & Dragons campaign, in which he plays as a "chaotic-neutral wizard named Nilrim V." The billionaire founder poked fun at himself, saying, "I am a little bit of a caricature." But where to keep the world's largest collection of video games? "I put that in one of my missile bases, 200 feet underground," Luckey told Chang. Correction: May 20, 2024 A previous version of this story's headline misstated where some of the items are stored. Some are in an undisclosed location, not at Palmer Luckey's home. Read the original article on Business Insider Dog Gun It The Chinese military recently showed off numerous robot dogs outfitted with machine guns on their backs during the country's biggest-ever drill alongside Cambodian troops, as Agence France-Presse reports. The terrifying gun-toting robodogs were part of a massive 15-day military exercise called "Golden Dragon" in a remote training center in central Cambodia and off the country's coast. During the drill, journalists watched as staff took the robodogs for a walk but reportedly never fired the machine guns strapped to their backs. It's a dystopian vision of what the future of warfare could look like. Experts have long warned that the use of armed drones or "killer robots," particularly autonomous ones, is an ethical minefield that should be internationally banned from the battlefield. But that hasn't stopped military forces and even local enforcement in the US from investing in the tech while arguing that their use could save human lives. Follow the Leader It's not the first time we've come across quadrupedal gun-toting robots. Last year, the Pentagon announced that the US Army is considering arming remote-controlled robot dogs with state-of-the-art rifles as part of its plan to "explore the realm of the possible" in the future of combat. A US-based military contractor called Ghost Robotics has already showed off such a robot dog, outfitted with a long-distance rifle. However, as far as Boston Dynamics' popular Spot Mini robot dog is concerned, the company has been adamant that strapping weapons to the robodog is against its terms of service. "We pledge that we will not weaponize our advanced-mobility general-purpose robots or the software we develop that enables advanced robotics and we will not support others to do so," the company wrote in an open letter. More on robot dogs: Robot Dog Shot Three Times During Raid DENPASAR, Indonesia Elon Musk traveled to Indonesias resort island of Bali on Sunday to launch Starlink satellite internet service in the worlds largest archipelago nation. Wearing a green Batik shirt, Musk was greeted with a garland of flower petals at a community health clinic in Denpasar, the provincial capital of Bali, where he launched the Starlink service alongside Indonesian ministers. Indonesia, a vast archipelago of 17,000 islands sprawled across three time zones with a population of more than 270 million, has been trying for years to secure deals with Musks Tesla on battery investment and for Musks SpaceX to provide fast internet for the countrys remote regions. During the ceremony, Musk took a speed test of the Starlink internet service with several health workers in Indonesias remote regions, including in Aru, one of Indonesias unserved and outermost islands in Maluku province. This can make it really a lifesaver for remote medical clinics, and I think it could be a possibility for education as well, Musk told reporters. If you can access the internet and then you can learn anything and you can also sell your business services worldwide. So, I think its going to be incredibly beneficial, he said. He also signed an agreement on enhancing connectivity in the countrys health and education sectors. Details about the agreement between the Indonesian government and Musks SpaceX, the aerospace company that operates Starlink services, were not provided. Launching the service at a health clinic aligns with Starlinks broader mission of providing affordable access to high-speed internet services, particularly in underserved and remote regions, said Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. Our remote regions need Starlink to expand high-speed internet services, especially to help with problems in the health, education and maritime sectors, Pandjaitan, a close ally of Indonesias President Joko Widodo, told reporters. He held separate talks with Musk on Sunday. Communication and Informatics Minister Budi Arie Setiadi said earlier that local internet providers, which rely on base transceiver stations to transmit signals, are unable to reach outer islands because they have limited coverage. Starlinks satellites, which remain in low orbit, will help them deliver faster internet with nationwide coverage. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said of the more than 10,000 clinics across the country, there are still around 2,700 without internet access. The internet can open up better access to health services as communication between regions is said to be easier, so that reporting from health service facilities can be done in real time or up to date, he said. During his first in-person visit to Bali, Musk is also scheduled to participate in the 10th World Water Forum, which seeks to address global water and sanitation challenges. Musk spoke in 2022 at the B-20 business forum ahead of a summit of the Group of 20 leading economies that took place in Bali. He joined the conference by video link weeks after completing his heavily scrutinized takeover of Twitter. Musks visit comes just weeks after Apple CEO Tim Cook met Widodo on April 17 and said the company would look at manufacturing in Indonesia. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella visited on April 30 and said the company would invest $1.7 billion over the next four years in new cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure in Indonesia. Indonesia under Widodo has promoted development of the digital technology and information sectors, aiming to achieve the governments Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision. The country hopes to become one of the worlds top five economies with a GDP of up to $9 trillion, exactly a century after it won independence from Dutch colonizers. ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) A Hidden High School Senior was selected as a winner of the 2023-2024 ACM/CSTA Cutler-Bell Prize for High School Computing for her project on Arctic rivers. The Cutler-Bell Prize recognizes students pursuing computer science and facing challenges head-on outside of the classroom. Eligible students applied for the award by submitting a project or artifact that uses modern technology and computer science. Award winners were selected by a panel of judges based on their projects ingenuity, complexity, relevancy, and originality. Hidden Valleys Franziska Borneff was selected as a winner after submitting her project focusing on monitoring the flow rates of Arctic rivers. The Arctic Rivers are important in the process of detecting climate change, as they directly influence ecosystems and the livelihoods of humans. She became interested in researching these rivers as news articles about climate change aligned with her own research, pushing her to continue studying these trends. Borneff specifically looked at the relationship between the atmosphere and waterways, finding that air temperature, river discharge, and sea ice concentration were the most significant data points and trends. She collected daily statistics on each factor from publicly available sources for the six major Arctic rivers and plotting points and collecting trend analysis, finding the rivers thaw dates were earlier than ever before. Forced to Change: Whats Affecting Virginia Seafood and Fishing? She was able to connect with students from the Yupik Eskimo Village in Alaska to see how the earlier thaw impacted the local community and found this disrupted the ecosystem and created an unknown future for the Yupik people. Borneff hopes her research will spark studies related to Arctic regions and political attention to the climate issue at hand. As named winner of the award, she received a $10,000 financial aid that was sent to the university she will be attending in the fall towards tuition and disbursed. Borneff will be formally recognized at the Computer Science Teachers Associations 2024 Annual Conference in Las Vegas in July. 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. Industry-leading auditing firm Deloitte Romania have verified that CyberGhost VPN takes care of your data as it should and states to do so. The audit takes a deep dive into the provider's system and privacy infrastructure while verifying that it never logs any of your identifiable information as stated in its Privacy Policy. This is the second time the popular VPN provider successfully put its no-logs claims under scrutiny with an independent audit since 2022, maintaining its place as one of the best VPNs around. CyberGhost 2024 audit CyberGhost promises to implement several protection measures to make sure its VPN servers never collect user logs. For starters, all services are running inside containers which, the provider claims, are ephemeral by design. This means that no persistent disk storage is attached to them. CyberGhost also promises that all its VPN servers run on a RAM-only system. This infrastructure makes sure that once the server loses power, all data associated with it is immediately lost. Basic hardware usage info and a raw estimation of how many users are connected to the same servers are the only details the provider recordsin line with market standards. Auditors at Deloitte inspected all relevant IT systems, including CyberGhost VPN servers, their distribution, and its Dedicated IP token-based system, to verify their configuration as well as implementation coincided with the description the company provides. They also look at how the Privacy Policy claims are implemented for user access, change management, and other basic usability functionality. As of January 31, 2024, Deloitte confirmed that CyberGhost's privacy and no-logs infrastructure works as expected. "Nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that CyberGhosts configuration of IT systems and management of the supporting IT operations were not prepared in accordance with CyberGhosts description," auditors wrote. "User trust is a huge factor for any security and privacy organization. Every time you connect to a CyberGhost server, its our responsibility to ensure your traffic is encrypted, and your data is secure," said a CyberGhost VPN spokesperson. "Having expert third parties audit our services means that our users can be absolutely certain our no-logs policy means exactly what it says on the label." Contrary to other competitors, the provider has locked the audit behind a subscription to their service. So, while all subscribers can review the full report via the CyberGhost customer portal, I recommend taking advantage of their 45-day money-back guarantee if you want to read it without committing the cash. No-log VPNs: why is it important? At this point you might be wondering, why should I care whether or not my VPN logs user data? Well, you should if you care about your privacy. While some logs of basic data like the number of users connecting to the same server and the email address associated with a user's account are inevitable, a no-log VPN is your guarantee that no personal details or usage information are ever recorded. That's exactly why we at TechRadar firmly believe that a strict no-logs policy should be among your top priorities when signing up for a new VPN service. This means that if, for instance, a malicious hacker or government manages to acquire this data, none of your sensitive information will be leaked because the details simply won't exist. The importance of this feature has already been proved in real life when Swedish authorities were left empty-handed after an inconclusive police raid on Mullvad's servers last year. Another provider, Private Internet Access, also proved its no-logs claims in court, not once but twice. "Transparency has been at the forefront of everything we do," CyberGhost wrote in a blog post. "As we constantly strive to improve our service and offer you peace of mind in the face of mutating digital threats, well commission regular audits." The organizational structure of the United States Marine Corps' Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VMX-1) has mostly stayed the same since its creation in 2016. However, one big change came in 2020 with the creation of the Tactics and Integration Department (T&I). The birth of the department was the direct result of the planning guidance put forward by former Marine Commandant Berger , known as Force Design 2030. To make Force Design 2030 happen, VMX-1 needed to make sure all Marine assets could communicate and fight together. The squadron was participating in several warfighting venues and ventures of future capability, but there was an assumption in the Marine Corps that everything was communicating on a level that was not necessarily true of reality. Former VMX-1 Commanding Officer Byron Shrek Sullivan created the new department to absorb that integration mission and try to make those critical data connections where they did not already exist. Editor's note: This is the fourth in a multi-part series covering VMX-1's highly unique mission, diverse stable of aircraft, and the critical role it is playing in shaping the future of Marine Corps aviation. You can check out the other installments here, here , and here. Sullivan told The War Zone, The big thing we pushed forward in my tenure as the commanding officer of VMX-1, is that when you look at all of the systems and programs we test, whether it is AH-1 , UH-1 , F-35 , CH-53K , MV-22 , or what we are doing on the C3 (Command, Control, Communications) side, they are all great weapon systems on their own but, how are we going to fight them together? We developed the Tactics and Integration Department with subject matter experts from all the different areas so we can fight as an ACE [Air Combat Element] weapon system. The ACE is the aviation component of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). It is organized to perform the six functions of Marine Corps aviation which include: Air Support Assault Support Anti-Air Warfare Electronic Warfare Aircraft and Missile Control Aerial Reconnaissance T&I looks at all the things we are testing. For example, we were testing the JAGM [Joint Air Ground Missile] on the AH-1Z . That missile has all sorts of capabilities that could be brought together with say an F-35 or an MV-22. We can shoot that missile, bomb on [a set] coordinate, where it will fly out and turn on its millimeter-wave radar and it will find a target. Now, I have taken an AH-1 that is good at shooting missiles and put it in a kill web where an F-35 is airborne doing all the things an F-35 does, but now the pilot sees a group of small boats. That F-35 might not have the right weapons to kill those boats, but he can see a Cobra that has eight JAGM missiles. The F-35 can designate each of those targets and have the Cobra kill them without the Cobra being exposed to the threat. An AH-1Z Viper with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, fires an AGM-114 Hellfire missile at Range 176, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 14, 2017. HMLA 267 conducted a live fire drill off the coast of Okinawa to demonstrate the capabilities of the AH-1Z Viper helicopter. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by MCIPAC Combat Camera Lance Cpl. Sean M. Evans) The T&I department is one of three that report directly to VMX-1's Chief Operational Test Director (COTD). The other two are the TACAIR department with F-35s and the Assault Support Division (ASD) which has the MV-22, CH-53K, and the AH/UH-1s. T&I started off with VMX-1 building up their situational awareness of what the intelligence community had to say, as well as a number of science and technology efforts for the future. Another mission was establishing the initial Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures, or TTPs, in order to see new capabilities from the beginning all the way to a maturation level where they can be used in combat in the future. As the experimentation arm of the aviation efforts of the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab (MCWL), VMX-1 also used T&I to integrate with organizations such as DARPA (the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) and the Cunningham Group with the office of the Deputy Commandant for Aviation . Since its inception, VMX-1 has had a very strong relationship with DARPA which has paid huge dividends for Marine aviation. DARPA is a research and development agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for incubating emerging technologies for use by the military. Lt Col. Sonny Duncan has led the T&I department since 2020 and did a tour at DARPA before coming over to the squadron. Duncan explained to The War Zone: We modeled ourselves as a department very much like DARPA. And so, we leverage that relationship, having done that in the past with DARPA, to make ourselves as flat as possible so that we can integrate in the squadron itself. Our department is built with a department head but then there are three divisions underneath it. The divisions were named after capabilities, not necessarily actual type model series (TMS), like you would have seen with the F-35 as an example. We have Fires and Maneuver... [which was] useful at the tactical edge of battle. That's where the Fires and Maneuver came into place. We worked with ground units, infantry units, and special [operations] forces to help design TTPs to have a very, very quick and deliberate communication process that could result in our aircraft supporting them on the ground and their scheme of maneuver. That's kind of where Fires and Maneuver lived. VMX-1 F-35Bs fly over the American Southwest. (James Deboer) Prior to the creation of T&I, VMX-1 had a Tac Air department, and that department was modeled after Marine Aviation Weapons And Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1), which serves as the schoolhouse for Marine aviation. For VMX-1's Tac Air, they had F-35 and Unmanned Aerial Systems , C5IRST (Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and targeting) and RISTA (Reconnaissance Surveillance Targeting and Acquisition). They were integrating with the Ground Combat Element (GCE), so any of the GCEs that had the opportunity and ability to communicate with an aircraft could pump information to them from unmanned systems, which included the RQ-21 Blackjack . When the Marines began divesting the RQ-21 , they did so with the expectation that they were going to get involved in what has become known as the MUX-MALE (Marine Air-Ground Task Force Unmanned Expeditionary Medium-Altitude, High-Endurance) program, and the actual flying platform that came out of it, which is currently the MQ-9 . Leaders at T&I wanted to make sure that not only was that platform ready to go, but that all the payloads associated with it were maturing in the direction that they wanted. U.S. Marine Corps Captain Joshua Brooks, an unmanned aircraft system representative, and Master Sergeant Willie Cheeseboro Jr., an enlisted aircrew coordinator with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 1, prepare to launch and operate the first Marine Corps-owned MQ-9A Reaper on Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. August 30, 2021. The MQ-9A is designed to maintain a persistent presence overseas with its long-range endurance, and has the capability to provide immediate support to ground units. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl Gabrielle Sanders) For T&I in the context of uncrewed aircraft systems, they are not only looking at the direction the Marine Corps is trying to go, but they are looking at every unmanned asset on the battlefield. The reason being is that they don't want to necessarily own them as the Marine Corps, but they want to be able to talk to them and be able to use the information that they provide. Lt Col. Duncan continued, So as an example, you have unmanned all kinds of things. You have unmanned surface vessels, unmanned subsurface vessels, and unmanned proliferated low earth orbit. We are looking to make sure that our equipment can talk to all of those things and benefit as recipients from everything. From an F-35 perspective, we have always fought with the intent of a joint concept as a Marine Corps, which I'm actually very grateful to the Marines for being very aggressive in that pursuit, but the F-35 almost shoved it into the foreground which is fantastic. A VMX-1 F-35B high over the Arizona desert landscape. (James Deboer) In the past, artillery was known as the king of battle, but today C5IRST is quickly catching up. While VMX-1 doesnt necessarily perform all the functions under the C5IRST umbrella, they integrate as a T&I department specifically within C5IRST, including with space-based assets. Duncan added, right now, we're envisioning everything we're doing being tight with our goal to basically be a kill web enabler. It used to be a kill chain, meaning to find out where the target is, 'I need to find it, I need to fix it, I need to target it, I need to track it, at some point I want to engage it,' and then 'I need to determine how successful that engagement was.' Generally speaking, we thought of it linearly, in the context of the same type of model series [such as an aircraft type family]. Now, we want to speed that up and we want to pair up the best match with respect to what weapons we have, what sensors that we have, and look at it in the context of a joint fight rather than in the context of a single cockpit or a single squadron or a single whatever. We're already seeing it in terms of data links, we're seeing it in terms of communication, we're seeing it in terms of antennas, we're seeing it in terms of near real-time tactical data that is traveling the globe. That is what we're after. So when I say kill web, it may look like one sensor finds it, we use exquisite data passage to get that information to a long-range shooter who is able to actually fire on it, and another sensor may be the one that determines whether or not those effects were successful. That is how T&I began. In future fights, the greatest weapon of all will be real-time intelligence and enhanced situational awareness that is only capable via networking disparate platforms and command and control systems together. (James Deboer) Some major challenges for the T&I department involved how to incorporate all the information the F-35 has to offer. The F-35 was designed to suck in a wealth of information through an array of sensors built into the aircraft while also processing that information to provide the pilot with a clear tactical picture of the battlespace. The F-35 is equipped with the highly secure and hard-to-detect Multifunction Advanced Datalink (MADL) network, as well as Link-16. MADL allows multiple F-35s to share their information for a comprehensive battlespace picture, improving lethality and survivability. Meanwhile, Link-16 has a wider capability to share information among other types of aircraft and platforms, although it is far more detectable than MADL. Lt Col. Duncan explained, One of the huge challenges from the future warfighting standpoint is the fact that the F-35 does absorb a ton of information. The challenge there is to find what information is useful to other people and so that is a huge part of what we are trying to do. We must take in all that information and make it available to end users in a tactical sense. Who needs what? We need to make sure they have the right information, at the right time, in a tactical timeframe where a decision can be made in order to get the intended results on a target. They can be kinetic results or non-kinetic results. The airplane can see across a large component of the spectrum. It can catalog it and can use it in very useful ways for the pilot and be available for the pilot to share with other people. F-35C and B in formation, both from the NAVAIR test community (VX-9 and VMX-1). (James Deboer) Tactics and Integration has spent a lot of time working with the weapon schools to look and see how they can complement what they're involved in. The reasoning behind this is because they are tactically using weapons and systems that are in use today. Where T&I complements them is that they have to maintain their awareness of what is happening in terms of current capabilities while also looking at what is coming in the future. That's where the Science and Technology efforts come into play. They handle everything from ideas on PowerPoint, all the way to new pods and black boxes on aircraft. Duncan said, VMX-1 is an amazing place because we have in our charter, true operational test. In addition to that, we have experimentations. As an example, when we tie in for our initial TTP development, when MAWTS-1 runs the WTI classes , we join them in their Advanced Development Tactics and Evaluation [ADT&E] and we are the flying arm of the projects that they bring on board, to test it in a situationally relevant environment. T&I works with all the services regularly, including Space Force. The Space Force ensures the communications requirements of the Joint Force. One way they do that is through a system known as the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS). MUOS is a narrowband military communications satellite system that supports a worldwide, multi-service population of users, providing increased communications capabilities to newer, smaller terminals. MUOS has the ability to share large amounts of data very quickly among a number of 'customers.' An AH-1Z Viper (front) with Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VMX-1), and an MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23 (HSC-23), conduct Strike Coordination and Reconnaissance Training near El Centro, California, March 10, 2022. The purpose of this exercise was to provide familiarization and concept development of manned-unmanned teaming. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jade Venegas) VMX-1 was the first squadron to take the F-35 to the U.S. Army Futures Command's project convergence exercise, which was run out of the nearby Yuma Proving Ground. Project Convergence began in 2020 as a way for the Army to evaluate the progress of its many modernization efforts . In 2021 the exercise became a joint initiative to better connect the many sensors and shooters on the battlefield. VMX-1 knows how the Marine Corps is talking and communicating with regard to data sets and data passage to its various platforms, but events like Project Convergence help the force to better understand how the Army does things as well as the other services. When VMX-1 has solutions to problems, those solutions are shared amongst the other services. Lt Col. Duncan stated, We're not living in a stove pipe that is just the Marine Corps. And then even in the Marine Corps, we're not living in this stove pipe that is just the F-35 or just the H-1 or just the MV-22. We're looking to tie them all together. We are also involved in testing different payloads and different equipment that can go on the airplanes. So, we have an opportunity to use these airplanes in a capacity that they've never been envisioned to be used before. That's huge, especially when you're like man, okay, in our force today, we have this one asset that can really do this one job very well. What happens if that asset is tied up doing something else? Do we have redundancy built in?' So, we're starting to find places where we can use other airplanes, and completely off the script of what you would traditionally think them to be used for, in order to satisfy those requirements and those desires. A great example of that is putting the Low-Cost Acoustic Processor on the MV-22 giving the Marines a fairly cheap way to help track submarines . An VMX-1 MV-22 about to head out on a mission. (James Deboer) The Science and Technology division of the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab (MCWL) and their counterparts in VMX-1 often work hand-in-hand. Duncan challenged his Marines to constantly be looking for what are the next big things besides being tied into other science and technology efforts at the Marine Expeditionary Force level. T&I has a few civilian contractors to provide a level of continuity within the unit, and is about to get a plus up in the number of Marines to help them not just be in the lane of aviation, but be able to communicate across to everything else in the battlespace. While MCWL is constantly looking for programs and technologies to help VMX-1 achieve their objectives, VMX-1 cannot necessarily go out and solicit things on its own. MCWL can bring somebody on as a performer or as a contractor for something that leadership has determined to be a priority. They then can reach out to VMX-1 as uniformed personnel and say, can you guys help us look at this? A VMX-1 MV-22 transits a landing zone as an AH-1Z patrols overhead. (James Deboer) Usually every year MCWL comes up with a list of its top 30 things, which helps VMX-1 take a glimpse into the future of what might be coming. The Cunningham Group provides Marine aviation with a vision for the future. They lay out things that are a priority and tell VMX-1 where they need to focus their effort and energy. Partnering with MCWL, they help to identify and pursue promising technologies that they believe will be beneficial to a future fight by working closely with both industry and academia. When T&I started, they had only four officers, and approximately 10 enlisted Marines, so they could not afford to be inefficient. Today, T&I is building up personnel, including contractors, as they bring in the MQ-9 into the squadron , while also continuing to look down the road for the next big things that will help Marine Aviation win the next fight. As they gaze to a future vision of warfighting and speeding up the kill web, the unit is set to have a massive impact on the future ways in which the Marines and other services communicate and fight. Contact the editor: tyler@twz.com Forget about Gamestop (NYSE:GME) and AMC Entertainment (NYSE:AMC). Robinhood Markets (NASDAQ:HOOD) stock is the picks-and-shovels way to invest in the resurgence of meme stocks. With meme stock mania seemingly heating back up, investors are eyeing shares of some of 2021s big meme stocks again. But rather than chase shares of a specific meme stock, the smart way to invest in the theme of retail investors piling back into the market is to invest in Robinhood Markets, which will continue to benefit from the influx of retail investors and increased trading volume. In this sense, Robinhood can be thought of as the picks-and-shovels way to play a return of retail activity. Unlike Gamestop or AMC, I believe its a great stock in its own right and doesnt need any short squeeze to head higher. Im bullish on Robinhood stock based on its excellent user and deposit growth, its positioning as a picks-and-shovels play on increasing activity from retail investors, and its successful foray into new areas like IRAs and credit cards. The latter initiative is transforming Robinhood from a retail brokerage to a comprehensive financial powerhouse. Meme Stock Reawakening As youve likely seen by now, a Tweet from Keith Gill, aka Roaring Kitty, the ringleader behind Gamestops massive 2021 rally that set off the original meme stock mania, marked his return to the platform after a multi-year hiatus. Many investors took this as a signal to rush into Gamestop and other meme stocks of that era, sending shares of these stocks on a wild ride this week. However, most of these investors would admit that this is a troubled company with less-than-promising long-term prospects, and the stock has considerable downside risk. For example, the GME stocks price target of $7 shows that even after the recent pullback, the stock still has downside potential of 68.5% (see below). Meanwhile, Robinhood is a thriving, growing business with a bright future. Picks-and-Shovels Play As the go-to brokerage app for many new investors and retail investors, Robinhood is well-positioned to capitalize on an influx of new traders and a spike in trading activity. Currently, Robinhood is the #11 finance app in Apples App Store, trailing everyday payments apps like Cash App and Venmo but leading the likes of Fidelity, Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW), and Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC), a considerable achievement for the much smaller company. Robinhood recently released updated metrics for April, showing that business is booming. An impressive 90,000 customers opened accounts during the month, meaning that Robinhood now has 24 million customers. Robinhood also took in $4.9 billion in deposits. This represents a 45% annualized growth rate versus March. With this influx, the company has now taken in $27.4 billion in deposits over the last 12 months, representing 35% annualized growth versus April 2023. Story continues And keep in mind that these numbers are from before the meme stock resurgence kicked off in May. As more retail investors return to the market or are drawn to the market for the first time by news of the wild swings of meme stocks, Robinhoods user and deposit growth should continue. This growth prompted Bank of America Securities to give Robinhood a double upgrade from Underperform to Buy, based on (1) rising retail engagement and accelerating organic growth; (2) positive operating leverage after large expense reductions; (3) attractive valuation following increases in EBITDA/EPS. Bank of America increased its price target on Robinhood from $14 to $24. Beyond meme stocks, Robinhood has made great progress in building the platform, expanding into new areas, and becoming a true financial ecosystem for its users. Attacking New Verticals This isnt the same old Robinhood that it was in 2021 during the last meme stock frenzy. I previously covered Robinhood and its underrated transformation into a full-service financial ecosystem several months ago, and the stock has performed well since then. Robinhood launched IRAs last year and has made an aggressive move into the market by offering a 1% match on rollover deposits and a 3% match on deposits for Robinhood Gold members. These maneuvers are helping it attract customers from its competitors. CEO Vlad Tenev says that the first quarter was the second quarter in a row in which the company had net asset inflows from every other major brokerage totaling $3 billion, more than twice our Q4 level. Robinhood is also making a splash in the credit card market with the launch of its upcoming Robinhood Gold card, which will be one of the offerings within its Robinhood Gold subscription service. The eye-catching gold card, which is made of stainless steel and weighs in at 17 grams, offers users unlimited 3% cash back on all purchases. Tenev says that over one million customers have signed up for the Gold card waitlist and stated, We can substantially grow Gold adoption as we roll out the card. The card could be a major growth driver for Robinhood Gold membership, as only half of the people on the waitlist are current Gold subscribers. Tenev says that Robinhood Gold subscribers hit 1.7 million during the first quarter after 260,000 new customers signed up. With these new offerings, Robinhood is smartly leveraging its success with retail investors in its brokerage business to move into new verticals, increase wallet share with its customers, and capture further growth. Is Robinhood Stock a Buy, According to Analysts? Turning to Wall Street, HOOD earns a Hold consensus rating based on four Buys, eight Holds, and four Sell ratings assigned in the past three months. The average HOOD stock price target of $20.86 implies 3.8% upside potential. The Takeaway: An Up and Coming Financial Powerhouse Rather than chasing after a stock like Gamestop during this meme stock revival, Robinhood could potentially be the best way to invest in a resurgence of retail investor activity. Im bullish on Robinhood because of the strong user growth and deposit growth it has already demonstrated this year and because its well-positioned to capture further growth as more retail investors foray into the market. Additionally, the companys expansion into lucrative verticals like IRAs and credit cards and its momentum in these areas have the potential to transform it from a retail brokerage into a true financial powerhouse over time. This makes it an attractive long-term investment opportunity, in my view. Disclosure Startup develops process powered by sunlight and seawater to remove CO2 from air: '[It] can actually be energy positive' A Seattle-based startup called Banyu Carbon has developed a technology that can remove carbon dioxide from the air using sunlight and seawater, potentially helping to mitigate the overheating of our planet, Bloomberg reported. While other methods of carbon removal already exist, a key issue with them is that they require large amounts of energy either taxing already-limited clean energy resources or requiring additional carbon pollution to be created for their use. Banyu's method, on the other hand, purports to be low-energy and low-cost. Per Bloomberg, the tech involves a unique molecule called a "reversible photoacid" that, when exposed to sunlight, releases acidifying protons that transform dissolved carbon dioxide in seawater into a gas that can be removed and safely stored. That decarbonized seawater can then be transferred back into the ocean, where it draws carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. As the reversible photoacid molecules can be reused, the process is cheap and sustainable. Investors are taking notice. Banyu has raised around $8.5 million, with a large amount coming from the Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment. "Banyu is the only solution that we've seen that can actually be energy positive," Grantham Director Cyril Yee said, per Bloomberg. "There'll be engineering challenges for sure, but the basic science works, the chemistry works." Carbon dioxide is the substance most responsible for the human-driven overheating of our planet and the changing weather patterns and extreme weather that have come as a result. Most of the excess carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases in our atmosphere come from burning dirty energy sources like gas and oil, which is why scientists believe phasing out these fuels is the most crucial part of cooling down our planet. Carbon removal technology is seen as an important complement. So far, per Bloomberg, Banyu has tested its technology only in lab settings and has yet to implement it at scale. It plans to establish a pilot program in Washington state this year that will remove tens of kilograms of carbon from seawater. If that is successful, the company has a contract with the Frontier fund to remove 360 metric tons (almost 400 tons) of carbon by the end of 2026. While there are still a lot of unknowns around this new technology, such as any unintended effects that the photoacid will have on the ocean water, there are many reasons to be optimistic about this type of project. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet. Update for 11 a.m. ET: NS-25 has landed safely. Read our wrap story here. Blue Origin plans to launch its first private space tourist mission in nearly two years today (May 19), and you can watch it live online. The mission is known as NS-25, because it will be the 25th to date for Blue Origin's New Shepard suborbital vehicle. Six people will participate: Ed Dwight, the U.S.'s first-ever Black astronaut candidate; venture capitalist Mason Angel; Sylvain Chiron, the founder of French craft brewery Brasserie Mont Blanc; entrepreneur Kenneth L. Hess; retired accountant Carol Schaller; and pilot and aviator Gopi Thotakura. You can read more about each of them here. The launch window for NS-25 opens at 9:30 a.m. EDT (1330 GMT; 8:30 a.m. local time in West Texas, where the launch will take place). Space.com will carry Blue Origin's webcast on this page and on our home page; the stream is scheduled to begin 40 minutes before the launch window opens. Related: Blue Origin will launch Ed Dwight, the 1st-ever Black astronaut candidate, to space on next New Shepard rocket flight a white rocket against a blue sky The last crewed Blue Origin flight, NS-22, happened in August 2022. Then, a month later during an uncrewed research mission, New Shepard suffered an anomaly. The first-stage booster was destroyed, but vehicle's capsule came back safely under parachutes. New Shepard flights were suspended as engineers examined and addressed the anomaly, which was a "thermo-structural failure" of the nozzle on the rocket's single BE-3PM engine. Suborbital flights resumed in December 2023 with the uncrewed NS-24 mission. RELATED STORIES: Blue Origin will launch Ed Dwight, the 1st-ever Black astronaut candidate, to space on next New Shepard rocket flight Blue Origin targeting May 19 for 1st crewed spaceflight since 2022 Blue Origin joins 2 stages of New Glenn rocket for the 1st time (photo) New Shepard is reusable, with the rocket touching down vertically shortly after liftoff, and the capsule (with passengers) coming down under parachutes roughly 11 minutes after liftoff. Passengers experience a few minutes of weightlessness and get to see Earth against the blackness of space. Prices for New Shepard flights have not been released, but competitor Virgin Galactic's seats start at $450,000 apiece. NS-25 will be the seventh crewed New Shepard flight. The vehicle's other 18 missions have been robotic research efforts. Starting back in 2017, something mysterious was going on just 90 minutes northeast of San Francisco: a secretive group was purchasing farmland lots of it, some 60,000 acres in rural Solano County. Many feared it might be a Chinese government plot to try to set up shop near Travis Air Force Base. But as The New York Times' Conor Dougherty (who helped break the story) found out, the truth was even stranger than the rumors. "Like a lot of people, I was chasing it and running into the usual locked doors," said Dougherty. "I got a tip from someone that what was behind the locked doors was the richest people in the world quietly buying all this farmland: Reid Hoffman, the founder of LinkedIn and a venture capitalist; Laurene Powell Jobs, the founder of the Emerson Collective and Steve Jobs' widow; Marc Andreessen of Andreesen Horowitz, venture capital firm, just really a who's-who of Silicon Valley was involved in this." The Silicon Valley elite who want to build a city from scratch (New York Times) Something else surprising: Within hours of Dougherty's big scoop, this mysterious company launched a website and publicly identified itself as California Forever, an ambitious plan to build a brand-new kind of city for as many as 400,000 residents. The proposed city would be build in rural Solano County, not far from Travis Air Force Base. / Credit: California Forever Jan Sramek, a 37-year-old Czech-born, former Goldman Sachs trader-turned-aspiring city-builder, is trying to convince the public that the project isn't just an oasis for billionaires or some high-tech city of the future. His vision: turn all this farmland into a walkable city in the mold of Savannah, Philadelphia, or New York City's West Village. "Instead of taking all of these well-paying jobs that are being created in Northern California and sending them to Texas or Florida, let's create a place where we can send them to Solano County," he said. Artist's rendering of main street in the proposed new city in Solano County. / Credit: California Forever/Sitelab Urban Studio So, how could such a city remain a place that middle-class people could even afford? "By continuing to build for a long time," said Sramek. "If we look at why places have become unaffordable, it's because they've just stopped building." The project's fate will ultimately be decided this November by the voters of Solano County, who have to decide whether or not to overturn a three-decades-old law restricting where new development can go. Sremek's charm offensive have been met with, let's just say, a healthy amount of skepticism by many locals. "We're gonna have total gridlock," said one man at a public meeting about the proposal. California Forever says new Solano city plan has enough signatures for November ballot Locals Al Medvitz and Jeannie McCormack are two of the last holdouts here. Most of their neighbors have sold to California Forever (at far over market value), but they've turned down millions to keep farming the 3,700-acre ranch that has been in Jeannie's family for more than a century. "Having developers come was always a fear [throughout] my whole childhood," said McCormack, "because California was just changing so fast with development in farm areas." Jeannie McCormack and Al Medvitz on the farm that has been in their family for generations. / Credit: CBS News Many of their neighbors who didn't sell have been sued by California Forever, who has accused them of colluding to raise land prices in the area (a charge they deny). "The housing is important, there's no question about it," said Medvitz. "But there are appropriate ways to do it." California Forever is sparing no expense to try to win over county residents, in what The New York Times' Conor Dougherty says could be the most expensive political campaign in the history of Solano County. / Credit: CBS News Burbank asked, "The idea that this tech money is being redirected to this very kind of brick-and-mortar thing as an investment is kind of weird to me. Is it just that there's that much money to be made potentially?" "Everyone thinks I'm crazy when I say this, but I just don't think it's principally about money," said Dougherty. "I think that many of the people involved are extremely frustrated that the pace of change in the physical world has lagged so far behind the pace of change in the digital world." He believes California Forever's motivation is, "If we could redesign everything and not have to deal with all the inherited problems that cities come with, then that would make everything so much easier." California Forever still has plenty of hurdles to clear, some that may prove impossible. But Sramek insists this idea of designing and building a relatively-affordable walkable city within the nation's most unaffordable and car-centric state is in fact possible. He says his company has the know-how, the patience, and (critically) the deep pockets to make it a reality. "To me, success is that, in 10 or 15 years, Solano County is this incredible economic success story that people all over America are looking at and saying, can we replicate that here?" Sramek said. And does he see himself living there? "Yeah, I'll be moving in the first house!" he replied. For more info: California Forever: East Solano Plan"Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in America" by Conor Dougherty (Penguin Press), in Hardcover, Trade Paperback, eBook and Audio formats, available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.org Story produced by Mark Hudspeth. Editor: Ed Givnish. Pope Francis: The 60 Minutes Interview Behind the wheel of a $3 million car The plan for a new California city SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) More than one million people visited the city of San Angelo last year, according to figures released during the Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Fort Concho stables. Tourism was the central theme, with chamber data showing that visitors contributed over $3 million to the local economy. Jeremy Bartz, vice president for destination marketing, announced a new strategic marketing plan aimed at promoting the citys heritage. We are rolling out the official strategic marketing plan for the DMO and the chamber, which is Cowboys and Creatives, Bartz said. It harkens back to the history and heritage of the city itself and blends in everything we are doing now in todays world. Well go from 1867 to 2024, blend it all, and highlight the outstanding creative people here in San Angelo. The Artist of the Quarter program continues this year at San Angelos Visitor Center. Various mediums of artwork, from paintings to ceramics to sculptures by local artists, are rotated every three months. 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. In just two weeks, AI-powered cameras on the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway have caught around 12,000 traffic violations. This expressway has seen a significant number of commuters openly breaking traffic rules, leading to swift action by the authorities. Automated Challans and Warnings The traffic challans generated by these AI-powered cameras are sent directly to the mobile phones of the vehicle owners. The Karnataka police have issued a stern warning to commuters to adhere to traffic regulations to ensure safety. They emphasized the consequences of traffic violations, especially the potential impact on families in case of accidents. Alok Kumar, Karnatakas Additional Director General of Police (Traffic and Road Safety), shared an image captured by the cameras showing a KSRTC driver using a mobile phone while driving. He tweeted, No violation can escape the hawk eyes of our powerful cameras on Bengaluru-Mysore Highway, whether its day or night. Please avoid the use of mobile phones while driving @KSRTC_Journeys. Please take action against the errant driver for disregarding traffic rules. This incident highlights the effectiveness of the AI-powered surveillance system. No violation can escape the hawk eyes of our powerful cameras on Bengaluru-Mysore Highway, whether its day or night Plz avoid use of mobile phones while driving@KSRTC_Journeys plz take action against the errant driver having disregard for traffic rules pic.twitter.com/8HrKHUA5hn alok kumar (@alokkumar6994) May 17, 2024 Earlier this month, 60 cameras were installed along the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway to monitor and control speeding and other traffic violations. These cameras are designed to detect vehicles exceeding speed limits and automatically issue traffic challans. Of the 60 cameras, 48 are ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras placed at six spots in each direction, and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has installed additional video cameras at three other locations. In response to multiple accidents since the expressway's launch, the NHAI sent an expert committee to review and inspect the road's safety features last July. The installation of these AI-powered cameras is part of an ongoing effort to enhance road safety and reduce accidents on the expressway. New Delhi: The renowned Indian banker and former chairman of ICICI Bank, Narayan Vaghul passed away on Saturday as announced by his family at 88 years old. Narayan Vaghul had been on a ventilator for the past two days at Apollo Hospital in Chennai, in critical condition. He was admitted after a fall left him unconscious, according to his family, The Economic Times reported. Narayan Vaghul began his career with the State Bank of India and became the youngest chairman of the state-run Bank of India at the age of 44. Later, during the Rajiv Gandhi Administration he was appointed to lead ICICI Bank. Vaghul spent a few years at the National Institute of Bank Management after spending almost 19 years at SBI. He then became an executive director at the Central Bank of India. In 1985, he joined the development bank ICICI Ltd. Vaghul stepped down from his executive role in 1996 when K.V. Kamath rejoined ICICI. During his tenure, Vaghul mentored many senior executives including K.V. Kamath who succeeded him and carried on his legacy. (Also Read: IT Giant Cognizant Issues Warning For Employees: Return To Office Or Get Fired) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman shared photos from the launch of Vaghul's memoir in 2023 on X (formerly Twitter). She wrote,"Shri N. Vaghul, an eminent banker, team builder, mentor for many in the financial world and an exemplary leader of the banking sector is no more. Condolences to his family and friends." (Also Read: Oyo To Refile Its IPO Papers Post-Refinancing Existing Loan) Shri N. Vaghul, an eminent banker, team builder, mentor for many in the financial world and an exemplary leader of the banking sector is no more. Condolences to his family and friends. Sharing pictures from April 2023. pic.twitter.com/2IR6RKmlmO Nirmala Sitharaman (Modi Ka Parivar) (@nsitharaman) May 18, 2024 Anand Mahindra, Chairman of Mahindra Group, wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "Today, I grieve for the Bhishma Pitamah of Indian Banking Mr. N.Vaghul, who passed away this morning. I grieve not just for a Titan of Indian Business, but for one of the most inspiring & generous people I have ever had the good fortune to encounter.." Today, I grieve for the Bhishma Pitamah of Indian BankingMr. N.Vaghul, who passed away this morning. I grieve not just for a Titan of Indian Business, but for one of the most inspiring & generous people I have ever had the good fortune to encounter. He was a member of the pic.twitter.com/YgIs5BsE4d anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) May 18, 2024 "Very sad to hear about the demise of Shri N.Vaghul.A visionary.Made huge contribution to Indias financial sector," wrote Shaktikanta Das, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. Parshuram Dwadashi is a significant festival in Hindu festival that is observed on the 9th day of the Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Vaishakh. It commemorates Lord Parashuram, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu's mission in his sixth incarnation is to lighten the burden on Earth by removing the corrupt, destructive, and irreligious kings who pillaged its wealth and disregarded their duties as monarchs. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that his day is particularly auspicious for married couples who wish to conceive, observing vrat with full devotion is believed to fulfill their desires as they perform specific rituals and prayers to seek Lord Parashuram's blessings. Parshuram Dwadashi 2024: Date The auspicious Hindu festival of Parshurama Dwadashi will be celebrated on Sunday, May 19, 2024. Parshuram Dwadashi 2024: Shubh Muhurat According to Drik Panchang, the shubh muhurat and puja timing to observe the Hindu festival is: Dwadashi Tithi Begins - 1:50 PM, May 19, 2024 Dwadashi Tithi Ends - 3:59 PM, May 20, 2024 Parshuram Dwadashi: Significance The festival is held in celebration of Lord Parshuram, who is revered as a representation of strength, courage, and righteousness. He is said to have fought against bad spirits and spent his life according to dharmic teachings. Also, Parshurama Dwadashi is an occasion to invoke the holy spirits of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi for good fortune, success, and happiness in life. Devotees worship Lord Parshuram on Parshuram Dwadashi, ask for his blessings, and carry out particular puja rites. On this day, many people also fast, breaking their fast only when the puja is completed. The day serves as a reminder for individuals to follow the dharma in all aspects of their lives. Additionally, it is a day for the celebration of the triumph of good over evil. Parshuram Dwadashi 2024: Puja Vidhi - Wake up early, perform Sankalp, and meditate. - Take a vow to observe a fast for the day. - Lay a yellow cloth on your home shrine's altar and place an image or idol of Lord Vishnu and Parashuram on it. - Purify the image or idol with water from the Ganges or another sacred water source. - While meditating on Lord Parshuram, offer 21 yellow flowers and yellow-colored sweets, including basil leaves in the offering. Parshurama Dwadashi: Mantras to Chant " " "Om Reem Parshuramaya Namaha" ' ' 'Om Brahmakshatraya Vidmahe Kshatriyantay Dhimahi Tanno Ramah Prachodayat ' ' 'Om Jamadagnaya Vidmahe Mahavirai Dhimahi Tannah Parasuramah Prachodayat' ' ' 'Om raam om raam parashuhastai namah' New Delhi: Prime Minister and BJP senior leader Narendra Modi condemned West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees remarks against the Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha monks. While addressing the rally in West Bengal's Purulia on Sunday, Modi said that TMC has crossed all the limits by stooping so low that it is "spreading canards against ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha" Reacting to Banjerjee's remark, PM Modi said that threats were being issued against these socio-religious organisations just to appease their vote bank. "The TMC, which has intimidated and threatened the people of Bengal during elections, has crossed all limits this time. Today, in the country and the world, ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangh are known for service and morality, but the chief minister of Bengal is openly threatening them from an open platform...They are threatening them just to appease their vote bank" he said. Prime Minister Modi slams TMC for belittling the saints of Bengal and attacking Bharat Sevashram Sangh, Ramakrishna Mission and ISKCON. What has Mamata Banerjee reduced Bengal, the land of several Hindu renaissance movement, to. Disappointing. pic.twitter.com/lWM1sMuV1S Amit Malviya ( ) (@amitmalviya) May 19, 2024 Earlier, CM Banerjee during his poll rally in Goghat under the Arambagh Lok Sabha constituency on Saturday claimed that some mock of the Ramakrishna Mission and 'Bharat Sevashram Sangha' are working under the BJP leader's influence. "Some monks of Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha are working under the influence of BJP leaders in Delhi. Those who are looking after temples are doing great spiritual jobs, but everyone is not doing so. This is not done. We respect the monks," she said. PM Modi further added that these organisations have millions of followers across the world and they aim to serve the people. "The Bengal government has pointed fingers at them. So much courage! Just to please their vote bank?" PM Modi said. Meanwhile, Modi accused Banerjee during his Bishnupur rally and said that she was under the pressure of Muslim fundamentalists and attacking the saints and monks of the country. In their desperation, TMC leaders have started hurling abuses at prestigious organisations like ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission, and Bharat Sevashram Sangha. These organisations have brought glory to Bengal, but the CM of the state claims they are ruining Bengal. Under pressure from Muslim fundamentalists, she has publicly insulted our faith, he added. JAMSHEDPUR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lashed out at the Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi, asserting that any industrialist will think 50 times before investing in states ruled by the party, owing to the shehzada's use of Maoist language. Modi, addressing a poll rally here, also accused the grand old party of patronising dynastic politics and considering Lok Sabha seats as ancestral properties. "The language used by the Congress shehzada' will make any industrialist think 50 times before investing in states ruled by the party... The 'shehzada' is using language spoken by Maoists and is extorting money through innovative methods, the PM said, in an apparent reference to Gandhi. Modi said like the Maoists, the language used by Gandhi was to extort money from industrialists. The prime minister's allegations came in the backdrop of the Congress leader's recent comments, referring to a speech by Modi in which he had stated that the party received money from top industrialists. Gandhi, a former Congress president, had on Saturday said in New Delhi: "I'm ready to debate with PM Modi whenever and wherever he wants, but I'm sure he won't come. The first question I would ask PM Modi is what is his relationship with Adani... The PM talks about the Congress getting tempo-loads of money from Adani-Ambani, but he doesn't dare to get it probed, Gandhi had said. In the Jamshedpur rally where he campaigned for BJP's Bidyut Baran Mahot, Modi asserted that he has broken the backbone of the Naxals, but the Congress and JMM have taken the responsibility of "extorting funds". I dare the CMs of Congress and INDIA bloc-ruled states to answer as to whether they agree with the anti-industry and anti-industrialist language of their 'shehzada', he said. Taking a dig at Gandhi over his decision to contest from the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat, he said the Congress shehzada' rushed to the constituency, contending that it is my mummy's seat, which not even an eight-year-old school boy will say. "His mother (Sonia Gandhi) said that she is handing over her son to Rae Bareli... She could not find even a single party worker devoted to them... The voters of Rae Bareli in turn ask her as to where they were when people were in trouble during the Covid pandemic," Modi said. "The Congress is writing a 'vasiyatnama' (will); they consider Parliament seats as 'khandani jaydad' (ancestral property)," he alleged. Attacking the opposition INDIA bloc, the PM said the Congress and JMM have nothing to do with the development of the country, as they are neck-deep in corruption. "The Congress is the mother of corruption, it has been involved in numerous scams, including the coal and 2G scams... The JMM and Congress are not concerned about industries... Jharkhand, despite its rich resources, is known for heaps of black money with corrupt leaders. They did not even spare the Army and usurped its land... Former Jharkhand CM (Hemant Soren) is rotting in jail for corruption," Modi said. The prime minister also assured people that he would recover the looted public money from corrupt leaders in the state, and return it to the poor to whom the funds belong. He accused the Congress of denying basic amenities to people, and alleged that the condition of 18,000 villages was similar to that of the 18th century during the party's previous regimes. "Modi gave Jan Dhan accounts to 52 crore people, pucca houses to four crore people, electricity to 18,000 villages along with pure tap water, modernised railways and augmented infrastructure," he said. The PM also alleged that the Jharkhand government was creating hurdles in the way of the proposed Dhalbhumgarh airport in East Singhbhum. New Delhi: A man from Uttar Pradesh's Bhadohi district was left shocked when he received an unexpected amount of Rs 9,900 crore in his bank account. Bhanu Prakash, who holds an account in Baroda UP Bank, recently noticed a balance of Rs 99,99,94,95,999.99 in his bank account which is not believable in his eye. After receiving an unexpected amount he rushed to the bank to inform them about the incident. Further, the bank identified that Bhanu Prakash's account is a Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loan account which becomes a Non-Performing Asset (NPA), India Today reported. The Bank branch manager, Rohit Gautam said that this status triggered a software glitch which caused an incorrect reflection of money in the account. Gautam said that they assured Bhanu Prakash that the displayed amount was due to a software bug that is linked to the NPA status of the account. Immediate steps were taken to rectify the mistake and Bhanu's account has been put on hold to control any possible misuse, the bank manager said. Gautam also informed us that they made an effort to make him understand the situation after Bhanu's account appeared negative due to the existing NPA restrictions. For NPAs, certain limits are imposed on linked savings accounts, often freezing the account to prevent further issues, he said. Theft is one of the most common crimes all over the world. In India as well, there have been certain provisions and punishments from the time of kings. Now, an advocate has found a copy of an order pronounced by a court in Maharashtra's Thane 100 years ago dealing with a mango theft case. The case is related to the theft and selling of 185 mangoes by four young men. The case order is dated July 5, 1924. The order copy was found by advocate Poonit Mahimkar while shifting from his previous house in Thane. Mahimkar said that when he opened the bag, he found some old property papers and a copy of the magistrate's order. The three accused were found guilty and were charged under sections 379/109 of the Indian Penal Code and the case was titled 'Crown Vs Anjelo Alwares and 3 others'. The judgement, by magistrate Fernandes, recounted the prosecution's case alleging the accused were caught red-handed while plucking mangoes from a field belonging to Bostiav Ellis Andraden. Witnesses testified to seeing the accused selling the stolen mangoes to a local dealer, prompting Andraden to reclaim his property (mangoes) and seek legal action, reported PTI. "Considering the whole evidence, I am satisfied that the accused are guilty of the offence of theft. But they are all young men and I have no wish to ruin their life by sentencing them, and they have moreover no previous conviction. Accordingly I convict them under section 379/109 and release them after due admonition," read the magistrate's order. Then magistrate TA Fernandes convicted four persons of mango theft and released them after admonition, considering they were all young men and he did not want to ruin their life by sentencing them. In response to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's call for a protest march at the BJP headquarters, the Delhi Metro has shut down entry and exit at the ITO Metro station. This measure, announced by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) via Twitter on Sunday, will remain in effect until further notice. Simultaneously, the Delhi Police have invoked Section 144 of the CrPC around the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters, deploying a substantial police presence, including paramilitary forces. This action is due to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) not having obtained permission for the protest. Delhi Traffic Police Advisory The Delhi Traffic Police have also issued a traffic advisory, warning of heavy congestion on DDU Marg, IP Marg, Minto Road, and Vikas Marg. The advisory states, "Traffic will remain heavy at DDU Marg, IP Marg, Minto Road and Vikas Marg. DDU Marg may be closed for traffic movement between 11.00 am to 2.00 pm. Kindly avoid these roads and plan your journey accordingly," as posted on their official X account. A senior police officer confirmed that extensive police personnel have been deployed, and the area has been barricaded to manage the situation. Courtney Strickland removes belongings from her store, Belle Books Boutique and More, in Oklahoma City. EastPoint on NE 23 drew accolades nationwide for the efforts taken to redevelop a commercial stretch along the historically Black corridor while avoiding gentrification by giving tenants a shot at ownership. But five years later that vision is being ripped apart with several tenants either closing or being evicted after falling months and even years behind on rent. The owners showed The Oklahoman evidence they took extensive efforts to help tenants. But some, like Brittani Hunter, owner of Spiked, have left angry and bitter over the experience. Ashamed. Angry. Embarrassed. Irate. Failure. Dumb. Unworthy. Those are just a few of the emotions Ive been feeling since realizing I was going to close Spiked, Hunter said. I feel like I let the community down. Its no secret that I was fighting to keep Spiked open. But Id do it again if that meant we could continue being a safe space for the eastside. Spiked and Belle Books Boutique and More both recently were evicted after admittedly getting months behind on paying rent. Kindred Spirits, a live music lounge, closed earlier this year while new operators took over a fitness center at the shopping center. The EastPoint shopping center in Oklahoma City. Jabee Williams, owner of Eastside Pizza and Scrambld at the shopping center, also leases office space at EastPoint for his nonprofit, Live Free. Launching businesses during the pandemic, he said, added to the challenges already presented by trying to reverse decades of decline along NE 23. This development is still on the outskirts of where people think of where they want to get coffee, where they want to go eat, Williams said. They dont go past the Capitol. We knew that when we started. We knew that it was going to be difficult. Hunter opened her shop, which featured coffees spiked with rum, Kahlua, whiskey or vodka along with an array of pastries, in the summer of 2021. It was her first retail business. More: New grocery store, more development in neglected east OKC attracts national attention A promising start with The Pivot Project, who had developed in OKC before The Pivot Project, which previously developed stretches of Uptown 23rd, the Plaza District, Midtown and Farmers Market, took on the challenge of bringing life to the long-neglected NE 23 corridor by first renovating a boarded-up former truck stop into a medical clinic and grocery. The second phase took another worn-out strip shopping center at NE 23 and Rhode Island and with the help of nonprofits, angel investors and tax increment financing assistance from the city, turned it into an award-winning redevelopment aiming to attract other developers to the area. Story continues EastPoint offered tenants a unique opportunity aimed at preventing outside gentrification. The Black-owned businesses opening in the retail strip each were offered an opportunity to include an equity stake in the building as part of their leases. The agreements provided tenants with a promise of 15% ownership if they stayed in business and current on rent for 10 years. After that 10 years, the tenants have the option to sell their ownership stakes. Those initially involved in the effort to redevelop a worn-out shopping center at NE 23 and Rhode Island are shown in this photo: Jabee Williams, restaurant operator; Aaron D. Johnson, President and CEO of Farmers Bank; Chaya Fletcher and Quintin Hughes Kindred Spirits; Larry Coleman, President and CEO of Legitimate Look Barber College (never opened); Jonathon Dodson, Pivot Project; and Brandi Jones, A Family Affair Restaurant (never opened). Of the 12 tenants that started at EastPoint, Spiked and Belle Books Boutique are now empty, Intentional Fitness was turned over in a sublease to an office tenant, and developer Jonathan Dodson said Kindred Spirits is set to reopen under a new operator. When Hunter first opened Spiked in 2021, she saw the equity opportunity as added incentive to opening a business along NE 23. I would have put my coffee shop here either way, Hunter said at the time. But absolutely Id put my coffee shop here if I could be a part of this as more than just a business owner. As far as ownership goes, that was just sugar on top. You cant walk away from that. What other building would give me equity ownership with opening my business here? Three years later, Hunters coffee shop is closed after she was served eviction papers. From left, Sandino L. Thompson, Jonathan Dodson, developers of EastPoint, and Brittani Hunter, owner of Spiked are shown in better times leading up to the opening of the coffee shop in 2021. Tenant describes problem with a new property manager Unhappy with Pivot Project and what she saw as a lack of interest in working with her to improve her business operation, Hunter tore out the coffee bar and other improvements that ordinarily would have been kept in place upon termination of a lease. The truth is, on Feb. 1 tenants were sent an introduction email from the new property manager and not even an hour later almost every tenant at EastPoint got a notice of default, Hunter said. The only organizations that didnt receive a notice of default were businesses who dont rely on customer sales. Hunter said communications with Pivot Project were great in the early months when Pivot Project, led by Jonathan Dodson, was up for a national Urban Land Institute award and was featured in an urban planning book and a documentary. Dodson said he did continue to communicate and provided The Oklahoman with copies of correspondence showing Hunter was notified in June 2022 that she was in default of her lease and owed back rent, fees and interest totaling more than $15,000. In January 2022 we notified Spiked Coffee that they were past due and in default, Dodson said. We worked out a payment plan which was not followed. The tenant requested more time to receive grant money. It was at this point we offered to help her find a new tenant to sublease so she could maintain her ownership. She declined. Pivot also tried to connect Spiked Coffee with grant money and business training nonprofits to assist her in helping the business become profitable. Dodson said rent payments continued to be a problem following the June 2022 default letter and that Hunter asked in October that year if she could terminate the lease. He said in February 2023, he met with all the tenants to discuss how Pivot Project could better help them succeed with their businesses. He said some took him up on the offer. In July 2023, a year after the first default letter, Hunter was still behind in her rent and asked for additional time to receive a grant award. Dodson said she again declined an offer to find a sub-tenant that would have allowed Hunter to maintain ownership in EastPoint. In February 2024, we gave her notice that she had 30 days to catch up on rent or we would have to start the default process, Dodson said. After moving forward with default and termination of the lease, Brittani stated on a Facebook post that she would tear out the bar though we told her this was against her lease, Dodson said. She proceeded to deface the property and tear out the bar and other fixtures. Hunter told The Oklahoman she removed the bar because she was the one who installed it. Spiked promised $80,000 in tenant improvements (my buildout) but by the time we started negotiating my lease Pivot had run out of money, so I had to do all of my electric, plumbing, bars and back area. Courtney Strickland cleans out her store, Belle Books Boutique and More, on May 14 in Oklahoma City. Dodson said Hunter was given less tenant improvements but that was in exchange for lowering her square footage, building out restrooms, provisions that cut her rent by $12,000 a year. Dodson also provided The Oklahoman with a copy of a letter of intent, prior to the lease, that showed there would not be a tenant allowance. Courtney Strickland, owner of Belle Books Boutique and More, said she was hoping a last-minute effort to raise money would keep her in business. She said Pivot Project would not agree to another extension and she moved out last week. I've learned a lot as a small business owner, Strickland said. This was my first time owning a retail establishment. I did it with no capital. I did it with my own funds. Strickland said she learned, too late, of resources available to assist her in operating a bookstore in northeast Oklahoma City. She said some business owners at EastPoint were aware of such resources while others, including herself, didnt find out until much later. EastPoint was pitched to us as a collaborative unity project, Strickland said. I did not experience that. I think if we could have put our heads together, it could have been a successful business community. Scrambl'd is a new breakfast and brunch concept in Oklahoma City's eastside neighborhood set to open July 2. Williams said he understands the struggles experienced by Hunter and Strickland, adding he has had to work long hours and invest time learning how to not just run a business but to do so in a long-neglected minority community. For EastPoint overall, I think its been a great opportunity for some, Williams said. For others, I dont know enough to say. I hate to see Brittani leave. Shes a good friend. Williams said EastPoint has to break through with potential customers throughout the city who routinely travel to urban core destinations like Uptown, the Plaza District, Paseo, Midtown and Bricktown. We can have the best concepts here, Williams said. Kindred Spirits was a great concept, so was Spiked and Belle Books. But were so far east that the community supports us, but the city doesnt. We see people coming during Juneteenth, when they want to go to Black-owned businesses. In February (Black history month) theyre buying Black. But at other times of the year, theyre going somewhere else. Ultimately, Williams said, EastPoint may simply be struggling from starting out during a pandemic and being ahead of its time. Its a great idea, Williams said. I hate to see somebody come behind Brittani and go in her spot, not be Black and come in at the right time and kill it. And the only reason she couldnt kill it is because there wasnt enough time and it was too early. The time for EastPoint, he added, is coming. Other properties to the east are being renovated and redeveloped. Last year, we were contemplating closing the doors at Eastside Pizza, Williams said. But we knew it could succeed. We pushed through. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Tenant disputes upset EastPoint effort to revive Black corridor in OKC Actress Kiara Advani looked every inch like a doll in an outfit by New York-based designer Prabal Gurung as she attended the Red Sea Film Foundation's Women in Cinema Gala dinner at Cannes. She shared a sneak peek into what it took to nail the look for the prestigious event. Kiara took to Instagram on Sunday morning and shared a motley of pictures from her hotel room. One picture showed Kiara trying out a neckpiece, while her make-up artiste was seen giving the final touches to her look. Another image showcased her outfit stylists fixing the large pink bow in the back of her dress. A photo showed her stepping into the elevator, waving goodbye, and flashing her beautiful smile. Decoding her look, Kiara looked every inch stunning in an off-shoulder pink and black gown with a big pink bow at the back, paired with black lace gloves. She completed her look with her hair tied in a sleek, high bun. Take A Look At Her Post: The actress captioned the images: A night to remember. Kiara was honored alongside names such as Aseel Omran, Adhwa Fahad, Ramata-Toulaye Sy, Sarocha Chankimha, and Salma Abu Deif at the gala. New Delhi: Nancy Tyagi, a Delhi-based fashion influencer, recently made her red carpet debut in a beautiful pink gown at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. Her passion for fashion and design was reflected in her creativity. It took 30 days to create the gown using over 1000 meters of fabric. Her gown showcased her dedication and hard work while exuding elegance and sophistication. Take A Look At The Post : Taking to her Instagram handle, she shared her experience creating a marvelous piece. She mentioned, "Stepping onto the red carpet at the 77th Cannes Film Festival as a debutant feels surreal. I poured my heart and soul into creating this pink gown, which took 30 days, 1000 meters of fabric, and weighs over 20kg." Indeed, it was a moment of "joy" for Nancy as she got an opportunity to show her talent at the Cannes Film Festival. "The journey has been intense, but every moment was worth it. I'm overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for the love and support from all of you. This is a dream come true, and I hope my creation dazzles you as much as your support has inspired me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!," she added. After her post, social media users and several celebs reacted to it and praised her creativity. Taking to her Instagram stories, Sonam Kapoor wrote, "The sweetest moment I have seen on the red carpet. "don't know a Cannes story better than yours. Smashed it and how @nancytyagi," wrote Kusha Kapila. One of the social media users commented, "Shining so bright, showing Dreamer's might !!" Another mentioned, "I don't why but it feels like we all have won here. I mean it's a dream for every small city ppl and she has done it so gracefully..it feels like a personal win" While the other wrote, "Oh my god you made this on your own???? this is gorgeous" Cannes Film Festival 2024 opened on May 14 and will go on till May 25. New Delhi: Tech billionaire Elon Musk arrived in Bali, Indonesia today on May 19. His visit comes just before the planned launch of SpaceX's Starlink internet service. This is Musks first visit to Indonesia and he will be launching Starlink with the countrys President, Joko Wiodo. This morning, Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan picked up Elon Musk at the airport. They discussed Musk's plans during his visit to Indonesia and important collaborations. One key topic was the launch of Starlink internet service which aims to bring high-speed internet to all parts of Indonesia, including remote areas. High-speed internet services Panjaitan mentioned that launching the service at a health clinic aligns with Starlinks mission to offer affordable high-speed internet especially in remote and underserved areas. Indonesia, a vast country with over 17,000 islands spread across three time zones has a population of more than 270 million. He explained that Indonesia's remote regions need Starlink to provide high-speed internet which will be particularly useful for improving health, education, and maritime services. (Also Read: Realme Buds Wireless 3 Neo Earphones Launch Date Confirmed In India; Check Price, Specs) SpaceX Has Secured Operating Permit The satellite division of Elon Musk's SpaceX has already received permission to operate in Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest economy, Communications Minister Budi Arie Setiadi shared this news with Reuters last week. (Also Read: OpenAI Never Clawed Back Any Employee's Vested Equity: CEO Sam Altman) Indonesia is the third country in Southeast Asia where Starlink will operate. Malaysia granted Starlink a licence to provide internet services last year and a company in the Philippines signed a deal with SpaceX in 2022. New Delhi: Colorful Technology Company Limited, a leading brand in gaming PC components, has rolled out the new EVOL G 15 Series gaming laptops in the Indian market. The G15 series laptops are available in Carbon Grey and Cloud White colour variants. However, the company hasn't revealed the price of the laptop series yet. The EVOL G15 Series laptops come with Windows 11 Home pre-loaded and are equipped with three cooling modes allowing users to tweak cooling performance between maximum cooling and maximum silence. Colorful EVOL G15 Series Specifications: The G15 series houses a 15.6-inch IPS display with a QHD+ along with a 100 per cent sRGB colour gamut to deliver accurate colours and vivid visuals. The laptop series packs up to a 13th-generation Intel Core i7-13620H processor with 10 cores and 16 threads and a maximum clock speed of up to 4.9GHz. (Also Read: Tecno Camon 30 5G, Tecno Camon 30 Premier 5G Launched In India With Android 14; Check Specs, Price And Availability) The laptop series loaded with a 61.53Wh battery powers the G15 series, paired with a 180W power adapter. For connectivity, the EVOL G 15 Series gaming laptops are packed with wireless connectivity options which include Wi-Fi 6 AX 101 and Bluetooth 5.3. Moreover. the series features built-in speakers with Sound Blaster Cinemas 6+ support for an immersive audio experience. The devices also include three USB Type A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one HDMI 2.1 with HDCP, one combo audio jack, one USB Type C (supports DisplayPort 1.4), one RJ 45 LAN port, and one DC-in jack. (Also Read: boAt Airdopes 800 TWS Earbuds Launched In India With Four AI-Backed Microphones; Check Price, Specs) For video chats, the series features a 1MP HD video camera for selfies and video calls. Gaza Strip: An Israeli airstrike killed 27 people in central Gaza, mostly women and children, and fighting with Hamas raged across the north on Sunday as Israel's leaders aired divisions over who should govern Gaza after the war, now in its eighth month. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces criticism from the two other members of his War Cabinet, with his main political rival, Benny Gantz, threatening to leave the government if a plan is not created by June 8 that includes an international administration for postwar Gaza. U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan was expected to meet with Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders on Sunday to discuss an ambitious U.S. plan for Saudi Arabia to recognize Israel and help the Palestinian Authority to govern Gaza in exchange for a path to eventual statehood. Netanyahu opposes Palestinian statehood and has rejected those proposals, saying Israel will maintain open-ended security control over Gaza and partner with local Palestinians unaffiliated with Hamas or the Western-backed Palestinian Authority. Gantzs ultimatum expressed support for normalizing ties with Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries, but he also said we will not allow any outside power, friendly or hostile, to impose a Palestinian state on us. Gantz's withdrawal would not bring down Netanyahu's coalition government but would leave him more reliant on far-right allies who support the voluntary emigration of Palestinians from Gaza, full military occupation and the rebuilding of Jewish settlements there. Even as discussions about the future take on new weight, the war rages. In recent weeks, Hamas militants have regrouped in parts of northern Gaza that were heavily bombed in the war's early days and where Israeli ground troops operated. The airstrike in Nuseirat, a built-up Palestinian refugee camp in central Gaza dating back to the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, killed 27 people, including 10 women and seven children, according to records at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in nearby Deir al-Balah, which received the bodies. A separate strike on a Nuseirat street killed five people, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service. In Deir al-Balah, a strike killed Zahed al-Houli, a senior officer in the Hamas-run police, and another man, according to the hospital. Palestinians reported more airstrikes and heavy fighting in northern Gaza, which has been largely isolated by Israeli troops for months and where the World Food Program says a famine is underway. The Civil Defense said the strikes hit several homes near Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, killing at least 10 people. Footage released by rescuers showed them trying to pull the body of a woman out of the rubble as explosions echo in the background. In the urban Jabaliya refugee camp nearby, residents reported a heavy wave of artillery and airstrikes. The situation is very difficult, said Abdel-Kareem Radwan, 48. He said the whole eastern side has become a battle zone where the Israeli fighter jets strike anything that moves." Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesman for the Civil Defense, said rescuers had recovered at least 150 bodies, more than half of them women and children, since Israel launched the operation in Jabaliya last week. He said around 300 homes have been completely destroyed. Israel launched its offensive after Hamas Oct. 7 attack, in which militants stormed into southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting some 250. The war has killed at least 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between combatants and civilians. Around 80% of the population of 2.3 million Palestinians have been displaced within the territory, often multiple times. We need a decent life to live," said Reem Al-Bayed, who left Gaza City and is sheltering with thousands in the gritty coastal Muwasi camp in the south without basic facilities like wells. "All countries live a decent life except us. She gave herself a quick mouthful of bread before tearing the rest into pieces for half a dozen children, then poured them a can of beans. Israel says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames the high death toll on Hamas, which it says operates in dense residential areas. Netanyahu's critics, including thousands of protesters who took to the streets again on Saturday, accuse him of prolonging the war and rejecting a cease-fire deal that would release hostages so he can avoid a reckoning over security failures that led to the attack. Polls show that Gantz, a political centrist, would likely succeed Netanyahu if early elections are held. That would expose Netanyahu to prosecution on longstanding corruption allegations. Netanyahu denies any political motives and says the offensive must continue until Hamas is dismantled and the estimated 100 hostages held in Gaza, and the remains of more than 30 others are returned. He has said it's pointless to discuss postwar arrangements while Hamas is still fighting because the militants have threatened anyone who cooperates with Israel. Netanyahu also faces pressure from Israel's closest ally, the United States, which has provided crucial military aid and diplomatic cover for the offensive while expressing growing frustration with Israel's conduct of the war and the humanitarian crisis. President Joe Biden's administration recently held up a shipment of 3,500 bombs and said the U.S. would not provide offensive weapons for a full-scale invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, citing fears of a humanitarian catastrophe. But last week, after Israel launched what it called a limited operation in Rafah, the Biden administration told legislators it would move forward with the sale of $1 billion worth of arms, according to congressional aides. Dubai: A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister crashed on Sunday as it was crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog, an Iranian official told Reuters, and rescuers were struggling to reach the site of the incident. The official said the lives of Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were "at risk following the helicopter crash", which happened on the way back from a visit to the border with Azerbaijan in Iran's northwest. "We are still hopeful but information coming from the crash site is very concerning," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity. Iranian state media said bad weather was the cause of the crash and was complicating rescue efforts. The chief of staff of Iran's army ordered all the resources of the army and the elite Revolutionary Guard to be put to use in search and rescue operations. "It is dark and it has started raining, but the search continues. Rescue teams have reached the area ... however, the rain has created mud, making the search difficult," a local reporter told state TV. State TV had earlier stopped all its regular programming to show prayers being held for Raisi across the country and, in a corner of the screen, live coverage of rescue teams deployed on foot in the mountainous area in heavy fog. The rescue teams were expected to reach the probable site of the crash later on Sunday evening. PROTEST CRACKDOWN The crash comes at a time of growing dissent within Iran over an array of political, social and economic crises. Iran's clerical rulers face international pressure over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme and its deepening military ties with Russia during the war in Ukraine. Raisi, 63, was elected president in 2021, and since taking office has ordered a tightening of morality laws, overseen a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests and pushed hard in nuclear talks with world powers. In Iran's dual political system, split between the clerical establishment and the government, it is Raisi's 85-year-old mentor Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, supreme leader since 1989, who has the final say on all major policies. For years many have seen Raisi as a strong contender to succeed Khamenei, who has endorsed Raisi's main policies. Raisi's victory in a closely managed election in 2021 brought all branches of power under the control of hardliners, after eight years when the presidency had been held by pragmatist Hassan Rouhani and a nuclear deal negotiated with Washington. However, Raisi's standing may have been dented by widespread protests against clerical rule and a failure to turn around Iran's economy, hamstrung by Western sanctions. Raisi had been at the Azerbaijani border on Sunday to inaugurate the Qiz-Qalasi Dam, a joint project. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, who had met with Raisi at the event, offered assistance in the rescue. The chopper carrying the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi reportedly met with a rough landing on Sunday. As per report by Reuters, the rescue teams are on their way to the site. As per the agency report, the Iranian media has given contradictory statement about the accident. There has not been any official confirmation of the matter yet. President Raisi was traveling with Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, the governor of East Azerbaijan province, and other officials, repored the Associated Press citing IRNA. Raisi was travelling in Irans East Azebaijin province, when the incident occured near Jolfa, located 600 kilometeres northwest of Tehran, reported AP. A local government official also mentioned the word "crash" to describe the incident but admitted to an Iranian newspaper that he had not yet visited the site. Earlier on Sunday, Raisi met with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan on their shared border to officially open the Qiz Qalasi Dam, which was built in cooperation on the Aras River. This is a developing story. Tesla Chairwoman Robyn Denholm, who is one of Fortune's Most Powerful Women, didn't mince words as she pushed back against a Delaware judge's criticism of the board'sas well as her ownoversight of CEO Elon Musk. In an interview with the Financial Times, she addressed Musk's historic compensation package that's worth more than $50 billion and a Delaware court's January ruling that voided it, with the judge calling the board's oversight "lackadaisical." The judge also singled out Australia-based Denholm, saying she too was "lackadaisical" and suggesting she wasn't objective enough due to the "life-changing" windfall of $280 million she made by selling Tesla stock options in 2021 and 2022. That is crap, Denholm told the FT. I had to look up that word . . . I will tell you, anybody who knows me, knows that I am not lackadaisical, now that I know what that word means. It is probably the furthest from the truth. I am really intense and very diligent in what I do. She justified her stock awards by echoing the defense of Musk's compensation package, saying shares have climbed as the company's performance improved. Denholm added that rather than clouding her objectivity, the immense wealth from the sale of her stock options has boosted her independence. If I didnt agree with something that was going on at the company, I could walk away tomorrow, she said. The fact that youve sold shares makes you more financially independent. And for good measure, she called the Delaware judges claim that she's too close to Musk absolute BS. Tesla named Denholm to the board in 2014 and tapped her as chair in 2018, after Musk's infamous "funding secured" tweet that said he was taking the company private at $420 a share. In a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission over the tweet, Musk had to step down as chair, pay a fine, and get approval for tweets from a Tesla lawyer. Denholm acknowledged to the FT that "we have tough conversations about tweets" but rejected the notion that she is Musk's babysitter. To me, the role of the chair is really to make sure the board has a good relationship with the CEO and the executive team, she said. Were there on behalf of shareholders to make sure that management is doing their job, and their job is primarily to grow shareholder value over time. More recently, she and other board members have been trying to win over shareholders ahead of Tesla's annual meeting on June 13, which could prove critical to the future of the company. In fact, despite Musk's aversion to marketing, Tesla has even bought ads to persuade shareholders to support Teslas move to reincorporate in Texasand ratify Musks record pay package from 2018. Story continues In a proxy statement inviting shareholders to the meeting, Denholm wrote last month that a "yea" vote on the pay package would restore Teslas stockholder democracy. Because the Delaware court second-guessed your decision, Elon has not been paid for any of his work for Tesla for the past six years that has helped to generate significant growth and stockholder value, she added, arguing it was a matter of fundamental fairness and respect to our CEO. The meeting comes during a difficult stretch for Tesla as EV sales have slowed amid cutthroat competition, while shares have tumbled from pandemic-era highs and the company lays off employees. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com (Reuters) -The Federal Reserve and two other U.S. regulators are moving toward a new plan that would significantly reduce a nearly 20% mandated increase in capital for the country's biggest banks following lobbying efforts by industry CEOs like JPMorgan Chase's Jamie Dimon, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday. Required increases in capital for banks like JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs meant to ensure they have sufficient buffers to absorb potential losses would on average be about half as much as originally floated, the Journal added. Top officials from all three agencies involved in the pending capital rules the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency are still discussing substantive and technical revisions and there is no guarantee that an agreement will be reached, the WSJ reported. The Fed, FDIC and OCC declined to comment on the report. The three bank regulators, led by the Fed, in July last year unveiled a proposal to overhaul how banks with more than $100 billion in assets calculate the cash they must set aside to absorb potential losses. The Basel proposal aims to make banks more resilient to potential losses, lowering the risk of failures or bailouts. Banks say that they are already highly capitalized and the changes are unnecessary. Big U.S. banks have lobbied against the Basel proposal, which they say will force them to overhaul or shut down a range of products and businesses. Goldman Sachs recruited dozens of small business owners to travel to Washington and urge lawmakers to reconsider the proposal, a Reuters review of private Goldman documents, interviews with program participants and public disclosures show. (Reporting by Surbhi Misra and Disha Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Leslie Adler, Lisa Shumaker and Sandra Maler) TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) A decisive vote against the United Auto Workers union at two Mercedes factories in Alabama on Friday sidetracked the UAW's grand plan to sign up workers at nonunion plants mainly in the South. But newly elected President Shawn Fain said the union will return to Mercedes and will press on with efforts to organize about 150,000 workers at more than a dozen auto factories across the nation. Employees at Mercedes battery and assembly plants near Tuscaloosa voted 56% against the union in an election run by the National Labor Relations Board. The vote count handed the union a serious setback a month after the UAW scored a breakthrough victory at Volkswagens 4,300-worker assembly factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The NLRB's final tally showed a vote of 2,642 against the union, with 2,045 in favor. Nearly 93% of workers eligible to vote cast ballots. Marick Masters, a professor emeritus at Wayne State University's business school who has long studied the union, said the UAW will have to analyze what went wrong and apply those lessons as it moves to other nonunion factories largely in the South. Theyre going to have to go back to the drawing board, said Masters, who added that the union will need to ask itself if it needs to get more workers to sign cards seeking a union election before calling for a vote. The union may also want to respond faster to management opposition, he said. "Do they need to assess more realistically the actual level of grievances and how passionately workers are to stay committed to a union organizing effort in the face of opposition? Masters asked. Fain assured workers that the union will return, telling them the loss was a bump in the road, not failure. He said he told company officials the fight was not over. Weve been here before, and were going to continue on and were going to win, he said. And I think well have a different result down the road, and I look forward to that. The NLRB said both sides have five business days to file objections to the election, and the union must wait a year before seeking another vote at Mercedes. Whether the union challenges the election will be up to its lawyers, said Fain, who accused the company of egregious illegal behavior. The union already has filed unfair labor practice complaints against the company alleging that management and anti-union consultants tried to intimidate workers. Mercedes has denied the allegations. Obviously were following through on complaints, both here and in Germany where Mercedes is headquartered, Fain said. Story continues A big difference between the loss at Mercedes and the overwhelming win at Volkswagen, Fain said, was that Mercedes actively fought the union. Obviously, Volkswagen was more neutral, and that wasnt the case here," he said of Mercedes, which he accused of holding captive meetings of workers to campaign against the UAW. In a statement Friday, Mercedes said it looks forward to continuing to work directly with our team members so they can build superior vehicles for the world. The company said its focus is on providing a safe and supportive work environment. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, who has campaigned against the union, wrote in a post on X that auto manufacturing is one of the states crown jewel industries, and the state is committed to keeping it that way. Alabama is not Michigan, and we are not the Sweet Home to the UAW, she wrote. We urge the UAW to respect the results of this secret ballot election. Worker Melissa Howell, who opposed joining the union, said she and other employees realized that the UAW was making lofty promises that it couldn't put in writing, including pay of $40 per hour, pensions and better benefits. They kept repeating over and over, Youre not going to lose anything. We're going to start with what you have right now,' Howell said. That's when we really started letting people know, 'Hey, hold up. It's all negotiable.'" But Kirk Garner, 60, who works in quality control at the Mercedes assembly plant and supported joining the union, said workers were shown an anti-union video every day ahead of the vote, while union opponents targeted employees who they thought could be persuaded to vote no. Im disappointed in the people that flipped and believed the persuaders, Garner said. The UAW won at Volkswagen largely because of the prospect of substantially higher wages and other benefits. Contracts reached with the Detroit Three automakers, General Motors, Stellantis and Ford, brought 33% raises between now and 2028 when the deals expire, giving the union a large recruiting tool. Before VW, the United Auto Workers had little success at nonunion auto plants in the South, where workers have been much less drawn to organized labor than in the traditional union strongholds of Michigan and other industrial Midwestern states. A victory at the Mercedes plants would have represented a huge plum for the union, which has long struggled to overcome the enticements that Southern states have bestowed on foreign automakers, including tax breaks, lower labor costs and a nonunion workforce. It turns out that the union had a tougher time in Alabama than in Tennessee, where the UAW narrowly lost two previous votes and was familiar with workers at the factory. ___ A previous version of this story incorrectly referred to Mercedes employee Kirk Garner as Rick Garner. ___ Krisher reported from Detroit. AP Business Writer Wyatte Grantham-Philips in New York contributed to this report. It's hard to argue with the S&P 500's (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) historical performance. In the past 20 years, the broad index has produced a total return of 610%, translating to an annual average of 10.3%. If you're someone who likes to pick individual stocks, then I'd assume the goal is to try to outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. A good place to look for investment ideas might be Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio. The Oracle of Omaha's conglomerate owns dozens of stocks. But to be clear, not all of them should be purchased, especially if you want to beat the S&P 500. In fact, history says you should avoid this top Buffett stock if outperformance is the ultimate objective. Not quenching growth investors' thirst Investors looking to score huge returns should not buy shares of Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO). The global beverage giant currently makes up 6.8% of Berkshire's portfolio, behind only Apple, Bank of America, and American Express. In the past five- and 10-year periods, the stock produced a total return, including dividends, that has significantly lagged the S&P 500. That track record points to the fact that Coca-Cola is a mature business that operates in an industry that won't register growth that much better than the rise of global gross domestic product (GDP). That's because non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages aren't being consumed in larger quantities on a per-person basis, especially in the U.S. And Coca-Cola already sells its products in more than 200 countries and territories, so there isn't really more room to further penetrate new markets. Coca-Cola's revenue in 2023 was actually slightly lower than what the business reported 10 years before in 2013. On the bottom line, net income rose at a 2.2% annualized pace, thanks to the help of some operating leverage. It's no wonder the shares have been a notable underperformer. If sales and earnings increased at a higher clip, I'm almost positive the stock would have done much better. The valuation also looks expensive. Trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.3, the stock goes for a premium relative to the S&P 500. That seems off to me, particularly when you realize that you'd have been better off just investing in the broader index in recent times. A quality business Coca-Cola might not have the potential to put up strong investment returns going forward. But to be clear, the company is still a high-quality enterprise for three very obvious reasons. I'm sure Buffett is familiar with these points. Story continues The business possesses one of the world's most powerful brands. This not only results in customer loyalty -- it helps management flex its pricing power. Even better, the brand differentiates Coca-Cola from the large number of rival products on the market. Unlike many companies, especially in the technology sector, Coca-Cola operates in an industry that doesn't invite much in the way of disruption and innovation. And that's a good thing. It means there is a minimal chance Coca-Cola will become irrelevant anytime soon. In other words, the business has durability. It will almost undoubtedly be around 50 years from now. I'll also point to the company's ability to consistently produce operating income and free cash flow, regardless of the economic cycle. Steady profits have helped Coca-Cola raise its dividend in 62 straight years and counting. So, while Coca-Cola might not satisfy investors looking to generate outsized returns, perhaps the stock catches the attention of those who prioritize having a passive income stream. Should you invest $1,000 in Coca-Cola right now? Before you buy stock in Coca-Cola, 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 Coca-Cola 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 $566,624!* 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 Bank of America is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. American Express is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Neil Patel and his clients have no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Bank of America, and Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Want to Beat the S&P 500? History Says Avoid This Top Warren Buffett Stock was originally published by The Motley Fool HONG KONG (Reuters) -Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng said on Friday new U.S. tariffs on Chinese EVs are detrimental to achieving carbon neutrality and green energy transition. "It will result in higher costs," Xpeng co-President Brian Gu told media in Hong Kong where the company launched two EV models. "This has no impact on Xpeng Motors at the moment, but for such a large market as a whole, I hope that in the future it can become more open, allowing global products to enter and compete." There are relatively few Chinese-made light-duty vehicles being imported to the United States now. Gu was speaking in Hong Kong where Xpeng has teamed up with Malaysia's Sime Darby Motors to sell its electric sport utility vehicle, G6, and flagship seven-seater, X9, as it expands beyond mainland China's overcrowded car market. A cut-throat price war and slowing demand in China are hurting Chinese car makers, which are looking to cushion the blow by ramping up expansion overseas. Other Chinese EV makers already present in Hong Kong include BYD and Great Wall Motor. The number of China-made EV models sold in Hong Kong rose from one in 2018 to 20 in 2023, according to consultancy CBRE, highlighting strong growth in the Asia financial centre. Their overseas expansion is overshadowed, however, by an anti-subsidy probe launched by the EU into EV imports from China, the world's largest car market, as well as U.S. tariff hikes announced earlier this week. "What is the flexibility or room for margins that we can have in order to meet changes in tariffs in other regimes," Gu said, adding it that was still assessing the level of EU tariffs that would make the company shift production overseas. XPeng already sells EVs in the Netherlands, Norway and Germany and has said it plans to enter other European markets including, Italy and the UK. The company said earlier this week that it was entering the French market despite the looming tariffs. Highlighting stiff competition in China, Nio on Wednesday launched the first vehicle in its new lower-priced brand Onvo which aims to compete there with Tesla's Model Y. Volkswagen-backed Xpeng expects its upcoming Mona-branded EV will be the first in China priced below $21,000 to have high-level self-driving features. (Reporting By Anne Marie Roantree; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Subhranshu Sahu) Flash Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon here on Saturday, with both sides pledging to expand bilateral cooperation in various areas. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings and good wishes to Rahmon. Wang noted that China and Tajikistan, linked by mountains and rivers, have cultivated a profound traditional friendship. The two sides have always respected each other, and treated each other as equals, extended mutual support at critical moments. In May last year, Rahmon attended the China-Central Asia Summit and paid a state visit to China, during which the two heads of state jointly announced the building of a China-Tajikistan community with a shared future featuring everlasting friendship, solidarity and mutual benefit. This set a clear goal for the development of bilateral relations and sent a positive signal to the two peoples and the world, said Wang. China will continue to firmly support Tajikistan in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions and firmly oppose external interference in Tajikistan's internal affairs, said Wang, stressing that no matter how the international situation changes, China will always be Tajikistan's trustworthy friend and partner. For his part, Rahmon asked Wang to convey his sincere greetings to Xi. He said that during his visit to China last year, he and Xi had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral cooperation and reached a series of consensuses. With the joint efforts of the two sides, these consensuses are being implemented and important results have been achieved in cooperation in various fields, he said. Rahmon stressed that promoting relations with China is a priority of Tajikistan's foreign policy. The Tajik side firmly upholds the one-China principle and holds that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. Tajikistan, Rahmon said, hopes to keep close high-level exchanges with China, strengthen cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, energy, minerals, transportation, agriculture, green industry and artificial intelligence, jointly combat the "three forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and constantly expand and strengthen the strategic partnership between Tajikistan and China. The Tajik president noted that China plays an important role in international and regional affairs, and Tajikistan is willing to closely coordinate with China and support each other on multilateral platforms. Wang said that China firmly supports the four development strategies of energy, transportation, food and industrialization proposed by the Tajik president, attaches importance to Tajikistan's cooperation needs, and is committed to expanding cooperation in emerging industries and helping Tajikistan improve economic development. China is willing to deepen security cooperation with Tajikistan and resolutely combat all forms of terrorism, said Wang, adding that the two sides can strengthen cooperation in the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the China-Central Asia mechanism, safeguard the common interests of the two countries and other developing countries, and make due contributions to the prosperity and stability of the region and the world at large. During his visit, Wang will also hold talks with Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin. The Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank is hoping to provide as many as 340,000 meals this summer to students in the region. Thats more than twice as many as it distributed last year through the Summer Food Service Program, said Dan Maher, president and CEO of the Food Bank. It is ambitious, and our capacity may become a constraint, but that is our upper target, he said. The Food Bank has added more sites in rural areas where the program, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered in Virginia by the Department of Education, allows grab-and-go meals. There are 16 such locations in the region, from west of Fredericksburg to Orange County to east of the city to King George County. At those sites, students under 18 will get boxes filled with 14 breakfasts and lunches, just as they would get at school when its in session. The program requires meal sites to be located in areas where more than 50% of children are from households that would be eligible for free and reduced-price meals based on school or census data. At four other locations in more urban areas, meals are provided on-site. Distribution days are held on various days of the week from May 28 through Aug. 9, except at the Spotsylvania Farmers Market, where they will be provided each Saturday from June 1Aug. 24. Nationwide, the Summer Food Service Program distributed 142 million meals at a cost of $476.4 million in 2019, the latest year for which figures are available. The Food Bank requested a budget of $600,000 from the state DOE which would produce 340,000 meals, if fully funded, Maher said. Meal components change slightly for variety and based on availability, but during last years program, participants received boxes loaded with cereal, oatmeal and waffle bars, chicken salad, chili, sunflower butter sandwiches, milk and fresh fruit. The program also relies on volunteers to help distribute the meals. The following are the 12 locations where parents or guardians can pick up boxed meals for children and teens once a week: Patawomeck Park: 25 Chopawamsic Parkway, Stafford. Mondays from June 3Aug. 5, 10:30 a.m.noon. Brooke Point High School: 1700 Courthouse Road, Stafford. Mondays from June 3Aug. 5, 11:15 a.m.12:45 p.m. Walmart Supercenter: 2533 Germanna Highway, Locust Grove. Tuesdays from May 28July 30, 10 a.m.noon. Thornburg Middle School: 6929 N. Roxbury Mill Road, Spotsylvania Courthouse. Tuesdays from May 28July 30, 1:303 p.m. Lotus Academy: 7278 Ladysmith Road, Ruther Glen. Wednesdays from May 29Aug. 7, 10:30 a.m.noon. No delivery on June 19. New Liberty Baptist Church: 33030 Sparta Road, Milford. Wednesdays from May 29Aug. 7, 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. No delivery on June 19. Oxford Mount Zion Baptist Church: 25215 Zion Road, Ruther Glen. Wednesdays from May 29Aug. 7, 11:15 a.m.12:45 p.m. No delivery on June 19. Mount Tabor Baptist Church: 21795 Mattaponi Trail, Milford. Wednesdays from May 29Aug. 7, noon1:30 p.m. No delivery on June 19. Rehoboth United Methodist Church: 18580 Partlow Road, Beaverdam. Thursdays from May 30Aug. 8, 10:30 a.m. to noon. No delivery on July 4. John J Wright Educational and Cultural Center: 7565 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania. Thursdays from May 30Aug. 8, noon1:30 p.m. No delivery July 4. Sealston Elementary School: 11048 Fletchers Chapel Road, King George. Fridays from May 31Aug. 9, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Good Hope Baptist Church: 17223 Good Hope Road, King George. Fridays from May 31Aug. 9, 11:15 a.m.12:45 p.m. Children not receiving weekly boxes must remain onsite while consuming meals at these locations: Howell Library: 806 Lyons Blvd., Stafford. TuesdaysFridays from June 4Aug. 9, 11:45 a.m.12:45 p.m. No service on June 19 and July 4. Salem Church Library: 2607 Salem Church Road, Spotsylvania. TuesdaysThursdays from June 4Aug. 8, noon1:30 p.m. No service on June 19 and July 4. Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank: 3631 Lee Hill Drive, Spotsylvania. Fridays from May 31Aug. 2, 4:306:30 p.m., as part of Family Game Night. Spotsylvania Farmers Market: 12150 Gordon Road, Spotsylvania. Saturdays from June 1Aug. 24, 10 a.m.noon. Meals will be provided to all children without charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Lets talk about hell. Does it really exist? Most agree that there is a heaven, but fewer and fewer people seem to believe there is a hell. Its a little crazy because many people will tell you they believe that the devil exists. He must live in New Jersey or California or wherever because he apparently doesnt reside in hell anymore. Preachers ignore hell these days. I suppose it is bad for business. If they scare people with hellfire and brimstone sermons, everyone either stays home or starts his own congregation where religion is kinder. Thats not how it used to be. Preachers of old would stand in the pulpit, warn you that if you didnt change your ways you were headed for hell, and then point the way. But then those were also the days when most preachers had day jobs. Today, any preacher who stands in the pulpit and tells the congregation that it is headed for hell will soon be standing in the unemployment line. Most people dont want to hear that. If there is a hell, it must be a lonely place because no one seems to go there anymore. When is the last time you heard someone say of a departed loved one, Hes probably down there looking up at us through the smoke and flames right now. No, even mass murderers are up there, out of his earthly torment. And why should we think that there are people who die and go to hell? We live in a society void of shame, where almost every conceivable vice is acceptable. If society condones everything, why should someone be sentenced to hell for committing what past cultures prohibited or frowned upon. After all, this is a new day, an enlightened time, the world according to me. And if it is right for me, it cannot be a sin. If there is no sin, there is no need for hell. Hitler may have been the last soul to have been imprisoned in hell. And if historical revisionists continue down the current road, even that Nazi leader may soon be pardoned for his many atrocities because of mental illness or some other technicality. If that happens, the devil may find himself all alone in his fiery domain. Musically, hell has always been the easier destination to attain. As someone pointed out, there is a Stairway to Heaven, meaning it is a long, laborious climb, but a Highway to Hell has no apparent speed limit. If sin no longer exists, there must be grass protruding through the highway asphalt these days. Even to those civilizations that were not exposed to the Bible or any contemporary religions, both heaven and hell were logical after-death destinations. The night sky is beautiful and peaceful and even the earliest man longed to go up among the stars. Below us are rivers and lakes of lava that spew fire and threaten to consume all in its path. Just as a trip into the heavens seems an ideal way to reward the good, an eternity in those fiery lakes is an apt way to punish the bad. Religious doctrines have accentuated these ideas through the centuries. For thousands of years we have used the threat of an eternity in hell to frighten those who would otherwise do evil. It was one means of keeping society in check. Now that it seems almost every biblical sin has become an acceptable facet of society, we have no more need for hell. So, we seem to be abandoning the concept. Even when were mad, we no longer direct our enemies to hell. From the pulpit to trash talk, we seem to have put hell in the rearview mirror. Even Hollywood has given up on hell. There are no more movies about Satan turning up the underworld heat, only demons that sneak inside us and create their own kind of hell. Does hell exist? Do bad people really get sent there when they die? If so, why dont preachers spew hellfire and brimstone sermons anymore to warn us? Something to think about. Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. George Brauchler is the former district attorney for the 18th Judicial District and is a candidate for district attorney in the newly created 23rd Judicial District. He has served as an Owens Early Criminal Justice Fellow at the Common Sense Institute. Follow him on Twitter(X): @GeorgeBrauchler. Unjustifiably ignored, Rifle Falls State Park is one of the most unique landscapes in the state. During the summer, its a lush area featuring a trio of waterfalls and several small, explorable caves. The main park feature the waterfalls. You'll feel like youre in another world. Outdoor enthusiasts and newcomers alike will love it (photo by Victor Schendel). As the youngest resident at the Silver Key Senior Services complex, 41-year-old Erica King keeps a watchful eye over her surrogate mamas and grandmas and fellow community members. When I first moved here, I never could walk through the door without there being a welcoming party, because everybody would sit in the chairs out there and just talk to each other. That doesn't happen as much here anymore, but it's starting to, King said. King told The Gazette she moved into the housing complex over 10 years ago, not as a senior citizen but as a person with a disability. She said as the pandemic changed social interactions, especially so with the senior population, the dynamic in her community shifted and is still recovering. Silver Key was the second stop on Mayor Yemi Mobolade's and Gov. Jared Polis tour of the Colorado Springs 1,000 Neighborhoods Gathering Project launch, a new city initiative encouraging residents to host parties throughout the citys neighborhood hubs, get to know their neighbors, and promote community at a time where isolation and loneliness have become a top mental health concern throughout the country. In my time being here, this is the most energetic this room has been, said Kings caretaker, Sandra Haley. Dozens of Silver Key residents flooded the community room Saturday, talking with other and local officials and enjoying a luncheon. I felt like we didn't need another government program, we just needed to engage the community and say 'hey, we have these issues of isolation and loneliness, let's figure out how to tackle this,' said City Councilman David Leinweber, who conceived the idea for the new initiative. The idea was then embraced by 'Mobolade and incorporated into the new Colorado Springs Mental Health Initiative led by Mobolades wife, Abbey. It doesn't take that much to ignite a little flicker of hope that makes a big difference in people's outlook on life how they feel about themselves, and their neighborhood and their community and their sense of belonging, Abbey Mobolade said. The Mobolades attended the Saturday gatherings with their three children. Featured Local Savings We know that when people feel connected and like they belong, it fills something in us that is needed for us as humans. Its about finding that sense of belonging. Since launching the 1,000 Neighborhood Gatherings project, 116 neighborhood gatherings have been registered through the citys online portal, inching closer to the gatherings goal to be reached by Sept. 18. The project launch follows a national advisory by the U.S. surgeon general that declared loneliness and isolation a threat to the physical and mental well-being of citizens in wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. The initiative also is working to improve collective mental health and combat El Paso Countys rising suicide rate, which saw an annual increase of 10% between 2021 and 2022, reports state. Its really important to bring people together. Isolation leads to so many challenges, and just the old-fashioned values of getting to know your neighbors and building a strong community on the neighborhood level can make a difference, Polis said. On the southeast side of Colorado Springs, resident and Armed Forces Insurance Army Spouse of the Year Kimberly Gold held a gathering for her neighborhood at her home. She said that with her husband currently on Army deployment, her community is her lifeline, because adults need villages, too. Ive had PCS (permanent change station) more times than I can count, and have unpacked probably a million boxes in my lifetime. That lifestyle is really isolating, its really lonely. Its community that has made it possible for me to be here today and to be as vibrant of a person as I am. The mayor said hes proud of the citizens of Colorado Springs "for answering the call, and for doing it in a way that is different, diverse and unique. One of the owners of the Return to Nature Funeral Home will spend her time awaiting the forthcoming jury trial at home. Carie Hallford was granted house arrest and a $10,000 conditional bond following an additional bond hearing held on Tuesday at a federal courthouse in Denver. While the co-owner of the Penrose funeral home was expected to be placed in a halfway house while waiting for her local jury trial as a condition of her release, she will now be placed at home with court-ordered GPS tracking. Hallford was already out of custody on a $100,000 bond in her state-level case that stemmed from the discovery of nearly 200 decomposing bodies in the funeral home in October. Hallford and her husband, Jon Hallford, face 260 criminal charges including improper storage of 189 bodies, abuse of a corpse, money laundering, forgery and theft. The duo were struck with an additional 15 federal fraud charges, to which they pleaded not guilty last Thursday. There is a shortage of bed space for women in Colorado community correction facilities, leading to Hallford's new at-home release condition, Tim Neff, a federal prosecutor for the District of Colorado, told The Denver Gazette. The bed space would not be available until around October, according to Magistrate Judge Scott Varholak. The judge was then faced with either keeping her detained in jail or allowing her to stay at home until the case concludes. Featured Local Savings During the arraignment and detention hearing on Thursday, Neff spent nearly an hour arguing to the court that neither Carie nor Jon Hallford should be given a bond due to the likelihood that they would attempt to flee. The prosecutor also claimed that Jon Hallford's involvement in the Return to Nature schemes including the alleged misuse of federal small-business loan and wire fraud schemes against customers was greater than his wifes, and that he presented a greater flight risk than Carie Hallford. Jon Hallford is also being investigated by Colorado Springs police for alleged sexual misconduct with his 17-year-old stepdaughter. Varholak seemingly agreed with the sentiment, allowing Carie Hallford to be placed in a halfway home while Jon Hallford was detained indefinitely. Jon Hallford will remain in federal custody until the federal case ends despite being out of custody for the state case. He was placed in the Englewood federal correctional institution. The Hallfords next court appearance on local charges is scheduled for July 6 with a jury trial tentatively set for October. Two members of the Cherokee Metro District board are fighting for their seats in a crowded recall election that was sparked by water quality concerns. The leaders of the recall effort would like to see the high mineral content of the district's well water addressed because it wears out dishwashers, washing machines and other appliances much faster than softer water. The metro district serves customers on the eastern edge of Colorado Springs, including Cimarron Hills and Schriever Space Force Base. About 15,000 customers are eligible to vote in the election, making it a community larger than Manitou Springs or Monument. The board members facing the recall, Linda Keleher and Steve Hasbrouck, have said they do not see a problem with the water hardness levels. The other three board members are interested in exploring water treatment options. Keleher and Hasbrouck would have served through May 2025. If recalled, their replacements will serve out the remainder of their terms. The ballots ask residents to vote "Yes" or "No" on whether the two should be recalled. The ballots then ask residents to choose a replacement for the two board members. Keleher and Hasbrouck are among those options because they are running for each others' seats. The two races have also drawn 10 other candidates, each running for one seat. The ballot sets up a scenario where one of the existing board members could sweep the election, retaining their own seat and winning a second seat. In that case, the person would fill only one seat, likely creating a board vacancy. The second seat would not automatically be filled by the second-highest vote getter, said Wayne Williams, the designated election official and former secretary of state. The board would fill a vacancy by appointment, he said. The race has drawn two residents who worked on the recall effort, Kim Wilson and Jeremy Atkinson. They are campaigning together, distributing flyers and holding Zoom meetings for residents to ask questions. Candidates Dennis Daniels, Jan Cederberg and Dave Mattes have served on the metro district board before. The other candidates Ginger Weber, Kristin Hunter, Noah Hunter, Clayton Nelson and Laurie Nelson do not have a campaign presence online and did not respond to requests for information from The Gazette. The recall platform Atkinson led the recall effort and promised to bring the customers' perspective and greater transparency to the board. A first step is simply acknowledging the water quality could be better, said Atkinson, who works for FedEx Office, as the southern Colorado solutions consultant in the sales division. "I would bring to the board a true curiosity for a better quality product," he said. He would like to see if it's possible to pair a project to reduce water hardness with a plant the district must put in to address "forever chemicals" in the water. The district expects to spend $25 million to $30 million on a water treatment plant to remove forever chemicals from the water because they can have adverse effect on human health over time. Cherokee could receive funding from federal suits against the producers of the chemicals to help offset the cost of the plant. Featured Local Savings Wilson said she would bring her expertise in finance working for the Department of Defense over 35 years to the board. She was inspired to run after attending what she called a dysfunctional board meeting. She is also interested in working on solutions to the water- quality problems and options for funding the work, such as grants. "You cant fix everybodys problem, but you can at least listen," she said. Existing board members position Keleher argued in a statement on the ballot the recall is unnecessary, and so is spending money improving water quality, because the water is safe to drink. She also stated the recall is costing residents $100,000. Williams said the board budgeted $100,000 for the election, but he anticipates it will cost $50,000-$60,000. In his statement, Hasbrouck accused people who worked on recalling him of wanting to raise rates by $50 a month and seeking to award a contract to build a plant to their "big-dollar donor friends." Atkinson said the accusations in Hasbrouck's statements aren't true and he doesn't know where the $50 per month estimate came from. Keleher and Hasbrouck did not respond to requests for comment. Other competition in the race Former board member Jan Cederberg said in a statement she oversaw substantial projects while on the board, including the new wastewater treatment plant the district built to come into compliance with a state consent decree to lower the total dissolved solids in the water returning to the ground. Dissolved solids can include organic matter and naturally occurring salt. "I am a strong believer in doing things the right way, and that in order to properly maintain water quality you must be willing to engage in longer-term projects that will have lasting benefits," she said in a statement. "That involves looking at all the options to figure out what would work best for our community." Former board member Dennis Daniels said he would bring experience working on contracts to the board after working in government for 45 years in both the active duty military and civil service. That experience is important, he said, as the district works on a new water treatment plant . "I would work diligently for the good of the district," he said. He does not believe that water hardness is as big an issue as some residents believe, and says some minerals are inherent to well water. However, he was a member of the board in 2014 when the district lifted a ban on water softeners. Residents in the district sometimes install whole-home water softeners to help with water hardness. Atkinson said he believes candidates who are not actively campaigning will dilute the vote. Ballots should arrive to residents in the mail no later than May 21. The Election Day for the district is June 4. As a result of 101 bills passed by the Colorado legislature, over $2.8 billion in state TABOR refunds will not go to Colorado taxpayers between 2024 and 2026, according to a recent report from the Common Sense Institute. The $2.8 billion loss is just less than half of the projected $6 billion in TABOR refunds for the next three years, CSI found in its report following the 2024 Colorado legislative session. Legislators focused intensely on TABOR refunds this session, CSI Mike A. Leprino Fellow Lang Sias said in a statement. What started a few years ago, he said, has snowballed into what we saw play out during the 2024 session where more than 100 bills redirected TABOR refunds. TABOR refunds come from excess state revenue that is sent back to Colorado taxpayers in the next fiscal year. Over the next three years, Colorado taxpayers will lose $2.8 million in TABOR refunds mostly due to tax cuts, and due to the cost of the bills impacting TABOR, according to CSIs TABOR refund report. TABOR refund reductions will increase over the next three years, according to CSIs report. The 2024 legislative session has resulted in TABOR refund cuts of $523 million in 2024, $1.06 billion in 2025 and $1.25 billion in 2026, according to CSI. The redirecting of TABOR dollars happened amid unprecedented revenue growth and a $40 billion state budget, CSI VP of Policy & Research Chris Brown said in a statement. Featured Local Savings Lawmakers circumvented the standard refund mechanisms through a long list of proposed tax rate reductions, tax credits, and distribution efforts, he said. Most of the money redirected from 101 TABOR-related bills passed targeted mainly families and low-income Coloradans, CSIs report said. Those bills consisted of tax rate reductions, tax credits and redistribution. CSIs report said legislatures cutting TABOR refunds broadly undermines TABORs intent by divorcing taxpayers contributions to state revenue from the values of refunds they receive and deciding for them how that money should be spent instead. Of the remaining $3.28 billion, $3.1 billion was distributed as direct payments of $800 to each Colorado taxpayer. The remaining $180 million was diverted for the Earned Income Tax Credit approved during last years legislative season. Last November, Colorado voters turned down Proposition HH, a proposal to take TABOR refunds in exchange for property tax relief. Recently, due to an accounting error, a separate $67 million in TABOR refunds is to be sent back to Colorado taxpayers. The states TABOR refund legislation, CSIs report said, will diminish taxpayers agency to decide, whether by saving, investing, or donating to charity, how best to allocate money that they would normally be owed. Does a river have rights? That very question came to a roaring head recently in the little town of Nederland. Our country, of course, is based on the idea of natural rights, which the founders identified as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, as well as the right to property. These rights and this is what was truly revolutionary about the American Revolution cannot be granted by rulers, governments or even the people, the founders declared. They are inherent in the nature of human beings we were born with these rights. A group of environmentalists lately has been asking why a similar set of natural rights doesnt extend to nature itself. There is a growing global rights of nature movement that aims to secure recognition that ecosystems and individual species and rivers have just as much legal right as humans do to exist and regenerate. That movement inspired two recent resolutions to protect Boulder Creek in Nederland, one of which recognized that, within town limits, the creek and its watershed are living entities possessing fundamental and inalienable rights. Nederland even appointed two legal guardians to act on behalf of Boulder Creek to ensure those rights. Such a move fits Nederland's profile, surely. Although originally a mining town, Nederland later became a haven for hippies and the counterculture in the 1960s and today is probably best known for the annual Frozen Dead Guy Days. But now Nederland has decided to repeal those resolutions, worried that they were too limiting when it came to deciding what was good for the creek, and people dependent on the creek. Nederlands mayor, Billy Giblin, recently advanced an application with the state to construct a dam and reservoir on Middle Boulder Creek to provide the town with a more secure water supply given worsening droughts in the area, which, ironically, some environmentalists say are the result of climate change. A person could argue that the mayor is trying to proactively address climate change with his new proposal. But then Save the Worlds Rivers, a Colorado-based nonprofit, filed opposition to Nederlands application and triggered a national controversy over the rights of nature. The nonprofit asked that the town be required to put together an engineering plan and provide a cost estimate for the dam, among other bureaucratic moves, threatening litigation over the town's repeal of the resolutions. Dams kill rivers, they drain rivers, and this dam would do that to Boulder Creek, Gary Wockner, executive director and founder of Save the Worlds Rivers, told Inside Climate News. But Giblin points out that the resolutions were not legally binding. Though 39 other countries now have rights of nature laws or court rulings, no court in the United States has recognized the rights of nature as a legal doctrine. Such resolutions, which many towns and cities in the U.S. have adopted, are more symbolic, and even Boulder Creek's guardians were limited to preparing reports on the rivers health and making recommendations on improving water quality, wildlife habitats and wetlands protection. Nederland saw the resolutions as a tool to provide them with information about the health of the creek, and Save the Worlds Rivers as a partner to help them make good decisions about stewardship of that creek. Featured Local Savings Nederland is still very much committed to good environmental stewardship of their river; they just dont want some outside organization telling them how to do that. In a press release, Mayor Giblin stated, In my opinion, an outside organization such as Save the Worlds Rivers is not the kind of partner the Town needs. Frankly, our community can and will do this more effectively. It has become clear that Mr. Wockner and Save the Worlds Rivers are more interested in litigating, at the expense of the Town, rather than understanding the Towns existing water rights or our plans to develop these rights in an environmentally conscious manner. Save the Worlds Rivers originally helped Nederland write its rights-of-nature resolutions, but now the town sees Wockner as a liability, not an asset, more interested in the rights of nature for its own publicity and motives. Wockner sees Nederlands backtrack as a loss in the battle for natures rights. You might say that nature is out and the dams are in, in Nederland, he told Inside Climate News. Save the Worlds Rivers is opposing four water storage application permits across Colorado right now in its fight to protect rivers. The debate boils down to whether people have the final say over nature, or nature gets its own say, and if so, who is best qualified to speak for nature? Save the Worlds Rivers truly believes people shouldnt necessarily have the final say. An eco-centric approach uses a nature-centered, as opposed to human-centered, system of values, according to their founding principles. We believe that nature, and rivers specifically, have intrinsic value and thus have a right to exist, a right to flow, a right to be free of pollution, and a right to restoration. What they are asking for is a revolution in perspective regarding natural rights as profound as the original American revolution was concerning the rights of humans. The Nederland case shows that, realistically, humans arent ready to surrender their rights over nature wholesale anytime soon. Those rights are hard-baked into us, going all the way back to Genesis: And God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth. It might be more productive in the near future for environmentalists to consider humans an intrinsic part of nature, too, as vital to the care of nature as nature is to its own care. Point in fact, one of the more pragmatic arguments of the rights-of-nature movement stresses that interconnectivity. Proponents assert that the survival and thriving of humans depends on healthy ecosystems, and so protection of nature's rights in turn, advances human rights and well-being. Given that interconnectivity, Giblin is probably right that a partnership approach is going to be more productive than confrontation and litigation at this stage in the environmental movement. Regardless, Nederland is likely a canary in a coal mine one of the first flashpoints in a new environmental showdown coming soon to a river near you. Organizations representing the technology industry are urging Colorado Gov. Jared Polis to veto a bill they say could negatively impact small businesses developing cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology. Senate Bill 205 establishes regulations governing the development and use of artificial intelligence in Colorado and focuses on preventing "algorithmic discrimination," which it describes as any condition in which AI increases the risk of "unlawful differential treatment" that then "disfavors" an individual or group of people on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, genetic information, race, religion, veteran status, English proficiency and other classes protected by state laws. It requires developers to exercise "reasonable care" to prevent discrimination when using "high-risk" artificial intelligence systems, defined as systems involved in making "substantial or consequential" decisions. Provisions of the bill include requiring developers to implement a risk management policy, complete an impact assessment for high-risk systems, and notify consumers if artificial intelligence is being used to make a consequential decision regarding a consumer. Letters sent to the governor from Chamber of Progress, Consumer Technology Association, and the US Chamber of Commerce urge the Polis to veto the bill due to its potential ability to stifle innovation and put small businesses at a disadvantage against large corporations. "Guardrails are important when gaps exist in existing laws and regulations, including in areas like AI," stated the letter from the US Chamber of Commerce. "However, no comprehensive analysis to determine regulatory gaps was undertaken before SB 205 was introduced, and little attention was focused in this area as the bill proceeded through the legislative process. We believe Colorado should undertake a detailed and rigorous review of the implications of proposed Artificial Intelligence (AI) regulations on Colorado businesses and consumers before legislation is enacted." Small business owners who testified in opposition to the bill during the legislative session made similar points and requested lawmakers engage with them to come to a mutual solution. Featured Local Savings "Innovation should be encouraged and not stifled, and any legislative measure should strike a balance between consumers and fostering technological advancement," said Michael McReynolds from the Governor's Office of Information Technology. "The bill is implementing measures that may not be feasible or effective." Some tech companies, however, support the bill, especially because there are no similar regulations for artificial intelligence at the federal level yet. Beth Rudden, CEO of Bast AI, called the bill a "pragmatic and necessary measure" to maintain the integrity of artificial intelligence systems. She argued that the bill is not just about compliance within the industry, but also about holding developers accountable for unethical actions. "By supporting this bill, we commit to a path that respects consumer rights, promotes transparency, and fosters trust in the technologies that are shaping our future," she concluded. Polis has until June 7 to make a decision on the bills that were passed this legislative session; if no action is taken on a bill, it automatically becomes law. Pro-Palestinian protesters have removed their three-week-old encampment from the Auraria Campus. The campus announced in a news release Saturday that camp had been abandoned and cleanup efforts at the Campus Tivoli Quad had begun. The release said that to expedite the restoration of the campus, the Tivoli Quad and all other green spaces on the Auraria Campus will be closed until further notice for property repairs and other work that needs to be done to return to normal operations. On Friday, the campus had announced all buildings would be locked Friday night until further notice, all on-campus events are canceled, and that classes would go remote. Friday night, organizer Khalid Hamu had told 9News the camp would be dismantled Friday night or Saturday. Organizers of the Auraria Campus protest called their protest at Tivoli Quad a massive success. It partially achieved one of its stated demands, getting MSU Denver to disclose its investments. Featured Local Savings Protesters did not achieve their other goals: getting the three colleges on the campus to divest from companies connected to Israel and the U.S. military, a condemnation of Israel, and amnesty for protesters who were arrested. Organizers said their protest will shift to a new iteration of exhibitions throughout campus. In their statement, campus officials said that since the encampment began leaders have worked diligently towards finding a peaceful resolution. We hope this will end more than three weeks of unauthorized occupation that has increasingly escalated into dangerous activities, taken significant time, resources, and dialogue with student protesters to resolve, and has pulled us away from our academic mission and goals, the statement concluded. For more on this and other stories, visit our news partners at 9News.com. Jimmy Sengenberger is an investigative journalist, public speaker, and longtime local talk-radio host. Reach Jimmy online at Jimmysengenberger.com or on X (formerly Twitter) @SengCenter. Paul J. Batura is a local writer and host of the podcast, WHAT A LIFE! Lessons from Legends. He can be reached via email at Paul@PaulBatura.com or on X @PaulBatura. Jon Caldara is president of the Independence Institute in Denver and hosts The Devils Advocate with Jon Caldara on Colorado Public Television Channel 12. His column appears Sundays in Colorado Politics. Oct 12, 2024 - Today Islamic Date in Yemen is 09 Rabi Al-Akhar 1446. Islamic Date is also called Hijri Date or Today Arabic Date in the Muslim world that follows Moon phases as a lunar calendar. Check the exact Islamic date today in Yemen with an accurate Hijri date updated daily. Today Islamic date in Yemen is calculated as per the lunar based calendar which consists of 12 Lunar months in a year of 354 or 355 days. A Muslim must know about the exact Islamic date today or chand ki date. What is Islamic Date in Yemen today? Todays Islamic Date in Yemen in Islamic Hijri calendar is 09 Rabi Al-Akhar 1446. The current Islamic year is 1445 AH. Today Islamic date in Yemen Islamic Date Today Islam is the second biggest religion in the world with around 1.8 billion followers. Muslim population is not present in the Muslim countries but they are also in significant numbers in other countries. Muslims follow Hijri calendar to celebrate Islamic events according to the Islamic month date. However, the Islamic date today in Yemen is as per the Islamic calendar. Thats why the Muslim calendar usually gives just the overview of today Islamic date in Yemen 2024 and other upcoming dates. On this page, you can easily confirm the Islamic date today in Yemen or Hijri date in Yemen. You can utilize this page to plan your vacations according to the Islamic holidays 2024 such as Eid al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Hajj, etc. You can find the Urdu date today along with the respective Georgian date. You can see the Islamic date today in Yemen and also the dates of upcoming events. This page is a perfect place for people who are interested in today Islamic date in Yemen 2024. It is recommended that you should bookmark this page to keep updated about the Islamic date today in Yemen 2024. Islamic months are as follow Muharram, Safar, Rabi ul Awal, Rabi Al-Akhir (Rabi' al-Thani), Jumada Al-Awwal (Jumada al-Ula), Jumada Al-Akhirah (Jumada l-Ukhra or Jumada al-Thani), Rajab, Shaban (Sha'ban), Ramadan (also spell as Ramazan, Ramzan, Ramadhan), Shawwal, Dhul-Qadah (Dhu al-Qi'dah or Zu al-Qa'dah) and Dhul-Hijjah (Dhu al-Hijjah or Zu al-Hijjah). Today Arabic date for Aden, Al Mukalla, Al Hudaydah, Bajil, Ta Izz, Zabid, Sanaa, Sayyan, Hajjah, Ibb and others cities are also available on this page. Days after party-endorsed congressional candidates lost to incumbents in Tuesday's primary election, there was little sign of a change in direction for the Nebraska Republican Party. Hundreds of Nebraska Republicans turned out in Lincoln on Saturday for the state party's 2024 convention, many of whom were clad in American flag memorabilia and merchandise showing allegiance to former President Donald Trump. Nebraska GOP Chair Eric Underwood said the convention served as a means to stabilize the party and unite ahead of the general election. It was the first state party convention since the tumultuous gathering of 2022, which saw the former party chair voted out and replaced by Underwood after abrupt rules changes, which then prompted a wave of resignations among other party leaders. Since then, the Nebraska GOP has seen a significant shift toward pro-Trump, populist viewpoints. In a reflection of this change, the keynote speaker of 2024's convention was former national security advisor Michael Flynn, who pled guilty to lying to federal investigators regarding Russian influence in the 2016 election and whom Trump later pardoned. Flynn largely warned attendees of the dangerous direction the U.S. was heading, claiming the national culture is under assault. "This country does not know what suffering means, and I don't want us to get to that point," Flynn said. The Nebraska GOP did not endorse any of the state's five Republican congressional delegates leading up to the primary, and instead backed three Republican challengers who more closely aligned with the party's newer hardline conservative platforms. All three candidates the party endorsed lost by wide margins in Tuesday's primary. Dan Frei, who challenged U.S. Rep. Don Bacon in the 2nd District, came the closest but still lost by more than 23 percentage points, according to unofficial results. During the convention, a member proposed endorsing the five incumbents, along with Trump. The suggestion was met with strong resistance by attendees. The party members ultimately endorsed Trump but deferred possible endorsements for the congressional delegates to a state central committee meeting in August. While the motion was being debated, however, some party members expressed open hostility toward the incumbents, none of whom were present Saturday. One person called the congressional delegates "sellouts," and another joked that he didn't want to get in trouble for not voting for U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts. "Those that want the endorsement of this party, they have to show up," Frei said, arguing against the proposal at the convention. Underwood acknowledged the distrust that exists within the party, but claimed it's significantly lessened from 2022. He said he was encouraged by Saturday's attendance, where the large turnout could pave a way for future successes. Still, in order to repair the persisting divides, Underwood said "somebody, somewhere has to reach out." Randall Adkins, political science professor at the University of Nebraska Omaha, said Republican leaders in Nebraska were separated into two groups after the 2022 convention those working within the party, and those working outside it. The primary showed that leaders outside the party still held the most influence in determining elections. While the party didn't endorse the incumbents, those candidates still held endorsements from a bevy of other Republican officials. "The power of incumbency is huge," Adkins said. The Nebraska GOP's official statement on the primary results did not acknowledge their endorsed candidates' losses. Instead, it celebrated the Republicans who did win though it didn't name names and expressed concern over voter turnout numbers. State Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar, a Republican who has not been shy in her criticism of the party's latest direction, said that "sanity prevailed" in the primary results. The majority of Republican voters in Nebraska saw through the "snake oil tactics" the party and their endorsed candidates were using, she said. Slama said the party should unite behind the winning candidates. "We're all Republicans," Slama said. "We're on the same team." As donations lag, leader says Nebraska GOP is 'a people-financed party' Signs of internal strife have persisted within the party since 2022, both statewide and on more local levels. The day after the election, the chair and vice chair of the Douglas County Republican Party announced their resignations. Last month, there was a dispute among party members over their endorsements for Bacon and Ricketts. In the months following the 2022 convention, donations to the party took a nose dive and have yet to bounce back. Local donations to the Nebraska GOP logged through the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission surpassed $1 million in 2022, most of which were made prior to the July convention. In 2023, the party logged just $70,000 in donations, and has raised just $17,000 so far this year. The party fared better in national donations logged through the Federal Elections Commission, recording about $437,000 in total contributions from the start of 2023 to the end of March of this year. Still, that's down from the over $2 million the party logged in 2021 through 2022. Underwood said he anticipates a jump in fundraising in the party's May reports through the FEC. "This is truly a people-financed party," Underwood said. Former national committeeman JL Spray told attendees Saturday that it is difficult for parties to fundraise when they don't endorse incumbents within the same party, because it projects disorganization. Later in the convention, Spray was voted out as national committeeman and replaced by William Feely of Aurora. Party members censure lawmaker, push against 'DEI drivel' Among the resolutions approved during the convention was one to censure Republican Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston for opposing a 2023 bill to increase Nebraska's abortion restrictions to around six weeks of pregnancy, or when signs of embryonic cardiac activity can be detected. A measure banning abortion after 12 weeks, which Riepe supported, passed instead. This year, Riepe sought exceptions to the 12-week ban. Those did not advance in the Legislature. Much of the rest of the convention emphasis was focused on State Board of Education races, where three of the party's four endorsed candidates advanced through their nonpartisan primaries. Despite already holding a Republican majority, current education board President Elizabeth Tegtmeier said the board's ratio of members who share the party's values is 3-5. Since controversy erupted around proposed health standards the board didn't adopt in 2021, there has been a push for more conservative leadership to resist more inclusive curriculum, which Tegtmeier described as "DEI drivel." "State Board of Education races are just as, if not more, crucial than our state Legislature races," Tegtmeier said. Gov. Jim Pillen's plan to wipe out nearly 1,000 state jobs could cost Nebraskans needed services even if it saves money in the state budget, based on a list of affected positions released by his office. The May 1 list shows jobs subject to the governor's executive order requiring the elimination of state government positions that have been vacant for at least 90 days, with several exceptions. Among the positions listed are 36 developmental disability service coordinator and supervisor jobs, the lack of which could slow efforts to end the state waiting list for developmental disability services and implement a new program for children. Not filling 65 social services worker and supervisor jobs may mean Nebraskans seeking public assistance would have to wait longer for help. Losing six gaming compliance representative jobs could mean oversight of new opened gambling casinos would be jeopardized. The loss of 15 economic development consultant positions, along with a business recruitment and development manager, could lead to missed opportunities to build Nebraska's economy. The list also includes 14 federal aid administrator jobs, spread across several agencies, which might make it harder for the state to comply with regulations regarding federal dollars. Going without 11 automotive/diesel mechanic jobs could delay maintenance and repair of state highway equipment. When announcing the executive order, Pillen said state government had continued to function with those positions vacant and said money allocated for chronically vacant positions was not being used effectively. A few of the jobs on the list have been open for years, with the oldest dating back to Sept. 1, 2012. The vast majority became vacant within the past 12 months. We have proven we can work without them, so we will eliminate them and return the money to the taxpayers, Pillen said last month. Pillen's spokeswoman, Laura Strimple, said the order allows agencies to keep and fill positions if they request exemptions and can justify the need for the positions. "The governor will work with all agencies to ensure right sizing to fit the needs of Nebraskans," she said. "The (executive order) ensures that all vacancies are reviewed to provide taxpayer value, while also ensuring that no services are diminished." Others have concerns about the governor's action. Justin Hubly, executive director for the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, said members of the state employees union have expressed worries that the loss of state positions would affect the services they provide to Nebraskans. State workers also have taken issue with the governor's contention that being able to function without those jobs means the positions are not needed. Hubly said workers have managed, but only by putting in overtime and taking on heavier workloads than can be maintained over a long period. "It's penny-wise and pound-foolish," he said. Hubly also said some positions have remained vacant, not because they are unneeded, but because of the pay. He noted that about 10% of all social services worker positions statewide are on the list of 90-day vacancies. He said vacancies lead to increased workloads, which, in turn, push more people to quit. Which agencies would be hit the hardest? The governor's executive order also would fall more heavily on some agencies than others, according to the list. The order would wipe out nearly 40% of positions allotted to the Racing and Gaming Commission, which has expanded rapidly as Nebraska implements a constitutional amendment allowing casino gambling at horse racetracks. Lynne McNally, executive vice president of the Nebraska Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, said one key position on the list is the state racing steward. She said the job has remained vacant because it is highly specialized and difficult to fill. But she said the steward is the head judge of horse races and is required for races to be held. She said the gaming compliance representative positions were created in anticipation of the casinos opening up. The positions are not filled, however, until they are needed. The first permanent casino created in the wake of the constitutional amendment Harrah's Columbus, Nebraska Racing & Casino opened on Friday. Casey Ricketts, the commission's acting executive director, said the agency would request exemptions for critical positions but is waiting to hear from the Department of Administrative Services exactly which jobs would be affected. "We have some essential positions within our agency and it would impact us to lose those," she said. The Department of Economic Development, which has taken on more responsibilities in recent years, would lose nearly 20% of its positions under the governor's order. A department spokeswoman did not say whether agency officials would seek exemptions for any of those jobs. Instead, she said officials were "confident that our dedicated team of public servants will be able to carry out the departments responsibilities effectively and efficiently as we serve Nebraskans" and said the governor's office and budget team have supported the agency's mission. How many jobs would the order actually eliminate? In the end, Pillen may eliminate fewer positions than he touted in late April, when he signed the executive order. His office said at the time that the initial round of job eliminations would apply to nearly 1,000 positions. The list provided by his office included 973 jobs. But the list included 42 child and family services specialist, supervisor and trainee positions, which are exempt from the order. Another 28 positions included are at state institutions, which also are exempt. Exemptions sought by agencies could further whittle away at the number of jobs eliminated. Strimple said the list will be revised before the order takes effect on June 1 to account for positions that have been filled, exempted or newly hit the 90-day mark. Similar reviews are to be undertaken every 90 days. "The goal is to have a robust process that encourages continuous review by the budget office and the agencies to ensure that vacancies are not left unaddressed for years, as was noted on the list we provided," she said. Pillen's office estimated savings from the initial round of eliminations at $39.4 million, including $15.2 million of savings to the state's general fund. The order would cut 0.2% of the state general fund budget for the fiscal year ending June 30. Other savings would come from federal funds or various cash funds. The order does not apply to several categories of positions, including law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, children and family services specialists, and "other similar positions that directly involve public safety." Also exempt are positions that provide direct operational support for prisons, veterans homes and other 24-hour facilities, highway maintenance and construction workers, and positions that are not covered under the state personnel system. The last category includes positions at the University of Nebraska, state colleges and universities, the court system, the Legislature, agency heads and top positions within state agencies. The last category also exempts the staff members of state elected officials, including positions in the Governor's Office. Photos: Nebraska Legislature, Jan. 4, 2024 CALEDONIA A 32-year-old Caledonia man was arrested Saturday morning after the car he was driving allegedly struck a motorcycle, killing its rider. The collision happened about 10 a.m. near 4 Mile and Short roads, according to the Caledonia Police Department. When police and fire personnel arrived at the scene of the crash, they reportedly found the man, later determined to be the motorcycle rider, lying on the ground near the roadway and the car lying on its side with the driver still inside. The motorcycle rider, a 44-year-old Caledonia man, had suffered fatal injuries. The driver was removed from the car and, according to CPD, had only minor injuries and declined medical attention. CPD said a preliminary investigation determined that the car was traveling west in the 6000 block of 4 Mile Road and attempted to pass another vehicle. The motorcycle was traveling east. According to CPD, the car entered the eastbound lane and struck the motorcycle. The Wisconsin State Patrol Technical Reconstruction Unit is assisting with the crash investigation. The Caledonia Police Department said it plans to present alcohol-related charges to the Racine County District Attorneys Office. Anyone who witnessed the crash or who has additional information is asked to call the Caledonia Police Department at 262-835-4423, ext. 1021 and speak to Det. Lakentric Thomas. 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 DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip Benny Gantz, a popular centrist member of Israels three-member War Cabinet, threatened Saturday to resign from the government if it doesnt adopt a new plan in three weeks time for the war in Gaza, a decision that would leave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more reliant on far-right allies. The announcement deepens a divide in Israels leadership more than seven months into a war in which Israel has yet to accomplish its stated goals of dismantling Hamas and returning scores of hostages abducted in the militant groups Oct. 7 attack. Gantz spelled out a six-point plan that includes the return of hostages, ending Hamas rule, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip and establishing an international administration of civilian affairs with American, European, Arab and Palestinian cooperation. The plan also supports efforts to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia and widen military service to all Israelis. He gave a June 8 deadline. If you choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation to the abyss we will be forced to quit the government, he said. Netanyahu in a statement reported by Israeli media responded by saying Gantz chose to issue an ultimatum to the prime minister instead of to Hamas, and called his conditions euphemisms for Israels defeat. Gantz, a longtime political rival of Netanyahu, joined his coalition and the War Cabinet in the early days of the war in a gesture at national unity. His departure would leave Netanyahu even more beholden to far-right allies who take a hard line on negotiations over a cease-fire and hostage release, and who believe Israel should occupy Gaza and rebuild Jewish settlements there. Gantz spoke days after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the third member of the War Cabinet, said he would not remain in his post if Israel elects to reoccupy Gaza. Gallant also called on the government to make plans for Palestinian administration of the enclave. Netanyahus critics accuse the prime minister of seeking to prolong the war to avoid new elections, allegations he denies. Polls suggest he would be replaced in elections, with Gantz the most likely candidate to be the next prime minister. That would expose Netanyahu to prosecution on longstanding corruption charges. The people of Israel are watching you, Gantz said in his prime-time address to Netanyahu. Netanyahu is under growing pressure on multiple fronts. Hard-liners want the military offensive on Gazas southernmost city of Rafah to press ahead. Top ally the U.S. and others warned against the offensive on a city where more than half of Gazas population of 2.3 million took shelter hundreds of thousands have now fled and they threatened to scale back support over Gazas humanitarian and hunger crisis. About 400 demonstrators rallied Saturday within sight of the U.S. Capitol, chanting pro-Palestinian slogans and voicing criticism of the Israeli and American governments as they marked a painful present the war in Gaza and past. They braved steady rains to rally on the National Mall on the 76th anniversary of the Nakba, the Arabic word for catastrophe that refers to the exodus of some 700,000 Palestinians who fled or were forced from what is now Israel when the state was created in 1948. Protesters also focused their anger on President Joe Biden, whom they accuse of feigning concern over the death toll in Gaza. The U.S. national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, will be in Saudi Arabia and Israel this weekend to discuss the war and is scheduled to meet Sunday with Netanyahu, who declared that Israel would stand alone if needed. Many Israelis, accusing Netanyahu of prioritizing political interests, want a deal to stop the fighting and free the hostages. There was fresh frustration Friday, when the military said its troops in Gaza found the bodies of three hostages killed by Hamas in the Oct. 7 attack. The discovery of the body of a fourth hostage was announced Saturday. The latest talks in pursuit of a cease-fire in Gaza, mediated by Qatar, the United States and Egypt, accomplished little. Thousands of Israelis again rallied Saturday evening to demand a deal and new elections. Some police in Tel Aviv responded with water cannons. This government is taking the country to places that I dont want to see my country go, said one protester, Noam Fagi. Hamas Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel killed 1,200 people, and militants took 250 others hostage. Israel says about 100 hostages are still captive in Gaza, along with the bodies of about 30 more. The Israeli offensive killed more than 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children, health officials there say. Netanyahu said Israel will maintain open-ended security control over Gaza and partner with local Palestinians who are not affiliated with Hamas or the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Still, he said it is impossible to plan for such a postwar authority before Hamas is defeated. A new effort to deliver desperately needed aid to Gaza appeared to falter Saturday. Several Israeli tanks fired warning shots in an apparent attempt to clear the way for trucks ferrying food supplies on their way from a new U.S.-built pier. One Palestinian was killed, according to Associated Press journalists at the scene. Hundreds of Palestinians gathered around the stopped trucks and carried away boxes. Gaza war protests ignite on US college campuses ST. PETER, Minn. After 73 years and a long fight with the U.S. Army, a Korean War veteran from Minnesota who was wounded in combat finally got his Purple Heart medal Friday. The Army notified Earl Meyer, 96, of St. Peter, last month that it granted him a Purple Heart, which honors service members wounded or killed in combat. Meyer, who still has shrapnel in his thigh that continues to cause him occasional pain, had the medal pinned to his chest at a ceremony at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. Afterward, Meyer recalled being at an earlier ceremony for veterans when Purple Heart honorees were asked to rise so they could be honored. Now, said Meyer, "I can stand up with them guys." Understated and quick to deflect praise, he added: "It is nice. No doubt about that." An Army review board rejected Meyer's application several times due to a lack of paperwork, but reversed course after a campaign by his three daughters and their attorney. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota also intervened on his behalf along with the service's top noncommissioned officer, the sergeant major of the Army. A federal judge ordered the review board to take another look. Meyer's case showcases the challenges for wounded veterans to get medals they've earned when the fog of war, the absence of records and the passage of time make it challenging to produce proof. Klobuchar presented Meyer a certificate after the medal was pinned, while one of her former aides who worked on the case sang the national anthem. "Our safety is what Earl fought for. Minnesota, our country and our world are better because of you, Earl," Klobuchar told the crowd. "Thank you. And congratulations. Finally." Meyer's daughter, Sandy Baker, of New Buffalo, Michigan, described combat veterans like her father, who is known to friends as "Sonny," as "a different breed" and said he was reluctant to push for the recognition. She said he ultimately became convinced his effort would help other soldiers win overdue recognition. "He's excited and he's very honored. Incredibly honored. But he said at coffee this morning, 'I don't know why we're making such a big deal out of this,'" she said. Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer wasn't able to attend, but he sent a latter of gratitude for Meyer's "selfless service and dedication." In a handwritten addition at the bottom of the letter, Weimer said: "Thank you for not giving up on us! Long overdue!" Weimer sent Command Sgt. Major Jason Ross, from the Army National Guard, in his place. He described the grueling fighting that Meyer endured. "He saw his close friends wounded, killed in action, and he engaged in continuous, sustained combat with the enemy and in wartime conditions for several days," Ross said. "He believed and understood he could actually die in combat." Few men in Meyer's unit who witnessed the mortar attack in 1951 survived. Only a few members of his platoon made it out unharmed. He didn't even realize at first that he was wounded. He said he thinks the medic who treated him on the battlefield was killed before he could file the paperwork. He wasn't thinking then about a medal he just wanted to survive. When the Army denied Meyer's first applications for the medal, it said his documentation was insufficient. It burned in a fire, said Baker, who is Meyer's daughter. Klobuchar's office helped the family obtain additional documents and an Army review board finally concluded last month that the new evidence "establishes beyond reasonable doubt that the applicant was wounded in action in early June 1951." The board cited records from the Department of Veterans Affairs, where doctors concluded the shrapnel in his thigh had to be from a combat injury. The board also cited a recent memo from Weimer, who said he believed Meyer's account was accurate, and that his medal request deserved another review. Meyer's American Legion coffee buddy, Dave Johnson, who delivered the prayer, described Meyer as "more than humble." He said Meyer tends to downplay it and say, "Oh, this happened. I was part of this, and I guess I still have shrapnel in me." But Johnson said it is important for the rest of the community to remember. "People have to recognize what it takes to have a country like this, and it takes people like Sonny and his efforts, what he's accomplished and what he did on those particular days. Very few people have that opportunity to say, 'I did this for our country.'" Disney Salutes: Veteran portraits by George W. Bush Two American Air Force fighter airplanes recently flew into the sky above California. The military planes were taking part in training, practicing a wartime maneuver called a dogfight. One of the planes had a human pilot inside. The other did not. It was operated by artificial intelligence, or AI, software. A human was in the airplanes other seat. The Air Force was demonstrating how far its AI piloting technology has come. The United States is competing to stay ahead of China on AI and its use in weapon systems. The focus on AI has led to public concern. People worry that future wars will be fought by machines that choose and strike targets without direct human intervention. The U.S. has said it would never send a pilotless fighter plane into war because of concerns that civilians could be harmed mistakenly. But it is unclear if other countries have the same policy. So the U.S. is working on AI piloting technology, just in case. Admiral Christopher Grady is vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the top U.S. military leadership group. When speaking about the use of AI in war, he said: Chinas working on it as hard as we are. Here is a look at the U.S. history of machine learning and AI in the military. The military started putting computers in control of some systems in the 1960s and 1970s. The Aegis missile defense system was programmed by humans. They gave the system a set of if/then commands because the computer could detect incoming missiles faster than humans. The system could not learn, it could only carry out the rules. So it was not AI as we understand it today, said Christopher Berardi, an Air Force Lt. Colonel who is working with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on AI development. AI took a step forward in 2012 when faster computer processors started to analyze information and write rules. Computer experts call that period the big bang for AI. The new data created by a computer is considered artificial intelligence. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall was the human on board the F-16 fighter jet called Vista. The Vista jet is the most visible AI project, but the U.S. Department of Defense has hundreds in place. One project going on at MIT includes recordings of Air Force pilots speaking with people in air operations centers on the ground. Service members are training the AI systems to detect the most important conversations and separate them from mundane chatter. The plan is to use AI to alert pilots to critical messages. The Air Force is also working on an AI-powered navigation system that does not depend on satellites. The concern is that satellites could be targeted in war. So instead of using satellite navigation, the Air Force is working on a navigation system that uses the magnetic fields of the Earth. The idea is not new, but before AI, experts worried that navigation systems would not work due to the electromagnetic signal created by most aircraft. But programmers are training an AI system to ignore the signal created by the airplane and instead pay attention to the Earths magnetic emissions. Col. Garry Floyd is head of the Air Force-MIT Artificial Intelligence Accelerator Program. He said magnetometers are so sensitive they would pick up the signal from flashing lights on a C-17 airplane. Floyd called the work so far, very, very impressive. We think we may have added an arrow to the quiver in the things we can do, should we end up operating in a GPS-denied environment. Which we will, Floyd said. The system has only been tested on the C-17 so far. There are some limits to what AI can do. So there is always a human safety pilot on board. For example, AI cannot learn in mid-flight. It can only learn from the data it collects each time the plane is in the air. When the plane is back on the ground, the new information is loaded into a simulator and the AI system learns and creates more flight rules. But unlike in the past, AI now learns fast. Todays computers have more power than ever before and sometimes the AI system learns new ways to fly the planes. Sometimes it can beat human pilots in tests. But there are still guardrails. AI may learn a new way to fly a plane, but a human observer will prevent the computer from transferring the details on how to do an unsafe maneuver in the air. The Air Force said it hopes the system it is working on today can be used to create a fleet of 1,000 unpiloted airplanes. Im Dan Friedell. Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a report by The Associated Press. ____________________________________________________ Words in This Story focus n. attention or concern detect v. to study information in order to come up with a conclusion big bang n. a time of fast discovery or change mundane adj. usual, routine or unimportant chatter n. words spoken quickly alert v. to direct someones attention to something important impressive adj. causing great appreciation or interest arrow to the quiver expression. another kind of weapon added to a group of weapons simulator n. a machine or computer system that permits a user to experience an activity such as flying without getting into an airplane transfer v. to move information from one place to another We want to hear from you. What would you think if a war was conducted without humans flying airplanes? How long student protests over the war in Gaza can continue is in question with the removal of encampments, graduations and summer break. The student protests came after the Israeli offensive in the Palestinian territory of Gaza. The offensive was to answer the Hamas attack on October 7 that killed some 1,200 people in southern Israel. The resulting war in Gaza has killed more than 35,000 people, including civilians and fighters. Those numbers come from Gazas Health Ministry and are not independently confirmed. The protesters say they will continue until college officials meet their demands. They include a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and ending university investment in companies profiting from the war. They also include the removal of punishments for students and school employees for protesting. Experts who study protest movements say it is difficult to continue the protests energy if most of the students are gone. But they also point out that student demonstrations are just one way to protest in the wider pro-Palestinian movement that has existed for many years. They say this summer will provide more chances for the energy that started at universities to move to the streets. Evolve or disappear Dana Fisher is a professor at American University in Washington, D.C. She has written several books on social movements and has seen some of her students among protesters at the university. She noted the campus protests spread across the country as a response to police activity at Columbia University on April 18. More than 100 people were arrested then. Since those first arrests, the Associated Press estimated that nearly 2,900 people have been arrested at 57 colleges and universities around the U.S. Fisher told Reuters news agency that she does not see enough organizational structure for the young people to continue protesting when they are not at school. She said the movement will have to evolve or it cant continue. In Denver, Colorado, police on April 26 arrested 45 people at an encampment protest at the Auraria campus used by the University of Colorado-Denver, Metropolitan State University, and the Community College of Denver. On May 8, the students returned for a sit-in inside the Aerospace and Engineering Sciences building. The building was developed in part with a $1 million gift from arms manufacturer Lockheed Martin. Steph, who chose to not give her last name due to fear of punishment, is a 21-year-old student on the Auraria campus. She said, We're keeping our protests up and our encampment going until our demands are met, however long that takes. She added, We'll be here through summer break and into next fall if needed. Fisher said the police response to protests has helped create a sense of activism in a new generation of students. She thinks the current campus demonstrations are the beginning of a long, hot summer of protest about many issues. And she thinks the Republican National Convention in July and the Democratic National Convention in August will become targets for large protests. Fisher said the current police response has been much more aggressive and repressive than the time of student-led protests against the Vietnam War in the 1960s. And then in the middle of all that the presidential election, she added. After graduation, a ghost town Michael Heaney teaches politics at the University of Glasgow in Britain. His research and books have dealt with U.S. protest movements. Heaney said the campus protests are just one method in the wider movement to support Palestinians, an ongoing effort that goes back many years. He pointed to the U.S. civil rights protests that went back 200 years, saying just because one moment of protest ends does not mean the end of a movement. He said pro-Palestinian protests in American cities this summer could grow if Israels offensive in Gaza continues. And he added that such demonstrations would have been supported by the widespread university activism. Jacob, 22, is one of the student protest organizers on Denvers Auraria campus. He said, After graduation, it may be a ghost town on this campus - but we'll still be here. He added, Were not going anywhere. Im Gregory Stachel. And Im Gena Bennett. Brad Brooks reported this story for Reuters. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. Quiz - US Campus Protests Face Summer Break Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz _________________________________________________ Words in This Story campus n. the area and buildings around a university, college, or school response n. something that is done as a reaction to something else evolve v. to change or develop slowly often into a better, more complex, or more advanced state ghost town n. a town that no longer has any people living in it Phil Hands | Wisconsin State Journal Follow Phil Hands | Wisconsin State Journal 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 President Joe Biden recently announced plans for Microsoft to build a new artificial intelligence data center in southeastern Wisconsin. The new $3.3 billion center will create 2,000 permanent jobs and occupy a site once planned for a Foxconn factory. In 2018, Donald Trump and Scott Walker cut a deal to bring Foxconn to Wisconsin in exchange for massive state tax subsidies. But Foxconn never lived up to its end of the deal and created only a fraction of the 13,000 jobs it promised. It's good to see that after years of bull fertilizer from Foxconn, and millions of taxpayer dollars on infrastructure, something is finally growing in the fields of Mount Pleasant. Hands on Wisconsin archive IN the eyes of Rolando Macasaet, president and chief executive of the Social Security System (SSS), no Filipino is too far away, whether in the Philippines or elsewhere in the world, not to be reached by the state pension fund. Exhibit A: In a press briefing, Macasaet announced that the SSS would grant calamity loan assistance to SSS-member overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) displaced by the 7.4-magnitude that jolted Taiwan on April 3. - Advertisement - Exhibit B: The SSS reached out to the families of three OFWs who died in an unprecedented massive flooding in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. Exhibit C: The SSS gave assurance on social security coverage for all Filipino seafarers and maritime professionals following formation of the Maritime Industry Tripartite Council among labor organizations, manning agencies, ship operators and concerned government agencies. Hence, it may be said that this Zamboanga-born SSS hombre was the most pro-active administrator of the pension fund. He tirelessly pushes programs meant to promote and further strengthen SSS programs and initiatives. Under his leadership, the agency rolled out KaSSSangga Collect Program geared at providing insurance coverage and protection for non-organic or temporary government employees, notwithstanding the fact that under its Charter, SSS was created to serve mainly the private sector workforce. Thus, more than 500,000 government workers under job order and contract of service arrangements not covered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) were given SSS insurance. The SSS also forged partnerships with local government units in setting up internet-based desks or e-centers to access all communities across the country, further bolstered by the SSSeWheels described as a mobile service program that brings SSS services closer to far-flung communities. Macasaet and his team also maintain municipal hall dialogues with stakeholders nationwide. Essentially, he covers all bases to see to it that the SSS enjoys a seamless journey of public service under his watch as the 20th chief of the pension fund, having been appointed to the post on Jan. 5, 2023. Prior to that, he was president and general manager of the GSIS for three years during the watch of then President Rodrigo Duterte. President Ferdinand R. Marcos has high expectations from us to provide guaranteed safety nets to the Filipino people. We have to work doubly hard so we could provide our current members and pensioners on what is just and due to them without putting in jeopardy the financial protection of current members and future pensioners, he said. A run-through of Macasaets track records showed that he mustered vast experience in public service following his appointed as GSIS chief from 2019 to 2022, and as chairman of the same entity in 2018. He also served in various leadership capacities in government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), such as Philippine National Construction Corp., Dasmarinas Industrial Steel Corp., Skyway Corp. and Tierra Factors Corp. from 1988 to 2005. He also had a stint as Philippine National Bank (PNB) as vice president and general manager in Los Angeles, California and regional vice president-ASEAN in Singapore. He was corporate account manager of the BMO Bank of Montreal and president and vice chairman of Philippine Postal Bank. He was a board member of various private companies such as San Miguel Corp., Bank of Commerce, Private Infrastructure and Development Corporation, PCI Bank, John Hay Management Corp., Manila Hotel, Philippine Stock Exchange, Philex Mining Corp., among others. He sits on the board of Union Bank and the PLDT Inc. Macasaet has Bachelor of Science in Business Economics and Masters in Business Administration- honors program from the University of the Philippines. He completed an executive program in Finance at the Columbia University, New York and received his diploma in Management Development from the Harvard Business School in Boston, Massachusetts. Donald Trump launched another expletive-laced attack on Joe Biden as he addressed an influential gun group Saturday, while the incumbent president warned in the crucial swing state of Georgia that his unhinged challenger is a threat to US democracy. Trump was in Dallas, Texas, where he received the endorsement of the politically powerful National Rifle Association. - Advertisement - In a rambling speech to thousands of NRA members, Trump said Biden is the worst president in the history of our country by far and branded the Democrat as full of bullshit. Youre fired, get out of here Joe! he called out to laughter from the pro-gun crowd, telling them Biden was coming for their firearms. Trump, who is fending off multiple criminal indictments for his unprecedented attempt to overthrow the results of the 2020 election and was twice impeached as president, told the crowd Biden is crooked and a threat to democracy. If Biden were Republican, he would be given the electric chair, Trump said. Biden meanwhile was stumping in the key southern state of Georgia, which the Democrat narrowly won in 2020, as he sought support from African Americans a crucial element in his coalition. Our democracy is really on the line, Biden told supporters at Mary Macs Tea Room, a Black-owned restaurant in Atlanta. My opponents not a good loser. But he is a loser, Biden said to applause. Hes not only obsessed with losing in 2020. Hes clearly unhinged, Biden said, adding that something snapped in Trump after that election. Folks, Trump isnt running to lead America. Hes running for revenge. We cannot let this man become president. Our childrens future is at stake We have to win this race, not for me but for America. On Sunday Biden was due to address students at Morehouse College, a renowned historically Black university. Gun violence Trump was campaigning in Texas during the weekend break for his criminal trial in New York. He also faces criminal charges in Washington, Georgia and Florida indictments the former president routinely claims are part of a conspiracy by Biden to prevent his return to the White House. The 150-year-old NRA, whose longtime CEO resigned in January amid a graft lawsuit, is closely aligned with the Republican Party in opposing firearm restrictions, despite routine mass killings in the United States and high rates of gun violence compared to peer nations. Efforts at broad reforms to gun laws have been stymied for decades, with executive actions and state initiatives attacked in court by critics as infringing on the constitutional right to own a firearm, enshrined in the Second Amendment. Trump previewed the tone of his speech on Friday, telling a fundraising dinner in Minnesota that gun owners must vote Republican because the Democrats want to take their guns away and they will take their guns away. Biden has repeatedly called for a long-lapsed ban on military style assault weapons to be reinstated, among other restrictions. Last month, the White House moved to crack down on firearm sales at gun shows and online that evade US federal background checks, with several Republican-led states quickly suing to block the measure. There were more than 40,000 gun-related deaths in the United States last year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- China on Sunday started an anti-dumping investigation into polyformaldehyde copolymer imported from the European Union, the United States, China's Taiwan region and Japan. The Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said in a statement that it made the decision in accordance with the country's anti-dumping regulation after reviewing materials provided by six Chinese companies that applied for the probe on behalf of the domestic industry last month. The anti-dumping probe will look at polyformaldehyde copolymer, or commonly called POM copolymer for short, imported from these countries and regions from Jan. 1, 2023 to Dec. 31, 2023. It will also investigate any damage done to the Chinese POM copolymer industry from Jan. 1, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2023. The MOC urged interested parties to register with the ministry within 20 days since Sunday for participation in the probe. The investigation is expected to conclude before May 19, 2025, but may be extended for half a year under special circumstances. POM copolymer is used in a broad range of industries, including auto parts, electronic devices, medical equipment and construction materials. President Marcos directed an inquiry into the alleged wiretapping of a high-ranking official within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) by the Chinese Embassy in Manila. We are looking into it because the fact of the matter is, there have been mentions of a tape that confirms that there was this agreement, President Marcos said in a chance interview. - Advertisement - President Marcos emphasized that it is premature to draw any conclusions until he reviews the contents of the alleged wiretap. Its in the possession of the Chinese Embassy and the Chinese government. So, until they release it, its harder to believe and to accept that there was an agreement, he said. When asked if he had issued any directives for government agencies to exercise additional caution, President Marcos said there was no such directive, but highlighted the ongoing policy on cybersecurity. There have been so many departments and agencies that have been victimized and I think we are all very aware of the risks of cybersecurity. We are very conscious of that, he said. President Marcos noted that the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) are collaborating to enhance the countrys cybersecurity. He said the Department of Information and Communications (DICT) and Department of Science and Technology (DOST) are working to improve cybersecurity and plan to recruit top Filipino experts to bolster defenses. The Department of Justice through its National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) already initiated a probe into the wiretapping allegations. The Senate committee on national defense also scheduled a hearing on the issue this coming week. The establishment of Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes would ensure that foreign ships and aircraft exercising freedom of navigation shall not engage in threat or use of force against the sovereignty, territorial integrity, or political independence of the Philippines. They also cannot engage in any other manner in violation of the principles of international law embodied in the Charter of the United Nations (UN), Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, one of the authors of the proposed measure under Senate Bill No. 2665, said over the weekend. - Advertisement - His statement comes after China released a statement, threatening to arrest foreigners without trial that would trespass in its highly militarized areas in the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea (WPS). The proposed Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes bill was already sent to the Senate plenary. Senator Francis Tolentino, also author and major sponsor of the measure, said the bill aims to establish a system of sea lanes in the Philippine waters by connecting the coordinates of the following access lines: Philippine Sea-Balintang Channel-WPS Celebes Sea-Sibutu Passage-Sulu Sea-Cuyo East Pass-Mindoro Strait-WPS Celebes Sea-Basilan Strait-Sulu Sea-Nasubata Channel-Balabac Strait-WPS Tolentino cited the need for archipelagic sea lanes since the Philippines is made up of 7,641 islands. The international community afforded us the right to do so, and we have earned our legal and international recognition in no less than the UN Convention of the Sea (UNCLOS), Tolentino said. As embodied in the proposed bill, our fishing grounds and key biodiversity areas in Philippine waters would be protected. Tolentino said the measure aims to not only give Filipino fishermen a fighting chance in sustaining their livelihoods, but also an assurance from the government that they will be protected from foreign encroachment. This will safeguard the integrity of our national territory, added Dela Rosa. Dela Rosa lamented that for the past decades, our fishermen have been on the receiving end of harassment and bullying from the Chinese. In a situation where the choice is between your survival or your untimely end, what will be the use of being taught how to fish? he said. He pointed out that teaching our people to fish for them to thrive for a lifetime would be useless if they are forcibly driven away from their traditional fishing spot within our exclusive economic zone. Furthermore, the senator pointed out that it is not only the threat or use of force which is prohibited, but also marine pollution. According to Dela Rosa, once enacted into law, this will be a testament to the Senates commitment to fight for our rightful claim to the WPS. China risks violating international laws if it pushes through with its recent policy of detaining foreigners passing through South China Sea, known in Manila as West Philippine Sea, according to Senators Risa Hontiveros and Francis Tolentino. Hontiveros said over the weekend that the Philippines might be compelled to sue China at the Hague Tribunal again if it enforces its new regulation. She called the policy illegal, highlighting it as further evidence of Chinas emerging reputation as a rogue nation. - Advertisement - The senator believes the policy was in direct response to the Atin Ito coalition, which recently conducted a peaceful civilian supply mission on the waters of Bajo de Masinloc (also known as Scarborough and Panatag Shoal), in solidarity with Filipino fishermen struggling at sea. Hontiveros said this clearly struck a nerve with China, and instead of responding diplomatically, Beijing opted to impose tyrannical tactics that only exacerbated the situation. Tolentino echoed her sentiments, saying the Philippines could file additional cases against China before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). He pointed out that Chinas maritime boundaries are well-defined, extending only 12 nautical miles from Hainan, far from the disputed Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc, which fall within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines. Both senators called for international support against Chinas latest actions. Hontiveros, citing former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, urged the Philippine government to rally allies like the United States, Japan, Australia, France, and other like-minded nations to join patrols within the Philippines EEZ. SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia Two Chinese warships docked in Cambodia on Sunday as part of the biggest-ever joint military drills with the Southeast Asian nation, with Beijings ambassador hailing their ironclad friendship. Cambodia has long been a staunch ally of China and has received billions of dollars in investment. - Advertisement - Washington is growing increasingly concerned Beijing will use a Cambodian naval base it is upgrading on Gulf of Thailand to expand its influence in the region. On Sunday the training ship Qijiguang and amphibious warfare ship Jinggangshan docked at Sihanoukville as part of 15 days of land and sea drills involving 760 Chinese military personnel along with around 1,300 Cambodians and 11 Cambodian vessels. The Qijiguang bore a banner reading Bring peace and friendship to meet good friends as it approached the port. We are ironclad friends, Chinese ambassador Wang Wentian told reporters on the shore. China-Cambodia military cooperation was conducive to the security of both countries and to the security of the region. At Ream, a few kilometers along the coast, China has been funding the renovation of a naval base originally built partly using US funds. Two Chinese warships docked at Ream in December for the first time after work began to expand the base. Washington says Ream could give Beijing a key strategic position on the Gulf of Thailand near the disputed South China Sea, which China largely claims. Last year, Cambodian officials denied a new 363-meter pier at Ream was intended to berth aircraft carriers. Where the Chinese navy goes, we bring friendship, we bring cooperation, no others, ambassador Wang said in response to a question on concerns over Beijings growing influence. At the start of the drills on Thursday Chinas military showed off its hardware including so-called robodogs remote-controlled four-legged robots with automatic rifles mounted on their backs. Handlers kept the dogs of war on the leash, demonstrating only their walking capabilities to watching journalists and top brass not their shooting skills. The drills follow a three-day visit by Chinas top diplomat Wang Yi to Cambodia in April to deepen ties between the two countries. Now in its second year, the International Wellness Tourism (iWT) Expo was recently held at the massive Tokyo Big Sight, Japans largest international exhibition center. The venue has 16 exhibition halls, and 24 conference rooms, and handles approximately 300 expos every year. It can easily be identified on the citys landscape by its unique inverted pyramids. The iWT, organized by RX Japan Ltd. (sister company of RX Global Ltd., organizers of the very popular annual World Travel Mart in London) is Japans first exhibition dedicated to wellness tourism. - Advertisement - The Expo aims to give wellness tourism the prominence it deserves and contribute to the future in which people around the world can achieve physical and mental well-being through travel. This three-day global event featured trade exhibitions, international conferences, and business-to-business sessions. From left: DOT Director for Product and Market Development Paulo Tugbang, DOT Regional Director for the Cordillera Administrative Region Jovita Ganongan, Tourism Attache in Tokyo Niel Ballesteros, Bukidnon 4th District Representative Laarni Roque, Guimaras District Representative Ma. Lucille Nava, and PRA General Manager and CEO Roberto Zozobrado This was the first time that the countrys Department of Tourism (DOT) participated, and it occupied a 48.6-square-meter booth which it shared with some of our countrys wellness tourism stakeholders. Naturally, as an attached agency of the DOT, the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) did not want to lose out on the opportunity to meet the events expected senior attendees. PRA wants to promote our country as the Asian regions preferred retirement haven. As of the last count, 4,271 Japanese nationals have applied for the Special Resident Retirees Visa (SRRV) and have settled here in our country. Our current Marketing strategy is to increase participation in similar events all over the world that attract senior citizens so that the present number (78,342) of foreign retirees in our country will continue to increase through the years. The Philippine booth for the iWT Expo showcases the countrys potential as a premier location for retirement On the Expos Opening Day, the Philippine booths ceremonial ribbon-cutting was participated in by Bukidnon Representative Laarni Lavin Roque, Guimaras Representative Ma. Lucille Nava, DOT Attache and Director for East Japan Niel Ballesteros, DOT Director Paulo Benito Tugbang, and myself. DOT had the clever strategy of featuring the famous Filipino version of massage, the Hilot in the lounge at the center of the Philippine booth, for which attendees to the event patiently queued up. I wanted to try it myself but the queue never got short so I decided to give way to the curious Japanese crowd and let them experience and enjoy it while they could. PRA Executive Assistant Don Valerio explains the details about the SRRV to an attendee Im glad that our country has positioned itself as the next emerging destination for wellness and medical tourism, especially with our high-quality healthcare services, further heightened by the compassion and love of our healthcare professionals. It was quite heartwarming to see many elderly Japanese drop by our desk to ask for more details about the SRRVs that we process for those who intend to make our country their new home. Of course, we had to ask the two students, contracted by DOT as interpreters, to help us explain to the guests the intricacies of the special visa we granted the retirees. PRA Marketing Department Manager Noehl Bautista (right) talks with one of the attendees When I asked those who came to the PRA Desk what they liked most about retiring in the Philippines, their most common answer was our people. A lot also said they like Filipino food. What is most significant is that the Japanese who have settled down in our country are not clustered around a particular region or city but are all over the different provinces. With more participation in similar events catering to the senior population, I do not doubt more foreign retirees will make our country their next home. Additional information on the SRRV and PRAs other activities may be obtained from www.pra.gov.ph or +632 8848 1412. For feedback, Im at bobzozobrado@gmail.com Russia continues to deepen its ties in Africa as it has forged a partnership with the Comoros to tackle conflicts on the continent and as, another island nation, Mauritius, is reportedly committed to deepening its ties with Moscow, despite pressure from the West. The Comoros, a volcanic archipelago in the Indian Ocean, disclosed its shared interest with the Kremlin after the recent 33rd summit of the League of Arab States in Manama. According to a report by the Russian Sputnik media, Comoros and Russian leaders have stressed both countries priority on strengthening consultations and coordinating stances at the United Nations, particularly regarding conflict resolution and modern challenges in Africa. Bilateral ties between the two countries saw a significant uptick following last summers 2nd Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg. Meanwhile, another island country, Mauritius, is reportedly looking to join the list of African countries partnering with Russia. Speaking to the same Russian media last year, Mauritiuss ambassador to Russia, Heswar Janke, noted that in light of the rapidly changing global landscape, Russia has become an increasingly important player for the small island country, which reportedly includes a prospective use of the Russian Mir payment cards. Amid Russias growing foothold in Africa, its Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, recently reiterated the importance of African partnership, stating that in political terms, African countries are our allies on many items of the international agenda, including the defense of the principles of the UN Charter. 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: Extreme heat associated with increased asthma hospital visits. Credit: ATS For children seeking care at a California urban pediatric health center, extreme heat events were associated with increased asthma hospital visits, according to research published at the ATS 2024 International Conference held May 1722 in San Diego. "We found that both daily high heat events and extreme temperatures that lasted several days increased the risk of asthma hospital visits," said corresponding author Morgan Ye, MPH, research data analyst, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine. "Understanding the impacts of climate-sensitive events such as extreme heat on a vulnerable population is the key to reducing the burden of disease due to climate change." Ms. Ye and colleagues looked at 20172020 electronic health records from the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, which included data on asthma hospital visits by patients of the hospital, some of whom are from Benioff Oakland's Federally Qualified Health Center, and demographics including patients' zip codes. They used data from the PRISM Climate Group of Oregon State University to determine the timing of daily maximum (daytime heat waves) and minimum (nighttime heat waves) for each zip code. The researchers restricted their analyses to the region's warm season (June to September). To evaluate the potential range of effects of different heat wave measurements, they used 18 different heat wave definitions, including the 99th, 97.5th and 95th percentile of the total distribution of the study period for one, two or three days. They designed the study in a way that allowed them to determine the association between each heat wave definition and a hospital visit. They repeated the analysis for Bay Area and Central California zip codes. The team discovered that daytime heat waves were significantly associated with 19% higher odds of children's asthma hospital visits, and longer duration of heat waves doubled the odds of hospital visits. They did not observe any associations for nighttime heat waves. According to Ye, "We continue to see global temperatures rise due to human-generated climate change, and we can expect a rise in health-related issues as we observe longer, more frequent and severe heat waves. "Our research suggests that higher temperatures and increased duration of these high heat days are associated with increased risk of hospital visits due to asthma. Children and families with lower adaptation capacity will experience most of the burden. "Therefore, it is important to obtain a better understanding of these heat-associated health risks and susceptible populations for future surveillance and targeted interventions." The authors note that past research has suggested positive associations between extreme heat and asthma, but findings regarding hospitalizations and emergency room visits have been conflicting. Additionally, many other studies have focused on respiratory hospitalizations and not hospitalizations for asthma, specifically, and have not included or had a focus on children. This study is also unique because it investigated the effect of daily high temperatures but also the effects of persistent extreme temperatures. The San Francisco Bay Area and California overall are unique areas of interest because the state is considered a coastal region with less prevalence of cooling units, such as air conditioners. While temperatures may not reach the extremes experienced in other parts of the country, this study demonstrates that even milder extreme heat temperatures may significantly impact health. These effects are more pronounced in climate-susceptible populations, including children and those who are medically vulnerable, such as those served by the urban pediatric health center in this study. The authors hope these study results will lead to more equitable health outcomes and reduce racial/ethnic disparities observed in climate-sensitive events. "These results can be used to inform targeted actions and resources for vulnerable children and alleviate health-related stress during heat waves," they conclude. More information: Session: A95 Climate Change and Health Disparities in Lung Disease, Extreme Heat and Asthma Hospitalizations in Children in California (20172020) 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: Medically complex children and their families face barriers to in-home nursing care. Credit: ATS For American families with medically complex children, access to home health nursing is often inadequate and the families face major financial burdens, according to research published at the ATS 2024 International Conference held May 1722 in San Diego. This study defines medically complex children as those who are supported by tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation, required full-time skilled nursing care. "This study is the first to focus on the in-home nursing and caregiving environment," said lead author Brian Jordan, MD, MCR, Ph.D., director of advanced mechanical ventilation and associate professor of pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Oregon Health & Science University. "While prior studies have evaluated the home health nursing shortage from the point of view of the medical community, this study quantifies its impact as experienced and reported by medically complex families themselves." Between May and July 2023, Dr. Jordan and colleagues conducted a survey of American families with medically complex children. Survey questions were designed to explore barriers to accessing in-home nursing and included branching logic, which controls respondents' individual paths to point them to appropriate follow-up questions. The survey was done in collaboration with Hello Nurze, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides a free platform that empowers families with medically complex children to connect with home health nurses in their area. The researchers received 242 responses from families in 34 states and the District of Columbia. Although 86.8% of families desired home health nursing and had home health nursing hours approved by their insurers, 47.5% reported fewer than half of approved hours were covered and 28.3% reported no in-home nursing at the time their child was discharged from the hospital. A total of 37.9% reported that their child's hospital stay was extended due solely to lack of access to available in-home nursing. Financially, 87.8% of families reported having to make significant employment changes due to lack of in-home nursing, including 31.8% of families reporting a yearly reduction in household income of $50,000$100,000. Families reported that these employment changes were not shared equally between parents, affecting 78.4% of mothers surveyed. "Establishing a quantitative view of job and income impacts, access to non-parent caregiving support, and the percentage of approved nursing hours that are actually filled all combine to form a clearer view of the medically complex family life in the home and the trade-offs families face," said Dr. Jordan. "We hope that bringing visibility to the reality of in-home caretaking and the hardships families endure will motivate policy makers and regional organizations to enact more supportive legislation and services to better support families with disabilities." To help ensure that they were reaching the right families, Hello Nurze shared the survey on Instagram and Facebook, focusing on Facebook groups used by families that have a special needs or medically complex child requiring home health nursing, such as those with a g-tube (a gastronomy tube that brings nutrients directly to the stomach) or tracheostomy, or have a reliance on medical equipment to stay alive. These families were among the most likely to qualify for private duty nursing. Survey posts received 40,000 impressions on Instagram alone. Hello Nurze launched a free web platform at hellonurze.com to help connect medically-complex families with nurses in their communityserving as a brand new way to extend nursing searches for families and a tool to encourage more nurses to consider joining the home health industry. Hellonurze.com introduces family and nurse profiles, something not previously available within the home health sector. Families and nurses can share as much or as little as they want about themselves via the profiles, allowing nurses to highlight their skills and certifications and allowing families to showcase their child's personality, tell their story, and emphasize that they are so much more than just a diagnosis or case number. When site users find a potential match, they can communicate directly on the site to ask additional questions and determine if they are a good fit. If both parties feel it's a good match, they work with a third-party nursing agency of their choice to formalize the nurse/patient relationship and onboard the case. More information: Session: Session A96 Improving the Care of Patients with Diverse Pulmonary Conditions and Sleep Disordered Breathing, The State of Home Health Nursing for Medically Complex Children in the United States RALEIGH It is a delight! Thats what a recent reviewer said about my novel Mountain Folk, which she called an entertaining and instructive blend of American history, folklore and fantasy. As a long-time teacher of middle school and high school students, she wrote, I think Mountain Folk would be a great addition to school reading lists. Shockingly, I agree! So does another reviewer. The best magic in Mountain Folk, he wrote, is the sorcery that will make early American history accessible to a wide swath of ages, tween to adult, who would otherwise eschew the subject. Not since John Jakes The American Bicentennial series has the story of our nations founding been so engaging and approachable. Ive been writing a column on North Carolina politics public policy since 1986. Obviously I believe journalism including opinion journalism is necessary to maintain an informed electorate. But Ive come to believe its far from sufficient. Mountain Folk and the other tales in my Folklore Cycle series which currently consist of two novels, two novelettes, and two more works scheduled for release later this year arent history lectures. Yes, they feature historical characters such as George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Andrew Jackson, Sam Houston, Edgar Allen Poe, and Sojourner Truth. And, yes, they depict historical events such as the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, westward expansion, the Trail of Tears, congressional debates, and the formation of the abolitionist movement. But they also include magic, monsters and wee folk. Fairies help Daniel Boone foil an assassination plot against Thomas Jefferson. General Cornwallis tries to break the French blockade of Yorktown with the help of a sea monster. Davy Crocketts heroics at the Alamo help his dwarf friend unmask a massive conspiracy. Theres a method to my seeming madness I promise. According to the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress, fewer than a quarter of our eighth-graders are proficient in civics. Only 13% are proficient in history. A survey of students at Americas 55 most exclusive colleges and universities found that just 34% knew George Washington was the American commander Cornwallis faced at Yorktown. A slightly higher share, 37%, thought it was Ulysses S. Grant! More consequentially, most students cannot identify key passages of the U.S. Constitution and explain their relevance to todays political debates. Most Americans not just most young Americans couldnt pass the basic civics test legal immigrants must take to become citizens. How do I use fantasy fiction to improve my readers knowledge of history? Heres an example. One of the Revolutionary War episodes I depict in Mountain Folk is the 1777 battle of Germantown, near Philadelphia. In my telling, Washingtons army is on the verge of defeating his British and Hessian foes when a giant creature called a Fuath steps from the river and uses magic to cast a thick fog over the town. Blinded and disoriented, American units fire on each other and ultimately retreat. There was, of course, no fog beastie from Scottish folklore tramping around Germantown. Readers know thats fiction. Still, my heros memorable fight with the formidable Fuath sticks with them which means they have, unwittingly, learned something most of them didnt know: an entirely natural fog drifting over the battlefield really was the major reason Washingtons army got fouled up there! In many other instances, my novels and novelettes use fantastical means to convey historical truths. Much of the dialogue spoken by characters such as Washington, Hamilton, Houston, and Sojourner Truth is adapted from what they actually spoke or wrote. As for the fantasy characters, their adventures are great fun. But thats not all they are. Students of American history will see their history anew, wrote another reviewer of Mountain Folk. And those who forgot everything they learned about American history and folklore will have a renewed appreciation for their country. Thats why Im writing the Folklore Cycle although I suppose I should admit that the difference between covering North Carolina politics and writing fantasy fiction isnt exactly stark. by Xinhua writer Habtamu Worku ADDIS ABABA, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Ubah Ismail Ahmed, a team leader at the Nagad railway station on the outskirts of Djibouti City, was fully immersed as she inspected train operations in the control room. Ahmed describes herself as an embodiment of China's successful knowledge and skills transfer initiative, which has inspired local Ethiopian and Djiboutian youth to master the Chinese-built Ethiopia-Djibouti standard gauge railway. "The first time we came here, we didn't know anything about the work. We were like students learning from the Chinese experts. Now, we work independently, making decisions on our own. Everything here is done by the local people," Ahmed told Xinhua. Ahmed and her colleagues, who were previously unfamiliar with modern electrified railway operations, have undergone a transformative journey. Through rigorous theoretical and hands-on training under the guidance of Chinese experts, they have honed their skills. Last week, after six years of seamless operations, the management and operation of the 752-km electrified transnational railway were officially handed over from Chinese contractors to Ethiopia and Djibouti, marking a significant milestone. Since the railway operations began in January 2018, the capacity-building program has paved the way for the full localization of the workforce, employing more than 3,000 local staff. Official data shows that 2,840 people have been trained and certified in all aspects of railway professions, including operations, rolling stock, maintenance and safety management. In addition to training local staff, the Chinese team has conducted leadership training for around 200 middle and senior management personnel and trained 100 local railway managers in China. Yidnekachew Alemu, a team leader of railway captains, praised the training he received from Chinese experts, which enabled him to become one of the first licensed Ethiopian electrified train drivers. "We underwent three years of intensive theoretical and practical training at home, followed by advanced training in China for eight months with simulation support. This training has been instrumental in our professional growth," Alemu told Xinhua. A flagship project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway stands as Africa's first electrified transboundary railway, symbolizing a new era of regional connectivity and progress. Supported by successful capacity-building initiatives, the railway has transported 680,000 passengers and 9.5 million tons of cargo, with an average annual transportation revenue increase of 39 percent over the past six years. Dejen Gezu, another licensed Ethiopian electrified train driver, has been tasked with safely operating the railway while mentoring aspiring young Ethiopians. "I was just a train driver trainee, and I was trained by the Chinese. Now, I am training other trainees. We can now teach ourselves with our own experts," Gezu said. Reflecting on his early years of training under Chinese railway experts, Gezu proudly highlights the privilege of passing on his knowledge and skills, demonstrating self-sufficiency in railway expertise. Abdi Zenebe, chief executive officer of the Ethio-Djibouti Railway Share Company, emphasized the importance of the skills transfer initiative. "The Chinese railway industry is well developed and one of the leading industries in the world. Partnering with such a capable and willing industry is critical," Zenebe said. The railway has won plaudits from both countries, significantly reducing freight transportation time from over three days to less than 20 hours and cutting transportation costs by at least one-third. Ethiopian Minister of Transport and Logistics Alemu Sime said that the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway plays a crucial role in supporting economic growth by connecting resources and fostering regional prosperity. "This railway, a symbol of cooperation and progress, has been the engine of our economic development and regional integration. It has facilitated trade, encouraged cultural exchanges, and strengthened ties between our peoples," said Hassan Houmed, Djibouti's minister of infrastructure and equipment. Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana has encouraged people to vote in large numbers for the Lok Sabha polls. The Election Commission of India (ECI) enlisted Khurrana to encourage voters to participate in large numbers in the elections. The ECI's initiative aims to maximise voter turnout and ensure citizens exercise their democratic right to choose their representatives. Ayushmann Khurrana, who enjoys significant popularity among the youth, took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to appeal to the voters of Maharashtra, urging them to exercise their voting rights as the state heads to the polls on Monday, May 20. https://x.com/ayushmannk/status/1792059142477123820 In the video message, Khurrana said, "Friends, the time has come to vote. Yes, the Lok Sabha Election is happening in phases, and now it's your turn. Every vote is important because you will decide which leaders will steer the country in the right direction. Your vote is your voice. So vote, and make your voice count, because together we can shape a bright future for our country. Voting is your duty. Let's all participate in this festival of democracy. Jai Hind!" Meanwhile, on the professional front, Ayushmann Khurrana has recently signed a global record deal with Warner Music India. His first collaboration under this deal is the song 'Akh Da Taara.' Khurrana was last seen in the movie 'Dream Girl 2,' where he starred alongside Ananya Panday, Annu Kapoor, and Abhishek Banerjee. The film received positive responses from audiences. Elections for Phase 5 Lok Sabha polls in 6 seats in Mumbai are scheduled for Monday. The seats are 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. Voting for the first four phases has concluded and for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls, polling is set to be held on May 20. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are being held in seven phases running from April 19 to June 1. The counting and results will be declared on June 4. (ANI) A day after a former panchayat official was shot dead by terrorists in South Kashmir's Shopian and a tourist couple from Rajasthan injured in a separate terror strike in Anantnag, former deputy chief minister of the erstwhile state, Kavinder Gupta, said on Sunday said the attack was aimed at disturbing and hurting tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking to ANI on Sunday, the senior BJP leader said, "There was a record tourist footfall in Kashmir last year, with the number of visitors estimated at 1,70,00,000. Hence, at a time when tourism is looking up and local businesses and livelihoods are booming, the attack was aimed at bringing back the dark days of terror in the region. It was intended to hurt the tourism prospects at a time when there is prosperity all around in Kashmir. I strongly suspect Pakistan to be behind this attack. However, the nefarious designs of people, who carry out terror hits in exchange for money and at the behest of their handlers (across the border) wouldn't succeed. Their bid to bring back the reign of terror in the Valley will never succeed." "It should be kept in mind in this context that these people (terrorists) no longer enjoy local support as they used to earlier," the former deputy CM told ANI. A tourist couple from the Rajasthan capital, Jaipur, were injured in a terror attack in the Yannar area of South Kashmir's Anantnag district on Saturday night. "Terrorists fired upon and injured a woman, Farha, a resident of Jaipur, and her spouse, Tabrez, at Yannar in Anantnag. The injured were evacuated and rushed to a nearby hospital," a police officer said. The condition of the injured tourists was said to be stable. In a separate attack barely minutes apart in Shopian, terrorists shot dead a former Sarpanch from the BJP. Condemning the killing of their party leader, identified as Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh, at Heerpora in Shopian, the BJP on Saturday pledged support and solidarity with the kin of the deceased. "We strongly condemn the killing of ex-Sarpanch Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh in Heerpora, Shopian, by terrorists today (Saturday)," Sajid Yousuf Shah, the in-charge of the BJP's media cell in Jammu and Kashmir, posted from his X handle. "He was a brave soldier of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Jammu & Kashmir. The BJP firmly stands with the family of Aijaz Ahmad, who lost his life in this terror attack," he added. According to police, unidentified gunmen pumped lead into Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh at Heerpora in the Shopian district late on Saturday late evening. He was rushed to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries on arrival. "BJP leader and ex-Sarpanch Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh succumbed to his injuries after being fired upon by terrorists in Heerpora in South Kashmir's Shopian," IGP Kashmir said. (ANI) Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary launched a scathing attack on former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, accusing him of nepotism and family appeasement within his party, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). He said that the BJP, on the other hand, is working to connect the people on the ground and the party has no place for nepostims as every member of the party is treated equally. "Bharatiya Janata Party is a party of the common people, where everyone, from the Prime Minister to an ordinary party worker, is treated equally. We do not adhere to concepts of royalty or hierarchy. Each party worker connects directly with the people on the ground, and even Prime Minister Modi connects with the poor personally. How can we be unequal?" said Chaudhary. "RJD has only 20 to 25 percent of the vote, and they think integrating casteism into politics will work for them. Even if they win the elections, Lalu Ji is not going to give power to anyone. He will only transfer it to his family. When RJD was in government, Tejashwi was the deputy Chief Minister and when in opposition, he was the leader of the opposition and in another house, his mother was accompanying him. Lalu Ji can never give prominent positions to any outsider," Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary said. Taking a jibe at Tejashwi, he remarked that Tejashwi might consider himself a prince because his parents were former Chief Ministers of Bihar. He added that Lalu Yadav's family lives only for their own interests. He added, "Lalu Ji's kids were not even present in Bihar during the 'Jungle Raj' era. His daughter, Rohini Acharya, was in Singapore. Now that Bihar has been transformed and developed under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Prime Minister Modi, they have returned to contest elections. I appeal to the voters of Saran: defeat her this time, and if she remains committed even after losing, then consider supporting her in the future." Earlier, Samrat Chaudhary had alleged that the RJD opposes reservation policies and the Constitution. While addressing the media, he also questioned the credentials of Lalu's son and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav in addressing crucial political issues. Elections in Bihar are contested in all seven phases. With 40 Lok Sabha constituencies, the fourth highest among all States and Union Territories, Bihar holds a crucial position in shaping Indian politics. RJD from the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), the opposition coalition in Bihar, will contest 26 out of the state's 40 Lok Sabha seats. As part of the NDA, the BJP and JD (U) will contest for 17 and 16 seats, respectively. The results of the Lok Sabha elections will be declared on June 4th. (ANI) Amid the mega political showdown over the arrest of CM Kejriwal's former aide in connection with the alleged assault on AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, Delhi Police on Sunday detained some people who were protesting against the ruling party in the national capital. The people, sporting black topis inscribed with the words 'Aajan Aadmi Party', were rounded up and dragged into police vehicles. The AAP, earlier on Friday, declared a 'Jail Bharo' march to the BJP headquarters in the national capital to protest what they claimed to be arbitrary arrests of its leader at the behest of the Centre. Decrying the arrest of his former aide in the assault case, CM Kejriwal, on Saturday, accused the BJP at the Centre of resorting to a 'Jail Ka Khel' (game of putting leaders in jail) against his party, adding that he would lead a 'Jail Bharo' march to the BJP headquarters on Sunday along with his top party leaders as well as workers. Speaking to ANI on Sunday, DCP Delhi Central, Harsha Vardhan Mandava said, "Based on the information we received through social media and other channels, we have made preventive arrangements on DDU Marg to ensure that the law and order are maintained at all costs. We are focused and committed to making adequate security deployments and have barricades in place to ward off any attempt to disrupt law and order." "Section 144 has been imposed on DDU Marg and there is no permission for any kind of protest here," he informed. Earlier in the day, elaborate security arrangements were made outside the BJP headquarters ahead of the AAP's 'Jail Bharo' march. Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory ahead of the AAP protest, warning of possible snarls at DDU Marg, IP Marg, Minto Road and Vikas Marg. It added that DDU Marg may remain closed to traffic between 11 am to 2 pm, urging commuters to avoid stretches that are likely to experience logjams. Earlier, on Saturday, Kejriwal's former PA was arrested in connection with the alleged assault on Maliwal. He was produced before the Tis Hazari Court, which remanded him in police custody for five days. Earlier, the AAP chief released a personalised video after Bibhav's arrest, saying, "You can see how they (BJP) are after the AAP. One after another, they are putting our leaders behind bars. They put me, Manish Sisodia, Satyendra Jain, and Sanjay Singh behind bars. Today, they put my (former) PA in jail. Now they are saying they will put Raghav Chadha, Atishi, and Saurabh Bharadwaj in jail. Perhaps it was our fault that we built schools and mohalla clinics, while also providing electricity for free, which they failed to accomplish. I would like to tell the Prime Minister: you are playing a 'jail ka khel' with us. Tomorrow, I will lead a march to the BJP headquarters along with all my top leaders, MLAs, and MPs at noon. You can put whoever you want in jail," Kejriwal said. Significantly, the Vigilance Department, last month, terminated Bibhav's service as the CM's personal assistant over a pending criminal case. (ANI) The father of a tourist couple from Rajasthan who were injured in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag on Saturday requested the Centre to airlift the duo from Srinagar to AIIMS, Delhi for further treatment and to provide them with the best medical facilities. "I request the Indian government to bring them from Srinagar to AIIMS Delhi and provide them with the best medical facilities. Arrest the terrorists and deal with them accordingly," said Aslam Khan, the father of the victim. Sharing the details of the terror attack while speaking to ANI, Aslam Khan, said, "My younger son (along with his wife) had left for Jammu and Kashmir on May 13. They had boarded a flight from Delhi at 6 am. A tour guide had taken them to Pahalgam. They returned in the evening. As they were on their way to the hotel to take their meals after getting out of the vehicle, two bike-borne assailants came and opened fire on them and fled away." "The bullet breezed through the face of Tabrez and touched the shoulder of Farah Khan. He had an operation last night, and Farah Khan is undergoing an operation," he added. A tourist couple from the Rajasthan capital, Jaipur, were injured in a terror attack in the Yannar area of South Kashmir's Anantnag district on Saturday night. "Terrorists fired upon and injured a woman, Farha, a resident of Jaipur, and her spouse, Tabrez, at Yannar in Anantnag. The injured were evacuated and rushed to a nearby hospital," a police officer said. The condition of the injured tourists was said to be stable. The recent terror attack came just days ahead of the polling for the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency scheduled for May 25. The Lok Sabha elections are being held in five phases in Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI) The incident happened in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area of Pune district, on May 11, the police said. The accused (30), suspected his wife (28), also a Nepali national, of having an affair, and assaulted her after tying her up. He pierced a sharp blade, and two iron nails, and placed a lock on his wife's private parts, the police said. The victim was rushed to the hospital, where she is undergoing treatment for her injuries, they said. The accused husband, who works as a watchman, has been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) and 506(2) (criminal intimidation). Nivriti Kolhatkar, Senior Inspector of the Pimpri Chinchwad Police, said that the case has been registered at Wakad Police Station and further investigation is on. "A case was registered against the accused at Wakad Police Station under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including sections 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 506(2) (criminal intimidation), and 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt). The case is under investigation and the woman's well-being is closely monitored." (ANI) Referring to Trinamool Congress leader and Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he does not have to do anything for any of his nephews and attacked the INDIA bloc saying that TMC, the Left and the Congress look like three different parties, but their "sins" are the same. Addressing a public meeting in Bishnupur, West Bengal, the Prime Minister hit out at the INDIA bloc, including TMC, the Left and the Congress and said that his vision is to make a developed India as a legacy for the children of poor, Dalit and tribals. "Modi does not have to do anything for himself. Neither do I have to do anything for any of my nephews nor do I have to leave anything for any brother. I have to work for the people living in the forests of Bankura. I have to leave a developed India as a legacy for the children of poor, Dalit and tribals, so I have come to seek your blessings for the third time. Whether it is TMC, Left or Congress, they look like three different parties but their sins are the same, that is why they have formed an INDI alliance together. They have always given slogans to the poor, labourers, SC-ST but wherever they ran the government, they left those states poor, West Bengal is an example of this," PM Modi said. PM Modi also lashed out at the TMC and said that the party has not even spared the children of the state in its hunger for money. "TMC has not even spared your children in its hunger for money. Here the 'teacher recruitment scam' has put the future of the youth as well as the coming generations at stake. Poor parents sold their houses and lands took loans and bribed their (TMC) ministers. Today all those youth are on the streets. What was their fault after all? I guarantee you all, they have got your houses sold, Modi is going to get the bungalows of the corrupt TMC people, their cars, everything sold," he added. The Prime Minister accused the West Bengal Chief Minister of disrespecting revered organisations and Hindu faiths. "TMC is trembling because it sees their time is over now. In their desperation, TMC leaders have started to hurl abuses at prestigious organisations like ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission, and Bharat Sevashram Sangha," he asserted. "These organisations have brought glory to Bengal, but the Chief Minister of this state claims they are ruining Bengal. Under pressure from Muslim extremists, she has publicly insulted our seers and prestigious organisations to garner votes," he said. In a rally in Purulia, PM Modi also targeted the West Bengal government by mentioning the Sandeshkhali case. "TMC came to power saying that it will protect 'Maa, Maati, Manush'. Today TMC is devouring 'Maa, Maati, Manush'. The women of Bengal have lost faith in TMC. The sin that has happened in Sandeshkhali has forced the sisters of the entire Bengal to think," he said. Polling for 18 seats in Bengal was conducted across the first four phases, while the remaining 24 seats will go to the polls in the next three phases on May 20, May 25 and June 1. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. In the fifth phase, polling will be held on May 20 in Bangaon, Barrackpur, Howrah, Uluberia, Srerampur, Hooghly and Arambagh Lok Sabha constituencies. (ANI) Vikramaditya Singh, Congress candidate from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi Lok Sabha seat, expressed confidence in the opposition alliance, INDIA bloc forming the government at the Centre and claimed that the dream of BJP's "400 paar" will never be fulfilled. The Congress leader said that the situation in the country is "changing," adding that BJP's "400 paar" is a mere statement. "This '400 Paar' is a mere statement and dream. This will never be fulfilled. The situation is changing in the country. They (BJP) are wiped out from the South and halved in the North. Now, it seems impossible that the BJP will form its government. INDIA bloc will form the government," Singh told ANI on Sunday. In her maiden bid for membership of the Lower House, she faces a formidable challenge in the form of Congress heavyweight and the son of late former chief minister Virbhadra Singh, Vikramaditya Singh. Emphasizing the Prime Minister's call for a '400-paar' target for the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections 2024, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in an exclusive interview with ANI, said that the party's aim to secure more than 400 seats is to bring stability to the country's political landscape. "Yes, we want to win 400 seats in the LS polls to bring stability to politics in the country. We want 400 seats to protect our borders, to make India the third-largest economy in the world, and to ensure that a few poor people who are yet to get the benefits, and we have to fulfil it. We want 400 seats because clean water is yet to reach every household, and there is a lot of work to be done in the field of natural farming in this country. We want 400 seats because we want to provide free treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh to every senior citizen aged above 70 years of age," Shah said. Vikramaditya Singh is pitted against actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut of BJP, who is in her maiden bid for membership in the Lower House. The Mandi constituency holds symbolic significance for the Congress, as it is considered a bastion of the Virbhadra family. The seat is currently held by Pratibha Devi Singh, the late leader's widow. She wrested the seat for the Congress in the bye-election that was held following the demise of then-BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma. Polling in Himachal, which is scheduled for June 1, will not only pit candidates vying for Lok Sabha membership from four seats but also elect members for six assembly seats that fell vacant following the resignation and switchover of dissident Congress lawmakers. The BJP, which won all four Lok Sabha constituencies in the state in the 2019 elections, is eyeing an encore this time. (ANI) After two people got injured in a knife attack during the National Conference rally on Sunday, party leader Javed Ahmed Rana said that the incident exposed all the claims of the Centre that there is peace in Jammu and Kashmir. Two people were injured in a knife attack by unknown assailants during a rally by the National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch. NC leader Javed Ahmed Rana said, "The government claims that there is peace in Jammu and Kashmir. This incident shows how true that claim is. The incident that happened today--we have never seen anything like that. Farooq Abdullah and the whole of the National Conference leadership were also present there. Suddenly, two goons came and stabbed two people. This is a security lapse. Every person is concerned since Article 370 was abrogated. The injured have been referred to Rajouri Medical College. They are in a serious condition." The incident occurred at a time when National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah was addressing a public meeting. Reacting to the incident, party chief Farooq Abdullah said, "Sitting in Delhi, they (BJP) used to say that Article 370 is responsible for terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. It has been five years since the abrogation of Article 370; have these attacks stopped? Innocent people are dying in these attacks." Earlier, a former BJP Sarpanch, Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh was killed, and a couple from Jaipur were injured in two separate incidents of firing by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian and Anantnag districts, respectively, late on Saturday night. In the second incident, a couple from Jaipur was injured in the Yannar area of South Kashmir's Anantnag district. The police stated that the terrorists fired upon and injured a lady, Farha, a resident of Jaipur, and her spouse, Tabrez, at Yannar in Anantnag. The injured were evacuated and taken to the hospital for treatment. According to sources, the condition of the injured couple is stable. (ANI) People visit National Museum of Geology during the European Night of Museums event in Bucharest, Romania, May 18, 2024. European Night of Museums takes place on the third Saturday of May. It is a cultural event in which museums and cultural institutions remain open late into the night to introduce themselves to new potential patrons. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua) People visit National Museum of Geology during the European Night of Museums event in Bucharest, Romania, May 18, 2024. European Night of Museums takes place on the third Saturday of May. It is a cultural event in which museums and cultural institutions remain open late into the night to introduce themselves to new potential patrons. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua) People visit Romanian Peasant Museum during the European Night of Museums event in Bucharest, Romania, May 18, 2024. European Night of Museums takes place on the third Saturday of May. It is a cultural event in which museums and cultural institutions remain open late into the night to introduce themselves to new potential patrons. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua) A person takes photos of a dinosaur replica at National Museum of Geology during the European Night of Museums event in Bucharest, Romania, May 18, 2024. European Night of Museums takes place on the third Saturday of May. It is a cultural event in which museums and cultural institutions remain open late into the night to introduce themselves to new potential patrons. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has extended legal support to an X user identified as Bhiku Mhatre following his arrest by Karnataka police for allegedly posting an edited video of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. While assuring legal support to Mhatre, BJP leader Amit Malviya hit out at the Congress government in the state, accusing the latter of being "intolerant of dissent." In a post on X, Amit Malviya said on Saturday, "Karnataka Police have arrested @MumbaichaDon from Goa. We are in touch with his family and will ensure he gets all legal support. Congress has unleashed anarchy and is intolerant of dissent. But there won't be another #Emergency in this country, ever." https://x.com/amitmalviya/status/1791887760682258567 The Cyber Crime unit of Karnataka police filed an FIR against Bhiku Mhatre (@MumbaichaDon on X) on April 29 under Section 66 (C) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 penalising fraudulently or dishonestly making use of electronic signature, password or any other unique identification feature of any other person, and 153A of the IPC, penalising attacks upon religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc of any particular group or class. As per the Karnataka police FIR, Mhatre in his post shared an edited video of CM Siddaramaiah along with an objectionable short text over the Congress manifesto. BJP state chief Tejasvi Surya also attacked the Congress government in the state, accusing it of "blatant abuse of power." https://x.com/Tejasvi_Surya/status/1791883872302489864 "This is blatant abuse of power by the Karnataka Congress government. We will fight this, both inside courts and outside," Tejasvi Surya said in a post on X on Saturday. Union Minister Smriti Irani also came to Mhatre's defence while confirming his legal support in the case. "Spoke to @Tejasvi_Surya re the case. Legal support has been assured," she said in a post on X on Saturday. https://x.com/smritiirani/status/1791896480489599075 Mhatre has been booked based on a complaint lodged by J Saravanan, hailing from Sriramapura. In his complaint, Saravanan claimed that Mhatre posted an edited video of CM Siddaramaiah speaking about minority reservations along with objectionable comments. This post is to create enmity and hatred among different communities and also to bring a bad name to the Congress party, the complainant said. Earlier this week, Karnataka police filed an FIR against three persons for allegedly making objectionable posts against Deputy CM DK Shivakumar. The police have booked Santosh Nelamangala, Kesari Samrat, and Rajesh Gowda on charges of sharing obscene materials on social media based on a complaint by Harish Nagaraju. (ANI) Former Chief Minister of Punjab and Congress candidate for the Jalandhar parliamentary seat, Charanjit Singh Channi, launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, questioning his contributions to Punjab during his decade-long tenure. "He has been the Prime Minister for 10 years. Everyone comes during elections, and I just want to ask that when he comes to Punjab, he should tell us what he has given to Punjab so far. Many people said that he came and went back; he was supposed to give a lot. Has the ink in his pen run out? Will it be refilled or not? And I also want to ask why he hasn't given anything yet," Speaking at a press conference held in Punjab's Jalandhar," Channi said. Channi highlighted the unresolved issue of naming the local airport after Shri Guru Ravidass Maharaj. "We have built an airport here and sent a resolution to the central government from the Punjab Assembly, stating that the airport should be named after Shri Guru Ravidass Maharaj. But the central government, which is BJP-led and anti-Dalit, did not name the airport. Now their power is gone, and they are asking for votes from the people. When our government comes to power, we will name the airport after Shri Guru Ravidass Maharaj." Channi also criticized the BJP government's economic policies, particularly their impact on local industries. "Due to the policies of the BJP government at the center, industries in Jalandhar are collapsing. The leather industry is declining, and other industries are also failing because of their policies. Under the INDIA bloc, when our government is formed at the center, we will revive the industries, and we can speak about this with responsibility," Channi said. Addressing concerns over the misuse of federal agencies, Channi said, "Misuse of agencies like the ED, CBI, and vigilance should not happen. This means that they should not be used to target opponents and coerce them into joining one's party. When our government comes to power, there will be no misuse of these agencies." In Punjab, voting for its 13 seats will take place in a single phase, with the seventh and final phase on June 1 seeing voting in Ludhiana, Gurudaspur, Amritsar, Khadoor Sahib, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Nandpur Sahib, Fatehgarh Sahib, Faridkot, Firozpur, Bathinda, Sangrur, and Patiala constituencies. This year, the Lok Sabha polls began on April 19 for 102 seats spread across 21 states. Following this, Phase 2 was held on April 26; the third phase was held on May 7; and the fourth phase was held on May 13. Phase six of the Lok Sabha polls is slated to be held on May 20 for 49 seats, while Phase 6 is set for May 25, covering 7 states for 57 seats. (ANI) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman Sreedhara Panicker Somanath attended a programme at a school on Sunday and said that the space agency aims to explore human space flight activities and build space stations. While speaking with the reporters, Sreedhara Panicker Somanath lauded the Chandrayaan Mission and said, "I would like to say today, after the successful Chandrayan Mission, the world is looking at us. We have announced Space Act Reforms in 2020 and there is a new Indian Space Policy 2023 by the government which has enabled private companies and institutions to come and work together." He further added, "We are looking at a substantial growth in the space activity in private but more than that, there are institutional works which are happening. There is a new vision that has been put forward by the government in terms of what we want to do in the space sector in future." The ISRO Chairman called the vision exciting and said, "And all of that is very exciting. We can explore human space flight activities, moon and other planets, and build space stations. He added, "We also want to do a lot of economic activities in the space sector to create job, industries, and startups in the country." On being asked about the Prime Minister's vision to send an astronaut to the moon by 2040, Somanath said, "It's already there in the announcement." As per ISRO, the Government of India unleashed reforms in the space domain in 2020, opening the doors for enhanced participation of Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) in carrying out end-to-end activities in the space domain and providing them a level playing field. Subsequent to these reforms, the Government sought to provide regulatory certainty for space activities by various stakeholders, to create a thriving space ecosystem. The Indian Space Policy - 2023 was thus formulated as an overarching, composite and dynamic framework to implement the reform vision approved by Cabinet. (ANI) Joint Commissioner of Law and Order Lucknow, Upendra Aggarwal has called upon the citizens to participate enthusiastically in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, scheduled for tomorrow, May 20. Aggarwal emphasized the importance of active voter participation, referring to the election as a "grand festival of democracy." "I urge everyone to participate in large numbers tomorrow, May 20, and take part in this grand festival of democracy," Aggarwal said. Aggarwal detailed the preparations for the polling process in Lucknow district. "Polling is scheduled to take place in the Lucknow district on May 20, for which all polling parties have been dispatched today. In the Lucknow district, 1,544 polling centers and 3,768 booths have been set up, all of which are adequately staffed with police forces. Each booth has been assigned two armed constables," Aggarwal said. "Additionally, around 263 locations have been identified as critical or sensitive, and paramilitary forces have been deployed there. Furthermore, 224 sector police officers and 46 zonal police officers will form 270 different patrolling parties to continuously monitor security arrangements at the booths. Moreover, super zone officers and other officials will also be patrolling,' he added. Lucknow, one of the 80 parliamentary constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, will go to polls on May 20. As one of the most populous states in India, Uttar Pradesh plays a significant role in shaping the composition of the Lok Sabha. In the Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has set his sights on his third term as Lok Sabha MP. Singh will face Samajwadi Party candidate Ravidas Mehrotra from this seat. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has fielded Sarwar Malik. Congress has won the Lucknow seat six times, and BJP has won eight times. Vijay Lakshmi Pandit, sister of the country's first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, became the first MP from this high-profile seat. The constituency has been a stronghold of the BJP since 1991. It gained prominence with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee representing it. Vajpayee, after initial setbacks in 1955, 1957 and 1962, won the seat five times. Earlier while addressing a public meeting in Lucknow, Rajnath Singh, said that he tried to fulfil the dreams of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and left no stone unturned for the city's development. "We have diligently worked towards realising Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji's vision for Lucknow, and we remain committed to advancing it further in the future. Lucknow currently ranks tenth globally, and we aim to elevate it to the fifth position," Singh said. There are 5 assembly constituencies under the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat. These include Lucknow East, Lucknow West, Lucknow Central, Lucknow North and Cantt Assembly seats. There are a total of 39.33017 lakh voters in this parliamentary constituency. These include 20.82888 lakh male voters, 18.49960 lakh female voters, and 169 third gender voters. The 2019 Lok Sabha election in Lucknow recorded a voter turnout of 54.72 per cent. BJP's candidate Rajnath Singh received 6,33,026 votes defeating SP's Poonam Sinha and Congress' Acharya Pramod Krishnam, while receiving 56.70 per cent of total votes. In the 2014 elections, the BJP's Rajnath Singh, again with 5,61,106 marginal votes, defeated the Congress' Rita Bahuguna Joshi, securing 5,61,106 votes and 54.52 percent of the vote share.The other constituencies other than Lucknow that will go to voting on May 20 in Uttar Pradesh include Kaiserganj, Amethi, Mohanlalganj, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Jhansi, Banda, Fatehpur, Kaushambhi, Faizabad, Barabanki, Raebareli and Gonda. Polling for 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh is being held across all seven phases. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4. (ANI) Union Minister and BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "transforming" the country into the fifth-largest economy in the world despite all the "headwinds and adversities" and said that in the coming two years, India will be the third-largest economy. "When the people give a mandate to a leader... what does the leader do with that opportunity that he has been given to serve the people of India? And it is in that context that I submit to you that in the last ten years, in 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was given a mandate, given an opportunity by the people of India, as they had given before multiple times to the Congress party and other leaders, he (PM Modi) has done something significant with that opportunity that he received over the last ten years," Rajeev Chandrasekhar said. He further said that PM Modi "transformed " the nation. "He has transformed our nation. He has not believed in incremental, small steps, but he has taken a nation that was the fifth most fragile economy in 2014, despite all the headwinds and all the adversities, transformed that country today into the fifth largest economy in the world. Over the next two years, we will be the third-largest economy. We will cross Japan, we will cross Germany and we will be in the top 3 countries in the world. America, China and India," he added. BJP member and former IAF chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said that the Chinese policy of trying to get some land here and there is now history. "Just some examples the audacious leadership, first was Balakot, it was not only a response to Pulwama in one stroke, but it also called the nuclear bluff of Pakistan. It showed the world how far we are going to go to ensure action against a terrorist act... Many of our strategists were saying that because Pakistan is nuclear, don't even think of crossing the border... What happened after Galwan...the Chinese policy of trying to get some land here and there is now history. Never ever is China going to succeed in any such attempt... When Galwan happened, Rafael was the strongest equipment that we had in our inventory and the Chinese knew it," former IAF chief Air Chief Marshal said. Highlighting the remarkable progress made by India in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the last decade, Union Minister Hardeep Singh said that over 250 million people being moved out of multidimensional poverty is a staggering figure. "When I was a civil servant when I was ambassador to the UN in Geneva and New York, I used to say that poverty tackling has been most successful because one large country, which is today a $19 trillion economy, was able to lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty with a little help from India, Nigeria, etc," Puri said. "But I think in the current phase, the Sustainable Development Goals realization or the Agenda 2030, it is India that is lifting and has already lifted 250 million people out of multidimensional poverty. The PM himself takes a meeting called Pragati, which he chairs every month, where the secretaries of the concerned departments report to him with precise timelines on where a project is and update him. This means that the poorest are brought into the economic mainstream by saturation of service and simultaneously enlarging the economic pie," he added. Former Indian Navy chief RK Dhowan said that PM Modi has transformed our Maritime governance completely. "We had no transhipment hub even after 75 years of independence and now 2 major transhipment hubs are being made. SagarMala strategy has developed our ports and made our Navy stronger. You will be surprised to know that today over 50 ships are being built in India today and we have transformed from a buyer's navy to a builder's navy," RK Dhowan said. (ANI) Strongly criticising the Biju Janata Dal government, BJP leader Tejasvi Surya said Odisha is one of the poorest states in the country despite being blessed with natural resources and to realise its full potential "double-engine government" led by the BJP is needed. The BJP Yuva Morcha national president also criticised the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for failing to deliver on its promises despite being in power for over two decades in the state. "Odisha, even today, is one of the poorest states in India. The farmers of Odisha are the poorest farmers in the country. The youth of Odisha are forced to migrate to other states for lack of better opportunities over here," Surya said, calling for a change of government in the state. "Odisha is a land that is filled with potential, blessed with natural resources, and has plenty of human resources that are capable. The only thing missing is good political leadership," he added. Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan of the BJP is contesting against BJD's Pranab Prakash Das from Sambalpur. The constituency will vote in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections on May 25. "I am very confident that this time around the youth of Odisha will vote for the BJP both at the centre as well as the state, and once the double-engine government comes into existence, here the flagship programme of the Modi government focused on employment generation, rapid economic prosperity will find a route in Odisha, and the state will finally turn on the path of prosperity and progress," Surya said. BJP Yuva Morcha national president Tejasvi Surya says, "Odisha is poised for a big political change. The youth of Odisha have been cheated for more than 2 decades by the BJD and its leaders. Despite political stability for the last 20 years, despite being re-elected multiple times, the BJD has betrayed the trust and hopes of the people of Odisha." Earlier in the day, Surya also held a bike rally in the constituency. The Assembly and Lok Sabha polls in the BJD-ruled state are being held across four phases - from May 13 to June 1. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. Polling for the first phase was conducted in 28 Assembly seats and four Lok Sabha constituencies on May 13. In the fifth phase, 35 Assembly seats and five Lok Sabha constituencies will vote on May 20, 42 Assembly segments and six Lok Sabha seats on May 25 and the remaining 42 Assembly seats and six Lok Sabha constituencies in the last phase on June 1. The results will be out on June 4. In the last assembly elections in 2019, the BJD won 112 out of 146 seats, while the BJP had to settle for just 23 seats and the Congress finished at 9. In the Lok Sabha elections in the same year, the BJD won 12 seats, the BJP finished a close second at 8, and the Congress bagged just a lone seat. (ANI) Former CEO NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant emphasized the nation's transformative journey from being one of the "fragile five" economies to emerging as a global leader in infrastructure development. Addressing a gathering of intellectuals and public figures, Kant highlighted India's achievements over the past decade, drawing attention to key statistics that reflect the scale of transformation. A gathering of retired judges, veterans of the armed forces, former civil servants, intellectuals and public figures and Union ministers including Hardeep Singh Puri, Rajeev Chandrashekhar and other leaders held an interactive session in Delhi on India's remarkable journey towards being Viksit Bharat under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing the gathering, Amitabh Kant said, "I have seen this journey of India moving from fragile 5 to the top 5 in this decade. In the last decade, 40 million houses for poor people have been built, which is like making a complete Australia in India. India built 120 million toilets for its citizens, which is like providing a toilet to every citizen of Germany. Pipe water connection has been provided to 253 million Indians, which is more than the population of Brazil. That's the size and scale of what India has done in terms of infrastructure," Kant said. "India has provided electricity to over 30 million households, every single Indian household today has electricity, and it has built over 80,000 km of roads which is four times the diameter of the entire India roads. The GDP of India has grown from 1 percent, close to four percent," he added. Kant attributed these remarkable achievements to structural reforms implemented by the Indian government, including the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, and the Real Estate Regulation Act. "Big structural reforms have been, the goods and services tax, it has brought in insolvency and bankruptcy code which never existed, the real estate regulation act, brought down the corporate tax, all this will make India technologically leapfrog in a very big way. This decade is not only India's decade. This is India's century," he said. (ANI) A day after the bodies of three Israelis held hostage by Hamas from the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces retrieved the body of another hostage from the war-torn region on Saturday, The Times of Israel reported, citing Israel Defence Forces (IDF). In a press conference, IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said that the military recovered the body of another hostage from the Gaza Strip after announcing yesterday that three slain captives were returned on a special mission. The hostage whose body was recovered on Saturday was identified as 53-year-old Ron Benjamin, who was abducted by Hamas on the morning of October 7. Hagari said Benjamin was killed by Hamas terrorists on October 7 near Mefalsim, and his body was taken hostage to Gaza. IDF announced it had recovered his remains in an overnight operation. "His body was recovered alongside those of Itzhak Gelerenter, Amit Buskila, and Shani Louk in the Thursday night operation," Hagari said. The Times of Israel reported that Benjamin was last heard from at 7:30 am on October 7, when he left a voice message for one of his two daughters, then travelling abroad, telling her he was heading home to Rehovot from a planned group bike ride near the Gaza border, given the cascade of rockets. That morning, Benjamin had set out at 6:30 am to meet up with friends for a bike ride near Kibbutz Beeri. When he heard the sirens, he decided to turn around and head home. He spoke with his wife, Ayelet, and left a message for his daughter. On Friday, IDF recovered bodies of three hostages from the war-torn Gaza Strip amid intense fighting raging between Israeli forces and Hamas, The Times of Israel reported. The three were identified as Itzhak Gelerenter, Amit Buskila, and Shani Louk. In a press statement, IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the bodies were recovered in an overnight operation carried out by the military and Shin Bet. The three were at the Supernova music festival near Re'im on the morning of the Hamas-led October 7 onslaught, where they then fled to the Mefalsim area. Hagari said they were killed there by Hamas terrorists, and their bodies were then kidnapped to Gaza. Until recently, both Gelerenter and Buskila were presumed to be alive, while Louk was confirmed dead in late October after a piece of her skull was identified following widely shared footage of terrorists kidnapping her, The Times of Israel reported. (ANI) During the call, UAE President and President Tshisekedi explored opportunities to enhance cooperation in various fields, especially developmental, economic, and commercial areas, as well as other collaboration areas that advance the sustainable development and prosperity of both countries. President Tshisekedi also offered his condolences to His Highness and the Al Nahyan family on the passing of Sheikh Hazza bin Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan. His Highness expressed his gratitude for the sincere sentiments towards the UAE and its people. The call also addressed several issues and topics of mutual interest. (ANI/WAM) Amid violence against Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to send his Deputy and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Federal Minister Amir Muqam, to the capital of the Central Asian country, Bishkek, The Express Tribune reported. The purpose of their visit is to make sure to provide assistance and support to Pakistani students stranded there due to the recent unrest. According to a statement issued by the Pakistan Prime Minister's Office on Saturday, the two ministers will travel to Bishkek on a special plane on Sunday morning. The prime minister has been monitoring the situation closely and has been in touch with the Pakistani ambassador in Bishkek, The Express Tribune reported. Despite the situation being under control, the government has decided to send this delegation to provide necessary assistance and support to Pakistani students who are in need. Foreign Minister Dar will hold high-level meetings with government officials in Bishkek and ensure that the wounded students receive medical treatment. He will also look into the arrangements for the return of Pakistani students. The prime minister expressed deep concern over the recent violence against foreign students in Kyrgyzstan, saying that Pakistani students should not be left alone in times of trouble, The Express Tribune reported. "We will ensure that the best medical facilities are provided to Pakistani students who are injured," the prime minister said. The prime minister also assured that the government will not leave Pakistani students stranded abroad and will make arrangements for their immediate return to Pakistan, if they so desire. Meanwhile, a special flight carrying 180 Pakistani students landed at Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport on Saturday after several foreigners were subjected to mob violence in the Central Asian country, Dawn reported. (ANI) According to the MND, Chinese military aircraft and vessels were detected up until 6 am on Sunday. Taiwan's Armed Forces (ROCArmedForces) monitored the situation and have promptly responded to it, the MND stated. Sharing it on X, Taiwan's Defence Ministry stated, "7 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 am (UTC+8) today. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1792002719689146860 On Saturday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence confirmed the detection of a significant presence of Chinese military aircraft and vessels near Taiwan. According to the ministry's statement, as many as 18 Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and four People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels were detected in the vicinity of Taiwan up until 6 am local time (UTC+8) that day. Among the detected aircraft, 12 were reported to have crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwest Air Defence Identification Zones (ADIZ). This development marks a concerning escalation in tensions between Taiwan and China, which has long claimed sovereignty over the island. The increased presence of Chinese military assets near Taiwan underscores the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region. Taiwan has frequently raised concerns about China's military activities and its ambitions to reunify Taiwan with the mainland, by force if necessary. 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. (ANI) In Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka, the serene ambiance of the Seetha Amman Temple is aglow with spiritual fervor as the auspicious Kumbaabhishekam puja unfolds. Devotees from far and wide have converged upon this sacred site, drawn by the reverence of the occasion. At the heart of the ceremony is a ritual known as Kumbaabhishekam, symbolising the renewal of divine energies within its hallowed confines. Among the distinguished guests gracing the event is the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, underlining the cross-cultural significance of this sacred gathering. Seetha Amman Temple, nestled in the tranquil village of Seetha Eliya, holds profound mythological significance as the purported location where Goddess Sita was held captive by Ravana, according to ancient lore. Enhancing the sanctity of the ceremony, five revered Kalash filled with Saryu water from the holy city of Ayodhya have been ceremoniously brought in, infusing the proceedings with spiritual resonance and symbolic purity. The visuals from the temple depict a scene of meticulous preparations, with devotees fervently participating in the rituals, their faces illuminated with devotion and reverence. The atmosphere is charged with a sense of divine presence and transcendence, as prayers echo through the temple precincts, seeking blessings and divine grace. A day ago, India's High Commisioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, alongside Members of Parliament and other dignitaries, inaugurated the Rath Yatra of Holy Saryu Water from Mayurapathi Sri Badrakali Amman Kovil. The sacred water, drawn from the revered Saryu River in Ayodhya, India, marked the auspicious beginning of a journey destined for the Seetha Amman Temple in Seetha Eliya. The event, resonated with ancient traditions and divine reverence, symbolised the deep-rooted cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka. The Rath Yatra, a procession of spiritual significance, commenced amidst chants and hymns, evoking blessings for the success and sanctity of the endeavour. "Auspicious beginnings. A rath yatra of holy Saryu water of Ayodhya was flagged off from Mayurapathi Sri Badrakali Amman Kovil, Colombo by High Commissioner Santosh Jha, MPs & other dignitaries. This holy water will be used for kumbhabhishekam of Seetha Amman temple at Seetha Eliya," said Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka. The Saryu water, revered for its sanctity in Hindu mythology, holds profound significance in religious rituals, believed to purify and sanctify the surroundings. As it embarks on its voyage to Seetha Eliya, it carries with it the hopes and prayers of devotees for the prosperity and well-being of all. The Seetha Amman Temple, nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of Seetha Eliya, is a cherished pilgrimage site for devotees, steeped in the legends of the Ramayana. The forthcoming Kumbhabhishekam ceremony, slated to be graced by the sanctified Saryu water, marks a momentous occasion in the temple's history, promising divine blessings and spiritual rejuvenation. (ANI) Kharan is the divisional headquarters of Balochistan's biggest Rakhshan division. Meanwhile, four other resolutions on the assembly's agenda for Friday could not be presented due to a lack of quorum, Dawn reported. The resolution was jointly moved by Minister for Finance, Mines, and Minerals Mir Shoaib Nosherwani, Sadiq Sanjrani, Zabit Reki, and Ghulam Distagir Badani during the assembly session, which was then presided over by Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai. The resolution highlighted that the Rakhshan division, comprising four districts including Kharan, Washuk, Chagai, and Noshki, does not have a medical college. Eventually, the students have to go to Quetta or other regions of the country to obtain medical education, while they do not have enough financial resources to cover expenses due to poverty, reported Dawn. Finance Minister Nosherwani highlighted the challenges faced by the Rakhshan division, which has a population of over one million. Additionally, female students lack opportunities to pursue further education due to poor educational facilities. Opposition leader Mir Younis Aziz Zehri supported the resolution and expressed hope that the medical college would be established during the government's term. Moreover, Provincial Minister for Revenue Mir Asim Kurd, Minister for Agriculture Noor Muhammad Dummor, Deputy Speaker Ghazala Gola, and Engineer Zamrak Khan Piralizai endorsed the resolution and suggested that a medical college should be established in Dera Murad Jamali. He demanded that a cadet college be established in the Kachhi district, as reported by Dawn. Piralizai, a member of the Awami National Party (ANP), emphasised that new educational institutions should be established in the province, but there is a need to give proper attention to the educational institutions that already exist in the province. Pakistan Minister for Planning Mir Zahoor Buledi stressed that establishing new educational institutions would not reduce the country's resources, as resource generation was the responsibility of the government. (ANI) A video of the incident went viral on social media, showing the group of people seen beating up the woman journalist at a school in Korangi. A female journalist was allegedly tortured by a group of people involved in facilitating cheating at examination centers amid ongoing matric exams, ARY News reported. Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar and Minister for Universities and Boards Muhammad Ali Malkani sought reports from concerned officials. Following which, the Home Minister directed Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Korangi Hassan Sardar Khan to submit a report on the incident at the earliest. The police took action on the viral video and arrested three suspects, including the school owner, ARY News reported. Notably, the matriculation exams are being held in Karachi with severe irregularities, including a lack of furniture for students and complaints of open cheating. Moreover, the examination papers were also leaked ahead of the commencement of the exams. Additionally, power load shedding was also reported in several examination centers during the annual examination of classes 9 and 10 under the Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK). Students in Karachi are facing power failure problems amid hot weather conditions. (ANI) Lauding the "new India", Sam Stevenson, Assistant Editor of the UK-based newspaper Daily Express, emphasised on Sunday that it is time to start telling the positive stories of this new India on its epic trajectory to become a USD 5 trillion economy in the future. On his visit to India to cover the general elections, Sam Stevenson said that there are a lot of positive stories that can be told from India. "It's time to start telling the positive stories of new India and of this great nation on its epic trajectory to becoming a USD 5 trillion economy in the future. And look, there's loads and loads of positive stories that we can be telling from India, and that's what we're here to do," Stevenson told ANI. Responding to a question about whether India in real life is different from the picture painted by the West, the journalist stressed that enough with India bashing down. "I think it's time to say, enough with India bashing down with the anti-India 'Bakwas'. We need to come here and tell the true, positive stories of New India on the ground reporting," he told ANI. Stevenson further highlighted that people have been hearing things like religious divisions, but that's not what is on the ground. "Unfortunately, a lot of the narratives that exist in London and across Europe are negative stories about India. We're hearing things like religious divisions, but that's not what we've witnessed on the ground," he said. Calling India a "great and wonderful nation," he said that he is here to level up the British media's coverage of this nation. "We have seen Muslim women in full burqas attending Narendra Modi's rally. We've seen examples of the pluralism of this great and wonderful nation. We're here to level up the British media's coverage of this nation. And we're here to get to the truth, find some real facts and bring them home to London," he said. Stevenson continued that the perceptions of India across Europe and the West are not good. "This is because we are being fed negative stories from the press," he stressed, adding that "it is a shame because, actually, people need to come here, see it with their own eyes, live it, breathe it, meet the people, speak to people on the ground, and you will be seeing that, new India, global Britain, we can be a force for good," he said. The British journalist emphasised that the two countries have shared culture, language, heritage, and history. "The British media are attempting to simplify something that's very complicated. They're saying Modi is anti-Islam. But actually, when you get on the ground and speak to real Muslims, when you speak to Hindus, Sikhs, you will see that India is accepting of all cultures or religions," he stressed. "And that is the absolutely fantastic thing about this place," he added. (ANI) The members of the transgender community took to the streets outside the health secretariat in Okara, expressing outrage over what they claim to be a case of gender misreporting by the Okara District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, Dawn reported. The focal point of their protest is the alleged misclassification of Husnain Ali, also known as Naghina Chaudhry, a prominent figure within their community. According to the protesters, Husnain Ali's gender was inaccurately documented as female in medical examination reports by the Okara DHQ Hospital, a decision they attribute to his refusal to comply with demands for bribery made by hospital staff. Despite their persistent efforts, they were met with a cold reception at the health secretariat, denied access to the health secretary after hours of waiting, as reported by Dawn. Husnain Ali, speaking to Dawn, shed light on his personal journey, revealing that despite being a father to a three-year-old boy, he has long grappled with feelings of identifying as female. This internal conflict led him to embrace his identity within the transgender community and pursue a career in dance. He recounted the challenges he faced, including ridicule and derogatory remarks from relatives and locals, who mocked his perceived gender identity. Despite obtaining an 'X' gender marker on his computerized national identity card (CNIC) from Nadra, indicating neither male nor female, his attempts to register his son at the local union council were met with obstacles due to his unique identification. The ordeal escalated when the Okara DHQ Hospital demanded a hefty sum of PKR 70,000 for a medical examination to determine his gender, a demand he vehemently refused to comply with. Subsequently, the hospital staff conducted an ultrasound and erroneously declared him female, a decision that was later contradicted by a medical board at the Lahore General Hospital (LGH), affirming his male identity. Supported by his community, Husnain Ali sought redress by attempting to meet Punjab Health Secretary Ali Jan. However, their efforts were thwarted as they were left standing outside the secretariat for hours, with no audience granted. Despite submitting an application, their grievances remain unaddressed, leaving them disillusioned with the healthcare system's responsiveness to their concerns, Dawn reported. (ANI) Three people were killed after an Amtrak train collided with a pickup truck in western New York, north of Buffalo in the US, CNN reported, citing fire officials. All the passengers who were travelling in the truck died on the spot in North Tonawanda on Friday night, CNN reported, citing the city's fire chief. No injuries were reported to the 21 passengers and crew members on the train, according to Amtrak. Amtrak train 281 was heading north from New York to Niagara Falls when it collided with a pickup truck on the track, according to Amtrak statement. The three passengers were trapped in the truck when the North Tonawanda fire department arrived shortly before 8 pm ET and first responders from neighbouring areas reached to help, the department announced in a news release. Railroad-highway grade crossing incidents are the second-leading cause of rail-related deaths in the US and over 200 deaths occur at grade crossings annually, CNN reported, citing the Federal Railroad Administration. Earlier on Tuesday, a 30-year-old software engineer from Hyderabad died in a road accident in North Carolina, US. Abbaraju Prudhvi Raj was killed in the accident which occurred on Tuesday night in north Charlotte. The man has been identified as a native of LB Nagar in Telangana's Hyderabad who died in a tragic road accident in the US. The sister of the deceased, Pratyusha, expressed her pain over the death of her brother and shared that their father died two years ago. She added that they have information that her brother got killed in a hit-and-run accident but are not sure. (ANI) The Baloch American Congress (BAC) condemned the occupation of Gwadar by Pakistan and China, calling it a violation of international law and the rights of the Baloch nation. Numerous organizations affiliated with the Baloch community are amplifying their message and increasing awareness regarding the fencing of Gwadar on various social media platforms. In their recent statement on platform X, the BAC condemned the occupation of Gwadar by Pakistan and China, framing it as a violation of international law and the rights of the Baloch nation. Gwadar, a strategically important port city in Balochistan, has been a focal point of controversy due to development projects led by Pakistan and China. The BAC asserted that this occupation infringes upon the sovereignty of the Baloch people and called for global condemnation of the injustice. The Baloch American Congress stated, "The occupation of Gwadar by Pakistan and China is a violation of international law and the rights of the Baloch nation. It's time for the world to condemn this injustice and support the Baloch people's struggle for sovereignty". Based in Washington, DC, BAC is an organization to promote the cause of the Baloch national struggle for the right to self-determination. https://x.com/bacongress/status/1791877814787924048?s=46&t=nbusnwoIYo9hUrDuoWfhwQ The fencing around the city of Gwadar has been a subject of controversy and concern, particularly among some Baloch groups who see it as part of broader issues related to land rights, development projects, and autonomy in the region. Recently, Mahrang Baloch, a prominent voice advocating for Baloch rights and sovereignty, also made a significant appearance at a recent conference centered around the contentious issue of Gwadar fencing. Baloch, known for her articulate advocacy and unwavering commitment to the Baloch cause, delivered a compelling address during the conference. She articulated the concerns of the Baloch community regarding the fencing initiative, emphasizing its potential ramifications on local livelihoods, land ownership, and the broader struggle for autonomy and self-determination. Mahrang also confronted authorities, who reportedly barred several participants from entering the conference on Gwadar fencing. (ANI) These women from diverse diasporas, representing regions including, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, and Odisha, were participating in the ongoing grand celebration of democracy in India in their own unique ways. The slogans "Ab ki baar 400 paar" and "Har Har Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi" echoed through Parliament Square as the passionate Indian women proudly waved BJP flags. The enthusiastic display of support by these women reflected their pride in India's progressive journey and their desire for it to continue under the leadership of PM Modi and his party. The Overseas Friends of BJP UK (OFBJPUK) issued a statement on Sunday, emphasising that PM Modi has elevated India's profile on the global stage, instilling a profound sense of pride in the Indian identity. This pride was also evident in the passionate speeches delivered by the participating women in their regional languages, urging their fellow Indians back home to support the BJP in the 2024 elections. These women believe that their voices can make a significant difference in shaping India's future. One of the highlights of the event was a heartfelt poem recital, "Saudhand Mujhe Iss Mitti Ki," by a woman from Prime Minister Modi's constituency, Varanasi. Moreover, a Tamil woman spoke about PM Modi's historic visit to Jaffna--the first by an Indian Prime Minister--and discussed the current government's Neighbourhood First policy, which has played a pivotal role in helping Sri Lanka overcome economic turmoil, the statement read. The women further emphasised PM Modi's vision of a developed India by 2047, highlighting that women's empowerment is a crucial pillar of this vision. (ANI) Nearly 70 people have been killed in recent floods in Ghor and Faryab provinces of Afghanistan, Afghanistan-based TOLO News reported. Local officials in Ghor province have reported that 10 people are still missing, and the death toll from the floods that occurred on Friday might rise. Thousands of homes, hundreds of shops and thousands of acres of farmland have been destroyed in these floods and thousands of livestock have perished. Nearly 80 per cent of the city of Ferozkoh has been devastated in the floods that occurred in Ghor. Furthermore, the heavy rainfall has submerged the surroundings of the Minaret of Jam in Ghor, sparking concerns about the potential destruction of 800-year-old monument. Taliban-appointed Ghor province's spokesperson Abdul Wahid Hamas has said that 50 people, including women and children have died and several are missing in recent floods. Speaking to TOLO News, Abdul Wahid Hamas said, "In these floods, fifty people, including women and children, have died, and several are missing. Two thousand houses have been completely destroyed, and more than four thousand houses have been partially damaged. Furthermore, two thousand five hundred shops in the city of Ferozkoh and the districts of this province have been destroyed." The districts of Shahrak, Dolina, and Tiura alongside the city of Ferozkoh have been impacted by the floods in Ghor. The main Herat-Ghor highway and roads connecting the districts to Ferozkoh have been destroyed and blocked. Homeless people have been facing difficult conditions. Speaking to TOLO News, Nazar Mohammad, a resident of Ferozkoh city, said, "These floods have left us without clothes or a morsel of bread. I am in dire need of ten afghani. Two families lived here, and the flood destroyed both homes." Another resident of Ferozkoh Abdul Hai said that his orchard, home and livelihood "are all gone and nothing is left intact." He further said, "Nothing is left intact, and even our food has been taken by the flood. The floods have destroyed the wells, and we have no drinking water." As many as 18 people have died in the deadly floods in Faryab province and caused financial losses to residents of Faryab and Sar-e Pol provinces, according to TOLO News report. Taliban-appointed Faryab governor's spokesperson Esamatullah Moradi said, "The severe flood that hit Faryab province mainly affected the districts of Belcheragh, Pashtun Kot, Khwaja Sabz Posh, Qaisar, and Almar, causing significant financial losses to the local residents. Eighteen people have been martyred, and two have been injured in these floods." Taliban-appointed Sar-e Pol Governor's spokesperson Habibullah Masroor said, "In the villages of Khawal and Qala Shahr in the Kohistanat district, more than 60 residential houses have been either destroyed or partially damaged. Dozens of shops and hundreds of acres of agricultural land have been destroyed," the report said. Recent floods in many parts of Afghanistan, particularly Ghor, have been unprecedented. On Saturday, Taliban-led Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has announced that the provinces of Panjshir, Nuristan, Kunar, Kapisa, Parwan, Bamiyan, Faryab, Jawzjan, Herat, Farah, Ghor, Badghis, Badakhshan, Takhar, Baghlan and Samangan will experience heavy rainfall and potential flooding on Sunday. (ANI) Shayda Torabi, owner of Restart CBD, is seen in her store in Austin on May 9. Torabi became curious about hemps properties after she had an accident and started using CBD to manage pain. Maria Crane/The Texas Tribune Austin hemp entrepreneur Shayda Torabi is looking at a year filled with uncertainty. For the six years theyve been in business, Torabi and her two sisters have operated Restart, a hemp dispensary in a modest neighborhood in North Austin, within an entirely lawful framework evolving as the laws changed while staying comfortably and legally off the radar of state lawmakers who authorized the sale of consumable hemp in Texas in 2019. Thats about to change. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Some Texas lawmakers have marked hemp dispensaries for potentially radical changes in regulations next year. Since their products were legalized, theres been an overnight proliferation of shops offering baked goods, gummies, oils and smokable buds made with cannabis derivatives some containing small amounts of psychoactives. ALSO READ: Medical marijuana vendor Goodblend puts down roots on far North Side of San Antonio Once the darling of the burgeoning wellness industry, the purveyors of legal cannabis products now face questions from critics who remain unconvinced of the safety of such products and want tighter regulations even partial bans. Consumable hemp products come in several forms, such as smokable vapes, flower buds, oils, creams, baked goods, drinks, gummies and candies. Restart CBD in Austin offers a variety of edibles, paraphernalia and drinks. Maria Crane/The Texas Tribune They contain industrial hemp or hemp-derived cannabinoids, including the nonintoxicating cannabidiol known as CBD. They may not contain more than 0.3% concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the intoxicating part of the cannabis plant that comes in forms known as delta-8, delta-9 and THCA. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Goodblend, a Texas-based medical marijuana provider, opened a new pickup location in San Antonio this month. It also operates pickup locations in Austin, Plano and elsewhere across the state. goodblend The difference in the legal and illegal products lies in the plants from which they come. Hemp and marijuana plants are both cannabis plants. Marijuana plants have high THC. Hemp has low THC. Texas is one of about a dozen states that has not legalized marijuana in any form for broad use. But thousands of dispensaries in Texas sell hemp-derived products that look, taste and sometimes intoxicate similar to their more potent sibling. Theyve sprung up in recent years through loopholes in state and federal laws that allow them to sell low-THC products with no age limits, loose and inconsistent testing requirements, and no limit on the number of licenses allowed in the state. And its happening amid a series of oft-changing statutes and court decisions that throw retailers, advocates, police, prosecutors and parents into confusion over whats actually legal to buy, sell, possess and consume. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Since consumable hemp was legalized in Texas, the number of retail registrations for consumable hemp products has exploded in the state. In 2020, the first year the Texas Department of State Health Services began registering retailers, 1,948 retailers were actively registered. By 2023, that number had jumped to 8,343. And in the first four months of 2024, the state has seen more than 7,700 active registrations. Legislative leanings Last month, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick ordered the Texas Senate to look into banning hemp products that contain THC and investigate strict regulations for retailers across Texas. A hearing is scheduled for this month. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There is no similar charge for the more business-friendly Texas House, which voted last year to expand the states medical marijuana program in legislation that also would have regulated the dispensaries. That bill never got a vote in the Senate, the result of a political maneuvering over unrelated issues and a lack of interest in expanding weed laws in the conservative upper chamber. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, shown speaking on March 21 during a keynote lunch at the Texas Public Policy Foundation Texas Policy Summit 2024 in Austin, has ordered the Texas Senate to look into banning hemp products that contain THC, and investigate strict regulations for retailers across Texas. A hearing is scheduled for this month. Maria Crane/The Texas Tribune Because its a Patrick priority, its likely to come up when lawmakers convene in January for the regular legislative session. Meanwhile, Congress is getting ready to reauthorize the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, also known as the farm bill, that instituted widespread changes for the hemp industry, including authorization to sell intoxicating hemp-derived products. Advertisement Article continues below this ad So far, the latest U.S. House and Senate versions of that bill which both propose to loosen barriers for industrial hemp farmers leave out changes that would address either the increasing calls by critics for limits on dispensaries or pushes by advocates for wider access. But further changes could come before the legislation gets a vote later this year. Torabi, the Restart brand owner and president of the Texas Hemp Coalition, said she is looking for clarity and support from Austin and Washington. Were now seeing the hemp conversation, not just in Texas but nationally, show the pathway for how we can access this plant and really, ultimately help consumers who are seeking relief with cannabis products, Torabi said. Were watching and waiting to see what happens next. The state does not limit the number of dispensary registrations or hemp licenses it allows. Health officials conduct random testing for the presence of heavy metals, pathogens, pesticides, solvents and the concentration of THC. Retailers must pay an annual fee of $155 per location. License holders are on the hook for additional required state fees. Torabis cannabis dispensary sells hemp-derived gummies, oils, edibles and smokable plant buds that are marketed as having wellness benefits, such as easing depression or relieving stress. While federal drug officials have approved the use of a seizure medicine that contains CBD, most hemp-derived products are not regulated by the federal government. Torabis products contain either CBD, or low-concentration cannabinoid THC derivatives like THCA, delta-9 and delta-8. Some products are combinations of those. Regulation conversation Regulations that would keep her industry legitimate would be welcome, Torabi said. It is the wild, wild West out there, and I can imagine youd throw a stone in any direction and find not only new CBD products but the expansion of psychoactive cannabinoids, said Torabi, who sells both types. And its a double-edged sword. Its great that were giving access to these products where the consumers are, but the lack of regulation is really the crux of the conversation. The presence of bad actors who could trigger regulations that drag down legitimate operations threatens the existence of her business if they cause a total ban on her products, Torabi said. They also ruin the reputation of people like her and the products she passionately believes in after she used CBD, at her mothers urging, to deal with chronic pain after she was hit by a car as a pedestrian in downtown Austin years ago, she said. And while consuming low-quality, unregulated products from unscrupulous retailers can be uncomfortable or unsafe for users, the customers coming to Restart to purchase high-quality CBD and low-dose THC products consistently tell her how they have helped with issues like inflammation, insomnia and depression, Torabi said. We share the same concerns as Patrick, which is why we really do try to self-regulate as much as possible because we see where there can be malintent or taking what the intent was and twisting it, she said. Its a challenging place to be in because I do empathize with the states concerns, but the transformative conversations that were having on a daily basis are just so powerful, and those shouldnt be overlooked. The wellness benefits claimed by purveyors of hemp-derived consumables have been neither endorsed nor refuted by the Federal Drug Administration. Federal drug enforcement officials recently signaled that marijuana would soon lose its status as a Schedule 1 narcotic a designation for drugs that are highly addictive and have no medicinal value and become eligible for broad research on its medicinal effects. While thats not an opening for legalizing pot or other changes in Texas, it bolsters the argument that cannabis in whatever form it takes can have uses beyond industrial rope and intoxicating party drugs, advocates say. Were simply asking Dan Patrick to not eliminate the market but to further regulate and lean on organizations like ours, and to lean on leading operators like myself at Restart, to really understand and become educated, Torabi said. Current Texas laws The states minuscule medical marijuana program, the Compassionate Use Program run by the Texas Department of Public Safety, has about 12,000 enrollees and a short list of conditions that qualify a resident to buy low doses of marijuana in edible or oil form. Texans with a variety of conditions such as epilepsy, autism, cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder can access cannabis oil from marijuana plants with less than 1% THC. Medical cannabis can treat the symptoms of some of these diseases or reduce the side effects of other treatments, such as alleviating the nausea and loss of appetite associated with chemotherapy or reducing nightmares in patients with PTSD. It is legal to buy and use most smokable hemp products, such as flower or vape cartridges with CBD, THCA and delta-8. The smokable version of delta-9, a hemp derivative that has a higher THC level than delta-8, is illegal in Texas. ALSO READ: Legalized marijuana supporters hope voters in this Texas city will send a message to state lawmakers All hemp derivatives can be legally sold in oils, creams, gummies, sodas, candies, coffee and other consumables that retailers like Torabi stock in storefronts, convenience stores, breweries, coffee shops and trailers, and online. Consumable hemp was made legal by the federal farm bill in 2018 and in Texas the following year by House Bill 1325, which Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law. Critics say that because stores that offer consumable hemp have been allowed to sell their products without stringent testing requirements, age limits or other regulations, they pose a health risk and their extreme growth in numbers has undercut access by the patients who truly need cannabis for health reasons. Different types of edibles are displayed at Restart CBD on May 9 in Austin. Edibles are the storess best-selling products. Maria Crane/The Texas Tribune They want lawmakers to enact age restrictions, on-site or in-state testing requirements, regulations on the ingredients and changes to how the psychoactive ingredients in the consumable hemp products are measured by state regulators. States like Colorado, where medical and recreational marijuana are legal, are putting tighter restrictions on those products to rein in access, and force more health and safety accountability on the consumable hemp industry. Many current retailers, including Torabi, put some of these restrictions on themselves. All of Restarts nonsmokable products are produced in Texas, including some handcrafted in her hometown of Austin. Her shop does not sell delta-8 and delta-9 products to anyone younger than 21, nor does it sell CBD products to anyone younger than 18. Advocates frustration Nico Richardson, CEO of Texas Original, the leading medical cannabis provider in the state, is frustrated that his operation, which his medical marijuana patients depend on for relief from symptoms of cancers and nerve disorders, among other ills, is hindered by enormous regulation while businesses like Torabis are not. For example, since he can only store his inventory in one location under Texas law, it is ferried back and forth across the state at Richardsons companys expense and risk. If a patient in the medical marijuana program in El Paso doesnt pick up an order, Richardsons staff must drive there and bring that order of medical grade cannabis product back to Austin a huge expense and an enormous waste of staff resources, he said. On the way, my driver passes probably 1,500 hemp dispensaries dealing delta-8 and delta-9 with no restrictions, and its everywhere in the state, Richardson said. Am I upset about that? Yes. I think its absolutely horrendous. Texas Original Compassion Cultivation in Austin is among the states few medical marijuana facilities, where cannabis is grown and turned into medical products for patients across Texas. Texas Original Compassion Cultivation Texas Original Compassion Cultivation, which has a facility in Austin, is among the few licensed medical marijuana dispensers in Texas. Texas Original Compassion Cultivation A cultivation technician at Texas Original Compassion Cultivation measures marijuana plants at the medical marijuana dispensary outside Austin. Jessica Phelps/San Antonio Express-News Texas Original is one of two medical marijuana providers in Texas along with Goodblend, also based in Austin and serves the vast majority of patients on the state program, Richardson said. Both companies have pick-up locations in San Antonio, and Goodblend has a bus that travels to Texas cities to help people learn about the states Compassionate Use Program. You have patients in Texas that have gone through the process in the Compassionate Use Program to get clean, well-tested, well-regulated medicine that is safe. Thats what theyre coming into the program for, and thats what were trying to provide them, Richardson said. ALSO READ: Largest medical cannabis provider in Texas opens third location in San Antonio area But that system will not survive if the hemp industry is not reined in, he said. People are too easily convinced that all consumable hemp products are safe because they can buy them in the gas station or because they were at some point tested before they were sold, he said. It is complete and utter gaslighting, Richardson said. Goodblend has added a brick-and-mortar pickup location on the far North Side of San Antonio. goodblend Nina Medrano, left, and Emily Prewitt talk as they help manage patient appointments outside the goodblend Texas Cannabus parked in San Antonio in 2021. Goodblend Texas, a San Marcos-based medical marijuana company, uses the 36-foot mobile dispensary to travel around Texas to provide a space for people to obtain medical cannabis prescriptions. Sam Owens/Staff file photo Goodblend Texas Marketing Manager Emily Prewitt signs up a patient for a consultation with a doctor at the San Marcos-based medical marijuana company's mobile dispensary. Sam Owens/Staff file photo Lawmakers have instituted regulations beyond basic licensing fees and requirements, such as limiting the amount of THC in products to 0.3% by weight and requiring retailers to have records showing that products have been tested to confirm compliance with that limit. But there is no guidance, for example, on how recently a product should have been tested, even though the amount of THC in a product can increase over time due to degradation and environmental factors. Short of shutting down the entire hemp industry, Richardson said tighter industry regulations are long overdue. It was never the intent here in Texas, and it certainly was never the intent for the 2018 federal farm bill, that youd have a massive industry of lets call it what it is intoxicating hemp derivatives. Its marijuana by another name, he said. Thats certainly not how the system was supposed to run. Near the end of May, the Texas Senate State Affairs Committee will hear public testimony about the issue. Richardson and Torabi plan to be there. Shayda Torabi, owner of Restart CBD, is seen in her store on May 9 in Austin. Maria Crane/The Texas Tribune Torabi envisions a movement that would join people like her and Richardson currently at odds in the fight to craft a regulatory framework in Texas that allows access to all cannabis products, from low-dose CBD to medical-grade pot to maybe even products for recreational use. But what Torabi sees now is an opportunity for the pro-cannabis community to be a national leader in treating the plant as a tool for wellness, in whatever form it can be delivered. Taiwan's Ambassador to Guatemala, Miguel Liao, said on Saturday that Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo assured Taiwan of his steadfast support amid China's allegations about dollar diplomacy, Taiwan News reported. Liao said he recently held a meeting with eight ministerial-level officials in Guatemala, aiming to promote Taiwan's intention of friendship, Taiwan News cited Central News Agency (CNA) report. He expressed hope that Taiwan and Guatemala could continue working together as strategic allies. Miguel Liao said that an alliance between two nations is seen as mutually beneficial, with Taiwan's technological prowess complementing Guatemala's rich resources. He added that Taiwan serves as a gateway to Asia while Guatemala is a gateway to Central and Latin America, and both nations share common values of freedom, democracy and respect for human rights. Guatemala Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez is currently in Taiwan as the country's special envoy to attend Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te's swearing-in ceremony set to be held on May 20. Chinese officials and media accused Taiwan of engaging in dollar diplomacy with Guatemala. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Saturday rejected China's allegations regarding dollar diplomacy with Guatemala and called it a ploy by China to use the occasion of the oath-taking ceremony of President-elect Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim on May 20 to try and disrupt Taipei's foreign relations, Taiwan News reported. Taiwan's foreign ministry's statement came after the Chinese foreign ministry alleged that Taiwan had maintained political support from Guatemala by paying off its lawmakers, according to Taiwan News report. The statement released by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "China took advantage of the inauguration ceremony of its new president and vice president to once again resort to despicable tactics in an attempt to confuse the international community. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs severely condemned it and warned China that Taiwan, the Republic of China, is a sovereign and independent country. China has no right to comment on exchanges." Taiwan's foreign ministry accused China of using money and corrupt practices to infiltrate other nations and termed the latest allegations made by Beijing a grave insult to the leaders of Guatemala, Taiwan News report. In the statement, Taiwan's foreign ministry said, "As we all know, China not only uses financial bribes to infiltrate other countries but also creates debt traps to cause fatal harm to the development of other countries." Taiwan expressed strong protest over China's accusations and urged the global community to condemn China's hypocrisy. In a statement, Taiwan's foreign ministry stated, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs severely condemned it and warned China that Taiwan, the Republic of China, is a sovereign and independent country. China has no right to comment on exchanges." Bernardo Arevalo's commitment to maintaining diplomatic allies with Taiwan comes as Guatemala seeks to enhance economic ties with China. Earlier in February, Guatemala Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez said, "We are going to continue working with Taiwan at the levels we have been doing" and added, "but the president has pointed out that we cannot ignore the weight and power China represents." The Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Guatemala's support for Taiwan has never wavered and is one of Taiwan's two diplomatic allies in Central America. (ANI) After Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter made a "hard landing," the Instagram post of the country's premier urged the people to 'pray' for him on Sunday, as Raisi's condition continues to remain unknown, according to CNN. "We call on fellow countrymen to pray for the wellbeing of the President and companions," a story shared on Raisi's Instagram said. https://www.instagram.com/p/C7J4lRFo6tJ/?igsh=czQ0ZjJwOWIyd2l2 Raisi's condition currently remains unknown, Iranian state news agency IRNA has reported, after the helicopter he was traveling in crashed in the country's East Azerbaijan Province. According to Iran's Minister of Health Bahram Eynollahi, the scene where the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi crashed on Sunday is extremely foggy, making it difficult for rescuers to locate, and conduct the search operation. "We have set up treatment facilities. We are now in the area and all rescue forces are busy searching," Eynollahi said on state TV Sunday. "We have deployed all medical facilities, including emergency medicine, surgery and ambulance." The Iranian military has been in the area of the crash since it was first reported, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri said, according to CNN. "All the facilities, equipment and capacities of the army, the (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) and the police command are being used to provide relief and search for the helicopter of the president and his companions," Bagheri said. The armed forces are also investigating the source of the crash, he said. Meanwhile, Iran's Interior minister also confirmed, earlier today the "hard landing" of helicopter carrying President Raisi. In an address to the national TV that one of the helicopters of the president's convoy had a hard landing, he said, "Various rescue groups are moving towards the site, but due to the fog and bad weather, it may take time to reach the area. The work is under control." The local Iranian media have reported that it is heavily raining in the area in Varzaghan District and it is hard for the rescue and search teams to walk in the dense fog. There is still no information on any injuries or damage from the earlier chopper crash that involved Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and high officials in northwest Iran. On Sunday, as President Raisi was landing in the Varzaqan region after attending a ceremony to open a dam on Iran's border with Azerbaijan, his helicopter had a crash. On board the chopper were Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, Hojjatoleslam Al Hashem, the head of the Friday prayer in Tabriz, Malek Rahmati, the governor of the province of East Azarbaijan, and several other people. Rescue teams have reached the city of Jolfa in the northwestern Iranian province of East Azarbaijan and trying to locate the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter which made hard-landing. The region is impassable and the fog has made search operations challenging. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed concern over Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter incident and said that India stands in solidarity with people of Iran in this hour of distress. PM Modi said that he is praying for well-being of Raisi and the leaders accompanying him onboard the chopper. In a post on X, PM Modi stated, "Deeply concerned by reports regarding President Raisi's helicopter flight today. We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of distress, and pray for well being of the President and his entourage." PM Modi's statement came as Raisi's condition currently remains unknown, Iranian state news agency IRNA has reported, after the helicopter he was travelling in crashed in Iran's East Azerbaijan Province. Head of Iran Red Crescent said that aerial search impossible for Iranian President's chopper due to harsh weather, fog, Press TV reported. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that they are "distressed" by the news and praying for Raisi and other leaders who were onboard the chopper. Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan stands ready to offer any assistance to Iran. The incident happened when President Raisi was returning from a ceremony to inaugurate a dam on the Aras River with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev. In a post on X, Aliyev stated, "Today, after bidding a friendly farewell to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, we were profoundly troubled by the news of a helicopter carrying the top delegation crash-landing in Iran. Our prayers to Allah Almighty are with President Ebrahim Raisi and the accompanying delegation. As a neighbor, friend, and brotherly country, the Republic of Azerbaijan stands ready to offer any assistance needed." On board the chopper were Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, Hojjatoleslam Al Hashem, the head of the Friday prayer in Tabriz, Malek Rahmati, the governor of the province of East Azarbaijan, and several other people. Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif said that he is waiting with great anxiety for good news and his best wishes are with Raisi and people of Iran. "Heard the distressing news from Iran regarding Hon. President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter. Waiting with great anxiety for good news that all is well. Our prayers and best wishes are with Hon.President Raisi and the entire Iranian nation," Shehbaz Sharif posted on X. Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that he is shocked by the news reported from Iran and expressed readiness to offer all necessary support to Iran as rescue operations continue. Taking to X, Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "Shocked by the news coming from #Iran. Our thoughts & prayers are w/President Raisi, Minister @Amirabdolahian & all others reported to be at the site. As rescue operations continue, #Armenia, as a close & friendly neighbor of Iran, is ready to provide all necessary support." Meanwhile, people of Iran are praying for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian and other officials accompanying them. Earlier, the Instagram post of the Iran's President urged the people to 'pray' for him on Sunday, as Raisi's condition continues to remain unknown, according to CNN. "We call on fellow countrymen to pray for the wellbeing of the President and companions," a story shared on Raisi's Instagram said. According to Iran's Minister of Health Bahram Eynollahi, the scene where the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi crashed on Sunday is extremely foggy, making it difficult for rescuers to locate, and conduct the search operation. "We have set up treatment facilities. We are now in the area and all rescue forces are busy searching," Eynollahi said on state TV Sunday. "We have deployed all medical facilities, including emergency medicine, surgery and ambulance."The Iranian military has been in the area of the crash since it was first reported, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri said, according to CNN. "All the facilities, equipment and capacities of the army, the (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) and the police command are being used to provide relief and search for the helicopter of the president and his companions," Bagheri said. The armed forces are also investigating the source of the crash, he said. Meanwhile, Iran's Interior minister also confirmed, earlier today the "hard landing" of helicopter carrying President Raisi. In an address to the national TV that one of the helicopters of the president's convoy had a hard landing, he said, "Various rescue groups are moving towards the site, but due to the fog and bad weather, it may take time to reach the area. The work is under control." The local Iranian media have reported that it is heavily raining in the area in Varzaghan District and it is hard for the rescue and search teams to walk in the dense fog. There is still no information on any injuries or damage from the earlier chopper crash that involved Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and high officials in northwest Iran. Rescue teams have reached the city of Jolfa in the northwestern Iranian province of East Azarbaijan and trying to locate the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter which made hard-landing. The region is impassable and the fog has made search operations challenging. (ANI) Ali Musa Gilani, the son of Yusuf Raza Gilani, filed a complaint with the Cantt police station alleging that an unknown person had threatened the Chairman of the Senate. The phone number linked to Khanewal was used to make a threat call on National Assembly Member Ali Musa Gilani, according to the FIR. However, under the direction of SP Tahir Majeed, a group of law enforcement officers, including the CIA in command, launched a number of raids in an effort to apprehend the suspected parties engaged in the incident right away. It is important to note that Yusuf Raza Gilani was chosen as the Chairman of the Senate on April 9, 2024, without facing any opposition because no nomination papers had been filed against him, according to ARY News. In a similar vein, Sardar Syed Khan of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) was elected as the Senate's deputy chairman without opposition. (ANI) Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, on Sunday urged the people to pray for the return of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and others on board the helicopter, which made a "hard landing" and has not yet been located. He also asserted that Iran doesn't need to be worried and said that the country's administration will not be disrupted at all. In a post on X, the Leader said, "We hope Almighty God will return the respected, esteemed President and his entourage to the arms of the nation." "Everyone should pray for the health of these people who are serving the Iranian nation. The nation doesn't need to be worried or anxious as the administration of the country will not be disrupted at all," he added. President Ebrahim Raisi was travelling back to Iran following a visit to Azerbaijan when his helicopter came down in bad weather conditions on Sunday afternoon. On board the chopper were Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, Hojjatoleslam Al Hashem, the head of the Friday prayer in Tabriz, Malek Rahmati, the governor of the province of East Azarbaijan, and several others. Following the incident, Iranian Vice President for Executive Affairs Mohsen Mansouri said that Iranian officials have spoken to two people on the same helicopter as President Ebrahim Raisi since it crashed on Sunday, CNN reported, citing Iran's semi-official FARS news agency. Because officials made contact "several times" with a passenger and a member of the flight crew shortly after the crash, "it appears that the incident was not severe," Mansouri said. Three helicopters were flying on the same route before two lost contact with Raisi's helicopter, Mansouri added. "The Ministry of Communications and other security agencies have identified the incident area within a 2-kilometer radius. Due to weather conditions, access to the area is challenging," he said, CNN reported. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern over the incident, and said that India stands in solidarity with the people of Iran in this hour of distress. PM Modi said that he is praying for the well-being of Iranian President Raisi and the leaders accompanying him on board the chopper. "Deeply concerned by reports regarding President Raisi's helicopter flight today. We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of distress, and pray for well being of the President and his entourage," PM Modi said in a post on X. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry also expressed his concern over the accident and said that they are praying for the safety and well-being of President Raisi. "Deeply concerned about reports of President Raisi's helicopter flight incident today. Our thoughts are with the Iranian people during this distressing time. We pray for the safety and well-being of President Raisi, his entourage, and the Foreign Minister," Sabry said in a post on X. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that they are "distressed" by the news and praying for Raisi and other leaders who were on board the chopper. Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan stands ready to offer any assistance to Iran. President Raisi was returning from a ceremony to inaugurate a dam on the Aras River with Azerbaijan's President, Ilham Aliyev, when the incident took place. The local Iranian media reported that it was heavily raining in the Varzaghan District, and it was hard for the rescue and search teams to walk in the dense fog. There was still no information on any injuries or damage from the 'chopper crash' that involved Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and high officials in northwest Iran. Rescue teams have reached the city of Jolfa in the northwestern Iranian province of East Azarbaijan and were trying to locate Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter, which made a hard landing. The region is impassable, and the fog has made search operations challenging. (ANI) The Coast Guard vessel 'Vaibhav' while on patrol duty from Tuticorin, detected a fishing boat displaying registration numbers from Sri Lanka within the Kanyakumari sea area. Acting promptly, the Coast Guard intercepted the trespassing vessel, effectively surrounding the barge to prevent any attempt to flee. Upon boarding the fishing boat, authorities confirmed the presence of seven fishermen of Sri Lankan nationality engaged in fishing activities within Indian waters. Subsequently, the seven individuals were placed under arrest and transferred to the custody of the Daruwaikulam Coast Guard Group Police Station for further investigation. Fishermen from both countries are arrested frequently for inadvertently trespassing into each other's waters. On April 4, a total of 19 fishermen from Tamil Nadu were sent to Chennai in an Air India passenger flight from Sri Lanka's Colombo following their arrest, by the Sri Lankan Navy on March 6 for crossing the border. The 19 fishermen included nine from Mayiladuthurai, four from Pudukottai, and six from Karaikal in Puducherry state. All of them went fishing in the sea in two boats on March 6. (ANI) BEDFORD On a drive by the Virginia Military Institute as a kid, Amherst County Public Schools Superintendent William Wells recalls saying no way in the world when his dad asked what he thought of the military. Years later as a student struggling at Virginia Tech, Wells decided to join the U.S. Army Reserves, went to Fort Benning, Georgia, for basic training, and called it probably the best decision of his life. Speaking at a military signing day for area high school students Friday at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Wells said he would not be where he is without the military because of the experiences instilled in him discipline, work ethic and the pride in himself and his country. This decision I made changed my life and it will change your lives, Wells told three students taking part in Fridays ceremony. The event celebrated just more than 20 high school seniors from the city of Lynchburg and counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell who are joining the military. Many could not attend because of a late notice and other extracurricular activities they had to be at, according to Bedford County Public Schools Superintendent Marc Bergin. Bedfords D-Day Memorial is the perfect spot to host the event, Bergin said in recounting how some of the first soldiers to storm the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, were from the county. The famed group of soldiers known as The Bedford Boys suffered heavy casualties that day, the highest loss per capita in the country. More than a half century later that statistic was the driving factor in the memorial opening in 2001. For many of those individuals, just like our students who are gathered here today, they had just graduated from high school, and they enlisted in the military because they wanted to serve their country and defend our freedom, Bergin said. Three months after the memorial was dedicated in June 2001, the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks led to Wells, a 1986 graduate of Amherst County High School, mobilizing four years later with other reserve members for a mission in Iraq and leaving on Mothers Day in 2005 to help train 500 Iraqis to be combat efficient. Wells commended the graduates he called a new generation of heroes for volunteering to serve their country and protect the Constitution, adding less than 1% of the nations adult population are part of the military. You have chosen a road marked by selflessness, dedication and an unwavering commitment to protect and serve our nation, Wells told the group. After serving in Iraq from 2005 to 2006, Wells rose through the ranks of Amherst schools positions and in summer 2022 became its superintendent. During the meeting of his appointment his son watched via phone while stationed in Iraq. Wells said he never imagined while serving in that country his son, who was 3 at the time, would follow in his footsteps 17 years later in partaking in a military mission in Baghdad. He encouraged graduates to do their best and make the most of their experience that will be mentally and physically exhausting. There are going to be times when you ask yourselves why in the world did I sign that paperwork? I can tell you that, Wells said. You will be challenged in many different ways. He said if the graduates listen and do their best, they will come out a better person ready to take on the next challenge and encouraged them to take inspiration from the sacred memorial. Remember the valor of those who came before you and let it fuel your resolve, Wells told them. The road ahead will be challenging but it will also be immensely rewarding. You are not just enlisting in the military you are committing to a life of service and sacrifice that will make a lasting impact on the world. OSAKA, May 19 (News On Japan) - A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 19-year-old woman was found dead with multiple stab wounds on Saturday in Hirakata, Osaka Prefecture. A blood-stained knife was discovered near the body. The body of university student Karen Watanabe, who lived in the apartment, was found on May 18, in a room in Nakamiya Higashinocho, Hirakata. Police arrested unemployed Masaru Nishimitsu from Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture, on suspicion of murder. Nishimitsu admitted to the charges, stating, 'I stabbed her to death with a knife.' Further police investigation revealed that Watanabe had multiple stab wounds on her upper body and that a blood-stained knife was found near her body. The police are examining the knife and investigating the relationship between the two and the motive behind the crime. Source: ANN TOKYO, May 19 (News On Japan) - In Tokyo's Minato Ward, 'Heckeln,' a cafe founded in 1971, sees more than 50 foreigners lining up daily before it opens. Their target is the 'Special Jumbo Pudding,' priced at 500 yen. It is about 2.5 times the size of a typical pudding. The 82-year-old master's performance of removing the pudding from the mold without using a spatula is also popular. Among the regular customers was Sayuri Yoshinaga. 'Sabouru,' located in Jimbocho, was founded in 1955. Foreign customers flock here for the Japanese-born Western dish 'Napolitan,' priced at 900 yen. The Showa retro interior is also a reason for its popularity. The cafe was loved by literary giants such as Shusaku Endo. Foreigners Flock to Famous 'Special Jumbo Pudding' More than 50 foreigners line up daily before opening at the long-established cafe 'Heckeln,' founded in 1971. A visitor from America: 'I want to experience Japanese culture and food.' A visitor from Saudi Arabia: 'It feels comfortable.' 'The interior design is wonderfully old-fashioned.' A visitor from Canada: 'The old look gives me a sense of Japan.' Foreigners are attracted to the Showa retro atmosphere. The cafe features a dessert that has garnered international attention: the 'Special Jumbo Pudding,' priced at 500 yen. Many visitors come from overseas just to taste this specialty. A visitor from Canada: 'Amazing! It's my first time experiencing this.' The famous pudding, highly praised by foreigners, has been maintained for over half a century by the master's dedication. The pudding is about 2.5 times the size of a typical one. It is a slightly firm, handmade pudding made in the Showa style, with a maximum of 60 pieces produced per day. It usually sells out by noon. A visitor from Taiwan: 'It's very soft.' A visitor from Saudi Arabia: 'Wonderful. Delicious.' The rare pudding, acclaimed by foreigners, has a unique taste. Announcer Sayaka Masuda: 'Delicious. The gentle sweetness of the eggs spreads in your mouth. The caramel is neither too sweet nor too bitter. It perfectly enhances the flavor of the eggs.' A visitor from Saudi Arabia: 'It was creamy, sweet, and very delicious. It was different from Saudi Arabian pudding. It was like cheesecake. It was worth the wait.' The charm of the cafe is not only in the taste. Many foreigners focus their cameras on the 82-year-old master, Shizuo Mori, who has been making the pudding since the cafe's founding. To prevent the pudding from collapsing when removed from the mold, the master uses centrifugal force. His unique performance has been a staple since the cafe's inception. Mori: '(Q. How many did you prepare?) Today, about 60. It's tough to make more than that. But I don't make extra in advance.' '(Q. What time do you start preparing?) Around 5:20 AM.' '(Q. Every morning?) Yes.' '(Q. Isn't it tough?) If you think it's tough, everything becomes tough.' Sayuri Yoshinaga, a Regular for Over 30 Years Among the loyal customers attracted by the unwavering taste is Sayuri Yoshinaga, who has been visiting for over 30 years. Mori: 'Sayuri Yoshinaga. She has come many times, countless times. She even gave me this cutting board.' '(Q. The cutting board you're using now?) Yes.' The cutting board, gifted by Yoshinaga about two years ago, is a treasured possession of the master. So, why have many foreigners been visiting 'Heckeln' in recent years? A visitor from Taiwan: '(Q. How did you know about this place?) I saw a video on Instagram by someone from Taiwan showing a delicious-looking pudding. From then on, I wanted to try it when I had the chance.' A visitor from Austria: '(Q. Why did you come here?) I saw it on Instagram.' The video of the jumbo pudding posted on social media spread worldwide, leading to an influx of foreign visitors. The Showa retro cafe, loved by long-time patrons and new foreign customers, continues to thrive in the Reiwa era. Secret Napolitan... One Master's Fascination The Showa retro cafe 'Sabouru' in Tokyo's Jimbocho is also popular among foreigners. The cafe, with its unique atmosphere that seems frozen in the Showa era, attracts many visitors. Foreigners come here for the traditional cream sodas in melon, blue Hawaii, strawberry, lemon, orange, grape, and Calpis flavors. And one more thing... A visitor from South Korea: 'I heard the Napolitan here is famous and wanted to try it.' The Japanese-born Western dish 'Napolitan,' priced at 900 yen, is another draw. 'Sabouru's Napolitan is a hearty dish with bacon, Bologna sausage, mushrooms, onions, and green peppers. A visitor from South Korea: 'It's delicious. Really tasty. Napolitan in Korea is a bit spicy, but Japanese Napolitan is not spicy, slightly sweet, and can be enjoyed by everyone.' Announcer Masuda: 'The balance of the tomato sauce's acidity and sweetness is exquisite. It's the nostalgic, rich "Napolitan."' Masashi Ito, the fourth-generation master, was captivated by this Napolitan about 20 years ago. Ito: 'When I first tasted Napolitan, it was so delicious that I thought, "I want to work here." I was looking for a part-time job at the time, during my university days.' '(Q. Were you impressed by the Napolitan?) Yes, I was. It was so delicious that I wanted to learn how to make it. I had an interview on the spot.' His enthusiasm was recognized, and he was hired immediately, but there was an unexpected twist. Ito: 'I was not assigned to the kitchen. I was told I could work as a hall staff. So I started working from there, but I've been in the hall ever since. I still can't make Napolitan.' The secret recipe for Napolitan is only known to the experienced kitchen staff. Another signature dish is ginger pork. A visitor from Portugal: 'There is a similar dish in Portugal, but it's not as sweet.' The man referred to 'Bifana,' a Portuguese dish similar to Japanese ginger pork, but with a slightly spicy taste from paprika, garlic, and chili. On the other hand, the cafe's ginger pork uses slightly thick slices of domestic pork, stir-fried in soy sauce-based sauce with plenty of onions to enhance its sweetness. A visitor from Portugal: 'Nice. The pork is delicious.' Joao, a visitor in his 70s, was so impressed by the ginger pork at the historical cafe that he sent a video of a Portuguese dish made with pork back home. It's a local dish where pork is stir-fried in clam soup. Expanding Popularity... Experiencing the Flavors Loved by Japanese Authors Why are Showa retro cafes now loved by foreign tourists? A visitor from the Philippines: 'It's cute. Unlike the usual cafes, I was attracted to the old-fashioned atmosphere.' A visitor from South Korea: 'Koreans love Japanese historical things. We love Japanese sensibility.' While the cafe's popularity started from social media, some visitors have other reasons for coming. A visitor from the UK: 'I came after seeing an interview with Sayaka Murata. She said she likes to write at "Sabouru."' 'Sabouru,' frequented by Akutagawa Prize-winning author Sayaka Murata, and other writers such as Shusaku Endo and Go Osaka, is now visited by foreigners who want to experience the flavors loved by famous Japanese authors. The Showa retro cafe boom continues to expand. Source: ANN A man's body was recovered from Boerne City Lake Sunday morning after he drowned Saturday evening. William Luther/Staff Authorities on Sunday recovered the body of a man who drowned in Boerne City Lake over the weekend. Calls about the drowning came in around 10:45 p.m. Saturday, according to Chris Shadrock, City of Boerne's director of communications. According to a preliminary investigation, authorities believe the man spent Saturday afternoon fishing at the lake and went into the water to cool off. The man was unaware of the lakes's elevation changes and reached an area with deep water. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The man shouted for help but others at the lake with him were unable to swim, Shadrock said, so they called 911. The Boerne Fire Department's water rescue team and the Texas Game Wardens, using solar technology, recovered his body Sunday in waters that were about 8-10 feet deep. Authorities believe the man is from the Leon Springs area. READ MORE: Catholic school planned for Boerne as city, parish see rapid growth The city said they are withholding the man's name until his next of kin is notified. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Authorities said alcohol was not a factor in the drowning. TOKYO, May 20 (News On Japan) - OpenAI and Google have both recently announced new generative AI technologies, highlighting the rapid evolution of this field and its potential to improve our daily lives. Rapid Advancements in Generative AI: New Technologies Emerge Swiftly The speed of conversation is astonishing. 'Hey! ChatGPT, I'm Mark. How are you?' AI: 'I'm great, Mark. How about you?' 'I'm doing a demo in front of everyone and feeling a bit nervous. Can you help calm my nerves?' AI: 'A demo? That's awesome. Take a deep breath. You got this, you're a pro.' Conversations with AI flow smoothly, almost as if talking to another person, complete with rich emotional expressions. AI: 'I'm not sure what's happening, but you seem really happy. Can you tell me why?' 'I'm showing off your amazing abilities to everyone.' AI: 'You're flattering me too much, I'm blushing.' The latest model from OpenAI, 'GPT-4o,' demonstrates significant improvements. Its processing speed is double that of previous models, and it boasts enhanced capabilities in recognizing text, images, and audio. It can even narrate original stories upon request. Unlike earlier versions, which primarily relied on text for information, the new model seamlessly integrates multiple sources of information such as visuals and audio. AI: 'Hello, little dog. What's your name?' 'His name is Bowser.' AI: 'Hello, Bowser, you're such a cute dog.' Competition in AI performance is intensifying, with Google also announcing the launch of a search service powered by generative AI. AI English Conversation App: Instructors are 'Generative AI' There is already significant interest in AI-powered services. One example is the AI English conversation app 'Speak.' Yann Kinjushenko, Japan Head of Speak, explains the benefits of having an AI instructor: 'One advantage is the ability to practice anytime, anywhere, without the need for consideration or nervousness.' The app can also customize lesson content to suit each student's needs. 'Can I get a hot coffee, please?' AI: 'Sure, our regular coffee is popular.' The app has been downloaded around 5 million times, primarily in Japan and South Korea. AI x Travel: 'Travel Plan Creation' App The reach of AI technology extends to travel planning as well. One company has developed an app that instantly creates personalized travel plans using AI. Yuichi Miyazaki, President of AVA Intelligence, says: 'Our AI can create recommended travel plans tailored to the user's preferences within 30 seconds to 1 minute.' The app is simple to use. Users enter their desired destination and schedule. Beyond typical searches, they can tell the AI what activities they want to enjoy, and choose a plan they like. The AI then generates a detailed itinerary, including when to go, where to visit, and the next destination. As the app learns more from user data, its accuracy improves. However, Miyazaki emphasizes the importance of balance. 'While it's easy to decide the main activities for a trip, figuring out nearby attractions and how to navigate them can be challenging. This aspect adds to the fun of travel. We aim to improve AI accuracy while preserving the joy of personal exploration, offering a balanced travel experience.' Source: ANN TOKYO, May 20 (News On Japan) - A 30-year-old man has been arrested in Tokai Village, Ibaraki Prefecture, for allegedly injuring his girlfriend's 3-year-old daughter by placing her inside a washing machine and turning it on. The suspect, Hideaki Masui, is accused of pushing the young girl into the washing machine at his home and causing her injuries. The incident came to light when the girl's mother noticed something was wrong and called the police. While the extent of the girl's injuries is not yet known, authorities reported that she was conscious and able to speak when she was transported to the hospital. Masui has denied the allegations during police questioning. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to understand the circumstances that led to the girl being placed in the washing machine. Source: ANN Akita, May 20 (News On Japan) - Efforts to retrieve the body of a man found in a forest in Akita Prefecture, where two male police officers were attacked by a bear on Saturday, were abandoned Sunday with the possibility the bear is still lurking in the area. Around 1 p.m. Saturday, two male police officers searching for a missing person in a forest in Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture, were attacked by a bear and sustained injuries. Both are believed to be seriously injured. Near the scene, a man's body was found lying with facial injuries. A helicopter search conducted since this morning confirmed the presence of a stretcher left at the scene during Sarurday's search. Although efforts were made to approach the site by vehicle Sunday afternoon, the high possibility of bears still being present led to the conclusion of retrieval activities at 3:20 p.m. Akita Prefecture has issued a warning about the appearance of Asiatic black bears since April 18. Source: TBS OSAKA, May 20 (News On Japan) - The 'Myakumyaku' statue, the official character of Expo 2025, placed in front of Osaka City Hall, has been vandalized with English text saying 'Free Palestine', prompting the city to file a damage report. According to Osaka City, around 5:30 a.m. on May 18th, a security guard discovered the words "Free Palestine" spray-painted in English on the mouth of the "Myakumyaku" statue at the main entrance of Osaka City Hall. The guard noted that during his patrol at around 11 p.m. the previous night, the statue was unmarked. As a temporary measure, the city has covered the text with white paper and plans to remove the graffiti. The city has filed a damage report, and police are investigating the incident as suspected property damage. This is not the first time the statue has been targeted. In March, the face of the statue was damaged, resulting in the arrest of a man in his 40s, and the repair cost approximately 330,000 yen. Source: YOMIURI KYOTO, May 20 (News On Japan) - The annual duck migration at Kyoto's Youhoji Temple has begun, with six ducklings making their way to the Kamogawa River this year. Shortly after 10 a.m. on Sunday, the six ducklings set off from Youhoji Temple in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City. For the past 19 years, ducks have come to the temples pond to lay eggs and raise their young, moving to the nearby Kamogawa River during this season. The ducklings, born in April, are heading to the Kamogawa River about 700 meters away without their parents, who have been absent at times this year. With heavy traffic in the area, local residents are feeding the ducklings and sprinkling water to ensure their safe passage, carefully guiding them on their journey. Source: YOMIURI Authorities have released the name of the man found dead Tuesday in the Missouri River. Julio Alberto Estrada-Aguirre, a 43-year-old man believed to be homeless and recently living in the Sioux City area, was found dead at about 6:20 p.m. Tuesday near the Douglas County-Washington county line in Nebraska, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. Estrada-Aguirre's identity was discovered through an autopsy conducted by the county coroner, the office said. The sheriff's water patrol unit joined the Omaha and Council Bluffs fire departments in responding to a report of a body floating in the river. An Omaha police helicopter located the body just south of 14445 N. River Drive. Senegals new Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has criticized the French military presence in the West African country and also slammed efforts by the West to promote values that he sees as not fitting with those held by Senegal and other African countries, including LGBTQ rights and monogamy. In a speech at a joint conference with French left-wing politician Jean-Luc Melenchon in Dakar, Sonko questioned why more than 60 years after our independence we must question the reasons why the French army for example still benefits from several military bases in our country and the impact of this presence on our national sovereignty and our strategic autonomy. Sonko, who was freed from jail weeks before the March presidential election and propelled his party to victory, is known for criticizing perceived interference by France in its former colony. While France has about 350 troops in Senegal, its neighbors Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have pushed out French troops and turned to Russia for help in fighting jihadist insurgencies on their territory. I want to reiterate Senegals desire for self-determination, which is incompatible with the long-term presence of foreign military bases in Senegal, Sonko added. Apart from raising the possibility of closing French military bases on Senegals territory, the prime minister also reiterated his election campaign promise to renegotiate oil and gas contracts in the West African country, where production is due to begin this year. In his wide-ranging speech, Sonko also touched on the euro-backed CFA franc currency and LGBTQ+ rights and monogamy. On the euro-pegged CFA franc currency, which Senegal shares with seven countries, Sonko said that he would like a flexible currency pegged to at least two currencies to help absorb shocks and support export competitiveness. Talking about homosexuality, while admitting that this phenomenon existed in Senegal, the prime minister called on Western nations to show restraint, respect, reciprocity and tolerance on social matters including LGBTQ rights and gender equality. The US said Chads presidential elections were a milestone in the transition process, despite shortfalls in organizing the vote and adjudicating electoral disputes. We welcome the peaceful conduct of the voting and its aftermath, although we regret the multiple casualties from celebratory gunfire that followed the announcement of provisional results on May 9, the US State department said in a statement. Although there were troubling shortcomings, we welcome the milestones in Chads transition process, including negotiating with insurgents, undertaking a National Dialogue, holding a constitutional referendum, and conducting a presidential election, it said. The US also voiced regret that Chads transitional government was not fully inclusive in setting up the institutions responsible for organizing elections and adjudicating electoral disputes. This exclusion contributed to legitimate concerns about transparency that undermined public confidence in the election and in the democratic process, it said, urging Chadian authorities to work with all stakeholders especially political parties and civil society organizations to address any concerns with this election and strengthen the inclusivity and transparency of Chads institutional framework for future elections. Morocco has recovered earlier this week from Chile Some 117 pieces of rare fossils originating from the Kingdom that are 400 Mln-year-old. The paleontological pieces were confiscated by Chilean customs between 2017 and 2022. They were handed to Moroccos Ambassador in Santiago, Kenza El Ghali, by Director of National Heritage Services, Nelida Pozo Kudo, and Director of Inspection of the Chilean Customs Service, Jose Luis Castro Montecinos. Representatives of various departments, including Foreign Affairs, Culture, Customs Services, and Security attended the fossils handing-over ceremony, held at the National Library of Chile. Director of National Heritage Services, Nelida Pozo Kudo, stressed at this ceremony that cooperation between Morocco and Chile covers many fields, including protection of high scientific value fossils. The seizure by Chilean Customs of these fossils and their restitution to the Kingdom is a clear example of both countries commitment towards the fight against illicit access to cultural property, in accordance with international law. Technical Secretary of Chiles National Monuments Council, Irwin Brevis, expressed his satisfaction at having contributed to the recovery of this 400-million-year-old heritage, () and without exaggeration, its long history antedates the continental formation and thus long before the creation of Chile and Morocco, in other words, before the planet was as we know it today. Brevis also expressed his conviction that the coordination and joint efforts between the various institutions and international cooperation are proving fruitful, enabling us today to return these fossils to the Kingdom of Morocco. A young child enjoys the refreshing water on the splash pad at The Pearl in 2019. Several splash pads in the San Antonio area offer free water recreation this summer. Billy Calzada/Staff Photographer With pools, rivers and lakes being the most popular options for cooling off during the hot summer days, splash pads have become an easier and more cost-efficient alternative. Splash pads are designed with non-slip surfaces and with various nozzles that can spray, mist and shoot streams of water, creating a fun water experience for children of all ages. As several area school districts close out the school year in the coming weeks, families looking for some inexpensive water recreation have several choices to stay cool. These are 10 free splash pads your kids can enjoy throughout the summer in the San Antonio and New Braunfels area. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A splashpad is a type of waterpark recreation that is is ideal for children since there is no water depth like in a traditional pool or wading area, experts say. The lack of water depth helps eliminate the risk of drowning. Photo: Victor J. Blue/The Washington Post/Bloomberg via Getty Images After Donald Trumps criminal trial adjourned on Thursday afternoon, I was standing on a corner near City Hall, comparing notes with another journalist who was in the courtroom. I looked up, and there was Todd Blanche, Trumps lawyer, walking back to the defense teams war room after a day spent cross-examining the prosecutions key witness, Michael Cohen. Blanche, whom I profiled for a New York cover story in April, looked exhausted and giddy, like he was running on adrenaline. I shouted, Hi, and he replied with a grin, How do you think I did? My answer is complicated. There are two Trump trials going on simultaneously at the courthouse at 100 Centre Street. One youve probably heard all about, because its a political circus. Judge Juan Merchan has held Trump in contempt ten times for violating a gag order in his public statements attacking the sham. He has threatened to throw Trump in jail and has scolded Blanche, saying he was losing all credibility when he contended his client was trying to stay within the orders bounds. Trump has reportedly been frustrated with Blanches refusal to brawl with the judge a fight no lawyer can win and has tried to compensate by summoning MAGA bomb-throwers (J.D. Vance, Vivek Ramaswamy, Matt Gaetz, etc.) to watch the proceedings from the front two rows before heading out to the news cameras to pummel Merchan at lunchtime. Meanwhile, just a few feet back in the gallery, Trump antagonists like George Conway and Norm Eisen are tweeting avid play-by-play legal analysis. (Smackdown, Eisen posted after the judge denied a defense request on Thursday. Blanche is not up for this.) When the day is done, Trump walks out of the courtroom and delivers his daily stem-winder at the hallway press pen with Blanche standing behind him. The analysts head to CNN and MSNBC to declare Trumps defense dead and dissect the corpse. OMG, Blanche asks if can approach and discuss all the objections sustained Judge: (quietly, shaking head) no Smackdown. Blanche is not up for this https://t.co/sAE99j5qat Norm Eisen (#TryingTrump out now!) (@NormEisen) May 16, 2024 None of this gavel-to-gavel coverage, however, is supposed to reach the jury. The most contentious parts of the trial, like the contempt hearings and the defenses motions for a mistrial over the testimony of Stormy Daniels, have taken place outside of the presence of the 18 citizens 12 jurors, six alternates who were selected to hear the case. They have been instructed to shut out all other news about the trial. Each morning, when they march into the courtroom, everyone stands and straightens their demeanor. Merchan turns into a softie. The attorneys put on smiles. Trump closes his eyes to the proceedings. One morning, the strains of Twisted Sisters Were Not Gonna Take It filtered into the courtroom from a small pro-Trump protest across the street. Otherwise, the tumult has mostly been kept outside. I seem to be in the minority in the gallery, but I think that when it comes to what is happening in this inside trial the one unfolding in front of the jury Blanche and the defense have done about as well as could be expected. Lets not forget that they represent the worlds worst client. Trump once boasted at a rally that he possesses a Ph.D. in litigation, the rare claim of his that is scarcely an exaggeration, and in previous trials he has displayed a tendency to micromanage his attorneys. He likes to offer running commentary, noting what he sees as double standards So did Biden! What about Hillary? while urging his lawyers (sometimes very audibly) to decry the witch hunt. He has a history of throwing tantrums when things are not going his way. (You are full of shit! he yelled at a judge during his 1990 divorce from Ivana, according to a memoir by his late attorney Jay Goldberg. Im done here!) He stalked out of court during closing arguments in the E. Jean Carroll defamation trial in January. So it counts as a victory for his lawyers that Trump has chosen to display his disregard by staging what appears to be a slumber strike. The alternatives would be much more disruptive. While Trump has been dozing, the prosecutors of the Manhattan district attorneys office have methodically built the case against him. Their first witness, David Pecker, described how his tabloid company struck a deal to support Trumps 2016 campaign by buying and smothering stories of the candidates philandering. He was followed by lawyer Keith Davidson, who negotiated deals on behalf of two women, and Hope Hicks, who substantiated the prosecutions contention that their stories could have destroyed the campaign. Stormy Daniels offered graphic and sometimes erratic testimony, to the outrage of the defense, effectively demonstrating what a mess she might have made for Trump. Interspersed with these narrators, prosecutors called custodial witnesses to introduce documentary evidence, including phone records, invoices, and checks signed by Trump himself in the Oval Office. Only after all the other pieces were in place did they bring up Cohen, Trumps former fixer, to act as their closer. Before Cohen took the stand, however, the defense still had a punchers chance. If any other defendant was held in contempt ten times during a trial, I would say its going horribly for them, said Karen Agnifilo, a former top official in the Manhattan DAs office. Considering the circumstances, however, she said the defense had done a good job, and theyre exposing places where there are holes. The prosecutions case has major weaknesses, allowing the defense to pound both the law and the facts. To begin with, the charges that Trump faces, 34 counts of falsifying business records, can only be considered felonies if they were done in the service of a larger crime. Prosecutors have not clearly explained during the trial how Trump was breaking the law by reimbursing Cohen for making a $130,000 payoff to Daniels. In pretrial motions, the DAs office argued and Merchan accepted that the larger crime did not have to actually be committed in order to justify the felony business records charge. As long as Trump had a conscious aim to cover up some possible campaign-related crime vaguely described by the prosecutors in their opening argument as a scheme to corrupt the 2016 election that was enough to support a charge for the cover-up, as least in this judges opinion. (The decision will be at the center of any appeal if Trump is found guilty.) In its questioning of prior witnesses, the defense has made some headway in advancing an alternative explanation for the payoffs: Trump was being extorted and feared the personal repercussions. It is no crime to pay off a woman to save your marriage. This argument is weakened, however, by Trumps insistence that he never slept with Daniels, because if she were lying, why would he be so ashamed? In his opening, Blanche predicted that the porn stars story would be salacious, but told the jury it was untrue. Merchan cited that as his justification for allowing her to share the gory details. Your denial puts the jury in a position of having to choose who they believe, he said. Donald Trump, who denies there was an encounter, or Stormy Daniels, who claims that there was. Thus, the defendants compulsive need to deny, deny, deny to quote from an email Hicks wrote in 2016, and introduced by the prosecution ended up undermining his legal position. Danielss testimony was something of a digression, though, from the narrative of the business-records crime. That was committed, according to prosecutors, only after Trump was elected, when he allegedly decided to come up with a sneaky way to pay Cohen back for dealing with his Stormy problem. The only firsthand witnesses to the reimbursement discussions, according to the evidence presented, are Cohen, Trump, and the Trump Organizations longtime chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, who has remained loyal to Trump and is currently in jail on Rikers Island on unrelated perjury charges. That left the prosecution in the uncomfortable position of relying on Cohen to fill in the gaps. Inside the courtroom, Cohen came across as sober and soft-spoken, much in contrast to the way he presents on television. Using the evidence previously admitted, prosecutors carefully corroborated his narration, displaying contemporaneous records to show the jury the time and date of each phone call he described, each text and email he sent, each invoice he filed, and each check he received. In closing, Cohen who pleaded guilty to federal crimes related to the Daniels payment in 2019 and served time in prison expressed his regret for what he did for Trump. To do the things that he had asked me to do, I violated my moral compass, he said. And I suffered the penalty. Blanche rose for his cross-examination. He was amped up for the confrontation. Trump, who had opened his eyes for the moment, swiveled his head and flashed an expectant smile. You and I have never spoken or met before, have we? Blanche asked. We have not, Cohen replied. But you know who I am, dont you? I do. As a matter of fact, on April 23, Blanche said, his voice rising and quivering, so after the trial started in this case, you went on TikTok and called me a crying little shit, didnt you? Sounds like something I would say, Cohen replied in a monotone. Merchan called all the lawyers up to the bench for a sidebar. Why are you making this about yourself? he asked. Blanche said he was trying to demonstrate Cohens bias. Really, though, it seemed as if he was trying to show his client he was tough enough to dismantle his accuser on the stand. You referred to President Trump as a Dictator Douche Bag, didnt you? Blanche asked when he resumed. Sounds like something I said, Cohen replied, repeating what would become his mantra. They went on like that for a while, proving what everyone including members of the jury, who havent been living under rocks already knew about Cohen. He admitted under cross-examination that he had lied and broken the law for Trump, that he had gone to prison because of it, that he now expressed his hatred for his former employer on a daily basis on podcasts and TikTok, that he had made $3.6 million from the sale of his two books, Disloyal and Revenge, and that he made more money from the sale of merchandise on his website, including a T-shirt with an illustration of Trump behind bars. In Disloyal, you describe your feelings for President Trump as being obsessed, Blanche said. Correct, Cohen replied. The opening-night reviews of Blanches performance were poor. The cable-TV legal analysts said he stammered and jumped around, looking disorganized and running the risk of confusing the jury, while Cohen had kept his composure, even scoring a few points on the counterattack. (When Blanche confronted him about his prior praise for his boss, Cohen replied, At that time, I was knee-deep into the cult of Donald Trump.) But Blanche had also laid some important groundwork for the next trial day, when he would work his way backwards in the chronology to the heart of the alleged crime. On Thursday, Trump arrived with his largest group of surrogates to date, a group of House members led by Gaetz and Lauren Boebert. Jeffrey Clark, the former Justice Department official who Trump tried to install as attorney general after the 2020 election, was watching from the back row during the afternoon. Along with Trump adviser Boris Epshteyn, who has been attending throughout, Clark was one of two lawyers in the room who were now under indictment for their alleged roles in the events leading up to January 6. As if the air of insurrection werent explicit enough, Gaetz posted a picture of himself in the courtroom hallway on X, echoing the message Trump once sent to the Proud Boys: Standing back and standing by, Mr. President. If Trump were going to win his case within the rules of the legal system, this would be the best chance for the defense. Blanche began where he had left off. He sought to suggest that Cohen was in cahoots with the prosecutors, bringing up a text exchange in which an investigator appeared to have shared information from inside the DAs office. He played a snippet of Cohens podcast, Mea Culpa, in which he expressed his delight about Trumps indictment. I want to thank the Manhattan district attorneys office and its fearless leader, Alvin Bragg, Cohen said in the recording, in a cadence that was very different from the often whispery voice he employed on the stand. He is about to get a taste of what I went through, and I promise you, its not fun. Then Blanche turned to some of the most damaging evidence against his client: the phone records that showed Cohen was in constant contact with Trump and other associates in the final stages of the campaign, as the candidate was traveling the country and Cohen was arranging the Daniels payoff. Blanche fixated on one particular phone call, lasting one minute and 36 seconds, on the evening of October 24, 2016. On direct examination, Cohen had testified that he had placed the call to Trumps ever-present bodyguard Keith Schiller, who had handed the boss the phone so Cohen could tell him that had arranged the financing for the hush-money deal and get his approval to move forward. Now, on cross-examination, Blanche presented Cohen with texts he had exchanged at almost the same time with a harassing prank caller. He threatened to report the caller to the Secret Service, and the caller, who claimed to be 14, begged for mercy. Then he contacted Schiller. It seemed as if there were an alternative, and far more petty, explanation for the October 24 call. But Cohen stuck to his story, saying he had talked about both things. I always ran everything by the boss immediately, Cohen said. The courtroom gallery filled with the clackety-clack sound of reporters pounding on their laptops. Finally a moment. When the day was over, Trump looked invigorated, maybe even jaunty, as he left the courtroom. Blanches co-counsel Susan Necheles was grinning from ear to ear. It was a positive day for Trump, as even those who want him convicted grudgingly admitted. The defense needed a knockout blow, Eisen tweeted. They landed some punches & one on the chin. The trial is now almost over. Cohen will be back on the stand on Monday for more cross-examination, which should take another couple hours, and then there will be some redirect questioning, and the prosecution will rest. It is as yet unclear whether the defense will even put on a case. On Thursday, Blanche indicated that he only had a couple minor witnesses that he might call. And then there was Trump himself. That is another decision, Blanche told the judge, referring to the possibility that his client might decide to take the stand. No lawyer would ever advise a client in Trumps situation to testify in his own defense. The prosecution could ask him on cross-examination whether he had ever committed fraud or cheated on his wife. And yet in prior civil cases, Trump has shown an eagerness to be a witness. He cannot resist an opportunity to create drama, even when it comes at a risk to his legal defense. If things proceed rationally, though, Trump will follow his lawyers advice. If he passes on the opportunity to take the stand, this jury, like most juries, will decide the case without hearing from the defendant, and they will have to weigh the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses. John Moscow, who spent 30 years working in the DAs office under the legendary Robert Morgenthau, told me he thought it would be a simple matter for the prosecution to counter the defenses challenges to Cohen. Has he lied? Oh yeah. For whom? Donald, Moscow said. Did he go to prison? Yes. For whom? Donald. In the end, he said, he thought the jury would remember the documents the 34 pieces of paper, as Blanche called them in his opening that prosecutors introduced. Eleven of them were checks, most of which were in the amount of $35,000 and bore the unforgettable signature of one Donald J. Trump, a man who famously keeps a tight grip on his wallet. Theres no connection between him and crime? Moscow said. Im sorry, he signed the checks. Sign Up for the Intelligencer Newsletter Daily news about the politics, business, and technology shaping our world. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. they just keep raising prices and taking more things away from us lmao i'm so tired Reply Thread Link Yes, my husband could not understand why I was so fucking pissed about them only releasing 4 episodes of Bridgerton on Netflix but fuck!!! I just know we are two steps away from additional tiering and nickel and diming from streaming. It just feels like all of these corporations will slit your throat for a for god damn dollar at this point. I am exhausted. People cant just exist. I cannot wait for the cans of high quality air, a la space balls. I bet it will be Tesla brand. Reply Parent Thread Link I'm so tired of getting less for more Reply Thread Link Just another way for them to keep the money they cant seem to make enough of/hoard. Edited at 2024-05-19 11:40 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link McDonald's gross profit for the twelve months ending December 31, 2023 was $14.563B, a 10.26% increase year-over-year. Reply Thread Link And none of that profit is going into the pockets of the understaffed and overworked employees, or fixing the ice cream machines. Reply Parent Thread Link the one near me actually had a working ice cream machine the other day, i was honestly so shocked lol Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I work for a nonprofit with an amazing mission. Things have been financially hard for us the last year. Didnt even get a cost of living raise nor bonuses. Everyone was rightfully upset. CEO had some major sob story to martyrize the c-suite level. Except were a nonprofit. We HAVE to legally disclose our tax filings. I was pissed last week and looked up my companys. This fucking bitchs salary QUADRUPLED in 2022. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Yeah but they keep using cost as an excuse and minimum wage. But reality is it's just shareholders. Criminals. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link They are addicted to money Reply Parent Thread Link *blinks in european* Reply Thread Link a burger king opened near me and they have self service drinks, which i found so revolutionary LOL Reply Parent Thread Link when i was in elementary school, they gave us a refill machine for that fruit syrup that you dilute with water to have during lunch, it lasted 3 days, I think, before they got back to the old big pot with ladle. basically kids kept getting refills just because it was fun to press the button. Reply Parent Thread Link The one in the airport here has self service drinks, and I was so confused the first time I got the empty cup, lol. Didn't help that the station was hidden to the side, so I just wandered around looking for it. But even if it's self-service, I'm pretty sure it's not free refills. I do remember the Burger King in my hometown having a self-service station when I grew up, but it has been ages since they changed it. We didn't have McDonalds in my hometown, so I've never been to one with self-service. Edited at 2024-05-19 09:19 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link We used to have them at Mc Donalds in Germany but they got rid of them over 10 years ago. Five Guys still has them but you already pay way too much there to begin with Reply Parent Thread Link Lmao my thoughts exactly. I think theres like one restaurant in the U.K. where you can refill your own drinks. Maybe two Nandos and Five Guys? Tbh if they took it away I dont think thered be much bother other than maybe among a minority of people. We also have a sugar tax so idk how that works with unlimited soft drinks over here either tbf. Edit: I looked it up. The free refills station doesnt offer sugared drinks anymore. Only sugar-free versions. Edited at 2024-05-19 08:09 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link *joins you in blinking but australian* Reply Parent Thread Link *blinks in Asian* Reply Parent Thread Link IKEA's restaurants are the only place I can think of that have self-serving soda stations here lol There was also one ~fancy Burger King store in my area that had such a machine, but other than that... Reply Parent Thread Link fr. i think i have only ever seen self-serve drinks at IKEA Reply Parent Thread Expand Link America is a wild place. /Aussie. Reply Parent Thread Link Soda is the cheapest part of a restaurant. That CEO needs ANOTHER vacation home. Reply Thread Link Its also the item with the highest profit margin. Reply Parent Thread Link And the cup, which costs only a few cents, is the most expensive part of the drink cost. Reply Parent Thread Link I don't think the cost of the soda is what they care about. It's what they feel like they can save from having to do less cleaning and maintenance. Apparently, this is them trying to move away from the dine-in part of their business because it isn't as efficient as the drive-thru part. Reply Parent Thread Link Apparently, this is them trying to move away from the dine-in part of their business because it isn't as efficient as the drive-thru part. If they end up completely moving away from dine-in then this upsets me because I don't drive and think it's stupid to pay out the ass for DoorDash or whatever and what if I'm out somewhere and just want to grab some fast food? It's not like they let pedestrians go through the drive-thru and they've already done away with outdoor seating. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link i would be LIVID. i live in NYC and dont have a car like most here. fast food prices (especially here) are already so outrageous. Reply Parent Thread Link I moved from the US over 20 years ago and I forgot this was a thing in the US lol. I do remember when I moved to Aussie being like WHY IS THIS DRINK SO SMALL WHERE DO I DO REFILLS. NOWHERE? FUCK! But I got used to it. Reply Thread Link Won't someone think of the profits of these multi billion dollar companies? Reply Thread Link There won't be human employees inside fast food restaurants in 2032. So, if the robots want to give me a refill they can. Reply Thread Link I rarely get refills but always forget I dont. Went to Alamo Drafthouse last weekend and chose a Sprite over a lemonade since it was a long movie and the Sprite had free refills.. didnt even finish the original drink. Should have just gotten the lemonade. Reply Thread Link I usually have my water bottle with me so I can put extra beverage in there and go get another cup if it's free. Reply Parent Thread Link Oh thats a good idea! Reply Parent Thread Link i hate capitalism so much. i'm fucking done with this bs Reply Thread Link Extremely funny to me as an Aussie currently on holiday in the US I find out self-serve still exists in the US from ONTD and not an actual McDonalds lmao. Reply Thread Link I love a free refill. Even if its $1 it still annoys me Reply Thread Link You still had those? They got rid of them here in Germany probably over 10 years ago already Do they still give out as much ketchup as you want in the Us as well? Here its like 30 cent or more for another tiny bag Edited at 2024-05-19 07:25 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link I think the condiment question depends on the individual establishment, not even the region or city. I went through a Taco Bell phase and would be given sooooo many hot sauce packets from the location nearest me (without asking) but they close early so sometimes Id order from the next closest place and would request a bunch of hot sauce and would not receive any. Reply Parent Thread Link Yes, we still get as much ketchup as we want. But sometimes they'll limit ranch dressing to 2 (at least at Jack in the Box). I'm sure they'll come for that eventually when they need more profits. Reply Parent Thread Link It depends. Some employees are so disgruntled and willing to increase costs to the owners that one time I got around 30 packets of hot sauce. Like 3 or 4 handfuls. My order was 2 tacos. Reply Parent Thread Link Ketchup is free, either in those little packets or sometimes a pump. You might get yellow mustard or mayo in some places too. Dipping sauce is now limited in some places to 1-2 containers, depending on how many chicken nuggets/tenders you get & if you want more they charge like 25-50 cents a piece. Reply Parent Thread Link SPONSORED When Rooftop Safety is in Question, SRC is the Answer If you've spent any amount of time on a commercial roof lately, you know how much is going on up there. It's a world unto itself. 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What ensued could best be described as a deep Google dive that produced a long list of self-described rooftop safety experts. "It was a moment of desperation," May said. "In the very beginning, I actually Googled national safety rail providers." She soon discovered her ask required some heavy lifting. "So we were thinking, okay, we need one national provider that manufacturers, installs, and will provide a project manager. And we were thinking, how are we ever going to pull this off?" Several weeks of procurement interviews did little to build optimism as a similar story unfolded each time: invariably, vendors checked some of the boxes, but never all of them. As luck would have it, Safety Rail Company was on the list. "Comprehensive" is a word that gets tossed around the fall protection industry all the time and usually the claim is misleading at best. While many organizations make the claim, when it comes to true vertical integrationfrom site audits and system design through in-house manufacturing and installationSafety Rail Company stands alone. What other organizations buy, SRC builds. Where other organizations rely on outsourcing, SRC creates organizational competencies. Even beyond a deep and broad product offering of mobile guardrails, ladder guards, hatch guards, skylight guards, crossover stairs and visual warning lines, SRC offers more. "Our commitment to building rather than buying excellence translates to customers never having to worry about supply chain hiccups, unexpected delays or costly surprises." Craig Erickson President & CEO Safety Rail Company Safety Rail's Site Safe approach guarantees every aspect of a rooftop safety program will be considered and handled. When asked about SRC's business strategy, Craig Erickson explains, "Our commitment to building rather than buying excellence translates to customers never having to worry about supply chain hiccups, unexpected delays or costly surprises." May and her Sodexo team immediately recognized that SRC was the solution they were looking for. But with 160 projects slated for completion in less than 6 months, the job was far from a walk in the park. Although May's team had done a fair amount of recon and assessment, there were surprises. In phase one, Safety Rail Company didn't do the initial design and specifications. As the SRC team made its way down the site list, it became clear that not all the client's sites were created equal. "Some of their facilities are leased and some are owned," explains May. "They were arriving on site and the landlords are like, what the heck are you doing here? You don't have permission to do this." The SRC team quickly assigned one person the task of proactively gaining permission, providing design and specifications, certificates of insurance and getting full pre-authorization before the installers arrived on site. At one particular site, a permit was needed to close an entire street in downtown Atlanta while components were transferred to the roof via a crane. In many cases, once on site, the SRC team re-evaluated what was needed for compliance and eliminated duplicity and unneeded components. "It was an interesting start, but we were able to iron all that out thank goodness for Safety Rail Company. But yeah, it was an interesting start," added May. "For whatever reason, I had never heard of SRC before. And when I got to their website, I saw those bright, beautiful yellow letters. And I was like, okay, this is it. This has to be it. I will never, ever recommend another company again. SRC is it!" Staci May Sodexo Account Manager After successfully completing phase one and the initial 160 project sites, Sodexo and SRC sat down to strategize how to address an additional 200 sites in phase two. In this next phase, SRC's role was expanded. Sodexo was more than happy to let the SRC team do all the initial site audits and assessments, further lightening the load on an already overtaxed account management team. As is always the case, the new sites present unforeseeable challenges and the SRC team finds ways to provide solutions. "It seems like atypical situations are pretty typical, but SRC always has an answer," admits May. "For every question that our client asks, SRC has a viable solution. I just don't think there's a problem they can't solve." University of Ottawa researchers have now devised a smart approach to optimize solar energy effectiveness. Their innovative method includes incorporating artificial ground reflectors, a simple yet powerful enhancement. The study Artificial Ground Reflector Size and Position Effects on Energy Yield and Economics of Single Axis Tracked Bifacial Photovoltaics was published in the journal Progress in Photovoltaics. The researchers found that by integrating these reflectors into solar setups, they could improve the systems energy production and efficiency, making such projects more economically viable. This discovery is significant in assessing the costs and benefits of using artificial reflectors in solar energy ventures. Test site photo of reflective underlayment for solar panels of an artificial reflector experiment performed on the Bifacial Experimental Single-Axis-Tracking Site (BEST Site) at NREL in Golden, Colorado. Image Credit: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden Colorado. For more and larger images click the press release link here. To study how reflective ground covers affect solar energy output, the University of Ottawas SUNLAB, led by electrical engineering Professor Karin Hinzer, who is also vice-dean, research of the Faculty of Engineering, collaborated with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado, a world leader in clean energy research, development, and deployment. The study, which was conducted by electrical engineering doctoral candidate Mandy Lewis in Golden, Colorado, found that placing reflective surfaces under solar panels can increase their energy output by up to 4.5%. We found that highly reflective white surfaces can boost solar power output, explains Mandy Lewis, the papers lead author. Critically, these reflectors should be placed directly under the solar panels, not between rows, to maximize this benefit. Unlocking solar potential in Canada and beyond These findings are particularly significant in Canada, where snow cover persists for three-to four months of the year in major cities like Ottawa and Toronto, and 65% of the countrys vast landmass experiences snow cover for over half the year. Bifacial solar systems, paired with high ground reflectivity, offer tremendous potential in these regions. Additionally, given that approximately 4% of the worlds land areas are classified as sandy deserts, this finding has global applications. According to Lewis, this research is crucial for maximizing solar energy production in geographically diverse locations. Furthermore, by generating more power per unit of land area, reflectors are ideal for densely populated areas, like city centres, where space limitations exist for solar installations. This study marks the beginning of a new international research collaboration between the University of Ottawa and NREL. The project was funded by the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS), and the US Department of Energy (DoE), underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing renewable energy technologies. Global impact in facilitating the transition to clean energy This research will contribute significantly to the global transition to zero-emission power sources. These findings hold particular value for Canada and other countries that are typically cloudy, since power gains of 6.0% were observed in cloudy Seattle compared to 2.6% in arid Tucson. ** The photos suggest this technology would be applicable across quite a range of locations. It also looks like there are solar cell panels facing down from under the panel. Just how this technology might cost out isnt discussed, but for high latitudes and climates with lots of cloudy time compared to clear weather this might be a workable solution. On the other hand, solar at high latitude or in cloudy locations has a very difficult cost barrier to overcome. While this technology is inventive and innovative, the price to get into service is worrisome, both as an expense, maintenance and as a subject for government policy forcing the costs on consumers. By Brian Westenhaus via New Energy and Fuel More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The last LNG carrier that passed the Bab el Mandeb strait off the Yemeni coast did so in February. Since that month, there has been no LNG traffic via the once major energy chokepoint as vessels diverted around Africaor changed destinations entirely. When the Houthi attacks on ships traversing the Red Sea prompted the redirection of maritime trade in the area, multiple analysts tried to gauge the significance of the events. Most seemed to agree that the rerouting of maritime transport would make goods more expensive and deliveries slower. LNG was no exception, with analytical outlets pointing towards the tightening of LNG carrier supply because of the longer journeys and the potential for market fragmentation. To date, this fragmentation is a fact. Qatari liquefied natural gas is now mostly going to Asiaand Russian LNG is going to Europe. U.S. LNG is going to both places, but now some forecasters are warning that a supply outage anywhere would affect the market more severely than it would have before February. The Oxford Institute for Energy Studies said in a February analysis of the situation that Red Sea ship diversion would make Europe more reliant on U.S. LNG as Qatari LNG becomes more difficult to ship there, while that same Qatari LNG would go more to Asia. This is exactly what has happened. Qatari is selling more liquefied gas to Asian buyers while Europe is buying more U.S. gasRussian, too. Bloomberg this week reported shipping data showing that Qatari LNG exports to Asian countries had risen to the highest since 2017 this year while Russia increased its LNG shipment to Europe, despite EU threats of sanctions and bans on these imports. Yet the report also sounded a note of cautionif a production outage occurred in any of the major producing countries, compensating for it by another producer would be tougher than it was before February. What this means is that the global LNG has become more fragile than before, with price spikes more likely in case of any change in the balance between supply and demand. The recent outage at the Freeport LNG plant, which led to higher prices for U.S. LNG was a good example of this. Now, its the Gorgon LNG project in Australia that has been suspended due to a mechanical fault and prices are once again up, because that outage has coincided with seasonally rising demand in Asia. According to Bloomberg, the solution in such situations involves cargo swapping, with U.S. producers sending their own LNG to Europe and buying other, likely Middle Eastern, cargos for their clients in Asia, for instance, to fulfill their contractual obligations. This appears to be the new normal for LNG exports since it does not look like the Houthis are about to stop shooting at ships in the Red Sea. For now, the situation appears to be relatively easily manageable. While the supply of LNG carriers may be a bit tighter than before because of some of these tankers longer journeys, the fragmentation of the market suggests most are deployed on regional journeys that are shorter. But demand for gas is expected to rise further as summer begins in the northern hemisphere and demand for air conditioning increases. This might require a lot more cargo swapping, the Bloomberg report has suggested. And this, in turn, may lead to higher prices. China, the worlds largest LNG buyer, may see another record year for imports, according to PetroChina. The state energy major has predicted an annual increase in imports of between 9% and 12%. In the first quarter alone, China imported 20 million tons of the superchilled fuel. Meanwhile, EU sanctions targeting Russias LNG industry could disrupt supply by making it harder for Novatek to send cargoes to Asia. This, according to analysts cited by Bloomberg, would mean more Russian LNG staying in Europe in a rather ironic twist, and less going to India and Chinaunless Novatek does more cargo swaps. Yet EU sanctions on Russian LNG would also affect international LNG traders such as Shell, TotalEnergies and Germanys new state entity Securing Energy for Europe GmbH, which would need to find alternative supply for their non-European clients if Russian cargos become too problematic to buy. And the Red Sea will remain closed for LNG shipping for the observable future. It appears, then, that the LNG market will remain in its current fragmentedor perhaps segmentedstate at least for a few more months or even more should the Israel-Hamas war extend beyond 2024. The industry will adapt, as it has so far. Yet supply security may become a bit more challenging for key import markets. In this situation, all it would take to disrupt the market would be a production outage of the sort that appears to be quite frequent in large LNG projects. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Trade data for 2024 is showing that Kyrgyzstan has an unhealthy dependency on China, even considering a wide discrepancy in figures released by Chinese and Kyrgyz official agencies. Bilateral trade turnover during the first quarter of 2024 totaled $4.815 billion, according to figures compiled by Chinas General Customs Administration. The trade imbalance between the two countries was pronounced: according to Beijing, Chinese exports to Kyrgyzstan totaled $4.163 billion, while only $22 million of Kyrgyz goods and services made their way to China during the reporting period. Kyrgyz first-quarter data offered a starkly different overall trade picture. On May 13, the Kyrgyz National Statistics Committee reported that the countrys total trade turnover with the outside world amounted to $3.7 billion. But the Kyrgyz statistics did confirm a catastrophic imbalance in bilateral trade in Beijings favor: while Q1 turnover with China totaled $1.63 billion, Kyrgyz exports stood at meager $18.8 million. There are few means at Kyrgyzstans disposal to address the trade imbalance. The K-News outlet reported in mid-May that Kyrgyzstans Agriculture Ministry agreed to ship 10,000 tons of cherries to China this year. But the value of those exports will hardly make a dent in Kyrgyzstans trade deficit with Beijing. Russia, the erstwhile dominant economic power in Central Asia, now lags far behind China in bilateral trade with Kyrgyzstan. According to the official Kyrgyz data, the mutual trade volume during the January-March period reached $611.5 million. More broadly, Q1 Kyrgyz turnover with the Russia-dominated Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which encompasses trade with Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Belarus, amounted to $868.4 million, just over 50 percent of Chinas total for the same period. By Eurasianet.org More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Acquiring nuclear weapons has long been a taboo topic in Iran, where the country's supreme leader has declared them un-Islamic. But a growing number of Iranian officials in recent weeks have openly suggested that the Islamic republic could weaponize its nuclear program, which Tehran has long claimed is strictly for civilian purposes. The change in rhetoric has coincided with Tehran's growing hostilities with Israel. Last month, Israel launched an attack on Iran in response to Tehran's unprecedented missile and drone assault on its archfoe. Experts say Iran's growing threats to build nuclear weapons is worrying, although they maintain that the statements are likely geared toward deterring another attack on Iranian soil. Eric Brewer, deputy vice president of the Washington-based Nuclear Threat Initiative, said the Iranian threats appeared to be "conditional." "I do think that if Israel or the United States carried out an attack on Iran's nuclear program, there is a very good chance that Tehran would in fact decide to build nuclear weapons," he said. Real Or Rhetoric? Kamal Kharazi, a former foreign minister and current adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned on May 13 that if Israel threatens Iran, "we might review our nuclear doctrine." "We do not want nuclear weapons and the supreme leader's fatwa is to that effect. But if the enemy threatens you, what do you do?" he said. Days earlier, in an interview with Al-Jazeera, Kharazi said Iran "has the capacity to produce a bomb," though the country had not taken the actual step of making one. Just before Israel's April 19 strike on Iran, a commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps warned that an attack that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities would prompt a reciprocal attack on Israel and could lead to a rethinking of Iran's stance on nuclear weapons. Brewer said what lent the threats "a degree of credibility" is that Iran's nuclear program is far more advanced today than it was in the past. A landmark deal with world powers in 2015 restricted Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. But then-President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the agreement and reimposed sanctions in 2018, leading Tehran to accelerate its uranium enrichment and limit international inspections of its nuclear sites. Farzan Sabet, a senior research associate at the Geneva Graduate Institute, says failed international efforts to revive the nuclear accord could be behind Tehran's recent threats to build nuclear weapons. Another reason, he said, could be to deter the current or a future U.S. administration from undertaking another maximum pressure-style economic and military campaign against Iran. Fatwa Not An Obstacle In 2010, Khamenei issued a fatwa, or religious decree, saying that Iran considers the use of nuclear weapons to be "haram" and that the country would not pursue one. The fatwa has been cited as evidence by Iranian officials that the Islamic republic does not seek nuclear weapons. But Brewer said Khamenei's fatwa was "not a meaningful barrier to Iran building the bomb." "Iran could in theory do most of the work on a weapon with the fatwa in place and then Khamenei could rescind it at the last minute," he added. Despite the public comments by Iranian officials, the Foreign Ministry has insisted that there has been no change in the country's nuclear doctrine. Sabet said this dual messaging could "reflect a debate inside the system in Iran, in which the balance of power or consensus until recently did not favor building and deploying nuclear weapons, but which may be shifting." Some Iranian media reports have said that the country has enough enriched uranium to produce 10 nuclear bombs. Brewer says U.S. estimates suggest that it would take Iran about two weeks to produce enough weapons-grade uranium to make a bomb. But he says manufacturing a deliverable nuclear device could take months, or even more than a year. By RFE/RL More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Alyce Roggenbach remembers the then Judy Latoza calling her last summer and saying: I think Im in love. The Omaha woman had reconnected with her high school sweetheart, Mike Allen, after 65 years. The Holy Name graduates talked for hours. Mike felt the same as Judy, and last weekend, they were married in front of about 140 guests at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. All four of Judys attendants were friends from Holy Name, as were two of Mikes groomsmen. The two 84-year-olds agree it was a miracle that they found each other again. We always tell each other it was Gods plan we get together again, Mike said. The two dated in high school at Holy Name, located at Fontenelle Boulevard and Maple Street, after a friend told Mike that Judy liked him. They became engaged after graduating in 1958 but drifted apart when Mike joined the Air Force and left for Japan. Their parents werent very excited about them marrying so young anyway, Mike said. Both found others, had children and then recently lost their spouses. Judy had been married to Joe for 60 years and Mike to Dianne for 61. We were both lonesome, Judy said. We were really happy when we were together. Their relationship began last June, when another high school classmate called Judy to get her new telephone information for a possible reunion. He said, Guess who I have on hold on the other line? It was Mike. He called her a few days later from his home in Texas and they became inseparable via phone calls, texts and Facetime. They met in person in August at Judys home. He came to the door. He stepped inside and we gave each other a big kiss, and we talked and talked, Judy said. It was really a wonderful reunion. On a visit to Texas a few months later, Mike asked Judy to hold out her hand and gave her an engagement ring. They decided May 10 sounded like a great day for a wedding. They were married in the chapel at St. Wenceslaus and had the reception in the hall next door. Mikes brother, the Rev. Jim Allen, was the officiant. His son Pat was his best man. That was a special thing, too, Mike said. He wasnt at my first wedding, but he came to my second one. Two of Judys children, Jim Latoza and Jill Herrington, walked her down the aisle in her long silver dress from Dillards. She didnt want to make her bridesmaids buy a special outfit they would never wear again, so they wore black slacks and pastel blouses and jackets. Roggenbach made both hers and that of Carolyn Sudyka. Lynn Walsh and Jackie McClure were also attendants. Mikes groomsmen were Bob Gehrman, John Searl and Don McClure. Gehrman and Searl were Mikes classmates. It was a fairytale wedding, Roggenbach said. Its such a happy little love story. The couple plan to split their time between here and Texas. Their kids have adjusted to the new person in their parents life, and the pair said both families were wonderful helping with the wedding. Mike said its great to be back living in Omaha. They want to take advantage of every minute they have together. I think were going to enjoy life a whole lot, Judy said. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of May 2024 A member of the state commission that licenses and disciplines Texas police officers has been arrested on a DWI charge after police reported finding him asleep at the wheel of his pickup in Edinburg. Police found a black Chevrolet Silverado stopped in the road in the 2600 block of South Business Highway around 2 a.m. Saturday. Behind the wheel was a sleeping Mario Lizcano Jr., a prominent business and civic leader in the Rio Grande Valley, ValleyCentral.com reported. Officers noticed the vehicle's transmission was in drive, and they woke Lizcano up and told him to put it in park, ValleyCentral.com reported, citing an Edinburg Police Department news release. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lizcano pointed out to the arresting officers that he is a member of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, the news site reported. Lizcano was appointed to the commission by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2022. His term is set to expire at the end of August 2027. The nine-member board sets standards for the education, training, and physical and mental fitness of all Texas peace officers, including police, sheriff's deputies, constables and their deputies, Texas Rangers, county corrections officers, game wardens and attorney general's investigators. The agency conducts licensing exams and contracts with law enforcement academies across the state. Mario Lizcano Courtesy Pharr Housing Authority Peace officers must be certified by the commission before they can work in law enforcement in Texas, and the agency can revoke licenses for misconduct including driving while intoxicated or if an officer otherwise becomes unfit. Lizcano was born in McAllen, grew up in Pharr and studied at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and the University of Texas at San Antonio, according to his biography on the commission website. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He is an administrator of corporate affairs at DHR Health, a physician-owned health system in Edinburg. He was founding chairman of the Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce and established the City of Pharr Economic Development Corp. Foundation "to promote economic development, financial literacy and workforce training for the region," the biography states. He is also a former chairman and vice president of public affairs for the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. Lizcano has been a volunteer firefighter for the border cities of Mission, Pharr and Palmview and is a former president of the Rio Grande Valley Firefighters and Fire Marshals Association. He "believes in serving others and is known for running in a 5k in full firefighter gear to raise money for others," the bio states. The Edinburg Chamber named him 2020 Man of the Year for his service to the community. The same year, he was inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Walk of Fame. Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, at University Hospital in Omaha. The Little family lived at 3448 Pinkney St. until threats from the Ku Klux Klan drove them out of Nebraska. Malcolm spent much of his life on the East Coast, where he was convicted of burglary in 1946 and spent six years in prison. He educated himself in prison and joined the Nation of Islam. He later changed his name to Malcolm X, and became a Muslim minister, a spokesman for the Nation of Islam and a civil rights leader. For nine years, Malcolm X used his fiery oratory to win thousands of followers for himself and the Nation of Islam. Malcolms popularity overshadowed that of his mentor, Elijah Muhammad, and Malcolm later split from the Nation of Islam, visited the holy shrine of Mecca, traveled the world and returned advocating for a more inclusive approach to fighting racism. He became an articulate advocate for the oppressed people in the U.S. at a time post World War II when African Americans were losing faith in a country that had sent them off to help liberate Europe and then denied them a place at the table when they came home. In Omaha, the civil rights leader is remembered with an educational memorial where the family home stood. The Malcolm X Memorial Foundation created the memorial and a plaza on the site, and the State of Nebraska erected an official marker. The site is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Nebraska list of heritage sites. Like Malcolm X himself, who went from criminal to thinker, from convict to advocate of human rights, a cultural holiday is also ever-evolving. The very first Malcolm X Day was designated by the Omaha school board in 1971. What started as a day with a rally and homemade signs, has now turned into a weeklong festival complete with a mile-long parade. Did you know this year the Nebraska Legislature passed Legislative Bill 1102, which declares that May 19 of each year shall be recognized as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, Malcolm X Day? Lets reminisce on the Omaha-born civil rights activist who will be the newest member of the Nebraska Hall of Fame on May 22, 2024. NORMAL Patrick Dullard said there likely isnt a single kid who grew up in Bloomington-Normal within the past 30 years without a memory of taking a trip down the Constitution Trail. Dullard, who is the 63-year-old president of the Friends of the Constitution Trail board, attended a party Sunday at the Ron Allers Shelter by the Connie Link Amphitheatre in Normal to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the trail's opening. By about halfway into the party, over three dozen people had gathered or stopped by to try free frozen treats from Carls Ice Cream or listen to music by Twang, a Bloomington string duo. Festivities were arranged by lead event organizer and membership committee member Adriane Powell of Bloomington and others. Powell said they couldnt have asked for better weather, and while it was a little hot, the ice cream will be great. With a sunny sky and temperatures tipping into the upper 80s, the trail was bustling with its usual traffic of runners, walkers and bikers, and they were invited to stop by. Dullard, who lives in Normal, said his favorite memory was taking all of his kids when they were little out on the trail, using tandem bicycle attachments or bicycle trailers. Dullard is far from the only person in the Twin Cities with happy memories on the trail. Married couple Jerry and Francesca Erb of Bloomington said that around when the trail first opened, their 2-year-old child would walk to a nearby store to buy penny candy. The board president, who came to town in 1979 to study at Illinois State University, said the trail opened May, 6 1989, on what had been the Illinois Central Railroad tracks. It drew its name from the fact that it opened in the bicentennial year of the U.S. Consitution. The trails establishment was supported in the 1980s by several Bloomington and Normal council members, but some residents feared it would provide access for criminals to yards abutting the trail. Dullard said the first section was over a mile long, connecting Normals previous City Hall with Emerson Street. The scenic stretch that runs under Camelback Bridge remains among the most popular of what is now a 50-mile trail network reaching out into McLean County. He also said there were some who had apprehensions about the trail being built. We went from an era where people were like I really dont want it here to the community treasure it is today, Dullard said. He added real estate agents now place for-sale signs on both the front and back yards of the properties they sell adjacent to the trail. Trail bicyclist Francesca Erb of Bloomington said she and her husband mostly favored the trail at the time. Now, she said she couldnt pick a single part they like the most because they love the whole thing. Dullard said Friends of the Constitution Trail has a mission of doing outreach and advocacy on behalf of trail. He noted the next expansion projects are extending the Route 66 trail next summer from Funks Grove south to McLean, and on Hamilton and Fox Creek Roads in Bloomington. His group also hopes to finish trail connections between Lexington and Chenoa, and to build a new branch from Bloomington to Mansfield, which would be just 10 miles short of Champaign. Its something were working on, but its a long way off, he said of the latter project. Dullard said other regional trail projects that are either proposed or in the works carry a potential for 100 miles of trails in a five-county region that includes the counties of Champaign, Dewitt, McLean, Piatt and Vermilion. Other organizations with members at the celebration included the Ecology Action Center in Normal and the Lake Run Club of Bloomington-Normal. Lake Run Club board members Bill Hahm said the club provides training programs for runners, and having a linear park to run on is as good as it gets. Another group there Sunday was Healing Rides. Founder Barb Brown of Bloomington said they give free rides to people with mobility issues. She said they have about 20 volunteers who pedal their clients down the trail. Before the trail, we wouldnt be able to go we would be on the streets, she said. Two partygoers included Katelyn Trunnell and her 8-year-old son, Ronin Slinker. Katelyn Trunnell said she walked to the party and her son rode his bike. Trunnell said its really nice walking the trail in the summer. She said theyll walk down to the park at Colene Hoose Elementary School, and theyll stop at a little free library on the way back to grab a book. Trunnell added a little free vegetable cart is often left by the little free library, too. Ronin said his favorite trail activity is to go biking. And, his favorite part is zooming down the bridge. He said he goes fast, like hes in bullet mode! Signs, sights along Constitution Trail 070521-blm-loc-2explore 070521-blm-loc-1explore 070521-blm-loc-3explore 070521-blm-loc-4explore 070521-blm-loc-5explore 070521-blm-loc-6explore 070521-blm-loc-7explore CHICAGO A Chicago police officer has been acquitted in the 2021 fatal shooting of a woman who was the mother of his child. A Cook County jury on Friday found Pierre Tyler, 32, not guilty of first-degree murder in the death of 29-year-old Andris Wofford. Prosecutors have said the two had argued over Wofford's belief that Tyler was married and also had children with the other woman. A video camera showed Tyler walking into Wofford's home. Neighbors said they heard the two arguing, a "loud muffled bang" and then no further yelling. A camera showed Tyler later leaving the home. Wofford's body was found the next day. She had been shot in the head. Tyler testified Friday that Wofford pointed his gun at him and that the weapon fired as he tried to shove it away, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The gun used in the shooting has never been found and Tyler did not call for help or tell anyone about the shooting. The newspaper reported that a police department spokesperson said Tyler is listed as "inactive" while "on a leave of absence." Photos: Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2023 Brandon Johnson - 2023 Brandon Johnson - File Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Friday, May 17, 2024, received the new President of the Republic of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who is on a days working visit to Ghana. His visit to Ghana marks a significant milestone in the enduring friendship and cooperation between our two nations. On March 24 this year, Faye, 44, won the Presidential elections in Senegal and was sworn into office on 2nd April. An event which was attended by President Akufo-Addo. Describing it as a brief but very important visit, President Akufo-Addo was happy to note that the worst fears of many-an-African, that Senegal, one of the democratic powerhouses of the continent, will plunge into the realms of instability and political crises. Addressing the press after bilateral discussions, President Akufo-Addo said, I went to his inauguration, because of the history between our two countries and also because his election was a source of reassurance to all of us who are interested in the democratic future of our region and of our continent. It appeared at one time as if Senegal's reputation as a country committed to the principles of democratic accountability, respect for human rights, rule of law, was being jeopardised, but fortunately, good sense prevailed. Elections were held and out of the elections, Bassirou Faye emerged as a clear convincing winner of the elections, and the manner in which he ascended to the Presidency has brought peace and unity to his country, and that again, Senegals very important role in the development of the ECOWAS community, has now been fully confirmed. The bilateral discussions, President Akufo-Addo said, also focused on deepening the ties of friendship and cooperation between our two countries and on the exploration of ways to try and resolve the problems in the ECOWAS community which includes extending a hand of friendship and brotherhood to Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali and bring them back within the ECOWAS community. Congratulating President Faye, he said, the new Senegalese leaders elections, has been an inspiration to many young people in Ghana, and encouraged them to be more ambitious. 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 On Friday, May 17, 2024, the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) paid a working visit to the Kumasi Abattoir. The SIGA delegation was led by Mr. John Boadu, who was warmly received by the Managing Director of Kumasi Abattoir, Mr. Alhassan Mahamadou, along with his team. In his opening remarks, Mr. Boadu emphasized the importance of such visits, stating, "It is for SIGA to come to Kumasi and also visit how one of our entities, which is Kumasi Abattoir, is doing. I can't only sit in my office; sometimes I have to pay a working visit to know the realities on the ground." He acknowledged the financial performance of the Kumasi Abattoir, noting that while the entity is doing well, there is significant room for improvement. Mr. Boadu stressed the need to incorporate technology into their operations to enhance effectiveness and efficiency. Mr. Alhassan expressed his gratitude to Mr. Boadu and the SIGA team for their visit. He highlighted some of the challenges faced by the abattoir, particularly the use of outdated machinery and the need for capital investment to meet their demand targets. "Kumasi Abattoir was set up to provide hygienic meat for public consumption, and we are the only entity that provides healthy meat for the masses," he stated, underscoring the critical role the abattoir plays in public health. Dr. Agyemang Budu, the energy consultant at SIGA, also spoke during the visit. He thanked Mr. Alhassan and his management team for their dedication and efforts in maintaining the operations of Kumasi Abattoir. The visit concluded with a tour of the facility, where SIGA officials observed the current operational state and discussed potential areas for technological upgrades and investment to boost the abattoir's capacity and efficiency. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video In a significant gesture of respect and tradition, the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) team, led by the Honorable John Boadu, paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty Otumfuor Osei Tutu II. The primary purpose of the visit was to introduce the newly appointed Director-General of SIGA to the Asantehene and seek his guidance, advice, and prayers for a successful tenure. The delegation accompanying Hon. John Boadu was composed of several key officials from SIGA. These included Mr. Stephen Asiedu, the Acting General Manager for Operations, Miss Alexandra Totoe, the General Manager for Finance and Administration, Dr. Agyemang Budu, the advisor on Energy, Mr. Emmanuel Aniagyei, the Manager of the Director-General's Secretariat, Mrs. Afua Frempong, the Acting Manager of Corporate Affairs, and Mrs Araba Pratt from Corporate Affairs. During the meeting, HRM Otumfuor Osei Tutu II expressed his commendations towards John Boadu and his team. He recognized the capabilities of the new Director-General, emphasizing his belief that Boadu would effectively manage SIGA for the benefit of the entire nation. The Asantehene extended his support, encouraging Boadu to seek his counsel whenever necessary. He also underscored the importance of periodically evaluating the relevance of various state entities to ensure they meet contemporary needs and contribute meaningfully to national development. The visit highlights the traditional protocols of seeking blessings and wisdom from respected leaders in the Ghanaian context, particularly when assuming significant roles. It also reinforces the collaborative relationship between traditional leadership and modern governance structures in fostering national progress. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: fauxels from Pexels Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court decision that desegregated public schools, stands in the collective national memory as a turning point in America's fight for racial justice. But as the U.S. observes its 70th anniversary, Brown also represents something more somber: It ultimately led to thousands of Black teachers losing their jobs. Before Brown, Black teachers constituted 35% to 50% of the teacher workforce in segregated states. Today, Black people account for just 6.7% of America's public K-12 teachers, even as Black children make up more than 15% of public school students. As researchers focused on education policy, teacher diversity, critical research methods and teacher quality, we believe this is an important piece of unfinished business for a country still reckoning with systemic racism. In our view, the best way to fulfill Brown's promise and confront the national teacher shortage is to hire more teachers of color. How Black teachers' ranks rose and fell Before Brown, Black children often were excluded from public schools or forced into underfunded and unsafe schools. Rather than accept these conditions, many Black communities pooled limited resources to build private schools of their own, buy curricular materials and hire Black teachers. Conditions were vastly unequal to those for white children at the time, but the presence of Black teachers provided Black children with deep value and care. Prior to 1954, there were about 82,000 Black teachers in the United States. A decade later, with hundreds of segregated schools closing, more than 38,000 Black teachers had been fired by white school leaders. As the community-run schools for Black children disappeared following the end of legalized segregation, so too did the Black educators who staffed them. Brown had mandated integration for students but said nothing of their educators. The importance of Black teachers In the decades since, parents, social justice advocates and researchers have documented the importance of teachers of color and pleaded for teacher workforce diversity. They argue that Black teachers support student learning and social and emotional development of children of color in ways that lead to better outcomes. One study found the presence of Black math teachers increased the likelihood that Black students enroll in rigorous math classes. Another found that Black students taught by at least one Black teacher from kindergarten through third grade were 13% more likely to graduate from high school and 19% more likely to attend college than same-race peers who did not have a Black teacher. Still, the teacher workforce remains stubbornly white-dominated. Why? Research shows problematic certification measures, adverse working conditions and discriminatory hiring practices contribute to keeping Black people from becoming teachers or keeping their teaching positions. Certification exams are barriers to entry Obtaining a professional license is a critical milestone in a teacher's career. Yet licensure policies and exams long have kept Black teachers out, similar to race-based policies such as literacy tests that once prevented Black people from voting in the segregated South. By several measures, standardized tests have been found to be biased against people of color. Research shows they contain culturally biased questions that privilege white test-takers. What's more, certification and licensing exams prevent the entry of Black people into teaching and determine which teachers are retained. As a result, from 1984 to 1989, about 21,500 Black teachers lost their jobs, according to one study of the impact of reliance on licensure exams and policies. This gatekeeping function is especially troublesome because other studies show exam results are poor predictors of teacher effectiveness. In one study, Black teachers in North Carolina with low exam scores nonetheless had positive outcomes on Black student achievement. Difficult work conditions lead to turnover Black teachers have the highest rate of turnover among teachers, both white and nonwhite. When asked to reflect on their careers, longtime Black teachers say they face constant racist microaggressions from fellow teachers, non-Black parents and district personnel. Black male teachers in particular say their expertise is overlooked and that they are forced to play disciplinarian for Black boys. Other studies show Black teachers are systematically sorted into schools with fewer resources, chronic turnover and leadership instability. Last-in-first-out hiring policies exacerbate the issue. Layoffs of this nature disproportionately affect the students most often taught by beginning teachers and teachers of color. All of this makes teaching a precarious profession for Black educators. Discriminatory hiring practices Teacher hiring practices have made this cycle, and they can break it, too. One study found equally qualified Black teacher applicants receive fewer job offers than white candidates. When hired, Black teachers are more likely to be selected by principals of color, and they, too, are a disproportionately small percentage of school leaders. Principals say they seek teachers who best fit their school culture. Yet research shows that definitions of "fit" rely on subjective traits and personal attributes, and often this means excluding Black teachers. The nation faces a massive teacher shortage, but there is no shortage of potential teachers of color. Seven decades after Brown, it is a lack of willingness to hire and retain them that is missing. 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: Mission NS-25 is the seventh human flight for the enterprise owned and founded by Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos. Blue Origin flew adventurers to the final frontier on Sunday for the first time in nearly two years, reigniting competition in the space tourism market after a rocket mishap put its crewed operations on hold. Six people including Black sculptor and former Air Force pilot Ed Dwight, who was controversially spurned by NASA's astronaut corps in the 1960s, launched around 9:36 am local time (1436 GMT) from the Launch Site One base in west Texas, a live feed showed. Dwightat 90 years, 8 months and 10 daysbecame the oldest person to go to space, narrowly pipping Star Trek actor William Shatner, who was almost two months younger when he launched with Blue Origin in 2021. Mission NS-25 is the seventh human flight for the enterprise owned and founded by Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos, who sees short jaunts on the New Shepard suborbital vehicle as a stepping stone to greater ambitions, including the development of a full-fledged heavy rocket and lunar lander. "I was the first guy in the world to be famous for not doing something," Dwight joked ahead of launch."Needless to say, I'm overwhelmed." To date, Blue Origin has flown 31 people aboard New Sheparda small, fully reusable rocket system named after Alan Shepard, the first American in space. Sunday's mission finally gives Ed Dwight, third from left, the chance to go to space which he was denied decades ago. Second nonagenarian The program encountered a setback when a New Shepard rocket caught fire shortly after launch on September 12, 2022. The uncrewed capsule ejected in time, meaning astronauts would have been safe had they flown. A federal investigation revealed an overheating engine nozzle was at fault. Blue Origin took corrective steps and carried out a successful uncrewed launch in December 2023, paving the way for Sunday's mission. After liftoff, the sleek and roomy capsule separated from the booster, which produces zero carbon emissions. The rocket performed a precision vertical landing. As the spaceship soared beyond the Karman Line, the internationally recognized boundary of space 62 miles (100 kilometers) above sea level, passengers marveled at the Earth's curvature and had the chance to unbuckle their seats to float during a few minutes of weightlessness. The capsule then reentered the atmosphere, deploying its parachutes for a desert landing in a puff of sand. However, one of the three parachutes failed to fully deploy, resulting in a harder landing than expected. Bezos himself was on the program's first ever crewed flight in 2021. A few months later, Shatner blurred the lines between science fiction and reality when he became the world's oldest ever astronaut, decades after he first played a space traveler. French entrepreneur Sylvain Chiron, one of the crew, told AFP he was most excited about "this sensation of leaving the world of men, and seeing the Earth as a whole, from above, without borders, with all its fragility and beauty" Dwight became only the second nonagenarian to venture beyond Earth. Ticket prices are a well-guarded secret, but guests like Dwight ride for free. To space, finally Blue Origin's competitor in suborbital space is Virgin Galactic, which deploys a supersonic spaceplane that is dropped from beneath the wings of a massive carrier plane at high altitude. Virgin Galactic experienced its own two-year safety pause because of an anomaly linked with the 2021 flight that carried its founder British tycoon Richard Branson into space. But the company later hit its stride with half a dozen successful flights in quick succession. Its next mission is set for June, after which it will head into another pause to build out a new class of advanced spaceplane. Sunday's mission finally gave Dwight the chance he was denied decades ago. He was an elite test pilot when he was appointed by president John F Kennedy to join a highly competitive Air Force program known as a pathway for the astronaut corps, but was ultimately not picked. He left the military in 1966, citing the strain of racial politics, before dedicating his life to telling Black history through sculpture. His art, displayed around the country, includes iconic figures like Martin Luther King Jr, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman and more. 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: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Cities across Aotearoa New Zealand are trying to solve a housing crisis, with increasing residential density a key solution. But not everyone is happy about the resulting loss of natural habitats and biodiversity. Some homeowners in Dunedin, for example, are vehemently opposed to potential higher-density development in their area. They fear the loss of nature and increased use of concrete and other non-permeable surfaces it might entail. One developer acknowledged the "juggling act" councils can face when trying to balance the need for more homes with preserving natural environments. The issue isn't going away, given the national shortage of affordable housing and the growing emphasis on increased density under the National Policy Statement on Housing and Urban Development. However, we argue that incorporating nature within built environments is not just possible, it's essential. Density with biodiversity Urban nature helps buffer the devastating impacts of increasingly frequent and serious climate-related events in cities, such as flooding and heat waves. By embracing nature-based solutions, we can lessen the impact of these events while enjoying biodiverse surroundings (which are also beneficial to human well-being). Initiatives in other countries can be a guide. Melbourne, for example, has a goal of planting 3,000 trees a year to achieve a 40% tree canopy cover by 2040. This is to combat increasing temperatures and improve biodiversity. Toronto has policies to address air quality, the urban "heat island" effect, and stormwater management. The most significant is a green-roof bylaw requiring all high-density developments to have 2060% of their roof area vegetated. Unfortunately, New Zealand has not been good at creating biodiverse residential developments. Higher density often results in less green space and more hard surfaces. Urban nature has value Our research group, Aotearoa BiodiverCity (part of the publicly-funded People, Cities, Nature research program) explores how to achieve more biodiverse cities through better and more strategically designed medium-density development. As part of this ongoing and yet-to-be published work, we have examined 25 developments of different sizes across four New Zealand cities. This revealed considerable variation in how well developers had integrated biodiversity. The majority were glaringly deficient in healthy, ecologically meaningful vegetation. Our analysis revealed that shifts to medium-density often mean a loss of nearly two-thirds of the original permeable area, including green spaces vital for stormwater management and biodiversity. We've discovered numerous barriers and challenges to achieving nature-rich cities. Fundamental is a lack of national policy and regional strategies that specifically consider biodiversity in residential development. Instead, the focus is on protecting significant indigenous habitats, reflecting an apparent assumption that biodiversity in residential areas has no value. In fact, it has enormous potential to contribute to city-wide biodiversity, and is vital to human well-being and climate change adaptation. Set targets and measure outcomes The lack of guidelines also creates large differences between council standards for developments. How much space is left for planting, for example, is dictated by the maximum building coverage on a site. This can range from 35% in Upper Hutt to as high as 50-60% in Lower Hutt, Wellington and Dunedin. When district plans and residential design guidelines do call for maintaining or increasing vegetation, there are no specific biodiversity goals or targets. Nor are there plans to measure and monitor biodiversity during or after construction. Professionals working on urban built environments reveal a tangle of barriers to implementing greening strategies. Cost is a big one, with developers perceiving a safer return on investment from prioritizing dwellings or car parking, despite many people being willing to pay more for homes in greener neighborhoods. Design guidelines, including landscaping specifications, are often subject to developer discretion. This can mean they adhere to few environmental mitigation measures, and potentially neglect the natural environment. More broadly, New Zealand has few precedents for incorporating green elements in denser developments. Solutions such as vegetated roofs and water-sensitive urban design are seen as experimental and risky rather than mainstream. Strengthening council district plans to include requirements for preserving and enhancing urban green spaces should be a priority. This would include clear and attainable biodiversity targets, with quantifiable outcomes. A new tool to score developments Our team is developing the New Zealand Biodiversity Factor (NZBF), an assessment tool tailored for residential neighborhoods. Once available, it will offer clear guidance on integrating nature into new developments, and provide performance scores and practical improvement suggestions. Using urban design principles sensitive to biodiversity, the NZBF will score developments on a variety of features: extent of permeable area, vegetation quality in public and private spaces, and street layout. Driveways and roads are the "monsters" eating up valuable permeable space. Prioritizing good public and other transport options over car parking outside every home helps create a more biodiverse living environment. Loss of permeable space can be mitigated at the planning stage by exploring housing layouts, building higher, and fostering greener urban landscapes. Councils have many things to consider beyond biodiversity, of course, as well as limited financial resources for maintaining natural areas. This could be offset by enabling residents to manage their own neighborhood green spaces, as has been successfully implemented overseas. But attaching biodiversity targets to residential development will be a necessary first step. As urban populations grow, we'll have to adapt to higher-density living. That does not mean we have to miss out on nearby nature. 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: A general view of Brixham Harbour, in Brixham, Devon, Friday May 17, 2024. Most residents living near a scenic fishing village in southwestern England where a parasite in the water sickened more than 45 people were told Saturday, May 18, 2024, that they could safely drink the water again. South West Water said it lifted its boil notice for most of the 17,000 homes and businesses around the Brixham area of Devon that had been affected after cryptosporidium, a microscopic parasite that causes diarrhea, was found in the water. Credit: Piers Mucklejohn/PA via AP Most residents living near a scenic fishing village in southwestern England where a parasite in the water sickened more than 45 people were told Saturday that they could safely drink the water again. South West Water said it lifted its boil notice for most of the 17,000 homes and businesses around the Brixham area of Devon that had been affected after cryptosporidium, a microscopic parasite that causes diarrhea, was found in the water. At least 46 cases of cryptosporidiosis were confirmed and more than 100 other people reported similar symptoms, the U.K. Health Security Agency said. Symptoms can last more than two weeks. The water company said it consulted with public health officials before lifting the boil warning for all but about 2,500 customers after rigorous testing showed the water was safe for most of the area. "This situation has caused an immense amount of disruption, distress and anxiety. We are truly sorry this has happened," water company spokesperson Laura Flowerdew said. "The public rightly expect a safe, clean and reliable source of drinking water and on this occasion we have fallen significantly short of expectations." The outbreak announced Wednesday was unrelated to Britain's larger ongoing water woes but emblematic of an aging system in distress. People collect bottled water at Broadsands Car Park in Paignton, England, Friday May 17, 2024. Most residents living near a scenic fishing village in southwestern England where a parasite in the water sickened more than 45 people were told Saturday, May 18, 2024, that they could safely drink the water again. South West Water said it lifted its boil notice for most of the 17,000 homes and businesses around the Brixham area of Devon that had been affected after cryptosporidium, a microscopic parasite that causes diarrhea, was found in the water. Credit: Ben Birchall/PA via AP Water companies have been under fire for more than a year to stop frequent sewage overflows into rivers and oceans that have literally caused a stink, sickened swimmers, polluted fishing streams and led to an outcry from the public to clean up their act. South West Water is facing charges in Plymouth Magistrates' Court alleging 30 offenses for illegal water discharges or breaches of environmental permits between 2015 and 2021, the Environment Agency said. Flowerdew on Friday said the outbreak may have come from a damaged air valve in a pipe that runs through a field where cows graze that is close to a reservoir. A primary school was forced to close Thursday because it didn't have clean drinking water. The water company said it provided 386,000 water bottles to its customers. 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Through all of the National Rifle Association's and Donald Trumps trials and tribulations, they still have each other. On Saturday, Trump, on a break from his trial in New York, was in Dallas to accept an endorsement from the embattled NRA, which just months earlier had its former top executives on trial for corruption, also in New York. READ MORE: Donald Trump returning to Texas for NRA convention and fundraising boost Our enemies want to take away my freedom because I will never let them take away your freedom, Trump said at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center. They want to silence me because I will never let them silence you. The Republican said the legal actions against him are a form of rigging the 2024 election because he is doing so well in the polls and they cant beat him any other way. They want to put me in jail, Trump said. Can you believe they want to put me in jail? Trump and the NRA have some of the same legal foes these days. New York Attorney General Letitia James, who won a corruption suit this year against NRA top executives, also won a $355 million judgment against Trump this year for lying about his wealth on financial statements to make deals as he built his real estate empire. The NRA has had other troubles, too. Memberships have dropped and revenues have declined over the last two years. The New York Times reported that the organization has lost more than 1 million members since 2018. In January, Wayne LaPierre, the face of the group since 1991, resigned, shaking up the groups leadership. The NRAs new leaders said Trump was there through it all. He is uniquely qualified to address our members who know what its like to stand for something, even when its hard, NRA interim Executive Vice President and CEO Andrew Arulanandam said in promoting Trumps speech. Arulanandam said he knows there is a lot of talk about the NRAs situation but tried to assure the thousands of supporters that the organization is in good shape. No matter what youve heard, we are strong, we are healthy, were resolute, committed and united more than ever, Arulanandam said. Trump has become more entwined with the NRA than any previous American president. The NRA spent more than $30 million to help him win the White House in 2016, and Trump has now spoken at nine of its annual conventions more than any previous president. He was also a staunch ally of gun rights even after the school shootings in Parkland, Fla., and at Santa Fe High School in Galveston County increased pressure for gun control legislation. Saturday marked the sixth anniversary of the Santa Fe shooting, in which eight students and two teachers were fatally shot by a then-17-year-old student. The suspect, now 23, still has not gone to trial for the massacre. He has been repeatedly declared mentally incompetent to stand trial and remains institutionalized. While the speeches are important, Trumps tenure in the White House proved most valuable to the NRA. Trump appointed federal judges favorable to gun rights and took administration actions that supported gun owners. Those included repealing an Obama-era regulation that had the Social Security Administration report people who declared having severe mental illnesses, to make sure they were flagged in gun purchase background checks. Trumps speech came after Gov. Greg Abbott also addressed the NRA for the first time in person since 2018, during his first term as governor. Abbott talked briefly about gun rights, including legislation he signed in 2021 to allow adults over 21 without criminal backgrounds to legally carry a gun in public without a permit. He also talked about legislation he signed into law last year to bar cities and counties from forcing gun owners to buy liability insurance, like San Jose, Calif., passed in 2022. You should not be forced to pay to exercise your Second Amendment rights, Abbott said to applause. But while the NRA convention is primarily about gun rights, Abbott focused much of his speech to the crowd on border security, an issue that has helped raise his national profile, particularly with GOP voters. He won his biggest applause talking about Texas building its own border wall, laying razor wire and deploying buoy barriers in the Rio Grande to stop migrants from crossing into Texas. Texas has done more than any state in the history of America to secure our border, Abbott said. But Abbott said he sees hope for the border in the future. "This crisis is about to come to an end in just six months, Abbott said in reference to the November elections. Joe Biden will be fired as president of the United States of America. And Donald Trump will become president of the greatest country in the history of the world. During his 10-minute speech, Abbott didnt mention his pardon Thursday of Daniel Perry, the Army veteran who had been convicted of murdering an armed Black Lives Matter protester in Austin in 2020. Perry had been driving for Uber on the night of July 25, 2020, when he turned into an intersection full of protesters in downtown Austin and was confronted by Garrett Foster, who was carrying an AK-47 rifle. Seconds later, Perry used his revolver to shoot and kill Foster, who was white. Both men were legally armed. 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 mighty river is flowing out of the Amazon rainforest, and it's not the one you're thinking of. In the first kilometer above the forest canopy, a "flying river" is transporting moisture evaporated from Amazonian trees southwards along the Andes mountains towards Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state in Brazil. Almost the entire statean area larger than the UKis currently affected by unprecedented floods. The flying river has acted like a firehose, fueling five months of rainfall in just two weeks, further enhanced by a strong jetstream located in just the wrong position above the region. And, based on future projections of climate change, this situation will likely get worse as the temperature rises. Since the beginning of May, those massive floods in Rio Grande do Sul have made world headlines. In the state's capital, Porto Alegre, the Guaiba river is more than five meters above its normal level, breaking a record set in 1941. The death toll is 149 and growing, with 108 still missing. The floods have displaced more than 600,000 people and directly or indirectly affected more than 2 million, in 446 of the 497 municipalities in the state. In various municipalities, the water and energy systems collapsed, leaving hundreds of thousands of homes with no power or drinking water. Schools suspended classes and the state's main roads and airport are closed. While the southern part of the country is under water, a heat wave caused record-breaking temperatures in the states of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais. For scale, this is similar to all of northern France being flooded while Barcelona swelters in 40C heat. This is not the first time the southernmost part of Brazil has been affected by such large-scale disasters. Similar weather systems, featuring moisture from the Amazon near the surface and the jetstream crossing the Andes high above, were associated with floods between September and November 2023, as well as major floods in 1997 and 1983. A combination of factors makes these floods more likely. For instance, warm ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific (still currently the case, even as El Nino starts to decay) is associated with these weather systems, as are abnormally warm tropical Atlantic temperatures, which add more moisture to the air brought south in the flying river. Things to come Is this event a sign of things to come for southern Brazil? As the atmosphere warms, it can carry more water, which means there is the potential to form massive clouds and heavy rains. This is a bit like buying a more absorbent sponge: it can hold more water but when you squeeze, more water falls out. In fact, we are already observing this. Compared with the floods in 1941, this time the excessive rainfall was concentrated in a much shorter period, meaning the water rose much faster. Future climate projections already indicate that a warmer atmosphere results in an intensification of the flying rivers from the Amazon into south Brazil and adjacent regions, and more precipitation. We have analyzed results from state-of-the-art climate models that are able to simulate storms across South America in detail, just a few kilometers across. These indicate that extreme rainfall like that happening now is likely to become more frequent in the future, and such risks may in fact be underestimated by the previous generation of climate models. These simulations, run under UK-Brazil and South America-US partnerships, are being used to assess such risks in southern Brazil and right across South America. Early results suggest that, as in Africa, parts of Europe, North America, India and elsewhere, short but very intense rainfall is likely to happen more often as the planet warms, irrespective of the unique weather systems that may affect particular regions. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The corner of 31st Street and Avenue of the Cities looked like any other street corner Friday morning in Moline. The balloons had been taken down from the stop sign. The prayer candles were carried away, as were the empty liquor bottles left in tribute. The pictures and stuffed animals and all the other keepsakes found a new home. With the help of the families of Zachary Meincke and Giovanni Flores, the memorial to the slain teens was removed from the corner Thursday. Teenagers and others had visited the site day and night for the better part of two weeks. Meincke, 19, and Flores, 17, were killed in an early morning shooting on Sunday, May 5, after spending the hours before their deaths celebrating at a post-prom party hosted by Meincke in the home he rented in the 1800 block of 31st Street. Meincke and Flores joined a tragic group that morning. They are among the seven people who have been killed in Rock Island County since the start of 2024. All were killed by a firearm. Rock Island County had six homicides in all of 2023. All were committed with the use of a firearm. The violence in Rock Island County escalated dramatically from May 4 to May 11, when Meincke, Flores and two other young men were shot and killed. But violence has been on the rise on both sides of the Quad-Cities. There have been seven homicides in Scott County since the start of 2024, based on previous reporting. Five of those were committed with a firearm. There were eight homicides in Scott County in 2023 and all were shooting deaths. Through the first four months and 17 days of 2024 there have been 14 homicides in Scott and Rock Island counties combined. There were 14 homicides in the counties during all of 2023. Of the 28 total homicides in the counties the past two years, 13 homicides were in Rock Island County during that span. All were committed by firearm. In Scott County there have been 15 homicides in 2023 and 2024, 13 by firearm. 'Gun violence doesn't surprise us' The Quad-City Times spoke with 15 young people who visited the memorial to Meincke and Flores. None of them expressed surprise that they knew someone killed in gun violence. "It's our generation," 19-year-old Cameron Hays said. "It's never a surprise when someone you know is killed by a gun," 21-year-old Kallista Pyles said. "It doesn't happen all the time, but it does happen often enough. "It's how people our age solve problems. They get a gun." All four of the Rock Island County residents killed during the eight-day span in May were men between the ages of 17 and 22. Young victims of gun violence is a common theme. Last year saw the shooting death of 17-year-old Danny Taylor. The three people charged in relation to the killing are all under the age of 21: Johnell Smith III, 16; Napoleon Jackson, 17; and Tationna Taylor, 20. Tationna Taylor is no relation to Danny Taylor. The story was no different in Scott County, where 18-year-old Faith Zulu was shot and killed on Easter Sunday in Davenport's Jersey Meadows Apartments complex. Zion E. Harrison, also 18, was charged with second-degree murder and going armed with intent. Roughly 11 months after Zulu's Easter Sunday murder, 16-year-old De'Zia L. Bradley was shot to death in March of this year. A 15-year-old is charged with her murder. Davenport's eight fatal shooting in 2023 were double the number recorded in 2022. In 2021 there were 10 fatal shootings. Gun homicides reached a peak of 13 in 2020. Vasquez offered an explanation for the killing of young people by their peers. "The plot. They call it that. It's the story," she said. "They think they are part of some story. They use guns because they don't even think about the consequences." Another plea The Moline Police Department has not named a suspect or suspects in the double homicide of Flores and Meincke. Investigators took to Facebook on Mother's Day to appeal for the public's help. The police made another appeal in the wake of the memorial's removal. "We know many members of our community are impacted by this senseless act of gun violence that has torn a huge hole in the hearts of many of our young, teenaged residents who were dear friends of Mikey (Meincke) and Gio (Flores)," the post read. "We are left to honor their memory by diligently working to bring their killer to justice but we can't do that without your help. "Please honor the lives of Mikey and Gio by providing any information you have." The police ask for " ... cell phone pictures, videos, social media pictures or videos" of the party. New research finds young gun violence survivors experience lasting physical and mental trauma Firearms are the leading cause of death among children New research finds young gun violence survivors experience lasting physical and mental trauma Puneet Kaushal wants you to know that not all Indian food has to be spicy, at least not all of his. Most people have the perspective in mind that when it comes to Indian food, they say its too spicy. This is not that. Its about how you handle your spices and how you balance them properly, Kaushal told The Daily Progress. I know I cannot change all the perspectives, but I can at least try from my end. Diners will be able to put Kaushals skills to the test at Lazeez, his new restaurant on Charlottesvilles Downtown Mall, which opened its doors Friday night. Lazeez, Hindi for delicious or delightful, is operating out of the former Red Pump Kitchen managed by the folks behind Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards until shuttering at the end of January after struggling through the pandemic years. Red Pump Kitchen was known for its high-end Mediterranean and Italian offerings and, up until recently, Kaushal said the space at 401 E. Main St. was going to follow in Red Pump Kitchens footsteps with a focus on Italian dishes. Kaushal, along with business partner Goda Gurung, started the first Lazeez location on Tuckernuck Drive in Henrico County more than two years ago. They had their eyes on expanding into the Charlottesville market, but with Terra, more of an Italian-inspired steakhouse with a menu featuring broiled filet mignon and fettuccine alfredo. The restaurant was set to open as Terra last week, until the two chefs began receiving feedback from residents and businesses that there was Italian food to spare in Charlottesville and the market for upscale, authentic Indian cuisine offered more potential. Somebody advised us, Why not do the thing you already have? Its going so well there, people love it, Kaushal said. So we went ahead with Lazeez. In this industry, we do what the people want you to do, so thats why we changed it, he added with a laugh. Currently, there is one other Indian-style eatery downtown, Himalayan Fusion, just a couple of blocks from Lazeez. But that might not be the case for long. Lazeez could soon have a monopoly on the downtown Indian market, seeing as Himalayan Fusion is up for sale, according to business broker Stu Rifkin, who told The Daily Progress that Lazeez has every chance of being successful on the Mall. Kaushals willingness to cater to the publics palate is evident throughout Lazeezs menu. The culinary array boasts both familiar Indian platters, such as biryanis, curries and chicken tikka masala, as well as dishes with more of a modern flair inspired by the head chefs time spent cooking for hotels and cruise lines. One of these creative entrees is the Fragile Cashew Malai Kebab, which Kaushal crafted years ago for his wife, also a chef, when they first began dating while working for Carnival Cruise Line. His wife hails from South America and long hated Indian food, according to Kaushal, but grew to love his unique takes on traditional Indian recipes. We have our own style of cooking here. We use the basic roots of the food, Kaushal said. We make sure its Indian food, but at the same time its modern, its some new things. I love presentations. Kaushal said he is looking forward to starting out as Lazeezs head chef in Charlottesville, cooking some of his favorite items on the menu, including ghee lamb chops, chili garlic naan and tandoori chicken, which is made in the kitchens tandoor, a clay oven. The Charlottesville Lazeez is smaller than its Henrico counterpart, with a little over 5,000 square feet. But Kaushal has worked to make the new space impressive, with updated hardwood floors, paint and kitchen equipment. After opening its doors on Friday, the restaurant plans to provide only dinner service for the first week before extending its hours to include lunch from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the week and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the weekends. Lazeez will also have a full-service bar in the upcoming weeks once it receives an ABC license, though Kaushal said he is still in need of bartenders and servers. The Charlottesville location may just be the beginning of the Lazeez franchise. Kaushal said he and his business partner have already discussed bringing their take on Indian cuisine to Virginia Beach and, possibly, Southwest Virginia. Roberto Villalpando is the Texas weather science editor for the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News. He can be reached at roberto.villalpando@houstonchronicle.com. He supervises a weather coverage team that includes three newsroom meteorologists who provide expert forecasts for the states two largest cities. Working out of Austin, Roberto joined the Chronicle in 2023 and has more than 25 years of experience covering Texas as a breaking news editor, multimedia producer, graphic artist, copy editor and reporter. Body of abducted Bacalar man found outside funeral home Bacalar, Q.R. The body of a man abducted from his Bacalar home Thursday night has been located. The 33-year-old male was forcefully removed from his home late Thursday by a group of armed men. The mans family notified authorities who found his body the following evening outside a funeral home. According to local media reports, his abduction is linked to the recent cocaine seizure off the coast of Mahahual. The abduction happened at a home on 21st Avenue in the town of Bacalar around 11:00 p.m. Thursday. Neighbors reported the home was fired up before the armed men entered. The group left with one of the homes occupants identified as Jose M who was located around 8:00 p.m. Friday, less than 24 hours after being taken from his home. Within the last two weeks, several speed boats transporting large amounts of cocaine have been seized in and around the southern coast of Mexico by different authorities. One of those recent drug busts happened off the coast of Mahahual. On Saturday, the FGE confirmed the identity of the abducted mans body found, however, authorities have not commented on local media speculation that the drug bust and now deceased were somehow connected. Stubborn forest fires continue to burn around Quintana Roo Rivera Maya, Q.R. At least a dozen stubborn forest fires continue to burn around the state of Quintana Roo. The latest of the states fires started this weekend near the community of Chacchoben in the municipality of Bacalar. Civil Protection personnel are at the site with elements from the National Forestry commission (Conafor) to help fight the blaze. A bridgde of 30 forest firefighters continue to battle the fire that started Saturday. The Prot Civil QRoo, in collaboration with the National Forestry Commission (Conafor) and the Secretariat of Public Works (SEOP) has deployed a special operation to combat a forest fire in the community of Chacchoben. To face this emergency, three specialized brigades have been activated: one from Felipe Carrillo Puerto and two from Chetumal with 30 people. In addition, the effort has the support of 6 people from the Ministry of Public Works (SEOP) and a D6, the Coordinacion Estatal de Proteccion Civil QRoo reported. The latest Bacalar fire. May 18, 2024. Heavy machinery was brought it to create a 1,000-meter-long firewall to stop the fire from spreading. Guillermo Nunez Leal, the General Director of Civil Protection, said the firewall is essential to prevent the fire from continuing to spread adding they are doing their best to put it out as quickly as possible. Heavy machinery has been brought in to create a firewall. Photo: Coordinacion Estatal de Proteccion Civil May 18, 2024. We are doing everything possible to control this situation and minimize the impact, he said. Last week, a large wildfire in Jose Maria Morelos that threatened homes left dozens of hectares scorched after taking more than three days to extinguish. On Saturday, Proteccion Civil Cancun reported on an ongoing wildfire outside the city. An aerial survey was carried out to recognize and delimit areas affected by active fires which affect shrub vegetation, Cancun Civil Protection said. Civil Protection Cancun did a flyover Saturday to monitor another wildfire outside the city. Photo: Proteccion Civil Cancun May 18, 2024. According to the federal government, there are currently 13 fires burning around the state of Quintana Roo. Bacalar has reported five fires, Othon P. Blanco and Jose Maria Morelos with three active fires each, Cancun has two burning outside the city and both Isla Mujeres and Lazaro Cardenas each report one active fire. One of those wildfires burning outside the city of Cancun has already consumed more than 250 hectares of scrub. EDUCATION Kwame Harrison, Raman Kumar and Patricia Raun have been named Alumni Distinguished Professors by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors. The professorship is a preeminent appointment, recognizing scholarship and service as well as teaching that has influenced the lives of generations of students. Fewer than 1% of Tech faculty members hold this honor, and Kumar is the only active Alumni Distinguished Professor in the Pamplin College of Business. Harrison is the Edward S. Diggs Professor in Humanities with a joint appointment in Africana Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. A member of the Tech community since 2003, he has received numerous university teaching awards. Harrison earned his bachelors degree from the University of Massachusetts and a masters degree and Ph.D. from Syracuse University. Kumar, the R.V. and A.F. Oliver Professor of Investment Management in the Pamplin College of Business, was appointed to the faculty in 1985. He has spent his entire post-doctoral career at Tech. His service to the university and the finance department has resulted in various leadership roles and committee memberships. Kumar has received numerous teaching awards, including the William E. Wine Award in 2015, five MBA Outstanding Faculty Awards, and the College of Business Certificate of Teaching Excellence Awards. Kumar has also been the recipient of Pamplins Ph.D. Teaching Excellence Award twice as well as the Holtzman Outstanding Educator Award. Kumar earned his bachelors degree in business management from Banaras Hindu University, his Master of Business Administration from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, and his Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. Raun, professor of theater arts in the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design, joined the theater department faculty in 1986. Her teaching has been recognized with multiple awards, including the College of Arts and Sciences Teaching Excellence Award and the William E. Wine Award for Faculty Achievement. As the creator of the Center for Communicating Science, Raun has worked with researchers across the globe, using storytelling and theater techniques to help people share their expertise. She has served in many administrative roles, including founding director of the School of Performing Arts from 2007-17, department head of Theatre Arts from 2002-13 and assistant department head from 1994-2001. Raun has directed 21 theater productions, participated alongside students in 14 plays and provided voice direction for more than 30 full-length productions. Recently, she collaborated with 20 graduate student researchers from National Science Foundation-funded Research Traineeship programs nationwide, both online and in-person. This spring, Raun will travel to Kenya for an in-person summit that wraps up a series of communicating science workshops for early career agricultural researchers from that country. Rose Hu has been appointed head of the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering effective Jan. 1, 2025, becoming the first female head of the department since its inception in 1892. She will replace Luke Lester, who has led the department since 2013. ECE has grown to be one of the largest departments in the country and makes up more than 10% of the universitys nearly $600 million total in research expenditures. Hu comes to Virginia Tech from Utah State University, where she served as professor and associate dean for research. She has published six books and more than 300 journal articles and conference papers throughout her career. She currently serves as editor-in-chief for IEEE Communications Magazine. Hu received her Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Kansas in 1998; a masters degree in mechanical engineering from New York University in 1995; and a bachelors degree in electrical engineering from the University of Science and Technology China in 1992. Dwyn Taylor is Virginia Techs new vice president for campus planning, infrastructure, and facilities effective June 25. Taylor joined the university in 2016 and currently serves as assistant vice president for capital construction in the Division of Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities. In his new role, Taylor will provide leadership in supporting Techs teaching, research, and outreach missions. As vice president for campus planning, infrastructure, and facilities, he will oversee the care, maintenance, and development of the universitys campuses in Blacksburg, Roanoke, and the greater Washington, D.C., metro area; the universitys research facilities located throughout the commonwealth; and the Steger Center for International Scholarship located in Riva San Vitale, Switzerland. Prior to Tech, Taylor served 27 years as an active-duty naval officer, achieving the rank of captain in the Civil Engineer Corps. He also spent five subsequent years in the design-build construction industry. Taylor graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a bachelors degree in civil engineering, and he holds a Master of Science degree in civil engineering, with a focus on construction engineering/project management, from the University of Texas. He also attended the Executive Management Program at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. Taylor is a registered professional engineer. FINANCIAL Lisa Cundiff has joined Farm Credit of the Virginias as an operations support specialist based in the Roanoke branch. Prior to joining FCV, Cundiff spent the majority of her career working for a large insurance company, where she held a variety of roles, from insurance processor to customer retention to the project support/compliance team. Outside of work, the Vinton native enjoys spending time with her husband and their adult children, in addition to their two dogs. MEDICAL The Community Health Center of the New River Valley has added three members to its medical and dental staff: Dr. Cathy Callahan, Dr. Katelyn Cantrell and Melisa Loving. Callahan will provide part-time gynecological care and medication-assisted treatment at the Christiansburg site. Callahan most recently served as chair of the Clinical Sciences Department at the Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg. Her credentials include being the founding medical director, physician, and a board member at CHCNRV; chair of the Department of Obstetrics; and associate dean of postgraduate affairs at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. Callahan earned her doctor of medicine and Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and was a resident at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. She is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and has been certified by the Virginia Board of Medicine and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology since 2005. Loving has more than a decade of experience as a registered nurse and family nurse practitioner. After earning her bachelors degree from the University of Maryland, she received her Bachelor of Science in nursing from West Virginia University. She later completed the Master of Science Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration program at West Virginia Wesleyan College. She comes to the Community Health Center from Mon Health Wedgewood Primary Care & Psychiatry in Morgantown, West Virginia. Cantrell joined the Community Health Center from Charlottesville, where she provided general dentistry services as an associate at a private practice. Her range of experience also includes working in free clinics and as part of a volunteer team providing dental care to underserved areas. After graduating from the University of Virginias College at Wise, she earned her dental degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and was a resident at the University of Virginia. Cantrell has a leadership background as a volunteer and is a member of the American Dental Association. OTHER The Roanoke Higher Education Authority has announced the appointment of Total Action for Progress President and CEO Angela Penn, Sen. David Suetterlein, and Del. Joe McNamara, and the reappointment of Del. Sam Rasoul to its board of trustees. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Sanchez defended the decision "out of moral conviction", considering it "a just cause" and the "only way" to achieve peace and security in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Ireland, Malta and Slovenia are expected to follow suit, and have already agreed to take the first steps in that direction. In a phone call on Saturday, Taoiseach Simon Harris and Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Store agreed to remain in close consultation in the days ahead. Norway's parliament adopted a government proposal in November for the country to be prepared to recognise an independent Palestinian state. Harris and Store said that the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza underscored the need for an immediate ceasefire and for unhindered access for aid. Earlier this week, Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob said his country would recognise Palestines statehood by mid-June. Sanchez meanwhile criticised the Popular Party for refusing to recognise the Palestinian state and responded to former President Jose Maria Aznar by stating that "Spain will recognise it". The prime minister also acknowledged his party's positive result in the Catalan elections of 12 May and said that Salvador Illa would make a good President of the Generalitat. Spain would be the 10th European country to recognise the Palestinian State There are already nine countries in the EU that have recognised Palestine as a state and Spain would be the tenth. On the list are: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden and Slovakia. Sanchez confirmed on Friday that Spain's recognition will not be made at Tuesday's Council of Ministers, as had been suggested. The prime minister said that his position on the Israel-Hamas conflict is much like his country's support for Ukraine following Russia's invasion more than two years ago. He stressed that Spain demanded ''respect for international law from Russia, and from Israel, for the violence to end, the recognition of two states, and for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza''. Sanchez added his voice to a chorus of other European leaders and government officials who have said that they could support a two-state solution in the Middle East, as international frustration grows with Israel's military actions in the Palestinian territories. French President Emmanuel Macron said last month that it's not ''taboo'' for France to recognise a Palestinian state. British Foreign Minister David Cameron said that the United Kingdom could officially recognise a Palestinian state after a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. Five months after Hamas militants attacked Israel on 7 October, killing about 1,200 people and taking 250 others hostage, the Israeli military has responded with air and ground assaults that have killed more than 35,386 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Why does Spain support recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state? Spain has been historically close to the Arab world and, as such, the nation is actively trying to push a line more favourable to Palestinian aspirations within the European Union. In a speech made shortly after his re-election last year, Sanchez promised that his new government's "first commitment" on foreign policy would be to "work in Europe and Spain to recognise the Palestinian state''. At the same time, he said he was "on the side of Israel" in the face of "the terrorist attack" of 7 October, but also called on the Jewish state to put an end to the "indiscriminate killing of Palestinians". The stance comes at a time when many Western countries are facing criticism in the Arab world for being seemingly too favourable towards Israel. In 2014, under a conservative government, the Spanish Parliament adopted a resolution calling for the recognition of the Palestinian state, supported by all political parties. The vote, though, was non-binding and not followed by any action. In Europe, several countries have taken this step in a more effective way. They include Sweden, Hungary, Malta and Romania - but none of the main EU member states have done so, meaning that Spain could become a pioneer. A supporter of Palestinians in Gaza shouts slogans during a demonstration against the Israel-Hamas war, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Saturday, May 18, 2024. - Alvaro Barrientos/Copyright 2019 The AP. All rights reserved A brief history of Spanish-Arab relations Geographically close to the Maghreb region of North Africa, Spain turned to Arab countries during the Franco dictatorship which ran from 1939 to 1975 in order to circumvent its isolation in the West. It was not until 1986, however, that the nation established official relations with Israel. The relatively late date was a consequence of tensions born from Israel's opposition to Spain's entry into the UN at the end of the Second World War, due to its proximity to Nazi Germany. In 1993, they played a role in the Oslo Accords, through which Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization mutually recognised each other as part of the peace process. Overall, though, Spain remains perceived by many as a pro-Arab country. Students wave Palestinian flags as they march to show solidarity with Palestinians and to commemorate the Nakba Day, Arabic for catastrophe, in Barcelona, Spain, May 15, 2024. - Emilio Morenatti/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved. At the end of October, a mini-diplomatic crisis even broke out with the Israeli embassy after controversial statements by a far-left Spanish minister who spoke of a "planned genocide" in Gaza. With much of Europe firmly pro-Israel, Isaias Barrenada, a professor at the Complutense University of Madrid, said it will be an uphill battle for Sanchez. ''It is difficult to imagine that Spain has the capacity to reorient the European position," Barrenada told AFP, but "it can contribute to showing that there are sensitivities within the EU.'' As a probe into his alleged attempts to tamper with Georgia's 2020 presidential election results heats up, Donald Trump claimed on Thursday that he "did nothing wrong" there. Despite President Joe Biden's close victory in Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her colleagues are investigating whether Trump and his allies improperly attempted to compel state authorities to declare him the winner. Trump Says Not He But Others Did Wrong During 2020 Election Trump's denial comes after two of his closest allies, Senator Lindsey Graham of the United States and his former attorney Rudy Giuliani, were among a group of individuals who were subpoenaed by Fulton County. Willis' inquiry is centered on a phone call Trump made to Brad Raffensperger, the secretary of state for Georgia, in January 2021, in which the president urged Raffensperger to 'find' the votes he would need to win the state. According to Daily Mail, the former president said, "I did NOTHING wrong in Georgia, but others did," in a subsequent tweet. Trump also hinted to a forthcoming "letter," most likely to the Fulton County prosecutors. With a margin of 11,779 votes, or less than 0.25 percent, Biden won Georgia. Raffensperger added that Graham called him 10 days after the election and inquired as to whether he had the authority to revoke mail-in ballots from certain counties. Graham subsequently said he wasn't doing improperly and was just seeking information to better understand the mail-in ballot verification process. Trump and his allies, according to Willis, have "a multi-state, coordinated plan in a court document submitted on Tuesday, "to sway the outcome of the November 2020 election in Georgia and internationally." Graham and Giuliani were served with subpoenas on Tuesday as a consequence of the grand jury's investigation into the accusation, which began in early May. John Eastman, Kenneth Cheesebro, and Jenna Ellis, among others, were named as targets because they developed plans to reverse Biden's victory in Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who made calls to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and his staff following Election Day, received a similar request. The inquiry into Trump and his legal team's attempts to void Biden's victory in Georgia and other crucial states includes the grand jury probe, as per NY Post. Court Demands for Guiliani's Testimony The 45th president also justified as "PERFECT" calls to Raffensperger in which he requested that he "find" 11,870 votes in order to surpass Biden's vote total in Georgia and win the state. According to the official figures, Biden received 11,779 more votes than Trump, making him the first Democrat to win Georgia since Bill Clinton did it in 1992. In March 2021, The Washington Post revised a correction to an article on a call Trump made to France that had been published on January 9, 2021. Willis describes Giuliani as both a personal lawyer for Trump and "a major counsel for the Trump Campaign's legal actions aiming to influence the results of the November 2020 election in Georgia and elsewhere" in the demand for Giuliani's testimony. She said that as part of those attempts, he and others sent a Georgia state Senate panel a video of election officials that Giuliani claimed showed them obtaining "suitcases" of illegal votes from unidentified sources away from election poll observers. Within 24 hours after the hearing on December 3, 2020, Raffensperger's office rejected the veracity of the video and claimed to have discovered no evidence of voter fraud at the arena. Nevertheless, Willis said that Giuliani persisted in asserting widespread voting fraud using that refuted film in public speeches and in subsequent legislative hearings, as per Fox News. Bob Costello, Giuliani's lawyer, said that he had no more comment and that no subpoena had been issued for his client. Attorneys Kenneth Chesebro, Cleta Mitchell, Jenna Ellis, John Eastman, and Jacki Pick Deason are among the additional five possible witnesses for whom Willis also filed papers on Tuesday. @YouTube Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Submit it here. Dear Care and Feeding, My 7-year-old is an at-home nudist. She isnt like this in public (e.g., she prefers to use a private stall when changing at the pool), but she has always felt comfortable enough around my husband and me to leave her room naked in the middle of changing her clothes because she needs to ask us something, or to find a toy. I havent cared much about the nudity, but Ive started wondering when and how I should tell her that she needs to stop before she starts puberty. I dont want her to feel like theres something wrong with her body, now or ever, but I know it will get pretty uncomfortable before long. My husband and I dont spend time naked in front of our daughterits just her. How should I/we approach this? Birthday Suit Dear Suit, Dont approach the subject at allit isnt necessary. Telling her in advance that before she starts puberty she should knock off the nakedness is a sure-fire way to let her know that theres something wrong with her body (or that there will be, in a matter of years). Let her be. She already knows the difference between out-in-the-world and at-home. How do you suppose she figured that out? It seems to me that if she feels at ease running around the house naked, youve done a good job up to now of not making her feel self-conscious. Dont undo that work. And in any case, chances are that at some pointat an age between 10 and 13shell develop her own self-consciousness about nudity in front of her parents right alongside all the changes in her body. For better or for worse, that sort of self-consciousness is a developmental stage. Theres no reason to rush that. (And in the exceedingly unlikely event that she does not become a self-conscious tween, and the sight of her unclothed body unnerves you and/or your husband, just tell her then that you would be more comfortable if everybody kept their clothes on. If she asks you why, tell her the truth: Theres nothing wrong with her, her body, or her nakedness. Its youyoure the [I dont mean this critically or cruelly, just as factual] problem.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dear Care and Feeding, Im a white single mom and my 13-year-old daughter, Mila (also white) is working on a comic with a diverse cast (about half to three-quarters of the characters are nonwhite). The other day she came to me talking about how worried she is that shell get something wrong and itll be offensive without her realizing it, or shell accidentally use some kind of stereotype that will be hurtful, and she ended up in tears. I dont know how to handle this. She seems to feel like its a huge problem but to me, it seems like no big deal considering that 1) she is 13 years old! And 2) she isnt publishing this comic anywhere (shes just doing it for fun). But Im not sure if I should brush off her concerns and tell her she doesnt have to worry about it, that as long as she has good intentions, it doesnt matter if she makes a mistake, or if I should try to find her some sort of resource to help her with representation. If she were going to publish the comic, I would lean toward the latter, but seeing as she isnt, my opinion is that it doesnt matter much at this pointbut is that just because Im a white person and dont understand? Representation Issues Dear Issues, Advertisement Advertisement Telling your smart, sensitive child that her concerns are no big dealthat as long as she has good intentions, the result doesnt matteris a pretty terrible idea. Shes taking the making of this comic seriously. Its not about whether she publishes it or not; its about the process of making it. She made a conscious decision to include a diverse cast of characters (good for her!); her concern about whether she may be relying on stereotypes (without even being aware of it) or otherwise falling short when she writes and draws characters whose life experience is different from her own echoes the concerns of thoughtful, ethical, professional writers/artists. You should encourage that. Advertisement But you dont have to hire a professional sensitivity reader for herthat would be overkill. Simply taking her concerns seriously is step one. Let her know that you admire her for thinking like a real writer, that her determination to do her characters justice is a worthy one, and that her awareness that theres much about the world she doesnt know (and about which she may indeed be mistaken) is a sign of maturity and wisdom. Step two is asking her what resources she believes might help her as she works on this project. If she wails that she has no idea, which is exactly the problem, thats when your own superior wisdom comes in. (So make sure youve got some. You might start here, with these excellent resources.) Talk to her about what grownup writers do. If you dont know, Im here to tell you: In my work on a new novel for children, which includes a character whos nonbinary, I asked several young people who identify as such to read an early draft and let me know what I got wrong. I also talked to NB people before I wrote that characters most important scene, and those conversations helped me write it more authentically and three-dimensionally than I could have without them. (For that matter, Id barely begun the book when I asked everyone I knew if they had a child or grandchild of age 10 to 12 who would be interested in talking to me about life today as a kid. I talked to a dozen or so about everything from playground games and rules to phones and clothes.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Does Mila know anyone she could ask frankly for help with this? (Would you read what Ive got so far and tell me if you think Ive got the character of X, Y, or Z right? And if I havent, how can I do better?) Are there also books she can read, movies she can watch, podcasts she can listen to, or better still, media that you two can check out and talk about together? Advertisement If your white child of white parents lives in an all-white neighborhood and goes to an all-white school, the advice to seek out beta readers among people she already knows will not be useful. That doesnt mean you should shrug off whats troubling her. It means acknowledging that theres a problem. (You do see how thats a problem, dont you?) Put your heads together to find a solution. Advertisement Dear Care and Feeding, My old friends have two kids who are 14 and 11. When the kids were little, I was an honorary auntie to them, spending lots of time with them and their parents. After they went to bed, we would partake in grownup drinks and smoke nothing crazy, just some fun. Right before the pandemic, I divorced my husband and then ended up moving to a city an hour or so away. I was not included in family bubble invitations during those years, and although I tried to come up with fun outdoor things to do, I got the impression that the kids were addicted to their screens (their parents would leave them home to meet up with me and my new partner). Now that the kids are older, I get the feeling I missed out on a good relationship with them. They both have anxiety issues, which worries me. And, in my opinion, they are negatively affected by their parents ongoing marijuana use. I want to be part of the kids lives, but I am not sure how to make inroads. I am still friendly with the parents, but we are not as close as we used to be. What should I do? Sad Aunt Dear Sad, Advertisement Advertisement Well, for starters, do your best not to make assumptions. (When your friends joined you for fun outdoor pursuits during the pandemic, leaving their kids at home, they might have made that choice, needing a break.) Whether these kids are negatively affected by their parents weed habit is neither here nor there. If you want to be a part of these kids lives, make an effort. Ask their parents if its OK with them if you offer to take the kids out (and if they say yes, ask the kids what they would like to dodont make assumptions about what they would think is fun). Write them letters afterwards. (You can text them, but only briefly and not too oftendont be demanding.) Hell, you can send them thoughtful, small gifts, but first be observant; make sure you know what will please them. Advertisement Advertisement As long as the parents are on board, theres nothing to prevent you from forming your own relationships with them, which, as they get older, will be more and more important to them, because every teenager and young adult can use some adult presence in their life who is not a parent. Now, if theres been an actual falling out between you and the parents, thats another matter. One of the great heartbreaks of my life is that a painful (alas, unavoidable) relationship-ending conflict with longtime friends also ended my close relationship to their three children. It would have been inappropriate for me to reach out to the kids, whom I loved dearly, when their parents had intentionally struck me from their lives. But if what youre describing is an ongoing, but no longer super-close, relationship, I encourage you to reach out to the kids whose lives you want to be a part ofwith permission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dear Care and Feeding, In December, we moved to Central Virginia, very close to Liberty University (of Jerry Falwell infamy). Our family subscribes to a blend of Jewish/agnostic/Unitarian Universalist practices. We are on the political left. I recently found out that high school graduation for our district is always held at Liberty. This bothers me a lot. Theres no point complaining about this: I am 99 percent convinced no one in power in the district will care. So: Do we abandon our principles and quietly show up for this major life event, or do we explain to our kids why we are so solidly opposed to this and not attend when the time comes? Lost Near Liberty Dear Lost, Advertisement I will admit that I am always surprised by questions like this. Does nobody do research before moving to a new place? Advertisement But maybe you did do due diligence; maybe everything seemed great, and it just did not occur to you to ask about high school graduationfor which I cant fault you, so let me ask you this: Is there another venue large enough to host graduation ceremonies? (A cursory search led me to Central Virginia Community College and Randolph College, alsolike Libertyin Lynchburg.) If there is, why not register your concern to the powers that be and ask for commencement to be held on more neutral grounds? If the district administrators wave off your issues with Liberty, write a thoughtful, well-reasoned, devastating letter to the newspaper. Of course, its possible (even, as you say, likely) that this will change no ones minds, if this is a longstanding tradition and/or Liberty University offers the local public school district a favorable rental rate, but speaking up about it will set an example for your children: When you see something you believe is wrong, you try to do something about it. Advertisement Advertisement But if graduation will not be moved, and your kids still participate in it (who knowsmaybe they wont want to? I skipped mine, in 1972), then, for heavens sake, go and support them. Sitting in the audience and clapping for your kids when they reach a milestone is not a betrayal of your principles. Michelle More Advice From Slate My 13-year-old daughter just got her first smartphone and made an Instagram account (with permission). She followed her older cousin who is 23, and whom she admires. I also have Instagram and follow her cousin (my niece). My niece is great, but she occasionally posts inappropriate things. This is part of Sly as Fox, a short series about the perils of underestimating Fox News in 2024. In the wake of historic lawsuits, Rupert Murdochs exit, Tucker Carlsons firing, and more, it might seem like Fox News is in retreat. It isntand the people who are likely to decide the next election tend to watch the network. Below, a 24-hour diary of what theyre hearing on a typical day: in this case, May 9, the day Stormy Daniels was cross-examined in Donald Trumps trial. 5:27 a.m. Stormy Daniels will be back on the witness stand today, where she is reportedly expected to face a longer cross-examination is Fox & Friends First co-host Todd Piros lead-in to the story of the day. After establishing the topic, Piro transitions to an interview segment with Gene Hamilton, the vice president of America First Legal, a Stephen Millerfronted group intent on opposing the radical lefts anti-jobs, anti-freedom, anti-faith, anti-borders, anti-police, and anti-American crusade. Gene, as to this longer cross-examinationmakes sense to me. A longer cross gives Stormy Daniels more time to self-destruct on the stand, says Piro, a former lawyer. Bad for the prosecution, great for the defense. Your thoughts? Youre absolutely right, Todd, says Hamilton. That is exactly the purpose of an effective cross-examination. You have to undermine the witnesss credibility and show to the jury that what she is saying might in fact not be true. An informative observation! Alas, I cannot tell you much more about the substance of this segment, because I got distracted by an unfortunately placed lighting fixture in Hamiltons background, which made it look like there were antennae sprouting from his head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 5:42 a.m. Piros co-host Carley Shimkus is joined by Republican Rep. Joe You Lie! Wilson, best known for interrupting a 2009 Barack Obama speech with the aforementioned blurt, and I cannot help thinking that this is a man who missed his moment. If the South Carolinian had timed his outburst to coincide with the peak conservative wingnut era, You Lie! wouldve been on T-shirts, and he wouldve immediately become a right-wing social media icon. Instead, hes stuck doing live hits before sunrise with the Fox News C-team. So what is Wilson outraged about this morning? Joe Bidens immigration policies, of course. What theyre proposing, really, is a fraud, says Wilson, and it doesnt really have the same ring to it as his first catchphrase. I guess some people peak early! Advertisement 6 a.m. Good mornin, everybody! It is 6 a.m. here in New York City. Also, we have 60 degrees. Its beautiful outside! sings Steve Doocy as Fox & Friends First throws to Fox & Friends, the networks long-running three-hour-long morning chat extravaganza. Its gonna be nice, says Ainsley Earhardt. It is! Were gonna go outside and see some dogs in a little while, but, in the meantime, welcome aboard, says Doocy, as Earhardt chuckled and a stone-faced Brian Kilmeade stares directly into the camera, nodding grimly. Dogs, weather, and barely suppressed ragethats the Fox & Friends formula! Advertisement 6:05 a.m. Sen. Rick Scott, Republican of Florida, is in studio with the Fox & Friends crew for an animated discussion that touches on several newsy topics, including the Israel-Gaza war. (Doocy: So whose side is Joe Biden on? Scott: Well, hes clearly on Hamas side.) Scott is in New York to attend Trumps trial, and the segment eventually works its way over to that story. This is just political persecution. Its a crime to use the courts for political persecution, Scott says. And, by the way, I saw this. It happened to me. I fought HillaryCare, and guess what happened when I fought HillaryCare? [The Department of] Justice came after me and attacked me and my company. The incident to which the senator was referring happened decades ago, when Scott was CEO of Americas largest for-profit hospital chain, which under his leadership came under FBI investigation for Medicare fraud; Scott was ousted as CEO, and the company eventually paid a then-record $1.7 billion fine. If we dont stop this, they can go after you. Every Americans at risk, Scott continues, and it probably seems like a very good point to all of the corporate health care profiteers who tuned in to watch their buddy on TV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 6:27 a.m. Theres a huge spike in Chinese migrants, says Doocy, as an on-screen graphic sourced to U.S. Customs and Border Protection announces that 1,026 Chinese nationals were apprehended the previous week for illegally entering the United States. He is soon joined by former acting ICE Director Tom Homan, a burly man with a perpetual scowl who supervised and has since vociferously defended the Trump administrations family separation policy. Homan has since become a Fox News contributor, and we will be seeing a lot of him this year as the network attempts to persuade viewers that the Biden administrations migrant policies have made the country dangerously unsafe. Homan has plenty to say on that topic. Unfortunately for Fox, much of what Homan has to say is hard to understand, because he mumbles. Advertisement 7:07 a.m. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, fresh off of successfully thwarting Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes misbegotten motion to vacate the speakership, joins the gang live from the Capitol rotunda. In the background of the shot, you can see a separate camera and lighting setup awaiting a guest, presumably belonging to a different network. I like to imagine Johnson concluding his Fox hit and then running halfway around the rotunda to immediately hop on with some other show. Now thats what I call a victory lap. Advertisement 7:27 a.m. Earhardt convenes a segment about the vicious anti-Israel protesters at Columbia University, as part of the networks ongoing efforts to portray them as entitled children and their actions as violent and unruly. To that end, she plays a clip of a Free Press interview with one of the Hamilton Hall custodians who was on duty when protesters briefly occupied the building, and then sits down with John Samuelsen, president of the Transport Workers Union of America, who earlier that week had announced his intent to sue Columbia on behalf of the workers negatively affected by the building takeover. (Those workers are members of the TWU.) Advertisement Advertisement What was your reaction when you knew that your guys were stuck in that building? Earhardt asks. Well, we were appalled, says Samuelsen, who speaks with a thick Brooklyn accent and flaunts an untucked shirt. Dont be fooled by surface impressions, though: Samuelsen, who previously led the NYC public transit union, is a smart operator who knows exactly what Earhardt is up to. Just to be clear, it wasnt every protester, and not every protester at Columbia has been hostile to our workforce. Were particularly incensed at Columbia for not protecting the workers, and particularly pissed at those particular protesters that tried to hold our workers in the building, Samuelsen says. I, for one, would subscribe to an organized labor-themed podcast called John Samuelsen Is Pissed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 7:34 a.m. A poorly lit Mike Huckabee appears in an ad for something called The Kids Guide to the Presidential Election. Presidential elections are something that Huckabee understands very well, having failed to make it out of the primaries in two of them. As the candidates race toward the White House, America hopes for a clean and fair election. But do your kids understand what that means? he asks. Judging by the excerpts shown in the ad, it is not at all clear whether Mike Huckabees pamphlet is capable of enlightening them. (Did you know? that a Lame Duck is not a poor duck with a broken leg? Find out what it is on Page 16.) 8:01 a.m. At the top of the third and final hour of Fox & Friends, the gang teases some of the material theyll cover in the remainder of the show. Can the way you text give your age away? Kilmeade reads, as a TikTok video of someone texting with both thumbs takes up the screen. Hmm! Definitely, Earhardt interjects. Advertisement Advertisement One TikTok user claims each generation has a different way of communicating, Kilmeade finishes, and as the camera cuts back to the hosts on the studio couch, Steve Doocy, apparently on his ninth cup of coffee, is all but bouncing up and down in anticipation. Advertisement Oh, thats a good tease! I wanna know the answer, Doocy says. Right, but I dont want TikTok. TikTok evil, says Kilmeade. The final hour of Fox & Friends starts right now, and you know the deal. You know the deal! Mornings are better with friends!!! Doocy exclaims. 8:24 a.m. After laughing their way through the generational texting story and announcing that Kilmeade is the worst texter of all the Fox & Friends crewit was a legitimately fun segmentthe gang gets back on topic and throws to their man on the street at the Donald Trump trial. Well, it will be stormy for Stormy when she returns to the stand this morningas you said, in just about an hour from nowafter, man oh man, what we heard here from the stand on Tuesday, says correspondent Eric Shawn, whom you also might remember from his cameo appearance as TV Reporter #2 in Gremlins 2: The New Batch. Shawns cheesy introductory wordplay is the highlight of his segment, which the hosts speed through quickly, presumably to deprive Shawn of the chance to say the line again. Advertisement 8:27 a.m. Last time Stormy was on the stand, in the morning, when the prosecution was interviewing her, the testimony was good for the prosecution. Then, on cross-examination, things kinda fell apart, says Doocy, in prelude to an in-studio segment with attorney Rebecca Rose Woodland, who has appeared on many different TV networks as a legal analyst. Advertisement Advertisement Yes, they did, they fell apart, because whats happening here is the judge is allowing a ridiculously wide scope of factual information to come in that has nothing to do with this case, Woodland says. This is a records case on bookkeeping. Advertisement Yes! breathes Earhardt, from off camera. As the segment goes on, it becomes clear that Woodland still has gum in her mouth. Advertisement 8:55 a.m. Almost three hours after they were first invoked, Doocy, Earhardt, and Kilmeade finally make it outside to see those damn dogs. 9:19 a.m. Were into Americas Newsroom, anchored by Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino, both of whom made my December 2021 Slate ranking of the 10 least despicable people left at Fox News in the wake of Chris Wallaces then-recent departure. While Hemmer and Perino wont go out of their way to avoid or rebut Foxs daily storylines, their show is more distinctly journalistic than the two programs that precede it each day. What does that mean in practice? Basically, instead of sitting on a couch, they sit behind a big curved desk with a graphic on the front that says Americas Newsroom. Advertisement Advertisement At 9:19 a Fox News Alert is sounded, and Perino throws it to a live feed of Donald Trump walking into the courthouse and reading a brief statement to the press. As he approaches the cameras, I spy the gaunt Rick Scott looming sepulchrally in the background, presumably waiting for somebody to notice him so that he can launch into his HillaryCare spiel again. 9:24 a.m. Hemmer and Perino, alongside former MTV VJ and current Fox commentator Kennedy and former NYPD inspector Paul Mauro, take a few minutes to poke fun at Michael Cohens TikTok account. Cohens TikTok last night was incredible, Mauro says. Hes wearing a T-shirt of Donald Trump behind bars in cuffs, and hes begging his followers to get to a million followers, and hes begging for subscribers. Honestly, Mauros bemused recitation of Cohens TikTok performance doesnt seem all that different from the sort of thing I might send to my editor in prelude to pitching a blog post on the topic. In this momenteven if only in this momentAmericas Newsroom really does seem like a newsroom. Advertisement Advertisement 10:06 a.m. As Stormy Daniels resumes her testimonythe judge has barred cameras from the courtroom, which means there is no live footage for cable news to airHemmer brings in former U.S. Attorney Brett Tolman, who sets up what we can expect from the mornings cross-examination. Now, what youre gonna see now is the defense team is going to adapt a strategy that is very common on cross-examination, and that is the strategy to get the witness unsettled, get them defensive, and then go in for the kill on some of the more important details of the transaction thats at hand, Tolman predicts. Its basically the same point that Gene Hamilton was making almost five hours earlier, with one critical difference: Tolman, who is appearing in front of a mountainous backdrop, does not appear to have little antennae growing out of his head. Sucks for him! Justin Peters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 11 a.m.: We kick off The Faulkner Focus with a lovely rant from host Harris Faulkner, who marks Day 2 of the nasty storytelling sex film worker. We even get a little word from Ted Cruz, who sputters about how no one believes Donald Trump has been celibate all his life. 11:06 a.m.: Florida Sen. Rick Scott, who reportedly arrived at the courthouse alongside Trump, is once again ranting to the press about how the justice system went after my company and is now targeting Trump. Im proud of him for standing up for all of us, Scott says. Because if they can go after him, they can go after any of you. 11:08 a.m.: We go from Scotts empty lectern to a Faulkner Focus panel, featuring legal analyst Jonna Spilbor, Fox Business commentator and ex-congressman Sean Duffy, and former acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker, whose wife is a devoted Slate reader. Duffy starts by raging against woke-ified law schools and the supposedly woke-ified graduates going on to staff a woke-ified justice system. Spilbor jumps off Scotts point about Democratic Partyconnected prosecutors to hint that there might be some ramifications for Judge Juan Merchan when this case is over, and remember I said that, earning a loud and affirmative mmm! from Faulkner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 11:18 a.m.: Weve got an ad here with Mike Huckabee on guitar. 11:37 a.m.: Faulkner cycles through a couple clips from MSNBCs Morning Joe and CNNs Inside Politics where commentators appear to cast doubt on the effectiveness of Stormy Daniels testimony, especially when it came to the more explicit sexual tales. The liberal networks [are] now pointing out this is damaging for the prosecution, says Faulkner, as her producers then visually showcase a Wall Street Journal editorial board op-ed about The Stormy Daniels Sex Trial and a Washington Examiner op-ed about The Trump Trial Farce. While she reads out from a segment from the latter piece, she makes sure to shout out the Journal by name but not the Examiner. Ouch! Advertisement 11:50 a.m.: Former George W. Bush speechwriter Marc Thiessen joins to make a solemn point: Totaling up his state and federal trials, Trump is facing 91 distinct charges. But Charles Manson only faced 10! Isnt that weird? 11:53 a.m.: New rage bait just dropped: A photo of Daniels and her attorney, Clark Brewster, taken from inside the witness room and posted on X, formerly Twitter. That picture is absolutely ridiculous, seethes Spilbor. Now they are taking photo-ops at a sham trial of a former president and likely future president. Look how happy they are! The legal analyst then bets Daniels will attempt to profit from the photo. Advertisement Advertisement Stormy Daniels was on the stand in NY v Trump criminal trial for a day and a half, ending at 12:30p today. Couldnt be prouder of my client. pic.twitter.com/riTnzwdsQf clark brewster (@cbrew1) May 9, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement 12:11 p.m.: Not even 20 minutes after Fox viewers were introduced to the photo of Daniels and her attorney, were already back at its foul nature and moneymaking potential. This is a grift! yells Faulkner. This is not selfie-taking time! 12:40 p.m.: Legal commentator Mark Eiglarsh joins by video to yell/chat with Faulkner about how hes holding back disdain for this prosecution until I hear it rest, but this TRIAL has JUMPED the SHARK OFFICIALLY. He doesnt appear to be holding back. Advertisement 1 p.m.: Were now ready for a two-hour broadcast of America Reports, co-anchored by John Roberts and Foxs White House correspondent, Jacqui Heinrich, whos filling in for Sandra Smith. Advertisement 1:05 p.m.: Beloved Fox fixture Judge Jeanine Pirro is here, having gone to check out Thursdays trial proceedings for herself. Now, if Trumps lawyer Susan Necheles cross-examination of Daniels wasas my colleague Susan Matthews characterized itastonishingly simplistic and, frankly, petty, full of sexist questions that tried to drag Daniels as both a slut and a money-grubber, thats not how Pirro saw it. Instead, the host lavished praise upon Necheles for giving a master class in cross-examination and making Daniels come off as hateful and kooky. 1:12 p.m.: Oops, we lost Pirro right as Roberts, Heinrich, and Pirro were about to tear into something Jen Psaki said on MSNBC. So we have Townhall.com editor Katie Pavlich helping kill the time until they figure out the technical difficulties. Advertisement 1:22 p.m.: Well, perhaps we wont figure out those technical difficulties, because weve already moved on to correspondent Lydia Hu, standing outside the courtroom and offering a preview of the forthcoming testimony from former Trump Organization bookkeeper Madeleine Westerhout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 p.m.: Upon the second hour of America Reports, we must ask: Will America ever stop reporting? 2:10 p.m.: Washington Times opinion editor Charlie Hurt has been on for a few minutes to rant about the fundamentally unserious trial of Donald Trump, and we go to a clip of the defendants morning remarks, in which he quotes fromwhaddaya know!an April 16 America Reports segment where legal commentator Jonathan Turley described the lawsuit as a Frankenstein case. John Roberts makes a riff referencing Young Frankenstein, which causes Hurt to guffaw and rave about one of Trumps greatest gifts, which is to take whats obvious to everyone and boil it down into very vivid and colorful language. Advertisement 2:12 p.m.: Weve got an ad about how the Federal Reserve is printing too much money, so its time to stock up on gold. 2:27 p.m.: Mark Eiglarsh returns, this time alongside legal analyst Mercedes Colwin. Eiglarsh once against screeches about the salacious details from Daniels testimony, Colwin kiddingly thanks him for getting that image in my head, and John Roberts wonders if the poor jury will be able to unsee any of this. 2:44 p.m.: Fox & Friends Brian Kilmeade is here! With more of the same regarding every aforementioned topic, although he gives a little sneak preview of his forthcoming One Nation broadcast, where West Virginias own Joe Manchin will have lots to say about his own party. You dont say. Advertisement 2:53 p.m.: Jonathan Turley re-rereturns to paint a picture of how the vibes in the courtroom went from a Sex Pistols concert to Gregorian chants with the witness transition from Daniels to Westerhout. 3 p.m.: Its time for The Story With Martha MacCallum, although to take it from the opening monologue, it doesnt appear this story will be much different from what weve been hearing throughout the day: BAD Stormy Daniels. Advertisement 3:14 p.m.: Judge Jeanine is back, comparing her courtroom experience Thursday to watching The Sixth Sense. 3:28 p.m.: Another former Trump lawyer yells a lot. 3:40 p.m.: A real cursed blunt rotation here as Ari Fleischer, ex-Rep. Jason Chaffetz, and former Obama White House adviser Robert Wolf join to discuss a Quinnipiac poll that shows Biden ahead of Trump in Wisconsin. Wolf touts the strength of the Biden record without all of this nonsense from the courts; Fleischer makes the point that the polls will be close until November; and Chaffetz mocks Biden as someone who can barely communicate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 4 p.m.: Whose world is this? Its Your World With Neil Cavuto. We begin with Fox News correspondent Nate Foy recapping his time in the courthouse, when Madeleine Westerhout became emotional on the stand describing Donald and Melanias relationship. 4:30 p.m.: John Torture Memos Yoo is on to rip the case against Trump, to denigrate Daniels credibility, and offer kind words to Madeleine Westerhout, because she happily recalls her time working with Trump. More of the same, folks. Nitish Pahwa 5 p.m.: We launch into The Five, which has five co-hosts and begins at 5 p.m. Eastern time. A fun idea there, all the 5s. Host Dana Perino notes that Daniels appeared on a supernatural investigations show in which she discovered that what she thought was a ghost in her house was actually a possum. Advertisement 5:06 p.m. Jeanine PirroJudge Jeaninesays that Daniels credibility suffers because she said she wouldnt tell the story of her alleged affair to Slate.com unless she was paid for it. Hey, thats us! I wouldve paid her, personally. 5:11 p.m. All five co-hostseven Richard Fowler, the days liberalturn out to agree that Daniels testimony was not helpful to the prosecutions case. Advertisement Advertisement 5:18 p.m. Greg Gutfeld pronounces Holocaust as, like, Hole-o-caust. Never heard that one. 5:25 p.m. Fowler pushes back on Pirros claims about the moral righteousness of Israels war in Gaza, pointing out that none of the children whove died in bombardments chose to be led by Hamas, which leads to Jesse Watters making a relatively sophisticated/fair point about Biden wanting to avoid the PR blowback of a Rafah invasion despite having essentially sponsored Israels war up to this point. A commercial for MyPillow follows. 5:45 p.m. Gutfeld pronounces fentanyl as fenta-nol. Advertisement 6:31 p.m. Turley againbusy day! He appears on Bret Baiers news show to discuss antiwar protests at George Washington University. Turley says the protests have prevented him from being able to drive to his office. 7:01 p.m. Laura Ingraham calls Alvin Bragg pudgy and says Daniels is an angry shrew, then plays videos of other cable networks analysts reacting to Daniels testimony. To emphasize: The subject of her opening segment is MSNBC and CNN panel reactions. 7:22 p.m. Its harrowing how silent the studio of a single-host show can sound when theyre delivering a line that isnt landing. It feels, right now at 7:22 p.m., like Laura Ingraham, during her segment about how disgusted she purportedly is about how insensitive Joe Bidens comments about grocery prices were during an interview he did with CNN, is the only person on Earth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 7:51 p.m. A commercial for NeuroQ pills says their formula relies on the work of brain scientists and brain doctors. 7:59 p.m. Ingrahams show concludes with commentary on a clip from MSNBC. 8:04 p.m. Jesse Watters show starts with two clips of people talking on CNNand not even people whose analysis he disagrees with; they were being critical of Biden. Its just there as, like, exposition. He does this again a few minutes later with Anderson Cooper laughing about the Stormy Daniels/possum thing. Advertisement Related From Slate The Most Successful Man on Fox News Is Almost the Dumbest. This Is Not a Coincidence. Read More 8:51 p.m. Credit where its due: It was a good idea to ask people attending a furry convention in New Jersey whether theyve noticed that the price of fur suits has gone up in Bidens economy. (Some of them said yes.) Advertisement 9:04 p.m. First segment of Sean Hannitys show? You know its Anderson Cooper talking about the possum thing! 9:25 p.m. Holy crap, thats what Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sounds like now? Wow. (Segment about Kennedys appearance on a podcast in which he said abortion should be legal at any time during pregnancy, part of the wave of right-wing attacks on Kennedy that have followed a wave of anxiety about his potential to draw votes away from Trump. Hannity assures his guests that we have 179 days left to spread awareness of Kennedys positions.) 9:41 p.m. Guest Mark Levin concludes a segment about Biden holding back a shipment of weapons to Israel by shoutingliterally screaming and shoutingfor three-and-a-half uninterrupted minutes. (The premise is that hes talking to Bidenhow dare you, sir, etc. This happens a lot on Fox prime time.) Levin describes Bidens comments about indiscriminate Israeli bombing as blood libel against Jews and says that Biden funded Oct. 7. (Its a convoluted accusation involving Iran.) For the last 78 seconds of his segment Levin is shouting over the music that signals that its time to go to commercial, like what happens when acceptance speeches go on too long at the Oscars. Advertisement 10:04 p.m. Greg Gutfelds show opens with an actual late-night comedy monologue. One of his topics is about the dating app Bumblewhose gimmick was that only women were allowed to make initial contact with other userschanging its rules to allow men to make the first move. It turns out putting women in the drivers seat for dating was as bad of an idea as putting them in the drivers seat for driving, he says. I laughed. Some of the other jokes were problematic, though. 10:43 p.m. Gutfelds panelists are not impressed by a bill introduced by Republican Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles that would send any college student convicted of unlawful activity to Gaza for six months of community service. One calls it virtue signaling. 10:57 p.m. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee appears in a commercial promoting a sleep drug called Relaxium. The next advertisement is for something called Super Beta Prostate. Ben Mathis-Lilley Gabfest Reads is a monthly series from the hosts of Slates Political Gabfest podcast. Recently, Emily Bazelon talked with Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy about their new book, Our Kindred Creatures: How Americans Came to Feel the Way They Do About Animals. This partial transcript has been edited and condensed for clarity. Emily Bazelon: I wanted to bring in also the industrialization of livestock which is so much with us now in terms of how we raise food and how far away it seems and how little, I think, lots of people want to think about what it takes to get that food onto our plate. How are people thinking about this in the late 19th century and how is it a shift away from the kind of tactile immediacy of a family farm where you really interacted with all the animalswhose eggs you took or whose meat you ate? Bill Wasik: It really is a remarkable transformation during just a few decades where around the time of the Civil WarI guess this transformation begins in the kind of 1840s and 1850you have the Midwestern producers start raising the animals and then shipping them by rail to various population hubs to be slaughtered locally. So thats the first big shift. Then what you have, and this is really the shift that we document more in the book, is the rise of refrigerated rail cars allowing you to do meat packing. So, right next to the stockyards in Chicago, which really becomes the epicenter of this, you have these massive sort of slaughter factories that develop, where the animals get sold to Armour and Company or Swift and Company, these big meat centers. They will slaughter the animals right there in these big, kind of grim, factory-like buildings, and they will pack the meat for shipment and the meat will get shipped all around the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This really kind of completes the transformation of the food animal from being something that really lives and dwells and dies kind of near you to something that becomes this abstraction, often hundreds of miles away. And it just makes it possible to not really be aware of its existence and certainly not be aware of the kind of scale of the life and death of the animals and the just sort of general kind of grimness of their lives. Youre able to sort of put it out of mind a lot more because of that transformation. I was really struck by how this whole period sets up this dichotomy we still live with, where were incredibly devoted, maybe too devoted, to our pets, interested at least in some forms of wild animals like polar bears and elephants, and then mostly we just shut out thinking about the livestock that we consume. Often, I wrestle myself with how much to care about animal welfare versus human welfare. Is one becoming distracted from human misery by thinking about animals? Advertisement But your book made me think differently about this. I started thinking of caring about animal welfare and rights as a kind of essential marker of the development of society: that there can be energy that goes toward this. And I wanted to get your thoughts about exactly how we should care. Where does it make sense to place our energy? How do we take some of our over-love and overspending on pets and get more benefit for more animals from that? Is that something we can transfer beyond our own beloved creatures? Advertisement Wasik: The awareness, I do think, is a big part of it. I mean, one of the things we talk about in the conclusion to the book is that one of the problems of caring about, for example, food animals, is that it isnt just that theyre at a distance from us, but also the relationship between, say, our consumptionthe things we spend money onand how theyre treated is also just crazily mediated and systemic. If you buy a latte, the foam in the latte is not just going to come from one cow that you could sort of sit and think about that cow. Its going to come from hundreds of cows, and the sense of responsibility becomes very diffused. Advertisement Advertisement And I think that climate change, of course, kind of looms over everything about animal treatment because one of the big important reasons that we need to think differently about food animals is not just their welfare, but also the fact that they are just an incredible source of carbon emissions, and that reducing our reliance on animal products will wind up being really, really important to getting to a sustainable future. But the other thing that, I think, is analogous there, is that climate change has a similar sort of problem where the connection between what-we-do and the effects-of-what-we-do is so complex and mediated that it doesnt really trigger the moral sense in the same way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And so, one of the things that I think a lot about is the process, which I do think is ongoing, of us developing a kind of systems way of thinking about our decisions. We talk a lot about how problems are systemic, and I do think one of the complications of thinking about problems as systemic is that it means that its a little bit harder for us to totally understand the connection between what we do and the effects of it. But I do think that really forcing ourselves to think about the connection between the decisions that we make and the way that these distant animals are treated is just something that we need to keep front of mind a lot more. Maybe thats not the most satisfying or effective answer, but Im also not sure that theres any other way to think about it. Monica Murphy: Id say, too, that it doesnt feel like a real choice to me to choose between kindness to animals and kindness to our fellow human beings. Because very often when were choosing that kindest choice for animals, were choosing something thats basically pro-human at the same time. Being more aware of consequences of our actions as consumers, as community members, that tends to sort of carry towards better behavior towards your fellow creatures, human and otherwise. This is part of Sly as Fox, a short series about the perils of underestimating Fox News in 2024. You probably know all about the leg cam. Fox News penchant for angles that highlight the alluring lower limbs of its female hosts was first reported more than 10 years ago, just one of the myriad ways the conservative network commodified its women. Some things have changed since then. Roger Ailes, the man who allegedly built Fox News into the sort of place where ogling womens legs was encouraged, was ousted from the network in 2016, amid allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct from more than 20 women. Fox News had always been chauvinist, but the Ailes debacle revealed how this attitude infused the network as a workplace too. It wasnt long before Hollywood turned the whole thing into a movie, 2019s Bombshell. These days, if you tune into The Five, you might notice co-host Jeanine Pirro sitting in the so-called legs seatbut she almost always wears pants, not a short skirt. And yet the leg cam hasnt died. The panel show Outnumbered, for instance, frequently features unencumbered views of all three of its female hosts legs in short skirts. (Each day, they are joined by one male guest panelist, aka #OneLuckyGuytheir words, of course.) Overall, in the years since the networks sexism became a national topic of discussion, Fox News beauty standards for its female hosts havent changed all that much. Historically, the Fox News woman has been traditionally feminine, with a hint, or sometimes more than a hint, of sex appeal. Think painstakingly blown-out hair, usually blond, and form-fitting dresses. As Dan Cassino, a professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University and the author of Fox News and American Politics, told me, the idea is that you dont have to worry with these women. They are going to be sexy, but they are also not gonna be threatening to you. Were not threatening the patriarchy in any way here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reece Peck, a professor at the College of Staten Island and the author of Fox Populism: Branding Conservatism as Working Class, agreed but thinks theres more to it: Theres a kind of an Erin Brockovich vibe, where being girly is kind of a badge of ordinariness. Fox News anchors, in other words, feel relatable if aspirational to the networks female audience watching at home. For years, the ultimate relatable-if-aspirational quality for this segment of the population has been the blond hair. Fox News practically invented the archetype of the conservative blond woman, for whom flaxen hair is, as New York magazine once put it, a dog whistle of whiteness, an unspoken declaration of values, a wink-wink to the power of racial privilege. If you want to look for hints of change at the network, you might observe that in addition to wearing pants, another thing women there seem to be allowed to do with slightly more frequency now is have hair thats a color other than blond. Peck told me that he thinks the network is subtly moving away from the hyperwhite, country music, girl-next-door, heartland look that it once more firmly favored. There have always been brunettes, but he has noticed more of themone prominent example is Outnumbereds Emily Compagnoand more diversity in general: more Hispanic women, particularly Cubans, such as Sara Carter, and more white ethnics, like Italians, he said. It fits where the conservative movement has been headed. But there are still plenty of traditional Fox News blondes to be found, between prominent hosts like Ainsley Earhardt, of Fox & Friends, and newer contributors like Nicole Parker, a former FBI agent who joined the network this year to provide law enforcement analysis. Advertisement Advertisement An infatuation with blondness isnt just a Fox News thing, it should be noted, and all television news programs make it their business to hire attractive on-air talent. At Fox, though, theres a way of taking things to extremes. On this point, Peck told me he suspects that there are more former pageant winners and models among Fox News personalities than there are at other networkslike onetime Miss Minnesota Lauren Green (now Foxs chief religion correspondent) or Miss Missouri 2010, Ashley Strohmier (an overnight anchor). Advertisement Experts pointed out that while there may be some rules and top-down edicts about how to look and dress on air, its also just as likely that these codes are self-perpetuating to some degree. At a place like Fox News, I dont have to bring in women I have to force to dress a certain way, Cassino said, inhabiting the mindset of a network executive. I hire women because they dress a certain way. And so after Im gone they keep on dressing that way anyway. Advertisement Stefanie Davis Kempton, a professor at Penn State Altoona and a former television journalist (though not for Fox), told me, When youre working and you have these goals of moving up, you are going to try to emulate the people who you want to be like. So if you want to work for MSNBC, youre going to watch MSNBC. Youre going to absorb what they do. If your goal is to work for Fox News, youre going to do the same thing. Advertisement Advertisement That may partly explain why, like the shift in acceptable hair colors, Foxs embrace of pants has been subtle too. Cassino said that in his view, the Fox News women havent caught up to the pantsed masses at the other networks. When you watch CNN or MSNBC, you are much more likely to see women wearing suits, wearing pants, wearing jackets, he said. On the other networks, we dont see nearly the frequency of women wearing the midlength dresses. There is a very much an aesthetic difference. And when pants are seen on Fox, sexy footwear may accompany them, Cassino added. They are paired inevitably with very high heels. Advertisement Wardrobe-wise, the sheath dress in particular has reigned over TV news for the past decade or so, a swing of the pendulum away from a previous era, in the 80s and 90s, of blazers and androgyny. And on Fox News, the sheath dress tends to be ever-so-slightly sexier than it is on other networksPeck said he has seen the womens clothing on the network described as somewhere between the club and professional attire. Advertisement The other rule of dressing like a Fox News woman seems to be wearing lots of color, frequently solid color, which is thought to play well on camera. This means lots of pastels, lots of jewel tones, lots of very bright colors, Cassino saidbut the same isnt true of the men on screen. For men, even their ties are very red, blue, gray. When a woman wears a bright color, he went on, it is saying to you, This is not a masculine color. This is not a black or a gray or a dark blue, which are serious colors. So I am not threatening because Im not being that serious. Advertisement There can be a more direct message in the accessories. Womens jewelry sometimes seems more prominent on Fox News than it does on other networks, and cross necklaces are much more common. Laura Ingraham started that, I think, but yeah, they all do that, Peck said. Its the Christian signaling. Thats such a perfect symbol of the contradictions where, on one hand, you are engaging in hedonism with this more sexualized style. On the other hand, youre saying its in the service of Christian morality. If not crosses, large statement jewelry frequently adorns hosts ears and necks, where it can stand out on camera and further emphasize the femininity of the women wearing it. In makeup, Fox News seems to take a more-is-more philosophy too. Vincenza Carovillano worked at Fox News as a makeup artist for 12 years, both before and after the end of the Ailes era. The one thing that I could say across the board that I definitely brought to all the women I worked with at Fox is glam, she told me, recalling that she would add highlighter, gloss, and lashes, anything to give womens face that extra pop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With regular news, they can stick to more of a corporate look, she said, though she does think other networks are getting increasingly comfortable with more glam. Fox may be getting a little, tiny bit like the other networks, while the rest of the world gets a little more Fox-y. Cassino observed that Fox News women tend to be in full-glam makeup no matter the time of day or program, whereas on other networks, its more context dependent. Whats interesting about it is that we dont get a gradation of makeup from the morning into the evening parts, he said. The sort of makeup you get on morning TV is different than what you normally see on evening TV. Were going to have more makeup in the morning, and were going to kind of be more serious and less makeup in the evening. On Fox News, though, its always glam oclock. Be that as it may, at least now the women do get to wear pants once in a while. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240519/age-race-sexual-orientation-should-political-expression-be-a-protected-class-too-1118524999.html Age. Race. Sexual Orientation. Should Political Expression Be A Protected Class Too? Age. Race. Sexual Orientation. Should Political Expression Be A Protected Class Too? Sputnik International Your boss cant fire you because of the color of your skin. He cant get rid of you because he doesnt like your religion. Federal law protects you against employment discrimination based on your sex, race, pregnancy status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information or (if you are over 40) age. 2024-05-19T05:22+0000 2024-05-19T05:22+0000 2024-05-19T05:22+0000 analysis ted rall censorship political censorship media censorship americans democrats republicans us elections undemocratic https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/13/1118525497_0:192:3072:1920_1920x0_80_0_0_d7f5a60f1f20c8a5603a327d68e47bd2.jpg Should he be able to deprive you of your ability to pay your rent because youre a Democrat? Or a Republican? Of course notyet he can.Its time to add another protected class to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: political expression.Every year, especially during election years, American employers fire, demote and/or retaliate against loyal workers because they disagree with their constitutionally-guaranteed right to hold a political opinion. While a company may well have a reasonable interest in keeping politics out of the workplacethe owner of a restaurant might not want a waiter to engage in a political debate with their customer, for examplemany employees get let go despite never having expressed a political opinion on the job. In most states, they cant sue.Going after a person over their politics is unfair. But its a much bigger problem than a violation of common decency. Because threatening a persons livelihood over their opinions has a chilling effect on the expression of other workers as well, allowing such thuggish behavior stifles the speech necessary for a vibrant political system and is thus profoundly undemocratic.Most important, a 2022 New York Times editorial opined, freedom of speech is the bedrock of democratic self-government. If people feel free to express their views in their communities, the democratic process can respond to and resolve competing ideas. Ideas that go unchallenged by opposing views risk becoming weak and brittle rather than being strengthened by tough scrutiny. Most Americans, however, do not feel that they live in a Land of the Free. Only a third of voters said they felt free to express their political views freely, according to a contemporaneous poll.Nowhere is speech circumscribed more than at workunless youre a government employee, where youre protected by the First Amendment, or you live in one of the handful of states that protect private-sector workers who express political opinions. Private employers are authoritarian dictatorships where its best to keep your views to yourself. Your boss harsh governance should end at the end of your work shift.Yet it does not.Employment discrimination in response to political expression is not limited to victims with fringe political views, like the pizza-shop and hot-dog-joint workers who got fired after online sleuths discovered that they had attended a far-right white-nationalist rally in Charlottesville in 2017, or the white-collar workers canned for their presence at the January 6th Capitol riot. To be clear, however, there was no evidence that the doxxed-and-dumped employees in these situations had expressed their views while on the job. They should not have been let go.Citizens with vanilla affiliations within the duopoly are targeted too.An Alabama woman was famously fired from her job at an insulation company in 2004 for being a Democrat, and more specifically the Kerry-Edwards bumpersticker on her car, which she parked in the employee parking lot. (Her boss, a Bush supporter, had passed out GOP flyers to his workers.) She had no right to sue.In 2022, a woman who co-founded a non-profit organization that provides financial stipends for Congressional interns was fired by her own board after it learned she was a conservative Republican. She filed a long-shot federal lawsuit, which is pending.More recently, antiwar activists who oppose Israels war against Gaza have found themselves the victims of retaliation. People have been fired for personal social-media posts supporting the Palestinians. Pro-Palestine college students have been doxxed, suspended, expelled and blacklisted by prospective employers. Google fired 50 employees for staging a protest against the companys contracts with Israeli tech firms; the company said they lost their jobs for causing a disruption rather than their opinions. A bakers dozen of federal judges went so far as to declare that they wouldnt hire any student who graduated from Columbia Universitymy alma mater and ground zero for a wave of campus encampment protestsregardless of their views, or lack thereof, about the Israel-Hamas War.Corporations routinely discriminate based on politics. A 2019 study in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that employers are less likely to hire a job applicant when they become aware that they favor different parties. And workers are well aware that they face political discrimination. A 2020 Cato Institute/YouGov poll found that 32% of workers were personally worried about missing out on career opportunities or losing their job if their political opinions became known. Only 32%?We have a choice. We can build a politically permissive society where a wide range of views and opinions may be freely expressed (with exceptions for defamation or calling for specific violence) without fear of being discriminated against, understanding that we will frequently take offense at what is being said. Or we can continue to push politics underground, keeping our views so secret that some shy voters wont even admit their party affiliation to pollsters. We may feel more comfortable in a seemingly politics-free zone but, as the Times editorial argued above, censorship and self-censorship will encourage the spreading of outlandish, stupid and demonstrably wrong ideas that occasionally become the law of the land.(Ted Rall (Twitter: @tedrall), the political cartoonist, columnist and graphic novelist) https://sputnikglobe.com/20240308/whats-left-5-lets-declare-war-on-economic-insecurity-1117149898.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/one-in-5-us-firms-eyeing-job-cuts-in-coming-months-poll-1106616678.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240519/revealed-us-oligarchs-demanded-police-crackdown-on-pro-palestine-protests-1118524190.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ted Rall https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125340_0:0:360:360_100x100_80_0_0_1ed1a3494a53cde87e19521c3658fe92.jpg Ted Rall https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125340_0:0:360:360_100x100_80_0_0_1ed1a3494a53cde87e19521c3658fe92.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ted Rall https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125340_0:0:360:360_100x100_80_0_0_1ed1a3494a53cde87e19521c3658fe92.jpg protests in us, protestors in capitol, pro-palestinian demonstration, pro-palestinian protest, pro-palestinian protestors, support palestine, genocide, students protest, fight zionism, fight zionists, save palestine, free palestine, stop rafah invasion, stop israel, political persecution, freedom of expression, political rights, free speech, us elections, political views, discrimination, political discrimination, discrimination, bias, political protest, political bias https://sputnikglobe.com/20240519/german-defense-ministry-requests-additional-41bln-to-help-ukraine-1118525193.html German Defense Ministry Requests Additional $4.1Bln for Ukraine Aid German Defense Ministry Requests Additional $4.1Bln for Ukraine Aid Sputnik International The German Defense Ministry has requested an additional 3.8 billion euros ($4.13 billion) from the government to provide assistance to Ukraine, German newspaper Bild reported, citing sources. 2024-05-19T04:50+0000 2024-05-19T04:50+0000 2024-05-19T05:21+0000 world ukrainian crisis boris pistorius olaf scholz german defense ministry kiev christian lindner ukraine germany https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/13/1118525906_0:0:3080:1733_1920x0_80_0_0_9d93cc06ec5199f71e4b4c50eb11d916.jpg German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius met with Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday and with Finance Minister Christian Lindner on Thursday, according to the newspaper.The request for additional funds is due to be submitted to parliament for approval in June, the report pointed out, adding that the Finance Ministry supports the request.The report noted that next year, the Bundeswehr may request a record amount of 15 billion euros ($16.3 billion) to help Kiev.Germany remains the second largest supplier of weapons to Ukraine after the US. To date, Berlin has allocated funds for military support to Kiev and committed to future such expenditures worth about 28 billion ($30.4 billion).Western countries ramped up their military aid to the Kiev regime shortly after beginning of the Russian special military operation. Moscow has repeatedly warned that such assistance would add to exacerbating the Ukraine conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov cautioned that any cargo that contains weapons for Ukraine would become a legitimate target for Russian forces. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240114/germany-fails-to-check-where-ukraine-bound-weapons-go-1116157350.html kiev ukraine germany 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 crisis, boris pistorius, olaf scholz, bundeswehr, germany ukraine, german money ukraine, bundeswehr ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240519/japans-hiroshima-nagasaki-lodge-protest-over-recent-us-subcritical-nuclear-test-1118529426.html Japan's Hiroshima, Nagasaki Lodge Protest Over Recent US Subcritical Nuclear Test Japan's Hiroshima, Nagasaki Lodge Protest Over Recent US Subcritical Nuclear Test Sputnik International The administrations of Japan's Hiroshima and Nagasaki prefectures, which came under the US atomic bombing during the Second World War, have lodged a protest to Washington over the latter's recent subcritical nuclear experiment at the Nevada National Security Site. 2024-05-19T12:06+0000 2024-05-19T12:06+0000 2024-05-19T12:59+0000 asia japan hiroshima nagasaki joe biden national nuclear security administration (nnsa) white house nuclear bombing https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106306/79/1063067909_0:354:1019:927_1920x0_80_0_0_6619ab410f5eacf4cf8521786de17836.jpg Earlier this week, the United States successfully executed another subcritical experiment to allegedly provide essential data on the behavior of materials used in nuclear warheads, the US Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration said. The authority said that the experiment was consistent with the US's self-imposed moratorium on nuclear explosive testing and did not create a self-sustaining, supercritical chain reaction. Nagasaki Governor Kengo Oishi and Nagasaki City Mayor Shiro Suzuki have also sent similar letters to the White House and the US ambassador, Japanese media reported. On August 6 and 9, 1945, the US dropped two atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Around 220,000 people mostly civilians were killed in the attacks and 200,000 more died from deadly radiation exposure. The two cities' residential structures were mostly burned and destroyed in the detonations. japan hiroshima nagasaki 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 nuclear bombing of japan, hiroshima nagasaki protest, us nuclear japanm us nuked japan, hibakusha protest https://sputnikglobe.com/20240519/life-of-slovak-prime-minister-fico-not-in-danger-after-assassination-attempt---govt-1118528943.html Life of Slovak Prime Minister Fico Not in Danger After Assassination Attempt - Gov't Life of Slovak Prime Minister Fico Not in Danger After Assassination Attempt - Gov't Sputnik International Nothing threatens the life of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico after he was seriously injured during an assassination attempt earlier this week, Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kalinak said on Sunday, adding that the recovery forecast was positive. 2024-05-19T10:19+0000 2024-05-19T10:19+0000 2024-05-19T10:19+0000 world robert fico robert kalinak slovakia slovak pm fico assassination attempt bratislava https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/1a/1114491786_0:106:2668:1606_1920x0_80_0_0_677f8b4e94fd2a05c933357c564e47db.jpg Fico, 59, was shot on Wednesday after a government field-meeting in the Slovak city of Handlova located 190 kilometers (118 miles) northeast of Bratislava. The prime minister was taken to a hospital and underwent several surgeries.The suspected shooter, Juraj Cintula, 71, was detained immediately after the attack and charged with attempting to commit a premeditated murder. The Slovak Interior Ministry said the attack was politically motivated as Cintula did not agree with the actions of the government. In particular, he was against stopping the supply of weapons to Ukraine. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240518/was-robert-fico-the-wests-next-color-revolution-target-what-we-know-so-far-1118510683.html slovakia bratislava 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 fico assasination attempt, fico ukraine, fico health, fico slovakia, fico ukraine, slovakia arms ukraine Exact Location of Iranian President Raisi's Helicopter Established The exact location of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter has been established through a signal from one of the crew members, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Sunday. Earlier in the day, Iranian media reported that a helicopter carrying Raisi, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and their companions had suffered an accident in northwestern Iran. Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi later confirmed the accident. Rescue teams have arrived at the scene, but the search operation is complicated by tough weather conditions, reports said. "A few minutes ago, a signal was received from the scene from a helicopter and the phone of one of the crew members," the IRGC commander in the East Azerbaijan province said, as quoted by Iranian news agency Tasnim. The commander noted that the military is heading to the scene right now and hopes to receive "good news." A US Supreme Court ruling decided to overrule an appeals court that forced Pennsylvania to allow mail-in ballots with no date, which is contrary to election integrity. This reversal can lessen votes for entities intent on subverting the elections via cheating, causing election integrity. Reversal of Court Decision on Mail-in Ballots Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown chose to support David Ritter, a failed Republican candidate for a judgeship, declaring the verdict overturned and remanding the case to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit with instructions to be dismissed as redundant, reported the Epoch Times. They still decided to throw out such a US 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals' judgment, which permitted the tallying of mail-in ballots in the race that Ritter had wanted to eliminate since voters did not write the date on the ballot papers. He ended up losing his 2021 bid to represent the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas after 257 mail-in ballots that didn't have dates were recorded. Pennsylvania Republican lawmakers and conservatives submitted amicus briefs and said the 3rd Circuit court's decision challenged the honesty of the 2022 midterm elections. But the Supreme Court's intervention on Tuesday implies that the 3rd Circuit ruling cannot serve as a justification in the three states supported by this regional federal appellate court Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, to enable the tallying of mail-in ballots with minor flaws like the voter has failed to enter the date. Rescinding the US Supreme Court decision doesn't change Ritter's crushing defeat in his race, noted AP News. Ballots Counted in the Former Court Ruling Relatively early this year, the court denied Ritter's attempt to prevent the tallying of ballots that lacked dates. Neil Gorsuch, Samuel Alito, and Clarence Thomas all expressed their dissent. Days before that, a panel on the 3rd Circuit instructed the tallying of the unattributed votes. The division bench decision, according to Alito, "could very well impact the outcome of the election results this year as the electorate heads to the polls on Nov. 8 in midterm elections in which Republican politicians are attempting to wrest control of Congress from the Democrats.", citing US News. One of his worries is that if the rules are not followed, a vote won't be counted, and the appeals court's decision will be gravely flawed. This same 3rd Circuit has adjudicated that nullifying the undated postal votes will indeed infringe a requirement of a groundbreaking 1964 federal law termed the Civil Rights Act that seeks to ensure that slight ballot mistakes need not deny somebody the ability to vote. Nevertheless, Pennsylvania rules mandate the voting public to start writing the date on the outer envelope of their mail-in ballot. Well before the Supreme Court's Tuesday decision, Republican state Sen. David Argall informed The Morning Call that there would be many issues that will come up during the midterm elections and mentioned other provisions, along with the controversial Act 77 revamp, which was implemented in 2019 that made widespread vote-by-mail feasible in Pennsylvania. The US Supreme Court ruled that mail-in ballots with no dates on the outer envelope threaten election integrity. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240519/russias-south-group-of-forces-eliminates-over-680-ukrainian-soldiers-1118529137.html Russia's South Group of Forces Eliminates Over 680 Ukrainian Soldiers Russia's South Group of Forces Eliminates Over 680 Ukrainian Soldiers Sputnik International Russias Ministry of Defense reported on the progress of special military operation and achievements of Russian Armed Forces, including number of eliminated militants and seized positions 2024-05-19T11:54+0000 2024-05-19T11:54+0000 2024-05-19T11:54+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russian army russian armed forces russian defense ministry ukrainian crisis https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/12/1117996680_0:71:1550:942_1920x0_80_0_0_9d95f83c2fc772206757164ca87e08c5.jpg Russia's Yug (South) Group of Forces improved its position along the front line in the past 24 hours, with the Ukrainian armed forces losing over 680 soldiers and two tanks, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday. Russia's Yug (South) Group of Forces also repelled an attack by the Ukrainian armed forces assault group in the area of the village of Novomikhailovka, the Russian Defense Ministry added. Meanwhile, Russia's Vostok (East) Group of Forces eliminated up to 105 Ukrainian troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, three cars, a UK-made 155 mm howitzer FH-70 and a 122 mm self-propelled artillery unit Gvozdika in the past 24 hours. The grouping also repelled two counterattacks by assault groups of the 123rd brigade of the Ukrainian defense forces and the 21st brigade of the Ukrainian national guard in the areas of Urozhaynoye and Staromayorskoye in the DPR, the Russian Defense Ministry added. Sever Group of Forces Continues AdvancingRussia's Sever (North) Group of Forces has continued advancing deep into the enemy's defenses, eliminating up to 230 Ukrainian troops in the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.In the past 24 hours, Russia's Sever Group of Forces repelled five counterattacks by Ukrainian assault groups in the areas of the villages of Volchansk, Liptsi and Tikhoye in the Kharkov Region, the ministry stated.Tsentr Group of Forces Improved Tactical SituationThe Russian Tsentr (Center) Group of Forces has hit three Ukrainian brigades and repulsed seven counterattacks, with Kiev losing up to 345 soldiers, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.The Russian troops also repulsed seven counterattacks near the villages of Sumy, Netaylovo, Novovokalinovo, Umanskoe and Solovyovo in the Donetsk People's Republic, the ministry added.Zapad Group of Forces Seized Better PositionsRussia's Zapad (West) Group of Forces occupied better positions in the past 24 hours, with Kiev losing up to 440 soldiers, three M777 howitzers and two Gvozdika self-propelled howitzers as a result, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.The Russian troops also hit the 63rd mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces near the village of Torskoye (also known as Torske) in the Donetsk People's Republic, the ministry added. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240514/scott-ritter-the-russians-advance-and-ukrainians-cant-stop-them-1118418504.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240511/scott-ritter-predicts-how-ukraine-will-end-1118382169.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia's special military operation, ukrainian crisis, ukrainian losses, ukraine death toll, russia offensive, russia advances https://sputnikglobe.com/20240519/saudi-arabia-us-discuss-strategic-deal-gaza-war-amid-israels-opposition-1118527624.html Saudi Arabia, US Discuss Strategic Deal, Gaza War Amid Israels Opposition Saudi Arabia, US Discuss Strategic Deal, Gaza War Amid Israels Opposition Sputnik International While State Department says the US and Saudi Arabia are "very close to reaching a comprehensive agreement, Riyadh warns that it will not sign the deal unless there is calm in the Gaza Strip. 2024-05-19T08:53+0000 2024-05-19T08:53+0000 2024-05-19T08:53+0000 us saudi arabia world israel gaza strip agreement war government ties negotiations https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/13/1118526858_0:0:3001:1688_1920x0_80_0_0_db21246bd015fd4f0635a7113988a955.jpg White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the kingdom's eastern city of Dhahran to discuss bilateral relations and the Gaza war.The US National Security Adviser and the Saudi Crown Prince also focused on "the situation in Gaza and the necessity of stopping the war there, and facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid."The talks come as US President Joe Biden is reportedly pushing for a "broad" deal between Riyadh and Washington that would see Israel recognize a Palestinian state in exchange for Saudi recognition of the Jewish state.As for the US-Saudi deal, it would include cooperation on a civilian nuclear program, the sale of advanced American-made weapons to Riyadh, and possibly a trade agreement.Sullivan told the Financial Times earlier this month that normalization between Riyadh and Tel Aviv is "the path that we [the US] believe could produce a more secure Israel and a more peaceful region.According to State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, Washington is "very close to reaching an agreement on the bilateral pieces of the package between the United States and Saudi Arabia. However, Riyadh has made it clear that it will not sign off on the deal unless there is calm in Gaza and a path to an independent Palestinian state, Miller added.Bloomberg News earlier reported that the US and Saudi Arabia are "nearing a historic pact" to offer the kingdom "security guarantees and a possible path to diplomatic relations with Israel if its government ends the Gaza war." According to Bloomberg, the pact, if signed, would "potentially reshape the Middle East."In January, media reported that Saudi Arabia had resumed negotiations with the US on a defense deal after a three-month hiatus due to the escalation in the Middle East following the Palestinian militant group Hamas' sudden attack on Israel on Oct. 7. The attack prompted the Jewish state to launch a ground military operation in the Gaza Strip, which is currently being devastated by Israeli airstrikes that have already killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to Hamas health officials.In early August 2023, Washington and Riyadh agreed on the broad contours of a potential deal to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. In September of that year, however, the media quoted a source in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office as saying that Riyadh had informed Washington of the termination of negotiations on a Saudi-Israeli normalization deal.In 2020, the United States initiated a process to normalize relations between Israel and the Arab world. As a result of these efforts, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain signed a series of documents known as the Abraham Accords in September 2020, joined by Morocco in December 2020. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240516/netanyahu-says-israel-can-win-fight-against-hamas-in-gaza-without-us-help-1118466870.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/israel-may-be-poised-to-normalize-relations-with-saudi-arabia-1113612231.html saudi arabia israel gaza strip Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg gaza war, civilian nuclear program, talks between white house national security adviser jake sullivan and saudi arabias crown prince mohammed bin salman, the semi-final version of the draft strategic agreement between riyadh and washington, a saudi-israel normalization deal https://sputnikglobe.com/20240519/ukraines-biggest-smelter-under-threat-due-to-mobilization-induced-worker-shortages-1118528690.html Ukraines Biggest Smelter Under Threat Due to Mobilization-Induced Worker Shortages Ukraines Biggest Smelter Under Threat Due to Mobilization-Induced Worker Shortages Sputnik International Last month, Ukraines parliament adopted a new bill to tighten screws on mobilization aimed at replenishing Ukrainian forces depleted by two years of armed conflict with Russia, a document that took effect on May 18. 2024-05-19T11:09+0000 2024-05-19T11:09+0000 2024-05-19T11:09+0000 ukraine volodymyr zelensky plant law mobilization world company strategy https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/0b/1117864695_0:182:2995:1866_1920x0_80_0_0_1134c1eacbedcf79f7f7b49b38aeb5ac.jpg Ongoing mobilization in Ukraine has ridden roughshod over Ukraine's largest mining and smelting plant, the ArcelorMittal Krivoy Rog, its chief executive Mauro Longobardo has told the Financial Times.According to him, one way to secure the survival of the plant has been through hiring more female workers, with the firm placing huge billboards across the southern city of Krivoy Rog featuring young women in orange overalls with slogans such as "Ladies really run things here!" in a bid to lure employees.The ArcelorMittal Krivoy Rog CEO also referred to the negative impact of military recruiters' tactics, who he said had begun standing at the entrance to the plant during shift changes, "prompting some employees to turn back home and call in sick and potential new recruits to steer clear of the company."Similarly, the Ukrainian government lacks "a unified vision for large enterprises," with the Economy Ministry trying to be supportive and the Defense Ministry putting "psychological pressure" on male staff, per Longobardo.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a bill on the voluntary draft of some groups of convicts into law earlier this week, in a move that highlighted the Kiev regimes desperate attempts to replenish its depleted forces.Last month, Zelensky inked a new mobilization law, which lowered the conscription age from 27 to 25, expanded the powers of enlistment officers and introduced penalties for draft dodgers, including fines of up to 25,000 hryvnias ($640). The document has been in force since May 18. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240427/ukraines-decision-to-adopt-new-mobilization-law-made-under-us-pressure---reports-1118148092.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg ongoing mobilization in ukraine, ukraines parliament, the arcelormittal krivoy rog smelter, arcelormittal krivoy rog's recruitment strategy, a new mobilization law Jiggy Jog S picked up right where she left off. The 2023 Breeders Crown and FanDuel winner, who finished off last year with a four-race win streak, extended her success to five victories in a row Saturday night at The Meadowlands by taking the first major event on The Big Ms bloated stakes calendar, the $198,836 Arthur J. Cutler Memorial for open trotters. [Meadowlands President and Chief Executive Officer] Jeff [Gural] was down in the paddock earlier and told me how horrible I've been doing, so I had to pick my game up, said winning driver Dexter Dunn with a laugh. But you sit behind a horse like Jiggy Jog and they make you look good. There wasnt much in the way of action during the opening half, as Hillexotic, Asteroid, Dover In Motion and Jiggy Jog S lined up 1-2-3-4 past the quarter in :27.3 and half in :55.3. Just after the half, Dover In Motion was moved to the outside by Dave Miller. Dunn put Jiggy Jog S right behind that one as the duo quickly made up ground on the leader, with Dover In Motion almost on even terms with Hillexotic at three-quarters, which went in 1:23.3. Jiggy was now ready to jog. With a little more than an eighth-of-a-mile to go, Dunn tipped the Ake Svanstedt trainee off her live cover and trotted past Dover In Motion in a thoroughly flawless performance, hitting the finish two lengths in front of a fast-closing Asteroid (another Svanstedt student). Dover In Motion settled for third. The final time of 1:50 equalled Jiggy Jog Ss lifetime best. We floated out of there, got a good spot and got a great helmet from Davey [Miller] and when I tipped her off cover there, she showed the speed that we know she's got, said Dunn. A five-year-old daughter of Walner-Hot Mess Hanover, Jiggy Jog S returned $3.80 to her backers as the 4-5 favourite. She now has 19 wins from 36 career starts, good for earnings of $2.4 million for owners Ake Svanstedt Inc., Steve Stewart, John Lengacher and Hickory Hollow Stables. After going eight-for-11 a year ago with three seconds, Dunn had a bold statement about how good Jiggy Jog S could be in 2024. I think she's better, a little bit better [this year], said Dunn. She's gotten bigger. She's filled out a lot. She's really grown since last year and she was pretty fresh out there tonight. I think she was happy to be back at the races. KARL CRUISES AGAIN: Karl continued his march toward Hambletonian Day with another win, taking the second of three $41,096 legs of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters in 1:52.2. The son of Tactical Landing-Avalicious once again raced from off the pace, and once again had little trouble winning for the second time in as many 2024 starts. His final quarter of :26.2 completed a four-length win over Tony Adams S. He paid $2.10 as the 1-9 public choice. The other NJSS divisions went to Glamorous Hanover (1:52.3) and in a 1:52 dead heat, Pantoran and Waterfall. 1:48 IS GREAT: Only minutes after Legendary Hanover established an industry-fastest 2024 mile time of 1:48.3 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, the remarkable Oakwood Ardan IR ($2.40 to win as the 1-5 favourite), a five-year-old gelded son of Sweet Lou-Trend Setter, won the TrackMaster Series final (for horses with a rating of 89.5 or less) in 1:48 to set a new North American seasons best for trainer Robert Cleary, his seventh win in eight starts since his arrival from Great Britain last fall. Just six races later, Maximus Miki equalled the 1:48 clocking after racing parked for the final half-mile in an iron-tough $63,699 Open for pacers. 'Miki,' a five-year-old gelded son of Always B Miki-Beach Gal who is trained by Tom Cancelliere, returned $11.80 as the 9-2 fourth choice. Both 1:48 performers were driven by Andy McCarthy. CLOSE FINISH: Ian McIntosh took down the first prize of $3,425 in The Big Ms free handicapping contest that offered $13,699 USD in total prizes. McIntosh finished with a bankroll of $147.80, just nosing out second-place finisher Kaia Savage, who totalled $145.40 to walk away with $2,000 USD. A LITTLE MORE: After totalling seven winners combined last Saturday, the McCarthy brothers were at it, rolling another seven on the program. On Saturday, it was Todd taking four and Andy three. One week ago, it was the other way around. All-source handle on the 14-race program totalled $3,584,315 USD, marking the 33rd time from 39 cards this year when wagering went past the $3 million USD mark. Racing resumes Friday at 6:20 p.m. (Meadowlands Racetrack) The road to the 2024 North America Cup is becoming shorter as the date quickly approaches and a pair of contenders for the glory announced their presence on Saturday evening, May 18 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Legendary Hanover sits second on the 2024 North America Cup Spring Book odds list with 9-2 odds. The three-year-old colt posted a career-best mile on Saturday in a $23,000 conditioned pace with James MacDonald at the controls for Anthony Beaton. Also on the N.A. Cup Spring Book odds list, in third, with 5-1 odds, Clever Cody (Bob McClure) left from post eight and took the early lead to the quarter in :26. Stormalong (Doug McNair) took second and Legendary Hanover was third going to the opening panel. After that mark, Legendary Hanover took command of the field, yielding a half in :53.4 and three-quarters in 1:22. Uncontested, he flew home to win by 4-1/4 lengths in 1:48.3. Southwind Sambucca (Trevor Henry) and Reign Supreme (Tyler Borth) completed the top three. Clever Cody faced broken equipment and faded. "He's just a lot of fun to sit behind. He's just a big powerhouse and I'm just happy to be along for the ride," said MacDonald. "He was able to get it done, didn't have to push him too hard, but he's just so gifted on his own." Owned by Eric Good, West Wins Stable and Mark Dumain, Legendary Hanover (Huntsville-Lillian Hanover) moved his career record to 8-2-0 and bankroll to $428,100 from 11 lifetime starts. The O'Brien Award winner is a perfect two-for-two this year and earned his new career mark in the mile. As the heavily backed favourite, he returned $2.20 to win. With Spring Book odds of 8-1, Captains Quarters charts in fourth on the path to the N.A. Cup, but the Herb Holland student charted number one in Saturday's $21,000 conditioned pace in race eight. Regular pilot Jody Jamieson was in the seat. The pair, heavily backed, returned $2.30 to win. Captains Quarters got away fifth early and to the quarter in :27.3, but charged to the top after that panel. Without looking back, Captains Quarters hit the half in :55.4 and three-quarters in 1:23.1 before winning by 3-3/4 lengths in 1:50.1. Kaptain Karlos (MacDonald) and Call Me It (Henry) finished second and third, respectively. "This is a real horse and I think everybody knew that last year after the Metro," said Jamieson. "These real horses are hard to stay on as a driver, even a trainer for that matter sometimes. I just pinch myself everyday I'm Captains Quarters' regular driver. I just love every second of it." In his debut appearance of 2024, Captains Quarters (Captaintreacherous-Prescient Beauty) picked up where he left off after the 2023 Metro Pace victory. He moved his career record to 3-1-2 in six starts while moving his lifetime earnings to $536,404 for owner Rich Stiles. To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park. (Standardbred Canada) 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: Indonesian Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, second from left, and Elon Musk, second from right, sign an agreement on enhancing connectivity at a public health center in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia on Sunday, May 19, 2024. Elon Musk arrived in Indonesia's resort island of Bali to launch Starlink satellite internet service in the world's largest archipelago nation. Credit: AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati Elon Musk traveled to Indonesia's resort island of Bali on Sunday to launch Starlink satellite internet service in the world's largest archipelago nation. Wearing a green Batik shirt, Musk was greeted with a garland of flower petals at a community health clinic in Denpasar, the provincial capital of Bali, where he launched the Starlink service alongside Indonesian ministers. Indonesia, a vast archipelago of 17,000 islands sprawled across three time zones with a population of more than 270 million, has been trying for years to secure deals with Musk's Tesla on battery investment and for Musk's SpaceX to provide fast internet for the country's remote regions. During the ceremony, Musk took a speed test of the Starlink internet service with several health workers in Indonesia's remote regions, including in Aru, one of Indonesia's unserved and outermost islands in Maluku province. "This can make it really a lifesaver for remote medical clinics, and I think it could be a possibility for education as well," Musk told reporters. "If you can access the internet and then you can learn anything and you can also sell your business services worldwide. So, I think it's going to be incredibly beneficial," he said. He also signed an agreement on enhancing connectivity in the country's health and education sectors. Details about the agreement between the Indonesian government and Musk's SpaceX, the aerospace company that operates Starlink services, were not provided. Launching the service at a health clinic aligns with Starlink's broader mission of providing affordable access to high-speed internet services, particularly in underserved and remote regions, said Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. Elon Musk gesture upon his arrival at a public health center at Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, on Sunday, May 19, 2024. Elon Musk arrived in Indonesia's resort island of Bali to launch Starlink satellite internet service in the world's largest archipelago nation. Credit: AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati "Our remote regions need Starlink to expand high-speed internet services, especially to help with problems in the health, education and maritime sectors," Pandjaitan, a close ally of Indonesia's President Joko Widodo, told reporters. He held separate talks with Musk on Sunday. Communication and Informatics Minister Budi Arie Setiadi said earlier that local internet providers, which rely on base transceiver stations to transmit signals, are unable to reach outer islands because they have limited coverage. Starlink's satellites, which remain in low orbit, will help them deliver faster internet with nationwide coverage. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said of the more than 10,000 clinics across the country, there are still around 2,700 without internet access. "The internet can open up better access to health services as communication between regions is said to be easier, so that reporting from health service facilities can be done in real time or up to date," he said. During his first in-person visit to Bali, Musk is also scheduled to participate in the 10th World Water Forum, which seeks to address global water and sanitation challenges. Musk spoke in 2022 at the B-20 business forum ahead of a summit of the Group of 20 leading economies that took place in Bali. He joined the conference by video link weeks after completing his heavily scrutinized takeover of Twitter. Musk's visit comes just weeks after Apple CEO Tim Cook met Widodo on April 17 and said the company would "look at" manufacturing in Indonesia. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella visited on April 30 and said the company would invest $1.7 billion over the next four years in new cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure in Indonesia. Indonesia under Widodo has promoted development of the digital technology and information sectors, aiming to achieve the government's Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision. The country hopes to become one of the world's top five economies with a GDP of up to $9 trillion, exactly a century after it won independence from Dutch colonizers. 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. A national Muslim advocacy group is suing Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, arguing that his recent edict barring campus protests violates constitutional free speech rights. The lawsuit accuses Abbott of specifically targeting pro-Palestinian student groups and critics of Israel on Texas college campuses in his March executive order, which purports to take stricter action against acts of antisemitism. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) argues that Abbott's order violates the First Amendment and wrongly equates advocacy for Palestinian liberation with antisemitism. In particular, the governor's order profiles the Palestine Solidarity Committee and Students for Justice in Palestine, alleging policy violations that warrant discipline. "Our community has a long history of opposing unjust policies that specifically target pro-Palestinian voices, and we fully intend to keep that winning history in place with this legal challenge," CAIR-Houston Director William White said in a statement. CAIR is filing the lawsuit on behalf of Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of Houston, Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of Texas at Dallas, and the Democratic Socialists of America, the Texas Tribune reports. Abbott's order mandates Texas universities to update free speech policies to combat increased antisemitic speech, with expulsion listed as a potential punishment. It also emphasizes the state's support for free speech. In addition, it details responsibilities, including that speech must not incite violence, encourage illegal activity, harass students or Texans, or disrupt the core educational purpose of a university. The order was issued amid rising tensions over the Israel-Gaza war on college campuses nearly a month before the crackdown on protests at the the University of Texas at Austin, where demonstrators were forcibly removed by police in riot gear and on horses while attempting to build encampments on campus. Two protesters were later arrested at the University of Texas at Houston, and 21 protesters were arrested at the University of Texas at Dallas. The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) has charged two arrested Chinese nationals for allegedly orchestrating a pig butchering scam that laundered at least $73 million from victims through shell companies. The individuals, Daren Li, 41, and Yicheng Zhang, 38, were arrested in Atlanta and Los Angeles on April 12 and May 16, respectively. The foreign nationals have been "charged for leading a scheme to launder funds to the tune of at least $73 million tied to an international crypto investment scam," Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said. Prosecutors have accused Li, Zhang, and their co-conspirators of managing an international syndicate that laundered the funds obtained via cryptocurrency investment scams. As part of the fraudulent operation, victims are said to have been tricked into transferring millions of dollars to U.S. bank accounts that were opened in the name of various shell companies. "A network of money launderers then facilitated the transfer of those funds to other domestic and international bank accounts and cryptocurrency platforms in a manner designed to conceal the source, nature, ownership, and control of the funds," the DoJ said. The funds are believed to have been laundered through U.S. financial institutions to bank accounts in the Bahamas, and then subsequently converted to USDT or Tether and sent to cryptocurrency wallets, including one controlled by Li. In particular, Li and Zhang oversaw the lower-level co-conspirators who moved the proceeds overseas to bank accounts at Deltec Bank in the Bahamas. At least one of the bank accounts was operated with the financial assistance of Li, with Zhang also directly receiving victim funds, according to the unsealed indictment. Both of them have been charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and six substantive counts of international money laundering. If convicted, they face up to 20 years in prison on each count. Pig butchering scams often involve fraudsters approaching lonely, rich targets using messaging apps, dating services, and social media platforms to build trust and persuade them to invest in different schemes that claim to offer better returns, only for their money to be transferred to wallets under their control. In December 2023, the U.S. government announced charges against four nationals for their alleged participation in an illicit scheme that earned them more than $80 million via cryptocurrency investment scams. Then last month, Google filed a lawsuit in the U.S. against two app developers based in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, respectively, for flooding the Play Store with bogus crypto apps to pull off cryptocurrency theft using similar tactics. Countries like Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and the Philippines have emerged as a hotbed for romance scams over the past few years, often luring unsuspecting people with promises of lucrative jobs to transport them to so-called "scam factories," where they are coerced into participating in the operation. A recent report published by BBC News detailed how a 24-year-old Sri Lankan, who was ostensibly recruited for a data entry job, was taken to Myawaddy, a town in southeastern Myanmar, and forcibly detained in a camp run by "Chinese-speaking gangmasters." What's more, the individual, identified as Ravi (name changed), was tortured for refusing to take part, stripped off his clothes, and given electric shocks to his legs. "I spent 16 days in a cell for not obeying them," he was quoted as saying to the British broadcaster. "They only gave me water mixed with cigarette butts and ash to drink." In another instance, a 21-year-old from the Indian state of Maharashtra was trafficked to Myanmar along with five other Indian men and two Filipino women in August 2022, but was eventually let go after paying a ransom. INTERPOL has described the situation as human trafficking-fuelled fraud on an industrial scale, with the U.S. Department of State denouncing China-based organized crime syndicates for posing as labor brokers to recruit people with English proficiency from Africa and Asia. Two Brothers Arrested for Stealing $25M in Novel Crypto Heist The development comes as the DoJ unsealed an indictment against Anton Peraire-Bueno, 24, of Boston, and James Pepaire-Bueno, 28, of New York, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Each of them faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count. "The charges in the indictment arise from an alleged novel scheme by the defendants to exploit the very integrity of the Ethereum blockchain to fraudulently obtain approximately $25 million worth of cryptocurrency within approximately 12 seconds," the DoJ said. The brothers, who studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), allegedly leveraged their skill sets to pull off the novel scheme in early April 2023 that involved a "first-of-its-kind manipulation" of the protocols underpinning the Ethereum blockchain. This allowed the defendants to fraudulently gain access to pending transactions, alter the movement of the electronic currency, and ultimately route $25 million in cryptocurrency from victims to their accounts through a series of transactions designed to obscure the ownership of the stolen funds. "Anton Peraire-Bueno and James Pepaire-Bueno manipulated and tampered with the process and protocols by which transactions are validated and added to the Ethereum blockchain," the DoJ said, adding they "meticulously planned" the attack over several months. Simultaneously, they also took steps to cover up the tracks by concealing their identities and hiding their ill-gotten gains by setting up front companies, private cryptocurrency addresses, and foreign cryptocurrency exchanges. The MEV-Boost vulnerability exploited to compromise the integrity of the Ethereum blockchain has since been patched. "The Peraire-Bueno brothers stole $25 million in Ethereum cryptocurrency through a technologically sophisticated, cutting-edge scheme they plotted for months and executed in seconds," Monaco said. "As cryptocurrency markets continue to evolve, the Department will continue to root out fraud, support victims, and restore confidence to these markets." MONCKS CORNER -- Santee Cooper has undertaken a major capital project that primarily relies on South Carolina-located companies and resources to increase environmental protections at its two coal-fired generating stations in compliance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules. Santee Cooper earns top honors in safety Santee Cooper receives APPA Safety Award of Excellence for safe practices in 2023. Commitment to safety highlighted by Diamond award. Santee Cooper will spend an estimated $300 million on new wastewater treatment systems at Cross Generating Station and Winyah Generating Station. Approximately $220 million of the total will be spent with companies with a major South Carolina presence. Following a competitive bid process, Thompson Construction (Sumter) was awarded the primary contract. Santee Cooper will also utilize the services of Stantec (North Charleston), Fisher Tanks (Leesville), Nucor (Huger) and Palmetto Pile Driving Inc. (Charleston). The project will also employ over 180 workers at each location. santee cooper wastewater treatmenr Santee Cooper will spend an estimated $300 million on new wastewater treatment systems at Cross Generating Station and Winyah Generating Stati Implementing this project is not just about meeting regulatory standards, but also about committing to ensuring a healthier and more sustainable future, said Mike Finissi, Santee Cooper Chief Operations Officer. The opportunity to utilize in-state resources for this project aligns with Santee Coopers mission. Santee Cooper received necessary DHEC approvals in mid-2023, equipment was purchased by the end of 2023, and construction began early in 2024. Get TheTandD.com for $1 for 3 months Support local journalism by becoming a member at www.TheTandD.com. View our latest offer at TheTandD.com/subscribe The anticipated completion of construction is 3Q of 2025, with the systems fully operational by Dec. 31, 2025. You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). Hydrogen Oman (Hydrom) has announced that a consortium comprising Actis, a leading investor in sustainable infrastructure, and Fortescue, an integrated green energy company, has emerged as the winning bidder in the second round of a green hydrogen tender process. An independent entity founded by the Omani government to orchestrate and deliver the nations green hydrogen strategy, Hydrom said as per the deal, the consortium will develop, build, own and operate a large green hydrogen project in Oman. The mega green hydrogen project has the potential to produce up to 200,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year. The project, which is currently in feasibility stage, is expected to involve construction of up to 4.5GW of wind and solar renewable energy resources that will power electrolysers. Under the current plan, this is expected to be sold to local industrial offtakers as well as processed into derivatives (such as green ammonia) for export via the existing port of Salalah. This provides Actis and Fortescue with exclusive rights to a high quality site, allocated to the development of a future project, it added. The project is being implemented on a build, own and operate (BOO) model, said senior officials at the signing ceremony held recently in Muscat. Lauding the Actis consortium for the big win, Oman's Minister of Energy and Minerals and Hydrom Chairman Engineer Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi said the sultanate is strategically located between two key green hydrogen demand centres in Europe and Asia. "This, in addition to, our tier-1 infrastructure and logistics capabilities have enabled us to leverage our first mover advantage in the global hydrogen industry," he stated. "The availability of renewable natural resources in Oman coupled with the countrys favorable geopolitical positioning, investor-friendly policies and progressive energy transition strategies make it one of the most suitable countries for green hydrogen production," he added. Fortescue and Actis are both major players in the green energy space globally. Fortescue is a global leader and innovator in the green hydrogen industry with a pipeline of projects globally, including three which have reached Final Investment Decisions, while Actis has an extensive track record developing renewable power projects with 21GW of renewable energy capacity (16GW operational, 5GW under construction or contracted) managed by the firm to date.. The duo believes a successful green hydrogen sector is a prerequisite for a successful transition away from fossil fuels and towards the decarbonisation of many hard-to-abate sectors. Moataz Kandil, the Mena President at Fortescue, said: "Actis and Fortescue are completely in sync with our ambitions to decarbonise and create a new green energy industry globally. We share a common vision for the pivotal role that green hydrogen and green ammonia will play in forging a sustainable future." "Oman not only has great natural resources, but it is also in an ideal location for export and has set up the structures and regulations needed to help enable this industry to flourish," stated Kandil. "This strategic partnership between Hydrom, Actis and Fortescue will not only help to drive the development of a large-scale green hydrogen project in Oman, but will lead the way for others around the world to follow, cementing Oman as a powerhouse in green molecules," he added. James Mittell, Director, Energy Infrastructure at Actis, said: "Green hydrogen represents an important sector in the Energy Transition no green hydrogen, no net zero. We have been following the sector closely for a number of years; we have a well-defined strategy focused on finding opportunities with characteristics that fit the attributes of an Actis investment, including closely aligning with our sustainability agenda." "With governments across the world creating frameworks and standards for green hydrogen and derivatives, Oman is one of the most attractive opportunities for low-cost green ammonia due to its land availability, strong solar and wind resources, port infrastructure and regulatory support," he noted. According to Mittell, this successful bid award represents an exciting milestone in Actis hydrogen journey. "The project itself is a compelling investment opportunity to develop a major green hydrogen project, to be underwritten by strong demand for offtake, a stable and supportive regulatory environment and a prime strategic location Oman has first rate solar and wind resources, and an ideal location from which to export green hydrogen derivatives to major demand centres in Europe and Asia," he added. -TradeArabia News Service The father of a 10-year-old boy who died by suicide after being bullied by classmates reports that he and his wife are now being harassed by complete strangers who claim they failed as parents. Sam Teusch, whose son Sammy took his own life on May 5, told The Daily Beast that he's still trying to process what happened. While the local community has been supportive and kind following the death of the fourth grader, Teusch and his wife have been subjected to negative reception from random individuals, they told the Beast. "I'm getting messages from people we have no idea who they are saying: 'This is your fault; you did this,'" Teusch said. "Or, 'You didn't do enough to protect him.' It's horrible. It's just like at Sammy's school, where you've got 400 good kids and you've got six bad kids. In this case, you're dealing with hundreds of millions of people, and so you've got a couple of million bullies. It's just pure hate," he continued. Despite his extreme anger over what happened to his son, he insisted that he does not want "negativity" over it and instead hopes to teach other children that "things can be accomplished by being kind." Sammy was relentlessly bullied at Greenfield Intermediate School in Greenfield, Indiana, over his teeth and glasses, according to Teusch. He was regularly beaten up on the school bus, and was cornered in a school bathroom last week. Instead of being protected, Sammy was kicked off the bus "more than once." Teusch emphasized that this is not just an Indiana problem. "I think that it's a nationwide problem ... This isn't a left or right problem; this is not black or white;. It's not religion; it's none of that. This is an issue that concerns every single parent," he said. Other kids comforted the father, letting him know that his son "uplifted them all the time" and that the way he would slam-dunk his trash into the garbage can "like Kobe would brighten their day." Sammy, in fact, "had more friends than he even realized," said Teusch. In response to the tragedy, the Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation released a statement, "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 suicide, and we are investigating their claims related to bullying," it read. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24 hours a day through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. You are not alone. The Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company (ASRY) has announced that it had recently won a regional tender launched by the Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC) to carry out docking and maintenance work for 6 giant oil tankers. Headquartered in Bahrain, the Arabian Gulfs most experienced maritime repair and fabrication facility, ASRY, emerged victorious against a group of well-respected ship repair companies. ASRY's success in securing this prestigious project is a testament to its long-standing experience, competitive offerings, and high-quality services that distinguishes itself in the face of fierce competition within the global marine market, said a top official. "Building on our long history of successful partnership with KOTC, ASRY is committed to strengthening existing customer relationships to open broader horizons of cooperation that serve all parties," remarked Shaikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Khalifa, the ASRY Deputy CEO. "ASRY aims to continue successful bilateral work to build qualitative partnerships that support the advancement of common interests in the regional maritime sector," he added. ASRY Strategic Development Manager Wael Mirza said: "At ASRY, we're dedicated to building successful partnerships by delivering integrated, safe, and reliable solutions that go above and beyond our customers' expectations." "This includes upholding the highest standards in safety, quality, and on-time delivery. Thus today, we are pleased that ASRY is transforming into a multi-service facility for the maritime industry, directly contributing to Bahrain's economic growth," he added. Founded in 1977 in the Kingdom of Bahrain, ASRY is the Arabian Gulfs most experienced maritime repair and fabrication facility. Its leading range of facilities includes a 500 K dwt dry-dock, two floating docks of 252m and 227m in length, 15 repair berths with a total length of approximately 5,000m, twin 255m slipways, and a full range of workshops and service centres. ASRY operates in four sectors ship repair and conversion, rig repair and conversion, naval repair and conversion, and fabrication and engineering - which covers all types of vessel repair including jack-up rigs and other offshore assets, as well as fabrication of onshore and offshore industrial components.-TradeArabia News Service Adrak Developers has announced a significant partnership with the Ministry of Housing & Urban Planning for the development of Neighborhood 12 D (NH 12 D), featuring over 300 high-end residential units spread across a land area of 56,166 sq m within Sultan Haitham City in Oman. A mega development, Sultan Haitham City will come up on a 15-million-sq-m area, featuring 20,000 residential units along with key modern lifestyle amenities as well as ample green space. The model of Sultan Haitham City features sustainable lifestyles embracing an architectural vision to accommodate all segments of society, giving them access to all social and recreational facilities and earning them a feeling of belonging. The city will focus on 12 global standards on quality of life and welfare. The criteria range between affordable cost, advanced integrated facilities and modern lifestyles, according to Oman News Agency. Boasting green spaces of over 2.9 million sq m, it will be home to 100,000 residents. These housing units will be spread across 19 neighbourhoods, filled with various facilities and services for the residents. Adrak Developers said under the deal with the Oman ministry, the Neighbourhood 12 D project, a landmark addition to Sultan Haitham City, will be set up at an investment of RO38.7 million ($100.26 million). The signing of the development agreement took place at the Oman Design & Build Exhibition 2024 held at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre. The agreement was signed under the distinguished patronage of Dr Khalfan bin Said Al Shueili, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, alongside other esteemed dignitaries at the Oman Design & Build Exhibition 2024 held in Muscat. On the project, Al Adrak Group's vision, Chairman Dr Thomas Alexander said: "Neighborhood 12 D embodies our vision for creating luxurious living spaces that elevate Muscat's residential landscape." "We are confident this development will be a cornerstone of Sultan Haitham City and a testament to Oman's commitment to innovation and progress," he stated. Dr Al Shueili, expressing delight at the ministry's collaboration with Adrak, said: "Neighborhood 12 D aligns perfectly with our vision for Sultan Haitham City, fostering a vibrant community and offering residents a world-class living experience." "We are confident this development will contribute significantly to Muscat's growth and prosperity," he stated. Ryan Maxwell, Business Development Manager at Adrak Developers, said:" "We are thrilled to be a part of this exciting development. It represents a unique opportunity to redefine luxury living in Muscat." "It's a privilege to work alongside such esteemed partners, and we are confident this project will be a resounding success," he added. More than 220 Indian businesses operating across various economic, industrial, and investment sectors, participated in the trade mission of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), represented by the Sharjah Exports Development Centre (SEDC), in Mumbai, India, a report said. About 365 bilateral business meetings, held as part of the second leg of the mission, brought together representatives of companies, Emirates News Agency, WAM, said. The event was aimed at exploring avenues for boosting trade volumes and expanding economic cooperation across diverse domains of commerce and industry. Discussions also veered towards introducing the promising investment opportunities in both Sharjah and Mumbai, encouraging business communities to invest in sectors and areas aligned with the economic visions of both countries. The forum was attended by Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the SCCI, alongside Abdulla Husein Almarzooqi, Consul General of the UAE in India; HE Waleed Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, Second Vice Chairman of the SCCI Board of Directors, and HE Ziyad Mohmoud Khairalla, Board Member Honorary Treasure at SCCI. Furthermore, discussions were held with key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to exchange expertise and explore investment opportunities available across different economic sectors. Addressing the meet, Abdullah Sultan Al Owais emphasised that the Sharjah Chambers trade mission to Mumbai is a significant step towards bolstering economic ties and trade exchanges between Sharjah and India. L&T Valves is one of the largest suppliers of on-off valves to Saudi Arabia, and opening of the new facility marks a significant milestone and the beginning of a new era for world-class 'Made-in-KSA' flow-control solutions catering to the energy and allied sectors. It aligns with the Saudi Vision 2030 and the iktva initiative, actively supporting local value-chain creation and fostering skill development programmes. The new facility, L&T Valves Arabia Manufacturing, is strategically located at Al Jubail, off the Dammam-Abu Hadriyah Highway, in the kingdom. It boasts key systems and processes certified to meet the stringent requirements of ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems) and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems). Additionally, the entity is authorised to use the API 600, 593, and 6D monograms of the American Petroleum Institute, signifying its commitment to the highest standards of valve manufacturing. It was inaugurated by Anil V Parab, the Whole-time Director & Senior Executive Vice President Heavy Engineering and L&T Valves, in the presence of Ahmed Al Zahrani, Director for Industrial Development & Strategic Supply at Aramco as well as other senior personnel from Aramco, L&T as well as key end-users and EPC companies. Speaking at the opening, Parab said: "The new facility will significantly enhance our local production capabilities in line with the Saudi Vision 2030. It will further strengthen the collaboration between L&T and Saudi Arabia." The facility will catapult the manufacturing capability of the region, providing a unique opportunity to progressively address the growing requirements in the Middle East and Africa, he added.-TradeArabia News Service A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi crashed on Sunday while visiting a northern region and his condition is currently unknown, reported CNN, citing media reports. The aircraft, which was also carrying Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, came down in East Azerbaijan Province and emergency crews have so far been unable to reach it due to foggy conditions, stated the report citing Iranian state news agency IRNA. It is unclear what the exact status is of Raisis helicopter. According to BBC, Ahmad Alirezabeigi, Iranian MP for the city of Tabriz, had told reporters in Tehran that rescue workers have yet to find the location of the helicopter carrying the president and foreign minister. He added that the other two helicopters in the convoy landed safely. The Iranian armed forces have been in the area of the crash since the early hours of Sunday, Chief of Staff of Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri said. Twenty rescue teams and drones were sent to the area where the helicopter came down, it stated. Earlier AP reported citing State TV sources that Raisi was travelling in Irans East Azerbaijan province and the hard landing happened near Jolfa, a city on the border with the nation of Azerbaijan, some 600 km northwest of the Iranian capital Tehran. However, later IRNA reported, citing locals, the helicopter crashed in the Dizmar Forest area between the villages of Ozi and Pir Davood. Residents in northern Varzeqan, East Azerbaijan Province, said they heard noises from the area, it stated. Raisi and Amir Abdollahian were among a group of dignitaries onboard the helicopter returning from a ceremony for an opening of a dam on Irans border with Azerbaijan when it crashed upon landing in Varzaqan region on Sunday, it added. The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (Added) and Trends Research & Advisory are strengthening the emirates economic competitiveness by enhancing research and data intelligence. Added and Trends have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering key areas of collaboration and joint research, studies, and polls to support economic development. They will be exchanging experts, hosting joint research activities, training, and workshops, and sharing research publications. These activities will follow international best practices to support both the public and private sectors. Economic expansion By further strengthening Abu Dhabis research capabilities, the agreement underlines Added and Trends steadfast commitment to support the emirates economic expansion, growth, and prosperity. The MoU was signed by Rashed Abdulkarim Al Blooshi, Undersecretary of Added and Dr Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of Trends Research and Advisory, with several senior representatives from both entities also attending the ceremony. Al Blooshi said: This agreement enhances our relentless efforts to strengthen the cooperation between the various sectors to support Abu Dhabis socio-economic development. Our partnership with Trends, with its extensive research expertise, will contribute to achieving our shared goals, and represents another step in our journey towards strengthening the emirates economy. Dr Al-Ali said: We are proud to partner with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, the catalyst for economic growth and diversification. This MoU serves as a model for cooperation between the public and private sectors in supporting economic development. As we are foreseeing the future through knowledge, we constantly seek to create knowledge and data that enhance scientific research. The centre aims to bolster its support to institutions and society, providing data that would help develop innovative solutions to overcome challenges.--TradeArabia News Service A.P. Moller - Maersks (Maersk) first large vessel that can run on green methanol has arrived in Dubai, UAE for the very first time and was welcomed by DP World at Jebel Ali. Ane Maersk underscores Maersk's ambition to achieve Net-Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Serving the AE7 string, which connects Asia and Europe, Ane Maersk arrived in the UAE on her rotation, beginning in Hamburg in Germany and covering several ports in Europe, the Mediterranean and the Gulf countries. She will further sail to ports in China, Asia after completing cargo operations in Dubai. "It is truly a great moment to witness the arrival of Ane Maersk at DP World, Jebel Ali. This is an important milestone for Maersk in our journey to decarbonise ocean transportation," said Christopher Cook, Managing Director, Maersk UAE, Oman and Qatar. Green transition "Ane Maersk represents our ambitions towards sustainability and innovation. We are also fully aware that we cannot bring about the green transition all by ourselves. It requires collaboration from the entire ecosystem, including our customers, our partners, the infrastructure, regulators and other stakeholders. We are proud to welcome the Ane Maersk to Jebel Ali, whose arrival highlights the green shift under way in our industry. It is a flagship for sustainability that mirrors our own carbon reduction ambitions at DP World, said Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director of DP World GCC. We are committed to decarbonising global trade and are taking action to support the transition, from electrifying our terminals to using smart technology. The journey to net zero requires the involvement of every stakeholder in the supply chain, and we are proud to be working alongside dedicated partners like Maersk. Global trade hub As the biggest port in the Middle East and the 10th busiest in the world, Jebel Ali Port is a global trade hub that provides connectivity to over 180 shipping lines and access to more than 3.5 billion consumers. Equipped with a state-of-the-art dual-fuel engine that is capable of running on green methanol, Ane Maersk is the first of the 18 large vessels ordered by Maersk that will be added to Maersks fleet during 2024 and 2025. The vessels in the new series have an industry-first innovative design with the bridge and accommodation placed at the very front of the vessel, allowing more cargo to be carried and reducing the consumption per container. During Ane Maersks first call at Jebel Ali, Danish Consul-General in the UAE Joakim Larsen, Bin Damithan, several top customers and partners for Maersk had the opportunity to get onboard the vessel. They got a full tour of the vessel with in-depth information about the modern engine and the new innovative design. Vessel Facts Built at Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, South Korea. Length: 350 metres, breadth: 53.5 metres Speed: 21 knots Container capacity: 16,592 TEU (twenty-feet-equivalent units of containers) 30 Cabins along with dining room, gallery, provision stores, fire station, fitness room, medical treatment room and laundry room Engine Facts Main engine: HYUNDAI-MAN B&W 8G95ME-C10.5-LGIM-EGRTC, 8 cylinders, 44,187 kW Auxiliary engines: 4 x HiMSEN H32DF-LM (3 x 9 cylinders each 4320 kW + 1 x 6 cylinders 2880 kW) Shaft generator: Wartsila shaft generator of 4.0 MW. Methanol fuel capacity: 16,000 cu m in two tanks beside each other, located forward of the engine room The vessel can sail up to 23,000 nautical miles on methanol corresponding to 41,400 km (1 nautical mile = 1.8 km) when fully bunkered The engine is a Dual Fuel type, meaning it can run on methanol as well as traditional marine fuels. The same applies to the auxiliary engines.--TradeArabia News Service As part of the countrys six-year licensing round launched in 2019, Angola will open its next international tender in 2025. Currently, the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG) the countrys national concessionaire is finalizing contract negotiations for the 2023 bid round, which concluded in January 2024 and secured 53 bids. As new investment flows to the countrys upstream sector, Angolas existing transport and logistics infrastructure is poised to support new concessions, accelerating exploration and the success of new oil and gas developments. LICENSING ROUNDS TARGET PRODUCTION INCREASE Angola aims to produce 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd) until 2027, increasing output to 2 million bpd in the long term. To achieve this, the country is inviting investment in exploration through the promotion of its six-year licensing strategy. Currently, the ANPG is finalizing production sharing negotiations for a 12-block tender launched in 2023. Nine companies qualified as operators in the tender, while five companies qualified as non-operators. In addition to new licensing opportunities, Angola has a range of acreage on permanent offer. Speaking at an Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2024 networking function in Houston last March, Alcides Fernandes Mendes de Andrade, Executive Administrator at the ANPG, outlined available blocks. These include 14 blocks offshore 8 in shallow water and 6 in deep water. Most are high potential blocks in proven basins. [There are] 8 onshore blocks in the Congo and Kwanza basins, he said. Offshore, available deepwater blocks include Block 32/21, Block 33/21 and Block 34/21 in the Lower Congo Basin and Block 41, Block 42 and Block 43 in the Benguela and Namibe Basins. Shallow water blocks include Block 6/15, Block 7/21, Block 8/21 and Block 9/21 in the Kwanza Basin and Block 10, Block 11, Block 12 and Block 13 in the Benguela and Namibe Basins. Available onshore blocks include CON3 and CON7 in the Congo Basin and KON1, KON3, KON7, KON10 and KON 14 in the Kwanza Basin. EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORTS NEW CONCESSIONS Angolas medium- to long-term strategy is to expand its infrastructure production capacity. This, in turn, will not only support the development of new discoveries, but also bolster production capacity and reduce imports. As such, the country is seeking direct investment in infrastructure, with several strategic projects in the pipeline. Angola aims to construct an integrated terminal and logistics hub in Soyo, with the capacity to produce 65,000 bpd and store two million barrels. Developed under a PPP model, the project offers investors an exemption on importations and a ten-year tax holiday and aims to start operations by 2026, with a license duration of 15-25 years. Additionally, Angola is looking at developing the Kwanza Terminal and Pipeline Routes Project, featuring a 25,000-bpd production capacity, one million barrels of storage capacity and offering similar financial incentives to that of the Soyo terminal. The project will also be developed under a PPP model and will start operating by 2029. As a mature petroleum producer, Angola has already established the necessary infrastructure to process, distribute and export oil and gas. Strategic facilities include the Kwanda Logistics Base in Soyo established as a supply and support base for Angolas offshore oil and gas industry. Kwanda is the location of the Angola LNG plant and supports offshore projects. Sonangol Integrated Logistics Services (SONILS) also operates an onshore supply base near the capital Luanda. The base supports 65 per cent of the countrys daily oil production through services related to cargo handling, engineering, development and lease of specialized oil and gas facilities. Additional infrastructure includes the Petromar Fabrication Yard in Soyo; the Paenal Fabrication Yard in Kwanza Sul; the Barra do Dande Ocean Terminal with the capacity to store 582,000 cubic meters of liquid and gaseous fuels; and the Port of Lobito, which can handle 2.9 million tons of cargo per year, including the export of refined petroleum. An oil refinery is currently under construction in Lobito with a capacity of 200,000 bpd, set to boost the countrys overall refining capacity. --OGN/TradeArabia News Service More than 2,300 exhibitors and representatives from over 165 countries will be taking part in the Arabian Travel Market 2024, the largest travel and tourism exhibition in the region, which opens in at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) tomorrow (May 6). The four-day event, to be held under the theme Empowering Innovation: Transforming Travel Through Entrepreneurship, is set to draw over 41,000 experts who will be spotlighting a pivotal area for the travel and tourism industry. The event organisers and representatives from the exhibitions strategic partners, which include the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Emirates, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Al Rais Travel, have already outlined their plans for the event. Due to adverse weather conditions and to ensure the safety of all participants and invited guests, the official ATM press conference scheduled to take place on May 3 morning was cancelled. However, all partners have underscored their commitment to the show and the opportunities it affords, said the organisers. From startups to established brands, ATM 2024 will highlight how innovators are enhancing customer experiences, driving efficiencies and accelerating progress towards a net-zero future for the industry. "ATM 2024 is gearing up for an exciting lineup spread across two stages, with the Global Stage returning alongside the new Future Stage. The conference agenda will feature key industry speakers from around the world and address the emerging trends that are fueling the travel and tourism sectors growth," said Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market. "An eagerly awaited addition to ATM 2024 is the new Entrepreneurship-focused summit, which will delve into the role of travel start-ups in the Middle East economy, spotlighting their pioneering approaches," stated Curtis. "As entrepreneurship and innovation take centre stage, the exciting ATM Start-Up Pitch Battle, in partnership with Emirates Groups Intelak provides the perfect platform to celebrate the immense potential for innovators in the region and for brands to present their industry solutions," she added. According to her, the number of participating hotel brands for ATM 2024 has increased by 21% year-on-year, with a 58% rise in new Travel Technology products showcased. Several new destinations will be introduced at ATM 2024, including China, Macao, Kenya, Guatemala, and Columbia, while returning countries include Spain and France, among many others. Upticks across all key verticals with year-on-year growth across all regions participation including ME 28 percent, Asia and Europe 34 percent, and Africa 26 percent. A dedicated India Summit will take place on the opening day of ATM, highlighting a recent outbound travel boom from the market. Titled Unlocking the True Potential of Inbound Indian Travellers, the Summit will explore the dynamics of India as a key source market for tourism growth, as well as current and future opportunities. Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: "The transformative theme of ATM 2024 will complement our efforts to create new pathways to growth beyond traditional tourism, as we focus on leveraging the huge potential of entrepreneurship and further accelerating momentum across our tourism industry." "The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism will be joined by 129 stakeholders and partners on the Dubai stand at ATM, a testament to the vibrant public-private partnerships that play a pivotal role in tourism development in the emirate. We look forward to sharing insights into our successful tourism strategy with leaders and experts, and exploring the important themes and trends shaping the future of global tourism, while seeking to unlock new avenues for collaboration and partnership," he added. According to the organisers, environmental responsibility in the travel and tourism industry will continue to be a key focus at ATM, aligning with RXs sustainability pledge and building on the momentum of last years theme, Working Towards Net Zero. ATM 2024 will explore how innovation can be leveraged to help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by building a greener travel and tourism sector for future generations. Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer at Emirates, said: "Were thrilled to see growth in visitor numbers to ATM. Its a reflection of confidence in our industry and ATMs importance on the global stage. We are proud of the role we have played in the growth of ATM as an industry event, as well as the growth of our home city Dubai, which is at the forefront of global tourism." "This year, Emirates will be displaying our latest products in addition to a dedicated area showcasing our sustainable aviation practices. We also look forward to connecting with our industry partners across the travel ecosystem," he added. Haitham Mattar, Managing Director of IHG Hotels & Resorts for SWA, Middle East and Africa, said: "As the official hotel partner for ATM, we look forward to leveraging the regions legacy travel trade event to showcase the groups diverse portfolio of accommodations to global industry and consumer audiences. With over 190 hotels across IMEA, as well as a robust regional pipeline of future openings, IHG remains a critical enabler in realising the regions growth ambitions in the tourism sector." "In a world of evolving preferences and shifting landscapes, IHG remains committed to exploring new and innovative ways to scale-up strategic investments and reshaping the hospitality sector of tomorrow," he noted. Mohamed Al Rais, Executive Director, Al Rais Travel, said: "Celebrating the fusion of innovation and entrepreneurship, the ATM stands as a beacon of progress and possibility in travel. With a steadfast commitment to empowerment, we harness visionary minds' creative energy to redefine the essence of exploration." "Through groundbreaking initiatives and bold ventures, we pave the way for a future where travel knows no limits, and every journey is a testament to the transformative power of human ingenuity. Join us as we embark on this exhilarating expedition, charting new territories and shaping a world where adventure knows no bounds," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) presented its new tourism products and innovative services at a recently held travel and tourism trade show in Dubai, highlighting the island nation as a top vacation choice for travellers from the Middle East. Maldives Media Meet, held on the sidelines of Arabian Travel Market (May 6-9) fostered connections with influential media figures from the Middle East, reinforcing the countrys status as a leading tourist destination in the region. The event was led by the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director (CEO & MD) of MMPRC, Fathmath Thaufeeq. She was joined by the Minister of Tourism, Ibrahim Faisal, Advisor to the President on Tourism Development, Mohamed Khaleel; Chairperson of the MMPRC Board, Ayesha Nurain Janah; Ahmed Shaheen, Director of Sales and Marketing of Crown and Champa Resorts; Abdulla Giyas Riyaz, President of Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators; and Abdul Sameeu Imad, Vice President of the National Hotels & Guesthouse Association of Maldives. Thaufeeq said that the Maldives' tourism industry is flourishing, thanks to the diligence of our travel and tourism industry, and the continued support from our government, which prioritises sustainable and responsible tourism development. This commitment ensures our islands thrive now and continue to do so for generations to come. Janah outlined how through these efforts, we are redefining luxury tourism, paving the way to show that unique, cutting-edge experiences go hand-in-hand with sustainability. While Shaheen spoke about the diversification of the whole tourism industry, Riyaz said: The greatest promise our future holds is embodied in the very slogan our current administration ran on, Dhiveheenge Raajje, and I hope we stay true to this motto as this is what makes us different. We stand at the crossroads of a new era in tourism, it is crucial to not only celebrate our past triumphs but also embrace the opportunities and challenges ahead. Imad said community tourism in the Maldives is a gateway for all, from middle-income families to the auent, fostering cultural exchange and enriching connections while ensuring tourism benefits flow directly into local communities. Minister Faisal, revealed that today, our vision extends beyond luxury. We recognise the importance of striking a balance between economic growth and environmental responsibility. Sustainability is not just a buzzword for us; it is a core principle that guides our development. TradeArabia News Service A member of Israel's three-member War Cabinet has threatened to quit if the government does not adopt a new plan for the war in Gaza. Prominent centrist Benny Gantz has threatened to resign if a new strategy isn't developed within the next three weeks, underscoring a deepening divide in Israel's leadership. This comes seven months into a war during which Israel has failed to achieve its goals of destroying Hamas and retrieving hostages abducted during the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. Gantz's own six-point plan includes: bringing hostages home, ending Hamas' rule, demilitarizing Gaza, establishing an international civilian administration with American, European, Arab, and Palestinian cooperation, supporting normalization with Saudi Arabia, and expanding military service to all Israelis. Gantz warned Israeli leaders: "If you choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation to the abyss, we will be forced to quit the government." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded in a statement by saying Gantz had chosen to issue an ultimatum to the prime minister instead of to Hamas, and called his conditions "euphemisms" for Israel's defeat, reported the Associated Press reported. If Gantz, a longtime political rival of Netanyahu, quits the cabinet, that would leave Netanyahu even more reliant on far-right allies, who take a hard line on negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage release ,and who believe Israel should occupy all of Gaza and rebuild Jewish settlements there. Gantz's announcement comes just days after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the third member of the War Cabinet, stated that he would resign from his post if Israel decided to reoccupy Gaza and fail to produce a post-war plan. "The people of Israel are watching you," Gantz said in his prime-time address to Netanyahu. Netanyahu is feeling the heat from different directions. Hard-liners want to keep up the military offensive in Gaza's southern city of Rafah. Meanwhile, the U.S. and other allies are warning against the offensive in a city where many Gaza residents sought refuge, with hundreds of thousands now displaced. Thousands of Israelis rallied again on Saturday evening, demanding a new deal and new elections. Polls indicate that Netanyahu could be replaced, with Gantz being the most likely candidate to become the next prime minister, which could potentially expose Netanyahu to prosecution on longstanding corruption charges. The next generation of air travel will take centre stage at the Future Aviation Forum (FAF24) in Riyadh on May 20, with an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) pavilion showcasing the latest technologies and panel sessions from global air mobility leaders. Electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft will be showcased as part of a wider focus on Advance Air Mobility (AAM). FAF24 will not only be a forum for strategic insights but will also feature an impressive line-up of industry leaders. CEOs from NEOM, Lilium, Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, FlyNow, Beta Technologies will show off the exciting opportunities in the AAM sector. Attendees will also have the exclusive opportunity to explore a dedicated pavilion showcasing cutting-edge AAM vehicles, including a close-up look at Volodrone by NEOM, EHang, Archer, Arch Aero, Flynow, and Joby aircraft. This unique showcase at the pavilion highlights the tangible progress and future possibilities within the AAM industry. Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia, said: "Kingdoms unique terrain and the diverse needs of our citizens uniquely position us to benefit substantially from Advanced Air Mobility. With AAM, we're establishing a progressive aviation sector built upon a modern regulatory framework. The Future Aviation Forum is crucial for fostering global collaboration to integrate AAM into our transportation network, in alignment with Vision 2030, the Saudi Aviation Strategy, and our comprehensive environmental commitments." Saudi Arabia has made considerable progress in advancing AAM through research and development, as well as trials and testing of medical transportation and eVTOLs. Additionally, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), a key component of AAM operations, are being utilized in the Kingdom for various purposes, including inspections, holography, and surveys. Building on this progress, FAF24 will showcase Saudi Arabias AAM roadmap development, a three-stage plan aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of AAM operations in the kingdom. Captain Sulaiman Almuhaimedi, GACA Executive Vice President for Aviation Safety and Environmental Sustainability, said: "As we look ahead, GACA's roadmap for AAM is to enable the safe integration of emerging technologies, determine the required regulatory framework, attract investors and manufacturers of AAM into the Saudi market, as well as to contribute into the national target of Net Zero 2060. FAF24 will host a series of leaders discussions, breaking down the complexities of the eVTOL regulations, assessing the viability of solar electric flight, and delving into the transformative role of artificial intelligence in aviation. Panels will also tackle the progression of flight technology as well as the expanding influence of IoT and cloud technology. TradeArabia News Service Rida International Travel & Tourism, a leading Destination Management Company (DMC) in the Middle East, has appointed industry veteran Abraham John as their representative in India. In the new role, John will focus on marketing Rida International Travel & Tourism and help in enhancing the companys visibility in India with an emphasis on luxury travel, upmarket groups and MICE business, a statement said. John brings with him an experience of 50 years in the travel and tourism industry, starting his career with Travel Corporation India (TCI) in 1974 followed by a 28-year stint in Bahrain where he managed Sunshine Tours. John was also responsible for successfully launching and executing the Bahrain Travel & Tourism Exhibition (BITE), an international event for the industry. On his return to India, John joined Fairfest Media Limited, the organisers of the largest travel show in India (OTM), as an Advisor. He was responsible for introducing many international tourism boards to OTM, including the UAE, Rwanda, Greece, Cyprus and many more. He also runs a successful event management company Inspiration Unlimited, which has promoted many international destinations through roadshows and other marketing activities. We are delighted to welcome Abraham to The Rida family and to have someone of his calibre, repute and experience advise us on strengthening our roots in India. We are confident that with his understanding of luxury travel, he will add tremendous value as the world begins to travel again said Rafic Rida, Founder & Chairman - Rida International Travel & Tourism. I am excited to launch Rida International Travel & Tourism in India. Rida is expanding leaps and bounds in some of the key tourism destinations of the world, which are widely accepted by the Indian community. Further, I would like to extend my gratitude and thanks to Rafic Rida for entrusting me with such an opportunity, said John. Rida International Travel & Tourism is based in Dubai with offices in Lebanon, UAE, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Jordan, with associates across Asia & Europe. - TradeArabia News Service Hilton London Metropole has announced the appointment of Nancy Daccache as its new commercial director. With an impressive background in hospitality sector spanning over 15 years, including nine years of dedicated service within the Hilton family in the UAE, Nancy brings a wealth of experience to her new role. She will bring her experience of the GCC domestic travel market from her previous positions as the cluster commercial director at Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton, and DoubleTree by Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island Residences, along with her recent role as senior regional revenue manager for several hotels in the Arabian Peninsula and Turkiye, showcasing her exceptional skills and deep understanding of the industry. With the vast majority of GCC travellers continuing to stay primarily in London according to 2023 data from Visit Britain, Hilton London Metropole recently made extensive property changes to cater for GCC travellers, and in hiring Nancy, the property will also gain valuable Mena market insights and will continue to support the needs of GCC guests and extended travelling groups from the region. With an extensive multi-million-pound renovation completed in June 2023, the property offers multiple, flexible suite and room configurations offering larger than London average spaces which cater for larger families and multi-generational groups, extensive halal food and beverage options and a prayer room. Hilton London Metropole is also close to well-known attractions, including the Tower of London, Kensington Palace, Madame Tussauds London, Portobello Road Market, Marble Arch, and Hyde Park, as well as luxury retail stores and restaurants. Welcoming her into the fold, Bill Fisher, general manager, Hilton London Metropole, said: "Nancys expertise within the GCC as well as her leadership qualities make her a valuable addition to the Hilton London Metropole team. The Middle East is a significant market for us, and I am confident that her contributions will further elevate the success of our hotel." Hilton London Metropole blends all the elements of a boutique set up with the benefits of a large-scale property including 24/7 room service and a state-of-the-art fitness centre. Located in central London, the property has 3 King 1 Bedroom Deluxe Suites, 13 King 1 Bedroom Executive Suite, four Two Bedroom Family Suites, and one Three Bedroom Penthouse that offers London skyline views. On her new role, Daccache said: "As the commercial director for Hilton London Metropole, I am excited to bring my extensive knowledge of the GCC and continue to enhance the already outstanding offer which caters to the discerning Middle Eastern traveller." "Whatever families and couples are looking for in London this year, we can assist by providing a home away from home," he added.-TradeArabia News Service 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. Among the books of the Hebrew Scriptures that I frequently return to is the book of Ruth. Its a good story, and it has a lot to tell us about the providence of our Creator and the loving-kindness which we can receive and share. Jews read the book of Ruth at the time of the Jewish festival of Shavuot, which begins the evening of June 11, according to Rabbi Helen Cohn. Shavuot is both the wheat harvest festival and a celebration of the gift of the Torah to the Jewish people. The corresponding Christian festival is Pentecost, the giving of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps Christians are celebrating abundance and providence, as well as the gift of the Spirit. At this time of year we often sing the hymn that begins, We plow the fields and scatter earworm courtesy Godspell. Both festivals celebrate abundance and providence, and gifts from the Creator. And underlying both festivals is the holy gift of love, and loving-kindness. What the Jewish festival gives us, in its customary reading, is a background to the celebration, an act, and a series of acts, of loving-kindness. Loving-kindness, often attributed as a characteristic of the Almighty, is here a practice of human beings. Notable among them, but not the first or only, is Ruth, the widow from Moab east of the Jordan, who travels with her widowed mother-in-law Naomi, from Ruths own homeland through the wild lands across the river and up into the hill country of Naomis ancestral people, indeed, to the city called the house of bread, Bethlehem. It is there they hope to eke out a living in the midst of famine, and hope beyond hope that Naomis long-distant relatives will accept them. Naomi is returning from exile; Ruth is embarking on a one-way journey away from the only home she has known. Naomi, a woman of Israel, has been living east of the Jordan River in the land of Moab, married to a Moabite man, and with her two sons married to Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. The men all die, leaving the three women widows, and without the support that marriage and husbands could give them. And then famine comes. Naomi releases her daughters-in-law from their customary obligation to look after their mother-in-law, and one, Orpah, decides to stay in familiar Moab. Ruth, on the other hand, leaves her home and cleaves to Naomi, out of loyalty and loving-kindness. She thereby begins to establish a new identity. She finds her self among a new people, and becomes the mother of well, that is a story of its own. Ruth says to Naomi, Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried. (Ruth 1:16-17) Ruth and Naomi fetch up in ancestral Bethlehem at harvest-time, and Ruth begins to glean between the sheaves in the fields, to find something to eat for her mother-in-law and herself. This gleaning and this kindness and loyalty do not go unnoticed. And one evening Ruth finds a place to bed down at the threshing floor where the workers of the harvest have gathered. A new story is about to begin. Ruth will become a mother, of Obed, and a grandmother, of Jesse, and a great-grandmother, of David: that same David, of whom Jesus, in the Gospel of Matthew, is called son of David. But let us pause here and realize what has happened. Out of disaster, a daughter has come, once a stranger, now a loving family member. Out of desperation, a hope for providence has come. Out of the abundance of the Creator, new life has sprung. We plough the fields and scatter/The good seed on the land,/But it is fed and watered/By Gods almighty hand. He sends the snow in winter,/The warmth to swell the grain,/The breezes and the sunshine,/And soft, refreshing rain. All good gifts around us/Are sent from heaven above;/Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord/For all His love. Armed robbers reportedly stole millions of dollars of jewelry from a posh Paris boutique in a bold daytime heist. The robbery took place at the Harry Winston store, self-described as the "Jeweler to the Stars." French police said the armed robbers arrived on motorbikes, quickly entered the jewelry store and immediately began smashing glass cases. They fired a warning shot into the air but no on was hurt, the Associated Press reported. Police would not confirm that Harry Winston was the store that was robbed, but a store employee who answered the phone on the scene confirmed the robbery there though hung up without giving details or his name. The Paris prosecutor's office in charge of the investigation would only confirm that the robbery occurred at a store on luxe Avenue Montaigne, where Harry Winston is located. The pricey boutique was cordoned off as police investigators went in and out Saturday afternoon. Citing a source, the Daily Mail said millions of dollars worth of jewels were stolen. The same store has been hit before. Robbers targeted the store in October 2007 and December 2008, ACTU17 reported. Eight men received sentences ranging from 9 months to 15 years in prison in a 2015 trial connected to those heists. The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer: At a time when its difficult to find consensus, Arizonans are united on one issue: Education is the cornerstone for our states future. In poll after poll over several years, supermajorities of our states residents across political parties and age groups support investments to increase the quality of our schools and ensure our workers have education and training after high school. Arizonans understand what economists have repeatedly proven, and the business and community leaders of Southern Arizona Leadership Council know: A well-educated workforce drives a thriving economy. A recent study by the Helios Education Foundation and Education Forward Arizona suggests that if we increase postsecondary enrollment by just 20% Arizona stands to benefit from more than $5 billion in annual gains. Currently, just 48% of Arizonans have graduated from a postsecondary education or training program. Unless that number increases, Arizonas economy will stall as companies choose states where the labor pool includes greater numbers of workers who have earned a degree, credential, or certificate. While 52% of Pima Countys working-age adults have completed education or training after high school, that is still not enough to meet the needs of current and future employers. Business, government, and education leaders across Pima County are concerned about meeting the statewide Achieve60AZ goal of having at least 60% of adults ages 25-64 completing education beyond high school by 2030. This is not just a goal but a necessity for the future prosperity of our state. A recent poll by Education Forward Arizona found that 90% of Arizonans believe that our state must foster postsecondary opportunities that give students a chance to learn the skills to succeed in a career that includes two-year and four-year degrees, and industry-recognized credentials and certificates available at community colleges and technical schools. More than three-quarters of Arizonans agree on the following commonsense solutions to ensure students pursue education or training after graduating high school: Expanding middle school services to help students and families identify interests, strengths, and aptitudes that will inform their education choices; Ensuring every high school in Arizona has college and career advisors and counselors to help students plan their path after high school; Expanding dual-enrollment programs that allow high school students to earn college credit while still in high school; Expanding access to technical training and education programs during high school that lead to a credential; and Providing financial support for students for expenses such as housing, technology, transportation, and food. And in Pima County, we need a comprehensive approach to expand early learning opportunities, improve instruction in reading and mathematics, and help students start planning their career journey as early as elementary school. Earlier this year, our board of supervisors approved funding for 1,600 scholarships for low-income children to attend high-quality preschool programs. That is a forward-looking investment that will pay future dividends. Educators and learners of all ages across the county are working hard to respond to Arizonans call for a better-educated workforce. At Pima Community College alone, more than 4,000 students are on track to graduate with a two-year degree or certificate during the 2023-24 academic year. They include students like Roxanna Lujano, a first-generation American and the first member of her family to attend college, who is working toward an associate degree in chemical engineering and is on a fast track to earning a masters degree in engineering; Mada Minerva Torres, a Honduran immigrant who has learned English and is studying to be a translator; and Brandon Warne, who has completed an aviation degree/certificate to be an airplane mechanic. They and thousands of other students are building a stronger and better economically positioned Arizona. We should do everything we can to support them. Jason Collington Tulsa World Editor Follow Jason Collington 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 University of Tulsa, the Tulsa World, Tulsa Press Club and Tulsa Voter Coalition will sponsor a free public forum for candidates running in the upcoming Tulsa mayoral election. Tulsa World Staff Writer Kevin Canfield and Editorials Editor Ginnie Graham will ask questions to the mayoral candidates on stage about the topics most relevant to Tulsans. Before the forum, candidates for Tulsa mayor and city council will be available to meet voters. The event is set for Thursday, Aug. 1, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Lorton Performance Center on the TU campus, 550 S. Gary Place. The candidate meet-and-greet event for the mayoral and city council candidates will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the center. Admission is free to the public. The University of Tulsa is dedicated to civic engagement and is honored to host this forum, providing Tulsans an opportunity to meet the candidates and hear their vision for the city, said Melissa Abdo, director of the Office of Civic Engagement at TU. This forum is the second free public forum related to Tulsa elections sponsored by TU, the Tulsa World and the Tulsa Press Club. For this event, the Tulsa Voter Coalition will provide an American Sign Language interpreter. The filing period for Tulsas municipal elections is June 10-12. The general election is set for Aug. 27, followed by runoff elections, if needed, on Nov. 5. On the ballot are the citys nine City Council seats, the mayor and the city auditor. Right now, 15 people have announced their intention to run for City Council, including six incumbents. So far, there are no announced candidates in District 3. The Tulsa World is where your story lives An investor from China is seeking to buy a VND255 billion (US$10 million) stake in the Huong Linh 3 wind farm project in Quang Tri Province, north-central Vietnam. A source told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Saturday that authorities in the province are consulting several relevant ministries about a Chinese-invested firms proposal to buy stakes in the farm, located in Huong Hoa District. Huong Linh Fresh Energy Development JSC, with its shareholders being Chinese, wants to acquire a 61.3-percent stake in Huong Linh 3 Wind Power JSC, which owns the project. The stake is equivalent to VND255 billion. The Huong Linh 3 wind farm project was designed to have a capacity of 30 MW and carried a price tag of VND1.118 trillion ($43.9 million). Its wind turbines were erected in the mountainous areas of Huong Hoa District near the borderline between Vietnam and Laos. The owners of six wind power projects in the province had previously asked local authorities for approval to sell their stakes to foreign investors. Among them, five wind farms, including Gelex 1, 2, 3 and Huong Phung 2 and 3, were eligible for stake transfer. The Amaccao Quang Tri 1 wind farm project, under the ownership of Khe Sanh Wind Power Joint Stock Company, has been evaluated and deemed ineligible for transfer. Quang Tri Province is seeing 31 wind farm projects placed on a list of national wind power projects for energy development. They can generate a combined capacity of 1,177.2 MW. Until now, 20 of the projects have been put into commercial operation with a total capacity of 742.2 MW. One wind farm has been fully constructed, while the remaining 10 projects are either in the process of receiving investment certificates or undergoing construction. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper and Google invited 2,000 students to participate in the 'Understanding AI to Empower Your Career Capabilities' event in Ho Chi Minh City earlier this month, where a Google executive said the company has plans to expand activities that enhance community access to AI. Speaking at the event, Marc Woo, managing director of Google Asia Pacific, noted that AI has the potential to generate between US$2,600 billion and $4,400 billion in economic value each year, citing the most recent studies on the subject. Many countries see AI as a vital economic driver, particularly given the World Economic Forum's estimate that creative technologies, including AI, will create 97 million new jobs by 2025. The Vietnamese government has prioritized AI, as seen by a national policy for researching, developing, and using AI by 2030 which is meant to transform Vietnam into a hub for innovation, solution development, and AI deployment, Woo said. Nguyen Thanh Luan, a resident of Hoc Mon District in Ho Chi Minh City, tries using an AI product at the 'Understanding AI to Empower Your Career Capabilities' event in Ho Chi Minh City, May 10, 2024. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre Vietnams potential in the AI sector stems from the massive proportion about 20 percent of young Vietnamese who are skilled in IT and particularly interested in learning about AI. "Google has long been committed to supporting Vietnam in efforts that promote knowledge, technology skills, and AI in a variety of disciplines. Google plans to continue expanding activities that support community access to AI," Woo said. Amongst Google's Vietnam initiatives are courses created by specialists for young professionals, including a Google AI Essentials course. Each course takes approximately ten hours to complete and may be taken on a personal computer or smartphone. Full scholarships for such courses were offered to young people who attended the event, organized on May 10. The Google AI Essentials course covers five modules: introduction to AI, maximizing productivity with AI tools, being freely creative with prompt writing abilities, responsible usage of AI, and pioneering in the context of AI development. "Whether or not they are familiar with AI, students can find a module that suits them," said Ha Lam Tu Quynh, country communications and PR lead, Vietnam at Google Asia Pacific. Young people interested in the Google AI Essentials scholarship scheme can learn more at: https://grow.google/ai-essentials/. Xiuxian Ho, communications manager for Google Singapore, used the event to reveal the latest developments in Gemini, Google's AI chatbot, demonstrating how it can be used to improve efficiency by optimizing key words and data. Le Van Thanh, a Google solution architect, also demonstrated Googles AI technology for students, using his time at the event to showcase Geminis ability to produce an effective resume, as well as compose essays and other creative materials. Le Van Quoc Anh, director of the faculty of information technology at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport, discusses a new AI course at the university, May 10, 2024. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre Knowing how to use AI is not enough Truong Chi Bao, a doctor with a specialist level-1 degree from Nhan Tam Dental Clinic in Ho Chi Minh City, shared that properly using AI for study or work requires the ability to check and judge the AI output. Relying too heavily on AI, Bao said, is impractical in professions that require an extensive understanding of the topic, such as medicine. According to Dang Anh Tuan, deputy managing editor and director of Tuoi Tre's Center for Digital Content Development, it is critical to keep updated on new developments in AI through courses, workshops, and educational programs. Still, Tuan echoed Bao's view that it is critical to question and verify AI outputs. Marc Woo, managing director of Google Asia Pacific, speaks at the 'Understanding AI to Empower Your Career Capabilities' event in Ho Chi Minh City, May 10, 2024. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre According to Le Van Quoc Anh, head of the faculty of information technology at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport, an 'Introduction to AI' course will be included in the curriculum for all students next year. The course is intended to provide students with a basic understanding of the operation of AI, relevant algorithms, and how to use it in practice. Understanding how to utilize AI is not enough; the young must also be aware of some ethical and legal issues surrounding AI use, such as private rights and data security, Anh noted. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! A video shot by a ride-hailing driver has gone viral on social media in Vietnam, showing a group of three foreigners spaying paint and scrawling graffiti on walls and coiling doors along Le Loi Boulevard in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Many viewers have left comments on social platforms to criticize these vandals. The act of vandalism was conducted on the evening of May 3, according to information displayed in the video captured by L.T.V., a ride-hailing driver. In the video, the group, including two men and a woman, carry a black bag containing some spray paint bottles and brushes, and walk along some streets in District 1. They were filmed arriving at an empty alley on Le Loi and taking these spray paint bottles out of the bag to start sullying the walls and coiling doors. The 10-minute video clip also showed that while the woman engaged in the act of vandalism, the two men stood guard. The men sprayed paint on the walls themselves. Their graffiti and spray paint covered all the blank spaces of these walls along the street. A group of three foreigners are captured on video vandalizing walls and doors on Le Loi Boulevard in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The facades of shops and houses along Le Loi Boulevard in downtown Ho Chi Minh City are filled with graffiti and spray paint. This picture was taken on May 18, 2024. Photo: Tien Quoc / Tuoi Tre According to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters, over 50 houses with coiling metal doors on Le Loi were covered in various shapes of graffiti. Several bus stops were also defaced with graffiti and spray paint. To combat this vandalism, city authorities should take decisive actions, conduct regular patrols along all streets, and impose strict sanctions on vandals, according to the Road Traffic Infrastructure Management Center. The center also proposed that the authorities in all districts and Thu Duc City encourage residents to report acts of vandalism to police and reward those who provide tips. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Buddhist flags and lotus-shaped lanterns now adorn every corner of Ho Chi Minh City, particularly gracing most pagodas with a burst of color, in celebration of Buddha's Birthday on the full-moon day of the fourth lunar month, falling on May 22 this year. Buddhas Birthday is an important annual Buddhist event, bringing together monks, nuns, and Buddhists to pray for world peace, happiness, and prosperity. To treat residents and Buddhist followers to a lantern release ceremony on Buddhas Birthday, Phap Hoa Pagoda will offer some 10,000 water lanterns. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre Several prominent pagodas in the southern metropolis, including Phap Hoa, Vinh Nghiem, Hai Duc, and Quan Am, have been adorned with strings of flags, fabric lotuses, and lanterns in preparation for the celebration. Flowers and flags embellish all the routes near the city's pagodas. A series of programs will be taking place during the week of Buddhas Birthday in 2024. Buddhist followers, locals, and tourists can participate in Buddha processions and lantern release ceremonies at Phap Hoa Pagoda in District 3, Dieu Phap in Binh Thanh District, and Vietnam Quoc Tu, or National Pagoda of Vietnam, in District 10. In Vietnam, Buddhists traditionally celebrate Buddhas Birthday with grand programs often organized by pagodas to commemorate this significant event. While taking part in these programs, Buddhist followers will spend time reviewing the Buddhas birth and life, the history of Buddhism, as well as his teachings. A tribune is prepared for the celebration. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre Many Buddhist followers join hands to decorate Phap Hoa Pagoda on May 18, 2024 for Buddhas Birthday celebration. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre A girl walks in front of a pagoda festooned with lotus-shaped lanterns in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre At 7:00 am on the fifth day of the lunar fourth month, or May 12, 2024, Quan Am Monastery releases seven lotus lanterns into Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal in Phu Nhuan District. The seven lotuses represent seven steps forward when Buddha was born. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre A man does exercise along Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal strung with colorful Buddhist flags. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre In Vietnam, Buddhas Birthday is traditionally celebrated by Buddhists, as many big programs are often organized by monasteries to mark the important event. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre A street in Ho Chi Minh City is strung with Buddhist flags. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre A Buddhist bathes a Buddha statue at a pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Hundreds of kilograms of dead freshwater fish have been removed from a beach in Da Nang City, the capital of central Vietnam. A representative of Da Nang Drainage and Wastewater Treatment Company said on Sunday that the firms workers had completed the cleanup of lifeless fish on Nguyen Tat Thanh Beach in Thanh Khe District. The bodies of the dead fish, mainly tilapias, lay scattered along the beach near a sluice gate, where wastewater is discharged into the ocean, on Saturday. Ha Van Thanh, the director of the company, stated that upon receiving notification of the fish deaths on Saturday afternoon, the firm promptly dispatched workers to the beach to collect the dead fish and commence treatment on Sunday morning. Thanh attributed the cause of the fish deaths to their exposure to saltwater. We will continue to keep a close watch on the situation to adopt suitable measures to prevent fish from dying en masse and minimize their impact on the environment, he said. Rainwater sluices out of some terminal lakes in Da Nang International Airport and 29/3 Park Lake in Thanh Khe District through the sluice gate on Nguyen Tat Thanh Street into the sea. Da Nang City was struck by a heavy downpour on Friday, so a huge volume of water from these lakes flew through a sewer pipe on Le Do and Nguyen Tat Thanh Streets into the sea. The flow might have carried freshwater fish into the ocean. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! After years baselessly complaining about what Donald Trump claimed was the outrage of fraudulent mail-in ballots, the former president is now urging his supporters to use ... mail-in ballots. Trump last month posted a video and written message declaring that "absentee voting" meaning mail-in ballots as well as "early voting and Election Day voting are all good options." In January he warned his followers after the Iowa caucuses: "We have to get rid of mail-in ballots because once you have mail-in ballots, you have crooked elections." The dramatic Trump turnaround (though he sometimes still attacks the voting method at rallies) was a long time coming even as Republican leaders repeatedly warned that dissuading supporters from using mail-in ballots meant that votes would be forever lost. GOP strategists view mail-in ballots as a way to "bank" unreliable votes before Election Day, noted the Associated Press, which examined the evolving change in perspective on the voting method. Mail-in votes also reduce the risk of plummeting turnout because of unpredictable developments such as inclement weather as well as the impact on in-person voting due to time demands, infirmity and disability. "We have to get right on using these mail-in ballots for the people who can't get there on Election Day," Trump supporter Pennsylvania Rep. Scott Perry said at a recent conservative gathering. Some 69% of voters nationwide cast their ballot either by mail or voted early in the 2020 election. That was the highest rate of nontraditional voting ever in a presidential election, according to the Census, CBS News noted. Members of both parties once used mail-in ballots at approximately the same rates, according to AP. But that changed thanks to Trump, who has long railed against mail-in ballots, claiming without evidence that their manipulation helped lose him the 2020 election. Covid also played a role as many Republicans avoided polling station because of fear of contagion and wouldn't consider mail-in ballots. Now Republicans suddenly have no problem with mail-in votes. Trump-backing group Turning Point Action is launching a $100 million campaign to reach voters in the swing states of Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin., which will include strong pitches for mail voting, AP reported. There's now a "lot of buy-in to vote by any method available, and the vote-by-mail bogeyman is beginning to fade," Bill Bretz, chairman of Pennsylvania's Westmoreland County Republican Party, told AP. Not all is forgiven, however. The Republican National Committee filed a lawsuit early this month seeking to block the counting of mail-in ballots after Election Day in Nevada. A pig farm was found to have released wastewater with a foul odor into Lak Lake, which was recognized as a national landscape in 1993, in Vietnam for many years, sparking public concerns. Black wastewater has been flowing into Lak Lake through a plastic pipe, polluting the lake in Dak Lak Province, located in the Central Highlands. The pig farm belongs to the family of Le Viet Thanh in Lien Son Town, Lak District, Dak Lak Province. The wastewater has created black scum over an area stretching hundreds of meters in length and tens of meters in width on the lake's surface. The unpleasant smell from the lake, carried by the wind, has haunted a nearby residential area. In peak times, Thanhs farm has hundreds of pigs. He cleans the farm twice a day, at dawn and at dusk, giving off the unbearable smell that later spreads across the neighborhood, complained H.T.A., who is his neighbor. All of the wastewater during the clean-up is released to Lak Lake, A. added. A plastic pipe leads wastewater from the pig farm to Lak Lake in Dak Lak Province, located in Vietnam's Central Highlands. Photo: Trung Tan / Tuoi Tre Local residents have repeatedly complained about Thanhs act to local authorities but their efforts were in vain. Le The Anh, chairman of the administration in Lien Son Town, confirmed that Thanh's pig farm had caused environmental pollution and impacted the lives of locals. However, he affirmed that the town did not turn a blind eye to the issue. Anh informed that Thanh currently raises around 500 pigs, with the number sometimes reaching 1,000. Despite operating the farm for nearly 20 years, Thanh has not obtained a license for his operations. Anh added that inspecting the farm is challenging as it requires a multisectoral inspection team. While the town has urged Thanh to address the environmental pollution, no sanctions have been imposed on him thus far. The wastewater has seriously polluted the lake. Photo: Trung Tan / Tuoi Tre Anh also confirmed that Thanh had encroached on Lak Lake for fish farming and for storing wastewater from his pig farm. As the case falls beyond the jurisdiction of the town, it has reported the matter to the Lak District administration. The Lien Son Town authorities have urged Thanh to remove a bamboo dyke in the lake to restore it to its original state. Nay Y Phu, chairman of the Peoples Committee of Lak District, said the district had received a report of the case and had tasked relevant units with dealing with it. Lak Lake, which is over 500 hectares large, is among the largest natural lakes in Vietnam. It is a tourist site for domestic and foreign travelers. Local residents have complained about the issue for years but local authorities have not punished the pig farm owner. Photo: Trung Tan / Tuoi Tre Black wastewater with a foul odor has affected nearby households. Photo: Trung Tan / Tuoi Tre The pig farm owner releases wastewater into the lake for fish farming. Photo: Trung Tan / Tuoi Tre A plastic pipe leads wastewater from the pig farm to Lak Lake in Dak Lak Province. Photo: Trung Tan / Tuoi Tre Lak Lake was recognized as a national landscape in 1993. Photo: Trung Tan / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Sunday registered to donate his tissues and organs after death and called on local residents to voluntarily register as organ donors. At a ceremony to call for registrations for tissue and organ donations at the Viet Duc University Hospital in Hanoi, the government leader emphasized that organs and tissues are the most valuable presents that people can give to others. Such presents have saved thousands of people, PM Chinh noted, showed his heartfelt gratitude to organ and tissue donors and their families for giving life to other people. He said he was touched to attend such a meaningful and humane event, which was organized on the occasion of the 134th birthday anniversary of late President Ho Chi Minh (May 19,1980 May 19, 2024). The event was jointly held by the Ministry of Health, the Vietnam Red Cross Society, and the Vietnam Association for Organ and Tissue Donation Advocacy. The prime minister expressed his pride in the countrys organ transplantation achievements as Vietnam is now a leading organ transplantation service provider in Southeast Asia. He asked relevant units to continue improving the service and expanding sources of donated organs and tissues as well as study policies for the organ transplantation field. PM Chinh also suggested May 19, late President Ho Chi Minh's birthday, should be a day to honor organ and tissue donors. Many officials from governmental agencies also registered as tissue and organ donors. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (in a white shirt) registers as an organ and tissue donor. Photo: T.H. / Tuoi Tre Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan expressed her deep gratitude to the family of tissue and organ donors. Since the first successful kidney transplant in Vietnam 32 years ago, the country has become an expert in transplanting all kinds of organs. A total of 26 hospitals across the country have effectively performed organ transplants. Vietnam has emerged as the frontrunner in Southeast Asia for organ transplants, with an impressive annual tally of over 1,000 procedures. In 2023, the number of brain-dead people in Vietnam donating tissues and organs increased 15 percent year on year. The minister informed that the number of donors in the first four months of this year doubles that in the corresponding period last year. Despite this increase, the nation struggles to meet the demand for organ transplantation, with over 94 percent of transplanted organs sourced from living donors. Lan highlighted that thousands of patients remain on waiting lists, hoping for donated organs. More than 86,000 people in Vietnam have registered as tissue and organ donors, accounting for 0.086 percent of the population, which is low compared with other countries, according to the Vietnam National Coordinating Center for Human Organ Transplantation Meanwhile, 40-80 percent of brain-dead people in South Korea, Thailand, and China have donated their organs. Lan emphasized that a single brain-dead individual has the potential to save the lives of eight others through organ donation, while also providing support for the treatment of dozens more. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Having the name Steven Knight on a new British drama is enough to make many drama connosieurs sit up and take notice. After all his shows Peaky Blinders, Rogue Heroes and Taboo have all attracted serious audiences. This Town, is likely to do the same, albeit cut from a much different cloth. It is 1981 in Birmingham, nearby Coventry and Belfast. There are race riots in Birmingham housing estates during the Thatcher years, and IRA uprisings in Belfast. Dante (Levi Brown) is an aspiring black poet coming of age in a time of crisis. He has a head full of words in a cold, industrial city where walking the street can mean stumbling into a riot where police beat you to a pulp because of the colour of your skin You look like somebody who could be somebody, his friend Jeannie (Eve Austin) says. I want to be somebody. I want to be a poet, Dante replies. Meanwhile in Coventry, dancer Bardon (Ben Rose) is collared by his bully Irish father (Peter McDonald) into shady acts which help finance the IRA but which also test their relationship. Bardon wants nothing to do with the fight against British rule, but his father expects his son to step up. I want to be my own man, Dad, says Bardon. A third principal character is Gregory (Jordan Bolger), a British sergeant fighting the uprisings in Belfast. In the middle of anarchy on the streets he hears birds singing, and wants warring factions to turn to music -reactions wild enough to see him considered for psychological consultation until a major incident unexpectedly links all three men together. The pursuit of music from the dark corners of despair is one of This Towns best attributes. Theres a quirky soundtrack, juxtaposed with some creative cinematography. The real skill is in the fragile relationships sensitively directed by Paul Whittington, drawing some magical moments from a gifted ensemble. Levi Brown is particularly captivating as the ambitious poet Dante, while Jordan Bolger is fiercely strong as Gregory. But there are some rather wonderful supporting performances too -wait for Michelle Dockery as an alcoholic, chain-smoking mother down on her luck. Its likely to land her some nominations I expect. David Dawson also plays an enigmatic nightclub manager and crime boss, Robbie Carmen. This Town doesnt always move with a driving pace, but the mix of art and anarchy leaves you feeling like you are watching a rough diamond being formed on screen. This Town double episode 9:25pm Wednesday on SBS. By Anne Kauranen and Essi Lehto HELSINKI (Reuters) - Finland will propose a law next week allowing border agents to block asylum seekers trying to enter from Russia, the prime minister said on Sunday, a decision that could cause Helsinki to temporarily breach its international commitments. Finland shut its border with Russia last year to stop a growing number of arrivals from countries including Syria and Somalia, and accused Moscow of weaponising migration against it and the European Union, an assertion the Kremlin denies. Finland annoyed Russia last year by abandoning its long-held military non-alignment and joining the NATO alliance in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. It has also signed a bilateral defence pact with the United States. The draft law proposed by the right-wing governing coalition acknowledges that turning migrants back to Russia without processing their asylum applications would be in breach of Finland's international human rights commitments, but says its use will be temporary and limited. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said the proposal would go to parliament next week, where it will be submitted to the constitutional committee for review. It will need five-sixths of votes cast in parliament to pass - the high bar required for constitutional matters - and success is not certain. "As this phenomenon is in Russia's hands - who comes, where from and when, to Finland's border - we cannot permit it. Therefore we have to augment our legislation," Orpo told reporters. Fewer than 40 migrants have crossed the border from Russia through the wilderness this year since Finland shut its land crossings, while some 1,300 arrived through the crossings last year, Border Guard data showed. One railway crossing remains open, for cargo only. Finnish leaders say the legislation is still needed because migrants could start arriving again as warmer weather makes travel easier. "There are still thousands of people in Russia ... who are waiting for an opportunity to reach the Finnish border," Orpo said, citing intelligence reports. Finland shares a 1,340 km (830 mile) border with Russia. The bill would allow border authorities to turn back asylum seekers who cross from Russia, with or without using force. But it would not apply to children and disabled people, whose asylum applications Finland would continue to accept. Contacted by Reuters on May 3, Finland's largest opposition group, the Social Democrats, said they would not commit to supporting the bill before parliament had discussed the final version. Finland's ombudsman for non-discrimination, Kristina Stenman, said it would be alarming if Finland refused to accept asylum applications from people arriving at its borders. (Reporting by Anne Kauranen and Essi Lehto in Helsinki, Terje Solsvik in Oslo; editing by William Maclean and Kevin Liffey) Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot six years ago today, with, Harry marrying his American bride Meghan after going public with their engagement just months before. The couple tied the knot at St George's Chapel in Windsor, surrounded by loved ones as the world watched and marvelled at the televised event. Here, we take a look at the couple's relationship, from welcoming their first child, stepping down as senior royals, relocating to America, having another baby, and embarking on various exciting ventures. July 2016: The pair met through mutual friends The Prince and Suits star first met online through a mutual friend. Later, Harry reveals in the first episode of Harry & Meghan that a Snapchat snap of their friend and Meghan using the dog filter piqued his interest and prompted him to ask who Meghan was. "Meghan and I met over Instagram. I was scrolling through my feed and someone who was a friend had a video of the two of them, like a Snapchat," Harry explains. "With dog ears. That was the first thing. I was like, 'Who is that?'" After the pair exchanged some DM's, the pair went out on a blind date in London and Harry turned up late. "You were late." Meghan points out to Harry, adding: "And I didn't know him. So I was like, 'Oh, is this what he does?'" The date eventually led to sparks, and despite their long-distance circumstances, they scheduled to see each other every few weeks. August 2016: The pair embark on an African trip Following their first date, the pair visited Botswana and their romantic connection blossomed. Harry recalled during a BBC interview : "It was three, maybe four, weeks later that I managed to persuade her to come join me in Botswana, and we camped out with each other, under the stars." Meghan Markle meeting children in Africa -Credit:meghanmarkle/Instagram Adding: "She came and joined me for five days out there, which was absolutely fantastic. Then we were really by ourselves, which was crucial to me to make sure that we had a chance to get to know each other." The following year, the pair returned to Botswana to celebrate their first anniversary and months later, Harry proposed with an engagement ring featuring an African stone, as well as two smaller diamonds from one of Princess Diana's brooches. November 2016: Harry and Meghan's relationship is Kensington confirmed Following a string of rumours which began in October, Kensington Palace confirmed the pair were a couple on social media. In a reprimanding address, the palace implores the public to stop their ongoing harassment of Harry and "his girlfriend, Meghan Markle." "Prince Harry is worried about Ms Markle's safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her," the note reads. "It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms Markle should be subjected to such a storm." The following month, Harry and Meghan were snapped together for the first time, followed by another outing in London around Christmas time. May 2017: Harry and Meghan make their first public appearance The now Duke and Duchess of Sussex are snapped sharing a kiss during a polo event in Ascot, attending their first public event together. September 2017: Meghan speaks about her relationship publically Meghan first publically discusses her relationship with the Prince, telling Vanity Fair: "We're in love, I'm sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people will understand is that this is our time. "This is for us. It's part of what makes it so special, that it's just ours. But we're happy. "Personally, I love a great love story." September 2017: Meghan Markle meets Queen Elizabeth The pair make a sweet appearance in Toronto for the Invictus Games and are joined by Doria Ragland. Later in the month, Us Weekly reports that Meghan has been introduced to Harry's grandmother Queen Elizabeth II. November 2017: Harry and Meghan announce engagement Kensington Palace announces that the pair have gotten engaged following about a year of dating. Meghan's parents, Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland, express their congratulations in a public statement shared by the palace on Twitter. "We are incredibly happy for Meghan and Harry," they write in the statement. "Our daughter has always been a kind and loving person. To see her union with Harry, who shares the same qualities, is a source of great joy for us as parents. We wish them a lifetime of happiness and are very excited for their future together." May 2018: Harry and Meghan tie the knot Harry and Meghan tie the knot at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in a star-studded ceremony that becomes the most-watched royal wedding in the world. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their wedding day -Credit:Getty Images On this day, Meghan is officially granted her royal title at the occasion: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. July 2018: Prince Harry, Prince William, Kate and Meghan make first appearance In their first major royal event as royal newlyweds, the Sussexes get together with William and Kate to honour the Centenary of the RAF at Buckingham Palace, where they observe a flypast for the occasion. May 2019: Archie Mountbatten-Windsor is born Meghan and Harry welcome their first child together, Prince Archie of Sussex. Prince Harry and Meghan with their son Archie -Credit:Getty Images In his first television interview fresh off the birth, Harry exclaims: "I'm so incredibly proud of my wife. As every father and parent would ever say, your baby is absolutely amazing. But this little thing is absolutely to die for. So I'm just over the moon." January 2020: They announce their royal exit Following months of attacks on Meghan from the tabloid media and rumours swirling surrounding the Sussexes' rising tensions with the rest of the royal familythe duke and duchess finally announce in an official joint statement shared to their Instagram page that they have decided to step down as senior members of the royal family. "After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution," their message reads. "We intend to step back as senior members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen." They continued: "It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. "This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity." June 2021: The pair welcome second child Meghan and Harry welcome their second child, Princess Lilibet of Sussex, at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California. Harry and Meghan with Archie and Lilibet -Credit:EPN/Newscom / Avalon Their newborn daughter's name "Lilibet Diana," takes after the pet name of great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth and honours her paternal grandmother, the late Princess Diana. December 2022: Harry & Meghan premiers on Netflix The pair released their Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan, which gives viewers a glimpse into their relationship in its beginning stages, their life and struggles in the royal family, and their current lifestyle now. January 2023: Harry releases memoir Spare In his tell-all memoir, Spare, the prince reveals various shocking truths - including the way he lost his virginity, the day he re-created his mother's last moments, and the brutal physical fight he had with his brother, Prince William. Prince Harry's memoir Spare proved to be an explosive read ( Image: PA) -Credit:PA He also writes a lot about his wife, reflecting on her relationship with Will and Princess Kate, detailing their life together in England, recalling Meghan's mental health battle, and speaking of the moment they knew they had to step away from the royal family. May 2024: The pair enjoy a visit to Nigeria Ahead of the 2024 Invictus Games, Meghan and Harry arrive in Nigeria, meeting with locals to discuss sports, mental health programmes and leadership initiatives. -Credit:Getty Images for The Archewell Foundation Every single person in this roomthe youngest, the oldest, every single personhas mental health, the prince says. And the more you talk about it, the more you can kick stigma awayfar, far away into long grassand then everybody will have the opportunity to be able to share how theyre feeling, how theyre coping, and then you can help other people. As Harry hands over the mic, Meghan says, You see why Im married to him? There are cheers and a whoop. It so inspiring, because he speaks the truth, she adds. Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi speaks during a meeting with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev on the Azerbaijan-Iran border (Reuters) - Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, whose helicopter crashed in mountainous terrain on Sunday, has become a contender to be Iran's next supreme leader with a clampdown on morality questions and a bloody crackdown on the nationwide protests it triggered. Raisi's victory in an election in 2021, after heavyweight conservative and moderate rivals were disqualified by a hardline oversight body, brought all branches of power under the control of hardliners loyal to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Raisi's 85-year-old mentor, who has the final say on all major policies. Raisi, 63, took a tough stance in now-moribund negotiations with six major powers to revive a 2015 nuclear deal, seeing a chance to win broad relief from U.S. sanctions in return for only modest curbs on Iran's increasingly advanced nuclear programme. Hardliners in Iran have been emboldened by the chaotic U.S. military withdrawal from neighbouring Afghanistan and policy swings in Washington. In 2018, then-U.S. president Donald Trump had reneged on the deal Tehran had done with the six powers and restored harsh U.S. sanctions on Iran, prompting Tehran to progressively violate the agreement's nuclear limits. Indirect talks between U.S. President Joe Biden's administration and Tehran to revive the pact have stalled. Raisi's hardline position has also been evident in domestic politics; a year after his election, the mid-ranking cleric ordered that authorities tighten enforcement of Iran's "hijab and chastity law" restricting women's dress and behaviour. Within weeks, a young Kurdish Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini, died in custody after being arrested by morality police for allegedly violating that law. The resulting months of nationwide protests presented one of the gravest challenges to Iran's clerical rulers since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Hundreds were killed, according to rights groups, including dozens of security personnel who were part of a fierce crackdown on the demonstrators. "Acts of chaos are unacceptable," the president insisted. Although a political novice, Raisi has had full backing for the nuclear stance and the security crackdown from his patron, the strongly anti-Western Khamenei. However, the widespread protests against clerical rule and a failure to turn around Iran's struggling economy - hamstrung by Western sanctions and mismanagement - may have diminished his popularity at home. 'PILLAR OF THE SYSTEM' As a young prosecutor in Tehran, Raisi sat on a panel that oversaw the execution of hundreds of political prisoners in the Iranian capital in 1988, as Iran's eight-year war with Iraq was coming to an end, rights groups say. Inquisitions known as "death committees" were set up across Iran comprising religious judges, prosecutors and intelligence ministry officials to decide the fate of thousands of detainees in arbitrary trials that lasted just a few minutes, according to a report by Amnesty International. While the number of people killed across Iran was never confirmed, Amnesty said minimum estimates put it at 5,000. Asked about allegations that he had played a part in the death sentences, Raisi told reporters in 2021: "If a judge, a prosecutor, has defended the security of the people, he should be praised ... I am proud to have defended human rights in every position I have held so far." He rose through the ranks of Iran's Shi'ite Muslim clergy and was appointed by Khamenei to the high-profile job of judiciary chief in 2019. Shortly afterwards, he was also elected deputy chairman of the Assembly of Experts, the 88-member clerical body responsible for electing the next Supreme Leader. "Raisi is a pillar of a system that jails, tortures and kills people for daring to criticize state policies," said Hadi Ghaemi, executive director of New York-based advocacy group the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI). Iran denies torturing prisoners. Raisi shares with Khamenei a deep suspicion of the West. An anti-corruption populist, he backs Khamenei's self-sufficiency drive in the economy and his strategy of supporting proxy forces across the Middle East. When a missile attack killed senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard officers in Iran's embassy in Damascus in April, Iran responded with an unprecedented but largely unsuccessful direct aerial bombardment of Israel. Raisi said that any Israeli retaliation against Iranian territory could result in there being nothing left of the "Zionist regime". "Raisi is someone that Khamenei trusts," said Sanam Vakil, deputy director of Chatham Houses Middle East and North Africa Program. "Raisi can protect the supreme leader's legacy. Raisi served as deputy head of the judiciary for 10 years before being appointed prosecutor-general in 2014. Five years later, the United States imposed sanctions on him for human rights violations, including the 1980s executions. Seeking the presidency, Raisi lost to the pragmatist Hassan Rouhani in a 2017 election. His failure was widely attributed to an audio tape dating from 1988 that surfaced in 2016 and purportedly highlighted his role in the 1988 executions. In the recording, the late Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, then deputy supreme leader, spoke of the killings. Montazeris son was arrested and jailed for releasing the tape. Raisi was born in 1960 to a religious family in Iran's holy Shi'ite Muslim city of Mashhad. He lost his father at the age of 5, but followed in his footsteps to become a cleric. As a young student at a religious seminary in the holy city of Qom, Raisi took part in protests against the Western-backed Shah in the 1979 revolution. Later, his contacts with religious leaders in Qom made him a trusted figure in the judiciary. (Reporting by Dominic Evans; Editing by William Maclean and Kevin Liffey) By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Dan Williams CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli planes and tanks pounded areas across the Gaza Strip, residents said, as White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday amid U.S. calls for a more focused military campaign. Sullivan was expected to press for Israel to go after Hamas militants in a targeted way, not with a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, the White House said before the discussions. Israel has been pushing into the city that it says is the last bastion of Hamas forces. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have fled the area that was one of their few remaining places of refuge. "Across the Gaza Strip, there is no safety," said Majid Omran who told Reuters his family had fled Rafah and just returned to what was left of their home in the southern city of Khan Younis that they had fled nearly five months ago. "We took our children, grandchildren, and daughters and we came and lived above the rubble of our home. Because there is no place to take refuge here," Omran told Reuters inside the wrecked property as a woman cooked over a fire. Israeli forces also pushed deeper into the narrow alleyways of Jabalia in northern Gaza overnight and into Sunday, returning to an area that they said they had cleared earlier in the conflict, residents said. The Israeli military has said its operations in Jabalia - the largest of Gaza's eight historic refugee camps - are precise and meant to stop Hamas from reestablishing its grip there. The Israeli military said it was "operating to identify armed terrorist cells and ... conducting dozens of strikes to assist the forces operating on the ground" in the Jabalia area. TALKS, TUNNELS, THREATS Ahead of Sunday's talks, an Israeli official said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his senior aides would try to reach agreement with Sullivan about the need for press ahead with the Rafah push. Past U.S. misgivings about the feasibility of Israel's humanitarian measures may have been allayed by the evacuation around half of the city's Palestinians in 12 days, said the official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity. "We've shown that this is not only necessary, but doable," added the official. The official said Israel would also air concerns about dozens of tunnels it says its forces have found under Rafah, running into next-door Egypt - which has condemned the military sweep. "These tunnels are used by Hamas to supply itself with weapons and ammunition, and could potentially be used to smuggle out of Gaza hostages or Hamas senior operatives," Deputy Israeli State Attorney Noam Gilad said during a hearing at The Hague on Friday, in a rare detailing of allegations that Egypt's state information service previously dismissed as untrue. Netanyahu has said the operation in Rafah, where Israel believes that as much as a quarter of Hamas' fighting forces are holed up, could be completed within weeks. Washington worries for the hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians sheltering there, and has cited a need not just to evacuate them but also to ensure adequate alternative accommodation. At least 28 Palestinians were killed on Sunday, Gaza health officials and Hamas said, most of them in a strike on a house in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip. The Gaza Civil Emergency Service said in a statement rescue teams have so far recovered the bodies of 150 Palestinians killed by the army in recent days, and that 300 houses had been struck by Israeli aerial and ground fire. The Oct. 7 Hamas assault on Israel that sparked the war killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies. About 125 of the 253 people abducted in the raid are believed to remain in captivity in Gaza. At least 35,386 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since Oct. 7, according to the enclave's health ministry. Aid agencies have warned of widespread hunger and shortages of fuel and medical supplies. The U.S. military said on Friday trucks had started moving aid ashore from a temporary pier built by its forces, the first to reach the besieged enclave by sea in weeks. The Popular Resistance Committee (PRC), an armed group that fights alongside Hamas in Gaza, released a statement saying the pier had been built to ease political pressure on Israel, and that any Israeli or U.S. troops on its territory would be considered a legitimate target. On Saturday, Hamas also raised concerns about the pier, warned against any foreign military force in Gaza, but made no direct threats. In March, when President Joe Biden announced his country's pier construction plans, he said: "No U.S. boots will be on the ground." (This story has been corrected to fix the first name of the displaced person to 'Majid Omran' from 'Sahar Omran' in paragraph 4) (Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Additional reporting by Dan Williams in Jerusalem and Mohammed Salem in Gaza; Editing by Andrew Heavens) A New Jersey woman says an Atlantic City casino refuses to pay her a multi-million dollar jackpot, blaming a technical glitch in the slot machine for her winnings. It happened on the Wheel of Fortune machine at the Bally's Casino. Roney Beal, 72, said she had put hundreds of dollars into the machine one February day. "And it went off, says, 'you're a winner' and gold coins popped out," she told WPVI-TV. "This very nice guy says, 'Oh my God, you hit, you hit!' He said, 'Lady you're a millionaire.' And I'm like, 'Oh my God!'" She said the jackpot was more than $1.2 million, but that she also hit the multiplier win, doubling the payout. When she hit the call button to collect, security personnel rushed over. At that point, Beal recounted, the machine came up with a "tilted" message. Beal said that's when a casino worker told her the machine had a malfunction known as a "reel tilt," which voided the win. He started tampering with the machine, according to Beal, and he may have destroyed the evidence showing her win, she fears. "They fooled with the machine before anybody else had the opportunity to take a look at this," Beal's lawyer Mike Dicroce told the TV station. He is asking the New Jersey Gaming Enforcement to investigate. Bally's Casino responded that it only houses the machine, and that the company that owns the machine, International Game Technology, was responsible. IGT reportedly did not reply to requests for comment. Wheel of Fortune slots have minted over 1,100 millionaires and awarded over $3.5 billion in jackpots since their launch in 1996, according to IGT. Four people won $1 million jackpots in March alone, the company reported. Northern Ireland minister Heaton-Harris will not stand for re-election as MP (Reuters) - Britain's minister for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris, will not stand for re-election to parliament, he said in a letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Saturday. Heaton-Harris asked Sunak to let him remain secretary of state for Northern Ireland until the general election, according to the letter he posted on X. He said he would continue campaigning for the Conservative Party in the next election, where he will "do everything I can to see you returned as Prime Minister". Sunak's Conservatives are trailing the opposition Labour Party in opinion polls ahead of the national election due at some point this year. First elected in 2010, Heaton-Harris was appointed Northern Ireland minister by then-Prime Minister Liz Truss in September 2022 and reappointed by Sunak, who succeeded her the next month. He was chief whip, in charge of party discipline, under Boris Johnson. Heaton-Harris has held positions across government departments, including transport, foreign affairs and Commonwealth development, according to his website. (Reporting by Utkarsh Shetti in Bengaluru; Editing by William Mallard) WikiLeaks' Julian Assange wins right to appeal extradition from Britain to US WikiLeaks' Julian Assange wins right to appeal extradition from Britain to US By Michael Holden and Sam Tobin LONDON (Reuters) -WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was given permission on Monday to appeal against extradition to the United States after arguing at London's High Court that he might not be able to rely on his right to free speech in a U.S. court. The Australian-born Assange, 52, is wanted in the U.S. on 18 charges, nearly all under the Espionage Act, relating to WikiLeaks' mass release of secret U.S. documents - the largest security breaches of their kind in U.S. military history. The High Court had in March granted him provisional permission to appeal on grounds that he might be discriminated against as a foreign national, but invited the U.S. to submit assurances. After Monday's hearing, two senior judges said Assange's argument that he might not be able to rely on the U.S. First Amendment right to free speech deserved a full appeal - which is unlikely to be held for months. The news prompted cheering and singing from hundreds of supporters who had massed outside the court tying yellow ribbons to the iron railings, holding placards and chanting "Free, free Julian Assange". Assange himself was not present, which his lawyer said was for health reasons. But his wife Stella, who spoke to him after the ruling, said he was "obviously relieved", having not been able to sleep at all. "We don't know how long this will go on for and it takes an enormous toll on him," Stella, who had been in court with Assange's brother and father, told Reuters. She said the decision marked a turning point. "I hope that the U.S. administration looks at this case and now... considers it should just be dropped," she said. "The signals should be clear that it's time to drop it." The U.S. Justice Department declined to comment on a pending judicial matter. Had Monday's ruling gone against him, Assange's team said he could have been on a plane to the U.S. within 24 hours, ending more than 13 years of legal battles in Britain. It could be many months until the appeal is heard, and then that decision could be taken to the UK Supreme Court. US ASSURANCE FAILS TO CONVINCE UK JUDGES U.S. prosecutors had told the court Assange could "seek to rely" upon the First Amendment protections granted to U.S. citizens, and would not be discriminated against because of his nationality. But his legal team said a U.S court would not be bound by this. "We say this is a blatantly inadequate assurance," Assange's lawyer Edward Fitzgerald told the judges. The court also concluded that Assange's appeal should apply to all 18 counts, not only three, as lawyers for the U.S. had argued. Fitzgerald did, however, accept a separate U.S. assurance that Assange would not face the death penalty. WikiLeaks released hundreds of thousands of classified U.S. military documents on Washington's wars in Afghanistan and Iraq along with swathes of diplomatic cables. In April 2010 it published a classified video showing a 2007 U.S. helicopter attack that killed a dozen people in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, including two Reuters news staff. U.S. authorities say Assange's actions with WikiLeaks were reckless, damaged national security, and endangered the lives of agents. His many global supporters call the prosecution a travesty, an assault on journalism and free speech, and revenge for causing embarrassment. Calls for the case to be dropped have come from human rights groups, media bodies and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, along with other political leaders. Assange was first arrested in Britain in 2010 on a Swedish warrant over sex crime allegations that were later dropped. Since then, he has been variously under house arrest, holed up in Ecuador's embassy in London for seven years and, since 2019, held in the Belmarsh top security jail. He married Stella there in 2022 and the couple have two young children. (Writing by Michael Holden; additional reporting by Kate Holton and Andrew MacAskill;Editing by Frances Kerry, Jon Boyle, Kevin Liffey and Kate Holton) Sony Delivers 'Legends of the Fall' and 'Talk of the Town' on 4K UHD December 3rd Gaza War Confirms Risks of Robotics, AI Weapons Recent tragic experiences in Gaza have confirmed the fears of those scientists who have been warning about the use of AI and robotics in weapon systems and warfare. Sunday May 19, 2024 9:38 AM , Bharat Dogra [File image: Stop Killer Robots via stopkillerrobots.org] Recent tragic experiences in Gaza have confirmed the fears of those scientists who have been warning about the use of AI and robotics in weapon systems and warfare. The use of AI in targeting systems was supposed to facilitate more precise targeting and thereby spare innocent civilians using Lavender system to target personnel and Gospel system to target buildings where militants were supposed to be located. However this AI technology, used hastily, has actually resulted in a lot of indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians. This is not the only recent example of high risk use of AI weapons. Highly scary but fact-based warnings by well-recognized experts have been followed by increasing investments by big powers to strengthen their preparations for developing a wide range of robot weapons. While some of the civilian applications of robots have also faced increasing criticism regarding fears of large scale unemployment likely to be caused by them in several lines of work in a world already suffering from the adverse impacts of jobless growth, the adverse impacts of military use of robots are likely to be much more dangerous. Yet one of the arguments given for not checking military use of robot weapons ( also called lethal autonomous weapons or LAWs) is that work for civilian and military use of robots, particularly in the context of scientific research and innovation, can be closely related. The message given is that as civilian research on robots advances, there will be accompanying implications for military use of robots which cannot be ignored by any leading military power. Hence on the one hand it is stated that civilian advances in robots by cutting costs and offering other narrow advantages regardless of social costs will inevitably lead to the spread of robotics in civilian applications and on the other hand it is stated that the military possibilities that arise in the context of this technological development will equally inevitably be used by various military establishments in various parts of the world. Of course once the importance of robots for military becomes clearer and clearer, then military establishments will also invest a lot in purely military development of robots. This stage has already been reached in the case of the leading military powers of the world. Hence we are in a situation where despite increasing expert warning about robot weapons, the trend towards development of more and more destructive robot weapons appears unstoppable just now. In the USA several new start-ups are appearing to take forward the increasing willingness of Pentagon to invest in AI weapons, and other powers are unlikely to lag behind. As early as 2012-13 as a part of the efforts of the International Committee for Robot Arms Control as many as 270 computing experts, AI experts and engineers had called for a ban on the development and deployment of weapon systems that make the decision to apply violent force autonomously, without any human control. They said clearly that the decision about the application of violent force should not be delegated to machines. These experts questioned how devices controlled by complex algorithms will interact, warning such interactions could create unstable and unpredictable behavior that can initiate or escalate conflicts or cause unjustifiable and serious harm to civilian populations. In August 2017 as many as 116 specialists from 26 countries, including some of worlds leading robotics and artificial intelligence pioneers, called on the United Nations to ban the development and use of killer robots. They wrote, Once developed lethal autonomous weapons will permit armed conflict to be fought at a scale greater than ever, and at time scales faster than humans can comprehend. These can be weapons of terror, weapons than despots and terrorists use against innocent population, and weapons hacked to behave in undesirable ways. We do not have long to act. This letter warned. Once this Pandoras box is opened, it will be hard to close. Ryan Gariepy, the founder of Clearpath Robotics, has said, Unlike other potential manifestations of AI which still remain in the realm of science fiction, autonomous weapon systems are on the cusp of development right now and have a very real potential to cause significant harm to innocent people along with global instability. The Economist (January 27, 2017) noted in its special report titled The Future of War: At least the world knows what is like to live in the shadow of nuclear weapons. There are much bigger question marks over how the rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning will affect the way wars are fought, and perhaps even the way people think of war. The big concern is that these technologies may create autonomous weapon systems that can make choices about killing humans independently of those who created or deployed them. This special report distinguished between three types of AI weapons or robot weapons: In the loop (with a human constantly monitoring the operation and remaining in charge of critical decisions On the loop (with a human supervising machines that can intervene at any stage of the mission) or Out of the loop (with the machine carrying out the mission without any human intervention once launched). Fully autonomous robot weapons (third category) are obviously the most dangerous. A letter warning against the coming race of these weapons was signed in 2015 by over 1000 AI experts. An international campaign called Campaign to Stop Killer Robots is working on a regular basis for this and related objectives. Elon Musk has stated that competition for AI superiority at national level as the most likely cause of World War 3. Stephen Hawking, Elon Musk and many other experts said in a joint statement that, handled badly, AI as weapon could be an existential threat to the human race. Paul Scharre, an expert on autonomous weapons, has written that collectively, swarms of robotic systems have the potential for even more dramatic, disruptive change to military operations. One possibility he mention is that tiny 3D-printed drones can be formed into smart clouds that can permeate a building or be air-dropped over a wide area to look for hidden enemy forces. In my novel A Day in 2071 I visualize such a situation in which powerful elites use such a force of very tiny robot soldiers to suppress a revolt of common people. Several countries are surging ahead with rapid advances in robot weapons. In 2014 the Pentagon announced its Third Offset Strategy with its special emphasis on robotics, autonomous systems and big data. This is supposed to help the USA to maintain its military superiority. In July 2017 China presented its Next-Generation Artificial-Intelligence Development Plan, which gives a crucial role to AI as the transformative technology in civil as well as military areas, with emphasis on military-civil fusion. The campaign called Stop Killer Robots wants a legally binding international treaty banning LAWs. But there are certain questions whether this can be effective without the big military powers signing it and these big powers are going ahead with big investments in robot weapons. Certainly whatever efforts that are being made at present to check robot weapons should continue and should be strengthened but beyond this it is also important to take a very serious look at why our world, the way it is organized at present, is increasingly found to be incapable of checking some of the most dangerous threats. [The writer, Bharat Dogra, is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include Planet in Peril, Protecting Earth for Children, A Day in 2071 and Earth without Borders.] Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Wild speculations after chopper carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi crashes Wild speculations about the whereabouts of Ebrahim Raisi are on after one of the helicopters in the convoy of the Iranian President crashed in Irans East Azerbaijan province near Jolfa, around 375 miles northwest of Tehran Sunday. Sunday May 19, 2024 9:53 PM , ummid.com World News Desk [Ebrahim Raisi with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev hours before the chopper crash] Wild speculations about the whereabouts of Ebrahim Raisi are on after one of the helicopters in the convoy of the Iranian President crashed in Irans East Azerbaijan province near Jolfa, around 375 miles northwest of Tehran Sunday. The state owned media confirmed the incident reporting that the Iranian Presidents chopper suffered hard landing. A section of the Western media is calling the incident chopper crash and claimed that Ebrahim Raisi, the Iranian Foreign Minister and other high ranking officials who were aboard the chopper are missing after the incident. Some citing US officials claimed they believed Iranian President "Ebrahim Raisi has been assassinated". Iranian Presidents convoy One of the three helicopters in the Iranian Presidents convoy crashed hours after Raisi met with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, according to the media reports. The aircraft was traveling in Iran's East Azerbaijan province near Jolfa, around 375 miles northwest of Tehran, when it suffered a 'hard landing', Iranian state television reported. "Iran's Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi has confirmed that a helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raeisi makes a hard landing in the city of Jolfa in the northwestern Iranian province of East Azarbaijan", Press TV said. Iran FM, High Ranking officials with Raisi According to the local media reports, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, Friday Prayer Imam Seyyed Mohammad-Ali Al-Hashem and other high-ranking officials were also reportedly on the helicopter with the President when it crashed. The incident happened at Dizmar forest, between the cities of Varzaqan and Jolfa. The rescue teams reached the crash site one hour after the incident and started search operations. There had been heavy rain and fog reported with some wind. "Due to the adverse weather conditions and severe fog in the area, the Red Crescent's rescue helicopters are currently unable to fly, and the teams are conducting a ground search of the area", President of the Red Crescent Society Pir Hossein Kolivand said. Search, rescue operation on Pir Hossein Kolivand further said that as many as 15 Red Crescent K-9 teams (sniffer dogs) along with two Red Crescent drones are also searching the area for any trace of the helicopter carrying the Iranian President. Search and rescue teams are yet trying to locate the helicopter carrying Iranians president,#Iran pic.twitter.com/SEAaW7jXve Ahmad Hassan Bobak (@ahmad__bobak) May 19, 2024 Ebrahim Raisi had been in Azerbaijan early Sunday to inaugurate a dam with Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev. The dam is the third one that the two nations built on the Aras River. The visit came despite chilly relations between the two nations, including over a gun attack on Azerbaijan's Embassy in Tehran in 2023, and Azerbaijan's diplomatic relations with Israel, which Iran's Shiite theocracy views as its main enemy in the region. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Sunday called on all Vietnamese adults, regardless of gender, ethnic groups, religion, or region, to register as an organ donor. The organ and tissue donation campaign was launched at the Viet Nam-Germany Hospital in Ha Noi by the Ministry of Health, the Vietnam Red Cross Society and the Organ and Tissue Donation Association. Chinh stressed that donating organs and tissues is one of the most meaningful presents one can give to others. Thousands of people in Viet Nam have received successful organ transplants and their lives have been spared because of the generosity and sharing of good-hearted people. He said over the past 30 years, the organ transplantation service had made remarkable progress thanks to incentive policies of the Party and State, work by medical staff, public support and, in particular, the noble sacrifices of organ donors. Since performing the first successful organ transplant thirty years ago, Viet Nam had become an expert in transplanting all kinds of organs and it recently carried out numerous multi-organ transplants. The PM said that the Party and State were particularly focused on health care, especially emerging fields using modern technology such as organ donation and transplantation and had put in many mechanisms, policies and laws to support this work. This is a bright spot, a source of pride, a testament to outstanding progress, demonstrating the level of expertise, deep technical expertise and diverse experience of organ transplant specialists, Vietnamese organ transplant industry in the country's healthcare sector, he said. Chinh said May 19 President Ho Chi Minh's birthday should be a day of gratitude for organ and tissue donors. The Prime Minister congratulated and commended the leaders of the Ministry of Health as well as Vietnamese healthcare workers, particularly the professors, physicians, officials and medical staff working in the field of organ transplantation, who exhibit a strong sense of responsibility and are continuously pursuing new research to reach the goal of "curing diseases and saving people." But he expressed concern about the restricted sources of organ donation after death, or brain death and the fact that the demand for organ transplants is still not being met. Everyone's health is the most valuable resource for both the individual and the entire society, he said. He urged ministries, sectors and localities to step up their work in information technology, to make it quicker and easier for people to register for tissue and organ donation so that everyone who is eligible can be listed. He added that because organ donation is entirely voluntary and not done for financial gain, all acts of commercialisation, including the buying and selling of human tissues and organs must be outlawed. At the launch ceremony, PM Chinh and leaders of the Governments agencies were among those who registered as donors, adding a total of 3,812 people to the organ donor data bank. Viet Nam was later to start organ transplants than other countries in Southeast Asia, only beginning 20 years ago, but in 2022 and 2023, Viet Nam performed more than 1,000 operations including kidney, liver, heart and lung transplants and today, it is the country with the highest number of organ transplants per year in the region. Living donors provide more than 94 per cent of the organs used in transplants. Right now, around 86,000 peopleor 0.086 per cent of the populationhave registered to donate organs after their death. Before 2023, the country had only five hospitals that carried out the diagnosis of brain death resuscitation for organ tissue donation, but now it has been implemented in nine hospitals. The Ministry of Health has built a nationwide network of donor hospitals with 68 hospitals. VNS HA NOI The bidding package on the construction, supply and installation of equipment for the expansion of the T2 terminal of the Ha Noi-based Noi Bai International Airport kicked off on Sunday, with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attending. This is the most important package of the project on expanding the international terminal, which aims to raise its annual capacity from 10 million to 15 million passengers, with a total investment capital of VN4.99 trillion (US$196.07 million). Speaking at the ceremony, Chinh, who is head of the State steering committee for national key transport projects, stressed the important role of the airport whose capacity is expected to reach 100 million passengers by 2050. The expansion of its international terminal, put into operation in 2015, is crucial amid the overload it has experienced since 2018, the leader said. He lauded the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ha Nois authorities, the Commission for Management of State Capital at Enterprises, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), and other relevant ministries and agencies for their coordination in removing roadblocks to the project, especially those regarding land and investment. With the project, the airport is expected to serve 30 million and even 40 million passengers each year, the PM continued. Chinh asked the relevant sides to continue their close coordination to ensure flight safety as well as social security and order in the area during the implementation of the project. Earlier, the PM visited the Airport Operations Control Centre at the Noi Bai International Airport, which is monitoring 500 flights each day. VNS by Hong Linh Thach co tra" by IGV JSC (in Ha ong District, Ha Noi City), is a unique fermented tea product of Viet Nam that can maintain its flavour for centuries. Thach co tra, which is a black tea block with a diameter of 40 cm and weighing around 16kg, is a combination of six different types of tea including green tea, yellow tea, white tea, Oolong tea, red tea, and black tea. The name "Thach co tra" signifies tea grown on rocks, or can be referred to as rocked drum tea based on Han (Han Chinese script) and Nom characters. It is inspired by the ancient indigenous tea trees in the sourcing area of this product variety in Tung San Commune, Hoang Su Phi District, Ha Giang Province. This area is located at an altitude of 1200m - 1800m between the Tay Con Linh and Chieu Lau Thi mountain ranges, with temperatures often below 5 degrees Celsius compared to the surrounding regions. Here, there exist many ancient tea trees with life spans ranging from 400 to 1,000 years, with their roots deeply entrenched in rocky crevices. The block is crafted using a combination of traditional and modern methods, drawing inspiration from the ancient Pho Nhi technique originating from China and the Oolong tea-making methods from Taiwan (China). Nguyen ang Ben, General Director of IGV JSC, said that to preserve the sourcing area, they would only harvest the tea leaves in two sessions, spring and autumn. The optimal time to harvest young buds is typically around two weeks after the start of autumn leaf picking, which helps ensure the highest quality and a balanced blend of nutrients and flavour, Ben said. The harvesting method of tea is a significant concern as it aids in preserving the health of the tea plant and ensuring the quality of the harvested leaves, according to Ben. Raw tea leaves are harvested using the "one bud, two leaves" technique, wherein two young leaves along with the bud are plucked from the branches of the tea plant, while one leaf is left behind to allow the plant to continue growing and producing new leaves. Freshly harvested tea leaves will be withered for half a day. If it is raining or the air humidity is high at that time, the withering time will be extended. During withering, the tea will be manually stirred every 30 minutes to prevent moisture from being retained in the leaves, thereby avoiding the tea from becoming sour. The heat from the hands helps enhance the flavour of the tea. After that, the tea leaves undergo a rolling and compressing process into a block, followed by drying and slow roasting. Each block consists of multiple layers of tea leaves, with each layer undergoing a unique degree of fermentation. The entire process takes around 3,000 hours to complete. He said that producing a 16kg tea block requires up to 100kg of rare tea leaves and the production quantity is limited to around 20 tea blocks per year. This type of tea was only commercialised two years ago, and it's been purchased not only for consumption but also for collecting and investing purposes. The tea blocks increase in value over time, with an appreciation rate ranging from 15 per cent to 20 per cent per year," He said The tea will be supported for preservation for 10 years, and afterwards, we offer cold storage services that can extend preservation for up to 100 years. Ben said the idea for this type of tea originated from the event "Hundred-year Tribute Tea Returns Home, Good Expectations for Pu'er," which took place on March 19, 2007, in Xuanwu District, Beijing, China. At this event, a block of two and a half kilos of Pu'er Tea was exhibited from a storage house of the Forbidden City in Beijing in the 1960s and had been aged for 150 years. For the first time, people tried a cup of tea made from 150-year-old tea, and the flavour still persisted over time. It made me wonder, with our various sources of indigenous tea trees, if we could make a better tea product than China. I considered this a lot, making a unique brand of a Viet Nam product. So after six years of research and development we introduced our product, Thach co tra, he said. The product sets a Vietnamese record as a premium fermented tea, extracting nutrients from the fresh ancient tea leaves for the first time in Viet Nam. It was first introduced into HCM City at The Vietnam International Cafe Show and Tea Show 2024, held at District 7's Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre from May 9 to 11. This specialised exhibition, featuring coffee, food, beverage products, and related technologies, is part of the annual Cafe Show series, held in Seoul, Shanghai, Paris, and Viet Nam. The event serves as a platform for domestic and international visitors to connect with potential partners and discover new solutions and technologies in the production, processing, and distribution sectors of the coffee, tea, and food and beverage value chains. VNS By Le Huong The south central province of Binh inh not only boasts beautiful natural landscapes with long beaches with turquoise water and soft yellow sand, but is also home to multiple handicraft villages. Phu Gia Village in Phu Cat District of Quy Nhon City has been famed for the craft of making conical palm leaf hats for the past 300 years. The hat here is called horse hat as it was worn in the past by the elite when riding their horses. A few families are still keeping the traditional craft alive, which proves a magnet to tourists. Made with palm leaves, the hats were worn by soldiers in the late 18th century. A metal piece covering the top of the hat makes it last longer, but more significantly gives it an authoritative look. In the past, mandarins or wealthy people wore hats with silver tops, while the soldiers had simple copper ones. Generations later, the locals are still making the palm leaf hats for both daily use and souvenirs. Each hat is made carefully with a bamboo frame before being overlaid with one or two layers of palm leaves. Le Van Lan and Nguyen Thi Tam are among the elderly artisans in the village, and they still keep a conical hat made by their ancestors 200 years ago. The ancient hat had a metal top carved with traditional decorative patterns depicting four holy creatures: the dragon, kylin, tortoise, and phoenix. Making hats is not hard work, and it can be done during our time off from the field, artisan Tam tells Viet Nam News. Farmers here are still using this kind of hat in daily life. For example, a bride often wears a hat on her wedding day. People will appreciate its traditional beauty. Tam says their conical hats have been exported to the US, Australia and other countries. However, she says, around 100 households are making hats now, a third of the number just dozens of years ago. Nguyen Thi Van, a middle-aged hat-maker, says she learned the craft from her parents as a teenager. My family members had run the business but due to the low income, we have changed to other careers, she says. Van says making conical hats is easy, but everything must be done by hand. She says that though she quit doing the job full-time, sometimes she still does it alongside tailoring to earn extra money. The village hosts visitors who are eager to learn the ancient craft and more about the local culture every day. Nguyen Thanh Danh, a tour guide, says he often takes tourists to Phu Gia Horse Hat Handicraft Village. There are more visitors during peak season, especially the ones who want to try making conical hats, Danh says. They include students, middle-aged visitors, and foreigners. Visitors often have chances to try making conical hats. There are even ready-to-wear conical hats for students to draw on. Teachers give marks for their creations. Danh says that the 300-year tradition of the craft makes it very valuable. I think this tour is vital and meaningful, so tourism companies should include it in their itineraries, he says. Locals here are determined to keep the traditional craft alive, though they can hardly earn much money from it. Tam says wholesale buyers in the town pay them a very low amount, only VN40,000-50,000 (US$1.60-$2) per hat. Hat makers cannot afford their daily expenses, she says. Most have quit this job. Now there are only 100 households doing it. I hope authorities will help my husband and I maintain the craft. Van says she hopes local authorities will support her aunt so that she and her husband could train young people to learn the traditional craft to keep it going. VNS Jim Hering clearly remembers the meeting at Ridgewood Country Club with billionaire Elon Musk. Both men were in their 30s, and Hering was serving his first term as McGregors mayor. A trusted real estate agent, Joe Paschall, had called him about a young mans desire to become a rocket man. Elon Musk had just sold his interest in PayPal, said Hering, referencing a deal putting $250 million in Musks bank account. He told us about his plans. He was very matter-of-fact, really didnt talk much. But he brought four or five people with him, all with big degrees, and they made it clear they wanted to send rockets, people and payloads to the moon. I dont know that he mentioned Mars at that time. Musk coveted about 200 acres in McGregors sprawling industrial park. He was going to lease it, and pay us for it, Hering recalls. There was very little risk involved. Flatlanders like myself wonder why anyone would want to go into space. Beal Aerospace tried and failed. We thought wed give this other company a shot. Hering last week stepped down from 26 years of service on the McGregor City Council, 24 of it as mayor. Jim Lilley, a Bluebonnet Water Supply Corp. executive and former planning and zoning board member, was sworn in as mayor on May 13. McGregor Mirror editor Bonnie Mullens replaced retiring Councilman Paul Allison, a friend of Hering who has served with him throughout his municipal career. Hering, 54, a McGregor native who works as an attorney in Waco, said he never dreamed he would occupy the seat that long. He vowed during the going-away party for his predecessor, Felix Punk Morris, that he would come nowhere close to Morris 19 years at the helm. The president has a term limit of eight years, Hering said in an interview at his office in Wacos Roosevelt Tower. I thought I could accomplish what I wanted to get done in that time, or the people would have had enough of me. International profile Giving another aerospace company a crack at making good in McGregor has proved successful, and then some. SpaceX now leases more than 4,500 acres in McGregor, where it employs hundreds who test propulsion systems powering rockets into orbit. SpaceX gained its footing signing a $1.6 billion contract with NASA, and has maintained a steady ascension, hampered only by an occasional failed launch and local public complaints about noise. SpaceX has given McGregor an international profile. But Hering can remember the challenging times before SpaceX arrived, before McGregor boasted an industrial park to call its own. Its 9,700-acre neighbor was not something to behold with pride. The military stashed munitions there during World War II, at the Bluebonnet Ordnance plant, and after the war struck deals with defense contractors such as Hercules, Rocketdyne and Beal Aerospace, all of which needed room. In the 1990s, the Navy began to systematically address the toxic wastes lurking there. It launched a massive remediation project addressing possibly contaminated groundwater, particularly concerned about perchlorate, which is used to produce explosives, fireworks, matches, dyes, lubricating oils, electroplating, rubber and paint products. The goal was to craft a plan to remove, monitor or mitigate the harmful effects of perchlorate and other chemicals, the trade magazine Currents reported in summer 2007. As environmental awareness increased, the Navy knew they were responsible to mitigate effects of over a half-centurys worth of mission-related byproducts, so they engaged ordnance and environmental experts in 1991 to investigate and identify a plan to address environmental concerns, the article stated, adding, Before a single acre would be transferred, the Navy was required to ensure that it was either free of environmental hazards or had effective and proven remedies in place. U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, who represented the congressional district that included Waco at the time, successfully pushed to have the transfer included in the National Defense Authorization Act of 1998. Ready for Reuse Slowly but surely, the Navy would make raw land and scattered buildings suitable for title transfer to the city of McGregor. The process ended in 2006, when title to last tract was transferred to McGregor. Ceremonies included Mayor Jim Hering accepting a replica quit-claim deed. On that same day, Oct. 30, 2006, the Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant, which is how the acreage was designated, received the Navys first Ready for Reuse determination from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The effort cost $45 million. It involved the removal of 4,500 pounds of perchlorate from more than 400 million gallons of recovered groundwater, all permitted for local discharge; taking 2,200 soil samples, 100 sediment samples and 500 surface water samples; and installing more than 800 groundwater monitoring wells, the Currents article reported. McGregor had the land that would become its industrial park, and its conduit to recruiting such big-name industrial clients as SpaceX and Ferguson, whose plumbing supplies distribution center served as the cornerstone, telling the rest of the world we were open for business, said Hering. Knauf, a German insulation company, will open a 600,000-square-foot plant mid-summer that will employ an estimated 150 and use recycled glass to produce fiberglass insulation. Messer will invest $50 million opening an air-separation unit in McGregor. Most recently, Hering said, the city received interest from Electronic Fluorocarbons, also known as EFC Gases and Advanced Materials, which expressed willingness to invest $130 million to $180 million and employ 60 to 120 people in McGregors park. Yes, I would say SpaceX is our corporate centerpiece, though Ive never thought of it that way, said Hering. Im pleased to say its not the only one. Hering stressed McGregor has not been alone in its pursuit of good jobs, better educational opportunities, and improved regional image. He heaped praise on the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerces economic recruiting efforts, McLennan County Commissioners Court, city of Waco and McGregor Chamber, among others providing encouragement and assistance. Raw land without infrastructure has limited appeal, said Hering. The city created a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone that captures newly generated tax revenue to make public improvements within the industrial park, generating capital to ensure water, sewer and power availability. Were thinking the tax money generated by Knauf will pay for a rail spur, said Hering. Taxpayers around forever wont be left holding the bag. Love for McGregor Hering grew up in McGregor, graduated from McGregor High School, earned an undergraduate degree from Tarleton State University and graduated with honors from South Texas College of Law in Houston. I loved my childhood growing up in McGregor, Hering said. When I came back, at age 27, my goal was to see it become a place other young people wanted to come back to. I wanted to raise the standard, and I discovered all the community leaders were talking about that. I was encouraged to run. For whatever reason, said Hering, something gnawed at him about McGregors status in the regional pecking order. He felt some looked down on his hometown, about 15 miles from Waco. The town had a population around 4,700 when he took office in 2000 and has grown by about 1,000 since. Im competitive, he said. I wanted to be as good as anyone. True, McGregor did not have enough jobs or quality places to work. About a hundred homes needed to be built, and about a hundred needed to be torn down, said Hering. McGregor needed more stores and shops, a lively downtown. He believes progress abounds on that front, especially with a newly established retailing presence on the main street through town. Hes excited about The Concourse, a proposed mixed-use development on 88 acres near McGregor Executive Airport that envisions a grocery store, restaurants, retail, a hotel and several residential components. We cant grow just to be growing. It always has to be for the right reason, Hering said. I believe weve brought value to the city. What weve done the past 25 years tells me were here for the long haul. At 54, Hering said he has no desire to quit practicing law. He loves McGregor, and will remain active in civic and community affairs. Running for office again is not now an option, but Hering never says never. Lorna Hering, his wife, teaches English at McGregor High School. Daughter Mara is a senior at Texas Tech, and son Ryan attends Baylor Law School. Hering said he believes his children will want to come home again. An Arizona man shot his six-month-old baby boy multiple times during a terrifying hostage standoff with police. After police stormed the house the baby was airlifted to a hospital in critical but stable condition with several gunshot wounds but was expected to live. Officers from the town of Surprise, northeast of Phoenix, had responded to a 911 call Friday morning to find the baby, Jaxson, held hostage by the gunman, identified by authorities as Todd Christopher Marchetti, 51. The baby's mother, Marchetti's former girlfriend, had also been held hostage for several hours in the home, but was able to escape and alert a nearby construction crew, who called police. Surprise and Phoenix police negotiated with Marchetti as SWAT teams stood by. But the gunman repeatedly refused to exit the home and surrender and fired his gun several times. A police tactical team managed to rescue the baby. After a continuing standoff with Marchetti, the house suddenly caught fire due to a still-unknown cause and was destroyed. Police later found the remains of Marchetti with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The baby's mother was treated at the scene for minor injuries and was transported to the hospital with her child. A GoFundMe site has been set up to raise money to help the mother and baby "rebuild their lives." GILBERTVILLE Canfield Road will be closed for paving at the Interstate Highway 380 overpass south of Poyner Road starting Monday. Motorists are asked to follow the posted detour of Poyner Road to Jesup Road to Brandon Road. Work is anticipated to be completed within eight to 10 weeks depending on weather. Moms favorite sayings I was raised in the fifties & sixties and my mom had an interesting way of looking at life. Here are a few of her sayings: Dont make me stop this car, young man. No honey, if youre sick, youre sick the entire day. Wait till your Father gets home. And if Billy jumped off a cliff, would you too? Stop crying or Ill give you something to cry about. Theres starving kids in Africa, eat your supper. My God, youd argue with a stop sign. Money dont grow on trees you know. When did I ask for your opinion? Unless theres blood or a fire, I dont want to know. What did your last SLAVE do to keep you happy? You want curly hair, then eat your crusts. If youre not careful, your facell stay that way. Over my dead body, youre going out looking like that. I brought you into this world, I can take you out. My God, were you born in a barn? Call me when you get there. Wipe that smile off your face or I will. If you had a brain, youd be dangerous. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL THE MOTHERS. John Sheda, Independence Best we can do? Transparency, I have Parkinsons. I was referred to Mayo for an eval for DBS. My neurologist made a referral to Mayo for DBS. MercyOne (her employer) has a referral review process (explained to me as an advisory to referral doc and patient as whether referral is in or out of network). They advised me of nothing. I went 3/26/24 to Mayo. They advised I am a prime candidate for DBS and identified it as a standard of care. In April I received notice from Wellmark, they are not covering any cost, I am to pay $670 for my initial visit. MercyOne referral review supervisor admits they made an error in notifying me of out of network status. Her boss denies any referral being made (Mayo has record). Corporate cover up! MercyOne says Im on my own. Wellmark sorry its your mess, figure it out on your own. Mayo, trying to help but little influence. Im 64 years old, U.S. Army Veteran, have spent 35+ years dedicated to mental health and human services to those in need in our community . Ms. Reynolds, Mr. Grassley, Ms. Ernst, is this best we can do? Howard Griffin, Cedar Falls No response You will recall 10 months ago Advance Waterloo invited the Waterloo mayor and council to join us in investigating information on the advantages of adopting the council/manager system of city government for Waterloo. The fact that they have not responded (with the exception of Councilmembers Boesen and Simon) to our invitation is disappointing. However, Advance Waterloo has been busy searching for information confirming our belief the council/manager system is the future of Waterloo. On January 1, 2024, Ithaca, New York, became one of the latest cities to adopt the council/manager system of city government, and they approved the adoption by a 73% citizen vote. This successful adoption, approved by a significant citizen vote, should inspire you to consider the potential of this system for Waterloo. Advance Waterloo brings to your attention a reasonable facsimile of the council/manager system long practiced in Waterloo the Waterloo Community School District. Voters elect school board members who hire a superintendent who serves at their pleasure to run the system and carry out the boards policies. Critical thinking supports the city manager/superintendent systems with leadership derived from education, training, and experience. Advance Waterloo advocates professional leadership versus amateur leadership. Don Miller, Waterloo Christian Nationalists What do Christian Nationalists want to do next? Theyve already rolled over our supine Iowa GOP legislature, allowing tax dollars to go to private Christian schools, making life intolerable for LGBTQ+ youth, and making it harder to get food assistance than to get a gun. What more is in store for us? In Iowa, the Family Leader organization, our in-state branch of Christian Nationalism, will be pushing for more tax cuts for the wealthy, more persecution of LGBTQ+ teens, more tax money for Christian schools, and less money for public education. In the U.S. House, our representative Ashley Hinson is on the Republican Study Committee, and heres just a few things they plan to do if you keep them in power this November: raise the retirement age, turn Medicare into a subsidy for seniors to get their own private insurance, make draconian cuts in Medicaid, cut funding for school lunches, threaten IVF fertility treatments, and weaken or repeal the Affordable Care Act, removing health insurance for millions of Americans. We dont have to live this future. Like Scrooge in A Christmas Carol we can come to our senses, discover our humanity, vote accordingly, and change the future for the better. Doug Smith, Cedar Falls A cruel law Thank you for your May 4 coverage about Iowa Senate File 2340 protest in Waterloo. Governor Reynolds and Attorney General Bird both say they had to pass this because of Joe Biden. Its mind boggling that the bad guy is Joe Biden when the bipartisan Border Security Bill was tossed out due to Donald Trumps lobbying efforts with his party. If only this broken government could at least pass the things they do agree on, instead of staying frozen in paralyzed partisanship. In my life I have been neighbors with many (undocumented) immigrants and better neighbors would be extremely difficult to find. SF 2340 is, in fact, a cruel law that creates more fear and division among hard working residents of our state, and slanders immigrant families. If U.S. immigration law is broken, lets see a Congress that works to repair it. Black Hawk County Sheriff Thompson is correct, enforcement of a law like this demonstrates racism at its most blatant. Shirley Whiteside, Cedar Falls Wrong on COVID-19 The World Health Organization (WHO) was completely wrong on COVID-19: Asymptomatic spread? Wrong. PCR testing? Wrong. Mortality rate? Wrong. Quarantining healthy people? Wrong. Natural immunity? Wrong. Vaccine efficacy? Wrong. Vaccine injury? Wrong. Yet, this month, the Biden Administration plans to approve the proposed WHO pandemic international agreement that would surrender U.S. sovereignty during other future politicized pandemics. Online fact-checkers claim the WHO treaty wont undermine national sovereignty while ignoring the International Health Regulation (IHR) amendments that would grant the WHO authority to require medical examinations, proof of prophylaxis, proof of vaccine, mandate contact tracing, quarantine and treatment, create a system of global health certificates (vaccine passports), and allow the WHO to override decisions made by sovereign nations regarding health measures. However, U.S. Senator Ron Johnsons bill S444 and Rep. Tom Tiffanys bill HR1425 would require the Senates review and super-majority approval before ratifying international health treaties. States like Utah, Florida, and Louisiana have also acted to preserve the U.S. Constitution amid global biosecurity totalitarianism. A network of unelected financial elites and their bureaucratic puppets are pushing the WHO pandemic treaty to subjugate free nations with global collectivism. They must fail. Tell your political representatives to defend health freedom. Jeffrey Fischels, Cedar Falls No need to conform Open letter to the Democrat Party leadership: Here in the United States, with its extraordinarily diverse population, multiple allegiances are taken for granted. We dont have to conform to the majority in any matter of belief, affection or taste. We maintain our allegiance to our hometown, our family, and ethnic group over school, our profession, our church, our political party, and of course our country. The letter is not, as statists in your party would inist, a commitment to the reigning consensus on party line but to the liberal ideals that make the system we live under possible. Get ready for November 5. 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2 Nov (10) 19 Oct - 26 Oct (12) 12 Oct - 19 Oct (13) 5 Oct - 12 Oct (19) 28 Sep - 5 Oct (14) 21 Sep - 28 Sep (17) 14 Sep - 21 Sep (19) 7 Sep - 14 Sep (22) 31 Aug - 7 Sep (15) 24 Aug - 31 Aug (14) 17 Aug - 24 Aug (9) 10 Aug - 17 Aug (5) DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) Benny Gantz, a popular centrist member of Israels three-member War Cabinet, threatened Saturday to resign from the government if it doesn't adopt a new plan in three weeks' time for the war in Gaza, a decision that would leave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more reliant on far-right allies. The announcement deepens a divide in Israels leadership more than seven months into a war in which Israel has yet to accomplish its goals of dismantling Hamas and returning scores of hostages abducted in the militant group's Oct. 7 attack. Gantz spelled out a six-point plan that includes the return of hostages, ending Hamas' rule, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip and establishing an international administration of civilian affairs with American, European, Arab and Palestinian cooperation. The plan also supports efforts to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia and widen military service to all Israelis. He gave a June 8 deadline. If you choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation to the abyss we will be forced to quit the government, he said. Netanyahu in a statement responded by saying Gantz had chosen to issue an ultimatum to the prime minister instead of to Hamas, and called his conditions euphemisms for Israel's defeat. Gantz, a longtime political rival of Netanyahu, joined his coalition and the War Cabinet in the early days of the war in a gesture at national unity. His departure would leave Netanyahu more beholden to far-right allies who believe Israel should occupy Gaza and rebuild Jewish settlements there. Gantz spoke days after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the third member of the War Cabinet, said he would not remain in his post if Israel elected to reoccupy Gaza, and called on the government to make plans for a Palestinian administration. In what was seen as a swipe at Netanyahu, Gantz said personal and political considerations have begun to penetrate into the holy of holies of Israels security. Netanyahus critics accuse the prime minister of seeking to prolong the war to avoid new elections, allegations he denies. Polls suggest Gantz as the most likely candidate to be the next prime minister. That would expose Netanyahu to prosecution on longstanding corruption charges. Netanyahu is under growing pressure on multiple fronts. Hard-liners want the military offensive on Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah to press ahead. Top ally the U.S. and others warn against the offensive on a city where more than half of Gazas population of 2.3 million had sheltered hundreds of thousands have now fled and they threaten to scale back support over Gazas humanitarian and hunger crisis. The U.S. national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, will be in Saudi Arabia and Israel this weekend to discuss the war and is scheduled on Sunday to meet with Netanyahu, who has declared that Israel would stand alone if needed. Many Israelis, anguished over the hostages and accusing Netanyahu of putting political interests ahead of all else, want a deal to stop the fighting. There was fresh frustration Friday when the military said its troops in Gaza found the bodies of three hostages killed by Hamas on Oct. 7. Israel on Saturday announced the discovery of the body of a fourth hostage. Thousands of Israelis again rallied Saturday evening to demand a deal along with new elections. Some police in Tel Aviv responded with water cannons. This government is taking the country to places that I dont want to see my country go, said one protester, Noam Fagi. The latest talks in pursuit of a cease-fire in Gaza, mediated by Qatar, the United States and Egypt, have brought little. A new effort to deliver desperately needed aid to Gaza appeared to falter Saturday. Several Israeli tanks fired warning shots in an apparent attempt to clear the way for trucks ferrying food supplies on their way from a new U.S.-built pier. One Palestinian was killed, according to Associated Press journalists at the scene. Hundreds of Palestinians gathered around the stopped trucks and carried away boxes. The Hamas Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel killed 1,200 people and took 250 others hostage. Israel says around 100 hostages are still captive in Gaza, along with the bodies of around 30 more. The Israeli offensive has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza, local health officials say. Netanyahu has said Israel will maintain open-ended security control over Gaza and partner with local Palestinians who are not affiliated with Hamas or the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. But Netanyahu said it is impossible to plan for such a postwar authority before Hamas is defeated. (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.) loading......... Sydney, May 19, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Join Ellis Martin for a chat with Jon Bey, CEO and Sean Hillacre, Vice-President of Exploration for Standard Uranium Ltd ( CVE:STND ) ( STTDF:OTCMKTS ) ( 9SU0:FRA ) as we introduce this burgeoning nuclear energy company to our domestic and global audience. To Listen to the Interview, please visit: https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/3L4DA26D About Standard Uranium Ltd Standard Uranium Ltd (CVE:STND) (OTCMKTS:STTDF) (FRA:9SU0) is a Canadian junior uranium exploration and project-generator company looking to make the next big discovery in the Athabasca Basin region of northern Saskatchewan, Canada. With a proven track record of high-grade uranium discovery and a portfolio of over 209,000 acres of highly prospective land across the Athabasca Basin, the company's exploration team is focused on finding the fuel to power a clean energy future. Their flagship Davidson River Project is located in the heart of the Patterson Lake Uranium District in the southwest Athabasca Basin, an area ripe with potential for further uranium discoveries. With only a handful of holes drilled on the Project, Standard Uranium has only just begun to scratch the surface of what the property holds. The Company will continue advancing its Athabasca properties through JV-funded exploration on non-core projects and focused drilling campaigns on the Davidson River Project as they search for the next big Canadian uranium discovery - building toward our clean energy future. 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 Stories of orcas sinking yachts most recently a 50-foot vessel off the coast of Morocco have fascinated humans recently, with some cheering on what they view as the killer whales' rebellion against humans in their habitat. According to one scientist, however, the behavior has a far more innocuous explanation: the orcas just want to play. "Reports from Spain have indicated that the orcas in that small population are primarily targeting the rudders of sailboats and other small vessels," Monika Wieland Shields, co-founder and director of the Orca Behavior Institute, wrote in an opinion piece for MSNBC. "I'm not surprised they're focusing on the rudder. Rudders move and, when humans try to regain steering control, show resistance. It's probably more like a game of tug-of-war than a maliciously motivated attack," she added. Shields notes that while it may be frightening for humans to see a massive sea creature interacting with their ships, the reality is that the 8,000 pound creatures could probably do a lot more damage if they were acting out of any kind of malice. "While there have been hundreds of orca-vessel interactions recorded in the region over the last five years, only a few dozen of those boats have been damaged and only four have sunk," she wrote. "If the orcas were out to sink boats on some revenge-driven mission, I have no doubt that this number would be much higher. Instead, the sinking happens in instances where they have broken the rudder, causing the vessel to take on water," Weiland Shields explained. The scientist also emphasized that whales, like humans, are social animals who will follow trends until their interest eventually wanes. In 1987, for example, one orca whale returned from a hunting trip wearing a dead salmon on its head like a hat. Other members of the whale's Puget Sound pod copied the new fashion trend and it became "the cool thing to do for that entire summer," Shields recalled in a 2023 interview. Notably, the trend of orcas ramming ships currently seems to be localized to the Iberian peninsula, rather than spanning every group of orcas in the world. It also seems like the fad is fading, with orca-rudder interactions decreasing by 65% since last year. Still, Shields notes that the desire many humans have to root for the giant, black-and-white mammal kin is a sign that we recognize the danger of damaging their ocean habitats. "We recognize that we have done enough to the world to deserve orcas attacking us in response," she wrote. "My hope," she added, is that "people will also reflect on this one a bit further. Regardless of the motivation of these particular whales, what can each of us do to ensure that we coexist more peacefully with the wild world around us?" An investigation is ongoing after a man was shot and seriously injured in Birmingham Saturday night. The shooting happened about 7:45 p.m. in the 600 block of 10th Street S.W. That is near Princeton Baptist Medical Center. Officers Truman Fitzgerald said the victim suffered life-threatening injuries. A suspect is in custody. No additional information has been released. The U.S. Navys littoral combat ship is considered the vessel that made the company and its Mobile operations. But the goodbye to the LCS program in Alabama on Saturday came with a little looking back and a strong sense of looking ahead amid a positive outlook for a company that began its manufacturing operations in Mobile in 1998. An expansion project looms this summer that is expected to lead to a third new assembly hall and the potential for a record-breaking 5,000 employees. The celebration of the company and the LCS came on the christening of the future USS Pierre, named after the state capital of South Dakota. Austal USA has grown from a small commercial shipyard to a large, advanced defense ship manufacturer primarily thanks to the Indy-variant LCS program, said Austal USA President Michelle Kruger, who was named president of the company in April following a tenure as interim president that began in August 2023. Christening this ship, the last Austal USA-built LCS, makes me a bit nostalgic but I know, for this company and the great team weve assembled, the future is bright and limitless. LCS-38, the 19th and last LCS built in Mobile in the Independence class, was celebrated with a traditional christening at the shipyard Saturday. That meant one final first whack of a champagne bottle to the bow of an LCS to commemorate the occasion. USS Pierre (LCS 38) sponsor Larissa Thune Hargens christens the ship on Saturday, May 18, 2024.Photo courtesy of Austal USA Larrisa Thune Hargens did the honors, as over 400 people watched on. Hargens, daughter of Republican U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, is the owner of a freelance marketing and social media firm and serves with a nonprofit incentive program that helps limited-income pregnant women. Built by an industry team led by Austal USA, the Littoral Combat Ship stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence in naval shipbuilding, said Rear Adm. Kevin Smith, program executive officer for Unmanned and Small Combatants with the U.S. Navy. The keel-laying ceremony was held in June, with dignitaries reflecting on the LCS as the ship that made the company and helped spur its growth into the largest manufacturing operation in Alabamas Port City. Its an operation that is expected to get larger. The construction of its expansion project is set to begin this summer. When completed, its expected to push Austals Mobile workforce from about 3,000 to a potential record high of 5,000. Austal has won an assortment of new contracts in the past few years, most of which capitalize on its new capability to build steel ships as well as aluminum ones. Steel ships to be built include TAGOS-25 surveillance ships and Navajo-class T-ATS towing, salvage and rescue ships for the U.S. Navy and Offshore Patrol Cutters for the U.S. Coast Guard. The Israeli military has reportedly recovered and identified a fourth person identified as a Hamas hostage whose body was recovered last week in Gaza. Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm Daniel Hagari said the body of Ron Benjamin, 53, was found alongside the bodies of hostages 22-year-old German-Israeli Shani Louk, 28-year-old Amit Buskila, and 56-year-old Itzhak Gelerenter. Hagari said on X that Benjamin, also known as Ron Binyamin, was killed on Oct. 7, and his body "abducted to Gaza by Hamas militants." Benjamin had been on a bike ride when Hamas gunmen stormed into Israel, killing more than 1,000 people and kidnapping hundreds more back into Gaza. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which advocates for the return of the remaining hostages, released a statement on Benjamin's death, and noting that "Ron loved traveling in Israel and around the world, and he loved music." Hamas released 105 hostages during a week-long ceasefire in November. It is not clear how many hostages are still alive in Gaza. Israeli troops were sent into Gaza after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The resulting war has killed an estimated 35,000 Palestinians. The Biden administration has been pushing Israel to agree to a ceasefire in the conflict. MONTGOMERY Charles Rogers shared a grave warning earlier this week during a meeting of the Alabama Public Health Committee that the states shrinking availability of obstetrical services could prove dire for the state unless targeted directly. An obstetrics and gynecology specialist in southwest Alabama, Rogers noted that some recent developments would, in fact, positively impact pregnant women in Alabama, or keep the states hospitals from closing down. Such examples he mentioned include the new $4 million pilot program that will provide checkups for pregnant women across nine counties in need, or the federal Rural Emergency Hospital designation that provides rural hospitals with enhanced Medicare reimbursement rates and additional financial assistance. By Darlene Superville, Matt Brown and Bill Barrow, Associated Press ATLANTA President Joe Biden on Sunday told Morehouse College graduates during his commencement speech that he heard their voices of protest over the Israel-Hamas war, and that scenes from the conflict in Gaza have been heartbreaking. I support peaceful nonviolent protest, he told students at the all-male, historically Black college, some who wore keffiyeh scarves around their shoulders on top of their black graduation robes. Your voices should be heard, and I promise you I hear them. The president said there was a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, thats why Ive called for an immediate cease-fire to stop the fighting and bring home the hostages taken when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7. The comments, toward the end of his address that also reflected on American democracy and his role in safeguarding it, were the most direct recognition to U.S. students about the campus protests that have swept across the country. Its one of the hardest, most complicated problems in the world, Biden told the graduates. Theres nothing easy about it. I know it angers and frustrates many of you, including my family. But most of all I know it breaks your heart. It breaks mine as well. The speech one planned later Sunday in Detroit is part of a burst of outreach to Black constituents by the president, who has watched his support among these voters soften since their strong backing helped put him in the Oval Office in 2020. Biden spent much of his address focused on the problems at home. He condemned Donald Trumps rhetoric on immigrants and noting that the class of 2024 started college in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyds murder. Biden said it was natural for them, and others, to wonder whether the democracy you hear about actually works for you. If Black men are being killed in the street. What is democracy? he asked. The trail of broken promises that still leave Black communities behind. What is democracy? If you have to be 10 times better than anyone else to get a fair shot. Protests over the war have roiled Americas campuses. Columbia University canceled its main commencement ceremony. At Morehouse, the announcement that Biden would be the commencement speaker drew some backlash among the faculty and those who oppose the presidents handling of the war. Some Morehouse alumni circulated an online letter condemning administrators for inviting Biden and they solicited signatures to pressure Morehouse President David Thomas to rescind it. The letter claimed that Bidens approach to Israel amounted to support of genocide in Gaza and was out of step with the pacifism expressed by Martin Luther King Jr., Morehouses most famous graduate. The Hamas attack on southern Israel killed 1,200 people. Israels offensive has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to health officials in the territory. But in the end, there were no major disruptions at the event, and applause for his remarks was muted. At least seven graduates and a faculty member sat with their backs turned during Bidens address, and another student draped himself in a Palestinian flag. On the stage behind the president as he spoke, academics unfurled a Congolese flag. The African country has been mired in a civil war, and many racial justice advocates have called for greater attention to the conflict as well as American help in ending the violence. The class valedictorian, DeAngelo Jeremiah Fletcher, said at the close of his speech that it was his duty to speak on the war in Gaza and that it was important to recognize that both Palestinians and Israelis have suffered. From the comfort of our homes, we watch an unprecedented number of civilians mourn the loss of men, women and children, while calling for the release of all hostages he said. It is my stance as a Morehouse man, nay as a human being, to call for an immediate and permanent cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. Biden stood and shook his hand after Fletcher finished. The college also awarded Biden an honorary degree. After he accepted the honor, Biden joked: Im not going home, as chants of four more years broke out in the audience before he left the stage. He was heading to Detroit to speak at an NAACP dinner. Georgia and Michigan are among a handful of states that will help decide Novembers expected rematch between Biden and Trump. Biden narrowly won Georgia and Michigan in 2020 and needs to repeat with a boost from strong Black voter turnout in both cities. Biden spent the back end of the past week reaching out to Black constituents. He met with plaintiffs and relatives of those involved in Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark 1954 Supreme Court decision that outlawed racial segregation in public schools. He also met with members of the Divine Nine Black fraternities and sororities and spoke with members of the Little Rock Nine, who helped integrate a public school in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957. In Detroit, Biden planned to visit a Black-owned small business before giving the keynote address at the NAACPs Freedom Fund dinner, which traditionally draws thousands of attendees. The speech gives Biden a chance to reach thousands of people in Wayne County, an area that has historically voted overwhelmingly Democratic but has shown signs of resistance to his reelection bid. Wayne County also holds one of the largest Arab American populations in the nation, predominantly in the city of Dearborn. Leaders there were at the forefront of an uncommitted effort that received over 100,000 votes in the states Democratic primary and spread across the country. A protest rally and march against Bidens visit were planned in Dearborn. Another protest rally was expected the dinner venue. Associated Press writers Joey Cappelletti in Lansing, Michigan and Colleen Long and Mark Sherman in Washington contributed to this report. Alice Stewart, a CNN political commentator and veteran political adviser who worked on several Republican presidential campaigns, has died. She was 58. Stewarts body was found outdoors in a northern Virginia neighborhood early Saturday morning, CNN reported. Law enforcement officials told the cable news outlet that no foul play is suspected and believe a medical emergency occurred. Alice was a very dear friend and colleague to all of us at CNN, Mark Thompson, the networks CEO, said in an email to staff on Saturday. A political veteran and an Emmy Award-winning journalist who brought an incomparable spark to CNNs coverage, known across our bureaus not only for her political savvy, but for her unwavering kindness. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn such an extraordinary loss. Stewart joined CNN as a political commentator ahead of the 2016 election. She was also a co-host of the Hot Mics From Left to Right podcast, alongside fellow CNN commentator Maria Cardona. Stewart started her career as a local reporter and producer in her home state, Georgia. She moved to Little Rock, Ark., to be a news anchor, and later served as the communications director in then-Arkanas Gov. Mike Huckabees office. In 2008, she assumed a similar role for Huckabees presidential run. Stewart went on to serve as the communications director for other political campaigns, including the 2012 presidential bids of former Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann and then former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. She was also the communications director for Texas Sen. Ted Cruzs 2016 campaign. 2024 Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC Two people were wounded when gunfire erupted Saturday night in Tuscaloosa. The shooting happened at Brookhaven Apartments on James I. Harrison Parkway where a double shooting happened just three days ago, leaving one man dead. Tuscaloosa police responded at 9:30 p.m. Saturday to the complex after they received information that two shooting victims showed up at the hospital, said Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit Capt. Jack Kennedy. The initial investigation showed one person was the initial aggressor and shot the other person. Gunfire was exchanged, and the aggressor was also injured at some point. Both sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Kennedy said the investigation is ongoing. On Thursday, police were dispatched to Brookhaven about 1:30 a.m. They arrived to find 41-year-old Travaris Keandre Banks dead on the scene. A second victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Aaron Reshad Smith, 37, is charged with murder and attempted murder in that case. Kennedy on Sunday said there is no indication the that two shootings are linked in anyway. A Hayden man was killed Friday when the vehicle he was driving left an Alabama highway and struck a guardrail near the small town of Cleveland. Steven P. Davis, 46, was not wearing a seatbelt at the time the vehicle he was driving -- a 2004 Cadillac CTS -- veered off Alabama State Route 160, approximately one-mile west of Cleveland in Blount County. Davis was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash that occurred around 9:25 p.m. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys Highway Patrol Division did not release additional information. State Troopers continue to investigate. This is a guest opinion column (Note: Birmingham-Southern College has announced it will cease normal operations on May 31, 2024 - Related stories) The legislative repeal action, proposed and passed by the Alabama House and Senate Committee, for resuscitating a crushed, compromised, closing Birmingham-Southern College by restructuring The Distressed Institutions of Higher Education Revolving Loan Program (passed in 2023 with the expressed purpose of alleviating BSCs financial jeopardy), has failed, never even being brought to the House floor for a vote. Previously declared dead and having already announced its looming closure, Birmingham-Southern College has now formally been declared DNR (do-not-resuscitate.) Birmingham-Southerns cruel murder at the hands of the unsympathetic Alabama State Legislature is not a special, stand-alone case unique to Alabamian politics and education, however. Many struggling small, private liberal arts colleges across the nation are being forced to permanently close their doors due to financial constraints and lack of public sympathy and support for the classical educational model they offer. About one university or college per week so far this year (2024) has announced that it will close or merge. Small, private liberal arts colleges, reliant on private funding sources and lacking state-backing, have been hit the hardest of all. This statistic is up from two closures a month last year (2023), according to the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, or SHEEO. As an alumnus of one of these small, private liberal arts colleges, I never could have conceived a day where Birmingham-Southern College, my beloved alma mater, would be declared dead after suffering as the victim of prolonged false hope. Its one thing to die. Its far worse a fate to have lifeboats dangled out before you only for them to be yanked away at the last minute by an apathetic state government, then die. Never could I have imagined that Birmingham-Southern Colleges future would be determined by the pitiless, capricious clutches of lenders, unimaginative state treasurers, and scheming political bureaucrats who know nothing of the diverse, dynamic ways the college (and so many other small liberal arts institutions like it) touch the lives of countless young students. Sadly, the hacks in charge of this situation with the power to rescue Birmingham-Southern from its cataclysmic state care only for the measurable. This shortsightedness, which views schools worth by balance sheets and quantifiable economic factors, chooses to ignore the myriad of dynamic intangibles these liberal arts institutions provide. Similarly to comparable liberal arts colleges in every state nationwide, Birmingham-Southern College fills a crucial role in Alabamas educational landscape, providing a much-needed private educational alternative to the common university-structure. The death of the liberal arts education is a widespread epidemic corrupting American society. The ramifications of this widespread withering will be ruinous for all. It is impossible to ascertain the vast value these liberal arts institutions bring to the table purely by assessing them on paper. Allowing these culturally important institutions to be judged by pencil-pushing bureaucrats based on balance sheets rather than considering the myriad of material AND immaterial benefits they provide is a travesty of the most societally perilous kind. We will all pay the price of this nefarious negligence. We must open our eyes and wake up before the last liberal arts college is irreparably lost and education has become an echo of what it used to be. I find myself in an increasingly dwindling minority of those willing to take up arms in the righteous fight to do what is ethically and educationally right by defending these invaluable liberal arts institutions. Too many turn a blind eye to the sordid fate of these schools as they one-by-one wink out of existence. The long, slow death of the liberal arts degree is, most unfortunately, reflective of the decadent values of our society. More than ever, our society, an anti-intellectual one which concerns itself more with net worths than Nobel Prizes, needs an infusion of intellectualism, ethics, inquiry, and the arts, leading to a redirection of cultural values. Our college graduates need to enter society not only as employable assets prepared to excel in a specific field; they need to be equipped with the comprehensive cultural outlook necessary to shape society for the better. It does not, however, have to be a mutually exclusive, either-or situation. A happy medium can be struck. You can have your cake and eat it too when it comes to education. Invariably, certain students will always gravitate towards the earning degrees (pre-med, pre-law, engineering, business, etc), neglecting the humanities and liberal arts. This is not the problem. The issue at hand is how we educate our students (regardless of their chosen major) before setting them loose into the world. Wouldnt we prefer our doctors, lawyers, and engineers to have an appreciation for the arts, to be culturally dynamic and well-versed, and to be all-around educated and ethically informed people rather than specialistic savants? Similarly to the movement to eradicate general education requirements for the sake of fast-tracking degree specialization, the neglect of the liberal arts educational model is symptomatic of a societal fixation viewing reality purely through a quantifiable, material ROI lens. To be clear, I am not advocating for the reduction or the redaction of the traditional university experience. Rather, I am campaigning for the option to be readily available for the collegiate student to choose which educational experience is best for them: the traditional university structure or the liberal arts model. The issue we are facing is the limitation of this choice due to the widespread perishing of liberal arts institutions nationwide. We cannot afford for one more of these invaluable institutions to die. Birmingham-Southern, while the latest liberal arts college to bite the dust, will not be the last. Rather, looking at the nation as a whole, it is just the deceased of the week. Soon, when the last liberal arts institution has been eclipsed and its echo no longer felt in the world, we will be left wondering why our engineers have no conception of Hamlet and why our financial advisors think that Holden Caulfield is a stock brokerage firm. Maybe then, only when it is too late, will we wonder why the art museums and theaters are empty. Maybe then, the gravity of our mistake allowing these liberal arts schools to die will dawn on us. Maybe then, it will be too late. Conner (CR) Hayes, is a 2017 graduate of Birmingham-Southern College Updated at 6:08 p.m. May 19 to correct that the legislation failed in the House. An all new episode of When Calls the Heart is set to premiere on the Hallmark Channel Sunday, May 19 at 9/8c. During episode seven of the new season, Elizabeth hopes for the best when Tom Thornton visits with an exciting opportunity for the towns choir. Meanwhile, Rosemary and Bill interview a source and Lucas considers his options. Where can I watch When Calls the Heart season 11? Though airing on the Hallmark Channel, those without a basic cable set up can still watch new episodes of When Calls the Heart on Sundays with either Philo or Fubo. Both streaming services offer free trials for new subscribers. However, Philo is the cheaper streaming option at $25 a month after its 7-day free trial. What is the difference between Philo and Fubo? Philo is considered one of the cheaper live streaming services available as it allows users to stream over 70 live TV channels for just $25 a month after its free trial. Popular channels offered with Philo include the Hallmark Channel, MTV, AMC, HGTV, History Channel, Discovery Channel, CMT, TLC, BET and more. Meanwhile, Fubo is also an alternative to a regular cable subscription, but with more exclusive channel options that Philo does not offer such as ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, FOX and more. While Fubo considers itself a sports-focused streaming service, its standard streaming package comes with over 100 TV live channels for $79.99 a month after its free trial. What is When Calls the Heart about? The official series description of When Calls the Heart is as follows: Elizabeth Thatcher is a young teacher accustomed to high society, so she experiences culture shock when she gets her first classroom assignment in Coal Valley. Life in the small mining town is filled with challenges. A recent explosion has killed more than a dozen of the towns miners, compelling the widows of those men to work in the mines to earn money. One of them - Abigail Stanton, whose husband was foreman at the site of the tragedy - welcomes Thatcher and tries to help her adjust to frontier customs. Constable Jack Thornton is not as welcoming, though, because he believes Thatchers wealthy father doomed his career by assigning him to Coal Valley so he could protect Elizabeth. Janette Okes books about the Canadian West inspired the program. Joe Biden can't stop jingling his rosary beads at his infrequent political rallies. He's a Catholic, a "devout Catholic," Mister Catholic Extraordinaire, a Catholic president, a guy who supposedly takes Communion with the pope's approval, and he wants everyone to know it. Hain't he got the wokester pope in his tree to prove it? It's his schtick now that election time has come around. But somehow, that's not resonating with Catholic voters, nor Protestant ones from mainline churches, such as the Episcopalians and Presbyterians, many of whom are not particularly conservative. Not even they are buying into Biden's Catholic schtick. That's what Salena Zito and Brad Todd found from a stunning Marquette Law School national survey of where Joe Biden's biggest problem is with voters. On today's RealClearPolitics, they write: To locate Joe Bidens electoral problem, you need only to look on Sunday morning. Polling shows the mass-attending Catholic president trails Donald Trump by 10 points among those who attend religious services a few times a year or more. The score is reversed with voters who report they seldom or never attend church, with Biden leading by 10. Its the starkest divide in the electorate and one that political journalists rarely mention, perhaps because, as a profession, journalists are more removed from religion than the average American. Maybe that's because it's pretty obvious that he doesn't live his supposed faith, which if they are like me, they doubt he even has. As Biden jingles his rosary beads, most Catholics will also notice that he's also suing the Little Sisters of the Poor for not providing worker insurance that includes abortion "services." He's thrown Catholic and other Christian pro-life activists who attempted to stop abortions into prison for draconian multi-year terms which is a lot more than violent criminals get. He's even sent out the SWAT teams against a pro-lifer who merely defended his son against a menacing aggessor and whose case had been thrown out by state authorities earlier. His adminstration has vowed to "punish" hospitals that don't provide "gender-affirming care" which is obviously targeted at Catholic and other religious hospitals. He made a mocking sign of the cross to insult a pro-life governor and by extension all voters opposed to abortion during a campaign plug touting abortion by a political ally. Heh, heh, isn't that funny? But don't you dare question his Catholicism, which is about as watery and contrary to the spirit of Christianity as it's possible to be. Zito and Todd point out that the chasm is greater with these voters than with any other groups, which is saying something. Obviously, they don't like a phony and Biden's phoniness is absolutely naked based on the difference between what he says and what he does. Can anyone even imagine Joe Biden doing something Christians who attend services might do, such as examine his conscience? He's never given any evidence he has, and if he did, it did no good, but there's plenty of evidence he hasn't -- just from the moral example of his family, and the character and beliefs of his political allies, and his general associates. He's not like Christians, he's indistinguishable from an enemy of Christianity, and he repeatedly shows it without intending to. That's brought him a mountain of rejection from Christians who attend church who can see that he wears his Christianity like a skinsuit. President Trump, by contrast, is not precisely the same as the churchgoing public, but he does fight for them and their interests, and many can see that he does. Zito calls these churchgoers "King Cyrus Christians" who can recognize a leader, same as the ancient Hebrews did with King Cyrus of Persia, who is on their side at their darkest hour and acts to deliver them from evil. So not only is Biden a repellent phony who just can't admit that he's not a Christian in his quest to rope in gullible voters, there's also an attractive alternative. For Christians, Trump is a King Cyrus to them, aiding them as Christianity undergoes unprecedented cultural and even physical attack, and they've got the Biblical example as almost a guide to them. Biden is more like one of the lesser King Herods, drinking and wenching while claiming to being a good Jew and actually trying to slay or slaying their prophets. We all know that the bad King Herod who killed the babies got eaten by bugs in the end. Somehow, that works as a thought for Joe Biden, too. So despite all the observations about Joe Biden losing traditional Democrat constituencies (which is substantial), Joe Biden is failing hardest of all with Christians of all stripes who got to church. That's because Christianity is his least-authentic, least-persuasive, act. Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License Now that election time is on, Joe Biden is all in on speedy asylum claims adjudication which he touts to the public as speedier deportations. Joe Biden marketed this to the public as his plan to clear court backlogs by outsourcing asylum claims to so-called "asylum officers" instead of courts. But it's not really that. The Associated Press has a report about it -- and a buried lede. It begins this way: 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. Sounds fine and dandy, except that by sending illegal border crossers to asylum officers instead of judges, and by placing political pressure on these civil servants who often come from open-borders activist backgrounds anyway, the odds are good they're just waving them through, basically just handing them their citizenship at the gate. Foreign nationals who are granted asylum have an easy path once asylum is taken care of, as they are free to work, glom a huge range of taxpayer-paid benefits, get green cards, get U.S. citizenship, and then begin the process of bringing in all their extended relatives in massive chain migration. If an asylum officer waves you through so that Joe Biden can say he's clearing backlogs, you've got it made. A look at the so-called asylum officers suggests they're a soft lot to begin with already, basically, illegal alien advocates. A migrant advocacy group called National Migration Forum explains just how pro-migrant these asylum officers are: An asylum officer is a USCIS employee trained in refugee and asylum law in the United States and abroad, both in sensitively dealing with sensitive and traumatic experiences that often constitute the basis of asylum claims and in detecting fraudulent claims. Asylum officers are often seen as well suited to handle humanitarian claims because, per USCIS, they are trained to efficiently conduct interviews with asylum applicants in a non-adversarial and sensitive manner in ways that elicit and clarify information, review evidence, research conditions in foreign countries, perform legal analysis, and exercise significant judgment in applying complex immigration laws to a wide variety of factual situations, and, at the end of the process, make sensitive legal decisions on whether applicants qualify for asylum. In contrast, immigration judges are housed in the Department of Justice (DOJ) and may not be specialized in humanitarian claims. Immigration judges have jurisdiction over many areas of immigration law, not just humanitarian protection. Further, asylum backlogs in both the affirmative and defensive asylum systems in immigration court (more on these below) have prospective asylees waiting up to six years to have their claims decided. This has created a state of legal limbo for many asylum seekers, where many put down roots before their asylum claims are fully adjudicated without knowing whether they will be allowed to stay in the U.S. Some advocates and proponents of USCICS asylum officer adjudications hope the policy could help cut into these backlogs. So if you're wondering how the killer of the nursing student in Georgia got the heck into this country through all those legal channels, asylum officers are certainly one way to do it. There is nothing in the extended description about the rights of the society to be free of criminals and unvetted migrants, nor anything about whether the public can holding these "asylum officers" accountable, responsible, or legally sue-able by surviving family members of all the rapists and killers who can get through based on all this "sensitivity." Approve them all and the Biden backlog disappears quickly. That's the incentive they have, assuming they'd like to get a promotion or ensure that Democrats get elected, so take your pick. Here's AP's buried lede: 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. Now if there's one set of laws for all migrants, it would seem logical that the same percentage of migrants would be accepted or deported regardless of whether a judge hears their case or an asylum officer does. Right now roughly 20% get accepted for asylum based on judicial cases and 80% of the cases are thrown out as meritless and that's quite liberal already, given that acceptance rates used to be quite a bit lower. As for the 80% whose cases are declared without merit, they are permitted endless appeals, which can extend for decades which is why the court systems are backlogged. American Thinker contributor Matt O'Brien wrote a superb piece last month describing how this works and where the backlogs are coming from. The extended appeals are what needs to be reformed in the currrent immigration system so that 'no' means 'no.' So, funny how the Biden administration doesn't want anyone to know what the percentage of asylum-officer cases are accepted, versus the number of court cases which accept asylum claims from illegal immigrants, which is what the law requires, and which is open and transparent. We already know that ICE has accepted close to 100% of the applicants it got on its CBPOne app, meaning, virtually none were screened. Would it be surprising if ICE's asylum officer program came up with a similar rate of acceptances given its politicization as an agency? Maybe Congress should demand the release of those asylum-officer acceptance numbers sometime before election day. Because we already know what the Biden administration does, and what it wants -- a full importation of unassimilated voters from socialist and statist countries who will vote exactly the way they vote back home, which means voting for Democrats. The old "replacement theory" keeps getting close and closer with every bit of data they try to hide. Why again, are they hiding these asylum officer acceptance rate numbers? Image: Screen shot from Fox News video, via YouTube Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) specifically targeted drinking by Republicans who traveled to Donald Trump's trial for the chaos that unfolded earlier in the week at a Congressional committee meeting. "There were members who skipped legislative votes ... to go to Donald Trump's trial. There was drinking going on in the hearing room. I can't even imagine what was going on in their train and up in New York City," Raskin told reporters. The "majority has modeled extremely intermperate and rude conduct and behavior, and they really brought disgrace to the whole institution," he added. "And these members came back out of control. And the chairman did not rein them in, and the institution pays the price," he added on the steps of the Capitol. The hearing was held to consider a Republican effort to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for refusing to share audio from President Biden's interview with special counsel Robert Hur. Democrats criticized the proposal, saying Republicans already have a transcript of the interview, The Oversight Committee hearing dissolved into a verbal brawl as Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) went at it after Greene bizarrely mocked Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) for wearing "fake eyelashes." At one point Ocasio-Cortez sternly warned Greene: "Baby girl, don't even play." Crockett appeared to fire her own insults at Greene in a hypothetical question to Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) about congressional protocol. "I'm just curious, just to better understand your ruling," Crockett asked. "If someone on this committee then starts talking about somebody's bleach blond, bad built, butch body, that would not be engaging in personalities, correct?" The hearing was also interupted by hecklers and other members yelling out when they didn't have the floor. Raskin also told reporters Friday that it would be "worth investigaing" drinking during the proceedings, and cited Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), who reported that lawmakers were "drinking in the room" during the hearing. The panel eventually voted to advance the contempt charge against Garland. As Americans, we pride ourselves on living in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Our freedom and security are largely maintained by the brave men and women who serve in our police forces and military. One of these brave individuals is Lt. Col. Robert Maginnis, U.S. Army, retired, whom I regard as an American hero. As a Pentagon insider who attends daily briefings, his insights are invaluable. It is clear from his perspective that a politically conservative approach is necessary to rebuild and strengthen our security forces, ensuring that they can continue to protect our nation effectively. Over the past few years, there has been an unprecedented wave of anti-police sentiment sweeping across America. This trend has been exacerbated by certain media narratives and political agendas that unfairly paint law enforcement officers as villains rather than protectors. As Lt. Col. Maginnis points out, this demoralization of our police forces has tangible consequences: reduced recruitment, increased retirements, and a general decline in the efficacy of law enforcement agencies. In major cities, crime rates have soared as police departments struggle to maintain adequate staffing levels. The vilification of police officers not only demoralizes those currently serving, but also deters potential recruits from considering a career in law enforcement. To reverse this trend, we must shift the public narrative to recognize and honor the sacrifices and dedication of our police officers. Restoring public trust and support for law enforcement requires a multi-faceted approach. First, we must reject the defund the police rhetoric that has gained traction in some political circles. Instead, we should advocate for increased funding to ensure that police departments are well equipped, well trained, and capable of addressing the complex challenges they face daily. Lt. Col. Maginnis emphasizes the importance of community policing as a strategy to rebuild trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. By fostering positive interactions and cooperation, police officers can develop meaningful relationships with community members, reducing tensions and enhancing public safety. Additionally, providing police officers with the latest technology and equipment, such as body cameras and non-lethal weapons, can increase transparency and accountability, further building public trust. The challenges facing our military are equally concerning. According to Lt. Col. Maginnis, the U.S. military is currently experiencing a decline in readiness and capability, partly due to budget cuts and shifting priorities. Our armed forces must be adequately funded and supported to maintain a robust national defense. This includes investing in modernizing our military infrastructure, enhancing cyber-capabilities, and ensuring that our troops are well trained and equipped to face emerging threats. A politically conservative approach to national defense emphasizes the importance of a strong military as a deterrent against aggression. By projecting strength and maintaining a state of readiness, the United States can prevent potential adversaries from challenging our interests and security. We must also support our veterans, ensuring that they receive the care and benefits they deserve after serving our nation. This not only honors their sacrifice, but also encourages a culture of respect and appreciation for military service. One of the most effective ways to ensure the long-term security of our nation is to foster a sense of patriotism and civic duty among our youth. Lt. Col. Maginnis suggests that our education system should emphasize the importance of American values, history, and the sacrifices made by those who have served in uniform. By instilling a sense of pride and responsibility in future generations, we can create a culture that values and supports our security forces. Programs such as Junior ROTC and other military-based educational initiatives can play a crucial role in this effort. These programs not only teach leadership and discipline, but also provide young people with a firsthand understanding of the importance of national defense. Encouraging participation in such programs can help build a pipeline of future military and law enforcement leaders. Lest we forget, the security of our nation depends on the strength and resilience of our law enforcement and military forces. By rejecting anti-police rhetoric, increasing funding and support for law enforcement, enhancing our military capabilities, and fostering a sense of patriotism and civic duty, we can ensure that America remains safe, free, and prosperous. Michael Letts is the CEO and founder of InVest USA, an organization dedicated to providing bulletproof vests and other essential equipment to police and first responders. Through his work, Michael strives to ensure that those who protect our communities are themselves protected and supported. Image: Tony Webster via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped). Just who are the Palestinians? Who are the people living in Gaza? Ethnically, theyre from a variety of local tribes, many from Jordan, and virtually all are Muslim, George W. Bushs religion of peace. Most, at least , are either Islamists or unabashed supporters of Islamists, in this case Hamas. In other words, most Gazans are Islamist terrorists dedicated to the extermination of every Jew and every infidel, which is us. Not many understand Muslims willing to live in peace with the peoples of other faiths are not following the intent or letter of their faith. Islam does not proselytize; it conquers, forcing others to accept Islam or slavery. Islam views women as property, and has no tolerance. In their societies there is no DEI; theyre all dead. Palestinian children are indoctrinated from birth to hate Jews and to believe their highest accomplishment in life is to murder Jewsand infidelsand to die in Jihadholy war. Their leaders pay the families of martyrspay to slay. Billions upon billions in aide poured into Gaza have gone into the pockets of Hamas leaders, the building of terror tunnels and the purchase of weapons. We now know many average Gazans accompanied Hamas terrorists in their October 7 raid into Israel, where they looted and committed atrocities. They also kidnapped Israelis and Americans, and have served as their captors since. To find much more on Islamists, go here. Keep in mind the Jordanians and Egyptians are refusing to allow any Gazans onto their territory. They know them all too well and want nothing to do with them. Which is why, of course, the Mummified Meat Puppet Administration (MMPA) wants to bring them to America: Graphic: X Screenshot In recent weeks, the documents show, senior officials across several federal U.S. agencies have discussed the practicality of different options to resettle Palestinians from Gaza who have immediate family members who are American citizens or permanent residents. One of those proposals involves using the decades-old United States Refugee Admissions Program to welcome Palestinians with U.S. ties who have managed to escape Gaza and enter neighboring Egypt, according to the inter-agency planning documents. Top U.S. officials have also discussed getting additional Palestinians out of Gaza and processing them as refugees if they have American relatives, the documents show. The plans would require coordination with Egypt, which has so far refused to welcome large numbers of people from Gaza. Those who pass a series of eligibility, medical and security screenings would qualify to fly to the U.S. with refugee status, which offers beneficiaries permanent residency, resettlement benefits like housing assistance and a path to American citizenship. On May 18, I posted Terror Alert!" Its the story of our anti-American State Department, finally issuing a warning to the effect that traveling overseas while American isnt exactly safe. Of course, neither is living in an America with open borders, as I noted in January in Terrorist attacks in America; for what are they waiting? Since then, we know thousands, even tens of thousands, of probable terrorists from around the globe have swarmed over our borders. The MMPA has been willing to admit some are on Terror Watch Lists, but far more than theyve caught are got aways, people they saw running into America, but didnt contact. Far more were never seen as they infiltrated. We also know thousands of military aged Chinese males, almost surely members of the Chinese military, have also been admitted. Theyre stopped, briefly questioned, whatever information they provide is accepted, and theyre turned loose into America. Many are flown or bussed, at our expense, wherever they prefer to go. The MMPA is not telling us what happened to those on the Terrorist Watch Lists. Were they jailed? Deported? Flown wherever they wanted? We dont have a need to know. The MMPA has also admitted more than 100 instances of Chinese spies trying to breach our CONUS (Continental United States) military installations. And if that were not enough, our feckless FBI Director, Christopher Wray, is more or less constantly warning of an unprecedented internal terrorist threat. That means he, and the rest of the MMPA, know were going to be hit, repeatedly and badly. Understanding this, why would any sane person want to import Islamist terrorists we know live to murder Jews and Infidels? Thats rather the point; no sane person would. Unfortunately, the MMPA hates America and Americans as much as Islamists do. Have they already imported such people into America? Considering it took years for them to admit theyd been flying hundreds of thousands of illegals into America, bet on it. Bet too, on American blood flowing in the streets in the near future. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. This is no country for old men. Its no country for young men, either. And that could be said about the greater Western world. Men are under attack. Period. Especially straight white ones. Even more so if they happen to be Christians or Jews, as well. (Anyone who denies this is simply too ridiculous to acknowledge.) Toxic masculinity is considered by progressives to be a major problem. Men in commercials and advertisements are often made to look like complete ignoramuses. (Honey, can you show me how to use the toaster? Or, I was going to make some ice cubes for the party tonight, dear, but I forgot the recipe.) And it is not just men who are being disparaged, as previously noted. It is Christians, patriots, pro-lifers, MAGA types, and, of course, Jews. Thats a significant number of groups of which leftists are anything but inclusive or tolerant. But our current rulers, for there is sadly no better way to describe them, see the rapidly changing demographics, in large part brought about by their own policies, and act accordingly-- to assure and enhance their own power into the foreseeable future. And our rulers are also continually seeking to enhance their ability to spy on those with whom they disagree, and, ultimately, punish them. (Okay, in some cases possibly even eradicate them. See also Donald Trump, and those at the Capitol on January 6.) Big Academia, the mainstream media, and The Deep State are fine with that, acting as remoras to the sharks that comprise the Biden administration, Canadian government, and the Council of the Europeon European Union. In an apparent irony, the more the hyper-progressive leftists attempt to portray their political opponents as fascists and Hitlerian, the more they reveal themselves to thinking people to be just that. But their go to ploy is projection, and too many gullible folks still somehow fall for it. So, Trump is in court, trying to avoid being put in prison by his political opponents for unspecified un-crimes. Pro-Hamas supporters are chasing Jews off college campuses. And conservative speakers, too. The Biden administration has indefinitely jailed many protesters who dared to approach the Peoples House on January 6, along with numerous pro-life activists. Speak out against government policy regarding pandemics, mandated vaccinations, abortion (womens health care), or any of a multitude of other topics, and you are likely to be mocked, threatened, coerced, canceled or worse. Christian churches have been vandalized and set on fire across the West. The current wickedly surreal atmosphere feels to me as if 1938 met 1984, and produced a baby named 2024 (that progressives like Biden and Trudeau somehow failed to abort). Where to from here? Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License Forenote: For purposes of this essay, although Jesus is fully Divine, fully God, and the second Person of the Trinity, he is also fully man and will be referred to as human. All three of these men led their people out of slavery and into freedom. All three men had the hand of God and His providence upon them. All three changed the world. All three were persecuted mercilessly. Moses, a murderer, was chosen by God to lead the enslaved Israelites out of Egypt, across the desert wilderness, and into Canaan. Along the way, the people fell into idolatry with their Golden Calf and other transgressions, causing God to stall their entry into the Promised Land for 40 years. Moses was not permitted to enter, and Joshua picked up the baton and completed the task. Moses changed the world by bringing us The Law, not just for Jews, but for most of the civilized world, who have based their judicial system in some way upon Mosess law. Gods plan for Moses could not be stopped, yet Pharaoh and his entire army of charioteers were killed trying. Jesus, from before the foundation of the world, was chosen by God the Father to lead His people out of the slavery of sin and death by taking the sins of the world on His shoulders, paying the price for them on our behalf and allowing the Elect to be forgiven of sin and guilt and giving them resurrection into eternal life with God in heaven. Jesus changed the world because Gods hand of provision and providence was upon Him. The plan for the salvation of mankind could not be stopped because of Gods plan. Donald Trump, while quite different in personality and means from Moses and Jesus, seems to clearly have the hand of Gods providence and provision on his life. Because it is Trumps plan to deliver his people, the citizens of America, from the slavery of tyrants, Pharaohs, and other power-seekers and evil men, he is being pursued, attacked, vilified, ridiculed, pilloried, lied about, and unjustly accused. The jackals plan to crucify him any way they can because he has shown the enslaved People that life can be different: more prosperous, more secure, more pleasant and more sensible. But evil forces who want people enslaved to communism, Marxism, and Islamism, are throwing all theyve got against him because their very raisons d'etre are endangered by Trumps common sense patriotic form of capitalism and governance. Trump wants fewer, not more regulations, less, not more crime, he wants to free the slaves of all colors who have previously been under the thumb of tyrannical Democrat policies and foreign influences that strangle them and their dreams. Trump wants to free the slaves, but the slave masters cannot have that. They will do whatever is necessary to keep Trump from revealing to Democrat voters that they are all hurt by Democrat policies and invisible chains. When Jesus was on trial for his life, a very wise Jewish Pharisee named Gamaliel warned the persecuting Sanhedrin who wanted Jesus and his followers dead: Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God! I believe Gods eyes and hands are upon Donald Trump. No, he is not divine, but he is a man for this terrible season. God often chooses the most unlikely, deeply flawed people to work His will. Trump has successfully weathered the weaponry sent against him because he is a man with a mission to free the slaves from governments heavy tyrannical hand. Gamaliels warning should be taken to heart. Those who fight against God eventually lose. Badly. Image: Free image, Pixabay license. Germanys transport minister (and progressive politician), Volker Wissing, last month vowed to ban driving on weekends to meet Germany's climate-related goals. It's either do that or else he wants the ruling coalition to pass more restrictions within the Climate Protection Act come July. According to the German newspaper BILD, as cited by Politico, Wissing penned a letter to the coalitions parliamentary group leaders, in which he bemoaned the fact that the reforms havent yet been approved. Wissing, whose initials are ironically those of Germanys most famous auto maker told BILD, according to the Politico report that: This serves neither the climate nor the reputation of the federal government. He added that reducing traffic to achieve climate goals would mandate measures such as comprehensive and indefinite driving bans on Saturdays and Sundays. A government telling its citizens that they cant drive on weekends would seem like a hard sell at best, but then again we obeyed similar and even more intrusive measures during the COVID pandemic lockdowns. Personal automobiles, long a symbol of freedom and prosperity, especially in the United States, are coming under increasing attack, as are the internal combustion engines which have historically propelled them. Moreover, there is proposed legislation in the works to equip all vehicles with absolute speed governors, to make it easier for government entities to spy on drivers, and to even simply shut off vehicles if Big Brother doesnt care for the way youre driving. Etc. In many urban areas, car lanes are being pushed aside in favor of bike and foot paths. The elderly, handicapped, and infirm? The hell with them, apparently. Ride your bike to work? No driving on the weekends? There has been much talk of driverless cars, but what many Western leaders, the Biden administration among them, seem to really want is carless drivers. Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License News broke a few hours ago that the helicopter carrying Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, has crashed in the mountainous, wooded terrain of Eastern Azerbaijan, with a search ongoing for the crash site. Sometimes bad things happen, but when the President of Irans helicopter crashes, and his foreign minister was on the copter, too, one wonders if it's more than coincidence. People are already wondering whether this was an accident or something more. Its no secret that Iran is a worldwide state funder of terrorism. Along with Qatar, its the money behind both Hezbollah and Hamas, which are fighting Israel from the East and the North. Violence in the Middle East would be dramatically diminished if Irans bankroll were cut off. The same is true for the military support it provides in terms of weapons, training, and strategy. But its not just Israel thats a target of Iranian malevolence. Since 1979, Irans battle cry has been Death to America. The official government policy is that it is in an existential war with the United States. Israel is the Little Satan, while America is the Great Satan. For forty-five years, the Iranian people, once the most sophisticated, successful Muslim people in the world, have been laboring under the Mullahs fanatic yoke. And when I say fanatic, I mean that. The Shia faith is an apocalyptic faith that waits for the return of the hidden or missing Imam: The Shia call all the male descendants of the Prophet Muhammad imams and ascribe to them a quasi-divine status. Hussein, who was killed at Karbala by Yazid, was the third Imam. His son and grandson were the fourth and fifth. At the end of this line, there is the Twelfth Imam, who is named Muhammad. Some call him the Mahdi (the divinely guided one). He was born in 869, the only son of the eleventh Imam. In 874, he disappeared without a trace, thereby bringing Muhammads lineage to a close. In Shia mythology, however, the Twelfth Imam survived. The Shia believe that he merely withdrew from public view when he was five and that he will emerge from his occultation in order to liberate the world from evil. [snip] According to Shia tradition, legitimate Islamic rule can only be established following the twelfth imams reappearance. Khomeini, however, had no intention of waiting. He vested the myth with an entirely new sense: The Twelfth Imam will emerge only when the believers have vanquished evil. To speed up the Mahdis return, Muslims had to shake off their torpor and fight. This is the apocalyptic ideology driving Iran. Here in America, leftists sneer at Evangelical Christians who believe that an apocalypse is coming and prepare accordingly by trying to live a morally good life and by stocking up on supplies in case theyre left behind after the Rapture. The Mullahs, though, believe that their obligation is not just to prepare for the apocalypse but to instigate it. That is what makes them so exceptionally dangerous. Note well that these are the people with whom the Obama/Biden axis has allied itself and the ones whom theyve put on the brink of acquiring a nuclear weapon. President Raisi, the Mullahs pick and a hardliner, comes from squarely within this tradition. While real political power rests with the mullahs, he is their living symbol, reflecting both their fanaticism and their bloodlust: As a young man, Ebrahim Raisi sentenced thousands of innocent Iranians to execution. He was known as the hang man and butcher of Tehran. Now he's the hangman of the whole nation. If Raisi is confirmed dead, millions will celebrate across Iran. pic.twitter.com/7v5NZg9AYG Nioh Berg (@NiohBerg) May 19, 2024 Given Raisis importance as a figurehead, the fact that his helicopter went down in mountainous terrain, taking his foreign minister with him, matters a great deal: Iranian president Ebrahim Raisis life is at risk after he was involved in a helicopter crash near the border with Azerbaijan. A frantic search mission is underway after the aircraft, which was traveling in Irans East Azerbaijan province near Jolfa, around 375 miles northwest of Tehran, suffered a hard landing on Sunday, according to Iranian state television. The helicopter was one of a convoy of three and foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, Friday prayer Imam Seyyed Mohammad-Ali Al-Hashem and other high-ranking officials were also reportedly on the helicopter with the president. The lives of President Raisi and foreign minister Amirabdollahian are at risk following the crash over mountain terrain, an Iranian official told Reuters. Its certainly possible that this was an accident. Id prefer, though, to think that this was either the hand of God or a warning from the Mossad that there is nowhere the Mullahs can hide if they continue to fund Israels destruction. And while Im not religious, if it were indeed the hand of God, Israels enemies might want to take note. (And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee. (Genesis 12:3)) Ill end this with a few early X responses to the news. Check in again because I will be editing this post to add more good ones as I find them: Raisi: are you sure this helicopter is safe? Pilot Eli Kopter: absolutely. pic.twitter.com/7BkoP6NioB The Mossad: Satirical, Yet Awesome (@TheMossadIL) May 19, 2024 I am so happy to see smiles on your faces. This is how the daughters of Minoo Majidi, who was killed by the Iranian regime during the Woman, Life, Freedom uprising, reacted to the news of Ebrahim Raisis helicopter crash. pic.twitter.com/ypJiIzxD5S Masih Alinejad (@AlinejadMasih) May 19, 2024 My thoughts are with the @washingtonpost obituary team in this difficult time as they fiercely debate whether to call Ebrahim Raisi an austere religious scholar, a patriotic anti-Zionist leader or a zealous anti-corruption crusader. Gabriel Noronha (@GLNoronha) May 19, 2024 My thoughts and prayers go out to the Biden administration. They lost a close friend in a helicopter accident today. Hillel Fuld (@HilzFuld) May 19, 2024 BREAKING: Celebratory fireworks in Iran after Ebrahim Raisi's death. Iranians are overjoyed at the death of the Butcher of Tehran. pic.twitter.com/38NyvvgWDI Nioh Berg (@NiohBerg) May 19, 2024 Iranians celebrating the Raisi helicopter crash with fireworks. They believe he's dead. "I hope the rest of them die in the same," the voice on the video says. pic.twitter.com/ols40xlWVJ Iran News Wire (@IranNW) May 19, 2024 Last thing that Raisi saw from his helicopter window: pic.twitter.com/yOGDNeX6dx SoVeryIsraeli (@soveryisraeli) May 19, 2024 Heres my contribution, made using AI, showing that austere religious scholar going where he belongs: Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has told firms to focus on delivering for customers rather than activism or political causes. She said there was a creeping and counter-productive politicisation of business. Ms Badenoch said some firms well-meaning equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives divide, rather than unify. The Business Secretary was speaking in support of a research programme by the Policy Exchange think tank on the issue. A Deltapoll survey for the think tank found 50% of people thought businesses had become too concerned with taking political positions on contested issues, with 14% disagreeing the remainder either did not agree or disagree, or did not know. The polling indicated that 75% of people believe that companies should hire on merit, regardless of race or gender, instead of seeking to create a diverse team. The centre-right think tanks project will methodically document and address the role and influence of social and ideological considerations on contemporary business, particularly at the expense of shareholder and wider society interests. Policy Exchange highlighted examples such as the debanking row, ice cream brand Ben & Jerrys criticism of the Government over asylum policies and coffee chain Costas mural showing a transgender person with mastectomy scars sipping a drink on one of its express vans. For those of you who missed this, @RishiSunak made the choice to BYPASS SOME HUMAN RIGHTS LAWS to pass his Rwanda plan. Why should an ice cream company be concerned about this? Because human rights are quite simply the basic rights and freedoms that belong to EVERYONE. Ben & Jerry's UK (@benandjerrysUK) December 13, 2023 Ms Badenoch said: Policy Exchanges findings confirm what I know to be true from talking to people who run businesses, work in them, and buy from them. The public want the focus of business to be on delivering great products and services, not activism or political causes which repel as many people as they attract. Overwhelmingly, people want companies to recruit on merit, selecting the best person for the job without regard to race or gender, rather than social engineering to create diverse teams. Earlier this year, an independent panel appointed by Ms Badenoch found businesses are implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives without an evidence base. Ms Badenoch said: As the recent Inclusion at Work Panel showed, many well-meaning equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives divide rather than unify, and undermine organisational goals. They are based on speculative and contested theories with limited evidence of impact. Policy Exchanges programme is a timely and welcome contribution to document the creeping and counter-productive politicisation of our business environment. I am committed to working with businesses on effective ways to foster economic growth, and also on this Governments Inclusive Britain goals smarter ways to achieve true equality of opportunity. Policy Exchange senior research fellow Lara Brown said: Customers do not believe that businesses need to demonstrate commitment to progressive principles and do not make spending decisions based on the political statements of retailers. Employees are also negatively affected by the politicisation of business, with many sceptical about workplace schemes tailored towards equality, diversity and inclusion. Children will be given D-Day history lessons as they are asked to always remember the sacrifices made ahead of the 80th anniversary of the landing. The lessons come as part of a series of events that will raise awareness of the landings in the coming weeks, amid fears that the events of the Second World War could be forgotten unless more is done to engage younger generations. On Monday, Normandy veteran Ken Hay will visit Rush Green Primary School in Romford, where he will give a lunchtime assembly. Mr Hay has an ongoing relationship with Rush Green, with more than 200 children writing letters to Grandad Ken about what they have learnt from his assemblies. D-Day veteran Ken Hay will visit Rush Green Primary School in Romford, where he will give a lunchtime assembly (Gareth Fuller/PA) Then on Tuesday, a classroom of schoolchildren will be welcomed and taken on a tour of 10 Downing Street by Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks wife Akshata Murty. The children will visit the Cabinet Room, where they will be given a lesson on the role of Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the staff of 10 Downing Street during the Second World War and on D-Day. They will then board a Second World War-era red London double-decker bus which will take them to the HMS Belfast a Royal Navy ship which took part in the D-Day landings. It comes as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) warned that this years 80th anniversary may be the final major commemoration attended by veterans of D-Day. To raise awareness, the CWGC, which maintains war memorials and cemeteries, has announced a series of events in the UK where flaming torches will be passed from veterans to young people, representing the handing over of the responsibility for commemoration. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hands the Commonwealth War Graves Commissions (CWGC) Torch of Commemoration to navy seaman D-Day veteran Peter Kent, 99, at Horse Guards, Whitehall (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Last week, Mr Sunak began the commemorative torch relay, handing the torch to Navy seaman D-Day veteran Peter Kent, 99, at Horse Guards, London. The torch will now travel to key cemetery and memorial sites around the UK before crossing the channel with veterans for official commemorations in June. The Prime Minister will also join members of the royal family at commemorative events in Normandy to mark the anniversary. Mr Sunak will join the King and Queen at the UKs national commemorative event in Portsmouth on June 5, where he will lead tributes. The event will feature testimonies from veterans and military personnel as well as musical performances by a 79-piece military orchestra. It will also involve more than 500 members of the Armed Forces, a 25-strong choir and Royal Marine drummers alongside a guard of honour formed of personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. A view of the Standing with Giants silhouettes which create the For Your Tomorrow installation at the British Normandy Memorial, in Ver-Sur-Mer (Gareth Fuller/PA) The MoD said the moving climax of the events in Portsmouth will be a stunning light show. On June 6, Charles, Camilla, and Mr Sunak will then attend the Ministry of Defence and Royal British Legions (RBL) event at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer. Hundreds of Armed Forces personnel will parachute into a historic D-Day drop zone in a recreation of the regions airborne liberation. It will conclude with a two-minute silence, accompanied by a special tribute flypast from the Red Arrows and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales will attend the Canadian commemorative ceremony at the Juno Beach Centre, Courseulles-sur-Mer, on the same date. William will then attend the international commemorative ceremony at Omaha Beach, Saint Laurent sur Mer, later that day alongside 25 heads of state and veterans from around the world. Alongside the events, some veterans will be watching the commemorations from the comforts of their homes. One such veteran, Erich Suchland, will be celebrating his 100th birthday on June 1. Mr Suchland landed on Sword Beach in Normandy on June 6 1944, and served as a signalman attached to the 51st Highland Division. He enlisted at the earliest possible opportunity on his 18th birthday. I had been in the Air Training Corps from 16 and was proficient at Morse code, so it made sense for me to be a Signalman I can still do Morse code today at breakneck speed, he said. I arrived in Normandy as part of a three-man Signals Unit with a Forward Field Ambulance Brigade providing comms in order to send ambulances to collect casualties. British star Cynthia Erivo said coming out publicly was a moment of relaxation and acceptance of everything that I am. The London-born actress and singer appeared at the Los Angeles LGBT Centre gala at the Shrine Auditorium, where she was honoured with the Schrader Award for her achievements in entertainment and activism within the LGBT+ community. The Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award-winning star opened up about her identity in the summer of 2021 following the release of her music video for The Good, a story about Black queer love. Cynthia Erivo identified herself as bisexual in British Vogue (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) Erivo, 37, later appeared on the cover of British Vogue, identifying herself as bisexual. I am really proud I came out the way I did, Erivo told the PA news agency on the pink carpet of the gala. I never considered myself as hiding, but I think being able to say it out loud was just a moment of relaxation and acceptance of everything that I am. I am glad that people can look to me and (think) I can do it to and I can be who I want to be and that leaves room to be the most creative self you can be. Oscar-nominated actress Erivo will next be seen playing Elphaba in a film adaptation of blockbuster musical Wicked, alongside chart-topping pop star Ariana Grande who will play Galinda. Directed by Crazy Rich Asians filmmaker Jon M Chu, the film also stars Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero Tigelaar and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz. I felt like I was totally supported, and I am supported by those wonderful people who I get to work with Ari, Jon, Michelle, Jeff, Jonny, Erivo told PA. I just feel like Ive walked right into a family who are loving and caring, and that includes Universal as well, who have been really wonderful to me as well. I feel good. I feel really good. I feel very myself and very moved. Last year, Chu announced the adaption would be split into two films to prevent making fatal compromises to the source material that has entertained us all for so many years. Director Jon M Chu (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Hit musical Wicked debuted on Broadway in October 2003, and it tells the backstory of The Wizard Of Oz and what happened before Dorothy arrived in the enchanted world. It launched in the West End in 2006., The Los Angeles LGBT Centre gala is held annually to celebrate the achievements of those within the LGBT+ community whilst raising funds for its community services. This year the gala was hosted by US comedian Joel Kim Booster. The 36-year-old said he was honoured to host as the organisations mission is super important to me, having been forced out of his home aged 17 after coming out. He also spoke about honouree Erivo. Ive met Cynthia before, shes lovely. I actually met her before I was anything, I was a complete nobody, I just approached her at a gay bar and was like I love you so much you are a queen and she hung out with me and my gay friends for the entire night. It was so lovely, shes amazing, and Im so happy to see all of the ways in which shes succeeding right now, Im so happy that shes one of us weve got a star in the community. I think it shows the importance of coming out and being public, as scary as it can be, sometimes it can be a detriment to your career, I get the comfort of not wanting to come out publicly but its so important to do so. Max Verstappen held off a dramatic Lando Norris fightback to win the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Verstappen crossed the line just 0.725 seconds clear of Norris in Imola to take his fifth victory from the seven rounds so far. Charles Leclerc finished third for Ferrari, one place ahead of McLarens Oscar Piastri with Carlos Sainz fifth. Neither put a foot wrong But it's Max Verstappen who takes the win at Imola #F1 #ImolaGP pic.twitter.com/U3gicgPeaw Formula 1 (@F1) May 19, 2024 Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finished sixth and seventh respectively for Mercedes. Verstappen looked to be on course to claim a comfortable win, but Norris superb charge in the closing stages left the Dutchman sweating inside his all-conquering Red Bull. After the sole round of pit-stops, Verstappen held a steady lead of around six seconds, but a turgid race suddenly came alive when Verstappen could offer little response to Norris speed. With five laps remaining, Norris was just 1.5secs behind Verstappen, and as they entered the final lap the gap was less than a second. But despite Norris best efforts, the British driver, who broke his duck in Miami a fortnight ago, was forced to settle for runner-up. Max Verstappen, left, edged Lando Norris to take victory (Luca Bruno/AP) It hurts me to say it, but with one or two more laps, I could have had him, said Norris. It is tough. I fought hard until the very last lap but I lost too much time to Max at the beginning. With one or two more laps it could have been beautiful, but not today. Verstappen positioned his car at an aggressive angle to thwart any attack from Norris at the start. And it worked as he kept the British driver at bay through the opening chicane. Norris kept Verstappen honest for the opening half-a-dozen laps, limiting his lead to one second. But by lap six, Verstappen had doubled his margin to two seconds and when Norris pulled in for fresh rubber on lap 22, the Red Bull man was six seconds up the road. However, the Dutchmans driving was in the spotlight in the moments before his stop when the stewards hit him with a black-and-white warning flag for track limits. A further misdemeanour would result in a penalty. LAP 28/63 Replays show Hamilton's Mercedes taking a trip through the gravel at Acque Minerali #F1 #ImolaGP pic.twitter.com/f9HOwwhdgo Formula 1 (@F1) May 19, 2024 Verstappen made the switch to the hard tyres on lap 24 of 63 and emerged from the pit-lane with a 4.4-second lead over Norris. In the other Red Bull, Sergio Perez, who started only 11th after a poor performance in qualifying, found himself in bother as he ran through the gravel at Rivazza. But he was not the only one in the sandtrap. Hamilton, running in seventh, lost control of his Mercedes through Acque Minerali before scrambling back to the asphalt and pitting a lap later. He lost a place to Perez but fought his way ahead of the Mexican, running out of position on old tyres, on lap 37. LAP 57/63 "I'm pushing as much as I can, mate!" Lando's giving it everything to try and make it back-to-back wins The gap is 1.4 seconds! #F1 #ImolaGP pic.twitter.com/Db4XkKdqbr Formula 1 (@F1) May 19, 2024 McLaren have built the car most likely to challenge Red Bull, but Norris was looking over his shoulder rather than ahead. Why am I slower than the cars behind? he asked. I have no pace. Leclerc was closing in on Norris, but the McLaren driver was afforded breathing space after the Monegasque ran through the grass at the Variante chicane. But suddenly, the 24-year-old could start dreaming of a second win is an many races as Verstappen started complaining of a lack of grip. However, the triple world champion held his composure to fend off Norris with Leclerc, now second in the standings, 7.9secs behind. A Jewish prisoner in Iran could be executed as soon as Monday, terrifying the Islamic Republic's tiny, vulnerable Jewish community. The case has also raised an alarm among Iranian Jewish expats and others in the New York Jewish community, who view it as a miscarriage of justice that could soon threaten others. According to court papers translated for the New York Post , the prisoner, 20-year-old Arvin Ghahremani, was accosted in an Iranian city by seven men, including one who owed him money, he told authorities. Ghahremani said that man stabbed him with a knife, and Gahremani killed him as he defended himself, he explained to investigators. Ghahremani was convicted of being an "accomplice to the intentional murder of a Muslim," and sentenced to death. The execution could be halted if he reaches a financial settlement with the victim's family. "This has gotten everybody very nervous in Iran," Rabbi Dany Yiftach, who translated the court records, told the Post. The Jewish representative in Iran's Parliament has reportedly pleaded in vain with multiple Muslim lawmakers to mediate the case. Yiftach believes the case would have gone differently in Tehran instead of 500 miles away in another city where Ghahremani was arrested. "I'm confident that if this case would have been in Tehran it wouldn't have turned out this way because I do believe in the goodwill of the central government," the rabbi told the Post. Jews are a minuscule minority in the Islamic Republic, numbering just 8,000 out of 88.5 million Iranians. The UK should prepare to grab a slice of Macron's mega-merger plan - KIN CHEUNG/POOL/AFP It could prove to be the last major industrial project of his presidency. Frances Emmanuel Macron has raised the possibility of mega-mergers to consolidate Europes banking industry. He wants to create a series of world-beating giants, citing the luxury goods conglomerate LVMH as a template. If there is to be a consolidation of the European finance industry, then surely the major British banks should be taking part in that? After all, we have some of the biggest banks in Europe, and by far the most vibrant fintech industry. If a wave of deals is about to get started, the major UK players need to be ready to take part or risk being left on the sidelines as Macron engineers the creation of a eurozone mega-bank. Whatever his other faults, President Macron has never lacked ambition. He has attempted to reform the moribund French economy, reshape the European Union and lead the transition towards net zero, while forging an ambitious industrial strategy for the Continent. He thinks big. With time running out on his presidency, due to come to an end in 2027, he has now set his sights on one more major project: reshaping the finance industry. In an interview with Bloomberg this week, he argued that governments should allow, and perhaps even encourage, a series of mega-mergers between the Continents leading banks to create one or two global champions. Dealing as Europeans means you need consolidation as Europeans, argued Macron, citing the streamlining of the luxury goods industry under LVMHs Bernard Arnault as an example of how European companies can be strengthened by putting lots of smaller brands under one giant corporate structure. A deal between Frances Societe Generale and Spains Santander was one he suggested would work. Whereas in the past, it might have been vetoed by national regulators and governments, not least in Paris, the moment has arrived, Macron argued, to make it happen. In fairness, the French president has a point. Despite the creation of the single market, Europe still has a very fragmented financial system, with a series of national banks. It has not produced anything to match the scale and strength of JP Morgan Chase or Bank of America in the US, or indeed of the Bank of China. A stronger banking industry, with greater lending capacity, would help strengthen the economy, make it easier for companies to raise capital, and distribute money to where it was needed around the Continent. Shouldnt the UK banks be getting ready to take part in that? Britain has some of the major banks on the Continent. Of the 11 largest banks in Europe, measured by total assets, three are British, led by HSBC, and followed by Barclays and Lloyds. It is not hard to envisage some of the possible combinations that could emerge. Barclays and BNP Paribas might well make for a formidable combination. Lloyds and Santander might fit well together, given that both have strong retail banks, and Santander is already a major player in the British market. Deutsche Bank might well make an interesting morsel for HSBC. The German bank is a fraction of the size of HSBC its market capitalisation is only 31bn (27bn), compared to 129bn for HSBC but they both have a strong presence in commercial banking. Combining the expertise and the networks of the two banks might well create a genuine global competitor to the American and Chinese giants. Any of those deals would present formidable challenges. And yet, 15 years on from the financial crisis, all of the UK banks are in far better financial shape than they have been for a generation or more. Right now, the British market is stagnant, and offers few opportunities by itself. If they dont expand into new markets, it will be hard to keep growing; even worse, a mega-bank formed on the Continent will eventually turn its eyes towards the UK. Of course, bank mergers have a bad reputation in Europe. The collapse of Royal Bank of Scotland in the financial crisis of 2008 and 2009 after a string of over-ambitious acquisitions has stayed in the memory as a warning against trying to take control of a rival. That said, the success of UBSs merger with Credit Suisse, even if it only happened when the Swiss government put a gun to the heads of both sides, has shown that it is possible to make it work. Shares in UBS have risen by 58pc over the last 12 months as the combination of the two has proven surprisingly successful. Meanwhile the growing power of JP Morgan has demonstrated that scale still works, and hoovering up rivals such as Silicon Valley Bank during the mini-crisis of last year has shown that it can still extend its dominance of the American market. Get it right, and merging banks can still be a very easy way for everyone to make money. Sure, Macron is certainly thinking of all EU combinations. And no doubt he is hoping for a French-led European champion to emerge, led by a French banker, and with its headquarters in Paris. If he was left in control, SocGen would take over Santander, while BNP Paribas would take over Deutsche Bank, and perhaps one of the Spanish or Italian banks as well. A British bid for any of the major players on the Continent might well be vetoed on the grounds that a merger could only be allowed between banks that are already located within the eurozone. We will see in due course. One point is certain, however. Macron may have deliberately started the process, but he will find it hard to control what happens next, or to remain completely in the driving seat. If governments are encouraging a wave of consolidation, the major UK banks should be ready to take part or risk getting left behind. Tom Cruise was greeted by a fly-past of jets at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival - VALERY HACHE/AFP The Cannes Film Festival has banned beef to be more environmentally friendly as A-list stars fly in from across the globe to southern France. Stars hoping for a steak on the Riviera will be disappointed, after a policy shift led to a reduction of meat on its menus. Beef has been totally banned by Cannes bosses to reduce the festivals carbon footprint, as meals and cocktail party canapes are shifted towards vegetarian options. The eco-friendly reform comes despite many celebrities flying in and the controversial use of helicopters to transport some stars to the festivals headquarters for red carpets. In a list of environmental guidelines for this years event, the festival explains: For the meals and cocktail receptions that it organises, the Festival de Cannes is committed to increasing the number of vegetarian options and to no longer serving beef, which is the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions. The festival has cited research showing that beef production results in 4.5 times more greenhouse gas emissions than white meat, so a ban was agreed as an effective and acceptable way of reducing the carbon impact of food. Parties are frequent at the lavish festival this year attended by luminaries including Adam Driver, Emma Stone, Francis Ford Coppola and Greta Gerwig but its catering has undergone a radical shift. Latest eco-friendly reform The festival has explained that it is making sure that our menus and buffets offer more and more vegetarian options in an effort to move away from the less eco-friendly production of meat. The latest reform comes after a number of efforts to make the glamorous event more environmentally friendly, including reducing the size of the red carpet, changing it less regularly and making sure goodie bags handed out to celebrities are composed of predominantly local products rather than from overseas. However, celebrities continue to arrive in private jets, and the bay at Cannes is filled with yachts of the wealthy coming to enjoy the festival. In 2022, Tom Cruise took flak from green politicians for travelling to his red carpet event in a helicopter. The film festival had insisted on ferrying celebrities to the red carpet in a fleet of electric cars, but Cruise went maverick and arrived for the premiere of his Top Gun sequel by air, before being greeted by a fly-past of jets emitting a red, white and blue tricolour trail. David Cormand, an MEP who represents the French environmentalist party Europe Ecology, told The Telegraph at the time: Such behaviour destroys the credibility of those who speak up for climate and the environment. How can Cannes be convincing about promoting a greener future, if some people can make entrance on a helicopter? In the end, the message is that the common people have to pay attention and do with less, but that the wealthiest can do what they want. But if we dont have a just transition, there will be no Green transition at all. Philippine warship BRP Jose Rizal launches a C-Star ship-killer missile during the annual Balikatan joint military exercises. New weapons such as the C-Star will make Filipino waters much more dangerous for interloping China - Armed Force of the Philippines/AFP via Getty For a country sharing a long and disputed maritime border with China, The Philippines was seriously lacking in military force for protecting that border. Emphasis on was. In a dramatic demonstration of Manilas intention to re-arm for a possible future clash with Beijing over the strategic waters of the western Pacific Ocean, Philippine forces recently fired a SSM-700K C-Star anti-ship missile at a derelict cargo ship explosively breaking its keel and sinking it. The South Korean-made C-Star anti-ship cruise missile arms the Philippine navys two new 352-foot Jose Rizal-class guided-missile frigates, which commissioned in 2020 and 2021. The C-Star is among the most important of the many new weapons Manila is buying as part of a sweeping, multi-billion-dollar military modernisation programme. A modernisation programme that could equip the Philippine armed forces to fight side-by-side with US and allied forces in a war with China. The C-Star is an 18-foot, radar-guided sea-skimming missile that travels as far as 112 miles at wavetop height with a 550-pound warhead, aiming to strike an enemy near the waterline in order to inflict maximum damage. It compares favorably with other anti-ship missiles, such as the American Harpoon, French Exocet and Ukrainian Neptune. The Philippine navy frigate Jose Rizal fired the C-Star that sank that derelict vessel. It was the sinking exercise, or SINKEX, phase of the Balikatan 2024 war game, which saw Philippine, American and Australian troops train for a possible war with China over Taiwan. The exercise began on April 22 and ended on May 8. The Filipinos didnt rush into their SINKEX. During last years Balikatan war game, Philippine troops teamed up with American troops to sink an old Philippine navy patrol vessel using American munitions. The C-Stars that arm the Jose Rizal-class frigates are just the first of a trio of new anti-ship systems on Manilas shopping list. The Philippines is also buying Brahmos ground-launched anti-ship missiles from India as well as wheeled High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers from the United States. HIMARS launchers fire the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) artillery missile, primarily useful in land warfare. But American arms-maker Lockheed Martin, which produces the HIMARS, is developing an anti-ship missile that would be compatible with the HIMARS rocket pod. Our new equipment will be coming soon, Philippine army chief Gen. Romeo Brawner said last year. With C-Star and Brahmos missiles and potentially HIMARS-launched anti-ship missiles, Philippine forces could threaten Chinese ships hundreds of miles from the Philippine coast. The disputed Second Thomas Shoal, the locus of a bitter and escalating territorial dispute between The Philippines and China, lies just 100 miles west of the Philippine island of Palawan. For months, Chinese coast guard vessels have been battling with water-cannons and ramming vessels resupplying a Philippine marine corps outpost aboard an old landing vessel the Filipinos deliberately grounded on the Second Thomas Shoal in 1999. To be clear, acquiring a few anti-ship missiles doesnt make the Philippine navy the equal of the Chinese navy. At the end of the current round of modernization in 2028, the Philippine navy should have 18 large armed vessels. The Chinese navy will have hundreds. But then, the Philippine fleet doesnt need to meet the Chinese fleet on the high seas and match it missile for missile, ship for ship in a battle for control of the western Pacific. No, Manilas maritime forces only need to prevent Beijings own forces from controlling disputed waters. Sea-denial, rather than sea-control, is the Philippines aim. And for that, a few anti-ship missiles, carried by frigates or tucked into the jungle at tiny island outposts, are the key weapons. Its not for no reason that the US Marine Corps is reorganizing its entire 200,000-person force for setting up and protecting island missile-bases. The idea is that hidden missiles could deter the Chinese fleet in peacetime and, in wartime, make coastal waters in the western Pacific prohibitively dangerous for the Chinese fleet. And Philippine missile crews wouldnt fight alone. In aligning more closely with the Americans and Australians, among other allies, the Filipinos add their modest but growing anti-ship firepower to a growing multinational force. One built around the US Marine Corps and its new island-hopping regiments. All along the western Pacific, China is pushing. More and more, other countries are pushing back against Chinese expansionism. The Philippines is pushing back with anti-ship missiles. Dacre King with the Kelvinator fridge painted by Clifton Pugh, which has been sitting in the art collectors shed since he bought it in a garage sale about 20 years ago. Photograph: Simon Scott Photo/The Guardian Dacre King was reading about the remarkable case of a scandalous Stobie pole painted by the world famous Australian artist Clifton Pugh, which has gone missing. And then he thought about the art in his shed, gathering dust. The collector went and pulled the hulking thing on to the patio of his home in Armidale, New South Wales but it wasnt the missing Pugh Stobie pole. It was the missing Pugh refrigerator. A Kelvinator Magic Cycle, painted by the artist in 1958. Eleven of Australias great creatives Arthur Boyd, Paul Beadle, Elaine Haxton and Pugh among them were commissioned by Kelvinator Australia, through the Australian Womens Weekly, to paint a fridge each. The plan was to auction them to raise money for Legacy. Judith Pugh is an art expert and author whose PhD was on commonwealth arts funding. She wrote Unstill Life: Art, politics and living with Clifton Pugh, from her time with him in the 1970s. She says fridges were a great temptation for painters. Particularly when painters were starting out, without much money, and were likely to be eating in the kitchen, and confronted by a big blank white space. But the auction was a flop. The fridges were passed in, then distributed to various Legacy branches and raffled. Until now, Boyds was the only one whose whereabouts was known. Im a bit of a notorious scrounger, King says. I was reading some adverts, looking at garage sales, and I saw this old Kelvinator fridge for sale. And it said decorated by Clifton Pugh. I loaded it on the back of a friends Subaru Brumby, took it home, and its been sitting in my shed ever since. That was about 20 years ago. A regular canvas except with a protruding handle Back in 1958, the Australian Womens Weekly ran a three-page spread showing the artists posing with their work. Theres Boyd, an arm across the top of his fridge, which boasts a play on the Greek myth of Leda and the Swan. Haxton, cigarette in hand, sits next to another Greek-themed piece. And Pugh looks over his abstract, sharp-edged piece, with its blues and greens, and black slashes. The fridge exhibition Art in Everyday Life toured Australia at the end of 1958. The plan echoed a similar one in Paris, the AWW reported at the time. Pughs theme was The Battle of Spring. He lives in a rambling house which he built himself from mud bricks, the AWW reported. Pughs own ideas on home planning are so unconventional that he had to make a few inquiries before he found out what were the most popular modern colour schemes for kitchens. Related: Nudes, prudes and a love triangle: the hunt for Adelaides most scandalous Stobie pole Judith Pugh says Pugh painted fridges as though the space were his usual canvas, except with a protruding handle. Those I saw Cliff paint tended to reflect the mood he was in, she says. This original one seems a bit as if he had to overcome some reluctance to deal with the task for him, the urge was always to communicate, not to decorate. I think Haxton and Beadles efforts seem more effective and more memorable. Interesting that only one woman was in the show. Proportionally there were fewer female artists then (and fewer lawyers and doctors and jockeys and bank managers of course) but I wonder how the artists were chosen. According to the Bendigo Art Gallery, Boyds fridge depicts Leda, the Greek goddess, dressed as a barefoot bride. She had borne two children to the King of Sparta when Zeus came to her in the form of a black swan. This union resulted in two more children who were immortal, the curators notes say. The imagery evokes such issues as seduction and temptation (also quite satirical for use on a fridge), and hints at a form of Passion play about tribulations associated with the quest for love. Refrigerators are often given as wedding presents, Boyd said, according to the AWW. So I thought a bridal theme would be appropriate. Boyds fridge sold for a reported $110,000 to the stockbroker Rene Rivkin at another auction in 1989. According to McCullochs Australian Art Diary, it was passed in at auction in 1995 in a sale of Rivkins assets. In 1996, the Bendigo Art Gallery negotiated to buy it. In 1989, the Australian Financial Review reported that the Hal Missingham fridge had turned up in a garage in the Blue Mountains. Its not clear what happened to it after that. In 2011, The Australian reported that the Boyd fridge was the only one still in existence. A little compartment marked cheese King describes himself as a lifelong art collector with champagne tastes on a beer budget, who is still involved in the arts community. He also has Pugh paintings on canvas. He describes the outside of the Pugh fridge: Its rather abstract but can be interpreted to be a feral animal (likely a cat) and a frenzied attack on some native birds, probably magpies, amongst some bush undergrowth. The birds with their wings and feathers outstretched appear almost to be in movement as they scuttle and scurry in any which way they can to desperately avoid the onslaught of the feral cat. [He] had a keen eye for nature. While he is perhaps best known for his people portraits, Clifton often sought out subject matter from the countryside around his farm at Cottles Bridge [in Victoria]. Wombats, wrens, apostlebirds, magpies, owls and native bush all featured heavily in his works. And the inside? Its a classic old fridge. Theres a little compartment marked cheese. Its even got a compartment for bacon. Bottles, snacks, a crisper. I originally thought to buy this as a beer fridge. The Red Devils parachute display team will jump into Normandy next month - Paul Grover for the Telegraph The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been forced to cut back D-Day memorial parachute jumps as only one plane is guaranteed. Grant Shapps said that the shortage of planes for the mass parachute drop to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day showed why more money needed to be invested in defence. The Defence Secretary has ordered an urgent review into the situation, although defence sources insisted that they were confident two aircrafts would be secured for the jump in Normandy next month. There will be two planes, they said. I would expect another plane. Hundreds of paratroopers had been expected to perform the jump to honour the actions of their predecessors in the Second World War. Currently only one RAF A400M has been designated for paratroopers from 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, while the Red Devils parachute display team will jump into Normandy. However, defence sources insisted that resources have been stretched by Nato operations at a time when Russias invasion of Ukraine has increased activity by the alliance and the RAFs transport aircraft have also played a role dropping aid into Gaza. Currently only one RAF A400M has been designated for paratroopers - Sgt Graham Taylor RAF/Mount Pleasant Complex Photographic Section A source close to Mr Shapps told The Telegraph that the situation, first reported by The Mail on Sunday, will definitely be fixed. They added Mr Shapps is a big believer in learning the lessons of the past. That means showing due respect and honour to those who have helped protect the nation in the past, they said. Speaking to GB News, Mr Shapps said: Its important that D-Day is remembered properly here. It will be, by the way, both in Portsmouth and in France. I want to make sure its done properly and come back to the decisions that pre-date my time. He added: We know there are several live wars going on and they are being used for those purposes, but Im quite sure to commemorate something as significant as D-Day we can do a bit better than that, and Ive undertaken to make sure we do. 'D-Day 80 will offer a comprehensive programme of tributes from today's Armed Forces,' the MoD has said - over Salisbury Plains An MoD spokesman said: D-Day 80 will offer a comprehensive programme of tributes from todays Armed Forces to their forebears with a significant amount of activity in both France and the UK, involving thousands of personnel, Royal Air Force fly-pasts and Royal Navy vessels. This will include a commemorative jump by UK paratroopers from an A400M aircraft on June 5 alongside Allied counterparts. Writing in The Mail on Sunday, Tobias Ellwood, the former defence minister, said that the pared-back memorial jump is indicative of the MoDs modern funding approach. As things stand, the paras hopes of putting on a large-scale multi-plane parachute drop has been limited to a single aircraft and just 100 of them jumping out, he said. The issue demonstrates a sad and simple truth todays RAF lacks heavy lift transport capacity after all Hercules transport fleet, which served our nation so well for more than 50 years, was scrapped to save money. A delivery rider cycles through central London If we discovered a business leader had amassed their fortune not only by making a tidy profit on the goods or services they sold, but by pilfering the earnings and savings of innocent members of the public people not even connected in any way to their business we would be outraged. There would be demands for justice: compensation for the victims, and prison for the perpetrator. But what if something analogous was happening every day in our economy, across different companies and sectors? What if, hidden in plain sight, some of the biggest and richest companies and institutions were profiting handsomely by keeping revenues for themselves while offloading their costs of doing business on to the public? Take universities, which have been in the news recently after the Governments Migration Advisory Committee reported on graduate visas, which allow foreign students to live and work in Britain for a minimum of two years after the completion of their studies. Even though the essay question the Government gave the MAC was written to achieve a positive answer emphasising the importance of the arbitrary target to attract 600,000 new foreign students to Britain every year the detail of the report said everything. Twenty-seven per cent of graduate visa holders, it found, were not working at all. Forty-one per cent earned less than 15,000. The largest groups by nationality were Indian, Nigerian, Chinese and Pakistani, and graduates from these groups earned considerably less than all others: the median Pakistani, for example, earned just 14,402. As Neil OBrien, the immigration-sceptic Tory MP, points out, given full-time minimum wage work gets you c. 24k this is not graduate work. To anybody familiar with student migration, this is no surprise. The vast majority of the growth in graduate visas reflects the growth in student visas themselves: 66 per cent of all graduate visas come from students completing postgraduate courses at non-Russell Group universities. As Professor Alan Manning, the former MAC chairman, explains, universities are not just selling education but also, in part, work permits. We should be clear about what this means. Last year, 69 per cent of people taking up the graduate visa had studied in this country for one year or less. And 63 per cent of those whose graduate visa ended switched to another visa route. In other words, a one-year masters course whatever the subject, whatever the university automatically brought three additional years of living and working in Britain, and without much difficulty, then a lifetime. The benefit for universities and those who work for them from the lavishly-paid vice chancellors to the armies of lobbyists and PR consultants hired to defend their special interests is obvious. But for society, the benefits are dubious and the costs are clear. Few graduates taking jobs on the minimum wage will become net fiscal contributors over their lifetimes, and the increase in immigration caused by the graduate visa route diminishes our capital stock. The profits rest with the university sector, while the costs fall to the general public. This kind of hidden subsidy applies to other sectors too. Many customers marvel at the logistical brilliance of fast-food delivery services, taxi apps, and of course the ubiquitous Amazon. The scale of corporation tax Amazon has avoided in Britain is well known, but less debated is the impact that those corporate tax arrangements have, while leaving the costs to the rest of society. Three years ago, after a protracted legal case, the Supreme Court ruled that Uber drivers are not independent contractors as they had previously been treated by the company but employees, which meant that they were entitled to various labour market rights. The costs added by this ruling plus a connected decision that Uber should collect VAT for journeys has reduced its price competitiveness, and in doing so showed how its business model depended on shifting its costs and responsibilities on to others. According to an investigation by Transport for London, Uber was responsible for 14,000 fraudulent journeys between late 2018 and early 2019, because the company allowed unauthorised drivers to upload their photographs to other, authorised Uber driver accounts. This prompted TfL to temporarily remove Ubers licence to operate in London, which has now been restored after several appeals, but the practice continues with various other firms. Companies including Amazon, Deliveroo, UberEats and Just Eat all have substitution clauses, which allow couriers to lend their profiles to others. With these clauses it is, in the words of Amazon, the original couriers responsibility to pay your substitute at any rate you agree with them and you must ensure that any substitute... has the right to work in the UK. Unsurprisingly, this can be a recipe for exploitation and immigration crime. Investigations have exposed a trade in couriers lending and selling their delivery accounts online. One found more than 100,000 people on Facebook groups where these identities are traded, but nobody knows how many substitutes are working, because few questions are asked and records not kept. Insurance companies say many unauthorised couriers are caught up in fraudulent motor and personal injury claims. Questions need to be asked whether companies are privatising profits and socialising the costs arising from their business models, which in effect could industrialise illegal immigration and illegal working in the black economy, as of course many illegal workers are here on student visas. And whether we are talking about the private equity funds that extracted huge sums from water utilities while avoiding the costs of their pollution, or the mistreatment of workers in warehouses or the fashion supply chain, tax dodgers in the Channel Islands or any number of other examples, it is too easy, in the modern economy, to leave the negative externalities caused by your business model to the wider public. The curious thing is that our technocratic classes so quick to see and tax the externalities of everything from driving a car to taking a flight fail to see what is right before them. They may, by instinct and ideology, be wedded to the status quo, but we must reject it. Too many profit at the long-term expense of us all. We must not let them take us for fools any longer. Laszlo Sticz taking over the commander's position of EUFOR Operation Althea Handout from Hungarian military Last week Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, announced that the UKs military spending would rise to 2.5 per cent of the national income by 2030. He also stressed that the UK was not on the brink of war but claimed that the extra money would put the countrys defence industry on a war footing. Similarly, the old Latin phrase says: Si vis pacem, para bellum, which translates to: If you want peace, prepare for war. The new Hungarian approach which is very topical in view of the recent geopolitical changes is actually the rephrasing of this old adage: Peace requires strength. Following Brexit, one of the foundations of our partnership with the UK is Nato, where we are steadfast allies. Our countries both surpass the 2 per cent mark in terms of defence expenditure, making us some of the top contributors in the organisation, and Hungary is committed to increasing its share further: to 2.61 per cent of the GDP by 2030. In the year of the 25th anniversary of Hungarys accession to Nato, I am confident that this number alone shows my countrys deep-rooted commitment to the alliance. But we are doing much more than just providing the right defence budget. Hungarys Nato accession enjoyed the support of our political spectrum and the overwhelming majority of the Hungarian population. It was clear for us from the outset that this membership brings not only benefits, but also obligations and sacrifices, and Hungary has always been ready to be a valuable part of Natos joint efforts. The sweeping reform and modernisation of the armed forces has been and continues to be an integral part of this process. At the moment, we are retiring the last remnants of our obsolete Soviet-era pieces in our defence equipment, and the most state-of-the-art systems are taking over their places, which are mostly made in Europe, such as the excellent Gripen fighter jets which are partly British products. Gripen JAS 39 fighter jet fleet at a military base near Budapest Our militarys attitude and performance has been widely acknowledged in the 25 years behind us. This is particularly underpinned by the Hungarian Defence Forces foreign deployments and operations led by Nato, our participation in Afghanistan and, currently, in Kosovo in the framework of KFOR. The long track record of our military contribution in multinational mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina has recently reached a milestone: a Hungarian commander has been leading Operation EUFOR Althea in Sarajevo since January this year. Another important field of Hungarys engagement in Nato is the Baltic Air Policing, which is a collective defensive mission to maintain the security and integrity of the Alliances airspace in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Hungary has so far undertaken three of these assignments, first in 2015, then in 2019 and most recently between August and November 2022, at some of the heights of the war in Ukraine. This task provides not only vital support to our Baltic allies, but it is also a great test of our cutting-edge Gripen fleet and the skills of our brilliant fighter pilots. Therefore, we intend to do this again in 2025. The Russia-Ukraine war, the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, the instability in the Sahel region and the prolonged tensions in the Western Balkans all have dire impact on the security of Europe. Nato and the transatlantic link that it embodies is an indispensable tool for tackling these challenges and threats. In the midst of these difficulties, it is particularly important that Nato and its members maintain the spirit of readiness, solidarity, and unity. At the same time, we must preserve the Alliances defensive nature, which means that Nato must stay out of the tragic conflict currently taking place in our eastern neighbourhood. Hungarys position is clear: Nato should remain a defence alliance, as it was when we joined 25 years ago, and as it has been throughout its entire 75 years of existence. Dr Ferenc Kumin is Hungarys Ambassador to the United Kingdom Jacob Zuma, centre, arrives at an election rally in a packed Orlando Stadium in Soweto - Ihsaan Haffejee/Anadolu South Africas Jacob Zuma vowed to nationalise industries, redistribute land and tackle crime in a fiery speech launching his new manifesto ahead of the countrys elections. Mr Zuma, who was forced to quit as president in 2018 amid an ongoing corruption scandal, lamented the high levels of poverty among black South Africans and promised to create jobs. We want our children to study for free, especially those from poor households because the poverty we have was not created by us. It was created by settlers who took everything, including our land. Well take all those things back, make money and educate our children, he told thousands of supporters who gathered at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg. The 82-year-old uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party leader appeared tired as he arrived in the stadium, escorted by men in military fatigues and also traditional Zulu warriors with spears and leopard skins. But he rallied as he stepped forward to speak, leading the crowd in revolutionary song and speaking for more than an hour before launching into another chorus. Our hunger and poverty is what creates a perception that we are criminals, we dont have a brain, we have nothing. That time is over, because we are good people who are giving, but some people are pushing us towards criminality, he said. Mr Zuma said his party was aiming to get more than 65 per cent of the national vote in the upcoming elections as it would allow them to change many laws in the countrys constitution. Possible coalition Recent polls and analysts have suggested that the ruling African National Congress (ANC) might get less than 50 per cent of the vote and would need to form a coalition with smaller parties to remain in power. Mr Zumas MK party has emerged as a significant player in South Africas upcoming elections after it was launched in December last year. As he whipped up supporters in his Zulu homeland, he poured scorn on the party that made him president. The ANC, which he joined as a teen more than 60 years ago, has been captured by white capitalists, he claimed, and is driving South Africa into national despair. He expressed particular ire for Cyril Ramaphosa, his successor as president, who now leads the ANC. Only by nationalising industries and allocating land to disenfranchised black farmers can the tide be turned and the countrys fearsome unemployment be tamed, Mr Zuma claimed. Part of Mr Zuma' entourage included Zulu warriors in traditional dress - Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images His campaign speeches mark an extraordinary return to the political arena for one of South Africas most controversial politicians. Six years after Mr Zuma was forced from power by accusations that he presided over the wholesale looting of the public sector, he has formed a new party targeting his former comrades. The emergence of his MK party has electrified the election campaign, where the ANC this month faces losing absolute power for the first time in 30 years. Despite his chequered past and questions over his close relations with Russia, Mr Zuma has managed to make himself one of the key figures of the election campaign. The MK party has little chance of winning the May 29 poll, but the partys creation is widely seen as Mr Zumas revenge as he feels betrayed by his former comrades, particularly Mr Ramaphosa. Its ability to take precious ANC votes in Mr Zumas home province of KwaZulu-Natal adds to the likelihood his former party will miss the 50 per cent share of vote needed to rule outright. Some analysts speculate that could spell the end of Mr Ramaphosas leadership. Nhlamulo Ndhlela, a spokesman for the MK party, said: The capitalists took over the ANC and chose the Right-wing puppet [Ramaphosa] to execute their agenda, selling off state-owned enterprises, selling off components of the state, our ports, the state-owned airline and so much more. This was no longer the same ANC when the president of the party was led and chosen by the people, by the branches: the electoral conference in 2017 was bought. The ANC is now controlled by capitalists with an agenda. In response, the ANC leadership has become increasingly critical of the former president. They are particularly angered by him stealing the name of the ANCs former armed wing for his new party. He has defined himself as not subscribing to the values of what led us in the struggle, said Baleka Mbete, a former deputy president. It is a disappointment for those who worked with him that thought we knew him, but he has now defined himself differently. We can only be sad. Polls put the MK party at anywhere between 8 and 16 per cent of the vote - Ihsaan Haffejee/Getty Images Mr Zumas new party is the latest chapter in a long political career which has seen him avoid disaster so many times he has been nicknamed the escape artist. After joining the ANC in his teens, he was imprisoned on Robben Island for a decade under apartheid and later led the movements intelligence wing in exile. With the end of apartheid, he quickly rose through the partys ranks. Before be became president, he had also been acquitted for rape and charged with corruption over a government arms deal. Yet it was during his time as president from 2009 to 2018 that for many South Africans he became the personification of the death of Nelson Mandelas dreams. He was accused of presiding over a process known as state capture, where allies took control of ministries and state enterprises so they could loot budgets and assets. Mr Zuma strongly denied wrongdoing, but he was booted from power and then jailed for not testifying at a national inquiry into state capture. He served only three months due to ill health. Mr Ndhlela alleges the inquiry was a costly farce. It cost at least 1bn rand (43m). Who benefited from that? It was mainly white lawyers. Barely six months from the foundation of the MK party, polls put it at anywhere between 8 and 16 per cent of the vote. Yet many believe Mr Zuma is still compromised by his past, meaning no other party will want to bring him into coalition. Ghaleb Cachalia, former MP for the opposition Democratic Alliance, said: He is damaged so massively. Even though some corruption existed prior to Zumas presidency in various deals, Zuma took it in a very brazen way to another level, in your face. This was state capture: milking state-owned partnerships. There are also questions over his ties to Russia. During his presidency he developed close relations with Moscow and visited many times, including for medical treatment. JP Landman, one of South Africas most respected political analysts, questions whether Mr Zumas blood feud to unseat Mr Ramaphosa will work. He may also be doing it to secure a political legacy for his daughter, Mr Landman said. But time is running out for the charismatic escape artist and his party appears to be a one-man-show. One must ask the question, what is MK without Zuma? Is it a long-term prospect, when Zuma steps down or dies? He is advanced in age. Is there a long term future? It could still disintegrate, and MK may fizzle out once Mr Zuma is no longer there, said Mr Landman. Businessman Stephen Ashworth says that cleaning is vital to maintain his 1957 Bentley S1 - Lorne Campbell/Guzelian Bumps and scrapes on many a classic car are often passed off as telling their story. More often than not, they are a story of unremarkable moments: car park scrapes or driveway clumsiness. But some cars blemishes really do tell a story. This Bentley S1 is one of those few. Its not of fame, its possibly of fortune, but its definitely of fastidiousness 67 years of life recorded on paintwork. Its the one car in businessman Stephen Ashworths small collection he tells car cleaner Mark Elliott never to improve. Ashworths day job is running a 300 million UK-wide property business, Hurstwood Holdings. But his passion is classic cars, so much so that he turned his hobby of buying, enjoying and selling them into a business too: he owns Manor Park Classics, a car and motorcycle auction house in Runcorn, Cheshire, putting around 200 cars and motorcycles under the hammer every seven weeks. But he admits hes sometimes not averse to raiding the sweet shop... One such car was the 1957 Bentley. It went up for auction in April 2021; it caught Ashworths eye and he bought it. This is a special car. Just two owners one family from 1957 to 1977, another from 1978 until 2021, he explained. It was supplied new in 1957 to John Jacobs & Co Ltd of London EC3, a shipping line trading since 1880. It can only be presumed, given correspondence in its provenance file, that John Jacobs himself was chauffeured in the S1. The history of this Bentley S1 can be told through the paintwork - Lorne Campbell/Guzelian There are clues as to its usage: This is a car thats been chauffeur-driven, the back seats are as used as the drivers seat. But the real clue is in the paintwork, said Ashworth. This is a car which has been parked outside meetings or lunches and the chauffeur has filled his time keeping it spotless: the paint has been polished down to the primer in several places and the original two-tone grey is flat, probably because it was cleaned every day of its life. I love it. That paintwork is completely original and tells a tale of an extremely well-loved car too. Absolutely nothing, other than things that wear out or need servicing, has been replaced. But it has certainly been cleaned. Valeting professional Mark Elliott, 50, of Ness Car Care, visits the Bentley and a couple of other classics owned by Ashworth every two weeks. Even dust can be damaging to a car, said Ashworth. Especially if it gets under a cover, it can damage the paintwork when the cover moves around. Each car Elliott cleans whether paint, chrome, interior or under the bonnet warrants a range of approaches way beyond a soapy sponge and hosepipe. He walked me around the Bentley explaining how different parts of cars need a different approach to keeping them spruced, explaining how cars can stay looking great no matter what the vintage or value. The S1, although wonderfully looked after, has been over-polished. Above, an area near the opening to the fuel tank filler where the paintwork has been rubbed away - Guzelian/Lorne Campbell Paintwork Wash the car with a nice pH-neutral shampoo, with no wax additive in it. Rinse with water and dry it down, polishing it with a natural polish. Some people put a wax on, but as long as youve got polish on there, it will protect the vehicle, said Elliott. The Bentley is an old car, so back then the paint was a lot different. No lacquer, just paint. If somebody was a little bit too eager with the polishing, they could actually go down through the paint. But with modern finishes, with lacquer, you wont get this problem. If any car is outside continuously, at least once a year put a form of protection on it, polish or wax. The worst thing to do is leave bird lime on it. While its fresh, get a microfibre cloth, warm water, pat it on and gently wipe it. Chrome Chrome is fairly easy to look after. There are a few products that can fetch it back and make it more presentable. Wash and dry it and put a nice layer of good quality polish on. Leave chrome and it will suffer and youll need it re-chromed. Thats not cheap. Do not leave chrome to degrade, advises Elliott - Guzelian/Lorne Campbell The chrome on Ashworth's S1 is immaculate - Lorne Campbell/Guzelian Glass When it comes to glass, Ive used a lot of products and Im not really happy with any single one. I prefer to simply use a wet chamois leather, then dry the glass with a microfibre cloth. Interior Seats take a hammering from children spilling food and drink, getting soaked by sodden rain jackets, or simply sat upon by those of us who have jobs that attract grime. With leather seats, Elliott says use a good leather cleaner. Youll be amazed how much dirt a leather cleaner will fetch out. Its always best to follow up with a nice protective balm. Fabric seats can be treated with a fabric cleaner, then you can get them protected with the likes of Scotchgard. After cleaning, spray it on once the seats are dry. Then if the kids spill something, youll just see it running off. Wipe it straight off and itll be dry. On leather seats, use a leather cleaner followed by a protective balm - Guzelian/Lorne Campbell Tyres What can really add appeal to a car, that is not always front of mind, are the tyres. Some people like the shine, some like a natural finish. Some guys who work on older vehicles are adamant about a natural finish, so they avoid products with silicon in them, which is the element that makes tyres shiny. Avoid silicon in cleaning products when maintaining tyres if you are after a natural finish - Guzelian/Lorne Campbell But which cleaning jobs give him particular satisfaction? The big jobs. Its nice to get something that looks like its at the end of its life, then make it look as close to good as new as possible. I take before and after pictures. Thats something Ashworth can confirm: Elliott completely revitalised a car from sad to sparkling, making it one of the owners pride and joys. I bought a Mercedes SL, which was a shabby car, having been parked under a tree for quite some time, said Ashworth. He spent a couple of days on it and he really brought it back to life. And, in doing so, he also increased its value. Which is significant whether we collect classics or run a family hatchback: according to vehicle valuer Glasss, a properly cleaned car can add hundreds to its worth come sale or trade-in time. Bryony Bond, director of the Tetley Gallery, which was forced to close in 2023. Photograph: Gary Calton/the Observer Last year, the city of Leeds held a year-long celebration of culture, complete with festivals, newly commissioned works of art and community projects. More than 1,000 events took place, with hundreds of volunteers and local schools taking part. This year, however, artists and creatives in the West Yorkshire city are being forced out of their workshops and galleries, and say the dwindling number of spaces is crushing Leedss creative scene. Aire Street Workshops, in the city centre, is home to about 150 artists working at more than 50 small enterprises. It has been owned by Leeds city council since 1981, but the council is planning to close the building to save money and tenants have until 31 January to vacate the premises. Photographer and designer Camille Hewitt, who helps run Aire Street Workshops social media pages, called the decision shortsighted. She said: I was doing quite a lot of work on the Leeds 2023 Year of Culture as a set designer. Obviously its a bit of a kick in the teeth to be doing so much work for them one year and then the next year to be evicted from my studio. The owners of photography lab Take It Easy, also based in Aire Street Workshops, called the decision disappointing. Founded in lockdown, the company processes at least 300 rolls of film every day. Joe Singleton, one of the owners, said: Weve always been passionate about making sure film photography is relatively affordable. Part of the way we can do this is by having such an affordable place. If we lose this space and our rent increases, it might have to be reflected in prices which is not at all what we want. Theres no way the council realises the scale of whats in here or the stakes for our businesses. Theyve obviously got a list of buildings that are their assets, and theyve just picked this one. Jaydon Rowbottom, an artist who has painted murals around the city, said the evictions could deter creative people from staying in Leeds. It feels like Im being restricted and cut off. It doesnt give me much hope for future generations coming in. They would go to a university here and then go somewhere else. Around the UK, rents have risen, and councils battling financial crises have cut the amount of money for arts. Earlier this year, the Local Government Information Unit found that, of 128 authorities in England, a third were planning to cut spending on arts and culture due to squeezed budgets. Private rents, too, have risen. Other creative spaces in Leeds have closed in recent months or will do so imminently. In April, the Leeds nightclub Wire announced it would shut this summer after almost 20 years. A spokesperson said the club had made the decision in the face of a challenging economic climate. There was a mixture of increased landlord fees, cost of living crisis and the changing nightlife habits of young people so it just seemed like the right time, the spokesperson said. The club has fostered local music talent since it opened in 2005. Weve had plenty of staff and DJs who played here who have gone on to do really big things like tour the world or become BBC radio hosts. Mella Dee, Ben UFO, Pearson Sound they all started here. Niamh Ingram, a DJ based in Leeds, said the closure of Wire and Sheaf St, another music venue that shut at the end of last year due to rising costs, had worrying implications for the growth of local talent: If there are less spaces to do this, for folk to try to build a career, there risks being a regional imbalance of where DJs are emerging from. The Tetley, a contemporary art gallery on the citys south bank, was housed in the old Tetleys brewery headquarters for a decade but was told in January last year that it could no longer stay there, according to director Bryony Bond. It closed its exhibitions last October, moved out in March and is now searching for a permanent home, while trying to continue supporting local talent and the local art scene as best it can. It will rebrand this month and reposition itself as a peripatetic organisation focusing on art commissions and community projects. Recently it has been working with children in south Leeds on the Inside Out art and play project. Weve had to adapt our business because we want to keep supporting artists and the arts in the area but without a space, were going off-location, said Bond. I am optimistic about securing a new home. I think it is possible its just very difficult in the current climate. West Yorkshire isnt overwhelmed by cultural spaces, so we have a role to fill here. A physical space would be hugely beneficial. Related: I get knocked down: Leeds year of culture rises from the ashes of Brexit The campaign group No Space Left to Play, which is fighting for venues in Leeds to stay open, believes physical spaces for creative projects are essential to the city. The group was formed in December 2023 in response to the Tetley gallerys closure. A spokesperson said: If we dont do something now to safeguard our much-loved spaces and venues, the damage could last for decades. If you dont invest in physical spaces then ideas within communities will leave and people wont want to stay around to live in Leeds. Leeds has plenty of creative and curious people and ideas we just need the space to learn, express and play. Rose Dufton, a contemporary fine artist and print designer who has her workshop, Still Studio, in Aire Street Workshops, has started a petition against the closure which has more than 5,000 signatures. Leeds city council said it had organised a meeting with LCVS, the social enterprise that runs Aire Street Workshops, to discuss the end of its lease. Separately we have also arranged a meeting with tenants to explore what targeted business support they might need and to hear their views on city centre accommodation requirements for the creative and cultural sector as a whole. A New York state ethics panel cautioned the Manhattan judge overseeing former President Donald Trump's hush money trial for donating $35 to Democratic causes in 2020 violating rules on prohibited political activity. Judge Juan Merchan donated $35 to the Democratic fundraising PAC ActBlue, with $10 each going to theProgressive Turnout Project and Stop Republicans, and $15 to Biden for President. The complaint against Merchan was dismissed last summer, without the judge receiving any kind of penalty. "Justice Merchan said the complaint, from more than a year ago, was dismissed in July with a caution," spokesperson Al Baker said in a statement. Discussion of Merchan's donations can be included in any future cases reviewed by New York's Commission on Judicial Conduct. Merchan's case is hardly unique. A 2024 annual report indicated that dozens of other judges had made similar small, but prohibited, donations, primarily to candidates for federal office. The Commission on Judicial Conduct generally keeps its proceedings in such cases confidential unless the judge chooses to go public or receives an official censure. "Many of the prohibited contributions appear to have been made on the spur of the moment, with little deliberation," the commission's annual report read. "Like so much of the misconduct the Commission encounters, making a prohibited political contribution is a self-inflicted mistake." News of Merchan's caution was first reported by Reuters on Friday just days before the jury will begin deliberating the hush money case in Manhattan. Trump is being tried on 34 felony charges involving hush-money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who alleges she had a sexual relationship with the former president. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs has accused Trump of falsifying his business records to secretly pay Daniels to keep her quiet shortly before the 2016 presidential election. Three veterans at the ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of Battle of Monte Cassino - ALBERT ZAWADA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/Shutterstock King Charles paid tribute to the courageous men and women who lost their lives at Monte Cassino on the 80th anniversary of the pivotal Second World War battle. The Kings tribute was delivered by the Duchess of Edinburgh as she joined 100-year-old veteran Jack Hearn at a service hosted by the British Embassy in Rome and Ambassador Lord Llewellyn at the Cassino War Cemetery. Coming together to honour the fallen in this hallowed ground, reminds us that the rights and freedoms we enjoy today were won at a great cost, and bring with them great responsibilities for our generations and those yet unborn, the King said in his message. Such sacrifice can never be forgotten. The King spoke of the immense sacrifices made by British and Commonwealth soldiers during the bloody battle, which raged from January to May 1944, noting their victory was a vital contribution to the Normandy landings that followed just a few weeks later. Let us pause to reflect on the immense sacrifices made by so many for the cause of freedom in Europe perhaps ever more poignant today, he said. The King's tribute was delivered by the Duchess of Edinburgh - ALBERT ZAWADA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/Shutterstock Mr Hearn, who fought with the Northumberland Fusiliers in Africa and Italy, is one of the few veterans from the Battle of Monte Cassino still alive today. The highly decorated soldier attended Sundays ceremony with his sister, Val, and his son John, himself a veteran who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq. Thousands lost their lives here in Italy, and many who returned home were never the same, Mr Hearn said in a brief address. We remember them all today and the bitter cost of freedom. The Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Patrick Sanders, used the occasion to reinforce the importance of alliances in Europe today. We are fortunate that allies of the past remain allies today, he said. In Europe, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Nato partners, resolute in our continued commitment to European security and the freedom won by those who fought and died at Monte Cassino. In early 1944, British and Commonwealth troops from Canada, India, New Zealand and South Africa fought and died alongside French and Polish soldiers in the campaign to wrest control of the mountain stronghold from German troops in freezing winter temperatures and heavy snow. A total of 4,271 British and Commonwealth soldiers are buried at the Cassino War Cemetery, 289 of them unidentified. The scene following the long and brutal Battle of Monte Cassino - Pictorial Parade It was the most horrific battle in the war, Mr Hearn told The Telegraph by telephone from his home in Northumberland before he left for Italy. We were terrified. Monte Cassino, located 85 miles south of Rome, was critical in the Germans efforts to hold the defensive Gustav line and it had to be taken if the Nazis were to be forced out of Italy and defeated. Intense fighting raged for weeks around the sixth-century Benedictine abbey, which sits on a rugged 1,700 foot mountain above the town. The Germans had dug in and they turned the mountain into a lethal defensive position with mines, machine guns and booby traps until they were finally overcome by Allied soldiers. During Sundays service, the Duchess of Edinburgh laid a wreath at the cemetery, together with the mayor of Cassino, Enzo Salera. General Sanders led representatives of the armed services, including personnel from the Royal Tank Regiment, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and the Honourable Artillery Company, who also provided the Guard of Honour. The Commonwealth War Graves Commissions Torch of Commemoration also appeared at Cassino War Cemetery for its first official event since it was unveiled by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. A police operation was underway on Elizabeth Street in Sydney after an officer was allegedly stabbed. Photograph: Steven Saphore/AAP A police officer is said to be doing fine in hospital on Sunday after allegedly being repeatedly stabbed in the head with a 30cm kitchen knife in Sydneys central business district. Detective superintendent of the Sydney City Police Area Command, Martin Fileman, told reporters on Sunday afternoon that the male constable was stabbed in the back of the head a number of times before he and a female constable gave chase to the alleged attacker. The pair pursued a 33-year-old man to Hyde Park where he was arrested and taken to Royal Prince Alfred hospital for assessment. On Sunday afternoon, he remained in hospital under assessment and police guard. Related: Two more charged with rioting outside Sydney church after bishop stabbing Prior to being tasered, the man allegedly demanded police shoot him while brandishing his knife. He demanded he be shot by police its a built up area that time of the day. Police had firearms and tasers out we had a number of options and taser was one of them. He will be released from hospital shortly facing very serious charges. The 33-year-old was known to police, Fileman said, but had no history of mental illness on its database and had not been involved in any serious matters. He has no real serious criminal history, hes known to police but for nothing substantial, he said, adding he said nothing about his intentions in relation to the attack or why he wanted to be shot. The injured officer was treated by paramedics for nonlife-threatening head injuries at the scene and was taken to St Vincents hospital in the city after the incident on Sunday afternoon. Fileman said he was in a stable condition at hospital on Sunday afternoon. Hes doing fine, hes got a lot of support around him, he said. I take my hat off to the injured officer who chased the offender. A police operation was under way on Elizabeth Street, but New South Wales police said there was no ongoing threat to the public and it was an isolated incident. A second crime scene had been established in relation to the incident at the intersection of Castlereagh and Park streets. Fileman said the incident showed the risk knives pose in the community. It followed a string of incidents in recent months including a fatal stabbing at Bondi Junction and the stabbing of a bishop and several churchgoers in Western Sydney. He pointed to recent legislation passed in NSW that would give police more powers to search for concealed weapons. Any further powers that give us the ability to search for knives is a bonus, he said. It was an occasion where we had a number of police close by we were just lucky in that instance but its very concerning. The first time police saw [the knife] it was in his hand and it remained in his hand until he was arrested. We do train for these instances and we train very hard for these instances. These are the type of instances we talk to our young officers about. A police investigation into the incident was under way. Pro-Palestine encampment at Deakin Universitys Burwood campus in Melbourne on Tuesday before it was issued a formal directive to end. Photograph: James Ross/AAP Pro-Palestine students and staff at La Trobe University have called the universitys directive to end their sit-in an attack on free speech, and vowed to rally against the encampment crackdown until management meets their demands. La Trobe University on Friday followed Deakin University in issuing a formal directive for protesters to end their encampment on the Bundoora campus, amid a wave of student pro-Palestine sit-ins across the nation. Monash University on Friday said the student encampment on its Clayton campus, in Melbournes south-east, had ended, and the University of Queensland has signalled its aims for its pro-Palestine camps to end. Related: Deakin University requests dismantling of pro-Palestine encampment as protesters pledge to stay On Wednesday, the Australian National University (ANU) requested a group of pro-Palestine students disband their on-campus encampments or risk breaching the universitys code of conduct. La Trobe University said it would continue to accommodate the right of students and staff to protest without an encampment. But in a statement on Saturday, the Students for Palestine La Trobe group said the university was attempting to crush pro-Palestine encampments. At the University of Melbourne, a group of student activists have spent four nights camped inside the Arts West building, as administrators and protesters organisers remain in a deadlock over the sit-in. Despite the University of Melbourne threatening police intervention, Guardian Australia understands administrators have not made a formal report of trespassing which would be the trigger for police action. The students have renamed the Arts West building Mahmoud Hall in honour of a Palestinian student Mahmoud who they say intended to study at the university but was killed in Gaza last year. Dana Alshaer, from the University of Melbourne for Palestine group, said on Friday the protesters had attempted to have an open dialogue but the universitys executives had not met their key demands. Alshaer said it would be the universitys decision if they wanted to replicate the scenes where US police in riot gear stormed Columbia University to break up a pro-Palestine encampment. In a statement on Friday, the university said it was deeply concerned by this occupation and warned that police may choose to attend campus at any time. This occupation presents a significant safety risk to our students and staff members, and has resulted in damage to university property, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said since Wednesday more than 8,300 students had been affected by the disruption and 247 classes rescheduled. On Friday, Deakin Students for Palestine said an on-campus encampment would hold a closing rally next Wednesday, after defying a second request to disband. It vowed further protests next semester. A spokesperson for Monash University said its encampment organisers notified the university on Friday that they planned to pack up. They said the university would continue to work with our student and community leaders, and with staff, to ensure safety and security on campus and, importantly, to meet the academic and pastoral needs of our staff and students. But the Students for Palestine Monash group said after nine student protesters were banned from the camp, the universitys security forcibly dismantled the site. The group said a protest rally was planned for Tuesday at the Clayton campus. We are not going to stop protesting for Palestine, they told Guardian Australia. The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU)s Monash branch upheld a motion on Saturday condemning managements use of student misconduct regulations against the Monash protesters and demanding they be dropped. In a statement, it said the encampment was a non-violent and peaceful form of protest and members were deeply concerned students were being targeted. This action raises important questions about whether Monash University is committed to protecting freedom of speech, they said. The right of staff and students to express political views is critical to the mission and function of universities. The University of Queenslands chancellor, Peter Varghese, on Friday said it cannot allow the encampments to continue indefinitely on its grounds. Its vice-chancellor, Prof Deborah Terry, said the objective is to discontinue the camps as soon as possible and the university was continuing to engage with nominated protest representatives, to agree a peaceful resolution to the current camp arrangements. Cruise ships docked at Southampton, which scored worst for fine particulate matter. Photograph: Alamy Ships calling at the UKs most-polluted ports produce more nitrogen oxides than all the cars registered in the same cities or regions, analysis has shown. A report from Transport & Environment (T&E) said that ships were continuing to discharge huge quantities of air pollutants at ports, with Milford Haven, Southampton and Immingham topping the list for emissions of harmful sulphur oxides and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) as well as nitrogen oxides (NOx). The NGO said the data underlined the urgent need for government action to ensure ships used cleaner fuels and that ports enforce more zero-emission technology such as shore-side electricity. Related: Cruise ships polluting UK coast as they ignore greener power options Shipping and ports representatives said the report used flawed methodology and disputed the comparisons, but said they supported moves to reduce pollution. The report found that in the top 10 NOx-polluted ports, about 4,000 ships produced an estimated 1.75 times as much NOx as almost one million cars registered to the same areas. Ships calling at Southampton, a major cruise ship port, produced four times more NOx than cars in the city, T&E said. Southampton was also the worst for PM2.5, with cruise ships responsible for more than half the particulate pollution. Jonathan Hood, the UK sustainable shipping manager at T&E, said: The awful levels of pollution revealed in this analysis demonstrate how the UKs port cities are being choked by the harmful fumes caused by a shipping industry that, thanks to years of government inaction, has no impetus to change. The government has its last chance to chart a better course for the industry with the updated clean maritime plan and it must not waste this opportunity. We need to see a rapid switch away from filthy fossil fuels, and ports must set binding targets to implement zero-emission technologies. These must include shore side electricity, which would ensure ships can plug in at port and switch off their polluting engines. A UK Chamber of Shipping spokesperson said the report did not take account of shore-side power now being used in Southampton by cruise ships, improving the air quality, but admitted that the UK was behind the curve and that more facilities should be installed. The spokesperson added: The industry supports the ambition to reduce emissions and is investing billions worldwide to do so. A long-term plan, codesigned by industry and government, is the way to set out the clear roadmap for emissions reduction [and] unlock future investment. Mark Simmonds, director of policy at the British Ports Association, said the industrys net zero targets would also improve air quality. But he said the report was irresponsible and discredited by not examining how emissions dispersed before affecting population centres. Air pollutant emissions have a very localised impact and comparing emissions from ships, which deliver 450m tonnes of goods a year including half our of food and energy, to local car journeys is absurd. Emissions from ships are limited while at-berth when the main engines are turned off, Simmonds said. Lord Deben, the former chairman of the governments Climate Change Committee, said it was disheartening to see the staggering levels of emissions from ships around UK ports and said the government should prioritise stricter emissions control measures. He said: Without decisive action, the health impacts for residents and workers in port towns, not to mention economic costs, will continue to soar. A Department for Transport spokesperson said the UK would be publishing an updated clean maritime plan for shipping as part of its 2050 net zero targets. The spokesperson said: Weve already invested over 200m to develop innovative technology that will decarbonise the industry [and] are currently looking at extending emission restrictions across our waters after their success in the North Sea. Giorgi Kandelaki with the statue of Stalin in Mukhrani last week. Photograph: Alexander Bagrationo/The Observer Vasil Berdzenishvili, 47, was happy to take a moment out from washing his car to talk about Joseph Stalin. He looked across at the bronze bust of the Soviet leader next to the slide in the childrens park and nodded. Yes, he was pleased that his village of Mukhrani, 30 miles north of the Georgian capital Tbilisi, had honoured this man. There were plus and minuses but he was very powerful, the most powerful, he won a war, a generalissimo and he was Georgian, he beamed. The statue in Mukhrani is one of 12 of Stalin that have been erected all over Georgia in the dozen years that the country has been governed by Georgian Dream, the party founded by the billionaire oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili. The phenomenon started soon after Ivanishvilis party came to power with an announcement that a 20ft monument to Stalin would be restored in his home town of Gori, 50 miles west of Tbilisi. Statues of various sizes have since popped up in every quarter of the nation of 3.7 million people. Sometimes the tributes are privately funded but in the case of Mukhrani and Gori it is the local authorities that are behind it. Zarab Mikeladze, the mayor of Mukhrani, declined to comment about his villages tribute when approached last week. The trend is seen by some as being inextricably linked to the tumult engulfing Georgia today over a piece of legislation that the US state department claims is Kremlin inspired. The law, passed last Tuesday, will oblige media and civil society organisations receiving 20% of their funding from abroad to register as organisations serving the interests of a foreign power. Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets in an attempt to reverse what they say is an attempt to take Georgia back to Soviet times and smear dissenting voices sympathetic to the west as traitors. There have been running battles between the demonstrators and the riot police but Giorgi Kandelaki, a former opposition MP who now works for the NGO Soviet Past Research Laboratory (SovLab), believes that the rehabilitation of Stalin is evidence that an equally important and relevant fight is on about Georgian history. The narrative is extremely simple, almost genius: a small town boy who made it so big, who won the war and of course in this mythology, the war starts in 1941, said Kandelaki. There was no occupation of Baltic states, no division of Poland, none of that. It starts in 1941. The most powerful Georgian ever which is true shouldnt we be proud? Kandelakis contention is that the myth-making around Stalin is part of a strategy pushed by Moscow and its acolytes in Georgian Dream, a party that appears to be going back on its promise to voters to steer a middle ground between the west and Russia. Stalin is a sort of gateway of propaganda, Kandelaki said. If you as a Georgian concede that there is at least something to be proud of, a tiny bit, then of course, you are much more vulnerable to other narratives. There is an amnesia in the 20th century. The fact that Georgia hasnt really settled its account with this individual, which is what were trying to fix as much as we can. In January, Kandelaki was accused by the speaker of the Georgian parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, a Georgian Dream MP, of being behind a wave of disinformation, manipulation, and hysteria. Kandelaki, 41, had reported on his Facebook account that Georgias main church, the Holy Trinity Cathedral, was displaying an icon depicting Stalin meeting a Russian Orthodox saint, St Matrona of Moscow, a 20th-century Russian visionary and healer who was canonised in the 1990s. The painting had been given to the church by the anti-western nationalist party Alliance of Patriots, which is suspected of having links to the Kremlin. The issue exploded when an activist, Nata Peradze, threw some eggs at the painting. The ultra-conservative pro-Russian group Alt-Info protested outside her house. Death threats were made and she went into hiding. The cathedral removed the icon on the grounds that it was historically inaccurate. Further attempts to correct the historical record have been made by SovLab and a leading Georgian writer, Lasha Bugadze, in a new book Georgia v Joseph Stalin, which has become a bestseller at home and which is due to be translated into English next year. Kandelaki said that the goal was to show that Stalin, who historians say was responsible for the deaths of at least 7 million of his own people, brought misery not glory to his home country. In 1921, our compatriot Joseph Vissarionovich [Stalin] spearheaded the Soviet Russian invasion of the Democratic Republic of Georgia, which had by that time become a functioning parliamentary democracy, said Kandelaki. It was of existential importance for him to destroy an independent Georgia because if he wouldnt do that as soon as possible, if his native land would remain outside, of course, he was going to suffer enormously and possibly lose his struggle for power. Lenin and Trotsky were arguing for postponing this vision because they didnt want to do an outright invasion. Correcting the record has not been easy. In March, a series of NGOs, including Transparency International, and celebrated historians such as Stephen Jones, the director of the program on Georgian studies at Harvard University, wrote to the EUs ambassador to Georgia complaining of a tightening of restrictions around Georgias former Soviet archives. The former KGB and the former Communist party central committee archives in Georgia were permanently closed last year. The government has cited the EUs general data protection regulation to delete the names and other details from files in the archives that remain open. In addition, there are a number of technical obstacles put in place that in combination make researching the Soviet past extremely difficult, the academics complained. Placing a cramped reading room of the former KGB archive next to a police shooting range is one but not the only example. Kandelaki believes it is nevertheless a vital battle for Georgias soul. While four in five of his compatriots want the country to join the EU, recent polling suggests 45% say that a Georgian patriot should be proud of Stalins Georgian origins and 66% said his rule has both pluses and minuses. Georgias past has never felt more present. Infected blood scandal survivors and loved ones met in Westminster on Sunday to hold a rally ahead of the official inquiry's final report - Eddie Mulholland for The Telegraph Rishi Sunak will on Monday apologise for the infected blood scandal and express regret and horror that successive governments have failed victims. Tens of thousands of people were infected with HIV and hepatitis C by contaminated blood products, such as medicines and transfusions, that were used in the NHS between the 1970s and the early 1990s. An estimated 3,000 people have died as a result, while those who survived have had to live with life-long health implications. The final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry will be published on Monday after victims spent years seeking justice for what is described as the biggest treatment disaster in the history of the NHS. They have had to fight to receive compensation, and have never received a formal apology from the Government. In his report, Sir Brian Langstaff, the inquiry chairman, is expected to expose the mistakes that led so many people to become ill. The Prime Minister is expected to deliver the first formal government apology for the scandal when he addresses the Commons on Monday afternoon. He is set to express deep regret at the failure of successive governments to allow the scandal to happen, contrition that it was not stopped sooner and horror that infected blood products had made their way into the NHS in the first place. On Tuesday, the Government will set out its plans to compensate victims, with the total cost of the payouts expected to exceed 10 billion. Medicines for haemophiliacs, including Factor VIII, were imported from the US and prescribed by the NHS in the 1970s and 80s. However, the treatments were made from blood plasma donations of groups at high risk for HIV and hepatitis C, such as gay men, sex workers and prisoners, and were often contaminated. More than 1,250 haemophiliacs including 380 children contracted HIV from their medicines, and more than 5,000 contracted hepatitis C. Contaminated blood was also used in transfusions before 1991, infecting a further 26,000 people with hepatitis C. Around 100 people caught HIV from these procedures, often after childbirth or severe trauma such as car accidents. The inquiry has heard evidence that doctors knew about the risk from some imported blood products, but continued to treat patients with them. It has also heard that pharmaceutical companies did not prioritise the safety of their products, and that some victims lived in poverty after being left unable to work because of their illnesses. On Sunday, Jeremy Hunt, who was health secretary when the inquiry was announced in 2017, said: This is the worst scandal of my lifetime. I think that the families have got every right to be incredibly angry that generations of politicians, including me when I was health secretary, have not acted fast enough to address this scandal. He said he would be announcing the compensation in honour of Mike Dorricott, a constituent who was a victim of the scandal and has since died. Speaking about the cause of what happened, Mr Hunt said: I wouldnt be surprised if the people who were responsible for this scandal were actually well-meaning civil servants back in the 1980s who decided to play God. And what I think happens is that, when something terrible like that happens, because the individuals involved are often well-meaning the establishment wants to close ranks behind them. The inquiry the largest ever carried out in the UK was announced by Theresa May, the then prime minister, and started work a year later. On Sunday, Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, acknowledged that victims of the infected blood scandal had had to wait far too long for compensation, telling the BBC: I think it has taken far too long to get to this a problem that has gone on for decades. Speaking on LBC Radio, he said the publication of the Infected Blood Inquiry report would be a very significant moment. Interim payments of 100,000 have so far been made to around 4,000 infected people and the spouses of deceased infected individuals. No compensation has yet been paid to bereaved parents or orphaned children, despite it being a recommendation of the inquiry. Last week, The Telegraph revealed that additional interim payments to the original cohort of infected individuals would be paid in the summer. The Government will launch the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, which will be responsible for arranging compensation payouts. Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, is set to respond to Mr Sunak in the Commons later on Monday, and NHS England is also set to issue a statement that evening. Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, said successive governments bore responsibility, telling Sky News: Everyone has got their responsibility to bear in this appalling scandal, and we have got a shared responsibility to put it right. More than 100 members of the infected blood community, including survivors and loved ones, met in Westminster on Sunday evening to hold a rally ahead of the inquirys final report. Wearing red clothes and holding banners reading justice for the infected and affected and they have blood on their hands, campaigners held a minutes silence to remember the victims of the scandal who have died. Sarah Dorricott the daughter of Mr Dorricott, who died of liver cancer in 2015 after he contracted Hepatitis C from his haemophilia medication told The Telegraph that an apology from the Government needed to be whole-hearted. A quick apology about the pain and suffering the victims have been through isnt going to cut it. We need full validation that our feelings have been recognised, she said. If we receive a limp, half-hearted and brief apology, it wont be good enough for any of the victims still alive to hear it. She also called on all parties to offer their apologies to the community because the damage spans decades. Nobody has so far been held accountable for the scandal in the UK, and survivors and family members have long sought justice, an apology and financial compensation for the harms done to them. Sir Brians final report, expected to heavily criticise both individuals and organisations involved in the scandal, has already been delayed twice while those criticised in draft versions were given the chance to respond. Lawyers are expecting the report to make referrals for criminal prosecution to the Crown Prosecution Service. Lord Mayor Treloar College, a specialist school for disabled young people that infected more than 100 children with HIV and hepatitis, is at the centre of the scandal and will feature heavily in the report. NHS doctors working on-site at the school in the 1970s and 80s have had their actions compared to the behaviour of Nazi doctors after children were experimented on with infected blood products. Survivors are considering further legal action and seeking criminal charges. Tyson Furys quest to become undisputed world heavyweight champion ended in defeat by split decision to Oleksandr Usyk in an enthralling night in Riyadh. Fury appeared to have taken control midway through the fight but Usyk came on strong and swung the contest in his favour with a powerful ninth round in which the Briton was saved by the bell. Landing with hard left hands his most effective shot he had Fury in serious trouble and once a 10 count had finished, the three minutes was up to spare the pre-fight favourite any further damage. Fury recovered but it was a critical round that swung the contest in Usyks favour, winning 115-112 and 114-113 on two scorecards while the third judge saw it as 114-113 against him. Tyson Fury gestures during the fight (Nick Potts/PA) It was a captivating fight full of momentum swings and drama with Ukrainians front foot gameplan and relentless pursuit of the favourite successful in adding the WBC belt to the WBA, IBF and WBO belts he already possessed. Right from the start Usyk, who was conceded nearly three stones in weight and six inches in height, took the centre of the ring and was more aggressive. Fury play acted against the ropes and started laughing as Usyk applied pressure and the second round continued along the same theme of the Briton getting backed up against the ropes. The Gypsy King continued to be stalked around the ring as Usyk made good on his promise not to leave him alone. Fury opened round four with solid work to the body and then made Usyk hesitate with a sharp uppercut, looking relaxed as he moved around and picked his shots with the jab often finding its target. Another powerful body shot made an impact, Fury then fired a right uppercut and having conceded the opening rounds, the WBC champion was now in control. The firth round was Furys best yet and in the sixth for the first time Usyk went into retreat, stung by two right uppercuts that left him needing to regroup against the ropes. Usyk landed left hands to the body and head in the seventh as he resumed his chase of the bookmakers favourite and the round ended with him taking the fight, pinning him in the corner. And the Ukrainian took his revival into the eighth as he continued to land with hard shots, directing one right on the nose to leave Fury touching his nose and right eye. Fury was no longer moving with the same ease and after taking a right hook he was in serious trouble, Usyk unloading freely but somehow his opponent stayed on his feet. Only the ropes saved the 35-year-old and he was given a standing 10 count count and was then rescued by the bell at the end of the ninth. Usyk was too passive in the 10th as Fury had recovered from the assault that left him lurching around the ring, but another left hand gave him the edge in the 11th. Fury needed something special in the final round but with his smaller adversary refusing to cease his pursuit, it did not come and for the first time he was defeated. Billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe has said he believes Keir Starmer will do a very good job as prime minister as he predicted a Labour election victory, but insisted he is willing to work with whichever party is in power. Sir Jim is chairman of global chemicals company Ineos, which he founded in 1998, and became minority owner of football club Manchester United in February. He told Sky News he had no questions Mr Starmer will do a very good job at running the country. Sir Jim met with Mr Starmer at Old Trafford last weekend to discuss the redevelopment of the stadium (Victoria Jones/PA) The businessman said: Theres no question that the Conservatives have had a good run over the last 15, 20 years and I think most of the country feels its probably time for a change, and I sort of get that, really. Sir Jim met with the Labour leader at Old Trafford last weekend to discuss the redevelopment of the stadium. Asked whether his company would donate to Labour, he said: Were apolitical at Ineos, we just want a successful manufacturing sector in the UK. Well talk to either Government about that. He blamed the Conservatives predicted defeat at the next general election on their implementation of Brexit, which he said didnt turn out how people anticipated. Sir Jim was a prominent backer of the UKs withdrawal from the European Union in 2016. He said the referendum was largely about immigration, as vast numbers of people coming into the country had overburdened the NHS and police. The businessman also criticised the Tories over their handling of the economy, saying the country needed to get a bit sharper on the business front and needs competitive energy. Sir Jim ranked fourth on the Sunday Times Rich List this week with a fortune of 23.5 billion, down two places from last year. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has prepared a tandoori salmon meal on a TV cookery programme. Sir Keir said he prioritises spending time with his kids and leaves politics at the door when he comes home on a Friday night. He told Channel 4s Sunday Brunch he would be going to support Arsenal with his son as the Premier League title race reaches an exciting conclusion. I think its going to be really tough, Ill be there in the stands with my boy, he said. The atmosphere at the Emirates will be brilliant. If theres a draw up at (Manchester) City it will be absolutely incredible. As he approached the kitchen, Sir Keir was invited to cross the floor by host Tim Lovejoy a reference to recent Conservative defections to the Labour Party. As he cut salmon and blended a marinade, The Labour leader told the show he loves cooking and finds it really relaxing. He said: Usually on a Saturday evening Ill cook. Sir Keir added that he is very strict about making time for his wife Victoria, 15-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter. We can go away but youre never away from the phone, youre never away from something happening, he said. But on a Friday night, I will say to the team Im not doing any meetings after 6pm because were going to be at home with the kids and we will spend that time at home with the kids. I dont want to be one of these blokes, and it is normally blokes, who says in 10 years time says I wish Id spent more time with my kids. I also think youre a better decision maker for doing it. When I walk in the door, any baggage of leader of the Opposition or leader of the Labour Party always has to be left at the door. I walk through the door and Im dad. And that is fantastic. Sir Keir said he believes MPs treatment of each other in recent years has become too toxic and too divided, and worries about the impact becoming Prime Minister could have on his children. In 2014, the then deputy prime minister Nick Clegg was criticised for appearing on Sunday Brunch during the international crises over Ukraine and Gaza. One Lib Dem activist was quoted in the national press as saying: As the world burned, Nick Clegg cooked. Last week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak appeared on ITVs Loose Women and vowed to stay on as an MP even if his ruling Conservative Party loses the next general election. Jeff Bezos' rocket company Blue Origin launched America's first Black astronaut candidate and five other passengers into near space on Sunday in a 10-minute flight that had a few minutes of weightlessness. Among those on board was Ed Dwight. He finally made it into space 60 years after being named a finalist for the space program as the nation's first Black astronaut candidate. Dwight, 90, also broke a record for the oldest person to go into space. "I thought I really didn't need this in my life," Dwight quipped. "But, now, I need it in may life .... I am ecstatic." Dwight was among the potential astronauts the Air Force recommended to NASA. But he wasn't chosen for the 1963 class. After leaving the military in 1966, Dwight joined IBM and started a construction company. It was Blue Origin's first crew launch in nearly two years after being grounded following an accident. This was Blue Origin's seventh time flying space tourists and the 25th flight for the New Shepard program. "A big thank you to our astronaut customers for the opportunity to provide this life-changing experience," said Phil Joyce, Senior Vice President, New Shepard. "Each of you are pioneers helping to advance our mission to build a road to space for the benefit of Earth." Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.) mocked Sen. Bob Menendez on Sunday for what he described as the New Jersey Democrats blaming your wife legal strategy in his bribery trial that kicked off in Manhattan last week. Fetterman responded to the opening statements in the trial on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday, noting that he was the first senator to demand Menendezs resignation after he was indicted last year. He also took aim at Menendezs legal team for trying to pin the blame on the senators. wife, Nadine Menendez, who the senator said last week is battling breast cancer. And I really cant imagine who either it was his idea or he was convinced that blaming your wife, who is suffering from cancer, is really an effective strategy or how thats going to go over, Fetterman told co-host Jake Tapper. Menendez, his wife and three New Jersey businessmen are facing charges in connection to an alleged bribery scheme where lavish gifts were exchanged for political influence. Menendez and his wife will have separate trials due to her medical condition. Opening statements in the trial began last week, where defense lawyers for the New Jersey Democrat aimed to distance the senators actions from his wifes. Defense attorney Avi Weitzman at one point showed jurors a slide mimicking a Wheres Waldo puzzle, but it was instead replaced with Wheres Bob?. He was imploring the jurors last week to remember that slide whenever prosecutors showed evidence involving Nadine Menendez, noting that the couple lived separate lives. Fetterman has been very vocal in his criticisms of his fellow Democrat, raising some eyebrows since most of his other colleagues have muted critiques of the New Jersey Democrat and his legal problems. Fetterman, for his part, reiterated Sunday that Menendez should not received classified briefings about Egypt and Qatar. Hes entitled to his day in court, the way hes having right now, but hes not entitled to be a United States senator, he said. Hes certainly not entitled to receive a kind of classified briefing so about Egypt and Qatar, since he was essentially accused of being an agent for them as well. I dont understand why anybody would be OK with that, he added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. CARACAS (Reuters) - Iran on Saturday said it will send experts to its ally Venezuela to help with medical accelerators in hospitals it said had been stopped due to Western sanctions. Venezuela requested Iran's help, according to a message on the social media platform X by the Iranian government attributed to the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran. "Venezuela has a number of accelerators in its hospitals that have been stopped due to the embargo," the message said. Medical accelerators are used in radiation treatments for cancer patients. Venezuela is also an ally of Russia and China. The return of U.S. sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry has made its alliance with Iran critical to keeping its lagging energy sector afloat. Washington last year temporarily relaxed sanctions on Venezuela's promise to allow a competitive presidential election. The U.S. now says only some conditions were met. (Reporting by Deisy Buitrago; Writing by Cassandra Garrison; Editing by Daniel Wallis) More consumers are saving their workday lunch money to burn when theyre off the clock. The rise of hybrid work has kept many bars and restaurants lunchtime business from recovering to pre-pandemic levels, according to data the digital payments platform Square released Tuesday. But while weekday transaction volumes from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. were down 3.3% last year compared with 2019, card taps jumped 4.2% on weekends and 0.3% during weekday happy hours from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Square data comes as foot traffic rebounds in major U.S. cities downtowns far faster on evenings and weekends than during workdays, University of Toronto researchers have found. These signs point to a new normal for Americans post-pandemic leisure spending, which has stayed resilient despite the higher costs of going out. Fast food chains are launching promotions to lure back diners turned off by price hikes, and alcohol brands are pushing canned cocktails as bar and restaurant menu tabs rise faster than grocery bills. Nevertheless, many consumers remain determined to splurge after unplugging from work. Thats been the largest transformation in the last four or five years the consumer habits of office workers, said Ara Kharazian, research lead at Square, which provides electronic payment systems used by many bars, restaurants and stores. But that money has gone somewhere else: Were seeing consumers instead spend money on the weekends. Brunch has driven a chunk of the weekend increase, Kharazian said. In 2023, 1.88% of the food and drink transactions Square processed took place between 11 a.m. and noon on Saturdays, up from 1.60% in 2019. Because the company analyzed transaction volumes rather than dollar amounts, its data reflects foot traffic rather than inflation-sensitive spending. Still, some of the change may have to do with consumers going where the deals are, said Sara Senatore, a senior restaurant analyst at Bank of America. Brunch is a much more accessible price point than dinner, because people still want to go out to eat, she said. They still want the experience, they still want to congregate with their friends and family. AJ Kurban. (Courtesy CJPR) Nowhere was the shift toward evening and weekend spending starker than in Boston, one of 23 major cities Square analyzed. There, a 10.1% decline in weekday lunch transactions was more than offset by 10.3% and 1.6% increases in weekend and happy hour transactions, respectively. Aceituna Grill, a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant in Boston, has seen lunch crowds shrink at the three locations it has operated since before the pandemic, especially those near offices for Bank of America and PwC, according to CEO AJ Kurban. We used to have a line out the door every single day. Now were lucky to get a line out the door two to three days a week, said Kurban. Sales at the three restaurants last year were down by at least 20% from 2019. Aceituna, which accepts digital payments on Toast but not Square, has been trying to chase weekend crowds to offset the decline. It opened a fourth restaurant in the tourist-heavy Back Bay shopping district about a year ago and began keeping its Seaport location open on Sundays as of this month. The latter move was partly to comply with updated lease terms, and while Kurban said its too early to tell how itll pay off, hes expecting a positive impact. At the Back Bay outpost, he added, definitely weekends and nights are a lot busier there than any of our other locations. With more consumers opting for homemade lunches over $16 takeout salads, restaurants are constantly trying to come up with things to entice more people on the weekend, said Soojin Lee, a professor at Cornell Universitys Nolan School of Hotel Administration who focuses on restaurant and kitchen management. Young consumers eager to socialize are a prime target for bars and restaurants as they look to draw evening and weekend crowds, she said. Some establishments are doing better than others as consumer habits evolve. Fast-casual brands like Sweetgreen and Chipotle have seen stronger business this year than much of the restaurant industry. While diners on tight budgets have shied away from higher prices at fast-food chains, those with more to spend on eating out arent holding back. Their spend seems to be positive based on what the restaurants are saying. Theyre actually seeing traffic growth in those cohorts, Senatore said of more affluent customers, whereas the lower-income consumers, youre starting to see traffic decline. Only one major market bucked the trend Square identified: In heavily residential Brooklyn less known for its lunch rush than office-packed Manhattan midday spending was down by a modest 0.3%, but weekend transactions were still 0.5% shy of the boroughs pre-pandemic level, too. And unlike in most other cities, happy hours were down slightly in both Brooklyn and Manhattan. Kharazian noted the changes were small, though, and attributed the New York anomalies partly to the rhythms of the city that never sleeps, where people go out at all hours in a way that happy hour doesnt necessarily have that importance. Not everyone is splashing out on nights and weekends, though. Im definitely spending money on work lunches a lot more, said Nicholas Louie, 25, an advertising associate for a marketing agency who lives and works in Manhattan, where Square found lunch transactions were down 3.3% since before Covid. He estimates spending $15-$20 a day on lunch a bit more than in years past, though his costs vary depending on whether hes home or in the office, which he works from twice a week. I dont really prioritize drinking during the weekdays, Louie said, and his weekend leisure spending is quite inconsistent. But his employers amenities also help keep his bar tab low. I have free alc in the office, he added. (Reuters) -Following are reactions from foreign governments and officials to the news that a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister crashed as it flew over mountainous terrain in this fog on Sunday. TURKISH PRESIDENT TAYYIP ERDOGAN "I convey my best wishes to our neighbour, friend and brother Iranian people and government, and I hope to receive good news from Mr Raisi and his delegation as soon as possible," Erdogan said in a post on social media platform X. Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority said in a statement that Iran had requested a night vision search-and-rescue helicopter from Turkey. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES FOREIGN MINISTRY The ministry said in a statement the UAE was prepared to offer all possible support in the search and rescue operations. U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTONIO GUTERRES "The Secretary-General is following reports of an incident with Iranian President Raisi's aircraft with concern. He hopes for the safety of the president and his entourage," a U.N. spokesperson said in a statement. KUWAITI FOREIGN MINISTRY "We are closely following with concern the reports regarding the helicopter carrying the Iranian president and his accompanying delegation. Kuwait expresses its wishes for their safety and its support for the Islamic Republic of Iran in this critical situation." RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY "Russia is ready to extend all necessary help in the search for the missing helicopter and the investigation of the reasons for the incident," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a comment carried by Russia's RIA news agency. SAUDI ARABIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirms that it stands by the Islamic Republic of Iran during these difficult circumstances and is prepared to provide any assistance the Iranian services need," the ministry said in a statement. It also said the Saudi government was following news reports regarding Raisi's helicopter with "great concern". QATARI FOREIGN MINISTRY "We express the State of Qatar's deep concern regarding the Iranian president's helicopter experiencing a difficult landing incident. We affirm the State of Qatar's readiness to provide all forms of support in the search for the Iranian president's aircraft. We express the State of Qatar's wishes for the safety of the Iranian president, the foreign minister and their companions," a ministry spokesperson said in a statement. EUROPEAN COMMISSION The European commissioner for crisis management, Janez Lenarcic, said the commission had activated its satellite mapping service to aid search efforts, following a request for assistance from Iran. The Copernicus Emergency Management Service provides mapping products based on satellite imagery. U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT "We are closely following reports of a possible hard landing of a helicopter in Iran carrying the Iranian president and foreign minister," a State Department spokesperson said in a statement. U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN A spokesperson for President Biden, Karine Jean-Pierre, told reporters aboard Air Force One that the president had been briefed on the situation. She did not elaborate. AZERI PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV (Raisi was returning from Iran's border with Azerbaijan when his helicopter crashed). "Today, after bidding a friendly farewell to the (visiting) President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, we were profoundly troubled by the news of a helicopter carrying the top delegation crash-landing in Iran." "Our prayers to Allah Almighty are with President Ebrahim Raisi and the accompanying delegation. As a neighbour, friend, and brotherly country, the Republic of Azerbaijan stands ready to offer any assistance needed." IRAQI GOVERNMENT The Iraqi government said in a statement it had instructed its interior ministry, the Red Crescent and other relevant bodies to offer help to neighbouring Iran in the search mission. (Reporting by Reuters bureausCompiled by Mark BendeichEditing by Susan Fenton, Giles Elgood and Frances Kerry) An Algerian man who had been missing for 26 years has been found in his neighbor's house, just a few minutes' walk away, the country's justice ministry said this week. 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 yards away in the city of Djelfa after the captor's brother aired grievances on social media, reportedly due to an inheritance dispute. Algerian media reported that when family members began searching the suspect's house, he became tense when they approached a haystack, and they eventually found Omar B. "sitting quietly" underneath. 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. 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 teen's alleged abductor has also been accused of killing his dog with poison, according to Algerian media, which published a photo of the dog with the victim the year he went missing. 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." Algerian media reported that the victim was examined by a doctor and transferred to a special psychological health ward. Behind the wheel of a $3 million car The plan for a new California city Building a medieval castle from scratch On May 25, I will be voting in the second-last phase of Indias ongoing general election. It is with some trepidation, as it was in the last election. Voting in a democracy is a sign of faith and hope. And democracy means diversity. A diverse nation recognises and values the differences of race, religion, colour, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, age, size, education, geographic origin, and skill characteristics, among others. It refers to a composition of a group of people from many demographic backgrounds, identities, and the collective strength of their experiences, beliefs, values, skills, and perspectives. I grew up in a diverse India. My father, at the age of 16, moved from Punjab to Bihar to study coal mining and then worked with a British-owned company. My mother joined him after they were married. My mothers side of the family were Arya Samaji, a breakaway sect from mainstream Hinduism. We did havan at home, sitting around a vessel of fire, with my mother reading out mantras which we repeated after her. I went to the chapel at school, learned and sang hymns. When my otherwise liberal grandfather would tell my father that my sisters and I would become Christians, my father would smile and say, there are worse things they could become. Indeed. My school and college was run by the Sisters of Loreto, Catholic nuns from Ireland. There was morning assembly, hymn singing, and when the Catholic girls went to chapel, we non-Christians (Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, Jains) had Moral Science. We learned about right and wrong. After graduation I went to work at a rural development project in Madhya Pradesh called Friends Rural Centre. Before I got there, I thought it was just a friendly place, hence the name. At the centre, I learned it was established as an ideal site for witness to spiritual truth in education, health and agriculture, by an American Quaker in 1875 and the followers called each other friends. At prayer meetings they sat in circles and mostly in silence. It was a revelation and a good learning for me. During my graduate work at a university in the United States, I was attracted to and involved with the United Campus Ministry, a space for people of diverse faith backgrounds. The staff offered spiritual guidance, support, community and a safe space to students and staff to explore their beliefs, deepen their faith, and form lasting relationships with like-minded individuals. My affiliation with them brought me in touch with racism, sexism, feminism and same-gender attraction, all with the goal of creating inclusive societies. I found kindred spirits here and was given an opportunity to offer workshops on hunger and poverty and with the support of the university, to design and offer a course on world hunger. My first real job was in Washington DC, with an arm of the Unted Methodist Church called the Board of Church and Society. In a fine building sharing a boundary with the legendary Supreme Court and facing Capitol Hill, my colleagues and I followed, analysed and interpreted US policy for the 11 million Methodists in the US, so they could advocate for humane policies with Senators and members of Congress. I worked with people from several denominations and was stimulated by the diversity of people and ideas I encountered. The Arya Samajs rejection of Hinduisms caste system, gods, goddesses, and superstitions kept me away from the narrow confines of the religion. Our worship and lives at home were in sync with the values of the Catholic education: to be good, do good and give to society. This was further deepened with my experiences with the Quakers, the Campus Ministry and the Methodists. I chose to work with people and social change, to have meaning in my life and be a productive member of society. I returned to India in the early 1990s, just as the country liberalised its policies to deal with an economic crisis resulting from a balance of payments deficit, due to excess reliance on imports and other external factors. Soon there was satellite channels and the Internet and then the social media. A new India opened to the world was emerging. However, over the past decade, unspeakable things began to happen. Religious and other minorities were persecuted and marginalised in the name of religion. The predominant Hindu party took seriously to Hindutva, a political ideology embracing the cultural reasoning of Hindu nationalism and a belief in establishing Hindu hegemony within India. Inspired by European fascism, Hindutva believes in a standardised majority and cultural supremacy and the belief that India is defined by a common language, a common faith, and a common ethnic ancestry. Those of other ethnicities could be second-class citizens. But India has long been a land of multiple languages, religions, cuisines and customs. The unity in diversity enshrined in the Constitution affirms this. In defining the population of India as only Hindu and the only language as Hindi ignores the fact that Indias richness lies in its diversity and not homogeneity. The last two decades have shut down discussion, debate and freedom of ideas, faith and worship that are essential for a democracy. I like to think of myself as a person of hope and faith. My exposure to various religious, people, ideas and preferences have enriched my life, not taken away from it. Its this what India really needs now. That is why I will vote for diversity on May 25. Former President Donald Trump froze for 30 seconds while addressing the National Rifle Association's annual meeting causing some to speculate that the Republican candidate was struggling due to a teleprompter glitch. The incident occurred more than an hour into the former president's meandering address to thousands of gun rights activists in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday. Besides gun control, the speech also touched on topics including abortion, immigration and the economy. "The Texas spirit of proud independence was forged by cowboys and cattle hands, ranchers and rangers, oil workers, soldiers and brave, brave, brave, pioneers," he began. "Many came here with nothing but the boots or their feet, the clothes on their back, and the gun in their saddle. Together they helped make America into the single greatest nation in the history of the world." But after his comments praising the cowboys and pioneers, Trump suddenly paused for more than 30 seconds glowering, and shaking his head at one point. Music swelled in the background while Trump seemed to look down at his podium or out at the crowd. Trump starts playing QAnon music during his bizarre slur-filled NRA speech pic.twitter.com/tprP3rRxMR Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) May 18, 2024 "But now we are a nation in decline," he said after the pause, while the orchestral music continued in the background. "We are a failing nation." The symphonic background which the Biden-Harris campaign described as "QAnon music" continued for more than 10 minutes, until the speech concluded. Some supporters of President Joe Biden were quick to seize on the moment with one account describing Trump as "senile." Trump has often mocked Biden's delivery in speeches, which he has claimed are tethered to a teleprompter, and has accused Biden of struggling to think on his feet. "Trump can only read off the teleprompter now. Look how he freezes when it breaks," radio talk show host Barry Markson posted on X, "Doesn't say a word for 30 seconds. He can't think or speak without the teleprompter." Another X user, posting under the screen name the Clear Cider, garnered nearly 6000 likes on a post about Trump's pause. "Today in Dallas at the NRA convention, Trump's teleprompter stops scrolling & he has absolutely no idea what to do except shake his head, pissed off, until it restarts," the user wrote. A cyclist rides past a fallen transmission line tower along the US 290 feeder road in the aftermath of a severe storm on Friday, May 17, 2024 in Houston. CenterPoint expects to restore power to 80% of customers suffering outages by the evening of Sunday, May 19. Brett Coomer/Associated Press CenterPoint's restoration map as of 8:30 a.m. Sunday, May 19. CenterPoint Energy More than 236,000 CenterPoint Energy customers remained without power as of 10:15 p.m. Sunday, or approximately 25% of all who experienced outages after Thursday's severe storm. CenterPoint expects to restore power to approximately 85% of customers affected by storm-related outages by Monday evening, according to its 9:30 p.m. Sunday update. Full restoration is expected by the end of Wednesday for all customers able to receive power, according to CenterPoint spokesperson Logan Anderson. That means power should be back for customers whose own equipment isn't damaged, Anderson said. Customers should check their weatherhead, the point where power enters the home, which is often a pipe located on the side of the building, CenterPoint said. If that equipment is damaged, customers will need to ask an electrician to make repairs before CenterPoint can restore their power. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As of 6:30 p.m., CenterPoint also released an updated map detailing when it estimates power will be restored for neighborhoods across its service territory in the Houston area. The new map showed more of northwest and northeast Houston as well as more of northwest Harris County among the areas expected to have power back by the end of Sunday or Monday, rather than the end of Tuesday or Wednesday. CenterPoint's restoration map as of 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 19. Courtesy of CenterPoint The company said it has deployed nearly 7,000 workers to restore power. Customers expected to be without power into the early part of this week will receive targeted updates detailing estimated restoration times. Sign-up for the alert service, available via text, email or phone, is available at CenterPointEnergy.com/PowerAlertService. Advertisement Article continues below this ad CenterPoint restored power for approximately 115,000 customers Sunday, according to its latest statement. There were still 4,302 active outages as of 10:15 p.m. Sunday, according to CenterPoints outage tracker, revamped after experiencing technical difficulties since Thursday's storm. An active outage refers to one electrical equipment issue where damage is causing power losses. One active outage, such as a downed power line, can and often does affect numerous homes and businesses. Meanwhile, one customer home or business often includes multiple people. Nearly 700,000 customers, or approximately 75% of those impacted by Thursday's storm, have had their power restored in the three days since, according to CenterPoint's latest update. Nearly 922,000 customers lost power at the height of outages Thursday night, the company said. STAY SAFE: How to stay cool if your power is still out as temperatures rise this weekend While we have made solid restoration progress over the past 72 hours, it is important to remember that we have a lot of hard work ahead and the more difficult restorations are still to come. In fact, our crews encountered a lot of additional damage in the field today, Lynnae Wilson, CenterPoints senior vice president of electric business, said in an earlier Sunday statement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We continue to move forward with our restorations as safely and quickly as possible, with a strong understanding that a lot of people who have been without power are counting on us to get the lights and air conditioning back on, Wilson said. CenterPoint has deployed more than 2,000 employees and more than 5,000 contractors to work on restoration efforts, according to its statement. Numerous Texas utilities have sent their crews to Houston to help, including San Antonio's CPS Energy and Texas-New Mexico Power. The company completed its damage assessment Saturday night and has assigned all outside assistance crews to work as of Sunday morning. The utility said it uses its own crews at night and for responding to emergency calls. Outside crews, which had to receive onboarding before helping out, are more active during the day, CenterPoint said. The company said it expected to clear thousands of trees by the end of restoring all outages. CenterPoint was able to reroute power around its downed transmission lines, Hidalgo said in her Saturday afternoon update, which she previously said was the difference-maker for whether power would be out for days rather than weeks. Advertisement Article continues below this ad CenterPoint said it is using seven temporary mobile generators, one more than previously, to serve some cooling centers, first responder locations, healthcare facilities, schools and senior living facilities. CenterPoints $200 million deal to use these generators was highly controversial among consumer groups and power industry trade groups when it was first proposed in late 2022 and even as it was approved in early 2023. The company said it restored power in Klein, Crosby, Tomball and several other school districts so they can open Monday morning. 19 May 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more A few thousand Armenians who left Azerbaijans Garabagh with their own volition and moved to Yerevan are quite frisky and satisfied with their living conditions today. However, Armenia is trying to present it in a different form in the international arena just so as not to reveal that its past claims regarding Garabagh are groundless. We are talking about two main points here: First, Armenia's desire to justify its territorial claims, that is, during the 30-year occupation period, its attempt to imagine itself as an indigenous rather than an occupying party. The second issue is Armenia's intention to obtain refugee status before the UN. Although a group of Armenians who voluntarily moved from Garabagh to Yerevan did not leave a good impression on the Armenian authorities, it also has "positive aspects", which are Armenia's desire to snatch a treat in the world using the "refugee" status. I wonder how the countries of the world feel about it? At least, how do the West and Europe, on which Armenia relies the most, accept this? "As for Nagorno-Karabakh, we support families who had to leave their homes and who returned to Armenia. Hungary provided a lot of assistance to Armenia and these families." Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations of Hungary Peter Szijjarto said these words in a press statement. There are even some hidden points in this statement of the Hungarian official. If attention is paid, it can be described in the following way: Armenians who by no force and by their own decision left Garabagh are quite satisfied with their current living conditions. Through the expression "the Armenians returned to Armenia", the Hungarian Minister means they were not the indigenous inhabitants of Garabagh, which means the joy of the Armenians turned out to be premature, especially since they had to leave Azerbaijan's Garabagh, which means they were not deported or forced by anyone. But what is the source of this joy in them? The second Garabagh War was already a clear answer to all questions about the future of Garabagh. Moreover, in the last 30 years, even during the last chords of the Armenian occupation, people who were found guilty of many crimes were worried about living in the Azerbaijani territory, i.e., in Garabagh together with Azerbaijanis. Because the territories of Garabagh were witnesses of Armenian terrorism and crimes at all times. Another issue was the refugees of Armenian origin who were brought there at the request of Yerevan without the right to live in Garabagh. This was Armenia's plan to create an artificial demographic indicator. However, statistical information about the original inhabitants of Garabagh has been available in the archives of Azerbaijan since the Soviet era. This shows that Armenia's attempt to falsify statistics would have been fruitless anyway. The Patriotic War did not leave a need for this; The Armenian population living illegally in Garabagh had to leave the territory very smoothly. Because this was the only way out for them to get rid of further accusations and criminal cases that were expected to open against them. For this reason, the Armenians who left Garabagh are living the most "prosperous period" in Yerevan today. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 May 2024 13:33 (UTC+04:00) The delegation led by the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Latvia Daiga Mierina arrived in Fuzuli district, Azernews reports. During the visit, the guests will get acquainted with the destruction caused in Fuzuli, which was occupied by Armenia for nearly 30 years, as well as the restoration and construction works carried out by the Azerbaijani state after the liberation of the region from occupation. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 May 2024 17:15 (UTC+04:00) The delegation led by the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Latvia Daiga Mierina arrived in Shusha, Azernews reports. It should be noted that the delegation visited the city of Fuzuli before, and during the visit, the delegation got acquainted with the destruction caused in Fuzuli, which was occupied by Armenia for almost 30 years, as well as the restoration and construction works carried out by the state of Azerbaijan after the liberation of the region from occupation. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 May 2024 12:48 (UTC+04:00) Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, held a meeting in the presence of the delegations on May 19 at the state border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Islamic Republic of Iran, Azernews reports. Greeting the Azerbaijani leader, President of Iran Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi said: In the name of Allah. Mr. President, I am very happy that we are meeting with the honorable President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, again and reviewing our joint discussions. It is a great happiness that this meeting is taking place in this location. A major project has been implemented here, and it is a very successful meeting for the two peoples. We will inaugurate a project the commissioning of which is of great importance for the two peoples and two states. This in itself is a significant event that very important projects can be implemented between two peoples and two states. Some may not like our meetings and our joint successes. This is important to us. The main thing is that we have implemented together what is good for our countries, states and peoples. x x x President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said: Dear Mr. President, I believe that today's meeting and ceremony will go down as a beautiful and bright chapter in the history of Iran-Azerbaijan relations because the project we will open today is very important from the technical point of view, and at the same time, it will bring the two peoples and the two states even closer together. Of course, the joint success of our people makes our friends happy, and those who don't like it, I think it would be better if they minded their own business. The main thing is that the states of Iran and Azerbaijan show a very strong joint political will today, openly declare to their people and the whole world that we are together and will continue to be together. Iran-Azerbaijan relations are an important condition for stability in our region. Of course, such a wonderful project will improve the well-being of our people and increase jobs, thus, becoming the next step towards success. I am sure that there will be many similar joint projects in the future. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 May 2024 08:00 (UTC+04:00) A Chinese company and Tajikistan discussed the construction of a solar panel complex in the Sughd region of the country, Azernews reports. According to the regional administration's press service, this issue was explored during a meeting between Sughd Governor Rajabboy Ahmadzoda and representatives of the Chinese State Investment Group company. The parties discussed expanding cooperation on importing a modern complex to create a functional alternative energy supply system. Ahmadzoda noted that the region is ready to utilize the latest technologies for electricity production. Following the meeting, Ahmadzoda instructed responsible officials to thoroughly study the issue, prepare all necessary documents, and take measures to allocate land for the construction of the green energy facility and an administrative building. It was noted that State Investment Group has extensive experience in creating alternative energy production systems, particularly solar batteries and panels. It is implementing large-scale projects in many countries around the world. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 May 2024 18:25 (UTC+04:00) Georgia's president has vetoed the "foreign agent" law that has sparked weeks of mass street protests, Azernews reports. On Tuesday MPs passed the controversial law which requires NGOs and independent media that receive more than 20% of their funding from foreign donors to register as organisations "bearing the interests of a foreign power". Salome Zourabichvili said the law "in its essence and spirit, is fundamentally Russian" and an obstacle to Georgia's path to EU membership. However, her veto is only symbolic as the prime minister's Georgian Dream party has enough members in parliament to override it by holding another vote. In a televised address broadcast on Saturday, the president said her veto was "legally justified". "This law cannot be a subject to any change, improvement and embellishment, and thus its a very simple veto. This law must be withdrawn, " she said. Zourabichvili - an opponent of prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze - was widely expected to veto the law. Meanwhile, Kobakhidze has called on youth protesters to select at least 10 representatives to join a public discussion with him on the controversial law. According to The Interpressnews agency reported on Friday, he said: "I am ready to not only listen to their critical remarks, but in specific cases, share them. I expect the same attitude from youths." Critics say the law is inspired by authoritarian legislation neighbouring Russia uses to crush dissent. Georgia was granted EU candidate status in December 2023, and some are concerned that the law will derail the country's path to EU membership. Conditions for membership involve candidate countries implementing anti-corruption reforms, increasing government transparency, and promoting civil society. Massive rallies against the bill have gripped the Caucasus country for nearly a month. Photos and footage posted online in recent days appeared to show violent altercations between protesters and police. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 19 May 2024 22:12 (UTC+04:00) Border troops of the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia are preparing to take over the protection of the state border of the Republic of Armenia in Kirants village of Tavush province, Azernews reports. Due to the need to ensure security and efficiency, the entry of unregistered citizens into the village of Kyrants has been temporarily restricted. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Branch Sheppard, left, looks on as Richard Linklater signs his movie poster at the hard hat tour and toast to Richard Linklater at River Oaks Theater on May 18, 2024. Gary Fountain/Contributor The exterior of the River Oaks Theatre, currently under renovation and due to open later this year. Cary Darling The crowd during the hard hat tour and toast to Richard Linklater at River Oaks Theater on May 18, 2024. Gary Fountain/Contributor The River Oaks Theatre with the Medical Center area in the far background Cary Darling The main auditorium of the River Oaks still needs seats and screen to be added. Cary Darling Construction progress at River Oaks Theater on May 18, 2024. Gary Fountain/Contributor Richard Linklater was right at home at the River Oaks Theatre last week. The Houston-raised, Austin-based director of such contemporary classic films as "Dazed and Confused" and "Boyhood" was back in town to visit the under-renovation theater the last vintage movie theater in Houston and a place he used to visit as a fan and then screen his new film, "Hit Man," a few miles west at the Star Cinema Grill CityCentre. The evening was capped off with a gala dinner at Liberty Kitchen. Tickets for the "A Saturday with Richard Linklater" event were only available to those who are donors to the theater or members of the nonprofit Friends of the River Oaks Theatre's Cinephile club. MORE ON THE RIVER OAKS THEATRE: Here's your first look inside the theater and news when it might open. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The night was an especially sweet one for Linklater because, in addition to being a loyal customer of the art house theater well before he made his mark as a director, he was involved with the Friends of the River Oaks Theatre in trying to save the theater after previous operator Landmark Theaters and then-landlord Weingarten Realty couldn't agree on a new lease. The theater shuttered in 2021, and there were fears in Houston's film and architecture communities that the Art Deco building would be torn down. "I just want to thank everyone who is here. There were some scary dark days there," Linklater said to the assembled crowd of roughly 100 in the theater's main auditorium. "This whole thing is just a reminder that Houston got together in a citywide effort. I remember being on the phone and talking with Wes Anderson, who was in Europe. (He said), Hey, can we buy it?' I said, 'Yeah, we're working on that.' That didn't work out, OK, but this is so exciting to be here." Richard Linklater, from left, Phoebe Tudor and Maureen McNamara during the toast to Richard Linklater at River Oaks Theater on May 18, 2024. Gary Fountain/Contributor Ultimately, the operators behind the suburban multiplex chain Star Cinema Grill, under the Culinary Khancepts brand, opted to take over the lease from Kimco, the new landlord for the River Oaks Shopping Center, of which the River Oaks Theatre is a part. They have promised to reopen the River Oaks as an art house movie theater and live-performance space. Culinary Khancepts also runs the Reel Luxury Cinema in The Woodlands. "I got my film education and my fondest memories of any theater I have ever been in, or ever will be, in my whole life, was sitting right up there, pretty close to the screen, maybe third or fourth row center, if somebody wasn't already in the seat," he remembered. "I'd come to every double feature here for years." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Friends of the River Oaks Theatre co-founder/director Maureen McNamara then toasted Linklater as a guiding force in saving the Art Deco-era theater, which was built in 1939. "I want to have everybody raise a glass to Rick and thank Rick for being the person that stood up and said, 'Hey, we're going to make this happen and I'm going to put my name behind it,'" she said. The poster for Richard Linklater's 'Hit Man' at the River Oaks Theatre Cary Darling There's still no word on when the River Oaks Theatre, which was still missing seats and a new screen last week, will reopen to the general public, though that news should be coming in the next 30 days. Then it was off to Star Cinema Grill CityCentre for the Houston premiere of one of the summer's most anticipated films, Linklater's comedic drama "Hit Man," starring Adria Arjona and Glen Powell, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Linklater. Based loosely on real events that were documented in a Texas Monthly article, it tells the story of Gary Johnson, a Houston philosophy professor who moonlighted for the Houston police department as a fake hit man luring in unsuspecting customers who wanted to have someone murdered. The film, produced by Netflix, opens theatrically May 24 and then lands on the streaming service June 7. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After the screening of "Hit Man," Linklater was asked why the setting was moved from Houston to New Orleans. "This is a painful subject. I was going to do two great what I thought two very Houston movies back to back," he said referring to his 2022 animated film "Apollo 10: A Space Age Childhood," set at NASA in 1969, and "Hit Man." "And it was written that way. I spent a lot of the film explaining, kind of in a funny way, pointing out how this could happen in Houston, with all the colorful characters." But then when producers started putting plans in place, the incentives that Texas offers came up short when compared to nearby states, and Linklater was encouraged to change plans. "We go to make the movie and it was very independent. Hollywood didn't really buy what Glen and I were trying to do here. So, the financing was worldwide, and incentive programs really did play a part because $1.5 million more on a low budget means a lot," Linklater said. "The producer who was putting it all together was like, 'Dude, you want to make this movie or not?' It was an unfortunate position to get put in. We could go to Georgia, New Mexico. It really sucks because they are our neighbors. We are completely surrounded by states with very active film incentive programs." Advertisement Article continues below this ad But Linklater thinks things might be different if he were making it now. "If we were doing it today, we would do it here. It was a low point. (Texas) didn't have much money and they couldn't guarantee that the money would be there. And so we didn't have a choice," he recalled. "So, once that happened I said well, 'New Orleans is a pretty crazy place.' And I didn't want to fake (Houston in New Orleans). So we just moved (the story) over there." 19 May 2024 20:05 (UTC+04:00) Forty caretaker senators on Friday petitioned Thailand's Constitutional Court to dismiss Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin over a cabinet appointment which they say breaches the constitution, Azernews reports, citing Reuters. The senators object to the appointment of Pichit Chuenban, a former lawyer, as minister to Srettha's office last month during a cabinet reshuffle. Pichit was jailed for six months in 2008 for contempt of court after an alleged attempt to bribe court officials with 2 million baht ($55,218) hidden in a paper grocery bag. His law licence was suspended for five years by the Lawyers Council of Thailand after the incident. The senators said they were seeking a court ruling on whether Pichit has the integrity and ethical standards required by the constitution to hold a ministerial position and whether Srettha had breached the law by making the appointment. "Pichit is not qualified to be a minister but the prime minister still nominated him for the position," Senator Derekrid Janekrongtham told Reuters. "The prime minister's action may therefore breach ethical standards as well," he said. Government critics say Pichit was appointed to the cabinet due to his close relationship with a client, ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who returned to Thailand last year after 15 years in exile. Thaksin still wields considerable political influence over the government. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke dismissed the senators' accusation, and said the government had carefully vetted Pichit's qualification. "Our legal team insists that the appointment is lawful and there is no problem with his qualification," Chai told Reuters. The 40 senators, whose term ended earlier this month but who remain as caretakers until a new selection process is completed in July, are part of an appointed Upper House of parliament introduced by the military when it changed Thailand's constitution after a 2014 coup. Last year the same senators closed ranks with military-backed parties to block the anti-establishment Move Forward party from forming a government. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Gateway to Another Side of Rugged Oregon, Coastal Nehalem Bay is the 'Other Bay Area' of U.S. Published 5/13/24 at 8:45 p.m. By Andre' Hagestedt, Oregon Coast Beach Connection (Wheeler, Oregon) Just a ways inland from Manzanita (or from Rockaway Beach, depending on you think of it), Highway 101 abruptly wanders inland and to the east around a pristine body of water that is not part of the Pacific Ocean. It's not freshwater, either, at least until you get upstream, but it's uniquely a coastal thing. (All photos Oregon Coast Beach Connection) The Nehalem Bay is a thickly-wooded stretch of north Oregon coast that is often nicknamed the Bay Area by locals and regulars, a play-on-words that borrows from the more well known San Francisco locale. It's just as often linguistic amusement as it is simply being easier to say. It's also instant recognition that you're in kind of an exclusive club. To even know about the Nehalem Bay and what's in there is a badge of honor to some Oregonians. The Nehalem Bay first pops into view a bit past Manhattan Beach in Rockaway Beach, as the northern part of that town gives way to a thicker forest and periodic glimpses of the marshlands, tidal flats and the Nehalem Spit across the other side. At first the waters are more robust, as seen from above, near the bay mouth, as you look past a couple of marina businesses that cater to the many crabbers and fishermen who frequent here. You'll find about eight miles of curvy road along here, showing off the sights in between stands of dense foliage and trees. It's all primitive and mostly inaccessible for awhile. The jetty of the Nehalem Bay mouth, seen from the Rockaway Beach side. Soon, however, you arrive at Wheeler the center point of the lush and varied Nehalem Bay. A quirky little town that's a mere few blocks long, it gives birth to a distinct kind of rugged individualism among its denizens, whose endeavors in the worlds of artisans, craftsman, culinary chefs, collectors and even historical research bring up a bevy of surprises. Wheeler is fun and funky, there is no doubt. It's the natural aspects that really draw one in here, however. That calming bay with the island across the way creates spectacles in wildlife viewing, especially as the elk go to war over mates in the spring. You can see them in battle from the bay. Nature is what really coaxes in one Portland resident. Back in 2013, Portland resident Lisa Lepine told Oregon Coast Beach Connection she actually prefered it over the beaches of the coast. Nehalem Bay State Park The sheltered bay of Nehalem is to me a place where the ocean is dissipated, and yet wild and ancient, Lepine said. Where traces of native American life can still be imagined and the vibrant sea life that thrives in the calmer bay is always a wonder to behold. The bay has numerous grassland marshes hidden in little pockets around here. A couple of kayak-renting businesses thrive in this area for just that purpose. Paddleboarding is also a thing around these wild part a hot thing. It's all part of what's called the Tillamook Water Trail, designated as such by the National Recreation Trail, including 250 miles of waterways that are linked throughout Nehalem, Wheeler, Nestucca area, Sand Lake and little Netarts. There's a lot here for all experience levels. Of this the Oregon Coast Visitors Association says: First-time paddlers or families can head to Lake Lytle County Boat Ramp, 6.6 miles south of Nehalem Bay known for its calm and shallow waters perfect for practicing skills. Head up north and you eventually bump into more Nehalem River fishing spots by the bridge, and then you reach curiosity-filled Nehalem. Beyond that you can find the Nehalem Bay State Park (complete with campsites, copious hiking, and access to the untouched Nehalem Spit). See Historic North Oregon Coast Inn Gets New Life as Off-the-Beaten-Path Forest Getaway, New Hotel After that you hit the third town considered part of the Nehalem Bay: Manzanita, with its long line of captivating beaches. A cool little secret around here: Manzanita is kind of the banana belt of the north Oregon coast. Check out the curious weather science about the area. If all that's not enough, wait 'till glowing phytokplankton show up on the north coast. Then go test the bay at night by putting your hand in: you may see the telltale glowing wake behind your hand. It's unforgettably trippy and engaging. See what makes glowing sand and video of glow in Nehalem Bay More at the Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler Maps and Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Out of Bandon Came Some of the Most Intense Aurora Shots: S. Oregon Coast Photo Adventures Published 5/15/24 at 3:45 a.m. By Andre' Hagestedt, Oregon Coast Beach Connection (Bandon, Oregon) To say it was one of the most memorable events in the U.S. in recent history would still be a bit of an understatement. Indeed, for Oregon and Washington it was probably the most amazing thing to be seen in the skies in recent decades, maybe rivaling the eclipse of 2017 and Comet Hale-Bopp in the '90s. (Photos of Bandon courtesy Manuela Durson - Manuela Durson Fine Arts ) This past weekend's solar storm (May 10) and subsequent bright Aurora Borealis was a first for so many. It's almost never been visible to the naked eye this far south into Oregon. Interestingly enough, down on the south coast, some of the best photos of the entire event came from Bandon and one woman. Manuela Durson may have captured the most intense colors and the most distinct images of those celestial curtains of light. In a period of 45 minutes, Durson managed to grab remarkably deep colors from the northern lights. Bold pinks, purples and a vast set of shades along the green spectrum seemed to erupt from favorite landmarks around the south Oregon coast fishing port. She captured these while hanging out around only the Coquille River, grabbing the scenes from the marina, the south jetty and down the river a bit. Like the majority of the population in Oregon, this was a wild first for her. At the Bandon Marina You could see the Aurora very clearly with the naked eye, but of course not like the camera sees it, Durson told Oregon Coast Beach Connection. She was absolutely in awe. Bandon had a little help with all its dark skies and no light pollution. Down the Coquille River When I was driving to photograph it, all I could say is 'Wow' when seeing the pink and green glow that took up the whole north of the sky, she said. It was impressive even to the naked eye. Durson said she was out and about from 11 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. That turned out to be the prime time around the state. As a photographer, Durson also leans heavily on her drone for her work. This time, nope, this was all straight-ahead Nikon gear. Durson's money shot of the lighthouse in Bandon None of these were taken with the drone, as I had to do longer exposures on a stable tripod, she said. Durson and her drone caught some outstanding images of Bandon in the snow early in 2023. You saw a whole other side to the town in that photo essay (and one of those photos are at the bottom of this article). Above Bandon in Snow: S. Oregon Coast Photographer Captures Wowing New Views The light show came from a load of CMEs (coronal mass ejection) that were flung at Earth from a gigantic sunspot, one that is 15 times the size of the Earth. Its story is rather astounding all itself: what is called AR3664 shot out more than a few X3.9-class flares the previous day and the day before that. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) said there were at least six, and they ended up combining before they hit our planet. When they merge they're called a cannibal CME, said Jim Todd of Portland's OMSI. Cannibal CMEs form when fast-moving CMEs overtake and gobble up slower CMEs in front of them, Todd said last week. Internal shock waves created by such CME collisions do a good job sparking geomagnetic storms when they strike Earth's magnetic field. This was a historic solar storm, one that hadn't happened in over 20 years. It ended up a 9 on the KP index, which is how scientists measure the strength of those particles hitting the planet. You need a KP index of 6 or higher to see it in lower latitudes like ours in Oregon. It more than delivered on its solar promise. I was surprised at just how much light came from the Aurora, Durson said. She explained some of her technique, which entailed using the ISO on her digital camera. ISO is one of the things that lets a camera pick up more light. The higher the ISO, the more the light around you can be captured. At first I had the ISO cranked up because it was a night shoot, but quickly realized that I could get the ISO way down and pretty short shutterspeed considering it was night, Durson said. I could have used the photos as they came out of camera without post processing if I wanted and they would have been impressive by themselves with all those colors. However, she's got an expert hand at post processing as well: that's partially how she shows off such wowing colors in these shots. I first went to the Bandon Marina, then headed over to the south jetty to get a shot of the lighthouse with the Aurora behind/above it, and there were a lot of people out watching the event in awe, Durson said. I then headed over to the south side of the Coquille River where I knew I would get unique photos that nobody else would get, and those are some of my favorites. The whole river was bathed in pink color. The next night, of course, was a dud. On the south coast it got overcast - but in most of the state the aurora borealis did not return anyway. Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW Bandon courtesy Manuela Durson - Manuela Durson Fine Arts More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Wild Tales from Oregon Coast Lighthouses: Giant Holes to Killer Storms Published 5/17/24 at 6:15 a.m. By Andre' Hagestedt, Oregon Coast Beach Connection (Oregon Coast) One thing that always captures the eye while out on this coastline is the lighthouses. Almost none are fully accessible now, and some are completely closed off forever. One may actually disappear in the coming years. They're a very welcoming, intriguing sight but they're an increasingly rarer breed of architecture. (Above: snow at the Coquille River Lighthouse, just like its second night of existence - courtesy Manuela Durson - Manuela Durson Fine Arts) Just about all of them have quite the wild tales, too. Here are some prime historical moments from Port Orford, Coos Bay, Bandon, Florence and Seaside / Cannon Beach. Courtesy Heceta Head Lighthouse Heceta Head Lighthouse Near Florence. It is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world, and certainly has that distinction on the Oregon coast. Heceta Head is set back a ways and on firm ground, and hasn't quite seen the same action as others. It did, however, stop working for a brief time due to a landslide. It was February 12, 1961, and the central Oregon coast landmark was manned by Oswald Allik, among others. Allik was the last person onboard Tillamook Rock Lighthouse up north a couple of years before that. This particular night saw a massive landslide hit the area, taking out the electrical cables that powered the electric light. Allik and two others had go up in into the top of the lighthouse, insert an old school gas lamp where the electric beam was, and then each took turns cranking the apparatus around by hand. This went on for hours. [One Man Connected Tillamook Rock and Heceta Head Lighthouses] There was an electrical backup, but that was cut out by the landslide as well. The Heceta Head Lighthouse became obsolete within a few years, like all of them did. Other interesting historical tidbits here include the imploding whale legend of Florence and how they had to blast some of the rock at Heceta Head for safety purposes. Manuela Durson - Manuela Durson Fine Arts Cape Arago Lighthouse near Coos Bay. The little island upon which this tower sits is crumbling. Called Chief's Island, it is geologically extremely unstable, and the rickety bridge which was closed off a good decade ago has been gone for almost as long. It's made of a type of sandstone, not unlike the cliffs of the mainland, which have also been giving way for decades. Some 35 feet of the residential cliffs disappeared from the '40s through the '70s, but that erosion rate is probably even higher at the island. Some experts believe the ground around the Cape Arago Lighthouse could swallow it in the next decade. There are certainly large holes in the area now. Tales of the End of a South Oregon Coast Lighthouse: Chief's Island and Arago Light The island and the light were both handed back to local tribal ownership in recent years, but going there presented plenty of danger for a long time before that. Tribal tradition holds that it is a sacred place, anyway. In 2005, one local saw more of the island disappear: a hole appeared in one spot that allowed you see all the way to the other side. Surprise History: There Were Three Cape Arago Lighthouses on S. Oregon Coast Cape Blanco Lighthouse, Near Port Orford. Historical adventures and misadventures here are aplenty, including dealing with shipwrecks and storms. But these days the beautiful, soaring tower is kind of fighting for its life. Besides the lighthouse degrading and needing funds to fix it, the magnificent headland is eroding and taking parts of the road with it. Sizable landslides took away some of the means to get around enormous Cape Blanco, which is known as the secondmost western spot on the west coast. Each winter season takes out more. The cape itself is on a challenging piece of land with erosion and geological fault zones, but so are many lighthouses, said the Cape Blanco Historical Society's executive director Rebecca Malamud-Evans. See full story on repairs, erosion at Cape Blanco Lighthouse Funding is badly needed there. You can help by donating to saveourlighthouse.net or spreading the word. The lighthouse may even have to end up in private ownership. courtesy Manuela Durson - Manuela Durson Fine Arts Coquille River Lighthouse, Bandon. Going live in February of 1896, Bandon's little sentinel is technically the shortest on the Oregon coast: while it's two feet higher than Cape Meares Lighthouse's 38 feet, it does not sit on a hill. Indeed, this light has always been close to the action like right up against it. Storms lashed at this beauty for decades, eventually causing cracks in the foundation. Interestingly, it was built on what was called Rackleff Rock a little island of rock near where the jetty would eventually go. However, over time the area around it filled with sand and the island was no more: it and the lighthouse became part of the mainland. One of the Coquille River Light's adventures happened the day after it was lit March 1 a snow storm descended. Right off the bat, lightkeepers had to use the fog horn. Historic Adventures of a Lighthouse on South Oregon Coast: Coquille River Light at Bandon Oregon Coast Beach Connection Tillamook Rock Lighthouse Between Cannon Beach and Seaside. Lying offshore about half a mile, it's called Terrible Tilly for a lot of reasons. Coast Guard lightkeepers were stationed there for months on end, a few at a time, during its run from the 1880s to the 1950s. There are a lot of wild tales from that one. Most dramatic of them, however, is likely the storm that nearly destroyed it on October 21, 1934. Waves and winds were so strong the lighthouse was periodically under water. Waves shot upwards over 100 feet sometimes when hitting the rock, which broke through the windows and especially the tower, which was some 133 feet above the sea. Sea water, broken glass, debris, rocks and even dead fish and barnacles rained down on them from the throat of the tower. Men clung to the rafters to keep from being drowned inside the building. Basalt rock was actually getting split on one side of the little rock island, and some of the panels of the Fresnel lens were in millions of pieces. Early in 1935, the lantern was replaced by an electric light. There are also standout historical accounts of how the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse was built, how construction crews were even sequestered from seeing news about how dangerous the job was, and the wild tale of the ghost-like encounter at the lighthouse. Practically Paranormal: Creepy Tales from N. Oregon Coast's Tillamook Rock Lighthouse MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted By Peyton Major Christian Action League May 17, 2024 A North Carolina representative in D.C. isnt giving up his bid to withhold funds from states and tribes that legalize marijuana for recreational use. A spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) told the pro-cannabis website Marijuana Herald that the legislator will refile the Stop Pot Act in the next legislative session, meaning that the political battle against marijuana likely will not end in November, no matter who wins Congress. Edwards seat in the 11th District is considered as a safe GOP seat by the Cook Political Report. The Stop Pot Act would instruct the federal government to withhold 10 percent of federal highway funds from any state or tribe that allows the use of recreational marijuana. This year, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians within North Carolina began selling marijuana for recreational use following voter approval last fall. The federal Controlled Substances Act, Edwards noted, classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug. Edwards bill would not impact states or tribes that legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes provided it is prescribed by a licensed medical professional, his office said. The laws of any government should not infringe on the overall laws of our nation, and federal funds should not be awarded to jurisdictions that willfully ignore federal law, Edwards said. During a time when our communities are seeing unprecedented crime, drug addiction, and mental illness, the Stop Pot Act will help prevent even greater access to drugs and ease the strain placed on our local law enforcement and mental health professionals who are already stretched thin. Last year, Edwards wrote in a column for The Carolina Journal that more and more states are thumbing their proverbial noses at federal laws. Congress has sat idly by and watched it happen, he said. The Stop Pot Act has the support of Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action, an organization that opposes marijuana legalization. Todays marijuana isnt Woodstock Weed, said organization president and CEO Kevin Sabet. It is a highly engineered drug thats often wrapped in kid-friendly packaging, with potencies of up to 99 percent. The legalization movement has worsened Americas mental health and addiction crisis by preying on communities of color and young people. Todays commercial marijuana products are associated with depression, suicidality, IQ loss and most recently psychosis and schizophrenia, especially for young people. Already, marijuana legalization is making Americas roads less safe. A study by the Drug-Free America Foundation found that states that have legalized marijuana in some capacity have seen a 32 percent increase in DUIs compared to states where pot is not legal. Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League, said Edwards bill needs serious consideration by Congress. CAL, he said, is a staunch opponent of marijuana legalization. The League zealously supports the Stop Pot Act, Creech said. This crucial piece of legislation represents a fundamental commitment to the safety and well-being of our communities. By proposing to withhold a portion of federal highway funds from states that legalize marijuana sales, the Act provides a necessary check against the rapid and reckless expansion of marijuana access across our nation. The public safety concerns associated with legalized marijuana cannot be overstated. The Stop Pot Act seeks to ensure our roads remain safe for all drivers and pedestrians. The Stop Pot Act also would protect youth, Creech said. Legalizing marijuana makes it more accessible and normalizes its use, which can have devastating effects on the cognitive and emotional development of young individuals, Creech said. It is immoral not to prioritize the health and future of our children above everything. The Stop Pot Act is not merely a policy proposal it is a necessary step to ensure that public health, safety, and moral standards are not sacrificed in the pursuit of state-level profits. By leveraging federal highway funds, the Stop Pot Act also underscores the seriousness of drug control and signals to states the consequences of undermining federal drug laws. This economic pressure is a legitimate and effective strategy for maintaining national standards on drug control. Edwards bill would uphold the moral and societal standards that we cherish, Creech added. The widespread commercialization of marijuana threatens the social fabric of our nation, promoting a culture of drug dependency and weakening community values. Sean Diddy Combs and Cassie Ventura attending the Cant Stop, Wont Stop: A Bad Boy Story screening at the Curzon Mayfair, Curzon Street London (Ian West/PA) Sean Diddy Combs has apologised and committed to be a better man after security footage appeared to show him assaulting R&B singer Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel corridor in 2016. The video, obtained by US outlet CNN, appears to depict Combs wearing only a white towel chasing his former partner, real name Casandra Ventura, and kicking her on the ground. The footage also appears to show the US music mogul dragging Ms Ventura, and throwing a vase in her direction. In a video statement posted to Instagram, Combs said his behaviour was inexcusable and that he was disgusted by it. His apology continued: Its so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that. I was f***** up I hit rock bottom but I make no excuses. My behaviour on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted then when I did it. Im disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help. I got into going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. Im so sorry. But Im committed to be a better man each and every day. Im not asking for forgiveness. Im truly sorry. The video has been dated March 5 2016 and seems to match a description of an incident at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles in a now-settled lawsuit originally filed by Ms Ventura in November. The court document said: In or around March 2016, during an FO at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles, Mr Combs became extremely intoxicated and punched Ms Ventura in the face, giving her a black eye. Ms Ventura claimed she was a victim of rape and violent behaviour during their decade-long relationship in the lawsuit, which was settled a day after it was filed at a New York federal court. A statement from Douglas H Wigdor, lawyer for Ms Ventura, in response to the video footage said: The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behaviour of Mr Combs. Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light. Combs has since been named as a defendant in several sexual abuse lawsuits, and in March his properties in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by federal authorities in a reported sex trafficking investigation. The Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office said on Friday that the assault captured in the video would be too old to prosecute if it occurred in 2016 due to the statute of limitations. We are aware of the video that has been circulating online allegedly depicting Sean Combs assaulting a young woman in Los Angeles, it said in a statement. We find the images extremely disturbing and difficult to watch. If the conduct depicted occurred in 2016, unfortunately we would be unable to charge as the conduct would have occurred beyond the timeline where a crime of assault can be prosecuted. As of today, law enforcement has not presented a case related to the attack depicted in the video against Mr Combs, but we encourage anyone who has been a victim or witness to a crime to report it to law enforcement or reach out to our office for support from our Bureau of Victims Services. Police at the scene in Madrid Street in east Belfast. Pic: Presseye A 23-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Kathryn Parton who was found dead in east Belfast. The 34-year-old victims body was found in her Madrid Street home last Wednesday. She is the 19th woman to be killed in Northern Ireland since 2020, according to Womens Aid. Two other people have been charged in connection with the case. Police launch murder investigation after body found in east Belfast bedroom A 43-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man have been charged with assisting an offender and aiding and abetting a breach of bail. The woman has also been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice. All three are due appear at Belfast Magistrates Court on Monday. As is normal procedure, the charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service. PSNI Detective Inspector Michelle Griffin had confirmed a murder investigation was launched following the discovery of Ms Partons body. Kathryn, who was known as Kat, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene, having sustained serious injuries to her head, she said. My thoughts at this time are first and foremost with Kathryns family, who are left trying to come to terms with their loss. A local resident told UTV: I saw the father at the front gate and he seemed shaken, and he said he found his daughter dead in the bedroom, it's devastating. Speaking last Wednesday, Alliance East Belfast MLA Peter McReynolds said he was deeply saddened by the incident. "This is an extremely sad and distressing incident and my thoughts and sympathies are with the family of the victim, he said. "This tragic event has shocked local residents and the wider community upon hearing this upsetting news." Taoiseach Simon Harris said Ireland would recognise Palestinian as a state before the end of the month (Brian Lawless/PA) Ireland will recognise Palestinian statehood before the end of this month, Irelands premier Simon Harris has insisted. Mr Harris made the comments following reports of a diplomatic row with Israeli President Isaac Herzog over the Governments plan. The Taoiseach spoke by phone with Mr Herzog on Friday where he set out Irelands desire to see an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as well as urgent and unhindered access for humanitarian aid. The President of Israel, Isaac Herzog had a phone conversation with Simon Harris on Friday (Justin Tallis/PA) RTE reported that sources close to the Israeli President said he warned Mr Harris that unilateral recognition of Palestine could jeopardise any hope of Hamas releasing the hostages it continues to hold in Gaza and encourage further attacks on Israel. However, Mr Harris said the action would not be unilateral and said he was not interested in getting involved in a back and forth with the president of Israel. He was speaking in Co Longford following the National Famine Commemoration event. Asked what had transpired in the call with Mr Herzog, Mr Harris said: I have less than zero interest in getting involved into some sort of back and forth between myself the president of Israel. I had a good conversation with the president of Israel. We had a firm and respectful conversation. It is my job as the Taoiseach of this country to speak up for the Irish position, to speak out on behalf of the people of Ireland. The Irish position in relation to the Middle East, in relation to Gaza, in relation to Israel is very straightforward and very consistent. We need to see an immediate cessation of violence, we need to see unimpeded and unhindered access to humanitarian aid because there is a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in front of our eyes. We need to see a two state solution. In order to see a two state solution and to help bring one about you have to recognise the very existence of two states. In the coming days Ireland intends to do just that. Mr Harris was asked whether the move could lead to the severing of diplomatic ties between Ireland and Israel. He said: It is not unilateral, Ireland is working with a number of like-minded countries in relation to this. I expect more to move in the coming days, I expect more to move in the coming weeks. Certainly Ireland doesnt wish to sever diplomatic relations. You can strongly disagree with a country, you can differentiate between the government of a country and the people of a country. I believe there are many people in Israel as well as many people in Palestine who want to live in peace, want to live in security, want to live in prosperity, want their children to be able to access food. Obviously we have a very different position to Israel in relation to this but a two state solution is in my view, in the view of Ireland and I believe in the view of many people for many years the way you bring about peace, stability, prosperity in the region. The Taoiseach said the date for the recognition of Palestine as a state had yet to be decided. He added: There is important sequencing that our country and other countries have to carry out. I mean political processes that have to be followed and they differ slightly from country to country. The specific date will be decided in the coming days. What I can tell you is that it is absolutely our intention to recognise the state of Palestine this month and there is not that long left in this month. People take part in a pro-Palestine march in central London organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (Jeff Moore/PA) He said the marches, which have been regularly held on the streets of London and other cities since the Israel-Hamas conflict began, could spill over into hate speech and antisemitism. Lord Walney, the Governments political violence tsar, said he was concerned about the limited police response to the protests. There were seven arrests as thousands of people marched in London on Saturday, including a man seen carrying a coffin with offensive language written on it and another leading a chant of intifada revolution. Scotland Yard said officers also arrested a 74-year-old man at a counter-protest on suspicion of provocation of violence. Lord Walney, who is due to publish a long-awaited report into political violence and disruption this week, told Sky News: Ive been concerned over many months now that the police do seem limited in what they are able to do to balance peoples right to protest with the cumulative impact of having marches through central London on a weekly basis. This is making substantial parts of the community, sizeable parts of our Jewish community in London, apprehensive at best about going into the centre of the city. That is a deeply uncomfortable position. There has been a substantial level of criminality and disorder and antisemitic content around the margins of the marches. Thousands of people took to the streets of London on Saturday (Aaron Chown/PA) Mr Shapps told GB News: It worries me, it worries the Government a lot. I was pleased to see there were 10 or so arrests yesterday made, we have said in the past, I think, the police need to be very much all over these things. We see the impact on people. It makes people feel very uncomfortable, when these marches sometimes spill over from the legitimate right to protest and make a point that is not an issue when they spill over into antisemitism, when they spill over into hate speech, racism, that is where there is a problem, and we absolutely back 100% police taking the necessary action. I see now that they have charged hundreds and hundreds of people over the last few months and there were a significant number of arrests yesterday, which I think was the right way to deal with these things. In Israel, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus main political rival Benny Gantz has threatened to leave the war cabinet if a plan is not is not drawn up by June 8 that includes an international administration for post-war Gaza. Mr Shapps told Times Radio: The point we constantly make to Israel is its incredibly important we have a plan a Gaza run not by Hamas, a terrorist organisation, but by Palestinians. It cant be in anyones interest, least of all Israels, to be in Gaza in the long run. The Cabinet minister also defended the UKs efforts to get aid in to Gaza, although he acknowledged the new US-built pier would only have a limited impact. He told the BBC it would be ridiculous to suggest the pier was the answer but added: Does that mean we shouldnt be doing it? Not at all. Of course we should be doing it. We have, the United Kingdom, without much fanfare been delivering aid by sea, by air, by road and the pier is just another way of getting aid in and were helping to organise the dispatch of that from Cyprus. We have the command and control ship RFA Cardigan Bay in the Mediterranean and so were assisting with getting that aid on to onto the land in Gaza. Of course its not enough. I mean, it would be ridiculous to suggest otherwise. A champion of the poor, the desperate, the downtrodden rebel cleric Pat Buckley was one-in-a-million The untimely death of the most colourful and compassionate of priests such a terrible loss Pat Buckley's outspoken views and liberalism often set him on a collision course with the Catholic Church hierarchy Suzanne Breen Sun 19 May 2024 at 10:50 From the moment he arrived in west Belfast at the height of the Troubles, Pat Buckley knew whose side he was on and that put him on a collision course with the Catholic Church hierarchy. The hard hat tour and toast to Richard Linklater at River Oaks Theater on May 18, 2024. Gary Fountain/Contributor Kaleta Blaffer Johnson, left, and chair Phoebe Tudor at the hard hat tour and toast to Richard Linklater at River Oaks Theater on May 18, 2024. Gary Fountain/Contributor Richard Linklater at the hard hat tour and toast to Richard Linklater at River Oaks Theater on May 18, 2024. Gary Fountain/Contributor The main auditorium of the River Oaks still needs seats and screen to be added. Cary Darling Construction progress at River Oaks Theater on May 18, 2024. Gary Fountain/Contributor Construction progress at River Oaks Theater on May 18, 2024. Gary Fountain/Contributor Construction progress in the kitchen area at River Oaks Theater on May 18, 2024. Gary Fountain/Contributor Construction progress at River Oaks Theater on May 18, 2024. Gary Fountain/Contributor Mayor Sylvester Turner in the crowd during the hard hat tour and toast to Richard Linklater at River Oaks Theater on May 18, 2024. Gary Fountain/Contributor For the first time in over three years, River Oaks Theatre's historic marquee lights have been restored and relit. During "A Saturday With Richard Linklater," hosted by Friends of River Oaks Theatre, they sparkled as the sun set over West Gray Street. RICHARD LINKLATER COMES HOME: What the director had to say Saturday at the event in his honor. The nonprofit organization that supports restoration and renovation funding for River Oaks Theatre sent an email over the weekend alerting guests that "the show must go on," after a deadly storm with hurricane-strength winds hit the Houston area on Thursday. Organizers encouraged patrons to attend the event as planned, if they were able to do so safely. After all, River Oaks Theatre had weathered its own storm. "Houston has a bad reputation of tearing things down, including every other historic movie theater," said gala co-chair Phoebe Tudor. "This is the last one." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Richard Linklater, from left, Phoebe Tudor and Maureen McNamara during the toast to Richard Linklater at River Oaks Theater on May 18, 2024. Gary Fountain/Contributor For 30 days in March 2021, Weingarten Realty, which owns and operates the River Oaks Shopping Center, and Landmark Theatres were locked in a public dispute over River Oaks Theatre's lease. Negotiations stalled, then resumed, over Houston's last remaining vintage movie theater, which has held court on West Gray since 1939. After Landmark Theatres was founded in 1974, the River Oaks became one of its first acquisitions just two years later. New operator Culinary Khancepts announced on Saturday that the theater is a few months away from showing its first film. Vice president of development Jason Ostrow told a crowd of roughly 100 River Oak Theatre Cinephile club members, donors and sponsors that the venue will reopen as a multi-use theater with capabilities to host performing arts groups. "We'll be able to open the curtain and raise the screen for full use of the stage," Ostrow said. In the future, River Oaks Theatre will accommodate roughly 200 people in the main auditorium and an additional 50 ticket holders on the mezzanine level. The previous configuration could seat approximately 400. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What the theater has lost in capacity, Ostrow feels is more than compensated for with a boost in quality. New, improved theater seats are nearly twice as large and they recline. For a donation, supporters can purchase and personalize remaining seats with a bronze plaque. Linklater, the guest of honor, test-drove the seat bearing his name on Saturday. "These chairs are mighty comfortable, I suggest everyone buy one," he quipped. "My fondest memories of any theater are right here." His favorite seat in the house? Front and center closer to the screen than one might expect. The Houston-bred director later screened his latest film "Hit Man" as the gala's second act at Star Cinema Grill in CityCentre. A seated dinner prepared by executive chef Tim Reading of Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette in River Oaks, also under Culinary Khancepts umbrella, concluded the fundraiser. Proceeds benefit the "Cinema Revival: The River Oaks Documentary" (currently in production), the River Oaks Theatre renovation fund and the mission of the Friends of the River Oaks Theatre. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Construction progress at River Oaks Theater on May 18, 2024. Gary Fountain/Contributor Upon completion, Culinary Khancepts latest venture, Leo's Restaurant at Liberty Kitchen, will provide food service and hospitality for River Oaks Theatre. Travel website apologises to Co Fermanagh businesswoman A businesswoman who operates on Booking.com has hit out at the website after she was accused of not paying commission bills and her account was suspended. Dea Matrona: Releasing our first album is the stuff of dreams Co Down rockers also headlining first UK and Ireland tour Orlaith Forsythe (left) and Mollie McGinn John Toner Sun 19 May 2024 at 11:00 Emerging rock stars Dea Matrona are living their childhood dream after releasing their debut album and embarking on their first headline tour of the UK and Ireland. Former IRA bomber could lose home after being hit with NIs first Unexplained Wealth Order Cigarette smuggler built 275,000 property despite being on sickness benefit since 2008 Aidan Grew Ciaran Barnes Sun 19 May 2024 at 09:25 A millionaire smuggler whose Co Armagh home is at the centre of a tug-of-war with the National Crime Agency (NCA) was previously forced to hand over property to assets investigators in the south. Hated predator spotted prowling the vicinity recently A man convicted of raping a pensioner has been warned to stay away from an area of west Belfast after he was recently spotted loitering in the vicinity of a care home for the elderly. World Harris to release report on her health with Trump failing to do so Lightstock Is the Bible a true account of history? Is it an altered and highly stylized take on real events? Is it a blend of myth and cultural memory? Is it complete fantasy? These are the most common approaches to dealing with the Bible as a record of history and using it to examine what actually happened thousands of years in the past. Many Christians claim that the Bible is a complete and perfect record of history. Everything in the Bible happened exactly as the Bible portrays it. Most skeptics, on the other hand, tend to argue that the Bible is mostly, if not completely, fictional. These are the people who, at one point, claimed that Jesus Christ never existed and that He was a complete fabrication by Christians. This theory, however, has since been ground into the dust so utterly that scholars are in near unanimous agreement on the fact that Jesus of Nazareth was a real person. Reaching the point where Biblical events are accepted as fact generally requires overwhelming evidence. Many people will disbelieve something purely because it was found in the Bible. Unfortunately for those skeptics, archaeology has unearthed a mountain of evidence that proves that the Bible is not a collection of ancient fairy tales but an honest record of historical events. Here are six incredible finds that proved the Bible was true. Asteroid in the Alps. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is one of the ultimate examples of Gods wrath in the Old Testament. The two cities are razed to the ground, and they were considered to be so sinful that their names become shorthand throughout the Bible for places or actions that are irredeemable. For years, skeptics claimed that Sodom and Gomorrah never existed. If they had, such apocalyptic destruction would have been noticed. In fact, it was noticed by an Assyrian who inscribed the entire event on a clay tablet. The tablet baffled translators until scientists filled in the missing piece. The clay tablet described the flight of a massive meteorite that raced over the Earths surface before exploding near the Alps. The land beneath the meteors path was superheated to temperatures some scientists believe are comparable to the surface of the sun. To make matters worse, the explosion of the asteroid would have sent flaming chunks of rock crashing down onto cities near the Dead Sea and forced a wave of hypersalinated water out of the Dead Sea and into the once-fertile soil. The clay pottery archaeologists found that it had been heat-blasted to the point that it became glass, which was all that would have been left of Sodom and Gomorrah. Steps of Siloam. If someone has not found it and dropped a neon sign on top of it, biblical skeptics are likely to claim that it does not exist. This is the case with numerous biblical sites and locations, including the Pool of Siloam. The Pool of Siloam was the site of one of Jesus miracles in the Gospel of John. According to John 9, Jesus spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva and put it on the [blind] mans eyes. Go, Jesus told him. Wash in the Pool of Siloam. So the man went and washed, and he came home seeing. Since the Pool of Siloam had not been definitively identified, skeptics decided it did not exist. In June 2004, however, construction work just south of the City of David stumbled across a set of ancient stone steps. Further excavation revealed that those steps were actually part of a monumental pool that was later identified as the missing Pool of Siloam. Seal of Isaiah. Isaiah is one of the most commonly quoted prophets in Christian churches. He is also one of the most examined and debated prophets in the Old Testament. Scholars have repeatedly picked apart Isaiahs prophetic writings and, surprise, surprise, begun questioning whether a person named Isaiah ever wrote them. Instead, it was theorized that the book of Isaiah was written after the events that were foretold by a variety of people who simply used Isaiahs name. Once again, archaeology threw something of a monkey wrench into that theory when excavations in Israel uncovered a seal that bore the name Isaiah only 10 feet away from another seal that belonged to King Hezekiah. In the Bible, Isaiah was listed as being Hezekiahs advisor, so it makes sense that their seals would be found together. To give even further credence to the theory that the seal belonged to none other than the biblical Isaiah, the name Isaiah was followed by the Hebrew letters nvy. Nvy are the first three letters of the ancient Hebrew word spelled nun-bet-yod-alef. This word, pronounced navi, means prophet. Tel Dan inscription. For some reason, biblical skeptics loved to claim that the most famous characters in the Bible were complete fiction. They tried to make that argument for years with Jesus Christ, but overwhelming evidence in favor of His existence forced them to back down. They tried something similar with both Moses and King David. The latter theory came crashing down in 1993 when a stele was unearthed at Tel Dan in Israel. The stone had been carved by an Aramean king who was boasting about defeating his two southern neighbors in battle. Those other kings were the king of Israel and the king of the House of David. The two kings mentioned have since been identified as Jehoram of Israel and Ahaziah of Judah by Hazael of Damascus. Some skeptics still try to claim that David is in reference to a place, not a person, but most scholars have accepted that the stele is speaking of none other than the biblical King David. Ossuary of Yehohanan. The narrative of Jesus Christs crucifixion, burial and resurrection forms the backbone of the Christian faith. Without Christs death, there would have been no resurrection. Without His resurrection, there would be no Christianity. As such, there is a great deal riding on proving or disproving that the gospel accounts of His death are accurate. For years, skeptics thought they had found the smoking gun when it came to disproving the entire episode. The Bible is adamant that Christ was buried after His crucifixion. Romans, however, usually left the bodies of crucifixion victims to rot on the cross as a warning to others. The two, skeptics argued, were inherently contradictory. Then, an ossuary containing the bones of a young man named Yehohanan was unearthed in Israel. Like so many other Jews, he was given a proper burial and his bones were placed in an ossuary after the flesh had rotted away. Unlike most Jews, his ossuary had an extra artifact in it, an iron nail driven through his heel bone. Yehohanan had been crucified, but he was still allowed a proper burial. As such, there is a precedent that the same could have happened to Jesus of Nazareth. Cylinder of Cyrus. In addition to questioning whether or not certain people truly existed, skeptics are very fond of claiming that the ancient Israelites entirely made up some of the most important events in the Bible. Among those questioned episodes was the entirety of the Exodus narrative and the Babylonian captivity. Why people would create fictional stories about their defeat and enslavement is uncertain, but that did not stop skeptics from claiming that both captivities of the Israelites were fictitious. The cylinder of Cyrus the Great of Persia, however, suggests that it was very real. The nine-inch clay cylinder detailed not only Cyrus victory over Babylon but also his unexpected decision to allow Babylonia captives to return to their ancestral homelands and rebuild their temples. Among those captives would have been the ancient Israelites who had been held in Babylon after they were defeated in war. Some of the grandest claims skeptics made about the Bible have been ground into dust. Christ was real, and the gospels give a faithful account of His death. David and the kingdom of Israel were forced to be reckoned with in ancient times. From Genesis to Revelation, the most important events in the Bible hold up to historical scrutiny. One can only imagine what else will be uncovered as archaeological excavations continue. Stephanie Hertzenberg is a graduate of the College of William and Mary where she majored in Religious Studies and minored in Creative Writing. She maintains an avid interest in health, history and science. Sung Yong Yoon, Director General of the National Museum of Korea, speaks at the reopening of the Arts of Korea Gallery of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. The space features a collection on loan from the National Museum of Korea, including "Seated Buddha," Joseon dynasty. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Becky Li tours the reopening of the newly renovated Arts of Korea Gallery, featuring a collection on loan from the National Museum of Korea, on Thursday, May 16. The new installation focuses on the the Joseon Dynasty, through objects from that era as well as interpretations by three contemporary artists. The installation includes objects from the growing MFAH collections of Korean art. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Sung Yong Yoon, Director General of the National Museum of Korea, tours the reopening of the newly renovated Arts of Korea Gallery, featuring a collection new space and a collection of loans from the National Museum of Korea, on Thursday, May 16, 2024 in Houston. The new installation focuses on the the Joseon Dynasty, through objects from that era as well as interpretations by three contemporary artists. The installation features objects from the growing MFAH collections of Korean art. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer The newly renovated Arts of Korea Gallery features a collection on loan from the National Museum of Korea. The new installation focuses on the the Joseon Dynasty, through objects from that era as well as interpretations by three contemporary artists. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Young-Ho Jung, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Houston tours the reopening of the MFAH's newly renovated Arts of Korea Gallery. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Visitors walks past a dish, that has the birth record of the second daughter of Prince Inheunggun, a rare case where a porcelain dish was used as such a record, during the reopening of the MFAH's newly renovated Arts of Korea Gallery. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Knee-Shaped Water Dropper, Joseon dynasty, 18-19th centuries, in the MFAH's Arts of Korea Gallery Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Gary Tinterow, Director and Margaret Alkek Williams Chair at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Brett Coomer/Staff photographer A winding path into the belly of Cullinan Hall at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston eventually deposits visitors into the newly reopened Arts of Korea Gallery. Between renovations a new floor and display cases and a refreshed installation of objects from the Joseon dynasty, plus recently acquired works by three contemporary artists, it's a worthwhile journey. Today, MFAH's Arts of Korea Gallery has a collection of nearly 100 items, with the intent to expand further. That wasn't always the case. "It started with nothing, in 2007, and took off on the day it opened," said Amy Poster, MFAH consulting curator for Asian art. "We have a very active community of Korean donors who have been encouraging us." Consul General of the Republic of Korea Young-Ho Jung and Director General of the National Museum of Korea Yoon Sung-Yong were among the first to experience the fruits of that labor. Roughly two dozen works on loan from the National Museum of Korea sufficiently warrant a special trip to the small but mighty space inside the Caroline Wiess Law Building. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "The Art of Korea Gallery carries great significance as the first gallery dedicated to Korean art in the South Central United States. Furthermore, it earns a special distinction as the first among the Asian Galleries at MFAH," Jung told a small crowd. "During the establishment of the Arts of Korea Gallery, approximately $3 million in funding was required. The MFAH, Korea Foundation, Korean companies and the Korean American community voluntarily collaborated to raise these funds." Approximately 90% of the newly exhibited, borrowed artworks are from the Joseon dynasty, spanning 500 years from the late 14th century to the early 20th century, ushering in a shift of state religion from Buddhism to Confucianism. Though there is one Buddha statue in particular that Jung anticipates will quickly become a favorite. A 19th century lidded jar from the Joseon dynasty is on display in the renovated Arts of Korea Gallery, featuring a collection on loan from the National Museum of Korea. The new installation focuses on the the Joseon Dynasty, through objects from that era as well as interpretations by three contemporary artists. The installation includes objects from the growing MFAH collections of Korean art. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer "In 2021, Samsung made headlines by generously donating over 20,000 pieces of artwork, collected by the late Chairman Lee Kun-Hee, to various museums and art galleries, including the National Museum of Korea," he said. "One of these treasures is a large dragon-patterned jar prominently displayed in the center of the Arts of Korea Gallery. It symbolizes the Year of the Blue Dragon." Much like the gallery itself, "Jar With Dragon and Cloud Design," (Korea, Joseon dynasty, 19th century) is both simple and significant. Poster notes the size of the porcelain painted in underglaze cobalt blue. Bradley Bailey, MFAH's Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao curator of Asian art, draws attention to the object's "curving, voluptuous shape and comparatively tiny base, (which) seems to defy gravity." Advertisement Article continues below this ad MFAH Director Gary Tinterow reinforces that the new presentation of the gallery was designed to match the serenity and restraint of the artworks. Another standout, Ran Hwang's "First Wind" (2015), utilizes more than 40,000 buttons, affixed across a wooden panel, to depict the five grand palaces of Seoul, including the Great South Gate of the ancient walled city, which is often regarded as the most prized national treasure. The piece, hand-hammered by Hwang in her Brooklyn studio as a self-described meditative practice, is now part of MFAH's permanent collection. Curator Bradley Bailey views First Wind CL, 2015, by Ran Hwang, during the reopening of the MFAH's newly renovated Arts of Korea Gallery. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer "The buttons are from when she was a poor art student in New York, and they were discarded in the Garment District," Bailey said. "Especially the muddy green ones; she calls those the 'color of free buttons.'" His two favorite pieces? "Placenta Dish" (1972) and "Mt. Geumang-Shaped Water Dropper" (Korea, Joseon dynasty, 19th century). The former commemorates a royal birth, after which the mother's placenta would be buried. The latter illustrates monks scaling what is known as the Diamond Mountain, a sacred site. Both objects are porcelain. Advertisement Article continues below this ad An upcoming hearing scheduled on Tuesday morning in Bennington for Deven Moffitt, 34, accused in the brutal 2019 murder of his then-girlfriend, will seek to decide two critical motions before trial- whether a seated jury can or should visit the site of the killing, and whether to dismiss the case altogether. 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. UPDATE: This story was updated Monday at 8:10 a.m. to reflect Kent Lew's decision to serve on the Finance Committee. WASHINGTON Stephen B. Deloye won a seat on the Select Board in a race against Keith J. Sharp in an election that drew 120 voters on Saturday. The vote was 88-20. There were 11 blank ballots cast for the Select Board seat along with one write-in, David Fish. The seat was open after Select Board Chair Kent Lew decided not to run for a second term. Lew was the top vote-getter for an open seat on the Finance Committee, for which no one ran. He garnered 29 votes. The second highest vote-getter for that seat was Michael Burke, with three votes. On Monday, Lew confirmed he'll serve in that position. The Select Board race was the only contested race on the ballot and voter turnout was just under 30 percent of Washington's 406 registered voters. Forty-five cast their ballots by mail; three voted absentee. The rest voted in person on Saturday. Town Clerk Allison Mikaniewicz was the top vote-getter on the ballot, winning 114 votes and retaining her position. Deloye has served on the Select Board in the past. He is a 43-year resident of Washington and a past member of the Select Board. Hes been the towns fire chief, served on the local police department, served on the Emma Bailey Scholarship committee and currently serves on the Board of Health and the Council on Aging. He regularly attends Select Board meetings. Deloye, 71, grew up in Lanesborough, graduating from Mount Greylock Regional High School. His first job after high school was at a garage. He then worked for the Lanesborough Police Department as an officer, then worked in plant protection at General Electric in Pittsfield, where he also became head of environmental health and safety. He retired in 2012. As a certified fire chief, he has trained firefighters at the state fire academy and for the Berkshire County Fire Chiefs Association in Pittsfield and in cities and towns throughout Berkshire County. He said he was motivated to run partly because of Lews decision to not to, and that having retired, he has more time now to devote to the town. His only agenda, he said, is to work to provide services more efficiently to the residents of Washington. At my age, Im really laid back, Deloye has told The Eagle. There isnt much I havent seen or done. Stay up to date on Berkshires news with Berkshires in Brief, our free daily newsletter NORTH ADAMS The city's flood management system feasibility study has acquired the last portion of its funding and is ready to move forward, according to U.S. Rep. Richard Neal. He announced Thursday that, following months-long discussions with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, he had secured $700,000 from the Army Corps budget for this fiscal year in order to complete the study, which will determine the best course of action for the citys deteriorating flood chutes. I spoke yesterday with the Army Corps of Engineers, I was in touch with Mayor Macksey, and this has been a longstanding priority of mine because of the potential for disastrous flooding that may take place in the Hoosic River Basin, Neal told The Eagle during a phone interview Friday. In a Thursday news release from his office, Neal said that, in addition to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of residents and reducing flood risk, the project will also make much critical improvements to the citys infrastructure and create jobs. The residents of North Adams have long advocated for much-needed improvements to the citys decades-old flood chutes, Neal said in the release. He characterized the money as a substantial victory for the city ... that reaffirms the federal governments commitment to making this project a reality. The Corps is in the midst of its three-year assessment of the Hoosic River and the citys flood chutes, which were built in the 1950s and have long been in need of repair. We are pleased to be able to continue the work on the Hoosic River flood control project, North Adams Mayor Jennifer Macksey said in the news release. We are delighted with the continued support of the Federal Delegation including Neal [and Sens. Markey and Warren]. This project is ever so important to the City, not only from a safety perspective, but also for the overall wellbeing of the river and the community at large. Macksey could not be reached for further comment Friday. Getting the funding in place for the feasibility study was no simple task. In late 2019, the federal delegation got the House and Senate to agree to a statement in the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 ensuring a feasibility study for the Hoosic River in Massachusetts. A combination of federal money and funds from the city covers the $3 million price tag for the study. The city and the Corps are each bearing half the price. Hoosic River Revival founder Judy Grinnell said it could cost $200 million to repair and modernize the river in town. The city is contributing $500,000, and the state $1 million, thanks to state Rep. John Barrett, D-North Adams, state Sen. Paul Mark, D-Becket, and former state Sen. Adam Hinds. Neal and Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey helped to secure the $200,000 for the first year of the study, with the remaining federal cost share to be provided through the Corps annual budgeting process, according to the Hoosic River Revival, a local advocacy group helping to shepherd the study process. Asked whether the $700,000 was the last step to make the study fully funded, Neal said Friday, I would think $900,000 is sufficient for the study based on the Corps request, because I would not have gone alone on this. I included the Corps in the estimate as I requested they take up the study, Neal added, and they brought to me what I think is a pretty good professional analysis of the needs. If the study goes according to plan, the Corps would launch a project, estimated at more than $200 million, to renew the system. As Neal put it, the reconstruction comes next. He acknowledged that the discussion around funding once the study is complete could be contentious. At the same time, remember that the infrastructure bill that came from the Ways and Means Committee when I was chairman provides close to $10 billion to the state of Massachusetts over the next few years, Neal said, So I dont think this will be an argument about money. We need to make sure the argument about priority expenditure is the one we adhere to. Ainsley Morrison 26 is majoring in government and legal studies and environmental studies, and minoring in psychology. On May 2, she held a Climate Anxiety and Fatigue Workshop at Bowdoin aimed at young people. The idea for the event was shaped by her involvement with the Maine Governors Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, the Maine Climate Council, and with Baxter House, where she lives on campus, she said. Morrison is a youth rep for the community resilience working group of the Maine Climate Council. Through her experience with professionals in the environmental industry, she said she noticed the often overlooked intersection between mental health and climate change. She also noticed that global warming hits differently depending on your age. Theres this clear gap between older generations and younger generations in terms of mental health impacts around climate change, she said. Its not necessarily that everyone in the older generation doesnt acknowledge that theres a connection between the two, but theyre able to separate it in their lives, whereas its hard for [younger generations] to escape climate change. Morrison referenced how anxiety pervades her environmental studies classes, her conversations with friends, and in her activism work. She also noted that thoughts about climate change can cause even more stress about the future, as young people see opportunities available to previous generations slipping away as the planet warms. It plays a role in our life decisions," she said, adding that she and her peers wonder, "Am I going to be able to have kids? Where am I going to be able to live? She felt there needed to be an event where students could openly discuss these feelings with like-minded people. I feel like theres a unique space that needs to be held for youth, she said. I really wanted to welcome people into talking about the fear and hopelessness behind climate anxiety, and the fatigue that comes with having to always be thinking about that. She first discussed the idea with Abigail Hayne, the governor's Youth Climate Engagement Fellow, before bringing it to Rosemary Armstrong, Bowdoin's academic program manager for environmental studies. Both supported her idea. Morrison also collaborated with the academic committee of Baxter Houseone of Bowdoin's College Houses whose residents are asked to organize regular community events. Colette Carrillo 26, the head of the committee, helped to allocate funding for the event, and she helped Morrison plan it. Carrillo said she hopes that more Bowdoin events in the future continue to address the issue of burnout and mental health as it relates to everyday life. I think that conversations with several different ages at several different places in their life [are] just really reassuring, she said. Burnout exists, not only as a student, but as a person, and it happens in all aspects of a person's activism, education, and career. Hayne and Morrison led the community discussion in Roux, asking several prepared questions to galvanize conversation. Morrison said a lot of mutual sharing took place among participants. I think what was most powerful about the event was our ability to bring it back to [the fact that] were in this space with all these people who care really deeply, she said. There are people that are having similar experiences that want to talk about it, and there are resources that can facilitate that movement and support. Going forward, Morrison wants to bring more conversations like this to the College. Theres so much pressure put on usthat [our] generation is the solution, she said. I feel like ultimately that generates a lot more disengagement than engagement because there are so many expectations, which I feel bars entry into conversation and action. Morrison said she'd like to break down the expectations on youth and invite more people to engage with these important conversations regardless of their prior background or interest in the environment. Its okay to take a break, she said. Theres still a place for you in these conversations and these movements, even if its not what you think about 100 percent of the time, because nobody should have to think about the bad stuff 100 percent of the time. File: Aerial photo of thousands of Jeeps lined up for Go Topless Jeep Weekend, May 21, 2022, on Bolivar Peninsula. Galveston County Emergency Services District No.2 Facebook page One person was killed and three others were injured in separate shooting incidents during "Jeep Weekend" on Bolivar Peninsula, according to the Galveston County Sheriff's Office. Early Sunday, law enforcement responded to a triple shooting on the each near Kahla Road that resulted in one death and two injuries, according to Maj.Ray Nolen. The shooter was still at large Monday, he said. The deceased was a man in his early 30s who was a resident of Galveston, Nolen said. One of the injured parties was airlifted to University Texas Medical Branch and remains in critical condition, while another victim is recovering from a gunshot to the hand, according to Maj. Ray Nolen. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The incident had initially been reported as a double shooting until a third victim was later confirmed and identified, Nolen said. JEEP OWNERS: Jeep owners say Go Topless Weekend at Crystal Beach was ruined by other people. Why some stay far away. The investigation is ongoing and the sheriffs office did not have any additional information about the identities of a shooter or victims. A separate shooting incident near Monkhouse Drive resulted in a grazing wound, and the victim was treated by EMS. Nolen said one arrest was made in that shooting but did not immediately have additional details. More than 100,000 people flocked to a five-mile stretch of beach on the Bolivar Peninsula during the annual event, and according to Nolen, the county is reporting more 300 arrests that resulted in more than 400 charges, the majority for public intoxication and disorderly conduct. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There were just over 900 calls for law enforcement with most of those for public disturbances, complaints about traffic, loud music, drunken disorderly conduct and reports of suspicious persons. The event didn't cause the major traffic gridlock reported during last year's Jeep Weekend, with DPS reporting eight vehicle crashes with minor injuries. The county recovered 22 fire arms during the four-day weekend event, and DPS reported eight crashes with only minor injuries, and The sheriff's office place nearly 200 deputies onsite with aid from Precinct 3 Constable's office and DPS troopers. An MEP candidate has called the European response to the migration crisis "shameful". People Before Profit TD Brid Smith, who is a candidate in the Dublin constituency for the upcoming elections, criticised the response in Ireland and across Europe when it comes to migration. Advertisement Speaking to Breakingnews.ie, Ms Smith said the rise in racism, the challenge of migration, the danger of Ireland losing its neutrality, along with concerns about climate change are what made her decide to run as an MEP. The Dublin South TD has criticised the lack of humanity when discussing migration issues, and used the language of Simon Harris as an example of how people are being viewed as numbers. "The approach to migration is pretty shameful overall, they approach it without having humanity in mind. They see it as there is a problem, and we have to deal with this by counting numbers and building walls around the Mediterranean and turn it into a second graveyard for people escaping desperate situations. "When Simon Harris describes the festering nature of migration, that is a word you use when describing a septic wound. I think the language needs to be curtailed, but it does indicate how governments are looking at this as a problem, when it should be looked at as a challenge and opportunity. Advertisement "Migrants have always, all over the world, made a huge difference to the countries they move to in terms of the work and the input that they make into a society. We need workers here." Rise of far-right The rise of the far-right has become an issue, both in Ireland and in Europe, with threats made to minorities often making the headlines. Both in person and on social media, conspiracy theories and myths have taken hold in the lead up to elections, with Ms Smith taking issue with how migrants are blamed for issues. "Unfortunately, they are scapegoating migrants. Migrants are to blame for every single thing that happens. There are also a lot of myths about how threatening migrants are. Advertisement "Those worrying myths do grab hold of people's consciousness. I am not a behavioural psychologist, but I think part of it is people lack confidence in the Government, and they are looking around for an alternative, and sometimes that alternative poses sometimes as a risk to you. "[They say] you should be afraid of brown and black men because they will steal your children and rape your women. Often, that just takes hold and that is the biggest lie of all. "We have a very high level of domestic and sexual violence in this country. Every research will show you that vast majority of that is the fault of Irish men who are known to the women and children involved." Ms Smith said this distraction takes away from discussions on the failings of the Government. Advertisement She says the actions of the far-right deflects from issues such as housing and the cost-of-living. "I always say about those who attack minorities and far-right and fascist candidates, they are doing the Government's dirty work for them, because they are deflecting away from the problems the Government has given us. "Particularly around housing, the cost of living and poverty. Once they manage to get people's attention focused on foreigners, they actually lift the focus off Fine Gael and Fianna Fail." Politicians' safety Europe was brought into shock this week with the shooting of Slovakia prime minister Robert Fico, who as of writing, is in a serious but stable condition. Advertisement In Ireland, a survey found 94 per cent of politicians said they have experienced some form of threat, harassment or violence. This follows recent attacks on councillors on the campaign trail. Ms Smith says the far-right's actions have led to dangerous actions being taken. "It is a phenomenon of politics that wasn't there before, and I think it is connected to that idea that the far-right believe that by spreading hatred and lies they can make gains, it often leads to threats being taken literally and physical violence against people. "It is a big concern. I would appeal to people to reject racism and far-right rhetoric. I would appeal to ordinary decent people to look around them and decide who they are going to vote for based on real politics, not based on hate stirring and waving the tri-colour saying we will save Ireland. "It is the same as looking at a fascist on the streets of Birmingham waving the Union Jack. I respect the Tricolour, I totally respect where it comes from and the legacy of resistance we have in Ireland. But I know those who fought and died for Ireland would turn in their graves if they saw the calibre of people who are now claiming the flag. "Freedom fighters in this country believed in equality, fraternity and liberty. That is not what these people stand for." Neutrality The war in Ukraine has lead to many countries in Europe increasing their spending on defence, as Russia increases their attacks on Ukraine. The Government has repeatedly talked about plans to remove the triple lock, which does not allow Ireland to approve peace keeping missions without UN approval. Ms Smith says this move would put Ireland's neutrality in danger, and has questioned why the Government are pursuing this. "They are very keen to get rid of it. The only argument they have is, 'I don't want Russia vetoing our ability in peace keeping', but there hasn't been any veto on any peace keeping mission in the last 10 years. "This is what makes the argument of Micheal Martin, and the other politicians, very weak. They are making it up as they go along, and they are really keen to bring Ireland's neutrality further into dispute. It has been in dispute since we started allowing American troops into Shannon, but they are really trying to throw it down the toilet now." Ms Smith says Ireland should be using its position as a neutral country to campaign for peace in Ukraine, but admits there is not a will to do so at the moment. "The war is going to have to end sometime, we have to look for a way of negotiating peace or an outcome here. We did it with the Good Friday Agreement in the past. It was a complicated process, but it happened. "Where there is a will there is a way, but there isn't a will on this issue. The only will here is to produce more bombs, put more money into it, put more men and women into the trenches, fight the Russians and keep fighting them. It is crazy." The Government is determined that those responsible for the death of a UN peacekeeper in Lebanon are brought to justice, Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said. The Minister for Defence is visiting Beirut to meet Irish troops serving with the United Nations Interim Force Lebanon (Unifil). Advertisement Mr Martin will travel to Camp Shamrock to greet the members of the 124th Infantry Battalion in Unifil, Irelands largest overseas deployment. In 2022, Irish peacekeeper Private Sean Rooney (24), from Co Donegal, was killed while serving in Lebanon when his convoy was attacked. Advertisement Mr Martin said: A central focus of my visit will be meeting with Lebanese ministers to communicate the absolute determination of the Irish Government to ensure those responsible for Private Rooneys death are brought to justice. The Tanaiste recently approved deployment of an additional platoon of 33 troops to serve with the Irish Battalion in Unifil. He said: I am very much looking forward to meeting our peacekeepers who serve with such distinction in Unifil, and in a very challenging environment amid escalating tensions due to the war in Gaza. Advertisement We recently reaffirmed our continuing support to Unifil and the important role it plays in de-escalation in the south of Lebanon, through an increased force protection element to the battalion. The dedication of Defence Force personnel and their families is a vital part of Irelands commitment to global peace and security. Nowhere is this engagement more evident, than in South Lebanon. Advertisement Today, at a somber ceremony at Beirut airport, UNIFIL, @LebarmyOfficial and Ambassador of Ireland paid their respects to Irish peacekeeper Private Sean Rooney, killed late Wednesday night. Our hearts go out to his family, friends and colleagues. pic.twitter.com/dpsexIKOt6 UNIFIL (@UNIFIL_) December 18, 2022 Advertisement Upon arrival at Camp Shamrock, Mr Martin will receive an Honour Guard from Defence Forces personnel, meet UN and Irish military leaders, and address the troops. His itinerary also includes meetings with the Lebanese minister for defence Maurice Sleem, and minister of foreign affairs Abdallah Bou Habib. It is his second visit to Beirut after the death of Private Rooney. Mr Martin is accompanied by the Secretary General of the Department of Defence, Jacqui McCrum, and Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sean Clancy. Ireland will head to the polls on June 7th for both European and local elections. Here is everything you need to know. Advertisement Local elections Why do these elections matter? Local elections are about who leads communities and who makes decisions in areas such as housing, planning and environmental protection. But the results will also serve as an important indicator of public opinion across Ireland ahead of a general election within the next 10 months. The last set of local elections took place in May 2019 against a very different political backdrop. Fianna Fail won the most council seats overall, the Green Party made historic gains and Sinn Fein lost many of their seats. This year's election comes after four years of a Coalition government between Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Green Party. Sinn Fein has jumped in popularity since 2019 and will likely make gains this time round. Advertisement Housing is a top priority for voters and councillors play a key role in the planning system. The political makeup of councils could influence when and where homes get built over the next decade. However, in contrast to 2019, immigration is also one of the biggest concerns for voters. Anti-migrant or far-right candidates could see an increase in support, though it's not clear if this would be enough to win seats. Independent candidates have traditionally done well at local elections almost 200 of the current councillors are unaligned with any party and this is likely to continue this year. How many councils are there? There are 31 councils in the Republic, consisting of 26 county councils, three city councils, and two city and county councils. Advertisement The country is then further divided into 166 local electoral areas (LEAs), with an average population of 28,700. Each LEA has between three and seven seats. How many councillors are elected? There are 949 councillors, who are elected every five years. The number of councillors per local authority ranges from 18 in Leitrim to 63 in Dublin City. This year there are about 2,000 candidates running across all 31 local authorities. Advertisement According to figures from Women for Election, a non-profit organisation campaigning to increase the number of women in elected office, there are 655 women running this year compared to 561 in 2019. However, there are still three LEAs where no women are standing as candidates. What do councillors do? And how much are they paid? Councillors have both a legislative role and an advocacy role within local authorities. They are responsible for the council's policy, but the chief executive, an unelected official, is then tasked with implementation. Advertisement Councillors have the power to make decisions on the rate of Local Property Tax, the annual budget of the local authority, climate action plans and local area plans. They have the power to hold the local authority to account by scrutinising annual accounts, examining targets, following up on audits and requiring the chief executive to report on different matters. They also represent and advocate for their constituents, meeting with them and trying to address the issues they raise. Each councillor attends meetings of the full council and the local authority committees of which they are members. A new increased salary for councillors, which now stands at 28,724, was introduced in 2021. They also get an annual expenses allowance to cover travel and subsistence and a mobile phone allowance. Who can vote in the local elections? Anyone who lives in Ireland, regardless of nationality, can vote in local elections. You just need to be aged over 18, live in the relevant LEA and also be listed on the register of electors. You can check the register online at checktheregister.ie or at your council offices. When will we get the results? The counting of the ballots will start on the morning of Saturday, June 8th. The first seats will be filled by the afternoon, but the final results could take days. European elections Why do these elections matter? The European Parliament election is the central way for Irish citizens to have a say on shaping the European Unions policies. Almost four million voters in Ireland will join more than 330 million Europeans to choose 720 lawmakers. The results will affect the blocs plans over the next five years, but, like the local elections, the Irish vote will also be seen as a barometer of the national mood. The EU has a complex governing structure and can often seem distant from national issues. But members of the European Parliament (MEPs) vote on legislation that has a major impact on people in Ireland. A clear dividing line between the Government and opposition parties here is the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, while the revision of Irelands partial derogation (exemption) from the EUs Nitrates Directive is an important issue for farmers. What are the constituencies? And how many MEPs are elected from Ireland? Ireland will vote for 14 MEPs spread across three constituencies: Dublin (four seats), MidlandsNorth-West (five seats) and South (five seats). The last election in 2019 saw 13 MEPs elected. Ireland was allocated an additional seat in 2023 after an assessment of the latest population figures across the EU. The Electoral Commission recommended this extra seat was given to MidlandsNorth-West, with Co Laois and Co Offaly moved into the constituency from South. How many candidates are running? There are a record 74 candidates running in the European elections this year. Some 28 candidates will vie for the five seats in the expanded Midlands-North-West constituency. There are 23 candidates in both the Dublin and South constituencies. A total of 25 candidates, just over one third, are women. European elections often throw up surprises and this year's results might be hard to predict due to the number of candidates. What do MEPs do? And how much are they paid? The European Parliament does not have the power to initiate laws. Instead, the European Commission, the executive body, drafts legislation for the bloc. MEPs in the parliament can then vote to block legislation, which gives them important leverage. They also ratify international agreements, approve the EU budget drafted by the Commission and scrutinise the work of other EU institutions. They also have the final say in approving the president of the European Commission, who is currently Ursula von der Leyen. Each MEP takes home the same gross salary 10,075 per month as of July 2023. After taxes and insurance, the monthly total lands at 7,853. Former members are also entitled to a pension when they turn 63. What are the groups in the European Parliament? Irish MEPs do not sit along national or individual party lines in the European Parliament, but rather with their European political group. Fine Gael sits with the centre-right European Peoples Party (EPP), the largest political group. Fianna Fail is part of the centrist Renew Europe group, while the Irish Green Party sits in the Green grouping. Sinn Fein forms part of The Left grouping, as do three Independent MEPs from Ireland: Clare Daly, Mick Wallace and Luke 'Ming' Flanagan. The Labour Party, which has no MEPs in the current parliament, would sit with the main centre-left grouping, the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D). Who can vote in the European elections? Every Irish citizen aged 18 and over who is on the register of electors can vote in the European election. If youre an Irish citizen living in another EU country, you can vote in that country. If you are from another EU member state but are living in Ireland, you can vote in the European election in Ireland. When will we get the results? The count for the European elections will begin at 9am on Sunday, June 9th. The results of the first count cannot be announced until the polls have closed throughout Europe, which will be at 10pm Irish time on June 9th. A member of Israels three-man war cabinet has threatened to resign from the government if it does not adopt a new plan for the war in Gaza. The move would leave prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu more reliant on his far-right allies. Advertisement Benny Gantzs announcement on Saturday escalates a divide within Israels leadership more than seven months into a war in which it has yet to accomplish its stated goals of dismantling Hamas and returning scores of hostages abducted in the October 7 attack. Mr Gantz, a popular centrist member of Israels three-member war cabinet, set out a six-point plan that includes the return of hostages, ending Hamass rule, demilitarising the Gaza Strip and establishing an international administration of civilian affairs. Advertisement It also supports efforts to normalise relations with Saudi Arabia and widen military service to all Israelis. He gave a deadline of June 8th. If you choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation to the abyss we will be forced to quit the government, he said. Advertisement Mr Netanyahu, in a statement reported by Israeli media, responded by saying Mr Gantz had chosen to issue an ultimatum to the prime minister instead of to Hamas, and called his conditions euphemisms for Israels defeat. Mr Gantz, a longtime political rival of Mr Netanyahu, joined his coalition and the war cabinet in the early days of the war. The departure of the former military chief of staff and defence minister would leave Mr Netanyahu even more beholden to far-right allies who have taken a hard line on negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage release, and who believe Israel should occupy Gaza and rebuild Jewish settlements there. Advertisement Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Gil Cohen-Magen/Pool Photo via AP) Mr Gantz spoke days after Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant, the third member of the war cabinet, said he would not remain in his post if Israel elected to reoccupy Gaza. Mr Gallant also called on the government to make plans for Palestinian administration of the enclave. In what will be seen by many as a veiled swipe at Mr Netanyahu, Mr Gantz said personal and political considerations have begun to penetrate into the holy of holies of Israels security. Mr Netanyahus critics accuse the prime minister of seeking to prolong the war to avoid new elections, allegations he denies. Advertisement Polls suggest Mr Netanyahu would be replaced in elections, with Gantz the most likely candidate to be the next prime minister. That would expose Mr Netanyahu to prosecution on longstanding corruption charges. The people of Israel are watching you, Mr Gantz said in the prime-time address to Mr Netanyahu. Mr Netanyahu is under growing pressure on multiple fronts. Hardliners in his government want the military offensive on Gazas southernmost city of Rafah to press ahead with the goal of crushing Hamas. Top ally the US and others have warned against the offensive on a city where more than half of Gazas population of 2.3 million had sheltered hundreds of thousands have now fled and they have threatened to scale back support over Gazas humanitarian crisis. The pier to help transport aid on the coast of the Gaza Strip (US Central Command via AP) The US national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, will be in Saudi Arabia and Israel this weekend to discuss the war and is scheduled on Sunday to meet Mr Netanyahu, who has declared that Israel would stand alone if needed. Many Israelis, anguished over the hostages and accusing Mr Netanyahu of putting political interests ahead of all else, want a deal to stop the fighting and get them freed. There was fresh frustration on Friday when the military said its troops in Gaza found the bodies of three hostages killed by Hamas in the October 7th attack. The discovery of the body of a fourth hostage was announced on Saturday. Thousands of Israelis again rallied on Saturday evening to demand a deal along with new elections. The latest talks in pursuit of a ceasefire, mediated by Qatar, the US and Egypt, have brought little. A vision beyond the war is also uncertain. Meanwhile, a new effort to deliver desperately needed aid to Gaza appeared to falter on Saturday. Several Israeli tanks fired warning shots in an apparent attempt to clear the way for trucks ferrying food supplies on their way from a new US-built pier. One Palestinian was killed, according to Associated Press journalists at the scene. Hundreds of Palestinians gathered around the stopped trucks and carried away boxes. Troops in Gaza found the bodies of three hostages killed by Hamas in the October 7 attack (Hostages Families Forum Headquarters via AP) The war began after Hamass October 7th attack on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people and took 250 others hostage. Israel says around 100 hostages are still captive in Gaza, along with the bodies of around 30 more. The Israeli offensive has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza, local health officials say, while hundreds more have been killed in the occupied West Bank. Mr Gantz echoed Mr Netanyahus call for the return of scores of hostages, ending Hamass rule and demilitarising the territory. But he also said an international administration should be set up there, apparently ruling out long-term Israeli occupation. Mr Netanyahu has said Israel will maintain open-ended security control over Gaza and partner with local Palestinians who are not affiliated with Hamas or the western-backed Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. But Mr Netanyahu also said it is impossible to plan for such a post-war authority before Hamas is defeated. In March, Mr Gantz met US officials in Washington to discuss the war, earning a rebuke from Mr Netanyahu. He had been widely expected to leave the government once the heavy fighting in Gaza subsides, signalling the period of national unity established after the October 7th attack has ended. At least 11 people were reported killed in attacks in Ukraines war-ravaged northeast as Russia pushed ahead with its renewed offensive. In the Kharkiv region, the focus of the offensive, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said six people were killed and 27 wounded in a Russian strike on the outskirts of the regional capital, also called Kharkiv. Advertisement He added that five more people were killed and nine wounded in an attack on the regions Kupiansk district, southeast of the regional capital. Russias Ministry of Defense said Sunday that its forces in the area were continuing to advance into the depths of the enemys defence. Ukraines general staff said Russia had stepped up its attacks around Kharkiv and that the situation was dynamic. Russia launched an offensive in the Kharkiv region late last week, significantly adding to the pressure on Ukraines outnumbered and outgunned forces which are waiting for delayed deliveries of crucial weapons and ammunition from Western partners. Advertisement Ukraines overstretched forces are trying to slow Russia on the new front by using bomb-laden drones to destroy military vehicles. Foreign journalists report from an observation point while smoke rises after a Russian attack in Kharkiv (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday during a visit to China that Moscows offensive in the Kharkiv region aims to create a buffer zone but that there are no plans to capture the city. Advertisement Meanwhile, Ukraine and Russia continued to exchange drone attacks. Ukrainian air force officials said Sunday morning that air defences shot down all 37 Russian drones launched against the country overnight. In Russia, Russian air defences shot down 57 Ukrainian drones over the southern Krasnodar region overnight, the Russian Defence Ministry said. Local military officials said drone debris hit an oil refinery in the town of Slavyansk-on-Kuban, but there was no fire or damage. Advertisement News outlet Astra published videos appearing to show an explosion at the refinery as it was hit by a drone. The videos could not be independently verified. Nine long-range ballistic missiles and a drone were destroyed over the Russia-occupied Crimean Peninsula, following Friday mornings massive Ukrainian drone attack that cut off power in the city of Sevastopol. A further three drones were shot down over the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine. Advertisement According to regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, a church roof was set on fire by falling drone debris, but there were no casualties. The Russian-installed governor of Ukraines partially occupied Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, said that one person died and 16 were wounded when a Ukrainian drone hit a minibus on Sunday morning. The Democratic Republic of Congos army said it foiled a coup attempt early on Sunday and arrested the perpetrators, including several foreigners, following attacks on the presidential palace and the residence of a close ally of Congos president that left three people dead in the capital Kinshasa. At first, local media identified the armed men as Congolese soldiers but then reported they were linked to self-exiled opposition figure Christian Malanga, who later posted a video on Facebook threatening the country's president Felix Tshisekedi. Advertisement Mr Malanga was killed at the presidential palace after he resisted arrest by guards, Congolese army spokesperson Brigadier General Sylvain Ekenge told The Associated Press (AP). Mr Tshisekedi was re-elected as president in December in a chaotic vote amid calls for a revote from the opposition over what they said was a lack of transparency. The Central African country has witnessed similar trends of disputed elections in the past. Brig Gen Ekenge said on state television on Sunday that the attempted coup detat was nipped in the bud by Congolese defence and security forces (and) the situation is under control. Advertisement Among the perpetrators were three Americans, including the son of Mr Malanga, Brig Gen Ekenge later told the AP. This also came amid a crisis gripping Mr Tshisekedis ruling party over an election for the parliaments leadership, which was supposed to be held on Saturday but was postponed. Clashes were reported on Sunday between men in military uniform and guards of Vital Kamerhe, a federal legislator and a candidate for speaker of the National Assembly of Congo, at his residence in Kinshasa, about 2km from the presidential palace and where some embassies are also located. Mr Kamerhes guards stopped the armed men, Michel Moto Muhima, the politicians spokesperson, said on the X social media platform, adding that two police officers and one of the attackers were killed in the shootout that started at around 4.30am local time. Advertisement Footage, seemingly from the area, showed military trucks and heavily armed men parading deserted streets in the neighbourhood as the army said the situation has been brought under control. Meanwhile, the self-exiled Mr Malanga appeared in the livestreamed video at the presidential palace surrounded by several people in military uniform and said: Felix, youre out. We are coming for you. On his website, the opposition leaders group the United Congolese Party (UCP) is described as a grassroots platform that unifies the Congolese Diaspora around the world opposing the current Congolese dictatorship. Mr Tshisekedi has not so far addressed the public about Sundays events. Advertisement On Friday, he met parliamentarians and leaders of the Sacred Union of the Nation ruling coalition in an attempt to resolve the crisis seizing his party, which dominates the national assembly. He said he would not hesitate to dissolve the National Assembly and send everyone to new elections if these bad practices persist. The United States embassy in Congo issued a security alert on Sunday, urging caution after reports of gunfire. Advertisement Review Eating outThornbury Meet the meaty main thats so convincing, vegans have sent it back to the kitchen Restaurant-bar Ballards, and its plant-based food, is anything but bland. Dani Valent May 20, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share This venue appears in the June hit list Melbourne 2024. See all stories . 1 / 7 Vegan restaurant and bar, Ballards, is eclectically decorated. Chris Hopkins 2 / 7 Six-hour braised cabbage. Chris Hopkins 3 / 7 Garlic foccacia. Chris Hopkins 4 / 7 There is always some kind of gnocchi or potato dumplings on the menu. Chris Hopkins 5 / 7 Passata with cassava chips. Chris Hopkins 6 / 7 Ballards brings an anarchic vibe to Thornbury High Street. Chris Hopkins 7 / 7 The steak-like lions mane mushroom dish. Chris Hopkins Previous Slide Next Slide Vegetarian or vegan$$$$ How generous is a cabbage? At Ballards, a vegan restaurant on Thornburys hip shopping strip, its very giving indeed. Red cabbages are braised for six hours in a stock thats rich in tamari and herbs. These soft, slumped vegetables become magnificent carriers of flavour, both bitter and sweet, earthy but sunny too. Great slabs of cabbage are charred to serve with lentils, confit tomatoes, carrot puree and sesame dressing, building into a complete dish that works as a meal or a side to share. The six-hour braised then charred cabbage with sesame dressing. Chris Hopkins Advertisement Did you think thats all from the cabbage? No. Over hours of cooking, the braising broth becomes a magic liquor, complex as beef stock, a house potion used to flavour other dishes. The mushroom is one. Lions mane mushrooms are a white, firm fungus about the size of a softball. They are braised in cabbage stock for hours and charred to serve with a green peppercorn gravy made by reducing the stock to a gelatinous stickiness. Its quite amazing, with varied stripes of fat and lean that recall Scotch fillet, so like a steak that alarmed vegans have sent it back. The steak-like lions mane mushroom dish. Chris Hopkins Thats as close as Ballards gets to faux meat, though. The main idea is to celebrate plants and use clever menu design to keep prices reasonable. Texture is to the fore in garlic focaccia brushed with fennel seed caramel, and a cassava dish that pairs crisp fried yam with tomato-juicy green olive peperonata. Advertisement The menu shifts frequently, but there is always some kind of gnocchi. I was fortunate to encounter potato dumplings shaped like chunky saucers, perfect for carrying chilli oil and smoky cheese sauce. This place should be treasured. Its the independents that give Melbourne colour. Ballards is five years old but the cocktail program has recently had a nice kick along; wines from small producers are keenly priced. This place and others doing the hard yards as solo operators should be treasured. Its the independents that give Melbourne colour. The experience here is anything but bland: the music refuses to be background, lighting is deliberately dim, the decor could be described as eclectic post-punk clutter, service can be a little arch, and the restaurants social media swerves from sardonic to hilarious to abrasive. Just look at the memorably unrememberable website address if you want to tap into the anarchic vibe. Advertisement Houston Independent School District F. Mike Miles gives a press conference regarding to the storm damage assessment of the school district while a tree in the courtyard fell over Thursday night and damaged a classroom Friday, May 17, 2024 at Pugh Elementary School in Houston. Miles said the school district is planning to be back on Monday. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Houston Independent School District F. Mike Miles gives a press conference regarding to the storm damage assessment of the school district while a tree in the courtyard fell over Thursday night and damaged a classroom Friday, May 17, 2024 at Pugh Elementary School in Houston. Miles said the school district is planning to be back on Monday. On the left is Pugh Elementary School Principal Keith Garcia. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Tree service crews climb atop an SUV to cut apart a tree that fell on it at an apartment complex in the 4600 block of Sherwood in the aftermath of a severe storm on Friday, May 17, 2024 in Houston. Fast-moving thunderstorms pummeled southeastern Texas for the second time this month, killing at least four people, blowing out windows in high-rise buildings, downing trees and knocking out power to more than 900,000 homes and businesses in the Houston area. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Houston Independent School District F. Mike Miles gives a press conference regarding to the storm damage assessment of the school district while a tree in the courtyard fell over Thursday night and damaged a classroom Friday, May 17, 2024 at Pugh Elementary School in Houston. Miles said the school district is planning to be back on Monday. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Houston Independent School District F. Mike Miles gives a press conference regarding to the storm damage assessment of the school district while a tree in the courtyard fell over Thursday night and damaged a classroom Friday, May 17, 2024 at Pugh Elementary School in Houston. Miles said the school district is planning to be back on Monday. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Houston Independent School District F. Mike Miles gives a press conference regarding to the storm damage assessment of the school district while a tree in the courtyard fell over Thursday night and damaged a classroom Friday, May 17, 2024 at Pugh Elementary School in Houston. Miles said the school district is planning to be back on Monday. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer 204 campuses will be open in Houston ISD Monday May 20, 2024. 70 were inoperable as of Sunday, May 19, 2024 around 12:30 p.m. HISD Houston ISD released its final list of 54 schools that will be closed Monday night following last week's deadly storm, including nine that it previously said would be open. The campuses that will be closed do not have the required power, air conditioning and food service for students and staff, the district announced just before 10 p.m. Sunday. The other 220 HISD campuses have met those conditions and will be open for classes on Monday, the district said. Search for your family's campus in the spreadsheet below to see if it will be open Monday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "For students returning to school on Monday, there will be a relaxed dress code at all campuses. We also understand that many households are still struggling without power or facing other emergent circumstances," the district said in a statement. "While we hope all children will return to school, if a child cannot attend, please alert your childs campus if possible." Some campuses that the district previously said would open will now have to close, as they no longer have power or air conditioning. Those campuses are: Middle College HS - Fraga Harper DAEP Osborne ES Helms ES Whittier ES Garden Oaks Cage ES Secondary DAEP Chrysalis MS The complete list of schools that will be closed is: Advertisement Article continues below this ad Barrick ES Benbrook ES Berry ES Black MS Briscoe ES Burrus ES Cage ES Chrysalis MS Clifton MS Cook ES Cunningham ES DAEP EL De Chaumes ES Dogan ES Durham ES Durkee ES Farias ECC Field ES Fonville MS Forest Brook MS Furr HS Gallegos ES Garden Oaks Hamilton MS Harper DAEP Harris RP ES Harvard ES Helms ES Henry MS Herod ES Hilliard ES Houston MSTC HS Isaacs ES Janowski ES Kashmere HS Kennedy ES McGowen ES Middle College HS - Fraga North Houston EC HS Northline ES Oak Forest ES Osborne ES Port Houston ES Robinson ES Roosevelt ES Scarborough HS Secondary DAEP Sinclair ES Smith ES Stevens ES Sugar Grove MS Waltrip HS White M ES Whittier ES For families whose schools will not be open, meal services will be provided to students for breakfast between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and lunch between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. 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 Your favourite pair of form-fitting jeans, workout leggings or stretchy hoodie represents a huge problem in the global fashion industry. They may be forgiving after a big lunch, but almost anything with stretch is made with fossil fuel-derived products, which deteriorate faster than their natural counterparts. Our clothes are under threat. Climate change is affecting the quality, availability and price of natural fibres like cotton, silk and wool. Amid demand for low-cost clothes, retailers rely on synthetic materials, perpetuating the climate change cycle and driving up the price of quality materials. Fossil fuel fashion set to take over The world is producing more textiles than ever, with 116 million tonnes of fibre produced in 2022. Thats 15.6 kilograms per person, up from 8.2 in 1975, according to Textile Exchanges Materials Market Report. By 2030, its projected to rise to 17.3 kilograms per person. Advertisement Over two-thirds of those textiles are made from plastic and fossil fuels. A report by the Changing Markets Foundation found polyester production tripled between 2000 and 2018 to 60 million tonnes, overtaking every other kind of textile. Plastic has crept into almost every item of clothing available, University of Technology Sydney fashion and textiles designer Mark Liu said and its driving down clothing quality. Elastane, such as Lycra or spandex, is a huge culprit. Most clothes now have 1 - 2 per cent elastane, which allows manufacturers to produce fewer sizes due to the stretch. Its a petroleum-based product that is nearly impossible to recycle, with a shorter lifespan than natural fibres. With anything elastic, it just dies each of those garments has a timer on them, Lui said. He said the rise of online shopping and fast fashion had also changed consumer expectations. When people are buying garments for $5, often with free shipping, they can just buy another one if it falls apart youre not expecting that much, he said. Advertisement Australian Fashion Council head Jaana Quaintance-James said she was incredibly concerned about the impact of climate change and the ability of local manufacturers to compete with lower-priced polyester imports. Limited clothing import tariffs are set to be scrapped altogether in July under the governments removal of nuisance tariffs reform, making it more difficult for the few who manufacture onshore to compete. We need to invest in our capabilities here we have incredible cotton and wool. How can we as an industry come together, create value and keep more of that happening in Australia? she said. She said the Australian fashion industry was embracing recycled, renewable and sustainable manufacturing methods but needed greater investment and support to grow. Natural fibres under threat The quality and quantity of natural fibres such as wool, linen, cotton and silk are under threat thanks to climate change. Advertisement 70-year-old Nan Bray quit her job as a climate scientist two decades ago to start a merino wool farm in Tasmania. She sells fibres to US luxury fashion brand Another Tomorrow and produces yarn for her online store. Bray is incredibly concerned about the industrys future thanks to El Nino and La Nina weather patterns causing back-to-back floods and droughts affecting the availability of feed and quality of wool. Less rainfall means less feed, less feed means fibres with less tensile strength. Once the tensile strength drops below a certain threshold, mills cant work with it as it breaks, and farmers cant sell to the higher end of the market, such as fashion retailers, she said. Global wool production has gone backwards in the past decade from 1.22 million tonnes in 2005 to 1.05 million tonnes in 2022, according to the Textile Exchanges Market Report. Cotton, too, is under threat, Sydney University Institute of Agriculture Professor Daniel Tan said. The fibre length is determined by heat and water. If grown on dry and hot land, you get shorter fibres which dont have strength and break easily, he said. He said heavy rains, overcast days and floods also cause crops to yellow and rot. Advertisement Cotton production has increased by just 5000 tonnes in the past 40 years, and across the next decade, production of the water-hungry crop is expected to decrease. The Cotton 2040 report found that 40 per cent of cotton-producing regions will experience shorter growing seasons by 2040 due to the number of days above 30 degrees. Founder of Sydney fashion label KITX Kit Willow said the skyrocketing prices of natural materials and drop in quality were having a big impact on business. Every single season for the past 10 years, the price of silk has gone up. Every order comes at an increased price, while the silk quality is thinner. In the next 10 years, virgin silk will be a luxury, she said. Silk production volumes declined by 54 per cent between 2015 and 2020 as high heat and humidity impacted the Mulberry leaves the silkworms rely on, cocoon quality and larvae growth. Linen prices have also surged, Willow said, with her suppliers increasing costs by 35 per cent in four years. Advertisement More than one-quarter of Palestinians on temporary visas have applied for permanent asylum in Australia in a fresh test of Labors response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as domestic tensions over the conflict flare. Home Affairs records suggest it is the first time people documented as being from Palestine have claimed asylum in Australia since at least 2009, although some may have been recorded as stateless. Palestinians inspect the rubble of a building after an Israeli airstrike in central Gaza last month. Credit: Ahmad Salem Refugee advocates say the increase reflects the desperate situation many Palestinians find themselves in, as Israeli forces launched a fresh advance on Gazas southern city of Rafah, forcing tens of thousands more people to leave, despite ceasefire talks. People who fled the war in Gaza and have arrived on a temporary visa have no working rights or Medicare, said Palestine Australia Relief and Action executive director Rasha Abbas, whose charity helps Palestinians settle in Australia. Gregor Johann Haas, the father of Broncos forward Payne Haas, will be offered Australian consular assistance after being arrested in the Philippines and accused of running drugs of a sufficient quantity to receive the death penalty in Indonesia, federal treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Saturday. Indonesian authorities said they had been hunting the 46-year-old since last December after police discovered five kilograms of crystal methamphetamine at an undisclosed location. Chalmers declined to comment on Gregor Haas specific charges, but said he would be speaking to federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in coming days about Australias response to Gregor Haas proposed deportation to Indonesia. He made the comments at Helensvale on the Gold Coast, where he also announced $432 million in federal funds towards the $3.02 billion stage one of the Coomera Connector. Loading To learn that 58,000 have missed out on appropriate treatment or care is hard to comprehend. NSW Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson said the gaps analysis, which was distributed to stakeholders last week, showed the system was experiencing significant challenges in meeting increasing service demand. In the 12 months to November 2023, the number of people arriving at NSW emergency departments due to a mental health concern increased by 5 per cent to 96,120. Presentations for self-harm and suicidal thoughts also increased by 5 per cent and comprised more than half of these emergency patients. We know we need to do more when it comes to protecting the mental health of our people in NSW, Jackson said. Thats why were looking at various ways to adequately meet the mental health needs of our vulnerable communities. An election promise in response to concerns about underfunding and staff shortages, the gaps analysis was conducted by representatives from the sector, the government and advocates with experience with mental health issues. It identified four priority areas for reform: enhanced funding for community mental health services, workforce and training, improving emergency mental health care, as well as the expansion of psychosocial supports, such as homelessness services and recovery programs. A second report, providing more detail on service demand and proposing solutions through staffing, infrastructure and investment, will be completed by the end of the year. Professor Samuel Harvey, executive director of the Black Dog Institute and a spokesman for sector representative group the NSW Mental Health Alliance, said the report was significant as the first time NSW had attempted to quantify those going without care. NSWs percentage of people with severe and complex mental health services cared for was the second-lowest of any state, behind only Victoria (which throughout its lockdown-heavy 2020-21 financial year is estimated to have met only 48 per cent of demand). The 2020-21 year was chosen due to the availability of nationally comparable Australian Institute of Health and Welfare hospital data. NSW mental health services are in crisis and investment in the states mental health can no longer be delayed, Harvey said, adding the paper substantiated what the sector saw daily. We regularly get phone calls from people who are desperate because they cant find a single psychiatrist or psychologist accepting new referrals, he said. Every night our emergency departments are full of people who couldnt get help anywhere else. Similarly, we hear from GPs that mental health is the No.1 problem they are seeing, but they cant access the support and help they need to manage their patients, he said. In discussing emergency mental health care, the analysis criticised the unnecessary involvement of police in mental health episodes. It says 43 per cent of police critical incidents incidents causing death or serious injury to a person, including another police officer involve a person in mental health crisis. Police alone are not the most appropriate responders to all emergency mental health situations, the report says, noting this was a repeat concern raised in consultations with the sector, which has called for consistent co-responder models, programs where a person in crisis is seen by a mental health clinician, which have been trialled in several areas, across the state. Loading The NSW Health-led Police, Ambulance, Clinical Early Response (PACER) program operates in some of the states police districts but its budget to 2025 is fully allocated. The analysis also raised concerns about the sustainability of the psychiatry workforce, particularly those shunning public hospital work for more lucrative private roles or to become locum doctors. Staff specialist positions, which have a lower hourly rate but afford the opportunity for significant contribution to leadership, safety and quality and education work have been particularly difficult to fill, it noted. About one in four staff specialist roles at NSW hospitals is currently vacant, and the analysis acknowledged consultant psychiatrist vacancies continue to rise statewide. The result is that, even in inner metropolitan Sydney, services are dependent on the most expensive model (locum coverage) to allow for services to remain open. This comes at the expense not only of premium labour, but continuity of care, the analysis says. The gaps analysis has occurred in parallel with a state upper house inquiry into the delivery of outpatient and community mental health care, which will deliver its report on June 4. Inquiry chair, Greens MLC Dr Amanda Cohn, said both investigations had shown NSWs mental health system had become reactive and crisis-driven, and that desperate patients were ending up in emergency departments because the system was not resourced to provide preventative care. She was critical of the timing of the release of the first gaps analysis, which was completed at the end of last year. So instead of staring at my bedroom ceiling, I spend the witching hour walking through eight gallery spaces filled with modern tableaux of BLM activists, skeletal etchings created from thousands of fine cuts on paper and a multicoloured grotto filled with colourful plastic flowers, floral dresses and fluffy toys. Everything in this small town revolves around art, including the 21c Museum Hotel. My accommodation doubles as a 24-hour contemporary gallery, and the motto of no blank walls even extends to the gym, where a corpulent fibreglass Batman hovers above the treadmills. Its just after 3am, and Im wide awake. My body clock is stuck somewhere over the Pacific and what nightlife there is in Bentonville, Arkansas (population 50,000) evaporated hours ago. Fortunately, theres still plenty to keep me occupied, even at this hour. Just before the sun rises, I head to the woods at the edge of town where one of light artist James Turrells Skyspaces is bathed in red, green and shimmering gold light. Sitting down inside, I watch the sky slowly change colour through a circular hole in the roof until I feel like Im looking out at the world from inside a UFO. Wander eight hotel gallery spaces filled with modern art. Credit: Stephen Ironside By the time I leave this disorienting twilight zone, a few joggers have joined me on the path back to Bentonvilles town square, where a courthouse draped in red, white and blue bunting looks across to the original Waltons store. This is the foundation stone of the Walmart empire but while founder Sam Walton dedicated his life to building the US largest retailer, his daughter Alice has pursued a different dream. She wanted to build a world-class art museum in the woods of Northwest Arkansas. Opened in 2011, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is just a 10-minute walk from the town square. Its location in a thickly wooded ravine means it is completely hidden from the outside world. From above, it looks like a pair of copper-coloured armadillos stretching over a pond. The museum took five years to build because it sits atop a gushing creek that pushes 2 million litres of water through the structure every day. An Australian man injured in a shooting that killed six people in Afghanistan is in hospital, according to social media posts by an Australian academic and a local crime authority. Gunmen opened fire in a market in Bamiyan on Saturday (AEST), killing three Spanish tourists and three Afghans, the Taliban and Spanish governments said. Australian man Joe McDowell was injured in a shooting in Afghanistan, according to an Australian academic in Kabul. Credit: X Australian man Joe McDowell was among the wounded taken to Kabul for treatment, said Jibrail Omar, an Australian academic formerly known as Timothy Weeks who was previously held hostage by the Taliban. Omar posted a photo with McDowell in hospital on X, first reported by the ABC. Deir Al-Balah: Benny Gantz, a popular centrist member of Israels three-member war cabinet, threatened to resign from the government if it doesnt adopt a new plan in three weeks time for the war in Gaza, a decision that would leave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more reliant on far-right allies. The announcement deepens a divide in Israels leadership more than seven months into a war in which Israel has yet to accomplish its goals of dismantling Hamas and returning scores of hostages abducted in the militant groups October 7 attack. People protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government and call for the release of hostages in Tel Aviv this weekend. Credit: AP Gantz spelled out a six-point plan that includes the return of hostages, ending Hamas rule, demilitarising the Gaza Strip and establishing an international administration of civilian affairs with American, European, Arab and Palestinian co-operation. The plan also supports efforts to normalise relations with Saudi Arabia and widen military service to all Israelis. He gave a June 8 deadline. If you choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation to the abyss we will be forced to quit the government, he said. It is shocking to ask whether Israel has lost or is losing the public relations war against Hamas, but it is worth posing the question. We are witnessing an epoch-defining communications disaster. Because not only is Israel losing, terrorist organisation Hamas is winning. A week ago, Australia voted yes to a UN General Assembly resolution to grant rights and privileges to Palestine. This is interpreted by many in the Jewish community as rewarding Hamas for the barbaric attacks on Israel on October 7 last year. Jewish counter-protesters confront a pro-Palestinian rally the Monash University encampment this month. Credit: Justin McManus Recognition comes despite Hamas still holding more than 100 Israeli hostages taken in that attack (though analysts suggest its likely that many have died in captivity). And inevitably, Palestines new UN status will become part of the chain of events unleashed on that day. Foreign Minister Penny Wong claims the vote is not a win for Hamas because, she says, the resolution is a step towards a two-state solution, and a two-state solution, both Israel and Palestine, is the opposite of what Hamas wants. This is not quite true. Hamas does not accept a two-state solution long-term because, it asserts, only Islam should rule in the Middle East. But as a Hamas leader recently indicated, it is willing to accept a temporary two-state-like solution. This, of course, would serve a strategic purpose. WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange Faces Crucial Extradition Ruling (Photo: David G Silvers, Cancilleria del Ecuador/Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY-SA 4.0 ) WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is facing a pivotal moment in his long-running legal battle to avoid extradition to the United States, as a British court is set to deliver a final decision on Monday. The ruling, which comes after 13 years of legal disputes and detentions, could see Assange on a plane to the U.S. within 24 hours, released from jail, or his case bogged down in months of further legal wrangling. Two judges at the High Court in London will determine whether they are satisfied with U.S. assurances that Assange, 52, would not face the death penalty and could rely on the First Amendment right to free speech if he faced a U.S. trial for spying. The Australian-born Assange has been indicted in the U.S. on 18 charges over WikiLeaks' publication of hundreds of thousands of classified U.S. military documents in 2010, which prosecutors say conspired with U.S. army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to hack into a Pentagon computer and release secret diplomatic cables and military files on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Assange and his supporters argue that he acted as a journalist to expose U.S. military wrongdoing and is protected under press freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. "Julian has been indicted for receiving, possessing and communicating information to the public of evidence of war crimes committed by the U.S. government," his wife, Stella Assange, said. "Reporting a crime is never a crime." The WikiLeaks founder's freedom has been restricted for a dozen years, beginning with his taking refuge in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden as part of a rape investigation. He was arrested by British police in 2019 after Ecuador withdrew his asylum status and has since been held in Belmarsh top security jail while the extradition battle with the U.S. continues. A judge in London initially blocked Assange's transfer to the U.S. in 2021 on the grounds that he was likely to kill himself if held in harsh American prison conditions. However, subsequent courts cleared the way for the move after U.S. authorities provided assurances he wouldn't experience the severe treatment that his lawyers said would put his physical and mental health at risk. If the High Court rules the extradition can go ahead, Assange's legal avenues in Britain will be exhausted, and his lawyers will immediately turn to the European Court of Human Rights to seek an emergency injunction blocking deportation pending a full hearing by that court at a later date. Conversely, if the judges reject the U.S. submissions, Assange will have permission to appeal his extradition case on three grounds, which might not be heard until next year. Stella Assange has vowed to continue fighting for her husband's liberty, regardless of the outcome. "We live from day to day, from week to week, from decision to decision. This is a way that we've been living for years and years," she told Reuters. "This is just not a way to live - it's so cruel. And I can't prepare for his extradition - how could I? But if he's extradited, then I'll do whatever I can, and our family is going to fight for him until he's free." The case has drawn the attention of supporters worldwide, with calls for the charges to be dropped coming from human rights groups, media bodies, and political leaders, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. President Joe Biden said last month that he was considering a request from Australia to drop the case and let Assange return to his home country, a comment that Stella Assange described as a "good sign." Mosquitos fly around a container Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at Harris County Public Healths mosquito surveillance lab in Houston. Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer As summer approaches, the arrival of warmer weather will bring a surge in one of Houstons most notorious nuisances mosquitos. The Houston area is no stranger to mosquitoes, as it was ranked the seventh most mosquito-ridden city in the U.S., falling behind cities like Los Angeles, New York and the Dallas-Fort Worth area in Texas, according to a report from Terminix. The city was placed one spot behind Washington, D.C. The pest control company created the list based on service data from last year. But no need to become mosquito-phobic just yet. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Heres what to know and how to prepare for mosquito season in the Houston area. Why do mosquitos only bite me? Out of the male and female mosquitos, the female mosquito is the only one that bites, said Texas A&M AgriLife entomologist Sonja Swiger. The female mosquito needs blood to help develop their eggs and create more mosquitoes. Some people are more attractive to mosquitoes than others, Swiger said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "There's a lot of different resources and research papers out there saying this and that ... but it does come down to CO2, which we all produce our own CO2," she said. "And (mosquitos) have an attraction to that ... sometimes it's an odor thing. There's research that's found that certain mosquitoes become accustomed to a certain smell and they like people that smell a certain way." Some research suggests that mosquitoes are attracted to certain blood types, according to a Phizer article. "There's really not one thing we can say, this is why you get bit more than others," Swiger said. " It's just something that we know happens." How do I protect myself from mosquitos? There are several ways in which people can protect themselves from mosquitoes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people should use Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellents, wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants, and wear clothing and gear treated with permethrin. The CDC has a list of recommended repellents to use, such as DEET; Picaridin, IR3535, Oil of lemon eucalyptus, Para-menthane-diol, and 2-undecanone. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women, the CDC's website states. While this won't fully protect you from mosquitoes, it is the best way to reduce them from biting you, Swiger said. What causes mosquito bites to itch? Hopefully, no one gets queasy easily. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But the reason mosquito bites tend to itch is because of the saliva from the mosquitoes themselves, Swiger said. "In order for them to actually take in the blood, they literally have to spit into us," she said. "So, they do exude some saliva into us to help kind of regulate that blood flow and to make it so most of the time you don't feel the bite." The healing process of a mosquito bite varies by person, Swiger said. "There's a lot of variations in that," she said. "Some people's reaction can be very short lived, and then sometimes they can take several days. And then if they scratch it too much, it could lead to a secondary infection. So, there's kind of a whole spread of how it all is going to last. It really just depends on the person, unfortunately." People who do have an allergic reaction to mosquito bites can buy over-the-counter ointment to help, such as anti-itch cream. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What diseases do mosquitos carry? Mosquitoes are considered one of the deadliest animals in the world, according to the CDC. Spreading diseases like malaria, dengue, West Nile, yellow fever, Zika, chikungunya, and lymphatic filariasis, the mosquito kills more people than any other creature in the world, the website states. "The entire United States deals with West Nile out of anything else," Swiger said. "But we are also seeing an increase in dengue cases. And dengue now circulates fairly regularly in Puerto Rico and its been circulating in Florida for a couple of years ... so it is something we are also keeping an eye on ... so it won't be a problem in Texas." Bites can take several days before our bodies start to react to them, Swiger said. If a person begins to have trouble breathing, they should see a physician because that could be a reaction to the bite, she said. Shown are Sundays expected high temperatures across Southeast Texas, according to the National Weather Service. National Weather Service Hundreds of thousands of our neighbors, friends and fellow Texans remain without power after destructive wind storms last Thursday lashed the Houston metro area, leaving at least seven people dead. That lack of electricity will be sharply felt as regional temperatures soar into the low 90s and heat index values approach 100 degrees each day for at least the next week. Parts of Southeast Texas that were flooded by rain-swollen rivers more than a week ago also remained under flood warnings, the National Weather Service said, as waters only partially receded between fits of rain last week. Little or no rain appears in the forecast for Southeast Texas for the next seven days. That should ease flood worries, but it also means the heat will dominate next weeks weather. LIVE UPDATES: 486K still without power after deadly storm as temperatures rise, cleanup continues Advertisement Article continues below this ad While the recent heavy rainfall has saturated the regions soils, the clearer skies have allowed dew points the temperature at which dew forms, and an indicator of air moisture to fall to the upper 60s. Add to that calm winds and you have all the ingredients for widespread fog in the mornings. Sunday morning will be no different: Expect patchy fog before 10 a.m. on an otherwise sunny day that will see temperatures rise from around 72 just before dawn to an afternoon high of 91. The National Weather Services extended forecast features heat index values, or feels like temperatures that account for humidity, soaring into the triple digits. National Weather Service A high pressure system in the upper levels of the atmosphere will introduce a run of hot and dry weather, forecasters said. But a light onshore flow of moisture-laden tropical air from the Gulf of Mexico also will return. A man carries water on his shoulder as volunteers at the Memorial Assistance Ministries distributed water and ice, Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Houston. As of Saturday afternoon, 486,000 people in the Houston area remained without power after a Thursdays thunderstorms killed at least seven people. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Jose Guzman, front right, gets food and water in the aftermath of a destructive storm Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center in Houston. Guzman lives with his 75-year-old mom and his daughter. Its nice, he said, adding that hes never received food aid before. Many Houstonians are still without power as temperatures climb. Staff and volunteers with Houston Independent School District and the Houston Food Bank worked in the heat to help residents around the school. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer A volunteer sweats as she gives away food to people in the aftermath of a destructive storm Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer A box of food aid sits during a distribution in the aftermath of a destructive storm Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center in Houston. Many Houstonians are still without power as temperatures climbed. Staff and volunteers with Houston Independent School District and the Houston Food Bank organized the food giveaway to help residents around the school. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Laundry-4U employees install new sheet metal siding along the roof of the business, Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Laundry-4U employees install new sheet metal siding along the roof of the business, Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Ramona Saldana and her husband Jose get food and water during a distribution in the aftermath of a destructive storm Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center in Houston. She said a tree fell on their house during the storm. Many Houstonians are still without power as temperatures climb. Staff and volunteers with Houston Independent School District and the Houston Food Bank worked in the heat to help residents around the school. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Margaret Cantu waits in the heat to get food and water from volunteers Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center in Houston. Im trying to forget the storm, it really scares me, she said. Cantu, 68, lives with her 70-year-old husband. She said they dont have power. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Andrew Hallard, a mechanic with Harris County Precinct 4, works through the heat to distribute food and water in the aftermath of a destructive storm Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the Richard and Meg Weekley Community Center in Cypress. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer A woman keeps track of the number of vehicles served with food and water in the aftermath of a destructive storm Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the Richard and Meg Weekley Community Center in Cypress. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Cecil Haney, a fleet manager with Harris County Precinct 4, works through the heat to distribute water and food in the aftermath of a destructive storm Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the Richard and Meg Weekley Community Center in Cypress. Volunteers said the community center was still without power. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer A line of electric trucks from Tennessee and Kentucky at the AMC Gulf Pointe movie theater at Beltway 8 and I-45 on Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Houston, as help comes in after a strong thunderstorm moved through Thursday evening, knocking out power to nearly a half a million people. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Workers sit along on of several lines of tree trucks from Tennessee and Kentucky stage in a separate lot from the large number of electrical trucks at the AMC Gulf Pointe movie theater at Beltway 8 and I-45 on Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Houston, as help comes in after a strong thunderstorm moved through Thursday evening, knocking out power to nearly a half a million people. Karen Warren/Staff photographer A line of electric trucks from Tennessee and Kentucky at the AMC Gulf Pointe movie theater at Beltway 8 and I-45 on Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Houston, as help comes in after a strong thunderstorm moved through Thursday evening, knocking out power to nearly a half a million people. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Women pass a chopped up tree on the trail at Memorial Park on Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Houston, after a strong thunderstorm moved through Thursday evening. Karen Warren/Staff photographer A man walks around a fallen tree on the trail at Memorial Park on Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Houston, after a strong thunderstorm moved through Thursday evening. Karen Warren/Staff photographer A tree bucket truck pulls into a parking lot staging area for electric trucks and tree trucks from Tennessee and Kentucky at the AMC Gulf Pointe movie theater at Beltway 8 and I-45 on Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Houston, as help comes in after a strong thunderstorm moved through Thursday evening, knocking out power to nearly a half a million people. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Several propane tanks await refill at 2650 Tidwell Road on Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Houston, after a strong thunderstorm moved through Thursday evening. Karen Warren/Staff photographer A line of people wait to refill their propane tanks at 2650 Tidwell Road on Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Houston, after a strong thunderstorm moved through Thursday evening. Karen Warren/Staff photographer A man checks his laundry at the Pine Shadows apartments, Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Daniel Valdez places a fresh bag of ice in a cooler his brought on foot from his apartment as volunteers at the Memorial Assistance Ministries distributed water and ice, Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Houston. As of Saturday afternoon, 486,000 people in the Houston area remained without power after a Thursdays thunderstorms killed at least seven people. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Hector Garcia, owner of OSO Coffee Co., gives a fist-bump to Erica Mata, a regular at the small Navigation Boulevard establishment, Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Houston. As soon as we could, we started up the generator so people could have some relief, Garcia said, whose business hasnt had power since Thursday. There was a line around the block this morning. pEople are coming to charge their phones, just get some relief. For us, as a small shop, we needed to be open - if nothing else for our employees. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Hector Garcia, owner of OSO Coffee Co., hands a pair of puppuccinos to Lucia Maynec, Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Houston. As soon as we could, we started up the generator so people could have some relief, Garcia said, whose business hasnt had power since Thursday. There was a line around the block this morning. pEople are coming to charge their phones, just get some relief. For us, as a small shop, we needed to be open - if nothing else for our employees. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer A man takes a photo of damaged windows along the side of Wells Fargo Plaza, Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Thats going to be more important going into next week with the bump up in humidity leading to more widespread heat index values in the triple digits, weather service meteorologist Cameron Batiste wrote in a forecast bulletin Saturday. Heat index values over the weekend will mainly be in the upper 90s, but some spots will be close to feeling like 100. Advertisement Article continues below this ad NOT HEAT OR HUMIDITY: Why the dew point makes Houston summers so insufferable To understand what the heat index is, keep in mind that humidity, or the level of water vapor in the air, can make our perception of heat seem much hotter than the actual temperature. Thats because the body cools itself through the evaporation of sweat from our skin. But evaporation isnt as effective when theres too much moisture already in the air. The heat index takes that into account, which is why the actual air temperature might be 92 degrees but a high humidity level (say, a dew point of 72 degrees) can make it feel like its 100 instead. A tree snapped and tangled with the power wires on Gentry Street on Friday in Northeast Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Staying safe in the heat Extreme heat poses health threats to some of the most medically vulnerable in our community, including young children, adults older than 65, those who are pregnant and those with chronic illnesses, according to the weather service. Advertisement Article continues below this ad During extremely hot and humid weather, your bodys ability to cool itself is challenged, the weather service warns on its heat safety website. When the body heats too rapidly to cool itself properly, or when too much fluid or salt is lost through dehydration or sweating, body temperature rises and you or someone you care about may experience a heat-related illness. The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says a person experiencing heatstroke may have these symptoms: A body temperature exceeding 103 degrees Hot, red, dry or damp skin A headache, dizziness or nausea. The CDC recommends that you call 911 for the person right away and move them to a cooler place. PHOTOS: Houston slowly recovers after devastating hurricane-like storm Someone experiencing heat exhaustion may show these signs: Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cold, pale and clammy skin Nausea or vomiting Muscle cramps Dizziness, headache or passing out. For this, the CDC suggests moving the person to a cool place, loosening their clothes, putting a cool, wet cloth on their body and letting them sip water. But the CDC also urges immediate medical help if the persons symptoms worsen or last longer than an hour. Flooding continues in Southeast Texas Meanwhile, in the Houston suburbs, the weather service issued extended flood warnings Saturday for areas along riverbanks across Southeast Texas: Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Chattanooga Red Wolves SC played their first road game since April 13th against South Georgia Tormenta in Statesboro. Injury-riddled Chattanooga would go into the match without leading scorer Ropapa Mensah, midfielders Lucas Coutinho, Jonny Felipe and Omar Gomez, captain Ualefi Dos Reis and defender Richard Renteria. The night began with an evenly matched first half ending with a one goal lead for the home team. South Georgia surged ahead in the second half, scoring three goals in 15 minutes to add to their total for a 4-0 final score.Chattanooga will host the second and final meeting between the two sides on June 22nd.Both sides traded shots early with Mayele Malango and Omar Hernandez collecting the first and second for the Red Wolves. Tormenta, however, would find better luck with their third shot of the match finding the back of the net giving the home side a 1-0 lead nine minutes into the match.In the second half, Chattanooga made an early substitution into the second half as Chevone Marsh came on for Leopoldo Hernandez. Tormenta continued to threaten as Chattanooga worked to build a comeback and the home side would find the back of the net twice in quick succession with goals in the 59th and 63rd minutes to take a 3-0 lead.Stefan Cvetanovic and Yahir Paez entered the match for Stefan Lukic and Omar Hernandez, respectively, to ignite the Red Wolves offense. Cvetanovic had a blocked shot shortly after coming on and Paez had a run into the box but ran out of room before he could get the shot off.On the other side, Tormenta added their fourth and final goal of the match in the 74th minute, giving them a 4-0 lead. Chattanoogas later chances included a hard shot by Declan Watters that went just wide of the net and an attempt by Chevone Marsh that went over the crossbar. After two minutes of stoppage time, the final whistle blew giving Tormenta the shutout victory at home.The Chattanooga Red Wolves will return to CHI Memorial Stadium on Saturday, May 25th for the third round of the USL Jagermeister Cup against Lexington SC, featuring post match fireworks. Tickets are on sale now including the Red White & Brews ticket package that include one general admission ticket and two hard seltzer vouchers for $22.00 are available. Port Chicago was a small town in California in the 1940s. Population was less than 2,000. It will be 80 years come July 17, 2024, one of the worst disasters during war time took place on American land. An explosion so powerful it lit up the night sky and a plane flying in the area had to climb from 8,000 feet to an extra 2,000 in order to avoid all the debris blown into the sky from the explosion. Over 300 Navy sailors, all black, were killed in the explosion. Many so young, they hadn't even developed that little fuzz on their chin, had never so much as had a girlfriend and never lived so far away from home. The only ones to survive were some of the men in the blown up barracks, who hadn't begun their shift or their shift had already ended for the day. Even so, many suffered serious injuries from the explosion. From burns to shattered glass fragment blown into their eye, from windows being blown out. The story of the Port Chicago 50, who defied orders and refused to return to work without proper training, were charged with mutiny. Although no such mutiny had taken place. The mutiny charge, which carried the death penalty, was meant to set an example and send a message. I happened upon their story as a teen, and over the years never forgot it. Over the last few years there's been an effort to exonerate the men. They were charged, convicted of mutiny and sentenced to long prison terms that were eventually reduced, and the men were allowed to remain in the Navy, finishing up their tours. But all these years, the mutiny charge has stuck. Upon discharge, If recall is correct, the Port Chicago 50 received an OTH discharge. They were allowed VA medical benefits, but couldn't qualify for GI Bill benefits, such as to buy a home or further their education. All the men of the Port Chicago 50 are now dead, but their legacy spearheaded many changes in the military. The Navy was the first to end segregation. Other branches of the military would follow, and do the same. You won't find any references to the Port Chicago 50 as being a vital part of the Civil Rights Movement. Their stories are mostly forgotten. Some never told their family members of their experience while serving. Their story and experiences, nearly forgotten. Some of the names on the list might jump out at you. One especially caught my attention. Famed writer Ernest J. Gaines, whose books have have been taught at colleges and sold around the world. But it couldn't have been the Ernest J. Gaines, could it? He'd have only been around 11 at the time? A father he was named for? He was raised by his mother and step-father, after moving to California from Louisiana. A grandfather, perhaps? No one can say for sure. In recent years there's been an effort to pass a bill exonerating the men of the Port Chicago 50, but the bill always dies in the Senate. It shouldn't take 80 years to right a wrong. As someone with seven brothers, a child, uncles, great-uncles, nieces, nephews, have served and continue to serve the country. Again, it shouldn't take 80 years to right a wrong, and do the right thing. A full exoneration is long overdue. Not a pardon. A pardon dictates the individuals were guilty, but the system is willing to let bygones be bygones, but the verdict still stands. Much of the info and knowledge of the Port Chicago 50 comes from being an avid reader as a teen. Being nosy around adults...always listening, gathering knowledge. No matter how dark and unsavory, events of historical significance have always piqued my curiosity and interest. Causing me to want to research and find more and more. In present time, I happened upon a book titled, "The Port Chicago 50" by Steve Sheinkin, as they came to be known in the '40s. SCOTUS Thurgood Marshall, an attorney at the time, made sure the case remained public and relevant. It likely spared the surviving men of Port Chicago from receiving the death penalty. As the tragic story of Port Chicago and the aftermath of what happened to the 50 sailors became national, and possibly international news at the time. There have been petitions established for a full exoneration of the Port Chicago 50, CCCBA org is one, along with others, if anyone is interested in their story and righting a long overdue wrong. Nearly 50 years later, the Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial was established, in memory of the more than 300 men who lost their lives that day in 1944. Nearly 60 years later, a pardon was offered to the 50 who were charged, but only one member, Meeks, accepted it. The others would turn it down, because a pardon only established the men accepting they were guilty as charged, but the nation would show a token of kindness. Brenda Washington Prince Harry and Meghan Markles 2018 royal wedding wasnt without some drama. There was, of course, friction involving the brides tiara as well as the flower girl dresses. However, the royal wedding drama didnt end there. Other things were problematic behind the scenes for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. 1. Harry and Meghans royal wedding: The palace had trouble focusing In his 2023 Spare memoir, Harry revisited his and Meghans nuptials, including what happened behind palace walls leading up to the May 19, 2018, ceremony. He and Meghan found it hard to focus on the million and one details of planning a royal wedding while dealing with drama involving Meghans father, Thomas Markle, at the time. (Meghans dad didnt attend the royal wedding. King Charles III walked Meghanhalfwaydown the aisle.) Strangely, Harry wrote, the palace had trouble focusing too. He and Meghan wanted to get married quickly, preferably elope in Botswana if they could have it their way. Meanwhile, the palace couldnt seem to pick a date. Or a venue. After rejecting possible wedding datesMarch or June 2018the palace greenlighted May 2018. They also accepted Harry and Meghans location request, St. Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle. 2. Harry and Meghans royal wedding: Meghans veil inspired spirited arguments at the palace Meghan accessorized her Givenchy gown, designed by Clare Waight Keller, not only with a tiara but also an intricately designed veil. It featured a flower for every Commonwealth country and California as a nod to Meghans home state. Unbeknownst to the world at the time, the 16-foot cathedral veil had become a hotly debated topic behind the scenes. There had been spirited arguments in the back corridors of the Palace about whether or not Meg couldor shouldwear a veil, Harry recalled. Not possible, some said. For a divorcee, a veil was thought to be out of the question. Ultimately, of course, Meghan did wear a veil after, per Harry, the palace unexpectedly showed some flexibility. 3. Harry and Meghans royal wedding: Harry fought to keep the press out of St. Georges Chapel Hundreds of people filled St. Georges Chapel to see Harry and Meghan get married. Not among them, however, were any members of the press, and thats exactly how Harry wanted it. I told the Palace that on the Big Day, the happiest day of our lives, he recalled, I didnt want to see one single royal correspondent inside that chapel. Unless [Rupert] Murdoch himself apologized for phone hacking. Harry went on to say it only happened after much back and forth with the palace, who didnt initially respond well to the idea. The palace scoffed. It would be all-out war, the courtiers warned, to bar the Royal Rota from the wedding. At that, Harry told them, Then lets go to war, noting hed had it with the Royal Rota, the press pool covering the royal family. Finally, after weeks of wrangling, an agreement was reached. The Royal Rota wouldnt be allowed in the chapel, but they could gather outside, Harry wrote, saying that he hugely celebrated the small win. Among ornithologists, there is no figure more prominent than Roxie Laybourne. In the mid-1940s, Laybourne started working as a scientific illustrator at the Smithsonian Institution. During World War II, she was tasked with identifying the remains of birds that had collided with military aircraft, which was something she was very interested in studying. In the scientific community, Laybourne was known as the woman who pioneered the field of forensic ornithology. Her research in the identification of feathers revolutionized aviation safety. Laybourne took on her first birdstrike case in 1960. When Eastern Airlines Flight 375 crashed into the Boston Harbor, killing more than 60 people, she was consulted for her expertise. Officials had found bits of dark feathers inside three of the planes engines and wanted to know what kind of bird the aircraft had hit. She concluded that the feathers were from a European starling, a bird weighing only three ounces. The plane had flown right into a flock of them. As the airline industry continued to grow, Laybournes skills were in demand. She became known as the feather lady. She also developed a meticulous system called the Roxie method, which allowed investigators to determine the causes of bird strikes more accurately. The four-step process is still in use today. The first step is to look at all the available evidence and consider the time of year and location in which the bird strike took place. Next, the feathers must be washed and dried. The third step calls for an examination of the feather microstructure. Finally, the species of the bird can be confirmed. Identifying birds that collide with planes helps experts improve aviation safety standards and reduce the risk of bird strikes by building more bird-resistant aircraft. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. In the middle of the Mojave Desert, just two hours outside of Las Vegas is an abandoned settlement with a really odd name: Zzyzx. At this ghost town, you can find the ruins of a natural spring system that was once called Soda Springs. For many generations, the natural spring water at the site was used by Native Americans, Spanish explorers, miners, and railroad workers who were traveling through the area. But in 1944, Zzyzx became something more. A man named Curtis Howe Springer capitalized off of the springs apparent healing powers, which turned him into a millionaire. Throughout the 1940s, he founded and operated the Zzyzx health spa around the natural spring, claiming that the water could miraculously cure any number of ailments. People traveled from across the country to visit his spa. Of course, the whole thing was a scam. The spring water was not an effective remedy for actual health issues. Springer was a master grifter, spinning lies everywhere he went. The only fact about him known to be true was that he was born in 1896 in Birmingham, Alabama. In the mid-1930s, Springer had landed in Chicago, where he had his own radio show. He referred to himself as a doctor even though he had left school after the ninth grade and started advertising miracle medicines that didnt actually cure anything. Eventually, he moved to Pittsburgh, which was when his radio show really took off. Because of the popularity of his radio show, he decided to head to the Mojave Desert to open a wellness retreat near a small oasis. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. You may not think of bugs as tough, powerful creatures since most of them can be easily squashed with a stomp of your foot. But, some insects can accomplish great feats of survival that no human could ever do. In an accidental discovery, researchers learned that hibernating bumblebee queens can survive underwater for up to a week. The study was published in the journal Biology Letters. Biologists came across the surprising phenomenon while studying the effects of pesticide exposure on hibernating queens from the common eastern bumblebee species at a laboratory at the University of Guelph in Canada. The queen bees were kept in tubes filled with soil in a refrigerator, which acted as a recreation of their natural hibernation environment during the winter. One day, condensation in the refrigerator caused four of the tubes to be filled with water. As a result, the queen bees were completely submerged. I kind of freaked out, Sabrina Rondeau, an ecologist now at the University of Ottawa, told New Scientist. I was sure the queens were dead. However, when she removed the queens from the water, they started fidgeting and moving around. The fact that the bees were still alive was shocking because they were not anatomically designed to be underwater. Rondeau and her colleague, Nigel Raine, an environmental scientist at the University of Guelph, decided to conduct further studies to test the resilience of queen bees. They gathered 143 common eastern bumblebee queens and placed each of them in their own soil-filled vials in the refrigerator. The control group consisted of 17 bees that were not submerged in water during hibernation. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. In April 2022, a man from Belgium was pulled over by the police. After completing a breathalyzer test, the results showed that he was more than four times the legal limit. However, he insisted that he hadnt been drinking at all. Last month, he was acquitted of drunk driving because it was discovered that he had auto-brewery syndrome (ABS), a rare metabolic condition in which the body produces its own alcohol by essentially fermenting carbohydrates in the stomach. The judge emphasized that the man did not experience any symptoms of intoxication when he was pulled over. Individuals with ABS produce the same type of alcohol as the one found in alcoholic drinks, but they usually dont feel its effects too much. People arent born with ABS it can develop when they already suffer from another intestine-related issue. The condition is rarely diagnosed because it is not very well understood. As a result, those who dont know theyre suffering from it can experience some serious legal and medical consequences. For instance, Michelle Giannotto, the vice president of a support group called Auto-Brewery Syndrome Advocacy and Research, became acquainted with ABS when her husband Donato developed an infection after a routine nasal surgery. He was in and out of the hospital for months as doctors tried to figure out what was going on. He was hospitalized 18 times in a 14-month period and even got a DUI charge along the way. Finally, he was diagnosed with ABS. The Giannottos eventually connected with Dr. Prasanna Wick, a gastroenterologist based in New York City. He is one of the leading experts in the field of ABS. According to Dr. Wick, many judges and doctors do not consider ABS as a valid diagnosis. He believes that exposure to antibiotics can trigger the condition. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Home News Evangelical Christians Facing Persecution in Mexico for Refusing to Convert to Catholicism Evangelical Christians in Mexico are being targeted by local groups that represent a blend of Catholicism and other faith traditions, say advocates, who are calling on officials to protect the country's religious minority. International Christian Concern's Advocacy Manager, Nate Lance, told Fox News that evangelicals, who are a minority group in Mexico, continue to be targeted for their beliefs and for refusing to convert to Roman Catholicism. "They will try to force them to convert, and if they refuse, they are banned from their villages, unable to live with or see their families," Lance said. "When they refuse to recant their faith, they are expelled from the community." 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 Fox News reports that although the majority of Mexicans, or over 82 percent, identify as Catholics, significant portions of them practice a "blend of mythologies, faiths and traditions," which incorporates a "baffling stew of spiritual beliefs." The article noted that there are several belief systems around the world that tie in Christianity with other traditions, such as Rastafarianism, Unitarian-Universalism, and faith practices based on Eastern philosophy. ICC reported throughout 2015 of several cases of direct persecution against Mexico's Protestant community as local government authorities attempted to kick out dozens of evangelicals from their homes. Evangelicals have faced starvation and threats of expulsion at the hands of village authorities, with the aim of forcing them to convert to Catholicism. "Thousands have been displaced and left homeless, simply because they belonged to a religious minority and refused to make financial contributions to religious festivals they did not believe in," ICC Advocacy Director Isaac Six said back in November 2015. "For the state and federal governments of Mexico to ignore this impending threat to more than two dozen families in Mariano Matamoros is egregious, and we call on authorities to take immediate action by publically denouncing the threat as unconstitutional, ordering local police forces to investigate these threats, and to prosecute those responsible for previous attacks on this small Protestant community." More recent cases of persecution include an instance in March where an evangelical Christian was kicked out of his village in Oaxaca for professing his faith, and was later attacked and imprisoned when he returned to visit his family. In January, 30 evangelical Christians in the state of Chiapas saw their homes destroyed by village elders due to their beliefs. Lance added that although Mexico's Constitution is supposed to guarantee freedom of religion, federal authorities do little to protect religious minorities at the local level. "We are equally appalled that the state government continues to let this persecution fester, allowing more Christians to be displaced, imprisoned, and beaten," the ICC advocacy manager added. "If the government does not intervene to protect religious minorities, I see no reason why the trend of increased persecution will not continue." Home News 150 Christians forcibly displaced in Mexico pressured to accept illegal agreement Plight of displaced Baptists is dire A group of over 150 Protestant Christians have been forcibly displaced from their communities in Mexicos Hidalgo state and government officials are pressuring them to sign an agreement that violates human rights protections under Mexican law, according to a U.K.-based persecution watchdog. During a press conference this week, Pastor Rogelio Hernandez Baltazar and church leader Nicolas Hernandez Solorzano expressed their refusal to accept the agreement pushed by the municipal government of Huejutla de los Reyes, Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported. The agreement would allow local leaders responsible for the mass forced displacement to impose fines of 150,000 Mexican Pesos (roughly $9,000) on the victims, ban three families from returning, and permit other families to return under severe restrictions on their freedom of religion or belief, which have been in place since 2015, CSW said. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Members of the Great Commission Baptist Church, displaced since April 26, initially found shelter in the Municipal Presidency building and were later moved to another location. As the municipal government ceased providing essential supplies, they have been dependent on humanitarian aid and food provided by local churches. The group includes 75 children and infants, and the initial support provided was grossly insufficient to meet their needs. Human rights violations linked to freedom of religion have been severe in the neighboring villages of Coamila and Rancho Nuevo since 2015. Local authorities have repeatedly attempted to force the religious minority to participate in Roman Catholic religious festivals, including financial donations and acts of worship. Despite detailed documentation of these incidents, the municipal government denies that these incidents are tied to religion. The position of the Huejutla de los Reyes Municipal Government is indefensible, CSWs Head of Advocacy, Anna Lee Stangl, said. By pushing this illegal agreement, they make themselves complicit in the ongoing, egregious violations of freedom of religion or belief in Coamila and Rancho Nuevo. This is unacceptable in a democratic country like Mexico which guarantees freedom of religion or belief for all in its constitution and the international human rights conventions to which it is party. The group of displaced Christians has grown to over 150, with several individuals who were working outside the villages at the time of displacement not permitted to return home. Local Protestant churches in Huejutla de los Reyes are providing humanitarian aid and have joined in calling for government intervention to protect the displaced individuals rights. Incidents of violence and persecution against the Protestant minority in these villages have been ongoing. In December 2022, a church member was hospitalized in critical condition after being tied to a tree and beaten by village leaders, according to a previous report by CSW. Other community members have faced arbitrary detention, beatings, denial of medical care, job dismissals, blocked access to burial sites, and land confiscation. Since 2018, religious minority children have been barred from attending the local school. Recently, in March, Pastor Rogelio Hernandez Baltazar and other church leaders were arbitrarily detained for 48 hours. In early April, village leaders sanctioned the takeover of five plots of land belonging to church members, destroying crops and removing stones. The plight of the displaced Baptists is dire. Despite seeking sanctuary in the municipal seat of Huejutla de los Reyes and requesting government action, they continue to face significant challenges. The issue is compounded by the broader context of religious intolerance in Hidalgo. Under the previous governor, Omar Fayad, government officials publicly denied the existence of religious intolerance cases, despite CSWs research showing Hidalgo as having one of the highest numbers of such cases in the country. Extra-legal agreements, like the one proposed to the displaced Baptists, are often used in Mexico in place of proper justice mechanisms. These agreements violate the rights of religious minorities and are used to enforce religious uniformity. In January 2020, Evangelical families in Huejutla de los Reyes were forced to sign a similar agreement renouncing their right to hold religious services under threat of being cut off from essential services. If the state government refuses to protect the rights of religious minorities, the federal government must intervene, Stangl said earlier, adding that the government must address the culture of impunity that allows such violations to go unchecked, ensuring families can practice any religion or belief without facing illegal fines or pressure to renounce their beliefs. The persecution of Christians in Mexico has risen due to various factors, including drug cartel violence, traditionalist Catholic practices and discrimination by anti-Christian groups. Open Doors USA has reported an increase in such incidents, with Mexico rising in rank on its World Watch List. Traditionalist Catholics often persecute Mexican Christians, Open Doors USA President and CEO David Curry told The Christian Post in an earlier interview. In this way, they resemble many small, rural groups of people practicing ancient folk religions around the world. Open Doors calls this kind of persecution clan violence. Home News Protestant families in Mexico denied water access, kids barred from school: NGO Some Protestant minority families from indigenous communities in Mexico are being denied access to crucial utilities like water and electricity while some kids are denied access to school, a new report from an international Christian persecution watchdog warns. Christian Solidarity Worldwide, which is active in over 20 countries, published its new report A culture of impunity: religious discrimination in Mexico on Monday. The report sheds light on the common and widespread occurrence of religious freedom violations in Mexico as well as increasing violence against religious leaders in the North American country. Specifically, the report draws attention to violations happening within indigenous religious minority communities in the states of Chiapas, Guerrero, Hidalgo and Oaxaca as little has been done to address the violence and violations. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe No one should be at risk of losing their homes, livelihood or education on account of their religion or belief, CSW Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said in a statement. We continue to call on the Mexican authorities to fulfill its obligations to uphold this vital right for all citizens, as guaranteed in its constitution. According to the report, CSW received reports of continued religious freedom violations throughout 2018 and 2019. In 2019, CSW received documentation on seven separate violations in Hidalgo, six in Chipas, two in Oaxaca and one in Guerrero. All of these cases were a result of the minority groups conversion from and refusal to participate in activities, including festivals, associated with the majority religion, the report explains. The majority of these cases included either threats, illegal fines or arbitrary detention. The most common form of violation was the blocking of basic services such as water and electricity. According to CSW, two of the cases resulted in forced displacement while over 38 children in one community remain without access to schools because of the religious beliefs of their parents. Vulnerable communities continue to complain about high levels of impunity and the lack of protection granted by the state officials, who often side with those of the majority religion, the report explains. The lack of intervention by the state governments to protect [freedom of religion or belief] is a clear indication that they continue to view [these] violations as community issues or minor problems rather than violations of fundamental human rights. According to the 2010 census, 83 percent of people in Mexico identify as Roman Catholic, while about 5 percent identify as evangelicals, 2 percent identify as Pentecostals, 1 percent identify as Jehovahs Witnesses and 9 percent identify as members of other religious communities. CSW notes that despite the overtly Christian percentage of the population, Mexico has had a complicated relationship with religion as both Roman Catholics and Protestants have suffered throughout the countrys history. Although many citizens can participate in religious activities regularly without interference, a significant percentage face moderate and severe forms of persecution. The report cited a 2017 study finding that over 32 percent of women and 24 percent of men over the age of 18 suffer discrimination over religion or belief. Religious discrimination is particularly prevalent in indigenous communities where some local authorities have sought to impose religious uniformity in their communities, CSW details. Religious discrimination has the potential to worsen in the face of government inaction. According to CSW, the Mexican government is averse to involving itself in religious affairs and tends to refrain from prosecuting those responsible for criminal attacks on religious freedom because of an extremely strict interpretation of the concept of separation of church and state. There is a "significant overlap" between religions especially between Roman Catholicism and pre-Columbian beliefs that can lead to moderate religious freedom violations. Issues are made worse by the fact that Mexican law gives significant autonomy to indigenous communities to implement their own social and cultural norms. This law is meant to be exercised in line with human rights guarantees in the Mexican constitution, but in practice, this is not enforced, the report states. Many local leaders in communities functioning under the Law of Uses and Customs mandate community uniformity in terms of religious practice and belief, compelling all members of the community to participate in the religious activities of the majority or face punishment. Punishment ranges in severity but includes measures like illegal fines, cutting off access to utilities like water and electricity as well as prohibiting religious minority children from attending school. With the absence of government intervention and the culture of impunity, violations all too often escalate to the point of destruction of property, arbitrary detention, violence and forced displacement, the report explains. Although schools are state institutions, the CSW report accuses school officials in some areas of collaborating with local government officials to block religious minority children from attending. The state and federal governments rarely intervene to uphold [religious freedom] or protect the rights of these children," the report asserts. According to the report, Protestant families in the communities of Rancho Nuevo and Coamila in Hidalgo have been removed from the register of inhabitants. This led to families being denied education, healthcare and other government benefits. In August 2018 in Rancho Nuevo and Coamila local authorities directed that the local school be closed to prevent 16 children, whose parents are Protestant Christians, from attending classes there, the CSW report reads. In April 2019, CSW received information that indicated that at least 38 children in the community remained without access to education. They remain without access to state education. Many of the cases of religious intolerance in these communities result in the forced displacement of individuals from their communities. Most of these victims wait years for their cases to be resolved, if they ever are, the report adds. The act of displacement causes disruption to the childrens education. According to CSW, all the state and federal governments have designated offices to deal with religious affairs and it is the responsibility of those offices to actively mediate a solution to religious conflicts. But CSW stresses that there is little political will to address these cases in addition to the fact that officials are often poorly resourced and typically lack expertise and training in human rights. In addition to the escalation of religious violations in Mexico, the countrys murder rate hit a record high in 2019 as there was an increase in violence related to criminal enterprises. According to CSW, illegal groups often view churches as an attractive target for extortion and fronts for money laundering. Church leaders are often viewed as threats to the criminal groups since some groups have tried to incorporate religious beliefs into their identity" and have "aggressively attempted to promote them. According to CSW, precise figures on how many religious leaders have been killed are difficult to obtain because witnesses fear retaliation for speaking out. The organization says that it received seven reports of religious leaders being murdered in 2019. Although not listed this year, Mexico has in the past been listed by Open Doors USA on its annual World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most persecution. Home News Village threatens to expel Protestant families in Mexico Two Protestant families from indigenous communities in central Mexico have been living with no access to water, drainage and government benefit programs for a year after they were ostracized for refusing to renounce their faith, and now the community leaders are threatening to expel them, according to a report. The two families in La Mesa Limantitla village in the Huasteca region of Hidalgo state, who had earlier been told they would face forced displacement if they did not give their financial contributions for local Roman Catholic festivals or participate in their activities despite them being against their religious beliefs, are being threatened with expulsion, the U.K.-based group Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports. In January, 10 families were asked to sign an illegal agreement saying they are renouncing their right to hold religious services to have their access to water and other essential services reinstated. However, the two families Nemesio Cruz Hernandez, Eligio Santiago Hernandez and their wives, Maria Francisca Martinez Hernandez and Angelina Martinez Hernandez refused to sign. 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 families were imposed a fine of 57,700 Mexican pesos (roughly $2,800) each as part of the agreement. The state paid part of the fine, and the two families are unable to pay the remaining amount. The village leaders held two meetings, one on Aug. 22 and the other Nov. 7, and told the families that they face being cut off from essential services again or expelled from the community as they cannot afford to pay the rest of the fine, CSW says. The community leaders called a meeting to decide on the future of the families on Saturday. We are afraid that not only will they suspend our access to services but that we will be expelled from the community, Nemesio Cruz Hernandez was quoted as saying. We call on local authorities in La Mesa Limantitla to cease harassment of these families and to allow them to practise their religion free from hindrance or illegal conditions, CSW CEO Scot Bower said. We also call on Hidalgo State Governor Omar Fayad Meneses to address the injustices against these families without delay, and to ensure that officials in his administration uphold rule of law. In a report, A culture of impunity: religious discrimination in Mexico, published in April, CSW shed light on the common and widespread occurrence of religious freedom violations in Mexico as well as increasing violence against religious leaders in the North American country. Specifically, the report drew attention to violations happening within indigenous religious minority communities in the states of Chiapas, Guerrero, Hidalgo and Oaxaca as little has been done to address the violence and violations. Vulnerable communities continue to complain about high levels of impunity and the lack of protection granted by the state officials, who often side with those of the majority religion, the report explained. The lack of intervention by the state governments to protect freedom of religion or belief) is a clear indication that they continue to view (these) violations as community issues or minor problems rather than violations of fundamental human rights. CSW noted that despite the overtly Christian percentage of the population, Mexico had a complicated relationship with religion as both Roman Catholics and Protestants had suffered throughout the countrys history. According to the 2010 census, 83% of people in Mexico identify as Roman Catholic, while about 5% identify as evangelicals, 2% identify as Pentecostals, 1% identify as Jehovahs Witnesses and 9% identify as members of other religious communities. CSW said in the report that the Mexican government was averse to involving itself in religious affairs and tended to refrain from prosecuting those responsible for criminal attacks on religious freedom because of an extremely strict interpretation of the concept of separation of church and state. There is a significant overlap between religions especially between Roman Catholicism and pre-Columbian beliefs that can lead to moderate religious freedom violations, it warned. Although not listed this year, Mexico has in the past been listed by Open Doors USA on its annual World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most persecution. By Anna J. Park Jeonbuk Bank has formed a partnership with Credit Bureau Cambodia (CBC) and Korea Credit Bureau (KCB) to establish cross-border credit reporting between Cambodia and Korea, the regional bank announced Sunday. According to the bank, the memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the three-way partnership was signed on Thursday during the Cambodia-Korea Business Forum held in Seoul, where Cambodia's Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Korea's trade minister Ahn Duk-geun, as well as other key officials from central banks, credit bureaus and financial institutions from both countries attended. With the agreement, CBC and KCB will develop a cross-border credit sharing system between the two countries, which will show the up-to-date credit histories of Cambodian individuals moving to Korea, which will be retrievable for Korean financial institutions. The bilateral sharing of an individual's previous credit history is expected to facilitate more effective loan application assessments. Jeonbuk Bank a member of the KCB and a leading financial service provider in Korea that promotes access to finance for Cambodians plans to develop customized credit products for Cambodians working in Korea and ease the credit assessment by utilizing cross-border credit reports. "The MOU stems from Jeonbuk Bank's unwavering commitment to promoting financial inclusion. As a leading bank to support migrant workers in Korea with financial solutions, we are delighted to collaborate with CBC and KCB to provide Cambodian nationals with an enhanced range of benefits and differentiated financial services," Baek Jong-il, CEO of Jeonbuk Bank, said. Rath Sovannorak, chairman of CBC, who's also serving as deputy governor at the National Bank of Cambodia, said: Cambodia and Korea already have good bilateral relations in terms of trade, investment and financial sector cooperation. We are happy to additionally bring the two countries under this framework of cross-border credit report sharing that can directly benefit a large number of Cambodians overseas to support their access to access for improving their quality of life. Hwang Jong-sup, the CEO of KCB, also expressed the same expectation, saying: We are very pleased to pursue this cross-border credit report sharing initiative with CBC as leading bureaus representing both nations to improve the access of Cambodians to credit in Korea. Currently, it is estimated that there are more than 50,000 Cambodian workers in Korea. Korea is the second-most popular destination among Cambodians when it comes to migrating for labor. Korea is also one of the top sources of foreign direct investment in the Southeast Asian country, and approximately 10,608 Koreans are living in Cambodia, the latest data by the foreign ministry shows. Top officials from financial firms, city governments of Seoul, Busan join investor relations event By Anna J. Park Korea's financial authorities and the heads of the country's major financial institutions met global institutional investors from Wall Street and New York to present their ambitious visions for the Corporate Value-Up Program, a government-led initiative seeking to propel the Korean stock market to new heights, according to the authorities, Sunday. Aiming to spotlight the strengths of Korea's capital market and industry to global investors, the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) and the Korea Exchange (KRX) held an investor relations event in New York, Thursday, in collaboration with the city governments of Seoul and Busan and the financial industry. While promoting the value-up plan to global investors, the event also aimed to demonstrate the support financial regulators are providing to Korean financial companies eyeing overseas expansion, as well as showcasing the attractiveness of the cities of Seoul and Busan to global financial firms. The FSS said the event drew over 300 investment specialists, including more than 240 executives and employees representing global investment firms like Carlyle Group, JP Morgan, and Morgan Stanley. "The goals pursued by Korea's financial industry K-Finance are reliability, innovation, and openness," FSS Governor Lee Bok-hyun said during a speech at the event. "Through a series of policies aimed at advancing the country's stock markets, Korea seeks to upgrade the reliability and innovation of its financial sector. These efforts also aim to foster greater openness by leveraging increased investments from global investors, the growing presence of foreign financial institutions in Korea, and the overseas expansion of domestic financial institutions," he added. Lee emphasized that financial authorities are committed to enhancing the transparency of the Korean market and regulatory system to align better with global standards. This will be achieved through various improvements, including strengthening disclosure rules, safeguarding minority shareholders, abolishing mandatory registrations for foreign investors, refining the reporting system, and more. Jeong Eun-bo, the head of the KRX, the bourse operator, also emphasized that the government's value-up initiative aims to address the so-called "Korea discount" referring to the persistent undervaluation of Korean stocks so that the phenomenon could be transformed into the "Korea premium." "Through the Corporate Value-Up Program, companies will set their own goals that are appropriate to their circumstances and establish strategies to enhance their corporate value, enabling investors to receive accurate information and to make better-informed investment decisions. This will lead to fairer evaluations of the Korean capital market and result in increased investments in these companies," Jeong said, vowing that the stock exchange will stand by investors from a long-term perspective until the Korea discount transforms into a premium. Investor relations meetings between participating financial companies and global investors also took place during the event. Key industry leaders, representing banking, investment and insurance sectors, engaged in exchanges of opinions with global investors during a Q&A session. They included KB Financial Group Chairman Yang Jong-hee, Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Jin Ok-dong, Samsung Life Insurance CEO Hong Won-hak, Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Vice Chairman Cho Yong-il, Mirae Asset Securities Vice Chairman Kim Mi-seop and Korea Investment & Securities CEO Kim Sung-hwan. The FSS chief and the KRX head held in-depth discussions with global investors, covering a wide range of topics from policy issues such as the government's ban on short selling and real estate project financing to their assessments of the Korean market's risk management capabilities. Meanwhile, the FSS governor voiced his agreement with the policy direction advocating for the resumption of short selling, which is currently completely banned in Korea. He emphasized its importance for market efficiency and its potential to boost the overall trading volume of stock markets. His comments came during a meeting with reporters after the joint investor relations event in New York. "There is a technical time frame for establishing a central system to automatically block illegal short selling, and it also takes time to revise laws," Lee said. "We are considering whether it is possible to revise regulations or decrees without amending the law. Personally, I think we may resume short selling in June or partially resume it. Even if we cannot resume short selling, we will communicate with the market about our future plans." U.S. President Joe Biden addresses Morehouse College graduates during a commencement ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., May 19. President Joe Biden on Sunday addressed the war in Gaza and discussed his investments in Black communities during a commencement speech at Morehouse College, part of a larger effort to reinvigorate the voter coalition that helped elect him in 2020. "We're connecting Black neighborhoods cut off by old highways and decades of disinvestment when no one cared about the community," the president said at Morehouse, a historically Black men's college in Atlanta. The president spotlighted several other policy victories to rally his audience, including his student loan relief program and a new $16 billion investment for historically Black colleges and universities, or HBCUs. Biden's commencement address at Morehouse comes as recent polling has showed Black voters, especially young ones, have weakening enthusiasm for the president. Biden's support among Black voters so far is 7 percentage points lower than it was at the same period in 2020, according to an NBC News average of national polls since April 1. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump's support from Black voters has increased by 9 percentage points. But Biden still has the majority of support among Black voters, at 69% vs. Trump's 18%. While he still holds steady ground with older Black voters, Biden's weakness with young voters is spurred in part by the ongoing tensions over the Israel-Hamas war, which have reached a fever pitch in recent weeks as college campuses have become hotbeds of protest. "Your voices should be heard, and I promise you I hear them," Biden said during the address. "What's happening in Gaza and Israel is heartbreaking. That's why I've called for an immediate cease-fire." The roughly half-hour speech went basically uninterrupted by protests, though some students and faculty members expressed their support for Gaza during the ceremony. Biden's remarks were even well-received by some students. "I'm happy with his words that he said," Morehouse graduating senior Sebastian Gordon told NBC News after the remarks. "I'm just gonna continue to watch to make sure his actions line up with that." The Morehouse speech is one prong of a multifront strategy to reach out to the Black voter coalition and regain the momentum that propelled Biden to the White House in 2020, when 87% of Black voters supported him, according to NBC News exit polling data. On Saturday, before the commencement address, Biden held a campaign event with Georgia voters and was set to meet with small-business owners in Detroit later Sunday, after which he was slated to deliver remarks to the NAACP, according to a campaign memo obtained by NBC News. The campaign events come alongside an administration-wide effort to make the case for why Biden has been an effective president for Black communities. Vice President Kamala Harris has spent years reaching out to Black voters over the course of Biden's first term. Most recently, she has been on a weeks-long "Economic Opportunity Tour," spotlighting the administration's attempts to lower costs and advance economic freedom for underserved groups, especially Black communities. That pitch is not just coming from the top of the ticket. For example, Treasury Undersecretary Wally Adeyemo who typically makes international trips to discuss G7-level economic security issues, has been making the rounds in U.S. battleground states to highlight Biden's economic agenda. Adeyemo is scheduled to tour Nevada, a key voting bloc, with the state's Democratic Rep. Steven Horsford on Monday to tout Biden's progress on lowering energy and child care costs. That comes after his trip to Wisconsin last Thursday with Harris' Economic Opportunity Tour. "The number of Black small businesses have doubled during the Biden-Harris administration," Adeyemo said at the event Thursday. "And when Black Americans do well, everyone does well." Citizens follow the news after a helicopter in the Iranian President Raisi's convoy reportedly crashed, in Tehran, Iran on May 19, 2024. Fatemeh Bahrami | Anadolu | Getty Images A helicopter with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on board suffered a "crash landing" on Sunday, state media reported, with weather conditions complicating rescue efforts. Raisi's condition was unclear, according to state news reports, which also aired prayers for his safety. Late Sunday afternoon, Iran's Vice President Mohsen Mansouri reported that two people from the helicopter flight had made contact with the rescue team. It was unknown if Raisi was one of those two passengers. As the search commenced, Iranian state media reported the location of the helicopter crash had been identified. The commander of the East Azerbaijan Army said that a signal from the helicopter and a cellphone belonging to one of the crew members at the accident site was received "minutes ago." "Right now, we are leaving with all the military forces to the area in question, and I hope to give good news to the people," the commander said. A map of Iran showing the approximated location of the crash of a helicopter carrying president Raisi is seen during a BBC news broadcast on 19 May, 2024. Iranian Leader Press Office | Anadolu | Getty Images At least 40 rescue teams, including drones and search dogs, have been deployed, but harsh weather and heavy fog in the area were making it difficult for them to reach the site, state media said. Eight ambulances have been dispatched to the crash site and fog was preventing air rescue, it added. Iran's foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, was also traveling in the helicopter, along with East Azerbaijan's governor, Malik Rahmati, and Raisi's security detail, it said. State TV IRIB said the helicopter belonged to the Iranian Red Crescent, which Iran's Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said was part of a larger convoy. Their condition was also unknown. More from NBC News: Container ship that struck Baltimore bridge will be removed from the site 'within days,' Maryland governor says Israel's Netanyahu faces growing pressure over Gaza plan from his own war Cabinet China promises 'friendship' as two warships dock in Cambodia "Various rescue groups are moving towards the site, but due to the fog and bad weather, it may take time to reach the area," Vahidi said in comments aired on state media. Helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi leaves site as one of the helicopters in his convoy crashed after the inauguration of a dam on the border along with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Jabrayil district of Azerbaijan on May 19, 2024. Islamic Republic News | Anadolu | Getty Images The officials were returning from the border with the country of Azerbaijan in the northwest of Iran, some 375 miles from the capital of Tehran where Raisi was inaugurating a dam on the Aras river with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev. Initially, reports put the incident near the city of Jolfa, but later said it was farther east near the village of Uzi. Details remain contradictory. "Azerbaijan stands ready to offer any assistance needed," Aliyev said in a post on X. "We were profoundly troubled by the news of a helicopter carrying the top delegation crash-landing in Iran." State media showed Red Crescent rescuers moving through dense fog with only a few meters of visibility, and said the helicopter is believed to have crashed in a rural forest. With no clarity on Raisi's condition, worried Iranians began offering prayers, with dozens gathering in the city of Qom, a holy city for Shiite Muslims, state media showed. Raisi's Instagram page also posted a story asking people to pray for him. Medical and rescue teams from Iranian town of Verzegan arrive at the accident site after one of the helicopters in Iranian President Raisi's convoy crashed following the inauguration of a dam on the border along with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Jabrayil district of Azerbaijan on May 19, 2024. Azin Haghighi | Anadolu | Getty Images Although Raisi is the elected president and leads the government, he still answers to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who serves as the head of state. In case of Raisi's death, Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will be next in line for the presidency after receiving a nod from Khamenei. A new president then must be elected in 50 days. The Qiz Qalasi Dam is the third dam jointly built by Iran and neighboring Azerbaijan and took almost two decades to complete, according to state media. While Iran flies a range of helicopters, international sanctions have made it difficult for Tehran to obtain the required parts for them. Most of the helicopters operated by the military date back to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi looks on during a press conference concluding his appearance at the United Nations General Assembly, in New York City, U.S., September 20, 2023. Shannon Stapleton | Reuters If you had $150 to spend at any store in your neighborhood, where would you spend it? A couple of months ago, my boyfriend and I won a sweepstakes which granted us a $150 credit to the local business of our choosing. We picked the wine store. We typically spend $25 to $40 a bottle, so we thought we could get ourselves one or two nice wines to have on a special occasion. But when you're buying something you expect to be one of the best wines you've ever drank, the pressure is on. For someone like me, when hitting that $100 threshold, "there should be a pretty significant step up in terms of the quality of the wine," says Thatcher Baker-Briggs, a court-certified sommelier and founder of Thatcher's Wine. "And I think when you walk into this warehouse of wine, it's not approachable, it's not easy to understand." Whether you're looking to buy a special bottle or just want to get the best value before your next dinner party, here are Baker-Briggs' three best tips for cutting through the noise and buying a great wine. 1. Enlist help Your best bet for getting a great bottle, Baker-Briggs says, is to have someone like him walking you through the aisles. He likens buying a special bottle to buying the first watch or piece of art in your collection: "The key to being successful in your first purchase is finding someone who understands what you're trying to do." That likely means finding the nearest store that specializes in wine, rather than stopping by the liquor section of the supermarket. An online store might be a good option too as long as there's someone to whom you can explain what you're looking for. If you're not the type to ask for help, don't be afraid to crowdsource, Baker-Briggs adds. Online sources, such as CellarTracker, act as community hubs of tasting notes. Even Instagram can be a valuable place to pick up intel on bottles you're considering. "A lot of people are putting a lot of time and effort into their accounts, either writing reviews or thoughtful stories about producers," Baker-Briggs says. 2. Pay attention to the label Let's be honest many of us buy choose wine based on the label. And that's not a bad thing, provided you're looking at the right stuff. Some labels bear red flags that should turn you off the bottle immediately, Baker-Briggs says. "If you see 'sustainably grown' or 'vegan' or whatever, stay completely away from it," he says. "No one making quality wine is putting those things on their label." Certifications, such as organic and biodynamic, listed on the back label are often signs of quality, he says. However, that may mean the wine is mass produced and not the special bottle you're looking for. An organic certification "is a very expensive thing to get in France and Italy, and in the E.U. in general," Baker-Briggs says. "A lot of people chase this, but if it says 'organic certified,' they're probably a larger winery. A lot of smaller producers can't afford this or don't see the value. It could be totally organic. It just doesn't say that on the back label." Conversely, while no guarantee of a great wine, the name of the vineyard on the back of a bottle is a very good sign, he says. "That's basically saying, we care about where these grapes come from," Baker-Briggs says. "It's a great way to understand that there's probably some quality, and there's an interesting story behind this." 3. Shop value regions With rare 14th-century Buddhist relics having come home from an American museum, President Yoon Suk Yeol on Sunday credited tighter Seoul-Washington ties with making the return possible. The celebration of the return of the relics, which are the remains of Buddhist monks from the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), took place in Yangju, some 30 kilometers north of Seoul, with some 4,000 attendees on hand. Called "sarira," these remains had been housed in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, for 85 years after apparently being taken out of Korea illegally during the 1910-1945 Japanese colonial period. The remains are believed to originate from Hoeam Temple in Yangju, and Sunday's ceremony took place on the lot where the temple once stood. In February, the Boston museum agreed to return the remains to the Jogye Order, the largest Buddhist sect in Korea. Then a delegation of the Jogye Order collected the relics during a Buddhist transfer ceremony held in Boston on April 16. They were unveiled to the media in Korea three days later. In his congratulatory address, Yoon said Sunday was a "joyous occasion" for the Korean Buddhist community and the Korean people alike. "These relics are precious national heritage that represents the legitimacy and doctrines of Korean Buddhism, and it has been a long and arduous process to bring them home," Yoon said. "As Korea and the United States became closer, it led to the resolution of this issue." Yoon said the perseverance and hard work by both the Korean people and the government also played a part, with Buddha offering divine protection along the way. "Such protection from Buddha wouldn't have come without prayers and devotion from our people," Yoon added. "Going forward, I will not evade difficult tasks in running the government, no matter how challenging they may be. I will continue to work hard for the people." First lady Kim Keon Hee accompanied Yoon at the ceremony, her first appearance in a public event since December. Kim did attend an official luncheon with visiting Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and his wife, Pech Chanmony, last week. Ven. Jinwoo, leader of the Jogye sect, thanked Kim for attending and asked for her continued support for Buddhism in Korea. According to Yoon's office, the Jogye Order asked for Kim's presence because she'd played an integral role in bringing the remains home. (Yonhap) Russian President Vladimir Putin has been briefed on tourist exchanges between Moscow and Pyongyang and preparations for his visit to North Korea are underway, the Kremlin has said. The Russian news agency TASS on Saturday (local time) quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying, "Preparations for the visit are proceeding at their own pace." Putin has not visited North Korea since July 2000. TASS also reported that Alexander Kozlov, the environment minister for Moscow, who is leading an intergovernmental commission on cooperation with North Korea, touted the growing popularity of tourist exchanges between the two countries during his meeting with Putin earlier Saturday. According to TASS, Kozlov said: "We have big plans with our Korean comrades. We have recently executed some of them. There has been a good exchange of tourist groups." Kozlov also informed the president that the Moscow Zoo and ballet dancers had recently visited North Korea and the countries were discussing plant breeding. When Putin asked him about future plans, Kozlov replied, "We have plans to continue this work," according to TASS. However, Peskov told TASS that Putin's meeting with Kozlov was not related to the preparations for Putin's trip to North Korea. During his visit to Russia in September, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un invited Putin to come to Pyongyang. Then in January, North Korea Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui met Putin in Moscow, and her office later said Putin had expressed his willingness to visit North Korea at an early date. In February, Alexander Matsegora, the Russian ambassador to North Korea, said in media interviews that preparations were ongoing for joint documents to be signed by the two countries during Putin's visit to North Korea. (Yonhap) All D-Day anniversaries are important. But with our world becoming increasingly dangerous, there is more poignancy than ever in marking our fightback against tyranny in Europe. On the 80th anniversary of that critical, awe-inspiring undertaking of bravery, it's no surprise that the Parachute Regiment are seeking to honour their predecessors who landed in five battalions the night before D-Day to destroy vital bridges and gun batteries. Without that, the beach landings would have failed. Yet as things stand, the Paras' hopes of putting on a large-scale, multi-plane parachute drop have been limited to a single aircraft and just 100 of them jumping out all because of the unavailability of the RAF's heavy-lift aircraft. Thankfully the decision has now been elevated to Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, so our contribution to this international tribute, attended by the King, might yet improve. Even so, the issue demonstrates a sad and simple truth: today's RAF lacks heavy-lift transport capacity after the Hercules fleet, which served our nation so well for more than 50 years, was scrapped to save money. All D-Day anniversaries are important. But with our world becoming increasingly dangerous, there is more poignancy than ever in marking our fightback against tyranny in Europe, says Tobias Ellwood (pictured) As things stand, the Paras' hopes of putting on a large-scale, multi-plane parachute drop have been limited to a single aircraft and just 100 of them jumping out (pictured: a drop during commemorations for the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings in 2019) As I repeatedly warned, getting rid of this versatile warhorse was a terrible mistake. Increased global threats are already making ever heavier demands. Military exercises in Estonia, humanitarian evacuations from Sudan, aid airdrops in Gaza, along with the routine support to our interests across the world, mean that our transport fleet is running at full capacity. But the loss of the Hercules has also had an operational impact. Tailored to support our elite 16 Air Assault Brigade and Special Forces, it could do so in environments that its bigger replacement, the A400M Atlas, is not suited for. Given the global situation, it was only a matter of time before Rishi Sunak laid bare the scale, complexity and diversity of the threats we face. His warning together with the Defence Secretary's securing of a rise in UK defence spending gives us a chance to re-evaluate our defence posture and, in particular, to review our heavy-lift capability. Although the nature of conflict changes with technology, some aspects remain the same. As we invest in drones, long-range missiles and cyberweapons, let's not dismiss the relevance of traditional combat mass for which transport aircraft are essential. If our Special Forces (arguably the best in the world) are hindered by the absence of the Hercules, we have a problem. The issue demonstrates a sad and simple truth: today's RAF lacks heavy-lift transport capacity after the Hercules fleet (pictured), which served our nation so well for more than 50 years, was scrapped to save money Thankfully the decision has now been elevated to Grant Shapps (pictured), the Defence Secretary, so our contribution to this international tribute, attended by the King, might yet improve At this dark time, the D-Day anniversary is a stark reminder of the courage required to defend our freedoms when we fail to prevent a dictator from advancing in the first place. While RAF operational issues will always impinge on commemorative events, I hope that the Defence Secretary will use this one to send Putin a powerful message. With aircraft full of our elite soldiers jumping from the skies, we not only honour our past heroes who stood up to tyranny. We also show we can and will do it again. Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood is also a former chairman of the Commons' Defence Select Committee. The D-Day invasion, which we shall commemorate with gratitude and pride on June 6, was one of the greatest acts of bravery and resolve in the chronicles of human civilisation. On that day in 1944, the democratic allies ensured, through courage and endurance, that much of post-Hitler Europe would be free. Those involved in Operation Overlord paid a very high price, so that hundreds of millions could grow up in a cleaner, better world. Seaborne invasion is one of the most perilous and costly forms of warfare. Few of those who stormed ashore now survive. All too many of them, in thousands of cases astonishingly young, lie forever in heartbreaking cemeteries dotted along the Normandy coast. They never saw the better world they helped to make. This was perhaps the last and greatest expression of British and Commonwealth military power. Of the 156,000 men who landed on that day in the face of Nazi machine guns, more than 83,000 were British or Canadian (Canada supplied more than 21,000, the USA 73,000.) The Royal Navy and its Commonwealth cousins provided 1,000 vessels of war, probably the greatest fleet in the history of the world. That is why it is still very much in our minds, and will be for as long as we have the wisdom to remember, respect and learn from the valour of our forebears. The British Armys memorial parachute display will be so much smaller than originally planned. Pictured, a Fly Past by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight for the Commemoration of Battle of the Atlantic held at St Nicholas Church Some speculate that this event is connected with French resentment at Britains departure from the European Union. The British Normandy Memorial Of the 156,000 men who landed on that day in the face of Nazi machine guns, more than 83,000 were British or Canadian. Pictured, Troops from the 48th Royal Marines at Saint-Aubin-sur-mer on Juno Beach, Normandy, France during the landings So what a pity it is that, as The Mail on Sunday reports today, the British Armys memorial parachute display will be so much smaller than originally planned. This, like so many other aspects of our Armed Forces, is the consequence of bipartisan cuts in strength which were allowed to continue for far too long and which are only now being put right. As it happens, few who watch will notice at the time, as any parachute display is moving and impressive and who will want, under the circumstances, to detract from the event? But our own soldiers, and our enemies, will be acutely conscious of the lack. The proper response to this must be a serious long-term commitment to procuring the necessary aircraft and bringing them into service, and into training our airborne forces, a costly commitment but one we cannot manage without. Meanwhile, may we also have a quiet word with our French friends and allies, about the absence of British flags from the commemorative bunting in one Normandy town, Carentan. Oddly, whoever is responsible for omitting the Union Flag managed to include the banners of neutral nations such as Sweden, Ireland and Switzerland. Some speculate that this event is connected with French resentment at Britains departure from the European Union. Well, Britain was not in the EU in 1914, when we came to Frances aid against a German invasion, nor in 1940, when we did the same thing, nor in 1944, when so many of our soldiers died in the fields and hedgerows of Normandy to help recover Frances freedom and independence. Our relationship has always been awkward and probably always will be. We are bound to be rivals. But we have fought together too often to let pettiness get in the way. Unveiling six nebulous and uncosted pledges last week, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer finally made tackling illegal migration one of the partys priorities after years of ignoring the issue. Sir Keir vowed to ditch Rishi Sunaks Rwanda scheme straight away if he wins power despite signs it is already having a deterrent effect and revealed plans for yet another quango to stop the small boats. But how seriously should we really take Labours commitment to fixing the crisis? Only two days before Starmers showboating there was an urgent Commons debate on illegal migration, initiated by Ulsters DUP. Thirteen Tory MPs joined in the debate. So how many Labour backbench MPs turned up to speak? Not one. Sir Keir vowed to ditch Rishi Sunak s Rwanda scheme straight away if he wins power. Keir Starmer unveils the six 'ambitions' for a Labour government Not even Tory defector Natalie Elphicke could be bothered to show up even though, as the MP for Dover, she represents one of the constituencies most affected by the influx of illegal migrants. As the Home Secretary James Cleverley put it: Labour empty benches, empty promises. Talking of defectors, former Tory whip Gyles Brandreth revealed how it felt to be abandoned by party colleagues. The only consolation is that you are united in your contempt for the defectors, he writes in The Spectator. As a rule its vanity, arrogance, disappointment or mental instability that makes them go Awol. You have the comfort of knowing they are never really welcomed by the other side. Ol Blue Eyes Bill beat Living Doll Blair Speaking on a podcast, Peston said: Back in the late 1990s, we went over to Washington and I had a bit of time with Clinton' ITV political editor Robert Peston says Bill Clinton is the most charismatic politician he has encountered. Tony Blair will not be happy. Speaking on a podcast, Peston said: Back in the late 1990s, we went over to Washington and I had a bit of time with Clinton. 'Just as a pure political operator, Clinton was astonishing. By UK standards Tony Blair is a pretty impressive politician, but I remember thinking when I saw them together, it was a bit like seeing Cliff Richard with Frank Sinatra. Clinton just had some magic. Parliaments restaurants and bars are operating a patriotic buy British policy. There is a mandatory inclusion of wines from England and Wales. Cakes and dairy ice cream are only UK-made, says Sir Charles Walker, the Tory MP in charge of catering. Theres good news for pint-loving Nigel Farage if he finally succeeds in being elected as an MP. The Strangers Bar offers members the opportunity to request that a specific cask ale from a brewer from their constituency be offered for sale. Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle visited the home of soap Emmerdale ahead of its 10,000th episode this week, saying: As a Lancastrian, I am hugely impressed by the talent of our friends on the other side of the Pennines. His hosts glossed over the fact the Speaker called rival Coronation Street the best soap in world in 2021. Its six years since the death of former Labour Cabinet minister Tessa Jowell, after a battle with brain cancer. What better way to mark her passing than the announcement last week from the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission of new funding into brain tumour research as part of a 40 million Government pledge. The disease is one of the biggest killers of children in this country. Jowell would have been so proud. 651 m but its still not Rishis round Some say our PM is out of touch with the common man, said former immigration minister Robert Jenrick Can Rishi Sunak, whose wife is billionaire heiress Akshata Murty, really connect with ordinary voters? Their joint fortune rose 122 million last year according to the latest rich list, putting their worth at 651 million. But former immigration minister Robert Jenrick has a more prosaic definition. Some say our PM is out of touch with the common man, he said last week. I agree with one aspect at least. Our teetotal PM has no idea that a pint of lager at the Red Lion [a Westminster pub] costs seven quid. Cities around the UK where children's literacy levels are considered below par are receiving help from an unlikely source - TikTok. The video platform, which has become famed for its 'BookTok' area, will now launch bookshelves in these 11 cities around the UK, which face the 'biggest challenges' with literacy, in collaboration with the National Literacy Trust. BookTok has been largely credited in the resurgence of reading as a popular hobby among young people with more than 32 million posts and more than 167 billion views on the platform. The bookshelves have been set up following research by the National Literacy Trust (NLT), which found fewer than three in ten children aged eight to 18 read every day. The study also found one in 12 children aged five to 18 do not own a book. TikTok is launching 'BookTok Bookshelves' in a bit to get young people reading again A total of 20 shelves will be built in Birmingham, Blackpool, Bradford, Doncaster, Manchester, Middlesborough, Newcastle, Nottingham, Peterborough, Stoke and Swindon. The books will be chosen by NLT youth volunteers and are targeted at those aged 14+, and will be placed in areas with a high footfall of young people. The first bookshelf in Nottingham has already launched and includes titles from the likes of Malorie Blackman, Holly Jackson, Alice Oseman and Neil Gaiman. Jason Vit, head of local areas for the NLT said: 'As a charity, we strive to boost literacy levels across the UK, particularly in our most disadvantaged communities, by increasing access to books and reaching people where they are and in a way that feels meaningful to them. 'We know the appeal of brands like TikTok for the young people we want to support. The first shelf has been set up in Nottingham and youth volunteers picked the books The books are targeted at teenagers over the age of 14 'Through this partnership we can tap into their interests and create opportunities to inspire and encourage reading among their peers; the benefits of which our research shows extend to all areas of their lives.' A book's popularity on TikTok can now be make-or-break for how many sales it achieves. Popular BookTok books often feature the 'romantasy' genre - a combination of romance and fantasy - such as books by Sarah J. Maas. In July last year, Rebecca Yarros' Iron Flame became Waterstones' fastest-selling pre-ordered title in history, after the first book in the series went viral on TikTok. The book, which was released in October, is Colorado-based Rebecca Yarros' follow-up to Fourth Wing, a romantic epic fantasy filled with very steamy scenes, sarcastic dragons and a resilient heroine lead. It has become a huge success on TikTok, with nearly 200 million views on #fourthwing. Brighton-born Jack Edwards is one of the biggest names in the BookTok community, and reviews books he's read The owners of Notting Hill bookshop previously told MailOnline how TikTok has contributed in a rise of Gen Z customers TikTok has also propelled the A Good Girl's Guide To Murder series by Holly Jackson to fame, which is now being made into a BBC Three show. And the owners of Notting Hill Bookshop in London said their sales were up '100 per cent' since the pandemic - which they attributed to social media. With over 167 billion views on TikTok, reviews and recommendations in the global BookTok community have inspired Gen Zs to ditch their screens in favour of a good old-fashioned book. BookTok has gained such a momentum in recent times that TikTok launched its first book awards in the UK and Ireland last year, with thousands voting for their favourite books, authors, and bookshops of 2023. Popular creators include Ayman Chaudary and Jack Edwards - part of a crowd of creators seeking to make reading cool again. Netflix's explosive new docuseries has revealed that Ashley Madison employees catfished men looking to cheat on their spouses by creating fake profiles for women - and made users pay to read messages sent by bots. Controversial dating site Ashley Madison was launched in 2001 and was designed for married men and women looking to have affairs to connect with one another. And while CEO Noel Biderman once insisted that there was 'no communication' between members that was 'anything other than organic,' former employees have now admitted that many male users weren't actually talking to real women on the site. In Netflix's new show Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies, And Scandal, numerous ex staffers opened up about some of the shady tactics that were used to lure in new customers. Netflix's explosive new docuseries has revealed that Ashley Madison employees catfished men looking to cheat on their spouses by creating fake women's profiles Ashley Madison was launched in 2001 and was designed for married men and women looking to have affairs to connect with one another. CEO Noel Biderman is seen Not only did the former employees confess to creating fake profiles, but they also said they would use AI to send out tens of thousands of messages to guys. They would then charge them a fee to reply to the bots, while under the impression that they were talking to women interested in hooking up. During the doc, journalist Claire Brownell explained that after the site got hacked in 2015 and a list of every member who used the platform leaked on the web, it became evident that many of the women's profiles had been created by Ashley Madison employees since they all shared the same IP address. '[These] profiles were all coming from the same IP address - the Ashley Madison office,' she revealed. 'Either tens of thousands of women were coming to the Ashley Madison office to look for men to have affairs with or somebody in the office was creating these fake profiles.' An old clip of CEO Noel chatting about Ashley Madison in an interview then flashed onto the screen, during which, he claimed that the site was made up about 40 per cent females and 60 per cent males. 'We are 100 per cent committed to an organic community,' he added. 'There's no communication, zero, that you'll ever have on Ashley Madison with another member that isn't anything other than organic. And by organic, we mean true and real. 100 per cent legitimate.' Claire explained that the site was promoted as a place for men to find women 'eagerly waiting to have an affair,' but in reality there wasn't enough of them. Journalist Claire Brownell explained that after the site got hacked in 2015, it became evident that many of the women's profiles had been created by Ashley Madison employees '[These] profiles were all coming from the same IP address - the Ashley Madison office,' she revealed 'There was a big gap between what Noel would say and the things the site actually did in practice,' she added. An exotic dancer named Michelle McGee, who previously modeled in some of Ashley Madison's campaigns, recalled multiple men showing up at her job because they thought they had been talking to her on Ashley Madison - but in reality, she hadn't been using the site. 'These guys thought they were talking to me but there's somebody pretending they're me on that website,' she said. Cathy, a former Ashley Madison customer service representative, confessed in the doc: 'We knew there were fake profiles on the site. It wasn't a secret to us.' She said employees would take inactive profiles started by women that were never finished and fill in the missing info. They would then use those accounts to chat with hopeful guys. 'We had a sense of what people were looking for and what was sexually attractive to men,' she added. An exotic dancer named Michelle McGee recalled multiple men showing up at her job because they thought they had been talking to her on Ashley Madison Cathy, a former Ashley Madison customer service representative, confessed in the doc: 'We knew there were fake profiles on the site. It wasn't a secret to us' In addition, Evan Back, who served as Ashley Madison's vice president of sales for nearly 10 years, said they would use AI to send out around 10,000 messages a day to men 'I was told that was basically because most of the men that joined the site are reluctant and shy [so they won't message someone first],' he explained. 'But they will reply to a message' In addition, Evan Back, who served as Ashley Madison's vice president of sales for nearly 10 years, said they would use AI to send out around 10,000 messages a day to men. 'I was told that was basically because most of the men that joined the site are reluctant and shy [so they won't message someone first],' he explained. 'But they will reply to a message.' Joseph Cox - a reporter who studied every single thing that came out during the hack in great detail - called the deception 'predatory.' 'Men had to pay money to then read these messages and engage with these accounts,' he revealed. 'That shows predatory behavior from Ashley Madison. 'Not only are you getting people to sign up and misleading them, you're then charging them for the privilege of being lied to.' 'The average user on Ashley Madison was talking into the void... talking to fake bots while racking up hundreds of dollars worth of credit card bills and risking their marriages to do it. It paints a pretty sad picture,' Claire added. Li Min/China Daily Russian President Vladimir Putin's ongoing visit to China has garnered global attention. As the Russia-Ukraine conflict has entered its third year, it's no surprise that the United States and the European Union persist on "urging" China to "persuade" Russia to help resolve the crisis. What the US and the EU refuse to accept is that China is a third party, which neither triggered the conflict nor can resolve it. Instead of sitting idly by and waiting for further deterioration, China has been actively engaged in promoting peace. The Chinese envoy is currently conducting his third round of shuttle diplomacy in an effort to reach a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis. As a nation with a 5,000-year history and culture, China has its own strategic autonomy and behavioral logic. In fact, it made clear its position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict in a document, "China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukrainian Crisis", it released on Feb 24 last year. Equally important, it has been trying its best to broker peace between Moscow and Kyiv. China believes that the most important thing to do now is to make Russia and Ukraine declare truce and hold peace talks, because talks are the only way to resolve the Ukraine crisis. That's why it supports the convening of an international peace conference which both Russia and Ukraine have agreed to attend to find a negotiated settlement to the conflict. An international conference on Ukrainian issues is scheduled to take place in Switzerland in June. However, the West is reportedly planning to exclude Russia from participation. China advocates for an international conference that includes both Russia and Ukraine. As for sanctions, China opposes the imposition of unilateral sanctions on any country without the authorization of the United Nations Security Council. So countries, in the interest of global governance, should stop using "long-arm jurisdiction" and abusing their economic and military might to impose unilateral sanctions on other countries. More important, since the UN Security Council has not passed any resolution preventing countries from conducting economic exchanges with Russia or Ukraine, China has maintained normal economic exchanges with both countries. In fact, many Chinese enterprises and individuals are still running their businesses in Ukraine and thus helping meet the daily needs of the Ukrainian people. Besides, thanks to years of efforts, China and Russia have become each other's most important strategic partners, and their cooperation in different fields has been deepening. The basic principles on which the Sino-Russian comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era is based are non-alignment, non-confrontation and non-targeting of third parties. "Non-alignment" means learning the lessons from major power relations and preventing "hot wars" and "cold wars" now and in the future. "Non-confrontation" is the basic starting point of all diplomacy between China and other countries, especially Russia. The secure and stable Sino-Russian relationship the non-confrontation principle has helped the two sides build is their greatest contribution to Eurasia's security and stability. And non-targeting of third parties means not targeting any country, enterprise or individual. By not targeting or being affected by third parties, China and Russia have built a rock solid partnership, shattering the US-led West's dream of seeing "China and Russia part ways". China has always said unilateral hegemony and double standard are the root causes of geopolitical upheavals. Hence, upholding multilateralism, which major powers such as China, Russia, France and other countries have been doing, and opposing the use of double standard are the only way to help democratize international relations and achieve long-term peace in the world. If, as anticipated and promoted by the US-led West, Russia is pushed into a state of isolation or a corner, the protracted conflict between Russia and Ukraine actually caused by the US and its allies could become a source of turmoil in the Eurasian continent, potentially escalating into a significant threat to global peace and security. Before Vladimir Putin's visit to Beijing, President Xi Jinping's visit to France, Serbia and Hungary, and the visits of US and German officials to China, all parties were engaged in exchanges at all levels, with China trying its best to play the role of a mediator to help stabilize the international situation. In this context, the strategic significance of Putin's visit is unprecedented it signals a new start for Sino-Russian relations and their efforts to maintain global peace and development. The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily. The author is deputy secretary-general of the Center for Belt and Road, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. If you have a specific expertise, or would like to share your thought about our stories, then send us your writings at opinion@chinadaily.com.cn, and comment@chinadaily.com.cn. The government on Sunday called on universities to quickly revise their regulations to reflect an increased medical school quota for next year, in light of a court ruling that paved the way for the hike. The comments made by Jang Sang-yoon, senior presidential secretary for social policy, came three days after the Seoul High Court rejected an injunction sought by the doctors' community to halt the government's plan to raise the nationwide medical school admission quota by 2,000. "Taking note of this court ruling, we are relieved that uncertainty has been resolved for students and their parents who have been preparing for their university entrance anxiously," Jang said in a media briefing. "The government will look to swiftly wrap up the necessary process for the 2025 academic year. I would ask each university to do the best to ensure there won't be issues with admissions for 2025." Trainee doctors, medical professors and students wanted to suspend the government's plan to increase the medical school quota. However, the Seoul High Court upheld an earlier decision by a lower court, on the grounds that the petitioners had no specific interests compromised by the quota hike and hence were ineligible for an injunction. Jang said the latest court ruling recognized the legitimacy of the government's push to raise the medical school quota by illustrating the urgency of the need for the move and reaffirming the government's continuous research into the plan. "Now that the matter of the medical school quota has been settled, I would ask trainee doctors to return to work, even if they may not be satisfied with some things, and to actively voice their opinions," Jang added. "The door to dialogue with the government is always open. I'd like to suggest a meeting without any unrealistic preconditions, such as going back to square one." The medical community has said it would appeal the Seoul High Court's ruling to the Supreme Court and demand swift deliberation, considering the gravity of the situation. In March, the government allocated 2,000 additional medical school admission seats to universities, many of them to schools outside the greater Seoul area, despite trainee doctors' collective action to walk off their duties at major hospitals in protest. About 20 legal actions have been taken by the doctors' community and medical students to halt the quota hike, but no court rulings have been made so far in favor of them. An association of medical professors previously warned that it would initiate a one-week suspension of medical services and opt out of services one day every week if the court rejected the injunction. (Yonhap) According to a recent survey, Meghan Markle's popularity in the UK is on the decline - but she's likely to take the news with a 'pinch of salt', claims an expert. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been named the fourth most disliked celebrities of 2024 in a new Ranker poll released at the start of the week. Ranker compiles surveys based on public opinion, reports the Mirror. The Sussexes - who are facing fresh reports they were welcomed to Nigeria last week by a fugitive who allegedly orchestrated a $20million money laundering and bank fraud scheme - join James Corden and Amber Heard on the 'most hated celebrities' list. However, according to Press Box PR spokesperson, Lynn Carratt, Meghan, 42, is likely to be unworried by the low ranking as she would rather focus on success in her native US. She told the publication: 'I believe Meghan will take the survey data with a pinch of salt. I'm not sure how interested she is anymore in getting the British public back on her side. According to a recent survey Meghan Markle's popularity in the UK is on the decline - but she's likely to take the news with a 'pinch of salt', claims an expert (Meghan pictured at the Lights Academy in Abuja, Nigeria, earlier this month) 'She is American and that is were her family life is now, so she will be more concerned in raising her popularity in her own country and focusing on building her brand American Rivera Orchard and making it a huge success'. According to the publication, out of 31,400 Brits a whopping 65 per cent disliked the Duchess, while 45 per cent expressed negative views about her. Conversely Meghan attracted only 4 per cent of positive votes.It appears the expert is suggesting Meghan would rather pour her efforts into growing her lifestyle cooking brand American Riviera Orchard, which is likely to keep her in good favour across the pond. The mother-of-two launched the luxury lifestyle brand - which has so far produced a special strawberry jam - with a glitzy Instagram video back in March. The Duchess's project is said to have been in the works for more than a year - and will feature 'all the things that are close to her heart'. The flash company is set to coincide with the launch of a new cookery show featuring Meghan on Netflix - where she will be making and selling her own products. It will lead onto a book and blog to go alongside her cookery displays. It is ununderstood that a trademark application has been made covering cutlery knives forks spoons cookbooks and electronic cookbooks, coffee, jams jellies and butters. It also extends to a physical shop from which tableware, mugs, jams, tablecloths and recipe books could be sold. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been named the fourth most-disliked celebrities of 2024 in a new Ranker poll (pictured: the couple visit the Armed Forces Complex in Abuja, Nigeria on May 11) Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are likely to brush off the news after being branded the most annoying celebs in 2022 (the couple are pictured in Netflix Documentary Meghan & Harry, Episode 4) In the video, Meghan is seen whisking in a stunning rustic kitchen, while a woman's hands are seen arranging pink and white flowers. The Duchess launched the first product from the new business a month later, sending influencers and friends a jar of strawberry jam. Fashion designer Tracy Robbins and Argentine socialite Delfina Balquier are among those who have posted an image of the product on their Instagram Stories. Mrs Robbins and her husband Paramount boss Brian Robbins are friends with the Sussexes and invited them to the Bob Marley film premiere in Jamaica in January. The couple are also friends with Ms Balquier, who is married to Prince Harry's friend Nacho Figueras - with the four together at a charity polo match in Florida in April. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are likely to brush off news that they're disliked as they did back in 2022 when they topped the list of most annoying celebrities. Two years ago the couple were branded celebrities people were most likely to get sick of - just weeks after the release of their splashy, multimillion-dollar Netflix special that criticized the royal family. Heather Dorak received a jar of jam from the Duchess's lifestyle brand American Rivera Orchard in April this year) The couple - whose high-profile split from the royal family dominated headlines in 2020 - each snagged a spot on Ranker's Celebrities Youre Sick of in 2022', with the Duchess of Sussex leading the list of figures readers had reportedly grown weary of. The dubious distinctions for the duo is markedly more pronounced than where they placed earlier in the year, when Meghan was booked as low as the 20th spot, while her husband, faring slightly better, was pegged at no. 23. Names to round out the top top ten included Oprah Winfrey - whose interview of the couple in 2021 saw Meghan claim royals had 'concern' over her sons' skin color - as well as Amber Heard, James Corden, Kim Kardashian and several other polarizing personalities. That said, in a list that, unlike the Sussexes, also included stars who saw their reputations come into question this year - such as Kanye West and Ellen DeGeneres - the Sussex squad was still featured the most prominently. the Ranker article indicated that Meghan - an actress who starred on USA's Suits - received a total of 24,201 votes out of the more than 416,000 votes cast. Voting is tabulated in real time. Harry, on the other hand, received an almost stark 21,492 votes - both serving as more than five percent of the nearly half a million votes received. A defiant group of Ukrainians are staging an art exhibition to show the world the spirit of their resistance. As part of the exhibition, The Unseen Force, the 'Angry Mavka' women's resistance movement are asking other women around the world to post pictures of the groups logo drawn on their wrists, posed in front of recognisable landmarks. The aim is to demonstrate to Russian occupiers that they still exist, that resistance to the aggressors continues and they will not surrender to 'life under a false flag'. Organisers are creating a 'portal' exhibit which aims to spiritually 'unite' women in the occupied territories of Ukraine with their female supporters across the rest of the world. Entries, which can be emailed to contact@unseen-force.com or posted onto social media with the hashtag #unseenforce #zlamavka, will be pulled together to create a collage for the exhibition's walls in Kyiv. LUHANSK, UKRAINE: Women from the Angry Mavka movement are creating a 'portal to hope' through social media BARCELONA: The organisers have created a 'portal' between occupied territories of Ukraine and the rest of the world BERLIN: Now the movement is searching for others to join in across the world The Mavka group is named after a female forest spirit from Ukrainian and Russian folklore and mythology. HOW TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT WITH A WRIST SELFIE To show solidarity the organisers are keen to create a collage that includes pictures from all over the world to be displayed at their exhibition. Here's how you can join in: 1) Draw the logo on your wrist (its the logo of an all-female activist group Mavka). 2) Go to a public building/location that is recognisable (Acropolis, Big Ben ) 3) Take a picture of your wrist in front of the building 4) Pictures should be anonymous, so try not to have anything on your arm (watch, jewellery) Send the pics to: Contact@unseen-force.com Advertisement She is a long-haired woman, typically seen as a temptress figure who lures men into the woods and to their deaths. The Ukrainian all-female and non-violent resistance group emerged in the Russian-controlled city of Melitopol in 2022. Last year members of the group risked their lives by doctoring Russian Ruble notes into a powerful symbol of Ukrainian defiance. Hundreds of the 50 Ruble notes appeared across the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine - from Melitopol, Berdyansk and Tomak in southern Ukraine all the way to Sevastopol and Yalta in Crimea. The notes sent a powerful message to any of the occupiers who may think they are lucky to stumble across the 'free money'. If caught, they could have been arrested, imprisoned or worse. At the centre of the note in its traditional form stood a female figure: the Monument of Neva, that sits in St Petersburg, seen holding a sceptre. But the activists turned the sceptre into perhaps the ultimate symbol of the Ukrainian nation: the Trident (tryzub). The figure was also given a floral headdress, in the Ukrainian style, and carries the familiar facial features of the Mavka character. In the top left corner of the note is the symbol for the Bank of Russia. But 'bank of Russia' has been changed to 'Bank of angry Mavka'. The Russian note also had a line at the top saying 'Banknote of Russia' and at the bottom saying 'Fifty Roubles'. These lines instead read 'This is not Russia' and 'You are in Ukraine!' DEAD SEA, ISRAEL: The latest protest is part of an exhibition called Unseen Force at Ukrainian House in Kyiv MELITOPOL, UKRAINE: The group began in Melitopal in Ukraine in 2022 - and has since embarked on a series of brave protests CRIMEA, UKRAINE: The symbol links defiance across the world and sends a clear message to aggressors WARSAW, POLAND: The group is called Mavka, after the female forest spirit from Ukrainian and Russian folklore and mythology BANGKOK, THAILAND: The protest has already travelled thousands of miles to Thailand The latest protest is part of an exhibition called Unseen Force at Ukrainian House in Kyiv, which is running for two weeks from May 18 to June 2. The Unseen Force project stands as a living testament to the unyielding spirit of Ukrainian citizens. It is dedicated to promoting the understanding that Ukraine is defined not merely by its territory or a flag fluttering outside your window but by the resilience and humanity of its people. Its stories are not stories of passivity, uncertainty and indifference: they are the stories of the resilience of a population that is under direct threat from the Russian occupier. The exhibition demonstrates the history and the presence of activist resistance movements, their work and activities, as well as the reaction of the artistic environment. The exhibition will be at Kyiv, Ukrainian House 18 May 2 June 2024. Jonathan Yeo has revealed the personal setbacks he has faced throughout his life, including having a heart attack mid-way through painting Charles. The 53-year-old is the artist behind the new portrait of the King, which was commissioned back in 2020 to celebrate the then-Prince of Wales's 50 years as a member of The Drapers' Company. Renowned artist 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. The 'fiery' painting - which is mainly red in colour - depicts His Majesty wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975. Yeo revealed that he suffered a heart attack in March last year when he was painting the crimson canvas. Artist Jonathan Yeo poses next to his painting of the King at Buckingham Palace. He revealed he suffered a heart attack whilst painting the portrait Yeo said he was diagnosed with cancer when he was 22 and underwent treatment for it. Above: Pictured in 2022 He told the Sunday Times that his heart stopped one quiet Sunday evening and said the sensation began with a 'weird flushing feeling'. He then felt pain that spread to his arms and insisted that he did not want to be called an ambulance. But ten minutes after a paramedic arrived to assist him, he collapsed. Yeo said: 'I had this out-of-body experience, where I was being led off and shown another world and you find you're looking down at something chaotic. And it's like: 'Well, do you want to go there or there?' Yeo said he felt like he couldn't die because he still had 'stuff to do' and added: 'The second you make the decision, you're back in your body with the [paramedic] saying: "Stay with me".' After his out-of-body experience, he now believes in the afterlife, adding that it has changed his view on it. He admitted that the colour choice on King Charles' painting may have been psychological, due to his medical emergency. Yeo told the newspaper: '[The colour] may also have had psychological backing, because I had a heart attack [in March 2023] when I was painting this. 'But certainly none of that I was conscious of it was just: I like this colour.' Medics told Yeo that the heart attack was most likely caused by damage to his heart from the radiotherapy he had to treat his cancer when he was in his twenties. 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 A portrait released by Jonathan Yeo in 2008 of Prince Philip, who died in April 2021 Although Yeo did not have any 'warning signs' he felt as though he 'dodged a bullet' and added that felt a strong pull to finish the King's painting and put aside other projects. The artist described Charles as a 'caring, thoughtful person' and said he only spoke to him briefly about his illness. Yeo revealed to the outlet that he experienced much 'family chaos' during his childhood, with both he and his younger were diagnosed with cancer. When Yeo was studying for his A-levels, his sister developed a brain tumour and the family was told that she would not survive. His younger sibling was in hospital for months, He said: 'She's alive, but disabled and needs constant care. My parents being very British never complain.' But aged just 22, Yeo himself was told that he had lymphatic cancer. He added: 'Because of my sister, it paled into insignificance. It was just annoying to have a year of treatment.' Yeo never went to art school and believes the experiences in childhood allows the people he paints to open up to him and reveal their secrets. Jonathan Yeo chats to Queen Camilla as they discuss the painting of Geoffrey Pattinson (left) in 2015 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 He told the newspaper: 'Having had all this visible family chaos and tragedy meant people who sat for me would open up from day one.' Yeo also opened up about painting the King's father, Prince Philip in 2006 and said he was 'fiercely intellectual' and an 'impatient character.' He said Philip would 'get bored' and 'walk off' but he had to sit so that Yeo could complete his masterpiece. The Queen's husband would also often try and prompt Yeo into a debate about politics or science during his painting. Prince Philip - an art fan himself - also brought his own paintings to the next sitting as he valued Yeo's opinion, who said they were 'surprisingly good'. King Charles was still sitting for the portrait, unveiled earlier this week at Buckingham Palace, when Queen Elizabeth died on September 8th 2022 and he became 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. The King sat with the artist four times over a period of several years, beginning in 2021 'People may not agree with how I've done it but it's a bit different from the other royal portraits I've seen. 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. 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 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.' 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. 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 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. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain have released official family portraits to mark their 20th wedding anniversary. In the sweet images, the King, 56, and his wife, 51, stood alongside their two daughters Princesses Leonor and Sofia for the new portraits. On May 22nd, the couple will mark the memory of their 2004 wedding at Almudena Cathedral in Madrid. Two decades have passed and the family looked as close as ever, despite being rocked earlier this year by shocking allegations made by Letizia's brother-in-law that he had once been romantically linked to her. Family affair: The King and Queen of Spain chose to include their daughters in new official photographs to mark their 20th year of marriage (Pictured from left: King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia pose with Crown Princess Leonor and Princess Sofia) In a more arty pose, Letizia perches on a bench with her husband behind her, as the couple's daughters are seen in the distance The Queen - who donned a surprisingly casual pair of white sneakers - appeared as jovial as ever as she posed alongside her husband in the family photos. In one image, King Felipe stood behind his wife and placed both hands on her shoulders - perhaps to signal his unwavering support. The couple turned their heads away from the gaze of the camera, while their two daughters are seen walking towards them in the distance. Set upon an idyllic green setting, it appeared the images were shot on the grounds of their home at the Palace of Zarzuela on the outskirts of Madrid. In a separate image and against a backdrop of the palace, the King wrapped one arm around his stunning wife while she stood side on and bared a smile. Close; a sweet photo of Queen Letizia embracing her daughters was also released in the official anniversary set Father and daughter: King Felipe with his are around Crown Princess Leonor in the palace grounds Smart jackets and casual trousers/jeans were the order of the day for the family's photoshoot Meanwhile, in a third photo the royals modeled the role of a perfect loving family as they beamed beside each other while sitting on a wooden bench. King Felipe and Sophia were seated, while Letizia and Leonor stood behind them. For the portrait, Letizia sported a red woven blazer which she matched with a pair of sparkling white sneakers. Giving a nod to the pedal pushers trend, she finished the ensemble by donning a white pair. The European royals are not the only regal couple celebrating an anniversary this week. And Crown Princess Sofia is seen in a similar loving pose with King Felipe in the grounds of the vast Madrid estate the family call home Sisters: The two Spanish royal siblings looked close as they strolled around the grounds in the Madrid sunshine Earlier this year the family were rocked by allegations - by Letizia's brother-in-law - of an affair but the King and Queen haven't publicly responded to the rumours Meghan Markle and Prince Harry celebrated their wedding anniversary today, marking six years since they tied the knot at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. Their picturesque early summer wedding was watched by an estimated 1.9billion people around the world and attended by A-listers such as Oprah Winfrey, David Beckham and George Clooney. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are celebrating a 'sugar anniversary' because of the traditional gift given for the occasion. According to tradition, it's meant to symbolise the sweet story of how the couple fell head over feels for each other, along with the richness of everlasting love. But as their fondness for one another grows and develops, their highly-publicised rifts with the royal family continues to raise questions about their rocky relationship. A Queensland couple has discovered the secret to the 'perfect life' after selling up in Australia and moving to Bali for the ultimate family adventure. Under pressure from demanding jobs and increasing expenses, Chad, 40, and Mia Dickson, 38, moved their family to Sanur, 20 minutes south-east of Bali airport, last Christmas after spending a month there in August. The Dicksons had taken an extended holiday for Chad's 40th birthday before falling in love with the idea of living in Bali 'for real' with their three sons, aged 18, 13 and nine, and seven-year-old daughter. They have been documenting their journey as expats on social media, where they have a growing audience of followers who are inspired by their island lifestyle. But they also have their fair share of critics who warn it's just a matter of time before they end up back in Australia or ask for help on GoFundMe when things go awry. A Queensland couple has discovered the secret to the 'perfect life' after selling up in Australia and moving to Bali for the ultimate family adventure After spending a month in Bali in August last year for Chad's 40th birthday, the Dicksons (pictured) went home, sold their belongings, then moved to the Indonesian island in December The family's remarkable story began after their Bali trip for Chad's birthday. Upon their return, they were halfway through a lap around Australia in a caravan when they decided to turn around and move to the Indonesian island for good. 'We didn't want to go home,' Mia told FEMAIL. 'We came home and sold the car and caravan,' she added. 'The kids were already being home-schooled and we worked online so we didn't have much else to sort out.' Selling their home on wheels gave them a nice 'nest egg' to start their lives in Bali. This, in turn, helped them secure a long-term rental. 'You have to pay a year's worth of rent up front, and it can be anywhere from $20,000 to $60,000 in this area for a three-bedroom villa,' Mia said. They also had to pay for their visas - two of the most costly elements of their move. The Dicksons, who are on a two-year visa, are six months into their stay and are unsure if they will head home or not. Mia and Chad said their work-life balance had never been better since moving to Indonesia The family spend just $200 per week on groceries and can 'eat out for $40' 'We don't want to put an end date on it; we aren't missing anything from Australia,' she said. 'We miss family, but most of them have already been to visit.' The couple said living in Bali had given them the best work-life-school balance they could wish for. 'We are getting to really know our kids,' Mia said. 'We are so lucky to be able to hang out with them every day.' Home-schooling is flexible and as long as they get the work done they can skip ahead or put it on hold as needed. 'We just did a mini lap around Bali for a week, so we didn't do any school work then,' Mia said. They are also spending a lot more time with their children than they did back in Australia 'And this week we will do bigger days so that we can have time off when my parents are here. We are heading to Kuala Lumpur later this week and we will do the same thing.' Most weeks the kids and their parents end up doing school and work for two or three days and 'hang out' for the rest. 'We also do lots of other things like dancing lessons, which we could never do before in our small town,' Mia said. Mia is also learning how to make jewellery alongside her 18-year-old son. The family said living in Bali was certainly possible on a budget, especially if you avoid imported goods. Mia's family is involved with many extra-curricular activities; she is learning to make jewellery 'We are having a lot of fun trying the Indonesian version of all the groceries,' Mia said. The couple spend about $200 per week on groceries and cook at home most nights. When they do dine out, they can feed their family-of-six for $40. 'If we spend $100, it is a really fancy restaurant,' Mia said. 'We are also sober, so that helps, you could spend a lot more if you were going out.' They also try to 'live a local life'. 'We remember we aren't here on holiday - we live here. We don't have to see every waterfall in the first week,' Mia said. Because they don't drink and aren't craving 'Australian food', they can be extra frugal - though they are happy to splash out on necessities. 'We have a nice coffee every day, and that costs us $6 for two. Sometimes we have two a day,' Mia laughed. The family have Indonesian motorcycle licences, so they can get around like the locals and avoid paying for drivers. There have been some huge adjustments for the family, however. 'It is hard to get things done or know who to contact for things. Like, if you have a problem with the electricity, plumbing or need a handyman, the same guy will come. But we will get to know these things,' Mia said. In Indonesia, power is pre-paid and vouchers are purchased at local convenience stores - similar to pre-paid credit for a mobile phone. The children study online and their course runs in line with the Queensland education department, which means they can 'slot back in' if the family decides to go back to Australia They have also all had 'Bali belly', but say as long as you have Gastro-Stop and probiotics on hand 'it will be okay'. 'The doctors come out to your villa, take your bloods, put in drips, the full service, and it costs about $120,' Mia said. 'It's so affordable and they really look after you instead of seeing you for all of five minutes and charging you $180 before Medicare like in Australia.' They haven't had to use the dentist yet but are confident it will be fine. They say everything is just as clean as back home - only cheaper. The couple are particularly excited their 18-year-old decided to head on the adventure with them, and want other families to know 'how easy' it is to live and work from Bali. 'We have never had a better lifestyle,' Chad said. 'We love the freedom of time and space, And you could move here with nothing as long as you can work online to make ends meet. 'You don't need a nest egg - it was just our choice to do that so we wouldn't have to stress about money - and I can pick and choose jobs I want to do.' People who don't have enough cash to pay for a whole year's rent upfront can move week-to-week or month-to-month. 'It is so doable. and we don't have to do the nine-to-five grind and miss out on watching our kids grow up,' they said. The family 'don't really miss anything' about Australia and haven't decided on an 'end date' for their holiday They say their kids are benefiting from spending so much quality time together The Dicksons are sometimes criticised for their decision to move to Bali - with some trolls claiming they will inevitably have to set up a GoFundMe at some point due to injury or illness. These insults stem from a spate of high-profile incidents of Australian tourists and expats requiring urgent help after finding themselves in strife overseas. In 2023, kind-hearted Aussies shelled out millions on GoFundMe campaigns set up in the wake of sudden deaths or to repatriate desperately ill people from places as far afield as Thailand, Bali and Taiwan. When asked about the trolling, the family told FEMAIL: 'We ignore that. We have the right insurance and have done everything we can to avoid that.' At 15, most children are studying for exams, skateboarding or meeting friends for ice cream. But not Alex Renko. The teen, from Russia, describes himself as 'ridiculously wealthy' and says he has now dedicated his youth to 'tripping' with adults. Alex says on his popular TikTok that he has already done ayahuasca, a psychedelic traditionally used in indigenous cultures, at least four times. The powerful hallucinogenic is illegal in the US because of the risks it poses to users, including psychological distress and psychosis. But many celebrities like Chelsea Handler, Will Smith and even Prince Harry have done the drug in foreign countries, saying it 'cleanses' their worries and helps treat mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Alex Renko tried ayahuasca for the first time at the age of 15 years old. The Russian boy, who describes himself as 'ridiculously wealthy' and who dropped out of school at age 12, said it has changed his life The former schoolboy from Russia , who describes himself as 'ridiculously wealthy,' says he has now dedicated his youth to 'tripping' with adults Alex takes the drug alongside adults and children as young as six years old at retreats that cost more than $1,000 for a weekend after being encouraged to try it by his parents. While on ayahuasca, Alex says he experienced 'death,' passed through bright lights and even realized he was a god as he encourages others to try it. He said: 'It was like I am dying... I transcended into a final portal that opened up and I was in the infinite cosmos and it was like, wow, this is my home. My soul is home.' But some doctors have raised concerns over its repeated use in young children, pointing out that the brain is still developing and taking ayahuasca could lead to psychological problems. The brain does not reach maturity until a person's late twenties, with surges in development at ages seven, 11, 12 and 15. GOT A HEALTH-RELATED STORY? EMAIL: Health@dailymail.com Advertisement Some suggest if the drug is taken around these ages, it could disrupt brain development raising the risk of mental health issues. Dr Robin Carhart-Harris, a neurologist at the University of California, San Francisco, told DailyMail.com his research recently submitted to a journal shows adolescents may be at more elevated risks from psychedelics, although he declined to provide further details. These concerns are similar to those being raised over marijuana, which also impacts the brain, with studies suggesting long-term users are at higher risk of anxiety and psychosis. Ayahuasca is a bitter-tasting drink made from the bark of a vine and the leaves of a bush found in the Amazon rainforest that contain N-N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a hallucinogenic. The substance has long been used for spiritual and religious purposes by tribes in the Amazon and is considered sacred by some communities. But it has surged in popularity in recent years in the wellness space for its alleged ability to help people to 'reset' their brain. Ayahuasca is illegal in the United States, forcing Americans to travel to foreign countries if they want to attend an ayahuasca retreat. However, some companies are able to hold retreats in the US if they are classified as 'religious' gatherings and receive special permits. Alex says trying ayahuasca in Colombia and the Dominican Republic has changed his life Alex now uploads videos online extolling the benefits of ayahuasca and urging others to try the drug. Two of these clips are pictured above, which have attracted a number of negative comments Alex first tried ayahuasca at the Ambi Retreat in Colombia, pictured above, where he said babies and children as young as six also sampled the drug Previous studies have suggested it can ease the symptoms of veterans suffering from PTSD, and help those experiencing anxiety or depression. Celebrities say they've taken the drug to help alleviate stress , with Will Smith claiming it helped him realize '99 percent of the s*** you worry about never happens.' Prince Harry said he took ayahuasca after a therapist suggested he may have PTSD. At retreats, participants drink the substance almost always at night before experiencing a trip that can last for up to six hours. The concoction is blessed and given to them by a shaman who acts as their 'guide' throughout the experience. Users typically throw up within 30 minutes of taking the drink, before they begin to experience hallucinations lasting more than four hours. At the end of the trip, they have an intense sense of euphoria and wellbeing. Alex first did ayahuasca at the age of 15 at the Ambi Retreat in Colombia, saying he was inspired to as he was seeking a 'new reality' after dropping out of school three years prior. He was also encouraged by his parents, with his father quitting his job, getting sober and losing 88lbs after trying the drug. While on the first retreat, Alex did the drug three times in three days and described the experience as 'crazy,' saying it had allowed him to leave the 'box' of his mind. Alex said they used the drug once a day for three days, describing his experience as 'like dying' Alex says that while on ayahuasca he experienced his own death, before coming back to life with a new understanding. He is pictured above after using the drug He added: 'Everything vanished one by one until there was no more space, no more material. I transcended into a final portal that opened up and I was in the infinite cosmos and it was like, wow, this is my home. My soul is home.' A few months later, he then went on a second retreat in the Dominican Republic, where he was accompanied by two of his childhood friends who also took the drug. After that experience, he posted online saying he had realized he was a 'God' and his energy could merge with a friend's into a 'cosmic disco ball'. Following his trips, the teen launched a social media channel where he posts about his experience. He now offers $3,000 educational courses to guide people to enlightenment and is planning to work at ayahuasca retreats in Bali, Indonesia. But critics are quick to comment, warning he has taken the drug too young. His lifestyle has also attracted criticism online, with one viewer commenting: 'Easy to drop out when you know that family money gonna keep you fed, high and housed.' A second said: 'My man only talks about himself and claims he's had "ego death."' A third added: 'This is going to be a three-part Hulu documentary in three years.' Studies show when someone takes ayahuasca the areas of the brain involved in planning, language, memory and imagination become hyperconnected, which makes communication more chaotic, fluid and flexible. Scientists suggest this is why people experience hallucinations and have feelings of epiphanies after taking ayahuasca. Dr Carhart-Harris, who conducted the study, said: 'What we have seen is that DMT breaks down the basic networks of the brain, causing them to become less distinct from each other. 'We also see the major rhythms of the brain that serve a largely inhibitory, constraining function break down, and in concert, brain activity becomes more... information rich.' Studies have also suggested those who take the drug are more likely to experience anxiety than those who do not. Dr Larissa Carneiro, a religious studies expert at Duke University in North Carolina, told DailyMail.com that further investigation into that topic is needed. Dr Carneiro, who works with the church of Santo Daime in Brazil, where young children are given ayahuasca as part of a medicinal ritual that has been carried out in that culture for decades, said the papers have only shown the drug triggers the growth of new neurons in the brain but these were carried out in mice. She added it was unclear whether this was a positive or negative factor triggered by the substance. Popular podcaster and influencer Joe Rogan has been accused of cashing in on brain health supplements that are based on 'false' and 'deceptive' studies. Rogan, who has 14.5million subscribers to his podcast, helped to develop a pill said to 'promote focus' with the pharma company Onnit in 2010. But more than a decade later, the firm is being sued by a New York customer who alleges that the $30 supplement, called Alpha Brain, is based on bogus science. Alpha Brain is advertised as a nootropic a class of supplements claiming to improve brain function. It is taken as a capsule and recommended twice a day. Onnit claims it 'supports memory' and 'promotes focus' to help you feel 'in the zone.' The company, founded by holistic health guru Aubrey Marcus, says its statements are backed by a study it funded in 2016, which saw the supplement 'significantly improve' performance on memory tests. Joe Rogan said he helped his friend - the founder of Onnit - Aubrey Marcus develop the original formula for Alpha Brain Alpha Brain is marketed as a supplement that 'supports memory' and 'promotes focus' to get you into the feeling of being 'in the zone' However, the lawsuit, brought in the state of New York, alleges the trial was 'flawed' and, in fact, the clinical study actually showed Alpha Brain does not improve memory or focus. This misleading advertising means consumers could be owed millions in restitution, the lawsuit suggests. It's unclear what will happen if the complainant, named Jean Paul Lotz, wins the lawsuit. However, previous settlements of these types of supplements, known as nootropics, have seen firms shell out billions of dollars to customers who were 'deceived' by company claims. And scientists have their doubts over Alpha Brain, as well as other similar supplements. Dr Victor Henderson, a professor of neurology who specializes in brain aging at Stanford University, told DailyMail.com: 'I think for this product and others like it, the evidence is not strong. So save your money. Do something more useful with it.' Despite the skepticism, nootropic supplements are incredibly popular and Onnit is far from the only company that claims its products boost brain function. Onnit, bought by UK-based giant Unilever for between $250 and $400million in 2021, claims it has sold more than 3million bottles - which, at $80 per bottle, would represent $240million in sales. The global market for brain health supplements hit an estimated $5.8billion in 2023 - with approximately 25 percent of Americans over 50 years old taking some form of the pills. Onnit sells a 90-count pack of Alpha Brain for $79.95 - roughly $1.13 per pill - which would last 45 days. The suit estimates this helped Onnit generate approximately $100million in revenue since 2021 - $18 million in New York alone. Alpha Brain says it works by providing the body with more of the nutrients it can use to produce neurotransmitters - the chemical signals that run the brain. GOT A HEALTH-RELATED STORY? EMAIL: Health@dailymail.com Advertisement The pills contain an amino acid called L-theanine, which is found naturally in mushrooms. In the body, L-theanine can be turned into the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine, known as the pleasure hormone, plays a role in motivation, focus and mood control. The theory is that eating more L-theanine will allow you to increase dopamine production. The right balance of dopamine in the brain is important for mood, learning and productivity. However, too much of this hormone has been linked to aggressive behavior and trouble controlling impulses. Onnit's other supplements include a Vitamin D3 spray for bone health and heart function, a 'mood' pill to promote daily mood and relaxation and a supplement to support a healthy immune response. However exciting the scientific claims are behind various nootropics, none of these supplements have been proven to actually do what they claim, Dr Barry Gordon, a cognitive neurologist at Johns Hopkins Medicine, told WebMD. Right now, most of the nootropic claims only work 'theoretically,' Dr Henderson told DailyMail.com. He said: 'I think a lot of people have tried [studies] and the evidence behind a lot of it is not very good.' Onnit is quick to point to their clinical trial as evidence their supplement isn't like others on the market. Their trial proves Alpha Brain isn't 'horse sh** or snake oil or placebos,' Mr Rogan said in a clip from his podcast featured on Onnit's YouTube. And while Dr Henderson noted it's great Onnit funded those studies - the conclusions they draw from them aren't as significant as the company makes them seem. Nearly all of the measures of cognitive improvement looked at in the study showed no difference between the people taking Alpha Brain and the people not taking it, he explained. And in the one area of memory that Alpha Brain seemed to improve cognitive function - verbal recall - Dr Henderson said the difference between the groups was so small it was likely just due to chance. Speaking on his podcast, Rogan shared he helped Onnit founder Aubrey Marcus come up with the idea for Alpha Brain. His actual relationship with the company is unclear 'It could have been a chance finding, and there was no internal consistency in terms of other memory results to really have confidence in that finding,' he said. It's not that the whole study was bad, but 'it's a bad interpretation of the results of one small clinical trial,' he added. According to Henderson, you might be better off drinking a cup of coffee and getting caffeine to boost your brain, rather than taking what Mr Rogan is promoting. It's not clear from public information what role Mr Rogan has played in Alpha Brain. In some videos, he's credited as a founder of Onnit, in others a collaborator in making Alpha Brain, and in others, a partner in the company. In a Q&A posted by Onnit in 2014, Mr Marcus, a wellness guru and podcaster, said he consulted Mr Rogan in the early days before making Alpha Brain. In an advertisement on Onnit's YouTube channel posted in 2022 with a clip from Mr Rogan's podcast, Mr Rogan said 'Aubrey and I started Onnit'. In a separate video talking about Onnit's marketing strategy, former Chief Marketing Officer Mike Spadier seconded that Mr Rogan 'helped develop the original formula for Alpha Brain.' Mr Spadier also said, 'early on in their discussions, Aubrey agreed to make Mr Rogan a partner,' meaning he would make money should Onnit ever get popular enough to be bought out by a bigger company. Which occurred when Onnit was sold to Unilever in 2021. Representatives for Onnit, Unilever and Joe Rogan did not reply to multiple requests for clarification from DailyMail.com As for the recent lawsuit, previous court cases against other companies selling brain-boosters have had to pay up big time in court for misleading claims. Quincy Bioscience agreed to pay $36million in claims and restitutions for making 'misleading memory claims' in their advertisements while marketing its nootropic, called Prevagen. British consumer goods company Reckit Benckisser settled a suit over its nootropic called Neruiva for $8million in July of 2021. However, the New York court case against Onnit isn't necessarily a slam dunk for the lawyers. A similar suit was brought against Onnit in California in 2023 by a person who took Alpha Brain. The unnamed Californian was seeking damages because she felt the 'false claims' made by the company duped her into buying the product. The suit claimed the company 'has illegally collected millions of dollars from unsuspecting consumers,' but it was ultimately dismissed. In the sixteen-page class action suit filed in a New York federal court on April 23, the lawyers detailed the plaintiff, Mr Lotz was living in Manhattan and purchased Alpha Brain five times in 2021 - spending about $400. Mr Lotz reportedly bought the supplement because of it's 'misleading claims to improve memory, focus and mental processing speed.' Had he known the evidence was scarce, he would not have purchased the supplement, the suit said. Mr Lotz also intends to seek restitution for the supplements, as well as lawyers fees. Right now, Mr Lotz is the only person on the suit, but the lawyers write that anyone in the state of New York who bought these products could be eligible for damages. The prosecuting law firms also did not reply to multiple requests for comment. An Arkansas teenager was left critically ill after his vaping addiction caused such severe dehydration his urine turned black. Jake Melton, 15, was rushed to the ER earlier this month after developing extreme dizziness, nausea and bloodshot eyes that made him look like he was 'high on drugs'. He arrived at school earlier in the day feeling 'like everything in my body was hurting', and visited the school nurse who suggested his mother, Melony Sample, take him straight to the ER. At the hospital, he fell unconscious, triggering alarm among doctors who carried out a barrage of urgent tests. Results showed Jake was suffering extreme dehydration and at risk of kidney damage which doctors said was a direct result of the vape he was using constantly throughout the day. Despite remaining unconscious for more than 30 hours and his mother pleading with the teen to quit, Jake said he is 'addicted' and has no plans to stop his deadly habit. Jake passed out at the hospital and remained unconscious for more than 30 hours due to his excessive vaping. Image: Kennedy News The teen's mother is warning parents to watch out for their children wearing hoodies as she believes it's a sign 'they're most likely vaping,' using the garment to hide the e-cig. Image: Kennedy News Nicotine, present in some vapes, has long been known to dehydrate the body, mostly due to its impact on your body's intricate balance of fluid and salt. E-cigarettes also contain liquid with propylene glycol, a substance that attracts and retains water molecules in the body, meaning when you vape, the substance consumes the water from the body and prevents it from being absorbed, leading to dehydration. Melony believes her son's dehydration was exacerbated by his job. The teen works part-time laying rocks and Melony said he overexerted himself while excessively smoking while he was working because he was 'hitting the vape' instead of eating and drinking. The mom-of-three was unaware her son was smoking the equivalent of five cigarettes a day and had also started using menthol nicotine pods, which have been linked to higher numbers of toxic microparticles. Melony said: '[The vaping] literally dehydrated him so bad that he ended up in the hospital. His urine was blackened. 'I think he was vaping a lot but he wasn't supposed to be doing it like that. I found that out because he pulled out the vape while we were out. I now know he was vaping at school and wasn't supposed to be. I thought it was under control. 'Especially if you're working, vaping will amp you up and make you feel like you can do more than you can and you'll over push yourself and dehydrate quicker. 'Then instead of taking a drink, they'll hit their nicotine. Instead of eating, they'll hit their vape. Then they lose control. They don't know what they're doing.' Jake arrived at school earlier in the day feeling 'like everything in my body was hurting', and visited the school nurse who suggested his mother, Melony Sample, take him straight to the ER. Image: Kennedy News Melony Sample feared her son would die and has vowed that 'every vape I've seen or will see in the future will be broke and trashed'. Image: Kennedy News Jake says he started vaping two or three years ago after seeing students at his school smoking in the bathroom and he wanted to 'fit in.' However, it quickly became an 'addiction' and he moved from flavored nicotine to menthol. 'I was using all kinds of vapes, Juuls, Elf Bars, Juice Heads, Vuses, and more. I finally switched from flavored nicotine, to menthol,' he said. Jake was using a five percent menthol nicotine pod, which is the equivalent to around 20 cigarettes, and was smoking around one pod every four days. GOT A HEALTH-RELATED STORY? EMAIL: Health@dailymail.com Advertisement 'Every morning it felt like I had to hit it just to fully be awake,' he said. Melony revealed her son had complained of feeling sick one morning and after visiting the school nurse, two vapes were found in his backpack, which Jake said he was keeping safe for a friend. She became concerned that her son's vapes had been spiked with an illicit substance as he 'looked like he was on drugs.' Cops were called in to check the vape pens for drugs, being 'dead set' they had been laced, but tests showed no evidence of drugs and revealed Jake's symptoms were extreme effects of excessive vaping. Melony said: 'Jake went to school and they immediately called me and said he looked like he was on drugs. They were asking what he had taken and of course, he hadn't taken anything. 'They had a cop and a superintendent in the office and they were searching Jake's bag and they found two vapes. They sent them off to be tested for drugs because they were dead set that he was slipped something through a vape.' Jake was rushed to hospital and after testing, she discovered her son was suffering from extreme dehydration, caused by excessive smoking. Taking to Facebook , stay-at-home mom Melony shared her son's terrifying ordeal and issued a warning to other parents about the dangers of their kids vaping. Image: Kennedy News After sleeping for around 30 hours and being given fluids through an intravenous drip, Jake was discharged, but his mother admitted she is 'scared' he will continue vaping as he 'doesn't remember any of it'. Melony said: 'It was a terrible experience. We get down to the ER and they had him tested for everything but all he had was the vape. 'I was awake for over 30 hours and he was asleep for that long. He wouldn't talk. When he would wake up he'd curl up into a ball and shiver and jerk. 'He's still really confused. We're home but he's still in and out. He doesn't remember any of it. It was just like he was asleep pretty much. I think he thinks I'm just being mean now.' Taking to Facebook, stay-at-home mom Melony shared her son's terrifying ordeal and issued a warning to other parents about the dangers of their kids vaping. In the post, Melony said she feared for her son's life and vowed that 'every vape I've seen or will see in the future will be broke and trashed.' Melony told other parents to watch out for their children wearing hoodies in hot weather as she believes it's a sign 'they're most likely vaping', using the garment to hide the e-cig in their hands. The mom, who does not vape herself, admitted she was unaware how frequently her teenager used vape pens. She also revealed she wants e-cigarettes 'all to be banned' and hopes to spread awareness of her son's terrifying experience to encourage parents to stop their children from using the products. Despite the dangerous ordeal, Jake admits he plans to continue vaping as the potential risks do not 'bother' him. He said: 'Being in hospital could've been scary for some, but I'd continue doing it knowing the risks and the side effects. It doesn't bother me.' Perhaps it's a bottle (or two) of sauvignon blanc with dinner most evenings. Or a well-deserved sherry in the late afternoon, followed by a gin and tonic while cooking. It might even be a couple of pints with friends in the pub several days a week and more on match days at the weekend. And on holiday? No one's counting. When The Mail on Sunday's Dr Ellie Cannon asked readers to write to her in confidence about their alcohol consumption, concerned that most people were not honest with their GPs about how much they drank, these were the typical stories that flooded in. Most admitted to 'probably drinking too much' every day and also, as Dr Cannon suspected, to lying to their doctors about doing so for fear of being judged, lectured or even labelled an 'alcoholic'. And the truth is, of course, that like it or not in almost all of these scenarios you'd be drinking above the 14 units a week recommended for both men and women by Government health chiefs. It's less than most people think: roughly equivalent to six pints of beer, a bottle and a half of wine or 14 single measures of spirits. The guideline was introduced back in 2016 by then Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies, following a review of the evidence of the harms caused by drinking too much alcohol. 'Drinking in moderation and healthy eating are key,' says Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer The update, which saw Dame Sally branded a 'killjoy', reduced the limit for men from three to four units a day to 14 units spread over a week, advised everyone to have several completely alcohol-free days, and recommended pregnant women drink no alcohol at all. Given the recent headlines which suggest just one glass of wine a day puts us at higher risk of cancer and liver damage, and equally concerning links emerging between alcohol consumption and dementia risk, many experts argue this is a reasonable approach which reflects the evidence and makes those risks very clear. Most agree that, even if the guidelines appear 'nannying', the UK's escalating drinking culture is causing us harm. But how worried do we actually need to be if drinking at or even above 14 units a week and have the risks been overstated? While the harm alcohol causes to our health is very real, from heart attacks and strokes to cancer and even dementia, some experts say the risk from drinking moderately is so small as to be almost meaningless and equivalent to the risks we face every day from a host of other mundane behaviours which we don't consider risky. Indeed, as Dame Sally's successor, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, said recently, 'drinking in moderation', along with stopping smoking, healthy eating and exercise were key to staving off illness and disability in later life. Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter, who was one of a group of experts consulted as part of the guideline update in 2016, gave a more detailed view: 'An hour of TV watching a day, or a bacon sandwich a couple of times a week, is more dangerous to your long-term health. 'There's no such thing as a safe level of drinking,' argues Professor Dame Sally Davies, the former Chief Medical Officer 'In contrast, an average driver faces much less than this lifetime risk from a car accident. It all seems to come down to what pleasure you get from moderate drinking.' In other words, it's a risk like any other and only you can say what you feel comfortable with. John Holmes, professor of alcohol policy at the University of Sheffield, whose team in the Sheffield Addictions Research Group produced modelling work which informed the 2016 guidelines, is similarly reassuring about the evidence. 'There is no magic number here no cliff edge where, if you drink below that level you're safe to drink, and over that and you're going to die,' he says. 'Broadly speaking, the risk increases with each additional drink you consume, and it increases particularly sharply for higher levels of consumption. Ultimately, it's just a guideline not a limit, as it's often described.' Decades of scientific research has now proven links between alcohol and at least eight different types of cancer, dementia, heart attacks, strokes and liver cirrhosis. In particular, the role of alcohol in increasing the risk of breast cancer has been much more clearly established in recent years. Former breast surgeon Liz O'Riordan has written in the MoS about her fear that alcohol might have caused her breast cancer, which has now returned twice. Prof Holmes says the updated Government guidance was intended to convey a message about the increased evidence of harm, while advising people how to consume alcohol at the lowest level of risk. It was based on a simple principle also used in developing alcohol guidelines in Australia: namely, that people see a risk of one in 100 as broadly 'acceptable'. The team worked out, based on the evidence, how much an average person would have to drink every week across their lifetime to get to a point where one in every 100 died of an alcohol-related problem. Their conclusion was that it was 'roughly' 14 units. But Prof Holmes explains: 'There's a lot of uncertainty in the '14 units' figure, and probably a range which is acceptable, which might be up to 21 units. 'But it's set at 14 because we also had to consider what we wanted the new guideline to do in terms of changing behaviour. We needed it to be easily understandable, something we could defend scientifically, and it had to communicate this message that the evidence of risk from alcohol had increased since the previous guidelines. Professor Sir David Spielgelhalter, statistician and expert on risk, claims 'an hour a day of watching TV is more dangerous to your health' 'If you want to keep your risk low, the idea is you keep this number in mind. If you have 15 to 16 units a week, you've slightly increased your risk, but it's not huge. If you're having 20 to 30 units a week, you've substantially increased your risk.' It's a view echoed by Prof Spiegelhalter, who told the Mail on Sunday: 'The UK recommended limits are described as 'low-risk', but this does not mean that anything above this is 'high-risk'. 'It would be wrong if people thought that drinking anything above the recommended limits is necessarily harming them they could perhaps be considered as aspirational targets.' To put this into context, Prof Spiegelhalter has pointed to a major study published in the Lancet in 2018 which was based on 600,000 drinkers and examined 40,000 deaths. 'The study estimated that, compared with people drinking within current UK guidelines, those that drank up to twice the current guidelines had, on average, around six months lower life expectancy,' he said. 'Of course, any effect of additional alcohol will vary hugely between people, but this gives an idea of the magnitude of the trade-off.' In other words, it's small. He illustrates this further by analysing another large US study, which made headlines around the world by suggesting one drink a day was enough to increase the risk of death. But again, the statistics provide important context, Prof Spiegelhalter points out. If 100,000 15- to 95-year-olds drank no alcohol in a year, 914 of them would develop a health problem which can also be caused by drinking, the study shows. If all of them drank one alcoholic drink every day during that year, 918 of them would develop such a problem an extra four people. It means, Prof Spiegelhalter says, that 25,000 people would have to collectively consume 400,000 bottles of gin in a year to get one extra serious alcohol-related health event. And if those same drinkers instead had two drinks a day, or 2.5 units of alcohol equivalent to 17.5 units a week, and 25 per cent more than the UK guidelines 977 would develop a problem. That's an extra 63 people. 'This still indicates a very low level of harm in drinkers drinking just more than the UK guidelines,' he concludes. Of course, there is still the risk of harm if you regularly consume a lot more than the guidelines and women are more at risk than men. At moderate levels, the risk is equal, which is why the guidelines are set at 14 units for both men and women. Government health chiefs recommend 14 units a week for both men and women. It's less than most people think: roughly equivalent to six pints of beer, a bottle and a half of wine or 14 single measures of spirits But the more women drink, the higher the risk, partly because alcohol levels remain higher in women's blood for longer. Women have higher rates of liver disease, heart damage and cancer from lower levels of drinking. The expert group advising the Government on the 2016 guideline update briefly discussed introducing different categories of risk depending on how much alcohol you drank but ultimately decided this would prove too confusing. It is, however, a useful guide for both male and female drinkers. Prof Holmes explains it is based on categories often used in research, which splits consumption into three layers of risk: low risk is up to 14 units a week; hazardous, or increasing risk, is between 14 and 35 units for women and between 14 and 50 for men; and harmful or high risk is over 35 units for women and 50 for men. 'Whereas 14 units a week corresponds to a one in 100 risk of dying from alcohol, if men drink 50 units a week that risk increases to roughly one in six or seven,' Prof Holmes says. Each person's individual risk will also be different depending on their genetics, their age and how healthy they are. As for alcohol-free days, the evidence is even weak on whether this is beneficial. 'There's some evidence that, if you're a heavy drinker, having a few days off can help the liver recover,' explains Prof Holmes. 'But, broadly, making this recommendation part of the guidelines was about frequent drinking being habit-forming, which might push up consumption not because we have evidence that drinking every day is worse for you. I mean, the suspicion is it isn't great, but the evidence is far less certain.' It is, however, not all good news. It is looking less likely that there are protective effects from drinking alcohol in small amounts. That 'medicinal' glass of red wine may not be beneficial after all. The theory was based on older studies which compared the health of teetotallers with other drinkers, and which found those who do not drink could be as unhealthy as those who drank more heavily. There seemed to be a mild protective effect for the heart in those who consumed a small amount of alcohol. Drink more than that, and those benefits were lost as the increased risk from cancer and other problems took over. But some research failed to account for the fact that some teetotallers are former heavy drinkers, or don't drink because of poor health. Prof Holmes says: 'We're pretty confident now that we've been overestimating any benefits, and they may not exist at all,' he says. Research suggests that updating the guideline has not, in any case, had much of a lasting impact on our alcohol consumption. Professor Robert Dingwall, a sociologist at Nottingham Trent University, says: 'The risks for most people are trivial. What you do have is a concentration of people for whom alcohol is a real problem and the public health challenge is how you get to that group, rather than change the advice for the population as a whole.' Prof Holmes says: 'The way I often describe it is that most people have been given a pretty good hand, and there's a good chance they'll win the bet when it comes to their risk from alcohol. But you're betting against the house. It's up to you whether you fancy your chances or not.' Ministers have been accused of abandoning plans to send dentists in vans around the country in an effort to tackle the shortage of dental workers. The vehicles, which are kitted out to provide mobile care to rural communities, were announced this year as part of a government effort to allow more people to get attention. Research has suggested that around nine in ten NHS dental practices are not accepting new adult patients, leaving around one in five people without care. Last year, a Commons health committee published a report that concluded NHS dentistry was 'totally unacceptable in the 21st century' and had led to some patients removing their own teeth with pliers. In February, the Government unveiled its emergency plan to improve dental care, which also included 20,000 cash incentives to dentists who move to poorly serviced areas. The vehicles, which are kitted out to provide mobile care to rural communities, were announced this year as part of a government effort to allow more people to get attention (stock image) BDA chairman Eddie Crouch (pictured) said: 'Every MP who boasted to constituents about these vans is going to have to wait on what "non-van solutions" this Government can come up with' In February, the Government unveiled its emergency plan to improve dental care, which also included 20,000 cash incentives to dentists who move to poorly serviced areas It offered one-off bonuses of up to 50 for treating patients who had been waiting for NHS tooth care for at least two years. However, The Mail on Sunday has seen papers which suggest the plan to use so-called dental vans is now in question. A procurement document published by NHS England last month said there was a 'limited availability' of dental vans, as well as dentists to run them. It added that the NHS was now exploring 'non-van solutions' to work alongside the vehicles. The British Dental Association (BDA) said the revelations were a 'new low' for the Government, who they claim are failing to tackle the UK's dental crisis. 'Every MP who boasted to constituents about these vans is going to have to wait on what "non-van solutions" this Government can come up with,' says BDA chairman Eddie Crouch. 'This is pure farce. The Prime Minister pledged to restore NHS dentistry. 'The reality is a plan with no new money, no ambition, and now there aren't even any vans.' Research has suggested that around nine in ten NHS dental practices are not accepting new adult patients, leaving around one in five people without care (stock image) Last year, a Commons health committee published a report that concluded NHS dentistry was 'totally unacceptable in the 21st century' and had led to some patients removing their own teeth with pliers (stock image) Visiting an NHS dentist is not free but it is highly subsidised by the Government, making it significantly cheaper than private dental care. In England, NHS patients pay 25.80 for a check-up, scale and polish (if needed), and any X-rays. If they went private, they would foot 40 to 75 for the check-up, another 90 to 130 for a scale and polish and 10 to 20 for each X-ray potentially running up a bill of 225. For fillings or root canal work the NHS charge is about 70 in England. Private root canal treatments average 320. However, an increasing number of dentists no longer take on NHS patients and instead are offering only private treatment. This is largely due to long-running problems with the NHS contract for dentists which the BDA argues does not offer professionals enough money. The number of NHS dentists in England is now at its lowest in a decade, at about 23,000. This is down nearly 700 on last year and more than 1,100 down from pre-pandemic numbers. Last year, more than 12 million people were unable to access NHS dental care, according to official figures. The Government's strategy known as the dental recovery plan also included adding the naturally occurring mineral fluoride to tap water in parts of the country, to prevent tooth decay and encouraging nurseries to teach children how to brush their teeth. The NHS was now exploring 'non-van solutions' to work alongside the vehicles (stock image) Data suggests that, since the plan was announced, there has been little improvement in access to care. The Mail on Sunday revealed, in September 2023, that a record 85,000 patients flooded the NHS 111 helpline seeking urgent dental care. Since then, this figure has continued to rise, with more than 88,000 calling NHS 111 with dental problems in April. Vijay Sudra, a dentist based in Birmingham, has not seen or heard of dental vans going into practice anywhere. He said: 'The Government should offer appealing contracts to dentists in under-served parts of the country rather than using these glorified ice-cream vans.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: 'We're fully committed to rolling out dental vans as part of our plans to improve access for patients in areas where getting an appointment is more difficult, including rural and coastal communities. 'Through our dental recovery plan, we're jumpstarting the sector and creating 2.5 million more appointments through initiatives, like cash incentives for dentists taking on new patients and 20,000 golden hellos for those going to work in underserved areas.' A 27-year-old woman, who asked to be identified only by her surname Lee, said she did not see it coming when her boyfriend, whom she had planned to marry, started obsessing over her ever since they started living together. "Every time I was typing on my phone, he thought I was texting other boys, and he wouldn't even let me buy coffee by myself, saying it was dangerous," she said. Lee eventually told him she wanted to end the relationship, but she couldn't escape the violence that left her eye and chin purple. For Korean women, the term "safe breakup" is a renowned concept at a time when stories of dating violence, stalking or killings by their once-intimate partners are on the rise. "Seriously ask your boyfriend to pay off your debts for you," one comment read on an online community discussing tips on how to end a relationship safely without getting threats. Park Ga-eun, a 24-year-old designer in Seoul, said that people close to her, including herself, tend to be careful not to reveal their home addresses to their dating partners. "It's just to make sure they don't take out the anger on our families in case we want to break up," she said. A safe breakup, which refers to ending a relationship safely without stalking, violence or threats, rose to the spotlight after a recent series of gruesome intimate killings against women that sent a shock wave through the nation. Earlier this month, a 25-year-old medical school student, identified by his surname Choi, was arrested on charges of stabbing his girlfriend to death on the rooftop of a building in southern Seoul on March 6. Choi, who has admitted to having premeditated the murder, reportedly told police he had committed the crime after his girlfriend told him she wanted to break up. In another high-profile case in December, a Korean man in his 50s, who holds a U.S. attorney license, allegedly bludgeoned his wife with a blunt weapon and choked her to death at his residence in Seoul. The couple, who have two children, were known to be undergoing a divorce trial while living apart, and the crime took place when the wife was visiting her husband's house to retrieve a bag belonging to her daughter. Experts say the recent string of violence targeting women is deeply rooted in the prevailing perception that equates men's will to control or possess women as a sign of "manliness and masculinity." "Men kill women after a breakup, when they should be going through heartaches, singing sad songs or drinking, like how normal people go through a breakup," said Heo Min-sook, a research officer at the National Assembly Research Service with her expertise in women's studies. In Korea, at least 138 women were killed by their male partners last year, and some 311 others survived attempted murder by their intimate counterparts, according to media reports gathered by the Korea Women's Hotline. The number of people detained on charges of dating violence has also been consistently on the rise, recording 13,939 last year, a 55.7 percent leap compared with 2020, data from the National Police Agency showed. "This means they don't respect their partners as equal human beings, but as their possession, subjects of their control and domination," Heo said, adding this leads certain men to identify the breakup as losing their grip on their partners and hence leads them to seek ways to "punish" them for it. The tendency to regard such violence as a private matter between two individuals adds to the problem, said Park Ye-rim, who works at the counseling center for the Korea Women's Hotline to consult victims of gender-based violence. Park also criticized structural sexism, which blames women for what happened and eggs them on to find fault in themselves for the violence. "Some victims call and ask if they can still receive advice when there was no evident violence involved, saying they just had a brief dispute," Park said, adding abusive language or trying to control the victim's behavior is also a type of violence. Over half of the calls received by the Korea Women's Hotline last year involved violence from their former or current lovers and spouses, according to Park. Currently, dating violence is punished as assault or blackmail, crimes that cannot be punished against the victim's will. Some lawmakers have pushed for the revision of a law on domestic violence to include dating violence, but many experts are skeptical of its prospects, saying the existing law itself is too outdated and needs improvement, says Min Go-eun, a human rights director at the Korean Women Lawyers Association. The current law comes with loopholes that allow perpetrators to get away with the crime without leaving a criminal record or clear their charges by taking treatment programs, she said. "There are clauses in the law that stipulate that the victim's say in whether to punish the perpetrator or not should be respected in the face of an indictment or court judgment," Min explained. "Unless the victim files for divorce, the fine penalty or punishment on the perpetrator puts an equal burden on the part of the victim," she said, adding it leads many victims to drop the case or refrain from seeking tough punishment. Also, unlike stalking crimes, which are now punishable without the victim's consent, domestic violence has yet to undergo the same changes. Meanwhile, a new bill designed to punish perpetrators of dating violence and protect victims has yet to pass through the National Assembly due to conflicting views on how to define a "dating relationship" and to what extent government authority should intervene in violence occurring in a domestic setting, according to Min. However, even if a relevant law is passed, legal measures alone are not the magic wand to solve the problem, experts warned. "No matter how strongly we punish the offender, we can't be sure that it will prevent the crime," said Min, emphasizing efforts to change our social perceptions through persistent education to teach kids from early on of the appropriate gender roles and relationships. "Social perception on the issue needs to change first, which will lead to a cycle that raises awareness on such issues and policy can follow through," Park agreed. Referring to the newly coined term safe breakup, Park said it is unfortunate that people are left to come up with ways to protect themselves on their own. "I think it reflects the distrust the women in our society have about the government keeping them safe from such violence." (Yonhap) Daniel Kretinsky, the Czech Sphinx who wants to take over Royal Mail, learned his trade in the turmoil that followed the lifting of the Iron Curtain. The Velvet Revolution of 1989 happened in his formative years as a teenager. As a young man, he watched and learned as a new breed of capitalist in Eastern Europe seized their chance to make vast fortunes buying up formerly state-owned assets. He went on to build a multi-billion pound fortune by acquiring dirty energy assets from companies trying to go green, an activity that earned him a less flattering sobriquet as a 'fossil hyena'. Any highly successful scavenger is, by definition, an opportunist who sees potential profits others overlook. So what might Kretinsky see in Royal Mail? First, there is value to be unlocked if the Government finally gives a green light to reform the Universal Service Obligation that requires Royal Mail to deliver to all UK addresses six days a week. Uncertain future: The Government could block the deal on national security grounds The leadership team of chief executive Martin Seidenberg and chairman Keith Williams has, conveniently, done the groundwork on this. Savings of up to 300m would go to Kretinsky if his bid succeeds. Kretinsky might sell off GLS, the profitable Netherlands-based parcels business, which would be worth more freed from the Royal Mail millstone. His camp has intimated this is not on the cards, but given he claimed a year ago he had no intention of bidding for Royal Mail, perhaps this should not be given unstinting credence. As an astute real estate investor with a North London mansion and a Parisian townhouse, he will also be alive to Royal Mail's 1.4billion of property assets. These include the Mount Pleasant site in the heart of the capital, which is still used for sorting letters but could be redeveloped as luxury flats. It's easy to see what might be in it for Kretinsky, but less so for the rest of us. The Government could block the deal on national security grounds, but indications from business secretary Kemi Badenoch are that she will simply seek guarantees from Kretinsky over key services. Such pledges, have, in several episodes in the past, not been worth the paper they were written on. Labour, whose former business secretary turned banker Chuka Umunna is advising Kretinsky, has also written to the tycoon asking for pledges. All of which sounds mealy-mouthed in the face of the Sphinx's steam-roller. If a business can genuinely be better run under new ownership, then a takeover can be good news for stakeholders in the long term. This is not the case at Royal Mail, where new-ish chief executive Martin Seidenberg had a convincing plan for the company. Kretinsky appears simply to be snatching the fruits of that for himself. It's a shame the Royal Mail board rolled over and recommended the bid. Past experience tells us that when chairmen and CEOs choose to kick back against a bidder, they can win. Even if a defence fails, putting up a good fight can make a difference. The watershed case was in 2010 at chocolate maker Cadbury, where chairman Sir Roger Carr eventually had to succumb to a Kraft takeover. But it was a gallant defeat and the gusto with which Carr went into battle, along with broken promises from Kraft led to a revamp of the rules on takeovers to guard against unscrupulous raiders. Fourteen years on, it seems the lessons from the notorious Cadbury bid need to be learned all over again. A couple of holidays abroad every year, day trips out with the grandchildren, a new Ford Fiesta, National Trust membership and doing the weekly shop at Tesco. It's hardly an extravagant retirement. Yet with rising costs over the past two years, such a lifestyle is now becoming a luxury that has slipped out of reach for tens of thousands of Britons heading into their golden years. Just one in five will be able to afford this 'moderate' standard of living, according to the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association, which sets the pension industry's guidelines. With the full flat rate state pension paying 11,502 a year, that means a single person retiring today will need to take an extra 24,480 a year from their workplace or personal pension to reach that target after income tax The cost of this lifestyle has jumped by more than a third in just one year, the association found. A single person now needs 31,300 a year post tax to pay for a relatively low-key retirement, assuming they've paid off their mortgage, don't pay rent and put nothing aside to cover future care costs. With the full flat rate state pension paying 11,502 a year, that means a single person retiring today will need to take an extra 24,480 a year from their workplace or personal pension to reach that target after income tax. To buy an annuity guaranteeing that income every year for the rest of your life, it would cost a 66-year-old retiring today an astonishing 399,000, according to Legal & General. Hitting this pension pot goal is an overwhelming target for most of us even for those who've already started saving towards a pension. Luckily, there are easy ways to turbocharge your pension savings and make sure you don't find yourself unable to afford the retirement you've always dreamed of. First, it's important not to rely too heavily on the state pension to fund your lifestyle. Steve Webb, former pensions minister and now partner at consultancy firm Lane Clark and Peacock, says: 'For those who aspire even to a moderate standard of living in retirement, there is a huge gap between the state pension and their target income. 'Filling that gap can seem daunting but there are cost-effective ways of doing this.' Here we show you seven changes you can make to improve the quality of your retirement and how much each could save you. The Pension and Lifetime Savings Association produces a set of benchmark figures on how much annual income people will need for different retirements. The figures above for a couple are post tax and do not include mortgage or rent - presuming pensioners are mortgage-free 1. Fill National insurance gaps: 329 PER year To get the full state pension, currently 11,500 a year, you need to have paid national insurance for 35 years. To get state pension at all, you need to have paid it for a minimum of ten years. If you take time out of work to care for children, make sure you register for child benefit (even if you earn more than the threshold) because you will get national insurance credits which count towards your record. You can also register for carer's credit to fill any gaps you may have taken to help with children or elderly relatives. Based on the current rate, every year you pay national insurance is worth 329 in state pension income for every year of retirement. You can contribute to fill any gaps in the previous six years. Paying to fill a one-year gap in your national insurance record would cost 824. Over a 20-year retirement, you would get 6,580 back for this outlay, not accounting for state pension rises. Webb says this is 'one of the best investments you can make'. It would take just three years of receiving your new higher state pension to break even. Check how much you're in line to get at gov.uk/check-state-pension and find out if you have any gaps. > Read This is Money and Steve Webb's guide to state pension top-ups 2. Max out employer's contributions: 11,782 All firms are required to automatically enrol employees into a workplace pension scheme, and to pay in 3 per cent of their salary each year. Workers must also pay in 5 per cent unless they opt out. But most large companies will match your pension contributions if you decide to increase the amount you pay into your pot, up to 10 per cent. This can make an enormous difference to the size of your pension over a long period of time. For example, a 29-year-old woman earning an average salary of 30,316 who makes the minimum contribution of 5 per cent a year into her pension until age 68 her state pension age would likely have a pension worth 148,555. If she took the first 10 per cent of her pension tax free in cash and left the remainder invested, she could afford an annual income of 6,977 in retirement, according to estimates from government service MoneyHelper. But if she increased the amount she paid into her pension from 5 per cent to 10 per cent of her salary, and her employer matched these contributions, that same worker would have saved 371,387 by age 68. That is 222,832 more than if she had continued to pay the minimum. At retirement, she would take an income of 17,442 after her 10 per cent tax free lump sum, according to MoneyHelper. That is an extra 10,465 for every year of retirement a year, compared to if she had made the minimum level of contributions. And the more you earn, the greater the impact. A 49-year-old earning a salary of 40,040 who started to save the minimum into their pension would amass a pot worth 86,846 by 68. That would buy an annual income of 4,285 if they took 10 per cent as a tax-free lump sum. But if they maxed out the amount they paid into their pension, contributing 20 per cent of their salary the recommended amount for those starting to save in their 40s and received another 10 per cent from their employer, they would have a pot worth 325,673 by 68 nearly four times more than they would have had. Taking 10 per cent tax-free cash would leave them an annual income of 16,067. That is an extra 11,782 for every year in retirement. If you can't afford to forgo 10 per cent of your salary, Becky O'Connor, of PensionBee, says boosting your monthly contributions by just 1 per cent can help. She says: 'It's a manageable change that won't drastically impact your current lifestyle but lays the groundwork for greater financial security.' > Pension calculator: When can you afford to retire 3. Take charge of your investments: 17,290 Any money you save into your company pension will automatically be invested into the scheme's 'default fund'. These one-size-fits-all funds are invested to cover the needs of an average employee and won't necessarily be the best option. If you're in your twenties, your savings will be invested for upwards of 40 years and you can afford to take a lot more risk in your early years for example putting more into stocks and shares and investing less in bonds. If you're only five years away from retiring, it's wiser to move your pension into lower risk investments, such as bonds that are more stable and reliable dividend-paying investment trusts. The more risk you take, the higher the return you are likely to make over the long run. For example, Vanguard's LifeStrategy 100 per cent Equity fund a popular index-tracker fund that invests in global equities has returned around 55 per cent over the past five years. If you invested 10,000 five years ago, it would now be worth 15,500. Meanwhile, Vanguard's LifeStrategy 20 per cent Equity fund, which is just 20 per cent invested in global equities and therefore much lower risk, returned around 2 per cent over the same period meaning that 10,000 would now be worth 10,200. Take, for example, someone who contributes a total 400 a month into their pension, including employer contributions and tax relief. Over 30 years, with an annual return of 8 per cent, they would have a pension pot worth 567,045, according to Hargreaves Lansdown. A 67-year-old retiring on this today would secure a guaranteed income of 26,500 a year after withdrawing 25 per cent of their pot tax-free, pension provider L&G calculates. The same worker whose pension is invested in a lower risk fund returning 2 per cent, rather than 8 per cent a year, would have just 196,829 at the end of 30 years. This would afford an annual income of 9,210 a difference of 17,290 a year. > The best and cheapest DIY investing platforms for pensions and Isas 4. Steer clear of high fees: 3,900 Fund fees are a silent but deadly threat to your pension. Some charge just 0.2 per cent while others can levy more than 7 per cent. The speed at which your savings grow depends on the return each year. But high fees will chip away at any returns. O'Connor says: 'It's important to regularly review fees charged by your provider. 'Even a small percentage fee reduction can help maximise growth of your savings.' A worker saving 400 a month into their pension over 30 years with an annual return of 5 per cent would have 314,316 in their pension, after paying an annual investment fee of 0.22 per cent. The same worker paying a 2 per cent fee would be left with just 231,553, according to Candid Money. The 67-year-old retiring on 314,316 today would secure a guaranteed income of 14,750 a year for life after withdrawing 25 per cent of their pot tax-free. But this drops to 10,850 a year if they had paid a fee of 2 per cent a year a 3,900-a-year difference. 5. Consolidate multiple pension pots: 380 At least 4.8 million pension pots are considered to be 'lost' in the UK, according to O'Connor. She says: 'Almost one in 10 workers think they have lost a pension pot worth more than 10,000 during their working career.' If you've moved jobs, it's likely you have multiple pensions, as each employer will start a new one and it's easy to lose track. If you've mislaid just one pension worth 10,000, L&G calculates you would be missing out on a guaranteed income of 380 per year for life after you retire. If you suspect you may have some old pensions you can't locate, you can use the Government's Pension Tracing Service (call 0800 731 0193 or visit gov.uk/find-pension-contact-details) to identify your pension providers. You can then get in touch with these companies to enquire about a lost pension. 6. Delay your state pension: 667 If you don't need to draw your state pension when you reach state pension age currently 66, rising to 67 from 2028, and to 68 between 2044 and 2046, it could boost your annual income when you eventually do claim. For every nine weeks you delay claiming the state pension, your entitlement will rise 1 per cent. The full state pension today for someone retiring at 66 is worth 221.20 a week. If you delayed your first withdrawal by a year, you would get 234.02 a week according to MoneyHelper or 667 extra a year. If you don't need to draw your state pension when you reach state pension age currently 66, rising to 67 from 2028, and to 68 between 2044 and 2046, it could boost your annual income when you eventually do claim 7. Don't take YOUR pension early: 950 As soon as you start to draw taxable income from your pot, the amount you can contribute tax-free each year known as your annual allowance is slashed from 60,000 to 10,000. Tom Selby, of investment platform AJ Bell, says: 'That reduces your ability to top up your pension if your plans or circumstances change. Pensions are also extremely tax-efficient on death, so if passing money on to loved ones is a priority, it often makes sense to save as much into your pension as possible.' Leaving your pension invested for even just a few more years before you begin to draw from it can dramatically increase your income in retirement, says O'Connor. This is because your pension will continue to benefit from investment growth. Someone who reached retirement age with 307,190 in their pot would be able to buy a guaranteed annual income of 14,400 after drawing down the full 25 per cent tax-free cash lump sum. But if they left their savings invested for one extra year, their annual income would jump by 950 a year to 15,350. The Australian miner looking to buy Anglo American will this week decide if it is willing to up its 34billion offer. Melbourne's BHP has until 5pm on Wednesday to make an offer for the FTSE-100 rival. Anglo's board has snubbed two bids so far the first at 31billion and said they had 'significantly undervalued' it. The suitor is set to make a decision early this week about tabling an improved offer after a weekend of talks described as 'on a knife edge', according to the Sunday Times. BHP boss Mike Henry spent a few days at a major mining conference in Miami, gauging interest from Anglo investors about a desirable price. Digging deep: BHP is set to make a decision about tabling an improved offer after a weekend of talks described as 'on a knife edge' It wants Anglo to spin off parts of its business so that it could snap up its copper mines for itself. But top Anglo investors have said they would prefer a less complicated deal. Duncan Wanblad, Anglo boss, has been attempting to fend off the takeover. He intends to offload its De Beers diamond business as well as its South African platinum arm and its coking coal and nickel operations. Holding firm: Mondelez boss Dirk Van de Put Cadbury owner Mondelez will face scrutiny over selling chocolate in Russia at its AGM this week. Senior MPs and campaign groups have lambasted it for selling a number of its brands including Milka chocolate and Oreo biscuits. Investor Wespath Benefits and Investments has proposed an independent review of how the US conglomerate is implementing human rights policy in Russia and Ukraine. Advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services has encouraged investors to back this. Mondelez, which took over beloved British brand Cadbury in 2010, said calls for a review were 'duplicative and unnecessary.' Boss Dirk Van de Put said investors do not 'morally care' whether firms do business in Russia, adding that no shareholders had pressured it to leave. Having his say: Sir Jim Ratcliffe One of Britain's top industrialists has warned the country's manufacturing is lagging behind Germany's due to uncompetitive government taxes. Sir Jim Ratcliffe Britain's fourth wealthiest man took a swipe at the Conservatives' economic strategy and said the country 'does need to get a bit sharper' on business. The billionaire, who runs petrochemicals empire Ineos, claimed hefty taxes would 'kill off' oil and gas companies while businesses thrived elsewhere. Manufacturing 'unfortunately, has been sliding away now for the last 25 years', the Manchester United co-owner told Sky News. While the UK was 'very similar in scale' to Germany at the start of the century, today it is 'just a fraction' of its European rival. The North has been especially hindered by this lack of growth, Ratcliffe said. He added: 'That talks to things like energy competitiveness, it talks to things like, why do you put an immensely high tax on the North Sea?' 'That just disincentivises people from finding hydrocarbons in the North Sea, in energy.' He then said Britain 'wants to kill off the oil and gas companies' with a levy of 75 per cent. In comparison a corporation tax of around 30 per cent is paid in America. A windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas profits was imposed in 2022 because of a jump in energy prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Ratcliffe's comments echo those from other industry figures this month, with the chairman of a top producer Serica Energy accusing ministers of a 'race to the bottom'. 'The UK politics is going to drive oil and gas investment overseas, and it will take with it jobs, tax revenues and energy security,' David Latin said. The manufacturing industry employs around 2.6million people in the UK and it contributes 224billion in output, according to Make UK. But there have been concerns about the UK missing out as big names have turned elsewhere to invest in new factories. Australia's central business districts are bustling once more, thanks to a resurgence of employees heading back to the office as companies enforce stricter policies on working from home. Just two years ago, Sydney's CBD was eerily quiet after Covid-19 lockdowns. This downturn devastated the small businesses that remained in the area. Today, however, the tide has turned. Workers are returning in large numbers, transforming the CBD into a bustling hive of activity once more. So what do workers really think about bosses mandating a return to office work? Daily Mail Australia interviewed people in Sydney to find out. Jake, who works in finance, said that his employer increased the number of days workers are expected to be in the office to five days a week. Workers in Sydney's CBD (pictured) have opened up about working from home While businesses initially pushed for a full-time return to the office, a number have since compromised on a hybrid work schedule for those used to to working from home 'There are elements of flexibility which they've maintained. If you need to work from home for whatever reason, you can,' he said. 'Once upon a time everyone was in the office, so for me it's back to normal and I'm okay with that. 'There are a lot of people who started working during Covid and it's new to them and they feel like it is quite tough.' 'A lot of my work is client base, so actually seeing clients makes a big difference, I think that part of business is really important to be back face-to-face.' Finance worker, Jake (pictured), said he prefers to go into the office five times a week to meet face-to-face with clients and work collaboratively with co-workers Nuno, who's an architect, said he's glad to be back at the office with his team. 'For our business, we discuss ideas in the office,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'People need to work together to create good spaces, especially because we also have staff members that are not very experienced, so we need to be there to mentor them.' But not everyone wants to be back in the office. Poll Do you think workers should return to the office full-time? Yes No Do you think workers should return to the office full-time? Yes 560 votes No 550 votes Now share your opinion One worker said: 'I was forced back into the office. I will find another job. In the meantime, I will work 7.6 hours per day. Not a second more, or less.' Another added: 'My office went from full time WFH for two years to full time back in the office, effective immediately, as per the email. I went back for a few weeks and hated it and then left.' While some companies are requiring their employees to return to the office five days a week, many others are offering flexible work arrangements. Consultant Arun revealed that he enjoyed the flexibility of working from home because it allowed him to look after his two-year-old child. 'It's easier to pick him up, send him to day care, just be there if there's anything that he needs attention,' he said. 'The company that I work for is very flexible in terms of work arrangements, so there is no need to come into the office if it's not required.' Arun only goes into the office about once a week when he needs to attend urgent meetings, but often has weeks-long stretches where he works from home. Two workers at one of the Big Four banks, who wished to remain anonymous, praised their management for approving a flexible work environment. Architect, Nuno (left), said his industry needed concerted efforts to make 'great spaces', adding that working in the office meant he could mentor younger architects Consultant, Arun (pictured), only goes into the office to attend serious meetings 'The way they've dealt with that, for us anyway, has been really positive,' one said. 'They're still encouraging us to come in, they see the value in the face-to-face relationships, but they also see the value in being able to have that flexibility as well.' The other added that 'productivity has definitely gone up, you can actually manage what we're doing now, and when you do have a face-to-face meeting is more meaningful and valuable'. Another bank worker said that at the end of the day, all that matters is productivity levels. 'If you're delivering from home then of course you should work from home, as long as you're not taking the p***,' he said. The push for a hybrid work environment has also been noticed by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Small businesses around the city such as cafes and dry cleaners are also starting thrive as workers return (pictured stock image of peak commuter time in Sydney) ACCI Director of Workplace Relations, Jessica Tinsley, said flexibility towards remote would should be 'encouraged' where possible. 'But we need to avoid a 'one size fits all' approach,' Ms Tinsley told Daily Mail Australia, adding 'it is just not possible for some employees to work from home'. 'Some small businesses that are less able to support working from home arrangements are particularly in need of workers onsite. 'While employers understand the appeal of remote work, many businesses tell us an onsite presence drives higher productivity and collaboration.' She noted a November ruling by the Fair Work Commission which found it reasonable for a business to require staff be in the office for face-to-face interactions. 'Businesses find they need to balance employee desires for flexibility with the real benefits of in-house teamwork and immediate feedback,' Ms Tinsley said. 'Though hybrid models are becoming more common, there's real value in the energy of the office environment.' A recent report from the Fair Work Commission in February pointed towards working from home not impeding on productivity. It also found work from home 'expanded employment opportunities, reduced time spent commuting and provided more flexibility to balance work and caring responsibilities'. Extremists plotting to wreak havoc at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) include a Missouri man charged with spying for Russia, sparking fears the Kremlin could seek to unleash chaos at the conference. Police are already braced for massive protests at the August convention, with agitators threatening a throwback to 1968 when the event turned into a bloodbath. In recent weeks, clashes at university campuses over the Israel-Hamas conflict have raised concerns that the far left is ramping up plans for a major show of force. But DailyMail.com can now reveal that those plotting to bring chaos to the streets of Chicago include an agitator who has been linked to a Kremlin plot to 'sow discord' across America. Jesse Nevel, 34, from St. Louis, Missouri, was charged in a federal probe last year over allegations he conspired with an FSB agent to spread Russian propaganda and influence US elections. Jesse Nevel was charged in a federal probe last year over allegations he conspired with an FSB agent to spread pro-Kremlin propaganda. He is now plotting to disrupt the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago this summer FSB agent Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov offered to fund Nevel's run for mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida, in 2017, according to an indictment filed in the state in April last year Activists plotting mass protests at the DNC in Chicago have already promised a return to 1968, when the event turned the windy city into a bloodbath But with the charges still looming, the former mayoral candidate for St Petersburg, Florida, reportedly attended a 'March on DNC' conference in the windy city last month. The revelations have sparked fears that the Kremlin could target the event as a means of destabilizing the Democratic party and ultimately sway the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. Max Bergmann, of think tank the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), told DailyMail.com that the DNC was a 'clear target for Russian interference efforts'. 'There's a long history of the Russians using groups on the left, who are "useful idiots", to amplify their own messages and divide America,' he added. Those involved in the 'March on the DNC 2024' movement include many of the usual suspects, including far-left factions and pro-Palestine activists whose homes have been raided by the FBI as part of a probe into support for terrorist groups. Yet Nevel's presence, first revealed by The Free Press, within the coalition of chaos may be of added interest to authorities. He is a prominent activist in the Uhuru Solidarity Movement - a group of white campaigners who support the African People's Socialist Party (APSP). But for a party whose primary goal is the liberation of African people across the globe, some of its recent causes have taken a surprising turn. In 2016, it issued a statement in support of the Russian Olympic team after it was banned from the Rio Games for doping. And following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, party chairman Omali Yeshitela called for 'unity with Russia in its defensive waragainst the world colonial powers'. It blamed the conflict on the US, EU and 'pro-Western neo-fascists in Ukraine'. What these proclamations have to do with black liberation is unclear. But those behind them have little to do with that cause, either, according to an indictment filed in Tampa, Florida, in April last year. For they are in fact the work of an FSB agent named Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov, who allegedly recruited prominent members of the APSP, including Hevel, to spread pro-Kremlin propaganda in exchange for donations to the party. In fact, Ionov had been working with the APSP as far back as 2014 in order to 'divide Americans and interfere in elections in the United States', according to Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen. The Russian even offered to provide 'campaign finance' for Nevel's unsuccessful tilt for mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida, in 2017, the charges state. Nevel is also alleged to have conspired to recruit other US citizens to work as Russian agents. The 34-year-old has strongly denied the allegations Ionov offered to provide 'campaign finance' to Nevel's failed run for mayor of St Petersburg, Florida, in 2017, according to the federal indictment Nevel is a member of the African People's Socialist Party. Its chairman, Omali Yeshitela (above), is also charged as part of the federal probe. He has denied working for Russia Authorities are braced for huge protests at this summer's DNC amid growing civil unrest over the Israel-Hamas war, which has already led to violent clashes Pro-Palestinian demonstrations on college campuses have raised the specter of a replay of 1968's Democratic convention. Pictured: Police reroute demonstrators as they try to clear Grant Park during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 28 of that year. Nevel, for his part, was fully aware Ionov was 'an instrument of Russian government', US authorities claim. After Yeshitela returned from a separatist conference hosted by Ionov in Moscow in the summer of 2015, Nevel allegedly sent an email to party members relaying the chairman's view that their host's ties to the Kremlin 'did not disturb us'. The indictment suggests Nevel was primarily a lackey, relaying messages and chasing Ionov's assistant for donations in return for drafting anti-America petitions at the Russian's behest. But his campaign for office in Florida was allegedly used as a training run for the Kremlin's aim of influencing elections on a national scale. Shortly after the 2020 presidential election, Ionov funded a protest in Washington D.C.. In reporting back to his handlers in Moscow, he explained that mayoral bids he had previously supported in Florida would make it possible 'to carry out more effective campaigns during municipal elections' and 'lay the groundwork for a new electoral base', the charges state. Ionov, Yeshitela and Nevel are all charged with conspiring to recruit US citizens as Russian spies, which could land them with five years behind bars if convicted. Yeshitela and Nevel are also charged with acting as agents of Russia within the US without prior notification to the Attorney General, a crime that carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison. The pair have both strongly denied the charges. Yeshitela has said Ionov had no role in APSP political campaigns, adding: 'I ain't ever worked for a Russian.' In an article for the party's newspaper, The Burning Spear, in June last year, Nevel said it was 'absurd' that he and Yeshitela were accused of spying for Russia. He described the charges as 'false to an idiotic and laughable extreme' and claimed that the US government was attempting to imprison Yeshitela because he was 'a freedom fighter' in the same vein as Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, both of whom were hounded by the intelligence services. In February, a judge denied the defendants' motion to dismiss the indictment. Nevel did not respond to a list of questions sent to him by DailyMail.com. Security experts say Russia could seek to target the DNC as a means of undermining Joe Biden, who has been repeatedly pushed sending US aid and arms to Ukraine Police advance on demonstrators on the UCLA campus May 2, 2024, in Los Angeles, following violent clashes between pro-Palestine and pro-Israel groups Vladimir Putin has a clear incentive to derail Biden's re-election campaign. The US President is a bigger backer of Ukraine than his rival Donald Trump There is no evidence that the Kremlin is behind Nevel's appearance at the March on DNC conference in Chicago last month. But Bergmann, director of the CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program, said it would be 'shocking' if Russia wasn't already plotting to disrupt the event. He pointed out that Russian agents stole 20,000 documents stolen from the Democratic National Committee, which were released by WikiLeaks just days before the party's convention in 2016. US officials have already warned that Russia is spreading disinformation ahead of the 2024 election, using fake online accounts to damage President Joe Biden and his fellow Democrats. Experts say it is part of a continuing effort by Moscow to undercut American military aid to Ukraine and US support for NATO. But less attention has been paid to what is described in the Florida filings as 'agitprop' - agitation and propaganda - through Russian sympathizers on the ground. Bergmann said there are real concerns that Russian intelligence will 'find ways to be part of the [DNC] protests...turning them from peaceful to violent through agitators in the crowd'. 'We saw the Russians trying to do this in 2016, trying to facilitate violent protests by activating far right and far left groups to face off with each other. 'There is real concern about how Russia will use will exploit these divisions, to distract from the convention and undermine Biden, but also to depict Americans as at war with themselves.' The 'March on the DNC 2024' conference last month featured 75 organizations, with speakers instructing activists how to say 'Death to America' in Farsi, The Free Press reported. Mick Kelly, (left), of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, and Hatem Abudayyeh, (right) chairman of the US Palestinian Community Network, also attended the March on the DNC conference in April. They have both caught the eye of the FBI in the past, but without charge Other prominent figures in attendance included Mick Kelly, a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, and Hatem Abudayyeh, chairman of the US Palestinian Community Network, whose homes were raided by the FBI in 2010 in a probe over possible links to 'designated foreign terrorist organizations', including the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and Hezbollah. Neither were charged. Democrats fear unrest over Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas war will lead to ugly scenes at this year's convention and derail the President's re-election campaign. Activists have sued in federal court, alleging First Amendment violations because the city has only offered permits for demonstrations miles from the United Center, where Biden is scheduled to accept the Democratic presidential nomination. Protesters preparing for the convention have vowed to march on it anyway, raising the specter of clashes with police that could undercut Biden and further divide the Democratic base. They think the campus demonstrations and broad Democratic disapproval of the war will fuel their efforts. March on the DNC organizers did not respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com regarding Nevel's presence at their April conference. New York City's wealthy elite are building elaborate secret panic rooms in their glitzy mansions amid fears over soaring crime in the Big Apple. The trend of millionaires installing electrified door handles, rooms that fire pepper spray outwards and ballistic-grade walls to save them from intruders trying to break in is being repeated across America. These pictures show just some of the crafty designs built into bookcases, stairs and fireplaces in fancy neighborhoods such as Park Avenue and the West Village. It comes as the rich and famous cower from criminals across New York City, which has seen crime spiral over the past few years. Rigdon's panic rooms start at $50,000, and it could cost up to $1 million to fortify luxury apartments in New York City Comedian Joan Rivers and actress Gwyneth Paltrow have reportedly had panic rooms New York Magazine reports that Bill Rigdon is the person mega-rich Manhattanites call when they want a closet that locks from the inside with electrified door handles. Rigdon, who also deals in yachts, armored vehicles and art, said he had a person who worked at Fox News as a client - and his fittings start from $50,000. 'I once had a Fox News reporter who had a whole plan for a basement bunker where 13, 14 people could stay for a period of time,' Rigdon said. Rigdon said his business of building hidden bunkers inside New York City apartments is booming as more and more affluent city dwellers feel the five boroughs are doomed. One panic-room business owner, Steve Humble of Creative Home Engineering, told the magazine that he saw a marked uptick in business specifically in New York when the Black Lives Matter protests erupted across the country in the summer of 2020. New York City 's wealthy elite are building incredible secret panic rooms in their glitzy mansions amid fears over spiking crime in the Big Apple Another example of a panic room, with a bookcase serving as the means to entering it 'That wave has kind of died down but it was replaced in large part by the persistent uptick in violent crime in large cities like New York,' Humble said. While violent crimes are noticeably down as of April 2024, according to the NYPD, crime in America's largest city remains elevated from 2019 lows. In 2019, New York saw approximately 95,000 incidents of crime according to the NYPD. In 2023, that number was 126,678. That's a 33 percent increase from four years earlier, despite the fact that overall crime is indeed slowly trending down. The NYPD stated in its most 2023 report that murders have increased for four straight years until last year when they fell 11 percent to a total of 386. Still, looking back to 2019, before the pandemic and protests linked to the police killing of George Floyd, there were 21 percent fewer murders than there were in 2023. A side-by-side showing the regular wall, left, and the opening to the safe room, right An appraiser named Jonathan Miller who knows city real estate inside and out said that panic rooms are a fad for the ultra-wealthy Panic room outfitters said that they frequently serve celebrities, billionaires, government officials and embassies. A mirror vault designed by Creative Home Engineering Other crimes such as rapes, robberies, felony assaults, and grand larcenies are still quite a bit higher than they were four years ago, per the NYPD data. Amid this objectively more dangerous environment, New Yorkers are 'locking down,' says Humble. Panic room outfitters said that they frequently serve celebrities, billionaires, government officials and embassies. Rigdon wasn't able to concretely reveal any of his clients because of the NDAs he has signed, but he did give hints. His clients include a 'famous piano player from England who wears funny glasses' and 'a TV host who's very famous with a friend named Gayle.' Rigdon also dropped the bombshell that Jeffrey Epstein's brother gave him a call once. Rigdon gave hints as to which celebrities he had as clients, referring to one of them as a 'famous piano player from England who wears funny glasses' Those in the business of panic rooms say selling them to rich people is as easy as telling them it's better to be safe than sorry Pictured: A panic room designed by Creative Home Engineering, which is owned by Steve Humble Comedian Joan Rivers had a safe room in her Fifth Avenue penthouse to hide herself away from stalkers, the New York Times reported. Gwyneth Paltrow was also said to have a safe room in her old West Fourth Street apartment, but her spokesperson said she only used it to store clothes. It's easy to say that panic rooms are common among an exceedingly small slice of the city's population, but given the exorbitant cost - Rigdon's panic rooms start at $50,000 - it's a little harder to believe that people are actually having this done at an increased rate. To find out, the magazine spoke to Jonathan Miller, an appraiser based in the city. 'We've seen it in gut renovations over the last three to four years,' said Miller said. It's like adding a jacuzzi.' Miller thinks it's a fad though, something only high-end homeowners are truly intrigued by. For instance, a luxury apartment in the city could cost $1 million to fortify. The panic room business owners say the way they sell this ludicrously expensive addition to rich people's homes is by convincing them that they're 'better safe than sorry.' Haresh owned the real estate firms for years, while also dealing in diamonds Shashikant Jogani claimed his brother Haresh cut him out and won in court Two brothers dueled over control of successful real estate firms for decades After more than two decades of legal sparring, the property magnate at the heart of America's most expensive sibling spat claims he has forgiven his brother. In February, Indian-born real estate mogul Shashikant Jogani - known as Shashi - was awarded $7 billion by a jury after his brother Haresh, a uber-rich diamond dealer, tried to swindle him out of his stake in a multi-billion dollar real estate empire. Shashi claimed he entered into an unwritten agreement in 1995 with Haresh and three of his other brothers to buy distressed properties in California to turn a profit. Shashi was positioned as the brains of the operation - since he was the only one with years of experience in the California real estate game - while his brothers were the financiers. He said in return he was promised a 50 percent share in the company. With nothing in writing, the business agreement later descended into all-out legal war after Haresh refused to uphold his end of the bargain. But now Shashi has revealed he holds 'no grudge' against his brother and would like to make amends, the LA Times reported. Shashi Jogani, seen here, was awarded $7 billion after suing his brother Haresh The Jogani brothers have been tangled in a lawsuit dating back to 2003, when Shashi Jogani sued brother Haresh (pictured) for not living up to an oral agreement made between the two of them and three other brothers The suit stems from Haresh buying about 2,600 of Shashi's units - which now include Sunset Pointe Apartments in Van Nuys - and hiring his brother as a consultant, using his knowledge of the business to find other potential units According to eldest sibling Shashi, the agreement was that his brothers Haresh, Rajesh, Shailesh and Chetan - all of whom worked together in their lucrative diamond business back home in India - would front Shashi the tens of millions of dollars he needed to invest in real estate. Shashi would then be the one actively buying, renovating and flipping the apartment complexes mostly in California's San Fernando Valley. 'Haresh was proposing that all five brothers, including Haresh, would become partners. I will be 50 percent partner. Four other brothers are going to be 50 percent partner,' Shashi testified in court when the decades-long feud finally went to trial in September 2023. As part of the deal, Shashis testified that his 50 percent stake in the companies would not be realized until he paid his brothers back for their initial investment plus 12 percent interest. Shashi's mistake, according to his lawyers, was sticking by Indian families' traditional way of doing business with each other and never getting any of this in writing. As a result, when Shashi paid off the $70 million he owed to his brothers in late 2001, Haresh refused to give him the 50 percent ownership in the company. 'I lost my mind. I said, "I made this empire,"' Shashi testified. 'I really felt betrayed. ... I created this empire. I hired all the people. I hired the management company. I purchased all these properties.' Haresh took the stand during the trial as well and said Shashi was straight-up lying. There was no handshake deal or any kind of oral agreement between the two of them in Shashi's Glendale townhouse in 1995, Haresh testified. Rather, Haresh claims he hired Shashi as a consultant for the real estate business, and the two only had a written consulting agreement, not a split ownership deal. Haresh Jogani (pictured) testified his vast real estate portfolio was now worth 'zero, negative' after a Los Angeles jury found he owed his four brothers $10 billion for cutting them off the family business Attorneys for brothers Rajesh Jogani (left) and Chetan Jogani (right) said they are 'elated' after a jury found their other brother, Haresh, acted in 'trickery and deceit' in keeping billions of earnings to himself Rajesh Jogani was awarded $450 million in punitive damages on March 7, 2023 Chetan Jogani rushed out of court on March 4, 2023 Yash Jogani, Chetan's son, said the family is happy to put the case behind them John Lee, Haresh's attorney, said his client plans to file an appeal '[Shashi] just was a consultant. Its my corporation. Its my capital, my business,' Haresh said in court. In 2003 it became clear to Shashi that wasn't going to get what he thought he deserved, so he sued all four brothers, though his primary target was Haresh. Another twist in the case came when the other brothers switched sides more than a decade after Shashi filed his initial lawsuit. Each of them sued Haresh because they now claimed they weren't getting their fair share of the money Haresh promised them in similar handshake agreements. They also claimed that Haresh controlled the money in their joint diamond business and that he forced them to sign declarations writing Shashi out of owning the California real estate companies. '"If you dont sign this declaration, then Im holding your 95 percent capital,"' Haresh told his youngest brother, Chetan, according to Chetans trial testimony. "'You will not get anything."' Haresh denied pressuring his brothers into anything. The five-month trial, beginning in September and ending in February, featured roughly 400 documents and more than three dozen witnesses called to the stand. Shashi's real estate holdings were damaged by the 1994 Northridge earthquake, which killed 16 people in one of his buildings due to a floor collapse and forced hundreds of other units to evacuate. This is what prompted Shashi to go to Haresh for a potential partnership where Haresh and the other brothers would kick in funds Shashi would have to pay back with interest The arrangements between Shashi and Haresh initially worked well, as Haresh eventually grew his portfolio to complexes totaling 16,400 units The case dragged on for 20 years, with multiple claims filed by four of Haresh's brothers But in the end, the jurors dealt a devastating blow to Haresh by saying that yes, Shashi did 'enter into an oral or implied in fact agreement with Haresh to acquire properties as partners.' As a result, the jury awarded Shashi with more than $1.7 billion in monetary damages and an additional $1.5 billion in punitive damages. Shashi was also given what he had chased for over twenty years: his 50 percent stake in the real estate companies he helped run and build into a huge success. All told, Shashi was awarded an eye-watering $7 billion. Brothers Rajesh and Chetan, who turned on Haresh about a decade ago, were each given $3.5 billion for their stakes in the California real estate companies that Haresh allegedly withheld from them like he did with Shashi. Shailesh, too, was given his stake in the partnership, but no separate damages. Haresh, obviously, wasn't happy with the outcome. He pleaded poverty during the trial, testifying that his vast real estate portfolio was worth nothing. Haresh's team plans to appeal. They also filed a post-trial motion to disqualify the presiding judge, Susan Bryant-Deason, claiming she was 'zealously' biased against Haresh throughout the proceedings. Eventually, all four brothers came together to sue Haresh resulting in a trial that began in September 2023 and ended in February The jury awarded Shashi and brothers Rajesh, Chetan and Shailesh $2.5 billion in monetary damages and more than $4.5 billion in property interests, according to lawyers for the plaintiff 'She routinely sighed, rolled her eyes, and threw up her hands at Defendants counsel, including in front of the jury,' wrote Haresh's lawyer Rick Richmond. Richmond also claimed Bryant-Deason once 'yelled at, walked out on, and pantomimed playing a violin' at one of Hareshs attorneys. Bryant-Deason denied the allegations. Shashi, ever-optimistic, told the LA Times that despite the near-endless acrimony between him and his brothers, he believes there's a future where he can make amends with them. Shashi said he hasn't spoken to Haresh since they failed to work out a way to settle the lawsuit pre-trial, which was a few years ago. Shashi rehearsed to the LA Times what he might say to his brother if he were to call him on the phone. And even after all Haresh put him through, Shashi appears willing to put it all behind them. 'Haresh, look, whatever happens, happens,' he could say. 'I have no grudge against you. I forgive you. What else can I say?' The 2018 royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex was watched by almost 30million people on television around the world. The anticipation in the days leading up to the iconic nuptials six years ago today was high and rumours were rife regarding who Meghan would wear down the aisle at St George's Chapel. In the end, Meghan chose to work with French fashion house Givenchy and Clare Waight Keller, their first first female artistic director. The Duchess praised the designer's elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring, and relaxed demeanour. The understated dress was floor-length and featured long sleeves with a bateau neckline, reflective of Meghan's own classic personal style. Costing 100,000, it perfectly embodied her 'effortless American style,' said Waight Keller, who described the finished dress as 'not overly feminine, but not really minimal either.' The late Queen Elizabeth II allegedly believed the the dress was 'too white' for a divorcee to wear in a church. Royal commentator Ingrid Seward said in her recent book My Mother and I: 'In the monarch's view, it was not appropriate for a divorcee getting remarried in church to look quite so flamboyantly virginal.' The 2018 royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex was watched by almost 30million people on television around the world. Meghan wore a Claire White, the first female artistic director of fashion house Givenchy Meghan's bateau neckline was inspired by the royal's affinity for Audrey Hepburn, the off-the-shoulder neckline was a nod to the iconic Givenchy dress in the 1957 movie Funny Face Inspired by the royal's affinity for Audrey Hepburn, the off-the-shoulder neckline was a nod to the iconic Givenchy dress in the 1957 movie Funny Face, together with the demure aesthetic of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's wedding gown in 1996. Epitomising a timeless minimal elegance, the gown referenced the codes of the iconic House of Givenchy, showcasing the expert craftsmanship of its world-renowned Parisian couture atelier which was founded in 1952. True to the heritage of the house, the pure lines of the dress were achieved using six meticulously placed seams, focusing on the graphic open bateau neckline that gracefully frames the shoulders and emphasises the slender sculpted waist. Meghan added a personal touch, stitching a piece of blue gingham fabric from the dress she wore on their first date in the hem. The creation of the royal look took 3,900 hours and involved a team of 50 people. Meghan had eight dress fittings over the course of four months. Waight Keller crafted double-bonded silk cady material in a pure-white hue that gave the dress that modern matte appearance. 'We wanted to create a timeless piece that would emphasise the iconic codes of Givenchy throughout its history, as well as convey modernity through sleek lines and sharp cuts,' she said. 'In contrast, the delicate floral beauty of the veil was a vision Meghan and I shared, a special gesture embracing the commonwealth flora, ascending the circumference of the silk tulle.' Audrey Hepburn with an almost identical neckline wearing a Givenchy dress in the film Funny Face 1957 directed by Stanley Donen Meghan also wanted the demure aesthetic of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's wedding gown in 1996. Above: Carole Bessette-Kennedy seen on the cover of Gold Collector Series Magazine on the day she married John F. Kennedy Jr Sketches of the Duchess's dress were released on Kensington Palace's Twitter The cathedral-length, five-metre-long veil was trimmed with lace depicting flora from each of the 53 Commonwealth countries Meghan added a personal touch, stitching a piece of blue gingham fabric from the dress she wore on her first date with Harry in the hem Clare Waight Keller at the Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year Awards in 2018 Meghan's veil was held in place by the Queen Mary's diamond bandeau tiara, which was originally made in 1932 and lent to Meghan by the late Queen Elizabeth A pregnant Duchess of Sussex presented British Designer of the Year to Clare for Givenchy during the fashion Awards in October 2018 Waight Keller crafted double-bonded silk cady material in a pure-white hue that gave the dress that modern matte appearance The cathedral-length, five-metre-long veil was trimmed with lace depicting flora from each of the 53 Commonwealth countries. The dressmakers involved had to regularly wash their hands to avoid discolouring the material. The veil was held in place by Queen Mary's beautiful diamond bandeau tiara, which was originally made in 1932 and lent to Meghan by the late Queen. Complementing the simplicity of her gown, Meghan wore a pair of Givenchy heels which we caught a glimpse of when she stepped out of St George's Chapel. Based on a Givenchy refined pointed couture design, they were crafted from silk duchess satin and in the same shade of white as her dress. The ceremony itself was remembered for its break with tradition. Harry and Meghan chose American bishop Reverend Michael Curry to deliver a rousing sermon which captivated audiences around the world. Meghan's father Thomas Markle pulled out at the last minute after it emerged he had staged paparazzi photos of himself. Instead, King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, walked Meghan down the aisle. And although a deep rift now separates the Sussexes from the Prince and Princess of Wales, on that special day all of Harry's family were present. Prince William, Princess Kate, Prince George and Princess Charlotte all had front-and-centre placing. Charlotte, then aged just three, was a bridesmaid. Harry and William, now so far apart, looked closer than ever as they walked into St George's Chapel, before the older Windsor fulfilled his duties as his brother's best man. The day marked the moment that the royals accepted an American actress into the fold - and the dress was the talk of millions. Ban on sale of goods without Korean safety certification faces backlash By Nam Hyun-woo The government is facing mounting criticism for its inconsistent approach to regulations on overseas direct purchases of certain goods, following the recent retraction of a policy proposal due to strong consumer backlash. During a press briefing, Sunday, the government announced that its proposed ban on 80 items, including toys, strollers, and home appliances lacking the Korea Certification (KC) safety mark, would only be enforced once their actual harmfulness is confirmed. This marks a notable reversal from its previous position of completely prohibiting consumers from directly purchasing such products on foreign e-commerce platforms. "It is not true that all 80 items have been banned immediately from direct cross-border shopping," Second Vice Minister of the Government Policy Coordination Lee Jung-won said, expressing regret for "causing confusion." He said the governments intention is to enhance consumer safety, particularly concerning items related to health that demand heightened safety measures. Additionally, he affirmed that detailed guidelines would be devised to mitigate public inconvenience. "The industry ministry and other related government agencies will conduct safety tests on products shipped into the country and ban the direct overseas purchases of products that are found to contain harmful substances," Lee said. The comments came three days after the government's announcement of the regulation, which sparked an immediate backlash from consumers. On May 16, the government said direct cross-border purchases of products posing significant risks to public safety and health would be prohibited if they lacked the KC safety mark. It listed 68 items that lack a KC safety mark which will be banned from purchases on foreign e-commerce platforms, including toys, strollers, electric heating mats, chargers, lamps and rechargeable battery modules for electrical devices. It added that 12 chemical products, including humidifier sanitizers, will be prohibited unless they undergo domestic certification processes. The government said the scheme is aimed at preventing harmful products from being purchased through foreign online shopping platforms without any safety checks apparently reflecting recent findings that some goods sold by AliExpress and Temu contained carcinogenic substances. The regulation, however, triggered a massive backlash from consumers, including parents who are constantly on the lookout for affordable baby products. Postings and video clips questioning which product will be banned or criticizing what they called the governments "indiscriminate regulations limiting consumer rights flooded social media and YouTube. Politicians also raised their voices. "Cross-border shopping through foreign e-commerce platforms has already become a common consumption pattern. When people called for safe products and sensible purchasing options, the government's response of removing the entire market represents a significant misinterpretation of public demand,"the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said in a commentary, Sunday. "This is not the first time that the government flip-flopped on its decisions after proposing clumsy and controversial policies," it added. Former ruling People Power Party (PPP) interim leader Han Dong-hoon also wrote on Facebook Saturday that the regulation "should be reconsidered because it excessively limits consumers rights to choose." "If the KC safety mark becomes a mandatory requirement, it will constitute excessive regulation affecting a broad range of products based on vague criteria." It is often assumed that it was the Abdication that poisoned relations between Edward Vlll and his family but less well-known is that money played a crucial part. After he chose to abdicate in December 1936, it was arranged that he would receive 25,000 per year. But it was quickly discovered that the ex-king had not been open about his financial situation and that he was far wealthier than he had claimed. He had told George Vl he had just under 100,000, when, in fact, he had some 800,000 some 47million now - on deposit abroad, much of it controlled by Mrs Simpson. This vast wealth allowed the Duke and Duchess of Windsor to live a luxurious lifestyle, renting a mansion in Central Paris and taking a ten-year lease on the Chateau de la Croe on Cap d'Antibes, later owned by Aristotle Onassis, Stavros Niarchos and Roman Abramovich. They employed sixteen servants, including two chauffeurs, all dressed in a personal livery designed by the Duke , and travelled with so much luggage up to 73 pieces that it often had to be stored in hotel corridors. It is often assumed that it was the Abdication that poisoned relations between Edward Vlll and his family but less well-known is that money played a crucial part, writes ANDREW LOWNIE. Above: The Duke and Duchess of Windsor in 1941 Chateau de la Croe villa in Antibes, once owned by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor Their extravagant expenditure continued during the war and, given currency restrictions, attracted interest from the press and government. In 1941, after the Windsors visited America, the Secretary of the Treasury, Henry Morgenthau, enquired of the British Government about the source of their wealth. Three weeks later, the British Ambassador in Washington, Halifax, in a 'Most Secret' telegram to the Foreign Office, reported: 'So far as I can ascertain, the only banking accounts in the United States in the name of the Duke or Duchess of Windsor are two accounts with Chase Bank in the name of the Duchess. One account covers securities to the value of 9,000 dollars, while the other account had a credit balance of 29,931 dollars on 14 June this year as compared with a balance of 1,197 dollars on the same date last year.' The question everyone was asking was where this money was coming from. According to the writer Charles Higham: 'The surrounding documents are missing from Lord Avon's files at the Public Record Office in London, but it is clear from this memorandum that the gravest suspicions had yet again been aroused of the Windsors' improper use of currency against all the restrictions in force at the time. Documents located in the National Archive in Washington, DC indicate that the couple had obtained even more black market currency through Wenner-Gren.' The Duke and Duchess of Windsor in Paris The Duke and Duchess of Windsor receive a royal welcome upon their arrival in Miami, Florida, 1941 In 1941, after the Windsors visited America, the Secretary of the Treasury, Henry Morgenthau (pictured above with US President Fanklin D Roosevelt), enquired of the British Government about the source of their wealth Reporters gather outside Salona Farm, the childhood home of Wallis, Duchess of Windsor, in Baltimore County, Maryland, October 12, 1941. She arrived soon afterwards during her visit with the Duke Amid enthusiastic, cheering crowds, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor bid adieu to Miami after a brief week-long visit In July 1942, a secret State Department memo had noted that Swedish businessman Axel Wenner-Gren - a neighbour of the royal couple in the Bahamas and suspected German agent - had $2,500,000 frozen on deposit in the Bahamas, 'made at the express request and in part for the benefit of the Duke of Windsor' The Duke of Windsor smokes a cigar as he appears alongside Wallis Simpson at the American National Theater in New York In July 1942, a secret State Department memo had noted that Swedish businessman Axel Wenner-Gren - a neighbour of the royal couple in the Bahamas and suspected German agent - had $2,500,000 frozen on deposit in the Bahamas, 'made at the express request and in part for the benefit of the Duke of Windsor'. In 1941 Wenner-Gren had set up a Mexican bank, the Banco Continental, and this was the vehicle in which a financial syndicate had hoped to circumvent currency regulations and use the money either in America or for investments in Mexico. The syndicate consisted of the Duke of Windsor, a property developer in the Bahamas, Harold Christie, and the richest resident of the island Sir Harold Oakes. It has been suggested by one expert, Pat Wertheim, that after the 1943 murder of Harry Oakes a case which remains unsolved some $15 million was missing from Oakes' estate and that this money had been divided between the Duke, Christie and the banker Maximinio Comacho, the only people aware of the payment. This would perhaps explain why the Duke as Governor was so anxious to close down the investigation into Oakes's murder and the source of part of his wealth. Andrew Lownie is the author of Traitor King (Bonnier Books Ltd, 10.99 and 25). To order a copy at special promotional prices of 9.89 (paperback) or 22.50 (hardback) go to www.mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937. Free UK delivery on orders over 25. An under-the-radar change at the Federal Election Commission (FEC) could allow 'unlimited' foreign money to flow into elections, election experts have warned. The FEC issued an advisory opinion earlier this month that allows federal candidates for office to solicit unlimited funds from anywhere for groups working for state ballot initiatives. That means if President Joe Biden is raising money for a state referendum on abortion, there are no limits to the donations he can request. If Donald Trump is raising money for a group to oppose such a referendum, the same would go for his campaign. Federal campaign finance law prohibits foreign nationals from making donations in federal, state and local elections, though the FEC only interprets the ban as applying to candidates, not ballot initiatives. New change means if President Joe Biden is raising money for a state referendum on abortion, there are no limits to the donations he can request If Donald Trump is raising money for a group to oppose such a referendum, the same would go for his campaign With no limits on donations for ballot initiatives, groups supporting or opposing such initiatives can also advocate for or against candidates. 'Because the ballot initiative can directly coordinate with presidential campaigns, they can go door to door and say, please support our ballot initiative, and say by the way President Biden supports it as well,' explained Jim Dornan, Director of Congressional Affairs at American Promise. He's pushing for a constitutional amendment to set new limits on campaign spending. Dornan went on: 'This decision opens the door to massive amounts of foreign and dark money flowing into our ballot initiative campaigns statewide, because a lot of states do not have restrictions like the federal government does on foreign donations to campaigns.' In the last few years, at least seven states have instituted their own bans on foreign political spending and seven more have introduced bills to do so. The new decision stemmed from a request from a Nevada-based abortion rights group which hopes to put an abortion referendum on the ballot in the fall. Florida has an abortion measure on the ballot, and in Arizona, an abortion rights group says it has the signatures for a ballot measures. That means the new decision could tip the scales in a handful of swing states where the race is likely to be decided by razor-thin margins. 'Its absurd that voters must compete with out-of-state billionaires, partisan dark money groups, and even foreign actors to shape the course of their communities and their states. The FEC's decision is undemocratic, unequal, and weakens the integrity of one-person-one-vote,' Dornan said. It could widen President Joe Biden's fundraising advantage over President Trump as abortion measures are one of the most popular ballot initiatives, and mobilize more pro-choice voters to vote for Democrats than pro-life voters for Republicans. In 2024, up to 15 states may have abortion measures on their ballots. Groups pushing for pro-choice measures could also encourage people to vote for Biden 'Biden can now basically raise money for a ground game, ie door to door, phone calls etc. on any pro-abortion or pro-choice initiatives, that the states put up and the money can come from almost anywhere.' In 2024, up to 15 states may have abortion measures on their ballots. Republicans are decidedly more upset about the measure than Democrats. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) took issue with a draft of the opinion a day before it was finalized. They argued that the close coordination between candidates and outside ballot measure groups meant the opinion could translate to a get-out-the-vote effort in Nevada. 'The risk of corruption inherent in direct foreign national contributions to candidates would simply metastasize to the ballot initiative context, with the same deleterious effect,' the NRSC wrote. A number of lawmakers from both sides have proposed legislation to stop foreign spending in state and local ballot measures. Dornan put the new decision on par with Citizens United, a 2010 Supreme Court ruling that upended 100 years of election law and said that corporations can spend 'unlimited funds' on campaign advertising if they are not 'formally' cooperating with a candidate or party. That decision led to the rise of super PACS, outside groups that empower wealthy donors with no donation limits. Wealthy donors not looking to have their name attached can funnel the money through dark money groups or shell companies. Super PACs can still spend money on political advertising to attack or promote a certain candidate. 'it's a massive change along the lines of what Citizens United did, which is completely put up for grabs our campaign finance system and it's gonna it's not gonna go well,' Dornan warned. As Covid-19 restrictions lifted in recent years across Europe, tourism has returned close to the levels seen before the pandemic - but some locals have had enough. This return to normalcy has also seen a rise in anti-tourism sentiment amongst locals living in the continent's travel hotspots, many of whom are urging officials to implement measures that limit the influx of visitors. Complaints range from a lack of affordable housing for locals (with dwellings instead being used as holiday accommodation), vast crowds making cities and towns unbearable during the busiest months, or simply the wrong type of tourists. While residents understand that tourism is vital for local economies, patience is wearing thin, and although such tensions have always existed between locals and visitors, this appears to have become particularly pronounced in recent years. Angry protests and demonstrations against tourism have sprung up in Spain, while officials in Italy, France and Greece - among others - have begun to implement limits on visiting sightseers, or are considering their options. Here, MailOnline looks at some of the measures being put in place to limit visitors, and the lengths some locals are going to voice their anger: Your browser does not support iframes. As Covid-19 restrictions lifted in recent years across Europe, tourism has returned close to the levels seen before the pandemic - but some locals have had enough with the overcrowding, cost of living and environmental impact, causing some to take drastic measures Spain - 85 million visitors (2023) In Spain - the world's second most visited country - anti-tourist sentiment appears to have grown particularly vociferous, especially on its Balearic and Canary Islands. The likes of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza in the Balearics and Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote in the Canary Islands are all incredibly popular among tourists from the likes of the UK, France and Germany looking for affordable holiday destinations. Of Spain's 85 million tourists in 2023, 14.4 million and 13.9 million foreigners travelled to the Balearic and Canary Islands respectively - second and third only to the larger Catalonia region, which saw 18 million travellers in 2023. All these figures represented an increase from 2022 by at least 9 percent. The visitor figures are a stark contrast with the number of people who actually call the islands their home. According to 2019 figures, just 1.2 million people live across the Balearic Islands, and 2.2 million people live on the Canary Islands - demonstrating just how saturated the islands are with tourists. With locals feeling their way of life is coming increasingly under pressure, discontent has come to a head in several forms this year. In both Mallorca and Tenerife, there have been several instances of anti-tourism graffiti appearing on walls across the islands, with locals expressing their anger. 'Tourist Go Home' is seen scrawled in English over a wall underneath a real estate promotion billboard in Nou Llevant, Mallorca, a neighbourhood that has seen a massive influx of foreign buyers over the past few years. It is one of many instances of anti-tourism graffiti The Spanish islands are threatened by sea pollution, traffic gridlock and lack of affordable housing linked to the pushing-up of property prices because of Airbnb-style holiday lets 'Tourist Go Home' was scrawled in English over a wall underneath a real estate promotion billboard in Nou Llevant, Mallorca, a neighbourhood that has seen a massive influx of foreign buyers over the past few years. Nou Llevant, located five minutes from Playa de Palma and billed as a smaller version of San Francisco's Silicon Valley, has undergone a massive transformation with most new properties being snapped up by Germans. Similar messages appeared in Tenerife, with one message telling tourists that the island had become 'my misery, your paradise'. A flyer stuck to a wall said: 'Locals are forced to move out and you are responsible for that. Digital nomads are not welcome here.' In Tenerife's Palm Mar, a hire car was sprayed with 'go home'. In April, hundreds of protesters took to the streets in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, calling on the government to tackle the issue of mass tourism to the island. A small group of those protesters took part in a hunger strike, which was called off after 20 days. The strikers said officials showed 'zero interest' in their plight. While looking visibly gaunt after his 20-day strike, one told supporters at a popular assembly spot in the city: 'We've been amazed at the social response and that's the best thing we'll take away from this. I'm very hopeful for the future.' The activists and their supporters said they wanted regional governors to adopt a more sustainable model of tourism to combat problems including pollution, traffic gridlock and a lack of affordable housing which they have linked to mass tourism. They also sought the paralysis of two tourist projects including one which involves the construction of a five-star hotel by one of Tenerife's last virgin beaches. People on a hunger strike sit in wheelchairs during a protest for a change in the tourism model in the Canary Islands, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, April 20, 2024 Protesters flood the streets of Tenerife last month (pictured), calling on local authorities to temporarily limit visitor numbers to alleviate pressure on the islands' environment, infrastructure and housing stock, and put curbs on property purchases by foreigners Thousands of people demonstrate against tourism policies on the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain on April 20, 2024 Flyers like this slamming holidaymakers are being stuck to buildings all over Tenerife A rental car is seen sprayed with 'Go Home' in Tenerife Protests have been organised in Ibiza (pictured, file photo) for later this month. Activist group Prou Eivissa (Enough Ibiza) is calling on residents to take to the streets on May 24 and protest for restrictions on visitor numbers and the island's excessive party tourism Meanwhile in the Balearic Islands, similar protests have been organised in Ibiza for later this month. Activist group Prou Eivissa (Enough Ibiza) is calling on residents to take to the streets on May 24 and protest for restrictions on visitor numbers. A spokeswoman for Prou Eivissa said the group was 'in no way against British tourism' but that it was fighting against the 'type of tourism attracted to our island' - suggesting they wanted a reduction in the island's party tourism. On Majorca - the island to the east of Ibiza - measures are already being introduced. The mayor of Magaluf - a popular party destination for young Brits - has said a 9.30pm alcohol curfew is needed to make the island safer. This is part of the Balearic government's new revised law on responsible tourism which aims to outlaw excessive drinking on the island, as well as Playa de Palma and San Antonio in Ibiza. Penalties for non-compliance with the prohibition of alcohol consumption on public roads will range from 500 to 1,500 (430 to 1,290). The three party resorts have been divided into zones where the restrictions are in force, and shops that sell alcohol in these areas must also be closed by 9.30pm. Although the areas where the booze restrictions are in force have been reduced under revised plans - unveiled by the conservative Partido Popular government - it is now illegal to drink in the street in those areas. It is now also forbidden to pick up or disembark boat party passengers within the areas affected by the Decree, reports the Majorca Daily Bulletin . The need for stricter measures have also spread to neighbouring Palma as Marga Prohens, the president of the Balearic government said in a statement last week that 'the Balearic Islands have reached their limit'. He vowed to demand measures against tourist overcrowding, including 'regulating the number of rental cars, not expanding the Palma airport and committing to a tourism model that reduces the number of visitors and the environmental footprint'. Shops in tourist hotspots like Magaluf have been banned from selling alcohol between 9.30pm and 8am since 2020 as part of legislation that the government claimed was the first of its kind Crackdowns on over-tourism have been erupting across a series of Spanish islands as they face severe overcrowding and immense spikes in the numbers of boozy holidaymakers Locals have been coming up with alternatives revolving around the AT signs on the front of holiday apartment blocks, short for Apartamento Turistico in Spanish, in a play on words game Fake 'closed' signs have been placed at beauty spots by locals to turn back gullible tourists Majorca has also seen an anti-tourism campaign which urges locals and tourists not to tag beauty spots they visit on social media in an attempt to limit visitors. Binibeca Vell - a holiday village on Menorca, the island to Majorca's east, which is also popular with Brits - has even threatened to ban all visitors. The Spanish mainland has also seen attempts to crack down on tourism. In Malaga - a city popular with British holidaymakers - angry stickers were plastered on holiday flats amid anger over a lack of housing. The stickers were placed over the front of tourist apartment blocks with messages in Spanish saying: 'f*** off from here' and 'stinking of tourists.' Others that have appeared, alluding to the same problems expressed by Tenerife residents about the lack of affordable accommodation caused by mass tourism, said: 'This used to be my house' and 'A family used to live here'. Further down the Costa Del Sol, an anti-tourism campaign in Marbella targeted cars with UK number plates by slashing their tyres and daubing them with graffiti. A Porsche with a British number plate in Marbella is seen sprayed with pink spray paint In Catalonia, the mayor of Siurana village declined for his town to be featured in an annual list of the country's prettiest villages in 2022, fearing that by being included, the small settlement could be overrun with tourists. And in Alhambra, a historic quarter in the Spanish city of Granada, the town requires entrance fees - ranging from 3, 7 or 9 - as well as requires reservations. In neighbouring Portugal, meanwhile, tourists in the popular southern Algarve risk fines ranging from 200 to 36,000 for anti-social behaviour like playing loud music or camping outside campsites. Italy - 57 million visitors (2023) In 2023, Italy - with its stunning ocean views, blue lakes, rolling hills, famous cuisine and historic cities - welcomed over 57 million tourists, placing it among the five most visited countries in the world (including France, Spain, the US and Turkey). Amid its own tourism crisis, the Italian city of Venice has taken what may be the most high-profile measure to limit its number of visitors. From April 25 this year, tourists arriving to The Floating City are required to pay a 5 day fee (4.30) to enter at peak times under a pilot programme. Authorities hope the fee will discourage visitors from arriving on peak days and make the city more livable for its dwindling residents. The measure is understood to be the first of its kind Visitors arriving at Venice's main train station are now greeted with large signs listing the 29 dates through July of the plan's test phase that also designated separate entrances for tourists to that used by residents, students and workers. 'We need to find a new balance between the tourists and residents, said Simone Venturini, the city's top tourism official. Pictured: A ticket office where tourists can purchase a day pass for Venice, seen on April 25 People clash with police as they protest against the introduction of the registration and tourist fee in Venice, Italy, April 25, 2024 A number of tourists were pictured riding in a gondola and taking photos of the protests as the new policy charging a fee for day-trippers took effect 'We need to safeguard the spaces of the residents, of course, and we need to discourage the arrival of day-trippers on some particular days.' Transgressors face fines of 50 to 300 euros (42 to 257), but officials said 'common sense' was being applied for the launch. However, not all locals are happy with the measure. Some have not been persuaded of the efficacy of the new system in dissuading mass tourism, insisting that only a resurgence in the population will restore balance to a city where narrow alleyways and water buses are often clogged with tourists. Hundreds of Venetians protested against the program in April. They marched through the city's main bus terminal behind banners reading 'No to Tickets, Yes to Services and Housing.' Protesters scuffled with police with riot gear who blocked them from entering the city, before changing course and entering over another bridge escorted by plainclothes police officers. The demonstration wrapped up peacefully in a piazza. Locals have long been urging Venice officials to tackle tourism, also citing the environmental impact on the famous metropolis that is slowly sinking. In 2021, Venice barred large cruise ships from anchoring in its historic centre after UNESCO threatened to put the city on its endangered list. Anti-tourism measures have also been taken elsewhere in Italy. In Portofino, a favourite destination for influencers and celebrities - tourists have been threatened with a 275 loitering fine in selfie-taking hotspots. The mayor of Portofino introduced a no-loitering rule in two 'red zones' where visitors often take photographs and tourism groups crowd together. The no-waiting zones were put into effect amid the Easter break tourism boom in 2023, which saw around 1.7million holidaymakers visiting Italian city centres, a 12 per cent increase from the year prior. In October last year, Florence's council banned short-term lets from the city's historic centre from platforms like Airbnb. Last year, the mayor of Portofino introduced a no-loitering rule in two 'red zones' where visitors often take photographs and tourism groups crowd together in the town (pictured) Florence mayor Dario Nardella said that while the measure was not a 'panacea', it was a concrete step towards tackling the city's tourism problem: the city of around 720,000 people sees more than 16 million overnight stays in a single year. Drivers along Italy's famous Amalfi coast also now face restrictions. In an effort to prevent a perpetual traffic jam along the region's 20 mile coastal road, cars with number plates that end in an odd number can drive on odd-numbered days, and those ending in an even number can drive on even-numbered days. Meanwhile in Naples, graffiti similar to that seen in Spain has appeared on walls telling tourists to 'go home'. France - 100+ million visitors (2023) France is the world's most visited country. In 2022, it saw almost 80 million visitors - while estimates suggested that more than 100 million visited in 2023 - more than Spain and significantly more than the US, Turkey and even Italy. However, while France is a large nation - government figures show that 80 percent of its annual tourism is concentrated on just 20 percent of the country. It is unsurprising, then, that like its other Mediterranean neighbours, officials have been looking at ways to limit tourism, make it more sustainable, and to urge visitors to discover parts of France that are less well known. In June last year, tourism minister Olivia Gregoire unveiled plans to regulate visitor flows at some of France's most popular sites. This will include a tourism observatory to measure flows and identify overloads. 'France is the world's biggest tourist destination, but we have a serious lack of data to help manage the crowds,' the government has said in the past. She said France needed to better manage the peak-season influxes that threatened 'the environment, the quality of life for locals, and the experiences for its visitors'. As pandemic restrictions were relaxed and lifted, many of the most famous French sites, such as the Mont-Saint-Michel abbey in Normandy, said they were being overwhelmed by the sheer number of visitors. One famous town and nearby beach - Etretat - is home to 1,200 people, but saw a surge of 10,000 daily visits after it featured in Netflix detective series 'Lupin'. One of France's most popular tourist destinations, Mont Saint-Michel, is seen in March. The country is looking at way to persuade visitors to explore less well-known attractions 'This massive influx ends up trampling and eroding the cliffs and endangers the beach cliffs,' Shai Mallet, co-head of the local residents' association, told AFP. Limits have already been set elsewhere, with officials capping daily visits to the Brittany island of Brehat at 4,700 in the peak summer months. And officials at the Calanques national park near Marseille in southern France introduced a reservation system during the Covid-19 pandemic that it has chosen to maintain for a further five years. The park - reachable by a one-hour hike - now lets in just 400 people a day, down from the 2,500 that it let in in the past. Like many cities in Europe, the French capital of Paris is also grappling with a housing shortage - something many blame on short-term lets. More than 36 million people are thought to have visited the city in 2023 alone. One suggestion put forward by officials is to ban key boxes on the outside of buildings to discourage people from putting their homes on Airbnb. Six French cities - including Nice, Lille and Annecy - already have such rules. In Nice, a local artist installed giant rat traps - with a giant ice cream as bait - 'to eradicate and eliminate the tourist pest'. FranceInfo reported at the time: 'To curb mass tourism, street artist TooLate offers a radical solution'. Greece - 32 million visitors (2023) Like Spain, Italy and France, Greece is another European country that sits amongst the most visited nations in the world - and like many residents of those countries, some have grown tired of the crowds in Greece. In history-steeped Athens, harsh graffiti messages have demanded an end to 'over-tourism' - and last month, furious protesters also took to the streets of the Greek capital to voice their outrage at the rising numbers of tourists flooding their home. Huge signs sprayed onto the sides of buildings and other walls across the sun-soaked city present a chilling warning to visitors. One read: 'Tourists Go Home! Greek State Kills'. Anti-tourism graffiti was spotted across the historic city of Athens in recent weeks as the Greek capital cracks down on tourist numbers This chilling message in Athens reads: 'Tourists go home! Greek state kills' Another disturbing example shows a large building depicting two ' Airbnb ' towers ablaze, beneath the caption: 'Tourists Enjoy Your Stay In The Cemetery Of Europe'. Slogans including 'No Tourists No Hipsters' and 'Burn Airbnb' have also been spotted in the streets of Athens. Protesters took to the streets of Athens last month as they claimed not only were tourists overcrowding the city on their holidays, but also taking their houses. Demonstrators chanted: 'They are taking our houses while they live in the Maldives' - a reference to wealthier homeowners who advertise their homes on Airbnb. Anna Theodorakis, a local resident who was forced out of her home in Metaxourgio, Athens, told France24 at the time that the situation in the bustling city was becoming 'very depressing'. 'I think the answer is to go in the streets and block everything and just not do something because people are losing their homes,' she said. Last month angry tourists blasted Greek officials over plans to introduce 'elitist' tour prices for exclusive access to the Acropolis - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To alleviate overcrowding and offer a more intimate experience, the Greek culture ministry introduced a scheme allowing small groups of up to five people to explore the site outside of regular hours. Under the new scheme, up to four groups of five people each can enjoy guided tours led by expert archaeologists during exclusive time slots from 7am to 9am and 8pm to 10pm - hours outside the official opening and closing times. This initiative aims to provide tourists with a more intimate and less crowded experience of the historic landmark before thousands of sightseers arrive. This graffiti in Athens called the city 'the cemetery of Europe' and showed burning Airbnbs However, the proposed price tag of 4,285 (5,000) for a small group has sparked outrage among travellers. Despite the anger on the ground against tourism, the Greek government has refused to relent on its drive for more visitors. As a result, Athens is not the only place in Greece looking at measures. On the Greek island of Santorini - famous for its blue and white cliff-side houses - limits have been placed on the number of cruise ships that can dock. In Mykonos, another spot popular with British tourists, authorities have cracked down on illicit construction by bulldozing illegally-built bars and restaurants. Austria and The Netherlands A number of other tourist destinations have also taken steps to limit visitor numbers. The idyllic Austrian mountain town of Hallstatt - said to have inspired Disney's Frozen - prompted ridicule online when pictures emerged online showing that it had erected a fence to block a popular tourist viewpoint in 2023. The lakeside town, in Austria's north, attracts more than a million tourists every year thanks to its picture-perfect scenery. Search the town's name on Instagram and there's more than 80,000 posts dedicated to its beauty - with many of the images featuring tourists striking a pose. However, the locals who reside in their town have spoken of how they've had enough of tourists posing up in their quiet streets. The idyllic Austrian mountain town of Hallstatt - said to have inspired Disney's Frozen - prompted ridicule online when pictures emerged online showing that it had erected a fence to block a popular tourist viewpoint in 2023 The reality for residents: one particular beauty spot offering a clear view of the town was pictured being awash with camera-wielding tourists in 2019 One resident, Andrea Zimmermann, told the ORF TV network in 2023 that her home just above the beauty spot was besieged by constant noise - to the point where her health was suffering. Mayor Alexander Scheutz ordered a 'privacy screen' to be put up blotting out a popular view point... but soon whipped it down again after a social media protest. At the time, he told Upper Austrian News afterwards: 'It was just a tryout. 'We discussed it in the municipal council. But the plan has now been discarded, there will be no such privacy screen in Hallstatt.' The Netherlands also hit the headlines last year when officials in Amsterdam urged British tourists to 'stay away' from the city. The Dutch capital launched a campaign in March to discourage tourists planning drug and alcohol-fuelled parties - starting with young British men. The city has long been trying to curb rowdy behaviour and events such as stags, especially near the famed red light area where sex workers operate. The Netherlands also hit the headlines last when officials in Amsterdam urged British tourists to 'stay away' from the city Amsterdam's campaign - dubbed 'Stay Away' - involves people seeing warnings when they search online for terms such as 'stag party Amsterdam' or 'pub crawl'. 'The campaign will commence in Great Britain, aimed at males in the age category of 18 to 35 years,' Amsterdam city council said in a statement at the time. 'This online discouragement campaign is aimed at nuisance tourists who want to visit Amsterdam to 'go wild', with all the ensuing consequences.' The ads were set to show the 'risks and consequences of anti-social behaviour and excessive drug and alcohol abuse' including fines, arrest, criminal records, hospitalisation and health issues. Queensland MP Brittany Lauga - who recently claimed she was the victim of an alleged rape and drug-spiking incident in Yeppoon - once dated a deluded psychopath who carried out a notorious shopping centre killing. The controversial MP received love messages from Nick Boak - who lied about being a war hero and elite SAS commando - in the days before he viciously slit a man's throat. Lauga, who was unaware her former lover was a violent madman, received the messages in September 2021 calling her 'honey' and saying 'love you' with a love heart emoji, accompanied by a photo of Mr Boak shirtless. Lauga thought the messages were 'weird', but then was horrified when on September 21, 2021, the killer of an innocent father-of-five in Cairns Central Shopping Centre was revealed to be none other than Nick Boak. 'I am very shaken,' she texted an acquaintance. Less than three years later, Lauga herself is the centre of a police investigation into devastating allegations of drug spiking and sexual assault. Lauga made the allegations two weeks ago after a reportedly explicit Snapchat video was leaked of a man allegedly molesting her in the street late at night outside The Strand hotel in Yeppoon, in central Queensland. After the video allegedly surfaced online, Lauga told a friend she had found MDMA in her system, which she had not knowingly taken on the night in question, April 27. The state Labor member for Keppel later went public with her claims, alleging in a statement that the grainy footage showed her being sexually assaulted near a taxi rank at Yeppoon's Main Beach. Psycho killer Nick Boak pretended to be a war hero and 007-style spy - but he was a liar who would eventually slit the throat of a father-of-five at a shopping centre in a deranged rampage Before her current troubles over alleged drug spiking and sexual assault, MP Brittany Lauga was alarmed to learn her ex-lover Nick Boak had cruelly slit an innocent man's throat By the time Nick Boak sent these texts to Brittany Lauga, police believe he was well into a 14-day psychosis that would end with him killing an innocent man at a Cairns shopping centre Queensland Police have been very tight-lipped about their investigation into the night, but it is understood they have interviewed at least one man about what happened. Now Daily Mail Australia has learned that just three years ago, Lauga was dating Nick Boak, who apart from stunning claims of military bravery also purported to have won Australia's highest bravery honour, the Victoria Cross. Boak, who has close relatives who live in Yeppoon, falsely claimed he was a serving Australian Army major who had done tours of duty in Malaysia, Iraq, the Gulf War and Afghanistan. The then-38-year-old's deluded fantasy life came to light after he randomly targeted a lonely dad-of-five who was quietly sitting on a shopping mall bench at about 8am on a weekday morning. Lauga is believed to have ended her relationship with Boak before the incident, but he plagued her with creepy messages leading up to the killing. Earlier in 2021, Lauga had complained about someone impersonating her on Facebook and claiming via a fake email address to media outlets to have details about her love life. Nick Boak posed as a fitness freak and successful accountant and Army veteran, but he had never fought in war and was being investigated for his bogus claims Lauga dated Mr Boak for a period of time in 2021. and was contacted by him in 'weird' messages just before he went on a psychotic rampage, killing an innocent man in Cairns It was only months later Lauga was allegedly tipped off that Boak was potentially the person behind the fake emails. By September 2021, Boak - who once posed as a secret service spy, adopting the 007-style name Nick Bond Industries - declared on Facebook he was a night auditor at Fitzroy Island Resort, off the coast of Cairns. On Instagram, Boak posted a photo of himself with a woman on his shoulders, writing 'It's game time. The suitcases have been permanently unpacked and until I get back to this level of fitness as a baseline (where I was when the adventure started) you'll find me at the gym #justwheredidnickgo.' A court would later hear that by this time Boak was in the middle of a 14-day psychotic episode leading up to his attack. In his final Instagram post, Boak captioned a group photo of soldiers with himself arrowed and named with the words: 'RMC Duntroon General Service Officer (Reserves) Graduating Class 2012. Bring on an epic 10 Year Reunion soon'. Four days later he would kill Michael Eaton. Before 8am on September 21, 2021, Mr Eaton went to the shopping centre where he was an early morning regular and often seen on a particular bench reading a book. Lonely since a recent split with his wife, the former dog breeder and car fanatic who could not work following a stroke was quiet, polite and self-contained, engaging with shop staff before they opened and passers-by. Michael Eaton, 51, frequented the Cairns shopping centre, arriving early to read a book or chat to staff, but died when targeted by a ranting Nick Boak who cruelly killed the father-of-five The crime scene at Cairns Central where Michael Eaton had been sitting quietly until a raving Nick Boak attacked him with a knife, and left him to bleed to death on the floor Observers say that after Boak approached Mr Eaton's bench, he began ranting erratically. Mr Eaton tried to shrug off the outburst and turn away, but Boak suddenly pulled out a knife and crept up behind Mr Eaton and without warning slashed his throat. Boak left the man where he died 20 minutes later, in a pool of his own blood, unable to be saved by shoppers or emergency services. Boak was arrested nearby soon after and the details of his bizarre past began to be emerge. Instead of being a full-fledged graduate of Duntroon, Boak had attended there in the reserves and had never been a full-time soldier, nor fought in battle. Boak was actually a fitness freak and accountant who studied at Ballarat-based Federation University in regional Victoria. Following applications including one to join a Queensland Returned Serviceman's Club, he was under investigation by ex-military veterans for his clearly obvious lies, such as being in the SAS and winning a VC. Police originally charged Boak with murder, although he was was considered too dangerous to appear in court on the charge. Boak was a fitness freak and a psychotic liar who is now locked up in a mental health facility for ten years, having been found unfit to stand trial for murder Michael Eaton was described as quiet and polite, engaging with shop staff before they opened and passers-by as he sat on his usual bench, which was later removed after he was killed One of Nick Boak's false service history accounts when trying to join the RSL, claiming he was a major and had been in the elite SAS 'He presents an extreme risk to watchhouse staff,' police prosecutor Codi Dalley told Cairns Magistrates Court hours after his arrest. 'We would require extra time and a specialised team to move him.' Two years later, on August 18, 2023, the court found Boak was of unsound mind and discontinued proceedings. He was transferred to the high-security psychiatric unit at The Park Centre for Mental Health in Wacol, Brisbane, for treatment. Cairns Magistrates Court Registry confirmed the case had been dropped because the Mental Health Court had ruled Boak was of unsound mind. Boak will be held in Wacol for a period of 10 years, about which a member of Mr Eaton's family later said: 'He is in the right place, 10 years uncontested under strict guidance and receiving the treatment needed - something that may not be in place if he was handed a sentence.' Brittany Lauga, who is the mother of a young daughter from a previous relationship, has been the member for Keppel since 2015 and will contest another Queensland election in October. Cyber criminals are targeting woman by stealing social media photographs they have posted publicly to generate pornographic images in a twisted extortion scam. The criminals demand payment in cryptocurrency with the threat of releasing the fake images online and sending them to friends, colleagues, business associates and relatives. Targets are being approached on popular social media channels such as Instagram, Facebook, X and even LinkedIn. The freely-available software allows criminals to take an image from a target's social media platform and digitally manipulate it. With the introduction of AI, such images can be created in a matter of minutes without any advanced skills or expensive photographic software. One target, Becca Caddy, received fake sexually abusive images featuring her face as part of an extortion plot. The cyber criminal had stolen an image Ms Caddy posted online of her drinking a cup of coffee. Using deepfake software, the criminal created a series of shocking sexually explicit images that he said he would share to her friends and family if she failed to pay 2,500 in bitcoin within the next 12 hours. Author and journalist Becca Caddy is an expert in Artificial Intelligence, but she was shocked when this innocent image on social media had been transformed into a pornographic rendering by AI According to Ms Caddy, the image is clearly fake, but she wanted to alert other people about the potential threat Your browser does not support iframes. Luckily, in this case, Ms Caddy is an experienced technology journalist and author of a book, Screen Time, advising how to 'strike a healthier balance with our devices'. She is an expert in the benefits and potential threats posed by new technology such as artificial intelligence, yet she was still shocked when she received the abusive images. In a ransom demand, the criminal boasted of his operational security credentials and challenged her to report him to the National Crime Agency, claiming he was not like Nigerian or Ivory Coast extortionists. He warned that without payment within 12 hours, he would flood her friends, family, workmates and employers with the digitally manipulated images. He said he can target all of her contacts on networks such as Facebook and LinkedIn. Speaking to MailOnline, Ms Caddy said: 'I received an email that had the subject line Photoshoot - Becca. I opened it on my phone and saw a photo of me that was taken a few years ago. Im a writer and author, and its a photo thats often used by online publications alongside work Ive written. 'I recognised my own smiling face. But as I scrolled down I saw that it looked like I was wearing either a vest top or I was naked it was hard to tell as my hair was obscuring my body. This initially struck me as really bizarre as Im very familiar with that photo and knew I was wearing a black top at the time it was taken. The scammer, in a poorly written ransom demand described himself as 'a professional' and 'not some loser from the Ivory Coast' A scammer crudely took some of the original photograph and superimposed it onto the image of a naked body 'I scrolled further down in the email and saw another photo I was familiar with. It was taken during a day out in early December 2023 in a coffee shop after Id been to buy a Christmas tree with my mum. I was sipping hot chocolate out of a pink mug and wearing a blue fleece. I shared this photo on Instagram Stories and Facebook. 'But as I scrolled further down, I realised my face was attached to a body that wasnt mine. It was a naked body with big breasts and a tiny distorted waist. 'There was a follow-up email that had been sent a minute later from the same email address. It contained threats that these images would be sent to my friends and family on Facebook, my Linkedin contacts and men in my industry and city. The email said I had 12 hours to send .05 BTC to the Bitcoin address enclosed. 'In many ways, it read like a typical scam email the kind Ive seen before in my Gmail spam folder or read about online. But this one was malicious with comments about the harmful impact these photos would have on my life, family, relationships and mental health if I did not comply and the sender shared these images.' There are a number of websites offering users the opportunity to create their own deepfake pornography, allowing them to share footage online. READ MORE: Cyber criminals use deepfake images of Martin Lewis to con Britons out of their money Advertisement Some websites will superimpose a head onto a different torso, while more advanced software can produce video featuring an unsuspecting victim which can be easily shared online. Ms Caddy believes social media companies and 'Some people might say you need to be careful about the types of photos you share online, but this was literally just a photograph of me sitting in a coffee shop drinking hot chocolate. 'It doesnt seem to matter what precautions people take, the perpetrators using AI to fabricate these fake porn images are able to target anyone: men, women or children. What we all need is effective protection against the people and the software they use that makes attacks like this possible.' The Government is currently seeking to amend the Criminal Justice Bill to outlaw the creation of sexually explicit 'deepfake' images. Channel 4 newsreader Cathy Newman discovered her images had been stolen while working on an investigation into deepfakes. She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'It was violating... it was kind of me and not me. 'This is a worldwide problem, so we can legislate in this jurisdiction, it might have no impact on who created my video or the millions of other videos that are out there.' Ms Caddy said she wanted to take the initiative after she received the images. She wanted to take power away from the abuser and not to appear like a victim. She insists she is the target of the attack. Even though the images that were sent to her are distressing for her, she wanted to share them to help people who may be in a more vulnerable position. In the blackmail note sent by email after the images, the extortionist used terminology such as 'kys' - which is a three-letter acronym used online by cyberbullies urging others to 'kill yourself'. 'I wasnt sure how seriously to take the threat as it contained details that werent personally relevant to me it mentioned sending them to my employer but Im self-employed. But the email combined with the images made it feel more shocking and serious. That maybe this wasnt an empty threat but a real one. The criminals are able to use social media images of potential targets before tasking an AI system to create a distressing image 'I did have flashes of fear they might be shared with friends or family members before Id had a chance to tell them about it. So I wanted to warn people close to me in case straight away. I spoke to close friends and family. Then, I decided to share the email and the images on my Instagram Stories and Twitter/X account. 'I initially did this as a way to inform everyone close to me all at once what had happened. I also wanted to take some of the power away from the threat the photos couldnt be held over me if I shared them myself (censored versions, obviously). 'I also wanted to warn people about the scam, in case it prompts conversations that might be helpful for people who are more vulnerable. Or if it happens to someone else and the images look more real and they find it upsetting and are concerned what the repercussions might be, even when they themselves know its fake. 'The more I learn about the ways other people especially younger people have been impacted by AI-generated explicit images like these, the more glad I am that my initial reaction was to share my experience.' Ms Caddy has reported the extortion attempt to police but things that better regulations are needed to protect people. There are dozens of websites online offering users the chance to create their own 'deep fake' images despite attempts by the government to outlaw the practice She said while moves to outlaw sexually explicit deepfakes are positive, there are issues with the legislation including potential loopholes. From her perspective as a technology journalist, the law is not tough enough 'The government also needs to take steps to not just make the fabrication of deepfake sexual abuse a crime, but to work with tech companies to dismantle the system that makes it possible. 'This involves putting pressure on tech companies that create these deepfake tools and payment system, search engines and social media platforms that make it possible for them to exist.' She continued: 'Tech companies have the power and responsibility to do something about this and they need to act fast. 'The big tech companies need to take responsibility for the fact their platforms are where the photos used to fabricate image-based sexual abuse are often taken from and often shared. 'When AI-generated content is shared on platforms, tech companies need to respond. We know that some social platforms have refused to remove deepfake content in the past, but what can the justification for this possibly be when theyre fabricated images that use the likenesses of real people? Reference 'What researchers are telling me is also that tech platforms are how some people are finding and accessing tools to create deepfakes. Social media sites receive advertising income from developers offering 'nudify' apps These apps allow users to generate sexually explicit images without any technical knowledge 'For instance, there are examples of nudify apps being advertised on Instagram and X. Whats more, Google shows deepfake porn and nudify apps appear if you search for deepfake porn. And there are tutorials on video apps, like YouTube and TikTok, that tell people how to make these deepfakes. 'Some steps have been taken. Some platforms will label an image as AI generated now. And some of the industry has started using standards that encode digital content with information about where it came from. 'These labelling tools are helpful, but they dont stop the malicious perpetrators from fabricating these sexually explicit AI images in the first place. Thats why we also need to consider the tech companies that are creating ways people can easily use AI tools to fabricate these images. 'Some AI tools have added safeguards that stops people creating explicit content, but others havent. And as the tech progresses, itll become more difficult to police if the right standards and laws arent in place. Ms Caddy believes the government should take action against social media companies who use their platforms to promote these apps, as well as targeting the payment apps which allow transactions to proceed 'For example, theres news this week that Open AI is considering making porn and erotic content legal for anyone to create. We dont know yet if that will be rolled out or how itll work. But making technology available to people so they can create AI porn has to be governed by a legislature that makes it a criminal offence if the likenesses of non-consenting humans is used. 'There are also calls to not only put pressure on tech companies but to challenge the whole deepfake ecosystem itself. 'For example, lets challenge payment providers that allow deepfake sites and tools to work, search sites that show deepfake sites as ranking highly in search results and platforms that dont remove deepfake tutorials. 'This way its not just about punishing perpetrators although thats an important part of it its about dismantling the system that makes it possible in the first place. 'With the rapid pace at which this technology is progressing, these issues will only get worse if tech companies are not operating according to a code of ethics, laws and standards. And, importantly, that they are being held to them by regulators.' Clare McGlynn, who is a Professor of Law at Durham Law School, told MailOnline that Ms Caddy's case raises major issues, specifically about the use of language. 'The term "revenge porn" is deeply problematic as is both inaccurate and victim-blaming. Hence why I developed the concept "image-based sexual abuse" many years ago to better explain the nature and harms of this abuse, drawing on victims experiences. 'I would use the term deepfake sexual abuse, or AI image based sexual abuse for this situation.' Prof McGlynn said it is important when discussing the issue of 'revenge porn' to avoid 'victim-blaming' and instead put the focus on the perpetrator. 'The term refers to a malicious ex-partner sharing an intimate image for 'revenge'. This is one particular form of abuse, but it is only one form of abuse and fails to cover the myriad of ways in which abuse is perpetrated. 'Images are taken and shared for purposes of sexual gratification, financial gain, male bonding and boosting status, humour. None of these motives are covered by the term revenge porn. 'Abuse is perpetrated through hacking, extortion, taking images, AI etc - none are covered by the term revenge porn.' Prof McGlynn said by focusing on 'revenge' this has distorted the response needed to effectively tackling this growing problem. 'The law and policy get distracted by thinking about malicious ex-partners and all other forms of abuse get sidelined. For a long time, the law only covered those directly aiming to cause distress. 'This excluded, for example, men sharing images in groups - 'collector culture'. It excluded hacking etc. 'The law therefore failed women experiencing this abuse. 'Hence why the law was finally changed last year so that the offence of sharing intimate images without consent is based on consent - not the motives of perpetrators. 'Victim-blaming - for the victims, mostly women, this is experienced as sexual abuse and sexual assault. Revenge implies they have done something wrong. Also, this is abuse material - not someone's porn to use for sexual gratification.' A spokesperson for the National Crime Agency said they are increasingly concerned by the growth in this type of exploitation. 'Financially motivated sexual extortion is typically carried out by overseas criminals, who often use a very systematised and scripted approach. They are typically motivated by money, and will target all ages and genders. 'We know that the criminals who are committing these offences are constantly adapting their techniques. An example of this is the utilisation of AI generated photo-realistic content within their crimes. 'Recently, we announced that there has been a large increase in reports of children and young people being forced into paying money or meeting another financial demand after an offender has threatened to release nudes or semi-nudes of them.' The NCA directly alerted schools across the country and have provided resources to help teachers to recognise the signs of such abuse and ways of responding. According to the NCA: 'Many victims feel responsible, but we need them to know that they are absolutely not to blame, and they are not alone; help and support is available. 'Victims of this crime, both children and adults, should always report the incident to the police and the platform or app that the incident occurred on. They should avoid deleting anything that could be used as evidence such as messages, images, telephone numbers and bank account details. 'Adults that have experienced financially motivated sexual extortion can use the Stop Non-Consensual Intimate Image Abuse tool to immediately prevent their content being shared across StopNCCI.orgs Industry Partners. 'It is essential that the tech industry as a whole take responsibility to mitigate the dangers on their platforms and ensure that all technologies are designed with embedded safety principles.' MailOnline has approached Meta, owners of Facebook and Instagram, for a comment. Cyber criminal's chilling extortion message 'I will send these to as many of your family and friends on Facebook as possible, and as many of your LinkedIn contacts that I have email addresses for. 'I will also send these to all of the email addresses associated with your employers [sic] email domain, and to various men in your industry and city. I have lots of email addresses to work with. 'I have no interest in wasting time like the Nigerians with silly threats and emojis about ruining your life and making you kys (kill yourself). 'You can figure out the impact this will have on you, your family, your mental health, your relationships, and your professional life. 'You can and should report this to the NCA (National Crime Agency), but it won't do any good as my OPSEC (Operational Security) has been sufficient to keep me free for the better part of a decade, and if I am eventually caught it will not happen before I deploy these images. 'I am a professional not some loser from the Ivory Coast. 'This is a business to me, and I am incentivized to follow through and you know it. I am also incentivized to keep my word if you pay the invoice. 'You have 12 hours to send 0.05 Bitcoin...' A spokesperson for Meta, who own Istagram and Facebook said they are testing new features 'to protect young people from sextortion and intimate image abuse'. A spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Financial sextortion is a horrific crime. Weve spent years working closely with experts, including those experienced in fighting these crimes, to understand the tactics scammers use to find and extort victims online, so we can develop effective ways to help stop them.' Instagram is also testing a new feature which automatically blurs images it believes contain nude images. This filter will automatically apply to all accounts owned by teens aged 18 or less world wide. Adults will also have the option of turning on this feature. VIDEO FOR THIS ONE: 3190431 Raging Scottish priest brands woman 'evil' for being late to mass (NEEDS TO BE SET LIVE AFTER COPYRIGHT PERMISSION GRANTED) This is the moment a badmouthed 'disgusting' Catholic priest verbally abused a woman and called her 'evil' because she had turned up late to his Mass. In a video published on X, Father James Grant is heard berating a woman at the St Xavier's chapel in Carfin Grotto, North Lanarkshire calling her 'ignorant' and 'evil'. The badmouthed in a rant filmed outside of the church, before slamming the door in her face and heading back to his congregation, while the person behind the camera doesn't say anything in response throughout the film. Father Grant is continuing to hold services following the viral video despite calls for him to be defrocked. 'You are an ignoramous of a woman. You are a silly, silly, silly, evil woman. That's what you are,' he said in the video. In a video published on X, Father James Grant is heard berating a woman for repeatedly turning up late to Mass at St Xavier's chapel in Carfin Grotto, North Lanarkshire Among a barrage of insults, he called her 'rude', 'ignorant' and 'evil' in a rant filmed outside of the church, before slamming the door in her face and heading back to his congregation The priest turned purple with rage as he shouted and snarled at the unfortunate woman He continued: 'Mass starts at 9 o'clock, you are constantly late for Mass. You are just pure rude and ignorant.' As she continued filming, the clergyman went on to say: 'Who are you going to show that to now? Who are you going to show that to? You clown.' He has since said he 'understands the upset caused' after launching a vicious attack on the churchgoer outside. Furious worshippers have demanded he no longer holds Mass at the parish - with locals in the own outside Glasgow claiming there have been numerous incident with Father Grant over the years. One said: 'I wasn't surprised at the video at all, he's the one who's ignorant and evil. This is the first time he's verbally attacked someone - there was an incident a few years ago when he shouted abuse at a wedding photographer. 'He's very old school and should be asked to leave.' St Xavier's chapel in Carfin Grotto, North Lanarkshire. The priest has since said he 'understands the upset caused' after launching a vicious attack on the churchgoer outside Another added: 'I've stopped going to Carfin Grotto, he's a horrible man. At least the woman is actually attending Mass, whether she's constantly late or not, at least she's still showing up. He's well known for his angry outbursts. The worshipper added: 'It's time he was reminded of his conduct because his behaviour will only drive people away, which is a real shame because the number of practicing Catholics are already declining - and behaviour like this certainly doesn't help.' Father Grant been reported to the Bishop of Motherwell, who says the issue has been addressed, following the incident on April 28. However, he has continued to hold services at the venue, including Mass this morning. MailOnline knocked the chapel house this afternoon and was told that Grant would not be commenting on the issue, with a gentlemen adding: 'Father Grant won't speak to you because he doesn't want to cause anymore upset to anyone.' A source said: 'Father Grant has been spoken to by the Bishop and has made it clear that he understands the upset he has caused following the video being made public.' EXCLUSIVE In just one week, on May 26, Shane Dixon should be celebrating his 46th birthday. Instead, the father-of-three's family has been left heartbroken after he plunged to his death from a P&O cruise ship on May 6 having racked up a $9,000 casino debt he couldn't afford to pay. In recent years, Shane had grappled with a series of personal tragedies and setbacks, including health issues, family deaths and the breakdown of his marriage, which led to him being estranged from his children. According to Shane's brother Scott, who spoke to Daily Mail Australia, the casino debt was the straw that broke the camel's back. 'He had a partner who he divorced. He was unable to see his kids. We lost our dad. It was a lot for him,' Scott Dixon said. '[After he lost the money] his brain would have been going 100 miles an hour. He probably thought, "F*** it, I can't afford it."' Shane Dixon, 45, is pictured with his mother Sue. The pair were taking a holiday together when he fell to his death The 45-year-old's death has cast light on the questionable tactics used on casinos aboard luxury liners to incentivise passengers to spend big - including allowing players to run up bills on their rooms and offering free drinks and vouchers. Several others have since come forward to share similar stories, including claims they were told self-exclusion was not an option or were interrogated and held onboard by staff after being unable to settle their bills. While Shane's family say several factors in his personal life contributed to his poor mental health, they believe the gambling debt tipped him over the edge. Growing up in Campbelltown, in Sydney's western suburbs, Shane was the eldest of five children to parents Susan and Wilbur. Tragically, his youngest brother Dylan, who was a twin, died in 1993 at just three months old, leaving an indelible mark on the family. In 2009, the family lost Wilbur at the age of 54, which had a profound effect on Shane, who described his father in a poignant social media post last year as the 'strength of the family' and 'life of all parties'. Adding to the family's pain, Shane, in recent years, had been experiencing heart problems and his younger brother Scott was diagnosed with a terminal illness, which he is still fighting. Shane was also struggling with the breakdown of his marriage, frequently venting his frustration online about how he was unable to see his children. Shane's family said the father-of-three had lost thousands of dollars in the cruise casino on the night he died 'F***ing sucks.. Now over 12 years [and I have] not seen or herd [sic] from my kids,' he wrote in September. 'Not knowing how they [are] doing or if they [are] going through hard times just sucks. 'The only happy [thing about] New Years is that hopefully 1 year will be happy for me when I meet my kids again,' he wrote on December 31, 2022, alongside a picture of his three young children. '12 years to not see or hear from you.. Breaks me every year but I stay strong, hoping one new year my dreams will come true.' Sadly, Shane never got the chance to repair his fractured relationship with his children. His eldest daughter turned 19 just three days after his death. In an eerily prophetic post, the Sydney truck driver last year described how May was his 'hardest month'. 'My hardest month May is just around the corner,' he wrote in April 2023. '[It's] not only my birthday, but my eldest girl turns 18 that I have not seen or heard from in over 12 years. My boy turns 15 and [it's] the same situation as my girl. [It's] my dad's birthday also who passed away in 2009 [at] only 54 years of age. 'So yes, to me life is f***ed. [So] don't judge me or let's just swap shoes.' Several others have since shared stories of similar experiences onboard P&O cruises. Pictured above is the letter one passenger received after he racked up a $5851 bill by gambling on credit Pictured: A P&O bill showing how the casino charges are charged back to rooms as a bill, rather than passengers paying up front Pictured above is a voucher given to that was given to a player who spends big onboard P&O casinos Despite his hardships, Shane seemed excited for the holiday on the P&O cruise liner. His mother had saved up and paid for the trip - his first-ever cruise - as a treat for the pair. In the lead up, Shane posted photos of his new passport on social media writing he was 'so f***ing happy' before later sharing images of him smiling in Sydney Harbour as he waited to board the Pacific Adventure. According to family, Shane lost $5,000 in the casino on the first night while being lavished with free drinks, a $750 play voucher and a ticket for a future cruise. Scott said Shane borrowed $5,000 from their mother to settle the bill, but after he went back the following night and lost a further $4,000. Just two hours before the ship was due to be back in Sydney, and the last bill would need to be finalised, he plunged overboard. Witnesses who were with Shane just hours before his death recalled that he was 'full of energy and happy' and nothing seemed amiss. Now, as the family come to terms with their grief, they have been left to question how Shane was let down by the company's gambling operations. 'Mum said they were having fun, everything was good,' Scott said previously. 'But the casino - they use all of these incentives to tell people, "Come back, come back".' How do cruise casinos operate? 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 can bypass these regulations by opening their casinos once their ships hit international waters - which start 12 nautical miles from a country's shoreline. Legal expert Captain John Kavanagh, from Brisbane's Pacific Maritime Lawyers, said regulating maritime law is a difficult and complex field. 'There are two pieces to consider in the law of the sea - the waters the ship is travelling in and the country that owns the vessel,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'A ship must be registered to a country, otherwise it is considered a pirate. That country's law applies to it. If a ship enters another country's waters, that country's law also applies to it. 'But as soon as you are 12 miles offshore, it is hard for foreign laws to be regulated.' Pictured: The Pacific Adventure sailing into Sydney on May 6 after being delayed due to an ocean search for Shane Dixon Captain Kavanagh said a ship operating in Australian waters would be governed by both national and respective state legislation. However, once a ship enters international waters, Captain Kavanagh said the laws of the country that owns the vessel take effect. 'As soon as you are 12 nautical miles offshore, it is hard for foreign laws to be regulated,' he said. 'If you are outside that zone, and you are registered somewhere else, those are the laws that apply you - not the waters you are travelling near. This is how the maritime legislation is structured and it is universal.' Under these rules, P&O's British parent company, Carnival, must abide by UK gambling practices in their casinos. Captain Kavanagh said, in this circumstances, it would be up to British regulators to ensure licencees are abiding by national gaming guidelines. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the UK Gambling Commission for comment. P&O responds QUESTIONS P&O REFUSED TO ANSWER WHEN CONTACTED BY DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA What are P&Os Responsible Gaming Conduct Policies? Can you provide a copy of them? What is the payout percentage on your pokies? What is the format of your roulette tables (Do you have 0 or 0 and 00 or even 000)? How many packs of cards are in your decks for blackjack and poker? Does P&O obey RSA rules in the casino? If so, what specifically are they? Does P&O offer free enticements to gamblers, such as gift vouchers and free drinks? Why do the gaming facilities close onboard P&O cruises once the ships are back in Australian Waters? Does P&O operate self-exclusion from the casino for passengers who request it? If so, why do some say they were told that its not possible? Gambling funded by credit cards is prohibited in Australia. Why does P&O not adopt that policy on board its ships? Charging back to rooms, secured by a credit card, is effectively the same thing. Advertisement Shane's death has sparked calls for government intervention into gambling practices in international waters. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia earlier this week, CEO of the Alliance for Gambling Reform Carol Bennett said the cruise ship operator had failed to provide Shane with an adequate duty of care. Several others have come forward with similar stories about being offered incentives to gamble, being unable to enter a self-exclusion program (despite the company saying it had one on its website), and being held onboard and interrogated over bills. One person also claimed he was urged by staff to keep gambling to recoup lost funds after he went to them seeking help over his exorbitant bill. Earlier this week, a P&O spokeswoman said it would be inappropriate to comment on Shane's death as the matter is under investigation from the coroner. The spokeswoman also said in response to the other allegations: 'P&O Cruises Australia appreciates the feedback from guests.' 'We have Responsible Gaming Conduct Policies on all P&O ships and take those policies seriously. 'We encourage any guest with concerns to get in contact with us so that we can investigate.' However, when sent a lengthy list of questions on Thursday, including to layout the company's responsible gaming conduct policies, Daily Mail Australia did not receive a response. 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 anonymous TikTok user regularly details their 'discomfort' with life in the UK An American living in the UK has sparked has sparked a transatlantic divide among foodies after criticising how Brits prepare a classic lunch and dinnertime staple. Known only as @swfinds on TikTok, the anonymous content creator has amassed a 158K following on the popular video-sharing platform for their candid critiques of British culture that they find discomforting or disagreeable. From the 'tiny' size of British shopping trolleys, to the 'strange' gravy and the 'highly polluted' rivers and beaches, the TikToker hasn't shied away from expressing their frustrations. However, in a video uploaded in January, the American critic turned their attention to slating a classic British dish: the humble jacket potato. Expressing disdain for the traditional British preparation of jacket potatoes, the content creator labelling it as 'gross,' of 'poor quality' and 'very unhealthy.' An American living in the UK has sparked has sparked a transatlantic divide among foodies after criticising how Brits prepare a classic lunch and dinnertime staple: the jacket potato In the clip, the TikTok user pointed out specific ingredients commonly used in British recipes that they personally found unappealing, such as tuna, mayonnaise and cheese. While showcasing footage of a jacket potato being prepared, the individual attached a caption that reads: 'Strange foods I've noticed British people eating as an American living in the UK and why Americans can't and won't eat these kind of foods.' The American went on to describe UK as a tiny island that 'produces hardly any fresh food due to the poor weather,' before adding that baked potatoes are eaten as a main course rather than a side dish 'like everywhere else in the world.' Comparing 'poor quality' British potatoes to its 'soft and delicious' American counterparts, the critic complained that the skins on UK spuds always end up 'burnt, crunchy and way too crispy.' They added that 'presentation does not matter' in the UK and that British cheddar cheese - which is typically used to elevate a jacket potato - is 'highly processed' and 'piled high' on top of the potato, making it 'very unhealthy and extremely fattening.' The content creator continued: 'Bizarre toppings are very common here and strange things, like tuna and mayo, are piled high on top of the cheese which is super gross and makes me feel so uncomfortable.' 'To make things even worse, Boston-style baked beans that are warm are then poured over everything - even the tuna mayo - and everything is mixed together, making a strange concoction. ' The unimpressed individual concluded their rant by insisting that 'this is why eating habits are so bad and gross here.' In the clip, the TikTok user pointed out specific ingredients commonly used in British recipes that they personally found unappealing, such as tuna, mayonnaise and cheese. The video appeared to have sparked controversy between Americans and Britons as almost 4000 people flocked to the comments to either agree with or oppose the TikTok user's take The video appeared to have sparked controversy between Americans and Britons as almost 4000 people flocked to the comments to either agree with or oppose the TikTok user's take on the dish. One outraged Brit wrote, 'They always ask why our cheese is so yellow when theirs is orange,' while another said, 'Not the audacity of them calling our cheddar cheese processed.' A baffled American individual said, 'Food looks cold and hot at the same time,' while another wrote, 'I don't get the beans on the jacket potatoes. That's the one thing I can't get behind. Butter, cheese, bacon bits, maybe chives and sour cream.' One neutral TikTok user said: 'I am an American who tried a potato with cheese and beans. It was brilliant. I will never eat a potato without it again. Don't knock it til you try it.' Meanwhile, another American who moved to the UK has given her verdict on who has the better food - pointing out that although she believes British food is of better quality, she still yearns for American takeaway food. As the 2024 general election season heats up, President Joe Biden and Donald Trump are in a tight rematch that could come down to just a few thousand votes in several battleground states. But with the election being decided on the margins, there's a question over whether either major party presidential hopeful will reach the necessary 270 Electoral College votes to win the election outright this fall. All Trump needs in his rematch with the president is to flip a few swing states back to red, but even then, there's one scenario where the election results in neither candidate winning the required majority in the Electoral College. So what then? It has happened before - some 200 years ago in the presidential election of 1824. In that election, the contest splintered four ways between candidates Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, William Crawford and Henry Clay, meaning no candidate received the necessary majority of electoral votes to win outright. President John Quincy Adams was sixth president of the United States. He served from March 1825 to March 1829. He did not receive the majority in the Electoral College It was the first and only time the presidential election had to be decided by the House of Representatives since the ratification of the 12th Amendment. It was also the only time a presidential candidate with the most electoral votes did not win the presidency. The country had far fewer states back then; the Electoral College was much smaller as well. Jackson had 99 electoral votes and John Quincy Adams had the second most with 84, but Adams went on to become the sixth President of the United States. That's because the decision went to the House in the so-called contingent election -- where states decided who would be the next president. 'The House of Representatives has oversight,' said Casey Burgat, legislative affairs program director at George Washington University. 'Instead of each individual member having a vote, each state votes in blocks,' he expained. 'In effect, one vote per state and the majority there wins.' President Andrew Jackson received the popular vote and more electoral votes in the 1824 presidential election over John Quincy Adams, but none of the four candidates received a majority, so the election went to the House of Representatives under the 12th Amendment The House elected President John Quincy Adams despite him not receiving the greatest number of electoral votes in the 1824 election A tally sheet from the 1824 election that shows no candidate won the majority of the electoral vote throwing the election to the House. The document shows Jackson received 99 electoral votes, Adams 84 votes, Crawford 41 votes and Clay 37 votes A cartoon from the 1824 election which depicts a foot race toward the White House with candidates John Quincy Adams, William Crawford and Andrew Jackson Jackson argued that having won the most electoral college votes and the popular vote, he should be president. But Adams actively met with members of Congress including House Speaker Clay, who had come in fourth in the presidential race and won his home state of Kentucky. In the end, Adams went on to be elected president by the House on the first ballot by winning thirteen states to Jackson's seven states. Crawford received four states. Kentucky's state legislature even directed its delegation to vote for Jackson, but they instead went for Adams, and after the inauguration, Clay was tapped by President Adams for Secretary of State. While several presidents in recent history have won the presidency without the popular vote including Trump in 2016, they have still managed to take a majority of electoral votes, meaning the process by which the House decides has not been used for 200 years. But there is the possibility that no candidate receives the majority of electoral votes this fall. The magic number is 270 electoral votes needed to win. In 2020, Biden received 306 electoral votes while Trump received 232. Polling suggests Trump could flip some of the six battleground states this fall. If the ex-president flips Arizona, Nevada and Georgia, but the rest of the map stays the same, he still comes up short, and Biden wins with with exactly 270 electoral votes. But if Trump four states then he takes the electoral vote majority outright. But no matter how the battleground states may shake up differently in 2024, it will be close. President Biden won 306 electoral votes in 2020 while Trump received 232. The race is likely to come down to the same six swing states in 2024. Either candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win the presidency Independent presidential candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. speaking at a rally in Texas on May 13 There are questions about the impact third party candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. will have on the election map and whether he will pull support from Biden thus helping Trump pick up more states this fall or denying Biden the necessary electoral votes this fall. The likely close Electoral College vote even had some Republicans pushing for Nebraska to change its electoral vote process to a winner-take-all one last month. The state is one of two that dolls out electoral votes in a proportional manner. If it changed, it would deny Biden the possibility of one of the red state's electoral votes after he won the state's second congressional district and its electoral vote in the last election. Trump and the state's Republican governor even got behind the effort before it was shot down in the state legislature, raising the possibility the electoral vote could split 269 to 269 and therefore going to the House. If the 2024 election is decided by the House, conventional wisdom is Trump could win the presidency. Republicans control 26 House state delegations while Democrats control 22. Another two split evenly. Ex-president Donald Trump at a campaign rally on the beach in Wildwood, NJ on May 11 President Joe Biden greets a supporter at a campaign event in Wisconsin on May 8 But since it has been 200 years since a contingent election, there are a lot of questions that could be raised. 'The date is probably the biggest unknown out there,' said Burgat. 'There's no set date. We know that has to happen by the inauguration date, but the House gets to decide when to have that contingent election.' He said he suspects it would be conducted with a roll call vote, but in the modern age, it is unclear whether delegations could make use of electronic voting. Burgat also noted, conventional wisdom aside, the reality is, each state has its own rules, so some state delegations may be bound to the candidate who won the state's Electoral College votes. He questioned 'even though Republicans have the majority of that delegation, if the Democrat won that state Electoral College, are they binding them in a contingent election to go how their Electoral College vote does?' Either way it would be decided state-by-state, and it only gets more complicated from there. The church set up by Mica Miller's disgraced pastor husband has a total value of properties worth at least $5.59million, DailyMail.com can reveal. And it has its own plane, a $430,000 four-seater, supposedly to be used for missionary work, but which flight records show has only made two trips all year. Scrutiny has been mounting on Solid Rock Ministries in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, after it was revealed that church leaders plan to allow John-Paul Miller back to the pulpit following allegations of 'sexual encounters' with underage girls. Last Sunday the congregation was only around 30 people including children The allegations came to light after Mica's suicide in Lumber River State Park in North Carolina on April 27. Her family claims John-Paul's actions drove her to shoot herself in the head. Mica's sister Sierra also filed legal documents accusing Miller and Solid Rock of 'colluding' to 'defraud and deprive' the 30-year-old of her fair share of property after he 'sold' their home to the church. Public documents obtained by DailyMail.com show that Solid Rock Ministries was granted tax-exempt status in 2015 according to IRS filings. The church has a multimillion-dollar portfolio and owns four properties with a total taxable value of $5.59million. Solid Rock Ministries in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has a multimillion-dollar portfolio and owns four properties with a total taxable value of $5.59million Mica took her own life not too long after serving her husband John-Paul Miller, 44, with divorce papers. Police ruled her death a suicide Mica's husband 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 Land records show that Miller's home address in Horry County is now owned by Solid Rock Ministries he sold it to them in December 2023, two months after Mica initially filed for divorce and asked that the property be split equally between them. Filings by Sierra's lawyer accuse Miller of selling the property for $169,331.31, which they argue is 'significantly less' than the true value of the property. Records seen by DailyMail.com show that the taxable value of the property is $240,000, around $70,000 more than what Miller sold it for. Mica's sister Sierra filed legal documents accusing Miller and Solid Rock of 'colluding' to 'defraud and deprive her sister of her fair share of property after he 'sold' their home to the church The church also owns three other properties and pieces of land, including the Faith First Academy school and the church building on Howard Avenue, Myrtle Beach. Records show the new church is worth $1.93million, with the ministry also owning 28.2 acres of land with a total value of $3.42 million which was meant to be used to expand the school according to a nearby sign. The church also registered a 2007 Cessna SR-22 with the FAA on May 9, after purchasing the plane in January 2023 estimated to be around $430,000. Flight records show that the four-seater plane has completed only two flights this year one from Barrow County, Georgia, to Knoxville, Tennesssee in February and then from Knoxville to Rocky Mount, North Carolina in April. The pastor 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. Mica's death has been ruled a suicide by officials. Court documents filed in Horry County Family Court show Mica's sister Sierra is asking that the home Mica shared with Miller be restored back into the marital estate, and for Miller to provide proof that he did not try to hide money from Mica in the past three years. In her October filing Mica requested that the couple's assets be split equally, as she 'contributed to the improvements' of the home, totaling $90,000, and asked for Miller to pay her alimony, as well as her legal fees. The documents revealed that the couple signed a 'postnuptial agreement' in February of 2023 eight months before Mica first started divorce proceedings, highlighting that there were issues in the marriage long before the papers were submitted. The church also registered this four-seater 2007 Cessna SR-22 with the FAA on May 9, after purchasing the plane in January 2023. It is estimated to be worth around $430,000 Records seen by DailyMail.com show that the taxable value of the Millers' home is $240,000, around $70,000 more than what Miller sold it for Records show the church is worth $1.93million, with the ministry also owning 28.2 acres of land with a total value of $3.42 million Another property is worth $826,250, according to records obtained by DailyMail.com Another document shows the church has a total of $2,599,380 in land Mica and Miller both signed the agreement, drafted by the pastor's lawyer, where they agreed that their finances were separate, were both employed by Solid Rock Ministries, and had signed the document 'without coercion or distress'. They agreed that Mica would waive her right to alimony and separate support, as well as their home being ruled 'non-marital property.' It stated that prior to signing Mica did not consult with an attorney. News of the church's finances comes after Miller's father broke his silence in a statement to DailyMail.com defending his son and calling Mica a 'very sick young woman'. 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 the Robeson County, North Carolina, Sheriff's office but could not give any further information. The investigation continues to surround 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'. Mica's family have been quick to launch a Justice for Mica campaign following her April 27 suicide, claiming she was pushed to her death by her husband's actions Miller is accused in court documents of grooming Mica for years before they married, 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. Her family also posted photos of abusive messages he sent to them and Mica online, threatening to show up to her sister's home with a gun, DailyMail.com previously revealed. 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.' DPK to step up protest against President Yoon's anticipated veto against bill By Jun Ji-hye Tension between the ruling and opposition parties is becoming more heightened as President Yoon Suk Yeol is expected to veto a bill aimed at launching a special counsel probe into a young Marines death, during a Cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday. Opposition parties, in response, are poised to push for a revote the following week in an attempt to override the presidential veto. The political strife over Yoons potential veto, which would mark the 10th of its kind, at the end of the 21st Assembly will be stretched to the forthcoming 22nd parliament that will open on May 30 and continue to witness a strain in relations between the two main rival parties. The Assembly, controlled by opposition parties, passed the special counsel bill without contest during a plenary session on May 2, after the ruling People Power Party (PPP) exited the session in protest. The bill aims to mandate an investigation into the governments alleged interference in the militarys investigation of the death of Marine Cpl. Chae Su-geun during a flood rescue operation in July 2023. In his press conference on May 9, Yoon indicated his willingness to veto the bill, citing that an investigation by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) is currently underway. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is planning to step up its protest against the Yoon administration and the PPP, if the president exercises his veto power. The DPKs plans include staging a large-scale rally, together with other minor opposition parties and civic groups, in central Seoul and holding a press conference in front of the presidential office in Yongsan District. The party is also considering a sit-in demonstration at the Assembly. The DPK currently holds 155 seats out of a 300-member parliament. When seats held by other opposition parties are added, the number increases to 180. This is not enough seats for the opposition to override the veto in a revote on its own, as a vetoed bill requires approval by two-thirds of the parliament or 200 seats. This means the DPK needs at least 20 votes from the PPP. The necessity of the special counsel probe into the Marines death was already confirmed during the April 10 general elections, a DPK official said, citing the crushing election defeat of the PPP, which was largely interpreted as the publics negative sentiment toward the government. If Yoon vetoes the bill and the revote fails to override it, we will propose the bill again in the next Assembly right away. On the other hand, the ruling party stuck to a wait-and-see position amid the CIOs ongoing investigation. The party is expected to concentrate its efforts to prevent any deviation of its lawmakers in the revote. Our members shared the unfairness of this special counsel bill pushed by the DPK, a PPP official said. Tourists have been left afraid to go into the water off UK beaches because of fears the sea is contaminated with sewage, a senior Tory MP warns today. North Devon's Selaine Saxby is demanding new laws to force the Environment Agency to carry out more sophisticated year-round water quality tests to boost the confidence of swimmers and surfers. She said that currently the EA tests only between Mid-May and September in its official 'bathing water season', and simply classifies it as clean or contaminated with raw sewage, with no information about what contaminants are present and in what quantities. This means that seas that might be safe to swim in are classified as unsafe, and people stay away. It came amid a row over water contaminated with faeces in a major Devon tourist area. Twenty two cases of a parasite called cryptosporidium have been detected in the English Riviera around Torbay. Writing for MailOnline she said that 'If we have any hope of cleaning up our water, we also need data about what pollution we are actually contending with'. 'This lack of accurate and detailed data is now being abused along our coastlines too often to scare people out of the water,' she wrote. North Devon's Selaine Saxby is demanding new laws to force the Environment Agency to carry out more sophisticated year-round water quality tests to boost the confidence of swimmers and surfers (Woolacombe in north Devon pictured) Locals in Brixham, Boohay, Kingswear, Roseland and north-east Paignton in Devon were all told to boil water as a precaution South West Water apologised to customers and gave them detailed advice on how to eliminate illness-causing organisms from their water 'North Devon is blessed with a beautiful stretch of coastline, and people travel from across our United Kingdom to surf in our bathing waters. However, the risk of sewage is causing people to avoid the water entirely,' she wrote. 'This isn't helped by unclear information that makes people think twice about visiting bathing waters, threatening our local economy.' Cryptosporidium infection causes people to suffer weeks of diarrhoea and stomach cramps so painful that one woman compared them to 'childbirth'. The parasites are protected by a thick outer shell that allows them to survive outside the body. In cool, moist conditions, they can live for several months. They are also resistant to chlorine, so can live in swimming pools for up to a week. Brixham, home to about 17,000 people, is at the epicentre of the outbreak. South West Water said the Hillhead reservoir and the wider Alston area are being investigated as a potential cause for the outbreak - an area which about 40,000 residents get their water supply from. While 22 cases have been confirmed it is thought hundreds of residents are experiencing a range of symptoms including watery diarrhoea, stomach pains, nausea or vomiting, a mild fever, and loss of appetite. Ms Saxby is seeking to have testing ramped up via the Bathing Waters (Monitoring and Reporting) Bill. The Bill is listed for a second reading on June 14, but it is unlikely to make further progress without Government support due to a lack of parliamentary time to debate all Private Member's Bills. Ms Saxy said that improvements to water quality since the 1990s were 'a success story' but changes were needed to maintain confidence that waters were safe to swim in year-round. 'Unphased by the cold, the beaches of North Devon are full of hardy surfers all year round,' she said. 'But without clear information during these colder months, many swimmers are left in the dark with only the data from the summer to rely upon for their safety. 'That is why the government should take action to monitor bathing sites all year round, and provide swimmers with the confidence to get in the water whenever they want to.' 'A lack of accurate and detailed data is being abused too often to scare people out of the water' by Selaine Saxby North Devon is blessed with a beautiful stretch of coastline, and people travel from across our United Kingdom to surf in our bathing waters. However, the risk of sewage is causing people to avoid the water entirely. This isn't helped by unclear information that makes people think twice about visiting bathing waters, threatening our local economy. The bill I have introduced in Parliament will provide swimmers and surfers with the data they need to enjoy bathing spots all year round. Officially designated 'bathing waters' can be found all along England's coastline. Of the hundreds we have, North Devon is home to 11. Coastal bathing water designation is a success story. In the early 1990s, just 28 per cent of them met the highest standards at that time. Last year, 90 per cent of English coastal bathing waters were rated 'good' or 'excellent', despite the standard becoming stricter in 2015. That is not to say, however, that the current system is perfect. During the official 'bathing water season', which runs from mid-May to late-September in England, the Environment Agency (EA) does regular water quality checks at designated sites, providing bathers with the information to decide whether or not to swim or surf that day. From October to mid-May, there is no requirement for the EA to monitor these sites. The risk of sewage is causing people to avoid the water entirely. This isn't helped by unclear information that makes people think twice about visiting bathing waters, threatening our local economy. Unphased by the cold, the beaches of North Devon are full of hardy surfers all year round. But without clear information during these colder months, many swimmers are left in the dark with only the data from the summer to rely upon for their safety. That is why the government should take action to monitor bathing sites all year round, and provide swimmers with the confidence to get in the water whenever they want to. If we have any hope of cleaning up our water, we also need data about what pollution we are actually contending with. Where this gap has emerged in the EA's monitoring, the likes of Surfers Against Sewage have sought to fill it with competing resources. This leads to confusion about where to go for accurate information about swimming. This is problematic. In winter, when rainfall is at its highest, so is our use of storm overflow pipes. These automatic outlets have literally been designed to allow our system to cope when it is overwhelmed with rainwater which then can run into bathing spots. We do not know what the composition of what is coming out of these pipes is, but it is nonetheless classified as raw sewage by default. This lack of accurate and detailed data is now being abused along our coastlines too often to scare people out of the water. My bill seeks to fix these two gaps in our current system. Firstly, it would extend monitoring of sites to the entire year, not just the limited season, to better reflect actual bathing patterns. The second part of my bill will define what is and what is not 'raw sewage'. The legal definition is clear that it consists primarily of human faeces and water, but the data we have paints a very different picture. If an overflow is made up of almost entirely rainwater, this binary approach to classification leaves too much open to interpretation. This points to an important issue with the current debate: in constituencies like mine, less than 1 per cent of the water pollution we deal with is related to human sewage. There are many other polluting factors at play that have not gained the same level of attention and resources. There is certainly work to be done to stop storm overflows, which the government is working on through its Storm Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan. We are also currently waiting on Ofwat, the water regulator, to approve 96 billion of water company investment which will go a long way to improving our sewage situation. But storm overflows are not the be all and end all for water quality. We cannot just throw all our resources at one part of this problem. We need to follow science wherever it leads us, across the entire catchment. Therefore, we must provide those who want to access the sea with the information they need to do so safely. The more voices in the debate, the more contradictions and confusion emerge, and the more people steer clear of perfectly swimmable waters. We need more and better data from trustworthy and reliable sources. The government has committed to reviewing the existing bathing water regulations this summer, and the changes proposed within my bill provide an excellent starting point for doing so. Unprecedented restrictions are awaiting travellers descending in their thousands on the historic Appleby horse fair as despairing locals fight back against the annual gathering. Disorder last year was 'the last straw' as far as the people of a neighbouring market town was concerned amid claims of shoplifting, threats and urine being squirted through car windows by members of the travelling community. The people of Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, have grown used to their town being taken over by the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) community, who use it as a stopping off point before the fair begins. Roadside verges on both sides of the A685 into the town become ad hoc campsites, bursting with caravans, tethered horses, dogs and children. The town's main street is used for showing horses set to be traded and horses are tethered to railings outside the pubs, making it look like 'the Wild West.' Unprecedented restrictions are awaiting travellers descending in their thousands on Kirkby Stephen Disorder last year was 'the last straw' as far as the people of a neighbouring market town was concerned But this year, things will be different. Every pub in Kirkby Stephen will close for the first time in living memory, with only one community-owned club staying up to serve alcohol. Staves have been hammered deep into roadside verges with signs on making it clear that horses and caravans are not welcome. And if - as has happened in previous years - the staves are uprooted, deep trenches have been cut into the verges to make it impossible to park a caravan without the danger of tipping over. Railings along the high street have been covered by boards decorated with artwork so that horses can't be tied up outside the town's most popular coffee shop. And Travellers are incensed that the Flashing Lane - one of the fair's central attractions - has undergone safety work, including traffic calming for horses and sulkie carriages. They say the work has made the lane narrower, making it safer for visitors, but more dangerous for those charging up and down in a bid to show off the speed of their horses. Staves have been hammered deep into roadside verges with signs on making it clear that horses and caravans are not welcome If the staves are uprooted, deep trenches have been cut into the verges to make it impossible to park a caravan Railings along the high street have been covered by boards decorated with artwork so that horses can't be tied up outside the town's most popular coffee shop People in Kirkby Stephen are reluctant to speak out publicly, fearing reprisals if they do, but a prominent businessman told MailOnline: 'The town has reached the end of its tether, people have been in despair and something needs to be done. 'This year there won't be any pubs open at all when the fair community arrive en masse and they will find the majority of the shops and businesses closed as well. Only the club remains open and we hope it doesn't become a trouble point. 'Last year was the last straw, some of the behaviour, particularly from the children, was outrageous. 'They were squirting urine from plastic bottles into cars, one culprit walked away with trolley loads of goods from the Coop store without paying and there was even a shoplifting raid on a charity shop. 'They went in and picked up armfuls of goods and when challenged said "you didn't pay for it so why should we?" 'People have grown completely sick of this invasion of our town, which happens over four weeks at the height of what should be our busiest time for trading. There are no businesses here who want to shut down in June, but that's what we're forced to do. 'In past years there have been horses tethered for hours in the hot sun while their owners spend the day in the pubs, while others are raced up and down the main street, which is still open to traffic passing through to and from the Lake District. 'Although pubs take substantial amounts during fair season, the landlords feel it simply is not worth it because of the disorder that comes every year. 'Things seem to have started badly this year already and even earlier than usual.' People in Kirkby Stephen are reluctant to speak out publicly, fearing reprisals Many pubs and businesses have decided to close all together over the weekend to prevent disruption The one licenced premises staying open is The Club, operated by a committee of local people Florist Daisy Rocke, 33, has decided to shut her high street shop during fair week On Thursday last week farmer Mark Scott found himself besieged by travellers who surrounded his JCB as he tried to seal off a country lane with boulders to make it impossible for them to settle there. Mark was subjected to insults and intimidation, with one traveller yelling 'Kirkby Stephen is on fire lads,' taken by some in the town as a thinly veiled threat. Florist Daisy Rocke, 33, has decided to shut her high street shop during fair week. She said: 'Everyone who has lived in the town is used to the influx from the horse fair but in recent years they have been coming en masse and staying for longer and longer. 'I've decided to close the shop, partly because the foot fall is so low anyway as most places in the town shut down. It's a shame because it would be a busy time of year. 'Businesses have decided the risk is too high and more than ever are closing, including the pubs. 'I've had no issues with the travelling community at all, but closing for that period seems the sensible thing to do.' On Thursday last week farmer Mark Scott found himself besieged by travellers who surrounded his JCB as he tried to seal off a country lane with boulders Mark was subjected to insults and intimidation, with one traveller yelling 'Kirkby Stephen is on fire lads' Every year Mark blocks his lane with boulders to make it impossible to settle there The townsfolk say they have driven to such drastic action by years of anti-social behaviour Staff at the Pennine Inn breathed a sigh of relief at hearing their pub would not be opening during the fair for the first time in years. Manager Julie Glasson said: 'It has come as quite a relief to the staff that the new owners decided it was too much trouble to keep it open. 'We would have needed to restrict opening hours, provide plastic glasses and have bouncers on the door because without them the police say they won't come in to deal with any trouble that breaks out. 'The local people prefer the pubs to be closed because they hope it cuts down the amount of disorder caused by drink and the police and licensing authority also backed the pubs closing. 'Although there is a lot of money taken over the bar, the associated problems just aren't worth it.' One local farmer said: 'We allowed them to tether their horses on the lane near our land but found that crops had been trampled because they let them into the fields. When we complained, bags of silage were slashed open. It is completely lawless and needs to stop.' Some businesses, however, say they have no problem staying open. Church Gallery gift and coffee shop, owner Steve Simkiss has described the event as the 'traveller Olympics' Already one group of travellers have taken up residence on one of the few roadside verges available outside town At the Church Gallery gift and coffee shop, owner Steve Simkiss, 61, has a 'live and let live philosophy.' He said: 'I understand completely that people are concerned and things can get out of hand, people aren't used to seeing security guards at the Coop in a normally quiet town. 'But we have to remember this is a cultural event, it's their Olympics, their big get together and everyone needs to do their best to get on alongside each other. 'I'll be staying open and have never had any trouble from the travelling community.' The one licenced premises staying open is The Club, operated by a committee of local people and run by Angela Dobson. She said: 'The effect of all the pubs closing will be that the supermarkets will be overwhelmed as visitors go there to buy alcohol. 'It also means that there is nowhere for locals and other tourists to go and have a drink. Trip Advisor and the like does not say 'the town is closed for four weeks' so people arrive here and find everything is shut down. 'I've grown up here, I've seen it all my life and they are coming to Kirkby Stephen whether we like it or not so we may as well accommodate them. 'If I was going somewhere on holiday with my family and the destination got wind of our arrival and shut down for the duration of our stay I would not be very happy.' Already one group of travellers have taken up residence on one of the few roadside verges available outside town. One member of the group told MailOnline: 'They want to stop the fair, but you can't stop it. It's a gathering that's taken place for hundreds of years and it can't be stopped. 'They're doing their best to drive us out and one of the worst things they've done is alter the Flashing Lane. 'People use it to show their horses and you get them running up there in each direction. They say they've done it to make things safer but they've increased the chance of horses colliding, it's a disgrace.' New 'horse calming' measures, designed to curb the speed of galloping steeds, have been unwelcome from some in the GRT community Many locals would be happier if the fair was moved away from the area all together Workmen are busy finishing the 340,000 revamp of the lane, which runs through the centre of the event at what is now known as Fair Hill. The lane has become an integral part of the event. Gypsy elder Billy Welch described the need for it, telling the Travellers' Times: 'The reason for the speed horses and the Flashing Lane is that if I were selling you a speed horse and I said to you it will do a certain distance in such and such a time on the clock, you might say 'Oh yes. Very good, but let's see it go then,' The new 'horse calming' measures, designed to curb the speed of galloping steeds, have been unwelcome from some in the GRT community. A spokesperson for Westmorland and Furness Council said: 'Measures include improvements to signage in and around the town, a temporary height restrictor and residents' exemption permits at Appleby Leisure Centre with the intention of preventing illegal camping during the fair, temporary traffic calming measures to prevent excessive travelling speeds of horses and sulkies and the removal of the fencing within the verge of the C3004 Appleby to Dufton road, along with theinstallation of a new footway. 'It was recognised that the fencing on that stretch of road known as 'Flashing Lane' during the fair - was in a poor condition and there have been a number of requests from the community for a footway along this length, to improve connectivity and provide a safer route for pedestrians. 'The council intends to have as many of the improvements introduced in advance of the 2024 fair and it is anticipated that the footway improvement works will commence after the Easter bank holiday weekend.' When it begins next month the event is expected to see 30,000 visitors roughly, 10,000 of them from the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community. In its 250 year history the fair has only been cancelled twice, the first in 2001 during the foot and mouth outbreak and the second in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. The gathering is billed as the biggest traditional gypsy fair in Europe and has developed traditions that take place every year. Gypsy horses are washed in the River Eden in Appleby and trotted up and down the 'flashing lane' - a closed off rural road - before being haggled over and bought. There is a market on Jimmy Winter's Field with stalls selling everything from fashion to horse-related wares. The fair is held outside the town of Appleby, at the point where the old Roman Road crosses Long Marton Road, on Gallows Hill, which was named after the public hangings that were once carried out there. It was once thought the fair originated from a royal charter to the borough of Appleby from King James II of England in 1685, although more recent research has found the charter was cancelled before it was ever enacted. The gathering is sometimes known as 'the New Fair' because Appleby's medieval borough fair, held at Whitsuntide, ceased in 1885. The 'New Fair' began in 1775 for sheep and cattle drovers and horse dealers to sell their stock. By the 1900s it had evolved into a major Gypsy/Traveller event which brought families from across the UK and Europe. The XL Bully that savaged an eight year old boy so ferociously that the his skull was fractured and his scalp was torn off had been menacing residents prior to the attack, it has been revealed. Amanda Young, 49, and son Lewis, 30, were keeping the dog in their small rented flat in Bootle, Merseyside at the time of the attack in February this year. Lewis Young, a delivery driver, bought the dog from a Facebook advert but failed to check whether it was a banned breed after new legislation came in at the beginning of the year. He left the dog, called Snoop, in his mother's charge but she allowed it to wander around outside the flat she owned in Bootle, Merseyside, while she sat drinking. Now a woman who lives in the block of flats where the attack happened has revealed how the dog had been intimidating residents prior to the incident. Amanda Young, 49, (pictured) and son Lewis, 30, have been jailed after an XL Bully dog attacked an eight-year-old boy Lewis Young (pictured), a delivery driver, bought the dog from a Facebook advert but failed to check whether it was a banned breed The woman, who asked not to be named, said: 'I remember the dog because it had jumped up at me. Lewis used the lead to pull it away from me, but it jumped up at me again. 'I also heard it had been jumping up at other residents for some time. We were all a bit concerned about it to be honest.' The resident said she thought the prison sentences handed down to the mother and son were too lenient. She said: 'That boy has been left scarred for life. He could have been killed. I think they knew full well what kind of dog it was. They should have both been locked up for longer.' The woman also claimed mum Amanda Young was a very different person to the one who moaned about austerity to her local paper. In 2022 Young told the Liverpool Echo how she spent her evenings sat in her home with all the lights switched off to try and cut down on bills. Amanda added: 'I've never known it like this. I've never known it to be more desperate for people. I grew up in the 1980s - we're supposed to be more advanced now.' The resident said: 'Amanda was always drinking and she had a cocaine problem too. I think this contributed to what happened on the day. 'I mean what a disgrace. She was in no fit state to look after that dog. Amanda and her son were typical scallies. And yes they knew full well it was a banned breed.' Amanda Young had told police she had drank several gin and tonics on the day of the attack. Lewis told Liverpool Crown Court that his mother was a 'cocaine addict'. Witnessed claimed Amanda was on her phone during the attack and failed to intervene. When police arrived she burst out crying and attempted to jump from a balcony. Lewis Young was jailed for two years and his mother was locked away for 20 months. Taking the microphone, Prince Harry gestured towards the Nigerian royals ranged before him, playfully calling them his 'in-laws'. It brought laughter from his audience. 'I'll skip the protocol because at this point we're all family,' the duke added, to more guffaws. On reflection, though, maybe it wasn't such a big joke after all. The House of Windsor may have cut the Sussexes adrift but in Lagos last Sunday wealthy rulers bearing gifts and titles were effectively competing to claim Meghan for their own royal families. But as the duke and duchess would do well to note, not everyone who came paying homage was all they seemed. Prince Harry shaking hands with conman Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi in Lagos, Nigeria The Mail on Sunday reveals today that one of the kings is a convicted fraudster who was twice kicked out of the United States. The venue for what one guest described as Meghan's 'unofficial crowning' was a flashy fifth floor restaurant in the coastal mega-city's latest boutique hotel. Hardly the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace but there was a red carpet, fanfare trumpets and no shortage of ceremony. Monarchs journeyed from all corners of Africa's most populous nation to honour the 42-year-old former Suits actress. In Nigeria different regions continue to have monarchies, now with ceremonial roles rather than constitutional powers, representing the groups that existed before colonisation. From the oil-rich Niger Delta region, representing the Itsekiri people, came a dashing figure in red robes, Ogiame Atuwatse III, also known as the Olu of Warri kingdom. Married to a billionaire's daughter, he drives a Bentley and, much respected, is one of the country's richest kings. Like 40-year-old Ogiame, another king the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe had travelled far to meet the duke and duchess. Known for his wisdom, benevolence and humility, the 83-year-old conferred on Meghan the chieftaincy title 'Ada Mazi' which means 'the daughter of the Igbo ancestral palace'. Maybe this was chancing it a bit. Meghan has revealed only that she is 43 per cent Nigerian. She hasn't specified to which ethnic group she belongs, presumably because she doesn't know. When asked during an episode of her Archetypes podcast if she was Igbo or of the Yoruba people, she didn't reply. Not to be outdone, meanwhile, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, the 56-year-old Oluwo of Iwoland in Western Nigeria, then took centre stage. Microphone in hand, he turned to Meghan who was walked down the aisle on her wedding day by King Charles and said: 'Thank God you are one of us.' As the Sussexes stood before the seated guests, Akanbi made a show of presenting them a series of gifts including necklaces and bracelets and robes fashioned from handwoven fabric. And staking his own people's claim on the duchess, he bestowed on her the Yoruba name Adetokunbo meaning 'royalty from across the seas'. Flamboyant even for Nigerian royalty, Akanbi drives a canary yellow McLaren supercar and is known as the Funky King. His wife Queen Firdaus has described him as playful and jovial and says she fell in love with him at first sight. As her husband joked with Harry, she chatted to Meghan and at one point the two women posed for a picture which Queen Firdaus later posted on her Instagram account. While it is tempting to imagine Firdaus making a glamorous addition to Meghan's inner circle, the Sussexes might wish to think twice before inviting the royal couple to their Californian mansion not least because Akanbi is barred for life from entering the US. Akanbi, who while born a prince hasn't always lived in splendour, is a convicted conman whose own people have called for his dethronement. Akanbi, the 56-year-old Oluwo of Iwoland in Western Nigeria, is a convicted conman whose own people have called for his dethronement Four years ago, a letter from a lawyer representing the Association of Iwoland Indigenes in Diaspora (AIID) accused him of 'conducting himself in manners which are antithetical to that of a monarch in any clime and very unbecoming of a Yoruba Oba'. It said he assaulted another monarch Dhikrulahi Akinropo of Ogbagba during a 'peace meeting' to settle a land dispute. But Akanbi said that Akinropo had interrupted his speech and tried to attack him with his golden staff of office. 'He started calling me unprintable names, pointing his staff of office at me while attempting to stick the staff into my eyes,' said Akanbi. 'I heavily rejected it with a force he could not withstand.' Much worse was to come from others, though, including his ex-wife Chanel Chin, the daughter of a Jamaican reggae star, who has called him a 'devil' and publicly accused him of sexual assault. The letter from the AIID to a state governor accuses Akanbi of shamefully 'misrepresenting the interests of Iwoland' and causing so many 'controversies' that it is hard to 'imagine he ascended the throne'. It says: 'Our clients have several reported cases of intimidation, harassments and acts of subjecting the poor indigenes of Iwoland to all sort of threats.' It adds that the king made false allegations against Ms Chin, claiming she was 'sleeping around with all sort of palace men' which she denied in a TV interview. In fact, adds the letter, 'the unassailable evidence at the disposal of our clients was to the effect that...Akanbi has been the one defiling Iwoland with various shameless reports of defilements of young girls and ladies in the community'. Court records in the US reveal an extensive criminal record. He once tried to cash a forged cheque for 247,000, an 'aggravated felony' to which he pleaded guilty and ultimately left him facing the prospect of 20 years in jail and a 197,000 fine. While the Sussexes had no inkling they were being feted by a fraudster, Akanbi's lengthy criminal record stretches over scores of legal documents. Akanbi, then using the name Segun Adewale Adeonigbagbe, was first arrested in Boston in 1998 after he walked into BankBoston posing as a Joseph Pigott and attempted to cash the stolen 247,000 cheque from aviation company Boeing. Meghan with Queen Firdaus, wife of fraudster Akanbi. The queen has described her husband as playful and jovial and says she fell in love with him at first sight In a statement, Neil Hegarty of the Financial Organised Crime Task Force said he was alerted by a suspicious bank teller. Agent Hegarty contacted the real Joseph Pigott, a successful businessman who said his mail had been stolen and that the thief had used his identity to apply for credit cards, write bogus cheques and attempt to cash real ones.The 247,000 cheque had been sent to Mr Pigott by Boeing, which immediately stopped it when the businessman rang to say he had not received it. Surveillance footage was used to identify and arrest Akanbi, who was later charged with a second count of forging a cheque for 59,000 using the name Thomas Eyring. These days, back in his homeland, Akanbi sits in lavish robes on a giant throne. Visitors to his palace are required to fall at his Gucci loafers. Once he boasted in an interview that a former Nigerian president 'prostrated before me'. In 1998, though, he claimed he was too broke to afford a lawyer. He pleaded guilty to both charges and wrote to the judge begging for leniency. 'Please temper justice with mercy,' he said. 'I am not a career criminal, it was a situation beyond my control which I will never let it (sic) happen to me again. I am really sorry for doing it.' He was jailed for 15 months in July 1998. His 1,500 fine was waived 'because of an inability to pay'. Deported to Nigeria in April 1999, he was banned from re-entering the US 'without lawful authority of the government,' specifically the Department of Homeland Security which is in charge of securing America's borders. While details of Akanbi's past are murky, at some point he settled in Canada and married. In March 2011 just a few months before a young Meghan Markle moved to Canada and began filming Suits he was caught attempting to cross the border into America with his wife and young son using a passport in the name of Prince Adeale Akanbi. At first he told border agents they were heading to New York to go shopping but later changed his story saying they were going to a wedding. When the guards checked his fingerprints they discovered his prior criminal convictions and deportation. Considered a flight risk, he was held in custody and later taken to New York where he faced a grand jury in April 2011 on one charge of 'attempting to re-enter the United States after having been deported subsequent to a conviction for an aggravated felony'. At this point, Akanbi was facing a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a fine of 197,000. He pleaded guilty and in a five-page statement before sentencing he again begged a judge for mercy, saying his 'formative years spent in Africa were very difficult'. He claimed his father whipped him on a weekly basis, he was living on the streets by the age of 12 and, at 17, was sent to an institution 'where he was chained, beaten and forced to learn Arabic'. Akanbi blamed his wife saying she had convinced him he could re-enter the US because more than a decade had passed since his deportation. His then-wife Rakiya Saidu, who he married in 2009, wrote to the judge describing her husband as 'a loving and caring person.' Akanbi was sentenced to time served, deported and banned from the US for life for a second time but it evidently didn't stop him becoming king. Neither has his promise to reign for more than six decades been blown off course by the various allegations against him. If the Sussexes were seeking to expand their money-making ventures in oil-rich Nigeria, privately educated Ogiame Atuwatse, the Olu of Warri, would be a valuable contact and a welcome addition to their social circle. He earned a degree in international studies at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2006, followed by a masters in management. In 2014 he married the daughter of late billionaire Hosa Wells Okunbo in Chelsea, London, with the bride wearing a stunning couture dress by Italian-Argentine designer Ines Di Santo, whose bespoke gowns start at 10,000. Their reception was held at the Victoria and Albert museum, Kensington. Avid Anglophiles Atuwatse worked for Shell in London the couple attended King Charles' first Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey last year. His reign has not been without incident, however. A few days before his coronation, the Warri crown was stolen from his private chambers. Two rival clan chiefs who opposed his ascension were later accused of the theft. Atuwatse, who has been lauded as a 'fresh, young blood' by Nigerian media and has promised to improve the rights of women in a country where girls are still married off as young as 12, laughed off the theft. He ended up using a silver crown for his coronation and now wears one of gold, replacing the stolen original which was made of coral. The Obi of Onitsha, meanwhile, one of the oldest reigning tribal rulers in Nigeria, might also prove a valuable social and business conduit for the Sussexes. A distinguished career as head of the Shell in Nigeria was followed by a number of directorships on various boards. He is chairman of chemical giant Unilever's board of directors in Nigeria and spent many years in London, where he enjoyed a spell as Shell's 'ambassador at large' based in the UK. The Sussexes, meanwhile, who fell in love with Nigeria, have promised to return at the earliest opportunity. 'From now on they would do well to be take heed of the Igbo's equivalent of the 'once bitten twice shy' saying,' said a guest at last week's function. 'It is that one who has been bitten by a snake lives in fear of worms.' Both Archewell and the Oluwo of Iwoland were approached for comment. Hidden in the creaking hull of the hospital ship SS Amsterdam lay the groaning casualties of war. Bodies shredded by shrapnel, shot through with German bullets, even missing limbs, and dreaming desperately of a safe return home. Above deck on the foggy morning of August 7, 1944, smouldered the Battle of Normandy, the campaign ignited by the historic onslaught of northern France on D-Day that sought to scorch Nazism from Europe once and for all. The ship was just off Juno Beach where two months before, 21,400 British and Canadian troops stormed German defences. Winning the vital bridgehead cost 1,200 Allied lives, with many more injured and as soldiers pressed deeper into Nazi territory the injured kept arriving on the SS Amsterdam. Among the medics treating them were Matron Anyta Field and fellow nurse Mollie Evershed whose formidable courage is now being remembered by a D-Day memorial trust. Mollie Evershed (pictured) was, said the captain later, 'the bravest woman I have ever known' One survivor recalls seeing 'two people stuck in portholes' as the ship heeled over, which he was later told were Anyta (pictured) and Mollie Now 80 years on from that fateful day relatives of the two nurses are appealing for help to find descendants of survivors and the fallen of the SS Amsterdam. Pictured, troops from the 48th Royal Marines at Saint-Aubin-sur-mer on Juno Beach, Normand Patrolling the makeshift wards, they treated head wounds, bandaged mutilated limbs and offered comforting words. Then just as one of the ship's surgeons completed a leg amputation disaster struck. The SS Amsterdam, a requisitioned passenger ferry, about to make its third trip home, hit a mine. An almighty explosion tore through the 350-foot ship, ripping it open as if by a can-opener. Panicked crew and passengers fought to escape as the stricken vessel, almost cleaved in two, rapidly began to sink. Lifeboats were lowered and the ship's frantic souls piled in, filling them to bursting. In desperation, some jumped into the sea. Anyta and Mollie had every chance to escape. Instead, and showing exceptional bravery, they put their own safety last. Mollie, 27, who'd trained as a nurse in Norwich, was a slender woman with sensible, milk bottle glasses, whose energetic sense of fun won her many friends. More broader built, befitting the popular image of a matron, Anyta, 32, had a will as strong her frame and served in India before Normandy. Racing below deck time and again as the ship dangerously listed, the pair helped carry their wounded patients to the lifeboats. All but the most infirm had to climb three flights of stairs to the promenade deck, where one officer had made a gangplank of stretchers to a lifeboat. Others had to be hauled through portholes to safety. In total, they helped save 75 men. One of the last to be rescued was the very soldier whose leg had been amputated just minutes before the explosion. The SS Amsterdam (pictured), a requisitioned passenger ferry, about to make its third trip home, hit a mine Of all who died on the battlefields of France, Anyta and Mollie are the only two women to be honoured out of 22,442 names on the British Normandy Memorial (pictured) We don't know exactly what happened to the nurses as the SS Amsterdam disappeared below the water just eight minutes after hitting the mine. Pictured, British troops landing on the beach But their selfless heroism was to cost them their lives. Anyta had finally reached a lifeboat when she made the fatal decision to go back one last time. She never reappeared. We don't know exactly what happened to the nurses as the SS Amsterdam disappeared below the water just eight minutes after hitting the mine. One survivor recalls seeing 'two people stuck in portholes' as the ship heeled over, which he was later told were Anyta and Mollie. A news report of the time quotes a man in the Royal Army Medical Corps who says he tried 'to rescue a nursing officer through the porthole in the lower deck in which she'd been trapped' but was unable to do so. They perished along with 55 patients, ten colleagues and 30 crew. Mollie was, said the captain later, 'the bravest woman I have ever known'. Of all who died on the battlefields of France, Anyta and Mollie are the only two women to be honoured out of 22,442 names on the British Normandy Memorial. The 20 million monument at Ver-sur-Mer was opened in 2021 thanks, in part, to the donations of Mail readers after a campaign by this newspaper. Now 80 years on from that fateful day relatives of the two nurses are appealing for help to find descendants of survivors and the fallen of the SS Amsterdam. One of the few remaining testimonies comes from a man who said he was a galley boy on the ship and who chillingly recalled on the BBC website's open forum on World War Two in 2005: 'Suddenly, there was a muffled explosion, the lights went out, and the ship listed There was a horrible smell of ether in the air. 'I could hear a lot of screaming and shouting. I looked around and could see some of the wounded soldiers jumping over the side... 'As I continued paddling, I heard a gushing noise then saw what looked like ashes shooting out of the funnel amid lots of noise. Then there was nothing, just wreckage floating in the water and deathly silence.' Next month's commemoration of D-Day will include a display of 1,475 silhouette figures representing each of the servicemen who died under British command on June 6, 1944. Among the medics treating them were Matron Anyta Field and fellow nurse Mollie Evershed whose formidable courage is now being remembered by a D-Day memorial trust. Pictured, The British Normandy Memorial The nurses' stories are part of a Normandy Memorial Trust project that for five years has sought to capture and share archive material submitted by descendants of the fallen. Pictured, Graves at the Bayeux War Cemetery, the largest Second World War cemetery of Commonwealth soldiers in France The ceremony in Normandy has been described as the last epic salute for the remaining veterans of the campaign. Pictured, Canadian soldiers land on Courseulles beach in Normandy, on June 6, 1944 Despite dying after D-Day, silhouettes of Anyta and Mollie will also be depicted, in recognition of their sacrifice as the only two women to fall in the Normandy campaign. The steel and alloy figures, decorated with more than 10,000 worth of black paint, will dot the fields of the British Normandy Memorial which overlooks Gold Beach (the second of two D-Day beaches, along with Sword, under British command). The ceremony in Normandy has been described as the last epic salute for the remaining veterans of the campaign. It will be followed by a televised concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London featuring performances by a star-studded cast and the stories of the fallen. Retired palliative care doctor, Tricia Hall-Matthews, was only two when her aunt Anyta perished. She says: 'I remember the stories about her dying on the hospital ship and how she had gone back repeatedly to transfer wounded soldiers to the liferafts. 'When the last patient was out, she returned to see if there were any more. Then the ship sank and she drowned.' Tricia, 82, adds: 'As a family, we have always felt very proud. She did what we hope that we would have done under the circumstances. We are proud to know of the heroic way that she died.' Similarly proud was Anyta's grieving mother, Ethel Field, who reportedly told a newspaper at the time: 'Although she could hardly stand upright, she went back time after time to get other wounded men... She could easily have saved herself because she was a strong swimmer. But she was utterly devoted to duty.' Both Mollie and Anyta were posthumously mentioned in dispatches and awarded the King's Commendation for Brave Conduct in December 1944. Movingly, surviving servicemen also wrote to the nurses' families, expressing their gratitude. Tricia believes her aunt who never married left home in her 20s to become a nurse. Serving, like Mollie, with the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service, she worked in India before nursing on hospital ships. 'Our granny had artefacts, which we then inherited Indian brass bowls and other things which she had brought back. Anyta also kept a diary about her time in India pre-war,' she says. The steel and alloy figures, decorated with more than 10,000 worth of black paint, will dot the fields of the British Normandy Memorial which overlooks Gold Beach (the second of two D-Day beaches, along with Sword, under British command). Pictured, Allied soldiers on D-Day The 20 million monument at Ver-sur-Mer was opened in 2021 thanks, in part, to the donations of Mail readers after a campaign by this newspaper. Pictured, U.S. reinforcements wade through the surf from a landing craft in the days following D-Day and the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France Meanwhile, Mollie grew up in Soham, Cambridgeshire, and trained as a nurse at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. Their deployment to Normandy wasn't unusual, as many female nurses had been aboard hospital ships that retrieved injured soldiers from Dunkirk in 1940. Jane Furlong, historical researcher at the Normandy Memorial Trust, explains: 'Nurses were sent to Normandy fairly soon after D-Day itself. 'Some were close to the frontline in aid stations. They played a vital role in treating and caring for casualties before their onward transfer to the UK.' Mollie's school Ely High for Girls printed a memorial in their magazine in July 1945, which described Molly as 'energetic, lively, full of fun and friendly'. Another of Mollie's relations, Bill Evershed, a retired Royal Navy commander, has made a donation on behalf of the Evershed family for a plaque in Mollie's memory to stand next to her silhouette in Normandy. The inscription will read: 'With our profound esteem, for bravely saving the lives of 75 wounded troops, and giving your life while returning to save more.' Last year, Bill and his wife, Penny, visited the British Normandy Memorial and planted Royal British Legion wooden poppy crosses bearing Mollie's and Anyta's names. 'It was very emotional,' says Bill, 87. 'A group of French schoolchildren were being given a tour by a man in army uniform. To our amazement, they were being told the story about Mollie and Anyta at that very moment. That was quite astonishing.' The nurses' stories are part of a Normandy Memorial Trust project that for five years has sought to capture and share archive material submitted by descendants of the fallen 'to bring to life the personal stories behind the names on the Memorial', says Jane Furlong. Jane is appealing for relatives of the 75 saved on the Amsterdam to come forward, as 'discovering who was saved is very tricky as so much time has passed and records relating to them were not necessarily archived'. Jane says: 'It is an opportunity to illustrate the important role played by the medical services in the care given to those injured in Normandy and the lives they saved.' To share your story about the hospital ship Amsterdam, please contact researcher@normandymemorialtrust.org and Mary.Oconnor@dailymail.co.uk Rishi Sunak is set to sign off on a 10 billion compensation scheme for the victims of the infected blood scandal. The Prime Minister is expected to address MPs at the close of an official inquiry into what has been condemned as the biggest treatment disaster in NHS history. Sources told The Mail on Sunday that the proposed compensation will involve 'life-changing amounts' for the victims. The payments will include sums for both those 'infected' with contaminated blood, but also people 'affected' such as siblings, children and parents. But a government insider said the multi-billion-pound scale of the scheme would not stop Jeremy Hunt from holding an expected pre-election 'fiscal event' with the potential offer of tax cuts. Demonstrators pictured holding placards at a protest in London in July 2023. Rishi Sunak is set to sign off on a 10 billion compensation scheme for the victims of the infected blood scandal The Prime Minister is expected to address MPs at the close of an official inquiry into what has been condemned as the biggest treatment disaster in NHS history (pictured: undated NHS Blood and Transplant) He said it was 'rubbish' to suggest that the payout will impact the Chancellor's plans, as the total amount would not have to be spent in one year. More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after receiving contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s. So far, more than 2,900 people are thought to have died because of the scandal. Former judge Sir Brian Langstaff will tomorrow deliver his final report, almost seven years after the inquiry was announced. The PM is then likely to make a Commons statement, although government sources would not be drawn on whether he would issue a formal apology. Mr Sunak has previously told Sir Brian's inquiry that victims of the scandal had suffered a 'litany of broken promises and dashed expectations'. Some 4,000 people have already received interim payments of about 100,000. That came after a 32-year campaign by the Daily Mail which highlighted the plight of haemophiliacs who were given tainted blood products. On Tuesday, ministers will set out the detail of the final compensation scheme which will then go to a 'rapid' five-week consultation. A government source said it would be a 'tariff-based scheme' based on what each individual 'infected and affected' had had to endure, based on Sir Brian's previous suggestions of issues such as 'social impact, injury, autonomy, care costs and loss of income'. The source added: 'It will weigh up all those things and gives relative amounts according to different conditions that people have suffered.' He was unable to say what the average amount of compensation would be because it varies so massively but said 'it will be life-changing amounts for them'. He added that the Government would not give an overall figure for the size of the bill but confirmed it would be 'a lot of money'. Former judge Sir Brian Langstaff (pictured, in 2021) will tomorrow deliver his final report, almost seven years after the inquiry was announced Mr Sunak (pictured) has previously told Sir Brian's inquiry that victims of the scandal had suffered a 'litany of broken promises and dashed expectations' The Government has already accepted the need for further compensation but has said it would be 'inappropriate' to respond before the inquiry's full report. Last month ministers agreed to support a Labour amendment to a Bill which means that the final compensation scheme must be set up within three months of the legislation becoming law. Many other countries have been affected by the same scandal. In the US, firms that supplied infected products have paid millions in out-of-court settlements. Body camera footage from police in California shows a bleeding and crying 17-year-old girl apologizing to the officer who shot her three times after she teen taunted him to open fire after she deliberately ran at him with a six inch kitchen knife. An officer responded to reports of a girl causing a disturbance behind a Carl Jr's fast food restaurant on North Rose Avenue in Oxnard with a 12-inch knife in her pocket, Oxnard Police Chief Scott Whitney described the 2019 confrontation in an edited video package posted online by his department. The young woman involved, who has not been identified, survived the shooting and five years on from that traumatic day has gone on to help police officers with their training after she took responsibility for her actions. 'This is not your typical officer involved shooting. A 17-yr-old girl attempted suicide by cop. She was shot 3 times. The officer saved her life. This young woman now shares her experience with police officers to help them understand what might be going on with a person who wants to commit suicide by cop,' Oxnard police posted online. This photo made from a May 3, 2019 police video camera video released by the Oxnard Police Department showing an officer shooting a 17-year-old girl armed with a knife in California The girl, center, is seen alongside the officers who have undergone training to prevent incidents of 'suicide by cop' 'After I fell, I kind of got knocked back into my normal thinking state. That's why I was profusely apologizing. I wasn't apologizing because I got shot. I was apologizing because I hurt this officer and made him fear for his life,' the young woman, who is now 22, said. 'I feel bad saying this but when he said 'something's bad going to happen', I feel like he was giving me the pass [for him to shoot me and end this].' The woman concerned recovered from her injuries and has since focused on improving her mental health, sitting down face to face with officer Timothy Roberts. She has spoken out about the importance of dealing with mental health issues and has also spent time talking to police officers about her experience in the hope they might gain understanding and insight on what might be happening with someone who might be attempting suicide by cop. 'In many of these situations, the person in my situation does not live,' she said. 'I feel like it's my duty, as someone who lived, to promote mental health awareness.' The teen taunted the officer with the knife in the hope of getting shot The officer involved did not realize that the young woman was hoping to get shot on purpose The woman is now using her experience to help train police officers The teen said she had a history of suicidal ideation and had attempted suicide before. She said that she thought involving the police would be a more effective method, but she now regrets the decision. 'I do feel guilty for that assumption because a police officer is there to help,' the young woman said. 'It's horrible to want to turn them to harm someone in their community that they're sworn to protect. 'I don't want this guy living with the guilt of that. I didn't want anyone to be mad at that,' she went on. 'It was frustrating that I couldn't move, and it was frustrating that I lived. It was frustrating that I couldn't talk to Officer Roberts,' she said. The teen and the officer met a few months after the shooting, in January 2020 and have remained in contact ever since. Officer Roberts said that at the time he did not realize it was a suicide attempt. 'It's impossible to know that in the moment,' Roberts said. 'She didn't give any indication of that with what she was saying, either.' An officer responded to an empty lot behind a Carl Jr's in response to multiple calls allegedly made by the teenage girl reporting a disturbance cause by her During the harrowing incident, Oxnard Officer Roberts' body camera records him warning the girl not to reach for the weapon. 'Why, what happens if I reach for it?' asks the girl, who's wearing a red shirt, blue shorts and sneakers. 'Then something bad is going to happen,' Roberts says, who had been with the Oxnard force for four years at the time. The camera then shows him backing away from the teen in a parking lot while ordering her to drop the knife. The girl ignores his commands and keeps walking toward him.'Come on, shoot me,' she tells the officer standing at a distance with his gun drawn. 'I've been waiting all day.' 'Drop it,' the officer orders. 'No,' the teen replies. When she suddenly begins running at Roberts with the knife in her right hand, he shoots her multiple times and she collapses to the ground. The officer in the video repeatedly orders the young woman to discard the knife, but each time she refuses Police say the teen was armed with this 12-inch kitchen knife at the time of the incident The video shows the 17-year-old taunting the cop and challenging him to open fire on her The officer backs away until the girl breaks into a run, prompting him to shoot her three times The teen collapses to the ground, bleeding and writhing in agony Two officers are then shown providing first aid to the girl as they wait for an ambulance to arrive. 'I'm so sorry,' the teen says while panting and writhing on the pavement. 'It's OK,' an officer responds. The two officers are seen in the body camera footage surveying the girl's injuries, including gunshot wounds to the chest and thigh. Officer Roberts and his partner proceed to administer first aid to the girl The girl repeatedly apologizes to the cops while being treated for gunshot wounds The second officer arrived moments before the shooting and was preparing to use a beanbag weapon to try to subdue the girl, according to police. Roberts had worked for the Oxnard Police Department since 2015 and was assigned to the patrol division. Further investigation revealed that multiple 911 calls that were made that morning reporting a disturbed woman armed with a knife with the calls coming from the teen's own phone, leading them to believe that she 'deliberately intended to be shot by an officer.' London's bus network was thrown into chaos on Saturday as three buses were taken out of action by fire and crashes. Terrifying footage showed one bus in Twickenham bursting into flames before being consumed entirely - while in Southall the E5 to Perivale was wrecked after it ploughed into a bus stop on South Road. On the other side of London, a new-style Routemaster on the 5 route between Canning Town and Romford crashed into the side of a house in Claughton Road, East Ham. All three incidents happened across Saturday. It marked a chaotic day for Transport for London (TfL) - and the fourth major bus fire to hit its fleet this year after similar incidents in Putney on January 25, in North Woolwich on January 12 and in Wimbledon on January 11. The East Ham incident went viral on TikTok and X, formerly Twitter, with a copy of the video on the Elon Musk-owned site picking up 60,000 views in a matter of hours. A bus ploughed into a bus stop in Southall, west London on Saturday afternoon The crash on Southall's South Road earlier today decimated the bus stop - but its screen was still operational and was able to tell passengers to use another stop (above) The Southall Broadway bus stop has 'reported access issues', TfL says on its website Elsewhere, a bus ploughed into the side of a house in East Ham on a residential street away from its usual route The vehicle appears to have dislodged a piece of roofing on a house during the crash. It is unclear why the vehicle was not on its normal route The video showed the crash from multiple angles - as the bright red people mover was seen crashed into the house, mounted on the pavement. It appeared to have struck and dislodged a piece of roofing on a property in the street. Another angle suggested it was a number 5 bus, which travels through the area via the nearby Barking Road, which is a main road. It is unclear why the bus was on the residential street. London's roadworks register does not suggest there were any planned diversions on the route. Multiple angles of the Southall crash were shared on social media. The shunt is believed to have happened sometime between 5pm and 6pm and decimated the bus stop, which was later seen wrapped up in tape. The vehicle was dealt heavy damage in the collision, smashing the left side of the front windscreen and splitting open its front bumper. Chunks of safety glass were seen scattered on the pavement. Despite the crash, the LED display showing future arrivals was still working. It had been changed to read: 'Bus stop closed. Please use the next stop or the previous stop to catch your bus.' A London bus has burst into flames this afternoon with dozens of firefighters rushing to tackle the blaze on a busy high street Terrifying footage shows huge flames and billowing smoke filling Richmond Road in Twickenham, south west London at 1pm today The vehicle is the fourth London bus to catch fire this year with similar incidents in Putney on January 25, in North Woolwich on January 12 and in Wimbledon on January 11 The TfL website has been updated to say the bus stop is 'reporting access issues'. Videos shared on Snapchat suggest the bus was removed from the scene sometime after nightfall. Meanwhile, a few miles away, huge flames and billowing smoke filled Richmond Road in Twickenham, south west London at around 1pm. A single decker bus was destroyed in the fire but the driver and passengers were evacuated before emergency services arrived, the London Fire Brigade has said. The road was remains closed, with people advised to avoid the area for the rest of the day. Transport for London has confirmed they have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire and are working with bus operators, manufacturers, and suppliers to improve safety in the industry. MailOnline has contacted the transport body for comment on the other incidents. A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: 'Five fire engines and around 30 firefighters tackled a bus fire on Richmond Road in Twickenham. 'One diesel single decker bus was destroyed by the fire. All passengers and the driver left the bus before the Brigade's arrival. There are no reports of any injuries. 'The road remains closed following the incident and people are advised to avoid the area for the rest of the day. 'The Brigade was called at 1.18pm and the incident was over for firefighters at 2.26pm. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police added: 'Emergency services were called at 1320hrs on Saturday, 18 May, to a bus on fire in Richmond Road, Twickenham. There were no reported injuries. Enquires continue alongside London Fire Brigade colleagues' A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: 'Five fire engines and around 30 firefighters tackled a bus fire on Richmond Road in Twickenham. One diesel single decker bus was destroyed by the fire. All passengers and the driver left the bus before the Brigade's arrival' A single decker bus was destroyed in the fire but the driver and passengers were evacuated before emergency services arrived, the London Fire Brigade has said Pictured: The remains of the bus after the huge blaze was put out by firefighters 'Crews from Twickenham, Richmond, Heston and Kingston fire stations attended the scene. 'The cause of the fire is under investigation.' A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police added: 'Emergency services were called at 1320hrs on Saturday, 18 May, to a bus on fire in Richmond Road, Twickenham. 'There were no reported injuries. Enquires continue alongside London Fire Brigade colleagues.' MailOnline has contacted Transport for London for comment. A customer was left horrified after discovering rubbish and food scraps strewn across a McDonald's restuarant. Jackie Zovas visited one of the fast-food restaurants at Cheltenham, Melbourne, last Saturday when she was taken aback by its 'putrid' state. She filmed the shocking scenes with her phone with footage showing bins overflowing with rubbish and tables littered with waste. Food scraps and wrappers were also seen scattered across the ground and kitchen benches while staff walked around it. Social media users were left divided with some slamming the state of the restaurant while others encouraged sympathy for the staff who were clearly working during one of the busiest periods of the day. A customer at a McDonald's franchise in Melbourne has filmed the restaurant in a filthy state both in the kitchen and in the dining area (pictured) Ms Zovas said the McDonald's was 'super busy' when she first walked in and noticed there was just three staff rostered on. She was 'disgusted' nonetheless and claimed that some of the items being given to customers had been sitting under the heat lamp for 'some time'. 'I genuinely felt sick to my stomach to the point I actually asked for my order to be cancelled as I felt as though eating this food would make me sick, that's how much of a health hazard I believe it was,' she told Yahoo. Social media users were similarly disgusted by the video, saying the cleanliness standard had dropped in locations across Australia. 'Seen this appearing at many locations,' one user wrote, adding: 'Standards dropping and prices rising'. 'I get the restaurant might be dirty after the Saturday night rush, but behind the counter?' a second questioned. A third said they 'stopped eating (Maccas) years ago' because the food had become 'rubbish'. Social media users were disgusted by the video, saying the cleanliness standard had dropped in locations across Australia (stock image) Other social media users defended the staff, saying those criticising them hadn't worked in hospitality. 'It shows none of you have worked a busy service in a kitchen. You think food doesn't fall on the floor,' a user wrote. Another wrote the restaurant was clearly understaffed, saying 'if they employed enough staff they'd have time to take care of it through the night'. A McDonald's Australia spokesperson said the fast food chain is 'committed to giving our customers a great experience every time they visit one of our restaurants'. 'We follow strict cleaning, sanitisation and hygiene procedures in all restaurants, including routine dining room cleaning,' the spokesperson said. 'We are working with the restaurant to ensure we continue to provide a safe and clean restaurant, with a great customer experience.' President Joe Biden told black graduates Sunday that former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies 'don't see you in the future of America' in a fiery takedown on race. The president didn't use Trump or the GOP's name as he addressed graduating seniors from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, but it was clear who he was talking about as he brought up January 6 amid their commencement ceremony. 'Insurrectionists who stormed the capitol with Confederate flags are called patriots by some,' Biden told the seniors, graduating from the historically black, all-male institution. 'Not in my house.' Trump often refers to his supporters who ransacked the Capitol Building by that term. 'Black police officers, black veterans, protecting the Capitol were called another word as you recall,' Biden continued. The president added that 'extremists close the doors of opportunity, strike down affirmative action, attack the values of diversity, equality and inclusion.' 'They don't see you in the future of America, but they're wrong,' Biden said. 'We know black history is American history. We know black men are going to lead us into the future.' President Joe Biden told black graduates Sunday that former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies 'don't see you in the future of America' in a fiery takedown on race 'I never thought I would be president at a time when tehre's a national effort to ban books. Not to right history but to erase history,' an aghast Biden also said. The president's speech wavered between the political and the personal as he talked about the 'Saturdays' in the Christian faith, when Jesus' disciples had given up hope, a day before Christ's resurrection. Biden talked of his own 'Saturdays' - the loss of his first wife and baby daughter and later his adult son Beau. He segued that into current events that are tests of faith - the assault on democracy and war in Gaza. Biden was given applause by most of the graduating class throughout his address, with just one member of the faculty obviously protesting his appearance over the war. As the seniors filed into the outdoor commencement ceremony at Morehouse's Century Campus in Atlanta, some wore keffiyehs or Palestinian flag pins, subtle signs of support for the Palestinian civilians amid the war in Gaza. And ahead of Biden's remarks, valedictorian DeAngelo Jeremiah Fletcher animately talked about the war in Gaza. 'For the first time in our lives, we've heard the global community sing one harmonious song that transcends language and culture,' he said. 'It is my stance as a Morehouse man, nay as a human being, to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.' Biden clapped. He echoed that stance during his remarks - while calling the conflict 'heartbreaking.' 'What after? What happens in Gaza? What rights do the Palestinian people have? I am working so that we finally get a two-state solution,' he pledged the student body. President Joe Biden (right) stands during the national anthem during Sunday morning's commencement at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia A Morehouse graduate wears a keffiyeh draped over his shoulders - a sign of support for the Palestinians A Morehouse College graduate sported a Palestinian flag pin, while other graduating seniors draped Palestinian keffiyehs around their shoulders in a show of solidarity amid the war in Gaza Ahead of the Sunday morning commencement, the White House's Director of Public Engagement Steve Benjamin, the former mayor of Columbia, South Carolina, met with Morehouse staff and students. NBC News reported that some of the students expressed that they were worried Biden's appearance would overshadow their graduation day. 'I think what - what's going to be most important are - are the words that the president articulates,' Benjamin said when asked about that concern during Thursday's press briefing. 'And I know that he - he feels very deeply about what this means to these young men.' He said his conversations with the students were about a number of issues. 'Certainly, many of them wanted to talk about the Middle East and - and war,' Benjamin said. Pro-Palestinian campus demonstrations have gotten some commencement ceremonies cancelled this spring whereas other graduation speakers have been interrupted by protesting students. Biden has been followed by demonstrators all over the country as he continues to support Israel's war against Hamas - though stalled one shipment of 2,000 pound bombs over Palestinian civilian concerns. Morehouse College is a historically black, all-male school near downtown Atlanta. President Joe Biden arrived in Atlanta a day before the Morehouse commencement and met with prominent alumni on the tarmac including Sen. Raphael Warnock (third from left). He put his hands on the shoulders of Marlon Kimpson, a member of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy He then spoke to supporters at Mary Mac's Tea Room telling them he felt good about his chances in the November election and pushing that they shouldn't be discouraged by the polling because former President Donald Trump is still losing votes in the GOP primaries The president arrived in Atlanta a day early - and immediately kicked off the trip by greeting a group of Morehouse alumni - including Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock - on the tarmac of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Georgia's other Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff greeted Biden at the airport as well. The president then headed to a black-owned restaurant, Mary Mac's Tea Room, to hobnob with a group of supporters. In the crowd was failed Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, who gave the president a quick bow before going in for a hug. At both the restaurant - and later at a closed-door fundraiser where cameras are barred - Biden urged supporters not to be too worried about the polls. In a recent New York Times survey, Biden was behind Trump in five of th six battleground states, only beating the ex-president in Wisconsin. In Georgia, Biden appears to be 10 points down - 39 percent to Trump's 49 percent. President Joe Biden (right) hugs failed Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, who gave him a little bow before they embraced The presidentwent over and talked to a child after delivering remarks Saturday at the Mary Mac's Tea Room in Atlanta, Georgia Still, the president predicted 'we're going to do well.' 'Here's the deal, you hear about how, you know, we're behind in the polls. So far the polls haven't been right once,' he said at the restaurant. He added at the fundraiser later in the afternoon, 'It's hard to make any poll rational these days,' alluding to how voters are hard to touch base with due to the demise of land lines. 'What I look at are actual election results and election results are in the primaries,' the president said. Biden noted how Trump 'doesn't have an opponent' but lost about 120,000 voters - 128,170 to be exact - in Indiana's Republican primary to Nikki Haley, while around 150,000 Republican in Pennsylvania also backed the former U.N. ambassador over the GOP's presumptive nominee. 'This election a lot's at stake. Lots at stake. It's not about me it's about the alternative as well,' Biden said. 'My opponent is not a good loser. But he is a loser,' Biden told the crowd at Mary Mac's Tea Room, garnering cheers and applause. Ahead of delivering Morehouse's commencement address, Biden made two appearance Saturday in Atlanta, first before supporters at the black-owned Mary Mac's Tea Room and then at a fundraiser where cameras are barred from the room At the fundraiser, held at the ornate headquarters of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, the president slapped around Trump as well. 'The threat Trump poses in a second term is greater than in the first term,' Biden said. 'It's clear that when he lost in 2020 something snapped with Trump,' the president continued. 'He's not only obsessed with losing in 2020, he's clearly been unhinged.' In the crowd there were more prominent Georgia Democratic political figures - with Rep. Lucy McBath, former Sen. Sam Nunn and Sally Yates. 'By the way you have someone here, a former Deputy Attorney General of the Obama-Biden administration, who I've warned her, if I win, watch out. Sally Yates,' Biden teased. He also applauded the state's former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan - who wasn't on hand but crossed party lines to endorse him. Biden said he's happily take any of Haley's primary supporters too. 'Let me say there's always going to be a place for Haley voters in my campaign,' the president said. By Mitch Shin Two-thirds of South Koreas strategic elites do not favor nuclearization of South Korea, Victor Cha, a senior vice president for Asia and Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, said in his latest report published by CSIS in April. The report came out after South Korean domestic polls showed that the majority of South Koreans support the idea of the country developing its own nuclear weapons as a means to deter North Koreas preemptive nuclear strikes. Possibly, it could be what Washington elites have wanted to see due to the South Korean publics growing support for the idea, which Washington has opposed for decades since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. Since North Korea demonstrated its capabilities to develop advanced nuclear weapons and to conduct nuclear tests, voices consistently boiled over toward the South Korean government to develop its own nuclear weapons. Especially, in the wake of the collapse of U.S.-North Korea nuclear talks and inter-Korean dialogues, South Koreans support the idea of the country having nuclear weapons from a security perspective. Ironically, unlike the deep-seated objection of Washington elites and policymakers over this idea, one of the figures who could influence former President Donald Trumps policy on North Korea (if he is re-elected in November) delivered a quite worrisome policy suggestion through his exclusive interview with the Souths Yonhap News Agency. Elbridge A. Colby, former deputy assistant secretary of defense for strategy and force development, said it is unrealistic to expect North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to give up his nuclear weapons, meaning the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is an unrealistic goal. He also said the U.S. policy on North Korea should be centered on arms control to limit the range of North Koreas intercontinental ballistic missiles which are believed to be able to target the mainland of the U.S. It is not a welcoming remark for those in Seoul who still believe that the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula can happen depending on the willingness of the U.S. to resolve the security conflicts on the peninsula. Delivering a contrasting idea of what the Joe Biden administration officials delivered, he also stressed the necessity of shifting the focus of the U.S. forces stationed in South Korea from North Korea to China. Although he clearly drew the line that he is not part of Trumps campaign team so as to prevent readers from misreading his comments as the official stance of Trump on North Korea, his remarks should be noted as the latest poll published by The New York Times on May 13, which shows that Trump is leading in the swing states: Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, Georgia and Nevada. This means that Trumps victory in the upcoming U.S. presidential election is not an absurd notion anymore (although he is appearing in trials as the first prosecuted U.S. president in history). If Trump assumes the presidency again, dramatic changes in the second Trump administrations policy on North Korea may unfold, considering his latest remarks that South Korea should pay more for the presence of U.S. forces in South Korea. For those who support the South having nuclear weapons, such views from Trump and his potential aide could be welcoming, as their stance ultimately supports Seoul pursuing nuclear weapons for its own defense. However, South Korea losing its position as a middle-power country whose voice can influence international agendas through its growing soft power by developing nuclear weapons is a nightmare. Such an action will destabilize the Korean Peninsula even further which would be a justifiable excuse for Pyongyang to boost its nuclear and missile development. South Korea has the power to diplomatically resolve the security conflicts with North Korea. Rather than pursuing the easiest path for its defense, it should consistently work with its neighboring countries to pressure North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons so that the Koreas can construct permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula for future generations. Mitch Shin is an assistant editor at The Diplomat. Shin was a nonresident Korea Foundation fellow at Pacific Forum and a nonresident research fellow at Institute for Security & Development Policy, Stockholm Korea Center. This article was published in The Diplomat. A teenage girl who was overseas when her entire family was bashed to death by her abusive uncle has now dedicated her life to helping others recover from trauma. Brenda Lin was 15 and on a school trip to New Caledonia in July 2009 when someone entered her family's home in North Epping, in Sydney's north-west, and murdered her parents, two younger brothers and aunt. Speaking publicly for the first time in years, Ms Lin, now 30, recalled the devastating way she learned what happened to her family while she was thousands of kilometres from home. 'I remember my dad gave me his phone and said, "Make sure you give me a call when you get there," but me being a teenager, I didn't. I was too cool,' she told the Sunday Telegraph. 'We had limited access to the internet but one night we had a bit of spare time at our homestay and jumped on the computer. Brenda Lin, now 30, was on a school trip to New Caledonia in July 2009 when someone entered her family's home in North Epping, in Sydney's north west, and murdered her parents, her two younger brothers and her aunt (pictured: Ms Lin in 2017) Two years after the killings, Ms Lin's uncle Robert Xie (pictured) was charged with their murders. Prosecutors alleged Xie had been driven by his sexual obsession with his niece and his desire to have unfettered access to her 'A friend from school noticed my friend had logged onto Facebook and sent her a link to a news article. 'They had no words so they sent the article. When she clicked on the link I could see a photo of my house. I didnt know how to process what followed. I was 15.' Min Lin, 45, Mr Lin's wife Yun Li 'Lily' Lin, 44, their sons Henry, 12, and Terry, nine, and Mrs Lin's sister, Yun Bin 'Irene' Lin, 39, were killed with hammer during the horrific attack. An overnight orphan, Ms Lin was sent to live with her aunt and uncle Kathy and Robert Xie. But the schoolgirl was preyed upon by her uncle, who made sexual advances towards her. Two years after the killings, Xie was charged with the murders. But it took four gruelling trials and seven-and-a-half years before he was handed five consecutive life sentences - one for each of the family members he bludgeoned to death. Prosecutors argued Xie had killed Ms Lin's family not only because he was jealous of their life, but because he wanted Ms Lin to live in his home. Ms Lin gave a powerful speech to the court at Xie's sentencing, detailing her grief and betrayal, and how she didn't get to say goodbye to her parents. 'I do not even know how to begin to express how the murder of my immediate family have impacted my life there are not enough words to describe the pain and suffering caused me and those around me,' she said. Ms Lin is pictured with her younger brothers Henry and Terry, aged nine and 12, and with her parents, Min and Yun, who were all murdered by her uncle Robert Xie Detectives and forensic police outside Ms Lin's house after the horrific murder of her family 'Being a prideful teenager I did not say anything to my father, I just stood there awkwardly and thought to myself, "It is just going to be a week, I am going to see them again really soon." 'To this day, my biggest regret was not hugging [my father] and telling him I loved him, to say thank you for being an amazingly loving and caring parent. 'It has been seven-and-a-half years since I have lost my family. That's seven-and-a-half years without a loving mother, seven-and-a-half years without a loving father. Today, Ms Lin exhibits a remarkable lack of rage and bitterness over her uncle's actions. She is now an advocate for survivors of sexual abuse and is studying for a doctorate in criminology, rehabilitation in youth justice, at the University of Sydney. 'He doesn't occupy my thoughts very much to tell you the truth. He is in prison for life, that's enough for me,' Ms Lin said. 'I know there is nothing more we can do. If someone asked me what more I would want done, I don't know what the answer would be.' Ms Lin founded The Survivor Hub in 2021, a charity that helps people who have been victims of sexual assault. Xie and his wife Kathy seen leaving the NSW Supreme Court in 2016 Inside Ms Lin's family home, which would become the crime scene of a horrific murder It has a dozen meet-up locations across New South Wales and Victoria, where survivors can share stories and support one another. 'For us, it's incredibly important to be able to have something good come out of something so tough and horrible,' Ms Lin observed. 'One of the good things that have come out of this for me is my extra families, theres something really beautiful about being in a family that you choose. 'The wonderful support network around me makes sure I am never alone for Christmas, birthdays, Mothers Day, all those special events. Without that incredible support system I do wonder where I would have ended up and that really scares me.' In 2021, Xie lost an appeal against his murder convictions, meaning he will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Hospitals would be expected to pool staff and share waiting lists as part of a Labour drive to deliver an extra 40,000 NHS appointments a week. Under the plans, hospitals will run evening and weekend surgeries, with staff and resources pooled across a region. Patients will be offered appointments at nearby hospitals, rather than necessarily at their local one, allowing them to be treated faster, while NHS staff who agree to pick up extra shifts would be offered overtime pay rates. Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: 'Fourteen years of Conservative neglect has seen waiting lists treble and, despite Rishi Sunak's promise, they are still rising. 'Only Labour has a plan to reform our NHS, get hospitals working together with shared waiting lists and staff, to get patients treated on time again.' Hospitals would be expected to pool staff and share waiting lists as part of a Labour drive to deliver an extra 40,000 NHS appointments a week (file pic) The party has pledged to spend 1.1 billion to pay staff extra for out-of-hours working to deliver the promised 40,000 weekly operations, scans or appointments. The opposition believes it can raise the money through clamping down on tax dodgers and tightening up the rules on non-domiciled people. Labour highlighted the way staff at Guys and St Thomas's in London used a high-intensity theatre (HIT) list to more efficiently perform more procedures. The HIT list system involves increasing the number of anaesthetic, surgical and theatre staff in order to minimise the turnaround time between cases. By using two theatres at the same time, surgeons can be operating as their next patient is being prepared and anaesthetised. While on a normal working day they can perform three knee surgeries for patients, they get through 12 when doing a HIT list. The HIT lists focus on one type of procedure at a time, and take place at weekends. But Labour research indicated more than half of England's hospitals close operating theatres at the weekends. According to a Labour Party Freedom of Information request last year, hospitals performed an average of 795 procedures on weekdays, but just 176 on Saturdays or Sundays. Mr Streeting said: 'We will learn from the great innovations already happening in the health service, and take the best of the NHS to the rest of the NHS. Labour has pledged to spend 1.1 billion to pay staff extra for out-of-hours working to deliver the promised 40,000 weekly operations, scans or appointments (file pic) 'That's how Labour will cut NHS waiting times with 40,000 more evening and weekend appointments each week, paid for by clamping down on tax dodgers and non-dom loopholes.' The promise to cut NHS waiting lists was one of the 'first steps' for a Labour government set out by Sir Keir Starmer. Streeting additionally pledged that he wanted to improve efficiency within the health service, while senior leaders who targeted whistleblowers would be sacked and barred from working for the NHS again under Labour. Speaking to The Telegraph, he said: 'This is a matter of patient safety in some cases, it has been a matter of life and death. We Streeting declared: 'We will learn from the great innovations already happening in the health service, and take the best of the NHS to the rest of the NHS' 'Unless we are robust about this, we're not going to see the culture change that the NHS desperately needs.' Streeting was equally emphatic about the 'over-reliance' within the NHS of employing migrant workers. According to figures released earlier this year, a fifth of NHS staff in England are now foreign nationals. Three in 10 nurses and more than a third of doctors are non-UK residents the first time this milestone has been reached - while some 215 nationalities are now represented in the NHS workforce. The Tories however say Labour will have to raise taxes to carry out their planned NHS overhaul, while also filling a 38.5 billion hole in their spending commitments (file pic) Streeting described the situation as 'problematic' on many levels, including because the UK has been recruiting from countries experiencing healthcare shortages of their own and therefore it was 'unethical' to take away potential employees from those workforces. Another issue with recruiting from overseas is that it causes the UK to believe this option is always available, rather than focusing on training homegrown talent, Streeting added. Last month, it was revealed hundreds of the nation's brightest students are being denied the chance to train as doctors despite securing the best possible grades in their A-levels. More than 1,550 Britons with at least three A*s have been refused a spot at medical school over the past five years, officials have revealed. He said: 'We are turning away thousands of straight-A students from studying medicine each year because we're capping their aspiration, and there has been a short-termist mindset that says 'don't bother training our own homegrown talent, we'll recruit from overseas'. The Tories meanwhile repeated their claim that Labour will have to raise taxes to fill a 38.5 billion hole in their spending commitments. Conservative Party chairman Richard Holden said: 'While Labour would increase your taxes, the Conservatives are making progress on cutting the NHS waiting lists which have fallen by around 200,000 since September 2023, the biggest six-month fall in over 10 years outside the pandemic. 'Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives are sticking with the plan which is working, helping patients get the care they need more quickly so they can lead healthy and happy lives.' An Aussie has revealed he was only required to undergo one week of training and now earns $50 an hour to maintain high-rise buildings. The Sydney man discussed his salary and experience in an interview with Getahead, an app that connects jobseekers with employment opportunities in Australia. The video went viral on TikTok, attracting almost 25,000 views since it was first uploaded on Friday. The man said he works on skyscrapers, and carries out tasks ranging from cleaning windows to helping maintain or restore the integrity of buildings. 'We always do a different type of work, it can be like remedial work because old buildings sometimes have cracks on it,' he said. A Sydney worker revealed he earns around $50 an hour working on skyscrapers in the city 'It can be between $45 and $50 and sometimes it is more. It depends on what type of work we do.' The man landed the job after completing a week-long training course through the Industrial Ropes Access Trade Association (IRATA). No university degree is required for the role. 'Just one week training, the tickets, they call it IRATA,' he explained. According to leading employment website SEEK, the average rope access worker earns $80,000 to $90,000 a year, with some raking in as much as $100,000. The Aussie explained that he doesn't think the job is particularly dangerous, saying there is a second safety rope to fall back on. While there's no doubt a head for heights is essential for the role, he said he found the abseiling part of the job quite fun. The Aussie explained that he doesn't think the job is particularly dangerous, saying there is a second safety rope to fall back on 'Yeah, it's [exciting] in the beginning and then a few years when you work like that you get [into a] routine,' he said. 'We are on two ropes. If you fall from that one, you have that one.' Some social media users were surprised by the amount high-rise workers earn. Others said it was important to consider that most people wouldn't be able to do that type of job. 'Factor in that 95 per cent of people couldn't do it,' one person said. 'Some buildings are 50 stories up, don't think many have it in them to do it,' another wrote. Donald Trump claimed Joe Biden faces a low bar in this year's presidential debates, and that simply remaining upright will be enough for the media to declare it a brilliant performance, reminiscent of Franklin D. Roosevelt. The two candidates agreed this week to meet for two televised showdowns ahead of the November election. During a speech on Saturday at the National Rifle Association, Trump, 77, said he had no hesitation in agreeing to the clashes with his 81-year-old opponent. After all, his own speaking style, with its multiple threads and thoughts, was a beautiful thing. 'You know there is a genius to what I'm doing,' he said, interrupting a meandering story about President Macron of France, which may or may not have had something to do with tariffs, and included a brief interlude in praise of the name 'Emanuel' and an attack on CNN. 'You know there is a genius to what I'm doing,' said Donald Trump during a typically meandering speech to the National Rifle Association convention in Dallas on Saturday 'You do know that I go from here to there, and it all comes back into a beautiful picture. 'It's a beautiful thing.' Then he turned to the 'low-IQ individual' that he said he would face in the debate. 'If this horrible individual finishes the debate, which I think he will ... if he's standing, if he's standing, they'll say it was a brilliant performance,' said Trump, before imagining the reviews. 'It was a brilliant performance. They've never seen anything like it ... very much reminiscent of the days of FDR.' FDR, he said, had a 'beautiful patrician voice, magnificent voice, great debater.' The two candidates are due to face each other on the debate stage on June 27 and September 10. They agreed to the meet-ups during a rapid-fire series of statements on Wednesday. Trump offered his assessment of their chances during a typically wide-ranging speech on Saturday evening to gun enthusiasts in Dallas, Texas. He warned them that a Biden win in November would bring more restriction on guns and promised to reverse new rules if he was elected president. Trump said Joe Biden would simply have to be there at the end of their debates to be declared winner. 'they'll say it was a brilliant performance,' he said 'The bad guys are not giving up their guns,' said Trump. 'They will be so happy if the Biden regime gets four more years. They are coming for your guns ... 100 percent.' The NRA put its full weight behind Trump during the 2016 campaign. In office, the gun lobby welcomed the way he elevated three conservative justices to the Supreme Court But since then the group has seen membership and revenues dwindle. Wayne LaPierre stepped down as chief executive just before a Manhattan jury found him and two other executives liable for misspending millions of dollars. The NRA attempted to declare bankruptcy three years ago, but the petition was thrown out by a judge who ruled it was not made in good faith. Even so, its annual convention is still an important opportunity to rally the Second Amendment enthusiasts he needs to defeat President Joe Biden in November. He offered supporters his usual grab-bag of policy headlines, impersonations of world leaders and personal grievances. He promised to close the border and spent time railing against the judge hearing his hush money case in New York and a gag order, that prevents him attacking witnesses. Thousands of NRA members were in Dallas for the annual convention The NRA enthusiastically backed Trump in 2016 and 2020. Trump called on gun owners to make sure they voted in November But he also offered red-meat to the gun owners in front of him. 'At noon on inauguration day, we will sack the anti-gun fanatic Steve Dettelbach,' he said. 'Have you heard of him? 'He's a disaster ... and replace him with an ATF director who respects the sacred right to keep and bear arms.' Before taking up the post in 2022 Dettelbach had called for an 'assault-style' firearms ban, and he remains a figure of suspicion for Republicans. Trump used his speech to remind his audience of the importance of voting. 'I don't know what it is,' he said. 'Perhaps it's a form of rebellion because you're rebellious people argue but gun owners don't vote. 'What is that all about?' It was all part of Trump's 'too big to rig argument.' He set out the importance of picking up every vote possible and said that was why he was due to address the Libertarian national convention next week. Danny Batsalkin holds a rifle during the annual National Rifle Association (NRA) meeting in Dallas, Texas, U.S., May 18, 2024 The NRA has seen membership and revenues decline during the past decade, but the gun rights lobby is an important constituency for Trump if he is to beat Biden in November 'They get their three percent every year no matter who's running,' he said. 'And we have to get that three percent because we can't take a chance on Joe Biden winning.' 'He's the worst president in the history of our country, by far. Vice President Kamala Harris said the choice facing voters worried about gun violence was clear. 'It is clear that Donald Trump meant it when he said that Americans fed up with horrific gun violence should simply "get over it." In office, Donald Trump opposed common-sense gun safety measures and oversaw a rise in homicides,' she said ahead of the former president's appearance in Dallas. 'Now, at a time when guns are the number one cause of death for children and teens in America, Donald Trump is catering to the gun lobby and threatening to make the crisis worse if reelected.' An illegal Mexico migrant has been accused of being a serial rapist after officials said they caught him in the act in his 'rape dungeon on wheels' this week in California. Eduardo Sarabia has been charged with sexually assaulting two women near the Angeles National Forest between May 12 and 13. He is being held without bail. Police discovered Sarabia allegedly raping a 26-year-old woman off of Highway 39 in the Angeles National Forest in his 'rigged for rape' 2015 Ford Transit van. According to deputies, the accused would offer rides under the pretext that he was camping in the San Gabriel Mountains before taking them to an area with no cell phone signal off mile marker 21 on Highway 39. Eduardo Sarabia has been charged with sexually assaulting two women near the Angeles National Forest between May 12 and 13. He is being held without bail Footage shows condoms, ropes, bungees, children's toys, multiple cell phones, hard drives as well as a worn and stained mattress inside the vehicle Sealed condoms were found by officials inside the van Footage shows condoms, ropes, bungees, children's toys, multiple cell phones, hard drives as well as worn and stained mattress scattered inside the vehicle. A metal partition in the back that is locked form the outside can be seen. Officials say Sarabia kept his victims locked inside the 'cage,' in order to 'take them to a remote location and rape them.' The van also has no windows in the back and is now under 24-hour surveillance, according to FOX. Officials also found hard disks and multiple cell phones safely secured inside A metal partition in the back that is locked form the outside can be seen. Officials say Sarabia kept his victims locked inside the 'cage,' in order to 'take them to a remote location and rape them' Police found Sarabia raping a 26-year-old woman off of Highway 39 in the Angeles National Forest in his 'rigged for rape' 2015 Ford Transit van The repeated attacks were taking place in a remote area near Angeles National Forest, California Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon said in a statement, 'As District Attorney, it is my solemn duty to pursue justice for victims of violent crimes, especially those involving sexual assault. 'The horrific and violent sexual assault that these two survivors endured by the alleged suspect is deeply troubling and incomprehensible. Our thoughts are with the victims during this tremendously difficult time. 'I want to emphasize that this is an ongoing investigation, and there may be additional victims who have yet to come forward. I urge anyone who has been affected by similar incidents to contact law enforcement and seek available resources.' If found guilty, Sarabia could be jailed for life. A tech pioneer behind the rise of AI has said that citizens should be paid a universal basic income to counter the controversial technology's devastating effect on jobs. Former Google vice president Geoffrey Hinton said AI and robots would be 'very bad for society' because the millions of workers left jobless by the technology will not enjoy the wealth resulting from the boom in productivity. Speaking to the BBC's Newsnight, the academic said: 'I certainly believe in a universal basic income. 'But I don't think that's enough because a lot of people get their self-respect from the jobs they do.' He continued: 'If you pay everybody a universal basic income, that solves the problem of them starving and not being able to pay the rent but that doesn't solve the self-respect problem.' Former Google vice president Geoffrey Hinton (pictured) said AI and robots would be 'very bad for society' because the millions of workers left jobless by the technology will not enjoy the wealth resulting from the boom in productivity Speaking to the BBC's Newsnight, the academic said: 'I certainly believe in a universal basic income. 'But I don't think that's enough because a lot of people get their self-respect from the jobs they do' (Stock Photo) The expert, who said he had raised the idea of universal basic income at Downing Street, warned that many blue-collar and 'mid-level intellectual jobs' will disappear because of AI, but predicted that plumbing could be safe from the march of the robots. 'My best bet about a job that is safe is plumbing, because these things [AI] aren't yet very good at physical manipulation,' he said. 'That will probably be the last thing they are very good at.' His warning comes the International Monetary Fund predict that 40 per cent of jobs worldwide will be affected by AI. And the Institute for Public Policy Research has said eight million jobs in the UK could be lost with the introduction of AI in the workplace. Hinton, who quit Google in 2023 to sound the alarm about AI, said he was pleased that the world was now taking its 'existential threat' to humanity seriously, as well as its impact on society. 'I am very worried about AI taking over lots of mundane jobs,' he said. 'That should be a good thing. It's going to lead to a big increase in productivity, which leads to a big increase in wealth, and if that wealth was equally distributed that would be great, but it's not going to be. 'In the systems we live in, that wealth is going to go to the rich and not to the people whose jobs get lost, and that's going to be very bad for society, I believe. 'It's going to increase the gap between rich and poor, which increases the chances of Right-wing populists getting elected,' he warned. Only days ago, Sainsbury's signed a deal with Microsoft to use the technology giant's AI tools to improve the shopping experience for customers and help staff save time to focus on key tasks. The expert, who said he had raised the idea of universal basic income at Downing Street, warned that many blue-collar and 'mid-level intellectual jobs' will disappear because of AI, but predicted that plumbing could be safe from the march of the robots (Stock Photo) Rishi Sunak is expected to say on Tuesday: 'To unlock the benefits of AI, we must also work together to ensure it is safe' And on Tuesday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will co-host a virtual session of world leaders and tech bosses with President Yoon Suk Yeol of Korea. Mr Sunak is expected to say: 'To unlock the benefits of AI, we must also work together to ensure it is safe.' A Whitehall source said: 'Britain continues to show global leadership on one of the defining technological and societal challenges of our age.' The source added: 'Managed safely, AI will continue improving our quality of life and growing our economy.' More than 1,000 people died during the Nazi occupation of Alderney in the Channel Islands, an inquiry will reveal this week. For decades, official accounts have said only 389 of the 4,000 slave labourers shipped by Nazi Germany to the island during the war perished. But The Mail on Sunday understands that an investigation launched last year has discovered that the death toll was at least double that. Four labour camps were built on Alderney with two turned by the SS into concentration camps. A panel of experts led by UK Holocaust envoy Lord Pickles has been examining archives to find the true number of deaths. They are also said to have also discovered why the Nazi perpetrators never stood trial. Pictured: Houses overlooking a German World War II trench system in Alderney, Guernsey, in September. More than 1,000 people died during the Nazi occupation of Alderney, an inquiry will reveal this week For decades, official accounts have said only 389 of the 4,000 slave labourers shipped by Nazi Germany to the island (pictured) during the war perished People pictured visiting a German bunker in Alderney in September. The Mail on Sunday understands that an investigation launched last year has discovered that the death toll was at least double the 389 claimed Pictured: A plaque commemorating the victims of German forced labour on Alderney. Four labour camps were built on Alderney with two turned by the SS into concentration camps A panel of experts led by UK Holocaust envoy Lord Pickles (pictured, in 2022) has been examining archives to find the true number of deaths The new evidence seen by the inquiry describe the atrocities on Alderney as 'systematic terrorism' involving 'murder and massacre' and 'torture'. The previous official death toll of 389 came from examinations of marked graves in the 1960s. Speaking last year Lord Pickles said: 'Numbers matter because the truth matters.' Furious business owners last night warned water company bosses they must 'bear the full cost' of compensation for the Brixham poisoning scandal. Seaside B&Bs and self-catering cottages in the south Devon town are facing a wave of cancellations from holidaymakers fearful of exposing their families to the water-borne parasite cryptosporidium. One senior South West Water executive told The Mail On Sunday she accepts there will also be 'wider reputational damage' to the whole region. She insisted it was too early to assess the impact, but pressure is mounting on the company to act quickly as the half-term holidays are only days away. Furious business owners last night warned water company bosses they must 'bear the full cost' of compensation for the Brixham poisoning scandal Seaside B&Bs and self-catering cottages in the south Devon town are facing a wave of cancellations from holidaymakers fearful of exposing their families to the water-borne parasite cryptosporidium Alistair Handyside, chairman of the South West Tourism Alliance, said: 'I'm suggesting businesses contact South West Water for compensation. 'It is a private company, it is damaging other companies and it must bear the full cost of failure to properly maintain equipment.' Laura Flowerdew, of South West Water, said the company was 'extremely sorry', adding: 'We are going to look at businesses which have seen an impact and deal with any compensation case by case.' Devon's water crisis could last for 10 days after hundreds have fallen ill with vomiting and diarrhoea amid a parasite outbreak in contaminated taps. A school has been forced to shut and people are panic buying water from supermarkets after hundreds of people were struck down by an illness called cryptosporidium. One senior South West Water executive told The Mail On Sunday she accepts there will also be 'wider reputational damage' to the whole region South West Water (SWW) this week urged people to boil their tap water after hundreds fell ill with diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach pains. The water company said the Hillhead reservoir and the wider Alston area are being investigated as a potential cause for the outbreak - an area which about 40,000 residents get their water supply from. The mystery illness is believed to be linked to cryptosporidium, a parasitic bug that causes severe stomach issues. Locals in Brixham, Boohay, Kingswear, Roseland and north-east Paignton in Devon were all told to boil water as a precaution - including when drinking it or using it to cook with and brush teeth - as bottled water stations were set up yesterday to provide clean, safe water for residents to take home. 'God's Square Mile,' a New Jersey Christian enclave, could be stopped from banning people from using public beaches on Sunday mornings. The state of New Jersey is suing the religious group in a case that could result in the community being charged $25,000 a day in fines for violating beach access laws. The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, which owns all the land in the small town of Ocean Grove including the beach, claims the policy is in accordance with its religious belief about the Lord's Day. It also argues that the rule is about giving lifeguards time off, advancing a 'better quality of life' and keeping more parking available for other businesses on a Sunday. However, New Jersey argues in legal filings that the chains and locks used to keep the public off the sand violates the association's authority to operate a beach. A New Jersey Christian enclave could be stopped from banning people from using public beaches on Sunday mornings Local resident Harriet Bernstein (right, pictured with her partner, left) said, 'I feel less comfortable because of the imposition of their religion on everybody that lives here' The Association has deleted the rule stating that the beach will be closed until 12 pm on Sundays from its website. However, in its own legal filings the Association argues that the state is attempting to violate the group's constitutional right to freedom of religion, the taking of private property and due process and equal protection. '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,' the Association wrote in its filing. They added that restricting access to the beach for 45 hours of the year between Memorial Day and Labor Day is 'abundantly reasonable.' Ocean Grove, 60 miles south of New York City, was originally founded in 1869 as a Methodist retreat. '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,' local resident Paul Martin, who is Jewish, told the Associated Press. The state is suing the religious group in a case that could result in the community being charged $25,000 a day in fines Ocean Grove, 60 miles south of New York City, was originally founded as a Methodist retreat The Association also requires all visitors to the beach to purchase badges that have religious crosses on them 'We have the right to live here, too,' Aliza Greenblatt, who is also Jewish, told AP. She went on to say, 'We're not anti-Christian. We just want the line between church and state to be respected.' The Association also requires all visitors to the beach to purchase badges that have religious crosses on them. For some, that feels like an 'imposition.' 'I feel less comfortable because of the imposition of their religion on everybody that lives here,' Harriet Bernstein, who is in a lesbian relationship, said. Of the crosses, she added, 'I'm Jewish; I don't wear crosses.' The family of an Aussie tourist who was struck down with a horrific illness on a bucket-list trip overseas are desperately fighting to bring her home. After Maud O'Brian, 58, was diagnosed with cancer, she booked a three-week cruise from Queensland to Hawaii with her husband Paul. One week into the cruise, she came down with the flu and was medically evacuated from the ship to Tahiti. Her condition quickly deteriorated and she was diagnosed with 'severe pneumonia'. Ms O'Brian's daughter Ashleigh Stothard has set up a GoFundMe to cover her mum's medical bills and flight home after insurers refused to cover her because of her pre-existing cancer. After Maud O'Brian, 58, was diagnosed with cancer, she booked a three-week cruise from Queensland to Hawaii with her husband Paul One week into the cruise she came down with the flu and was medically evacuated from the ship to Tahiti, where she was diagnosed with 'severe pneumonia' She provided an update on what she described as an 'incredibly challenging' time for her family, admitting it had taken a toll. 'Mum was transferred to the main island hospital in Papeete, where her health took a nosedive, and we feared for her life,' she said. 'Despite the best efforts of the medical staff, mum's condition was critical and all she wanted was to get back to Australia.' Ms O'Brian's family sought quotes for an intensive-care air ambulance flight back to Mackay, which ranged from $185,000 to $500,000. She was cleared to fly home a few days later, but things took a turn for the worse while she was onboard. 'Mum's condition became life-threatening and she almost didn't survive the journey,' Ms Stothard said. 'The situation was dire but the medical team onboard helped stabilise her. 'Currently, Mum is in Auckland, New Zealand, where she is receiving the care she urgently needs.' After a rocky start, Ms O'Brian started making progress at Middlemore Hospital, where her family say she is being well looked after. 'The hospital staff in Auckland have been amazing,' Ms Stothard told 7News. 'Not just to mum, but to dad as well, making sure he's got a place to sleep next to her - we want to thank them for their kindness and support.' Ms O'Brian's family is facing substantial medical expenses, including a hospital bill of approximately $60,000, as well as other costs such as taxis, food and accommodation. Ms O'Brian started making progress at Middlemore Hospital in New Zealand, where her family say she is being well looked after Magpies Sporting Club, where she and her partner both work in Mackay, have appealed for anyone who is able to donate. 'This unexpected situation has placed a significant emotional and financial burden on their family. With medical expenses piling up and the distance adding to the strain, they're turning to our community for support,' they wrote on Facebook. 'Their deepest wish is to bring Maude back home, where she can receive the comfort and care she truly needs, surrounded by the love of her family and familiar surroundings. However, the costs associated with her treatment, ongoing care, and potential medical evacuation are overwhelming. 'This is where your kindness and generosity can make a world of difference. Every contribution, no matter the size, will go directly towards covering Maude's medical expenses, travel arrangements, and any necessary accommodations for her recovery journey.' So far, the family has raised more than $16,000, and Ms Stothard said everyone's support and well-wishes have brought them comfort. 'To have people have your back, it gives you faith in humanity, and it has definitely helped,' she said. 'Your continued support is crucial as we navigate this difficult time. Your donations, prayers, and well wishes have brought us hope and comfort during mum's recovery. 'Thank you from the depths of our hearts for your love, generosity, and compassion.' Ms O'Brian's family know she has a long road ahead, but are hopeful she will be able to return home soon. By Jung Kang The first-ever Korea-Africa Summit will be held in Seoul on June 4-5. From Ethiopia, the home of the African Union's headquarters and the gateway to the African continent, the summit is being regarded as very special in numerous respects. Addis Ababa is often referred to as one of the cities with the most number of diplomatic missions along with New York and Geneva. Not only African countries, but also most European and Middle Eastern countries and many South American and Asian countries have diplomatic missions in Addis Ababa. Though Koreas relations with Africa date back to only around the 60s, Koreas diplomacy is considered one of the most active in Addis Ababa. Many African diplomats I meet in Africa are looking forward to the hosting of the summit for several reasons. First, because of Koreas unique position as a country that has experienced colonization and war in contemporary history, and had a GDP of less than US$1,000 per capita, many African countries identify with Korea. Most importantly, African nations want to learn about Koreas success story as it offers a viable solution to the challenges that Africa faces. Second, while some countries are perceived to host summits to ask for what they want from Africa, Korea is a country that stands side-by-side with African countries in their journey toward a bright tomorrow. Lastly, as the Korean Wave encompassing Korean food, K-pop, K-drama, and K-beauty, is gaining increasing popularity in Africa, Korea is already at the top of many Africans travel wish list. Some African diplomats told me that they even received K-shopping lists from their children. There are only about 10 countries in the world that held summits inviting leaders of African countries. Summits are considered as a pinnacle of diplomacy; hence, the upcoming Korea-Africa Summit can be viewed as a culmination of Koreas diplomatic efforts in Africa and an opportunity to look at which direction Korea is heading towards with Africa. With respect and affection for Africa, Korea hopes to open a major chapter in its diplomacy towards Africa. Jung Kang is ambassador of The Republic of Korea to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union The Israeli government has been thrown into chaos as politicians in Benjamin Netanyahu's war cabinet threaten to resign. Pressure has continued to mount on the Israeli leader to find a postwar plan for Gaza even as the war shows no sign of ending. In the months following the devastating October 7 terrorist attack, Israeli politics has remained remarkably unified but that united front looks as though it is about to be shattered. On Saturday evening Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Netanyahu's war cabinet and his main rival for the top job, threatened to leave the government on June 8 if it did not formulate a new war plan. This includes an international, Arab and Palestinian administration to govern Gaza. The Israeli government has been thrown into chaos as politicians in Benjamin Netanyahu 's war cabinet threaten to resign On Saturday evening Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Netanyahu's war cabinet and his main rival for the top job, threatened to leave the government on June 8 if it did not formulate a new war plan Smoke rises following an Israeli strike in northern Gaza. Pressure has continued to mount on Netanyahu to find a postwar plan for Gaza even as the war shows no sign of ending Defence Minister Yoav Gallant (pictured centre) who has also called for a plan for Palestinian administration, and said in a speech this week that he wouldn't agree to Israel governing Gaza itself The leader of the National Unity party said: 'If you choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation to the abyss, we will be forced to quit the government.' Gantz has been joined by Defence Minister Yoav Gallant who has also called for a plan for Palestinian administration, and said in a speech this week that he wouldn't agree to Israel governing Gaza itself. Netanyahu has ruled out any role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, instead he claims he wants to hand power to local Palestinian. The PM has also ruled out any such plans until Hamas is defeated because it has threatened anyone who cooperates with Israel. He also remains deeply opposed to Palestinian statehood. In a statement issued after the ultimatum, Netanyahu said Gantz' conditions would amount to 'defeat for Israel, abandoning most of the hostages, leaving Hamas intact and establishing a Palestinian state.' Netanyahu added, however, that he still thought the emergency government was important for prosecuting the war, and that he 'expects Gantz to clarify his positions to the public.' It is unsurprising Netanyahu would hope Gantz might remain in coalition as his departure would leave Netanyahu even more beholden to his far-right coalition allies. This includes the National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir who could more easily bring down the government if he doesn't meet their demands. Netanyahu has ruled out any role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, instead he claims he wants to hand power to local Palestinian Gantz embraces a woman as he walks to meet with hostages family members. Gantz said: 'If you choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation to the abyss, we will be forced to quit the government' If Gantz pullos out of the government Netanyahu would beholden to his far-right coalition allies. This includes the National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (pictured) who could more easily bring down the government if he doesn't meet their demands Protestors in Tel Aviv on Saturday night. Critics of Netanyahu, including thousands who have joined weekly protests in recent months, accuse him of prolonging the war for his own political survival Ben-Gvir and others have called for Israel to reoccupy Gaza, encourage the 'voluntary emigration' of Palestinians from the territory and reestablish Jewish settlements that were removed in 2005. Critics of Netanyahu, including thousands who have joined weekly protests in recent months, accuse him of prolonging the war for his own political survival. Gantz, who brought his centrist party into the government days after the Oct. 7 attack that triggered the war, warned Netanyahu not to 'choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation to the abyss.' The USA has joined Gantz in pushing for end of war plan, which includes Gaza being governed by Palestinian and Arab states such as Saudi Arabia. The Times reports that the Americans are also calling for the full recognition of Israel by Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries. Israeli media have reported growing discontent within the country's security establishment over the course of the war, with officials warning that the lack of any such planning was turning tactical victories into strategic defeat. With no one else to govern Gaza, Hamas has repeatedly regrouped, even in the hardest-hit areas that Israel previously said it had cleared. In a statement issued after the ultimatum, Netanyahu said Gantz' conditions would amount to 'defeat for Israel, abandoning most of the hostages, leaving Hamas intact and establishing a Palestinian state' Israeli troops are meanwhile pushing into parts of the southern city of Rafah in what they say is a limited operation. The fighting there has displaced some 800,000 people, many who had already fled from other areas, and severely hindered the delivery of humanitarian aid. Indirect talks mediated by the United States, Qatar and Egypt aimed at a cease-fire and the release of scores of hostages held by Hamas meanwhile appear at a standstill, with many of the hostages' families and their supporters blaming the Israeli government. Tragically, in recent days the bodies of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 have been found in Gaza. On May 17 the body of Shani Louk, who was at the Nova music festival was discovered alongside two other hostages. Yesterday, it was reported that Ron Benjamin's body had also been found. A glamorous 'chief state adviser' to Robert Fico was intimately tied to his downfall over a mafia scandal in 2018. Mr Fico, who came back to power last year, quit as prime minister less than three weeks after a wave of public revulsion over the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee, Martina Kusnirova. The first journalist to be murdered for his work in Slovakia, Mr Kuciak was investigating organised crime links with the Fico government. A 27-year-old former Miss World contestant who had also appeared in nude photoshoots, Maria Troskova was appointed by Fico despite her lack of experience. Subsequently dubbed the 'sexy assistant' by Slovak tabloids, the government refused to clarify why she was hired or the nature of her role. But diplomats were incensed when the 'not very successful model with a dubious reputation' was allowed to attend meetings with German chancellor Angela Merkel. Maria Troskova, a glamorous 'chief state adviser' to Robert Fico, was intimately tied to his downfall over a mafia scandal in 2018 (pictured: Ms Troskova and Mr Fico) Mr Fico pictured with his wife Svetlana in March 2007. Mr Fico, who came back to power last year, quit as prime minister less than three weeks after a wave of public revulsion over the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee, Martina Kusnirova A 27-year-old former Miss World contestant who had also appeared in nude photoshoots, Maria Troskova was appointed by Fico despite her lack of experience (pictured: Ms Troskova on the cover of a model magazine in 2009) Mr Fico pictured at the EU Council building in Brussels in 2015 While investigating this apparently bizarre hire, Mr Kuciak is said to have discovered she had been in business with an expat member of the notorious Italian 'Ndrangheta mafia clan, which is linked to transporting cocaine and stealing EU subsidies. Mr Kuciak was investigating whether Ms Troskova could have been a go-between for the mafia and the Slovak government when he was murdered, according to the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. Ms Troskova quit her role, saying that she 'categorically [refuted] any connection' to the twin murders, only to be followed out of the door by her former boss Mr Fico days later. Little appears to be known of Ms Troskova since her resignation. She could not be reached for comment. A Georgia college student has been shot dead by an 'armed intruder', officials confirmed on Saturday. 'Kennesaw State officials can confirm that a female student was fatally shot on campus,' the university said in an alert posted to its website. The college confirmed that a suspect has been detained and that there is 'no threat to the campus community.' The incident occurred around 4pm local time triggering a shelter-in-place on campus. The order was lifted around 4:45pm but advised students to 'avoid the South Campus Housing area due to police activity.' 'Kennesaw State officials can confirm that a female student was fatally shot on campus,' the university said in an alert posted to its website on Saturday Kennesaw State University Police are working with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, according to the university. This is the second emergency alert put out this year due to an armed intruder at the college, WSB-TV reported. Students and staff were put under a shelter-in-place order for hours during a January incident in which a person with a gun was reported on campus. The former Republican governor of Ohio has said he believes there could be a secret plot underway that would see the Democrats replace Biden before the election. John Kasich said he believes poor polling data coupled with the president's weak public speaking has given the party a reason to look for alternative candidate. Kasich, 72, made the assertions on Democrat-leaning MSNBC on Friday night. 'I'm starting to wonder that there's a real possibility that Joe Biden will not be the Democrat nominee,' Kasich began. Former Ohio Governor John Kasich believes Democrats might replace Joe Biden ahead of November's election Kasich cited poor polling and Biden's weak public speaking performances 'The fact that the economy is not turning, the fact that people are saying it's a terrible economy for them, the fact that they've said they don't have any confidence Joe Biden can fix it, his public appearances have not been very good, and now they've agreed to two debates, which is as out there as you can get.' It left host Jose Diaz-Balart incredulous as he demanded to know where the governor had come up with such information. 'Governor, where is this coming from?' Diaz-Balart asked. 'I see what these numbers are like, Jose,' Kasich said. 'I mean, you had a poll, that Siena poll, that indicated last week, not only did they think he couldn't fix the economy and they put Trump way ahead of him but they also said they're not sure he's as competent as Trump.' Kasich has concerns over Biden's public speaking abilities Kasich said that he is also concerned about Biden's trailing poll numbers in key swing states 'I mean these are really significant numbers,' Kasich went on, citing polling data that suggests Trump is currently beating Biden in swing states. Aside from polling information, Kasich said he has had conversations with 'a lot of people' which he believed further supports his claim. Kasich also shared his fears over the two planned presidential debates. 'I don't know how that's going to go, and I'm just beginning to wonder,' he said. John Kasich's own half-hearted bid for the presidency in 2016 ended in failure Despite running as a Republican in the past, Kasich supported Biden in 2020 at the time warning Americans to not go down 'the wrong road' with Trump. It is not clear whether he will endorse Biden this time around. Kasich believes Biden's appearances in public 'just aren't working,' and is frustrated in his interpretation of the economy with him 'talking about 'Bidenomics' all that time, and saying, oh no, everything's been great.' The parents of a 13-year-old girl who died say she was recreating a wildly dangerous 'chroming challenge' shared between teenagers on social media. Esra Haynes went into cardiac arrest after breathing in deodorant fumes during a sleep-over in north-east Melbourne over the Easter long weekend last year. Despite the desperate attempts from paramedics, Esra would die days later in hospital after suffering irreparable brain damage. The dangerous trend is known as chroming - and has gained popularity among young Aussies. Esra's parents, Paul and Andrea, say their sporty daughter was introduced to chroming through a friend who would have seen it on social media. They're both in support of banning social media for teenagers, a provision that is soon to be introduced in South Australia. The devestated parents of a 13-year-old girl who died recreating a dangerous social media trend, Paul and Andrea Hayes (pictured), have backed social media bans for teenagers Chroming has taken the lives of children across the world as young as 11 and resulted in some supermarkets keeping aerosol deodorants locked up. Although platforms such as TikTok restrict access to dangerous or traumatising videos, Mr Hayes said 'all it takes is for one child to see it and share it and spread'. He said the government needs to step in and prevent kids from interacting with dangerous trends, saying 'this needs to stop now'. 'Kids today are treading such a fine line and the algorithm attacks them and draws them in,' he told the Herald Sun. 'It's a really vicious circle. At 13 you are still a child and the decisions you make are not always sound decisions.' The heartbroken father said he didn't want any parent to go through what he and his family have gone through with the death of Esra. He pleaded with state and federal governments to do the right thing and 'make the change to social media and help keep kids safe'. 'We dont want any more children to die.' Their daughter, Esra (pictured), suffered a cardiac arrest after inhaling aerosol deodorant fumes - called chroming - and died days later for irreparable brain damage Mr and Ms Haynes said she would have been exposed to the trend by a friend who saw it on social media (pictured, Esra in hospital) South Australia is set to become the first Australian state to act on calls for bans on social media for teenagers. Children aged 13 and under will be banned from using Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok while those aged 14 and 15 will need consent from a parent or guardian. The move has drawn praise from independent senator Jacqui Lambie who compared social media addiction to smoking an 'ice pipe'. South Australia premier Peter Malinauskas said the government decided to make the drastic move to safeguard the emotional and mental welfare of children, amid. concerns over bullying and exploitation. Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the Coalition's proposal to slash Australia's migration intake by 25 per cent could cost the economy tens of billions of dollars. Opposition leader Peter Dutton used his budget reply speech on Thursday to announce a crackdown on migration and foreign property investment as part of his solution to fix the housing supply crisis. Under the Coalition's proposal, the number of permanent visas granted each year would be slashed from 185,000 to 140,000, with a targeted reduction in international student numbers. Dr Chalmers said the measure would 'devastate' the economy and exacerbate already crippling skill shortages affecting the construction and healthcare sectors. 'It will cost the economy billions of dollars, but even the kinds of estimates that you will see are conservative because it's not possible to fully capture the damage that Peter Dutton would do to the skills base of this country, to our hospital, on our building sites,' Dr Chalmers told the ABC on Sunday. Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the Coalition's proposal to slash Australia's migration intake by 25 per cent could cost the economy tens of billions of dollars - but has admitted it may help ease the country's housing crisis Opposition leader Peter Dutton used his budget reply speech on Thursday to announce a crackdown on migration and foreign property investment as part of his solution to fix the housing supply crisis (stock image) 'He's got at least a $40bn hole in his budget by our estimation but it will also cost the economy billions of dollars and that's before you factor in the damage he's doing to the skills base that we need to build the future.' But pressed on whether cutting migration would help alleviate the housing crisis, Dr Chalmers admitted: 'At the margins at best.' Labor, meanwhile, plans to halve the net overseas migration rate to 260,000 and slightly reduce the permanent migration intake. 'The best way to wind down this migration program is to do it in a careful and methodical way. I don't think you can describe what Peter Dutton is proposing as either considered or methodical,' Dr Chalmers added. 'We've struck the most effective and most appropriate balance which recognises that we need to get that net overseas migration number down and the permanent number down a little bit as well. But we can do that in a way that doesn't smash our economy and doesn't smash the skills base of our economy. He added that cutting migration could not be a substitute for 'building more homes and that's why that's one of our main focuses in the budget'. The Treasurer argued that the Coalition's plans to ban foreign home buyers from purchasing existing properties for two years would have little impact in providing immediate housing relief. He said recent data showed of the fewer than 5000 homes purchased by foreigners, around 1300 of them were classified as established homes. 'This will make nowhere near the difference that he is claiming that it will,' he said. Dr Chalmers said the measure would 'devastate' the economy and exacerbate already crippling skill shortages affecting the construction and healthcare sectors Earlier the leader of the Nationals, David Littleproud, suggested regional universities that rely on high numbers of overseas students would be granted a reduced cap on foreign students under the opposition's migration plan. He said if re-elected the Coalition would revive a dedicated visa towards agriculture to redirect more skilled migrants from metropolitan cities to rural towns. Asked how it would be possible to increase numbers of migrants moving into the regions under a drastically reduced migration target, Mr Littleproud said it would be possible if 'tough' decisions were made in other areas of the economy. 'What you do is you make a priority of where the necessity is in the economy and where those pressure points are,' he told Sky News. 'It is about making the tough decisions that prioritise where the economy needs the support to continue to grow, and particularly in the regions that where we want to be very clear, that we don't want to see the regions suffer because of exacerbated problems in capital cities.' A police officer has been rushed to hospital after allegedly being stabbed in broad daylight. The officer was allegedly attacked next to the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park on Elizabeth Street, Sydney, about 1:30pm on Sunday. He was taken to St Vincent's Hospital after receiving non-life threatening head injuries. A NSW Police spokesperson confirmed a 33-year-old man has been arrested and taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital to be assessed. Police allege he approached two officers performing traffic duties and stabbed the male cop two-to-three times in the back of the head with a 'kitchen-style' knife about 30cm-long. A police officer has been rushed to hospital with non-life threatening head injuries after allegedly being stabbed by a man in Sydney's CBD (pictured, emergency services at the scene) NSW Police confirmed a 33-year-old man has been arrested and taken to hospital to be assessed (pictured, a man being treated at the scene) A witness told Daily Mail Australia they saw police opening and closing what appeared to be a flick or fold knife before placing it in an evidence bag The man was then chased into Hyde Park shortly after and allegedly begged police to 'shoot him' while still holding the knife. Officers were able to Taser the man and arrest him at gunpoint without further injury. The alleged attacker is known to police for non-serious offences and had no known history of mental health issues. Images from the scene show about 20 police officers and paramedics treating a man before being strapped to a stretcher and put into an ambulance. A witness told Daily Mail Australia the chaotic scene was 'well under control' within soon after as plain-clothed police in unmarked cars and two riot squad vans arrived. Police had the chaotic scene 'well under control' within 20 minutes after plain clothed officers and two riot squad vans arrived (pictured) A crime scene has been established and investigations into the attack are underway The police spokesperson said there is 'no ongoing threat to the public'. A second crime scene has been established at the intersection of Castlereagh and Park Streets. Police have closed Park St in both directions between Elizabeth St and Pitt St and halted southbound traffic on Castlereagh St, near Market St. The alleged offender is expected to be released from hospital and face 'very serious charges', police say. More to come. A second crime scene has been established at the intersection of Castlereagh and Park Streets Pro-Palestine supporters faced off against cops who in turn tackled attendees At least a dozen protestors have been arrested by cops after clashing with them at a rowdy demonstration in New York yesterday. Violence erupted when a large number of NYPD officers tried to push back an angry mob of nearly 250 people who took to the streets of Brooklyn to march in support of Palestine. The group was waving Palestinian flags near Ovington Avenue on the local shopping strip in the heavily Arab-American neighborhood. Images show officers tackling and dragging protestors to arrest them as they kept yelling and fighting back. Violence erupted when a large number of NYPD officers tried to push back angry mob of nearly 250 people who took to the streets of Brooklyn to march in support of Palestine People argue with police officers during a pro-Palestine march, organized partly to observe a commemoration of the Nabka A New York Police Department officer grabs a pro-Palestinian demonstrator during today's protest People were seen being slammed against vans and being handcuffed while another draped in a Palestinian flag was filmed being loaded into a police vehicle. A video shared on X also show a police officer allegedly punching a protestor in the middle of the street. The NYPD said they are 'looking into' the video, according to NY Daily News. While officials have not yet clarified how many people were arrested from the scene, the New York Post has estimated that 12 were handcuffed and taken away. A Palestinian-led community organization named Within Our Lifetime reportedly assembled the protest. It was held in honor the 76th anniversary of 'Nakba', the annual observation of mass Palestinian displacement during the 1948 establishment of Israel. This comes two weeks after more than 1,000 pro-Palestine protestors clashed with the NYPD just blocks away from New York's Met Gala on Monday evening. New York Police Department officers carry a detained Pro-Palestinian demonstrator Images show officers tackling and dragging protestors to arrest them as they kept yelling and fighting back A Palestinian-led community organization named Within Our Lifetime reportedly assembled the protest Hundreds were seen marching from Hunter College a mile away, but they were met with a swift response from the NYPD who had been bracing for the possibility that demonstrators might make an appearance at the star-studded event. Dozens of protestors were arrested along Madison Avenue as the police attempted to ensure none of the demonstrators spilled over onto neighboring Fifth Avenue where the Met Gala was happening. Initially, the police appeared to be successful in diverting the protestors away from where the Gala was taking place leaving the bulk of protestors marching down Park Avenue several blocks away - but it wasn't long until a demonstrator smashed through metal barriers and began walking down Fifth Avenue. Protestors could be seen holding placards, banging drums, waving flags and chanting 'free, free Palestine!' Others set off flares and red and green smoke - the colors of the Palestinian flag. The protests officially billed as part of a 'Day Of Rage For Gaza: From The Encampments To The Streets' began earlier on Monday afternoon at Columbia University and NYU downtown with the two groups merging close to the Gala. A woman was forced to the ground by officers with the NYPD as she was placed under arrest Pro-Palestine protestors, with numbers in the thousands, clashed with the NYPD just a block away from New York's Met Gala on Monday evening An Australian man injured in a deadly attack on foreign tourists in Afghanistan has been identified. Joe McDowell, who is believed to be from Perth, was injured when several gunmen opened fire outside a restaurant in the country's central Bamyan province on Friday night. The attack, which is believed to have been carried out by Islamic State militants, claimed the lives of three Spanish tourists and an Afghan. Jibrail Omar, an Australian academic previously known as Timothy Weeks, posted a photo of Mr McDowell smiling from his hospital bed on social media platform X. 'Today, I visited my brother, Joe McDowell, who is currently in Kabul,' he wrote. Joe McDowell (pictured right), who is believed to be from Perth, was injured when several gunmen opened fire outside a restaurant in the country's central Bamyan province on Friday night Four people have been arrested following the shooting in Bamyan City, central Afghanistan (pictured: an Afghan security force member checks a vehicle following the shooting) 'He expressed his gratitude to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan for their support. 'My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the tourists who lost their lives in the tragic attack in Bamyan.' Afghanistans Interior ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani confirmed that three foreigners and one Afghan had been killed. 'The security forces started trying to find the killers, and so far, four people have been arrested in this case,' Mr Qani added. Another four foreigners and three Afghans were wounded, he added. The injured are believed to be from Australia, Lithuania, Norway and Spain. Bamyan is a UNESCO heritage listed area known for two giant Buddhist statues that were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. Tourism to the region has increased since the Taliban swept to power in 2022. Last year, the Kabul Times reported last May that a smany as 265 foreign tourists from country's such as Italy, the US, China, Spain, England and Russia had visited the site in a two-month period. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez posted on X: 'Overwhelmed by the news of the murder of Spanish tourists in Afghanistan.' Afghanistans Interior ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani (pictured) confirmed that three foreigners and one Afghan had been killed Bamyan City (pictured) is a UNESCO heritage listed area known for two giant Buddhist statues that were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001 Graphic footage from the aftermath of the attack shows men loading bloodied corpses into an ambulance. The European Union's Diplomatic Service released a statement condemning the attack in the 'strongest terms'. 'We condemn in the strongest terms the armed attack against a group of foreign tourists visiting Bamyan, Afghanistan,' the statement reads. 'Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims who lost their lives and those injured in the attack.' The Taliban, an authoritarian Islamist regime, gained control of Afghanistan after the US withdrew from the country in 2021 following 20 years of counter-insurgency warfare. Australia does not have formal diplomatic ties with the new government. A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman previously confirmed with NewsWire the department was providing 'consular assistance to an Australian man in Afghanistan'. Six people have been arrested following heated exchanges between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters in Melbourne's CBD. A combined crowd of 7000 attended the separate Nakba Sunday Rally, and a Never Again is Now Rally organised by the Christian Zionist group International Christian Embassy Jerusalem. It's understood some protesters from the Nakba Sunday Rally, which began at midday around the State Library merged onto Spring St, around Parliament House- where the Never Again is Now Rally was slated to begin at about 2.30pm. Police officers formed a line between the opposing groups in order to 'ensure safety and prevent violence'. 'While the organisers had confirmed separate locations and routes for their events, protesters from one group moved to Spring Street, Melbourne East to counter protest,' a Victoria Police statement read. Controversial right-wing commentator Avi Yemini and a Pro Palestine protester faced off in tense scenes on Sunday Victorian Police formed a barrier to help prevent violence when the Nakba rally which started around midday met up with the Never Again is Now rally in Melbourne CBD (pictured) Six people were arrested, including three for hindering police (pictured police restrain a protestor) 'The police response was largely successful in keeping these two opposing groups separate. 'Victoria Police respects the right for people to protest lawfully however we ask that they do so peacefully without impacting the broader community.' Following both events, Victoria Police confirmed six people were arrested. One person was arrested for bill posting, one for hindering and stating a false name, and one of assaulting police and possessing a drug of dependence. Three people were also arrested for hindering police. They have all been released pending summons. Controversial right-wing commentator Avi Yemini was pictured with a microphone on Sunday after he posted on Instagram about the Never Again rally. He was also pictured in a tense exchange with a Pro Palestine protester. A Victoria Police spokesperson said the police response was 'largely successful in keeping' the two groups separated One group's rally was for anti-Semitism and the other was pro-Palestine Police tried to keep the two groups apart while supporting the right of people to have peaceful protests There was an extensive police presence in Melbourne's CBD for the two rallies Protesters donning the traditional keffiyeh and waving the Palestinian flag descended on Melbourne's busy CBD about midday for the Nakba Sunday Rally. Billed as a rally to 'stand against that most ancient of racial hatreds, antisemitism,', the Never Again is Now Rally included speeches from Victorian senators Sarah Henderson, and James Patterson. A posted shared on their Facebook page prior to the event, warned attendees not to 'engage' with counter protesters from the State Library event. 'There is no reason to be concerned about this. Victoria Police are closely monitoring the situation and there will be a large visible police presence throughout the city,' it said. 'Many solid plans in place.' The Nakba Sunday Rally marked the 76th anniversary on Wednesday of the Nakba, meaning 'catastrophe' in Arabic, and comes amid heightened tensions with police. The rally followed wild scenes at the annual Victorian state Labor Party conference at Moonee Valley Racecourse on Saturday, where officers clashed with demonstrators who attempted to storm the venue. The pro-Palestine rally started around midday (pictured) Korea's first couple must act to regain public's trust First lady Kim Keon Hee is back in the spotlight. The presidential office disclosed several photos of Kim taken during and on the sidelines of the Korea-Cambodia summit held in Yongsan District, Seoul, on Thursday. The photo release signals her return to official activities as first lady after a five-month hiatus following the stir she created by accepting a Dior bag from a pastor. Kim should not blow the second chance she has been given by repeating the same mistakes she made over the first two years since her husband President Yoon Suk Yeol took office. She faces challenging times ahead, requiring heightened vigilance regarding her actions and their consequences to stay on course. Kims return to the public eye comes as prosecutors embark on a probe into her alleged involvement in stock manipulation. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is poised to push through a motion to introduce an independent counsel to investigate allegations involving the first lady. The president has three years remaining in his. Kim's role as first lady is not something that can be denied or ignored. In that sense, the main opposition DPKs criticism of Kim returning to her official duties as first lady is unfounded and ultimately pointless. DPK spokesperson Choi Min-seok claimed that Kim resumed her official activities despite mounting calls to investigate her. How blatant she is! It seems that she is ignoring the (Korean) public, he said in a statement released on Thursday. But the DPK spokesperson missed the point. Like it or not, the first lady is the first lady. As long as Yoon is president, Kim will hold that position. Although emotional, the DPK spokesmans criticism does have a valid point , and both the first lady and the presidential office staff assisting her should consider that carefully. Kim needs to meet the publics expectations of her. As first lady, Kim is expected to act responsibly and think carefully about the consequences of her deeds and words, before she acts and speaks. She should not leave room for potential misunderstandings about her motives or actions. Koreans have high expectations of their country's first lady. Public opinion surveys show that the Korean public prefers a selfless, quiet first lady who reaches out to the poorest of the poor and disadvantaged people who are excluded from protections offered by Korea's social safety net. Although this may sound rather traditional and conservative, there is a reason behind such a point of view. The first lady is not the one who governs the country. That is the job of her husband, who was elected and given the mandate to oversee state affairs. Because of her husband, the first lady receives many privileges that come with a lot of responsibilities. Living up to the publics expectations is part of first ladys duties, as her official activities are financed by taxpayer money. Ideally speaking, the first lady is the person who knows the virtue of stepping back to let her husband, not herself, shine and helps her spouse maintain focus on urgent state affairs, without being distracted by controversies sparked by her. Cleaning up a mess created by his spouse is not something the president is supposed to do. During a news conference held earlier this month, the president apologized on behalf of his wife about the Dior bag scandal. It was long overdue. He had an opportunity to offer a timely apology during an interview with KBS which aired in February, but he blew it by defending his wife's actions. His stubbornness backfired, causing the ruling party to suffer a major defeat the April 10 elections. As a result, Yoon himself is paying the price, as the election outcomes have impeded the progression of his initiatives in the National Assembly. Offering an apology is one thing and accepting it is another. Nobody knows whether Yoons apologies were accepted or not. But one thing that is certain is that his apology should be a starting point of a shift in his attitude toward the Korean public during his remaining three years in office. The first couple should keep trying to win the hearts of the public by unveiling a sequence of genuine and sincere measures. They must follow through on their promises in order to regain the public's trust and recover Yoon's continually falling approval ratings. A man has been killed after he was reportedly crushed by a tractor in a horror accident. The incident happened at a private property located on Baxter Creek Road in Obi Obi in Queensland's Sunshine Coast hinterland at about 1pm on Sunday. Multiple ambulance crews rushed to the scene, following reports a man aged in his 40s suffered critical injuries. He died at the scene, despite despite desperate attempts to revive him. A man is understood to have been killed after he was crushed by a tractor on a private property in Obi Obi (pictured), west of the Sunshine Coast, on Sunday afternoon A rescue helicopter which was earlier deployed to the scene as part of the emergency response, was later stood down, the Courier Mail reported. A spokeswoman from the Queensland Ambulance Service told Daily Mail Australia, that the man suffered critical injuries during an incident involving a tractor. 'No one was transported from the scene,' the spokeswoman said. Exact circumstances of the incident are being determined, but its believed to have been an accident. Police will prepare a report for the coroner. A spokeswoman from Queensland Police told Daily Mail Australia a tractor and a four-wheel drive were reportedly involved in the incident. 'Due to the incident occurring on private property, we are unable to comment [on] anything further,' the spokeswoman said. Angela Rayner 'is getting close with her ex Sam Tarry' as he is spotted leaving her London flat. It comes amid the two-homes tax debacle, in which allegations have been made that the Labour deputy leader breached electoral law and failed to pay capital gains tax. Mr Tarry, who has two children with his ex-wife, was seen leaving Ms Rayner's flat on Tuesday wearing the same blue suit he had worn the day before. Ms Rayner, 44, previously described him as her 'soulmate'. But the couple broke up last year after being together for two years. Speaking to The Mirror at the time of the breakup, a friend of Ms Rayner's said: 'She's been through a lot in her life but Ange is as tough as nails. You saw that this week, when she put her secret heartache aside and took the charge to the Tories at the dispatch box.' Another friend added: 'Ange has a lot of friends right across the Labour Party looking out for her. They've really rallied round.' Now, a Westminster insider has told The Sun: 'Everyone thinks they are back on. 'They have been out in public together looking very close.' Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner (pictured) with her ex-boyfriend Sam Tarry in April 2023 Mr Tarry (right) who has two children with his ex-wife, was seen leaving Ms Rayner's flat on Tuesday Meanwhile, Ms Rayner has firmly denied claims she broke electoral law in the sale of her former council house. She maintains that the in Stockport, which she sold for a 48,500 profit in 2015, was her 'principal property'. But neighbours say she was living at her then-husband's house a mile away. Government guidance says that a tenant can apply to buy their council home through the right-to-buy scheme if it is their 'only or main home'. Mr Rayner, her then-husband, was listed at another address in Lowndes Lane, about a mile away, which had also been bought under the right-to-buy scheme. In the same year as her wedding, Ms Rayner is said to have re-registered the births of her two youngest children, giving her address as where her husband resided. The Ashton-under-Lyne MP previously said that legal advice she received exonerates her from any wrongdoing. However, she has also said that if police find that she has broken the law she will stand down as Sir Keir Starmer's number two. Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner ended her relationship with Sam Tarry in November last year Mr Tarry, MP for Ilford South, was sacked as a Labour shadow minister by Sir Keir in July 2022 following a row over a TV interview he gave from a picket line outside a train station Mr Tarry was sacked as Labour Shadow Transport Secretary in 2022 for a 'breach of collective responsibility' after he joined striking rail workers on the picket line in defiance of Keir Starmer. He turned up at London's Euston station 'in solidarity' with the 40,000 RMT members who shut down at least half of Britain's rail network. Mr Tarry threatened legal action against Labour in March, over allegations of voter fraud after he lost a bid to defend his seat as an MP in east London. He claimed that an online voting system used by party members puts Left-wing candidates at a disadvantage in selection contests.. The MP for Ilford South says Anonyvoter damaged his bid to be re-selected as the Labour candidate for the coming general election. He lost a local selection vote to Jas Athwal in October 2022 and is now considering issuing legal proceedings in an attempt to force Labour to publish the voting records. Half of Brits believe businesses are too fixated on political correctness, a study found today. A study found 50 per cent agree that firms are 'too concerned with taking political positions on contested issues' - compared to just 14 per cent who disagreed. Research by Deltapoll for the Policy Exchange think-tank also indicated that 75 per cent think companies should hire on merit, regardless of race or gender and wider diversity. Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch said it showed bosses should be focused on delivering for customers rather than 'activism or political causes'. Your browser does not support iframes. Policy Exchange has launched a project to 'methodically document and address the role and influence of social and ideological considerations on contemporary business', particularly 'at the expense of shareholder and wider society interests'. Researchers highlighted examples such as the debanking row, ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's criticism of the Government over asylum policies and coffee chain Costa's mural showing a transgender person with mastectomy scars sipping a drink on one of its express vans. According to the poll, a third of Brits believe someone in their workplace had been hired or promoted to meet diversity and inclusion objectives, rather than in the best interests of the company. Some 43 per cent said they would be less likely to continue working for a company that asked them to wear pronoun badges. Only 7 per cent said would be more likely to want to work for a firm that made the request. Ms Badenoch said well-meaning 'equality, diversity and inclusion' initiatives could 'divide, rather than unify'. The Cabinet minister said: 'Policy Exchange's findings confirm what I know to be true from talking to people who run businesses, work in them, and buy from them. 'The public want the focus of business to be on delivering great products and services, not activism or political causes which repel as many people as they attract. 'Overwhelmingly, people want companies to recruit on merit, selecting the best person for the job without regard to race or gender, rather than social engineering to create 'diverse teams'.' Earlier this year, an independent panel appointed by Ms Badenoch found businesses are implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives without an evidence base. Ms Badenoch said: 'As the recent Inclusion at Work Panel showed, many well-meaning 'equality, diversity and inclusion' initiatives divide rather than unify, and undermine organisational goals. Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch said it showed bosses should be focused on delivering for customers rather than 'activism or political causes' 'They are based on speculative and contested theories with limited evidence of impact. 'Policy Exchange's programme is a timely and welcome contribution to document the creeping and counter-productive politicisation of our business environment. 'I am committed to working with businesses on effective ways to foster economic growth, and also on this Government's Inclusive Britain goals smarter ways to achieve true equality of opportunity.' Policy Exchange senior research fellow Lara Brown said: 'Customers do not believe that businesses need to demonstrate commitment to progressive principles and do not make spending decisions based on the political statements of retailers. 'Employees are also negatively affected by the politicisation of business, with many sceptical about workplace schemes tailored towards equality, diversity and inclusion.' A toddler has been rushed to hospital after he plunged two storeys from the window of an apartment and reportedly landed on a car. The two-year-old boy reportedly fell nine metres from the window of a unit at the Hoddle Avenue apartment complex in Campbelltown, in Sydney's south-west around 4pm on Sunday. Emergency services treated the boy in the complex courtyard before he was taken to The Children's Hospital at Westmead. A two-year-old boy is in hospital after he fell two storeys at an apartment block in Campbelltown (pictured) on Sunday afternoon The condition of the boy and the extent of his injuries are not yet known. A spokeswoman from NSW Ambulance told Daily Mail Australia that the two-year-old fell from a height of two storeys. Police inquiries into the incident continue. The Sydney Children's Hospital Network has been contacted for comment. Harrowing footage from the scene showed two ambulances arriving at the complex before paramedics surrounded the injured boy. A child could be heard crying uncontrollably as emergency services worked quickly to administer treatment. The boy reportedly fell nine metres from the window of the apartment, located at Hoddle Avenue (pictured) The boy fell nine metres from a second story unit window Police officers were seen doorknocking and speaking to residents who live in the apartment complex. Other shocked residents watched the unfolding emergency from their balconies. Paramedics and police officers surrounded the van to block people from entering the vicinity while the boy was getting treated at the back of the van. A window on the second storey of the apartment complex facing the courtyard was seen partly open. A whistleblower has said she was forced out of the Civil Service for her gender critical beliefs after she spoke out over a 'politicised climate of fear'. Eleanor Frances, who joined the civil service in 2019, is taking two government departments to an employment tribunal on several grounds including unfair constructive dismissal and victimisation. She is also accusing the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology of direct and indirect discrimination based on her philosophical beliefs, the Telegraph has reported. Ms Frances claims she was left with no choice but to resign from the civil service in August 2023 after she raised concerns about discrimination and impartiality on sex and gender issues. She said there was 'politicised climate of fear' around policies on equality, diversion and inclusion and that employees were unable to question them without facing 'negative professional consequences'. She raised particular concerns about the civil service's definition of transphobia as a denial or refusal or accept someone's gender identity on the basis that this effectively forced employees to 'recognise male people as women'. Eleanor Frances, (pictured) is taking two government departments to an employment tribunal on several grounds including unfair constructive dismissal and victimisation She then wrote a letter to Simon Case (pictured), the Cabinet Secretary warning him about the 'politicised culture' in the civil service' Ms Frances also said that the policy of 'self-identification' at work meant that men were allowed to access female single-sex facilities and women were not able to object to this. Ms Frances, whose roles included managing a team of policy officials and working with government ministers, formally complained to the civil service internally but says she was ignored and side-lined. She then wrote a letter to Simon Case, the Cabinet Secretary warning him about the 'politicised culture' in the civil service and that its ideology on gender was a 'significant breach of impartiality'. She told The Telegraph: 'I asked [Simon Case] in that letter to take urgent action to ensure civil service impartiality is upheld and freedom of belief is respected. 'I coordinated it because I had lost confidence in DCMS processes and felt I had nowhere else to turn. 'Two and a half months later, the response was telling me to use the departmental processes that had already failed me.' She claimed that after she made her official complaint and that investigations were ungoing, her responsibilites were scaled back and that she was given negative feedback. Ms Frances completed a PhD in Engineering and worked as a chartered engineer before joining the civil service in 2019. Ms Frances claimed there was 'politicised climate of fear' around policies on equality, diversion and inclusion She said she was 'successful in her role' and 'exceeded' expectations in performance reviews. A crowdfunder has been set up by the Free Speech Union to pay for Ms Frances's legal representation at the employment tribunal. Jill Levene, legal counsel at the FSU, spoke out in support of Ms Frances's case, saying that her treatment was an example of how the civil service had been 'captured by radical progressive ideology'. A preliminary hearing was already heard last month and there are expected to be further hearings later this year. A spokesperson for the Government said: 'We cannot comment on ongoing legal proceedings.' MailOnline has contacted the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology for further comment. Victims of the infected blood scandal are set for a 10billion compensation package as Jeremy Hunt insisted the huge payout will honour a promise to a dying constituent. The 'life-changing' sums will go to tens of thousands of people given contaminated blood in what is widely regarded as the biggest treatment disaster in NHS history. Siblings, children and parents of those who were infected will also get money. The Chancellor signalled his intent ahead of an independent inquiry report tomorrow, with Rishi Sunak expected to respond formally. Mr Hunt told the Sunday Times he promised to 'sort' a fair and full settlement during a meeting with campaigner Mike Dorricott in 2014. Mr Dorricott was 46 at the time, and had learned just weeks before meeting Mr Hunt that he had terminal liver cancer a disease linked to the hepatitis C he contracted as a teenager from contaminated Factor 8 blood products. After telling his family the news that he only had months to live, he visited Mr Hunt, then health secretary, in Whitehall. Demonstrators pictured holding placards at a protest in London in July 2023 Victims of the infected blood scandal are set for a 10billion compensation package as Jeremy Hunt insisted the huge payout will honour a promise to a dying constituent He told the minister he was angry that infected patients and their families had not received a full and fair settlement. Towards the end of the meeting, Mr Hunt shook his hand and said: 'Don't worry about this, we'll sort it.' Just a few months later, Mr Dorricott died, aged just 47. Mr Hunt said the new compensation package of at least 10billion for those affected by the scandal will be 'thanks to Mike more than anyone else'. He added: And it's one of the saddest things that he's not around to see it.' The Chancellor told the paper that Mr Dorricott was 'so gentle, so decent'. 'I imagine after that meeting that Mike thought that he'd been fobbed off by yet another politician giving him the runaround,' he said, adding: 'But what Mike didn't know was that he really had made a huge impression on me.' Mr Hunt said the money will be funded through Government borrowing. However, insiders suggested the multi-billion-pound scale of the scheme would not stop Mr Hunt from holding an expected pre-election 'fiscal event' with the potential offer of tax cuts. He said the Government would look 'very sympathetically' on any request from the victims or families for a national memorial. The Prime Minister is expected to address MPs at the close of an official inquiry into what has been condemned as the biggest treatment disaster in NHS history (pictured: undated NHS Blood and Transplant) More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after receiving contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s. So far, more than 2,900 people are thought to have died because of the scandal. Former judge Sir Brian Langstaff will tomorrow deliver his final report, almost seven years after the inquiry was announced. The PM is then likely to make a Commons statement, although government sources would not be drawn on whether he would issue a formal apology. Mr Sunak has previously told Sir Brian's inquiry that victims of the scandal had suffered a 'litany of broken promises and dashed expectations'. Some 4,000 people have already received interim payments of about 100,000. That came after a 32-year campaign by the Daily Mail which highlighted the plight of haemophiliacs who were given tainted blood products. On Tuesday, ministers will set out the detail of the final compensation scheme which will then go to a 'rapid' five-week consultation. A government source said it would be a 'tariff-based scheme' based on what each individual 'infected and affected' had had to endure, based on Sir Brian's previous suggestions of issues such as 'social impact, injury, autonomy, care costs and loss of income'. The source added: 'It will weigh up all those things and gives relative amounts according to different conditions that people have suffered.' He was unable to say what the average amount of compensation would be because it varies so massively but said 'it will be life-changing amounts for them'. He added that the Government would not give an overall figure for the size of the bill but confirmed it would be 'a lot of money'. Former judge Sir Brian Langstaff (pictured, in 2021) will tomorrow deliver his final report, almost seven years after the inquiry was announced Mr Sunak (pictured) has previously told Sir Brian's inquiry that victims of the scandal had suffered a 'litany of broken promises and dashed expectations' The Government has already accepted the need for further compensation but has said it would be 'inappropriate' to respond before the inquiry's full report. Last month ministers agreed to support a Labour amendment to a Bill which means that the final compensation scheme must be set up within three months of the legislation becoming law. Many other countries have been affected by the same scandal. In the US, firms that supplied infected products have paid millions in out-of-court settlements. Stunning images captured the moment the sea lit up with vibrant bioluminescent plankton that is rarely seen in the UK. The stunning display of blue swirls and waves was seen yesterday evening at Sheerness Beach in Kent. Photos of the magical moment show a vivid electric blue colour stretched across the shore line as stones were thrown into the water, creating stunning breaks and ripples in the rare display. Often dubbed the 'Northern Lights of the ocean', the intense colour is caused by bioluminescent plankton, small creatures in the sea that emit light when disturbed by motion. One image of the scene shows a close-up of a vibrant light blue set of circles in the sea, gathered next to each other as small pebbles break up the collection. Vibrant blue bioluminescent plankton was seen lighting up the shoreline at Sheerness Beach, in Kent, on the evening of May 18 The plankton emits a vivid glow when disturbed The display is a rare occurrence in the UK and is usually seen in warmer climates such as the Maldives and Mexico Another shows a longer stretch of a darker blue string of sparkles - creating a stunning contrast to the dull, dark backdrop of the Kent night. A final photo captured just how long the luminous plankton stretched on for down the shoreline as it lit up the edge of the beach for the eyes of any lucky passers by. Displays from bioluminescent plankton is rarely seen in the UK, with it mainly being seen in warmer climates such as the Maldives and Mexico. However, every now and then, bioluminescent plankton can be spotted glittering through the waters in North Wales. According to The Outdoor Swimming Society, spotting the rare display is much easier on a dark night, when viewers' eyes are not desensitised by brighter artificial sources of light that is found in urban areas. Bright moonlight can also dull the shine of the plankton, so cloudy nights are best for seeing bioluminescence in the sea. The tiny sea creatures emit the light when oxygen reacts with the liciferin and liciferase within the organisms - creating the luminous ripples. The same effect takes place when people disrupt calm waters. By then splashing the water and creating motion, if there are plankton present they will begin to glow. They are completely safe to interact with, and make for a fun and unique experience for those who find themselves near warm waters during the evening. Places like Penmon Point in Wales host the displays sometimes between April and November, when the sea is warmer. However, it might require some perseverance to finally catch a glimpse of the glowing waters. A mother who exposed the South West Water parasite scandal has challenged the firm to provide more answers after a grovelling video apology from its 550,000-salary boss which barred people from replying. Struggling residents in Devon where contaminated water has left many feeling sick are now begging tourists to return despite the cryptosporidium parasite outbreak. Tanya Matthews says South West Water chiefs need to do more to assure residents that supplies are safe again, after her enquiries helped reveal the problem. She described being told by the firm that there were '15 recorded cases of cryptosporidium - a microscopic parasite', but that it had 'absolutely nothing to do with the water supply'. Her criticisms came after South West Water's boss apologised for the contaminated water which has caused dozens of customers to fall ill with diarrhoea and vomiting. Tanya Matthews (pictured) says South West Water bosses need to do more to assure residents that supplies are safe again, after her enquiries helped uncover the parasite problem South West Water chief executive Susan Davey has issued a video apology online South West Water staff and volunteers have been distributing bottles of water at collection points in Brixham, Devon, following the cryptosporidiosis outbreak Ms Matthews wrote in the Sunday Times: 'Last weekend I started to notice that the water coming out of my tap tasted disgusting: horrible and metallic, like chemicals. 'On Monday, I found out that one of my neighbours' three children had been taken ill over the weekend and admitted to hospital with severe dehydration. 'With the water company denying culpability, I took matters into my own hands. 'On Tuesday evening before bed, I wrote a post on the Brixham Facebook page. Had anyone else been experiencing symptoms of a tummy bug? Could it be the water? 'When I woke up on Wednesday morning I had 1,200 comments on my post. Everyone was joining the dots together. Finally it all made sense.' The utility firm went on to admit that drinking the water was unsafe, with an estimated 16,000 households in Devon potentially affected. Ms Matthews praised the local community response, with water points set up providing bottles for those in need and stores giving out free supplies. But she added: 'People are also furious. Some schools are closed, and for a community that relies heavily on tourism, it could be awful for businesses. 'The water company misled us - denying there was anything wrong for days. It took our community to get together to work out the truth, but only after hundreds of people had fallen ill. Brixham MP Anthony Mangnall was among those helping to deliver bottled water to locals People were collecting supplies at Freshwater car park in Brixham after the parasite discovery Utility firm South West Water has admitted that drinking its water was unsafe, with an estimated 16,000 households in Devon potentially affected 'When this is over, South West Water will have a lot of questions to answer.' Susan Davey, the company's chief executive, said she was 'so sorry this has happened' after people were told to boil their drinking water to stay safe. In a video posted to X, formerly Twitter, Ms Davey said sorry to those affected by the infected water tank - though the settings for her post prevented people from directly replying. She said: 'You expect a clean, safe supply of water. It is not a lot to ask for but for those in the Brixham area we haven't been able to deliver that and for that I am sorry.' She insisted it was 'thankfully very rare' for drinking water to become contaminated with bacteria which can be caught through faeces - but admitted the contamination 'shouldn't have happened'. Ms Davey said: 'Our engineers and specialists are working around the clock to find and fix the issue. 'And we're making good progress. Bottled water has been delivered to customers in homes, businesses and schools.' Ms Davey, 55, was paid 543,000 for the financial year 2022-2023 - having received 1.53million, including a bonus of 968,000, the previous year and 1.93million in 2020-2021. Thousands of people can now safely drink their tap water again after days of being told to boil it first following the parasite outbreak, the firm announced last night. South West Water's chief executive Susan Davey said she was 'so sorry this has happened' after people were told to boil their drinking water to stay safe Tanya Matthews, who exposed the problem, has praised the local community for its response Emergency rations of bottled water were handed out after dozens of illnesses were reported And locals have urged tourists to keep visiting despite the health scare. One wrote on Facebook: 'Please support our wonderful businesses in Brixham - they are all taking the adequate precautions, dont let the recent issues stop you visiting Brixham or spoil your holiday!! Brixham is open for business!' Another posted: 'Please dont stay away because of the water. BRIXHAM IS OPEN!' SWW said about 14,500 households in the Alston supply area can now use their tap water safely. Yet some 2,500 properties in Hillhead and upper parts of Brixham and Kingswear should continue to boil their supply before drinking it, the company advised. It said the decision on Saturday afternoon came after 'rigorous testing' and was made in consultation with the UK Health Security Agency and the local authority's environmental health department. SWW chief customer officer Laura Flowerdew said: 'This situation has caused an immense amount of disruption, distress and anxiety. We are truly sorry this has happened. 'The public rightly expect a safe, clean and reliable source of drinking water and on this occasion, we have fallen significantly short of expectations. We will not stop working until this has been fully resolved.' SWW added that an additional 100 compensation would be paid to customers in the areas which continue to be affected, bringing the total to 215. South West Water has now said about 14,500 households in the Alston supply area can now use their tap water safely Yet some 2,500 properties in Hillhead and upper parts of Brixham and Kingswear should continue to boil their supply before drinking it, the company advised Residents have urged tourists to keep coming, with one posting on Facebook: 'Please dont stay away because of the water. BRIXHAM IS OPEN!' Conservative MP Anthony Mangnall, whose Totnes constituency includes Brixham, had previously branded SWW's response to the outbreak 'contemptible and just generally incompetent'. After the firm's latest update, he said: 'The illness suffered and inability to access safe drinking water has been totally unacceptable. 'The continued boil water notice for residents relying on the Hillhead reservoir must be accompanied by a further increase in support and compensation from South West Water. 'It is my priority to see this situation resolved as quickly as possible and that those who are suffering from illness receive the support they need.' Water minister Robbie Moore told of 'still receiving regular updates' from the water company, adding: 'We need South West Water to resolve this issue and ensure clean water returns to the Brixham area as soon as possible.' The reigning Miss World Australia winner has opened up about a 'terrifying' encounter when she and a group of aspiring models were forced to fend off an alleged random attacker outside a shopping centre. Jasmine Stringer and a group of Top Model Australia contestants had just finished catwalk training at a gym at Southport Park Shopping Centre on the Gold Coast around 6pm on Friday night. The group of pageant hopefuls, some as young as 14, walked out onto the street to wait for their taxis when they noticed a woman across the road allegedly acting erratically. The woman then confronted the models who were allegedly physically and verbally attacked during the frightening ordeal. 'I tried to stand my ground without escalating the situation, but she launched at me and tried to punch me in the face. It was a terrifying situation,' Ms Stringer told the Courier Mail. Miss World Australia, Jasmine Stringer (pictured), alleges a woman physically and verbally attacked her and Top Model Australia contestants outside a Gold Coast shopping centre Ms Stringer claimed that the woman allegedly continued to hurl abuse and physically attack some of the young ladies. The alleged incident was also witnessed by Tiarnie Mueller, who was chaperoning her 16-year-old daughter Eloise, a finalist for the Top Model Australia competition. The mother from Cairns claimed the woman pulled one of the other contestants to the ground by her hair. Ms Mueller tried to help free the girl from the alleged attacker - who she thought was going to 'rip a big chunk out of her hair'. The woman then allegedly tried to punch Ms Mueller's other daughter. 'And then she came at my 14-year-old daughter and was verbally abusing her and tried to hit her,' she claimed. The concerned parent said the woman then allegedly tried to open the taxi doors and started abusing her daughters again. Reigning Miss World Australia Jasmine Stringer (pictured) described the ordeal as 'terrifying' Miss World Australia director Deborah Miller was shocked such a violent incident could occur in a 'tourist-friendly area' like the Gold Coast. 'People from all over the world come to this place. It was terrifying. I also live in Los Angeles and Ive never experienced someone with that much rage and anger, and selecting young teenagers and young women,' she said. Additional security would now be immediately implemented to protect participants at all events. Ms Miller also vowed to ensure there are procedures in place to make sure all contestants are safe. A Queensland Police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia that a 46-year-old woman was located outside the centre and was given a notice to appear for commit public nuisance. She was not charged in relation to the alleged attack. Dramatic new footage has emerged of police confronting a knife-wielding man moments after he allegedly stabbed one of the officers in broad daylight. The male officer was allegedly stabbed up to three times in the head with a 30cm kitchen knife while patrolling traffic near the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park on Elizabeth Street in Sydney's CBD on Sunday afternoon. He suffered several fractures to his skull and was taken to St Vincent's Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, where he's said to be doing 'fine.' A 33-year-old man was arrested at the scene and was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, where he remains under police guard. No charges have yet been laid. Footage filmed by shocked witnesses showed the moment several officers, including the injured policeman, chased the alleged attacker in the park and confronted him. Shocking footage has emerged of a man being confronted by police (pictured), after he allegedly stabbed a male police officer near the Anzac Memorial, in Hyde Park, Sydney, on Sunday afternoon The man allegedly demanded police shoot him while brandishing his knife. The injured male officer was heard yelling at the man to drop the knife. 'Put the knife down. Put it down,' he ordered. The officer and his female colleague warned the man several times to drop the weapon, as they approached him while maintaining their distance from him. The officers chased the man before one used a taser to subdue the man. He was arrested on the corner of Bathurst and Elizabeth streets a short time later. The man who was wearing a grey sweatshirt and pants was then surrounded by police and paramedics. While the man was arrested by police, the officer who was allegedly attacked was treated by his colleagues, who wrapped bandages around the wounded areas. The man (pictured) was later arrested and was surrounded by several police officers and paramedics, while a police operation was conducted in the area Dozens of officers swarmed the busy strip before several roads were closed, while a police operation was conducted. The roads were later reopened and police have advised that there is no ongoing threat to the public. The injured officer and a female colleague were monitoring traffic in the busy precinct when the alleged attack unfolded, Daily Telegraph reported. One witness told Daily Mail Australia earlier, the chaotic scene was 'well under control' after plain-clothed police arrived in unmarked cars and more officers arrived in two riot squad vans. His alleged attacker was still armed when he was arrested. 'The first time police saw [the knife] it was in his hand and it remained in his hand until he was arrested,' NSW Police Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman later told reporters. 'He still had the knife in his grip, and was demanding that police shoot him, 'Police had firearms and tasers out we had a number of options and taser was one of them.' He added that the man will likely face 'very serious' charges. The man allegedly stabbed the police officer up to three times with a 30cm 'kitchen style' knife (pictured centre) Dozens of police officers and emergency services personnel attended the scene (pictured), before roads were blocked off Superintendent Fileman confirmed that the man was known to police on previous matters for several minor offences. 'There is no history of mental illness on our database,' Supt Fileman added. He added that the injured police officer was in a stable condition at hospital on Sunday afternoon. 'He's doing fine, he's got a lot of support around him,' Supt Fileman said. 'I take my hat off to the injured officer who chased the offender.' NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley was disappointed to hear that a police officer had been injured in the line of duty. 'My thoughts are with the injured officer and the entire police family following this shocking [alleged] attack,' she said. 'Police work tireless and selflessly to serve and protect out community. They should never be met with violence.' The alleged attack comes days after the NSW government passed new legislation which give police more powers to search for weapons in the wake of the deadly Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing rampage and the alleged stabbing of a bishop and several churchgoers in Sydney's south-west. 'Any further powers that give us the ability to search for knives is a bonus,' Supt Fileman aid. 'It was an occasion where we had a number of police close by we were just lucky in that instance but it's very concerning. Booyoung Group President Lee Joong-keun has been named as an adviser to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to provide help for the development of the country's economy, the company said Sunday. Lee received a letter of appointment Friday, becoming the first Korean entrepreneur to get such a letter from Manet, according to the Korean construction company. Lee plans to give necessary help for Cambodia's economic development, the company explained. Manet began a four-day visit to Seoul Wednesday to hold a summit with President Yoon Suk Yeol and meet with Korean companies. Following the summit, the two leaders adopted a joint statement on the establishment of a bilateral strategic partnership, agreeing to expand cooperation across various sectors, including defense, trade and infrastructure. Booyoung is constructing a massive apartment complex in Phnom Penh for about 15,000 households and plans to open the Woojeong Cambodia School for elementary to high school students and a nursing college. Meanwhile, the Cambodian prime minister also met with Cho Hyun-sang, vice chairman of Hyosung Group, on Thursday to discuss business cooperation. In the meeting, Cho said his company, which focuses on chemicals and materials, is working to expand its business in Asia, including Cambodia, asking for the Cambodian government's help. Hyosung currently exports tire stiffeners, polypropylene and automated teller machines to Cambodia. (Yonhap) A huge surge in demand for hepatitis C tests has emerged after it was revealed that 1,700 people who caught the disease in the blood transfusion scandal had not yet been diagnosed. According to the Hepatitis C Trust, those people are in addition to the other 27,000 who caught it when they were given contaminated blood from the 1970s until 1991 - in what is widely regarded as the biggest treatment disaster in NHS history. The BBC has reported that 12,800 people in England have requested NHS home-testing kits in just over a week, compared with 2,300 in the entire month of April. Known as the 'silent killer', hepatitis can cause chronic liver disease and can be fatal if left untreated. It may initially cause only a few symptoms - including night sweats, brain fog, itchy skin and fatigue - but the chances of dying from a related cancer increases with every year a person carries the virus. Jeremy Hunt is scheduled to announce plans for a 10billion compensation package tomorrow, which will give 'life-changing' sums for victims of the infected blood scandal. But many potential hepatitis C carriers, such as Charlotte Dickens, 70, say they were 'astounded' that others were not tested for the disease once the risks became clear. Charlotte Dickens (pictured) says she was 'astounded' that she and others were not tested for the disease once the risks became clear Demonstrators pictured holding placards at a protest in London in July 2023 Maureen Arkley (pictured) died from liver cancer soon after being diagnosed with hepatitis C The BBC has reported that 12,800 people in England have requested NHS home-testing kits in just over a week, compared with 2,300 in the entire month of April (file image) Ms Dickens, from Surrey, is one of the thousands who have recently made a request for a home-testing kit, having had a blood transfusion after suffering a haemorrhage during childbirth in 1980. She told the BBC: 'I had no idea it [hepatitis C] could linger around and cause liver cancer. Why didn't we all get tested, what's the answer to that? It is hard to find an excuse.' Ms Dickens said she felt she should speak up on the matter, as about 3,000 people are known to have died as a result of receiving infected blood products and many more who unknowingly contracted hepatitis C. Maureen Arkley died from liver cancer soon after being diagnosed with hepatitis C. Her daughter Victoria believes her mother was infected during transfusions 47 years earlier and is 'angry' that 'no one tested her'. Mr Hunt told the Sunday Times he promised to 'sort' a fair and full settlement for the tens of thousands of victims during a meeting with campaigner Mike Dorricott in 2014. Mr Hunt said the payout will be a 'thanks to Mike more than anyone else'. He added: 'And it's one of the saddest things that he's not around to see it.' The Chancellor told the paper that Mr Dorricott was 'so gentle, so decent'. 'I imagine after that meeting that Mike thought that he'd been fobbed off by yet another politician giving him the runaround,' he said, adding: 'But what Mike didn't know was that he really had made a huge impression on me.' Mr Hunt signalled his intent for a payout package ahead of an independent inquiry report tomorrow, with Rishi Sunak expected to respond formally. Former judge Sir Brian Langstaff will tomorrow deliver his final report, almost seven years after the inquiry was announced. The PM is then likely to make a Commons statement, although government sources would not be drawn on whether he would issue a formal apology. Mr Sunak has previously told Sir Brian's inquiry that victims of the scandal had suffered a 'litany of broken promises and dashed expectations'. Victims of the infected blood scandal are set for a 10billion compensation package as Jeremy Hunt insisted the huge payout will honour a promise to a dying constituent Mr Hunt said he promised to 'sort' a fair and full settlement for the tens of thousands of victims during a meeting with campaigner Mike Dorricott (pictured) in 2014 The Prime Minister is expected to address MPs at the close of an official inquiry into what has been condemned as the biggest treatment disaster in NHS history (pictured: undated NHS Blood and Transplant) More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after receiving contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s. Some 4,000 people have already received interim payments of about 100,000. That came after a 32-year campaign by the Daily Mail which highlighted the plight of haemophiliacs who were given tainted blood products. Many other countries have been affected by the same scandal. In the US, firms that supplied infected products have paid millions in out-of-court settlements. This is the moment Oxford students shriek with horror and complain that a security guard is being violent when he nudged past them as they blocked a door during graduation ceremonies in a Gaza 'die-in'. Furious members of the group Oxford Action for Palestine posted the video on social media on Saturday, accusing the member of staff of 'slamming the door on the heads of students protesting the university's complicity in genocide'. However, instead of acting violently towards the students, the video shows the member of staff gently prodding them with his foot as he tries to access a door that they are obstructing. Around 30 students staged the 'die-in' protest outside the Sheldonian Theatre and Bodleian Library in the city centre yesterday morning while graduations took place. Seperate pictures show graduands and their families having to step over the protesters as they attempted to leave the hall - with the group also alleging that members of the public trampled on their hands. This is the moment a security guard 'kicks' Oxford students and 'shuts the door on their heads' as they lie on the floor covered in fake blood for a 'die-in' protest against Israel's actions in Gaza People step over protesters staging a 'die-in' protest as graduations take place in Oxford yesterday Around 30 students staged the 'die-in' protest outside the Sheldonian Theatre and Bodleian Library yesterday morning while graduations took place In the video posted on X by Oxford Action for Palestine, protesters confront the member of staff saying he had 'kicked a student'. But in response, he defends his actions: 'Yes, yes, so did somebody else trying to get through.' 'They are in the way. You see he is laying in the way when I'm trying to walk,' he added. The protest outside the Sheldonian Theatre and Bodleian Library on Saturday comes after Oxford University released a statement that the group described as 'long and so incredibly empty.' A protester told Cherwell, the university's student newspaper, that the demonstration was due to a 'lack of engagement' with their demands. A statement released by Oxford Action for Palestine today read: 'Yesterday our die-in outside the graduation ceremonies sent a clear message to the vice-chancellor Tracey and administration. 'When nearly fifty students in blood-soaked academic dress blocked entry to the Sheldonian Threate with guests and graduands having to climb over protesters to gain entry into the building, this university's continued inaction and silence materialised in a public display of their avoidance.' Furious members of the group Oxford Action for Palestine posted the video on social media on Saturday, claiming the member of staff 'slammed the door on the heads of students' The protest outside the Sheldonian Theatre and Bodleian Library on Saturday comes after Oxford University released a statement that the group described as 'long and so incredibly empty' A protester told Cherwell, the university's student newspaper that the demonstration was due to a 'lack of engagement' with their demands The protests in Oxford come after students at Cambridge University tried to disrupt graduation ceremonies there Seperate footage shows graduands and their families having to step over the protesters as they attempted to leave the hall - with the group also alleging that members of the public trampled on their hands The protests in Oxford come after students at Cambridge University tried to disrupt graduation ceremonies there. The university was forced to move the ceremonies to 'secret locations' on Friday after an encampment was set up on the grounds of Senate House where students have graduated since the 18th century. On Thursday it was announced that the university had taken the 'very difficult decision' to hold the events at an undisclosed 'alternative location'. Nevertheless photos from the day show students gathering together in full academic dress as they walked to Downing College where it is believed the ceremonies were held. The pro-Palestine encampment was moved off the lawns at Senate House in the early hours of Friday morning with staff left to clean up the mess left behind. Pictures show university employees with rubbish bags removing Palestinian flags and writing from the walls of buildings. Palestine flags were draped from the Grade II-listed urn in the centre of the lawn, and a white sheet was fixed below it with 'welcome to liberated zone' written on it. A banner was also 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 actions at Oxford and Cambridge come after a wave of similar student protests in the US including encampments at Colombia University in New York, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of California, Los Angeles Billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe has slammed the Tories for failing to crack down on immigration after Brexit. The chemicals mogul and part-owner of Manchester United was a strong supporter of leaving the EU. But in an interview with Sky News Sir Jim said the move 'didn't turn out how people anticipated', suggesting the lack of control on borders would help Labour win the next election. However, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps dismissed the criticism, insisting the Conservatives were not doomed to defeat. Chemicals mogul and part-owner of Manchester United Sir Jim Ratcliffe (pictured at a match with Keir Starmer earlier this month) was a strong supporter of leaving the EU Your browser does not support iframes. Sir Jim said: 'Brexit, unfortunately, didn't turn out how people anticipated. Brexit was largely about immigration that was the biggest component of that vote. 'People were getting fed up of the influx of the city of Southampton coming in every year, I think last year it was two times Southampton. 'A small island like the UK can't cope with vast numbers of people coming into the UK it just overburdens the National Health Service, the traffic service, the police. 'The country was designed for 55 or 60million people and we've got 70million people, and all the services break down as a consequence. 'That's what Brexit was all about and nobody has implemented that, they just keep talking about it but nothing has been done, which is why I think we'll finish up with a change of Government, to be honest.' Sir Jim said he understands why people think 'it's probably time for a change' at the next general election but added his global chemicals company Ineos is 'apolitical'. He told Sky News: 'There's no question that the Conservatives have had a good run over the last 15, 20 years and I think most of the country feels it's probably time for a change, and I sort of get that, really.' Pressed on whether his company Ineos would donate to Labour, Sir Jim said: 'We're apolitical at Ineos, we just want a successful manufacturing sector in the UK. 'We'll talk to either Government about that.' Mr Shapps pointed out that Theresa May lost her majority in 2017 despite polls giving her a 20-point lead during the campaign However, Mr Shapps pointed out that Theresa May lost her majority in 2017 despite polls giving her a 20-point lead during the campaign. Asked about Sir Jim's views, Mr Shapps said 'I actually think he's he's wrong'. 'One of his complaints was on immigration, not recognizing that a large amount of the immigration last year came from, for example, Ukrainians coming here - and I had a family live with me,' the minister said. 'They were very welcome in this country. Same with a British nationals from Hong Kong. 'So I thought there were very good reasons why, you know, this country being generous has has done those sort of things.' Grant Shapps today vowed to find more planes for a mass parachute jump to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The Defence Secretary made the commitment amid fury that cuts to the military had left just one aircraft available for the commemoration. The Parachute Regiment had expected to honour its wartime heroes by sending over 450 men in four planes. There have been warnings that the UK's contribution to the events could look feeble compared to those of other nations. A senior source in the regiment told the Mail on Sunday the lack of aircraft was 'an insult to those who made the ultimate sacrifice'. In interviews this morning, Mr Shapps said the situation underlined why the government was boosting defence funding to 2.5 per cent of GDP. Paratroopers are dropped from a RAF C-130 Hercules aircraft over Sannerville, north-western France, prior to D-Day commemorations marking the 75th anniversary in 2019 Grant Shapps today vowed to find more planes for a mass parachute jump to mark the 80th anniversary He told BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: 'This was only brought to me very recently and I certainly do want to see that properly covered. 'So, I've no doubt at all we'll have additional planes there. 'It is actually the case that the A400, which is the aircraft we use, are being used in operations at the moment. 'It's one of the reasons why I have argued, and successfully argued, to get 75billion more in cash terms into our armed forces because I think you do need to be doing more of these things.' On GB News, Mr Shapps said: 'It's important that D-Day is remembered properly here. It will be, by the way, both in Portsmouth and in France. I want to make sure it's done properly and come back to the decisions that pre-date my time. 'It is the case that we do have some very, very good A400 heavy lift aircraft with about 1.4million tonnes of lift ability. So, we actually have a lot of lift ability in the RAF. 'We know there are several live wars going on and they are being used for those purposes, but I'm quite sure to commemorate something as significant as D-Day we can do a bit better than that, and I've undertaken to make sure we do.' Critics have blamed the Government rather than the RAF for the fiasco because ministers decided to retire the last of Britain's 14 Hercules C-130 transport planes despite warnings that the fleet of Airbus A400Ms that replace them would not fully match the Hercules's parachute drop capabilities until 2025. Writing for the Mail on Sunday, former Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood said: 'As things stand, the Paras' hopes of putting on a large-scale multi-plane parachute drop has been limited to a single aircraft and just 100 of them jumping out... 'The issue demonstrates a sad and simple truth today's RAF lacks heavy lift transport capacity after all Hercules transport fleet, which served our nation so well for more than 50 years, was scrapped to save money.' Former Armed Forces Minister Mark Francois, whose father fought at D-Day, said: 'Given the Parachute Regiment's crucial role on D-Day, it would be a great shame if we had to curtail a commemorative airborne drop, because of lack of suitable RAF aircraft. 'That generation of heroes defended our freedom against Nazi Germany and they deserve to be properly commemorated in return. This just shows what a chronic mistake it was to retire the C-130, which performed this role successfully, for decades.' Labour MP Kevan Jones, a former Defence Minister, said: 'Veterans who took part in the historic operation on the blood-soaked Normandy beaches and the Nazi-infested territory beyond it will rightly be furious that 80 years on, the MoD can't provide enough planes. Grant Shapps should pull his finger out and sort this immediately.' A Parachute Regiment source, said: 'While we don't put on a big show every year, the 80th anniversary is being seen as special as it's probably the last milestone for surviving veterans.' He said that the regiment wanted four of the RAF's A400M to be provided to allow about 450 paratroopers to take part. But to the Paras' anger, only one aircraft which can accommodate 116 Paras was made available. In contrast, America is expected to send at least six C-130s, with Poland and Canada also understood to be supplying planes for paracute drops. This year's D-Day commemorations will be attended by dignitaries from across the world, showing their gratitude to the heroes who took part in the unprecedented sea and air assault that changed the course of the Second World War. King Charles, who completed the Army's parachute training course on being appointed Colonel-in-Chief of the Parachute Regiment in June 1977, will join American President Joe Biden, Armed Forces personnel and the last remaining D-Day veterans. Members of the UK's 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team will jump on June 5 in tribute to the 18,000 men from the Allied powers who landed in Normandy shortly after midnight on June 6, 1944, to secure key sites ahead of the main invasion. The Red Devils Parachute Display Team will also jump into Normandy, while the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will mark the anniversary with a flypast. French president Emmanuel Macron will host the ceremonies along the beaches of the Normandy landings. Events also include church services, firework displays and concerts, with VIPs protected by a defensive 'ring of steel' involving 5,000 officers. Retiring the last C-130 came despite warnings that the fleet of Airbus A400Ms (pictured) that replace them would not fully match the Hercules's parachute drop capabilities until 2025 The Paras source blamed last year's highly controversial decision to axe the Hercules for Britain's muted contributions. They said: 'Quite frankly, the politicians need to give the military the resources they need to do what is asked of them but they have let us down. 'The C-130 Hercules should have been retained in service instead all 14 were retired and are now awaiting sale for a foreign customer. We are seeing cuts in every area of the military and that is not helping our national defence policy and is impacting on recruiting.' Rishi Sunak has promised billions more for defence, with UK military spending rising to 2.5 per cent of national income by 2030. Labour has said it shares a similar ambition but refused to give any timescale. In a statement, the MoD said the 'comprehensive programme of tributes from today's Armed Forces to their forebears' would include a 'commemorative jump by UK paratroopers from an A400M on June 5 alongside Allied counterparts'. A spokesman said: 'D-Day 80 will offer a comprehensive programme of tributes from today's armed forces to their forebears with a significant amount of activity in both France and the UK, involving thousands of personnel, Royal Air Force flypasts and Royal Navy vessels. 'This will include a commemorative jump by UK paratroopers from an A400M aircraft on June 5 alongside Allied counterparts.' A woman claims she hit a $2.5million jackpot on a slot machine at Bally's casino in Atlantic City - only to be told her win was a glitch that would not be paid out. Roney Beal, 72, said the refusal came after a spin on a Wheel of Fortune slot in February, during which she hit the more than $1.2 million jackpot and a two-times multiplier. The machine then told her she won, spewing out virtual coins as the word 'jackpot' flashed on the screen. A crowd descended on the New Jersey senior to celebrate what seemed to be a big win, before a Bally's worker arrived to tell her she'd actually won nothing. Citing a supposed slip-up with the slot's inner working, he offered her $350 instead. This has spurred Beal to retain an attorney, as she threatens to file a lawsuit demanding the same sum - plus another $1million - against the longstanding casino. Scroll down for video: Roney Beal, 72, said the refusal came after a spin on a Wheel of Fortune slot in February, during which she hit the more than $1.2 million jackpot and a two-times multiplier The machine, seen here, told her she won, spewing out virtual coins as the word 'jackpot' flashed on the screen 'I was hoping for $1,000, saying, 'Please God let me win,'' she told 6ABC Action News in Philadelphia Friday, of how she funneled hundreds of dollars into the machine in question before being told her gamble did not pay off. 'And it went off. And [it] says, 'you're a winner',' she recalled. 'Gold coins popped out. 'This guy- this very nice guy - goes, 'Oh my God, you hit, you hit!'' she recalled, speaking from her Shamong Township home about a 40 minutes' drive from the east coast gambling stronghold. 'He said, 'Lady you're a millionaire,'' she went on - before describing how things went wrong when she hit the call button to request help. 'That's when the sentences came up 'tilted,'' she said, citing a particular sort of error that voids the win. 'When the man came over to talk to me, he said, 'Lady, get it in your head, you won nothing.'' The attendant, she said, proceeded to open the machine - which minutes before issued a voice telling Beal she'd won. He allegedly asked her to spin it again so her winning slate would be wiped clean - a request Beal said she refused as a crowd of more gamblers gathered around. When she hit the call button to request help, 'That's when the sentences came up 'tilted,'' she said, citing a particular sort of error that voids the win The attendant hit a series of buttons inside the slot before offering her the $350 - leading her and her lawyer to now claim the slot was fiddled with 'They fooled with the machine before anybody else had the opportunity to take a look at this,' said attorney Mike Dicroce Friday, as his client continues to mull a lawsuit The pair also claim Beal was wrongly told to leave the casino, which is not the first to face a lawsuit stemming from a reel tilt that halted a Wheel of Fortune payout 'He had it rolling real slow. He had it opened and then he is pushing it,' she said. The attendant hit a series of buttons inside the slot before offering her the $350 - leading her and her lawyer to now claim the slot was fiddled with. The pair also claim Beal was wrongly told to leave the casino, which is not the first to face a lawsuit stemming from a reel tilt that halted a Wheel of Fortune payout. Jacques Bezou, a Louisiana-based lawyer, sued Harrah's in New Orleans and slotmaker International Game Technology (IGT) in 2000 after his client Garrett Grigg disputed the same slot malfunction, leading to a payout of $1.35 million - the same as the almost-stolen jackpot. During that case, which took more than six years to resolve, IGT took the position that even though symbols indicating a jackpot came up, it was not a win because the machine had declared it so. Speaking to ABC6 Friday, Bezou recalled how during those a jury didn't buy that argument nor did an appellate judge - leaving IGT solely responsible. This time around, Bally's - which has graced the Atlantic City Boardwalk for nearly 50 year - has again thrust responsibility onto IGT, saying in a statement, 'Bally's has no comment on this incident as we're only the casino who houses the machine. Jacques Bezou (pictured), a Louisiana-based lawyer, sued Harrah's in New Orleans and slotmaker International Game Technology (IGT) in 2000 after client Garrett Grigg disputed the slot malfunction, leading to a payout of $1.35 million - the same as the almost-stolen jackpot During that case, which took more than six years to resolve, IGT took the position that even though symbols indicating a jackpot came up, it was not a win because the machine had declared it so. This time around, Bally's - which has graced the Atlantic City Boardwalk for nearly 50 year - has again thrust responsibility onto IGT, saying in a statement, 'Bally's has no comment on this incident as we're only the casino who houses the machine 'IGT handles the payouts and would be best to get a comment from at this time,' it added. Speaking to New York Post, a rep for the London-based outfit said it 'is cooperating with the casino operator's investigation of this matter', as Beal's attorney, Mike Di Croce, said he is preparing to file a legal complaint against both Bally's and the gaming company. 'They fooled with the machine before anybody else had the opportunity to take a look at this,' he told ABC 6 Friday, revealing how they play to sue for $2.56 million due to her hitting a $1.28 million jackpot with the two-times multiplier. In addition, he said he plans to file a $1 million-plus emotional distress claim, as Beal argues she has be left traumatized by the ordeal. 'Why would I ever go to a casino again in my life? Any casino? Why, if there is no hope,' she told the station, seated in her living room where she has her own slot machine. She added to the Post: 'I'm upset because I want the money, and I will help people with it.' She added that she had a heart attack a year ago, and is 'hoping and praying' she gets paid out before she dies. She has a son who is homeless, she told the paper - with one of her first planned purchases being a trailer where he could live. The number of migrants arriving in Britain on small boats crossing the Channel is approaching 10,000 - 2,600 more than the total this time last year. Some 103 people came across in two boats yesterday, it has been revealed - bringing the total so far this year, not including Sunday's arrivals, to 9,803. This compares to 7,217 by the same date last year and 8,693 in 2022, 3,112 in 2021 and 1,492 in 2020. There were 29,437 arrivals across the whole of 2023, down 36 per cent on a record 45,774 arrivals in 2022. Women and children were among those seen being taken off the first of the boats to arrive on Sunday morning as they were taken into Dover on board a Border Force vessel. New arrivals in the UK were seen leaving by bus from a Border Force compound in Dover today A group of people believed to be migrants are pictured being brought into Dover in Kent by Border Force officials The group had set off from France in an attempt to cross the Channel to the UK The number of arrivals of 2,600 more than the total counted at this time last year Labour's shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock said: 'This milestone is yet more evidence that the Tories' plans are fundamentally failing. 'Thousands of people have crossed the Channel since the Government's Rwanda bill passed, with crossings up a third on last year already. 'The figures also show that criminal smuggler gangs are piling more and more people into each unseaworthy boat, putting lives at even greater risk.' The latest arrivals come after the Home Office agents last week detained the first set of illegal migrants destined for Rwanda. Armoured Immigration Enforcement officials took part in a series of dramatic dawn raids across the UK to round up asylum seekers who crossed the Channel in small boats. Groups of men were pictured being handcuffed before being taken to one of seven immigration removal centres, where they will be held until they can be deported to Africa. Codenamed 'Operation Vector', some 800 immigration agents are involved in the effort, which will see the first flights taking off in nine to 11 weeks - with 2,143 asylum seekers being targeted in the opening salvo of the project. Asylum seekers who have made it have been receiving Home Office letters warning them they risk being flown to Rwanda because they failed to seek asylum in the first 'safe country' they passed through. The new law which finally passed through Parliament last month aims to clear the way to send asylum seekers on a one-way flight to Kigali. The latest arrivals come after the Home Office agents last week detained the first set of illegal migrants destined for Rwanda Some 103 people came across in two boats yesterday, it has been revealed - bringing the total so far this year, not including Sunday's arrivals, to 9,803 This compares to 7,217 by the same date last year and 8,693 in 2022, 3,112 in 2021 and 1,492 in 2020 - pictured are some of the latest people to cross the Channel this weekend There were 29,437 arrivals across the whole of 2023, down 36 per cent on a record 45,774 arrivals in 2022 Codenamed 'Operation Vector', some 800 immigration agents are involved in the Rwanda scheme, which will see the first flights taking off in nine to 11 weeks The Hope Hostel in Rwanda (pictured) is one of the locations migrants will be sent to Rwanda's government has negotiated a multi-million-pound deal to process asylum applications by people found to have illegally tried to enter the UK. Britain's Supreme Court has deemed Rwanda an unsafe country for sending migrants to, citing government crackdowns on critics and media, a lack of independence among judges and lawyers and high rejections of asylum claims. There have been reports the Ministry of Defence is preparing to repurpose at least one RAF Voyager plane for deportations, with claims the government has struggled to find a private airline. Meanwhile, about 40,000 migrants living in the UK are still 'pending relocation' after having their asylum claims ruled inadmissible, officials last month admitted. And Sir Matthew Rycroft, the head of the Home Office, recently told MPs the number of migrants arriving illegally in Britain must fall by about 10,000 for the government's Rwanda policy to prove value for money. He said a one-third reduction in small boat crossings from last year's figure of 29,437 would be needed given the cost of the deportation scheme, which will reach 290million by next year. Sir Matthew also revealed that the government in Kigali would be handed another 50million almost as soon as the new law aimed at getting flights off the ground was passed by Parliament amid the wrangles between the Commons and the Lords. There has been a 500million investment from the UK government as part of a three-year contract with France, meant to help put a stop to dangerous crossings. The large injection of money is set to be used on vehicles and surveillance equipment, including drones, to help control the area. Yet in footage captured by ITV last month the newest UK-funded hardware was watched by unbothered French cops appearing to let migrants cross in front of them. Britain has reached a new record for illegal migrants crossing the Channel in the first five months of a calendar year - pictured are migrants arriving on May 4 More than 100 illegal migrants have already been earmarked for the first wave of Rwanda deportations (File Image) Suella Braverman, during her time as Home Secretary, visited houses earmarked for migrants arriving from Britain during a trip to Kigali in March last year In 2023, almost 46,000 migrants sailed across the Channel to arrive illegally in the UK - with the Government now spending 15million a day to house them in hotels A large group - including children - was seen huddling as people crossed the beach before starting a sprint across the sands to reach a small boat. As passengers piled on to a rubber dinghy, it became perilously overloaded - with a French officer estimating a total of 100 people on board before it departed France. The UK Border Force then sent out a vessel to retrieve the individuals in the Channel, ahead of their arrival at Dover in Kent. Home Secretary James Cleverly vowed in February that the UK and France would 'expand upon' co-operation he said had proved successful so far - citing figures showing a 36 per cent reduction in crossings last year. But there were more than 2,000 migrants brought ashore last month alone, despite Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's pledge to 'stop the boats'. And over 40,000 migrants have now attempted the dangerous channel crossing from England to France since Mr Sunak became Prime Minister, figures revealed. The latest crossings take the provisional total number of UK arrivals so far this year to 9,803 - including a previous record for the year of 514 on March 20. Belfast Crown Court last week said parts of the Illegal Migration Act should be disapplied in Ulster for undermining post-Brexit human rights protections agreed with the EU - but the government insisted it would push ahead with Rwanda flights. Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak is expected to receive a public endorsement of his Rwanda policy from the Austrian chancellor this week as he fights to portray Labour as being soft on immigration. No 10 hopes that on a visit to Vienna the Prime Minister will be hailed by Mr Nehammer as a trailblazer for Europe over the policy of deporting people to Rwanda for asylum processing. Dozens of migrants were seen here crossing the Channel on a small boat on March 6 this year Priti Patel, then Home Secretary, signed the UK's deal with Rwanda during a visit to Kigali in April 2022 A boat of migrants is seen being picked up by Border Force officials in the English Channel pm April 14 Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Rwanda's president Paul Kagame, seen meeting at Downing Street in London on April 9, have agreed a deal for deportation flights to the African country A Home Office spokesman said today: 'The unacceptable number of people who continue to cross the Channel demonstrates exactly why we must get flights to Rwanda off the ground as soon as possible. 'We continue to work closely with French police who are facing increasing violence and disruption on their beaches as they work tirelessly to prevent these dangerous, illegal and unnecessary journeys. 'Last year they stopped 26,000 people from reaching our shores. 'We remain committed to building on the successes that saw arrivals drop by more than a third last year, including tougher legislation and agreements with international partners, in order to save lives and stop the boats.' More than 100 people gathered for a vigil for a Chicago teenage boy who was killed when a speeding Mustang crashed into his car last weekend. Marko Niketic, Glenbrook South High School senior, was killed on May 12 in a car wreck allegedly caused by Taeyoung Kim, 21, who police say was driving the Mustang that crashed into Niketic's Mercedes. Dozens of friends, family, neighbors and members of Niketic's church all showed up to the crash site along East Lake Avenue in Glenview, Illinois, CBS Chicago reported. The roadside memorial grew all week - with large crowds of classmates paying their respects and leaving flowers, cards, candles, and pictures of Niketic. Officers had to shut down one lane of traffic on East Lake Avenue where the memorial was to keep the dozens of mourners safe. Dozens of people gather to honor Niketic's life after his tragic death Marko Niketic, 17, and his girlfriend were driving together when Niketic's Mercedes was hit by a Mustang. Niketic died at the scene and his girlfriend was transported to hospital with serious brain injuries. She was released from the hospital Friday Pictured: The crash site memorial for Niketic, populated with flowers, cards and pictures of the young boy 'He had an energy and a charisma to bring children and people together children of all ages,' said Fr. Darko Spasojevich, dean and priest at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral. Spasojevich, who knows Niketic personally, added: 'He was always with smile very open, very smart, really gifted.' Loved ones told CBS Chicago that Niketic, who was set to graduate this month and attend Miami University in the fall, had wanted to become an entrepreneur and was already well on way to becoming one. 'You think of your own child. You think in terms of life what it means as a gift to us that we many times take for granted,' said Spasojevich. 'But now, you realize what a gift it is, and how it can suddenly disappear.' Niketic leaves behind his parents, Gordana and Nebojsa, his brother Luka and his extended family residing in both the US and Serbia, according to his obituary. His funeral was held on Thursday at St. Sava Monastery in Libertyville. Taeyoung Kim, 21, was taken into custody Friday evening for allegedly causing the crash Kim was driving his 2021 Ford Mustang on East Lake Avenue at a speed of 131 mph in a 35-mph zone when collided The victim's silver Mercedes torn into half after the crash Niketic was driving his silver Mercedes last Sunday and was accompanied by his 17-year-old girlfriend, who remains unidentified. According to police, Kim was driving his 2021 Ford Mustang on East Lake Avenue at a speed of 131 mph in a 35-mph zone when he collided with Niketic at an intersection - leaving the victim's silver Mercedes torn into half. The accused's dashboard camera had allegedly captured him driving recklessly before the crash, prosecutors said. Niketic was pronounced dead at the scene while Kim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Niketic's girlfriend was transported to the hospital with serious brain and spinal injuries. She was released from the hospital on Friday, according to court documents. Niketic's girlfriend suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage, hematoma of the brain, a fracture of the pelvis vertebrae and hyper-density of the left frontal lobe of the brain with loss of consciousness and seizure due to the crash Niketic, a Glenbrook South High School senior, reportedly had plans to become an entrepreneur. He was going to attend Miami University but hadn't picked an area of study yet Police said that Kim's blood-alcohol level was far above the legal limit. Witness Nathan Clark described: 'He was probably going about 90 (miles per hour) whenever he sped in front of me. 'If I had to guess, he floored it and turned off his lights. 'There was no reason for it. I don't think it was like road rage or anything. I think he just wanted to go fast and (was) being reckless.' Preston Shute, Niketic's close friend, said: 'He was the most genuine human I've ever met. 'That was my best friend and it's really hard to process right now.' Kim was taken into custody Friday evening for allegedly causing the May 12 crash that killed Niketic. He appeared at a bond hearing on Saturday and was ordered to remain in custody. He is charged with reckless homicide and multiple DUI-related offenses. But many are in favor of the change, saying it will increase accessibility Residents are up in arms about a new feature that they say is unnecessary An Ohio city's cul-de-sac residents are up in arms as the city plans to install a common road feature outside their homes. As part of roadworks, the city of Toledo is planning to install sidewalks along the no-through roads and residential streets to improve safety and accessibility. But not all residents are pleased by the idea, saying they will be expensive to put in place and maintain, will harm trees and plants and are unnecessary. Mark Gensler, who lives on a cul-de-sac told The Toledo Blade: 'It just seems like it's a waste of money and resources. They don't think of elderly people who have to go out and shovel snow to maintain the sidewalk.' Residents expressed their concerns to the city council which is now considering removing the requirement for sidewalks from the ordinance. As part of roadworks, Toledo city council is planning to install sidewalks along the cul-de-sacs and residential roadways to improve safety and accessibility But not all residents support the plan. Barbara Grzeszczak, a Point Place resident, told ABC13: 'And for our little cul-de-sac, I'm here to not have sidewalks put in' The city is planning to install the sidewalks under a 2010 ordinance called the Complete Streets Policy, which requires sidewalks be part of any road improvement project. The proposal has been welcomed by many residents, who say it will improve accessibility. Disability Manager of the City of Toledo Valerie Fatica said: 'Many of our residents were upset about the installation of the new water meters in their homes. 'However, the city did not allow opt-outs because much like the sidewalk network, it works best when the system is complete.' But others say the sidewalks are unnecessary and will cause more problems than they are worth. Barbara Grzeszczak, a Point Place resident of 40 years, told ABC13: 'And for our little cul-de-sac, I'm here to not have sidewalks put in. 'I have a sprinkler system. I live on the corner and I have quite a few heads of the sprinkler system that will have to be all dug up and moved, which will be quite expensive, according to my sprinkler man.' The council is considering adopting an amendment to exclude cul-de-sacs and dead-end streets from the sidewalk requirement. They have until July to make their decision. The anti-sidewalk contingent want to be able to opt-out of the policy, saying that on their streets they see little pedestrian traffic and they don't want the hassle of maintaining them. The council is considering adopting an amendment to exclude cul-de-sacs and dead-end streets from the sidewalk requirement. They have until July to make their decision. One cul-de-sac resident, Debra Hulles, told The Toledo Blade: 'We're not trying to be politically incorrect about people with disabilities. We just want a new street without sidewalks. It's a little cul-de-sac, which has been here since 1954. 'Redo our street, but don't do sidewalks. Take that money and put it toward another city project that people want.' A fellow resident, Lynn Morris, said: 'We don't get foot traffic. I think it's going to be a waste of taxpayer money.' She is also concerned that a tree in her yard would have to be removed to make way for the sidewalk. She said: 'I have a very mature tree that took a beating from the tornado last year. I'm trying to revive it. But when they cut through to put in a sidewalk, it's going to be close enough to the roots, and it's going to kill it.' Councilwoman Cerssandra McPherson told the outlet that the city needs to consider the concerns of residents before making decisions. She said: 'I think one of our weakest links is communication. 'We dont, prior to making decisions, reach out to the citizens who this is going to affect. 'We have to do better because the citizens are the ones that are the taxpayers. They are holding us accountable. 'We must at first address the citizens who live here and get their opinions and thoughts and sit down and have the conversations.' The Bibby Stockholm migrant barge has divided a coastal community with locals being branded racist if they speak out against it, it has been claimed. Portland in Dorset was described as a 'happy little island' before the controversial asylum seeker barge was berthed in the historic harbour last year. Since then locals residents have fallen out with each other over the floating accommodation block and its inhabitants, a public meeting was told. Martine Sommers added that this was 'closing down intelligent conversation and introducing cancel-culture' on Portland. One woman told of how people are afraid of speaking out 'for fear of being labelled a racist, right-wing, bigoted, or being targeted and intimidated.' Her warning came after it emerged the Bibby Stockholm is costing the taxpayer 34.8m for its 18 month stay on the south coast. Home Office figures released under the Freedom of Information Act state that as of the end of January there were 321 migrants on the 430 capacity vessel. This means the cost of housing each asylum seeker is over 6,000 per month, making it more than twice as expensive than the rental cost of a three bedroom property on exclusive Sandbanks. Locals residents have fallen out with each other over the floating accommodation block and its inhabitants, a public meeting was told (pictured: Rival protesters argue in Portland in Dorset about the Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge) Portland in Dorset (pictured) was described as a 'happy little island' before the controversial asylum seeker barge was berthed in the historic harbour last year The Bibby Stockholm is costing the taxpayer 34.8m for its 18 month stay on the south coast Some of the key concerns locals have about the barge centres on asylum seekers being given access to free public transport and NHS dentists and GPs when they struggle. Kate Robson, of the No to the Barge campaign group, said: 'Mooring the Bibby Stockholm at Portland Port has probably been the most divisive decision ever made within Weymouth and Portland. 'Grants were alleged to have been provided to mitigate any impact on community services. Yet, asylum seekers are also being treated in local dentists, urgent care centres and A&E. 'Whilst this is within their right, it is clear, that there is an injustice to council taxpayers struggling to access extremely pressurised services which have suffered catastrophic cutbacks over recent years. 'The indulgent cost of services provided by taxpayers' money to the barge is inexcusable, with the exclusive and mainly empty new barge buses being a stark reminder of disproportionate priorities.' Ms Sommers said there was a multi-agency forum in place to represent the views of the asylum seekers on the barge yet there was nothing for locals. She claimed the forum provided an 'almost utopian and one-sided view of the barge' and residents wanted a place where they can air their concerns in an 'adult and civilised manner.' The Bibby Stockholm, moored off the coast of Portland in Dorset, is the only accommodation barge for migrants commissioned so far by ministers and has faced a series of setbacks A view inside the gym onboard the Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge She told Dorset Council's annual meeting: 'Throughout the past year the Island of Portland and its people have changed irrevocably, almost beyond recognition. 'This was a very happy island, people spoke openly regarding issues or problems that arose. 'People are now reticent to discuss the barge openly with one another for fear of being labelled a racist, right-wing, bigoted, or being targeted and intimidated; closing down intelligent conversation and introducing cancel-culture. She said that while the asylum seekers' needs are met by a 'multi-agency forum' there is nothing for locals. She said: 'It appears to be forgetting the needs and concerns of the islanders. It feels as though there is full representation for the men but a reluctance to represent the important and real feelings of the islanders* there is no forum to ask questions and obtain answers.' The barge was due to remain in Portland for 18 months, with the contract ending in January 2025. But there have been recent job adverts posted for two asylum social workers with a contract of 18 months. This would suggest the barge could remain in place until at least December 2025. The barge underwent a refit to add extra accommodation and was supposed to house 506 migrants, all male and aged between 18 and 65, but the maximum figure was later reduced to 431. The men are free to come and go as they please but because the port is a secure site that has required additional staff and a free hourly bus service was provided to take them out of the port to Portland and Weymouth. multiple former residents told an inquiry conditions on the barge were like being 'in prison' An asylum seeker supporters' group said it was inhumane to house men who had fled persecution on a 'floating prison'. One asylum seeker, Albanian Leonard Farruku, took his own life on the barge in December. Despite the costs associated with operating the barge appearing in black and white in the National Audit Office report and the Home Office's FOI Act response, a spokesperson for the Home Office said: 'We do not recognise these costs. 'Housing migrants in hotels costs 8 million a day and we are constantly seeking opportunities to reduce that cost for the taxpayer. 'That is why we have acted swiftly to move asylum seekers on to alternative sites, such as the Bibby Stockholm.' A man has been charged after he allegedly assaulted and verbally abused several female passengers on a suburban train during an unprovoked incident. Four women were travelling on a train heading to Adelaide on the Gawler line at about 9am on Sunday, when the man allegedly punched, slapped and spat at them. The 47-year-old man from Salisbury in Adelaide's north also allegedly verbally abused the women. None of the four women, who were understood to be travelling separately, did not know the man. The alleged incidents allegedly took place between Kilburn and the city, according to South Australia Police. A man allegedly assaulted and verbally abused four women who were travelling on a train on Sunday. Pictured are police patrolling a train station on Sunday After the train terminated in Adelaide, the man allegedly jumped the exit barrier and fled the station heading towards Adelaide Oval. He was arrested by police a short time later and was charged with four counts of assault. 'None of the women [allegedly] assaulted required medical treatment,' South Australia Police said in a statement. Commuters travelling across the network on Sunday were shocked to hear about the alleged assault. 'I just think it's disgusting and it makes me feel unsafe. I don't really want to catch public transport ever,' Deanna Watherston told Nine News. Fellow commuter Melody Silvestri added: 'Not even being able to be in a public space, without being afraid...that's horrible. The man was granted bail to appear in Adelaide Magistrate's Court on August 13. He has also been banned from travelling on public transport for three months after he was handed a transport barring order. The latest incident comes days after a group of teenage girls were accused of wreaking havoc and assaulting commuters on another Adelaide train. The women were understood to have been travelling on the train separately on the Gawler line (stock image) , when they were physically and verbally assaulted by a man An Adelaide mother confronted the teenage girls, after they allegedly attacked her 17-year-old daughter earlier this month. The girl was allegedly grabbed by the hair and also punched during the physical altercation. The teenagers allegedly threatened commuters on the Seaford train line, on the Eyre Peninsula, for several weeks. Last week, officers from South Australia Police began a week-long operation in a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour, on public transport across the state. Officers and members of the dog squad were deployed across the public transport network, to ensure people travel safely on buses and trains. Anyone who witnessed the alleged attack or who has footage of the incident has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers. By Ko Dong-hwan Korean cosmetics companies, many of which have been suffering from declining sales in China, have started to bounce back thanks to an increasing number of "K-beauty" consumers, particularly in the United States and Japan, according to industry officials, Sunday. Boosts from broader global marketplaces have added muscle to the country's cosmetic exports. Korea Customs Service said that the local industry saw record quarterly exports of $2.3 billion during the first three months this year, a 21.7 percent year-on-year increase. Major local companies here have released their quarterly reports, revealing that significant portions of profit came from the U.S. and Japan. Amorepacific's operating profit during the period registered 72.7 billion won ($53.6 million), a 12.9 percent jump from the previous year. The company said that whereas sales in China declined compared to the previous year, those in the U.S. soared by 40 percent and Europe, the Middle East and Africa by 52 percent. The launch of a new Laneige lineup, one of the company's cosmetic labels, in the U.S. has boosted its sales there, according to the company. LG H&H registered 1.73 trillion won in sales, up by 2.7 percent from the previous year, and an operating profit of 151 billion won, up 3.5 percent, during the same period. The biggest amount of overseas sales came from China and Japan. Sales in China stood at 214 billion won, up 9.9 percent from 2023, while those in Japan were recorded at 93 billion won, up 3.6 percent, also from 2023. Aekyung Industrial's quarterly performance also received a boost from Japan. The company registered sales of 169 billion won, up 7.7 percent from 2023, and an operating profit of 16.5 billion won, up 6.8 percent, during the same period. The company said that exports to Japan nearly doubled from the previous year. The company said it saw its highest Japanese sales at Megawari, a shopping discount event organized by Japanese online shopping platform Qoo10, in March. Original design manufacturer (ODM) firms here also benefitted from K-beauty's rising popularity in the U.S. and Japan. Kolmar Korea renewed its record sales and operating profit during the first quarter, registering 575 billion won, up 17.9 percent from the previous year, and 32.4 billion won, up 168.9 percent, respectively. Cosmax also recorded its highest quarterly sales with 527 billion won. "We confirmed that Korea's indie cosmetic brands that used our technologies saw sound exports in the U.S. and Japan, especially the sunscreen products," a Kolmar Korea official said. "We've never seen such a high quarterly performance before. Last year's sales (2.16 trillion won) and operating profit (136 billion won) were also the historical figures for us." Observers said that the K-beauty industry is on the rise mostly because of its products selling fast in the U.S., the second-biggest market following China, as well as signs of a recovery in the Chinese market. "Considering the downturn in China's beauty market, Korean firms saw higher-than-expected sales there, which led to surprising performance figures for them," a Korea Investment & Securities official said. Advertisement A massive cliff fall has left 160,000 seaside mobile homes just yards from a terrifying drop, as tons of rocks have been sent tumbling hundreds of feet to the beach below. A section of Newhaven's cliffs collapsed onto the beach this morning, with large piles of rubble deposited at the foot of the rockface. Aerial photographs show mobile homes now sitting dangerously close to the edge, as residents continue to walk along the coastal path. One of the photographs shows parts of the cliff hanging from the rock face. Newhaven Heights Park, East Sussex, is home to hundreds of residents and boasts breathtaking views, with mobile homes selling from anything up to 190,000. It is described as a 'prestigious' park for the over 50s, ideal for those looking for a peaceful coastal environment. Pictured: A cliff fall took place near Newhaven Heights caravan park this morning Pictured: Large piles of rubble were deposited at the bottom of the rockface Pictured: A part of the rock remains hanging over the cliff, just metres from the coastal path Pictured: The Newhaven cliff is feeling the effects of coastal erosion But the Park is feeling the effects of coastal erosion, as homes across the UK are coming perilously close to slide into the sea. More than 2,200 houses are predicted to be lost by the year 2100, with coastal communities in Cornwall, Cumbria, Dorset, East Yorkshire, Essex, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Northumberland, Norfolk and Sussex most at risk, according to Rightmove. On the Holderness Coast, dozens of second and holiday homes on the Skipsea Sands caravan park are now within 20ft of the 60ft drop down to the rocks. There are now signs on the cliff edge warning parents of the dangers and to not allow the children to cross the concrete blocks stopping access to them from the road. Pictured: Newhaven Heights Park, East Sussex, is home to hundreds of residents and boasts breathtaking views, with mobile homes selling from anything up to 190,000 Pictured: Mobile homes now sit dangerously close to the cliff's edge Pictured: Residents could be seen walking along the coastal path following the rockfall Property expert Carol Peet previously told MailOnline: 'The extremely wet weather we have experienced this winter has exacerbated the problem enormously as it is causing landslides. She continued: 'Coastal erosion has been a problem for many years particularly on the east coast of Britain due to the softer sediments such as sand and clay there. 'These materials are more susceptible to erosion than the harder rock formations on the west coast. 'The gentle gradient of the east coast also allows waves to reach further inland during storms, which again have been more prevalent this winter due to El Nino, and this leads to further erosion.' This is the moment Putin's soldiers were spotted looting electrical goods from Ukrainian homes after Russian forces moved into newly-invaded districts. The Russian troops were seen in Vovchansk in drone footage that shows them lugging electrical items out of the homes of Ukrainians who fled recent invasions. Local journalist Denys Kazansky said: 'Russian looters are robbing the houses of local residents in the part of the city they have captured. 'Everyday life of the 'liberators'.' In the shocking footage, a group of around ten soldiers donning military gear can be seen running to and from a house as they shoved items into the back of a truck. Shocking footage captured the moment Russian troops stormed invaded Ukrainian homes to loot electrical appliances Soldiers donning military gear can be seen running to and from a truck and a house There are around ten soldiers present at the looting before an appliance is placed in the back of the truck and it speeds off One clip shows what appears to be a microwave oven being put into the vehicle before it sped off, leaving the troops to continue ransacking the invaded property. Telegram channel Kharkiv 1654 stated: 'The Russians are already looting Vovchansk. 'They take out various items from houses.' More footage purported to show pro-Putin local residents - known as 'waiters' because they wanted for Russian forces to arrive - showing which vacant homes could be targeted for looting. Russia troops have a track record of looting goods when they grab new territory in Ukraine. In October 2022, two Russian soldiers were spotted looting a washing machine from a house in Ukraine, before loading it into a military vehicle. The aerial footage, which was filmed by a Ukrainian drone, shows a pair of Vladimir Putin's soldiers awkwardly carrying the appliance out of the house and across a debris-covered front lawn, before pausing when they reach the gate to the property. After a brief stop, they can then be seen taking the washing machine through a gate before changing sides, and carrying it down a dirt road leading back to their military vehicle. The images were obtained from the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Friday, October 21. It was posted to social media channels along with a statement saying: 'The second army of the world - the first army of looters conducted a special operation to free a washing machine from its owners. Every criminal will inevitably be punished.' The images and statement were also relayed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Another piece of footage showed the soldiers gathered in front of the abandoned houses Damaged buildings of Vovchansk following a Russian invasion Ukraine warned on Thursday that it faced a 'very difficult' military situation in Kharkiv, where Moscow has made its largest territorial gains in 18 months Russian troops reportedly send stolen goods back to their homes across Russia, flouting the rules of war. The recent lootings come after a swathe of attacks on Ukraine from Moscow. Ukraine has evacuated almost 9,000 people in the Kharkiv in the week since Russian forces stormed across the border in a surprise ground assault. The country warned on Thursday that it faced a 'very difficult' military situation in Kharkiv, where Moscow has made its largest territorial gains in 18 months. As Zelensky said Kyiv was sending yet more reinforcements to the area, the Ukrainian army said it had managed to partially halt Russia's advance. The fresh Russian offensive has further stretched Ukraine's outgunned and outmanned forces. Moscow has seized 107 square miles of Ukrainian territory between May 9 and 15, according to AFP calculations based on data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) - the largest territorial gain in a single operation since mid-December 2022. Zelensky met military leaders in Kharkiv city, some 18 miles from the Russian border, on Thursday to assess Ukraine's defensive efforts. 'The situation in the Kharkiv region is generally under control, and our soldiers are inflicting significant losses on the occupier,' he said in a post on Telegram. 'However, the area remains extremely difficult. We are reinforcing our units. Ukraine's army said earlier it had managed to halt the advancing Russian forces in some places. 'Our defence forces have partially stabilised the situation. The advance of the enemy in certain zones and localities has been halted,' army spokesman Nazar Voloshin said on state TV on Thursday. In a daily briefing, Ukraine's General Staff said its forces had 'significantly reduced the activity of the Russian occupiers.' 'But the enemy is still trying to create the conditions for further advances,' Voloshin warned. Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett doubled down that right-wing firebrand Marjorie Taylor Green is 'racist' and warning the Georgia congresswoman 'don't come for me' after Greene attacked Crockett's appearance in a late night hearing. Crockett, who is Black, went on CNN's State of the Union Sunday where she was asked about Greene ridiculing her 'fake eyelashes' in a hearing to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress on Thursday. 'I think her specifically doing it to me, yes, that was the intent,' Crockett responded to a question by moderator Jake Tapper about whether the attack was racist. '[Women] wear all types of things to beautify ourselves, but MAGA has historically been on social media doing the things where they're saying "oh she's Black with lashes and nails and hair and so she's ghetto,' Crockett said. 'To me, this was her buying into that rhetoric and trying to amplifying this for the MAGA crowd, and so yeah, I absolutely think that she only did it to be racist towards me,' Crockett added. Rep. Jasmine Crockett responds to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's attack on her appearance doubling down that it was 'absolutely' racist 'It is buying into a racist trope, but the reality is that women of all colors wear lashes,' Crockett said. Crockett said Greene faced no punishment for her attack during the hearing, so she does not anticipate there to be consequences. 'I think the Speaker should be inclined to try and rein her in after trying to kick him out of his position, but they just let Marjorie do whatever she wants to do, and I think this was the first time that someone actually said "no, you won't just treat me whatever way you want to and get away with it."' Greene went after Crockett's appearance during a hearing late Thursday. 'I don't think you know what we're here for,' Greene said at the hearing before turning her sights on Crocketts' appearance. 'I think your fake eyelashes are messing up what you're reading.' Republicans refused to remove Greene's comment from the record. At that same hearing, Crockett fired back by asking committee chairman James Comer about personal attacks 'if someone on this committee then starts talking about somebody's bleach blonde, bad-built, butch body' if that would be against the rules. She did not mention Greene by name, but the remark was clearly direct at her. Crockett said on Sunday that she does not regret her response. She said she signed up to be a member of Congress but not to be disrespected. She claimed MAGA does not respect the rules or the law. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., ridiculed her black Democrat colleague's appearance at a late night hearing Thursday On Friday, Crockett shot back that Greene is 'racist.' 'That is them attacking me, really as a black woman and all they're trying to do is be like racists. That's it. That's that's all it is, is racism,' she said. Crockett also suggested that Greene would probably raise money off the attack 'because the racists are gonna be so happy to give it to her' and noted that Greene has never criticized the appearance of any of her other colleagues. When pressed Friday if personal attacks are fair game after the Georgia Republican ridiculed her looks, Crockett said 'I don't think they've ever been on the table.' 'I think that we have someone who is not fit for Congress that is currently serving that does not adhere to the rules,' the Democrat said of Greene. In a Saturday she warned Greene in an MSNBC interview 'dont come for me. That that is all that I need to tell her. Dont come for me with it.' The Texas congresswoman is now doing her own fundraising for Democrats off her own 'bad built, butch body' response with 'A Crockett Clapback Collection' of merchandise. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, hit back at Greene asking the committee chairman if personal attacks like 'if someone on this committee then starts talking about somebody's bleach blonde, bad-built, butch body' if that would be against the rules Crockett, a former lawyer, has represented the district encompassing southern Dallas since 2023 Progressive 'Squad' member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also got into a spat with Greene during the hearing, where she called for the remarks to be removed from the record. In a moment that went viral Ocasio-Cortez responded to Greene 'oh girl, baby girl.. don't even play.' She said on Friday that it was not lost on her that Greene targeted the only Black woman on the committee. Greene also got in a verbal fight with AOC during the hearing, which prompted the New York Democrat to tell the Georgia Republican 'Oh girl, baby, girl... don't even play' Comer has said he was unable to keep up with the members's insults because he has two hearing aides and was not able to discern what Greene, Crockett and AOC were saying at the time. There were also allegations that some members were drinking booze before or during the late night hearing. A French town in Normandy has apologised for not flying the Union Jack in its D-Day decorations. Pictures from previous years show flag bunting depicting all the nations involved in the Allied resistance to the Nazis adorning the streets of the charming town of Carentan. But images from this year show new bunting that appears to showcase the flags of all EU member states, the EU flag itself, as well as Canada and the US - but no British flag. 'We admit to a simple and "honest" mistake,' a spokesman for the town hall told MailOnline as he addressed the outcry over the missing flag. He added that Carentan will play God Save the King as well as Star Spangled Banner and other national anthems on their official ceremony on June 2 in a touching display of entente cordiale. In 2022, the Union Jack was also on display in bright bunting across the whole town The town has also been displaying cascades of poppies (pictured) incorporating the Union Jack on the walls of the town hall and church since May 10. The artwork has been created by local resident Tansy Forster Rubble and burning houses, pictured in June 1944, shortly after US troops had successfully captured the town The town has also been displaying beautiful cascades of poppies incorporating the Union Jack on the walls of the town hall and church since May 10. The artwork has been created by local resident Tansy Forster. Due to its proximity to the French coastline, Carentan was a vital town for the Allies to capture during the D-Day operation, which saw tens of thousands of soldiers land on French shores in the biggest military operation of its kind. Around 10,000 allied soldiers were killed in the operation, including thousands of troops from the UK and US. It took troops six days to capture the vital town of Carentan, which was the only crossing point between the two major sites of the D-Day landings, Utah Beach and Omaha Beach. Shelling continued in the town for six nights, with railway lines, the town's bell tower and some houses all destroyed. In the early hours of June 12th, 1944, the Germans were finally forced to withdraw from the town following days of heavy US artillery bombardment. American forces entered the town, which remained under Allied control until the end of the war. These were the same American forces who had relied on Britain - as it was here from which the D-Day operation was launched. The town was liberated by the 101st Airborne division, and a monument to these brave paratroopers has since been erected in their honour. While photographs from 2022 and 2023 clearly show the Union Jack as part of the decorative bunting used to decorate Carentan each year, eager-eyed visitors spotted it was not present yesterday. While all the flags of the EU - including countries which remained neutral in the war, such as Switzerland - were featured on the bunting, as well as the EU flag and that of America and Canada, the Union Jack appears to be absent. Engineer Neil Geddes, 59, from Fleetwood, Lancashire, told the Sun: 'It's wrong, considering our involvement in France's evacuation and liberation.' Pointing to the flags of Switzerland, Sweden and Ireland, he said: 'They have no right to flags here when it was us who battled the Nazis.' Images from this year show new bunting that appears to showcase the flags of all EU member states, the EU flag itself, as well as Canada and the US - but no British flag At last year's D-Day commemorations, the Union Jack was clearly visible alongside the flags of France, Germany and Canada American troops, on the alert for snipers, press on past wrecked buildings in Carentan in June 1944 The spokesman for Carentan's town hall told MailOnline: 'Although no British troops were directly involved in the fighting to liberate Carentan, we do not exclude any of our allies in our continuing effort to preserve the memory of ALL our liberators. 'When we heard the story of RAF pilot Raymond Dean, shot down by German flak on November 17, 1941, we had no hesitation in proposing and dedicating a plaque in Brevands, on our territory, to honour a great freedom fighter who fell near Carentan.' He also explained what 'As it was no longer possible to order plastic banners for environmental reasons, we opted for fabric banners as a matter of urgency,' the statement continued. 'We didn't know that the Union Jack wasn't there. We decided to put them up anyway and ordered banners with the English flag, which have not yet arrived.' Shameless star Tina Malone has revealed the last heartbreaking text her war hero husband Paul Malone sent her shortly before he took his own life following his battle with PTSD. Paul, 41, died two months ago on March 13 after what the actress had confirmed was a long struggle with his mental health. Tina, 61, has now revealed that her husband sent her a text at 4am on the night of his death, which read: 'I am sorry I left you, you lit up my life every time I saw you. I'm sorry.' Tina had tragically read that message just as police had arrived at her Liverpool house, after Paul had not returned home that night. The Brookside actress was just about to take their 10-year-old child Flame to school when police arrived and informed her that Paul was dead. In the text, the former millitary man also wrote: 'Tina, please forgive me and one day when you are up here with me we will meet again. Xxx I love you Tina, I will visit you when I find a way. I am sorry my love, you made my life perfect, throughout the chaos. Xxx I will come and visit you and Flame in spirit. Please forgive me xxx' Tina, 61, has now revealed that her husband Paul sent her a text at 4am on the night of his deathpictured all together in 2014) Tina with husband Paul in 2015. She said he turned to drink and drugs in an attempt to cope with his poor mental health after serving in the armed forces Paul (pictured during his time with the Cheshire regiment) served all over the world - including in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Falklands War hero husband Paul Malone's last texts were sent at about 4am Speaking to The Mirror, Tina said: 'His last texts were sent at about 4am but I have an old phone and they didn't come through straight away. When they finally arrived the police were already at my house breaking the news that he'd gone.' Tina previously revealed how her 'world fell apart' after her spouse of 13 years died -and says she is speaking out about how he died in the name of 'transparency' and to encourage conversations around supporting veterans. She has revealed he turned to drink and drugs in an attempt to cope with his time serving in the armed forces - and believes he is now 'in a better place'. Tina added: 'I've not spoken about this publicly until this minute. It's the first time I've said it and confirmed it. Paul did commit suicide. I believe in transparency.' Paul was a former member of the 22nd Regiment of the Cheshires, serving in Northern Ireland, Belize, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Falklands - where he was nicknamed Chevy by fellow squaddies because of his surname, after the comedian. Tina Malone has confirmed her husband died by suicide and says she is speaking out in the name of 'transparency' and to encourage others to talk about mental health She penned on Twitter: 'Six weeks ago today was the worst day of my entire life, my world fell apart, my hubby Paul is dead, but he lives forever in my heart x' But Tina said he would talk often about the Army when he was drunk - and she encouraged him to seek help to cope with what he saw while serving his country. Paul - with whom she had daughter Flame, now 11, via IVF - was eventually diagnosed with PTSD three years ago. Tina said: 'When he got drunk he'd ramble about the army and I'd tell him, 'You have depression, you have emotional issues because of what you've seen'. But he'd sweep it away. He'd say, 'How will I get a job if I have that?'' She and Paul met at a boot camp event where he was a personal trainer after her appearance on Celebrity Big Brother. But their relationship was troubled in 2017 as Tina was arrested and cautioned for cocaine possession - being sacked from a pantomime in the process - while Paul lost his job caring for violent teenagers. The couple were left facing bankruptcy and Tina says his mental health spiralled during this time, using prescription drugs and cocaine in an attempt to cope before attempting to take his own life. He was admitted to psychiatric care, and was given help by an veterans charity, but Tina said he would experience mood swings. Eventually, Tina said, Paul 'couldn't fight anymore'. After making food for Flame, he kissed Tina, went out - and was dead hours later. 'He felt lost, he felt useless,' she said. Tina's remarks, reported by the Mirror, come as she intends to launch a new charity in his name, Paul's Flame to help people in times of crisis. She added: 'This is a man who served his country. The only way I can get through is by fighting for change, addressing the issues facing veterans and soldiers, trying to help others.' Last year, statistics on British military veteran suicides were published for the first time and expose the mental health crisis facing our soldiers as they retire from service and attempt to return to civilian life. According to the Office for National Statistics, in 2021 the most recent figures available suicides by men aged 35 to 44 were almost twice as high among veterans as non-veterans, at 33.5 per 100,000, compared to 18.8. Tina previously confessed that she is 'broken' following the death of her husband Paul, after she revealed the last conversation they had on the day he died. In a social media update, she responded to fans who had left her 'kind messages' and shared their own personal stories of loss Tina Malone said her husband Paul Chase dying was the 'worst day of her entire life' in a heartbreaking post on Wednesday (seen in 2014) Tina Malone and Paul Chase pictured together in 2017. She says his death has left her 'bereft' Tina took to her social media this week to admit the loss of her husband has left her 'bereft'. In a heartbreaking post, she detailed Paul's final hours before he died, revealing that he had made breakfast for their daughter and kissed Tina goodbye. She tweeted: 'Four weeks ago at 4pm today my hubby made scrambled eggs, bacon, beans, sausages for Flame, kissed me and said see you later. '10 hours later he was dead, I am broken, so bereft.' Paul was laid to rest two weeks ago, with a crowd of mourners gathering outside Tina's home in Liverpool, where she joined them and received hugs and comfort from friends and relatives. Many could be seen drying their eyes as fellow veterans helped to carry Paul's coffin to his hearse, which was draped in a flag with his dress hat from the Cheshire Regiment placed on top. The Cheshire Regiment Association, which Paul belonged to, shared pictures of the former officer in his military uniform, in honour of the man they affectionately knew as 'Chevy'. Friends from the regiment turned out in force for his funeral, with many in the group wearing regimental ties and some of his pallbearers proudly showing their medals. A statement on Facebook read: 'We have received the very sad news that Paul 'Chevy' Chase died yesterday at the age of 42. Paul was married to the actress Tina Malone. 'RIP Paul. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this sad time.' Tina tied the knot with Paul, who is 19 years her junior, in 2010 and they were married for nine years, before briefly separating in 2019 - getting back together just months later in February 2020. Following their 2020 reunion, the soap star said their relationship was back to normal and said their 'love never went away.' She told Closer magazine at the time: 'The love never went away, we're working on things now, our problems were compounded by depression but I learned that in tough times you have to pull together and not apart.' Jerry Seinfeld's stand-up routine was interrupted by a pro-Palestine protester who stood up near the beginning of his show on Saturday screaming 'free Gaza.' In a video obtained by TMZ, the heckler is seen getting out of his seat at Seinfeld's show in Norfolk, Virginia to shout directly at the Jewish comedian. 'You're a genocide supporter!' the man said, before gesturing to the entire crowd and also accusing them of being 'genocide supporters.' 'You should all be ashamed of yourselves!' he shouted. Audience members were loudly booing the heckler, with some telling him to 'get out of here.' Fewer than 30 seconds after the Palestine supporter made himself known, a man in a green shirt ran up and started attacking him, eventually putting him into a headlock. An audience member caught the showdown between the protester, seen second from the right, and his attacker, standing immediately to his left in a green shirt A close-up of the man who attacked a demonstrator who interrupted Seinfeld's stand up routine with chants supporting Palestine and calling everyone inside 'genocide supporters' The protester tried to keep screaming up to the stage during the scuffle, and some fans were heard clapping now that the heckler was being silenced. 'I love a little Jew hate to spice up the show,' Seinfeld said as the fight broke out. An alternate angle recorded from someone sitting even closer to the fight shows the man in the green shirt moments before the attack looking angry. 'Get out. Get out. You're ruining it for everybody else ... Get the f**k out!' the attacker tells the protester as he pushes him. An audience member is heard telling the man to let go of the protester. 'You're going to break his neck,' they said. The tussle lasted a solid 20 seconds before security guards arrived to break it up. Pictured: Seinfeld on stage in Norfolk, Virginia, during the fight between a protester and an audience member. TMZ reported that he said people shouldn't boo demonstrators because they have a right to protest Seinfeld's show reportedly had eight demonstrators interrupting throughout the hour and a half show in Virginia The crowd then began to chant 'Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!' as security escorted the demonstrator out of the venue. According to people at the show, Seinfeld told everyone not to boo the man because he had the right to protest. Others throughout the night certainly exercised that right, with TMZ reporting there were about eight demonstrators who disrupted Seinfeld's stand up. A different audience member interrupted Seinfeld in the middle of a joke saying, 'Save the children of Gaza! No more American tax dollars for genocide!' The woman next to him told him to 'shut up and get out.' Seinfeld, who has been described as being 'uncharacteristically vocal' in his support for Jews in Israel, is seen giving a guest speech at Duke University's commencement ceremony The comedian was met with a a mix of cheers and boos as he was introduced at the ceremony Seinfeld has made his support for Israel very clear, which has made him a favorite celebrity target for angry agitators. The billionaire comedian the Times of Israel in December 2023, a little over two months after the war in Gaza began, that he 'lived and worked on a kibbutz in Israel when I was 16 and I have loved our Jewish homeland ever since.' He added that he would 'always stand with Israel and the Jewish people.' Following those comments, Seinfeld was accosted in New York City after attending the State of the World Jewry Address in February. Journalist Bari Weiss gave the address, and as Seinfeld left the event, protestors repeatedly screamed at him 'free Palestine' and 'you support genocide.' And most recently, dozens of Duke University students walked out of their own commencement ceremony over frustration that Seinfeld was about to speak. A parking firm has been trying to charge people to park on their own land, according to furious homeowners, threatening them with a 100 fine if they refuse to pay up. Residents in Maidstone, Kent, have been left stressed and anxious after UK Car Park Management erected signs on private land demanding they pay if they want to leave their vehicles there. The move has even led to fears that visitors to a nearby care home would start using the space to park cars. The signs were first put up on May 10 and in the week that followed locals tried in vain to contact the parking company to get them taken down. Penny Jackson, 73, said that she saw someone putting up the signs when she was returning home with some shopping. Penny Jackson pictured next to a sign threatening homeowners with a fine if they parked on their own land in Maidstone, Kent. The move has even led to fears that visitors to a nearby care home would start using the space to park cars She said: 'I went out Friday morning to pick some shopping up from down the road and when I came back he was out there putting the signs up. 'He was on his fourth sign - he hadn't put the one up on the lamppost yet. 'I went over and asked what he was doing and he just said he was told to put the signs up even when I told him he was in the wrong place and on private property. 'He just told me I'd have to take it up with the parking company.' The retired grandmother, who needs to be able to get a walker out of her car, said she then struggled to get hold of the company responsible but that a neighbour had been told they were investigating it. 'It took me five goes of ringing them and I spoke to someone who said they understood my frustration and they shouldn't be up. 'I told her I'll go and take them down but she said not to do that in case they were damaged.' UK Car Park Management has now taken down the signs but Ms Jackson has demanded compensation be paid to residents for the anxiety caused by the saga. 'I've sent them other emails now saying they should be paying compensation for the stress they've caused and any damage they've done,' she said. 'One of the neighbours was in a complete panic about it - she didn't believe her husband that they owned the land and weren't doing anything wrong. 'Parking is bad enough with people visiting over the road as they park out the front. 'If my kids come round to see me they struggle to park. So if any visitors have a permit they'll think they can come round here and think it's an overflow car park.' The signs (pictured, behind the Maidstone properties) were first put up on May 10 and in the week that followed locals tried in vain to contact the parking company to get them taken down Genette Pinwill, assistant director of tenancy and housing change at Golding Homes who manage the properties, said: 'The car parking signs near Northumberland Road were put up by mistake by our parking management company CPM. 'We've spoken to CPM were out on Friday afternoon to see our customers and have removed all of the signs. We're sorry for any upset this has caused customers.' UK Car Park Management has been approached for comment. The mother of a 14-year-old who died on a 2022 American Airlines flight has filed a lawsuit claiming he could have been saved if not for a 'faulty' defibrillator and an untrained flight crew. Melissa Arzu, mom of the late Kevin Greenidge, filed the lawsuit last year in New York, but had to transfer the case to Fort Worth due to it being where the airline is headquartered. It claims a flight crew was slow to respond to a crisis that saw the teen go into cardiac arrest, and struggled to even turn on the automated external device immediately afterwards. They also failed to deliver an electrical shock meant to restore the boy's heart rhythm, the suit states - effectively leaving him to die on board. The federal suit further claims the defibrillator was faulty - not 'fully and properly charged' as the FAA demands. This, Arzu argues, 'caused, permitted, and/or hastened the untimely death of' her son, and left her to pick up the pieces alone. Scroll down for video: Melissa Arzu, 45, filed the lawsuit last year in New York, but recently had to transfer the case to Fort Worth due to it being where the airline is headquartered The mother of Kevin Greenidge, her son died on the flight in June 2022, after going into cardiac arrest 'After Kevin died, I never heard from American Airlines,' the 45-year-old said in a filmed interview after filing the new suit on Monday. 'It made me feel hopeless,' she went on, speaking from her apartment in the Bronx. 'I want answers from American Airlines. I want American Airlines to take full responsibility for [his] death. 'I never want this to happen to a child or family again.' The lawsuit tells the rest of the tale - albeit her side - and how American allegedly failed to 'ensure that the automatic external defibrillator (AED) and its mobile battery pack were fully and properly charged' for the June 2022 flight. The boy, the filing states, had been traveling flying from Honduras to Miami with his uncle when he suddenly fell ill, after which 'American Airlines flight personnel failed to timely respond to [his] medical emergency.' Moreover, they also allegedly failed 'to timely transfer Greenidge from his window seat to the back of the airplane where aid could be rendered,' and neglected to 'request the assistance of medically trained passengers on board' as well. 'When flight personnel eventually attempted to use the AED on Greenidge,' lawyers for the mom wrote that 'they were either unable to properly operate the machine or the machine did not function properly.' A federal suit filed by the Bronx woman claims a flight crew was slow to respond to the crisis, and struggled to even turn on the automated external device afterwards The boy had been traveling flying from Honduras to Miami with his uncle when he suddenly fell ill, the filing states - adding that 'American Airlines flight personnel failed to timely respond to [his] medical emergency' Your browser does not support iframes. Eyewitnesses allegedly added that 'each time the AED gave a 'clear' warning for people to step back... so that a shock could be administered, a shock was not delivered. 'Instead, the machine simply kept advising that CPR should be continued.' A later analysis of airline records for AA Flight 614 eventually found the 'American Airlines flight personnel were not trained to use the type of AED machine that was on board' - a direct violation of federal law. 'Had AA Flight 614 been properly equipped with the necessary and functional medical equipment... and had airline personnel timely responded to Greenidge's medical emergency.... [he] would not have experienced the intense... pain he [did]', the suit states. In a statement issued to Insider back in March, an American Airlines spokesperson said the carrier was reviewing the details of the lawsuit, which has since been reallocated to the United States District Court for The Northern District of Texas. 'Our thoughts are with Ms. Greenidge and his loved ones,' the airline said at the time. The suit, meanwhile, asks for unspecified damages, as defibrillators have been federally required on all passenger aircraft by the FAA since 2004. 'Had AA Flight 614 been properly equipped with the necessary and functional medical equipment... and had airline personnel timely responded to Greenidge's medical emergency.... [he] would not have experienced the intense... pain he [did]', the suit states In fact, American was the first US commercial airline to put them on its planes in 1997, taking painstaking efforts to train flight attendants to use them. The devices are so important that if they are deemed missing or 'inoperative' on a commercial plane, the craft will simply not be dispatched, a section of the FAA's official website states. 'Individual airlines should develop a protocol for automatic external defibrillator use,' the agency writes - adding that a 'minimum' requirement for take off is an 'operative' deliberator. This was not the case on June, 2, 2022, Arzu argues - with her suit further stating that 'as a direct result of American Airlines actions and failures [that day], Greenidge passed away at the young age of 14 years old.' Her lawyer, Hannah Crowe, said in a video statement sent to DailyMail.com this week that while American took months to even acknowledge her client's qualms, she is hopeful a jury will side with them. 'Texas juries are tough, but they're fair,' she said of the freshly filed suit. 'Our jury is going to hear what happened to Kevin,' she added. Her lawyer, Hannah Crowe, said in a video statement sent to DailyMail.com this week that while American took months to even acknowledge her client's qualms, she is hopeful a jury will side with them As she spoke, a summons was issued for American to appear in Texas federal court. Issued Monday, the filing has yet to garner a response from the airline, which has 60 days to respond. If they do not, a judgment will be entered on the carrier's behalf by default 'They are going to hear the facts of this case, and they are going to be shocked that American Airlines would put its passengers, especially children, in this kind of danger.' As she spoke, a summons was issued for American to appear in Texas federal court. Issued Monday, the filing has yet to garner a response from the airline, which has 60 days to respond. If they do not, a judgment will be entered on the carrier's behalf by default, for the relief demanded in the complaint. DailyMail.com has reached out to American for comment. Shocking pictures show the moment a man was stopped by the police after he was spotted driving a convertible one-handed with a huge 60-inch TV hanging out the back. The Volkswagen was pulled over on the M60 today, with the flatscreen leaning on the back seat. According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the driver didn't want to pay for delivery. He also claimed that it wasn't dangerous because he had a 'hold of' the television. The Volkswagen was pulled over on the M60 today, with the flatscreen leaning on the back seat According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the driver didn't want to pay for delivery The driver was issued with a PG9 notice and was reported. A post shared by GMP Traffic read: "The driver of this vehicle didn't want to pay for delivery so tried to transport his new 60" television home himself M60. "Apparently, there wasn't anything dangerous about his load carried because he "had hold of it". PG9 issued, load removed & driver reported @NWmwaypolice." People responded online to the tweet, with one person saying: 'He knows that his tele is now in safe hands now.' Another said: 'Driving with one hand no rearview mirror. Gonna cost more than delivery.' One person added: 'It's like something you would see on TV.' And another person said: 'Unless you're starting up your own cinema, who needs a 60 incher?' Donald Trump's hush money trial could wrap up and depending on when closing arguments are made - the case could be in the hands of the jury to reach a verdict as soon as this week. What remains less clear is whether the ex-president will take the stand in his own defense in the case. His defense lawyer Todd Blanche refused to rule out Trump testifying when court wrapped up last week. Trump himself has delivered mixed messages on whether he would take the stand, saying last month that he would 'absolutely' testify. He has also said he would testify 'if necessary' and 'probably.' At the same time, he has recently told the media falsely that he is not allowed. But based on the most recent activity of Trump lawyers and legal expert recommendations, it does not appear likely that Trump would testify. Donald Trump seated in court between his lawyers Todd Blanche (left) and Emil Bove (right) on May 16. On Thursday Blanche refused to rule out Trump testifying in his own defense Trump lawyer Will Scharf appeared on Fox News Sunday where he addressed the looming question as to whether the ex-president will take the stand. Scharf, who is not specifically representing the ex-president in the hush money case, suggested he does not need to. 'I think it's really important to remember that in a criminal case the prosecution bears the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt each and every element of the charged offenses,' Scharf said in response to a question over whether he would recommend Trump testify. 'Here I think looking over the trial record over the last several weeks... the prosecution has abjectly failed to prove their case,' Scharf said. He said he believes any jury would 'unanimously vote to acquit.' 'In terms of whether witnesses will be called including President Trump, that is something the defense team is going to have to think about after the prosecution rests.' Trump lawyer Will Scharf appearing on Fox News Sunday. He is not representing Trump specifically in the hush money trial but suggested the ex-president will not testify Donald Trump speaking in court on May 16 alongside lawyer Todd Blanche. Trump has given mixed messages on whether he would testify. He previously said 'I'm testifying' and 'probably' testifying, but he has also falsely claimed he is not allowed The Washington Post reported over the weekend that four people close to the former president said the plan does not include him testifying. One legal expert Trump himself often mentions when addressing the media outside the courtroom is Andrew McCarthy. McCarthy wrote on Friday in the National Review that 'if Trump testified, the case would become a measure of his credibility, not of the sufficiency of [District Attorney] Braggs evidence.' He argued Trump as it stands is in a good position but testifying would open him up to not just having to address the salacious Stormy Daniels testimony but also the recent civil fraud case and being found liable in the defamation case brought by E Jean Carroll. 'By not testifying, Trump would keep these two damaging court verdicts out of the case,' McCarthy wrote. Cross-examination of Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen will resume on Monday after he faced a brutal questioning by Trump's lawyer Blanche last week. He has been on the stand for three days already Judge Juan Merchan told both sides to be ready for closing arguments in the case on Tuesday Trump on Friday at son Barron's high school graduation with former First Lady Melania. Court was out that day so Trump could attend his son's ceremony in Palm Beach, FL Trump's former personal attorney Michale Cohen's testimony is set to resume on Monday. On Thursday, he was put through a grueling cross-examination by Trump's defense attorney about his history of lying including under oath. After the cross-examination, there could be a lengthy redirect by prosecutors, but they are expected to rest their case following his testimony. Judge Juan Merchan told lawyers on both sides to be ready for closing arguments as soon as Tuesday, signaling there could be an extremely short defense before the case goes to jury deliberations. Merchan signaled he was even willing to have the trial continue through Wednesday, a day that had previously been off for other business while the trial was in full swing. It signals, he may be hoping to have the case completely wrapped up before the Memorial Day weekend. Reports of NK soldiers in Ukraine may show Russia's 'profound' desperation: US official The leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats has revealed he has been receiving therapy for more than two years because of the level of abuse he endures. Alex Cole-Hamilton opened up about his personal battle as he raised concerns over the need to improve Scotlands public discourse. He made the comments ahead of a speech to the Scottish Lib Dem conference yesterday, where he claimed the SNP is on the threshold of defeat and that John Swinney will face his day of reckoning over deleted Whats-App messages during the coronavirus pandemic. In an interview on the BBCs The Sunday Show yesterday, Mr Cole-Hamilton said he was very grateful that his party had the means and inclination to fund counselling which had helped him unpack the stresses and the strains of this job. He said: It was important for me, I think, to be open and honest about that. Ive been receiving therapy for probably the last two-and-a-bit years because this is an intense job, but its under constant public scrutiny. Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has opened up about his personal torment I think really over the last five to ten years the situation, the eco-system, in Scottish politics has deteriorated, where abuse is very personal, sometimes its in the street. And yeah, Im a human being, so I need somewhere to vent, to offload some of that. So Im very fortunate and I know that other people arent so fortunate, but I wanted to talk about it and say its all right to put your hand up and say listen, I need some help here. Its really helped adjust my approach to politics and helped me realise what matters and to be more resilient than I have been. But I would encourage anybody who is struggling to reach out and talk. Last week, Holyrood released the findings of a pilot programme which showed 461 complaints made to police over abuse levelled at just 38 MSPs. Outlining the growing torrent of online abuse, Mr Cole-Hamilton said: I think we need to raise the standard of public debate. He added that he believed the time of constitutional wrangling in Scotland was passing away and the more political discourse is focused on the day-to-day issues then the more likely it would be to improve given it was harder to take offence over issues such as the health service or education. Former First Minister Humza Yousaf previously revealed that he sought therapy in 2016 when he was transport minister. In his keynote address to the Scottish Lib Dem conference in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, yesterday, Mr Cole-Hamilton claimed the SNP now stand on the threshold of defeat and have been in power too long. In a direct attack on the new First Minister, he said Mr Swinney had been party to and complicit in every significant decision taken by SNP chiefs since 2004. He said: The SNPs failures in government are John Swinneys failures in government. Conference, it was he who attended Gold Command the secretive central committee at the heart of the governments response to the pandemic, for which there is barely any record. And it was John Swinney who deleted his pandemic messages, alongside Nicola Sturgeon and other members of their top team. With that deletion of evidence, they undermined the work of both the UK and Scottish Covid Inquiries. With that deletion of evidence, they deprived bereaved families of the answers they are searching for. This may yet be the biggest scandal of devolution and a day of reckoning will come for the new First Minister. An SNP spokesman said: Our key priorities of economic growth, sustainable public services, reaching net zero and eradicating child poverty are Scotlands priorities, and we remain focused on achieving them. The President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi's 'life is at risk' after he was involved in a helicopter crash near the border with Azerbaijan. A frantic search mission is now underway after the aircraft, which was travelling in Iran's East Azerbaijan province near Jolfa, around 375 miles northwest of the capital Tehran, suffered a 'hard landing' on Sunday, according to Iranian state television. The helicopter was one of a convoy of three and foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, Friday prayer Imam Seyyed Mohammad-Ali Al-Hashem and other high-ranking officials were also reportedly onboard with the president. All army and Iranian guard resources are currently being used in the search efforts for the helicopter. Some even began urging the public to pray for Raisi and the others onboard as rescue crews sped through a misty, rural forest where his helicopter was believed to be. But who is Raisi and how did he reach his position of power within the Iranian political system? Who is Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi? The son of a cleric, Raisi was born in 1960 in Mashhad, Iran's second biggest city. Now 63, he started his career in 1981 as the prosecutor of Karaj and Hamadan Provinces. He played a leading role in persecuting minorities, especially the Bahais, before moving to Tehran as a city prosecutor. Raisi's close relations with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who became supreme leader upon the death of Khomeini in 1989, elevated him to the position of deputy chief justice between 2004 and 2014. The President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi pictured during a meeting with his Azeri counterpart earlier today. Raisi's 'life is at risk' after he was involved in a helicopter crash near the border with Azerbaijan Raisi pictured in January. The son of a cleric, Raisi was born in 1960 in Mashhad, Iran's second biggest city The helicopter carrying Raisi pictured taking off today. A frantic search mission is now underway after the aircraft suffered a 'hard landing' on Sunday, according to Iranian state television In that role, Raisi is said to have helped to launch a hostage-diplomacy programme which has seen dozens of dual-nationals and foreigners. Casualties of the programme included British-Iranian charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was arrested in April 2016 a month after Raisi finished a two-year stint as prosecutor-general - and subsequently jailed for spying. Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was eventually released in 2022 after the British government paid 393.8million in settlement of a 40-year-old debt for Chieftan tanks bought by the former Shah of Iran, but never delivered after he was toppled in the revolution. In 2019, then-US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on Raisi, a father-of-two whose wife Jamileh is a university lecturer, over his human rights record. The same year, he was appointed supreme court justice. Iran's hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi has long been seen as a protege to Iran's supreme leader and a potential successor for his position within the country's Shiite theocracy. Why was Raisi nicknamed the 'Butcher of Tehran'? Ebrahim Raisi was dubbed the Butcher of Tehran over his involvement in a 1988 tribunal which condemned thousands of political dissidents to their deaths. Then Tehran's deputy prosecutor general, Raisi was the youngest of the four men on the commission, which oversaw the extrajudicial execution of Iranian prisoners in accordance with a fatwa from the then Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini decreeing death to enemies of the state. Raisi pictured during a TV interview, in Tehran in May. Now 63, he started his career in 1981 as the prosecutor of Karaj and Hamadan Provinces Raisi's close relations with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who became supreme leader upon the death of Khomeini in 1989, elevated him to the position of deputy chief justice between 2004 and 2014 (pictured: Raisi at the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2023) The exact number of those who were subsequently killed is not known, but estimates range from 3,000 to as much as 30,000 executions in prisons across the country. Most of those hanged and buried in unmarked mass graves were supporters of the main democratic opposition movement. In a lecture in 2018, he is reported to have referred to the killings as 'one of the proud achievements of the system'. When did he become president of Iran? He ran unsuccessfully for president in 2017 against Hassan Rouhani, the relatively moderate cleric who as president reached Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. In 2021, Mr Raisi ran again in an election that saw all of his potentially prominent opponents barred from running under Iran's vetting system. He swept nearly 62% of the 28.9 million votes, the lowest turnout by percentage in the Islamic Republic's history. Raisi pictured shaking hands with Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the President Office in Colombo in April. Iran's hard-line president has long been seen as a protege to Iran's supreme leader and a potential successor for his position within the country's Shiite theocracy Ebrahim Raisi (pictured, arriving in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in April) was dubbed the Butcher of Tehran over his involvement in a 1988 tribunal which condemned thousands of political dissidents to their deaths Millions stayed home and others voided ballots. Raisi was elected president in 2021 on an anti-corruption ticket after moderate and reformist candidates were disqualified by the hard-line Guardian Council on a turnout of just under 49 per cent, a record low for an election since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. What has happened in Raisi's term as presiden? Iran is ultimately run by its 85-year-old supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But as president, Mr Raisi supported the country's enrichment of uranium up to near-weapons-grade levels, as well as it hampering international inspectors as part of its confrontation with the West. Mr Raisi also supported attacking Israel in a massive assault in April that saw more than 300 drones and missiles fired at the country in response for a suspected Israeli attack that killed Iranian generals at the country's embassy compound in Damascus, Syria - itself a widening of a years-long shadow war between the two countries. He also supported the country's security services as they cracked down on all dissent, including in the aftermath of the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini and the nationwide protests that followed. Raisi pictured meeting Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, Pakistan, in April. Raisi was elected president in 2021 on an anti-corruption ticket on a turnout of just under 49 per cent, a record low for an election since the 1979 Islamic Revolution Iran is ultimately run by its 85-year-old supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But as president, Raisi (pictured, on a billboard in Islamabad, Pakistan, in April) supported the country's enrichment of uranium up to near-weapons-grade levels The months-long security crackdown killed more than 500 people and saw over 22,000 detained. In March, a United Nations investigative panel found that Iran was responsible for the 'physical violence' that led to Ms Amini's death after her arrest for not wearing a hijab, or headscarf, to the liking of authorities. What happened to the helicopter President Raisi was in? The helicopter crashed as it was crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog on the way back from a visit to the border with Azerbaijan, an Iranian official said. 'We are still hopeful but information coming from the crash site is very concerning,' said an official, speaking on condition of anonymity. Rescuers are attempting to reach the site, but have been hampered by the poor weather conditions in the area. Iraq has also offered to help Iran in the search and recue mission. Raisi pictured at a military parade at the country's annual army day in Tehran in April. Mr Raisi also supported attacking Israel in a massive assault in April that saw more than 300 drones and missiles fired at the country in response for a suspected Israeli attack Rescuers are attempting to reach the site where Raisi's helicopter crashed, but have been hampered by the poor weather conditions in the area (pictured: Raisi greeting Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November) There was no immediate elaboration on what happened to the helicopter or what led to the incident. One local government official used the word 'crash' to describe the incident, but he acknowledged to an Iranian newspaper that he had yet to reach the site himself. State TV aired images of SUVs racing through a wooded area. A rescue helicopter tried to reach the area where authorities believe Raisi's helicopter was, but it couldn't land due to the heavy mist, emergency services spokesman Babak Yektaparast said. 'The esteemed president and company were on their way back aboard some helicopters and one of the helicopters was forced to make a hard landing due to the bad weather and fog,' Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said in comments aired on state TV. 'Various rescue teams are on their way to the region but because of the poor weather and fogginess it might take time for them to reach the helicopter.' Raisi pictured attending the signing of bilateral agreements ceremony at the Revolution Palace in Havana last June. One local government official used the word 'crash' to describe the incident, but acknowledged to an Iranian newspaper that he had yet to reach the site himself Raisi pictured shaking hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping before their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in February. The helicopter crashed today as it was crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog on the way back from a visit to the border with Azerbaijan He added: 'The region is a bit (rugged) and it's difficult to make contact. We are waiting for rescue teams to reach the landing site and give us more information.' Iran flies a variety of helicopters in the country, but international sanctions make it difficult to obtain parts for them. Its military air fleet also largely dates back to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The pair famously fell out when he was uncovered as a fraud in Bodmin Jail Yvette Fielding claims her Most Haunted co-star Derek Acorah was a fake who tried to grope and kiss her - and on at least one occasion, while pretending to be possessed by a spirit. Her claims against Acorah follow recent revelations that predatory paedophile Rolf Harris 'squeezed and patted her bottom', while she also had a 'grotesque' encounter with sexual predator Jimmy Saville as a fledgling television presenter. In her frank new memoir, Scream Queen, the former Blue Peter presenter reveals how she had believed Acorah - with whom she famously fell out - to be the real deal when she first met him. But an industry insider had advised her and producer husband Karl Beattie against hiring Acorah, who died in 2020 at the age of 69 from sepsis following pneumonia, The Sun reports. The 55-year-old presenter writes: 'Just before we started filming one of the presenters at Granada Breeze, who'd worked with him previously said: 'You can't use Derek Acorah on your show. I'm warning you, he's a fake.' Ghost hunter Yvette Fielding claims her Most Haunted co-star Derek Acorah was a fake who tried to grope and kiss her - and on one occasion, while pretending to be possessed by a spirit In one incident, Fielding recalls how Acorah 'proceeded to chase me round the restaurant and I was batting him away because he was trying to ram his tongue down my throat' In one incident, she recalls how Acorah, who had been drinking, stretched out his arms as if he had been crucified on the cross and proclaimed he was Jesus. 'He then proceeded to chase me round the restaurant and I was batting him away because he was trying to ram his tongue down my throat.' She claims that Acorah was 'always' trying to kiss her and they laughed it off on that occasion, believing he had too much to drink. But she recalls there were other moments when he was seemingly 'possessed' by a spirit and would say sexually explicit things to Fielding, including repeatedly asking to see her breasts. Labelling Acorah an 'egotistical monster', Fielding also said he was a fraud who often excused himself to go to the toilet during recordings, but was heard on his mic trying to find out information about the history of the place they were in. 'The crew also got wind that if they said anything within earshot of Derek's entourage it would come out in an investigation as if from the spirit world.' That theory was put to the ultimate test in a 2005 episode which saw Acorah appear to become possessed by a spirit at Bodmin Gaol in Cornwall. Resident parapsychologist Dr Ciaran O'Keeffe, who was sceptical about Acorah's abilities, said he had set him up by having other crew members feed him false information about spirits in various locations. Fielding, with Acorah (left) and co-presenter Jason Karl, said the medium was a fraud, adding that 'the crew also got wind that if they said anything within earshot of Derek's entourage it would come out in an investigation as if from the spirit world' The pair appeared on the show together investigating spirits until he was asked to leave in 2006 Acorah, who died in 2020, and Fielding famously fell out, with the former Blue Peter presenter calling him an 'egotistical monster' Acorah, who left Most Haunted in 2006, died in 2020 from sepsis following pneumonia Dr O'Keeffe invented a long-dead South African jailer called Kreed Kafer - an anagram of Derek Faker - and said he was stunned when the TV medium 'got possessed by my fictional character' at Bodmin Jail. In 2006, after Acorah was booted off the show, Ms Fielding told Metro: 'We tell people everything is real, then it turns out he was a fake, so he had to go.' Fielding's memories of Acorah are not the only time she recalls being molested by fellow celebrities. In recent days she has revealed how predatory paedophile Rolf Harris 'squeezed and patted her bottom', while she also had a 'grotesque' encounter with sexual predator Jimmy Saville. Fielding, who joined Blue Peter in 1987 at the tender age of 18, has revealed Australian pervert Harris assaulted her in a TV studio within two years of starting on the show after she found himself alone with him. At the time Harris - dead of cancer last year at 93 - was one of the BBC's biggest stars, and it would be another 25 years before he was unmasked as a sexual predator by Operation Yewtree. TV veteran Fielding says there was a cover-up culture in the TV industry at the time she started. She said: 'It was very confusing and shocking just bizarre to think Rolf Harris was squeezing and patting my bottom and I am standing there, thinking, "I don't know what to do." 'Other people in the industry must have known what he was like and (they) left me alone in the studio with him. That shouldn't have happened. I must have been 18 or 19. I think a lot of them did know.' Rolf Harris pictured in 1960. He was exposed as a paedophile following the launch of Operation Yewtree and died in disgrace last year Fielding says she was left alone with Jimmy Savile (pictured), who stroked her hand and told her to look into his eyes in a 'grotesque' encounter Australian entertainer Harris died almost a year ago in May 2023 from cancer, six years after being released from prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting four girls, one aged just seven or eight years old at the time. He, like Jimmy Savile, was exposed as a child predator in 2013 by Operation Yewtree, the probe launched following Savile's death two years before. Yvette said she had a 'grotesque' encounter with Savile in which he took her hand and started stroking it as he said: 'Look into my eyes and tell me what you're thinking'. She added: 'From what I heard, certain things were brushed under the carpet and that should never, ever have happened.' She made the comments in an interview with The Sun. The BBC apologised in 2016 for its role in allowing Savile and It's a Knockout presenter Stuart Hall to sexually abuse children on its premises following a brutal report into the culture at the corporation at the time. Slovakia's prime minister remains in a serious condition after being shot four times but the 'worse has passed', according to the nation's defence minister. The populist leader Robert Fico was shot multiple times last Wednesday in an assassination attempt that sent shocked the whole world. Slovakia's defence minister Robert Kalinak told reporters outside the hospital where Mr Fico is being treated that he remains in a serious condition. He said: 'The worst of what we feared has passed, at least for the moment. But his condition remains serious. 'His condition is stable with a positive prognosis.' The populist leader Robert Fico (pictured) was shot multiple times last Wednesday in an assassination attemp Slovakia's defence minister Robert Kalinak (pictured) told reporters outside the hospital where Mr Fico is being treated that he remains in a serious condition Mr Kalinak added that the hospital treating the Slovak leader in Banska Bystrica, a former coal mining town of 16,000 people located 17 miles from where Mr Fico was attacked, will continue to issue updates on his health status. On Sunday afternoon, Mr Kalinak revealed new details about the ongoing investigation, saying there may have been a 'third party' involved in 'acting for the benefit of the perpetrator', in what was previously described by the authorities as a 'lone wolf' attack. The official did not provide additional details. Mr Kalinak added: 'The situation is turning out to be even worse than we expected. 'Plus other indications that these facts of Wednesday's attack have been discussed in a wider circle. 'All of this is shocking information, and for many of us, it would be much easier if we could talk about just one person.' Milan Urbani, deputy director of the hospital, told reporters: 'Based on the doctors' morning consultation, we can conclude that the patient is currently out of a life-threatening condition. 'His condition remains very serious, and he needs a long time to rest to recover. We firmly believe that everything will go in a good direction.' Mr Fico, 59, was shot in the abdomen as he greeted supporters on Wednesday outside a cultural centre in the town of Handlova, nearly 85 miles north-east of the capital Bratislava. Grabs from TV footage by Slovakian TV of Juraj Cintula taken by Police to his apartment in Levice early Friday People gather and bring flowers outside the F. D. Roosevelt University Hospital, where Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was shot and injured, is being treated Mr Kalinak added that the hospital treating the Slovak leader in Banska Bystrica will continue to issue updates on his health status Video footage showed the Slovak premier approach people gathered at barricades and reach out to shake hands as a man stepped forward, extended his arm and fired five rounds before being tackled and arrested. On Friday, Mr Fico underwent two hours of surgery to remove dead tissue from his gunshot wounds, but he was not healthy enough to be transferred to the capital, officials said on Saturday. The country's Specialised Criminal Court in the town of Pezinok on Saturday ordered the suspected assailant, who is charged with attempted murder, to remain behind bars. Prosecutors said they feared he could flee or commit other crimes if freed, a court spokesperson said. The suspect can appeal against the order. Little information about the suspected would-be assassin has been disclosed after prosecutors told police not to publicly identify him or release details about the case. Unconfirmed media reports have named him and said he was a 71-year-old retiree known as an amateur poet who may have once worked as a shopping centre security guard. The PM was shot in Handlova, north-east of Bratislava, in the central European country Government authorities have given details that matched that description. They said the suspect did not belong to any political groups, though the attack itself was politically motivated. Slovakia's interior minister Matus Sutaj Estok said on Sunday that the attack on Mr Fico is an 'attack on democracy in any normal country'. 'At a time when democracy is being attacked, it must be the security forces that have to give a clear signal that they are prepared to protect the population of the Slovak Republic,' he said. Mr Fico said last month on Facebook that he believed rising tensions in the country could lead to the killing of politicians, and he blamed the media for fuelling tensions in the country of 5.4 million people. Slovakia's three-party coalition government has also partly accused the media of fuelling the vitriolic discourse that has beleaguered the EU country in recent years and led to deep social divisions. The gunman is allegedly 71-year-old Juraj Cintula who was arrested at the scene Graphic depicting the events following the shooting of Slovakian PM Robert Fico Andrej Danko, chairman of the government's smallest coalition partner, the Slovak National Party, said on Sunday he is expecting a government meeting early next week to discuss media laws and journalistic ethics, including how journalists report on domestic politics. In his address on Sunday, Mr Kalinak also stressed that lessons must be learned from the violent attack on Mr Fico, who has long been a divisive figure in Slovakia and beyond. 'This must be a memento. If we don't learn, we're heading for hell,' he said. 'We need to bring this situation back to what we can consider standard.' Mr Fico's government has made efforts to overhaul public broadcasting - a move critics said would give the government full control of public television and radio. That, along with his plans to amend the penal code to eliminate a special anti-graft prosecutor, has led opponents to worry that Mr Fico will lead Slovakia down a more autocratic path. Before Mr Fico returned to power last year, many of his political and business associates were the focus of police investigations, and dozens have been charged. His plan to overhaul the penal system would eliminate the office of the special prosecutor that deals with organised crime, corruption and extremism. At the St Francis Xavier Cathedral in Banska Bystrica on Sunday, churchgoer and lawyer Pavel Bachleda called the assassination attempt 'a great tragedy' but also expressed concerns about how Mr Fico and his Smer, or Direction, party has conducted itself in recent years. The cover of his 2010 novel Posolstvo Obete, which translates as The Message Of A Victim, depicts banknotes spattered with blood. The 141-page story features impenetrable prose about a killing during the Soviet era The poems and writings of alleged gunman Juraj Cintula (pictured) suggest a deeply disturbed psyche though not necessarily a madman 'I would say partly also his actions, his actions in the previous months and years, have brought about the situation in our country,' he told The Associated Press. 'You get the impression that they concentrate more on revenge, political revenge than on real things that our country needs.' The poems and writings of alleged gunman Juraj Cintula suggest a deeply disturbed psyche though not necessarily a madman. As the pensioner appeared in court charged with trying to assassinate the Slovakian prime minister, The Mail on Sunday was given exclusive access to his literary works. The rambling collection reveals Cintula's thoughts on topics ranging from the state of his country to pornographic fantasies. At first glance, much of it appears to be political gibberish. However, after the 71-year-old allegedly acted out his frustrations with last Wednesday's violent attack on PM Robert Fico, they may be viewed in a sinister new light. The cover of his 2010 novel Posolstvo Obete, which translates as The Message Of A Victim, depicts banknotes spattered with blood. The 141-page story features impenetrable prose about a killing during the Soviet era. Cintula lived half of his life under Communism in Czechoslovakia before the 1989 Velvet Revolution. Another tome, featuring a pornographic illustration of a naked dominatrix clutching a dead bird by the neck, will doubtless keep psychiatrists busy for hours. The highest ranking Republican woman in the House got in a heated exchange on Fox News Sunday after moderator Shannon Bream raised questions about Congresswoman Elise Stefanik's loyalty to former President Donald Trump. Stefanik's name has been floated as a potential vice presidential pick for Trump as he runs for a second term in the White House. The New York congresswoman currently serves as Republican Conference Chair. In the brutal interview, Bream quoted a New York Times article in which former friends told the newspaper Stefanik thought he was 'too awful and ridiculous to be taken seriously. It reported Stefanik once called Trump a 'whack job' and said her 'revisionism still shocks those who have known her the longest.' 'It's a disgrace you would quote the New York Times with nameless, faceless false sources,' Stefanik fired back at Bream in response to the question after Bream asked when and why she had changed her mind about Trump. Rep. Elise Stefanik appearing for an interview on Fox News Sunday during which moderator Shannon Bream quoted a blistering article from the New York Times about Stefanik's shifting support for Donald Trump WATCH: @RepStefanik joins the program fresh off a speech to the Knesset in Israel & responds to claims she has changed her stance on Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/uo41X6FPJ7 Fox News Sunday (@FoxNewsSunday) May 19, 2024 Stefanik in recent years as been one of the ex-president's closest allies. Bream pointed out that the article was quoting some of the congresswoman's friends and said she was simply giving Stefanik a chance to respond. 'No no no... Shannon, Shannon, they're not quoting my friends. Those names are not included because they are false smears,' a visibly riled up Stefanik shot back interrupting the moderator. The two continued to talk over each other with Bream pointing out there are people with names quoted in the article. She added that 'people can read it for themselves.' 'This is a false smear and let me tell you a fact Shannon,' Stefanik insisted. 'In 2016, I was attacked as the only elected Republican from the northeast who voted for President Trump. Democrats spent hundreds of thousands of dollars attacking me for that fact.' 'So to say that I didn't support him is just false,' the congresswoman added. Stefanik with Trump in January 2024. The New York Congresswoman has been floated as a potential vice presidential pick as Trump runs for president 'I have been proud to be one of his strongest supporters going back to when he ran for 2016 which was my first reelection to the House,' Stefanik claimed. She maintained Trump will be elected this fall, and she is one of his strongest allies in Congress. But Bream was not done with her tough line of questions, pointing out the New York Times article quoted Stefanik herself on a radio station calling Trump 'insulting' to women. 'Is that a misquote. Did you not say that?' Bream pressed. 'I said the statements that that Democrats leaked out in 2016 that that was insulting, Shannon,' Stefanik responded through gritted teeth. 'However, I stood by and supported him, and I strongly support him.' Moderator Shannon Bream pressing Rep. Elise Stefanik about her past stance on Donald Trump during a heated interview on Fox News Sunday Bream finished the interview by saying people can read the 2023 article with the names on the record and quotes and added 'clearly you are supportive of him now' as Stefanik grinned at the camera. 'As I was supportive of him then,' Stefanik cut in with a final word. She finished by saying she voted for him in 2016 and was 'attacked for doing so.' The fiery exchange happened while Stefanik was traveling to Israel where she spoke before Israel's Parliament this weekend, praising Trump and slamming President Biden. The speech was seen as one which could help curry favor with the ex-president as her name has been floated as a potential running-mate. Traditionally, American politicians leave U.S. politics at home when traveling overseas but that was not the case with Stefanik's speech. She said there is 'no excuse for an American president to block aid to Israel' during her speech. Elise Stefanik was interviewed from her visit to Israel where she spoke before the Israeli Parliament. During her speech, the congresswoman blasted President Joe Biden Earlier this month, Biden put the sale of 3,5000 bombs to Israel on hold, but his administration still plans to sell more than $1 billion in weapons to Israel. Bream asked Stefanik about the longstanding tradition of leaving politics at the water's edge and not criticizing a sitting president overseas. 'Is that out the door now?' Bream asked. Stefanik countered that she was asked to speak about her work combatting anti-semitisim and supporting Israel. She said the world needs to know that the House Republican majority 'stands strongly with Israel.' She slammed the president saying the 'weak failed leadership' of Biden is not reflective of where the American people are. Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery almost gave away the date of the D-Day landings in a speech that was meant to rally the troops. The details of the British war hero's near catastrophic mishap have been revealed in a never before published interview as the world prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of the historic invasion. Private Sam Levitas, who was a clerk with the US European Theatre of Operations based at Hestercombe House in Somerset, told all in a recorded interview at his home in Baltimore before his death in 2017. Pte Levitas said although it was a long time ago his recollection of the Allied commander's slip-up was clear. A month before the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944, Montgomery, more affectionately known as Monty, wrote a inspirational speech designed to fire up the troops ahead of Operation Overlord. Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery almost gave away the date of the D-Day landings in a speech that was meant to rally the troops (Pictured: Omaha Beach on D-Day) The details of the British war hero's near catastrophic mishap have been revealed in a never before published interview But Monty inadvertently included the date of the secret mission. The draft was sent to a small US base in the West country, and luckily the blunder was spotted by the eagle-eyed Pte Levitas. The date was then removed from all copies of the speech. Pte Levitas said: 'I couldn't believe it. It explicitly mentioned June 5, the original date, with the troops having left about six hours earlier on June 4, although bad weather delayed it in the end.' Pte Levitas had received two speeches that were to be broadcast to Allied troops ahead of the death-defying mission: one from US Commander General Dwight Eisenhower, and the other from Monty. 'As soon as I realised what I was reading I had to alert my superior and the next four weeks were pretty strange I can tell you. From that moment on it was lockdown for us guys. We were scared to death,' he said. Pte Levitas added: 'Quite why Monty did that I don't know. In the end it worked out OK but I hate to think what could have happened. One of the big chiefs nearly messed up the whole thing.' The famous D-Day landings, codenamed Operation Overlord, took place on June 6, 1944 US Troops wading through water after reaching Normandy and landing Omaha beach on D Day D-Day was the largest seaborne invasion in history. Monty inadvertently included the date of the secret mission in a rousing speech he had written Monty, who died aged 88 in 1976, fought in both the first and second World Wars, reaching the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in 1917 Military bosses were so spooked the date would get into the hands of the Nazis that the US base was ordered into lockdown until the mission had happened. Monty, who died aged 88 in 1976, fought in both the first and second World Wars, reaching the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in 1917. In 1942, the famous general took command of the British Eighth Army in North Africa, leading more than 200,000 at the Battle of El Alamein. Paul Beaver, a military historian, told The Telegraph: 'But there are always cock-ups in war and a lot of the focus by that stage was on the bigger picture of "how are we going to get 133,000 troops safely across the Channel and on to the beaches". 'What I like about this story is that I have never heard it before but it all sounds very plausible from everything we know about the preparations for D-Day.' Earlier this month it emerged that top secret D-Day documents detailing the Supreme Allied Commander's final message to Allied troops were found in the boot of an old Ford Escort. The haul, estimated to be worth 3,000, contains maps and top-secret planning documents relating to the allied Gold Beach invasion, part of the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944. Secret offshore photos taken from a mini submarine by British special forces, only to be seen by high-ranking officials, were also found in the boot of the old car. After being hidden for 80 years, the rare collection was donated to House on the Hill museum in Stansted Mountfitchet in Essex. It is now on display as part of their D-Day exhibition. One of the documents is addressed to 'Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!' It reads: 'You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. 'The eyes of the world are upon you.' It warns: 'The task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely. 'I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!' The letter is signed by General Dwight Eisenhower who was appointed the Supreme Allied Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in late 1943. Eisenhower was in charge of making all the final decisions relating to the invasion and was a 'skilled administrator known for his tact and diplomacy', according to the Imperial War Museum. In the days before D-Day, Eisenhower also secretly penned a message to be released of the invasion failed in which he accepted full blame. A severed deer head has been left dangling from a high street lamp post in a picture postcard New Forest village, with locals fearing 'Satanists' have returned. The sickening act is the latest in a long list of 'sacrificial killings' linked to suspected Devil worshippers in the area. Hampshire Police are investigating reports that hacked and mutilated deer were being 'strung up on public display' around Burley in Hampshire. The village, famous for a long history of witchcraft, is in the heart of the New Forest where it's feared chanting Devil worshippers in cowls are behind a spate of 'sacrificial' killings. Horrified residents have been reporting the grisly sight of the mutilated animals to police with officers carrying out high visibility patrols today. Hampshire Police are investigating reports that hacked and mutilated deer were being 'strung up on public display' around Burley in Hampshire. Pictured: A sheep that had its throat slit in May 2023 The sickening act is the latest in a long list of 'sacrificial killings' linked to suspected Devil worshippers in the area. Pictured: A sheep that was found slaughtered and sprayed with pentagrams in 2019 The deer slayings have come just two weeks after Commoners Defence Association chairman Andrew Parry-Norton (pictured), 55, and his wife Sarah found some of the sheep that had been attacked The police force said: 'Enquiries are ongoing, please contact Ringwood police if you have any information that may assist.' The deer slayings have come just two weeks after Commoners Defence Association chairman Andrew Parry-Norton, 55, and his wife Sarah found some of the sheep that had been attacked. The couple, who run Storms Farm in Cadnam, ten miles from Burley, described the attackers as 'sick and perverse'. Describing the moment they found their blood-covered sheep, Andrew said: 'I had a call at 7.10am from a neighbour who had found a lamb which had bled to death by her front gate. 'As I was about to go to that, I had a call from agister Jonathan Gerrelli who thought one of my sheep had been hit by a car close to the Green Dragon pub. 'I went there to find it had a four-inch gash to its side and it had most of its intestines hanging out, so it had to put down at the roadside.' Sarah and Andrew Parry-Norton who run Storms Farm in Cadnam, ten miles from Burley, described the attackers as 'sick and perverse' A sheep found dead on a lane in Cadnam, Hampshire, with a pitchfork and cross left beside it in 2020. It came after a dead fox was found on the doorstep of the 12th century church just a few weeks before A sheep found dead on a lane in Cadnam, Hampshire, with a pitchfork and cross left beside it Locals fear there may be devil worshipers in the district (pictured a still image of the 1968 Hammer Horror movie Devil Rides Out Commoners have ancient rights to graze their animals in the New Forest Reeling in shock, he found another lamb had its throat slit near Cadnam Green. As he headed home, he found another ewe and her lamb stabbed in their shoulders. Another ewe was found by a neighbour with an unsurvivable large gash to her side, with her intestines hanging out. The couple, who say sheep deaths have been happening in the area for the past four to five years, believe a barbed spear or knife had been used. Andrew said 'We have had several years in a row of this sort of thing. 'Our neighbour lost three sheep last year after a car drove off the road and hit them, before going back onto the road. 'Another neighbour lost eight sheep - one was stabbed 13 times. 'Whoever this person is needs to be caught. If they can do this to sheep, what else could they do if confronted? 'This is just pure sick behaviour. Someone must get some perverse enjoyment from it.' His wife Sarah said one sheep with awful injuries tried to stagger to safety following the attack. 'It was horrific to see the poor sheep trying to make its way back home - they knew they needed help. In 2019 the suspected 'Satanists' stabbed sheep and sprayed them with pentagrams Locals fear there are a group of people who are going out and torturing animals in the New Forest 'To see an animal you've looked after and nurtured mutilated like that is so upsetting. 'We have a common right to have sheep out, and we should be able to do it and know they are safe. 'You accept the occasional one gets run over - it's just unfortunate - but to lose so many in one day is just too horrific.' These incidents are the latest in a string of sinister attacks in the New Forest in recent years with commoners fearing Satanists are at work. In May 2023 another commoner, Patrick Langdown said he suspected occult-style animal killings after one of his lambs was found dumped and with its throat slit at Long Cross Pond, near Fritham. He had heard of another incident in Beaulieu where a dead lamb had a Bible placed on it. And in January 2023 animal entrails including hearts, surrounded by a circle of 30 candles, were laid out in a pattern on the top of a stone-mounted trig point at Stagbury Hill, near Bramshaw. In December 2022 the 12th century St Peter's Church, on Judds Hill, was targeted twice, which the Rev David Bacon described as 'upsetting'. Five animal hearts surrounded by candles have been found at a beauty spot at Stagbury Hill, the New Forest, as part of an apparent occult ritual near the neighbouring village of Bramshaw in January 2023 The animal hearts were put on a stole plinth and surrounded in candles in January 2023 In December 2022 the 12th century St Peter's Church, on Judds Hill, was targeted twice, which the Rev David Bacon described as 'upsetting' The vicar warned of 'sinister' goings-on after the bodies of dead animals were discovered deliberately left there. Burley, the witchcraft village Burley has been associated with tales of witchcraft for centuries and there's even a village shop called A Coven of Witches. Visitors walking through Burley will quickly notice the number of occult and witch shops and 'witchy' signs. It was home to Britain's most famous 'witch', Sybil Leek, who lived in Burley in the 1950s. Seeing her walking around the village in a long, black cloak with her pet jackdaw on her shoulder, locals were upset by her appearance; believing her to be an 'evil' witch. In 1951, the Witchcraft Act was finally repealed. Although very few witches dared to reveal their craft at this time, Sybil Leek did. This resulted in a media frenzy, which caused her to flee to America in order to escape it. Before she did however, she named one of the shops in the village as 'A Coven of Witches'. It's in this shop that you can find the following story displayed in the window. 'During the late 1950's, Sybil Leek was a self-confessed White Witch and High Priestess living in this village. 'She started one of the first covens in the Forest called the 'Horsa' coven, which is still in existence today. 'Sybil was often seen in the village with her pet Jackdaw (Mr Hotfoot Jackson) on her shoulder. 'White Witches choose to live close to nature being guided by the sun, moon and stars, mixing herbal potions, practicing healing and doing goodwill. 'Besides being famous as a White Witch, Sybil was a television reporter and authoress, who wrote many books on many fascinating subjects including astrology and her life living with the gypsies in the Forest. 'Unfortunately, her fame and lifestyle attracted a huge amount of interest and people began to besiege her home. 'So she decided to move to America where she received a huge welcome and lived out her life there until 1982. 'Before moving to the USA, Sybil named this shop A Coven of Witches'. There are not only witchcraft legends in Burley - it's said that a fire-breathing dragon's lair used to be at the top of Castle Hill Lane. The dragon used to terrorise local villagers before a courageous knight dressed in glass-coated armour slayed it. Some ancient oaks at Burley Lodge are known as 'The Twelve Apostles', the Wilverley Oak used in 1759 for hanging highwaymen and smugglers is called 'The Naked Man' and trees near the old Vicarage are called 'Miracle Trees' as they spookily break into leaf only at Christmas. Advertisement The first attack saw a dead cat hanged from a flagpole, the second saw a dead fox deliberately placed on the church doorstep. In 2019, the same New Forest village was terrorised by suspected Satanists who stabbed sheep and sprayed them with pentagrams and graffitied Rev Bacon's medieval church with the same occult markings. The vicar said he isn't sure who is behind this, saying it could be people 'just angry at the world' or it could be people concerned with witchcraft. Later that year police launched an investigation after sheep and cattle were found stabbed and sprayed with occult markings in the space of five days within a few miles of each other in the Bramshaw area, but the perpetrator was never found. Burley has come under particularly close scrutiny over witchcraft over the years. It has traded enthusiastically on its witchcraft connections ever since the 1950s when it was home to Sybil Leek, Britain's 'most famous white witch' often seen striding about in her long black cloak with a pet jackdaw perched on her shoulder. It has three shops selling witchcraft paraphernalia, spells and readings. Alternative religions including Satanism, Paganism and Shamanism have seen an explosion in follower numbers between the 2011 and 2021 censuses. Millions have ditched Christianity mostly for no religion but the number of Satanists in England and Wales has more than doubled, from 1,893 in 2011 and rising by 3,161 (167%) to 5,054 in 2021. The highest number of Satanists are in the South East, rising by 165 per cent to 795 in 2021, according to the latest census. Andy Diabolus, head of the UK chapter of The Global Order of Satan, said at the time he was 'proud' of the census rise in followers after efforts to encourage Satanists. Followers say the religion is 'built on the self and in carrying out Satan's work with humanity' by challenging 'authoritarianism and injustice' through 'acts of compassion and the practice of empathy'. The Global Order of Satan UK say they do not practice animal sacrifice and are in no way associated with the killing or abuse of animals. Despite common misconceptions, Satanists do not actually worship the devil, as they are atheists and do not believe in the supernatural. 'We revere ourselves as individuals capable of the greatest human expression of compassion and empathy,' The Global Order of Satan's FAQs explains. Satanism's follower numbers in England and Wales have also been overtaken by Shamanism, which had less than 1,000 followers in 2011 but had a more than 12-fold growth in a decade. The healing-focused spiritual practice had just 650 followers in 2011 but this shot up to 7,889 in 2021, according to the census. The New Forest is home to thousands of deer and although some species are protected, it is not illegal to kill them. You also cannot hunt wild deer during their closed season or at night, unless you have a licence to, or the deer are damaging your land. PC Matthew Thelwell said, 'The deliberate killing or maiming of any animals in the New Forest is an abhorrent crime and one we will not tolerate. 'We are investigating reports of a deer head found in Burley and of sheep which were killed in Cadnam. 'The deer's head was found by a member of the public near Burley High Street on a milestone on Wednesday, May 8. 'And the following day, it was reported five sheep had been stabbed in Cadnam. 'We know just how distressing it is for someone to make a discovery like this, as it is for the owners of any animals which are killed and for the local community as a whole. 'Our team have been conducting extensive enquiries, including house to house visits in the areas, seeking out CCTV and ensuring all lines of enquiry are investigated thoroughly. 'We have also been in contact with the owner of the sheep, and have been also been liaising with Burley Parish Council. 'Whilst these two incidents are not currently being linked to any previous animal deaths, we are keeping an open mind 'If any further evidence suggests that they are linked, this will be fully investigated. 'You will continue to see targeted patrols in these areas while our investigation continues. 'We would also like to hear from anyone who may have information which would assist our enquiries, no matter how insignificant you may think it could be, it could be vitally important. 'If you saw anything suspicious on the days in question, or know anything which may help, then please call 101, quoting the reference 44240192082. 'You can also share this with us by going to our website.' A Kentucky mother-of-two who lost all four of her limbs is in good spirits and has recently showed off her new prosthetic arms and legs. Cindy Mullins, a nurse, had her arms and legs amputated in January after a kidney stone infection turned them septic. Months after the surgery that changed her life forever, Mullins, 41, called last Friday 'a big day' in her life because of her new prototype arm. In a photo posted to her GoFundMe page, which has now raised over $333,000, she is seen smiling as she wears a black prosthetic on her right arm for the first time. A second photo shows her grabbing a pamphlet at an orthopedics office. On the same day, she was also outfitted with new legs. In one photo, doctors are helping her walk with the prosthetics. 'I never thought I would be so happy to have pink sparkly legs,' she wrote. Cindy Mullins, who had all four limbs amputated because of a kidney stone infection, is seen with her prosthetic arm five months after her initial surgery 'I never thought I would be so happy to have pink sparkly legs,' Mullins wrote on her GoFundMe Mullins, 41, undergoing physical therapy with her new prosthetic legs Mullins has been preparing training herself to use prosthetics since early March. 'As if she wasnt strong enough, shes about to get stronger. We just checked in to Cardinal Hill for a couple weeks of intense therapy to prepare her for the prosthetic journey she is about to begin,' her husband DJ wrote in a March 8 post. Mullins originally went into treatment for kidney stones, which are hard balls of salt and minerals that form inside the body. The doctor left a temporary stent in her body following the surgery to prevent blockage. When she removed the stent at home as she was instructed, the mother of two began to feel ill and passed out. She was hurried to a local hospital, where doctors discovered that an unremoved kidney stone had become infected. 'I just want people to know this is not a sad story,' Mullins told DailyMail.com. This has a happy ending. I'm alive. I get to be with my children and my husband' Mullins, pictured alongside her son at a school event as she was recovering from a quadruple amputation Mullins lost both her legs and arms when an infected kidney stone led to sepsis and doctors were forced to amputate her limbs to save her life Mullins was told that she had gone into septic shock, with her organs beginning to shut down. She was stabilized and placed on a ventilator before she was taken to a larger hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. Over the next several days, her organ function improved, but soon, blisters broke out across her limbs. When she regained consciousness, doctors told her that she would survive the infection - at the expense of her hands and legs. She underwent a series of amputations concluding with the removal of her lower arms in February. 'I just want people to know this is not a sad story,' Mullins told DailyMail.com in early February. 'This has a happy ending. I'm alive. I get to be with my children and my husband.' Following hours of grueling physical therapy sessions, Mullins regained her ability to eat by herself using a specially adapted fork strapped to her arm. She also learned to sit upright by herself and scroll on her phone using her nose. The 41-year-old has learned to sit upright and eat using a special fork following hours of grueling physical therapy A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $333,000 to cover fees associated with prosthetics and home adjustments. The page has also doubled as an online diary documenting Mullins' recovery Mullins began training herself to use prosthetic arms and legs in early March Still, her husband DJ and her two sons have had to adapt in the months following Mullins' quadruple amputation. Each morning, DJ must dress and wrap his wife's wounds to keep them clean and watertight. The 41-year-old mom has said that she is determined to go back to work when's she at as a certified medical assistant when she's ready. The GoFundMe campaign was organized by a close friend, Heather Beshears, and has turned into a journal documenting Mullins' recovery. 'Cindy and her family will have to make a few adjustments to their home to accommodate Cindy's needs as well as her prosthetics and adaptive equipment,' Beshears wrote on the page. 'The costs of all of this can be overwhelming. We started this fundraiser because we want to support our hero Cindy, as well as her husband DJ who has been by her side every step of the way.' A guest on Antiques Roadshow was speechless as she was told her family-owned painting was worth around $25,000. She was handed a landscape painting of mountains and a stream which used to belong to her great-grandfather and she went on to the show to have it valued. Her relative was former Utah governor Charles Rendell Mabey who was a part of the Republican party and he served between 1921 and 1925. The item was painted by artist John Ferry and the host of the PBS show Debra Force provided some information about him. Force told the guest the painting could sell for as much as $25,000 in a gallery and she froze awkwardly for a few seconds as she processed the information. A guest on Antiques Roadshow became speechless as she was told her family-owned painting was worth around $25,000 She was handed a landscape painting of mountains and a stream which used to belong to her great-grandfather and she went on to the show to have it valued The artist John Ferrie was born of Hungarian parents in Austria and started his early life there, studying in Vienna and Munich, Force told the guest. And he comes to the United States in 1883. He is best known for painting views of the west, he absolutely embraced the whole landscape so he would go to Yellowstone and Glacier National Park and ultimately Utah. He was also known for being the artist for the Great Northern Railway and he painted hundreds of paintings for them. They were used as advertisements to get people to ride the rails to go west and go visit the west. The host pointed to the inscription on the back of the painting which showed it is from July 1920 when the artist was living in Utah. Her relative was former Utah governor Charles Rendell Mabey who was a part of the Republican party and he served between 1921 and 1925 Force told the guest the painting could sell for as much as $25,000 in a gallery and she froze awkwardly for a few seconds as she processed the information It was titled The Three Patriarchs Zion Canyon Utah and the three patriarchs were the three cliffs. Force asked the guest if she knew how much the piece could be worth and she replied: I have not and neither has anyone in my family, to my knowledge. The host said: If this were being sold in a gallery, the painting would sell in the range of $25,000. But the guest was left speechless and she did not say anything for a few seconds until she said okay and grinned. His work is highly coveted and desired. He is best known for his views of Montana but it really is a very special piece, Force said. The guest remained silent again before saying: Thats cool. Im going to have to go online and look for some of his other work to see what they look like. Foreign students could be barred from taking 'low quality' postgraduate courses in Britain under new plans to cut immigration. Rishi Sunak is considering the move amid concern that the so-called 'graduate route' is being exploited as a back door route to a new life in the UK. The Prime Minister is set to order a clampdown on the use of recruitment agents by universities seeking to attract more foreign students. But he is also looking at proposals to limit graduate visas to only the most prestigious courses. The moves come ahead of official figures this week which are expected to show that although net immigration is falling from record highs, it still remains far above the level at the 2019 election, which the Conservatives pledged to reduce. Rishi Sunak (pictured, in April) is considering barring foreign students from taking 'low quality' postgraduate courses in Britain under new plans to cut immigration The Prime Minister is set to order a clampdown on the use of recruitment agents by universities seeking to attract more foreign students. But he is also looking at proposals to limit graduate visas to only the most prestigious courses (Stock Photo) Mr Sunak is said to be concerned that some universities are offering 'low quality' postgraduate courses to foreign students who are willing to pay in return for a visa that allows them to work for at least two years in the UK after completing their studies. Government sources pointed to figures from HM Revenue and Customs showing that 41 per cent of those using the graduate visa to work were earning less than 15,000. But any move to tighten the rules further will face resistance from senior Cabinet ministers - and a backlash from universities, which rely heavily on income from foreign students, who can be charged higher fees. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said on Friday that existing changes to the immigration rules were already cutting immigration and suggested there was no need to go further in limiting student numbers. He said the Government would 'continue to support sustainable increases in international students coming to the UK'. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has also indicated she would oppose moves to ban foreign students taking lower quality postgraduate degrees, saying: 'This can't all be about PPEs from Oxford.' Their case was bolstered last week by a report from the Migration Advisory Committee, which found there was no evidence of 'widespread abuse' of the scheme. Despite this, Whitehall sources confirmed the PM is examining options to 'tighten' the graduate route so that it is open to only the 'brightest and the best'. Reforms introduced earlier this year, including banning masters students from bringing family members with them, have already led to a sharp fall in applications. But a No 10 spokesman said the PM 'still thinks there's further to go,' adding: 'We are committed to attracting the best and brightest to study at our world-class universities whilst preventing the abuse of our immigration system.' This week's figures from the Office of National Statistics are expected to show that arrivals have slowed slightly. The latest figures showed net immigration in the 12 months to June last year stood at 672,000 - far above the 212,000 recorded at the time of the last election. Mr Sunak unveiled major reforms last year, including banning foreign social care workers from bringing family members with them. These were not introduced in time to impact the latest figures, which will show net immigration in the 12 months to the end of December. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan (pictured, on Thursday) has also indicated she would oppose moves to ban foreign students taking lower quality postgraduate degrees, saying: 'This can't all be about PPEs from Oxford' Brian Bell, chairman of the Migration Advisory Committee, said last week there was a 'fighting chance' the reforms already announced would slash net migration to pre-2019 levels, potentially cutting the total to as little as 150,000. Meanwhile, Mr Sunak will travel to Vienna for talks tomorrow (TUES) with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer on tackling illegal migration. Austria is one of 19 EU countries now considering copying Britain's flagship Rwanda plan to deal with crisis on the continent. The PM said Labour's determination to scrap the Rwanda scheme would 'play into the hands of the smuggling gangs and risk our national security. He added: 'Countries across Europe now see a meaningful deterrent is the only way to break the model of the smuggling gangs and stop the boats.' China has been criticized for maintaining normal economic and trade relations with Russia after the international community split over the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Normal economic and trade relations based on peoples survival and development needs are what drive the overall relations between two countries. True, economic and trade relations overlap political relations. But it is unethical, immoral and diplomatically reprehensible to disrupt or damage the economic and trade ties between two countries for narrow political gains. The United States and its allies used the Russia-Ukraine conflict as a pretext to announce severe economic sanctions against Russia. But despite creating difficulties for the Russian people and government, the sanctions have not caused the collapse of Russia, as the US-led West had hoped. That is because Russia has abundant energy and food grains, and sufficient forest and other agricultural products, as well as enough livestock and aquatic products. Also, it has implemented beneficial policies for the people in the most important areas of life including as education and medical care. No wonder Russias GDP grew by 3.6 percent in 2023 even in the face of domestic economic constraints and external economic and political pressure. China and Russia have maintained normal economic and trade cooperation, mainly to improve the livelihoods of the nearly 1.6 billion people on both sides. When it comes to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, China, right from the beginning, has adopted an impartial stance, while trying to broker peace between Moscow and Kyiv. Yet the US has been taking measures to curb China-Russia economic exchanges, claiming that Chinas economic and trade exchanges are helping Russia in the conflict. On May 1, the US announced a new round of sanctions against individuals and other entities doing business with or operating in Russia, including more than a dozen Chinese entities. It was another act of frustration and politicization of economic and trade activities. As major countries and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and Russia have forged a new type of major-country relationship that differs from the obsolete Cold War approach it is different from the brotherhood between China and the Soviet Union in the past and the US-led alliances of the present. On the basis of non-alliance, non-confrontation and non-targeting of any third party, Beijing and Moscow seek to establish lasting friendship and deepen their comprehensive strategic coordination. It is common interests, similar goals and closer understanding of the global situation, not ideology or socialist system, that have brought China and Russia closer. Both China and Russia are pursuing development in order to realize national rejuvenation. Both countries are in transition and implementing reforms so they can boost relations with the international community, make their production systems more efficient, sharpen their competitive edge in the field of science and technology, and improve governance, so as to ensure the people lead a better life. The two countries respect each others choice of development path and prevent ideology from influencing or souring bilateral ties, while managing their differences and disagreements through consultation on an equal footing. The new type of China-Russia relations have been inscribed in the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation which established the idea of ever-lasting friendship and never becoming enemies. The spirit of equality, mutual trust, inclusiveness, mutual learning, cooperation and mutual benefit that marks the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership should be equally applicable to all countries. Fairness, rationality and equality form the basis of Sino-Russian economic and trade relations, and there no place for discrimination in this relationship. Chinas stance on relations with other countries was emphatically reiterated by the Chinese leader during his recent visit to France. While during the China-France meeting, the two sides agreed to uphold multilateralism, promote free trade and economic globalization, and deepen cooperation in emerging areas such as the green energy, green consumption, and scientific and technological innovations, at the trilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on May 6, the Chinese leader said China regards the European Union as an important partner and hopes that the EU institutions develop the right perception of China and adopt a positive China policy. In other words, countries should respect each others core interests and major concerns, and realize that there are no winners in zero-sum games. They should also understand that decoupling and de-risking will only bring harm to the stakeholders, and for the survival and development of humankind, all countries to maintain a just and reasonable economic and trade order. The author is a professor at the China Center for Contemporary World Studies. The views dont necessarily represent those of China Daily. CJ Logistics, Korea's biggest logistics company, said Sunday it will build a cold chain logistics center in the United States as part of efforts to expand its foothold in the North American market. The new center, tailored for the delivery of cold storage products and frozen goods, will be set up in New Century, Kansas, where a major railway is nearby, according to the company. The 27,034-square-meter center will start operations in the third quarter of next year and be able to deliver goods from the central state to about 85 percent of the U.S. within two days. The Korean company said it first plans to handle products of global food company Upfield and later provide its cold chain logistics service to other clients. CJ Logistics also plans to open a 25,000-square-meter cold chain logistics center in Georgia later this year. (Yonhap) A barrister known as the 'White Witch of Rye' is facing jail for harassing a wizard after battering her way into his home. Barbara Maura Lane, 42, is said to have become obsessed with self-proclaimed wizard Alfred Douglas after signing up for a magic course. Mr Douglas, 82, is a world-renowned expert on tarot cards and the occult, and even advised the late actor Peter Sellers. Lane admitted harassment and criminal damage after breaking into Mr Douglas' home and smashing a glass door and a greenhouse. She also deluged the author with calls and texts, leading to a stalking charge. The legal editorial associate, who works for media company Thomson Reuters, first visited the wizard's home in Rye, East Sussex, on the pretext of seeing his library on the occult. Barbara Maura Lane (pictured), a barrister known as the 'White Witch of Rye', is facing jail for harassing a wizard after battering her way into his home Lane (pictured, arriving at Brighton Crown Court), 42, is said to have become obsessed with self-proclaimed wizard Alfred Douglas after signing up for a magic course In 2020, she persuaded him to let her stay, claiming she had nowhere to live after her father died and mother suffered a stroke. But soon, friends and family raised concerns that the elderly widower appeared to be falling under her spell. Mr Douglas' nephew Paul Wilson-Patterson recalled: 'They became inseparable. She had his bank card and control of his bank account. 'She controlled what he ate, what he drank, the clothes he wore, who he saw and when he saw them.' Lane, nicknamed locally as the White Witch of Rye, is said to have lied to locals about being his carer, falsely suggesting the academic was senile. She also allegedly isolated him from friends. Mr Douglas was later to tell police that he felt 'intimidated' by her 'coercive behaviour' as Lane often told him he was old, sick and dying, even kicking his calves to get him to move quicker. Relatives' fears grew when Lane began to fly into drunken rages, smashing crockery at his home after downing mugfuls of gin. Mr Wilson-Patterson was horrified to discover his uncle had changed his will, making Lane the sole beneficiary of his home and shop worth around 1.5million. He said: 'Maura was prone to these ferocious rages and would go around smashing glassware, ceramics and things in the house. Alfred was terrified but he didn't know what to do.' He said his uncle eventually had 'big bolts' put on his bedroom door to protect himself. Mr Douglas later told officers he had to wedge a chair and piles of books against the door after Lane broke the lock by battering her way into his bedroom one night. He described how she stood at the foot of his bed smirking before throwing books at him. Despite this attack in March last year, he decided not to call police. But relatives feared for his life. Mr Wilson-Patterson's wife Anna said: 'We thought we'd visit and find him dead at the bottom of the stairs... she was like a succubus [demon].' Things came to a head on Coronation Day last May when Lane, an Irish republican, flew into a rage on seeing a portrait of the King and Union Jack bunting in Mr Douglas' shop. She is said to have punched the elderly shop manager before turning on Mr Douglas, smashing up his greenhouse and pushing him out of his home. When his family arrived to help, Lane is alleged to have hit Mr Wilson-Patterson and thrown hot tea over his wife. She then smashed a glass panel on Mr Douglas' front door. Lane admitted harassment and criminal damage after breaking into Mr Douglas' home and smashing a glass door and a greenhouse Unrepentant, Lane told police she was his carer and was owed 6,000. But she has now been charged with seven offences including stalking, criminal damage and assault of Mr Douglas and his family. On the first day of her trial on Monday at Brighton Magistrates' Court, Lane pleaded guilty to harassment without violence and criminal damage. Judge David Rennie warned Lane she could be jailed. He ordered that the remaining charges lay on file. Lane was released on bail ahead of sentencing on July 5. The brave police officer who was stabbed in the back of the head before chasing down his attacker in Sydney's CBD has been identified. Constable Elvis Poa, 35, and another officer from Kings Cross Police Area Command, were on traffic duties at the intersection of Castlereagh and Park Streets, near Hyde Park, when he was allegedly stabbed shortly after 1pm on Sunday. Okan Ozcan, 34, is alleged to have approached constable Poa from behind and stabbed him up to three times in the head with a 30cm kitchen knife. Constable Poa suffered several fractures to his skull and was taken to St Vincent's Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, where he remains in a stable condition. Footage filmed by shocked witnesses showed several officers, including injured Constable Poa, chasing Ozcan in the park before confronting him. Constable Elvis Poa, 35, (pictured) was on traffic duties near Hyde Park in Sydney when he was allegedly stabbed in the back of the head Okan Ozcan, 34, (pictured) was arrested shortly after the allegedly stabbing Despite being injured, Constable Poa chased his alleged attacker into Hyde Park. He suffered several fractures to his skull and was taken to St Vincent's Hospital (pictured, Constable Poa being treated at the scene) Constable Poa, along with his female colleague, chased Ozcan down Park Street and into Hyde Park. The pair yelled several times for Ozcan to drop the weapon before one used a taser to subdue him. Ozcan was alleged to be brandishing the kitchen knife and demanded police shoot him. NSW Police Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman told reporters on Sunday Ozcan was allegedly still armed when he was arrested. 'The first time police saw [the knife] it was [allegedly] in his hand and it remained in his hand until he was arrested,' Superintendent Fileman said. 'He [allegedly] still had the knife in his grip, and was demanding that police shoot him, 'Police had firearms and tasers out we had a number of options and taser was one of them.' Superintendent Fileman confirmed the man was known to police but did not have a history of mental illness on the police database. Ozcan was arrested on the corner of Bathurst and Elizabeth streets and taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He was then taken to Day Street Police Station after being released from hospital and charged with cause wounding and grievous bodily harm to person with intent to murder. Detectives established a crime scene, which has since been forensically examined, ands have also launched an investigation into the alleged stabbing. Ozcan was refused bail and is set to face Downing Centre Local Court on Monday. Ozcan allegedly demanded police to shoot him and was allegedly still holding the knife (pictured centre) when he was arrested Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman dismissed criticism on Sunday after he took to social media to weigh in on a spat in the House Oversight Committee where Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene attacked a Democratic colleague's appearance. Some in the senator's own party are not happy with his take on the fiery exchange which took place when the Georgia lawmaker went after Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett's 'fake eyelashes' during a hearing late Thursday. Fetterman posted a headline of the House exchange that read 'House committee meeting devolves into chaos as Greene and Ocasio-Cortez trade barbs.' The Democratic senator wrote with the headline on X ' In the past, Ive described the U.S. House as The Jerry Springer Show. Today, Im apologizing to The Jerry Springer Show.' But Ocasio-Cortez, who sits on the House Oversight Committee, was not having it and responded to Fetterman with a repost also on X. Progressive Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez accuses Fetterman of bullying for his post on X about the tiff in the House Oversight Committee where Rep. Greene attacked a colleague's appearance 'I understand you likely would not have stood up for your colleague and seem to be confused about racism and misogyny being a both sides issue,' the New York Congresswoman wrote. 'But I stand up to bullies, instead of becoming one. And to the women of Pennsylvania: Id stand up for you too,' she added. During an appearance on CNN's State of the Union on Sunday, Fetterman was asked about the post and Ocasio-Cortez's response accusing him of bullying. 'Of course that's absurd,' Fetterman said. 'I was just simply responding to the kind of chaos and everything that Representative Greene started as well,' he went on. Senator John Fetterman was asked about Ocasio Cortez accusing him of bullying on CNN. His response to the accusation was 'that's absurd' Fetterman's post on X about the fight in the House Oversight Committee following Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene ridiculing her black colleague's appearance Rep Ocasio-Cortez responded to Fetterman's take by suggesting he is a bully Fetterman said if everyone on the committee was proud of what they produced, 'they are entitled to their opinion.' He also suggested if it was the kind of video they want to send to eighth grade civics students across America 'that's their choice.' Fetterman said if he's going to push back on anything would be against Hamas. He also mentioned pushing back on Vladimir Putin and voting against aid for Israel and Ukraine. The exchange that Fetterman posted about on X and has gone viral online started when Greene told Crockett, who is black, 'I think your fake eyelashes are messing up what you're reading.' Soon after, Ocasio-Cortez also jumped in demanding that Greene's words be taken down. She said it was unacceptable and slammed Greene 'How dare you attack the physical appearance of another person!' Greene proceeded to taunt the New York congresswoman asking if her feelings were hurt. 'Oh girl, baby girl,' Ocasio-Cortez shot back. 'Don't even play.' The committee did not remove Greene's remarks. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., ridiculed her black Democrat colleague's appearance at a late night hearing Thursday Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, hit back at Greene asking the committee chairman if personal attacks like 'if someone on this committee then starts talking about somebody's bleach blonde, bad-built, butch body' if that would be against the rules Rep. Ocasio-Cortez jumped to Rep. Crockett's defense on Thursday after Greene's attack on her apperance calling it 'absolutely unacceptable.' She could be heard responding to Greene's taunting with 'oh girl baby girl. She then told Greene 'don't even play' In another eye-popping moment soon after Crockett asked the committee chairman 'if someone on this committee then starts talking about somebody's bleach blonde, bad-built, butch body' if that would be against the rules. She did not mention Greene by name, but it is widely believes Greene was the target of her jab. Since the hearing, Crockett has called Greene's attacks on her appearance 'racist' and said she would not be disrespected. Crockett said on Sunday that she does not regret her response and she 'absolutely' believes the attack was racist. Ocasio-Cortez was not the only Democratic lawmaker in the House to take issue at Fetterman's social media post. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, D-TX, also took issue with his post on X. 'Women of color in congress are frequently targeted by misogynistic, xenophobic, ignorant people. Ive lived it,' she wrote. 'One of the shameless extremists we work with insulted, and used parliamentary procedure to demand a standard of decorum. There is no both sides,"' Two people were shot at a high school graduation in Missouri on Sunday, according to local reports. The alleged shooting occurred during the Cape Central High School Graduation around 2.40pm on Sunday. A man was shot in the leg in the concession area on the second floor of the Show Me Center on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University, according to Southeast Missourian. The victim was reportedly conscious and alert after the incident. One person was reportedly taken into custody in relation to the shooting. Police are currently at the Show Me Center responding to a report of a shooting Video of inside the graduation seemed to show students fleeing and screaming. A man was shot in the leg in the concession area on the second floor of the Show Me Center on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University, according to Southeast Missourian. The Show Me Center where the graduation is being held has reportedly been evacuated. WSILTV reported that the Cape Girardeau Police Department confirmed an incident took place. The Show Me Center where the graduation is being held has reportedly been evacuated. Police are investigating. Witnesses told KFVS that the shooting happened inside the building. Video of inside the graduation seemed to show students fleeing and screaming. A new coin marking 80 years since the D-Day landings has been unveiled by the Royal Mint. The design of the 'tails' or reverse side of the 50p coin was revealed ahead of the anniversary on June 6. It was designed by David Lawrence with support from Imperial War Museums and depicts Allied soldiers disembarking a landing craft on to the beaches of Normandy with offensive aircraft in the sky above. On June 6 1944, in Operation Overlord, Allied forces parachuted into drop zones across northern France. Troops landed across five assault beaches - Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. The design of the 'tails' or reverse side of the 50p coin was revealed ahead of the anniversary on June 6 To mark the release, French sand artist Jehan-Benjamin Tarain, with support from Sam Dougados, a fellow sand artist, recreated the D-Day 80 coin design on Gold beach, where nearly 25,000 British troops landed in 1944 The coin design has the inscription: 'D-Day 6 June 1944 Utah Omaha Gold Juno Sword' The coin design has the inscription: 'D-Day 6 June 1944 Utah Omaha Gold Juno Sword'. The obverse or 'heads' side of the coin features the official coinage portrait of the King. To mark the release, French sand artist Jehan-Benjamin Tarain, with support from Sam Dougados, a fellow sand artist, recreated the D-Day 80 coin design on Gold beach, where troops landed in 1944. Scaled at 35 metres in diameter, the sand art took five hours and 30 minutes to create. Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: 'Coins have long served as reminders of pivotal moments in history. 'We are proud to unveil this tribute to the courage and resilience of British and Allied troops eight decades ago, which will serve as a permanent reminder of their sacrifices and bravery.' The coins are available to buy from the Royal Mint's website, with prices starting from 12 The obverse or 'heads' side of the coin features the official coinage portrait of the King Scaled at 35 metres in diameter, the sand art took five hours and 30 minutes to create One of the artists works on the sand image of the coin to publicise its release Pictured: Troops from the 48th Royal Marines at Saint-Aubin-sur-mer on Juno Beach, Normandy, June 6, 1944 Pictured: Canadian soldiers land on Courseulles beach in Normandy, on June 6, 1944 Pictured, The British Normandy Memorial with Gold Beach in the background Pictured: Graves at the Bayeux War Cemetery, the largest Second World War cemetery of Commonwealth soldiers in France David Fenton, assistant director of commercial at Imperial War Museums, said: 'We are delighted to be able to support the Royal Mint's D-Day 50p coin to mark the anniversary. 'D-Day was the largest combined naval, air and land operation in the history of warfare. 'This coin is a poignant reminder of those who fought so bravely and sacrificed so much during this intrepid mission.' Mr Tarain, who is also known as Jben, said: 'This project has been extremely special.' He added: 'My team and I feel very fortunate to have played a role in helping to translate the craftmanship seen in the design of this coin into a piece of sand art on one of the beaches where troops landed. 'This collaboration plays an important reminder of the united allied effort between French and British forces 80 years ago.' The coins are available to buy from the Royal Mint's website, with prices starting from 12. Comedian Stephen Merchant has said he feels 'the Left' is 'policing' comedy with 'sensitivities that seem out of proportion to the joke'. Merchant, 49, who co-wrote The Office, said comedians had become more cautious because they didn't want to spend weeks on social media trying to justify a gag. In an interview, he said: 'There's always been policing of comedy, of there being... guardrails. 'The difference is that it used to feel like it was the Right that was policing it. 'It feels like it's the Left that's doing it now, and it's allowed the Right to become the arbiters of free speech. Which does feel like quite a significant shift. Stephen Merchant (pictured), 49, who co-wrote The Office, said comedians had become more cautious Other comedians have spoken of their fears about the effect of cancel culture including Ricky Gervais (pictured), John Cleese and Jerry Seinfeld He added there were 'sensitivities that seem out of all proportion with the joke'. Merchant told The Observer magazine: 'I've noticed it in stand-up, how you're more cautious because you don't want to spend weeks on Twitter trying to justify a joke you were just experimenting with. Because putting out the fires is exhausting.' Merchant, who stars in the third series of BBC drama The Outlaws from May 30, said that he accepts how attitudes shift over time. 'But you do feel like there's a sensitivity to the words before they've even heard the joke or the context,' he added. 'And that is inevitably a straitjacket of sorts.' Other comedians have spoken of their fears about the effect of cancel culture including Ricky Gervais, John Cleese and Jerry Seinfeld. To other holidaymakers on the beach, they were simply three young people enjoying the Tenerife sun. Karen Merry, then 19, was there with her brother Jason and their cousin Stevie both charismatic, handsome young men in their early 20s, who were as close as brothers. The trio would spend their days soaking up the rays, then while away the warm evenings in the local bars. 'Jason and Stevie were both just so charming and fun, they bounced off each other they were the life and soul of the party,' recalls Karen, now 53. Yet the suntans and familial banter masked a terrible reality, and, for Karen, a burdening guilt which would creep up on her and literally 'punch her in the gut'. Picture shows Jason Ward (right) aged 26 and Steven Marachel, 26, on holidays in 1990 Jason and Steven both went on a last holiday to Tenerife in 1990 (pcitured) with Karen, knowing they were tragically going to die Karen's (pictured this month) harrowing testimony, on how their happy, tight-knit family was decimated by the blood products, which were developed in the 70s and 80s to help haemophiliacs, formed part of the evidence given to the Infected Blood Inquiry For this trip was the last one the three would have together. Karen knew and had known for many years that she would outlive both of these men she loved so dearly. She knew that she'd get to grow up, fall in love, maybe have children and even grandchildren; that she'd enjoy many more holidays and watch the sun set over other oceans privileges denied to Jason and Stevie. For the two young men had been born with the hereditary blood clotting disorder, haemophilia, and had both fallen victim to the infected blood scandal which is now being called 'the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS'. Along with around 30,000 others in the UK, they were given contaminated clotting products as children and were infected with HIV and the hepatitis C virus. Knowing their days were tragically numbered, and with Jason developing Aids, they'd hurriedly booked the trip to Tenerife in January 1990. 'It was something we wanted to do, just the three of us,' says Karen. 'We all knew why we were there, but everyone put on a brave face and tried to make the most of it. 'We made a lot of memories, had a lot of funny moments and spent a lot of time just being together. It's something I will always cherish. 'But it was really hard... I would lose myself in the moment, I'd be smiling and happy and then I'd suddenly feel guilty. 'I didn't have the same problems as them, I was healthy and could do what I wanted. 'In a way, I felt like this was my punishment... that I would be the one to watch them each go through this horrific death and be left behind.' Jason, pictured months before he died, with nurses at St George's Hospital in Tooting, aged 22 Karen, pictured with her brother Jason in 1971, knew his days were tragically numbered after being given the contaminated blood as a child Karen was right. Within months of their poignant trip, Jason was dead at 22, with Stevie dying three years later at 27. Her harrowing testimony, on how their happy, tight-knit family was decimated by the blood products, which were developed in the 70s and 80s to help haemophiliacs, formed part of the evidence given to the Infected Blood Inquiry. The hearing was told how the UK had imported the product from America, where it was made from blood serum collected from high-risk donors, such as prison inmates and drug users, who were paid for their donations. It meant if just one donor was carrying a virus, a whole batch would be contaminated. Jason and Stevie had inherited haemophilia from their maternal grandfather. The condition renders sufferers' blood incapable of clotting properly, meaning the smallest cut can lead to profuse bleeding. Karen, pictured with Jason, hopes Monday's long-awaited final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry will give her and her mother some closure Growing up, the two cousins bonded over their frequent visits to hospital. They'd welcomed the arrival of the new clotting product, Factor VIII, in the 80s which allowed them to inject themselves at home. At 17, Stevie even appeared in a promotional video in 1983 demonstrating how the product had changed his life. Not long afterwards, Jason who was two years younger was summoned with his mother Christine to a doctor's appointment where they were told, brutally and without any warning, that he had HIV (the virus that causes Aids). 'HIV was a relatively new thing back then,' Karen said. 'The prognosis was that Jason would 'probably die' and it was left to our mother to deal with it. 'There were no answers about how, where or when Jason had become infected. 'There was fear, stigma and misinformation ... it was thought back then that you could catch HIV from drinking from the same cup.' Karen, who was 13 at the time, has no recollection of being told of Jason's condition or that Stevie, who found out he was infected shortly after, had suffered the same fate. 'I think in a way I've just blocked that all out. It was like time kind of stopped... these were two boys who I loved so much.' While Jason tried to protect his younger sister, Karen vividly remembers the moment she realised the jarring reality of her brother's illness. One afternoon soon after being told of his diagnosis, Jason was preparing his Factor VIII in the family home in Croydon when Karen, like she had so many times before, offered to help. 'I remember he suddenly started shouting at me to get back. He never ever reacted in that way ... but I could see the fear in him and he wanted me to stay away from the needle.' So great was the stigma attached to HIV at the time, the family had tried to keep news of Jason's diagnosis within the family, but it was not long before children at his school found out. Back then, the message everyone was getting was that HIV and Aids were associated with promiscuous gay sex and drug addicts. 'The kids started calling Jason gay and they would say not to touch him. They treated him like a leper. It was hard to see someone you love being treated like that.' The strain affected the rest of the family, too: Christine was overcome with guilt while Karen's father, George, turned to drink. It wasn't long before their marriage imploded. For several years Jason remained in reasonably good health. He trained as a hairdresser, like Stevie, and tried to remain stoic and live 'his best life'. 'He didn't really let me see how he was feeling. He was always the older brother who was looking out for me.' Aged 20, however, Jason started to show the symptoms of Aids, meaning their roles were about to change. Not long after their holiday to Tenerife, the family honoured Jason's final wish to visit the Disney World in Florida. 'My mum and dad were divorced by then but we all went together. Jason was really ill and you could see every bone in his face. 'He had always had this lovely hair but he was practically bald and was in a wheelchair.' When they returned, it soon became apparent Jason needed full-time care. With a good job as an office manager, and the family's breadwinner, Christine couldn't afford to give up work, so Karen took time off from her factory job to look after her brother. 'I'm blessed to have had that special little bit of time with him,' she says. 'But it just became too much for me.' It was not long before Jason was admitted to hospital, and he died a week later, on July 24, 1990. Karen with her cousin Stevie, who had inherited haemophilia from their maternal grandfather In his final weeks, he had a heart-to-heart with his father. 'Jason just said, 'Dad, you've got to stop drinking and look after Mum and Karen',' his sister recalls. George immediately stopped. And it was not long before his parents, in the midst of their grief, found their way back to each other, eventually remarrying and staying together until George passed away in 2015, aged 68. 'I don't think they ever stopped loving each other and I think they were the only people in the world who understood what each other were going through,' Karen said. 'In a way it was Jason's parting gift to them, he would have loved that they ended up together.' She says she is haunted by memories of Stevie breaking down as he said his final goodbyes to Jason at his funeral. 'Everyone had left after the service and Stevie just sat there weeping. He kept saying, 'Don't worry, bro, I'm going to be with you soon, you're not going to be on your own'. It was the most heart-breaking thing I've ever seen. 'Stevie really went downhill after that. He just didn't care any more. 'You can't imagine how he must have been feeling living with that horrible fear.' Stevie died a few weeks before Christmas in 1993. Karen went on to marry, in 2001, and had two children, but the marriage was not a happy one, and they divorced six years later. Her 28-year-old son, Stan, is a haemophiliac and was diagnosed at birth. Thankfully, blood clotting medication today is properly screened and treated to eliminate any risk of viruses. Karen hopes today's long-awaited final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry will give her and her mother some closure. 'Nothing will ever put right what's happened, but we need justice, we need to know people are held accountable,' she said. 'There has been a cloud hanging over us these years and we just want it over with.' Prime Minister's apology for worst treatment disaster in NHS history.. as devastating report will lay bare failing over infected blood scandal that's claimed 3,000 lives Rishi Sunak will apologise to infected-blood victims today, as a devastating report blames successive governments and the NHS for the scandal. The Prime Minister will issue a formal apology on behalf of the Government for the handling of a scandal which has claimed more than 3,000 lives and continues to wreck countless others. Tomorrow ministers will set out plans for a massive compensation scheme, which could cost taxpayers more than 10 billion. Whitehall sources expect NHS chief Amanda Pritchard to issue her own apology for the worst treatment disgrace in the history of the health service. The moves come as former High Court judge Sir Brian Langstaff today publishes the long-awaited findings of a public inquiry which was launched in 2018, with an estimated 710 more victims having died since the hearings began. Rishi Sunak will issue a formal apology on behalf of the Government for the handling of a scandal which has claimed more than 3,000 lives and continues to wreck countless others Both the Department of Health and the NHS are expected to face heavy criticism for continuing to allow the use of imported blood products for years after the first warnings that they could be contaminated with viruses such as HIV and hepatitis C. They will also be savaged for their evasive response to campaigners seeking the truth, in what victims believe to have been a concerted cover-up lasting decades. More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C at the hands of the NHS after being given contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s. The tainted products were imported cheaply from the US where blood was being collected from paid donors such as prisoners, the homeless and drug addicts. Most of those infected were people who received treatment for blood disorders such as haemophilia and those who had blood transfusions. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt described the episode as 'the worst scandal of my lifetime' and said the families 'have got every right to be incredibly angry' Kate Burt, chief executive of the Haemophilia Society, said: 'The contaminated blood scandal has been a stain on our nation for too long. 'For the sake of the thousands of lives lost to this disaster, the Government must accept all the Infected Blood Inquiry's recommendations and begin work immediately to rebuild trust in our public services. 'Only a commitment to deliver radical reform and to treat those it serves with compassion and respect will begin to end this shameful episode in our country's history.' Chancellor Jeremy Hunt yesterday described the episode as 'the worst scandal of my lifetime' and said the families 'have got every right to be incredibly angry that generations of politicians, including me when I was health secretary, have not acted fast enough to address the scandal'. Mr Hunt has signed off on the compensation scheme, although the final bill will not be known until a new committee has established a framework for payments. Labour health spokesman Wes Streeting said he expected Sir Brian to criticise 'successive governments' over the issue. Mr Streeting said an incoming Labour administration would honour any compensation deal agreed by the Government, adding: 'Everyone has got their responsibility to bear in this appalling scandal and we have got a shared responsibility to put it right.' Writing in the Sunday Times, Sir Keir Starmer said the scandal was 'one of the darkest periods in our country's modern history' and a reminder that 'the NHS is not a shrine to be worshipped at'. Downing Street was tight-lipped about the content of the PM's response last night, but he is expected to apologise on behalf of the Government. Appearing in front of the inquiry last summer, the PM said the 'appalling tragedy' should never have happened. Lauren Palmer, who was orphaned by the scandal aged just nine, said she was 'still sceptical' about the Government's commitment to compensate all those affected. 'If they do, the other question is how long will they take and will they use the election to drag things out further or even worse not do anything at all?' The scandal began in the early 1970s when new blood clotting products were developed to treat people with bleeding disorders. A shortage of blood in the UK led ministers to source cheap batches from the US where supplies relied on high-risk donors, including drug addicts. But the products were made by pooling the blood plasma from tens of thousands of donors and a single contaminated donation could be enough to infect an entire batch. By the mid-1970s there were repeated warnings that the US products carried an increased risk. Appearing in front of the Infected Blood Inquiry last summer, the Prime Minister said the 'appalling tragedy' should never have happened. Pictured: Protesters outside the inquiry The inquiry heard that by 1983, Department of Health doctors acknowledged privately that it 'may be possible' that Aids was being transmitted in this way. But the inquiry was told that ministers were not informed and continued to insist publicly that there was 'no conclusive proof' of a problem. About 6,000 people with haemophilia and other bleeding disorders were treated with contaminated products. Around 1,250 were infected with HIV, including 380 children. Some unintentionally infected their partners. Fewer than 250 are still alive. Others hit by the scandal include thousands given blood transfusions between 1970 and 1991. High-profile victims include Body Shop founder Anita Roddick and Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies's mother Sheila, who both contracted hepatitis C following transfusions of infected blood. President Joe Biden's motorcade drove through deep blue Atlanta this weekend to little fanfare, leading many to wonder about the enthusiasm for his 2024 campaign. In 2020, the president became the first Democrat to win a presidential election in Georgia in 30 years. The party also won both senate seats in the Southern state. But the state's landscape has shifted significantly over the last four years, with recent polls suggesting former president Donald Trump is in the lead in the Peach State. On Saturday, video showed his motorcade driving through the Atlanta neighborhood of Buckhead with only about a dozen people in the streets to greet him or catch a glimpse. As conservative account RNC Research put it: 'If a presidential motorcade passes through town but absolutely nobody cares did it really pass through town?' The president was in town this weekend to deliver the commencement speech at Morehouse College, an historically-black institution. President Joe Biden's motorcade drove through deep blue Atlanta this weekend to little fanfare, leading many to wonder about the enthusiasm for his 2024 campaign Biden, new analysis from the New York Times argues, has lost some support among, black, people of color and younger voters in Georgia. These groups were instrumental in his 2020 win, which he only just eked out by around 12,000 votes, suggesting a much tougher battle in the state as November's election nears. Georgia's population has been growing and becoming more diverse in recent years. In 2020, this, alongside years of voter registration and mobilization efforts with historically disenfranchised groups, helped the Democrats make gains in expanding suburbs in cities such as Atlanta. Momentum was also brought on by the racial justice protests following the murder of George Floyd which gained intense traction in Atlanta. The government's response to the coronavirus pandemic as well as the glaring inequality of access to healthcare also gave the Democrats plenty of opportunities to win over voters. President Joe Biden told black graduates Sunday that former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies 'don't see you in the future of America' in a fiery takedown on race However, Trump and his team attempted to overturn the loss in Georgia leading to criminal charges being filed against them. Trump is now garnering support as a result of the backlash to the case brought against him, the New York Times reports. The cases are 'attempting to criminalize political disagreement,' Joshua McKoon, the chairman of the Georgia Republican Party said on Friday. The Democrats are also concerned that voter turnout will not match that achieved in 2020 without the motivating factors of the protests and the pandemic. 'I think folks understand the importance of the election but there is a certain just fatigue,' Sam Park, a Georgia Democrat told the Times. Local Democrat activists are also concerned that some sectors of voters who supported Biden in 2020 have since grown disillusioned, according to the publication. Recent polls suggest former president Donald Trump is in the lead in Georgia Those on the ground are reporting back that there is significant anger that Biden has not been harder on Israel about its actions in Gaza, as well as the party's inability to tackle issues such as the rising cost of housing and student debt. Others say that the true problem is not that the Democrats are failing to grapple with issues that voters care about but their inability to communicate their achievements successfully. They claims that low levels of unemployment in the black community, large amounts of federal funds sent to the state for pandemic relief and infrastructure, as well as the government's efforts to cancel student loans are all marked achievements. 'Those things ought to not be secrets,' Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, the presiding prelate for the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Georgia, told the Times. President Joe Biden arrived in Atlanta a day before the Morehouse commencement and met with prominent alumni on the tarmac including Sen. Raphael Warnock (third from left). He put his hands on the shoulders of Marlon Kimpson, a member of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy He then spoke to supporters at Mary Mac's Tea Room telling them he felt good about his chances in the November election and pushing that they shouldn't be discouraged by the polling because former President Donald Trump is still losing votes in the GOP primaries The Democrats are aware of the need to craft a narrative in the swing state and are about to launch a $14 million advertising blitz in the state later this month. 'Not saying that this is easy,' Quentin Fulks, Biden's principal deputy campaign manager, who is also from Georgia, told the Times. Adding: 'But I do think that we have a formula that's conducive to accepting that message.' Police must be 'all over' pro-Palestine protests, Grant Shapps warned yesterday as the Government finalises plans to give officers more powers to restrict public assemblies. The Defence Secretary said that the regular mass marches could 'spill over' into hate speech and anti-Semitism. It comes ahead of the publication of a long-awaited report on political violence and disruption that will contain recommendations for ministers on clamping down on the activities of hard-Left groups who engage in criminal acts. There have been more than 1,000 protests and vigils since the October 7 attacks, including weekly mass marches in London, with 600 arrests made. Policing the events has cost 40 million and involved some 55,000 officer shifts. Mr Shapps said both he and the Government more widely had been worried about the cumulative impact of the protests Under new laws proposed by the Government, police will be able to arrest protesters who wear face coverings to conceal their identity. Pro-Palestinian supporters hold placards during Saturday's demonstration There were seven arrests as thousands marched in the capital on Saturday, including a man carrying a coffin with offensive language on it and another chanting 'Intifada revolution'. Officers also arrested a 74-year-old man at a counter-protest on suspicion of provocation of violence. Lord Walney, whose review will be released tomorrow, said the marches are 'making sizeable parts of our Jewish community in London apprehensive at best about going into the centre of the city'. 'That is a deeply uncomfortable position,' he told Sky News. 'There has been a substantial level of criminality and disorder and anti-Semitic content around the margins of the marches.' Under new laws proposed by the Government, police will be able to arrest protesters who wear face coverings to conceal their identity or for carrying flares or other fireworks. Activists who climb on war memorials could also face up to three months in jail and fines of 1,000. Home Office officials are also exploring how to tighten up the definition of 'relative cumulative disruption. A row of police officers stand between pro-Israel counter demonstrators and tens of thousands of protesters marching through central London There were seven arrests as thousands marched in the capital on Saturday, including a man carrying a coffin with offensive language on it. Protesters march through central London in solidarity with the Palestinian people Home Office officials are also exploring how to tighten up the definition of 'relative cumulative disruption', which must be taken into account when deciding whether a protest can go ahead, The Sunday Telegraph reported. Gideon Falter, the chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, who was threatened with arrest last month for being 'openly Jewish' next to a protest, has met officials to discuss policing of the marches. Mr Shapps said both he and the Government more widely had been worried about the cumulative impact of the protests. 'The police need to be very much all over these things,' he told GB News. 'It makes people very uncomfortable when these marches sometimes spill over from the legitimate right to protest . . . into anti-Semitism, into hate speech, racism . . . We absolutely back 100 per cent police taking the necessary action.' A Home Office spokesman said the right to protest is a 'cornerstone of our democracy', but added: 'All communities should be able to go about their daily lives without fear. We have been clear with the police that they must use all the powers available to them to police protests appropriately and will always have our backing in doing so.' Rishi Sunak will apologise to infected-blood victims today, as a devastating report blames successive governments and the NHS for the scandal. The Prime Minister will issue a formal apology on behalf of the Government for the handling of a scandal which has claimed more than 3,000 lives and continues to wreck countless others. Tomorrow ministers will set out plans for a massive compensation scheme, which could cost taxpayers more than 10 billion. Whitehall sources expect NHS chief Amanda Pritchard to issue her own apology for the worst treatment disgrace in the history of the health service. The moves come as former High Court judge Sir Brian Langstaff today publishes the long-awaited findings of a public inquiry which was launched in 2018, with an estimated 710 more victims having died since the hearings began. People impacted by the infected blood scandal pictured at a Westminster vigil on May 19 Pictured: Portraits of people who have died or been affected by the infected blood scandal are put up as campaigners met in Parliament Square in London on May 19 Both the Department of Health and the NHS are expected to face heavy criticism for continuing to allow the use of imported blood products for years after the first warnings that they could be contaminated with viruses such as HIV and hepatitis C. They will also be savaged for their evasive response to campaigners seeking the truth, in what victims believe to have been a concerted cover-up lasting decades. More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C at the hands of the NHS after being given contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s. The tainted products were imported cheaply from the US where blood was being collected from paid donors such as prisoners, the homeless and drug addicts. Most of those infected were people who received treatment for blood disorders such as haemophilia and those who had blood transfusions. Kate Burt, chief executive of the Haemophilia Society, said: 'The contaminated blood scandal has been a stain on our nation for too long. 'For the sake of the thousands of lives lost to this disaster, the Government must accept all the Infected Blood Inquiry's recommendations and begin work immediately to rebuild trust in our public services. Only a commitment to deliver radical reform and to treat those it serves with compassion and respect will begin to end this shameful episode in our country's history.' Chancellor Jeremy Hunt yesterday described the episode as 'the worst scandal of my lifetime' and said the families 'have got every right to be incredibly angry that generations of politicians, including me when I was health secretary, have not acted fast enough to address the scandal'. Rishi Sunak will apologise to infected-blood victims on Monday, as a devastating report blames successive governments and the NHS for the scandal Demonstrators pictured holding placards in London in July 2023 Mr Hunt has signed off on the compensation scheme, although the final bill will not be known until a new committee has established a framework for payments. Labour health spokesman Wes Streeting said he expected Sir Brian to criticise 'successive governments' over the issue. Mr Streeting said an incoming Labour administration would honour any compensation deal agreed by the Government, adding: 'Everyone has got their responsibility to bear in this appalling scandal and we have got a shared responsibility to put it right.' Writing in the Sunday Times, Sir Keir Starmer said the scandal was 'one of the darkest periods in our country's modern history' and a reminder that 'the NHS is not a shrine to be worshipped at'. Downing Street was tight-lipped about the content of the PM's response last night, but he is expected to apologise on behalf of the Government. Appearing in front of the inquiry last summer, the PM said the 'appalling tragedy' should never have happened. Lauren Palmer, who was orphaned by the scandal aged just nine, said she was 'still sceptical' about the Government's commitment to compensate all those affected. 'If they do, the other question is how long will they take and will they use the election to drag things out further or even worse not do anything at all?' The scandal began in the early 1970s when new blood clotting products were developed to treat people with bleeding disorders. A shortage of blood in the UK led ministers to source cheap batches from the US where supplies relied on high-risk donors, including drug addicts. But the products were made by pooling the blood plasma from tens of thousands of donors and a single contaminated donation could be enough to infect an entire batch. The moves come as former High Court judge Sir Brian Langstaff (pictured, in 2021) will publishes the long-awaited findings of a public inquiry on Monday Both the Department of Health and the NHS are expected to face heavy criticism for continuing to allow the use of imported blood products for years (Stock Photo) By the mid-1970s there were repeated warnings that the US products carried an increased risk. The inquiry heard that by 1983, Department of Health doctors acknowledged privately that it 'may be possible' that Aids was being transmitted in this way. But the inquiry was told that ministers were not informed and continued to insist publicly that there was 'no conclusive proof' of a problem. About 6,000 people with haemophilia and other bleeding disorders were treated with contaminated products. Around 1,250 were infected with HIV, including 380 children. Some unintentionally infected their partners. Fewer than 250 are still alive. Others hit by the scandal include thousands given blood transfusions between 1970 and 1991. High-profile victims include Body Shop founder Anita Roddick and Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies's mother Sheila, who both contracted hepatitis C following transfusions of infected blood. My fathers warnings were ignored by health chiefs The son of a top blood specialist has told how health officials dismissed his warnings about the safety of new transfusions in the early days of the scandal. Dr Nick Ibbotson told the Daily Mail that his father Richard thought it was crackers to switch from blood sourced from single donors to the product called Factor VIII, which pooled the plasma donations of multiple people. Richard Ibbotson, the former deputy director of West Midlands Blood Transfusion Service, warned it was outrageous that haemophilia patients were given products from high-risk donors as early as the mid-1970s. He was particularly furious that prisoners in the US were able to make money out of the blood-harvesting scheme. Dr Ibbotson, a retired GP of Richmond, North Yorkshire, said: My father was not an angry man, but when Factor VIII happened, I remember him being quite vociferous. He said we were being stupid and were building up enormous problems. He said: Weve got this new virus we dont know much about but I cant think of a better way of spreading it than getting a load of blood samples from a country that pays its donors its madness, its crackers. He protested frequently about the risks of Hep B and Hep C but was overruled by the Department of Health. My father was very concerned over many years about importing blood products from the US, where donors were paid. He would say that what was happening was outrageous. I know the concerns that medics were raising, but there was nothing they could do because the people at the top, in the Government, werent listening. Israeli troops and tanks pushed on Saturday into parts of a congested northern Gaza Strip district that they had previously skirted in the more than seven-month-old war, killing and wounding dozens of Palestinians, medics and residents said. Israel's forces also took over some ground in Rafah, a southern city by the Egyptian border that is packed with displaced people and where the launch this month of a long-threatened incursion to crush hold-outs of Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas has alarmed Cairo and Washington. Exposing further cracks in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, Benny Gantz, a centrist member of the war cabinet, threatened to resign if the right-wing leader does not agree by June 8 to a day-after plan that would include how Gaza might be ruled after the war with Hamas. In what Israeli media said was the result of intelligence gleaned during the latest incursions, the military announced the recovery of the body of a man who was among more than 250 hostages seized by Hamas in a cross-border rampage on Oct. 7 that triggered the war. Ron Binyamin's remains were located along with those of three other slain hostages whose repatriation was announced on Friday, the military said without providing further details. There was no immediate comment from Hamas. Israel has conducted renewed military sweeps this month of parts of northern Gaza where it had declared the end of major operations in January. At the time, it also predicted its forces would return to prevent a regrouping by the Palestinian Islamist group that rules Gaza. One site has been Jabalia, the largest of Gaza's eight historic refugee camps. On Saturday, troops and tanks edged into streets so far spared the ground offensive, residents said. In one strike, medics said 15 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded. The Gaza health ministry and the Civil Emergency Service said teams received dozens of calls about possible casualties but were unable to carry out any searches because of the ongoing ground offensive and aerial bombardment. "Today is the most difficult in terms of the occupation bombardment, air strikes and tank shelling have going on almost non-stop," said one resident in Jabalia, Ibrahim Khaled, via a chat app. "We know of dozens of people, martyrs (killed) and wounded, but no ambulance vehicle can get into the area," he told Reuters. The Israeli military said its forces have continued to operate in areas across Gaza including Jabalia and Rafah, carrying out what it called "precise operations against terrorists and infrastructure". "The IAF (air force) continues to operate in the Gaza Strip, and struck over 70 terror targets during the past day, including weapons storage facilities, military infrastructure sites, terrorists who posed a threat to IDF troops, and military compounds," the military said in a statement. Strains in Israeli coalition Netanyahu has faced criticism at home and abroad for failing to articulate an endgame more than seven months into the war. In a news conference, Gantz said he wanted the war cabinet to form a six-point plan in the next three weeks and that if his expectations are not met he would withdraw his centrist party from Netanyahu's emergency coalition. Gantz said his proposal would include creating a temporary U.S.-European-Arab-Palestinian system of civil administration for Gaza while Israel retains security control. Though Gantz is Netanyahu's most formidable rival in opinion polls, were he to leave the government that would not be enough to bring about its collapse, as remaining parties would still give the premier a comfortable parliamentary majority. Yet Gantz's challenge shows increased strain on Israel's coalition, which is dominated by far-right parties. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Wednesday demanded clarity on post-war plans and for Netanyahu to forswear any military reoccupation of Gaza. Armed wings of Hamas, the Islamic Jihad, and Fatah said fighters attacked Israeli forces in Jabalia and Rafah with anti-tank rockets, mortar bombs, and explosive devices already planted in some of the roads, killing and wounding many soldiers. Israel's military said 281 soldiers have been killed in fighting since the first ground incursions in Gaza on Oct 20. At least 35,386 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since Oct. 7, according to the enclave's health ministry, while aid agencies have warned repeatedly of widespread hunger and dire shortages of fuel and medical supplies. In the Hamas cross-border attack on Oct. 7, 1,200 people were killed, according to Israeli tallies. About 125 people are believed to remain in captivity in Gaza. In Rafah, where Israeli tanks thrust into some of the eastern suburbs and clashed with Palestinian fighters, residents said Israeli bombing from the air and ground persisted through the night into Saturday morning. Rafah had been sheltering more than one million displaced Gazans. UNRWA, the main U.N. aid agency for Palestinians, said on Saturday that nearly 800,000 Palestinians have fled the city since Israel launched its ground operation there on May 6. Israel says it must capture Rafah to destroy Hamas and ensure the country's security. (Reuters) The 'real-life Martha' from Baby Reindeer bombarded Sir Keir Starmer with almost 300 emails, it has been reported. Fiona Harvey allegedly sent the Labour leader a barrage of abusive messages in the space of eight months in which she used a disabled slur to attack his wife and gloated over two of his dead relatives. Harvey, 58, is accused of sending 276 vile emails to his parliament address between January and August 2020. She reportedly calls him a 'stupid little boy', that he was a 'useless barrister', and launches an attack on his wife Lady Victoria Starmer who she says looks 'dreadful', reported The Sun. She signed all of the emails off with 'Sent from my iPhone' - just as those sent by Martha Scott in the hit Netflix series - despite her sending them from a desktop computer. The 'real-life Martha' from Baby Reindeer, Fiona Harvey, bombarded Sir Keir Starmer with almost 300 emails Harvey allegedly sent the Labour leader (pictured) a barrage of abusive messages in the space of eight months The Met Police has reportedly been made aware of the emails. MailOnline has contacted the force for further comment. Labour declined to comment. Harvey, from Aberdeenshire, allegedly launched her hateful email campaign when she lived in Kilburn, which neighbours the MP's Holborn and St Pancras' ward. She allegedly moans to Sir Keir about her issues with Camden council about her block of flats and the area. In another it is reported she sent him pictures of some rubbish and wrote 'it's as filthy a starmer's house'. In one email, seen by The Sun, written on April 9, 2020, she said: 'Keir cut the crap with me you stupid little boy. 'You get elected leader of. Non party and within two minutes I get an email calling me a racist from the housing ombudsman I've already complained about you to the standards commissioner who guess what also does nothing. See from now on il l complain about the slightest little thing 'Your life won't be worth living.' Harvey, from Aberdeenshire, allegedly launched her hateful email campaign when she lived in Kilburn, which neighbours the MP's Holborn and St Pancras' ward In them, she calls him a 'stupid little boy', that he was a 'useless barrister', and launches an attack on his wife Lady Victoria Starmer who she says looks 'dreadful' Fiona Harvey gave her first television interview last week with Piers Morgan where she denied stalking Richard Gadd Baby Reindeer, the hit Netflix drama, has been viewed more than 60 million times in the past month The show has been a global success and follows 'Martha' (played by Jessica Gunning) as she stalks aspiring comedian Richard Gadd - who is called Donny Dunn in the show Baby Reindeer delves into Richard's harrowing real-life stalking ordeal and brutal sexual abuse as he plays a fictionalised version of himself called Donny Dunn She also sent emails to Camden council officials, councillors, and her own MP for Hampstead and Kilburn Tulip Siddiq, the newspaper reported. Harvey allegedly sent a 1,420-word email to Sir Keir in which she says Labour's shadow cabinet is 'full of imbeciles'. Baby Reindeer, according to Netflix, based on a true story by writer and lead actor Richard Gadd, follows Donny Dunn (Richard) and his relationship with stalker 'Martha' (Jessica Gunning). The show alleges that the character of Martha conducted a relentless stalking campaign which started after he served her in a London pub while working as a bartender. Harvey appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored last week, however, where in a bombshell interview she furiously denied stalking Gadd and said she would take Netflix to court over the drama. She said she had only met the comedian three times and when quizzed on the content of some of the messages she admitted sending him called them 'jokey banter' The Scottish woman went on to say she wanted to 'set the record straight' following the Netflix show's phenomenal global success and trolls contacting her online after it began streaming. However, she denied sending him 41,000 emails and scores of tweets and claimed instead it was more about ten messages and one letter sent by post. In the wide-ranging interview, she also revealed details of her 'impoverished' upbringing and that she was in a five-year relationship with a male lawyer. Baby Reindeer has proven a surprise smash for Netflix, having been viewed more than 60 million times in the first month. Eight in ten Jewish students have experienced 'casual' anti-Semitism while at university, a new poll shows. The Union of Jewish Students (UJS) found the vast majority of its members have been made to feel uncomfortable on campus. Of the 1,000 survey respondents, 78 per cent have been victims of casual anti-Semitism, such as stereotyping or offensive comments dressed up as 'banter'. Meanwhile, 40 per cent said they experienced more serious direct anti-Semitism, with 42 per cent saying they witnessed it. A similar proportion - 44 per cent - said they were not open about their Jewish identity while on campus. Eight in ten Jewish students have experienced 'casual' anti-Semitism while at university, a new poll shows. Pictured: Oxford University Pictured: Pro-Palestine protestors camp outside the Senate House in Cambridge where graduation ceremonies take place on May 16 Meanwhile, 40 per cent said they experienced more serious direct anti-Semitism, with 42 per cent saying they witnessed it. Pictured: College staff clean up what was left behind of Cambridge student protests on May 17 And 82 per cent said they were 'worried' about anti-Semitism, with 33 per cent citing it as one of their biggest concerns. The vast majority of responses - 85 per cent - were collected before the Hamas atrocities of October 7, suggesting the problem existed even before the current Gaza conflict. The poll also shows Jews have been victims of prejudice on campus regardless of their political views. Among respondents who had 'negative' views of Israel, 45 per cent experienced direct anti-Semitism, whereas among those with 'positive' views, it was 41 per cent. The report states: 'Anti-Semitism continues to plague campuses, with the vast majority of Jewish students worrying about anti-Semitism with many having experienced it first-hand. 'It is this climate of fear that has become so pernicious, especially post October 7, that needs tackling head on. 'At UJS, we recognise that this work cannot be done overnight, and that a cultural shift is needed on campus.' The UJS said it was running anti-Semitism awareness training for non-Jewish campus leaders to encourage them to 'stand in allyship with Jewish students'. It comes after pro-Palestine protesters at Oxford were ridiculed at the weekend for accusing a security guard of violence when he tried to close a door they were obstructing. The students staged a 'die-in' to disrupt graduation ceremonies, lying down in a doorway and forcing people to step over them. Key evidence which undermined the police case against a man convicted of the so-called 'burking' murder of a vagrant was not disclosed to defence lawyers before his trial, a Mail investigation reveals today. Supporters of Clive Freeman, 80, who has spent 35 years in prison for a murder which may not even have happened, say the failure to provide his legal team with material documents put him at a significant disadvantage. The undisclosed papers included original post-mortem notes and drawings, two mysterious notes written by a senior detective to the Crown's pathologist and details of the criminal record of a vital prosecution witness. There was also a failure to disclose evidence of the police investigation into Freeman's alibi that he was at a hotel several miles away on the night of the alleged murder and a failure to disclose photographs of the post-mortem examinations before his Old Bailey trial. Freeman, an ex-polo-playing landowner, was convicted in 1989 of murdering Alexander Hardie with a suffocation technique dubbed 'burking', which was used by 19th-century 'body-snatchers' Burke and Hare, who sold corpses to doctors for dissection. Clive Freeman, 80, (pictured) has spent 35 years in prison for a murder which may not even have happened Freeman (pictured aged 20) has always denied murder, but 35 years after he was found guilty he is still in prison According to the prosecution pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd, Freeman used burking to kill Edinburgh-born Mr Hardie, 49, in south London as part of an alleged 300,000 insurance swindle. But as revealed by the Mail in a series of major articles, eight pathologists and forensic experts have debunked the theory. Many of the experts say that the most likely cause of Mr Hardie's death was the mixture of alcohol and prescription drugs found in his body and suggest the most appropriate cause of death is 'unascertained'. In addition, a key Crown witness has retracted his statement placing Freeman at the murder scene in 1988, while two eminent former judges have raised serious concerns about the safety of Freeman's conviction. Freeman has always denied murder, but 35 years after he was found guilty he is still in prison. Had he confessed to murder, he could have been released more than 20 years ago. The Mail's latest investigation raises serious questions about the working methods of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), the body which investigates alleged miscarriages of justice. This newspaper has obtained evidence of the softly-softly tactics deployed by the CCRC when officials previously questioned Dr Shepherd about his 'burking' findings, which played a crucial role in securing Freeman's conviction. Official notes of a 2016 meeting with the pathologist reveal he faced a series of gentle questions about his opinions on the cause of Hardie's death. Asked about his 'burking' theory, Dr Shepherd appeared to backtrack on his evidence at Freeman's trial, saying he was 'not entirely comfortable with that route but the concept could explain the injuries to his head, back and side of chest'. He added 'pathology is just one part of the jigsaw' of a case and that he was 'happy' with his conclusions. The notes of the telephone interview were written by a CCRC employee who sent them to Dr Shepherd for him to correct, which he did. Supporters of Freeman say the CCRC should not have allowed the pathologist to 'mark his own homework' and should have sought a report from an independent pathologist. Our revelations come a few days before the publication of a damning independent report into the CCRC's handling of the case of another man, who spent 17 years in jail for a rape he did not commit. Freeman, an ex-polo-playing landowner, was convicted in 1989 of murdering Alexander Hardie. Pictured: An artist's impression of the victim, Alexander Hardie It is understood the report by top barrister Chris Henley KC will criticise the CCRC's failure to challenge the flawed forensic evidence which helped convict innocent Andrew Malkinson of the offence. In the Malkinson case, as in the Freeman one, the CCRC refused to refer it to the Court of Appeal because, it said, it failed the 'real possibility' test. This is defined as the 'real possibility' judges will rule that a conviction should be quashed. Multiple sources have revealed that Helen Pitcher, the head of the CCRC, is in 'grave danger' of losing her job over the Malkinson fiasco and wider criticisms of the body, which is currently reviewing cancer-stricken Freeman's case for a fifth time. Former police superintendent Tony Thompson, who is representing Freeman, said: 'A fish rots from the head down. Helen Pitcher's job is untenable, and she must be removed from her position immediately. 'There needs to be wholescale reform of the CCRC, which is not fit for purpose. Since taking on the case of Clive Freeman, I have been staggered by its lack of rigour, professionalism and independence. I believe it to be institutionally incompetent and the Justice Secretary Alex Chalk must act.' Of the latest revelations in the Freeman case, he added: 'Why did the prosecution/police not disclose material evidence to his defence prior to trial? Failure to disclose material evidence is a ground for a referral to the Court of Appeal in its own right.' The Mail can reveal that in a report on July 6, 2017, Professor Nicholas Birch, a respected consulting pharmacologist, was very critical of Dr Shepherd's work. He said: 'I understand that the contemporaneous notes of Dr Shepherd made at the post-mortem of Alexander Hardie were not disclosed to the defence team at the time of the trial. 'Subsequent consideration of them has disclosed that at the post-mortem of April 16, 1988 Dr Shepherd concluded: 'COD prob alc + acute pancreatitis' [cause of death probably alcohol plus acute pancreatitis]. Also, in the first two examinations on April 16 and 20, 1988 there were no reports of bruising on Mr Hardie's back despite a specific examination in that area. 'These notes were not disclosed and therefore the defence were unable to explore when or why he changed his mind about the cause of death or about the appearance of bruising. Subsequently he found a more melodramatic cause of death but one which is not based on the recorded facts of the Burke case. However, this may have influenced the jury.' He added that he found it 'highly irregular and objectionable' that the CCRC had not commissioned an independent review of the pathology in the case. In a 2017 report on the Freeman case, Professor Jack Crane, former state pathologist in Northern Ireland, was scathing of the CCRC. According to the prosecution pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd, Freeman used burking to kill Edinburgh-born Mr Hardie, 49, in south London as part of an alleged 300,000 insurance swindle He said: 'The CCRC were in error in only commissioning a report from Dr Shepherd as it was going to be highly unlikely he would concede that his conclusions were wrong or that there were plausible, if not more likely, explanations both for the injuries and the possible cause of death.' Professor Crane added that it is 'clear' Dr Shepherd 'failed to disclose vitally important pieces of his investigation in his typewritten report and apparently in his evidence to the court during the course of the trial. The weight of the pathologist's evidence cannot have been fairly or properly assessed by the jury during the course of the trial.' Dr Shepherd, an author, speaker and TV presenter, has not responded to requests for comment from the Mail. Freeman's representative Mr Thompson has now written to him directly, urging him to examine his 'conscience' on the case. He told the now retired pathologist: 'You will be aware that since Mr Freeman's conviction many forensic experts have consistently debunked your flawed approach to the post-mortems that you conducted and consider that, at best, the deceased's death was unascertained. It was certainly not murder.' Mr Thompson added: 'You played a major role in his conviction and now you have the opportunity to pause and reflect on your actions in 1988 and determine whether, having considered what your peers have consistently said about your work and conclusions at the time, that you may have got it wrong. 'All the evidence in Mr Freeman's case overwhelmingly points to the fact that you came to a flawed conclusion. Forensic science, medicine and pathology has developed and changed over the decades, but Mr Freeman still remains incarcerated. 'Your conscience might just prompt you to contact the CCRC and at the very least recommend it appoints an independent pathologist to review your 1988 assessment. Time is running out for Mr Freeman, but you can act in the interests of fairness and justice.' The CCRC declined to answer a series of questions from the Mail, including whether the official reviewing Freeman's case has any legal qualifications and why the commission has previously failed to ask for a report by an independent pathologist. A CCRC spokesman said: 'A review of an application relating to Mr Freeman's case is under way, so it would not be appropriate to comment on details of the case. 'This review is being prioritised because of Mr Freeman's age and ill-health. Mr Freeman has applied to the CCRC on several occasions previously. Following thorough reviews, it was determined that those applications did not meet the 'real possibility' test.' Families of the Birmingham pub bombing victims yesterday demanded that a former IRA commander implicated in the atrocity be arrested after he confessed to being behind Lord Mountbatten's murder. Michael Hayes told The Mail on Sunday that he designed and masterminded the attack that blew up the pleasure boat of King Charles's beloved great-uncle in 1979. The unrepentant grandfather has always denied claims he was responsible for the two Birmingham blasts, which killed 21 people in 1974, despite claiming to have defused a third device. Yesterday Julie Hambleton, whose sister Maxine, 18, was killed in the atrocity and who has led the Birmingham families' fight for justice, said that Hayes 'absolutely should be arrested'. Ms Hambleton, 61, added: 'He has made admissions, and if you or I said such a thing our feet wouldn't touch the ground.' Lord Mountbatten, a mentor to Prince Philip and Charles, was murdered aged 79 during a holiday at his summer home in Co Sligo. Families of the Birmingham pub bombing victims yesterday demanded that a former IRA commander implicated in the atrocity be arrested after he confessed to being behind Lord Mountbatten's (pictured) murder Michael Hayes (pictured) told The Mail on Sunday that he designed and masterminded the attack that blew up the pleasure boat of King Charles's beloved great-uncle in 1979 His grandson Nicholas, 14, was also killed along with Doreen Brabourne, 83, Nicholas's grandmother, and crewman Paul Maxwell, 15, of Enniskillen. Only one IRA member was convicted. Thomas McMahon was jailed for life for murder but freed under the Good Friday Agreement. After being approached by a Mail on Sunday reporter, Hayes bragged: 'I blew up Earl Mountbatten.' Sickeningly he said that he did not regret this and coldly described the two teenagers who died as 'casualties of war'. Legal experts said his admission could make him liable for prosecution for the murders in the Republic of Ireland. Politicians including MP Ian Paisley Jr and former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith called for Hayes to be arrested. Yesterday Julie Hambleton (pictured, outside the Civil Justice Centre in Birmingham after the conclusion of the Birmingham Inquests in 2019), whose sister Maxine, 18, was killed in the atrocity and who has led the Birmingham families' fight for justice, said that Hayes 'absolutely should be arrested' Politicians including MP Ian Paisley Jr (pictured, on Wednesday) and former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith called for Hayes to be arrested An anonymous ex-IRA member told the 2019 inquests into the Birmingham bombings that Hayes, a toolsetter in the city at the time, was one of four men involved. Hayes, now living in Dublin, has consistently denied building the bombs used to destroy the Tavern in the Town and Mulberry Bush pubs. Now he has linked himself to the murder of Lord Mountbatten. Asked if he designed the bomb, he boasted: 'Yes, I blew him up. McMahon put it on his boat...I planned everything, I am commander in chief.' The Irish police have so far not commented on if they will take action. The Duchess of Edinburgh read King Charles' message of remembrance in Italy during a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Cassino. Sophie, 59, was pictured standing at a podium in front of a leafy backdrop as she read the message at the Service of Commemoration at Cassino War Cemetery. In images posted to The Royal Family X, formerly Twitter, account, the Duchess can be seen wearing an elegant Suzannah London dress depicting a painted landscape as she shared His Majesty's message. The message read: 'Eighty years ago, the Battle of Monte Cassino concluded with an Allied victory which opened the Road to Rome and marked the beginning of the end for the occupation of Italy. 'The actions of the courageous men and women who achieved success here were vital to enabling the landings in Normandy a few weeks later. Sophie, The Duchess of Edinburgh delivered a remembrance message on behalf of King Charles in Italy at the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Cassino Sophie, pictured next to WWII veteran Jack Hearn (centre) and the British Ambassador to Italy Lord Edward Llewellyn (left) at the ceremony Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (left) chats with Polish Ambassador to Italy Anna Maria Anders (right) during the ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of Battle of Monte Cassino 'On this Eightieth Anniversary, let us pause to reflect on the immense sacrifices made by so many for the cause of freedom in Europe - perhaps ever more poignant today. 'Let us remember all those who fought in the campaign, including the lives of the Commonwealth personnel who never returned home and lie, or are remembered, in the Cassino War Cemetery. And let us also recall the hardships, service and suffering of the Italian civilian population during this period. 'Coming together to honour the fallen on this hallowed ground, reminds us that the rights and freedoms we enjoy today were won at a great cost, and bring with them great responsibilities for our generations and those yet unborn. 'Such sacrifice can never be forgotten. 'On behalf of my wife and myself, I send special warmest wishes and prayers on this solemn occasion of remembrance and commemoration'. Another image from the event showed Duchess Sophie standing alongside WWII veteran Jack Hearn and the British Ambassador to Italy Lord Edward Llewellyn. She was also spotted shaking hands and in conversation with the Polish Ambassador to Italy Anna Maria Anders during the ceremony. The pair stood engrossed in friendly conversation in front of a group of military officials and other attendees of the ceremony. Sophie wore her hair in an elegant, low twisted bun, and a pair of simple god earrings adorned her ears as she delivered the powerful message on behalf of the King. The appearance in Italy comes just days after she and her husband Prince Edward braved the rain to become the first members of the royal family to visit a new memorial statue of Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were on a visit to Oakham, Rutland in the East Midlands. The royal couple went to the town's library, which is now home to the first memorial statue of the late Queen, Edward's mother, which features her beloved corgis at her feet. They each took a moment to look at the statue in silence and take in the meaningful tribute to the late monarch. A day later the Duchess was seen in high spirits as she tried out an adaptive tricycle during a visit to Greater Manchester. The royal visited The Seashell Trust in Cheadle, which supports children and young adults with complex learning difficulties, disabilities, and additional communication needs from across the UK. The Duchess beamed as she spoke to staff, students, guests and children at the trust, delighting the crowds of people who had turned out for her visit. The mother-of-two looked effortless chic in a white Alzuzarra Indiana double-breasted blazer with patterned Roland Mouret Ward trousers. A wealthy Austin neighborhood has 'given the finger' to the state's capital and voted en masse to leave the city amid a spiraling crime crisis. Lost Creek, a rich enclave in the west side of Austin, saw an overwhelming majority of 91 percent of residents vote to break away from the city during a May 4 election. Many never wanted to be part of City of Austin to begin with when it was annexed nine years ago in 2015. But as Democrat-run Texas capital faces a public safety crisis - with a shortfall of nearly 500 police officers - tempers have reached boiling point and many residents believe they'd be better off on their own. 'What an FU to the Mayor and Council of Austin,' tweeted local retired judge and attorney Bill Aleshire on election night. And Lost Creek is not alone, with two other neighborhoods also voting to leave the city this month. Lost Creek, a rich enclave in the west side of Austin, voted with a whooping 91 percent to break away from Austin during a May 4 election Lost Creek was annexed by the City of Austin in 2015 but now residents have Reaction poured in on social media to Lost Creek residents voting to leave Austin by 91% Leslie Odom, a longtime resident of the community, told KVUE that when she chose to buy her home in the area more than 13 years ago before it was absorbed into Austin 'because [she] wanted a safe place to live' Austin became the poster child for America's thriving Sunbelt during the pandemic, with property prices soaring. It is now the fifth most expensive metro area in the US. But residents are increasingly concerned about soaring crime. Leslie Odom, who has lived in Lost Creek for 13 years, told KVUE: 'When I chose to buy my property and to live in this area it's because I wanted a safe place'. But now she explained: 'Break-ins are normal. Car break-ins are normal. People are showing up in garages. Sometimes it feels like a powder keg waiting to blow.' When Lost Creek became a part of Austin in 2015, residents who owned multi-million dollar homes became City of Austin taxpayers. But the public services those taxes pay for are stretched increasingly thin - especially when it comes to cops. The city is understaffed by 483 officers after the former mayor and city council went to war with the police in 2020, slashing the department's budget by a third. It was later forced to give back the money due to a state law that penalized municipalities that defunded police. A map of homes for sales in Lost Creek shows houses the prices of houses in the area, according to Zillow Odom and others like this resident who's lived in Lost Creek for the past nine years said this safe place is no longer, citing how break-ins and burglaries are now the norm A local who has also lived there nine years cited this sad state as why the tight-knit town has elected to break away from the city of Austin, which it has been a part of since 2015 This meant residents are supposed to get all the same civic services allocated to the nearby city - something this 30-plus-year resident said isn't the case. He and others in the area voted to break away from Austin on May 4 In the interim, the city - Known for its multi-million dollar homes and sweeping views of Texas Hill Country, -is stuck with an understaffed police force, after the former mayor and city council went to war with the police in 2020 and slashed the department's budget by a third Austin's anti-cop policies are vastly different from the rest of the state, which takes pride in being pro-law enforcement. Those policies have led to dozens of officers retiring early or fleeing to other police departments. The cop vacancies mean there simply aren't enough officers to respond to 911 calls. Any call that isn't considered a life or death emergency is now rerouted to the non-emergency number 311. At one point, the current mayor asked Texas troopers to step in and help patrol the city for a few months last year while local cops could graduate a class of cadets. The partnership last for a few months before the city ended it in 2023. Homeowners have resorted to hiring off-duty cops to patrol their neighborhood since the Austin Police Department is too understaffed to respond. 'If they were doing the job that they promised that they were going to do, we wouldn't be where we are,' resident Ryan Brennan told the outlet KVUE. Austin currently faces a 483 officer shortfall, which has created a public safety crisis Residents of Lost Creek say they're paying twice for cops: city taxes for Austin cops who can't respond and then hiring off-duty cops to patrol their streets 'This is a huge problem for the City of Austin,' tweeted local content creator Jaime Hammonds. 'Lost Creek residences basically just gave the finger to the city of Austin, the mayor and more importantly the councilwoman who represents the area. Wow.' 'Disannexing' from Austin means that Lost Creek will now get its police protection from the county sheriff, for which they are already paying taxes. 'I'm really jealous that they will have better management and would rather do it on their own than have anything to do with the city,' local public safety activist Cleo Petricek told DailyMail.com. Residents of Lost Creek were able to vote to leave Austin due to a state law HB 3053. The law requires the state's largest cities to allow some neighborhoods to vote on whether to leave the city limits, but only if they were annexed between March 3, 2015, and Dec. 1, 2017. The vote will need to be ratified by the county elections department and Lost Creek will be obligated to pay any money they owe the City of Austin before residents can officially leave. Meanwhile, other Austin areas could soon follow suit. Petricek said: 'Barton Creek this is another area that has been ignored and mismanaged by the city. The city council is not listening to the majority of Austinites that live here and are not receiving the services that we expect.' Two other neighborhoods also voted to quit the city in this month's election. One is near Blue Goose Road in Northeast Austin and the second is near River Place in West Austin. City Hall declined to comment on this story. Dear Kim, I've been cyberstalked for three years. I recently discovered it was my roommate. I moved out and he has launched another attack. He's on my and my fiance's phones, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth everything. He has stolen financial data, pictures, erased accounts, taken over emails and harassed me through VOIP. I get disappearing messages. My fiance has had his phone wiped. Texts don't reach their destination since he's rerouted our contact phone numbers. The ex-roommate admitted to sitting outside our house all night - I thought he was spying on me. Now I know he was also gaining access to my Wi-Fi. Years of my life have been ruled by fear, anger, sadness and confusion. I can't take it and don't have the resources to hire someone. I can't do this anymore and need expert advice/help terribly. P.W. in Oklahoma I've been cyberstalked for three years. I recently discovered it was my roommate. I moved out and he has launched another attack Dear P.W., This is truly awful. Three years of this madness must feel like a lifetime. If you haven't already, you really, really need to contact the police for no other reason than to get this officially on the record. Your local police department should have someone you can come in and speak to about all you and your fiance have gone through with this absolute creep. And if you have and didn't get any help, I'm sorry for that. Knowing who to turn to in these situations is one of the worst parts. There's no number to call and that's why you have me. I've heard from many folks in the same spot over the years. I have good news and I have bad news. The good news is there's a lot you can do right now to lock this jerk out and stop him from prying into your digital life. The bad news is it's a lot of work. But I guarantee it's worth it and it's so much better than sitting around wondering what he's going to do next. Start with a list What accounts, passwords and devices do you believe he has access to? Sit down and make a list of all you can think of. Check your browser's saved passwords for inspiration. One by one, sign out of each account on every device, then change your passwords. A password manager will help you generate new, strong passwords that no one could ever guess. Here's a list to get you thinking Radio show host Kim Komando offers advice to help people navigate the world of technology Every email account you have Banking or other financial sites Social media Cloud storage, including Apple, Google Drive, Dropbox and online backup accounts Online shopping sites I have steps here to change your password for several major sites, including Amazon, Netflix, Facebook and Spotify. Swap your router out for a new one So many people forget about just how much info someone has if they know the login to your router. Theoretically, they can see what you do online and what devices are connected. That, in particular, can be dangerous. It allows a stalker to see if you're home and using the internet from your phone, for example. You can probably get away with a factory reset, but if your router is older than 2 years, you should replace it anyway. Change device passcodes Don't forget your phone's passcode and your computer or tablet's password. Yes, a stalker needs physical access to get into those devices, but better safe than sorry. On an iPhone with Face ID, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode. On an iPhone with a Home button, go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode. To change your iCloud password, you'll have to change your Apple ID password. On your iOS device, go to Settings > [your name] > Password & Security > Change Password. On an Android phone, open Settings > Security. Tap Screen lock to change your passcode. Note: If you don't find screen lock settings under Security, find steps on your phone's support site or online manual. On a Windows PC, go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Click Password, then Change. To change your Mac password, go to step one here. From security cameras to smart speakers, access to the right account can let someone see or listen to you without your knowledge. Don't forget smart devices From security cameras to smart speakers, access to the right account can let someone see or listen to you without your knowledge. Do this for your security system, smart thermostat, Amazon Alexa account if you have one, smart doorbells, and any other internet-connected devices with their own standalone accounts. Be a liar When you're close to someone, they know a lot about you. That very well might include where you grew up, your first car, your mom's maiden name Yeah, you can see where I'm going. These are common security questions. Your answers can give someone access to your accounts whether or not you shared them. Log into sites that contain sensitive personal information, like your bank, medical accounts and financial accounts. Find your security questions in the preferences or account menu and change your answers. Pro tip: Fudge your new answers. Most of the details in the default security questions are shockingly easy for someone else to find. Go ahead and make up a new one. The caveat, of course, is making sure you remember the lies. Dear Kim, I've been using a company-issued laptop not just for work but also for personal stuff like Facebook, X, TikTok, shopping, email, looking up medical information and some very private potentially embarrassing things. I'm starting to wonder what our IT department can actually see on this device. Can they access things like my browsing history or personal files? Is there a law against companies doing this? I'm looking for a straightforward explanation of what they can and cannot see. I swear the IT guy looks at me strangely like he knows things that can get me in trouble with my wife. Bill in Phoenix, Arizona I've been using my work computer for personal tasks, some of which are embarrassing, and I'm starting to wonder what our IT department can actually see on this device Hi Bill, I have bad news for you. The IT department can see whatever you're doing on a company device or network - you're not being paranoid. When a company hands you a laptop, you need to be smart and assume they can see everything you do by default. Act like your boss or spouse is right next to you, seeing what you search for, the sites you visit and the info you type in. Many companies install 'bossware' programs. (More about that in a bit.) Now, most small and medium-sized businesses will only comb through all the data these programs collect when there is an issue. Larger companies with more money to spend may have it done automatically. I can't be sure exactly what your company does and you likely can't be, either. (Not-so) fun fact: Only four states require businesses to disclose surveillance like this and get consent from employees. Those states are Connecticut, Delaware, Texas and New York. There is no federal law that requires disclosure. Still, I'd check out your contract or employee manual. Look for sections on technology and devices. About Kim Komando National Radio Hall of Famer, Host on 510+ stations, Podcaster & Tech Expert. Join over 500,000 people who are in the know with her free daily newsletter. Advertisement How far does this type of tracking go? So-called bossware programs allow employers to look into phone call history, text messages, emails and what you're browsing on the internet. The latest and greatest systems enable companies to do much more. Act as if your employer can see everything The websites you visit, including how often and for how long. The files you download. The emails you send and receive, including attachments. Messages you send on a messaging service like Slack, Google Chat or Microsoft Teams. When you move, access, change or delete shared files. The programs you use and for how long. Your physical location that's based on the IP address of your device. In extreme cases, tracking goes even deeper to include: Your every keystroke yes, including passwords. Your webcam footage. So, what should you do now? Time for a digital cleanup. Wipe your history: It's good practice to clean your browser history regularly but this doesn't stop your IT department from seeing what you've accessed. Sign out of all your personal accounts: Don't use your email on your work desktop or laptop, period. The same goes for a company-provided phone. I know carrying two of everything is annoying, but it's worth it for your privacy. Most of us don't stop to consider that everything we're giving away when we open up access to our personal accounts. Remove your saved passwords: Did you get lazy and save them to your browser or company password manager? Comb through and remove anything tied to your personal life. If you used a browser, go into the Settings and look for Passwords. Word to the wise: If you use a Mac for work, do not sign in with your personal iCloud. When it syncs, all the photos and files from your account are synced to that machine. Advertisement With risks involving everything from toxic fumes to deadly heat, these natural attractions certainly aren't for the fainthearted. DailyMail.com has scoured the globe for a collection of wonders which tourists are warned to approach with extreme caution. Most recently, Costa Rica's Cave of Death or 'Cueva de la Muerte' made headlines with inquisitive tourists flocking to see the cavern which emits carbon dioxide and instantly kills any creature that enter. But equally as toxic is the sulfur lake at the Kawah Ijen volcano in East Java, Indonesia, which would kill anyone if they fell in. From caves to volcanoes to ice-capped mountains and spots in between, take a trip down to see the wonders you should be wary of. Gates of Hell, Turkmenistan The Darvaza flaming gas crater in Turkmenistan has been burning for close to 50 years Nicknamed the Gates of Hell, the Darvaza flaming gas crater in Turkmenistan is a sinkhole 100ft deep and 130ft wide, which formed when the Soviets were drilling for natural gas. The upper layers of soil collapsed into an underground cave, opening a large hole filled with gas. To avoid gas poisoning local people and livestock, geologists ignited it. They believed the fire would subside within weeks but the whole crater has been burning for close to 50 years. In November 2013, it was found by Canadian explorer George Kourounis that unique bacteria survive at the bottom of the crater despite the roasting temperatures. Kourounis was the expedition leader on behalf of National Geographic as part of a project which involved going inside the crater and gathering soil samples for DNA analysis. This was to look for 'microscopic life forms that are capable of surviving in these intensely hot, dry conditions,' Kourounis explains. It took a year and a half of preparation and getting government permission. To get into the crater, Kourounis and his team stretched fire-resistant ropes across the flaming pit and he was able to go out on the ropes, using pulleys and wearing a heat-protective suit with a self-contained air tank. Then he had to rappel down to the bottom, where he had 17 minutes to collect his samples, take some temperature readings and get out safely. Thousands of tourists also flock to the site every year to snap fiery photos from the sidelines. While the crater is one of Turkmenistan's main tourist attractions, it is also a cause of environmental blight with vast quantities of harmful methane released into the atmosphere. Naica Crystal Cave, Mexico Cave of the Crystals in Mexico were discovered by two miners looking for lead The Cave of the Crystals in Mexico is connected to the Naica Mine, below the surface of Naica, Chihuahua, where explorers can marvel at massive beams of selenite. Discovered by two miners looking for lead, the stunning white beams of gypsum have been growing at a snail's pace for hundreds of thousands of years and some now measure more than 30ft. The huge mines at Naica have been excavated for years, but in 1975 a massive area was drained so mining operations could take place and the incredible collection of gypsum was discovered. The formations took shape when super-heated water began cooling and became saturated with gypsum. Over time, crystals formed in the water. One of the major problems still facing scientists wishing to study below the ground at Naica is the heat. A hot spring located close to the Crystal Caves means the temperature is too hot for people to remain in the crystal chamber for longer than ten minutes at a time. Fortunately, other sections of the mine are air-conditioned. Canadian explorer Kourounis is one of the few people who has dared to enter the cave and he told DailyMail.com it was one of the wildest experiences of his life. He explained: 'The air temperature inside reaches 122F (50C) with a relative humidity of approaching 100 per cent making the air inside feel like 228F (105C)! We had to wear special ice-filled suits to enter the cave for brief explorations.' Kawah Ijen Volcano and Sulfur Mine, Indonesia The Kawah Ijen volcano is known for its rich sulfur deposits which are being quarried The Kawah Ijen volcano in East Java, Indonesia, contains the world's largest acidic volcanic crater lake, famous for its turquoise color. It has a pH level of 0.5. The active crater is known for its rich sulfur deposits which are being quarried. The volcano is one of several active stratovolcanoes - a volcano built up of alternate layers of lava and ash - constructed over the 12.5 mile wide Ijen caldera, the largest in Java. Eruptions from Ijen are very hazardous because of the risk of the lake draining to form catastrophic lahars, destructive mudflows on the slopes of a volcano. Coffee plantations cover much of the Ijen caldera floor, and tourists are drawn to its waterfalls, hot springs, and dramatic volcanic scenery. Men working in the Ijen volcano range have a short life expectancy due to the punishing conditions they face every day in the depths of the mines. They wear nothing other than t-shirts and trousers as they collect the yellow material, despite toxic fumes being given off and the fact that the molten sulfur is heated to more than 240F (115C). They must also avoid the deadly turquoise-blue lake which takes up most of the crater floor, as it is made up of almost pure sulfuric acid, and would instantly kill anyone unlucky enough to fall in. Sulfur is a natural source of sulfuric acid, and is used by oil refineries and in the production of goods such as detergents and fertilizers. It is also a key ingredient in match heads. Slot Canyons, Zion National Park Flash-flood fatalities are in Zion are fairly rare, but visitors are warned to be very cautious if wet weather is on the horizon There have been multiple deaths in the slot canyons of Zion National Park in Utah due to flash flooding. In 2015, seven hikers were swept to the deaths in the area of natural beauty. The discovery of their bodies capped three days of searches by more than 60 park rangers, sheriff's deputies and emergency personnel from several agencies. Park officials said all the victims were hiking together on a day trip through narrow Keyhole Canyon, a challenging route on the east side of Zion that requires canyoneers to swim through several pools of water and rappel steep slopes. While the group obtained its permit for the trip, there were weather warnings at the time and the National Weather Service had forecast a 40 per cent chance of rain and the probability of flash flooding. Despite the 2015 tragedy, and another in 1963 which claimed five lives, flash-flood fatalities are in Zion are fairly rare. The most recent incident occurred in 2022, with an Arizona woman swept away when she was attempting to navigate a section known as the 'narrows.' The National Park Service has various advisories on its website in a bid to prevent future disasters from happening. It warns visitors: 'Traveling into the Virgin River Narrows, even on short trips, can be challenging and risky and requires careful planning before you begin. Your safety depends on your own good judgment, adequate preparation, and constant observation. 'Flash floods, often caused by storms miles away, are a very real danger and can be life threatening. During a flash flood, the water level rises quickly, within minutes or even seconds. 'A flash flood can rush down a canyon in a wall of water 12ft high or more. Know the weather and flash flood potential ratings before starting your trip. If bad weather threatens, do not enter a narrow canyon.' Kaaterskill Falls, New York Kaaterskill Falls in New York lures visitors with its natural beauty and people have perished while attempting to snap a selfie Kaaterskill Falls in New York has been deemed one of the most dangerous natural wonders in the world, with multiple deaths over the years. The vacation rental site Holidu notes that the falls lure visitors with its natural beauty and people have perished while attempting to snap a selfie. It explains: 'Of waterfalls, it is not the world's widest or the longest drop that is the most dangerous. Instead, a picturesque two-stage waterfall in the Catskill Mountains of New York. 'It is this beauty that makes it so dangerous though, with reports claiming that the last four people who died at Kaaterskill Falls were either taking or posing for a picture.' In recent years, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has planned ways to bring down the number of fatalities. Despite adding a viewing platform, hand rails, warning signs and a bridge, there are fears the area is still a risky place for those hoping to get a good picture. The state has also used funds to make two parking lots bigger to stop cars lining prohibited areas. The Danakil Desert, Ethiopia With violent volcanoes, blistering air temperatures, toxic gases and land masses being ripped apart by enormous planetary forces, Ethiopia's Danakil Desert is an unlikely tourism hotspot but that's exactly what it has become Ethiopia's Danakil Desert is home to one of planet earth's most extreme environments and has been dubbed the 'cruelest place on Earth.' With violent volcanoes, blistering air temperatures, toxic gases and land masses being ripped apart by enormous planetary forces, it's an unlikely tourism hotspot but that's exactly what it has become. A number of adventure tour companies take intrepid travelers inside the active territory, which is the considered one of the most volatile places on the map. Instead of palm trees, sun loungers and five-star accommodation, visitors are greeted with a bizarre combination of sights that look like nowhere else on Earth. One of the highlights is a massive sulfuric lake. Nicknamed Yellow Lake by Africans - because of the striking color - the phenomenon is caused by high sulfur in the volcanically active region. Another point of interest is Erta Ale, which is a continually erupting basaltic shield volcano with an active lava lake. Looking like a scene of biblical destruction, one of its pits is known as the 'gateway to hell.' And nearby are incredible salt plains. With little life there - because the salt kills vegetation - it makes Danakil seem even more extra-terrestrial. Khumbu Ice Fall, Nepal The Khumbu Icefall on Everest's Nepalese side is an ever-shifting expanse of glacial ice that requires climbers to navigate crevasses over rickety ladders Of Everest's entire route, the Khumbu Icefall receives the most headlines for the danger involved with its crossing. The area involves a dangerous, ever-shifting expanse of glacial ice that requires climbers to navigate crevasses over rickety ladders, and huge overhanging ice that can be as big as 10-stories high. While some climbers have perished by falling into crevasses, avalanches are the biggest risk in this area. Touching on the Khumbu Icefall's dangerous reputation, the Himalayan Database notes: 'The 1970 serac collapse as well as other accidents in the Khumbu Icefall during the 1960 to 1980s gave it the reputation of being most dangerous part of Everest.' Three Sherpas died in 2006 due to a serac collapse and one more in 2009 due to an ice collapse off the West Shoulder. Then in 2014, an immense tumbling wall of snow, ice and rock killed 16 Nepali guides on the Khumbu Icefall in one of the deadliest accidents in the Himalayas. This accident shut down the Everest climbing season in Nepal. Trolltunga, Norway Trolltunga in Norway juts out 2,296 feet above a glistening blue lake, and many people dare to venture to its tip for a photo Trolltunga - which translates to troll tongue - has become one of Norway's most popular attractions in the age of Instagram. The spectacular tongue-shaped rock formation juts out 2,296 feet above a glistening blue lake, and many people dare to venture to its tip for a photo. However, Norwegian rescue services are often called out to Trolltunga as tourists clamber to take pictures without preparing properly for the long climb. One of the world's top climbers was slammed in 2016 after posing for a photo while swinging from the rock promontory. Champion Norwegian climber Magnus Midtbo, now 35, posted the image on social media after a climbing trip to the popular tourist attraction. 'Treating my legs with a much needed break after a long hike,' he commented on the dangerous stunt, which saw him hang from the end of the rock with his arms. He did however issue a warning to his followers in the photo caption, writing: 'I'm wearing a harness and a rope. Please never try this yourself.' The last reported death at Trolltunga was in 2015, when Australian student Kristi Kafcaloudis, 24, slipped and fell to her death while having her photo taken. Cave of Death, Costa Rica Costa Rica's Cave of Death - or 'Cueva de la Muerte' in the local Spanish - is located at the Recreo Verde tourist complex in the district of Venecia From the entrance, it looks almost like a normal cave, with a rocky overhang and leaves scattered around the entrance. The only giveaway is a warning sign adorned with deathly skulls and crossbones saying: 'Danger! No trespassing beyond this point.' This is Costa Rica's Cave of Death - or 'Cueva de la Muerte' in the local Spanish - located at the Recreo Verde tourist complex in the district of Venecia. Measuring 6.5 feet deep and nearly 10ft long, it instantly kills any creature that enters it. However, this isn't deterring brave explorers from making the visit to the site in the hunt for social media videos. According to Belgium-based cave explorer Guy van Rentergem, who visited the site several years ago, it contains a substantial amount of carbon dioxide (CO2). In fact, levels of the gas inside the cave are so high that it can cause unconsciousness almost instantaneously, followed by cessation of breathing. Luckily, humans are generally safe because it's too small to fit into - and signs on the site provide a sufficient warning. However, snakes, birds, rodents and other small creatures quickly die after unwittingly wandering into the entrance, perhaps in search of food. It's unclear exactly what the source of the gas is, although van Rentergem says it is of volcanic origin. During his visit to the Cave of Death, one of van Rentergem's crew demonstrated the cave's potency by holding a lit torch to the entrance. After just a few seconds, the flame is extinguished - and that's because CO2 displaces the oxygen around fire that makes it burn. Amanda Abbington has reportedly accused Giovanni Pernice of 'stamping on her foot' during his 'militant' training sessions on Strictly Come Dancing. The professional dancer, 33, who vehemently denies any claims of threatening or abusive behaviour and has vowed to 'clear his name', stepped down from the show after eight years this week. It comes as the BBC investigates 'serious workplace misconduct claims' by three of his celebrity partners. Off the back of Giovanni's departure, friends close to Amanda, 52, have spoken about how she found the pro dancer 'abrasive' and would have to have 'crisis talks' with show bosses every week after being left in floods of tears at his 'tough' training method with claims it left her 'bruised'. 'Amanda had a terrible experience with Gio. She felt his behaviour was bullying and abrasive. She would be in tears as communication between them broke down. She tried every avenue to try and make it work,' a source told The Sun. Amanda Abbington has reportedly accused Giovanni Pernice of 'stamping on her foot' during his 'militant' training sessions on Strictly Come Dancing Off the back of Giovanni's departure, friends close to Amanda, 52, have spoken about how she found the pro dancer 'abrasive' and would have to have 'crisis talks' with show bosses It comes after he was pictured earlier in the day for the first time since quitting Strictly as the BBC investigates 'serious workplace misconduct claims' by three of his celebrity partners Giovanni shared a post to Instagram detailing that he was 'totally surprised' by the allegations, which he denies 'There would be crisis talks every Friday after producers watched back the video footage of their rehearsals but it would always end up toxic again by the end of the following week. 'Runners would check in on the training weekly and she would regularly be seen crying and feeling very sad and despondent, she desperately wanted it to work but invariably it would break down.' Amanda left the competition mid-way through the series, citing personal reasons after weeks of rumours about a feud with Giovanni. The Sherlock star said she was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and demanded to see footage from rehearsals. Giovanni shared a post to Instagram detailing that he was 'totally surprised' by the allegations, which he denies. He said in a statement: 'You will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made about my dance teaching methods in the media this week. 'Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name. 'Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last decade will know that I am passionate and competitive. No-one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me. 'I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be. This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win - for me and my dance partners. 'Thank you all once again for your continued love and support!' Following his post, fans rushed to the comments to share their thoughts with the professional dancer as many of them confessed their love for him. And while he has profusely 'rejected any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour', sources have told the publication that Amanda had a 'terrible time' Amanda has led the charge in accusing him of 'difficult behaviour' during training and is currently speaking with the BBC to discuss possible workplace misconduct His fans flocked to his comment box to share their thoughts on the matter and confess their love for the TV personality. MailOnline has contacted representatives for Amanda, the BBC and Giovanni for a comment. Giovanni is in Portugal amid the furore. He has fled the country with girlfriend Molly Brown, 25, after reports emerged he would not appear in 20th anniversary series later this year. He was seen for the first time since news of his departure emerged on Saturday, going shopping before enjoying an alfresco drink with pals. Amanda has led the charge in accusing him of 'difficult behaviour' during training and is currently speaking with the BBC to discuss possible workplace misconduct. The actress is said to have met with Laura Whitmore, 39, and Ranvir Singh, 46, earlier this year for an 'emotional summit' to 'compare notes' about their time working with Giovanni amid the BBC's probe. Sources told MailOnline the professional dancer walked away from the show because his future was 'hanging in the balance'. Bosses of the dance show could not categorically determine his future until the completion of an internal investigation, which is believed to have sparked Giovanni's decision to quit after almost a decade. A TV insider said: 'Giovanni is the subject is an internal investigation, which is an ongoing matter. In the snaps, Giovanni was spotted shopping with his girlfriend as he cut a casual figure in a white T-shirt and some dark shades In another snap, the dancing pro appeared worlds away from his Strictly drama as he and his girlfriend enjoyed some cocktails in the sunshine In the snap, Giovanni appeared relaxed as he strolled around the shops with his girlfriend and a pal Giovanni is currently on holiday with his girlfriend Molly Brown, 25, who three days ago shared a series of photos with the dancer, referring to him as her 'best friend' 'Strictly would not be able to terminate his contract until the findings of the investigation are complete, so his future was hanging in the balance. 'And besides, dancers are offered one-year deals to compete in the show, so it would just be a case of Giovanni not being given a new contract to compete in the next series.' The source continued: 'There's no hiding from the fact the complaints lodged by ex-celebrity contestants is not a good look for either Giovanni or the show itself. 'Strictly are taking them seriously which is why the issue is rumbling on. 'But Giovanni is determined to prove he's innocent of all accusations, but the stress and unwelcome attention they've caused is clearly a reason why he's looking at pastures new.' It was reported he had quit Strictly on Thursday night and the following day it emerged the BBC had launched an internal investigation just weeks after saying they wouldn't be looking into the matter further. The Italian professional had previously been accused of being 'too tough' behind the scenes by several of his former celebrity partners including Amanda, as well as Ranvir and Laura. Giovanni previously defended his training style, saying: 'I'm definitely a perfectionist. 'Like everybody else, I like to win. But for me, it's more about bringing the best out of partners, especially if I see that there is talent there. I want to do my job properly.' A spokeswoman, from 700 an hour Carter-Ruck, told The Sun: 'There have been numerous serious complaints made to the BBC who are now in the process of evidence gathering. 'As it is still an ongoing matter no further comment can be made at this stage'. Giovanni has faced a wave of scrutiny ever since his dance partner Amanda (pictured) dramatically quit last year In 2016, former Love Island host Laura Whitmore said she 'cried every day' and felt 'uncomfortable' while training with him The Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh also complained about Giovanni to producers back in 2020, during their time on the show The BBC said two months ago that they would not be investigating Giovanni's behaviour with Amanda. A spokesperson said at the time: 'There is a constant dialogue between the senior production team and contestants to ensure any concerns are addressed swiftly.' A spokesman for the BBC has declined to comment on Giovanni's departure. They told MailOnline: 'The professional dancers for 2024 will be announced in due course'. In 2016, former Love Island host Laura Whitmore said she 'cried every day' and felt 'uncomfortable' while training with him. She later wrote for HuffPost UK in 2018: 'I'm still not ready to talk in-depth about my experience on the show. 'I was placed with a dance partner I was extremely uncomfortable with and in the end I felt broken, I cried every day. And I really was broken, both mentally and physically, by the end.' It's also thought that Giovanni also clashed with his 2018 celebrity partner Faye Tozer. The former member of the 1990s band Steps, Faye Tozer, is said to have struggled to work with him and broke down in tears following an appearance together on the spin-off show, It Takes Two. Meanwhile, his 2022 partner Richie Anderson has unfollowed him on Instagram. Good Morning Britain host Ranvir, who reportedly made a complaint against Giovanni to the BBC in 2020, admitted to feeling 'scared' of the Italian. Giovanni has jetted off to Portugal with his girlfriend Molly amid the furore It's also thought that Giovanni clashed with his 2018 celebrity partner Faye Tozer (pictured) Meanwhile, his 2022 partner Richie Anderson has unfollowed him on Instagram According to an insider, Giovanni feels like he has achieved everything he can on the show, having lifted the glitterball with Rose Ayling-Ellis in 2021 and got to the final several times Other former partners have also come out to back him, including Debbie McGee, the widow of the magician Paul Daniels, who was paired with him in 2017. Giovanni also had a positive relationship with deaf contestant Rose Ayling-Ellis, 29, whom he led to a triumphant victory in 2021, with the pair going on to win a TV BAFTA for their silent dance routine. Shortly after Amanda's allegations, Debbie shared a beaming throwback picture of her and Giovanni taken backstage during their stint together. 'Happy memories, Giovanni and I had the best of times on Strictly,' she said in the caption. He hasn't completely cut ties with BBC, however, with another insider revealing that the BBC is considering commissioning another travel series with Anton Du Beke following strong viewer feedback. Actor Matt Prokop has been arrested in Texas after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend. Nearly a decade after his ex Sarah Hyland was granted a restraining order against him, TMZ reported that Prokop, 33, was charged with aggravated assault and resisting arrest. According to Victoria Police Department, the pair was out on Saturday when Prokop's girlfriend allegedly told someone he assaulted her. Although officers were called to the location, the two were gone when they arrived. Officers responded to a disturbance in another area around an hour later, where they found Prokop and his girlfriend. Matt Prokop was charged with aggravated assault and resisting arrest after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend on Saturday in Texas The arrest comes nearly a decade after his ex Sarah Hyland was granted a restraining order against Prokop The woman sustained enough injuries to warrant an arrest as the investigation found that Prokop allegedly pushed her and slammed her head into something. Prokop reportedly tried to pull away from officers and run as they arrested him. The Disney Channel alum dated Hyland, 33, from 2008 to 2014, after meeting at an audition for High School Musical 3: Senior Year, in which he played Jimmie. He later appeared in a 2012 episode of Modern Family with Hyland, as well as the movies Geek Charming (2011), Struck by Lightning (2012) and April Apocalypse (2013). Prokop was also credited as a producer on her 2015 movie See You in Valhalla. Hyland claimed that Prokop was verbally and physically abusive for four years of their relationship, until her Modern Family onscreen mother Julie Bowen stepped in and helped her end things. In the restraining order, Hyland recounted one incident in which Prokop allegedly pinned her against a car and choked her. 'His grip was so tight that I could not breathe or speak,' Hyland said in the court documents. 'I was scared and in fear for my life.' After Prokop entered rehab in August 2014, someone from the institution called Hyland to warn her of his mental state when he was released, recommending she get a restraining order. The Disney Channel alum dated Hyland from 2008 to 2014, after meeting at an audition for High School Musical 3: Senior Year, in which he played Jimmie Hyland claimed that Prokop was verbally and physically abusive for four years of their relationship, until her Modern Family onscreen mother Julie Bowen stepped in and helped her end things 'His grip was so tight that I could not breathe or speak,' Hyland said in the court documents. 'I was scared and in fear for my life' Hyland was granted a temporary restraining order that September, becoming permanent a month later and requiring him to stay at least 300 feet away from her and her dog. The Wedding Year actress shared some wisdom as she broke her silence on the restraining order shortly after. 'People have to go through things in order to become the person they are today, and that's that,' said Hyland on the Meredith Vieira Show. In August 2022, Hyland married Bachelor Nation alum Wells Adams. When Russian President Vladimir Putin was unavailable to star in his biopic, Polish director Patryk Vega turned to artificial intelligence. The groundbreaking film, whose trailer starts with the leader cowering on a floor in diapers, uses a deepfake of the ruler's face transplanted onto the body of a real actor. "To come extremely close to the dictator, we needed Putin, not an actor with make-up," Vega told AFP at the Cannes Film Festival, where he has been shopping the film to buyers. "I called Putin and asked him if he wanted to play in my movie... No, that was a joke." Vega a 47-year-old director, who has made several hit Polish films used AI to generate just the face, since he lacked enough high-resolution images for a full-body deepfake. The results are uncanny. The producers of the film, called simply "Putin," say it has already been sold in 50 countries ahead of its premiere in September. The film follows the ruler's life over six decades from the age of 10 when he is seen being beaten by his stepfather. "In the end I show his death. A happy end," said Vega. The initial idea came to Vega during the first days of Russia's 2022 invasion of neighboring Ukraine. "First, I wanted to do a movie about the Russian mafia. Then I decided to do it about the biggest gangster," he said. He shrugged off any concerns about reprisals. "Putin should be afraid of me," he said. Tech fears Having developed the tech, he wants to share it with others, saying directors can send him footage, and he can add crowds, actors and many other elements. Such ideas are a huge source of concern in Hollywood, where AI threatens to wipe out many jobs, particularly among special effects technicians and extras. It was a key issue of the months-long strike by actors and writers last year, ending in a hard-fought deal with studios that included promises to pay actors if their AI-generated likenesses are used. However, many studios already use AI extensively for instance, to de-age actors like Harrison Ford in the last "Indiana Jones" but are afraid to speak openly about it, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Some uses are harder to vilify. The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media developed an algorithm to scan screenplays for bias, including how often female characters speak and how many LGBTQ characters are included. YouTube, a key partner for the film industry in promotion and distribution, has been using AI for a decade for things like automated subtitles and copyright protections, and is rapidly expanding the AI tools available to budding filmmakers. Since April, it has been labeling AI-generated content and is ramping up its detection programs. "AI isn't going to take over creation," said YouTube France head Justine Ryst. "It's going to simplify the complex, and make possible the impossible." "We need to want to be bold and disruptive, but also responsible," she added. (AFP) Terry Biviano is reportedly set to make a dramatic return to the latest season of Real Housewives of Sydney. Shoe designer Biviano is said to have become a polarising figure among the cast, particularly with founding members Krissy Marsh and Nicole Gazal-O'Neil. Biviano, who joined the show to shake things up, found herself at odds with Marsh and Gazal-O'Neil, the only remaining original Housewives. Sources close to the show told The Daily Telegraph that the producers went to great lengths to accommodate Biviano's demands, which included changing filming locations and enduring her habitual lateness. By the end of season two, the rift had reportedly grown so severe that Marsh and Gazal-O'Neil, along with another cast member, issued an ultimatum to the producers: either Biviano goes, or they do. Terry Biviano (pictured) is set to make a dramatic return to the latest season of Real Housewives of Sydney In a twist, contract negotiations between Foxtel and Biviano reportedly broke down before season three when Biviano failed to return her signed contract, much to the frustration of producers. With no choice but to move forward without her, the show proceeded. However talks later resumed, and it was decided that Biviano would return mid-season on a cameo basis, promising to 'set off fireworks' and reignite the drama. High maintenance shoe designer Biviano quickly became a polarising figure among the cast, particularly with founding members Krissy Marsh and Nicole O'Neil. (Pictured is the cast of RHOS L-R: Krissy Marsh, Sally Obermeder, Victoria Montano, Terri Biviano, Dr Kate Adams, Nicole O'Neil and Caroline Gaultier) Marsh and Gazal-O'Neil recently teased that the next season of the series could see the return of more Housewives from the original 2017 season Previously speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Marsh confirmed her return to the series. 'We're super proud of what we've created. It's been highly entertaining and has sold to so many countries,' she told Daily Mail Australia. The possibility of former housemates re-joining the cast was a hot topic during the interview. The original season of The Real Housewives of Sydney aired in 2017 before being cancelled for being 'too mean' due to its foul language and physical altercations When probed about keeping in touch with previous members, Krissy playfully hinted, 'Yes we do, and we wish they were on season two, but, you know. Hasta la vista, baby. They might be back - just saying.' This comment was quickly downplayed by Nicole, another cast member, who joked, 'Krissy's spreading rumours, she knows nothing.' The original season of The Real Housewives of Sydney aired in 2017 before being cancelled for being 'too mean'. It was famously rejected by U.S. network Bravo, who opted not to air it because the extreme catfights and bad language was deemed far too extreme. 'A lot of the women in this show were nasty for nastys sake and have no redeeming features,' Foxtel boss Brian Walsh said at the time. Lisa Oldfield and Athena X Levendi were particularly singled out for their foul-mouthed antics, which even turned physical on one occasion. Producers only brought back Krissy and Nicole from the original series, opening space for Kate Adams, Terry Biviano, Caroline Gaultier, and Sally Obermeder to come on board. Krissy emphasised to Daily Mail Australia that the strong ensemble of the seven cast members have collectively contributed to a show they are all proud of this time around. 'And they're all amazing women. Including us!' she added with a smile. The stars also teased a fresh angle for the upcoming season, suggesting a shift in focus. 'The daughters are taking over next season,' they revealed, indicating a possible new dynamic where their children might play a more prominent role. The upcoming season promises to delve deeper into their lives, with the assurance of retaining the essence of what fans have loved about the show. 'Next season there's going to be pretty much the same, but more into our lives,' they hinted. Cate Blanchett was every inch the silver screen queen as she stepped out at the Cannes Film Festival premiere of her new film Rumours on Saturday night. The Australian actress, 54, stunned in a puffy gold gown that featured dramatic pleating on the bodice, beaded shoulders and a dramatic fishtail skirt. Looking like a woman half her age, the svelte blonde highlighted her age-defying complexion with pink blush, taupe lipstick and liquid eyeliner, and swept her hair back into a messy up-do. She completed her look with gold drop earrings and a large ring on her wedding finger. Cate beamed and waved at photographers and adoring onlookers as she swanned down the red carpet with the cast and directors of Rumours - which tells the story of world leaders who meet at the G7 but get lost in the forest while trying to write a joint statement. Cate Blanchett, 54, (pictured) was every inch the silver screen queen as she stepped out at the Cannes Film Festival premiere of her new film Rumours on Saturday night Rumours received a four-minute standing ovation from the crowd following its screening at Cannes, according to Variety. 'While some of the auditorium emptied out while the credits rolled, the majority of filmgoers waited patiently to pay their respects to the film's stars,' the publication reported. Cate's co-star Alicia Vikander did not attend, however. Looking like a woman half her age, the svelte blonde highlighted her age-defying complexion with pink blush, taupe lipstick and liquid eyeliner, and swept her hair back into a messy up-do. The event comes after Cate was accused in February of 'destroying holidays' with her 'noisy' renovation works on her 5million (AUD $9.4million) Cornwall eco home. The Australian actress and her husband Andrew Upton bought and demolished a former cottage in Mawgan Porth in 2020 to make way for their five-bedroom eco-home. She was then accused of a 'blatant land grab' by purchasing an additional plot of land with plans to turn it into a driveway and parking for the holiday home. She completed her look with gold drop earrings and a large ring on her wedding finger The plans subsequently sparked a fresh row with a Cornwall holiday home owner, who accused Cate of having a 'total disregard' for neighbours with the renovations. Karen Burgess, who owns a neighbouring holiday let, alleged that 'noise' from the construction had 'destroyed' the holidays of her guests across the past year. In a complaint filed to Cornwall Council's planning portal, she claimed to have lost 60,000 (AUD $114,075) in rental revenue due to the construction, Cornwall Live reported. Cate beamed and waved at photographers and adoring onlookers as she swanned down the red carpet with the cast and directors of Rumours - which tells the story of world leaders who meet at the G7 but get lost in the forest while trying to write a joint statement Rumours received a four-minute standing ovation from the crowd following its screening at Cannes, according to Variety She claimed at the time that she was having to advertise her holiday home as being impacted by construction noise, but architect firm Watershedd insisted the noise was coming from another development rather than Cate's. In her January objection to the latest plans, she reportedly said: 'I am deeply concerned that there has already been a total disregard for the noise that has destroyed the family holidays of all my guests [...] throughout 2023. 'The losses are more than 60,000 last year and still, we are having to advertise as a property affected by building noise, we thought [Blanchett's property] work was finally over and now there is a new application for groundworks, this work should NOT be permitted during the holiday season. 'Never before in the bay, have we ever experienced such a blatant disregard for the people who flock here for their holidays and residents' enjoyment of the area during the holiday season.' However, a spokesperson for Watershedd - the architect firm behind Cate's build - denied her claims and said the noise was coming from other nearby developments. Leading cosmetics entrepreneur Shelley Sullivan and her husband Anthony have parted ways seven years after their opulent wedding at Point Piper. The couple split abruptly two weeks ago, reports The Sunday Telegraph, with both the beauty mogul and her accountant husband moving out of their marital home in Bellevue Hill. Mrs Sullivan, the founder of popular skincare brand MCoBeauty, has relocated to a nearby hotel in Sydney's eastern suburbs, sources said. Anthony is reportedly overseas. Neither of the Sullivans has commented on the split, and even close friends are said to be in the dark about the details of their abrupt separation. Leading cosmetics entrepreneur Shelley Sullivan and her husband Anthony have parted ways seven years after their opulent wedding at Point Piper (both are pictured on their wedding day) Sullivan, 50, is celebrated as one of Australia's most successful businesswomen. She made her mark in the 1990s with her model and talent agency before launching her thriving 'masstige' beauty brand, ModelCo, in 2016. Masstige is a retail term referring to a product that is marketed as 'prestige' or premium but is in fact mass-produced and inexpensive. The brand is on track to generate $247million in the 2024 financial year. The couple split abruptly two weeks ago, reports The Sunday Telegraph, with both the beauty mogul and her accountant husband moving out of their marital home in Bellevue Hill Sullivan, 50, made her mark in the 1990s with her model and talent agency before launching her thriving 'masstige' beauty brand, ModelCo, in 2016 Sullivan, from Sydney, launched her brand's iconic Tan Airbrush In a Can more than 20 years ago and it still sells a bottle every 36 seconds worldwide. ModelCo has overtaken legacy beauty brands like L'Oreal, Maybelline and Rimmel in the Australian market. The likes of Kendall Jenner, Hailey Baldwin, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Elyse Knowles have represented the internationally famous line. She is credited with introducing the world to the first heated eyelash curlers. Britain's Got Talent sent temperatures soaring during Saturday night's show. Episode six saw the Messoudi brothers from Australia step onto the stage to declare they were jugglers. Head judge Simon Cowell, 63, asked: 'Do people like juggling?' to which the older brother diplomatically answered: 'We try to make them like it.' As the upbeat music started playing, the brothers started to juggle and swap clothes. The duo showed off their impressive skills as they stripped down to their underwear, then redressed - all whilst never dropping a juggling pin. Britain's Got Talent judges got more than they bargained for on Saturday's episode as they were left shocked by a group of raunchy striping jugglers A pair of hunky men sent pulses racing in the London arena as they whipped off every inch of clothing - aside from a pair of tight-fitting Union Jack boxers Things got so steamy that Bruno Tonioli, 67, could barely control his excitement as the two men flaunted their bulging biceps and rock-hard abs. Reacting to the performance, Simon joked: 'I've never seen Bruno so happy in my life.' Quick to quip back, Bruno Tonioli admitted he enjoyed the striptease telling the brother: 'You're so easy on the eye. I actually didn't look at whatever you were throwing about.' After the act - who were awarded four yeses - had finished, Amanda Holden, 53, said: 'I didn't think I'd be that relieved for you to put your clothes back on. It was brilliant' before cheekily adding: 'I am going to give you a tip though, I feel like you should take your socks off.' Alesha Dixon, 45, hailed it as 'one of the most unique acts' she had ever seen whilst Simon described it as 'a brilliant audition, so much fun'. The judges weren't the only one were impressed with the brothers raunchy antics. Fans of the show flocked to X to share their thoughts on the undiscovered talent. 'So do people like jugglers? Hell yes'... 'The stripping jugglers on #bgt were fantastic, Not sure there's much moving forward though.' 'Those jugglers on #bgt were the best thing this year hope they win it'. On Saturday night, the Messoudi brothers from Australia stepped onto the stage to declare they were jugglers As the upbeat music started playing, the brothers started to juggle, strip off and swap clothes Amanda Holden could barely control her excitement as the two men flaunted their bulging biceps and rock-hard abs Art one point Amanda - who said she was 'relieved' their clothes went back on - looked to be shading her eyes from the raunchy show The duo showed off their impressive skills as they stripped down to their underwear, then redressed - all whilst never dropping a juggling pin As the brothers juggled in their underwear, some of the judges jumped up and down in their seats over the striptease Fans of the show who enjoyed the raunchy performance flocked to X to share their thoughts on the undiscovered talent Elsewhere in the show Bruno became emotional when dance troupe Phoenix Boys took to the stage. 'Wow - well the jugglers are great!!! #britainsgottalent #bgt' 'Best act by a mile! #bgt #jugglers'...'Loved the jugglers #bgt' The group, who are aged between eight and 19 performed an impressive routine full of flips, leaps and other intricate dance moves. Former Strictly Come Dancing judge and choreographer Bruno quickly gave the routine a standing ovation before hitting the special Golden Buzzer for the second time this series. The enthusiastic professional dancer and choreographer hit the buzzer so hard that it cracked. Elsewhere in the show Bruno became emotional when dance troupe Phoenix Boys took to the stage and pressed the Golden Buzzer for the second time this series As he took to the stage an emotional Bruno praised the dance act saying that people don't know how hard some moves are but he could see the passion The other judges appeared shocked by his move and that he had broken the rules by awarding his second Golden Buzzer of the series having previously awarded one to a teacher, Taryn Charles. As he took to the stage, Bruno apologised for breaking the show rules with his second Golden Buzzer, and told the audience: 'People don't really know how hard it is to succeed as a dancer. The work that goes into it and the passion and literally you do it for nothing, you do it for love and I felt that.' He added: 'What really touches people is when you perform from your heart. It's the truth of your performance, that's really what remains in people's minds and you touched me and I think you touched everyone here.' It comes as the show has been hit by fix claims again with some viewers accusing the judges of being involved in magic trick - but Simon assured the audience they had no idea. More than 20 years later, Kourtney Kardashian is looking back on her higher education with fond memories. The Poosh mogul, 45, shared a throwback photo of 'college Kourt' on Saturday, reminiscing about her 1998 freshman year in an Instagram post. 'Freshman year in front of my dorm at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas 1998,' she started in the caption. 'Isn't it funny how a simple photograph can bring back so many memories 'I remember [mother Kris Jenner] and [cousin Cici Bussey] coming to visit me and I was so homesick because it was my first time living away from home,' Kourtney continued. She recalled going to a local market for 'salads from the salad bar, a fresh sourdough loaf, raw oatmeal raisin cookie dough and a bottle of wine,' which they would take back to enjoy in their hotel room. Kourtney Kardashian shared a throwback photo of 'college Kourt' on Saturday, reminiscing about her 1998 freshman year in an Instagram post 'Freshman year in front of my dorm at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas 1998,' she started in the caption. 'Isn't it funny how a simple photograph can bring back so many memories' 'My mom and I would cry so hard every time she left me to go back or when I would leave home to go back to college,' wrote Kourtney. 'Ohhhhh the mems' Kourtney attended SMU for two years before transferring to University of Arizona in Tucson, where she graduated with a major in theatre arts and a minor in Spanish. Kim Kardashian previously reminisced about visiting her big sister at UA, sharing a throwback photo in 2021 of their party days. 'College Years Baby!!!' she wrote at the time. 'University of Arizona single handedly stopped me from turning into a wild party girl. 'I remember visiting Kourt on campus and being her designated driver. I hated all of the wild parties so much that I stayed home and never wanted to drink or party EVERso thank you U of A. 'I was never a student there but u shaped my life more than you know,' added Kim. Kourtney rang in her 45th birthday last month with more throwbacks and tributes from loved ones. 'Happy birthday to my firstborn babydoll Kourtney,' wrote Kris, 68. 'What in the world is happening, time is twirling so fast and I can't believe you are 45!!!' she raved. Kim Kardashian previously reminisced about visiting her big sister at University of Arizona, sharing a throwback photo in 2021 of their party days Kourtney rang in her 45th birthday last month with more throwbacks and tributes from loved ones 'Happy birthday to my firstborn babydoll Kourtney,' wrote mom Kris Jenner. 'What in the world is happening, time is twirling so fast and I can't believe you are 45!!!' Kourtney and husband Travis Barker welcomed their first child together, son Rocky Thirteen , in November 'It seems like just the other day you were wearing your 5 year old party hat going to Buckley to be the line leader and I was bringing cupcakes for the class to celebrate, The 'momager' added, 'Well you have grown into the most beautiful and amazing daughter, wife, mommy, sister, auntie and best friend a girl can have. 'You are a kick a** business boss and I am so proud of you every day!' wrote Kris. 'Thank you for making me a grandma for the first time and for every single moment and memory we share. I love you beyond measure. Husband Travis Barker also paid tribute, sharing photos of his wife. 'Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife, soulmate and best friend forever,' he wrote. 'I love you, I love our life together,' added Barker, 48. 'Thank you for being the most amazing wife a person could ask for. Heres to many more years of adventures together.' Kourtney and the Blink-182 drummer welcomed their first child together, son Rocky Thirteen, in November. She also shares Mason, 14, Penelope, 11, and nine-year-old Reign with ex Scott Disick. Daisy Ridley attended a special screening of Disney's Young Woman And The Sea hosted by BAFTA at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood on Saturday. The actress, 32, was joined by the biographical drama's director Joachim Ronning and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. Ridley - who recently dished on working with her husband Tom Bateman - looked business chic in a boxy gray blazer. She layered her oversized outerwear over a flirty white minidress that showed off her legs. Ridley strolled around the venue's lobby in a pair of white designer heels. Daisy Ridley attended a special screening of Disney's Young Woman And The Sea hosted by BAFTA at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood on Saturday Ridley - who recently dished on working with her husband Tom Bateman - looked business chic in a boxy gray blazer The star of the Star Wars sequel trilogy's dark brunette locks contrasted perfectly with the light tones of her outfit. Young Woman And The Sea is based on Glenn Stout's book of the same name, which was originally published in 2009. The movie is centered on the life of Gertrude Ederle, an Olympic gold medalist who became the first woman to swim across the English Channel in 1926. In addition to Ridley, the cast of the movie includes performers such as Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Stephen Graham and Christopher Eccleston. Development on the movie began in 2015, when Bruckheimer obtained the rights to Stout's novel. Although Lily James was initially set to portray Ederle, she ultimately departed the project. Ridley joined the film's cast in 2020, and much of the other performers involved with the film signed on to work on the project over the next few years. Production on Young Woman And The Sea commenced in May of 2022 and concluded the following month. The Ophelia star spoke about working on the feature during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter and stated that her previous action-film training did not necessarily prepare her for extensive periods of swimming. The actress, 32, was joined by the biographical drama's director Joachim Ronning and producer Jerry Bruckheimer She layered her oversized outerwear over a flirty white minidress that showed off her legs Young Woman And The Sea is based on Glenn Stout's book of the same name, which was originally published in 2009. The movie is centered on the life of Gertrude Ederle, an Olympic gold medalist who became the first woman to swim across the English Channel in 1926 'I feel like, generally, the stuff I learned for Star Wars is transferable...but swimming is just a different thing, so it felt like really starting at the beginning,' she said. Ridley also admitted that, while she was proud of her work in the film, she was not planning on taking part in any swimming competitions anytime soon. 'I'm so thrilled to play Trudy, what she did is amazing, and I don't need to swim anymore. I'll watch people swim and cheer them on, can't wait for the Olympics,' she said. Young Woman And The Sea's limited theatrical release in the United States is scheduled to begin on May 31. Body positive influencer Karina Irby has dared to bare in a very skimpy swimsuit while showing off her 'unfiltered' physique at the beach. Posting to Instagram on Saturday, the swimwear brand owner, 33, shared two eye-popping photos of herself posing in a green G-string bikini. Showing off her barely-covered derriere, the plus-size model arched her back and struck two provocative poses while staring out at the horizon. She accompanied this with a caption in which she bragged about not using camera and editing tricks to alter her appearance. 'No filters. No lighting. Just me. A kind reminder that we all need to see more frequently,' she wrote. Body positive influencer Karina Irby, 33, (pictured) took to Instagram on Saturday with photos of herself posing in a green G-string bikini Karina's fans were quick to praise the body confident blonde on her powerful post, with one commenting: 'Gorgeous inside and out'. 'Love love love love love! It's all about feeling good and connecting with the beach in whatever form people want to,' another added. 'That peach is peaching. Thank you for being authentic, and a beautiful soul. You really do inspire people and I know the trolls are trolls. But we 99 percent of us appreciate you and see you,' someone else wrote. Showing off her barely-covered derriere, the plus-size model arched her back and struck two provocative poses while staring out at the horizon 'No filters. No lighting. Just me. A kind reminder that we all need to see more frequently,' she wrote in the caption It comes after Karina hit back a critics of the revealing outfit she wore to Taylor Swift 's Sydney concert back in February The commenter critiqued Karina's look: 'you have no class and no respect and it's sickening. 'Wear this s**t on your OnlyFans, not to a concert filled with kids' It comes after Karina hit back a critics of the revealing outfit she wore to Taylor Swift's Sydney concert back in February. Posting to Instagram, Karina shared a screenshot of a comment she had received under a video of herself dressed in a black bodysuit with revealing g-string feature and chunky black heeled boots. The commenter harshly critiqued Karina's look, saying 'you have no class and no respect and it's sickening. Wear this s**t on your OnlyFans, not to a concert filled with kids.' However, the influencer's video accompanying the screenshot of the nasty comment showed her gallivanting around the Accor Stadium enjoying herself, while the caption to the post read 'Never let ANYONE dim your sparkle.' 'Posting this to show you that you don't have to let the opinions of others ruin your day,' she added. However, the influencer's video accompanying the screenshot of the nasty comment showed her gallivanting around the Accor Stadium enjoying herself, while the caption to the post read 'Never let ANYONE dim your sparkle' Karina then expressed her surprise that her Swift fandom would 'cause such a stir.' 'I low key thought you'd all be happy for me having such a lovely experience and sharing it. Ahhh the internet,' she wrote. The plus-sized beauty concluded her remarks by defiantly tagging the person who left the comment to directly address them. 'Taylor and I are the same age. This is more of a concert for adults than children,' she declared. She wowed on the red carpet in a sparkly gold gown while attending the Cannes Film Festival premiere of her new flick Rumours on Saturday night. And Cate Blanchett looked chic once again as she attended the official after party at Lucia restaurant in Cannes shortly after the screening. The Australian actress, 55, stunned in a woven, fruit-print top that boasted dramatic sleeves and a flared peplum hem. She teamed this with a pair of figure-flattering leather trousers that showcased her toned legs, pointy-toed pumps and gold earrings. Looking youthful as ever, the svelte blonde highlighted her age-defying complexion with pink blush, taupe lipstick and liquid eyeliner, and swept her hair back into a messy up-do. Cate Blanchett, 55, (pictured) looked chic in quirky fruit-print top and leather trousers as she attended the Cannes Film Festival afterparty for her new flick Rumours on Saturday night Rumours received a four-minute standing ovation from the crowd following its screening at Cannes. 'While some of the auditorium emptied out while the credits rolled, the majority of filmgoers waited patiently to pay their respects to the film's stars,' the publication reported. Cate's co-star Alicia Vikander did not attend, however. The Australian actress stunned in a woven, fruit-print top that boasted dramatic sleeves and a flared peplum hem. During the red carpet, Cate stunned in a sparkly gold gown that featured dramatic pleating on the bodice, beaded shoulders and a dramatic fishtail skirt. She then further accessorised the sparkly ensemble with a pair of diamond drop earrings. The star was also joined on the carpet by her co-star Denis Menochet, 47, who cut a dapper figure in a black tuxedo with a white bow. Cate earlier wowed on the red carpet in a sparkly gold gown while attending the premiere Directors of the film Evan Johnson, 41, and Guy Maddin, 68, also took up the chance to get several snaps with the Academy Award winner. The comedy film Rumours is written and directed by Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson and Galen Johnson. The film follows the seven leaders of the worlds wealthiest liberal democracies at the annual G7 summit after they become lost in the woods and face increasing peril while attempting to draft a provisional statement regarding a global crisis. Cate was joined on the red carpet by her co-star Nikki Amuka-Bird, 48, (left) who cut a glamorous figure in a sheer black lace gown Denis Menochet, 47, (right) also cut a dapper figure in a black tuxedo as he took up the chance to get several snaps with his co-stars The film, which recently wrapped production in Hungary, also stars Genie Award winner Roy Dupuis and additional cast includes Charles Dance, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Rolando Ravello, Takehiro Hira, and Zlatko Buric. Cannes is the world's biggest film festival, first conceived in 1939 as an alternative to the then-fascist-influenced Venice Film Festival. It has been held annually since 1946 except in 1948 and 1950, when it was cancelled due to lack of funds. He's best known for his role in the hit TV series Nip/Tuck. And on Saturday, Julian McMahon turned heads as he premiered his new film at the Cannes Film Festival. The Australian-American actor, 55, made a striking appearance at the premiere of The Surfer, showcasing his extremely bronzed tan and chiselled jawline. McMahon looked dapper in a classic black double-breasted tuxedo, paired with a crisp white shirt and a sleek black bow tie. The well-tailored suit accentuated his fit physique, while his polished black dress shoes completed the sophisticated ensemble. Julian McMahon, 55, (pictured) turned heads as he premiered his new film at the Cannes Film Festival He also clutched a single red rose in one hand as he posed for photographers. The star was joined by co-stars Nicolas Cage and Alexander Bertrand. The Stan Original feature film has been teased for months now after Cage, 59, was spotted shooting the movie in Western Australia earlier this year. The Australian-American made a striking appearance at the premiere of The Surfer, showcasing his extremely bronzed tan and chiselled jawline McMahon looked dapper in a classic black double-breasted tuxedo, paired with a crisp white shirt and a sleek black bow tie He also clutched a single red rose in one hand as he posed for photographers The Academy Award winner stars in the lead role in the psychological thriller. The week the Australian streaming platform shared a first look image of Cage in character, appearing disheveled and distressed while examining a bullet. Directed by Lorcan Finnegan (Vivarium) and written by Thomas Martin, The Surfer is an intensely unnerving feature film shot in a single location in Yallingup, which is known for its iconic beaches. The Surfer will premiere soon in theatres and on Stan. The Australian star was joined by co-stars Nicolas Cage and Alexander Bertrand (both pictured) As a survivor, Kristin Chenoweth hopes her story will help others. After seeing the surveillance footage of Sean 'Diddy' Combs assaulting ex Cassandra 'Cassie' Ventura, the Tony Award winner, 55, felt compelled to share her own experience with abuse. 'I've just seen the Sean "Puffy" Combs ,' Chenoweth wrote Friday on X (formerly Twitter). 'There is no excuse no matter what his defense is. Heartbreaking I used to love him.' She added in another post, 'Honestly I have my reasons for the Sean Combs video bothering me so much. The main thing I need to do is pray for him. For real.' Chenoweth reluctantly went into further detail in a follow-up post on Saturday as she defended her decision to pray for Combs, 54. After seeing the surveillance footage of Sean 'Diddy' Combs assaulting ex Cassandra 'Cassie' Ventura, Kristin Chenoweth felt compelled to share her own experience with abuse 'I've just seen the Sean "Puffy" Combs ,' Chenoweth wrote Friday on X (formerly Twitter). 'There is no excuse no matter what his defense is. Heartbreaking I used to love him' 'Never wanted to come out with it, but here we go,' she wrote. 'Several years ago I was severely abused. It took me therapy and prayer to understand I deserved better. 'I was deeply injured physically and spiritually. The only thing I knew to do when I got out was pray. Pray for myself. Pray for him as he grew up abused. So. There y'all go,' added Chenoweth. The Wicked star recalled the experience as 'the lowest I've been in my life,' adding: 'I must admit I haven't forgiven yet. It's beyond me. God is helping me through that part.' As fans praised her candor, Chenoweth added, 'Maybe it helped someone.' She tied the knot with Josh Bryant in Dallas back in November after previously dating Aaron Sorkin, Seth Green, Dana Brunetti, Lane Garrison and Marc Kudisch. Garrison was arrested for domestic violence in 2012 when he was seen on surveillance footage slapping ex-girlfriend Ashley Mattingly. Chenoweth's post comes after CNN obtained surveillance footage of Combs, 54, violently attacking Cassie, 37, at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016. Cassie is reportedly cooperating with the federal investigation into her ex, although the Los Angeles DA said they could not prosecute Diddy based on the video, due to the statute of limitations. Between November 2023 and February 2024, four women, including Cassie, and record producer Rodney 'Lil Rod' Jones all filed lawsuits accusing Diddy of sexual assault, rape, sex trafficking and physical abuse. Chenoweth wrote in a follow-up post, 'Never wanted to come out with it, but here we go. Several years ago I was severely abused. It took me therapy and prayer to understand I deserved better' Chenoweth's post comes after CNN obtained surveillance footage of Combs violently attacking Cassie at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016 Cassie is reportedly cooperating with the federal investigation into her ex, although the Los Angeles DA said they could not prosecute Diddy based on the video, due to the statute of limitations The complaints culminated in Homeland Security Investigations raiding his homes late last month, where they were seen removing boxes and bags of evidence. Diddy's attorney Aaron Dyer has since shared a statement calling the raids a 'witch hunt' and insisting his client is innocent. 'Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs' residences,' he said. 'There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated. 'Mr. Combs was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities. Despite media speculation, neither Mr. Combs nor any of his family members have been arrested nor has their ability to travel been restricted in any way. 'This unprecedented ambush - paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence - leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits,' he continued. Dyer added, 'There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations. Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name.' Fresh floods killed 66 people in Faryab province in northern Afghanistan, a provincial official said Sunday, in the latest deadly flooding to hit the country. Hundreds of people have died in separate flash floods this month that have also swamped farmland in a country where 80 percent of the population depends on agriculture to survive. The latest heavy floods hit multiple districts of Faryab province on Saturday night and "resulted in human and financial losses," said Asmatullah Muradi, spokesman for the Faryab governor, in a statement. "Due to the floods 66 people were killed," he said, adding that at least five people were injured and others were still missing. The flooding damaged more than 1,500 houses, swamped more than 1,000 acres of agricultural land and killed livestock in their hundreds, he said. The floods came a day after provincial police said more than 50 people were killed in flash flooding in the western province of Ghor. Just over a week ago, more than 300 people were killed in flash flooding in northern Baghlan province, according to the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) and Taliban officials. Taliban officials have warned the tolls would go up in regions impacted by flooding, as destroyed infrastructure hampered aid delivery and efforts to find the missing. The death toll from the Ghor flooding rose from 50 to 55 on Sunday, according to Abdul Wahid Hamas, a spokesman for the provincial governor. "More than 3,000 homes were totally destroyed due to the floods" in Ghor, he added. Videos shared on social media platform X by the WFP showed torrents of brown water crashing through walls of homes and churning through streets in Ghor. Residents in Baghlan, Ghor, Faryab and other affected regions found themselves without shelter, stripped of their homes and livelihoods. "We were inside our home when rain started and all of a sudden, a flash flood came, we were trying to get things out but it washed away our home, our life, everything," Ghor resident Jawan Gul told AFP on Saturday. The WFP warned that the recent floods have compounded an already dire humanitarian situation in the impoverished country. Spring floods are not uncommon in Afghanistan, a country of more than 40 million people, but above-average rainfall this year has sparked devastating flash flooding. Even before the most recent spate of floods, about 100 people had been killed from mid-April to early May as a result of flooding in 10 of Afghanistan's provinces, authorities said. The rains come after a prolonged drought in Afghanistan, which is one of the least prepared nations to tackle climate change impacts, according to experts. (AFP) Frances Loch, the daughter of former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, has welcomed her second child, a girl named Romona, with her husband Sam. The 32-year-old shared the exciting news to Instagram on Sunday and revealed she gave birth at home on a yoga mat. 'Romona. Born at home, on my yoga mat. I am in utter awe of birth and the human body,' she announced alongside a gallery of black and white photos from the birth. 'Grateful for my baby daddy and best friend @samloch and my incredible birth team,' she continued. Frances announced her pregnancy news on Instagram in December. Frances Loch, 32, the daughter of former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, has welcomed her second child, a girl named Romona, with her husband Sam. Both pictured The 32-year-old shared the exciting news to Instagram on Sunday and revealed she gave birth at home on a yoga mat She posted a photo showing off her growing baby bump in a black crop top as she carried the couple's son Ernest. 'Grateful to raise our babies & excited to make memories here. Another bubba Loch joining the party in 2024,' she wrote. Frances and Sam, 40, welcomed their son Ernest into the world in 2021. The couple tied the knot in a surprise wedding ceremony on Valentine's Day 2018 just three months after she met the bodybuilder in November 2017 - and got engaged two weeks later. 'Two weeks was all it took to know that forever with you was a mighty fine idea,' she wrote in an Instagram post at the time of their shock engagement. Frances said the proposal happened in the kitchen when Sam, a former Olympic rower, popped the question as she was putting peas in the freezer. 'Romona. Born at home, on my yoga mat. I am in utter awe of birth and the human body,' she announced alongside a gallery of black and white photos from the birth During the proposal, Sam had a bottle of champagne in his hands and cleverly convinced her to ask him why. When she obliged, he replied that he brought it to drink after he asked her to marry him. That was two weeks after they first met, and the couple waited another two weeks before telling the world about their whirlwind romance. 'Grateful for my baby daddy and best friend @samloch and my incredible birth team,' she continued Former PM Tony Abbott also congratulated the couple at the time, tweeting: 'Really thrilled at the news of Francie and Sam's engagement. We are very proud of her and the Abbotts are looking forward to welcoming Sam into the family.' Despite concerns the couple were moving too fast, Frances previously revealed her family, including her dad, were very supportive of their engagement. The pair were legally married at a registry in February 2018 - but waited to celebrate with their nearest and dearest at Sydney's exclusive Palm Beach in April. EXCLUSIVE Cosmetics entrepreneur Shelley Sullivan and her husband Anthony had just ended their lease and were in the process of moving from their $11,000-a-week heritage-listed rental mansion into a five-star hotel when they abruptly split, sources say. Sources familiar with the couple's situation have told Daily Mail Australia that Mrs Sullivan, the founder of popular skincare brand MCoBeauty, and her accountant husband parted ways two weeks ago after having a massive argument. At the time, according to the source, the couple was still residing in their marital home, a $76million mansion called Leura in Bellevue Hill in Sydney's east. The source said the argument prompted Mr Sullivan to leave the country and head to the United States, while his wife moved into the InterContinental in Double Bay - as the couple had originally planned. The high-society split, which comes just seven years after the couple's opulent wedding at Point Piper, has shocked their wealthy social circle in Sydney's eastern suburbs. Shelley Sullivan, 50, (pictured) was pictured speaking to someone over the phone from the balcony of her five-star eastern suburbs hotel on Sunday Shelley Sullivan and her husband Anthony are pictured on their wedding day seven years ago Daily Mail Australia understands Mr Sullivan booked a flight back to Sydney for early next week after learning the break-up had made headlines. Meanwhile, the beauty mogul appeared distressed as she fielded phone calls on Sunday from the balcony of her plush hotel suite. Makeup-free and dressed in casual winter attire, Mrs Sullivan's pearl wedding ring was noticeably missing from her left hand. A cardboard box appearing to contain a bar fridge was spotted outside the couple's deserted home 1.5km in Bellevue Hill. Rooms in the InterContinental - which has housed celebrity guests including Princess Diana and INXS frontman Michael Hutchence, who died there in 1997, when it was formerly known as the Ritz Carlton - range from $300 to more than $1,000, depending on the room type and season. A cardboard box appearing to contain a bar fridge was spotted outside the couple's home Bellevue Hill on Sunday The couple split abruptly two weeks ago, with both the beauty mogul and her accountant husband moving out of their marital home in Bellevue Hill The source told Daily Mail Australia the couple frequently stay in hotels and were renting, despite their multi-millionaire status, because they could not find something they liked around the $40million mark. Neither of the Sullivans has commented on the split. The last time the couple was pictured together on Mrs Sullivan's Instagram page was in March during a trip to LA. Sullivan, 50, is celebrated as one of Australia's most successful businesswomen. She made her mark in the 1990s with her model and talent agency before launching her thriving 'masstige' beauty brand, ModelCo, in 2016. Model CO founder Shelley Sullivan was make-up free and in casual attire as she took a phone call on the balcony of her hotel room at the InterContinental in Double Bay In happier times: Shelley Sullivan, 50, (pictured with her husband) made her mark in the 1990s with her model and talent agency before launching her thriving 'masstige' beauty brand, ModelCo, in 2016 Masstige is a retail term referring to a product that is marketed as 'prestige' or premium but is in fact mass-produced and inexpensive. The brand is on track to generate $247million in the 2024 financial year. Sullivan, from Sydney, launched her brand's iconic Tan Airbrush In a Can more than 20 years ago and it still sells a bottle every 36 seconds worldwide. ModelCo has overtaken legacy beauty brands like L'Oreal, Maybelline and Rimmel in the Australian market. The likes of Kendall Jenner, Hailey Baldwin, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Elyse Knowles have represented the internationally famous line. She is credited with introducing the world to the first heated eyelash curlers. Shelley Sullivan is holed up in the InterContinental in Double Bay as she deals with her recent marriage split The Sullivans' split has shocked their wealthy social circle in Sydney's eastern suburbs Strictly's Giovanni Pernice has vowed to 'clear his name' as the BBC investigates 'serious workplace misconduct claims' by three of his celebrity partners. The dancer, 33, released a statement on Instagram on Saturday night after he reportedly quit the show - which was notably met with silence from his co-stars on the dancing show. He is said to have not signed up to the new series after the scrutiny became 'too much' when three of his ex dance partners slammed his 'militant' approach. Amanda Abbington, 52, who withdrew from the series last year, has led the charge in accusing him of 'difficult behaviour' during training. She now has reportedly accused him of 'stamping on her foot' during his sessions. But in a new statement he detailed that he was 'totally surprised' by the allegations, which he denies and said he rejected 'any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour'. And while Giovanni's co-stars showed no support on his statement, fellow pros such as Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu and Luba Mushtuk have been liking Amanda's recent Instagram posts. Strictly's Giovanni Pernice has vowed to 'clear his name' as the BBC investigates 'serious workplace misconduct claims' by three of his celebrity partners The dancer, 33, released a statement on Instagram on Saturday night after he reportedly quit the show - which was notably met with silence from his co-stars on the dancing show Amanda Abbington, 52, who withdrew from the series last year, has led the charge in accusing him of 'difficult behaviour' during training. She now has reportedly accused him of 'stamping on her foot' during his sessions Giovanni wrote in his social media statement: 'You will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made about my dance teaching methods in the media this week. 'Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name. 'Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last decade will know that I am passionate and competitive. No-one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me. 'I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be. This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win - for me and my dance partners. 'Thank you all once again for your continued love and support!' Following his post, fans rushed to the comments to share their thoughts with the professional dancer as many of them confessed their love for him. But while fans were quick to offer their support none of his Strictly co-stars have yet offered any comments on the post. And none yet appear to have commented on what has happened or offered support on the statement he made. One notably quiet is head judge Shirley Ballas who previously came out in his defence. And while Giovanni's co-stars showed no support on his statement, fellow pros such as Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu and Luba Mushtuk have been liking Amanda's recent Instagram posts Off the back of Giovanni's departure, friends close to Amanda have spoken about how she found the pro dancer 'abrasive' and would have to have 'crisis talks' with show bosses The professional dancer vehemently denies any claims of threatening or abusive behaviour Amanda has led the charge in accusing him of 'difficult behaviour' during training and is currently speaking with the BBC to discuss possible workplace misconduct In January she called him an 'absolute gentleman' amid his feud with his former partner on the series Amanda. Speaking on Lorraine Shirley said in response to the revelations: 'I've known Giovanni for many years and he is an absolutely splendid teacher. 'My only ever experience with him is he is an absolute gentlemen. He gives 100%. 'Strictly and shows like that they are tough shows so you know when you sign up for that kind of thing. It's quite difficult to do the show.' It comes as Amanda reportedly accused Giovanni of 'stamping on her foot' during his 'militant' training sessions on the show. The professional dancer vehemently denies any claims of threatening or abusive behaviour. Off the back of Giovanni's reported departure from the show, friends close to Amanda, 52, have spoken about how she found the pro dancer 'abrasive' and would have to have 'crisis talks' with show bosses every week after being left in floods of tears at his 'tough' training method with claims it left her 'bruised'. 'Amanda had a terrible experience with Gio. She felt his behaviour was bullying and abrasive. She would be in tears as communication between them broke down. She tried every avenue to try and make it work,' a source told The Sun. 'There would be crisis talks every Friday after producers watched back the video footage of their rehearsals but it would always end up toxic again by the end of the following week. 'Runners would check in on the training weekly and she would regularly be seen crying and feeling very sad and despondent, she desperately wanted it to work but invariably it would break down.' Amanda left the competition mid-way through the series, citing personal reasons after weeks of rumours about a feud with Giovanni. The Sherlock star said she was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and demanded to see footage from rehearsals. Giovanni is in Portugal amid the furore. He has fled the country with girlfriend Molly Brown, 25, after reports emerged he would not appear in 20th anniversary series later this year. He was seen for the first time since news of his departure emerged on Saturday, going shopping before enjoying an alfresco drink with pals. Amanda has led the charge in accusing him of 'difficult behaviour' during training and is currently speaking with the BBC to discuss possible workplace misconduct. The actress is said to have met with Laura Whitmore, 39, and Ranvir Singh, 46, earlier this year for an 'emotional summit' to 'compare notes' about their time working with Giovanni amid the BBC's probe. Sources told MailOnline the professional dancer walked away from the show because his future was 'hanging in the balance'. Bosses of the dance show could not categorically determine his future until the completion of an internal investigation, which is believed to have sparked Giovanni's decision to quit after almost a decade. A TV insider said: 'Giovanni is the subject is an internal investigation, which is an ongoing matter. 'Strictly would not be able to terminate his contract until the findings of the investigation are complete, so his future was hanging in the balance. 'And besides, dancers are offered one-year deals to compete in the show, so it would just be a case of Giovanni not being given a new contract to compete in the next series.' The source continued: 'There's no hiding from the fact the complaints lodged by ex-celebrity contestants is not a good look for either Giovanni or the show itself. 'Strictly are taking them seriously which is why the issue is rumbling on. 'But Giovanni is determined to prove he's innocent of all accusations, but the stress and unwelcome attention they've caused is clearly a reason why he's looking at pastures new.' It was reported he had quit Strictly on Thursday night and the following day it emerged the BBC had launched an internal investigation just weeks after saying they wouldn't be looking into the matter further. The Italian professional had previously been accused of being 'too tough' behind the scenes by several of his former celebrity partners including Amanda, as well as Ranvir and Laura. Giovanni previously defended his training style, saying: 'I'm definitely a perfectionist. 'Like everybody else, I like to win. But for me, it's more about bringing the best out of partners, especially if I see that there is talent there. I want to do my job properly.' A spokeswoman, from 700 an hour Carter-Ruck, told The Sun: 'There have been numerous serious complaints made to the BBC who are now in the process of evidence gathering. 'As it is still an ongoing matter no further comment can be made at this stage'. The BBC said two months ago that they would not be investigating Giovanni's behaviour with Amanda. A spokesperson said at the time: 'There is a constant dialogue between the senior production team and contestants to ensure any concerns are addressed swiftly.' A spokesman for the BBC has declined to comment on Giovanni's departure. They told MailOnline: 'The professional dancers for 2024 will be announced in due course'. In 2016, former Love Island host Laura Whitmore said she 'cried every day' and felt 'uncomfortable' while training with him. She later wrote for HuffPost UK in 2018: 'I'm still not ready to talk in-depth about my experience on the show. 'I was placed with a dance partner I was extremely uncomfortable with and in the end I felt broken, I cried every day. And I really was broken, both mentally and physically, by the end.' It's also thought that Giovanni also clashed with his 2018 celebrity partner Faye Tozer. The former member of the 1990s band Steps, Faye Tozer, is said to have struggled to work with him and broke down in tears following an appearance together on the spin-off show, It Takes Two. Meanwhile, his 2022 partner Richie Anderson has unfollowed him on Instagram. Good Morning Britain host Ranvir, who reportedly made a complaint against Giovanni to the BBC in 2020, admitted to feeling 'scared' of the Italian. Giovanni is currently on holiday with his girlfriend Molly Brown, 25, who three days ago shared a series of photos with the dancer, referring to him as her 'best friend' Giovanni has faced a wave of scrutiny ever since his dance partner Amanda (pictured) dramatically quit last year In 2016, former Love Island host Laura Whitmore said she 'cried every day' and felt 'uncomfortable' while training with him The Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh also complained about Giovanni to producers back in 2020, during their time on the show Other former partners have also come out to back him, including Debbie McGee, the widow of the magician Paul Daniels, who was paired with him in 2017. Giovanni also had a positive relationship with deaf contestant Rose Ayling-Ellis, 29, whom he led to a triumphant victory in 2021, with the pair going on to win a TV BAFTA for their silent dance routine. Shortly after Amanda's allegations, Debbie shared a beaming throwback picture of her and Giovanni taken backstage during their stint together. 'Happy memories, Giovanni and I had the best of times on Strictly,' she said in the caption. He hasn't completely cut ties with BBC, however, with another insider revealing that the BBC is considering commissioning another travel series with Anton Du Beke following strong viewer feedback. Kate Beckinsale joked on Instagram on Sunday that she was 'almost shot by a farmer' when she attempted to stroke a goat while filming in Italy. The actress, 50, who is a big animal lover, seemed in good spirits as she was seen chasing a goat in a field while wearing a towering pair of tan heels. However, in the short clip she quickly turned around and ran away from the animals as she claimed a farmer was watching her. Kate looked incredible for the outing in a white long sleeved blouse which she teamed with skinny jeans. She wrote: 'Oh Italy: your sunny, enveloping charm except when you try and pat a goat and almost get shot by a farmer'. Kate Beckinsale joked on Instagram on Sunday that she was 'almost shot by a farmer' when she attempted to stroke a goat while filming in Italy The actress, 50, who is a big animal lover, seemed in good spirits as she was seen chasing a goat in a field while wearing a towering pair of tan heels In another picture, the Underworld star looked stunning in a white and green dress as she posed for behind-the-scenes pictures while filming on set in Italy. Kate was in high spirits as she beamed for photos while checking her phone between scenes. She has been busy filming scenes for her new kidnapping movie Stolen Girl, starring alongside Scott Eastwood. Kate shielded from the sun under a large umbrella in which a crew member held above her head before she continued filming in the busy Italian streets. The new film Stolen Girl, directed by James Kent, is based on the real story of Maureen Dabbagh who spent years tracking down her daughter after she was abducted by her child's father. Kate is back on Instagram after recently hitting back at trolls for 'bullying'. She shared two videos - one from 20 years ago when she looked younger and one from a recent outing at The King's Trust Gala in NYC - as she commented on her ageing. However, in the short clip she quickly turned around and ran away from the animals as she claimed a farmer was watching her She wrote: 'Oh Italy: your sunny, enveloping charm except when you try and pat a goat and almost get shot by a farmer' In another picture, the Underworld star looked stunning in a white and green dress as she posed for behind-the-scenes pictures while filming on set in Italy Kate was in high spirits as she beamed for photos while checking her phone between scenes 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.' '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.' She has been busy filming scenes for her new kidnapping movie Stolen Girl, starring alongside Scott Eastwood It comes after 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) '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.' Michelle Rodriguez showed off her sensational figure in a halterneck bikini as she enjoyed the sun amid the 77th Cannes Film Festival. The Fast and Furious actress, 45, jetted off the south of France ahead of attending the Women In Cinema Gala in Cannes on Saturday. She headed for a dip in the pool at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, where she was seen sporting a bright white two-piece. The skimpy swimwear displayed Michelle's toned figure, as she was joined by a woman with short platinum blonde hair. Later in the day, Michelle was one of many stars in attendance at the Women In Cinema Gala including Eva Longoria, Eiza Gonzalez and Alessandra Ambrosio. Michelle Rodriguez showed off her sensational figure in a halterneck bikini as she enjoyed the sun with a mystery woman at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes amid the 77th Cannes Film Festival on Saturday Michelle was joined at the pool by a mystery woman with platinum blonde hair as the pair relaxed together For the star-studded event, Michelle swapped her bikini for a daring black strapless dress - which had a leg slit up to her hip. The Retrofete gown had a diamante-encrusted corset style feature at the top, which had a matching strap cutting across the slip. Michelle's dark locks were swept into an up-do, while shine finished the look with a pair of silver platform heels and a simple diamond pendant necklace. Meanwhile, Longoria, 49, was a golden goddess in a glamorous gown, covered in glistening rhinestones, with a figure-hugging silhouette. She paired the dress, which featured an asymmetrical sweetheart neckline and skirt hemline, with metallic gold platform heels. The Desperate Housewives actress who looked glamorous in an aqua blue dress with sexy cutouts at the Emilia Perez premiere earlier on the same day parted her hair to the side and slicked it back into a polished updo. To go with her golden gown, she wore dangling yellow diamond earrings and a shimmering bronze makeup look. The Fast and Furious actress, 45, jetted off the south of France ahead of attending the Women In Cinema Gala in Cannes She headed for a dip in the pool at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, where she was seen sporting a bright white two-piece The skimpy swimwear displayed Michelle's toned figure Michelle relaxed in the pool enjoying the French sun ahead of attending an event at the film festival The actress's white swimwear showed off her impressive figure Later in the day, Michelle was one of many stars in attendance at the Women In Cinema Gala including Eva Longoria , Eiza Gonzalez and Alessandra Ambrosio For the star-studded event, Michelle swapped her bikini for daring black strapless dress - which had a leg slit up to her hip The gown had a diamante-encrusted corset style feature at the top, which had a matching strap cutting across the slip Emotional Cheryl and Nadine Coyle shared a sweet moment as they supportively held hands after a heartbreaking Sarah Harding tribute was shown during their reunion concert this weekend. The band - also including Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts - returned to the stage for the first time in 11 years for the first night of their reunion tour in Dublin on Friday. And the girl group's opening night had their late bandmate - who tragically died from breast cancer in 2021 - at its centre with a rendition of their iconic hit The Promise which featured Sarah's vocals as she was shown in old footage singing on the screen. Nadine, Cheryl, Kimberley and Nicola turned around for the tribute to watch Sarah on the screen, with their backs to the audience. Then then turned around after Sarah's vocals on part of the song had finished as they carried on with the next part of the tune. Emotional Cheryl and Nadine Coyle shared a sweet moment as they supportively held hands after a heartbreaking Sarah Harding tribute was shown during their reunion concert this weekend The band - also including Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts - returned to the stage for the first time in 11 years for the first night of their reunion tour in Dublin on Friday Nadine, 38, looked particularly emotional as she turned back around, with her close pal Cheryl, 40, quickly noticing and offering a supportive hand on her back. They then briefly held hands during the tough moment and Nicola continued with her part of the song. Elsewhere the band made other sweet nods to Sarah including with their hit I'll Stand By You set to a video of Sarah and her vocals, leaving fans in tears. Before the ballad began, Nadine told the crowd: 'We're going to do a duet with Sarah tonight. It's going to be us, Sarah, you. Lets do this together.' Sarah's vocals then began to play as her four bandmates sang live on stage alongside their late friend. Keeping Sarah as the focus from the start until the end of the performance, the show began with hit Untouchable which was set against a backdrop of footage of Sarah displayed on pink curtains. Later they performed Whole Lotta History, which was also dedicated to the late star. Nicola reflected: 'When we recorded this next song 19 years ago, we had no idea 19 years later it would become so poignant on our journey.' Black and white footage of Sarah singing were then shown, followed by a emotional montage dedicated to the late star which read: 'The darkest nights produce the brightest stars.' And the girl group's opening night had their late bandmate - who tragically died from breast cancer in 2021 - at its centre with a rendition of their iconic hit The Promise which featured Sarah's vocals as she was shown in old footage singing on the screen Nadine, Cheryl, Kimberley and Nicola turned around for the tribute to watch Sarah on the screen, with their backs to the audience but when they turned back Nadine looked emotional Nadine, 38, looked particularly emotional as she turned back around, with her close pal Cheryl, 40, quickly noticing and offering a supportive hand on her back They then briefly held hands during the tough moment and Nicola continued with her part of the song They shared a tender moment after the emotional tribute to Sarah which played on the screens They duetted with her vocals during first reunion concert as a four-piece in Dublin on Friday night Elsewhere the band made other sweet nods to Sarah including with their hit I'll Stand By You set to a video of Sarah and her vocals, leaving fans in tears Sarah tragically died in September 2021 after a battle with breast cancer (pictured in 2017) Holding back emotion, Kimberley told the audience: 'Standing feeling all the emotions you're feeling. I hope you know it means as much as it means you to you.' Cheryl added: 'Thank you for your support through everything we went through with Sarah. It's hard to believe but it's such a beautiful thing to be on stage with these ladies again.' The stars formed the iconic girl band in 2002 after winning Popstars: The Rivals in 2002 and reunited with new music for their 10th anniversary in 2012. A second reunion for their 20th anniversary was planned but came as Sarah received her diagnosis. Taking to Twitter after their first show, the band thanked fans as they wrote: 'Show 1 done Dublin you were absolutely INCREDIBLE. What a start to the #TheGirlsAloudShow tour'. Replying fans wrote: 'amazing show! so entertaining, both fun and then also lots of beautiful tributes to Sarah well done girls'. 'You did Sarah proud! Love you all so much! See you next month'; 'Absolutely smashed it, you all looked and sounded incredible too'; 'I was in the front row, you were INCREDIBLE!'. 'youve done Sarah so proud'; 'You were amazing and Sarah would be so proud! Good luck with the rest of the tour.' Others penned: 'This is what you call a tribute. Taking out her demo vocals to showcase her incredible legacy is something only this band would do. Long reign Girls Aloud!' and 'If you see me crying in Cardiff at the Girls Aloud show, yes you did cause Sarah Harding was a legend. RIP Queen,'; 'What a beautiful tribute to Sarah. Girls aloud truly breathtaking. Girls be proud! Sarah will be. x,'; 'Well this just broke my heart,'; 'I'm honestly crying. We miss you Sarah,'; 'this moment is going to be the end of me, my goodness... SARAH FOREVER ,'; 'Sarah tribute is so special, so nice to hear her voice part of the tour,'; 'This is a moment wow.' After two back-to-back opening nights in Dublin's 3Arena, Girls Aloud will play two concerts at the SSE Arena in Belfast on Monday and Tuesday. They will then head to the Manchester AO Arena from Thursday to Saturday. In November, the group had to add six extra dates to their UK and Ireland 2024 arena tour due to 'unprecedented demand' following ticket pre-sales. When they announced the tour, Cheryl revealed they had been discussing the plans for some time but put the idea on ice when Sarah - who died in September 2021 - was diagnosed with breast cancer. She said: 'We all started talking about the possibility of doing something to celebrate Girls Alouds 20-year anniversary a few years ago. The anniversary seemed like an obvious thing that we would celebrate. 'But when Sarah fell ill all priorities changed. She passed away a year before the anniversary and it just didnt feel right, it felt too soon.' The group plan to use the tour to "celebrate" their late friend. Cheryl added: 'But now, I think there is an energy that does makes it feel right. Its the right time to celebrate Sarah, its the right time to celebrate the band and the right time to celebrate the fact we can still do this 21 years later. Thats a big honour in lots of ways.' Kimberley said: 'Over the last year, we've felt this outpouring of love obviously towards Sarah, but actually towards all of us as a group. Black and white footage of Sarah singing were then shown, followed by a emotional montage dedicated to the late star which read: 'The darkest nights produce the brightest stars' Later they performed Whole Lotta History, which was also dedicated to the late star. Nicola reflected: 'When we recorded this next song 19 years ago, we had no idea 19 years later it would become so poignant on our journey' Nadine Coyle, Cheryl, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh and Sarah Harding formed the iconic band in 2002 after winning Popstars: The Rivals in 2002 (pictured) Holding back emotion, Kimberley told the audience: 'Standing feeling all the emotions you're feeling. I hope you know it means as much as it means you to you' 'And I guess it's ignited something in all of us again. It feels like something has changed and it does feel like the right time to celebrate Sarah and the 20-year anniversary that we didn't celebrate at the time.' The group hope fans will enjoy the tour just as much as them. Nadine said: 'Girls Aloud are a band that made such a huge impact on people's lives. We grew up with the band, but so did so many other people. 'So for us not to do something again feels like such a shame and a waste. We want to have that moment with fans where we can all enjoy it together.' Girls Aloud commanded attention as they returned to the stage for their second sold out night of their reunion tour at the 3Arena in Dublin on Saturday. Nadine Coyle, Cheryl, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh made up the iconic girl band alongside the late Sarah Harding who tragically died from cancer in 2021. The girl group's had fans in tears as they performed a rendition of I'll Stand By You, which was number one in 2004, set to a video of Sarah and her vocals. The band included Sarah throughout the incredible show as their 20-song setlist has been revealed. Nadine said: 'This next one we're going to do really is a duet. We were looking through things to do and this song we're going to do, it's Sarah singing the whole song. Girls Aloud commanded attention as they returned to the stage for their second night of their reunion tour at the 3Arena in Dublin on Saturday Nadine Coyle, Cheryl, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh wowed as they performed for the sold out crowd as their incredible 20-song setlist has been revealed The girls made up the iconic band alongside the late Sarah Harding who tragically died from cancer in 2021 (pictured L-R Kimberley, Nicola, Sarah, Cheryl and Nadine) 'So we're going to do a duet with Sarah tonight. It'll be Sarah and it'll be us and it'll be you. Let's all do this together.' Keeping Sarah as the focus from the start until the end of the performance, the show began with hit Untouchable which was set against a backdrop of footage of Sarah displayed on pink curtains. Later they performed Whole Lotta History, which was also dedicated to the late star. Nicola reflected: 'When we recorded this next song 19 years ago, we had no idea 19 years later it would become so poignant on our journey.' Black and white footage of Sarah singing were then shown, followed by a emotional montage dedicated to the late star which read: 'The darkest nights produce the brightest stars.' Holding back emotion, Kimberley told the audience: 'Standing feeling all the emotions you're feeling. I hope you know it means as much as it means you to you.' Cheryl added: 'Thank you for your support through everything we went through with Sarah. It's hard to believe but it's such a beautiful thing to be on stage with these ladies again.' Elsewhere during the show's 20-song setlist, the girls performed hit Wake Me Up while straddling motorbikes that flew over the audience. The girl group's had fans in tears as they performed a rendition of I'll Stand By You, which was number one in 2004, set to a video of Sarah and her vocals The band included Sarah throughout the incredible show as their 20-song setlist has been revealed Keeping Sarah as the focus from the start until the end of the performance, the show began with hit Untouchable which was set against a backdrop of footage of Sarah displayed on pink curtains Later they performed Whole Lotta History, which was also dedicated to the late star The band looked sensational in glittering white costumes Cheryl, Nicola, Kimberley and Nadine later slipped into coordinated red and black leather outfits as they were joined on stage by backing dancers. The girls showed off their sensational figures throughout the night in a number of outfits including white glittering bodysuits as they were lifted into the air on individual podiums. Cheryl said: 'I really need to take this opportunity to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything you've done for us over the past 20 years and the support for everything we went through with Sarah, your continued love and being here tonight. 'It's actually hard to believe. It's such a pleasure to be here sharing the stage with these three gorgeous ladies once again.' For the encore, the girls sang their 2008 hit single The Promise and had Sarah perform her verse. The stars formed the iconic girl band in 2002 after winning Popstars: The Rivals in 2002 and reunited with new music for their 10th anniversary in 2012. A second reunion for their 20th anniversary was planned but came as Sarah received her diagnosis. Taking to Twitter after their second sold out show, the band quoted their 2008 single, Untouchable as they thanked fans. They wrote: Through wind and rain we got here, now were flying babe with no fear. Dublin night 2you did not disappoint. Thanks for all your love.' After two back-to-back opening nights in Dublin's 3Arena, Girls Aloud will play two concerts at the SSE Arena in Belfast on Monday and Tuesday. Elsewhere during the show's 20-song setlist, the girls performed hit Wake Me Up while wearing edgy black leather outfits Cheryl, Nicola, Kimberley and Nadine later slipped into coordinated red and black leather outfits as they were joined on stage by backing dancers Nadine wowed in a red leather bodysuit The girls showed off their sensational figures throughout the night in a number of outfits including white glittering bodysuits as they were lifted into the air on individual podiums For the encore, the girls sang their 2008 hit single The Promise and had Sarah perform her verse The stars formed the iconic girl band in 2002 after winning Popstars: The Rivals in 2002 and reunited with new music for their 10th anniversary in 2012 They will then head to the Manchester AO Arena from Thursday to Saturday. In November, the group had to add six extra dates to their UK and Ireland 2024 arena tour due to 'unprecedented demand' following ticket pre-sales. When they announced the tour, Cheryl revealed they had been discussing the plans for some time but put the idea on ice when Sarah - who died in September 2021 - was diagnosed with breast cancer. She said: 'We all started talking about the possibility of doing something to celebrate Girls Alouds 20-year anniversary a few years ago. The anniversary seemed like an obvious thing that we would celebrate. 'But when Sarah fell ill all priorities changed. She passed away a year before the anniversary and it just didnt feel right, it felt too soon.' The group plan to use the tour to "celebrate" their late friend. Cheryl added: 'But now, I think there is an energy that does makes it feel right. Its the right time to celebrate Sarah, its the right time to celebrate the band and the right time to celebrate the fact we can still do this 21 years later. Thats a big honour in lots of ways.' Kimberley said: 'Over the last year, we've felt this outpouring of love obviously towards Sarah, but actually towards all of us as a group. A second reunion for their 20th anniversary was planned but came as Sarah received her diagnosis Taking to Twitter after their second sold out show, the band quoted their 2008 single, Untouchable as they thanked fans They wrote: Through wind and rain we got here, now were flying babe with no fear. Dublin night 2you did not disappoint. Thanks for all your love' After two back-to-back opening nights in Dublin's 3Arena, Girls Aloud will play two concerts at the SSE Arena in Belfast on Monday and Tuesday They will then head to the Manchester AO Arena from Thursday to Saturday In November, the group had to add six extra dates to their UK and Ireland 2024 arena tour due to 'unprecedented demand' following ticket pre-sales 'And I guess it's ignited something in all of us again. It feels like something has changed and it does feel like the right time to celebrate Sarah and the 20-year anniversary that we didn't celebrate at the time.' The group hope fans will enjoy the tour just as much as them. Nadine said: 'Girls Aloud are a band that made such a huge impact on people's lives. We grew up with the band, but so did so many other people. 'So for us not to do something again feels like such a shame and a waste. We want to have that moment with fans where we can all enjoy it together.' Sienna Miller looked every inch the glamorous film star in a sexy black dress as she stepped out in Cannes amid the annual film festival on Saturday night. The actress, 42, was joined by her boyfriend Oli Green, 27, as they enjoyed a date night and looked as loved-up as ever as they held hands. She showed off her incredible figure in the slinky, figure-hugging black dress as she stepped out - just four months after welcoming her second child. The stunning off-the-shoulder number flaunted her assets and was teamed with strappy black heels and a matching bag. She is in Cannes to promote her new film Horizon: An American Saga where she stars opposite Kevin Costner. Sienna Miller looked every inch the glamorous film star in a sexy black dress as she stepped out in Cannes amid the annual film festival on Saturday night The actress, 42, was joined by her boyfriend Oli Green, 27, as they enjoyed a date night and looked as loved-up as ever as they held hands She wore her blonde tresses in a perfect bouncy blow dry and opted for a natural makeup look. Beside her Oli looked smart in a brown suit, white shirt and black shoes as he held hands with his beautiful partner. Horizon: An American Saga chronicles a multi-faceted, 15-year span of pre-and post-Civil War expansion and settlement of the American west. Sienna and her boyfriend Oli welcomed their first child together, a baby girl, in January. Sienna also has a daughter Marlowe, 10. The actress barely aged a day since starring in Layer Cake and Alfie more than twenty years ago - and previously credited yoga and her love of Marmite as the secret to her age-defying looks. Last month Sienna joined the likes of make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury and models Poppy Delevingne and Cora Corre at Lady Lola Bute's 25th birthday party, held at the family's Mount Stuart House on the Isle of Bute. Sienna stood out from the crowd in a 3,900 floor length silk mesh dress created by Annie Doble of Annie's Ibiza. It featured hand-beaded crystals in the shape of a cobweb and a backless design, while the sheer nature of the dress highlighted her lithe figure. She showed off her incredible figure in the slinky, figure-hugging black dress as she stepped out - just four months after welcoming her second child The next morning Oli was seen sunbathing while Sienna attended a photocall He relaxed at the Eden Roc Cap Antibes Hotel in the sun He wore stylish green swimming shorts He didn't have a care in the world as he sunbathed He relaxed solo on the pontoon She teamed the look with a nude bodysuit and a bronzed tan, having just got back from a family holiday in Croatia. The designer also produced a custom-made outfit in a 1920s Egyptian fabric for Lady Lola. As Lola and Annie shared photos of the bash on Instagram, Sienna firmly cemented her status as a fashion icon as she posed for a photo with Annie and Camille Charriere. Sienna previously gave an insight into her health and fitness regime and told Vogue: 'I do yoga three times a weekmore because I'm just searching for some equanimity. 'It's very easy to feel exhausted by these schedules and time zones.' He was topping up his tan on the day out Her outing comes after she showcased her incredible figure in a 3,900 gown at a star-studded birthday party, just four months after giving birth to her second child Sienna and her boyfriend Oli welcomed their first child together, a baby girl, in January. Sienna also has a daughter Marlowe, 10 (pictured in August 2023) The actress, who lives in New York and the UK, said at the time she wasn't a big fan of the spin class SoulCycle. She said: 'Sometimes I cringe a little bit at the motivational aspect of it, but that's just because I'm English and we're not used to saying, 'You see your dream! Go get it''. 'Cooking is a focus for me,' Sienna shared, 'But I wouldn't say healthy I'm more of a home cook: roasts, some Asian food, pastas and sauces and soups. 'In terms of, like, chia seed and whatever grains, no. I'm like, 'Fried eggs and Marmite toast'.' Long before the first episode of Bananas in Pyjamas aired in 1992, the seeds of the iconic series were sown in the '60s. The television series, which follows B1 and B2, was inspired by the 1967 song from British composer Carey Blyton about bananas in pyjamas which was initially aired on Play School. In 1972, Carey released a children's book titled Bananas in Pyjamas: A Book of Nonsense. And in 1978, ABC aired a short animated video of the Bananas' first descent down the stairs. Creator Helena Harris later saw potential in the characters after hearing the tune while attending a Play School concert with her kids. Long before the first episode of Bananas in Pyjamas aired in 1992, the seeds of the iconic series were sown in the '60s The television series, which follows B1 and B2, was inspired by the 1967 song from British composer Carey Blyton about bananas in pyjamas which was initially aired on Play School Harris, who's also the brains behind Hi-5, believed the bananas could have their own show. 'In Play School they were one of the few characters that had personality. They chased teddy bears and I was sure we could make them younger, less ugly and the children would love them,' Harris told The Manly Daily in 2016. The series, set in Cuddles Avenue, Cuddlestown, followed B1 and B2 and their teddy bear friends along with Rat-in-a-Hat. Harris revealed she wanted the original series to be animated, however, the idea was too expensive. In 1978, ABC aired a short animated video (pictured) of the Bananas' first descent down the stairs 'There's no way that we could afford animation, but I wanted to make it look like a comic book come to life.... the reality is that it actually worked so well as suited characters,' she said. The live action series ended in 2001. In 2011, the show became a completely animated version until it ceased production in 2013. Since its debut, Bananas in Pyjamas has received countless nominations and awards, even appearing in different languages for children all across the word. Ant McPartlin's ex Lisa Armstrong sent support to Strictly's Giovanni Pernice on Sunday as he vowed to 'clear his name' while the BBC investigates 'serious workplace misconduct claims' by three of his celebrity partners. The dancer, 33, released a statement on Instagram on Saturday night after he reportedly quit the show - which was notably met with silence from his professional dancer co-stars on the dancing show. He is said to have not signed up to the new series after the scrutiny became 'too much' when three of his ex dance partners slammed his 'militant' approach. Amanda Abbington, 52, who withdrew from the series last year, has led the charge in accusing him of 'difficult behaviour' during training. She now has reportedly accused him of 'stamping on her foot' during his sessions. But in a new statement he detailed that he was 'totally surprised' by the allegations, which he denies and said he rejected 'any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour'. Ant McPartlin's ex Lisa Armstrong sent support to Strictly's Giovanni Pernice on Sunday as he vowed to 'clear his name' while the BBC investigates 'serious workplace misconduct claims' by three of his celebrity partners (Lisa and Giovanni seen together) The dancer, 33, released a statement on Instagram on Saturday night after he reportedly quit the show - which was notably met with silence from his professional dancer co-stars on the dancing show And while Giovanni's dancer co-stars showed little support on his statement, fellow pros such as Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu and Luba Mushtuk have been liking Amanda's recent Instagram posts. However Ant's ex Lisa - who worked as a makeup artist on the BBC show - did give Giovanni's statement post a like. The post has over 85,000 likes already. Lisa works on Strictly as head of make-up, so will know Giovanni from behind the scenes times on the show and has worked with him for years. Lisa - who is reportedly struggling in the wake of her ex Ant becoming a dad for the first time - did not add a comment. Another Strictly star who also liked the post was celebrity dancer Jamie Laing, who finished as runner up in the 2020 series. Giovanni wrote in his social media statement: 'You will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made about my dance teaching methods in the media this week. 'Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name. 'Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last decade will know that I am passionate and competitive. No-one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me. In a new statement he detailed that he was 'totally surprised' by the allegations, which he denies and said he rejected 'any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour' Lisa - who is reportedly struggling in the wake of her ex Ant becoming a dad for the first time - did not add a comment but liked Giovanni's post (seen with Ant on their wedding day) He is said to have not signed up to the new series after the scrutiny became 'too much' when three of his ex dance partners slammed his 'militant' approach Amanda Abbington, 52, who withdrew from the series last year, has led the charge in accusing him of 'difficult behaviour' during training. She now has reportedly accused him of 'stamping on her foot' during his sessions Off the back of Giovanni's departure, friends close to Amanda have spoken about how she found the pro dancer 'abrasive' and would have to have 'crisis talks' with show bosses 'I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be. This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win - for me and my dance partners. 'Thank you all once again for your continued love and support!' Following his post, fans rushed to the comments to share their thoughts with the professional dancer as many of them confessed their love for him. But while fans were quick to offer their support none of his dancer co-stars have yet offered any comments on the post. And none yet appear to have commented on what has happened or offered support on the statement he made. One notably quiet is head judge Shirley Ballas who previously came out in his defence. In January she called him an 'absolute gentleman' amid his feud with his former partner on the series Amanda. Speaking on Lorraine Shirley said in response to the revelations: 'I've known Giovanni for many years and he is an absolutely splendid teacher. 'My only ever experience with him is he is an absolute gentlemen. He gives 100%. 'Strictly and shows like that they are tough shows so you know when you sign up for that kind of thing. It's quite difficult to do the show.' It comes as Amanda reportedly accused Giovanni of 'stamping on her foot' during his 'militant' training sessions on the show. The professional dancer vehemently denies any claims of threatening or abusive behaviour. Off the back of Giovanni's reported departure from the show, friends close to Amanda, 52, have spoken about how she found the pro dancer 'abrasive' and would have to have 'crisis talks' with show bosses every week after being left in floods of tears at his 'tough' training method with claims it left her 'bruised'. 'Amanda had a terrible experience with Gio. She felt his behaviour was bullying and abrasive. She would be in tears as communication between them broke down. She tried every avenue to try and make it work,' a source told The Sun. 'There would be crisis talks every Friday after producers watched back the video footage of their rehearsals but it would always end up toxic again by the end of the following week. 'Runners would check in on the training weekly and she would regularly be seen crying and feeling very sad and despondent, she desperately wanted it to work but invariably it would break down.' Amanda left the competition mid-way through the series, citing personal reasons after weeks of rumours about a feud with Giovanni. The Sherlock star said she was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and demanded to see footage from rehearsals. Giovanni is in Portugal amid the furore. He has fled the country with girlfriend Molly Brown, 25, after reports emerged he would not appear in 20th anniversary series later this year. He was seen for the first time since news of his departure emerged on Saturday, going shopping before enjoying an alfresco drink with pals. Amanda has led the charge in accusing him of 'difficult behaviour' during training and is currently speaking with the BBC to discuss possible workplace misconduct. The actress is said to have met with Laura Whitmore, 39, and Ranvir Singh, 46, earlier this year for an 'emotional summit' to 'compare notes' about their time working with Giovanni amid the BBC's probe. Sources told MailOnline the professional dancer walked away from the show because his future was 'hanging in the balance'. Bosses of the dance show could not categorically determine his future until the completion of an internal investigation, which is believed to have sparked Giovanni's decision to quit after almost a decade. A TV insider said: 'Giovanni is the subject is an internal investigation, which is an ongoing matter. 'Strictly would not be able to terminate his contract until the findings of the investigation are complete, so his future was hanging in the balance. 'And besides, dancers are offered one-year deals to compete in the show, so it would just be a case of Giovanni not being given a new contract to compete in the next series.' The source continued: 'There's no hiding from the fact the complaints lodged by ex-celebrity contestants is not a good look for either Giovanni or the show itself. 'Strictly are taking them seriously which is why the issue is rumbling on. 'But Giovanni is determined to prove he's innocent of all accusations, but the stress and unwelcome attention they've caused is clearly a reason why he's looking at pastures new.' It was reported he had quit Strictly on Thursday night and the following day it emerged the BBC had launched an internal investigation just weeks after saying they wouldn't be looking into the matter further. The Italian professional had previously been accused of being 'too tough' behind the scenes by several of his former celebrity partners including Amanda, as well as Ranvir and Laura. Giovanni previously defended his training style, saying: 'I'm definitely a perfectionist. 'Like everybody else, I like to win. But for me, it's more about bringing the best out of partners, especially if I see that there is talent there. I want to do my job properly.' A spokeswoman, from 700 an hour Carter-Ruck, told The Sun: 'There have been numerous serious complaints made to the BBC who are now in the process of evidence gathering. 'As it is still an ongoing matter no further comment can be made at this stage'. The BBC said two months ago that they would not be investigating Giovanni's behaviour with Amanda. A spokesperson said at the time: 'There is a constant dialogue between the senior production team and contestants to ensure any concerns are addressed swiftly.' A spokesman for the BBC has declined to comment on Giovanni's departure. They told MailOnline: 'The professional dancers for 2024 will be announced in due course'. In 2016, former Love Island host Laura Whitmore said she 'cried every day' and felt 'uncomfortable' while training with him. She later wrote for HuffPost UK in 2018: 'I'm still not ready to talk in-depth about my experience on the show. 'I was placed with a dance partner I was extremely uncomfortable with and in the end I felt broken, I cried every day. And I really was broken, both mentally and physically, by the end.' It's also thought that Giovanni also clashed with his 2018 celebrity partner Faye Tozer. The former member of the 1990s band Steps, Faye Tozer, is said to have struggled to work with him and broke down in tears following an appearance together on the spin-off show, It Takes Two. Meanwhile, his 2022 partner Richie Anderson has unfollowed him on Instagram. Good Morning Britain host Ranvir, who reportedly made a complaint against Giovanni to the BBC in 2020, admitted to feeling 'scared' of the Italian. The professional dancer vehemently denies any claims of threatening or abusive behaviour Amanda and Giovanni are seen in promo shots for the show last year Giovanni is currently on holiday with his girlfriend Molly Brown, 25, who three days ago shared a series of photos with the dancer, referring to him as her 'best friend' Giovanni has faced a wave of scrutiny ever since his dance partner Amanda (pictured) dramatically quit last year Other former partners have also come out to back him, including Debbie McGee, the widow of the magician Paul Daniels, who was paired with him in 2017. Giovanni also had a positive relationship with deaf contestant Rose Ayling-Ellis, 29, whom he led to a triumphant victory in 2021, with the pair going on to win a TV BAFTA for their silent dance routine. Shortly after Amanda's allegations, Debbie shared a beaming throwback picture of her and Giovanni taken backstage during their stint together. 'Happy memories, Giovanni and I had the best of times on Strictly,' she said in the caption. He hasn't completely cut ties with BBC, however, with another insider revealing that the BBC is considering commissioning another travel series with Anton Du Beke following strong viewer feedback. Bachelor star Tim Robards has shared his road trip from hell. On Sunday, the 41-year-old documented his disastrous six-hour journey from Sydney to Newcastle with his wife, Anna Heinrich, 37, and their two daughters, Elle, three, and Ruby, two months, on Instagram. 'Started with Elle needing to crap just as we hit the freeway, then 20 mins in creeping traffic on freeway with Ruby screaming out of control and felt so helpless,' he began. Their troubles worsened when they realised they had forgotten Ruby's sleep suit, prompting an unplanned detour in search of one. After a frantic 30-minute search across multiple stores, they finally found a suitable garment, only to discover the security tag was still attached, resulting in another return trip. Bachelor star Tim Robards has shared his road trip from hell. On Sunday, the 41-year-old documented his disastrous six-hour journey from Sydney to Newcastle with his wife, Anna Heinrich , 37, and their two daughters, Elle, three, and Ruby, two months, on Instagram After returning to the freeway, the family were dealt another blow. 'Then hit the freeway, only to have something fall off a truck or car and run over it at 110km/h and blow out the front tyre,' Tim explained After returning to the freeway, the family were dealt another blow. 'Then hit the freeway, only to have something fall off a truck or car and run over it at 110km/h and blow out the front tyre,' Tim explained. 'Changed over to the space saver after unpacking and repacking the car 3 times and pinching my arm in the boot which killed!' he added. Despite these setbacks, the family soldiered on, eventually reaching their destination, only to be greeted by relentless rain for the next 24 hours. Tim spent three hours the following day ringing around for the correct tyre. The family made the most of the trip, spending quality time together. 'Had some nice time with my family up there! Had some fun at Ninja park and the old museum, Elle loved it! Stayed in the old council building which has now been converted into a slick little hotel. Had maybe the BEST old fashioned cocktails Ive had,' he finished. Despite these setbacks, the family soldiered on, eventually reaching their destination, only to be greeted by relentless rain for the next 24 hours Tim met and fell in love with wife Anna, 37, on the first season of The Bachelor Australia and are considered one of the most successful couples of the series. They tied the knot in June 2018 during an intimate ceremony at the Masseria Potenti hotel in Puglia in south Italy. The lovebirds welcomed their first child, daughter Elle, on November 12, 2020, and their second child, daughter Ruby, in March 2024. The family made the most of the trip, spending quality time together Anna faced life-threatening birth complications with baby Ruby which saw her be rushed into emergency surgery. The Intu Wellness founder faced sudden and severe postpartum bleeding which left husband Tim fearing for Anna's life. Anna has since told Daily Mail Australia how she 'appreciates life more' since the harrowing experience, and has no plans to have a third child in the future. Australian glamour model Sahara Ray has opened up about a recent health condition that has left her in a wheelchair. The daughter of Aussie surfer Tony Ray took to social media on Sunday to reveal she is suffering from Guillain-Barre syndrome, a condition that sees the immune system attack the nerves. 'My whole life changed in an instant,' Sahara, 31, wrote alongside a series of clips of her journey with the disease. In a TikTok video posted earlier this month, the model explained that she is currently paralysed from her upper thighs down to her feet. Sahara added that she is relying on a wheelchair and cannot walk without the aid of a walker. Australian glamour model Sahara Ray has opened up about a recent health condition that has left her in a wheelchair. Pictured The daughter of Aussie surfer Tony Ray took to social media on Sunday to reveal she is suffering from Guillain-Barre syndrome, a condition that sees the immune system attack the nerves She explained that she was hit by a drunk driver travelling at 80m/h on April 8. 'It basically sent my body into shock which sent my body into this crazy sickness,' she revealed. 'I got really really sick for like a week and a half to two weeks. During that time I barely ate any food because I couldn't keep it down and my body got really weak,' she continued. In a separate TikTok video the model explained that she is currently paralysed from her upper thighs down to her feet Sahara added that she is relying on a wheelchair and cannot walk without the aid of a walker Following her sickness she began to feel tingling and numbness in her feet which progressed to her legs. The model was promptly rushed to the emergency room. 'This has been really hard to deal with and I've been trying keep a good attitude and be hopeful that my feeling comes back,' she told her social media followers. 'Any advice would be amazing or just like love and support and your prayers because I want to be able to walk again,' she added. Bella Hadid flaunted her sensational figure in a pink bikini as she soaked up the sun at the famous Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc during Cannes Film Festival on Sunday. The model, 27, looked incredible in the skimpy two-piece from With Jean which featured a triangle top and tie side bottoms. She looked amazing in the swimwear that showed off her assets and toned abs as she enjoyed a sandwich while relaxing in the sun. Bella was spotted cooling off from the hot weather as she jumped into the ocean for a swim. The beauty clipped her long dark tresses up in a claw clip as she went for a swim in the sea before climbing back up the rock face steps. Bella Hadid flaunted her sensational figure in a pink bikini as she soaked up the sun at the famous Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc during Cannes Film Festival on Sunday The model, 27, looked incredible in the skimpy two-piece from With Jean which featured a triangle top and tie side bottoms She was seen posing up a storm for her friend who recorded her on a video camera. Letting her long wet tresses loose, Bella shielded from the sun behind a pair of stylish sunglasses. Bella joined a host of stars descending on the south of France this week to celebrate the movie event. And while she has yet to attend any glitzy premieres she has been showing off her incredible physique while staying at the luxury hotel. It comes after last week Bella opened up about her sister Gigi Hadid as well as pop star Taylor Swift during a candid chat on The Drew Barrymore Show. The beauty - who recently shared a loved-up snap with boyfriend Adan Banuelos - stopped by the talk show to promote her new fragrance Orebella amid her decision to step away from modelling. When prompted for sisterly advice by Drew, Bella opened up about her relationship with Gigi, 29. 'Well, it's inevitable to fight, right? But it's [important] always to know that you're gonna come back from it,' she explained about sisterhood, adding that they used to butt heads over what music to play. She looked amazing in the swimwear that showed off her assets and toned abs as she enjoyed a sandwich while relaxing in the sun Bella was spotted cooling off from the hot weather as she jumped into the ocean for a swim The beauty clipped her long dark tresses up in a claw clip as she swam in the sea before climbing back up the rock face steps She was seen posing up a storm for her friend who recorded her on a video camera The model left her long wet tresses loose Bella looked incredible in the pink bikini as she relaxed in the French Riviera Bella shielded from the sun behind a pair of stylish sunglasses as she walked around the hotel swimming pool The model was seen tying her long dark tresses up Bella revealed about growing up with her older sibling: 'She was a Swifty. I love Lil Wayne. That was really hard for the school drives. You know what I mean? But now I can say I'm a hardcore Swifty.' 'I think that is what's so important about my sister and I going through life. Like we're best friends and have regular sister stuff like stealing clothes, getting the front seat, you know, like, what music are we gonna listen to?' she explained. And the beauty only had kind things to say about Taylor, 34. 'Taylor is amazing. And she's just the most humble, sweet, adorable human being,' she gushed about the songstress. Bella continued, 'And then all of a sudden she's a superstar and that's what's interesting about the celebrity thing.' She paid tribute to her big sister in April as the blonde stunner turned 29. Taking to Instagram, Bella uploaded a series of photos with her sibling and added a heartfelt caption. 'Happy birthday princess of genovia I love you so much,' she began the note. 'Life without you would be nothing, I would be nothing! You inspire me and make me feel strong. Watching you give birth and then raise the most perfect angel is the most magical gift a sister could ask for.' The proud sister continued, 'I feel so lucky. You are the best & coolest mama, best sister, best daughter, and best friend. Bella was seen enjoying good while relaxing by the ocean She perched on a rock as she ate while her pal snapped pictures of her Bella climbed out of the ocean using the hotel steps She flaunted her jaw-dropping physique in the swimwear Bella was seen carrying a stylish beach bag as she chatted away with a pal Bella joined a host of stars descending on the south of France this week to celebrate the movie event And while she has yet to attend any glitzy premieres she has been showing off her incredible physique while staying at the luxury hotel 'Anyone who has the privilege to be in your orbit is lucky, indeed! I love you sissy, you make me feel proud to be your sister. I'm obsessed with you in every single way!' Meanwhile, Bella has been busy promoting her new range of three alcohol-free fragrances, which she launched in early May. She recently revealed that she has chosen to take a step back from modeling to focus on her businesses the entrepreneur also co-founded beverage line Kin Euphorics. Last month Bella opened up about her hiatus from modeling, telling Allure: 'After 10 years of modeling I realized I was putting so much energy and love and effort into something that, in the long run, wasn't necessarily giving it back to me.' Cate Blanchett dazzled in a gold sequined blouse as she lead the stars at a photocall for her upcoming flick Rumours at Cannes Film Festival. The Australian actress, 55, looked effortlessly chic as she headed out with her co-stars at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on Sunday, following the film's premiere the night before. Cate was joined for the photocall by her co-stars Denis Menochet, Rolando Ravello, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Roy Dupuis and Charles Dance. For the photocall, Cate donned a glitzy gold sweater which adorned with sequins, as well as a pair of leather bootleg trousers. Cate opted for a relaxed look as she rolled her sleeves up and sported a pair of black sunglasses amid the French sun. Cate Blanchett dazzled in a gold sequined blouse as she lead the stars at a photocall for her upcoming flick Rumours at Cannes Film Festival on Sunday The Australian actress, 55, looked effortlessly chic as she headed out with her co-stars at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on Sunday, following the film's premiere the night before She finished off the look with a pair of black patent stilettos and wore her golden locks in loose waves down by her shoulders. Cate accessorised with a black and gold chain bangle on her left wrist, while she wore a huge gold ring on her right hand. Joining Cate for the photocall was her co-star British actress Nikki, who looked incredible in a white blazer-style longline corset - which had bejeweled buttons. Nikki paired the chic blouse with matching wide-leg trousers and finished the ensemble with white sandal platform heels. It comes after the star graced the rep carpet in Cannes on Saturday evening for the Rumours premiere, in keeping with the gold theme. She looked nothing short of sensational in a sparkly gold gown as she led the stars for the screening which got a four minute standing ovation. Cate's co-star Alicia Vikander was notably not in attendance. The stylish ensemble boasted a scoop neckline, padded shoulders for structure, and a draping design at the bust. For the photocall, Cate donned a glitzy gold sweater which adorned with sequins Cate was joined for the photocall by her co-stars Denis Menochet, Rolando Ravello, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Roy Dupuis and Charles Dance (left to right) Cate also sported a pair of leather-look trousers for the photocall on Sunday Cate opted for a relaxed look as she rolled her sleeves up The actress also sported a pair of black sunglasses amid the French sun as she waved to reporters She finished off the look with a pair of black patent stilettos Cate also wore her golden locks in loose waves down by her shoulders Co-stars Denis, Rolando, Nikki, Cate, Roy and Charles at the Rumours photocall Joining Cate for the photocall was her co-star British actress Nikki, who looked incredible in a white blazer-style longline corset - which had bejeweled buttons Nikki paired the chic blouse with matching wide-leg trousers She finished the ensemble with white sandal platform heels The floor-length gown showcased Cate's slender figure as it draped delicately along the red carpet. Cate opted for styling her blonde locks in a chic updo for the evening and adorned a flawless palette of makeup. She then further accessorised the sparkly ensemble with a pair of diamond drop earrings. The star was also joined on the carpet by her co-star Denis Menochet, 47, who cut a dapper figure in a black tuxedo with a white bow. Directors of the film Evan Johnson, 41, and Guy Maddin, 68, also took up the chance to get several snaps with the Academy Award winner. The comedy film Rumours is written and directed by Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson and Galen Johnson. The film follows the seven leaders of the worlds wealthiest liberal democracies at the annual G7 summit after they become lost in the woods and face increasing peril while attempting to draft a provisional statement regarding a global crisis. The film, which recently wrapped production in Hungary, also stars Genie Award winner Roy Dupuis and additional cast includes Charles Dance, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Rolando Ravello, Takehiro Hira, and Zlatko Buric. Cannes is the world's biggest film festival, first conceived in 1939 as an alternative to the then-fascist-influenced Venice Film Festival. Director Guy Maddin, director Galen Johnson and director Evan Johnson, pose with the stars of the film English actor Charles Dance, who stars in Rumours, also stepped out for the photocall Canadian star Roy Dupuis who stars alongside Cate in Rumours Fellow co-stars Denis Menochet and Rolando Ravello were also in attendance Cate cut a glamorous figure on Saturday as she graced the Rumours red carpet at the Cannes The Ocean's 8 actress looked nothing short of sensational in a sparkly gold gown as she led the stars for the evening The stylish ensemble boasted a scoop neckline, padded shoulders for structure, and a draping design at the bust She then further accessorised the sparkly ensemble with a pair of diamond drop earrings Cate was also joined on the red carpet by her co-star Nikki Amuka-Bird, 48, (left) who cut a glamorous figure in a sheer black lace gown The film follows the seven leaders of the worlds wealthiest liberal democracies at the annual G7 summit after they become lost in the woods and face increasing peril It has been held annually since 1946 except in 1948 and 1950, when it was cancelled due to lack of funds. The festival is known for its carefully selected programme of films that have gone on to Oscar glory or launched the careers of directors like Quentin Tarantino. Cannes' top prize is the Palme d'Or, or Golden Palm, whose past winners include Taxi Driver, Apocalypse Now, Pulp Fiction, The Pianist and Parasite. Jane Campion became the first female director to win in 1993 with The Piano, followed by a nearly three-decade gap until Julia Ducournau received the award for Titane in 2021. Justine Triet became only the third female director to take the prize last year with Anatomy of a Fall. There is also an honorary Palme d'Or, which is awarded in recognition of notable bodies of work, with past recipients including Harrison Ford, Jane Fonda and Clint Eastwood. kate moss looked chic in a cream dress as she enjoyed a stroll and some ice cream in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, in the South of France on Sunday. The model, 50, was seen out with her longtime musician pal Bobby Gillespie - who is married to wife Katy England. The pair have been very good friends for years and Bobby is even godfather to Lila Grace - Kate's model daughter. Kate looked lovely in her cream dress which had a sweeping neckline and was accessorised with a pearl necklace and dangly earrings. She completed her outfit with dark shades and wore her long blonde tresses in loose waves over her shoulders. Kate Moss looked chic in a cream dress as she enjoyed a stroll and some ice cream in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, in the South of France on Sunday The model, 50, was seen out with her longtime musician pal Bobby Gillespie - who is married to wife Katy England Meanwhile Primal Scream rocker Bobby, 52, wore a white T-shirt and khaki shorts as he caught up with his friend. They looked relaxed in each other's company and chatted away after a tumultuous few weeks for Kate amid speculation about her love life. Snaps recently emerged of Kate holding hands with the reggae star grandson of Bob Marley, 27, in Turkey - while she is still known to be in a relationship with partner Count Nikolai von Bismarck. A day after the pair's frosty display on the front row at a star-studded Gucci show raised eyebrows further. Despite their tense display, friends close to Kate then brushed off any split concerns, insisting their 'bohemian' relationship has consistently been 'on and off.' At the Gucci show a stony-faced Count Nikolai, 37, was impassive as he sat next to the Kate - who then turned her back on him to speak to others on the front row at the Gucci fashion show instead. And after the show she was seen leaving arm-in-arm with a beaming male companion. Despite apparent tension between Kate and Count Nikolai, and lingering rumours about their romance, those who know the couple insist her decision to hold hands with Skip Marley, 27, may not be the death knell for their relationship. Kate looked lovely in her cream dress which had a sweeping neckline and was accessorised with a pearl necklace and dangly earrings The pair have been very good friends for years and Bobby is even godfather to Lila Grace - Kate's model daughter Meanwhile Primal Scream rocker Bobby, 52, wore a white T-shirt and khaki shorts as he caught up with his friend She completed her outfit with dark shades and wore her long blonde tresses in loose waves over her shoulders They looked relaxed in each other's company and chatted away after a tumultuous few weeks for Kate amid speculation about her love life She sported a bronzed holiday tan as she stepped out She wore black ballet pumps with her pretty cream dress 'They are constantly on and off - but both are very bohemian about hook ups', an insider with knowledge of her relationship with Nikolai told MailOnline recently. For the past eight years Kate has been dating Count Nikolai - an aristocrat who shares her bohemian outlook and was once tipped to marry one of Prince Andrew's children. But pictures of the her holding hands with the reggae star grandson of Bob Marley in Turkey a few weekends ago set tongues wagging that all is not well with their eight-year relationship. Bu someone close to Kate's circle said: 'She's a passionate person - and she is still incredibly flirtatious with people. Whether it is Nikolai, or whoever she is with, they just have to accept it and get on with it or they'll go mad'. Kate Moss famously had gone through 40 boyfriends by the time she was 40, but as she turned 50 in January, Nikolai has been by her side for most of the past decade. Those close to her have brushed off what happened in Turkey last weekend. Last summer he was seen heading to a hotel with French-American model Camille Rowe, however, he was central to Kate's 50th birthday celebrations in January. But the recent fashion show appearance, their first together for four months, will mean rumours about their relationship won't go away. They sat on a wall and chatted while eating their ice creams Bobby added a sun hat to his casual look She carried a black leather handbag with her The stairs in the small town looked a little gruelling They chatted away as they sat on the wall The ice creams looked delicious The cream dress had a pretty cape design She sheilded her eyes from the rays with sunglasses The pair have been friends for years She made her way up the steep hill while strolling around the pretty town Her legs were deeply tanned Kate carried a few shopping bags with her on the outing Snaps recently emerged of Kate holding hands with the reggae star grandson of Bob Marley, 27, in Turkey - while she is still known to be in a relationship with partner Count Nikolai von Bismarck A day after the pair's frosty display on the front row at a star-studded Gucci show raised eyebrows further The catwalk veteran was making her first public appearance with Nikolai since January, when they celebrated her 50th birthday in Paris - pictured in January together He did not appear to be present during her recent trip to Turkey, during which she became so excited at a performance by Skip Marley that she ran on stage and had to be ushered away by guards. Slip, the 27-year-old grandson of late reggae superstar Bob Marley, did not appear to be too perturbed by her passionate enthusiasm as he was later seen holding hands with Kate. 'Kate ran on stage as she loved it so much,' a spectator told the Mail's Richard Eden. 'She was escorted off the stage by security. I don't know whether there's a 'thing' [between the pair] but she's a fan for sure. It was all very sweet and non-confrontational.' Marley was performing at the launch of cultural festival Med Bodrum at the Turkish holiday resort's Macakizi hotel, where the model is known to have stayed in the past. Kevin Costner and his co-star in Horizon Sienna Miller spoke of their deep regard for each other on Sunday as they prepared to walk the red carpet for the movie's premiere. British actress Miller, 42, said that she would go 'to the ends of the earth' for Costner. He said of her: 'I think she's one of our great actresses. Her outward beauty is undeniable, but she's so skilled as an actress.' The films will mark a global comeback for Miller, who appeared set for superstardom 20 years ago after the buzzy Layer Cake. A new mum she gave birth to a daughter with boyfriend Oli Green only in January she stunned at the photocall in an open jacket and wide-legged trousers. Kevin Costner and his co-star in Horizon Sienna Miller spoke of their deep regard for each other on Sunday as they prepared to walk the red carpet for the movie's premiere British actress Miller, 42, said that she would go 'to the ends of the earth' for Costner. He said of her: 'I think she's one of our great actresses. Her outward beauty is undeniable, but she's so skilled as an actress' Costner, who won 7 Oscars for Dances With Wolves in 1990 spent yesterday giving media interviews at the Carlton hotel in Cannes to support Horizon: An American Saga. It's the first of four planned film instalments and the first two will be released in cinemas this summer. He's been working on the story for 30 years and mortgaged his estate in Santa Barbara, California in order to raise the finance to make the films he wanted to make. On Sunday Costner was honoured with France's Order of Arts and Letters in advance of walking up the famous red carpet at the Palais. French Culture minister Rachida Dati said: 'You represent the America of wide spaces, the America of free minds, the America of cinema and the love of culture that we share on both sides of the Atlantic.' In a reference to his role in the 1992 blockbuster The Bodyguard she added: 'I will always love you.' Costner, wearing a Wild West moustache and watched by his proud children, had the ribbon medal pinned onto his white suit. Costner said that it was a dream come true to present the film at Cannes. He said: 'I think in everything we do, we somehow have to stand for ourself. We have to stand for the moments that we think are important. The films will mark a global comeback for Miller, who appeared set for superstardom 20 years ago after the buzzy Layer Cake Sienna stars as settler Frances Kittredge. She said: 'I grew up watching Westerns. I think my idea of cinema was a Western when I was a little girl, and then Dances With Wolves was a huge, huge part of my life' Costner has been working on the story for 30 years and mortgaged his estate in Santa Barbara, California in order to raise the finance to make the films he wanted to make It's the first of four planned film instalments and the first two will be released in cinemas this summer 'We can't be consumed with making our pile of money bigger as much as our heart full I don't have to cater to the conventions of what everybody thinks. It's like, tell your story, hope it's engaging, believe that it's engaging. 'Believe that it takes you somewhere, that it's not more important than any other story, but it's a story that when the lights go out, it's the one you're watching.' Set in the early 19h century, the film follows several groups heading west. Costner is Hayes Ellison and his own son Hayes, is also in the movie. Sienna Miller, stars as settler Frances Kittredge. She said: 'I grew up watching Westerns. I think my idea of cinema was a Western when I was a little girl, and then Dances With Wolves was a huge, huge part of my life. 'I had two rabbits called Two Socks and Cisco,' referring to the wolf and horse in that earlier Costner film. 'I got this call that Kevin wanted to talk to me, and then I got sent four scripts and I thought it must be a series. 'There are four of them, but they're so big, so it didn't really make sense. And then we had this great conversation. I'd really go to the ends of the earth for him, I think he's phenomenal.' Costner says that the stories of the women are central to this new Western. 'It's almost impossible to imagine a West without women, isn't it? The West doesn't carry on without women. 'And they understand that they were basically trying to keep their families clean and fed, and women were worked to death. And if they lost their man, there's every opportunity that their life could become something unimaginable, bad. 'That's why Sienna [Miller]'s character moves so quickly to bring a man into her life, because she knows how vulnerable she could be, and she doesn't care about her reputation to do it. And we would taboo that now: That's too quick, she's moved too quick.' He added: 'I am not looking for kudos because women are in it. For me, they're not in it, they actually dominate the movie, to be honest. Every one of those women dominate when they're on the screen.' Actress Wase Chief, stars as Liluye, a woman caught up in the fight for territory between the Indigenous community and the incoming settlers. She said: 'My dad was actually in Dances With Wolves and Kevin didn't know that until way later. The cast are seen together at a photocall in Cannes on Sunday afternoon Costner says that the stories of the women are central to this new Western. 'It's almost impossible to imagine a West without women, isn't it? The West doesn't carry on without women' 'Each character has such depth to them, and especially how he's always portrayed Native people, I just knew I was going to be in good hands with him. 'There's been times when I had to turn down jobs because I was like, I don't feel good about this the way it's portrayed. But Kevin makes sure to make all the Native cast feel really comfortable and he just gets it. It's like he's just an honorary Native.' Costner adds: 'I thank God for Cannes. I'm an independent filmmaker, essentially, and I'm here by myself. 'This a high moment for me because it's helping me create awareness for a movie. I don't have all the money in the world to expose this movie. But I have my time and a platform here.' She's known for her sophistication but Cate Blanchett the star of a satirical comedy Rumours which premiered in Cannes on Saturday night - surprised many with her comic timing today. Actress Blanchett, 55, plays the German Chancellor in a riotous film which has a zombie apocalypse descend on the leaders of the world at the G7 summit. Asked how she knew that she wanted to do the film, she said that a meeting with the directors had convinced her. She quipped: 'It's like a first date you pretty much instantly know whether you are going to end up sleeping together. You do!' Canadian film maker Maddin said: 'One world leader alone is kind of funny and you get two of them together and it's a little bit funnier but seven of them is a critical mass, it writes itself because that's a lot of indignity crammed together in one place.' She's known for her sophistication but Cate Blanchett the star of a satirical comedy Rumours which premiered in Cannes on Saturday night - surprised many with her comic timing today Actress Blanchett, 55, plays the German Chancellor in a riotous film which has a zombie apocalypse descend on the leaders of the world at the G7 summit Charles Dance plays the US President but the big attraction is Blanchett as Hilda Ortmann, a German chancellor who bears a more than passing resemblance in hairstyle and clothes taste to former leader Angela Merkel. The leaders meet at a country estate to draft a statement about the 'global crisis' but are knocked off course when bad things happen after the exhumation of an Iron Age corpse for a photo opportunity. Blanchett said: 'I think if you try to make sense of this movie, you'll feel like you're losing your mind. It's not trying to be an important film with a message.' Charles Dance was chosen to be the President of the United States who was completely British as a surrealist touch. Director Maddin said it might have the audience ask: 'What if the revolutionary war went another way? What if (America) just stayed a colony?' Co-director Galen Johnson said: 'Or what about if America became so conservative that it became a colony again.' Blanchett dazzled in a gold sequinned blouse as she lead the stars at a photocall for her upcoming flick Rumours on Sunday afternoon. The Australian actress looked effortlessly chic as she headed out with her co-stars at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on Sunday, following the film's premiere the night before. Asked how she knew that she wanted to do the film, she said that a meeting with the directors had convinced her She quipped: 'It's like a first date you pretty much instantly know whether you are going to end up sleeping together. You do!' Cate was joined for the photocall by her co-stars Denis Menochet, Rolando Ravello, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Roy Dupuis and Charles Dance. For the photocall, Cate donned a glitzy gold sweater which adorned with sequins, as well as a pair of leather bootleg trousers. Cate opted for a relaxed look as she rolled her sleeves up and sported a pair of black sunglasses amid the French sun. She finished off the look with a pair of black patent stilettos and wore her golden locks in loose waves down by her shoulders. Cate accessorised with a black and gold chain bangle on her left wrist, while she wore a huge gold ring on her right hand. Joining Cate for the photocall was her co-star British actress Nikki, who looked incredible in a white blazer-style longline corset - which had bejeweled buttons. Nikki paired the chic blouse with matching wide-leg trousers and finished the ensemble with white sandal platform heels. It comes after the star graced the rep carpet in Cannes on Saturday evening for the Rumours premiere, in keeping with the gold theme. She looked nothing short of sensational in a sparkly gold gown as she led the stars for the screening which got a four minute standing ovation. Cate's co-star Alicia Vikander was notably not in attendance. The stylish ensemble boasted a scoop neckline, padded shoulders for structure, and a draping design at the bust. The floor-length gown showcased Cate's slender figure as it draped delicately along the red carpet. Cate opted for styling her blonde locks in a chic up do for the evening and adorned a flawless palette of makeup. She then further accessorised the sparkly ensemble with a pair of diamond drop earrings. The star was also joined on the carpet by her co-star Denis Menochet, 47, who cut a dapper figure in a black tuxedo with a white bow. Directors of the film Evan Johnson, 41, and Guy Maddin, 68, also took up the chance to get several snaps with the Academy Award winner. Cate was joined on the red carpet on Saturday night for the glitzy premiere by her co-star Nikki Amuka-Bird, 48, (left) who cut a glamorous figure in a sheer black lace gown The film follows the seven leaders of the worlds wealthiest liberal democracies at the annual G7 summit after they become lost in the woods and face increasing peril The comedy film Rumours is written and directed by Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson and Galen Johnson. The film follows the seven leaders of the worlds wealthiest liberal democracies at the annual G7 summit after they become lost in the woods and face increasing peril while attempting to draft a provisional statement regarding a global crisis. The film, which recently wrapped production in Hungary, also stars Genie Award winner Roy Dupuis and additional cast includes Charles Dance, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Rolando Ravello, Takehiro Hira, and Zlatko Buric. Cannes is the world's biggest film festival, first conceived in 1939 as an alternative to the then-fascist-influenced Venice Film Festival. Julianne Moore looked the epitome of chic as she stepped out to the premiere of Horizon: An American Saga at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival on Sunday. The actress, 63, was effortlessly elegant in a fitted green dress which featured an alluring ruffled neck detail. A chunky gold necklace and some pointed gold heels offered the perfect finishing touches to the star studded annual event. Showcasing her age-defying looks, Julianne emphasised her beautiful green eyes with a touch of dark eye shadow and some rose blusher. Her signature auburn locks were pulled back from a centre parting, which showed off her shoulders and decolletage. Julianne Moore looked regal in strapless green dress as she attended the premiere for Horizon: An American Saga during Cannes Film Festival ono Sunday The actress, 63, looked effortlessly elegant in the fitted dress that featured an alluring ruffled neck detail The film which stars Kevin Costner and Sienna Miller, chronicles a multi-faceted, 15-year span of pre-and post-Civil War expansion and settlement of the American west. The movie series is set to be released in two chapters on June 28 and August 16. Earlier in the day Julianne attended the Women In Motion photocall at the at Majestic Hotel. The award winning actress, continued to show off her impeccable sense of style in her daytime look which consisted of an oversized grey double breasted blazer which she donned over a matching waistcoat. Cannes is the world's biggest film festival, first conceived in 1939 as an alternative to the then-fascist-influenced Venice Film Festival. It has been held annually since 1946 except in 1948 and 1950, when it was cancelled due to lack of funds. The festival is known for its carefully selected programme of films that have gone on to Oscar glory or launched the careers of directors like Quentin Tarantino. Cannes' top prize is the Palme d'Or, or Golden Palm, whose past winners include Taxi Driver, Apocalypse Now, Pulp Fiction, The Pianist and Parasite. She added inches to her statuesque frame with a pair of gold pointed heels and accessorised with a large gold necklace The actress arrived at the Hotel Martinez having attended the Women In Motion photocall earlier in the day Jane Campion became the first female director to win in 1993 with The Piano, followed by a nearly three-decade gap until Julia Ducournau received the award for Titane in 2021. Justine Triet became only the third female director to take the prize last year with Anatomy of a Fall. There is also an honorary Palme d'Or, which is awarded in recognition of notable bodies of work, with past recipients including Harrison Ford, Jane Fonda and Clint Eastwood. There are two honorary winners this year: George Lucas of 'Star Wars' and 'Indiana Jones' fame, and Japanese animation legend Studio Ghibli, the first group to receive the prize. Other awards include the Grand Prix, jury prize, best director, best actor, best actress, best screenplay and best short film. The Cannes Film Festival officially kicked off on Tuesday night as celebrities walked the red carpet into the plush Grand Theatre Lumiere to honour Hollywood actor Meryl Streep before settling in to watch this year's opening film, The Second Act. Showcasing her age-defying looks, Julianne opted for a simple makeup look as she kept her ensemble classy with a low tied bun The-mother-of-two who has been married to her husband Bart Freundlich for 20 years appeared happy and relaxed as she stepped onto the red carpet Almost as prestigious as winning the Palme d'Or, the Cannes Film Festival's top prize, is being on the jury that picks the winner. Artists from around the world who have made a name for themselves in their respective field are picked to sit on the jury, with one member designated as jury president. This year's jury president, U.S. director Greta Gerwig, comes to Cannes after the massive success last summer of Barbie. She is the first female U.S. director to serve as jury president, taking the baton from the head of the 2023 jury, Triangle of Sadness director and two-time Palme d'Or winner, Ruben Ostlund of Sweden. The breakout star of Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon, Lily Gladstone returns to Cannes after becoming the first Native American woman to be nominated for an Oscar and winning a Golden Globe award for her performance. One of the writers of the 2014 Palme d'Or-winning film Winter Sleep, Turkish photographer, actor and screenwriter Ebru Ceylan is a familiar face at the festival. Her first short film, On the Edge, was selected to compete at Cannes in 1998, and she has co-written several movies that were in the main competition line-up, including About Dry Grasses, Three Monkeys and The Wild Pear Tree. One of the select few women who have starred in a James Bond film, French actor Eva Green is also on the jury. She has an eclectic resume that includes Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven, smaller-scale projects like Nocebo and TV series Penny Dreadful. The 12-time winner of Spain's prestigious Goya Awards, Spanish director Juan Antonio Bayona is on the jury. He gained international recognition in 2007 with his first feature-length horror movie The Orphanage, produced by award-winning Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. His latest, the survival drama and Netflix hit 'Society of the Snow,' netted the director an Oscar nomination for best international feature film at this year's ceremony. After making a name with 2018's Capernaum, which earned her Golden Globe, BAFTA and Oscar nominations, Lebanese director and screenwriter Nadine Labaki, who has long had ties to Cannes, adds jury member to her list of accolades. Jury president Greta Gerwig, second from left, poses with jury members Omar Sy, from left, Lily Gladstone, Nadine Labaki, Kore-eda Hirokazu, Ebru Ceylan, J.A. Bayona, Eva Green, and Pierfrancesco Favino at the opening festival One of Italy's most famous actors with a parallel Hollywood career, Pierfrancesco Favino is no stranger to Cannes, having appeared in the competition films The Traitor, directed by Marco Bellocchio, and Mario Martone's Nostalgia and now on the jury. Winner of the 2018 Palme d'Or for Shoplifters, which also nabbed an Oscar nomination, acclaimed Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda returns as a main competition jury member after his film Monster won best screenplay at last year's festival. With a Cesar award - France's equivalent of an Oscar - under his belt for The Intouchables as well as several successful blockbusters, French actor Omar Sy is a Cannes veteran. The actor with parts in X-Men: Days of Future Past and Jurassic World starred in the opening film of the 2022 Un Certain Regard section at Cannes, Father & Soldier, and will now serve on the jury. Candice Swanepoel looked incredible as she arrived at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival premiere of Horizon: An American Saga on Sunday wearing a form-fitting black gown. The South African model, 35, showcased her incredible figure in the off-the shoulder floor-length number for her appearance at the cinematic event as the annual festival reaches its mid-way point. At one point, Candice spun round to show off her pert behind as she struck a confident pose for the waiting bank of photographers. The former Victoria's Secret Angel opted for a natural look in terms of makeup and kept her blonde locks scraped out of her face in a tight bun. To complement her overall look, Candice accesorised with a silver neckchain and styled it out with matching earrings. Candice Swanepoel looked incredible as she arrived at the Cannes Film Festival on Sunday wearing a form-fitting black gown At one point, Candice spun round to show off her pert behind as she struck a confident pose at the glamorous event In further pictures, the catwalk star was all smiles as she made her way into the festival. Candice beamed as she climbed out of her luxury vehicle just ahead of debuting on the red carpet as she gave an up-close view of her crystal-clear complexion. Candice recently appeared in new promotional photos for Hailey Bieber's Rhode calendar in January. The supermodel who is cross-collaborating with the Justin Bieber's wife - posed in a tiny black bikini with a see-through mesh cover-up on top. Introduced to fans as Miss October, Candice's photo shoot was complete with black animal ears and carved, lantern pineapples. One sultry close-up shot showed her holding a tube of the skincare brand's new pineapple refresh cleanser. She wore makeup light enough to show off freckles across her nose but was glammed up with soft peachy tones. In further pictures, the catwalk star was all smiles as she made her way into the festival. The outing comes a couple of months after Candice revealed she was teaming up with Hailey Bieber for her calendar Candice recently appeared in new promotional photos for Hailey Bieber 's Rhode calendar in January Candice recently appeared in new promotional photos for Hailey Bieber 's Rhode calendar in January The caption to Rhode's 1.1 million followers read: 'rhode calendar girls: miss October, @candiceswanepoel. 'your cleanser for every day, every month, every season pineapple refresh arrives tomorrow.' .It comes after Candice and Hailey announced their partnership, which blends their brands the former's Tropic of C swimwear range and the latter's line of beauty products. Taking to a beach in the Bahamas, the pair suited up in black and white bathing suits that flaunted their figures. . Jessica Biel unveiled a dramatic hair transformation - from chest-length locks to a short bob - on Saturday evening. The 42-year-old Emmy nominee - who boasts 19.4M social media followers - captioned her before/after video: 'Brought back the f*** a** bob.' Jessica - who previously had a bob in 1998 and 2006 - enlisted Milbon global creative director Anh Co Tran to cut of her long signature mane. Earlier that same afternoon, Biel stopped by independent bookstore Annabelle's Book Club LA in Studio City to attend an hour-and-a-half-long book signing event. The former Cruel Summer producer wore a seafoam-colored blouse, blue jeans, and white pumps to promote her 64-page literary debut A Kids Book About Periods, which hit shelves last Tuesday. Jessica Biel unveiled a dramatic hair transformation - from chest-length locks to a short bob - on Saturday evening Jessica is mother to two sons - Silas, 9; and Phineas, 3 - and she is impressed with how well her eldest child reacted to her menstruation manual created for children aged 7-9. 'He kind of was like, "Oh, that's weird." I said, "Yeah, it is kind of weird, but trust me, it's weird for me too. When it happens to me, it's still weird,"' Biel recalled to People last Friday. 'And I said, "Think about it. There's somebody at school that might have their period and they might need your help or support someday, and it's really going to be important for you to understand what's happening so you can help a friend if they need something."' The Minnesota-born beauty continued: 'I got a piece of it in, but I could see the wheels in his brain kind of turning over, and he was so cool about it. I was like, "Oh my God, score! We did it!" That was the first step in much bigger conversations and deeper conversations that I hope to have with him. And that's exactly why I wrote this book.' For every book sold, Jessica will donate 5% of the proceeds to PERIOD, a non-profit organization that 'strives to eradicate period poverty and stigma through service, education, and advocacy.' Biel's husband of 11 years - 10-time Grammy winner Justin Timberlake - performed a two-stand at Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA on Friday and Saturday. The 43-year-old pop star - whose 2023 was plagued with bad PR - is next scheduled to bring his 77-date The Forget Tomorrow World Tour to Arizona's Footprint Center in Phoenix this Tuesday, and his seventh headlining tour runs through December 16. The two-time Golden Globe nominee originally met Justin in 2007 while snowboarding with a group of friends in Park City, UT. The 42-year-old Emmy nominee - who boasts 19.4M social media followers - captioned her before/after video: 'Brought back the f*** a** bob' Jessica - who previously had a bob in 1998 and 2006 - enlisted Milbon global creative director Anh Co Tran to cut of her long signature mane Earlier that same afternoon, Biel stopped by independent bookstore Annabelle's Book Club LA in Studio City to attend an hour-and-a-half-long book signing event The former Cruel Summer producer wore a seafoam-colored blouse, blue jeans, and white pumps to promote her 64-page literary debut A Kids Book About Periods, which hit shelves last Tuesday Jessica is mother to two sons - Silas, 9; and Phineas, 3 (pictured April 30) - and she is impressed with how well her eldest child reacted to her menstruation manual created for children aged 7-9 Biel recalled to People last Friday: 'He kind of was like, "Oh, that's weird." I said, "Yeah, it is kind of weird, but trust me, it's weird for me too. When it happens to me, it's still weird"' The Minnesota-born beauty continued: 'And I said, "Think about it. There's somebody at school that might have their period and they might need your help or support someday, and it's really going to be important for you to understand what's happening so you can help a friend if they need something"' Jessica added: 'I got a piece of it in, but I could see the wheels in his brain kind of turning over, and he was so cool about it. I was like, "Oh my God, score! We did it!" That was the first step in much bigger conversations and deeper conversations that I hope to have with him. And that's exactly why I wrote this book' For every book sold, Biel will donate 5% of the proceeds to PERIOD, a non-profit organization that 'strives to eradicate period poverty and stigma through service, education, and advocacy' The two-time Golden Globe nominee's husband of 11 years - 10-time Grammy winner Justin Timberlake (L, pictured April 30) - performed a two-stand at Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA on Friday and Saturday. The 43-year-old pop star - whose 2023 was plagued with bad PR - is next scheduled to bring his 77-date The Forget Tomorrow World Tour to Arizona's Footprint Center in Phoenix this Tuesday, and his seventh headlining tour runs through December 16 (pictured Saturday) Last Wednesday, Jessica signed on to executive produce and narrate Investigation Discovery's true-crime docu-series Fatal Destination, which will air next year Last Wednesday, Jessica signed on to executive produce and narrate Investigation Discovery's true-crime docu-series Fatal Destination, which will air next year. On May 1, Biel signed on to co-star with Elizabeth Banks as polar-opposite siblings in Olivia Milch and Regina Corrado's thriller series The Better Sister for Prime Video, which is based on Alafair Burke's 2019 novel. In March, Peacock picked up The Good Daughter, a limited series psychological suspense thriller based on Karin Slaughter's 2017 novel, which the Iron Ocean Productions co-founder will executive produce and star as a lawyer called Charlotte. And in February, Jessica signed on to star as real-life trailblazing mountain climber Beryl Knauth in Kyle Marvin's 1970 Yosemite-set drama Batso alongside Ethan Hawke and Daniel Radcliffe. And with the presidential race looming, Biel might very well be supporting independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with whom she lobbied against a California vaccination bill limiting medical exemptions back in 2019. Line of Duty actor Brian McCardie died after suffering a tear to a major heart artery, his devastated family have revealed. The actor, best known for playing underworld boss John Thomas 'Tommy' Hunter in the popular BBC police drama, passed away suddenly at his home in April, aged 59. In a post shared on X - formerly Twitter - his sister Sarah revealed he had an aortic dissection, a rare condition where a weakened aorta wall tears. She wrote: 'Hi all, the McCardie family would like to thank everyone for their overwhelming support regarding the sudden passing of Brian James McCardie, beloved son, brother, uncle and friend. 'Brian died due to an aortic dissection, causing short pain and a sudden death.' Brian McCardie died after suffering a tear to a major heart artery his heartbroken family have revealed His sister Sarah posted to X to let fans know that he had an aortic dissection a rare condition where a weakened aorta wall rips Updating fans about Brian's final farewell, she added: 'There will be a funeral mass held on Thursday 23rd May at 11.30am at St Mary's Church, 70 Bannatyne Street, Lanark. 'We then move on at 1.30pm to Holytown Crematorium, Memorial Way, Holytown, Motherwell, where we will celebrate Brian's life before he takes his final bow. 'There will be links available to both the mass and the cremation service for those who cannot attend in person. 'We will feel your support from afar. With love and thanks, The McCardie family, Eddie, Moira, Martin, Ed, Liz and Sarah. Xxx.' The British Heart Foundation says aortic dissection occurs when the weakened wall of the aorta tears, causing blood to leak between the layers that make up the walls of the arteries with symptoms including sudden and severe chest pain, pain in the jaw and face, and shortness of breath. Glasgow-born Brian's 35-year acting career saw him star alongside Sean Bean in the 2021 BBC prison drama 'Time' and in the film 'Rob Roy', as well as 'Trainspotting' creator Irvine Welsh's 'Crime' TV series. His film appearances included Irvine's police thriller 'Filth' and 'Low Winter Sun' featuring Mark Strong. The news of Brain's passing was announced on X, formerly Twitter, by Sarah who said he was gone 'much too soon'. Brian's sister thanked fans for their overwhelming support and disclosed how the actor passed away suddenly, following with details of his funeral Line of Duty star Brian McCardie in his role in the BBC policing drama as John Thomas 'Tommy' Hunter The post read: 'It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Brian James McCardie, beloved son, brother, uncle and dear friend to so many. 'Brian passed away suddenly at home on Sunday 28th April. A wonderful and passionate actor on stage and screen, Brian loved his work and touched many lives, and is gone much too soon.' Sarah continued: 'We love him and will miss him greatly; please remember Brian in your thoughts.' Sarah later told BBC Scotland that the family were 'devastated' by his death. The post prompted dozens of tributes from fans, friends and fellow actors. Lisa Sneddon, 42, said: 'I said to my neighbour just last week "Ive not seen Brian around for a while", so I was totally gutted when I read online that he had died. 'He was a brilliant guy, and he always took time to speak to people if they stopped him in the street - my wee boy has had loads of pictures taken with him. 'Everyone around here is pretty shocked because even though we dont exactly know him personally, it felt like we did because you seen him often. 'My thoughts are with his family and friends.' McCardie appeared alongside Sandra Bullock in action thriller sequel Speed 2: Cruise Control (above) Sean Bean (left) and Brian McCardie (right) in the BBC's hit TV prison drama 'Time' United Agents, which had represented the actor, said: 'We are shocked and so deeply saddened by the tragic news of Brian McCardie's sudden death. 'He was an actor of such great talent who we were lucky to represent, and our thoughts are very much with his family and friends at this difficult time.' Brian had a lucrative 365 year acting career and appeared in episodes of The Bill, Holby City and Sky Atlantic series Domina, as well as the crass detective Dougie Gillman in the film adaptation of Irvine Welsh's darkly comic police drama Filth opposite James McAvoy. The accomplished actor took on a string of roles that took in his native Scotland, the rest of the UK and even Hollywood, appearing in action sequel Speed 2 and in Rob Roy opposite Liam Neeson. However when asked by The Herald which of his roles he'd be remembered for most, he joked: 'Probably Crimewatch.' Brian McCardie in Agatha Christie's 'Murder is Easy' McCardie appeared in a BBC adaptation of Agatha Christie's Murder Is Easy as Detective Bull He told the paper he voluntarily walked away from Hollywood after working on five films in four years, adding that he found Tinseltown 'Machiavellian'. McCardie added: 'I think my representatives at the time were trying to put me into a box. You know, have a six-pack and be well-built with a chiselled jawline. Be some kind of prototype, young actor. 'And I had no interest in playing an idealised version of people.' Brian grew up in North Lanarkshire, moving from Motherwell to Carluke, south-east of Glasgow, and developing an interest in acting at an early age. It was during secondary school that he developed his passion for theatre and acting, starring in a production of 'Godspell' with a local drama group. Amy Dowden released an emotional video on Saturday that left her fans in tears, marking a year since her aggressive stage three cancer diagnosis. The Strictly Come Dancing professional, 33, reflected on the past 12 months since her diagnosis last May and shared a montage of videos and photos documenting her journey and treatment. The heartfelt post showcased her various chemotherapy sessions, the emotional moment she began losing her hair, and when she eventually shaved it off. Set to Miley Cyrus' ballad 'The Climb,' the video highlighted Amy's progress since the devastating news. She captioned it: 'These past few weeks and especially days Ive constantly been thinking this time last year I was having this test, or this appointment. Amy Dowden released an emotional video on Saturday that left her fans in tears, marking a year since her aggressive stage three cancer diagnosis The Strictly Come Dancing professional, 33, reflected on the past 12 months since her diagnosis last May 'A year ago today it was confirmed what we thought it was but it became reality and my life changed forever when the Dr said we are sorry Amy its cancer. I cant believe its been a year and all what my body has been through and achieved. 'A year ago Ben, myself and my twin sister cried together and had to pull ourselves together as we had to break the news to my parents and just knowing the heart ache and worry it was going to cause. 'I used to lay awake for hours with my mind going to all sorts of places, would I make it to Christmas, would I dance again, hows Ben going to cope, I dont want to lose my hair, you name it. I wish I knew then how I would be a year on. 'I told myself constantly this too shall pass and a year on, my hair growing back, my energy getting better and better, back dancing and most importantly spending time with my family and friends and appreciating life. Amy went on: 'I have a new body im still learning to accept and like, but do you know what it got me through the hardest time and Im so proud of myself. 'Too many people are affected by cancer and Ill do all I can now to raise awareness and give back. To those struggling right now Im sending you love and strength. To those family and friends who stuck by me Im forever grateful to you! 'I know Im lucky and blessed for another shot at life, heres to a healthier, better, happier and dancing year ahead!' The proffesional dancer Amy added: 'Now a gentle reminder have you checked your chest this month? Early detection can save lives #breastcancer #breastcancerawareness #breastcanceryoung #checkyourself #oneyearon #mycancerjourney She shared a montage of personal videos and photos documenting her journey and treatment that she has taken over the last year The heartfelt post showcased her various chemotherapy sessions and different stages of her healing process Set to Miley Cyrus ' ballad 'The Climb,' the video highlighted Amy's progress since the devastating news In a candid post, Amy opened up that she couldn't believe it had been a year since her diagnosis She went on to say how much her body had been through and achieved Marking a year since her diagnosis Emma posted a heartfelt video on Instagram alongside a lengthy caption Amy's followers flooded the comment section with messages of gratitude and admiration for her inspiring post. 'Wow what a journey, you're amazing! Well done for bringing awareness and can't wait to see you dancing again' 'We love you so much Amy you are the strongest woman ever, so proud of you' 'Im so proud of you. How far you have come in a year and how much appreciation for life it has shown you along the way. You are the definition of strength and nothing makes me happier than seeing you bouncing back. Your openness and sharing of your most vulnerable moments is helping more people than you could ever know. Proud to support you.' 'Got really choked up watching this. My sons a twin and hes now at 3.5 and 2 years in remission. What you and all of your family when through Im sorry you joined our club. Worst club in the world full of the best people x' 'You should be so proud of yourself & the countless people your journey has touched & more than likely saved xxx' In February Amy delighted fans with the news that doctors have found no evidence of cancer in her body, though she will require monthly injections for the next five years. The Welsh star was diagnosed with cancer just the day after she came home from her honeymoon with Tom Parkes. Some of the clips in the video showed he emotional moment she began losing her hair, and when she eventually shaved it off Amy's followers flooded the comment section with messages of gratitude and admiration for her inspiring post In September Amy looked gorgeous in a pink ruffled gown as she arrived at the NTAs amid her breast cancer battle Another very honest clip showed Amy having her hair shaved once more Amy has been very open about her cancer battle keeping her fans updated with pictures and videos throughout Amy was diagnosed with grade III cancer - the second-highest grade In October Amy stunned as she attended the Pride of Britain Awards without a wig (pictured here with some of her Stricly co stars) She wpre a pink off-the-shoulder dress with an enlarged silk bow complete with a pink breast cancer awareness pin The 33-year-old announced in June that she had undergone a mastectomy The Welsh star was diagnosed with cancer just the day after she came home from her honeymoon with Tom Parkes (pictured) Strictly's Amy revealed on Instagram when she was hospitalised including when she suffered from respiratory problems Amy revealed she had fractured her foot, shortly after finishing her cancer treatment Throughout the Strictly series last year, Amy made a few surprise appearances reading out the infamous terms and conditions and hanging out in the Clauditorium She made sure she wore her Christmas jumper during the festive season despite being in hospital Amy has vowed to return to Strictly Come Dancing when it returns later in the year (pictured her with Carlos) Within her very honest post, Amy urged her fans to check their breasts insisting that early detection can save lives In February Amy delighted fans with the news that doctors have found no evidence of cancer in her body The star will require monthly injections for the next five years. She told BBC Breakfast: 'There I was, living my life to the full on Strictly Come Dancing, just married. Cancer doesn't discriminate.' Amy who danced in the final of the most recent series which was won by Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola has vowed to return to Strictly Come Dancing when it returns later in the year. She shared: 'I'm working really, really hard and getting my body back with rehab and physio. Got a brilliant team, so fingers crossed I'll be back on your screens dancing later this year.' Amy vowed: 'If Strictly will have me back, I'll be back,' and confirmed: 'The goal and the dream is to be back on the dancefloor, as well. 'Cause I've missed it so, so much.' The MasterChef 2024 finalists have been revealed ahead of the grand final on Wednesday, where they will compete to be champion. After seven weeks of battling it out in the kitchen, 58 cooks have been whittled down to just four, but only one can win. Competing for the final time are Abi Kempley, Brin Pirathapan, Chris Willoughby and Louise Lyons Macleod. And adding an extra level of excitement is the fact that it marks the 20th Finals Week on MasterChef, after the show debuted in 2004. Monday's episode will begin with the finalists jetting off to Singapore and visiting one of the bustling hawker markets, full of street food classics. The MasterChef 2024 finalists have been revealed ahead of the grand final on Wednesday, where they will compete to be champion (John and Gregg pictured) After seven weeks of battling it out in the kitchen, 58 cooks have been whittled down to just four - Chris Willoughby, Louise Lyons Macleod, Abi Kempley and Brin Pirathapan (L-R) However, the chefs won't be allowed anytime to rest, as John Torode and Gregg Wallace will be putting them to work straight away with their first challenged. Under the guidance of the godfather of Singapore heritage cuisine, chef Damian D'Silva, they will work in teams to cook traditional dishes for the locals to judge. The Final Four will then head to one of Singapores most renowned restaurants, Pangium, where they will have to cook one of Chef Malcolm Lee's dishes for an exclusive lunchtime service. Their last chance to impress will be cooking a VIP lunch at a five-star hotel, creating their own menu inspired by their experience so far. Tuesday's episode will see the cooks return to London to give it their all, as judges John and Gregg choose the final three. First they will have the honour of taking charge of one of the last ever restaurant services at Le Gavroche, guided by Michel Roux Jr. himself. On top of that, they will be serving these dishes to a dining room that includes revered chefs who have also grafted in this very kitchen, including Pierre Koffmann, Monica Galetti, and Michel's daughter, Emily. Back in the MasterChef kitchen, their last challenge will see them asked to deliver one exceptional plate of food that has special meaning, relates to something or someone they love, and comes straight from the heart. Brin, 29, said that his love for cooking developed while he was studying veterinary science at university and wanted to making delicious meals on a student budget Louise, 44, credited her family for her culinary skills and explained that she had decided to apply for MasterChef to mark her five-year anniversary from her cancer diagnosis John and Gregg will then have the tough decision of choosing who will go home and who will go on to compete for the trophy. In Wednesday's nail-biting Grand Final, these last three will then have to deliver a three-course menu, showing their progress in the contest, and the judges will crown the MasterChef Champion of 2024. Hailing from four very different walks of life, this year's winner will either be vet Brin, farmer Louise, saleswoman Abi or circus performer Chris. Brin, 29, said that his love for cooking developed while he was studying veterinary science at university and wanted to making delicious meals on a student budget. He said: 'That's when I realised I had a passion for cooking, not just eating!' He added that cooking runs in his family, with his parents both growing up in Sri Lanka and being incredible cooks. Brin explained: 'The areas of cooking I love are truly an amalgamation of my Tamil Sri Lankan heritage and my British upbringing. I have a passion for creating dishes with bold flavours but refining them to high standards with European techniques. I like to pull flavour combinations from all over the world and create balanced dishes.' He gushed that he's watched MasterChef 'for as long as I can remember' and said it was 'one of the reasons I am the cook I am today.' Youngest finalist Abi, 22, said she got into cooking during lockdown in 2020, after growing frustrated by not being able to go to restaurants and food markets Chris, 44, said lockdown also helped him develop his love for food, as his performing work was cancelled leaving him 'time to think and eat' Louise, 44, credited her family for her culinary skills, saying: 'I've been cooking since I could walk!' She said that her parents taught her to experiment with food and running a 25-acre farm has given her a passion for sharing home grown food as well as be as sustainable as possible. She explained that she had decided to apply for MasterChef to mark her five-year anniversary from her cancer diagnosis. Louis said: 'I was diagnosed when my daughter was 18 months old and our world imploded. My diagnosis and intense treatment took a long time to come to terms with and changed me. A positive change was to try to embrace all of lifes opportunities fully.' Youngest finalist Abi, 22, said she got into cooking during lockdown in 2020, after growing frustrated by not being able to go to restaurants and food markets. She said that her strength is Asian flavours and French techniques, admitting her dream would be to cook in Japan. Abi added that she was nervous to apply for the show, but her mum pushed her to give it a go by believing in her. She admitted: 'I truly can't believe I'm through to the Finals. I've been working so hard for so long and it just feels like a sense of huge achievement and gratitude.' Chris, 44, said lockdown also helped him develop his love for food, as his performing work was cancelled leaving him 'time to think and eat'. He called his love for cooking 'an obsession' and credited his boyfriend of seven years, Kim, for being 'so supportive' through his MasterChef journey. Chris said he had wanted to be 'tested' by the competition and said his desire to win has increased with every stage. His circus performer skills mean he's passionate about presentations and flavours in particular and hopes to write cookbooks 'based on food and its concepts, theatre and home entertaining'. MasterChef continues on Monday at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer and the Grand Finale is on Wednesday at 8pm Ben Whishaw was all smiles at the world premiere of Limonov: The Ballad at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival on Sunday. The actor, 43, stars in the title role of the biopic about the late Russian politician Eduard Limonov and looked thrilled to be at the launch of the film as he donned a smart-casual look in a loose-fitting tuxedo with a white T-shirt underneath. But the Emmy Award-winning star did not take front and centre in the line-up and stood to the far right of his co-stars. He was pictured directly next to Viktoria Miroshnichenko, who plays his on-screen partner Yelena Shchapova, with his arm around her waist. The rest of the cast and director Kirill Serebrennikov made up the rest of the artists on during the photo call for the film, which will be released globally in the coming months. Ben Whishaw was all smiles at the world premiere of Limonov: The Ballad at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival on Sunday He was pictured directly next to Viktoria Miroshnichenko, who plays his on-screen partner Yelena Shchapova, with his arm around her waist Born in Dzerzhinsk, about 250 miles east of Moscow, Limonov escaped to the U.S. where he wrote poetry and novels, some of them obscene. He later returned to Russia, going into politics and founding the National Bolshevik Party (which was banned in 2007) before being incarcerated for four years. He supported Putin's annexation of the Crimea in 2014, and died in 2020. The James Bond star , who announced two years ago that he had split from husband Mark Bradshaw, said he was 'knocked out' by the script, which he read in 2020. 'He scared me, fascinated me, repelled me, thrilled me,' he said of Limonov. 'It was as though in every situation he found himself in, he struck a dissonant note.' The festival is known for its carefully selected programme of films that have gone on to Oscar glory or launched the careers of directors like Quentin Tarantino. Cannes' top prize is the Palme d'Or, or Golden Palm, whose past winners include Taxi Driver, Apocalypse Now, Pulp Fiction, The Pianist and Parasite. The Cannes Film Festival officially kicked off on Tuesday night as celebrities walked the red carpet into the plush Grand Theatre Lumiere to honour Hollywood actor Meryl Streep before settling in to watch this year's opening film, The Second Act. It has been held annually since 1946 except in 1948 and 1950, when it was cancelled due to lack of funds. Ben Whishaw stars as about Russian dissident Eduard Limonov in the new biopic, which had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on Sunday Ben was pictured next to his co-star Viktoria Miroshnichenko, who plays his on-screen partner Yelena Shchapova Born in Dzerzhinsk, about 250 miles east of Moscow, Limonov escaped to the U.S. where he wrote poetry and novels, some of them obscene (pictured in Moscow in 2004) Artists from around the world who have made a name for themselves in their respective field are picked to sit on the jury, with one member designated as jury president. This year's jury president, U.S. director Greta Gerwig, comes to Cannes after the massive success last summer of Barbie. She is the first female U.S. director to serve as jury president, taking the baton from the head of the 2023 jury, Triangle of Sadness director and two-time Palme d'Or winner, Ruben Ostlund of Sweden. Most popular tequila brands, including celebrity labels like Casamigos and Kendall Jenner's 818, include secret additives like glycerin, caramel coloring, oak extract and sugar-based syrups, DailyMail.com can reveal. Despite reading 100% agave azul on the bottle, Casamigos, famously founded by George Clooney and Randy Gerber (married to super model Cindy Crawford), is actually only about 99 percent tequila. Tequila makers are allowed to add four additives without telling you, so long as it's one percent or less of what's in the bottle. Glycerin, caramel coloring, oak extract sugar-based syrups are permitted, according to Patron's website, which does disclose the information. Casamigos does not. 'Many (tequila) products are made in an extremely fast, industrial, neutral way,' tequila expert Grover Sanschagrin told Liquor.com. 'Instead of using the (traditional) process to generate natural aromas and flavors, they short-circuit the process by making a cheaper product and then use additives to give it some character.' Wildly popular tequila Casamigo, co-founded by George Clooney and Randy Gerber, contains additives such as glycerin, caramel coloring, oak extract and sugar-based syrup but that are not disclosed on the bottle Casamigos is the among the top ten best selling tequilas in the world Additives are also in Kendall Jenner tequila brand, 818. Glycerin, caramel coloring, oak extract and sugar-based syrup are allowed in tequila without labeling on the bottle so long as the non-tequila liquid is less than 1% of what's in the bottle, according to Mexico's tequila governing body Tequila, produced in the region with the same name in Mexico near Guadalajara, comes from the agave plant. TEQUILA AGING TIME Silver or blanco: Aged no more than two months. This type of tequila is clear and most commonly used in margaritas or mixed drinks. Reposado: Aged two months to one year. Resposado means 'rested' in Spanish. As it's in the barrel, the liquor starts to darken and take on flavors from the barrel. Anejo: Aged one to three years. Known as sipping tequila due to its vintage flavors. Advertisement The fermented liquid is famously aged in oak barrels to achieve three levels of expression: silver, reposado and anejo. As tequila matures, it starts to turn a darker hue and picks up flavors from wood barrels it's housed in during this time. An anejo, the type of tequila that requires the most aging, can take up to three years before it's ready to be sold. But time is money. For a brand like Casamigos, which is now one of the top-ten best selling tequilas in the world and the top celebrity-backed tequila, it means lost revenue if they're sitting around waiting for it to age properly. Glycerin can be used to mask poor or shortened distillation, giving a fuller mouthfeel. It coats the mouth neutralizing consumers taste buds. Coloring and oak extract help mask tequila that has been aged in the traditional tequila method. 'It makes your tequila seem older, so if you make it darker, it seems like it's been barrel longer,' tequila influencer Jay Baer told Daily Mail.com. 'If you add oak extract it tastes more like wood, again, making the consumer think it's been in the barrel longer. In many cases, consumers think that older tequila is better, therefore it's worthy of a higher price.' Tequila experts say larger operations outsource their blanco Tequila, buying it from a no-name mass producer before adding chemicals to it to make it taste like what their customers are used to. 818 tequila by Kendall Jenner also has additives, but their inclusion is not disclosed to customers on their website or on the label. Supermodel Kendall Jenner of Kardashian fame launched her own tequila brand, 818, in 2021 The name of her tequila brand comes from the area code for Calabasas, California-- the Southern California enclave where her famous family lives Casamigos is the top celebrity-backed tequila in the world Laughing all the way to the bank: George Clooney and his two co-founders sold Casamigos to spirits giant Diageo for $1 billion in June 2017, but it still the face of Casamigos The Kardashian sister hawks her product as the 'most natural, and best tasting tequila possible' and promises 'only the highest quality ingredients are used in its creation,' according to 818's official website. TEQUILA ADDITIVES Glycerin: Chemical creates a fuller mouthfeel. Its heavy, oily texture can mask poor distillation by coating the molecules within the tequila. Oak extract: Can be used to make tequila taste like it's been aged in an oak barrel for longer than it has. Caramel coloring: Often used to create consistency in the color and flavor of aged products, like reposado or anejo tequila, from batch to batch. Jarabes: Sugar-based syrups may include natural sweeteners like agave nectar or artificial ones, like aspartame or Splenda, to sweeten a product Source: Jay Baer Advertisement Interestingly, 818 describes its blanco as having notes of 'key lime pie, and toasted coconut' - none of which would naturally come from an oak barrel. Neither Casamigos, sold by Clooney and friends to liquor giant Diageo, or 818 responded to a request for comment from DailyMail.com. Additives are not just in celebrity tequilas. It's estimated that 70% of all tequila has secret flavor enhancers that consumers have no idea about. 'You have the right to know what you're putting into your body and what you're consuming,' Tony Boyle, CEO of additive-free Tequila Corrido told DailyMail.com. Because additives are not declared on the label, two tequila experts living in Guadalajara launched a website called Tequila Matchmaker to help consumers learn about what they are drinking, including if there are additives present. Sanschagrin and his wife Scarlet, who are both trained tequila sommeliers, started testing tequila brands in 2020 to award them the additive-free designation. The Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT) is the regulatory body that oversees tequila, after it took over from the Mexican government in 1994. The CRT, run by executives from the most profitable tequila brands, uses an honor system. Fields of blue weber agave in the Tequila region of Jalisco, Mexico At Casa Herradura, home of Herradura Tequila, a jimador or farmer who harvests tequila, demonstrates how the agave plant is cut down to just the heart, which will be cooked and fermented The heart of the agave plant, called pinas because they look like large pineapples, are cooked in huge ovens before they become tequila 'There is a binder in every distillery where you write down if you put additives in the product or not. The CRT looks at the binder and signs off and moves on. They dont test or smell or anything,' Grover told Punch. Tequila brands are now clamoring to be included in the additive-free category, but only about 100 different tequilas, including Tequila Corrido, have so far made the cut. 'We start from the very beginning with sourcing the agave, making that blanco and actually letting the blanco rest for 30 days, which is pretty unusual, but it's as traditional as you can get,' Tequila Corrido's VP of Communications Olivia Fierro boasted. 'The most traditional way is costlier, and it's not time efficient. For example, our Anejo, by the time we're getting it in a bottle, it's almost two years.' Well-known brands like Tequila Ocho and Siete Leguas have earned the additive free designation as well. Tequila Corrido is one of only about 100 brands who have been certified as additive-free by Tequila Matchmaker Tequila Corrido, an additive-free tequila markets itself as 'no additives, no celebrities' Tony Boyle (left) pictured above with Brian Raab (right) own Tequila Corrido A handful of celebrity tequilas got the nod as well, including Santo Fino, started by rocker Sammy Hagar and chef Guy Fieri. 'Consumers are picking additive free tequila over tequila with additives,' Baer explained. 'As of April, additive-free tequila is 6% of the tequila market. That's a lot of money. These larger brands are losing market share to these newer additive-free brands and they would prefer that not to be the case.' Tequila Matchmaker even issued stickers that brands can add to their bottles letting customers know they are additive free. But don't think this hasn't ruffled some feathers. The Sanschagrins' website, which claims to be the most extensive tequila database in the world, has pitted them against the CRT-- called the 'tequila cartel' by Baer. 'They (CRT) have taken some actions, that I think is far beyond what's necessary, to try and kill the additive-free moment in the cradle,' he stated. Mexican authorities raid the home of Grover and Scarlet Sanschagrin, the husband-and-wife founders of Tequila Matchmaker in April The Consejo Regulador del Tequila or CRT has opposed the 'additive-free' designation The tequila organization has come out against Tequila Matchmaker's Additive-Free Alliance program. 'We consider that any scheme offered in the market to "certify," "verify" or "confirm" in any language that a certain trademark is "additives free" represents an act contrary to good customs and practices and induces error or confusion to the Tequila consumer,' the organization said in January. Last month, the couple's home was raided in the dead of night by Mexican federal authorities, according to Mexican media. Armed police, with a warrant that included a complaint by the CRT, claimed that the Sanschagrins were using their home as an 'adulterated tequila factory.' While no one was arrested, some bottles of tequila were seized. The CRT did not respond to a request from comment from DailyMail.com, but their representatives were present at the April raid. Despite the pushback, the CRT announced it would be creating its own additive-free designation earlier this year. Specifics on how brands will be certified as additive-free have not been made public by CRT, but Baer explained a committee has been formed to start looking at the process. 'The committee is primary compromised of master distillers that have not participated in the Tequila Matchmaker program,' Baer added. 'As I understand it, that committee has not made a lot of progress. My prediction is that nothing will happen. CRT will continue to pay lip service to their own desire to create a program, but no program will actually be forth-coming because the organizations that run the CRT really would prefer not to talk about additives at all.' A single mother has revealed the heartbreaking reason she has been forced to sell her 'dream' home. Rochelle Trotter is parting way with her beloved New Orleans home after her mortgage and home insurance costs skyrocketed. 'I feel robbed because I worked so hard to get my home,' she told WDSU News. Trotter's mortgage recently went up by $1,200 a month. 'I lived in that house for ten years, and anybody who knew me would tell you when you walked to that front door it was always open,' she said. Rochelle Trotter is parting with her beloved home after her mortgage and home insurance costs skyrocketed Trotter's mortgage on her New Orleans home recently went up $1,200 a month 'It was a safe haven for everybody, we laughed, we talked, we slept on the floor, we danced, we had barbecues' she recalled. 'I was a single mother by myself, and people said I couldn't afford this house, but in spite of what they said, I fought through, and I kept my house. 'I kept it until I couldn't keep it no more,' she said sadly. John Ford from the Louisiana Department of Insurance told the broadcaster that there are hundreds of thousands of other citizens facing the same hardships. After hurricane Ida hit Louisiana in 2021, several large insurance companies left the state or stopped providing new coverage. 'I kept it until I couldn't keep it no more,' she said sadly of her struggle to maintain her home With a huge rise in premiums, Trotter is one of many faced with a hard choice This led to a huge rise in premium costs. 'People need places to go,' Trotter said on the ongoing insurance nightmare being inflicted on other families. 'Homelessness is getting worse and it's really sad,' she added. Louisiana's insurance commissioner, Tim Temple, has announced his plan to create greater flexibility for insurers to help keep them in the state. One such proposal is to eliminate the 'three year rule,' which bars insurers from dropping their customers if they have been with that provider for three years or more. Another is to allow insurance to raise rates without prior approval and more than once a year. As major US stores limit or ban self-checkout entirely to cut down on losses from sky-high retail theft, pro-labor politicians are seeing a window of opportunity. Walmart, Dollar General and Five Below are among US retailers that have either banned self-checkout entirely or at certain locations. Target is limiting its self-checkouts to 10 items or fewer, while Costco will be adding more staff to self-checkout areas. Progressive California state lawmakers want to take it a step further: take the decision out of retailers' hands and severely limit self-checkout with a new piece of legislation. The proposed bill, amended as recently as Thursday, would force stores to have one employee present for every two self-checkout machines - thereby keeping people in jobs rather than letting technology take over. On top of that, it says self-checkout machines can only be used by shoppers with 15 items or fewer, up from the 10 item limit in a previous version. Democrat Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, a California state lawmaker from LA, introduced the bill that would force grocery and drug stores to have employees monitoring self-checkout machines Smallwood-Cuevas, a former labor organizer, says her bill is not 'hard on crime' but rather it's 'smart' on crime The bill also mandates that at least one employee needs to man the regular checkout aisle. State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, a Los Angeles Democrat, introduced the bill in February, recently saying its purpose was to cut down on shoplifting while also keeping retail workers safe. 'We have so many bills in this Legislature that are trying to increase penalties,' Smallwood-Cuevas told the New York Times last week. 'We know that what makes our community safe is not more jail time and penalties. What makes our community safe is real enforcement, having real workers that are on the floor.' Beyond the bill's objective to have more employees on the floor to possibly deter theft, it provisions that aren't focused on crime at all. If it were passed, the bill would mandate stores installing self-checkout machines must first do a study analyzing how many employees 'duties would be affected by the workplace technology.' These studies would also need to address 'total amount of salaries and benefits that would be eliminated as a result of the workplace technology.' Once complete, managers would have to circulate the analysis to potentially affected employees or their collective bargaining representatives. Dollar General is among the retailers which have announced sweeping changes to automated registers in stores across the US In two stores, in Missouri and Ohio, Walmart will replace self-checkout machines entirely with 'traditional' staffed lanes, as pictured Target is deploying new scanners to combat theft at its self-checkout machines, which will roll out to all stores by the end of the year. It's also now limiting self-checkout customers to 10 items or fewer The bill is supported by groups representing workers, including the California Labor Federation, the Prosecutors Alliance of California and the United Food and Commercial Workers. The president of the local chapter of United Food and Commercial Workers said 'employers have increasingly implemented automated checkout to drastically cut staffing and reduce labor costs.' The union's press release supporting the bill doesn't mention the word 'crime' at all and only mentions 'theft' twice. It uses the words 'jobs,' 'staffing,' and 'displacement' a total of ten times. Opponents of the bill, mostly business groups, say individuals and groups that support Smallwood-Cuevas' bill are more focused on ensuring people stay employed than actually deterring retail theft. 'Retail theft committed in stores has been brazenly committed regardless of whether theres employees staffing checkout lanes or the presence of self-checkout lanes,' the California Chamber of Commerce and the California Retailers Association told a state legislative committee in a letter obtained by the Sacramento Bee. In response to criticism, Smallwood-Cuevas, a former labor organizer, has pointed out a study that shows self-checkout are 16 times more vulnerable to stealing than cashier lanes. 'I dont want to be just hard on crime,' she said about her bill. 'I also want to be smart on it, and I think this is a way to do it.' Smallwood-Cuevas' approach on theft comes after shoplifting surged 61 percent in Los Angeles alone during 2023. Some of the largest retailers have taken steps this year to reverse the failed self-checkout experiment. The machines were designed to cut labor costs but caused increased theft With stats like that in mind, Californians are showing signs they support a switch to tough on crime policies. Californians for Safer Communities, a bipartisan group made up of law enforcement, elected officials and businesses like Walmart and Target, said in April that it had collected 900,000 signatures in support of a ballot measure strengthening penalties for shoplifting and drug possession offenses, the Associated Press reported. That measure could be voted on statewide by Californians this November, and if passed, much of the shoplifting crimes that are currently classified as misdemeanors will be upgraded to felonies. In the meantime, large retailers are taking matters into their own hands. Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens and many other stores have resorted to chaining up items such as toiletries and medication to prevent stealing, which shoppers say is a huge inconvenience. The frenzy among giant retailers to protect their products from thieves has recently expanded to even putting underwear and socks under lock and key. Author Jason M Barr breaks down the global race to create the mega skyscraper Construction would be twice the size of current tallest building the Burj Khalifa The race is on to construct the world's first mile-high building. It would be almost twice the size of the Burj Khalifa - the current tallest construction in the world - and four times the size of the Empire State Building. And the difference in air pressure means going from the bottom to top would be the equivalent of a visitor entering New York and two minutes later exiting at the top of Denver. And yet, despite a multitude of financial and logistical concerns, a fascinating new book explains how such mega skyscrapers could soon be the norm. In an extract from his book Cities in the Sky: The Quest to Build the World's Tallest Skyscrapers, Jason M Barr breaks down changing city skylines across the globe... How The Illinois would compare against the world's biggest and most famous skyscrapers Cities in The Sky - Futureopolis In 1956, Frank Lloyd Wright unveiled a design for a mile-high skyscraper (1.61 km), called the Illinois. His presentation included a 26-foot-tall, six-foot-wide rendering. It was to be built in Chicago and have 528 floors, with 12.3 million square feet (1.14 km) of office space for 130,000 people. Commuters could choose from 15,000 parking spots after they arrived by one of four feeder highways. Two helicopter landing decks could accommodate fifty helicopters each. The building was to be served by seventy-six quintuple-deck elevatorsthat is, five elevators stacked on top of each other. Ironically, Wright was ambivalent about skyscrapers. In 1923, after witnessing a devastating earthquake in Japan, he expressed his belief that 'the skyscraper, never more than a commercial expedient . . . is become a threat, a menace to the welfare of human beings.' But at some point, he seemed to have come around to the idea. Ten buildings like this on Manhattan Island would provide the office space needed, and the rest of the island could be open landscape. 'If we are going to concentrate mankind in skyscrapers,' Wright says, 'lets not build tall pens, boxes or bird cages. If were going to build high, lets build highhigh and beautiful.' Thus, at age eighty-nine, he felt compelled to produce his mile-high design. The building was merely a conceptan imaginary figment of architecture. It was never meant to be built, as the ability to construct and operate it was nearly impossible. But the octogenarian wanted to make one last splash to show the world he was still there. As Wright himself has rightly stated, 'there is nothing so powerful as an idea.' Ironically, Wright (pictured) was ambivalent about skyscrapers. In 1923, after witnessing a devastating earthquake in Japan, he expressed his belief that 'the skyscraper, never more than a commercial expedient . . . is become a threat, a menace to the welfare of human beings' Wright's presentation included a 26-foot-tall, six-foot-wide rendering. It was to be built in Chicago and have 528 floors, with 12.3 million square feet (1.14 km) of office space for 130,000 people. Pictured: a prototype of the Illinois In 1956, Frank Lloyd Wright unveiled a design for a mile-high skyscraper (1.61 km), called the Illinois Because it was a prototype, Wright could afford to be vague in his description of how it would be built and the technology it would contain. But in his mind, 'The whole will give the design impression of a great tree, with the floors radiating as limbs, and the sides hanging in suspension like leaves.' The gravity and wind loads were to be countered by a thick reinforced concrete central core, akin to the trunk. The foundation was to be like a taproot, a concrete inverted pyramid running deep into the ground. The floors were to be cantilevered outward from the core. The facade would be held by suspended wires. The air on the upper floors would be pressurized for comfort, while the elevators were to run on nuclear power. Instead of cables, the cabs would move a mile per minute on teeth meshing into adjacent tracks. Wrights estimated cost was $100 million, which was overly optimistic by a mile, so to speak. The Sears Tower circa 1970 cost about $175 million. A building could be built a mile high by solving some engineering problems. But paying for it and tenanting it are something else again. The Prudential Building cost $40 a square foot. Wright says he can build the Illinois for about $8 a foot. It costs that to build a one-story building! A mile-high building would be four times the height of the Empire State Building (pictured) The current tallest building in the world is the Burk Khalifa (pictured) in Dubai My hats off to Wright as an imaginative genius. The only trouble is hes poor at arithmetic. Regardless of his motivations or his low-ball figures, Wrights renderings have launched a quest for the holy grail of skyscrapersthe mile-high. To build one is the burning ambition of many throughout the world, particularly in Asia. Whoever constructs it will beat the odds and grab ownership over something that was once purely an American phenomenon. Will such a structure ever be built? Yes. How do I know? Lets look at the history of building heights. Since 1900, the height of the tallest building completed each year has grown at an average annual rate of 1.2 percent, and, since 1980, when Asian countries started competing, the rate of increase has gone up to 1.8 percent. The tallest buildings heights will likely double in forty to sixty years. In the early 1900s, typical tall build heights were around 328 feet (100 m). By the 1960s that figure was double that, and by 2015, 1,500 feet (457 m) was not uncommon. Each generation of 'growth spurts' sets of seeds for the next one. The worlds record holders have grown at a similar rate as the tallest completed each year. While not all record breakers seek to demolish the competition, frequently there are large jumps. For example, the Burj Khalif was 1,050 feet (320 m) taller than Taipei 101. Then 'ordinary' supertalls 'fill in' the gaps. After the Burj beat Taipei 101, a string of other towers came along that were in between the two, such as the Shanghai Tower and the Ping An Finance Centre. Taipei 101 is currently ranked the tenth tallest in the world and its rank will continue to fall. I predict that within the next two decades we will see at least two one-kilometer tower completions around the world. The engineering know-how to create a one-mile structure and to elevator it is here. The real problems are the economics and the technologies to cater to new issues that arise from the building being so tall. With current structural designs, the building will need to have several million square feet to generate the revenues to make it work. The Jeddah Tower, very thin by todays standards, will have 2.6 million usable square feet (243,866 km) of floor area. Extruding this tower to one mile high would mean not only that its height is increased by 60 percent, but also its floor area will nearly quintuple. Taipei 101 (pictured) is currently ranked the tenth tallest in the world and its rank will continue to fall If the Twin Towers (pictured) showed anything, it was that putting that kind of square footage on the market will drive down prices for the foreseeable future, Barr writes The 'best' one-mile-high tower using todays know-how will have 12 million square feetlike Wrights tower. If the Twin Towerswith a total of 10 million square feetshowed anything, it was that putting that kind of square footage on the market will drive down prices for the foreseeable future. Good for buyers and renters, but lousy for the overall investment prospects. This price effect, however, could be mitigated in part by opening the building in stages, with the lower floors and the observation decks opening first and then the rest to follow. Another issue is the buildings footprint. The base of a one-mile-high Jeddah Tower would be 80,000 square feet (1.8 acres; 7,432 m). Finding an urban area that can accommodate or want a building this size would be difficult. Next is the expense of construction. While it can be done more cheaply on a per-square-foot basis than ever before, it will still be very expensive. Under the very best circumstances, the building can be designed, approved, and constructed in a decade. But such a project increases not only the financing costs but also the risk. The ups and downs of the business cycle mean that if construction of the building started in an upswing, theres a good chance as not it will open in a downswing. Other hurdles remain. One of the biggest problems is the change in air pressure. The impact is the equivalent to a person going into a building on the ground floor in New York and exiting two minutes later at the top in Denver, possibly several times a day. Cities in the Sky by Jason M Barr was published May 14 How do you prevent altitude sickness? Wright simply announced that his building would be pressurized. But engineers in the near future will be tasked with figuring it out for real. However, if 'placemaking' skyscrapers have shown anything it is that the benefits of such a building extend far beyond the building itself. When you track the height growth rates of the worlds tallest skyscrapers, they compare poorly to world GDP, which has grown at an average annual rate of 3.3 percent since 1960. If we assumed that the worlds record breakers grew at the same average annual pace as GDP, the current record breaker should be 1.8 miles (2.9 km) high - 3.6 times higher than the Burj Khalifa. Rather than asking why buildings are so tall, we should be asking why they arent taller. A Future of Mile-Highs? But are we likely to be living in a world populated by one-mile-high towersthe kind of city we might see in sci-fi movies? In theory, if building technology, zoning and planning regulations, and transportation technology (e.g., flying cars and superfast elevators) become such that building one-mile-high buildings is both cheap and practical, then it might be that some cities will build lots of them. When you crunch the numbers, theres a certain appeal. Say a one-mile-high residential tower has 12 million square feet (1,114,836 m) and say each person has an average of 400 square feet (37 m). That means one tower could hold thirty thousand people. A city of 9 million (about the same as New York, London, or Hong Kong) could be housed in 300 buildings. If each one had a base of 80,000 square feet (1.83 acres), the entire population of this future city would only require 551 acres (223 hectares), less area than New York Central Park or the City of London. Say we needed another square mile of land for offices, services, and retail within their own mile-highs. Imagine that we moved all the citys buildings into one small area of, say, two or three-square miles and turned the rest formerly used for buildings into parkland and nature. The biggest benefits are socialif we find that living in the clouds lets us spend more time with nature and more time with each other, then we should do it! The quest for skyscrapers and skylines can only work if it makes us better and more productive people. If history is any guide, however, the journey will remain ever upward. Cities in the Sky by Jason M Barr was published May 14. As India forges a vital partnership with Iran through the Chabahar port agreement, it must adeptly balance its regional interests against the backdrop of American concerns Iran has had an unwarranted grip on the sensibilities of the US administrations, irrespective of their partisan divide. The moment for the bilateral fracture in American imagination starts from the Iranian Revolution in 1979 and the subsequent US Embassy hostage drama. The wounded memory for the Iranians is deeper and traced to the CIA-aided coup against the popular Prime Minister, Mosaddegh, in 1953. Undoubtedly, the religious puritanism of Ayatollah Khomeinis regime after the revolution pitted it ideologically against the West, but the public memory of the US support to Saddam Hussein (later ousting him) in the decade-long Iran-Iraq war, is now conveniently forgotten by the duplicitous American regimes. Later, Americans linked Iran to 9/11 and the birthing of Al Qaida/ISIL, even though Iran didnt have anything to do with either. If anything, Iran and its proxies fought ISIL in Syrian-Iraqi swathes and were instrumental in decimating the same, though later the Americans killed the Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. Because sectarian undercurrents and the chessboard of American allies (Israel and Arab Sheikhdoms) have a checkmate from Iran and its proxies in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen - the unjustified demonizing of Iran continues. While countries like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have contributed far more towards religious extremism and terror, they continue to receive American support, while the Iranians face crippling sanctions. Americans had unilaterally reneged on the Iran Nuclear Deal even when all other signatories i.e., P+1 countries and the UN watchdog agency IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) had confirmed that Iran had complied with all provisions. Pressure from Israel and Sheikdoms ensured that Iran continued getting conflated with everything going wrong in the Middle East, even if Iran did, or did not have any role in the same. While the Hamas group was supported by Iran (as indeed by Saudia Arabia and others, till recently), there is no credible evidence to link Iran with the planning or execution of the 7th Oct 2023 attack, but the phantom of Iran linkages persisted. Pushed to a corner to retaliate to salvage its sovereign pride the Iranians did retaliate, albeit, after getting forced to do so after its senior military officers were killed in Syria, by Israelis. The must-needed justification to prove Irans purported machinations and belligerence was offered and the Americans lapped it up with both hands - that it is the election year and flexing muscles against the enemy i.e., Iran, brings its electoral benefits, vitiates the situation even further. Now Joe Biden who had earlier come to power with the promise to restore the Iran Nuclear Deal torn by the unhinged Donald Trump, is all but a forgotten memory. Today, Biden is trying to outdo Donald Trump in taking on the Iranians, with even more sanctions. The White House issued a Statement, Less than a week ago, Iran launched one of the largest missile and drone attacks the world has ever seen against Israel. Together with our allies and partners, the United States defended Israel. We helped defeat this attack. And today, we are holding Iran accountable-imposing new sanctions and export controls on Iran. The import of the same goes beyond the USA as it now seeks to potentially sanction any country dealing with Iran e.g., India, which has recently signed a 10-year contract to manage the strategic Chabahar port in Iran. This gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics bypasses Pakistani land routes, offers an invaluable Indian footprint on the other side of Pakistan (counters China-developed, Gwadar Port, in Pakistan) and strengthens Indian ties with the civilisational land of Iran. With the Taliban in Afghanistan tiring of Pakistan and the Iranians signing this deal, Delhi is justifiably excited about the evolved prospects of countering the Sino-Pakistani assertions in the theatre. While India needs to maintain its relations with the US to countenance the Chinese threats, it also has its regional concerns which require de-hyphenation from US concerns with Iran. India cannot be a blind minion of the US as it has its own bilateral and regional imperatives that warrant strategic independence in decision-making, as was done by buying Russian oil and maintaining cordial relations with Moscow, whilst nuancing concerns for Ukraine. To be fair, the Americans have recognised the Indian positions and compulsions which are not aimed at diminishing the US interest, but only towards protecting its own, hence the restrain in actuality, even as the war of words persists. In any case, the Biden administration will be at its voluble worst and indulge in sabre-rattling (especially on matters about Iran) and therefore important to understand their compulsion of tonality. It is with this backdrop that the Statement of the US official must be understood, when pressed about the Indian agreement with Iran, Youve 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. The Americans will say what they have to and the Indians will do what they have to, as it is a well-understood position on both sides. Indias strategic equation with Iran is not designed to diminish the US interest. (The writer, a military veteran, is a former Lt Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Puducherry. The views expressed are personal) Amid the sweltering heat and high-pitch political rhetorics and promises by contestants in the fray, over 8.95 crore voters in 49 Parliament constituencies spread in Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal will cast their vote in the fifth phase of polling on Monday. On the eve of phase five of Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission on Sunday pointed out that Mumbai, Thane and Lucknow have shown apathy towards voting in the past and asked these city dwellers to turnout in higher numbers. Low turnout of voters is expected on Monday due to extreme heat wave conditions in some States including Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. The poll authority noted that in the past these cities have suffered from urban apathy in voting. The Commission specially calls upon these city dwellers to erase the stigma by turning out in higher numbers, it said. So far, the last four phases have registered a voter turnout of 66.95 per cent. On May 3 too, while referring to voter turnout in phase two, the Commission had said it was disappointed with the turnout level in some metropolitan cities. The EC had last month assembled many metro Commissioners here to work out a strategy to fight urban apathy. Urban and youth apathy is described as a phenomenon when young voters and those living in metros fail to turn up at polling stations on election day. As summer is on peak, hot and dry weather is another factor which may impact the voters' turn out in the fifth phase. For Rahul Gandhi, Rae Bareli will be the second seat from where he is contesting the national polls. The Congress scion has already contested from Kerala's Wayanad in the second phase. Rae Bareli is a Nehru-Gandhi family pocket borough that was represented by his mother Sonia Gandhi since 2004. The BJP has fielded UP Minister Dinesh Pratap Singh. In Amethi, Union minister Smriti Irani, who had defeated Rahul in 2019, is seeking a second term, while KL Sharma, an aide of the Gandhi family, has been fielded by the Congress. Among other prominent candidates in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha polls are several Union Ministers including Rajnath Singh (Lucknow, UP), Piyush Goyal (Mumbai North, Maharashtra), Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti (from Fatehpur, UP) and Shantanu Thakur (Bangaon, WB); LJP (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan (Hajipur, Bihar), Shiv Sena's Shrikant Shinde (Kalyan, Maharashtra ), and BJP's Rajiv Pratap Rudy and RJD president Lalu Prasad's daughter Rohini Acharya (both Saran, Bihar). Uttar Pradesh, which sends the largest number of MPs to Parliament, will see 14 seats voting in the fifth phase with the fate of five Union Ministers at stake. These seats include Congress pocket boroughs of Rae Bareli and Amethi. Faizabad, which includes Ayodhya, the nerve centre of the BJP's Hindutva politics will also vote in this phase. At the height of bitter political rivalry, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders tried to fend off the challenge posed by the INDIA bloc parties by raising the pitch on issues of appeasement, dynastic politics, Ram temple, Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), corruption and welfare initiatives taken by his government. PM Modi, while campaigning in Uttar Pradesh on Friday, also claimed that the Congress and the Samajwadi Party will run a bulldozer over the Ram temple if elected to power, prompting the Congress to complain to the Election Commission on Saturday. He also alleged that the opposition wanted to bring back Article 370. The campaigning saw high-pitched rhetoric by both the BJP and the INDIA bloc. PM Modi also attacked Congress claiming that the UPA government had wanted to allocate 15 per cent of the budget to Muslims. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge widened the gamut of poll guarantees of his party when he promised 10 kg of free grains to the poor instead of the five kg being given at present. Modi on Sunday condemned West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's remarks against Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha and said threats are being issued against these socio-religious organisations to appease one's vote bank. PM Modi vowed that he will not let the corrupt live outside jail after June 4. Addressing a public gathering in West Bengal's Purulia, the PM said that he had promised in 2014 and 2019 that action will be taken against the corrupt. I am saying it now that I won't let the corrupt live outside jail Modi is giving you another guarantee, after June 4 when we form the new government, corrupt people will have to spend their entire lives in jail, Modi said. On Friday, Congress leader Sonia tried to strike an emotional chord as she said at a rally that she is giving her son to the people of Rae Bareli and Rahul will not disappoint you.My everything is all given by you. So, brothers and sisters, I am giving you my son said Sonia, as Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stood by her side on the stage at the rally. Trinamool Congress chief Mamata ruffled some feathers in the INDIA bloc when she said her party would provide only outside support to the group if it forms the government though she later softened her stand. Of the 49 seats, the BJP had won 32 in 2019, while the Congress got only Rae Bareli. This time, the BJP is contesting in 40 seats while the Congress has limited itself to just 18 seats, leaving the rest to its allies. A total of 2000 Flying Squads, 2105 Static Surveillance Teams, 881 Video Surveillance Teams and 502 Video Viewing Teams are keeping surveillance round the clock to deal with any form of inducement of voters strictly and swiftly for the fifth phase of polling. A total of 216 international border check posts and 565 inter-state border check posts are keeping strict vigil on any illicit flow of liquor, drugs, cash and freebies. Strict surveillance has been kept at sea and air routes, the Election Commission said in a statement. Polling for 23 States and Union Territories, and 379 seats has been completed so far. Around 45.1 crore electors have exercised their franchise in the last four phases. As in February this year, the total number of voters stood at around 97 crore. After a late-night hearing on May 18, a city court sent Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar to five days in police custody in connection with the alleged assault on AAP Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal. Meanwhile, a team of Delhi Police on Sunday seized a laptop and CCTV digital video record (DVR) from the residence of Kejriwal. Along with this, some documents were also taken away by the Delhi Police from the Chief Minister's residence in the alleged assault on May 13 when Kumar, allegedly attacked Maliwal. The Delhi Police, in its remand paper, has described the alleged assault on Maliwal by Kumar as a serious case involving a brutal assault that could have turned fatal. During the hearing, the court observed that the fact that the video footage was not found in the pen drive provided to the investigating officer (IO) during the course of the investigation and the mobile phone was formatted by the accused speaks volumes. Magistrate Gaurav Goyal was hearing the application of Delhi Police which was represented by Additional Public Prosecutor Atul Srivastava. The police had sought seven day custody. Considering the submissions made on behalf of both the parties, I find there is a necessity of police custody remand in the present case. Accordingly, the application moved by the IO is partly allowed and the accused is remanded to police custody for five days, the court said in its order passed around 12:45 AM Sunday. It noted the prosecution's submissions about the need to take Kumar to Mumbai and other parts of the national Capital to collect evidence, which was not possible without the accused's custody. Admittedly, the case is at a nascent stage. Allegations made in the FIR are corroborated in her (Maliwal's) statement recorded by the magistrate on oath and further, it is again corroborated in the medico-legal case (MLC) of the victim or complainant, the court said. The magistrate also observed, I am aware of the view of Constitutional courts that the opportunity must be given to the investigating agency to complete the investigation in order to reach the truth of the matter but at the same time the rights of the accused are also to be protected. Asking the Investigating Officer to take Kumar into formal custody, the court directed his medical examination every 24 hours and said the investigating agency would not subject the accused to any torture. It also allowed Kumar to meet his advocate and wife for half an hour each during the police custody. Kumar's application for providing requisite medicines was also allowed. The proceedings which commenced around 9: 15 PM Saturday saw initial arguments by Srivastava following which the magistrate said, I find force in the arguments of the APP (Additional Public Prosecutor) that there were sufficient grounds to arrest the accused without notice. The police, through their counsel, had sought seven days of custody to question Kumar in connection with the assault case. It is alleged that Kumar, the personal assistant of Kejriwal, assaulted Maliwal at the CM's residence on the morning of May 13. In the remand paper, signed by North District additional deputy commissioner of Police Anjitha Chepyala, it was asserted that the assault on Maliwal was a serious case with the potential to turn fatal. The document highlighted Kumar's alleged lack of cooperation with the investigation, saying that he had been evasive in his responses. This is a very serious case where a Member of Parliament, a public figure, has been brutally assaulted which could have been fatal. Despite specific questions, the accused has not cooperated in the investigation and has been evasive in his replies, said Chepyala. Kumar's counsel, Rajiv Mohan, countered the arguments by stating that there was no record of Maliwal's visit to the CM's residence before May 13, nor did she clarify why the FIR was only registered on May 16. He mentioned that the FIR was registered at the Civil Lines police station and argued that Maliwal had visited the CM's residence without an appointment, accusing the Delhi Police of distorting facts. Mohan further argued that Maliwal did not seek any medical aid after calling the emergency helpline number 112, nor did the station house officer prepare any medical sheet after meeting her. He alleged that Maliwal was politicising her injuries and making statements to the media. According to the remand application, Maliwal's testimony before the magistrate was supported by medical evidence. The plea detailed Maliwal's allegations, including verbal abuse and physical assault, which reportedly occurred at the CM's residence. According to Maliwal's allegations, Kumar screamed, threatened and used abusive language against her, besides being brutally assaulting, dragging and banging her head on a centre table, the plea said. It said that the most vital evidence was the digital video record (DVR) of the spot but it was yet to be provided to the police. According to the plea seeking police custody, a junior engineer in the CM's residence, after admitting that he did not have access to the place where the DVR and CCTV cameras were installed, provided a video of the dining room but it was later found to be blank at the time of the alleged incident. Crucially, the remand application emphasized the importance of obtaining digital evidence, particularly the digital video record (DVR) from the location. However, despite efforts, the requested evidence had not yet been provided to the police. The plea also raised concerns about Kumar's continued presence at the CM's residence, suggesting a risk of tampering with evidence. It cited Kumar's previous termination as the CM's personal secretary and his alleged involvement in another assault case in Noida. His presence at the scene of the crime (SOC) raises a strong possibility of tampering with crucial evidence, including electronic evidence. The accused is an influential person and having worked more than nine years in an authoritative position can influence, and pressure the witnesses in the CM house, it said. Explaining the reasons for police custody, the application said after being terminated as the CM's personal secretary in April 2024, Kumar was still working in the CM's residence and needed to be quizzed about the capacity and authority under which he was working. It said another case was registered against Kumar in Noida for allegedly assaulting an on-duty public servant. Moreover, the remand paper highlighted Kumar's recent actions, including the alleged formatting of his mobile phone in Mumbai, which authorities believe could contain crucial evidence pertinent to the investigation. Without the personal presence and assistance of the accused, as this instrument is password protected, the phone and its apps cannot be accessed. Also, he has to be taken to an expert to retrieve the mobile data and to ascertain the factum of formatting of the mobile phone of the accused, which is an important piece of evidence, the plea for remand said. It said that Kumar could threaten witnesses and tamper evidence as he was in a position of command and also had access to the SOC In a crackdown on wildlife trafficking, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) has removed 1,158 videos associated with the illegal trade, poaching, hunting, and cooking of protected animals, as YouTube becomes a favorite hub for tech-savvy wildlife smugglers. Sources in the WCCB said that this platform has been found to be facilitating the advertising and sale of contraband such as parakeets, rare turtles, and pangolins. More such videos are under the scanner, said a senior official from the country's top wildlife crime control agency under the Union Environment Ministry. YouTube is the most popular social video platform. As of October 2023, India is the biggest market for YouTube with approximately 462 million active users followed by USA, Brazil and other countries. Little wonder that many wildlife smugglers have started using this platform in a big way to earn easy money through the sale of live and body parts of the wildlife species including the protected one in violation of the law. In fact, once eligibility criteria of YouTube is met by their YouTube Channels, these wildlife perpetrators may apply for monetization scheme by joining YouTube Partner Program and can earn money through various monetization streams on YouTube such as revenue from advertisement, revealed Arvind K Chaurasia, Additional Commissioner at the WCCB. He said that the WCCB and Traffic India, the Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network India that works in collaboration with WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has also been on the trail of these offenders. According to reports, in at least five operations, pangolins and tiger skins were seized over the past one year following ti-off from the popular social platforms. Talking about the modus operandi, the official said that often, WCCB volunteers go over the comments for clues in the posts uploaded on the You Tube that may lead to the identity of potential buyers. Sometimes, it doesn't take much - buyers and sellers leave their numbers in comments. Till date in the last one year, WCCB has successfully removed around 1300 YouTube videos related to poaching, hunting, cooking and selling of wildlife on the basis of inputs shared by these Wildlife Cyber Warriors by sending a content removal notice to YouTube Legal Support Team under Section 50(7) read with Section 52 of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, said the WCCB official. The wildlife crime control body has also launched WILD NET, a program designed to track and check illegal animal trading online. Any suspicious activity online would send alerts to enforcement agencies in the country. In 2019, TRAFFIC in collaboration with the Union Environment Ministry had held a meeting with online platforms like Google, Facebook, YouTube and e-commerce sites like IndiaMart and Flipkart to ensure that their platforms are not used for trading protected species. YouTube, in an official statement, said, We take the safety of our online community very seriously. YouTube's policies prohibit graphic violence and animal abuse and we will quickly remove flagged content and terminate channels of repeat offenders. However, in actuality, YouTube has been failing to combat the menace, Chaurasiya minced no words as he posted his views on a wildlife community platform WILDHUB. He said that, Wildlife traffickers are creating their YouTube Channels and posting videos of poaching/hunting, cooking etc. of protected species of wildlife. They are also using YouTube Channels for advertising protected wildlife species, their parts, articles, derivatives etc. for sale. After Facebook, YouTube is the most popular social media platform with 2.7 billion monthly active users. As per the WildEye data, wildlife crime continues to thrive, part of a global illicit wildlife trade estimated to be worth between USD 7 billion and USD23 billion annually, according to the World Economic Forum (though it's impossible to know the true value of wildlife trafficking that takes place online.) They are also using YouTube Channels for advertising protected wildlife species, their parts, articles, derivatives etc. for sale. But what is the matter of concern is that like any other social media platform, YouTube Algorithm also helps in widening the reach of such videos of poaching/hunting, cooking or illegal trade of wildlife by recommending them to the more and more audience who are interested in such videos. These wildlife poachers may further widen their audience base by sharing the link of such YouTube videos on other social media platforms, added Chaurasiya. To crackdown on the online wildlife perpetrators, the short-staffed WCCB is also banking on the Public Private Partnership (PPP). In this regard it has created a WhatsApp Group namely Wildlife Cyber Warrior. QR Code has been developed so that willing individuals may join this Group and share the links of wildlife crime related YouTube videos for taking further necesary enforcement action by WCCB. Extraordinary moments emerge in tough times, shining like sunshine through clouds. Let's celebrate the remarkable among usthe doctors rising to challenges and patients showing incredible resilience. ARCHANA JYOTI brings these inspiring stories to light, restoring hope and joy Real stories of those who make a real difference, shine their brightest in the darkest times. In the process, one should also not miss the rainbow: a symbol of hope and a promise of brighter days. Take the case of little Radha's transplant triumph. Teenager Radha's struggle with liver failure due to Wilson's disease appeared insurmountable. A few years ago, Radha who is now 13 year-old was diagnosed with the rare disease, and ever since then, she has battled with the aberrant accumulation of copper in her organs, particularly her liver. However, under the careful guidance of Dr. Naresh Bansal, Senior Consultant, Institute of Liver Gastroenterology and Pancreatic Biliary Sciences and his team at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, her journey saw moments of despair turn into hope. When hepatitis A dealt a deadly blow to her already damaged liver, leading to acute on chronic liver failure Radha's illness worsened at an alarming rate. Her jaundice, accompanied by skyrocketing bilirubin levels (44), was a clear sign of failing liver function. The subtle development of hepatic encephalopathy sent her into a state of altered consciousness, making a terrible situation much worse. However, it was the catastrophic upper gastrointestinal Blood vomiting (bleeding) that brought her dangerously close to death and required life support to be administered in the intensive care unit. The family was advised to consider liver transplant as lifesaving option. Radha's mother became her hope during her lowest point. Radha's severe bleeding event left her in a hepatic coma, raised require for ventilator support. Radhas heart pressure was also elevated requiring pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Neeraj Agarwal from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital to intervene. The PICU team under the guidance of Senior Consultants Pediatrics at the hospital Dr. Anil Sachdeva, Dr. Dhiren Gupta, Dr. Neeraj Gupta, and Dr. Nishant Wadwa fought restlessly to stabilize this 13 year old female child. The twelve-hour long procedure under Dr. Ushast Dhir, Chairman of liver transplant and hepatibiliary Surgery, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital involving the mother as donor, who donated a portion of liver, showed the unshakable resolve of medical science and was a masterwork of accuracy and competence. Radha recovered very well and is now back home. Her incredible recovery stands as a testament to the human spirit's resilience and the miracles modern medicine can achieve. It was more than that, indeed. In a noble gesture, the doctors of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) had raised Rs 20 lakhs from crowdfunding and corporate donations to finance the transplant since the family was unable to pay for it because of their poor economic condition. Likewise, when a massive adrenal tumor threatened the health of a 59-year-old patient, a surgical team led by Dr. Piyush Varshney, Additional Director of Urology, Fortis Hospital Noida, employed the state-of-the-art da Vinci robotic system to tackle the challenging tumor, measuring 12x11.5x8 cm. Dr Varshney said, 'The patient showed no symptoms, and his tumor, Adrenal Incidentaloma was detected incidentally during a routine ultrasound. Surgical removal is often necessary when these tumors exceed 4cm in size. These tumors are often highly vascular and pose surgical challenges due to their location near the spleen, pancreas, and kidney. The da Vinci systems precision allowed us to successfully remove the entire tumor within two hours with minimal blood loss, and we discharged the patient on the second postoperative day. This groundbreaking procedure not only saved the patient's life but also showcased the potential of cutting-edge medical techniques to overcome daunting challenges. In an attempt to ensure good turnout of voters and motivate the electorate to cast their votes, the Election Commission of India had adopted the innovative idea of inviting the voters to polling booths through Bulawa tolis. The Bulawa tolis (invitation teams) will invite the people to polling stations and they will work during the remaining three phases of Lok Sabha elections ending on June 1. The Bulawa tolis will include booth-level officers, local level ASHA and Anganwadi workers, Yuvak Mangal Dal and panchayat-level personnel. In addition, the Bulawa tolis will be activated in the control rooms established in the district and the booths with low voting percentages in the MPS app. It is noteworthy that Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently encouraged workers in Varanasi to increase the voting percentage through Bulawa tolis. For the remaining three phases, the Election Commission of India has issued directives to ensure fear-free, fair and peaceful voting. The district election officers have been provided necessary guidelines for this purpose. Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa said that instructions had been given to the officials concerned to increase voter awareness activities and programmes in Lok Sabha constituencies where polling was to be held to increase voting percentage and Bulawa tolis were part of this initiative. The chief electoral officer stressed on setting up voter assistance booths at each polling station, ensuring the presence of BLOs and the availability of voter lists. He said BLOs would not be assigned duties elsewhere; instead, they would remain on duty themselves, while their sons, husbands or relatives would not replace them. He said voters who had not received voter information slips for any reason could check their names in the available voter list at the polling station. Polling parties and sector magistrates have been instructed not to send back voters on voting day if they did not bring their voter information slip for any reason. Voters who bring slips issued by political parties should also be allowed to vote. Polling parties have been instructed to ensure that voters having minor differences in identification documents provided by the voter and the details mentioned in the voter list, were allowed to vote. The chief electoral officer said that there should be proper signage regarding information about each polling booth, water facilities, toilets etc. at the entrance of the polling station. Each polling station should have at least the minimum necessary facilities available and there should be arrangements of shade for voters queuing up at the polling stations. He said there should be no disruption in power supply on the day of polling so that the voting process is not affected. Furthermore, to protect people from heat stroke, each polling station should have paramedics and ASHA workers with enough ORS and medical kits available. The sector team should also have a paramedic available for use if needed. Additionally, all polling stations should have cool drinking water, toilets, and facilities like wheelchairs and chairs for the elderly and disabled. In a significant blow to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, BJP state spokesperson Kunal Sarangi has resigned from his position, citing neglect within the party. This unexpected resignation coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Ghatshila on Sunday. Kunal submitted his resignation to the party's state president, Babulal Marandi. During a press conference held on Sunday, Kunal expressed his discontent, stating that dedicated party workers, including himself, have been ignored at the organizational level in the district for the past six months. He highlighted that in the recent assembly elections, preference was given to workers involved in party activities, sidelining long-term loyalists. Kunal revealed that despite repeatedly communicating his concerns to the State President and the Organization Minister, his views were not prioritized. He was notably excluded from participating in the Prime Ministers program in his home constituency, which he viewed as a significant slight. He also brought attention to a recent incident of assault within the BJP office, describing it as an alarming indicator of the partys internal issues. "I have not left the party; I remain a soldier of the party," Kunal asserted, warning the top leadership to heed his concerns. He emphasized that his statements were intended to alert the party's high command, not to criticize or undermine it. Addressing questions about his aspirations for a Lok Sabha ticket, Kunal questioned, "Is it a crime to aspire for a ticket as a dedicated party worker? Is it my fault for raising my party and serving the public during challenging times? Is it wrong for my name to appear as a strong contender in the party's internal survey?" Kunal stressed that he was merely fulfilling his duty by conveying the concerns of numerous district workers to state leaders. "If this is considered multiplication, then I am multiplying," he stated. "I am ready to face punishment for this crime, but I cannot compromise my self-respect." This development has raised concerns within the BJP as they prepare for the upcoming elections. The resignation of a prominent spokesperson like Kunal Sarangi could indicate deeper issues within the party's organizational structure, potentially impacting their election campaign. The timing of Kunal's resignation, coinciding with Prime Minister Modi's visit, has amplified its significance, suggesting a need for introspection and immediate action within the party ranks. The home voting process for the Lok Sabha general elections began on Saturday in the Giridih parliamentary constituency. District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner Vijaya Jadhav reported that on the first day, a total of 309 voters, including 122 senior citizens aged 85 and above, and 187 Persons with Disabilities (PWD), cast their votes from home. A total of 346 voters have been identified across the district for home voting. To facilitate this process, 27 polling teams have been formed. On Saturday, polling staff, BLOs, sector officers, and police personnel visited the homes of these voters to conduct the voting process. During the home voting, 122 senior citizens aged 85 and above, and 187 PWD voters exercised their right to vote. Teams have been formed based on blocks to ensure smooth voting. The voters were given detailed instructions on the voting procedure. The home voting will continue until Monday. As the parliamentary election inches closer to the final phase, campaigning has gained momentum across the country despite the scorching heat. On Sunday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath blasted a spectacular Superhit Six of rallies for party candidates contesting from Azamgarh, Lalganj, Jaunpur, Pratapgarh, Phulpur and Allahabad Lok Sabha constituencies. He urged people to defeat Samajwadi Party and Congress, which were opposed to Lord Ram and closer to Ravana in terms of deeds. He alleged that Congress and SP wanted to destroy Hindus. The chief minister mocked the SP, noting that 273 seats were needed to form the government, while the SP was contesting only 62-63 seats. He remarked that they wont be able to form the government, but would keep thumping their chests in the background. Seeking support for Azamgarh MP and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Dinesh Lal Yadav Nirahua, Chief Minister Yogi said that Azamgarh was considered a centre of terrorism during the SP regime. He noted that Azamgarh used to be associated with terrorist blasts across the country, but there have been no such incidents in the last 10 years. He added: We still have to give a lot to Azamgarh and make it an industrial city. Azamgarh will become the centre of Film City, from where many Nirahuas and Amrapali Dubeys will emerge. Criticising the SP, Chief Minister Yogi said that they were just visiting for a picnic and would head to England after the elections. He taunted that it is now the SP members, not Azamgarh, who are viewed with suspicion. People believe that an SP supporter is likely to be a goon and a troublemaker, prompting searches to prevent potential trouble, he remarked. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said in the public meeting organised for Neelam Sonkar, the BJP candidate from Lalganj Lok Sabha constituency, in Phulpur Pawai, Azamgarh, that the INDI Alliance was a union of anarchy, corruption and imposing curfew. The Samajwadi Party and Congress governments do not empathise with the poor, Dalits, women and youth. Their sympathies lie with the mafia and terrorists, he said. Chief Minister Yogi said that Pakistan was unable to protect its own country, with continuous agitation, chaos and arson in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. He urged voters to give Prime Minister Narendra Modi a third term, promising that PoK would become part of India. The chief minister also mentioned that goon-mafia leaders are complaining about Yogijis use of bulldozers. He assured that after the elections, the properties of the remaining goon-mafia would also be bulldozed. Seeking support for BJP candidate Kripashankar Singh in Jaunpur, Chief Minister Yogi said that the demon of Ravana was still present in the form of SP and Congress and their actions resembled that of Ravana. Lord Ram is not blessing them. Whatever Ram Lalla desires, is bound to happen and Ram Lalla has decided to hand over power to his devotee Modi for the third time, he stated. The UP chief minister stated that the SP and mafia were closely connected and could not be separated. He criticised the SP president for mourning the death of a notorious Purvanchal mafia leader. He vowed to eliminate Ram traitors, anti-India elements, and the mafia from Uttar Pradesh. The UP chief minister warned that the alliance between SP and Congress was a cause for concern, comparing it to a pair of troublemakers. He assured that the BJP will not allow property surveys, the imposition of the Jizya tax, or any changes to the reservations for backward classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes. Addressing a public meeting in Rampur Khas in favour of Pratapgarh MP and BJP candidate Sangamlal Gupta, the chief minister said that more than 400 seats for the National Democratic Alliance were a must to make Pakistan-occupied Kashmir a part of India. Congress and SP are becoming uncomfortable with slogans like Fir Ek Baar Modi Sarkaar, Abki Baar 400 Paar as their goons in Prayagraj and Ghazipur have been reduced to dust. SP is a party friendly to terrorists, the chief minister said, adding that the INDI Alliance had no agenda of development. Anyone who betrays Ram also betrays the nation. They all share the same DNA, spreading anarchy and inciting riots like Tadka, Marich, and Subahu, he remarked. Addressing a public meeting in Soraon in support of Phulpur MLA and BJP candidate Praveen Patel, Chief Minister Yogi stated that threats to the security of common people, daughters, businessmen, Dalits, and backward classes had been eradicated from Uttar Pradesh. While the state and country are pleased with this progress, the SP is mourning, he remarked. He criticised the SPs dark history, recounting an incident where the mafia killed a womans husband from the Maurya family in Phulpur and seized 10 bighas of her land. He noted that their pleas were ignored until his administration restored their land. He further accused SP chief Akhilesh Yadav of supporting the shooting of Ram devotees while simultaneously withdrawing cases against terrorists. By proposing an inheritance tax, he argued, Congress and SP have shown their intent to destroy Hindus by reviving the spirit of Aurangzeb. However, he assured that the BJP will not allow this to happen. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a public meeting in Karchana in support of BJP candidate Neeraj Tripathi contesting from Allahabad Lok Sabha constituency. He criticised the SP for embracing the mafia, noting that even after the murder of MLA Raju Pal in Prayagraj, SP shamelessly supported the criminals. He urged the SP to refrain from politics for 25 years as a penance for their association with the mafia. He mocked the SPs poor turnout in Phulpur, mentioning that their leaders left due to the lack of public support. Yogi Adityanath highlighted that next years Mahakumbh in Prayagraj will see a transformed city, now a smart city with a police commissionerate. He assured that the construction of the Ganga Expressway, connecting to Delhi, will be completed before the Mahakumbh. He accused Congress and SP of neglecting Vindhyavasini Dham, Chitrakoot Dham, and other religious sites, claiming they are more focused on benefiting Pakistan and supporting terrorists. Under the aegis of NALSA and JHALSA and as per the directions of Principal District and Sessions Judge - cum-Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, Garhwa, Rajesh Sharan Singh, a Jail Court-cum-Legal Awareness Camp was organized on Sunday. A total of one prisoner's application was received in this jail Adalat, who was related to the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate and a bench was constituted. On this occasion, the prisoners were given information regarding their legal rights and the prisoners were also told that if they are not able to keep their advocate, then they can send an application to this effect to the office of District Legal Services Authority, through the Superintendent of Jail, so that they can be provided a free lawyer. Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Ravi Chaudhary and Civil Judge Junior Division cum-Judicial Magistrate Abhinav Tripathi and court employees Deendayal Pathak, Amar Kumar, Rajesh Kumar etc. were present in today's Jail adalat . The BJP on Sunday said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should not indulge in theatrics and instead break his "silence" on the alleged assault on AAP MP Swati Maliwal by his aide Bibhav Kumar. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva on Sunday here termed Arvind Kejriwals press conference the same day as new drama and said he is silent regarding the alleged indecent behaviour with Swati Maliwal. Making these assertions, Sachdeva said in Kejriwal's residence, his assistant Bibhav Kumar beat up a "AAP" female MP, whom until a few days ago Kejriwal called the Jhansi ka Rani but now he is silent on the indecent behavior that happened with her. On the other hand, he is very saddened by the arrest of his assistant Kumar and is ready to protest for him on the streets. The reaction came after Kejriwal and his party workers and leaders held a protest near the BJP headquarters against Kumar's arrest in connection with the case. "Kejriwal should break his silence instead of his 'dramebazi (theatrics)' and answer specific questions," Shehzad Poonawalla, the BJP's national spokesperson, said in a post on X.The BJP leader asked Kejriwal if he had ordered the "attack" on Maliwal at the chief minister's residence and gave patronage to Kumar because he knows his "dark secrets". "Why is the CCTV (camera) footage missing? Did Kejriwal help Bibhav to destroy/tamper evidence, including CCTV (camera) footage from Shoshan Mahal (Kejriwal's residence)? Why release small clips and not full CCTV (camera) footage?" he said in the post. "Why U turn from what Sanjay Singh said 96 hours ago and why victim-shaming now by AAP?" the BJP leader asked. Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, party MP Manoj Tiwari, who is seeking reelection from North East Delhi, alleged that Kejriwal held the protest to save Kumar."Why is Arvind Kejriwal not saying anything on the Swati Maliwal case and speaking in favour of Bibhav Kumar, who is accused of beating her up? Why is he trying to save Bibhav Kumar? What is his compulsion?" Tiwari asked. "Protesting in favour of the person who beat up a woman. What disgusting thinking. Everyone in Delhi is surprised and shocked," he charged.Tiwari said the people of Delhi want answers to questions on the alleged assault and wondered if he had come out on interim bail to do such things. "The Supreme Court did not grant him complete (regular) bail. It (Supreme Court) wrote on your (Kejriwal) head that you are outright corrupt. There is a lot of proof against you. Yet, he got 20 days time that is becoming a subject of controversy a bit. There are many people who are asking why such treatment (was meted out to him)," he added. Tiwari also said Maliwal suffered serious injuries, according to her medical report, and sought to counter AAP's allegation that the BJP has come out in her support for political reasons.The BJP is speaking for Maliwal because she is a woman and the party cannot be a mute spectator to atrocities against women, he said and accused AAP of levelling baseless allegations against the saffron party's involvement in the matter. Tiwari alleged that Kejriwal's "criminal face" has come out in the open with the Maliwal assault case and said the strictest action should be taken against those involved in the case, in accordance with the law. Shazia Ilmi, another BJP national spokesperson, also flayed Kejriwal over the protest and said AAP should be renamed to "Aam Aapradhi Party".She alleged that AAP has released selective footage of Kejriwal's residence to show that Maliwal was not assaulted. "The Aam Aadmi Party has become synonymous with the 'dirty fix' department. They have released edited CCTV footage. Bibhav Kumar reformatted his mobile phone on May 14 itself, deleted all information," she charged. Slamming AAP leader and Delhi Minister Atishi for alleging BJP's involvement in the assault case, Ilmi said, "She is lying.""Operation Jhadoo (AAP's election symbol) will now take place on Operation Daru (liquor)," Ilmi said in an apparent reference to the alleged Delhi liquor scam while taking a swipe at Kejriwal's allegation that the BJP has launched an "Operation Jhadoo" to finish off AAP. Regarding the Chatra Lok Sabha elections in Jharkhand, the BJP members of Lohardaga appealed to the voters of Barwa Toli, Goli, Rud etc. villages of Chandwa block of Chatra parliamentary constituency on the border of Kudu in Lohardaga to vote for BJP candidate Kalicharan Singh. Tremendous enthusiasm was seen. On the other hand, the people of urban area of Chandwa were also personally met and talked about first voting and then refreshments. Simultaneously, a meeting was held with senior BJP members of Chandwa and Latehar. After the field visit, Mr. Singh told that there is a tsunami going on in favor of BJP here and the voters are committed to cross 400 and the voters said with confidence that this time more than the previous record of 371000 votes will be given to the NDA candidate and sent to Delhi. . Senior BJP leaders Lal Radhe Nath Shahdev, Devashish Kar, Rana Govardhan Sharma, Dilip Patnaik, Sanjay Burman etc. were present along with Mr. Singh. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Madhavi Latha , Navneet Rana and President of the Tamil Nadu BJP K Annamalai addressed public gatherings in support of BJP candidates in the national Capital on Sunday. While Dhami addressed public gatherings in support of New Delhi candidate Bansuri Swaraj, Chandni Chowk candidate Praveen Khandelwal, and West Delhi candidate Kamaljeet Sehrawat, the new emerging star of Tamil Nadu addressed a gathering of Tamil migrants in East Delhis Mayur Vihar and held a public meeting on West Delhis Khayala Road. The Chief Minister said that the energy witnessed among the people in Delhi assures BJP's victory on all seven seats in Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked to elevate India to new heights. In the last 10 years, Mr. Narendra Modi has redefined development. Transforming Delhi's skyline with projects like the redevelopment of Pragati Maidan, construction of Bharat Mandapam, Eastern-Western Peripheral Road, U.B.R. 2 Road, Prime Minister's Museum, Kartavya Path, etc, he said, adding that there is an Ghamandiya INDIA alliance in which the AAP, which entered politics by making Congress's corruption a ladder, has left Congress behind in corruption today.Attacking the AAP, he said, There is no one whom Arvind Kejriwal has not deceived, so everyone knows Kejriwal's behaviour, and by establishing many landmarks of corruption in Delhi, Kejriwal is now talking about honesty. Further, Annamalai said that there is a long list of development works carried out by the Modi government in the last 10 years, which has not only changed the direction of India but also strengthened India's position in the world.In the last 10 years, 11 crore toilets have been built in India. During the Congress government, there was the Indira Awas Yojana, but it was unclear who got the houses. However, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the PM Housing Scheme, we saw 4 crore poor people getting homes under it, he said. He said that today Congress talks about fundamental rights in the INDIA alliance, but it was the same Congress that murdered democracy in 1975.The stronger the BJP becomes, the stronger and more fervent the ancient Sanatan Dharma will be, Annamalai said. The sleuths of the Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) of Uttar Pradesh Police claimed to have arrested an agent of Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence who was leaking confidential and sensitive information and documents related to the Indian Navy to his Pakistani counterparts. According to an official communique, the UP ATS was receiving intelligence that under a conspiracy, agents of Pakistani intelligence agency ISI were obtaining confidential and sensitive information and documents related to the Indian Navy by luring Indian Navy employees and private persons working in shipyards under pseudo names. The ISI agents were luring them with money and sending money through various means. When this intelligence was developed by the ATS, it came to light that Ram Singh, son of late Jai Singh and resident of village Ramvapur under Pipraich police station of Gorakhpur, was in contact with a Pakistani woman spy. The Pakistani agents were continuously depositing money in Ram Singhs bank account and Ram Singh had provided money to the associates of Pakistani agents who were giving confidential information about the Indian Navy and Army to Pakistani agents. Ram Singh was arrested after interrogation on Sunday. During interrogation, Ram Singh disclosed that for almost three years he was in touch with the so-called Pakistani female spy, Kirti Kumari (pseudonym), through Facebook and WhatsApp. Ram Singh, as a part time worker at Goa Shipyard Naval base, used to work on applying insulation to Indian Navys warships. Many Navy warships like INS Vikramaditya, INS Vikrant and others used to come to the shipyard. Ram Singh sent the photographs of Indian Navys warships to the Pakistani agent. Kirti Kumari deposited a huge amount of money in Ram Singhs bank account and he transferred the deposited money to the bank accounts of agents working for ISI on the instructions of the Pakistani agent. In connection with the above mentioned crime committed by Ram Singh, a case has been registered at ATS police station in Lucknow (FIR No. 05/2024) under Section 121A of the Indian Penal Code. Ram Singh has been arrested and further legal action is being taken against him. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday hit out at the Samajwadi Party and said leaders of the opposition party are visiting Azamgarh for a "picnic" and they will go to England for a tour after the Lok Sabha elections. He also said that earlier "bullets were fired at devotees of Lord Ram, but today they are welcomed with open arms in Ayodhya". Adityanath was addressing a poll rally in Mehnagar in favour of actor-politician Dinesh Lal Yadav 'Nirahua', the sitting MP and BJP candidate from Azamgarh Lok Sabha seat. "Earlier, Azamgarh was considered a centre of terrorism. If there were blasts anywhere in the country, its name used to come up. But in the last 10 years, no terrorist incidents have taken place anywhere. Today, even if a firecracker goes off, Pakistan rushes to give clarifications denying its involvement," he said. The CM said Azamgarh will be made an industrial city, according to an official statement. "We still have to give a lot to Azamgarh and make it an industrial city. It will become a film city centre, from where many 'Nirahuas' and 'Amrapali Dubeys' will emerge," he added. Amrapali Dubey is a Bhojpuri actress. Targeting the SP, Adityanath said, "They are coming here for a picnic, and after the elections, will go to England for a tour because they are big people." People must choose a representative from among them, he said. Praising Nirahua who is pitted against SP's Dharmendra Yadav, the CM said, "No public representative can do as much work as Nirahua has done for Azamgarh in two years." Nirahua won the Azamgarh Lok Sabha bypoll in 2022. "In this election, it is crucial to ensure the defeat of the SP. Nirahua must win from Azamgarh to make Modi ji the prime minister for a third term," the CM said. "The trends of the four phases of elections clearly indicate that the opposition has already lost the battle...The whole country is chanting slogans like 'Fir ek baar Modi sarkar', abki baar 400 paar' and 'Jo Ram ko laye hain, hum unko layenge'. This is making the Congress, SP, and BSP feel miserable," Adityanath said. He said that the 2024 Lok Sabha election is a contest between "Ram Bhakts" and "Ram Drohis". Taking a dig at the SP, Adityanath said, "People in the country view SP leaders suspiciously...When an SP supporter shows up, people suspect they're there to cause trouble." "But Today, people of Azamgarh are no longer looked at with distrust. The identity crisis is over. Modi ji has transformed the country's 'tasveer (picture) and takdeer' (destiny). India is gaining respect globally, and there are no security issues," he added. "Today, daughters and businessmen are safe, and the poor receive 5 kg free ration every month. Today, Modi ji is providing free ration to 80 crore people, while 23 crore people in Pakistan are starving. Every house now has a tap with RO water, and all these improvements have been made without considering caste, religion, or creed," he said. Despite this, if anybody is praising Pakistan, they should go there, Adityanath said. "After 500 years, Shri Ram Lalla has been enshrined in a grand temple in Ayodhya. Previously, Ram devotees were shot at, but today they are welcomed," he said. The CM also addressed rallies in Jaunpur and Pratapgarh. In Jaunpur, Adityanath said, "The Congress denied the existence of Lord Ram, and its intellectuals opposed the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The then SP government even ordered opening of fire upon Ram devotees. Now, their general secretary says the Ram temple is pointless.". "We are determined to eradicate 'Ram drohis', anti-nationals, and the mafia from the land of Uttar Pradesh," he added. The CM assured the people that the BJP is committed to make Jaunpur a "global hub" for job opportunities. "In the elections, confiscate the deposits of those opposing the Ram temple, as well as those supporting terrorism and Naxalism, and sympathizing with the mafia upon their demise," he urged voters. Speaking at a public meeting in Pratapgarh, Adityanath slammed the SP and the Congress, saying that "whenever these two form an alliance, disaster happens". Attacking the Congress, the CM said, "These people want to impose Jizya tax once again in the country through inheritance tax. Their plans should never be allowed to succeed." Azamgarh, Jaunpur and Pratapgarh will go to polls on May 25 in the sixth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lashed out at the Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi, asserting that any industrialist will think 50 times before investing in states ruled by the party, owing to the shehzada's use of Maoist language. Modi, addressing a poll rally here, also accused the grand old party of patronising dynastic politics and considering Lok Sabha seats as ancestral properties. "The language used by the Congress shehzada' will make any industrialist think 50 times before investing in states ruled by the party... The 'shehzada' is using language spoken by Maoists and is extorting money through innovative methods, the PM said, in an apparent reference to Gandhi. Modi said like the Maoists, the language used by Gandhi was to extort money from industrialists. The prime minister's allegations came in the backdrop of the Congress leader's recent comments, referring to a speech by Modi in which he had stated that the party received money from top industrialists. Gandhi, a former Congress president, had on Saturday said in New Delhi: "I'm ready to debate with PM Modi whenever and wherever he wants, but I'm sure he won't come. The first question I would ask PM Modi is what is his relationship with Adani... The PM talks about the Congress getting tempo-loads of money from Adani-Ambani, but he doesn't dare to get it probed, Gandhi had said. In the Jamshedpur rally where he campaigned for BJP's Bidyut Baran Mahot, Modi asserted that he has broken the backbone of the Naxals, but the Congress and JMM have taken the responsibility of "extorting funds". I dare the CMs of Congress and INDIA bloc-ruled states to answer as to whether they agree with the anti-industry and anti-industrialist language of their 'shehzada', he said. Taking a dig at Gandhi over his decision to contest from the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat, he said the Congress shehzada' rushed to the constituency, contending that it is my mummy's seat, which not even an eight-year-old school boy will say. "His mother (Sonia Gandhi) said that she is handing over her son to Rae Bareli... She could not find even a single party worker devoted to them... The voters of Rae Bareli in turn ask her as to where they were when people were in trouble during the Covid pandemic," Modi said. "The Congress is writing a 'vasiyatnama' (will); they consider Parliament seats as 'khandani jaydad' (ancestral property)," he alleged. Attacking the opposition INDIA bloc, the PM said the Congress and JMM have nothing to do with the development of the country, as they are neck-deep in corruption. "The Congress is the mother of corruption, it has been involved in numerous scams, including the coal and 2G scams... The JMM and Congress are not concerned about industries... Jharkhand, despite its rich resources, is known for heaps of black money with corrupt leaders. They did not even spare the Army and usurped its land... Former Jharkhand CM (Hemant Soren) is rotting in jail for corruption," Modi said. The prime minister also assured people that he would recover the looted public money from corrupt leaders in the state, and return it to the poor to whom the funds belong. He accused the Congress of denying basic amenities to people, and alleged that the condition of 18,000 villages was similar to that of the 18th century during the party's previous regimes. "Modi gave Jan Dhan accounts to 52 crore people, pucca houses to four crore people, electricity to 18,000 villages along with pure tap water, modernised railways and augmented infrastructure," he said. The PM also alleged that the Jharkhand government was creating hurdles in the way of the proposed Dhalbhumgarh airport in East Singhbhum. After a new law was passed by the Peruvian government, classifying transgender people as mentally ill transgender and LQBTQP+ people are fighting back by classifying the entire country of Peru as mentally ill. The move has prompted a fierce backlash in a society where gender and LQBTQP+ rights have been under sustained assault in recent years and where there are high levels of homophobic, transphobic and gender violence. In one recent move, lawmakers banned references to gender equality from school textbooks. That has had a devastating effect on classes, where LGBTQP+ people have rioted in the classrooms. Led by trans activist Janice Ballsax, a gay man who wears female clothes and identifies as a non-binary one-legged lesbian female dung beetle from Namibia, the movement now labels the entire country of Peru as a mentally ill place where mental illness is everywhere. Theyre calling us crazy, when clearly we are saner than a box of frogs. I put it to the government of Peru, you people are whacko becauseeryou just are okay, because we say so and theres nothing you can do about iterango, lasmassun, pino, pino, rectum! Ms Janice Ballsax said whilst fashioning a large dog shit into a ball and rolling it around with his/her nose. Hope 4 ME & Fibro NI have teamed up with Libraries NI to bring their powerful Discover ME campaign to Derry's Central Library through a moving VR experience. The Discover ME campaign has been organised by the Charity Hope 4 ME & Fibro NI, as part of an ongoing initiative to raise awareness for the medical conditions Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.), Fibromyalgia, Long Covid and other Post Viral Syndromes (PVS) such conditions can demonstrate overlapping characteristics. Members of the public are invited to Derry Central Library from 3pm on Tuesday, May 28 to have the opportunity to experience the Discover ME virtual reality awareness film and have access to a variety of information and resources. Derry City and Strabane District Council Mayor Councillor Patricia Logue will show her support for the campaign by attending the library at 3pm to experience the film herself. The campaign, designed to deepen public and professional understanding of chronic conditions like M.E., will begin on World ME Day where significant landmarks such as Parliament Buildings at Stormont and various council buildings are to be lit up in blue to symbolise solidarity and support for those affected by M.E., Fibromyalgia and Long Covid. Having teamed up with Libraries NI, the campaign will then tour 13 libraries across Northern Ireland giving the public, politicians, educators and healthcare professionals the chance to experience the powerful Discover ME film in Virtual Reality (VR). The 13-library tour across the country will start on May 14 at Lisburn and Falls Road libraries before moving on to Holywood Arches and Bangor Library on May 15, Portstewart and Grove Library on May 21, Omagh and Derry City Library on May 28, Antrim and Lisburn Road Library on May 29, Portadown and Newry Library on June 3 and finishing the tour at Belfast Central Library on June 4. Julie Reid, Deputy Head of Services for Libraries NI said they were delighted to be supporting a powerful educational campaign like Discover ME across their network. She added: Libraries NI is pleased to support this initiative as it raises awareness of the significant impact that conditions like M.E. and Fibromyalgia can have on individuals' lives. Our libraries serve as pillars of support and compassion for many members of the local community, offering valuable resources and information on a wide range of health-related topics. We hope that the upcoming events in libraries will provide a platform for people to gain a deeper understanding of the personal experiences of those managing the daily challenges of M.E., Fibromyalgia, and other illnesses. At each library location, visitors will be able to have the opportunity to put on a VR headset and experience the six-minute Discover ME film themselves. Hope 4 ME & Fibro founder Joan McParland MBE said developing the Discover ME film into a VR experience introduces M.E. and addresses the stigma and misinformation surrounding the disease. She explained: We felt it was important to turn the film into a VR experience because its a unique way to view the message. Because it is in VR you are completely immersed in the patient experiences - theyre sharing the hard hitting reality of living with M.E. in their own words From left Linda Campbell (chair, Hope 4 ME & Fibro),Professor Deepa Mann-Kler (CEO, Neon & Ulster University professor), Joan McParland MBE (Hope 4 ME & Fibro founder) Linda Campbell, chair of Hope 4 ME & Fibro added: The film allows viewers to be immersed in the sight and sound. In the viewings weve already facilitated with healthcare professionals and the public weve seen an increased impact of the film because it is in VR. The individual is immersed in the experience, which proves to be both memorable and emotive. Increased awareness and education of M.E. is achieved as a result, and this then becomes a learning and discussion point to share with others. The Discover ME film was directed and produced by Professor Deepa Mann-Kler, chief executive of Neon and visiting professor of Immersive Futures at Ulster University. "When Professor Mann-Kler first approached us with her previous VR technology used to help self-manage pain, we saw an opportunity not just to educate but to foster genuine empathy towards M.E., amplifying our message through the power of storytelling said Joan. Our mission with the Discover ME campaign is to challenge the myths and misrepresentation surrounding M.E., and other related conditions like Fibromyalgia and Long Covid and to show the harsh realities faced by patients through a compelling VR experience. Professor Deepa Mann-Kler has brilliantly transformed this into an animated VR film that goes beyond conventional awareness efforts. Professor Mann Kler said using virtual reality allowed the charity to provide a visceral understanding of the lives disrupted by M.E. and similar conditions. How we made Discover ME was as equally important as the final piece, where the process of co-creation has lead to a truly authentic and compelling insight into the lives of people from all walks of life and their lived experiences. As a storyteller, it was an honour to be trusted in this way. This campaign is so important in helping raise awareness. Discover ME also now forms part of the Ulster University and Queens University Belfast respective Medical Schools course curriculum. That will help change people's lives, by training future Doctors she explained. The Discover ME campaign also includes a series of awareness billboards, social media and a series of additional events for the medical profession and educators in the area of M.E., Fibromyalgia and Long Covid. Discover ME Film is a partnership between Hope 4 ME & Fibro NI, Silverink, Enter Yes and Neon and was funded by NI Screen. Additional funding for virtual reality headset equipment was provided by The Hospital Saturday Fund and monies raised by patients and their family members. YES, Irelands first all-female festival, is coming to Derry and Donegal this summer. This unique event will take place at various locations across the Northwest of Ireland, showcasing the incredible talent of female artists and performers from across Europe. Running from 13th 16th June, the four-day festival will feature over 40 events and more than 30 female artists from the nations involved in the ULYSSES European Odyssey project. These artists will join their Irish and British counterparts in a diverse range of events, including dance, music, film, art, literature, street arts, and more. The YES festival marks the first time that 'Bloomsday, the celebrations centred around James Joyces Ulysses, will extend beyond Dublin. Inspired by Joyces most famous female character, Molly Bloom, the festival is the culmination of a two-year European journey across 18 cities, representing the 18 chapters in the book. This journey marks the centenary of the publication of James Joyces epic novel Ulysses in Paris in 1922. Selected highlights of the YES festival include: No Ordinary Women: A five-part series of discussions on topics such as Women & Leadership, Women & Power, Women & Resistance Women & Media and Women & Climate Justice. Featured speakers include President Mary Robinson, Baroness Shami Chakrabarti, Orla Guerin, Marion McKeone, Miriam OCallaghan, and Martina Devlin. The Molly Bed: A specially commissioned public artwork by Derry designer Tracey Lindsay. O Rocks! A concert of music, conversation, and poetry by one of Irelands most celebrated artists, Imelda May. Sean Doran, YES festival producer and co-curator is thrilled to be able to bring the event to the Northwest of Ireland. He commented: The final episode of Ulysses begins and ends with the word 'yes'. "This inspired us to take Joyces Dublin-based story north to Derry and Donegal, where yes is a common greeting. The festival will be packed with a variety of exciting events over the four days. Just over 100 years after the publication of Ulysses, we are delighted to be giving Molly Bloom the limelight and hope this marks the beginning of an annual Bloomsday up north. Vsit www.yesderry.com for information and festival tickets. PICTURED ABOVE: The Mayor of Derry & Strabane, Councillor Patricia Logue receives a cheque for 15,235.80 from staff at the Millennium Forum. The staff collected the money, for the Mayor's Charity (Foyle Hospice & Ryan McBride Foundation), from theatre patrons during the panto season. Included at front are Ivan Hetherington and Brona McLaughlin. Back, from left, are Aidan Kehoe, Martin Bradley, chairman, Sean McClenaghan, David McLaughlin, CEO, and John Wilson. The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council has expressed her sincere gratitude to the staff at the Millennium Forum for their significant donation to her chosen charities. Mayor Patirica Logue welcomed the staff into the Guildhall this week for a special reception to acknowledge the fantastic fundraising efforts from this years Christmas Panto sales. A total of 15,235.80 was raised and donated to the Mayors two charities, The Foyle Hospice and The Ryan McBride Foundation. I would like to extend my absolute thanks to all the staff at the Millennium Forum for their incredible donation to my chosen charities this year. Their efforts to support my fundraising goals while in my year of office have been fantastic and I am extremely grateful. Raising money for these two local charities has been my number one goal while in office as Mayor and I am extremely thankful for donations like these that will ultimately help me reach my goal and therefore help these charities continue to provide the brilliant work and services that they do within our own local communities. David McLaughlin, Chief Executive of the Millennium Forum, said they were delighted to contribute to the Mayors charities. We were thrilled to be welcomed into the Mayors Parlour this week to hand over the cheque for over 15,000 which will go towards the Mayors fundraising efforts for her chosen charities this year. The Foyle Hospice and The Ryan McBride Foundation are two brilliant local charities which we are so happy to be supporting. We had a record-breaking panto season with our production of Jack and the Beanstalk, welcoming in excess of 30,000 people into the theatre over the festive period. The Mayor of Derry & Strabane, Councillor Patricia Logue with Millennium Forum staff at a reception in the Guildhall to acknowledge their efforts in support of the Mayor's Charity (Foyle Hospice & Ryan McBride Foundation) "We are always very grateful to our loyal customers who have chosen to make their Christmas memories with us and donate to such worthy causes as the Mayors Charities. We would like to extend our thanks to everyone who came along, supported the production and donated to these fantastic causes. Monies were raised for the Mayors charities from theatre patrons throughout this years Panto Season, when the Theatre put on a festive production of Jack and the Bean Stalk. A 23-year-old man has been charged with the murder of 34-year-old Kathryn Parton, who was found dead at her home in Madrid Street in east Belfast on Wednesday. A 43-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man have also been charged in connection with Ms Partons death with the offences of assisting an offender and aiding and abetting a breach of bail. The woman has also been charged with the offence of attempting to pervert the course of justice. All three are due to appear at Belfast Magistrates Court on Monday, May 20. Ms Parton, known as Kat, was found dead with head injuries in a house in the Madrid Street area on Wednesday afternoon. Detective Inspector Michelle Griffin said officers received a report of the death of a woman at 4.25 pm on Wednesday and, upon arrival at the house, discovered the body of a woman in a bedroom who had sustained serious injuries to her head. Kathryn Parton murder investigation update. pic.twitter.com/ZAPsCeM552 Police East Belfast (@PSNIBelfastE) May 19, 2024 Ms Griffin said her thoughts are first and foremost with Kathryns family, who are left trying to come to terms with their loss. Alliance East Belfast MLA Peter McReynolds said it was an extremely sad and distressing incident. I am deeply saddened to hear about the death of a woman in East Belfast, he said. This is an extremely sad and distressing incident and my thoughts and sympathies are with the family of the victim. This tragic event has shocked local residents and the wider community upon hearing this upsetting news. We Irish are a versatile bunch. In our rich history, weve given the world its finest punk bands (Dick Tracy and the Green Disaster, followed closely by the Undertones), rock bands (Thin Lizzy, Aslan and more), some of the best folk music to ever grace the earth (The Dubliners, the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Mackem, the Wolfe Tones) and invented the genre of Atmosfolk (Saint Sister). Recent years has seen the rise of Irish rap music, with artists such as Dirty Faces, Kneecap and Kojaque making names for themselves at home and abroad. This week Im talking to the Backroom Bandits (Neata, aka Coran Gillespie, Daidi Og, aka Harry Og Harrigan and Mr. Focloir, aka Olly Page), Derrys latest contribution to this ever-growing scene, and whos debut album Antarctica is out today. I met with Coran and Olly recently and they told me about the group, the recording of the album and what theyre hoping to do in the future: Mr. Focloir: We met each other in school and we both like doing the tin whistle, playing trad, doing all that there. Therere wee music practice rooms in our school and one of them is a back room so we just thought why dont we start a music group called the Backroom Bandits? In terms of their main influences, it was a simple answer. Mr. Focloir: Kneecap, one hundred percent, and a bit of the Rubber Bandits for the name. Next up was the album. Mr. Focloir: Weve a whole album recorded called Antarctica and weve got three singles. Thats all really. Weve just been recording it off a laptop. Weve got a wee home studio. Neata: Ive been making the beats for it, and he sings and then Harry makes the lyrics and does some Irish for us. Mr. Focloir: Hes fluent in Irish so we just thought we may as well take him on board. We used to have two other members, but they left. Theyve been doing A-Levels, so it was just too much. The recording was easy enough, surprisingly. There was some stuff you ran into, like is this loud enough, am I mixing this right, all that stuff. Were going to try to get a better set up. Right now, we just have a wee home mic and were using a laptop for it, so were going to try to get better equipment. Were using Distrokid [to release it] so its on all platforms. For now, were just planning a digital release but if it does come to it well do a physical version. I asked them what the reception to their singles has been so far. Mr. Focloir: Its been alright. Theres not been much recognition, but we were on that online radio Over The West and that did give us some good attention. It gave us some followers, gave us some credit. If you look us up on Google the first thing that comes up is this boy on Reddit talking about how we just want to be Kneecap. That gave us some publicity and got us some views on the videos. Finally, I asked them what they wanted to do in the future. Mr. Focloir The next few months, we just want to try and get our music pushed out to people. Right now, were just a small group in Derry but we want to try and get it out to the likes of England, Scotland, Dublin, all that craic. And thats it from the Backroom Bandits. Their debut album Antarctica is out today on all good streaming platforms so go listen now. Now, onto other business. Stendhal has recently announced the second round of acts for this years festival and, I have to say, theyve got some of the best this year. As well as headliners Heather Small (of M People) and the Zutons, gracing the Stendhal Stage(s) this year will be Lavengro, Reevah, Problem Patterns, The Logues, Virgins, Boy M5, Renegade Zoo, Tessio and TomCat. As if that wasnt enough, the Nerve Centre will be presenting a stage featuring some of the best acts Derry has to offer, including Parker (whose debut album Never Let This Go is available now in Cool Discs), CHERYM (whose debut album Take It Or Leave It is also available in Cool Discs), John Deery and the Heads (who have several albums available in Cool Discs), The Wood Burning Savages (performing an acoustic set), Polar Bolero, The Suite and more. Get your tickets now while you still can. Finally, time for the socials. More information about Stendhal can be found on Facebook and Instagram @stendhalireland or at stendhalfestival.com and the Backroom Bandits can be found on Instagram @thebackroombandits. The Dublin to New York portal has opened again after it was shut down due to inappropriate behaviour. Dublin City Council is encouraging people in the capital to come and "wave to some folks in the Big Apple" now that the portal - which faces the Spire and the GPO - is running again. The portal allows real-time interaction between citizens in Dublin and NYC and, according to RTE, will remain open with set hours and security measures in place. A number of incidents of lewd conduct and inappropriate behaviour led to the temporary closure of the portal last week. According to RTE, the live stream will now operate daily from 6am to 4pm in New York and 11am to 9pm in Dublin. In a video posted by Dublin City Council on X this afternoon (May 19), a man in a reflective vest can be seen with 'Dublin Portal Ambassador' printed on the back. A council statement reportedly released to RTE details a new security measure to ensure people do not step on the portal sculpture. The Portals.org team has implemented a proximity-based solution whereby the livestream will blur for people on both sides if someone steps on the sculpture and obscures the camera. Fencing has reportedly also been installed in front of the New York sculpture, and on-site security will operate during the set operating hours. Although measures have been put in place to ensure the portal is not shut down again, some social media users remain sceptical. One X user commented, "I give it 12 hours before they have to shut it down again." Another commented, "Complete waste of money, [sic] stupid idea. Won't be long before it's taken down for good." The number of candidates from a migrant background running for local elections has hit a record high. That's according to the Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI), which revealed over 100 candidates from a migrant background are running in the upcoming elections on June 7. One in twenty candidates (or 5%) of all candidates have migrant backgrounds, with migrant women accounting for the majority of candidates at 55% (a significant increase from 45% in 2019). Notably, 81% of the candidates are contesting their first elections in 2024. Twenty seven out of 31 local authorities have candidates from these backgrounds running, compared to 24 in 2019. Commenting on the news, Migrant Political Participation Coordinator, Teresa Buczkowska, said "Our work on supporting democratic inclusion of migrant communities isnt only focusing on the election season. "Following our research, we know that migrant candidates experience additional barriers during their campaign. We are working all year round to political participation programs and we advocate for policy changes to mediate some of those barriers." Since 2016, the ICI has been providing resources to migrants interested in entering politics. She continued, "Although this year we see a record high number of migrant candidates there is still need for further support to close the gap to democratic participation. "One in eight (12%) of people living in Ireland are migrants however only 1 in 20 (5%) of candidates are migrants, meaning our democracy is still not fully representative." The ICI has also been delivering voter education workshops around the country, with over 20 sessions completed in the last six weeks. Integration Manager at the ICI, Valeria Aquino, said, "Irish democracy has been recognised globally as one of the most inclusive. As an organsation, we take pride that we contributed to Ireland becoming a world leader in this area. "In the past decade, we have built our expertise and established best practices in mobilising migrant communities to participate in Irish electoral politics. We are happy to see that our work is bringing results, and the participation of migrant communities is growing." Last week, the Dail Taskforce on Safe Participation in Political Life report was launched. According to the ICI, "the findings of the report reflected the reality that candidates and politicians from a migrant background, particularly women, face considerable abuse and intimidation from small sections of the Irish public, both online and while campaigning". CEO of the ICI, Brian Killoran, said, "Our work in the area democratic participation has never been more important, when many political decisions about the future of migrant communities in Ireland are effectively being made without their participation and inclusion. "Migrants are members of our democracy, they contribute to our economy as well as our cultural lives and it a matter of equality and fairness that their voices and experiences are represented at the decision-making level, both locally and nationally."